Hogsmeade Weekend

[shnpc]

WHO: 3rd years and up + teachers
TONE: Fun, cute, shoppy, romantic
RATING: G to PG-13
WHEN: November 17th and 18th!
WHERE: The Village of Hogsmeade!
WHAT: Everyone goes shopping in Hogsmeade Village, some on dates, some just looking to have a good time!
STATUS: Ongoing! Use whatever tag format you want!

Comments

[allamericanreject]

Yeah, well...I was thinking about it. I'd like to spend some time with my mother. Actually I was wondering what I could get her for Christmas, and I figured hey! Hogsmeade is a great place!

What about you, Arts? Planning on heading home or chillin' at the castle?

[rule_britannia]

I'm not sure yet. I'll probably go home.

[He swings their hands a little, half to shake the growing discomfort he can feel creeping up his arm. It's not something he wants, so he's ignoring it.]

Mother will want to see me.

[allamericanreject]

[Without really putting much thought into it, Alfred strokes his thumb across the back of Arthur's thumb.]

Well that's good then. Hmm~ If you wanted...for you know, a day or two...to visit. I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind having you over and stuff. [Small smile.] It's up to you though.

[This might still be awkward...so he doesn't want to push.]

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur glances down and smiles uneasily, but he doesn't pull his hand free.]

... You know, I think I'd like that.

[If he was going to do this, then he should at least start trying, right?]

Just for a day or two. I don't know if I can return the favour, though.

[allamericanreject]

Man, that's okay! I just think I'd want to spend a little time with you, Arts. If it's at my house, that's neat. If it's yours, neat too! But don't get twisted or nothin' over anything you can't help.

[He keeps doing that for a moment, then tugs Arthur towards the Three Broomsticks again.]

Drinks're on me again!

[rule_britannia]

I'm simply concerned about the reaction my father might have. Liking boys is one thing - I mean.. he got over that soon enough with William and I doubt he'd be terribly put out - but.. he's a little set in his ways, and you're..

[Muggle-born. Arthur's father kept his deep-set prejudices to himself, mostly for the sake of his brother and the extended family, but sometimes it came out.]

.. Well. I'm not going to say no to a free drink.

[allamericanreject]

[Wow, nothing awkward about that. Alfred totally doesn't look blank-faced at all. It's not that he doesn't get the insinuation.

It's probably because he does get the insinuation and he's not sure whether to appreciate the fact that Arthur's openminded or be annoyed that his father isn't.]

...'Kay uh, let's get inside then.

[When in doubt, hold the door open for your boyfriend. It's always a great idea.]

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur's used to his father being that way, and indeed sometimes it comes out in himself, though he tends to catch it before he's unforgivably insulting. When the door's opened he smiles a bit and ducks inside.]

I'll find a table.

[allamericanreject]

Then I'll get the drinks.

[A smile, then he's off to buy some butterbeers. He finds Arthur afterwards, at whatever table he's chosen out, taking a seat close to him and sliding one glass over.]

So...

[He trails off there. Not sure how to continue this next point.]

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur curls his fingers around the glass. So. A small smile pulls at his lips.]

Tell me about your family.

[allamericanreject]

...My family? Oh. Hah, well. I have a younger brother?

[He sips at his butterbeer momentarily, the foam atop it clinging to his upper lip. Just a bit though, enough to look silly. But he's going to keep talking because he's dense and doesn't realize that he has a butterbeer moustache.]

I also got my mom and my dad, but Dad isn't around much. His job has him traveling around a lot, and mom's a bookkeeper at a small office. She's pretty cool and stuff. I think my family would like you, they're all pretty chill. I mean yeah, my dad's military and stuff, but you can imagine they're pretty open-minded, lettin' me go to Wizarding school.

[It's not a lot of information to start with, just a bunch of vague parts, but if prompted, Alfred's really an open book, especially where Arthur's concerned.]

[rule_britannia]

[He's not going to point it out, not right away, but he sips his own drink and listens. Muggle families have always held an odd kind of interest for him, and as a Pureblood he knows what that makes him, but he'd flip the middle finger to anyone who would call him a blood traitor.

If there weren't any Muggleborns, magic would start dying out. He's smart enough to know that.]

It would either be that or allow your magic to develop unchecked. There's a reason they have special schools for us.

[allamericanreject]

I wouldn't wanna hurt anyone, and I think that's why my parents agreed, because they wouldn't want that either.

[Sip]

So hey, I was gettin' these butterbeers, and it occurred to me that you said one of your brothers is gay. I totally didn't expect that! Is that really an acceptable thing for you guys? Cuz Muggles are really weird about it!

[He's pretty awkward about it himself.]

[rule_britannia]

Mm, William is.

[He laughs quietly, shaking his head.]

The wizarding world is just as difficult with things like that as muggles are. It comes down to personal preferences. I don't give a rat's arse in hell who William wants to sleep with so long as I can't hear it when he does.

[allamericanreject]

[A wince, and he sticks his tongue out in mild disgust.]

Oh, gross man...I don't wanna think about all that now. But yeah...I guess it is a pretty heavy topic. Not your brother's habits, just...sexuality.

[Okay, now he's a little hesitant.]

But what's the difference, really? I think I like girls better, but you're just really attractive and all. So I'd pick you over a girl.

[rule_britannia]

I don't see why it needs to be made a big deal out of.

[Never mind that Arthur hadn't really been thinking of liking people in general until Alfred had pushed his way into his sphere of attention... and he was still straying just shy of unsure about all that.

He snorts and looks down at the table, picking at a knot in the wood.]

I'm not sure what that says about the girls in the school, Alfred...

[allamericanreject]

[Alfred slides his butterbeer from one hand to the other idly, looking just beyond Arthur's ear, and pointedly at that.]

...The girls are fine. I just like you better. Everyone has a preference, right? I suppose you're simply what I prefer?

[rule_britannia]

That-- Hmn.

[He still hasn't forgotten all those years you spent picking on him, Alfred. Arthur frowns down at the table.]

I suppose I should be flattered.

[allamericanreject]

[Forgotten or not, dwelling too long in the past won't help either of them reinforce their relationship now. That's how Alfred feels anyway.]

If you want. I am tryin' for somethin' here, and if you wanted, I could be sweeter on you.

[Smile~]

[rule_britannia]

You could be.

[A little frown.]

I suppose. If you wanted to.