February 22, 1888 — High Street

Bella loved quidditch, but she doubted there were many people who were being truthful when they claimed to hate the sport. It was a cultural icon of their world, one of the many things the muggles could not mimic with any degree of accuracy. She certainly couldn't fly — that was one of the few types of magic she could only wish she was proficient in — but that did not stop the sight of men and woman soaring through the skies on magical broomsticks any less exciting.

She had been passing through High Street wearing a pleasant smile on her lips. Her internship duties were over for the day, and she had been given the freedom to visit Hogsmeade—but not without one of her Aunt Laverna's female servants wandering some distance behind her.

The crowd was particularly hasty, and at one point she found her shoulders brushing against the bodies of other men and women as they all tried to push past each other. Unfortunately, her dress caught on another part of a passing person, causing her to let out a gasp as her movements were brought to a halt. She glanced up at the other person — a man with a familiar-looking face — who'd been 'caught' on her and dipped her head apologetically.

"Do forgive me, sir. The crowd is a little feisty this morning," she explained with a chuckle.

Rufus Bixby

  

---

— MJ is MAGICAL —

Since Puddlemere had won the Quidditch season Rufus had found that going out in public had become a time consuming venture. Strangers would congratulate him out of the blue, they’d tip their hats, beam widely, strike up conversations about quidditch. Honestly, Rufus had believed that the lack of his signature blue hair might dissuade some of the behavior (not that he truly minded the attention for a job well done, but there did come a point where a man appreciation some degree of anonymity) yet yet the muddy brown had done little to keep the fans at bay. It was only with the publicity of the ametur game that the attention steered away from Rufus. Just in time as it had become almost wearisome. Especially when he simply wanted to go look at new quidditch supplies and it took him an hour to simply walk from his home to the store!

Today, however, it appeared that with the busy High Street bustling and the attention firmly elsewhere Rufus might actually have a degree of solitude for his trip to Honeydukes. Perhaps it was even with the help of the crowd pressing in on him that gave him a feeling of solitude even as people brushed past shoulder jostling shoulder. That was until Rufus felt his arm suddenly resist swinging along pleasantly at his side. Looking to see what had happened he discovered the lace of a lady’s sleeve firmly wrapped and snagged around the buttons on the end of his sleeve. Rufus looked up to see a young lady with an abashed look nod at him.

He couldn’t help but chuckle along at the situation. “It’s quite alright, I do believe my coat is half the culprit.” He told her refraining from adding something about his sleeves capturing the attention of such a pretty little thing - the ‘lace’ - of course. But that type of comment was better left to ballrooms and socials than strangers in the street. After all Rufus’s mother had taught him his manners.

Bella Scrimgeour

  

Bella did as she always did and smiled sheepishly at his response. She definitely knew his face from somewhere, but was also positive that she hadn't met him personally. While names and dates often eluded her, voices were far more difficult for her to forget — and his certainly seemed memorable!

"No need to fret! If someone else doesn't rip it, I'll manage to somehow," she teased with a quick glance down at the stretched fabric. Perhaps the reason her Aunt Laverna had no qualms about her parading around in witches robes was because she tore all the expensive gowns that were similar to Lucille's. "I shouldn't have any reason to know who you are, should I? You look very familiar," she prompted with a raised brow.

  

---

— MJ is MAGICAL —

“Is that so?” Rufus responded politely, somewhat surprised that the young lady would admit such a thing. It was something his little sister might say, but most young ladies he had met rather preferred not to point out such things. At least in his experience. “Well let me see if I can get your lace uncaught with little harm to it.” He leaned over their joined sleeves, grateful it was his left arm that had been caught, it’d be much more difficult to untangle if his right hand had been stuck. Not that he was terribly good at detail work - now catching a quaffle, that was something he was good at.

As he worked the young woman dropped a question at Rufus, one Rufus had rather been hoping not to hear. With in internal sigh he braced himself for the onslaught of questions and congratulations that was likely to come with his name. He glanced up at the young woman with a smile, “Only if your a quidditch fan.” He replied easily returning to his work. The button was being rather stubborn. “I play for Puddlemere United.”

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

Bella smiled at he worked to untangle their outfits. She'd never been caught on a gentleman before; it was much more common the detailing on her skirt to get caught in the the skirts of her friends' dresses.

His answer regarding his familiarity was one that caused her to perk up. Bella had never been a huge follower of quidditch. She'd always been an avid supporter of the Gryffindor house quidditch team while at school, and had on multiple occasions attended Hogsmeade Howlers matched while still living with her parents. She hadn't, however, ever considered herself a Puddlemere fan.

"Oh, that's nice," she quipped, unsure of whether or not he expected her to go all fan-girl on him. She wasn't that sort — there was no point in obsessing over gentleman who were complete strangers. "I must confess: I was a bit put out that Kenmare didn't make it farther in the tournament. I suppose you all were too good for them," she added, though her tone made sure to let him know she was only teasing.

  

---

— MJ is MAGICAL —

Finally the last thread of lace slipped over the button and they were freed. “There we go!” He dropped his arms to the side in demonstration of their sudden freedom. “I believe your lace is mainly intact.” Rufus added, his brief exchange told him that she may very well be okay with this fact.

He chuckled at her words, “Perhaps they will have better luck this year with you cheering them on.” He was hoping for a good season coming up, which meant teams doing better than they had before. A good game of quidditch was really all he could hope for when they stepped up to their brooms.

  

---

BEE-utiful set!

He was friendly enough, she decided — far friendlier than she imagined some self-obsessed quidditch players might be! She attempted to tug the fabric back into its proper place, but gave up after a moment or two. Did it really matter?

"Perhaps they will," she answered with a grin. Her eyes flickered around, noting that there were some watching them. All she needed was the hidden 'sources' of Witch Weekly to inform them of her conversation! "I do suppose I should bid you farewell! Thank you for the help."

  

---

— MJ is MAGICAL —