March 18th, 1890 — Wellingtonshire, Hogsmeade

By some miracle or mischance Charles found himself staring across the room at none other than Miss Lestrange. The hosts of this little dinner gathering could not have known that the young lady on the opposite side of the room from him had occupied his thoughts a little too often of late and certainly they hadn't invited her on his behalf. When Charles had been unable to dig up anything on her that would suggest she wasn't perfection incarnate, he'd rapidly progressed to the stage of great anxiety. Obviously if she wasn't too good to be true then he had to have her but he couldn't just leap to the proposal stage, much as he might want to. No, he had to pace things and make doubly, no triply sure that she wasn't hiding ugly character traits from him. He needed to know everything about her. Meanwhile who knew how many other men might be realizing that a catch like Miss Lestrange was ready for the taking, all it would take was one less scrupulous than him to swoop in and steal her away.

There weren't many other unattached guests from what he could tell which meant they stood a good chance of being paired together for dinner which pleased him greatly, but there was no guarantee and so he had to make the most of the short interlude before they potentially went their separate ways. Even if it did mean going out of his way to initiate conversation with her, rather than making it seem like he only cared enough to talk if the occasion arose naturally. He did try to seem subtle about his approach though, slowly ambling across the drawing room and stopping once to very briefly exchange pleasantries with a friend.

"Good evening, Miss Lestrange, what a pleasant surprise to see you here tonight." There was little indication from his tone to suggest that this pleased him even half as much as it did.

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@"Tatiana Lestrange"

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   Tatiana Macnair

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Tatiana had found Mrs. Pucey to be rather insipid ever since they shared a dormitory; marriage had not made the former Miss Jetson any more interesting. Still, she had declined her friend's past two invitations, and had not been able to justify doing so a third time in a row without jeopardizing her status with the woman, who could prove useful at times. This act of calculation was decidedly rewarded when Tatiana was approached before the meal by none other than Mr. Charles Macmillan, whom she had decided she would marry by year's end. 

(She was not surprised, having confirmed the guest list prior to arriving, but pretended to be nonetheless.)

"You took the words right from my mouth, Mr. Macmillan," she returned with a coy smile. "Now I fear I must comment upon the size of the room or compliment the assemblage of guests, though in truth I wish most to inquire how you have settled in to your new position."

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   Charles Macmillan

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Agh she was delightfully proper without being dull, how had it taken him so long to notice her? "Very well as it happens, it is quite different from my former position but infinitely more rewarding." When the next set of elections came up he would be primed and ready. The only one who could claim more experience by proximity to the Minister was Crouch, frustratingly he seemed always to be a level below a damn Crouch! Thank Merlin the third brother wasn't in the Ministry, nothing would be more degrading that deferring to that one. Not that he felt threatened by the likes of Roman Crouch! Being that much closer to the Minister of Magic had made him all the more hellbent on reaching the very top. The benefits of having a Lestrange for a wife in this arena were not lost on him, so long as one of their own didn't run against him.

"And how have you been keeping, Miss Lestrange?" Well and decidedly unattached he hoped. He had been on alert ever since December but that didn't mean she hadn't caught the attention of someone else, only that he hadn't heard about it.

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@"Tatiana Lestrange"

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   Aldous Crouch, Jupiter Smith

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She expected no less. The junior of his title was hardly ideal, but Tatiana had little doubt that, when Minister Ross' reign inevitably crumbled, it would evolve into senior with haste—unless Mr. Macmillan made the right connections in the interim, in which case he would most certainly be the next Minister of Magic himself.

(It was her. She was the right connection.)

"As busy as I can muster. Given how cold and isolating the winter can sometimes find itself, I have always considered it the best time of year to better one's mind," Tatiana answered.

  

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He could infer from that that she hadn't been spending a great deal of time with any particular gentlemen which was highly reassuring. He didn't know what sort of betterment she was referring to what possible improvement could she need? but it seemed a virtuous occupation for a lady. She was so very practical and intelligent but tastefully so! "An admirable way to spend the winter." He wanted to know specifically what she thought she needed to improve upon but couldn't think of a way to do so without being overtly intrusive. "Nevertheless you must be relieved that it's nearly spring?"

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@"Tatiana Lestrange"

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   Tatiana Macnair

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Relieved? Not particularly, but Tatiana could tell that this was the response he was looking for.

"Oh, of course!" she answered brightly. "It can be so easy to feel restrained in the winter months, don't you find? The spring time gives one renewed opportunities to return out of doors—gardening, badminton, archery, even walks or picnics with desirable company."

Her eyes lingered on his own at the mention of desirable company before casting about the room once more as if to suggest she hadn't truly been looking at him at all. It was a delicate game, flirtation, and one had to toe the line carefully. To be too available was worse even than being not available enough, though both would lead to the same result: spinsterdom.

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   Charles Macmillan

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Was it just because it followed the phrase 'desirable company' or was she holding his gaze longer than usual? No, she definitely was, he wasn't imagining it. This was a perfect opening for him to extend an invitation to her and he wanted to very much but he suddenly felt unsure of himself and didn't know how to go about it. He was also in danger of letting the conversation lapse if he didn't speak soon.

"I can see why you might be looking forward to the change in season, that sounds very pleasant." In truth he didn't care for picnics at all, the very idea of eating outside was unappealing - swatting at insects every few seconds to protect his food was most irritating - but if that's what she liked... "You are partial to picnics then?" That wasn't too obvious, was it?

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   Tatiana Macnair

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She smiled at him.

"You might think this silly of me, Mr. Macmillan," came her answer, Tatiana's tone conspiratorial, "but I find to lunch out-of-doors rather a freeing experience. Dinners like this are, of course, lovely and serve myriad purposes, but I have always felt a picnic places its emphasis upon the participants rather than the menu. They pose a...a better opportunity to get to know one's companions."

  

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He supposed she made a good point, aside from the outside being 'freeing' part. The often unpleasant outdoor aspect aside, picnics had a certain informality about them which ordinarily he might find distasteful but in the specific context of Miss Lestrange he could certainly see some advantages. "I must confess I've never thought of it that way before." Here was another opening, a more obvious one than before that might give the impression he wasn't interested if he failed to extend an invitation. However it felt like he'd be showing too much interest if he, in the heat of the moment, seemed to decide he'd hold a picnic to which she was invited. The last opening would have been better, he could have more subtly claimed he'd already been planning one with family and casually extended the invitation.

Damn it.

Why didn't he have any sisters he could hassle into hosting a picnic?! Even in this way Edward and Elmer were utterly useless to him. Oh, his brother had just gotten married, perhaps his cousin could assist? It might be his best option although he now saw Minnie Pendergast as loyal to Edward above all others which meant it'd be like asking his brother for a favor and who knows what else she'd tell him. No, that had to be a last resort. There was Cousin Emma... That also felt a bit odd though, he was accustomed to asking women for favors and he wasn't sure he was ready for anyone's prying questions. Perhaps his mother would want to play hostess? No, she'd probably have Althea there and he simply refused to have the brat compromise this for him.

Shit, he couldn't do it. He just couldn't. It was too obvious, he was going to look like a soppy fool! Suddenly he was imagining Miss Lestrange in a summery white frock sat beneath a tree looking resplendent and it would be his own fault if he never got to see such a thing. "I should bear it in mind when I next attend a picnic." He was already kicking himself but he simply could not bring himself to ask the question.

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   Tatiana Macnair

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"Perhaps I shall arrange one," Tatiana suggested almost nonchalantly, her smile brightening nonetheless, "once the weather is more favourable."

It was a bolder move than she had been keen to make, but one that proved necessary when Mr. Macmillan hadn't taken the bait on his own.

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   Ursula Black

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That Miss Lestrange was trying to subtly encourage him to extend an invitation was not evident to Charles who was far too wrapped up in deliberating how to make such an invitation. To him it seemed to be getting increasingly difficult to ask her the more they spoke of picnics, he had thought he might redirect the conversation elsewhere so that he could revisit the matter in the smooth and dignified manner he so desired before they parted company, but now it strangely seemed like even that would come across as clumsy and overeager. "Once the weather is more favorable I should think you'll be inundated with invitations to picnics and garden parties." He managed to stop himself from suggesting that hers would probably be superior, he liked to think it would be too. He very much liked the idea of attending a picnic hosted by her but he would have to invite her somewhere of his own choosing or making first, his pride insisted.

Maybe that was the solution he was looking for! A picnic had seemed like a good, subtle way of wooing her but now it wouldn't seem like he'd taken the initiative, it would seem predictable. He would have to invite her to something else first and then there could be picnics. "In the meantime, whilst the weather remains inhospitable, we sadly must make do with indoor pursuits." He hesitated for a moment, anticipating the words he hadn't yet spoken. "Such as the opera. I'm to see Ghiselle the week after next. Are you much fond of opera, Miss Lestrange?" It was a small miracle he had overheard snippets of a conversation earlier that day about said opera or else he would've been stuck for ideas. If Miss Lestrange was agreed he would have to invite a friend so it wouldn't seem too intimate, preferably someone with a wife or sister. Damn it why didn't he have any sisters?! He'd never realized how useful they could be until this conversation.

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   Aldous Crouch

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He hadn't taken the picnic bait, but Tatiana thought this was even a more positive development: unless she was very much mistaken, Mr. Macmillan was about to extend her an invitation to the opera!

"I must confess, Mr. Macmillan, that I have never been," she answered truthfully, "though for a lack of opportunity, rather than a lack of interest. I must conclude that it is something enjoyable indeed, if you are apt to attend."

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   Charles Macmillan

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His eyebrows raised a fraction when she announced she'd never been to an opera before, not because he was incredulous but rather because he couldn't quite believe his luck! If she'd never been to an opera before then that meant even if what she saw was mediocre, it would still be an experience of great significance and he'd be there to reap the rewards of that.

He also hadn't failed to notice that she'd paid him a subtle compliment. In fact it pleased him more than he would allow himself to let on and while that isn't really saying much, it definitely shouldn't devalue the extent of his delight. Which is a lot. Charles felt a little fuzzy not in a tomato-ey way inside OKAY? Don't ask him about it.

Opera wasn't a particular passion of his although he did enjoy the more dark and shocking variety rather than romance. He wasn't sure what Miss Lestrange might find preferable. As a female he was inclined to assume romantic comedy or a tragic romance would be her taste but she did seem to be more astute than the average debutante... "The opera is quite the experience. If it is an opportunity you are in want of," here it was, the big question, "then perhaps I could provide you with just the thing. If you would be so inclined of course, perhaps you might accompany me next week. I'm going with a friend and his," fuck which was the safer option, wife or sister? This was no time to dither! "Wife, but I know for a fact both would be delighted if you were to join us." He was of course lying on the spot and he would now have to go find a friend or acquaintance but it would be worth it in the end. The addition of another couple would not only make it more proper but it would put Miss Lestrange in the mind of considering them as a couple. But first she actually had to say 'yes'.

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   Billie Farrow, Tatiana Macnair

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"I should hate to intrude upon your company," Tatiana answered easily with feigned hesitation, as if not wishing to be a burden. In fact, she wished nothing more than to be a burden—no, rather, a welcome addition. A necessity.

"But then," she added as if the idea had only just come to her, "I must say, Mr. Macmillan, that you do not strike me as the sort to make frivolous invitations."

  

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For a fleeting moment he thought she was trying to politely excuse herself from the invitation, that he'd gravely misjudged the entire situation and made a fool of himself, but then sanity returned. Obviously she was being demure, she was hardly going to squeal with delight and jump up and down! Hopefully she felt that enthused in the privacy of her own mind though.

"I do strive not to be." He couldn't help but to inwardly gloat - she seemed to understand he was not a man prone to nonsense and vagaries and he appreciated that, but mostly it meant that he was making an impression on her.
"But I assure you, you would not be intruding in the slightest, quite the opposite." It would be hard for her to intrude upon an outing arranged with the sole purpose of seeing her after all.

Now that the hard part was through and he felt entirely confident that she would be taking him up on his invitation, he barely batted an eyelid at the next hurdle. "If I may be so bold perhaps you might allow me to write to you? This way I shall easily be able to pass on the details for the performance." Here was the cherry on top! Once correspondence was granted in a proper fashion there was nothing to stop them from exchanging letters beyond the subject of the opera.

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   Tatiana Macnair

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"Practical, not bold, Mr. Macmillan," she reassured with a soft laugh. She took a calling card from her bag—thick and textured, the pale purple card bore gold lettering and would continue to smell inexplicably of her for the better part of a month—to hand to the gentleman.

  

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