Re: A Small Café

Claire McCann February 10th 2011, 9:26 am

Claire smiled and her hand flew to her hat, adjusting it once more. To him, it may look like she wanted to make sure her hat looked alright, but to her it was a way of dealing with the nerves. She ran her fingertips over the menu as she glanced at their options before her eyes met his. "It wasn't hard to find at all! I've never been here before, but with the directions from some of the locals I was able to make it. I'm glad I didn't keep you waiting, but next time-I mean if there is one- I'll be sure to be here on time," she said as she cupped her hands under her chin. "So," she said, nudging his leg gently with her foot under the table, "What have you been up to?"

**Teddy Lupin** February 12th 2011, 2:20 am

Teddy smiled when she mentioned a second date. "Not much," He answered her question, "Catching up with the family. Believe me, when you're related to the Weasleys, there's plenty of them. I haven't seen James Sirius yet, though." He shrugged, "I'm sure he's just busy. What have you been up to?" He asked her, opening his menu and scanning it silently. The small cafe had so many options compared to The Three Broomsticks or the Hogs Head. It was one of his favorite places in Hogsmeade.

Claire McCann February 12th 2011, 4:34 am

Claire bit her lip as she listened, surprised that he hadn't seen James Sirius. That was, until she remembered the whole Parvati situation. James didn't spend a lot of time with anyone besides her lately. Not that she minded, of course, she just missed her best friend. "Busy with someone we both don't know very well," she said jokingly, scanning the menu again. "I haven't been up to much recently. I have been reading, but I do that often so it's not anything new. I guess I was looking forward to this because it means I finally get to do something social. Something that isn't the norm for me. I like that."

**Teddy Lupin** February 12th 2011, 4:40 am

"Yeah. I did get to talk to his brother, though, so I know he's still alive. If that counts for anything." Teddy set down his menu, ready to order when she was. "Reading is something." He told her, "But trying something out of the norm is probably better. Especially if all you do is read." He smiled, "I do my fair share of reading too, but mostly for school. I can never find enough time to read something just for me. That's what summer break is for, relaxing. Keeping up with friends is almost as hard as classes themselves. Read anything intresting?"

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 2:49 am

"Well, that's good! I'm glad to know he's still alive and well," Claire said with a faint chuckle as she ran her index finger over the two options she was between. When she finally decided, she set the menu aside and smiled nervously. "Yes, I guess it is," she mumbled shyly and ran her fingers through her hair slowly. She wasn't used to this whole holding conversation thing, but she hoped she was doing okay. "It's hard with schoolwork to find any free time, but some of us Ravenclaws form study groups and it gets done faster. If you want, I can study with you and we can get your work done in half the time. That way, you'll have more free time to read, hang out with friends, and plenty more. One of the books I finished reading was about, well, Quidditch. I've been wanting to get into it for some time and just thought... reading about it was a good start!"

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 3:04 am

Teddy laughed when she told him about the Ravenclaw study groups, imagining heated debates over correct measurements in potions. Absurd, he knew, but he still found it funny. "Studying with you would be great," He told her, "A second opinion always does seem to make work go faster." He nodded when she told him about the Quidditch book, "Have you ever played Quidditch before? Besides what they teach you in first year, I mean. I'm not very good, it was never really my thing. But whenever I went over to James' house we always seem to end up playing. Both him and Al are on their teams, and their parents were too. It runs in their family, so it becomes hard to avoid, and I seem to be at their house a lot." He stopped, noticing that he seemed to be talking about James and Al an awful lot and she didn't even know that they were family. It might seem a little weird. He was about to explain when the waiter walked over to take their order. Teddy quickly ordered the Fish and Chips, which was his favorite and usually his first choice, then handed the waiter his menu and looked to Claire, waiting for her to order.

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 3:15 am

"I'd probably have more fun studying with you than them. They can be a handful..." Claire said with a shrug. "It's a great feeling to get all the work out of the way though. And, er, no I've never played Quidditch. I've attempted before, but I'm not sure which position is actually suited for me. I thought maybe I'd try to understand the game before I, well, started playing!" She paused when he began talking about Al and James, intrigued. She didn't know that the three of them were that close. She didn't mind it since it would make it easier for James to approve if anything were to um progress. Not that she assumed it would. She turned to the waiter and handed him her menu with a genuine smile. "I'll have your Caesar salad, please." It wasn't her favorite meal, but she hadn't had one in so long she thought it was necessary. She waited for the waiter to leave before turning back to Teddy. "You were saying?"

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 3:29 am

Teddy smiled, "I was about to say that I spend a lot of time with James and Al, actually with all of their family, because their father is my godfather." He shrugged, not wanting to make their conversation too heavy before they'd even eaten. "My grandmother had to work double shifts once in a while, so she'd send me over to their place for dinner or sometimes to stay the night. That's why I got to close to them. They're family. Cousin-ish." He said, repeating the same words he'd used to describe his relationship with James to her the first time they'd met. "Anyways, if I bring him up a lot, that's why. Nothing weird." He added with a smile.

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 3:36 am

"Oh, well I figured that you had to be family friends of some sort, but that does clear it up! That's cool that you're so close with them. I'd never have even thought of it," Claire smiled despite herself and bit her lip. "It's always good to have a bit of family you have friendships with. At least, in my opinion. I have Melanie and you have James and Albus. It makes perfect sense to me," she said, fiddling with the fork on the table. "I could never think you're weird. Everyone has their own special quirks. I read and get nervous when talking to people and the only thing I've seen so far from you is you mention James and Albus' names a lot. That doesn't seem like a problem to me. Or maybe I'm biased because I like you." She paused and realized what she said, turning a pinkish color. "Well, I mean, I like you as a person. I'm not saying I like like you since we've only just met. Um. Nevermind."

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 3:54 am

"Apparently it's better than being related." Teddy joked, "All the ups of having siblings, but they feel bad if they make you upset." His smile was replaced by a frown, "Of course, it goes both ways. I tend to not think about what I say around them, so sometimes something slips." He shrugged, "Still, I couldn't imagine not having them. I'm sure it's the same with your sister." He remembered what she had told him about her sister always getting the attention but brushed it off, certain that no one could dislike their sibling too much. James and Al always had some arguement between them, but they always made up. He smiled when she blushed, partly because it was cute and partly because she had said she liked him. He leaned across the table, making sure to keep eye contact with her, "Don't worry about it," He said conspiratorially, "I like you, too."

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 4:09 am

"Don't worry, that happens with real siblings too. I hate when Melanie and I get into arguments because they're usually over silly little things that can be easily fixed. Sometimes they start because of comments, actions, etc. I guess when you're comfortable with people, arguments tend to happen. As cheesy as this is going to sound, everyone makes those ittybitty mistakes," Claire said with a small laugh, mostly at herself for saying something so cheesy to begin with. She flushed a darker, almost red color when he leaned across the table. The color faded quickly when he said that he liked her too and she sighed in relief. "Um, good? Yes, good." What in the WORLD am I saying? she thought to herself before quickly adding, "Sorry. I don't actually know why I'm apologizing though. It's, um, is it hot in here or....nevermind." She cleared her throat and took a sip from the water on the table.

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 4:31 am

Teddy chose to not reply to her last comment, sparing her from what would probably turn out to be further embarassment. "Well, besides reading a book on Quidditch, have you been up to anything?" He asked, "Any other late night garden excursions?" Just then the waiter brought their food to the table and he had to move his hands so it could be set down. He smiled at her and popped a fry into his mouth, downing it with a sip of water. "Very good," He told her, smiling, "Want to try it?" He looked at her salad which, although it looked very filling in itself, wasn't really his idea of a meal.

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 4:41 am

Claire puffed up her cheeks and then released the air as Teddy turned to take his plate from the waiter. Well, thank goodness he didn't respond to that question. She really needed to work on her bluntness in this situation. "I like music, so I guess I've been listening to more music than normal. They have this device, not a Muggle one or anything, in the common room that we're allowed to use and I like to listen to some of the different kinds of music. It makes me want to learn an instrument or something. But, um, that would be silly," she said quickly, taking her salad from the waiter and thanking him. She started eating her salad before looking up at Teddy, smiling. She tilted her head. "Erm, sure. If you don't mind that is." She didn't want to fail this if the question was some type of guy test that was used on girls to see if they picked off people's plates. Did guys do that? Oh, well.

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 5:00 am

Teddy frowned, "Device? Is it kinda like a muggle one, but one that works inside the Hogwarts wards? Leave it to the Ravenclaws to come up with something like that. You should learn an instrument, if you want to. Now is the time to try all kinds of new things, right? While we're still in school. Quidditch, music, you should try it all. I almost wish that I wanted to try a whole bunch of different things, like you do. Unfortunately, music, like Quidditch, is not really my thing. I'm just naturally bad at it." He picked another fry up and ate it, pushing his plate towards the center of the table where she could reach it, an open invitation to help herself.

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 5:08 am

"Precisely!" Claire exclaimed before taking another small bite of her salad. She questioned whether or not a salad was a good choice since lettuce could easily get stuck in her teeth. Why was she worrying about her teeth? She shook her head and swallowed her bite before smiling once more. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Teddy." She couldn't help but frown slightly. "You could do anything you set your mind to, you know. If you want to try a musical instrument I could help you. I'm interested in ocarinas particularly, but there are guitars. I think you'd be excellent at guitar." She reached her hand outwards, as if reaching for one of the fries, but instead leaned over the table and took his hand. "You have long fingers. Many of the strings on a guitar are difficult for me because I have small hands and not long enough fingers. You're lucky. Don't knock things off a list of things to do before you try them."

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 5:56 am

Teddy watched as she took his hand and examined his fingers which, he couldn't help noticing, were a little dirty from Merlin knows what. "I suppose you're right," He said, "I should try it. Guitar seems like something my dad would have liked." He smiled, "Maybe if you decide to learn the ocarina, I could learn guitar with you. Actually, Al plays guitar. And he sings. He's pretty musical, maybe he could teach us." He took a bite out of the fish and swallowed before continuing, "That is, if I ever find time for it. The essays I have this week alone are completely ridiculous." He shrugged, "I'll get them done, but I won't be happy about it. Professors really need to understand that we have lives. I think it's only fair that they should have to spend as much time marking them as we do writing them."

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 6:01 am

Claire pulled her hands away when she realized how weird that must have been. She picked up a fry and shoved it into her mouth, coughing quietly as she swallowed. That couldn't have looked normal. She laughed to make it seem less awkward and grinned. "Then you have a leg up! You already have a teacher. I'd have to have my parents order an ocarina and mail it to me. It's a beautiful, yet underrated instrument you know. And, it's like I told you, I'll help you with the studying. I finished most of my work with the study group last night, so I'm up for helping you with your papers and such." She gently nipped her lip as she held back laughter at his last comment. "If only teachers respected our lives as teenagers. All the romance and the friend drama. They need to help by giving us a small amount of workload, huh?"

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 6:35 am

"I've never heard an ocarina before, so I'll believe it when you show me. I couldn't even tell you want it looked like." Teddy laughed, "I don't think you give teenagers enough credit. The things we go through to get to OWLS, and then they throw NEWTS at us." He shook his head dramatically, "It's too much. We should have a class dedicated to relaxation or something. That would be ideal." He took another bite, then said, "Anyways, I've pretty much got school work under control. The only problem is that it takes too long, I have to take an hour out of each day for homework, at least. You're going to have to help me with that."

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 6:42 am

"Eh," Claire frowned and furrowed her brows. She scrunched up her nose when she thought about the OWLS and the NEWTS. "You're right. They are hard on us. And I can show you the sound they make through the music player some time. I mean, I can definitely bring people from other houses in. It's not hard since they only ask us once question." She pursed her lips and squinted, pretending to think about it. "Hm. I'm not so sure about that, Lupin. You might have to give me something in return for my services."

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 6:52 am

"They ask you guys a question to get into the common room? That sounds easy to get into, I bet I could pull it off. That is, if I even knew where your common room is. I know it's in the tower, but that's it. Ours has a password, it's really not all that creative. Honestly, every month someone loses the password and they need to change it." Teddy smiled, "You could get me in? That would be awesome. I mean, I'm sure my common room is much better, but seeing yours would be cool." He said with a teasing tone. "Wait, I need to give you something for your help?" He asked, smiling, "What did you have in mind?"

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 6:56 am

"It's usually a riddle actually. We're supposed to use critical thinking skills to solve the riddle in order to enter the common room. If you're wrong, you're stuck outside. If you can't figure it out, you're stuck. Plain and simple," Claire said and she quirked a brow at his challenge. "Oh, you think your common room's better, do you? Well, I'll show you, won't I?" she teased back, adding a playful smirk. "Hm. I don't know. It has to be something that no one else can give me. Savvy?"

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 7:08 am

"Something no one else can give you? What is this, one of those riddles I need to get into your common room? I should have known dating a Ravenclaw would be hard work." Teddy pretended to consider it for a minute, tapping his fingers on the table. "Well, I can think of a few things that only I could give you." He told her, eatting some more of his fries, "And I hardly think this is the time or place for any of them. So if I'm completely wrong, you might have to enlighten me. Otherwise, you're going to have to wait."

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 7:19 am

"I don't think the riddles would ever be anything so informal, but it's a possible," Claire said with a grin. She did her best to hide her true excitement and the fact that her heart was beating very fast when he talked about dating a Ravenclaw. Well, then that was a step forward. She laughed quietly when he pretended to think because he looked cute when he did it. "Oh, really?" She was about to ask what those things might be, but stopped when he said they weren't appropriate in this present area. Her eyes widened for a split second, but she maintained her composure. "We'll probably have to wait then. I won't say anything til I hear some of your proposals. You should know I can be very patient," she said with a smirk. "The question is, are you patient, Teddy?"

**Teddy Lupin** February 24th 2011, 7:34 am

Teddy laughed, "You're right, I bet your riddles are much less exciting. That's why Gryffindor and Ravenclaw would be the perfect team. Bravery and wit. Excitement and challenge. You guys need our creativity." He smirked, "And I think you're underestimating me. I am an incredibly patient person. It's just one of my many attributes." The drumming of his fingers on the table, though, gave him away. He finished the rest of his food and smiled at her, finding her innocence refreshing from everyone he had been around the past couple of weeks. He found himself looking forward to the next time they hang out already.

Claire McCann February 24th 2011, 7:38 am

Claire finished her salad quickly, but not at such a pace that it would seem she was in a hurry. "You're right. If the Gryffindors and the Ravenclaws united we'd probably be unstoppable. Somebody should really do something about that." She rolled her eyes at his smirk jokingly and leaned back in her chair as soon as she'd finished the rest of her meal. She liked that she was able to joke and flirt with Teddy without worrying about spurting off random facts. He was another person that she felt comfortable around. He was like James, but different. Something about him made her nerves act insane. She smiled. "You ready then?"

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