milliways_bar | (no subject)

Ahhhh! Young love.

There is a twinkle in the Ranger's eye as he sips his tea.

"That is good. What particular area of research is this? I presume magic, but I am also sure that there are as many areas of magic as there are of engineering, medicine, chemistry or even diplomacy."

The question of that "someone" will be addressed soon, gentle readers.

"There are. Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts." Some of the Dark Arts as well. Hexes and Curses. "Transfiguration. Subjects like that."

Well, maybe, if it can be coaxed out of the teen. He's still not sure what it is. Even though he's got a date. On Halloween no less.

"I see. Which facet are you exploring at the moment?
"

Ahhh, the need for coaxing makes it all the more fun.

"Well, Potions always been an interest for me," he shrugged.

"Indeed. Granted, I know little about your magic's system, but Potions do seem at first glance to be one of the more practical forms."

"It is, yes. Been teaching some of it to a friend of late. She's quite brilliant with it." Calm expression, but faint glimmers of something under the surface again. Remembering her delight at the exploding potions, and some of the more advanced poisons.

Ah-ha!

"Is this the someone you mentioned earlier?" he asks dryly.

Draco calmly said, "Perhaps." But there was something shirty about it, and he did seem quick to sip his tea to avoid speaking further.

The Ranger only smiles.

"Perhaps, then. It is no bad thing to discover a person who shares a love with you."

And Draco only... chokes on his tea at that. After much sputtering and coughing, he finally said, "It's not like that."

The thing about pale skin? Hard to hide blushing.

He finally added, "...Actually we don't know. ...It's complicated."

"Like what?" the Ranger asks innocently. "Friends of all kinds are precious."

He sips his tea with a knowing look as Draco blushes and sputters. And nods at his last qualifier.

"It always is," he says, sympatheticly. "It always is...for all of us."

"No, you don't understand," Draco sipped so more of the tea, a bit slower this time.

"We know we don't hate each other, and might even like each other. Only, I think I like her a great deal." There might be love there, but would he recognize it? Probably not. Not for a long time.

"And you find it both pleasing and unsettling?" the Ranger asks. "As though you were flying along and a strong gust suddenly caught you and carried you off without warning?"

"...Something like that. Not sure about her though."

Ah, the ancient game of "does he/she feel what I feel?"

"I suppose asking her is not possible at the moment."

Another sip of tea as his bland expression masks a mix of sympathy and amusement.

Draco started complaining some, "Well, not right now. And it's difficult to talk to her. She can be so strange and infuriating. I try to say something, and she'll look at me oddly. Find her fascinating anyway."

"Perhaps, instead of trying to figure her out, you should simply allow yourself to be fascinated for a time."

"Sometimes understanding cannot be forced. It has to come in its own way. But enjoyment and appreciation...that you can do right now."

"Like to at least know where I stand exactly. ...Though she did invite me to a family event." Small grin.

A dry chuckle.

"Wouldn't we all."

So Draco's going to meet the family? This should be interesting.

Whether it's interesting in the Chinese curse sense remains to be seen.

"Have you been given the standard advice on meeting the father of...an interesting lady?"

Considering this particular kooky and spooky family? It'll be all levels of interesting.

He stiffly added, "I know how to conduct myself properly at functions."

In actuality? Not so much, or at least, the parents already made arrangements with the girls' parents, as in the case back home with him and Pansy Parkinson.

Perhaps medical personel should be on stand-by.

The Ranger smiles drolly at him. "Ah, Kenaz, Kenaz. Meeting the father of an interesting daughter is no mere social function. It can quite often be a trial by fire."

He refills his cup again. "It was once said that a father of any daughter has instincts that are a cross between those of a guard dog...and a rabid lion."

That actually might be very wise. He's already been sort of warned about the Grandmama's cooking style.

Draco blinked, "What? That doesn't make any sense. Why wouldn't he have agreed already?" Forgetting that this time, nothing was arranged. He was making a decision for somebody himself. Not via his parents.

"Agreed already?" he echos. "Will this not be the first time you've met the family? Will they know anything about you other than what their daughter has told them? If you are fortunate, her father will be laid back and trusting. But quite often they may be highly...cautious about this strange interloper who has expressed interest in 'his baby girl'."

"Well, yes, but my fa..." He trailed off, as he realized. This was completely on his own. In fact, his mother didn't approve of the idea.

"I guess it would be, then..." Brief expression of worry flickered there before his face became its usual impassive look.

"Then may I suggest a bit of caution...and perhaps you may wish to get a haircut."

The and watch your tendency to pass judgement on large sections of humanity based on magical ability goes unsaid.