13 July 1894 - Midsummer's Night Masquerade Ball, Dempsey Estate

Idris tried her best not to laugh as her hand moved to cover her mouth, lest the gentleman in front of her realize that she was laughing at him. The idea behind the event seemed to be lost on him, because Idris had assumed it was the opportunity to buy new clothing to fit the theme, and not the opportunity to walk around as an animal. The gentleman in front of had done the latter, deciding to dress as Nick Bottom, whose face was turned into a donkey by Puck. Perhaps he was just trying to be different and stand out, but it wasn’t in a good way. She herself had picked Katherina from Taming of the Shrew, as she resonated with the character.

“I’m sorry.” Idris giggled as she started to turn away from the man, her gaze quickly sweeping across the room like she might find an escape. A few people milled around the refreshment table he had cornered her near. At least people were too wrapped up in their own conversations to notice the current situation. “But that spot is already taken.” Despite how impolite it was, she absolutely refused to dance with a man whose face quite literally resembled a donkey. The more she stared at him, the more amusing (and weirder) it got.

The gentleman started to open his mouth, but Idris quickly stepped back, her hands grappling at the person closest to her. Idris sucked in a breath as she turned her gaze. Oh thank Merlin. “By Mr… erm, Professor Foxwood.” She was hoping that he would go along with it, but before he could express much, if any confusion, Idris quickly added on, “He was just getting us some drinks.” The man seemed to blink at both of them before inclining his head, muttering an apology.

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   Basil Foxwood

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MJ made me something beautiful<3

This Shakespeare debacle had to be the silliest of all the events his Mama had forced his hand to attend yet. Basil was dressed much too uncomfortably, having been forced to choose a character to impersonate from a grouping of plays he’d spent only as much time on as his governess had insisted upon some eons ago, and he was not having a very good time. Firstly, the ballroom was stuffed to the brim with all manner of tomfoolery that Basil simply was not literary enough to appreciate. Secondly, the food - while decent - was attracting wallflowers by the droves, a feat this season he couldn’t seem to comprehend. Was it not his place to go about hiding in plain sight; why this season then was he finding himself flocked in a way he hadn’t countless before, Basil could not begin to understand?!

Frustrated then, and determined to get himself a drink, the brunette plucked whatever he saw come by first off a passing tray. In fact, he grabbed two for good measure. He was just raising the first glass to his lips to take a hearty sip when a delicate voice pealed for his attention and a small hand laced itself around his forearm.

“...Professor Foxwood,” he heard a voice proclaim, catching only the tail end of what conversation he was being tugged into. The girl, for surely it was a female who’d so delicately tugged him closer as if to shield, turned towards him and made gesture at his drinks. On instinct more than out of any realistic recognition for what was happening, he handed her one. The third party to their rather bizarre exchange - an even more strange individual with an ass on his literal face - seemed to bow out in apology. Basil nodded as he went, unsure of why exactly, and turned towards his new captor.

“Erm-- What did Professor Foxwood just do?” he asked, in clarification. The face that shone back at him was none other than Ms. Idris Oakby, one of his former students, and as such Basil was not so peeved to have been pulled into her schemes. Not yet at least.

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Idris Oakby <3

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Idris let out a heavy breath the moment the man turned away, although it wasn’t until he had taken a few steps without daring to look over his shoulder that she finally let go of the poor man’s arm. She turned him with a small, apologetic smile as her hand tightened around the glass he had handed her only moments ago. She really didn’t want any rumors swirling around either of them, mostly because she wasn’t sure if Mr. Foxwood had any ladies he had his eye on, and she didn’t want to be tied to him, or any other man.

A marriage proposal was not on her to-do list this Season, and maybe not the next.

“He was insistent to put his name on my card,” Idris murmured softly as she leaned forward. “But my standards include not dancing with someone who felt the need to show up as a literal donkey-faced man to a ball.” She snorted, rather unladylike before she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “It’s impolite to turn him away, which of course I know. I’m sorry if you feel like I used you.” If a friend or someone else she trusted was nearby they would have suffered the same fate, but alas, Mr. Foxwood was the first person she spotted.

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He was relinquished rather quickly and for that Basil was relieved. He leaned in conspiratorially as Ms. Oakby confided in him her scheme and then laughed. “Ah, yes, well,” he ran a hand through his hair, mussing it. “I am happy to have been of use to you then.” Better to save her from a fate she did not wish for than to be coerced into something worse.

It had been a few years since Basil had taught Ms. Oakby and he quickly wracked his brain for anything academically related that she may have been interested in. Turning up short, he decided to err on the side of that which he knew best. “And so, have you been keeping up with your transfigurative studies at all?” He hedged, a teasing note coming to his tone. There was nothing better for him to comment upon… why not lean into the jest rather than stand here awkward. Also, the better to remind her that he had been - in fact - her professor not so long ago. He didn't like this whole 'Mr. Foxwood' buisness, as it were.

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Idris Oakby <3

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Idris couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips as she threaded her hands behind her back. This was much more interesting than dancing. “I think the only thing I’ve managed to transfigure lately is my determination into something more than just thoughts.” Of course it wasn’t what he meant, but it was an easier answer than saying no, she hadn’t even thought about transfiguration since she’d graduated. It wasn’t that it didn’t interest her, Idris just had other classes (and topics!) that she enjoyed more.

“My word is less about what I am going to turn a teacup into, but rather how I might transform the magical world into something easier for squibs to live in.” It was no secret that her elder sister was one, and while she was beautiful and perfect, no one seemed to offer her a second glance because she lacked magic. It broke Idris’s heart, and she yearned for a man to come in and sweep her off her feet – her sister deserved it. She glanced out of the corner of her eye to find the young woman, but she wasn’t anywhere nearby.

Her smile softened. “But don't worry, I haven't forgotten everything you taught me.” Idris quietly added, like it was going to ease some of the worries her former professor probably didn’t have. "Thank you professor for your help." She really did appreciate it. "I hope you enjoy your evening." With another smile, Idris turned and waltzed off.

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Basil Foxwood

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   Basil Foxwood

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MJ made me something beautiful<3