Samuel smiled. She had things that kept her, and he of course knew that his invitation was improper. But her eyes told him that Miss Blackwood appreciated this indiscretion of his nonetheless. And if he was honest, encouraging her to defy the constraints of her social position was a little game he enjoyed. He did not have much sympathy for the pureblood upper crust of wizarding society. It was the men he most often had to deal with due to his profession; but the women, too, were often rather self-satisfied, pacified creatures, in his estimation. He liked about Ginevra Blackwood that she was not, at least not yet. Of the many things that were charming about her, he appreciated her clear-eyed drive to have her own opinions and make independent choices the most. So it was with empathy that he said: "I understand there are considerations you have to mind that differ much from the constraints of my own life. And I do not expect you to make a decision that is not in your interest. I do hope you appreciate the sentiment of this invitation, one way or the other."
On stage, the last aria was drawing towards its end. In a few moments, the orchestra would play the final grave notes of the opera and applause would drown out their conversation.
"If we meet again, I shall tell you everything you desire to know," he promised her, knowing at the same time that it was unlikely for their paths to cross anytime soon; she would likely marry a man much richer and purer than a Griffith and therefore move in different social spheres and he would begin his tenure at Hogwarts. Thus, he would be bound to the castle and lack the opportunity to go to Paris or soirées as he pleased. That was exactly the point—by mooring himself to his new profession, he endeavored to put an end to his variousness, to the affairs and dalliances, to running away to a country where he was a stranger, so he might not bear the consequences of his own freedom, that he had defended so embittered in his youth. He had enjoyed it, had given himself over to it, and it had taken from him in ways unanticipated. So these nights might be the last liberty he would take for quite a while.
Applause erupted throughout the opera. He bid her goodbye silently, as she could not hear him over the noise anyway.
Samuel wondered if their flirtation had just drawn to a close. Then he was off to Montparnasse.
On stage, the last aria was drawing towards its end. In a few moments, the orchestra would play the final grave notes of the opera and applause would drown out their conversation.
"If we meet again, I shall tell you everything you desire to know," he promised her, knowing at the same time that it was unlikely for their paths to cross anytime soon; she would likely marry a man much richer and purer than a Griffith and therefore move in different social spheres and he would begin his tenure at Hogwarts. Thus, he would be bound to the castle and lack the opportunity to go to Paris or soirées as he pleased. That was exactly the point—by mooring himself to his new profession, he endeavored to put an end to his variousness, to the affairs and dalliances, to running away to a country where he was a stranger, so he might not bear the consequences of his own freedom, that he had defended so embittered in his youth. He had enjoyed it, had given himself over to it, and it had taken from him in ways unanticipated. So these nights might be the last liberty he would take for quite a while.
Applause erupted throughout the opera. He bid her goodbye silently, as she could not hear him over the noise anyway.
Samuel wondered if their flirtation had just drawn to a close. Then he was off to Montparnasse.
