sweet as cherry wine

“You know, I really don’t think that potion is supposed to be turning this colour.” Maddie replied, eyeing it suspiciously. “It’s not going to explode, is it?”

“Oh please, if something was truly wrong with it, we would’ve been gone already,” the blonde replied, shrugging. She was working on speeding up the whole process and have the potion ready in half the time it usually took, but so far things weren’t working the way she wanted.

“I’m not sure what this is, but it certainly isn’t what I ordered.” Raphael was quick to point out when the drink was handed to him. “Either I might as well be speaking French my accent is that thick or you have handed me someone else’s beverage.” He stated, holding it out to the woman. As far as first impressions went, Raphael felt like his introduction to England wasn’t really going too well. 

"I think the owner doesn’t like the French much,” Joséphine muttered quietly. “Try charming her, but not in some cheesy yucky way, and you may earn a smile in about two to three months,” she added, then took a sip of her perfectly brewed tea.

Joséphine's good mood disappeared as soon as she read the note. Someone knew what had happened all those years ago other than her group of friends and that did not bode well. She needed to figure out who exactly was that and how much they actually knew. And then she would need to take care of them. For now though she was just going to throw the other under the bus.

"Penelope?" She asked out loud. "Don't know her," she then shrugged. "Do your worst to her."

“Huh– shit…” Axel exclaimed in a fearful stammer before holding his hands up as though they’d protect him against whatever – or whoever rather – had come at him all of a sudden. “Holy Helga– don’t do that to me. I could’ve sworn you were trying to give me a heart attack.”

"You sure you’re talking to me?” Joséphine raised an eyebrow, surprised by the other’s exclamation. “I mean, I’m pretty sure my hair could poke someone’s eye out, but I don’t think this is scary,” she pointed at her skimpy outfit.

“It’s obviously not a real poodle, I’d never get one just for one night,” Melora rolled her eyes at her cousin. She understood that Joséphine loved animals, but come on, she wasn’t someone who would subject a pet to a whole night of partying. “Besides, the ones that aunt Marie has are nasty, so thanks but no thanks.”

@josephineflamel​

"They are lovely but they hate you for not giving them treats,” the blonde shrugged at her cousin. She still thought that the poodle look suspiciously real, but she decided to give Melora a benefit of doubt. “Should I get who you and Manon are dressed as or..?”

Joséphine: did you get the invite for the family dinner? i don't know if I can get off work earlier so you may have to make my excuses

Joséphine: oh mon dieu, that costume was a nightmare

“If you’ve come to make a comment about how much you hate all the seasonal, pumpkin spiced and cinnamon flavored things– save it,” Eva warned the other as they approached. “I am very territorial about them and will not be open to any of your slander,” she mentioned before taking a purposefully long sip of her flavored coffee.

"I mean, those are disgusting, but it’s you who is putting them inside you, not me,” the blonde shrugged. She much more preferred caramel or hazelnut flavoured drinks, but she didn’t feel like sharing that information with the whole world. “Do people often come up to you to say that..?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you so excited,” Nick grinned at the blonde. “Who would’ve thought you’re such a big Quidditch fan, you’ve never mentioned anything,” he added. He enjoyed getting to know Joséphine better and we was constantly finding out something new about her. All of that made him like her even more.

@josephineflamel​

“What can I say, I do enjoy competitive sports,” Joséphine replied, smiling softly. She did wish France had been the one winning the cup, but for now she was content with the outcome. “I do think I’m more invested in muggle football though, I should take you with me to the next big game,” she suggested.

“I’m not sure you can get one of those to be on your side. They’re hardly the domesticating breed, Josephine.” Nathaniel drawled out as he comfortably sat with the cat lazing around his neck as he continue to enjoy his coffee.

"Not with that attitude,” the blonde shrugged. Of course she wasn’t stupid enough to go out in the wild and try to befriend a Zouwu, but if there just happened to be one around... Well, she would at least try to make it all work. “And I’d never try to domesticate one, I’m not cruel.”

“That depends on how hard you poke it.” Elara explained to the other. “If it’s a soft poke, more of a nudge then I’d expect you’d get a meow in return. If you shake it like a Polaroid picture, pretty sure it’ll hiss at you and maybe take a swat as well.”

"Oh, it’s a kitty then,” Joséphine observed, sounding delighted. “Now that I know, I’d never ever shake the box. Is it yours? What’s it name?” She asked, eyeing where the cat was still hidden. “I always have some treats in my bag in case there’s a cat that needs to be fed,” she offered.

“I haven’t done anything in the last couple of days so I’m all charged with energy,” Molly grinned in reply. It was still early in the day and she had so many more things planned for both of them. “Should we grab something to eat? Will that help? I’m just going to grab another coffee though.”

"So you’re caffeinated too? That explains it all,” the blonde sighed. She usually just stuck to her one cup a day, but if she wanted to keep up with Molly, then she would need to help herself out. “I’ll grab a coffee too, with an extra shot. Or maybe two. Anything that would give me some extra energy.”

“I hope you realise that you are drinking a glass of Chenin Blanc,” Xavier pointed out to the other. “The variety that goes for just over twenty galleons a glass,” he said, taking a sip of his own glass. “At least I hope so since it seems like you are on your second one.”

Joséphine blinked, a bit surprised someone had interrupted her brainstorming session. “It’s decent I guess, but I’ve had better,” she replied after a moment. “Can’t say I pay much attention to what I order, I like to be surprised.” 

A low, amused chuckle vibrated from Nathaniel’s chest as he picked up the feisty black feline, perching it on his shoulder in a position the cat was clearly quite used to maintaining. It nudged it’s velvet nose against its owners temple, purring audibly as it gave fond headbutts. Nathaniel hummed, continuing to sip on the coffee that was currently keeping him in a relatively balanced mood. “And you wonder why I say dogs are not the only option for protection. Someone was a hairs breath away from losing an eye there.” 

Joséphine sipped her own coffee in silence, not looking in any way bothered by the situation. “Can’t say I ever wondered that. Dogs are... fine, but cats are better in every way. Besides, I’d much rather have a Zouwu on my side than a wolf,” the blonde shrugged. “I’ve got treats in my bag if you want to give them to you cat,” she offered.