What's in a name?

Playbill: Draco Malfoy, Nyle Avery, Audrey Miller

Honorable Mention: Greer Blackthorn, Seamus Diggory

Summary: An end-of-winter festival finds its way to Hogsmeade. Draco argues with Nyle about party planning (in the most masculine way possible) and has an actual semi-civil conversation with Audrey.

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Pumpkin Dust An End-of-Winter Festival had found its way into Hogsmeade, the sleepy village somehow managing to transform itself into even more of a picturesque scene off a postcard in honor of the farewell-to-the-season festivities. Fairy lights had been strung about along the crooked, snow-steeped rooftops of the quaint shoppes and cottages. The frozen lake was frequented with ice-skaters, laughing and swinging around in their scarves, hats, and mitts. Vendors dotted the area, selling a variety of fun items and snacks. There was even an ice cream vendor, in spite of the cold. -- Audrey currently found herself outside a little cart where a stout wizard was selling dim-sum. She was struggling with her chop-sticks, bundled comfortably in a turquoise winter coat and knit hat (and gloves) -- and a green-and-silver Slytherin scarf draped loosely around her neck.

magic Greer lingered near the frozen lake, black fingerless gloves hiding everything above the knuckle while she clutched a cup of hot cinnamon cocoa (with the added party favor of two shots of firewhiskey). It was nice to watch the skaters as they circled in pairs or groups. Small shoulders practically touching ears as she hunched in the trademark charcoal gray wool jacket against the chill in the air.

Spells and Scales Yes, what a beautiful sight. Someone should simply immortalize the moment with a painting. Oh, look! There was a young and shabby wizard doing just that. But it was with his wand that he magically applied paints and layers to his bit of canvas set up to capture the magical sight of people enjoying themselves. Draco had paused briefly to watch but without much enjoyment of his own spectating, warmly set in a wool coat and scarf against the colder temperatures. Fingertips of his wand hand were constantly readjusting to the grip of an Elm wand, trying to settle. He'd managed to find a wand that would agree with him. For how long? Who could say, but for now, he could once again perform the magic he knew in a way he was comfortable with. Soon, though, this would no longer to be an obstacle. Babajide Akingbade had found Draco's request intriguing enough to reach out to Uagadou, the wizarding school in Africa, and after much careful consideration, they found Draco's predicament worthy of study in exchange for the studying he would do himself. Draco's eyes drifted up from the painting-in-progress to look at the actual village itself, looking around at the people, the smells of hot foods fighting to waft through cold, tamping air. -f-

Pumpkin Dust Miss Miller wandered away from the dim-sum cart, absentmindedly making her way up the crooked, cobbled path to a familiar storefront. The oddities shoppe that belonged to Sigmund Gallowes looked spectacular, if she did say so herself (and she did). Paper birds fluttering about, their wings all alight with a silvery glow, and a twinkling sign in the middle that announced an end-of-season sale (beginning tomorrow, of course). The Professor had kindly allowed her to close up for the night of the festival once she'd finished her work on the window display. She was pleased with it, though it had been conjured up at the last moment. There was a very lovely simplicity about the little paper birds and the twinkling lights that was equally pleasing and inviting. -- She picked a dumpling out of her bowl and placed it in her mouth carefully, chewing contentedly. Audrey turned to make her way back toward the lake to do exactly what Greer was doing, and would certainly wind up interacting with her friend upon arrival. Along the way, she spotted Draco, a fellow human being with whom she was bound to interact. Because that's what happens when we RP. We interact with one-another, even in situations where it's highly unlikely these two people would actually interact. BECAUSE WE'RE NOT HEATHENS. -- Anyway. Audrey couldn't help but smirk at the sight of the pale blonde. It was her natural state of greeting. She paused a few feet from the Slytherin, and made a show of glancing about. "Mommy and Daddy not here to chaperon tonight?"

magic The burn of the beverage as it traveled the length of throat was revitalizing, spreading a different sort of warmth throughout slender frame than the fleeting passing of typical cocoa. Greer admittedly had a drink of some alcoholic persuasion at least three times a week now. Fortunately, still in the company of a friend to avoid the stigma of being an alcoholic. Or so she'd tell herself. At least she didn't become black out intoxicated and owl old boyfriends (because she didn't have any). The werewolf was too fixated on the skaters to take note of Draco or Audrey, and would likely remain such until something went wrong..

magic On the ice in question, was a Finnigan.. enjoying the lazy circle of the natural ice rink on enchanted blades that sprung from the soles of boots. Being a wizard had it's perks, and advantages of getting around paying money for things if you were clever. Or particularly desperate.

Spells and Scales Sweeping blue eyes were instantly drawn in the direction of a drippy little question from one Maude of Gryffindor, wand stilling in his grasp and being carefully slipped into his coat where it was best for it to stay. Resisting the urge to breathe in deeply as if to still himself for a skirmish, he blinked at her and smiled pleasantly. "You've got something on your chin." -f-

Pumpkin Dust "Have I?" Audrey dabbed at her chin with her glove, then (seemingly) absentmindedly held her bowl of dim-sum aloft to offer him an actual dumpling with raised eyebrows, intimating sincerity.

Spells and Scales Draco arched a brow at the offering, looking from Maude cleaning her chin to the bowl of dumplings and then back at Maude's face. "No, thank you," was his polite decline. Clearing his throat, he took a half-turning step from Maude and scrutinized her from her hair to her shoes to her... scarf. He had been about to walk off, but was now stuck in his half-turn from her, curiosity crossing his face. Piecing her presence at the party, or even her simple knowledge of it, with the scarf, he couldn't help but ask. "Are you dating Nyle Avery?" -f-

Pumpkin Dust Audrey half-shrugged in acknowledgment of his own loss and popped the dumpling into her own mouth at his decline. Her eyes found his again while she chewed, grinning closed-mouthed at him as she did so. That is, until he asked her if she was dating Nyle Avery. Audrey spat her dumpling out into her bowl and laughed. "No!" she replied, looking back up at him wide-eyed, and wiping at the back of her mouth with the sleeve of her coat. She reached over to drop what was left of her dim-sum into the receptacle (conveniently) sitting nearby. "Why do you think--" She paused, realizing it was probably the scarf. Audrey averted her eyes then, and noticed Greer nearby in the process. She implored her friend, silently, to come to her rescue then - though, she wasn't certain Greer had spotted her. -- Audrey cleared her throat and quickly regained her composure. "Not that it'd be any of your business, anyway."

Spells and Scales Watching the girl spit out her dumpling seemed to especially confirm the no that followed. Brows shot up at her comment about what is and isn't his business. For someone so clearly nosy, she seemed a bit of a hypocrite. "It would be somewhat my business as the Averys are family friends." He followed her brief break of eyesight to a girl nearby, but he couldn't place that one either. However, there was something familiar about the hair. Wait.. that was, "Fortune," he said under his breath in realization. Huh. It seemed that maybe it was an all-girls gate crashing that night. "And who's that," he asked, nodding in Maude's friend's direction. -f-

Pumpkin Dust "Just a friend. I'm not dating her either, if that's what you're wondering." Audrey suddenly had her amused little grin restored to her. "You asking for a friend?" She dusted her hands off on her coat. Greer seemed to be too transfixed by the skaters to have noticed Audrey's silent plea for interference. "And here I thought you didn't like me. I suppose I have some steep competition, the way Millicent Bulstrode was eyeing you at the Masquerade party. I thought she might actually put the pastries down long enough to try and drag you onto the dance floor."

Spells and Scales "Millicent Bulstrode has a tender heart under her rather gross exterior," he offered, still eyeing Maude's distracted friend. Sighing, he looked back at Maude, slipping hands into his coat pockets to keep bare fingers warm. "She's also not bad at the waltz, if you let her be the lead." Characteristic smirk hitched on to his angular features. "I like her more than I like you, Maude." -f-

Pumpkin Dust "Clearly, as you haven't even bothered to properly learn my name." Audrey smirked, and pressed a hand over her heart to indicate injury. "I'll try and remind myself of Millicent Bulstrode's tender heart the next time I spot her kicking her family's house-elf down the road." She glanced off at the ice-skaters, distracted for a moment. The image of Milicent Bulstrode taking lead on the dance floor while Draco followed along was something she'd wished she'd had the opportunity to see with her own eyes. -- "Since the subject of my unworthiness to date any of your family's friends has come into discussion, I imagine I'm justified in asking you what it was you were doing outside of Borgin and Burkes - just moments after the damned windows had been blown out. And all the wands I saw you going through the other day at Ollivander's..." Her eyes gleamed when they re-found him. "Seems I keep walking in on you at just the right time to imply you're up to something."

Spells and Scales Oh, dear. So that wasn't her name at all. Well, it did seem a bit old fashioned for someone so.... impertinent. He did attempt for a second to scrape his brain for another name she could be, but he came up with nothing. What was a blank expression of drifting thought as to the girl's name became a sharp and pointed look at her as she brought up Borgin and Burkes, causing a short twitch to his right eyebrow. Clearing his throat lightly, Draco shifted his stance to appear slightly more at ease. "I'm a busy man with a lot to do. Sometimes projects can go... awry." The cider cart stationed near the dim-sum cart seemed much more inviting all of a sudden, and he stepped around her to purchase a cup of the stuff from the witch doling it out. -f-

Pumpkin Dust Audrey followed him, of course. She shoved her hands deep into her pockets, residing beside the cider cart with a sigh. "Fascinating stuff, I'm sure. Must be some pretty intense project you've undertaken. -- You seemed a bit fretful at Ollivander's. The shop was quite broken up." His confirmation that it had, indeed, been the back of his blonde head she'd spotted walking away from the scene of the crime at Borgin and Burkes only piqued her interest further.

Spells and Scales "A wizard without his wand is helpless in the face of danger unless otherwise equipped for the task at hand," Draco intoned. Some short-sighted European wizard said such a thing, having no prior knowledge that wandless magic was actually possible. Thankfully, in these more modern times, techniques of magic performed by witches and wizard were a little more prolific. While Hogwarts was certainly one of the best schools for magic, Draco had wondered if the school's own snobbery had a heavier hand in his own predicament than he initially believed. Raising his cup of cider to his lips, he blew on it and then paused, looking over the steaming contents at Maude, the presence of her scarf was beginning to bother him. "Colleen?" Now it was the guessing game. -f-

Pumpkin Dust Colleen? Audrey shook her head, actually looking a bit disappointed in him. "Colleen. Really?" She gave him a look and ordered up a hot cider of her own now, pondering over what he'd just rattled off about the dire nature of having a wand. "So is that it, then? You've broken your wand and are trying to replace it?" She uttered her thanks to the witch who served her cider, clutching the warm cup in mittened hands. Audrey gently blew on the top of the drink, the steam dispersing as she did so (temporarily). "What's the trouble? You have something against allowing Ollivander to help you find a proper replacement? Would be a lot less work if you didn't have to try every wand in the shop." Of course she'd assumed there was more to it then that. She took a careful sip of her cider.

Spells and Scales "I've already found a wand," he stated simply, opening his coat slightly with his free hand to show her the handle of the elm wand he'd been fiddling with earlier. Closing it back up, he sighed, "Honestly, Ollivander has something against helping me." He rolled his eyes and moved away from the cart, predicting the witch would follow, and found a place under some eaves as snowflakes began to fall. "Bad blood. But he got over it." More like the hefty bag of gold helped him get over it. Time and gold heals some wounds, he supposed. The Malfoy family, after their treatment of Garrick Ollivander, had quietly done their best to make it up to him, but the man was not a complete idiot. -f-

Pumpkin Dust "Ah. I suppose that makes sense." Audrey did indeed follow, clutching her cup close. "When I came in on that mess... I'd thought you'd bullied the poor man and were terrorizing his shop. Which, you still were, in a way." Audrey shrugged. If he'd half a brain he probably couldn't blame her for making certain assumptions. "So you've found your wand, then. That's good, right?" Audrey leaned back against the wall under the eaves casually, keeping one hand in her pocket as she sipped her cider with the other.. and glanced up at the dark sky thoughtfully as the snowfall began to materialize.

Spells and Scales "Yes, that's good." And he left it at that, also having a sip of his own cider, not precisely looking at the witch, but around her. He didn't even know this girl's name, so why would he tell her more than that about his wand issues? "Penny." -f-

ghoulgate "Try 'Eris.' She sort of looks like an Eris." The least Avery-esque of the Avery clan had merely been strolling by when he caught sight of Audrey and Draco, so of course he had to interact with them because this is roleplay and we're not fucking animals, we live in a society. He took a bite out of the steaming pasty he held in one hand, chewing quietly and simply looking between the two of them, as if to say: Yeah, I'm here. Now what?

Pumpkin Dust Audrey went from looking genuinely offended by the suggestion that her name might have been Penny, to pleased as punchy-potion upon Nyle's interjection. She grinned and said nothing, taking a little sip from her cup and beaming appreciation for the reference that she did, indeed, get (thank you Nyle) - because she reads. For real.

Spells and Scales "Not a particularly fortuitous name. Though, neither is a nosy nature," he tilted his head at the witch with a smirk and then looked over at Nyle, scrutinizing him as he ate his pasty. "Nyle," with a nod was his way of saying 'hello.' -f-

Pumpkin Dust Audrey looked back to Draco, and then to Nyle again. How was this going to be?

ghoulgate "Malfoy." The nod was returned, every bit as coolly. After a moment, Nyle furrowed his brows a touch. "Sorry, you're right, I shouldn't be so nosy. I've just had...one hell of a day. Would you believe some prat at the party the other night tore up a bunch of the books in our library? The nerve, y'know?"

ghoulgate Casual pasty bite and chew.

Pumpkin Dust "Well, to be fair, I think the nosy one is meant to be me. But that's terrible about your books, Nyle. You know - I was just talking to a friend of mine the other day, and she actually mentioned that Mr. Malfoy had been in the library. Perhaps he saw something." Audrey took a casual, innocent sip of her cider.

Spells and Scales Draco raised eyebrows innocently at the mention of the library and then Audrey's chime-in. "Unfortunately, no. After Nyle locked me in, I ended up asleep on one of the sofas inside until a young woman arrived and let me out. However, there was a window open. I suppose if someone was after your books, they'd probably find an easy time getting in and out through the window. Anything valuable get damaged?" He was just the right amount of polite concern. -f-

ghoulgate Brows raised in faux-surprise at Audrey's mention that Draco had been in the library on the night of the incident in question. He looked to the blonde boy expectantly, as though surely he had seen the book vandal, perhaps even enough to aid in a police sketch. "Oh. Well, no, nothing too valuable. They're all mother's books, anyway. I'm pretty sure most of them are cheap romance novels. You know, the type with Fabio on the cover, holding some fawning woman in his arms as he...I don't know, does whatever Fabio does. Combs his hair, maybe. Nothing you'd be interested in." A shrug, and another bite of his pasty. Nom.

Pumpkin Dust Ahem. In point of fact, they had been very expensive books. First-editions, even, in some cases - and Victoria Avery had never read a romance novel (or done or said anything romantic) in her life. She was furious. Furious. And somehow, it was all Nyle's fault - because everything was, after all. And it didn't help matters that someone had stolen a family heirloom. Needless to say, it had not been a pleasant week at the Avery household.

ghoulgate Mother showed affection by yelling at him. This was fine.

Spells and Scales "Hm. I'm not familiar with this Fabio person." Cheap romance novels? Victoria Avery must have a very very lonely bed. He kept the comment to himself. "Well, as far as I know, Mau-- er.... you," he looked at the witch, "were not actually invited to the Victoria's bash. Perhaps other uninvited people made it in and violated the books," Draco suggested to Nyle. "I suppose your mother will be revising the security measures at home. My mother would be more than willing to share some tips. I'll mention it to her." Draco smiled, seeming helpful, and took another sip of his cider. He then side-eyed the witch. "Fiona." -f-

Pumpkin Dust Audrey raised her eyebrows at Draco. "As a matter of fact, I was invited. You're the one who'd assumed otherwise." Audrey casually took to unwinding the scarf from around her neck, even though it was very cold out, and tried to tuck it into the deep pocket of her coat without drawing too much attention to it. She'd become hyper-aware of wearing it now that Nyle was there. Audrey rolled her eyes at Fiona. "Still dreadfully off."

Spells and Scales "Unofficially, maybe. Unless you're dating Nyle here, I doubt you'd get so much as a genuine smile from his mum. Even then," Draco eyed Nyle, "I'm not so sure." -f-

Pumpkin Dust "I told you I'm not. And has anyone ever gotten a smile from Nyle's mum?" Sorry Nyle.

ghoulgate "She's got a point, mother isn't fond of smiling. Says it causes age lines."

Pumpkin Dust That was true.

ghoulgate "Also, a quick note, I'm pretty sure the party was held at Avery Manor, and...last time I checked..." Lower lip jutted out, as though he was making an effort to reaffirm his memory. "...my last name...it's Avery. So. I can sort of invite anyone I want, and it's...pretty official."

Pumpkin Dust Audrey took another slow sip of her cider, lifting her eyebrows at Draco in the process. She didn't need to say anything. The smugness in her eyes said it all.

Spells and Scales "Yeah, but it's Victoria's party. Unless you're telling me you like throwing Valentine's Day bashes?" Draco smiled and continued to guess. "Breanne." -f-

Pumpkin Dust "Surprisingly warm," she commented offhandedly, after swallowing a sip. Her Aunt's name was Bree, after all.

Spells and Scales Draco looked thoughtfully skyward as he sipped his cider, thinking of more names. "Shaunna. Ginette. Bronagh. Alanna. Ida." Draco made sure her face was in his peripheral vision so he could gauge reaction. -f-

ghoulgate "Well, I didn't want to say anything, because I didn't want you to feel left out for not getting an invite, but yeah, I had my own Valentines Day Soirée that day. It was awesome. Chocolate fountain awesome. Don't feel bad, it was a really short guest list. Just her and I. Oh, and Narcissa Malf--oh." He sucked in through his teeth. "This is awkward."

Spells and Scales A roll of the eyes was all Draco afforded Nyle. "Well, I guess that explains who thought up the pink champagne." Draco then downed the rest of his cider and chucked the disposable cup in the nearest waste basket. "Aubrey." -f-

ghoulgate "...Pink champagne is delicious." Nyle mumbled, taking a bite of his pasty because hell yes that was his idea.

Pumpkin Dust Audrey reacted thoughtfully to Alanna and Ida, as though they maybe, possibly, kind of, sort of, might have sounded a bit like her name. Then Nyle took a shot and loaded the weapon with Draco's mum's name -- and Audrey raised her eyebrows. Well, shit. Draco seemed to shrug it off pretty effectively though, thank goodness. Audrey hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath. She exhaled. She started at Aubrey, perhaps indicating that he'd actually guessed it right. "I liked it," she muttered, supportively.

ghoulgate "Thank you!"

Pumpkin Dust "The band was pretty alright, too."

Spells and Scales "It was disgusting, and you both have hideous taste. It's also tacky." Were two grown men about to disagree over Valentine's party planning? While exasperated at poor party planning in the shape of bubbly beverages, Draco was otherwise satisfied by the witch's reaction to his final guess. -f-

Pumpkin Dust "Those pants are tacky," Audrey countered, nodding down at Draco's trousers. Which were - fine, really. She just didn't have anything better to counter with, at the moment. "And I'll have you know that dress you loathed so much was Vera Wang!" She'd had to dip deep into her aunt's closet for that one. Apparently, Audrey was actually still a little sore about the fact that he'd taken a shot at her appearance that night.

Spells and Scales "What in Merlin's saggy Y-fronts is Vera Wang?" -f-

Pumpkin Dust I don't care who you are, you can't say that Vera Wang isn't magical. Audrey laughed. "Why does Merlin have saggy Y-fronts?!"

Spells and Scales Draco went quiet and glanced at Nyle, then back to the witch. "Well, he was pretty old," he offered before glancing between the two and reaching up to rub his nose. "Why am I even still talking to the two of -- Wait." Draco now pointed to the Slytherin scarf, his brain activating a random bit of information that was never of any particular import. "Ah. I see it now. Ben Avery. You're Audrey Miller." -f-

ghoulgate "Not gonna lie, here, guys -- I have no idea what we're even talking about anymore. I'm ashamed of myself for getting in a debate about proper party planning with Draco Malfoy, of all people. The word 'tacky' has been thrown around more in the last few seconds than I've ever heard it used seriously in my life. Also, I'm pretty sure I don't know what a Y-Front is, and I kind of feel like...I maybe should? But I really don't." Pumpkin Dust The lightheartedness in her demeanor suddenly dispersed. Audrey looked away from him, finishing off the last sip of her cider. Her very aura had shifted heavily at the mere mention of Ben Avery, and his immediate surmising of her actual name. Her silence in that moment felt eternal, and she desperately tried to come up with something pertinent to say that might somehow make ignoring what Draco'd said seem natural - but her pause had lasted for too long and now there was no way back. "Well. I guess my reputation precedes me, then."

Spells and Scales "No reputation. Just the name." Both hands now back in his coat pockets, Draco looked from Audrey Miller to Nyle Avery. "Mystery solved, then. See you later." All Draco had needed was to know her name. Now that he knew her name, knew her house, and knew the look of her, she was properly filed away. He stepped between the pair of them and wandered off into the increasing snow fall that was causing others to disperse for shelter. -f-

Pumpkin Dust She watched him go, chucking her now-empty cup into the trash bin nearby and casting a meaningful look over at Nyle. "Well. That was fun." And, suddenly, without warning, Audrey reached out to snatch Nyle's pasty from him and stole herself a nice, big bite. ghoulgate "...That...was my pasty, though." Insightful, as ever.

Pumpkin Dust "Come on," Audrey said, mouth full, and placed a hand on the back of Nyle's shoulder to begin at guiding him away. "I wanna talk to you about our trip."