Vanity & Pride

Daisy leaned back with a delighted, yet surprised, smile on her face. If she had been told a year ago that Emma Vanity would be asking her to meet up together as friends, then Daisy would have surely laughed at the absurdity of it. But at this moment of time, it didn’t seem as absurd as she would have thought- Emma did seem like a genuinely nice girl, and Daisy felt near confident to say that the small ugly patch they had together in the past could be safely pushed behind them and forgotten. Food is my weakness- especially if I’m not the one cooking it. You know, that sounds like a nice idea. Here- Daisy rummaged around in her purse to pull out a quill and scribbled something down on one of the napkins. Here’s my address. You let me know whenever you’re feeling up for trying some places out. I think maybe a pregnant lady will have a better chance to keep up with the amount of food I eat than most other people.

Emma takes the piece of parchment with a flooding sense of relief and happiness. No one should ever have to eat alone at a restaurant and Emma has been searching for friends and better food than take away. Oh I will make certain to keep up, and I have the galleons to keep up with us too. This baby certainly has an appetite. Just forgive any strange food cravings. I will definitely send you an owl.

You’re a Healer? Daisy couldn’t help but comment with a tone of surprise. Wow. That’s a pretty admirable job. Ah, come on, if you can heal up someone near death then I’m sure cooking will be easy for you. It’s far, far less complicated than getting someone’s innards back inside their body.

Glancing away in thought for a moment as she takes another sip of her pumpkin juice then turns and looks back at Daisy with bright eyes. This might come as a bigger surprise, all things considered, but if you're ever looking for a way out of cooking another meal, there are a few restaurants I've been curious to try out. Your pick, of course. And only if you want to.

I do try. But it’s so much easier, and safer, to buy packet foods or stick to cereal. Or to conveniently show up at friend’s houses around eating times.

I'd stick to take away and cereal myself but the midwife I hired isn't thrilled about my idea of healthy eating. She makes a point to remind me that I'm a Healer myself so I should know better. Emma laughs and shrugs. I told her she might as well move in for all the good telling me will do.

She tried to laugh as genuinely as she could, in order to keep the conversation from dipping into a pity party, but Daisy was feeling very sorry for the girl in front of her. Hogwarts could have saved a lot of my dinners if they had ever given us cooking lessons.

Emma pointedly ignores talk of friends and houses because it really isn't necessary to belabour her own lack of friends. I hope your own cooking attempts have improved, at least. She smiles, genuinely this time.

Well, thank you. Not as exciting as life has apparently taken you though. She smiled. It took me a while to really accept we were all growing up, and finally got myself a flat a few months ago. Even though I enjoy independent living, I must say I do miss staying in the common rooms and having people with you 24 hours a day. It can get lonely sometimes, but really I shouldn’t let that bother me so much.

To be honest, it's nice to be away from Slytherin but it does get lonely, which is why I'm here for a bit of noise and presence. I don't get many visitors. She shrugs and grins, trying to lighten her words. They'd probably be alarmed at how often it smells of burnt food, anyway. Cooking is much worse than House-Elves make it seem.

I can imagine, but life tends to take us all by surprise, doesn’t it? Part of the fun I guess. Hey let the excitement kick the terror in the ass. Having a baby is amazing- so I’ve heard- not only do you get to eat extra but people offer up their seats for you too. Plus you get a little cutie at the end of it all too.

And how have you been since we all graduated?

"Shame you can’t have one of these, yourself.", he gestured to the shot glass in his hand. "You look tense…”, his eyes moved from her eyes, down her neck, fixating on the muscle of her shoulder before moving down to her collarbone. He looked back up to her eyes with a small smirk before leaning in to brush a strand of hair from her shoulder. “But I think I can fix that myself.”, he lustfully added as his breath hit Emma’s neck, his lips brushing across her skin before he stood, offering out a hand. “Shall we?”

She steps in close to him, a breath apart as she adds, "Please, do lead the way."

Wow… that’s… congratulations. A baby? That’s incredible. Are you excited? 

I don’t want your money for teaching you how to cook, that’s ridiculous. He rolled his eyes subtly. Even if she refused to not pay him, he wouldn’t accept the money. He didn’t need money. He was doing just fine. Well, considering you nor your boyfriend, husband, fiancé, whichever one he is, can’t cook very well, as you’ve just said, that would be uh, a bit of a disaster, if you don’t mind me saying. So, I am offering to help you, if you’ll take it. I am not taking any money though. You’re not paying me.

Emma raises an eyebrow at the man's decline of her money offer then shrugs. Fine. If I can save a few galleons and still have your assistance, I'm happy with that. I'll certainly take your help. Just tell me what I should be buying here so I know my way around this place when you've finished educating me. I'm Emma Vanity, by the way. You look familiar from school but I don't know who you are.

He took another shot before continuing. “I’ve been around, you know? I picked up some family business, nothing much. Biding my time trying to figure out what to do with myself, I suppose.”, he shrugged a bit again. “And yourself? Aside from obvious answers, of course. “, he joked.

Not that the Leaky Cauldron's lodgings were anywhere near quality arrangements, but in this situation, it was less concerning.

Clearly, but perhaps I prefer a venue that is much less crowded than this bar. Oh no, I’m good. Amycus pulled a bottle from the side of the bar and smirked. Thanks.

She only hopes he might drink enough to give her a chance to slip away without answering to his suggestion. "Drink up, Amycus. Someone might as well enjoy it for me. And if we're playing catch up, truly, then tell me what you've been up to since graduation. I'm assuming getting a job wasn't high on your list of things to do?"

Am I, now? Apparently you’re not as caught up on my life as I thought you were, though. I think we both know that I am far from a failure when it comes to my sexual conquests, Vanity. Last I checked, you were pretty damn aware of that when we were in school. Regardless of what you prefer, I think I might prefer your own company as well.

Well, clearly you have my company, willing or not. Right here in this crowded bar. Would you like a drink? I might not be drinking but you're not under such restrictions.