wit beyond measure;

Alice never knew that she could actually genuinely enjoy a conversation about clothes so much. She was in the habit of taking whatever she could get her hands on and wearing it without caring very much about what she wore. Growing up with an older brother was the only influence she really had. Her parents mostly wore the same generic clothes for work so she couldn’t really take much from that. She liked whatever she could get or at least made it work in her own way. Her brother’s hand me downs had definitely served subject to her own creativity considering how small she was in comparison. She was currently only 4"10 and it didn’t seem that she would be getting much taller any time soon and her brother was now nearing six foot. Looking at them together you would never really guess that they were related apart from the obviously-meant-for-males tshirt that Alice had cropped and fashioned to look somewhat normal. Not because they lacked money but because she preferred it to buying new dresses or ‘pretty girl’ clothes. “Really? I’m not sure you would like any of my clothes. It doesn’t really seem fair on you.” she said. She would prefer it if everyone was comfortable with that arrangement.

Alice could feel her cheeks turning even darker at her question. She certainly wasn’t expecting it but she just shrugged, “Um- well, I don’t know. Sometimes?” She replied. Didn’t everyone get distracted by conversation every now and again? She’d gotten much better at multitasking after taking extra shifts in the shop, though. Maintaining conversation kept customers coming - that’s what her father said. She nodded as Alice left the shop, “Well, Dad will be back soon and there’s a spell everywhere where anything valuable could be. The tip jar and register can only be opened by someone of the Fortescue family. Ferdy always gets caught when he takes extra.” She grinned.

Alice looked down the street fidgeting with the ends of her hair distractedly. She nodded, “Okay, got it,” she said, setting off down the street, following Eris’ lead. She hadn’t been out very much since summer starter because she had been so busy. It was a nice day and it felt good finally being out.

Eris laughed and gave her shoulders a shrug at Alice’s suggestion. It was true, Eris was very picky when it came to clothes, but all the more reason to try out something else for a change. “I probably wouldn’t like them on me considering my own style, but that doesn’t mean I won’t like them in general. My umma always said it’s good to step out of your comfort zone every now and again, so I’m always willing to try anything once.” It’s what typically got her into trouble, as she had always been the most adventurous in her family.

“Sounds like that would be a safety hazard.” She replied back with a small amused smile. Eris was the queen of multitasking, but she preferred to typically focus on one thing at a time that way she could give it her all and make sure everything was done thoroughly. Eris liked Alice. She thought the younger girl was funny, good natured, and pure of heart. Also, she was sure Alice could kick anyone’s arse if she was provoked enough and that right there made Eris like her all the more. She laughed as they left the shop side-by-side and Alice began to explain how everything worked. “I see, that’s really interesting. Do you like working there?”

The sun shone brightly as they walked down the streets of Diagon Alley, allowing for Eris to lower the sunglasses that had been resting on top of her head over her eyes. The brunette had always been sensitive to sunlight, moreso than the normal person, and so she always carried sunglasses with her whenever she went out. “You’re going to love this place! I mean absolutely love it!” It’s less than two minutes before they get to the boutique with bright lights in its windows along with two elegantly dressed mannequins. Eris opened the door for Alice, and the bell above the door ringing as they entered, stopping when the door is shut behind them.

“Mademoiselle Selwyn and guest!” they’re both greeted by a very beautiful, but extremely overeager store associate who was bouncing around the counter to meet them. Eris took off her glasses, placing them back on top of her head, and offered a smile. “Welcome!”

“Jasmine, hello.” She bowed her head in greeting. “This is my friend Alice; we’re just browsing today.”

“If you both need anything; a different size, some altercations, an opinion, please let me know!”

“Will do, thank you.” She bowed again, and glanced over at Alice, leading her away from the store associate. “Where to start—“ Eris sighed happily to herself as she looked around the boutique. There was racks upon racks of clothing, each more enchanting than the next. Usually Eris couldn’t leave a store without going through every rack, but she knew that might bore Alice to death. Eris went to the nearest rack, skimming through the dresses. “What type of dresses do you like?” she asked, turning towards the girl next to her.

Alice looked down at her ice cream for a second, feeling a little bit embarrassed. She didn’t exactly know what kind of standards that the other purebloods that weren’t like her held. They seemed so…impossible. A part of her was glad that her family didn’t really favour those functions and instead went their own way. They didn’t care much about keeping their blood ‘pure.’ Her parents strongly believed that as long as their children were happy that everything was okay. Alice was brought up the think in the exact same way and couldn’t imagine valuing something so pretentious. “Oh, well, I do wear jeans a lot of the time but mostly shorts in the summer. They’re just.. easier. I wear skirts sometimes I suppose but not very often. I’m very much a t-shirt person,” she said, crossing her arms almost defensively over her band tee that was a hand me down from her brother. She usually got a lot of his old stuff despite the fact it was a far too big for her - and not because her parents couldn’t get her new things either. She just preferred it. “I mean, looking particularly nice rather than ‘naebdy’s bairn’ as she likes to put it.” She shrugged.

Alice’s cheeks were a violent shade of red by this point, “I was a little bit distracted by the conversation and I wasn’t really paying much attention to the freezer door and my dress caught on it,” she explained. “Unfortunately, no. It didn’t survive. Well, my mum gave it to my cousin so it sort of survived I guess.” She shrugged. After that incident, Alice hadn’t really taken to wearing dresses again unless she had to. She blushed even more when Eris called her gorgeous, she wasn’t used to receiving compliments. “Oh- thank you..” She mumbled, suddenly shy. She stood up immediately and moved around to the counter to take out just enough money - the amount that she usually for for working a shift - for shopping. She debated taking something from the tip jar but her parents needed it more than she did. Alice quickly scribbled a note and left it in plain view with an affirmative nod, “We can go wherever you like.”

Eris listened with interest as Alice explained her fashion style and choices. While the girl loved to shop she wasn’t deeply involved with the trends of the 60s. Eris liked dresses, whichever dresses looked good on her. Sure, she knew which clothes came from which designer and fashion line, and what was this season and last season but when it came to clothes she didn’t care. She liked to wear whatever went with her mood for that day. She liked that Alice had a variety in her wardrobe, and her style was something to be admired, in her opinion. They had grown up in two very different families, and Eris could already tell a lot of her style was influenced by where she came and then a bit of her own tastes. Although Eris, herself, grew up being dressed up in dresses, her sisters weren’t as obsessed with the garments as she was and they were all raised in the same household. Eris had learned to respect others’ differences a long time ago, something that usually surprised most people. “We should swap wardrobes for a day, maybe dress each other up, or well, down, in my case, maybe. It would be kind of fun.” As long as it was for a day because anything more than that would have her feeling out of place.

“Do you get distracted by conversations often?” she wondered with a curious tilt of her head. If she and Alice were going to be friends then it was something she would need to know in order to look out for the girl; stop her from bumping into a wall or falling down the stairs. She could save a life. Eris giggled at the shade of pink Alice’s cheeks turned from her compliment, she just nodded in response because it was true, and Alice should just how gorgeous she is. “Just like that?” Eris stood up from her chair and pushed it in after the younger declared she was ready to go. She didn’t know closing up shop to go to other shops in the vicinity was as easy as flipping a sign that read: closed. “Do you have to lock up or will they just not come in?” she was curious as to how this shop keeping thing went. The majority of Eris’ friends didn’t work jobs as they were just your average Hogwarts students who had wealthy parents.

The bell to the ice cream parlor rung as Eris opened the door for them to exit, following behind Alice. “There’s a boutique a few shops down that I’m in love with. They sell all types of clothes so even if you don’t find a dress you’ll like, you’ll be able to find something that’s up your ally.”

“Yes, but honestly, stories that are that easy to get wouldn’t be worth much. And it’s just not worth it to me either. I have other ways of getting what I need, no need to make myself miserable.” She shrugged and then mimicked Eris’ actions and took another drink of her own. She watched with a growing smile as Eris licked her bottom lip and then at the slight blush growing on her cheeks. It was dark in the pub, but watching people react to her was one of Rita’s favorite things, and they were awfully close to one another.

Rita laughed when Eris confirmed that she was in fact, hitting on Rita. “Oh no. I do try and keep my name out of my articles, with the exception of up at the top, right behind the words ‘written by.’” She moved her arm so that her hand hovered over Eris’. She let her fingers trace along lightly as she spoke. “Though you do have a knack for headlines, a real ace with adjectives, maybe I should write something. It’d have to be private though, like you said, we don’t want to upset anyone of a more… gentle composition.” She winked at the girl. “And you know how much I love my details.”

“Fair enough.” She smirked, once more hiding her mouth behind her glass. Eris was drinking so much that she barely noticed the burn of alcohol on the way down. She set her glass down, for good this time, vowing to go just a little bit slower. At least until Rita caught up; Eris couldn’t be the only one embarrassing herself under the influence. “And just how many of those ways are actually legal?” Eris didn’t count on Rita to answer her question, some things, such as her work practices, were meant to be kept private and the younger respected that. Although they were now officially celebrating Rita’s promotion, Eris didn’t want to discuss work tonight; not when they were flirting and getting into something a little more compelling.

Her dark eyes briefly fell to Rita’s hand on her arm, her touch was gentle and light but it caused Eris to smile over at the blonde. “Maybe I’m in the wrong profession then, shoulda been a journalist. Could give you some competition.” While Eris was a pretty decent writer, she would never be able to write something as juicy and intriguing as the other. Her writing talents lied in medical records, reports, and journals. “Of course we don’t...” She laughed softly at the wink Rita gave her, finding herself more captivated by the woman sitting next to her than she would’ve thought possible. “If it’s going to be a private article, then there’s nothing stopping me from giving you something extremely enthralling to write about, now is there?” Eris was sure that Rita could conceive a vastly detailed article about the two, if she wished, although right now Eris would prefer to leave the reporter tongue-tied. 

“or yet in wise old ravenclaw, if you’ve a ready mind, where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind”

People she had never met before had been coming up to her all day, family members she hadn’t seen before, strangers that were distant friends of her mother and father, and of course people the Lestranges had known. It was tiring to be so happy and cheerful. There were way too many people there that all wanted a chance to talk to her and most of them had acted like they had known her entire life.

When she saw Eris approach her, she couldn’t help but smile at her. She had been friends with Andromeda and she wouldn’t be surprised if she was still friends with the disowned Black daughter. They had been friendly back at Hogwarts, her family was well known but Eris was quite unique. Bellatrix didn’t have a lot of girl friends from Hogwarts, but Eris was pretty close to one,

She hugged the girl back and smiled at her. “You know very well that I wouldn’t marry a man that didn’t treat me well, especially in the bedroom,” she said with a laugh and a wink. It was true, the two years they had been engaged they had been practicing for their big night, they hadn’t bothered to wait.

She pulled back and looked Eris over, taking in how she looked. It had been quite some time since the last time she had seen her but time had good to her. She was a beautiful young lady. “Well thank you very much. My mother and Rodolphus’ mother did a lot of the planning, I did some of the work, like picking out the dress with Narcissa. I think it shows off my features quite well,” she smirked.

“How are you? I am so glad that you were able to make it tonight,” she said, this time being honest, unlike the other times she had said that today. “What have you been up to?”

It felt good to see happiness radiating from Bellatrix on her wedding day, when the same couldn’t be said for the majority of witches who were giving their vows, and themselves, to men they were arranged to marry to preserve their status in society. But Bellatrix was genuinely happy and it showed. Rodolphus was a good match for the woman, and they had a courtship that lasted longer than most at a total of two years. Eris couldn’t be anymore thrilled for the woman standing across from her. She wore Bellatrix was glowing right now. “Don’t I know that.” She answered back with a mischievous grin of her own. “I bet all that won’t even compare to the wedding night. Where are you honeymooning?”

Eris playfully posed, putting her hand on her hip and pursing her lips together as Bellatrix took her in. She laughed and composed herself, smiling afterwards. “The dress was my favorite part next to the vows. You know how dresses make me weak in the knees.” It was her turn to look Bellatrix over, eyeing her from the floor up, now that she was in a more personal and close proximity. The dress did accentuate her gorgeous features, and showed off her curves, which Eris had always found herself envious of. Her eyes met those of Bellatrix’s, and she flashed her a warm smile. “He is truly a lucky man.”  

Eris was glad that the bride seemed glad that she was here. Eris wouldn’t have missed this wedding for the world. The former Ravenclaw had always been appreciative of Bellatrix’s friendship, even after Andromeda, Eris’ best friend, had been disowned from the Black family. “So am I. I almost wasn’t able to make it, but I moved the Earth last minute and got the go ahead.” She grinned wickedly. “Just the same as before, did you ever get my last letter?” Eris wondered, having not gotten a reply but she had only sent it about a week ago and Bellatrix was busy with wedding plans so she didn’t expect much of a reply. “Still training and trying to avoid these blind dates my grandfather keeps trying to set me up on. I cannot wait until my training is over so I can find an opening at St. Mungo’s and come back home. I miss British Wizarding Society, and you know, my freedom.”

“Good, because I meant it.” Rita smiled. Her kind words were far and few in between and she never knew what to do when people didn’t accept a compliment. She wasn’t one to fight them on it. If they didn’t think they deserved it, she wasn’t going to try and change their mind.

Rita nodded and had to take a deep breath to calm herself down. “Like I said, any time will work for me.” An Eris caliber story was exactly what she needed just then. She needed to prove that they had made the right choice in promoting her, that she was going to sell more papers than any of her fellow reporters, that she was front page material. Her editor knew all this of course, but there were still a lot of people at the Prophet who thought that the only thing Rita was good for was a gossip column.

Rita made a face at the mention of a club. “Clubs aren’t really my thing. Too many people, over priced drink, sweaty people always trying to grab at me- I actually like dingy pubs, I just wish a few more people did too.”  Rita raised her brow at the girl next to her. She had always got the feeling from Eris that she was a bit more straight and narrow than Rita when it came to who she slept with. Rita didn’t care, as long as they were attractive and attentive, she was happy. She didn’t know if Eris was just getting tipsy, and therefore a bit silly, or if Rita had perhaps, read Eris wrong. She decided to test it. With her most flirtatious smile, she reached over and tucked a lock of Eris’ hair behind her ear. “Are you hitting on me, Selwyn?”

Eris let out a quiet laugh at the look on Rita’s face, she was actually surprised that the elder didn’t like the club scene. “Yes, but there’s also lowered inhibitions which means more stories for your articles.” She pointed out, raising her glass to her pink lips to take a sip of her drink. Lowering her glass again, Eris’ tongue swept across her lower lip. It was then that Rita’s hand reached out and moved a piece of her long brown hair behind her ear, Eris shivered at the contact. She hoped the lighting in the pub was enough to hide her rosy cheeks from the other, now that she was up close and personal.

In all honesty, Eris didn’t mind the touching, she welcomed it. Skinship was something she enjoyed immensely, as long as it was with someone she knew and didn’t mind. Rita would fit that bill, even though she was a woman; a very beautiful woman. Eris would describe herself as heterosexual, but she was no stranger to experimenting with the same sex. When she had alcohol in her system there wasn’t much Eris wouldn’t do. “Just a little bit.” Came her answer. “Are you going to write about it in your next article? Gorgeous Healer, Eris Selwyn, flirting with sexy news reporter, Rita Skeeter, in a dingy London pub.” She laughed softly, leaning in closer to the reporter and biting on her lip. She extended her hand, fingers lighting touching Rita’s arm as she spoke quietly. “I hope you don’t go into too much detail, my sisters read your column. Not sure if they could handle it.”

“I like the way you think, sweet heart.” Rita said, not having any qualms in throwing around a name if you had one. She was working hard to get her name well known throughout the wizarding community, and she thought she was fairing well. “I’m sure you’re well on your way. Greatest Healer I know, not that I make a point of knowing any good Healers. There’s not usually any stories there.”

“I feel like honesty is an important part of our relationship. I tell you things, you tell me things…” Rita nodded at her next statement. If Eris wanted to wait until they had a bit more privacy to go over whatever it was that was on her mind, than Rita knew that it was going to be something pretty good. “You’ll have to let me know when you’re free then. My job is to dig up stories so whatever time works for you will work for me.” She hoped it had something to do with another suitor her father was trying to marry her off to. Not only did those stories promise to be dramatic and entertaining, which Rita loved, but anything related to a wedding (even if it was just a betrothal) sold like crazy. People were stupid and desperate to watch other people’s lives fall apart, watch them bottom out when playing with love and Rita loved to pray on that every chance she got. And it wasn’t as though she would be taking advantage of Eris either, not that she would normally take this into consideration, but she sort of liked the girl. They weren’t exactly the best of friends, but Rita did root for her.

A new drink was placed in front of her and she wasted no time in picking it up and taking a large gulp. Between her mum and dad, Rita was pretty sure that she had alcohol in her blood, at least that was the explanation that she went with because there really wasn’t any other reason to explain her high tolerance for the liquid. She was sure that she had her father to thank for it in reality. She looked around the room and sighed, crestfallen. “They need a bar for the young in this retched place. Like the Three Broomsticks, but a place that has a few less children.” She took another drink and finished her inspection of the bars patrons. “As it stands, you’re the only one I’m interested in tonight.” She winked at Eris.

“I will gladly accept the compliment anyway.” At least she was someone’s favorite, even if that someone was Rita. As sleezy as the older woman could be, Eris held her opinion in high regards because most of the time Rita knew just what she was talking about. Maybe she didn’t know much about the actual healing aspect, but it was still something Eris took in good faith. Plus, they both couldn’t deny that Eris had good stories, not that she would ever sell out her friends – she wouldn’t – it was more so her own stories. Somehow the brunette’s life was a bit of a muggle soap opera; drama, tragedy and all. It was the kind of stories Rita loved, and Eris could tell the reporter in private without fear. Now that Rita was a reporter on the Daily Prophet, it didn’t just benefit Rita, but Eris’ as well. The timing was too perfect, if she was being honest.

Eris is pleased that Rita got the message that she was itching to share something with her in a different, much more private setting. “I’ll send you an owl.” Or just show up unannounced, as Eris liked to do when it came to these things. Most of the time she wouldn’t come without sending notice as it was proper etiquette, but she had a hunch that Rita didn’t mind when it came to getting her stories. This one would favor them both; Eris could get out the betrothal her father was planning, and Rita could sell her magazines and newspapers. Marriage was always something Eris wanted, but she wanted it to be on her terms and until it was, she would go through hell and back to prevent herself from being married off to anyone her father or grandfather chose. She refused. Having Rita on her side was a win for her, and something that Eris was ready to celebrate along with Rita’s promotion.

“We could always skip out of here and go to a club if the patrons aren’t appealing.” She flashed the other woman a smirk before tossing back a third of her drink in one go. It was true that most of the customers in the Leaky Cauldron were scummy and questionable, so if Rita was trying to get lucky she had come to the wrong place. Eris had chosen the Leaky because it was less conspicuous for her to drown her sorrows here than somewhere a little more up her alley, the last thing she needed was a family friend reporting to her father or older siblings about how she was an alcoholic. “Oh?” she threw her head back in a laugh, cheeks heating up from the alcohol or from Rita’s comment, she wasn’t sure. “Hoping to get lucky?” Eris’ laughter died as she set her glass down on the bar top and leaned in with a soft smile. The Healer wasn’t entirely sure what Rita was referring to with her comment, but either way she was in high spirits and well, she didn’t mind experimenting. “Keep playing your cards right and you just might.”

Alice listened intently to what the older girl had to say. She was never one for resorting to prejudice, she always made sure to give people a fair chance to show who they really were. Whilst she didn’t necessarily agree with Eris’ ideals she could see how appealing they were. If she had the chance to dress up nearly every day and present herself in such a desirable manner she knew for a fact that she would and she would love it too. Unlike the other girl she had an affinity to jeans and loose fitting jumpers, especially the kind with cheesy slogans and Christmas patterns. She wasn’t partial to fancy gowns and makeup, rarely donning either, but because of that she did appreciate them. “It sounds like a little bit of a hassle to get dressed up ever day. I admire you for it,” she smiled and decided now was ample time to close up the shop for a little bit. She stood up and turned the little sign by the door around before going behind the counter and scooping up some fudge ice cream for herself. “I think it’s true that people respect you more when you’re well presented and you use your manners in the right way. I think my mother would love it if I were a little more presentable,” she chuckled as she sat down again.

Alice shook her head, “No, I can wear whatever I want but the last time that I dared wear a dress while working it got caught in the freezer and Ferdy wouldn’t let me hear the end of it for weeks.“ She chuckled at the memory. It had been rather embarrassing having to have her dress forcefully pulled out of the freezer. It ruined the thing completely. She smiled and nodded, “I suppose I could try a little harder. I don’t look too bad in them, either.” she grinned. She hesitated slightly before replying, still worried that perhaps she was going to be an unneeded - and unwanted - burden. “Well, I suppose if you really want me to. Dad and Ferdinand should be back to take over soon, maybe if I leave a note..”

“If you think that this,” she motioned to what she was currently wearing. “is getting dressed up then you should see me on special occasions.” Eris always loved to dress to impress, and her daily dresses didn’t compare to those dresses she deemed ‘fancy’. The Ravenclaw had never been a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl and jean material usually made her skin itch and caused her to feel confined and restricted. “Do you usually wear jeans when school isn’t in session? Or do you switch it up with skirts and shorts? What about tops? Are you more of a t-shirt type or a tank type?” Eris was prepared to talk clothes and fashion all day as it was one of her favorite subjects. The fifth year watched as Alice flipped the sign on the door and prepared herself some ice cream before taking her seat again. Eris greeted the Gryffindor with a smile, pleased that she hadn’t been kicked out since the younger woman closed up shop. “Presentable how?” her brows furrowed. “’You seem presentable enough to me.”

Her hand came up to cover her mouth as she laughed softly, wanting to hear the whole story of how Alice’s dress got caught in the freezer. “How did you manage that?” she asked once her laughter subdued. “Did the dress survive?” sometimes it was hard to repair tears in dresses, and it depended a lot on the fabric, too. Although it was easier to repair things by magic, when it came to dresses Eris liked to manually repair them herself. “Face it – you’re gorgeous, Alice. You could wear a burlap sack and you’d still look good.” Alice was a very beautiful girl, no matter what she wore an outfit would not take away from her beauty, only accentuate it. Eris noticed the hesitation coming from the younger girl, and she wanted to tell her that she didn’t have to come with her. While she would be disappointed, she didn’t want to force the Gryffindor either. “You could leave a note.” She nodded enthusiastically. “We can even stay in Diagon Alley in case they need you. There’s a few boutiques around here.”

Andromeda wanted to tell Eris, she did, but there was something holding her back. Her friend was part of a big pureblood family and maybe she would hate the idea of Andromeda mixing with muggleborns. She wanted nothing more to talk to someone that would understand her position, on how difficult it was to be torn apart between love and family, but she was so afraid of losing Eris, on her telling Andromeda’s parents so they could correct her.

Andromeda shook her head, “Y-you h-hate me…” she mumble and held her tight, she wasn’t crying about the article that started this whole mess, or even about Ted -which still hurt- she was crying about losing everything and everyone she ever loved because of how unfortunate she was to love a muggleborn.

“I-I-what?” Eris frowned. She heard what her friend told her but she couldn’t quite understand. Why would she hate Andromeda? The Slytherin in her arms was her best friend and Eris would go to hell and back for her. Why would she hate her all of a sudden? “Is this about me—did I do something?” Whatever it was the Ravenclaw was ready to apologize a thousand times over for hurting someone she cared about enough to reduce her to tears.

Carefully she pulled away, cupping Andromeda’s cheeks and using the pads of her thumbs to brush away her tears. “What did I do?” It wouldn’t be the first time that Eris had inadvertently hurt someone, so she was ready to take the blame for whatever it was.

Andromeda didn’t notice the classroom had someone in there, she was so upset about Ted and their fight that she just hope to cry everything out before she had to go back to the Common Room. She couldn’t let Narcissa or Bella know she had cried, they would start questioning her about the things that made her sad and she couldn’t tell them, she couldn’t imagine them knowing she was crying over a man, specifically a muggle born man, she crying in a classroom would had to do for that moment.

She felt a familiar set of arms wrapped around her and she just let herself melt into Eris’ arms, “N-nothing…” she mumbled still crying into her friend’s shoulder before she shook her head “N-no one…” she said holding onto her friend, not sure if she would be able to explain how she fancied a muggle born and how they were fake dating, she didn’t think it would be wise to talk about Ted, but maybe Eris would understand?

Eris didn’t believe Andromeda for one second. She was crying over nothing and no-one? Her best friend was stronger than given credit for, she was able to let a lot of things slide without being reduced to tears so to see her in this condition, Eris knew that something terrible had happened. She just didn’t know what and Andromeda didn’t seem as if she would be willing to talk about it which only worried her more. Usually when they had secrets they would always run to tell each other first, or at least that’s how it was in Eris’ case.

As Andromeda cried, all Eris could do was hug the brunette tighter to her chest. “Andromeda,” she cooed softly. “Whatever it is you can tell me. No judgements. I won’t even hex anyone if they screwed you over.” She would do much worse, if that was the case. But if Andromeda wasn’t ready to talk about it, then that’s okay too, but Eris was determined to make sure her best friend left the room feeling better than she had when she entered. 

“About ready to use your daddy’s influence were you?” Rita grinned at the girl and took a sip of her drink. Eris’ father was actually one of the reasons that Rita enjoyed the girls company. Well, her father and her Grandfather. They were both very influential men who dealt in less than savory business dealings and also were quite insistent on finding Eris a suitable match, while Eris was set on staying single. The entire thing was both amusing and profitable. Having Eris as a friend, for a reporter especially, was like having an ace in the hole.

Rita lowered her brow and nodded. She did love it when people complimented her. “Well, as I know you have always hated gossip I feel compelled to tell you that a few of my articles for Witch Weekly have had more to do with spite than actual fact. Though, you should know by now that I’m not above that.” It wasn’t that these particular articles had no truth to them, it was just that, Rita had a way of perpetuating small morsels into delicious scandals, bending facts to her liking and using opinions as truth in some cases. She did try and reserve this tactic of journalism for the men and woman who actually deserved it though. There was less backlash this way. “The meaner I was, the worse the person. And of course I know more than I let on, but I don’t want to topple the magical world, I feel as though that would be a bit of an inconvenience for me.” Rita said, swirling her drink around in her hand. “Sometimes you can’t find what the person did wrong, but you can feel it in their attitude. Fucking pricks think that they’re invincible.” She shook her head and flashed Eris a smile. “Though there is no need for me to get nasty when you’re sitting there showering me in compliments. I’m glad that I could be of assistance while you were away from our fine country.”

Rita was glad when Eris showed just as much enthusiasm as Rita had herself. She was going to have so much more power now that she was a reporter, now that she had access to pretty much everything a person could. She could sit in on private court hearings, get private meetings with the minister, visit prisons and question Aurors. The possibilities were endless and she was beyond excited to get started. “Oh good! I was planning on getting utterly smashed tonight and getting ravished.” Rita laughed and raised her glass. “To getting our way.” She said with a wink and then finished what was left of her drink. “And will you be joining me in my endeavor?”

“Maybe,” she responded a little tight-lipped, but her eyes sparkled. “What’s the point of having an influential family if you can’t use them every once in a while?” Throwing around her family name wasn’t something she did often, but when it came to things she was passionate about, she would drop her family’s name (a couple of galleons, too, depending on the occasion) in a heartbeat. It was sad that she had to do that, but most of the time people would just look at her and laugh. She didn’t know if it was because she was so tiny in comparison to a lot of people, or because she was a girl, and sometimes looked as if she was nothing more than a pretty face in a pretty dress. Eris was always underestimated until someone picked her mind and found out how intelligent she was, or, if they saw the work that she did. “Just until I build up a reputation of my own.” Shouldn’t take too long now that she was in the lab more often than not, and starting to get around on the Spell Damage ward.

Eris laughed from behind her glass, setting it down after taking another sip of alcohol. “Thank you for sharing that bit of information with me, I would’ve never known otherwise.” There was a lot of exaggeration in Rita’s work, and while it sounded very good and very juicy, some of the things that were printed seemed to be a realistic stretch. It could happen, probably happened in some mild form, but didn’t happen as Rita so claimed. Eris was smart, she knew most of Rita’s Witch Weekly articles were embellished, but as long as her family and best friends weren’t terribly effected, she was fine with reading them for her enjoyment. “I think they’re entertaining.” Eris was in no place to judge Rita for her work, Eris’ hands weren’t entirely clean in her field either. “It’s karma, honestly. I’ve met some of the people you’ve written about in your more vicious articles, complete wankers the most of them, and they deserve all the backlash.” If there was anything the younger was up for, it was a spot of revenge. The brunette flashed Rita a grin of her own. “Of course, but if you ever need to get any of that information off your shoulders, I’m here to listen. Maybe share a bit of my own gossip.” The woman gave her a look to let her know they were not completely done with this conversation and that it must be revisited at another time. How perfect was it that Rita would end up with her tonight? This was fate, if anything, because Eris knew she might need her services. “We’ll have time to discuss another time. For now, let me compliment you as my thanks for keeping the boredom at bay. It was rather boring over there, for the most part, anyway.” She glanced away at that, a playful smirk forming on her lips. “Nothing compares to the dramatics that is the British Wizarding Society.”

The bartender answered Eris’ request by bringing the women new drinks and Eris wasted no time nursing her new glass in her hand. Her alcohol tolerance was much more substantial now than it was before she left to Asia, thanks to their much stronger alcohol and her newfound infinity for it, although she still preferred wine. It took a lot to get her drunk, but she was on glass number three and the buzz was starting to get to her. “That sounds like a good plan, a very good plan.” her laughter rang in unison with Rita’s, “don’t know who you’re going to find to ravish you in a place like this, however.” Eris’ dark eyes adverted to the rest of the room, taking in their fellow patrons with a dissatisfied raised brow, her glass followed suit in a toast. “To getting our way,” she threw the blonde reporter a mischievous smirk, downing a third of her glass in one go. The brunette placed the glass back on the bar top, humming while she pretended to think over an answer to Rita’s invitation. Eris didn’t really need to think on it, she had come here to forget about the arranged marriage her father was adamant about setting up, and what better way to forget than to get completely trashed with the one and only, Rita Skeeter? “You are such a bad influence, you know that?” she laughed. “I’m so in.”

Alice understood where she was coming from, everyone had different opinions on things and clearly people liked and cared about manners that much otherwise they wouldn’t exist and everything would be completely insane. The only time the blonde was overly polite was when she had to be like with her elders. She liked showing a decent amount of respect to the people who mattered but to those that didn’t so much she didn’t care quite as much. “I suppose the two do kind of go hand in hand. Being polite and liking the whole grandeur thing,” she shrugged. She didn’t get the fuss. Sure, she enjoyed to get dressed up and feel important for a while but if you had too much of it, surely it would get old after a while? Especially a lifetime.

Alice was pleased that Eris seemed so happy with her answer,genuinely so as well. It wasn’t false or sarcastic in anyway and the Gryffindor loved it when people felt like that in her presence. It made her feel like she accomplished something. “Well, I’m here most of the time and I can’t exactly prance around in a dress whilst I’m serving and the rest of the time I’m at Hogwarts or at home,” she shrugged. She felt herself turning pink at the other girl’s suggestion, “Oh, no. I’m a nightmare to shop with I just complain. You wouldn’t want me dragging you down.” Besides, it seems awfully expensive.

“I suppose it could, but not always. For me it’s always been about how I was raised. My mother loved to put me in dresses since I was young, therefore it’s always been comfortable for me to wear them verses jeans and jumpers, and I developed an infinity for them. I feel my best when I wear dresses. I feel more respected and ladylike when I use my manners. I like going to balls and socializing, but sometimes that gets exhausting, too, but mostly because of the company; it’s much different when you dress up and go out with your friends than to events like that. I can’t ever see myself being an elite socialite because I’m more than just that, I need more than just that, you know? Grandeur things are lovely, but it’s not everything.” She tried to explain. There was a connection between the two, but it sounded a little one dimensional when Alice put it that way. Eris was used to being judged and put in a box before people got to know a fourth of her, and depending on the person and situation, she was always quick to defend herself. A lot of people liked to call the Ravenclaw shallow, a future socialite in the making, but she was more focused on having a career, making something of herself, and not following the normal conventional path that was planned for her.

The fifth year’s smile never faltered as their conversation went on. Alice was a delight to speak with and Eris felt very light in her presence. “You can’t wear a dress here? Is it against the dress code?” she wondered. If Alice’s family owned the establishment couldn’t she just wear whatever she wanted? “You might get a little cold, but there’s warming charms.” Merlin knows how many times Eris forgot to put a warming charm over herself during the winter, but thankfully her best friend usually had her covered. “You can wear dresses on weekends, and during Hogsmeade visits, and at home you can always wear a dress. If you want to that is…” Eris laughed a little bit to herself, hoping she wasn’t forcing the idea of wearing dresses 24/7 down Alice’s throat. “Sorry, hope I’m not coming on strong. I’m just a dress enthusiast.” A scoff released from her throat before she could stop herself, lifting a brow at Alice’s insistence that she would ‘drag her down’. “Not bloody likely. Plus, I complain all the time too, so we can complain together and piss the shopkeeper off. Maybe she’ll even give us a few fabric samples so we can scatter out of there quicker.”