December 31st, 1891 - Prewett NYE Party, Destiny Hotel
Basil Foxwood

Torie could easily appreciate a good New Year's Even gala. What a better way to ring in a whole new year of possibilities than with a party? The newest Mrs. Prewett and her semi-dubious husband did know how to throw a party, Torie could agree to that. Of course the Destiny never failed to be a splendid venue and Torie, draped in her deep red velvet dress rather thought she looked like she fit right in. Her silver-blonde hair was knotted up in some intricate fashion her lady's maid had been drying to try and as she hid behind her fan near the edge of the room.. Fanning herself gently, she sighed contentedly. Yes, this was the perfect relief from the drought of social events.

The season was almost too much, but as soon as it ended, Torie found herself missing the business of it. She was, of course, a social creature by nature, at home, thriving in such environments, surrounded by people, so when she went without, it was difficult. Fortunately the holidays gave the perfect excuse for a string of parties, to entertain her. Naturally half of them were family functions, and therefore not nearly as much fun as things such as this, but she made due.

Party games and cards were not exactly her favorite, but she was thankful for the evening out and so she thought some refreshment was in order. Making her way from the corner she searched for a passing waiter, spotting one and making a beeline for him. She snatched the late flute of champagne gratefully just before she realized she hadn't been the only hand reaching. "My apologies!" She breathed out, genuinely sorry. "Here, you take it." She assured the gentleman with a charming smile, holding the glass out to him.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Of course Atticus would force him to come to this and then not bother to show up, the bastard. It was New Years Eve and the youngest Foxwood was more than a little bit peeved. Of all the social events over the holidays, this had been the most contentious one his brother had asked him to attend. Why, in god’s great name, of all the ridiculous social events did he have to come to a gahhh-lah. (Basil pulls face mentally.) He hated standing around idly, avoiding conversation as best he could (because heavens forbid he actually ask anyone to dance) and trying not to look miserable. It was his least favorite hobby. And yet, here he stood, awkwardly in a corner checking his timepiece and scanning the crowd for the millionth time for his brother’s ugly mug.

Closing the pocket watch with a snap, Basil frowned pointedly to himself. Tonight was a night of glimmering miracles and free-flowing alcohol as upperclass society ladies and gentlemen floated actively around the hotel. Of those in attendance he recognized a few by facade, others by name. None he recognized by personal acquaintance which made his predicament even more uncomfortable. Basil shifted, tugging on the cravat tied around his neck. He would give Atticus one more hour and then, if the arse did not materialize, Basil was going back to the Foxwood city lodgings and spending the remainder of his evening in front of the fire with a spot of tea and a text on animagus transfiguration over the years. He was rather enthralled with that one recently.

In fact, that very text was the reason he’d even agreed to come all the way to London. There had been a copy on reserve at the Crowdy Memorial Library and Basil had seized the opportunity to get away from the obligations back in Hogsmeade for a few days. However, the compromise had been that he had to attend this dreadful function and Atticus would meet him upon arrival. So far - there was no sign of Atticus to be seen.

Basil decided he needed a drink.

Blue-grey eyes scanned the crowd noncommittally for a server. There was all measure of cocktails being offered, concoctions he was sure he would never fully comprehend. No, what Basil needed was a glass of champagne. As if he’d summoned it by thought alone, a server miraculously appeared just beside him and Basil nodded to him appreciatively. He’d just reached for the glass when a second, daintier hand crossed his path. It was faster than he and snatched the glass out from under him.

A tinkling voice quickly jumped to apologize and Basil turned to take in the face of… one of the Malfoy girls. (He wasn’t sure which one and he could feel his mother’s disappointment.) He’d seen her face before somewhere, or she’d been pointed out to him by someone, but regardless - he tipped his head towards her apologetically. “By all means,” he protested. “What kind of gentleman would I be, taking a drink from a lady?” He offered her as charming a smile as he could, hoping she didn’t take offense at his words. They were true, after all.

-----
Victoire Malfoy

---

  

"Ah, but is it any less gentlemanly to refuse a lady's reasonable request?" Torie countered easily, glass still held aloft for him to take. Her smile was affixed to her lips, hinting toward her amusement. She realized she must have startled him somehow, which surprised her as she was not all that startling, she didn't think. Now if it had been Estelle or Angel, it may have been a different story. Torie, though she tried not to believe the opinions of others toward her sisters, Torie did happen to agree she was the most approachable Malfoy sister.

"I assure you I can charm my way into another glass quite easily." Tor really wouldn't have any trouble at all finding herself something else to drink. Plus now she wanted to see just how far she could take this. There was little she enjoyed more than a good challenge, especially when she found herself in need of entertainment at a social event. This poor gent just happened to find himself on the other side of her need for company. Hopefully he could keep up.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Basil felt a slight annoyance niggle at the inside of his collar. He raised a hand politely and made to refuse the glass again. Why couldn’t she just take him at his word and accept the gesture?

“Please, I insist,” he replied. The professor tried his best not to be curt but he couldn’t help the pinched expression he could feel stealing over his face. Of course she would have no trouble ‘charming her way into another glass’. She was a debutante after all; he shouldn’t have expected anything less.

Smoothing his features, Basil tried to set prejudice aside. Ms. Malfoy was likely as charming a girl as any and he was supposed to be practicing restraint at fending …them off. According to his mother’s latest assessment, Basil had a penchant for frightening away potential wives. (Not that he’d ever admit to doing it purposely, of course.) He had no interest in Ms. - Mrs.? - Malfoy however, and frankly he wasn’t in the mood to deal with her.

The professor stole a glance across the room willing someone, anyone, familiar to pop into view and provide him an escape route. Seeing absolutely nobody of use however, he sighed and returned his attention to the woman at hand. What to say? Should he apologize for the mishap altogether?

-----
Victoire Malfoy

---

ooc: At some point he’s 100% going to spill the drink on her xD sorrynotsorry he’s a klutz and someone drunk is going to trip into him. Also, he's in a v. bad mood... pls don't judge too harshly. He's an ass. <3

  

My my, Professor Foxwood... she remembered now, the recognition clicking in her brain as he borderline scowled at her. He had started on as the Transfiguration professor in her sixth year, but she had moved on from the subject by then. Torie was good at reading the room however and pulled the champagne flute back toward herself with pursed lips (the the corners still curled up toward a smile).

"How is Hogwarts treating you these days, Professor?" She took a sip of the champagne and smiled at him over the rim of the glass. He seemed to be looking for an exit, but she was not going to leave him with is feathers all ruffled like that. She knew not everybody enjoyed these kinds of things as much as she did, but she worried he was miserable and that just would not do. "Transfiguration right?" She wanted to be sure. Plus people generally relaxed when speaking of things they enjoyed.

---

You don't have to explain anything to me, I go with just about whatever flow the thread takes!

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Seeming to accept her fate and too well bred to make a scene, Ms. Malfoy accepted the glass. Basil could feel a sigh building in his throat, pleased that at least that was well and done with. He tossed around a few more things to say, something - anything - to use as a pitiful excuse to escape her company but the blonde beat him to the punch.

Sobering at his title of ‘professor,’ Basil spared an uncomfortable glance at his shoes. He supposed he was being rather wretched to the poor girl who, upon closer inspection, did look quite young enough to be a student (or have been one recently). It was difficult for him, switching from ‘professor and mentor’ to ‘single and not ready to mingle man of title’ and back again. Basil never knew which persona was really warranted, especially with those recently graduated. (He did have a firm rule to never cross the line between student and professor with any of his former graduates, but those he did not teach provided the amalgamous grey area he so often felt confused by.) He cleared his throat and attempted to regain his composure.

“Yes, Transfiguration,” he replied. “Oh, things at the castle are as usual. It’s been a long term and I know many of the students are excited for the break.” He offered her a small smile, not quite relaxed, but an effort nonetheless.

Tipping his head in the direction of a server, Basil tried to subtly wave down a drink for himself. He hoped they would have something more than just these odd cocktails available. He would need his wits about him if this conversation were to carry on any longer.

“Erm, do you fancy Transfiguration at all?” he tried, wracking his brain for something to ask her. It was a cop out question, one that likely indicated his ignorance as to her age and even her status. But, at the very least, he’d gotten away this long without having to ask for a formal introduction so that was something. It was awfully embarrassing, Basil realized, to be on his side of the conversation: fully at the disadvantage of knowing little about ones conversational partner and having the sinking feeling they knew an awful lot about him.

-----
Victoire Malfoy

---

quite good <3 i'm glad

  

To her credit, Torie's trick of finding something he enjoyed to speak about had done the trick, even if she was not well-versed in the subject anymore. It might not last very long either, but at least he seemed to relax a little bit. "I do miss the castle the most in the winter. It always seemed extraordinarily magical this time of year with the snow." She sighed wistfully, thinking back on her school years fondly. It seemed like a different lifetime entirely, the expectations vastly different that those she lived under now.

"I did always find it quite fascinating." Torie admitted and it was only a tiny white lie. The magic behind being able to change anything with the wave of the wand was intriguing. "I must admit it was not my strong suit so I was unable to continue on at the higher level." Otherwise he would have had her for a student. Frankly she may have paid better attention if he had been before that. "Astronomy was my best class." She still enjoyed it, as a matter of fact. "I kept up with that one even after graduating." Torie could look and play the part of clueless debutante, but she wasn't completely empty-headed.

"Do you enjoy the profession itself, in addition to the subject?" Teaching always seemed like something only a certain breed of person would enjoy; it certainly wouldn't be for her, but bless those who could do it.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Ah, so she had been a student. How long ago, he didn’t dare ask. Instead, Basil nodded at her comments regarding the snow. He supposed it was rather pleasant. There was nowhere in this world he’d yet found the peace he did at Hogwarts when he was able to take a quiet stroll across the grounds just after a fresh snow. (Before little footprints all destroyed the serenity of an all white expanse.) He hummed his assent.

As they moved on to converse about academics, Basil found some of his bristles begin to settle. He nodded at the young woman’s admission that she’d not taken his subject at a higher level - he couldn’t blame her, few did - but when she admitted to liking astronomy he wished desperately for a glass of something strong to sink his nose into.

It wasn’t that he disliked the subject in any way, or even discredited its academic merit. Astronomy was just such a rudimentary field of study; there was nothing about it that could distinguish one as muggle or witch. No practical talent was necessary for success, just a clear mind for memorization and observation. “That is fascinating,” he couldn’t help but respond. “What continuing studies have you done?”

He supposed the fact that Ms. Malfoy had any academic interest she pursued after graduation was fascinating to him though. He hadn’t expected that from her (and at the very least she hadn’t chosen divination!) Perhaps there was more to her than he’d given due credit.

Nodding again then as she continued on to ask him about his own interests, the professor smiled a bit. “I do,” he replied. "I do a lot of independent research of my own accord in the subject outside of classes, however I find the most reward comes from seeing the success of a student master something they’ve been striving for under my direction.” Thinking about his first years, Basil couldn’t help but smile a little wider. It really was his favorite part of the day to see one of his students accomplish even the most basic transfiguration of say, a cup. The first years always seemed so proud of themselves and he, in turn, was proud of them.

-----
Victoire Malfoy

---

  

Pleased that Professor Foxwood seemed to be warming up, Torie sipped her champagne idly. "Oh dabbling, some charting of the stars, the planets, the constellations. Watching astronomical phenomena." It kept her busy when she didn't have anything else to do. Not to mention it was interesting enough that she didn't sound like a complete airhead when she spoke of it.

She was however, far more interested in seeing what it was Professor Foxwood had to say about his students. Sometimes it was easy to see which of her professors had truly enjoyed not only the subject but the teaching of it as well. It was also easy to tell who did not share the passion between them. Fortunately it seemed Professor Foxwood fell into the former category. "Seems like I missed out on your tutelage." She genuinely thought she may have learned something worthwhile had she been able to take the class at the higher level. "What would you say your most favorite teaching memory is?" Torie asked, because she was sincerely curious.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Basil nodded appreciatively at Ms. Malfoy’s academic pursuits. At least it was something. Not as much could be said for other debutantes he knew. Remarkably, that managed to settle him even more than the original topic change, and Basil felt himself relax a bit. He felt a warm blush dot his cheeks as she praised his ‘tutelage’ as well.

Clearing his throat to rid himself of it, the professor thought for a moment. His favorite teaching memory? “Well,” he admitted. “I’m not sure I have one specifically that comes to mind.” Basil had a great deal many memories in that castle and sometimes it was hard for him to decipher them. That said, he did have a few best moments that were certainly the highlights of each year. “I do love when the first years manage their first ever transfiguration alone. There’s always a look of such satisfaction on their young faces, it’s quite remarkable.” He grinned to himself, thinking about it.

Just then, a server came by breaking his reveries. Basil gratefully accepted the single glass that was offered. He didn’t even bother to ask what was in it before taking a rather ambitious sip. It burnt, awfully on the way down and he was lucky it didn’t make him splutter like an idiot. What was in these cocktails?!

-----
Victoire Malfoy

---

  

Pleased that the conversation had found an easy rhythm, Torie sipped idly at her champagne as Professor Foxwood spoke. She smiled slowly when he spoke of his students. It was obvious he was fond of them and of his work, which was endearing to say the least. "I remember the feeling of pride, when I was in first year, and I first mastered the levitation charm." It wasn't as easy as everyone made it out to be! "Prior to Hogwarts we get so little practical education, it was nice to learn some practical magic." Of course she could read and write and her French had been quite good by then, which supposed was practical in some respect, but there was something special about learning magic successfully.

"It must be very rewarding." Though she knew she would never be able to do it, there was something to be said about those with the patience and determination to educate young minds. It was quite admirable. "Plus I'm sure being at the castle is a wonderful bonus. What I wouldn't give to walk those halls again. It must be extra special as an adult. I feel like we don't appreciate it as much as we should as children." They moved so quickly and were so focused on other things that they didn't stop to marvel at the beauty of the impressive castle itself.

---

  

---

Red again! June 1894

Basil was infinitely grateful Ms. Malfoy hadn’t commented on his grimace. Cheeks tinged pink, he took another sip to pass the sensation along and acclimate to his drink. He nodded as she spoke. It was true, there was an easiness about the castle that few rarely did appreciate as students. He knew some of his fondest memories as an adult could be found within those walls, but that could be in part because he felt a constant nagging asphyxiation when he was at the house in Hogsmeade.

“It is,” he replied gently. “Some of my fondest memories as an adult have happened within those walls.” It was a pity he couldn’t offer Ms. Malfoy that chance again, to stroll along Hogwarts grounds one last time. He supposed it would have been an awfully stilted, awkward encounter, but he’d have done it nonetheless. Depriving anyone of the serene magic that accompanied the place seemed cruel.

As the conversation waned, Basil felt the responsibility of its continuation fall to him. This was the moment he was supposed to ask her about herself, or something of the like. The very part he failed so miserably at, generally. Cheeks heating again, he cleared his throat. He couldn’t very well ask her to dance, that would have been suicide. It was too bad he didn’t fancy astronomy enough to bring the topic ‘round again.

-----
Victoire Malfoy

---

  

Reminiscing about Hogwarts was always a delight, and she nodded in agreement, but Torie was fairly good at recognizing when a conversation was coming to a natural end. At least it had ended much better than it had started! Torie would have hated to leave a negative impression on anyone. that could be left up to her sisters. One of them had to have a good reputation after all.

Not to mention the music change alerted her to the fact that she should probably revisit her dance card. "Well, Professor Foxwood, it has been a pleasure, but I do believe I have someone waiting on me." Torie finished her glass of champagne and set it down on a passing tray. She smoothed out her skirts and passed Professor Foxwood a smile. "I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. I quite enjoyed our chat." She assured him. Torie gave a little curtsy in farewell, checking her dance card once more to see who it was she needed to be finding.

---

The following 1 user Likes Victoire Malfoy's post:1 user Likes Victoire Malfoy's post
   Basil Foxwood

---

Red again! June 1894