7 Jul 2018, 19:57
Summer Shenanigans
Constantine sat on the wall that lined the corner shop, swinging his legs idly. He was waiting, rather patiently if he said so himself, for Maisy to arrive. The boy had given her the correct address - or at least, the shop's location. She'd never arrive at his house if he'd given her the real address, partly because it didn't show up on Sat Navs or similar muggle inventions. Constantine had appeared at their designated meeting area a few minutes early, just to make sure he'd be there first. So early, that he'd had time to enter the shop and peruse the sweet section. The Hufflepuff didn't recognise any brand names, nor did he think the packaging was as exciting as the wrappers from Honeydukes. As he recalled it from his seat on the uneven brick, he wondered if he should've bought some for Maisy, considering he only had wizarding candy at home. In the end, he decided against it, thinking that she'd get more excitement from the sweets he liked.
He was a bit nervous, though. Despite knowing that his parent's would be welcoming, he was worried that Maisy would feel a out of place. Maybe he should've introduced his family little by little? No, it'd probably be more awkward that way. Constantine hadn't felt uneasy when with Maisy's family, however. He'd say that he got along well with her siblings, even if Mary had been a bit more mature than he was expecting. Pringle had been wonderful! He was ever so cute - Constantine hoped that his dogs could match it.
Montgomery was also at home, though Constantine had already suffered the unrelenting teasing from him a few days prior. His brother was easy enough to get along with, if a little too rough at times. His Dad would probably be out doing the gardening on such a nice day, and he reckoned his Mum would be embroidering in the living room by the time he got back with Maisy. Snapping out of his thoughts, Constantine looked over the area yet again, to see if he could spot the familiar Slytherin.
He was a bit nervous, though. Despite knowing that his parent's would be welcoming, he was worried that Maisy would feel a out of place. Maybe he should've introduced his family little by little? No, it'd probably be more awkward that way. Constantine hadn't felt uneasy when with Maisy's family, however. He'd say that he got along well with her siblings, even if Mary had been a bit more mature than he was expecting. Pringle had been wonderful! He was ever so cute - Constantine hoped that his dogs could match it.
Montgomery was also at home, though Constantine had already suffered the unrelenting teasing from him a few days prior. His brother was easy enough to get along with, if a little too rough at times. His Dad would probably be out doing the gardening on such a nice day, and he reckoned his Mum would be embroidering in the living room by the time he got back with Maisy. Snapping out of his thoughts, Constantine looked over the area yet again, to see if he could spot the familiar Slytherin.
7 Jul 2018, 20:24
Summer Shenanigans
Maisy Dane had never been so thrilled. Well, that was perhaps not entirely true, but she had certainly not been so excited since coming off the train and seeing Hogwarts. Her dad had spent a good portion of the car ride to the designation reminding her of the rules of being a good guest, but Maisy was in a thought-bubble that no amount of exertion could burst.
The wizarding school had been one thing... But a wizarding home! She could only imagine how fascinating it would all be. The things she would see and learn... And spending it all with her best friend. She could think of nothing better.
The car pulled to a stop and Maisy gave a small squeal, unbuckling her belt, "Now, little bird... Don't rush off." But she'd already opened the door and was scrambling out onto the cobbled path.
"Constantine!" She called, giving a wave and a brilliant smile as she dashed up the hill to the brick wall he sat on, "Oh! Isn't this just so exciting?"
Behind her, wearing an expression somewhere between amusement and exhaustion, her father gave a wave as well, "Good to see you again, Stanley. You're alright from here or should I drive you up?"
The wizarding school had been one thing... But a wizarding home! She could only imagine how fascinating it would all be. The things she would see and learn... And spending it all with her best friend. She could think of nothing better.
The car pulled to a stop and Maisy gave a small squeal, unbuckling her belt, "Now, little bird... Don't rush off." But she'd already opened the door and was scrambling out onto the cobbled path.
"Constantine!" She called, giving a wave and a brilliant smile as she dashed up the hill to the brick wall he sat on, "Oh! Isn't this just so exciting?"
Behind her, wearing an expression somewhere between amusement and exhaustion, her father gave a wave as well, "Good to see you again, Stanley. You're alright from here or should I drive you up?"
Last edited by Maisy Dane on 12 Jul 2018, 18:53, edited 2 times in total.
7 Jul 2018, 20:59
Summer Shenanigans
Constantine heard the scarcely familiar noise of a car exhaust before he saw it, slowing to a stop at the base of the small hill. Maisy had enthusiastically stormed up it, overly eager and leaving her Dad in the dust. Constantine pushed off of the wall, dusting himself off before returning an equally excited wave. "Right? I'm so happy you can come along!" The Hufflepuff beamed, practically hopping from foot to foot.
Turning to Maisy's Dad, he gave a polite but cheery grin, "It's nice to see you too!" He greeted, "Thank you for offering Mr Dane, but it's not necessary. I only live
a couple minutes away, and it's nice weather for a walk." Constantine explained. He was usually told to drop the formalities, though he'd never do so - the habit had been drilled into him ever since he was born. The Hufflepuff also reckoned that they wouldn't be able to sit still long enough in the car, anyway. "And I'd like to thank you for letting Maisy visit, as well." He continued gratefully.
Constantine was extremely ecstatic at this point, wondering what they'd do first once they got to the Babbitt cottage. Introducing his family seemed like a good start, although he was itching to let Maisy see the Crups.
Turning to Maisy's Dad, he gave a polite but cheery grin, "It's nice to see you too!" He greeted, "Thank you for offering Mr Dane, but it's not necessary. I only live
a couple minutes away, and it's nice weather for a walk." Constantine explained. He was usually told to drop the formalities, though he'd never do so - the habit had been drilled into him ever since he was born. The Hufflepuff also reckoned that they wouldn't be able to sit still long enough in the car, anyway. "And I'd like to thank you for letting Maisy visit, as well." He continued gratefully.
Constantine was extremely ecstatic at this point, wondering what they'd do first once they got to the Babbitt cottage. Introducing his family seemed like a good start, although he was itching to let Maisy see the Crups.
7 Jul 2018, 21:13
Summer Shenanigans
Maisy's father smiled, and Maisy could nearly predict what he was thinking. He rather liked the formalities... A boy with respect, he'd say, was a boy who'd grow into a man no doubt. He had been rather impressed, in fact, with Constantine, and had asked after his future quite a good many times. When Maisy had explained (with amusement) that she didn't think he'd be interested in working his hand at carpentry, her father had found it difficult to mask his disappointment.
Charlie had told Father off a bit, for being a nudge, but Maisy was sure Constantine wasn't one to mind. He had been awfully polite, and for however little she had managed to focus on her father's lecture in the car, she had every intention of returning that politeness towards his parents.
With a kiss to her father's cheek, Maisy watched him head back to the car, and slid behind the wheel. After a moment or two, crunching along the pebbled road, he was gone out of sight. Turning, hefting her duffle, she beamed at Constantine, "It's lovely, around here. Reminds me of home, quite a bit. You said it's not a far walk? Shall we go, then?"
Charlie had told Father off a bit, for being a nudge, but Maisy was sure Constantine wasn't one to mind. He had been awfully polite, and for however little she had managed to focus on her father's lecture in the car, she had every intention of returning that politeness towards his parents.
With a kiss to her father's cheek, Maisy watched him head back to the car, and slid behind the wheel. After a moment or two, crunching along the pebbled road, he was gone out of sight. Turning, hefting her duffle, she beamed at Constantine, "It's lovely, around here. Reminds me of home, quite a bit. You said it's not a far walk? Shall we go, then?"
Last edited by Maisy Dane on 12 Jul 2018, 18:53, edited 1 time in total.
8 Jul 2018, 18:14
Summer Shenanigans
Constantine watched as the car skittered out of sight, leaving just the two of them. He'd always been amused by the way cars worked, they were a lot more different to wizarding transport. Though, they reminded him somewhat of broomsticks - they both came in a variety of colours and models. "Of course, follow me!" The Hufflepuff chimed, beckoning her to walk besides him. As he'd mentioned, it wasn't a far walk, barely five minutes. "Do you want me to carry your bag?" He questioned, motioning to the duffle bag. He knew that Maisy was more than capable, but it wouldn't hurt to offer.
The pavement began to sprout off from the shop, becoming slightly more gravelly. The path became more narrow too, with hedges lining either side of them. It was rather peculiar, the way they formed an open topped tunnel, but it was merely his Dad's handiwork. "You aren't allergic to bees, are you?" The boy asked absentmindedly, realising he should've mentioned it sooner. There were a lot of bees near his home, though they commonly kept to themselves.
Eventually, after a good few minutes of walking, the 'tunnel' evened out, revealing the Babbitt Cottage. Despite being nestled in a variety of trees and bushes, the roof still stuck out prominently enough to spot it. At the front of the house, there were rows of dandelions and other flowers. Kneeling over an overgrown bush sat a tall man, with mid-length murky blonde hair. He hadn't spotted the pair, too involved in clipping it's branches. "Hey, Dad! Come say hello!" Constantine called, pulling Maisy along softly by her wrist.
The pavement began to sprout off from the shop, becoming slightly more gravelly. The path became more narrow too, with hedges lining either side of them. It was rather peculiar, the way they formed an open topped tunnel, but it was merely his Dad's handiwork. "You aren't allergic to bees, are you?" The boy asked absentmindedly, realising he should've mentioned it sooner. There were a lot of bees near his home, though they commonly kept to themselves.
Eventually, after a good few minutes of walking, the 'tunnel' evened out, revealing the Babbitt Cottage. Despite being nestled in a variety of trees and bushes, the roof still stuck out prominently enough to spot it. At the front of the house, there were rows of dandelions and other flowers. Kneeling over an overgrown bush sat a tall man, with mid-length murky blonde hair. He hadn't spotted the pair, too involved in clipping it's branches. "Hey, Dad! Come say hello!" Constantine called, pulling Maisy along softly by her wrist.
8 Jul 2018, 21:34
Summer Shenanigans
Maisy waiting until her father had disappeared, then followed eagerly after Constantine, down the path. He gestured to her bag and she laughed, before handing it over. She was more than capable of carrying it on her own (it contained very little, after all), but her mother had always told her if there was an opportunity for her brothers to be gentlemen, she and her sisters ought to let them, and she imagined it was no different for boys outside of her family.
The path narrowed into something of a dry culvert, hedges on either side, boxing them in, and looking around, Maisy could feel her excitement growing, "Oh, no! Not allergic. I mean... I wouldn't be keen on getting stung, but I'm not allergic!"
The tunnel opened up and stepping out of it, her eyes widened to saucers, bright, "Oh my goodness gracious! It's so pretty! All those flowers!" There were dandelions and lilies and irises and peonies and the most spectacular lavender... The sweet scent drifting by in the warm summer breeze. Everything was green. So very green.
Constantine took her wrist and pulled her forward and her smile warmed, "Hullo Mr. Babbitt! It's so nice to finally meet you, sir! This garden is just... Oh so lovely!"
The path narrowed into something of a dry culvert, hedges on either side, boxing them in, and looking around, Maisy could feel her excitement growing, "Oh, no! Not allergic. I mean... I wouldn't be keen on getting stung, but I'm not allergic!"
The tunnel opened up and stepping out of it, her eyes widened to saucers, bright, "Oh my goodness gracious! It's so pretty! All those flowers!" There were dandelions and lilies and irises and peonies and the most spectacular lavender... The sweet scent drifting by in the warm summer breeze. Everything was green. So very green.
Constantine took her wrist and pulled her forward and her smile warmed, "Hullo Mr. Babbitt! It's so nice to finally meet you, sir! This garden is just... Oh so lovely!"
12 Jul 2018, 18:10
Summer Shenanigans
Constantine slung the bag over his shoulder, adjusting it so that it was comfortably placed. He was pleased that Maisy had allowed him to do so, as he'd wanted to be a good host. The Hufflepuff gave her a smile, standing patiently at her side.
"Ah, welcome! I assume you're the friend I've been hearing about?" The man said, stretching to his full height. He wore a broad smile on his face, a similar grin to Constantine's own. Tugging off his gardening gloves, he tucked them into his back pocket. "Don't worry, Stan's only mentioned good things." He chuckled heartily, "It's fantastic to finally meet you. I'm David, though Mr. Babbitt is fine by me." David introduced cheerily. He put his hands on his hips, looking out over the rows of flowers with a contemplative eye. "Pretty, isn't it? But I'm far from done yet. David agreed, scratching his chin.
Constantine rolled his eyes with a laugh, "It'd be easier if you used your wand, Dad." Constantine pointed out, in a tone that implied this wasn't the first time he'd suggested it. David simply shook his head in disagreement. "Of course it would. But is the easy path always the right one?" He asked, though it was merely rhetorical, considering the man was back to his gardening in a matter of moments. "Montgomery is waiting for you, why don't you go say hello?" David offered, gesturing to the door.
Constantine beamed at the mention of his brother, rocking on his heels. "Awesome, he made it!" The Hufflepuff whooped, "Let's go see him, Maisy! I'm certain he'll want to meet you!" He chimed eagerly.
"Ah, welcome! I assume you're the friend I've been hearing about?" The man said, stretching to his full height. He wore a broad smile on his face, a similar grin to Constantine's own. Tugging off his gardening gloves, he tucked them into his back pocket. "Don't worry, Stan's only mentioned good things." He chuckled heartily, "It's fantastic to finally meet you. I'm David, though Mr. Babbitt is fine by me." David introduced cheerily. He put his hands on his hips, looking out over the rows of flowers with a contemplative eye. "Pretty, isn't it? But I'm far from done yet. David agreed, scratching his chin.
Constantine rolled his eyes with a laugh, "It'd be easier if you used your wand, Dad." Constantine pointed out, in a tone that implied this wasn't the first time he'd suggested it. David simply shook his head in disagreement. "Of course it would. But is the easy path always the right one?" He asked, though it was merely rhetorical, considering the man was back to his gardening in a matter of moments. "Montgomery is waiting for you, why don't you go say hello?" David offered, gesturing to the door.
Constantine beamed at the mention of his brother, rocking on his heels. "Awesome, he made it!" The Hufflepuff whooped, "Let's go see him, Maisy! I'm certain he'll want to meet you!" He chimed eagerly.
Reducio
Sorry about the long wait! I'm packing for my trip!
12 Jul 2018, 18:48
Summer Shenanigans
Maisy's eyes traveled up at Constantine's dad rose and she laughed softly at his words, "Oh, goodness. I would certainly hope so! It would be terrible to visit someone's home when all they've heard are the awful mess ups you've done! And considering I'm a bit of a klutz..." Rubbing the back of her neck, she looked to Constantine with a smile that crinkled her nose. He knew, of course, that there had been some circumstances during their year that had been more unfortunate than others... The Whomping Willow, for one... and of course, there were the few weeks she'd spent avoiding him out of fear of the bullies in her House... but it was all behind them, now, and she was looking forward to the next few days, most ardently.
"Oh! You'd like my Mum and Dad, Mr. Babbitt... They're not keen on me doing anything at home, unless it's with my hands. Course, I'm not allowed to use my wand bein' I'm only twelve , as it is, but they'll have me scrubbing pots and pans the old fashioned way till I've moved out on my own!" She laughed, but her eyes had traveled back to the flowers and with a smile, she nodded, "They really are lovely."
Looking from father to son again, she nodded, "It was nice to meet you!" And with a wave, she followed Constantine to the door.
"Oh! You'd like my Mum and Dad, Mr. Babbitt... They're not keen on me doing anything at home, unless it's with my hands. Course, I'm not allowed to use my wand bein' I'm only twelve , as it is, but they'll have me scrubbing pots and pans the old fashioned way till I've moved out on my own!" She laughed, but her eyes had traveled back to the flowers and with a smile, she nodded, "They really are lovely."
Looking from father to son again, she nodded, "It was nice to meet you!" And with a wave, she followed Constantine to the door.
Reducio
No worries ;-)
12 Jul 2018, 20:33
Summer Shenanigans
David waved back in a relaxed fashion, before snipping at a stray branch on one of the hedges. He rather liked the girl, from what he'd seen of her. She had a decent set of manners, and appeared friendly enough. He could see why Constantine liked her so much, but it was a surprise to him that they got along. Maisy seemed to be able to keep him in check, though, which was always a good thing.
Constantine pushed open the door, scuffing his feet on the mat before entering. He held it open for Maisy, before closing it behind her. "I wonder where he is..." The Hufflepuff hummed. The hallway lead in one of three directions: to the left, there was a kitchen, to the right, a living room, and straight ahead sat a staircase. After a brief moment of debating, Constantine decided to check the living room, urging Maisy to follow. "He won't step foot in the kitchen, Mum says he makes a mess." He explained with a snort. Sure enough, a figure lay sprawled across the armchair with their arms folded behind their head, legs crossed over the armrest. He looked like an older, taller version of Constantine, with the same unruly hair and pale skin. Whilst he seemed to be asleep, the Hufflepuff knew better.
"Mum's told you not to sit like that, Monty." Constantine teased, walking over to the corner of the room in which he was sat, before standing in front of him. Montgomery opened an eye lazily, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "What're you gonna do about it, Stanley? " Montgomery asked, his tone accusatory. If there was one concrete difference between the brother's, it was the way they spoke. Montgomery spoke slower than Constantine, but far more smoothly. "I'll let you off this once, I'm not going to embarrass you in front of a guest." Constantine remarked. The older brother slid from his seat, in order to sit up straight again. It was then that he caught sight of Maisy.
"Oh, you didn't tell me you were bringing your girlfriend over." He quipped, giving the Hufflepuff a subtle yet not-so-subtle-at-all wink. 'I'm not going to embarrass you in front of a guest' - What type of brother would he be if he didn't return the favour? The Hufflepuff flushed, making Montgomery laugh. "Monty, you idiot, you know that isn't what this is. " Constantine huffed playfully, swatting at his brother with a hand. Montgomery ruffled his hair, holding him an arms length away, before looking to Maisy. "Where are my manners? I'm Montgomery." He smiled politely, before returning to tussle with Constantine for a bit. "Maisy, right?" Montgomery questioned, pulling Constantine into his lap.
Constantine pushed open the door, scuffing his feet on the mat before entering. He held it open for Maisy, before closing it behind her. "I wonder where he is..." The Hufflepuff hummed. The hallway lead in one of three directions: to the left, there was a kitchen, to the right, a living room, and straight ahead sat a staircase. After a brief moment of debating, Constantine decided to check the living room, urging Maisy to follow. "He won't step foot in the kitchen, Mum says he makes a mess." He explained with a snort. Sure enough, a figure lay sprawled across the armchair with their arms folded behind their head, legs crossed over the armrest. He looked like an older, taller version of Constantine, with the same unruly hair and pale skin. Whilst he seemed to be asleep, the Hufflepuff knew better.
"Mum's told you not to sit like that, Monty." Constantine teased, walking over to the corner of the room in which he was sat, before standing in front of him. Montgomery opened an eye lazily, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "What're you gonna do about it, Stanley? " Montgomery asked, his tone accusatory. If there was one concrete difference between the brother's, it was the way they spoke. Montgomery spoke slower than Constantine, but far more smoothly. "I'll let you off this once, I'm not going to embarrass you in front of a guest." Constantine remarked. The older brother slid from his seat, in order to sit up straight again. It was then that he caught sight of Maisy.
"Oh, you didn't tell me you were bringing your girlfriend over." He quipped, giving the Hufflepuff a subtle yet not-so-subtle-at-all wink. 'I'm not going to embarrass you in front of a guest' - What type of brother would he be if he didn't return the favour? The Hufflepuff flushed, making Montgomery laugh. "Monty, you idiot, you know that isn't what this is. " Constantine huffed playfully, swatting at his brother with a hand. Montgomery ruffled his hair, holding him an arms length away, before looking to Maisy. "Where are my manners? I'm Montgomery." He smiled politely, before returning to tussle with Constantine for a bit. "Maisy, right?" Montgomery questioned, pulling Constantine into his lap.
13 Jul 2018, 13:11
Summer Shenanigans
Following Constantine inside, Maisy brushed off her own feet as well, before allowing her eyes to take in the foyer... The paths that branched in all sorts of directions. It was a home very much like her own, warm and comfortable... Clean, without feeling sterile or lacking charm. She imagined his mother chasing him and his brother outside, covered in dust and mud from a wrestling match... Feigning irritation at the state of them, but a smile, hidden, tucked away in the corner of her mouth, in the twinkle of her gaze...
Lost in thought, she almost didn't realize he'd continued on. With a small skip, she caught up and as she stepped into the living room, a brow quirked at the sight of Constantine, several years in the future, flopped lackadaisical across an armchair. He was nicer to look at than she'd expected him to be. Blinking, she stepped closer to the actual Constantine, and her cheeks flushed with color at the older boy's words.
"Oh... I..." But Montgomery tucked Constantine forward and the light roughhousing seemed, magically, to diffuse even the momentary tension in the young blonde. Breathing out a laugh, Maisy shook her head, "Maisy. Yes! I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet you..." Looking to Constantine, trapped in his brother's hold, she grinned, "And if we're fair.. I am a girl... And your friend, so he's not wrong, even if he is only saying it to tease you."
Lost in thought, she almost didn't realize he'd continued on. With a small skip, she caught up and as she stepped into the living room, a brow quirked at the sight of Constantine, several years in the future, flopped lackadaisical across an armchair. He was nicer to look at than she'd expected him to be. Blinking, she stepped closer to the actual Constantine, and her cheeks flushed with color at the older boy's words.
"Oh... I..." But Montgomery tucked Constantine forward and the light roughhousing seemed, magically, to diffuse even the momentary tension in the young blonde. Breathing out a laugh, Maisy shook her head, "Maisy. Yes! I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet you..." Looking to Constantine, trapped in his brother's hold, she grinned, "And if we're fair.. I am a girl... And your friend, so he's not wrong, even if he is only saying it to tease you."