Summer Nights ~ July, 1978 ~ Mere&Ethan’s Date

[Meredith Mulciber]

Briar was a perfectly capable elf and had been serving her faithfully since her birth, the little elf had cared for her all her life and she was grudgingly very fond of her. She had never told a soul ever about her attachment to her elf and never would but it was there and it was times like these she was happy for it. The wisp of a creature had done up her hair and her make-up with a deft hand. But her dress… “I’m not sure Briar,” Meredith said nervously cutting her hazel gaze to the elf behind her in the full length mirror before her. “It’s awfully light for my taste.” She said fingering the thin layers of fabric of the periwinkle purple dress. 

Meredith’s closet mostly consisted of dark neutral colors; grey’s, black’s, wine’s, navy’s, etc. She had a few pieces in pastel colors; the dress she was currently sporting was one of those items. She had bought them her seventh year in her spring wardrobe and had not thought twice about any of them until now. “Briar is thinking Mistress looks most beautiful. Is looking like summer.” The tiny elf squeaked from her place on a tall stool next to Meredith's large bed, gowns and discarded undergarments littered the duvet and floor behind her. “Very well. Clean this mess up.” The tiny thing hopped a bit before bowing lowly, tilting her stool back precariously, then began snapping her fingers. Meredith was no longer paying attention though she had moved out of the master bedroom, well the only bedroom in her London flat; moving instead to the living room which was dominated primarily by two large double sided chalk boards that sat before the fireplace, covered in complex equations of her making.

She had just grabbed up her clutch off the coffee table, checking the contents for the third time when a soft ding echoed through the apartment; her wards alarming her to someone’s approach, she had already informed the staff in the lobby that she would be having a visitor. A second later there was a knock on the front door, magically enhanced to echo throughout the small space she called home. ’Ethan.’ Meredith thought with tightness in her stomach. She and her former housemate had been growing…closer in the past year or so. First over school and their shared subjects, then more recently over their choice in Master, and what she thought was a growing attraction for each other. He was a formidable match so far, she enjoyed his company; he was quick enough to keep up with her in an intellectual discussion and of course very good to look at. Something she was finding appealed to her more and more.

“Briar will get it!” Meredith caught a flash of the stark white of a tea towel before the elf was sweeping the door open. She heard the elf speaking but couldn’t quite make-out what she was saying over the rushing noise in her ears. A swift panic washed over her, this was a real date after all. Resolutely she clamped down on the feeling, shoved it into a box and stuffed it into the back of her mind. She recovered remarkably well she thought, managing to move into the entry as Ethan stepped in. Had she been in this situation say two years ago when she had no dating experience she may have passed out. But she was a different girl woman now, she had done this a couple times, she lived on her own, she was educated; dating was what she wanted to do.

“Ethan.” Meredith said, and his name was nothing but breath. She sent him a smile before reaching up to kiss each of his cheeks quickly, accepting the bouquet of flowers graciously. “Oh these are beautiful thank you! You look very handsome indeed.” Covertly she ‘checked him out’ as she retrieved a vase and filled it with water, very pleased with how he looked spiffed up, though she had already seen his formal wear before. This time however it was for her. “I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me exactly where we are going?” she asked conversationally, arranging the flowers expertly before settling them on the dining table. Again she looked across to her date something positively pulling at her gut; oh he was very sexy handsome indeed.

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

To say that Ethan Vanderhyde was pleased with the way he was welcomed into Meredith's apartment would be an understatement. First there was a chirpy little elf at the door, greeting him and letting him inside with a low bow. But then, the woman he was set on seducing wooing taking in courting made herself known. She near glided over to him in her delicate but hasty way, breathing out his name in a way that made him wonder who was trying to seduce who. It was also one of the only times she had referred to him so informally, and that sign of progress and her chaste kisses and nearness brought a perfectly charming grin out of him as he presented the bouquet to her.

"That dress was made for you, Meredith," he remarked, following her with his eyes as she took care of the flowers. It was a beautiful dress, gossamer layers moving slowly around her trim figure, accentuating each of her curves as the layers settled against her. "You should wear light colors more often, they suit you beautifully." The Slytherin usually seemed to favor darks in how she dressed, which did bring out a severe look that was indisputably beautiful, but this look was fantastic. The young man let out a light chuckle at her question, preferring to keep a bit of mystery to their night for his own fun, and hopefully hers as well. He was still figuring out what made her tick, and if she was to be his wife one day, he needed to keep trying different things, see what worked best with her...

"Not yet." Ethan caught her wandering eye, his smile as confident as his measured steps as he furthered his way into the apartment, approvingly looking about the posh and put-together place as he neared her. "After all, if a surprise is a good one, then there’s no need to spoil it, don’t you think? And I promise," he said, lowering his voice as if they were sharing secrets, "you’ll like the surprise." Raising his brows slightly, he reached under his coat to swiftly take out a pair of tickets before playfully returning them to a vest pocket before she could really see what they were for. "I’ve got the whole night planned with you in mind, don’t you worry." And he honestly did.

As the two graduated Slytherins had gotten to know each other better, Ethan had been paying attention to detail after detail. Everything about this evening - from the pastels of the flowers (as she didn’t favor brights in how she dressed), to the wine he’d requested to be ready for them at the restaurant (the closest approximation to the rich red they had had with their mutual "friends"), to the intimate concert (a solo wizard pianist she’d touted the skill of) - was made to please her.

As was, of course, the blue suit he wore to bring out the color of his eyes.

From the way the blonde was continuously trying to hide the fact that she was staring at his assets, Ethan was feeling good about the outcome of this night. At the very least, they wouldn't be parting with more kisses on the cheek.

"Are you ready to go? I hope you're hungry." He held a hand out to her to take, set to Apparate the pair of them to the rather exclusive wizarding restaurant he'd made a reservation at. She'd likely been there before, as there were, unfortunately, few upscale dining options for the upper class of witches and wizards that could keep them within the right community. But it would suit their purposes nicely for the evening - low-lit candles, flowing wine, and soft music awaited...

[Meredith Mulciber]

Meredith was very glad she had busied herself with putting out his token of their date, because when he remarked on how the dress was ‘made for her’ she blush pink and couldn’t help but grin. She was able to hide most of her expression behind the fragrant bouquet, but she knew her eyes crinkled in that way they always did when she smiled a real smile. “Thank you Ethan.” They were both being very polite this evening. It seemed like a little dance; Meredith danced well. “So I’ve been told.” She remarked glancing down at Briar who was dutiful standing against the wall in the entry.

“That color suits your eyes very well but I admit I am more impressed with the cut.” She said, feeling the compliment came out a little more suggestive than she intended. She would have to put a reign on herself; except that she just didn’t want to. Lucky she was settling the vase on the table and was able to arrange her features into normalcy before turning to back to Ethan who stood, a stark man presence in her feminine abode, whispering conspiratorially and flashing tickets of some sort. She fully expected his answer, even the assurance that she would enjoy herself, not missing the infliction in his voice when he informed her.

What she had not expected was for him to have the whole night laid out specifically for her enjoyment. “Then I guess we shall see how well you know me.” Meredith knew she sounded as he did, and realized they were now openly flirting with one another. She smiled coyly, thankful when he asked if she was ready. She was so ready! “This way.” The recent graduate said instead, plucking up her purse and slipping out onto the dark balcony, her servant popping into existence and sliding the glass open just in time. The temperature change was immediate. Her flat was perfectly temperature controlled. Here it was pressing heat and she was glad for the first time that she let Briar convince her. She shot a grin at the little elf, who was bowing Ethan through but whose large eyes were trained on Meredith. Now came the part that would be a real test.

Silently Meredith wrapping an arm firmly around her date, tucking herself into his chest as he took hold of her and spun them away. She was used to the sensation of apparition, she never much cared for side-along, it always made her slightly dizzy. As it she was now. Slowly she removed herself from her dates person, making sure she was steady before releasing him completely. Meredith took a deep breathe glancing around and immediately her face lit in a brilliant smile that she turning on Ethan, informing him happily. “I love this place. They carry the best wine in the city.”

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

The pleased remarks back he got after his simple compliment were music to Ethan's ears, and the tall man made himself welcome in the apartment, taking the little time to look around. It was definitely an apartment wherein everything had its place, and the young woman brought her work home with her, as evidenced by the large chalkboards taking up the majority of the living area. He got a smile at that, realizing he shouldn't have expected anything less from someone who was a workaholic when they were only at Hogwarts. Now that she got to specialize absolutely? Of course she would be even more involved! His attention was drawn back to the blonde as she returned his compliment, though, because what?

"The cut?" Ethan asked with a teasing look, unable to hold back a laugh at the incredibly forward - for this girl - remark. "That is a new one, and I can't say I don't appreciate it." Meredith Mulciber so fancied him, and as he mentally clapped himself on the back Ethan had to admit that this was a fun change. She usually wasn't so flirty, and he felt an irritating twinge of you-should-tell-her-this-began-as-a-ruse, which he mutely shooed away. It'd been easier when he was young to treat playing with girls' affections as a game - if he won, he got a wife, and he didn't want when he was fourteen. But now - now the pressure actually was on, and the trajectory he was on with this young woman could be the path he took for the rest of his life. She was opening up, and that was good for the goals of the plan, and good for their overall enjoyment of each other's company. But if she was to find out that he'd not started pursuing her of his own accord?

You just can't let that happen, is all.

So far, so good. She was picking up everything he put down, and seemed downright excited about their date. Ethan had thought about the possibility of other men going after her, but if she was this thrilled for a night out with him? It simply didn't fit that she was seeing anyone else, right? You'll have to figure that out tonight, it wouldn't do for there to be others. And if there was competition? Well - Ethan was always up for a challenge.

"I'm looking forward to proving just that to you," he quickly returned, optimistic that his preparations would prove fruitful in that regard. Although this was a set-up, Ethan was truly interested to see how this would pan out - since things had been set into motion, he'd been enjoying getting to know Meredith more than anticipated. She was a bit - ah - severe, at times, but with him, she lately had been nothing but lovely. They had their banter, surely, and could get into lively discussion on mutual interests; her bright green eyes would truly shine when she became excited as she was now, leading him out of her apartment, and as he let himself notice little things like that about her, she became attractive to him for more than simply how well they lined up on paper.

Meredith was vastly intelligent and capable and ambitious - she would not be a trophy wife, which is what he had pictured for himself, but things were much more interesting with her. And now that he was paying more attention, he saw how the girl had become a woman, and there was no denying that he wanted to get her into bed - she was hot. Will probably take more than flowers and music.

You never know.

That tempting thought in mind, he followed her out into the summer night air, thick and warm, and smirked as Meredith folded into him, her pretty head nestled under his chin as her slender arm went around his back. Ethan wrapped an arm around her to complete their little circle, holding onto her firmly with his other hand, before popping them away. As anticipated, they landed at the hidden apparition point across from the invisible-to-the-muggle-eye restaurant, and Ethan kept a gentler hold on the girl as she separated herself from him slightly unsteadily. His questions of whether or not she knew the place - and if she did, if she wouldn't mind going with him - were nearly immediately answered as she turned up to him, beaming so sincerely. He nodded, a smug smile appearing undisguised, comfortably placing a hand at the small of her back as he led them to the entrance. "See, Meredith? Starting to know you, eh?" The door was opened for them and the handsome couple was shortly seated at the reserved table - small, square, white-clothed and candle-lit, away from the main action of the room at its place by a window. The wine he'd requested was - thankfully - in place, and Ethan gave his date a smile, holding out her chair for her. After getting settled himself, he poured the wine and raised his glass to her. Instead of an overused toast easily sliding off his tongue, Ethan paused, struck dumb by the beauty across the table from him.

This woman could become your wife, an inner voice reminded him. The voice wasn't negative, per say, simply...musing. What would a life be with her? First chance to really take a look at that, isn't it?

He gave her a slightly abashed smile, knowing he was keeping her waiting, but he was enjoying this. Out on the town with a woman like her? This could work. "Forgive me - you're more distracting than you could possibly imagine. How am I supposed to make a proper toast if you insist on - hold on - " He raised his glass again, an undeniable twinkle in his bright blue eyes as he met hers. "Here's to this being but the first time you make me lost for words, Meredith." Smooth? Yes. Having the desired effect and being honest? Yes - he anticipated - and yes. I'll drink to that. And so he did.

[Meredith Mulciber]

Of course he was pleased with her flirtatious compliment. He was likely the only person ever to be on the receiving end of such a thing from her. “Yes well.” She trailed off quietly, like she was speaking to herself, still slightly embarrassed by her own boldness. And of course he would have to prove it; she hardly believed he knew her that well. He would have to been paying attention to her, close attention, and she found she didn't want to believe he knew her better than she knew him. Though the thought that he wanted to know her made something warm settle in her belly. Than there was the sensation of their bodies so close together as they spun away. Some small,quiet part of her already knew she had jumped off the deep end.

~*~*~*~
Alas he was set on showing her he knew her and so far he was. It wouldn’t have been hard to deduce that she would like the restaurant he chose for the evening even if he knew very little about her. She was beginning to think he knew much more than she had originally assumed back at her apartment. Meredith quite liked Ethan proving things to her. “I can hardly make an educated decision on such a matter by only a restaurant choice.” Meredith said acrobatically, evasively. She made the mistake of glancing up at him as he pulled her chair out for her however, he was smiling down at her and she could not help but grin. She was being so obvious. She was just so excited! Meredith had not been really truly excited about something this way in a long while. She and Ethan were so different now that they had graduated. She was beginning to think maybe they could actually be going somewhere with their budding relationship.

Her hazel gaze drank in the soft lighting of candles, the vintage on the wine Ethan was pouring, and the discrete booth with a window view they were seated at with pleasure. She took up the glass with a delicate hand, raising it as her date did and waited as it seemed he intended to make a toast. And waited and waited. Her arm began to droop, her face confused, what was he on about? Then he spoke, and she was struck so forcefully by his words she didn’t even think to cover her blush. Or the wondering way she was staring at him, a wistful smile on her pink painted lips. “Here’s to.” She echoed in a breathy whisper, tinkling her glass against his, beginning to swirl it about as she regarded the handsome man before her.

He thought she was distracting! There was a thirteen year old Meredith dancing a quick, clipped waltz in her chest cavity at being told such a thing. Generally boys were too intimidated by her to be attracted to her, so she had only dated three boys, one of them only once. And another she had been engaged to, completely arranged of course and a debacle. None of them paid her half the compliments Ethan did, and none of them made her feel…well anything at all. None of them ever sounded so honest. Taking a sip of wine and settling it down Meredith rested her chin on twined fingers and inquired as innocently as she could. “So what is it that I insist on?”

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

"It is a good thing I have more in store for us, then," Ethan quickly replied to her refusing to acknowledge that he was doing well. Which he was, if her inability to stop smiling was any indication. And although it would have been nice to hear it from her, she wasn't hiding how she was feeling, and that, for now, was thanks enough. He'd hardly seen Meredith ever look so happy, and it was gratifying to know he could still have this effect on a woman. Most of his set-ups ended rather horribly, explosively, that they were more remembered than these beginning parts. The beginnings could actually be quite nice, each trying to show off for the other, dressing up, being their bests.

As the pair settled in, Ethan was pleased to see her still looking so...pleased. Graduation really was suiting her, he mused. The stresses of the castle - being a prefect on top of everything, having to be under the thumbs of the likes of James and Lily Potter (how she'd agreed to marry the buffoon was completely un-understandable - she was a mudblood, sure, and marrying him would help her politically if he ever decided to choose the right side, but he was stupid and stubborn and "righteous," they'd doomed themselves even more by joining their lives) - had made her put up a harder shell than the one she naturally had. And the one that society had made her don. This Meredith, though - candlelight softening her hard edges, her choice of flowing pastels instead of rigid darks - was a treat.

And so Ethan, for once, really wasn't putting on a show at his attempts of a toast, and his final one, and he was glad to see her, in those moments, become just as open as he was. The straight-backed pureblood was looking at him as if he was some sort of fairytale prince, and he couldn't have been happier at her breathless reply. You should talk to her father, get him to stop interfering. I can handle this - I want to do this myself. So after their toast, instead of perusing the menu, Ethan gave a light laugh, taking another drink before he replied. "It's nothing you can help - or, rather, nothing I'd want you to change. Do you really not know how beautiful you are? If so, that is a shame, and a misunderstanding I mean to correct."

[Meredith Mulciber]

Ethan’s quicksilver response managed to startle a laugh out of her, he seemed to know she would not be convinced by one ‘win’ on his part. But hadn’t he said this whole night was for her; Meredith thought that he seemed prepared, and more interested than she gave him credit for. And she was admittedly, very excited about the night. Her date was doing an excellent job of making her feel…special. Though the emotions was a little tainted, by no fault of the man before her.

Meredith couldn’t help but be torn by thinking he was laying it on a little thick and believing that he really thought she was beautiful. Admittedly she had been told by a couple, quite literally two, boys that she was attractive. She had always known she was. However, neither she nor anyone else seemed to be effected by her beauty as Ethan appeared to be. Meredith tried to remember that she and Ethan were already friends and that she had already decided that she believed he liked her and stomped down her doubtful thoughts.

Slowly, painfully slow, Meredith reached for his hand. She did not slid her fingers into his as she wanted to, instead she ghosted over the back of his hand to run a finger lightly over the smooth surface of the tiny bit of exposed wrist before pulling away. “Oh I am aware of my looks, I just wasn’t sure you were.” Meredith admitted with a tease in her voice and a smirk on her mouth. “I happen to also find you to be exceptionally striking” She added, tracing the rim of her glass and adverting her eyes.

Why did she suddenly feel so shy? To defeat the feeling Meredith forced her hazel gaze to meet her dates and gave him a natural smile, pushing past the emotion the beginning of their night was filling with and taking up the menu. She snapped it open, leaning back in her chair and glanced at Ethan again; his undivided attention was trying to distract her again. Making her want to say things; it was a little soon for saying things.  “I prefer to have steak when i'm here, do you know what you are having?”

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

Over the years, Ethan had learned what to say to and do for a girl to make her feel special. Slip in a key phrase here, fix her hair there - it was as formulaic as Arithmancy, wooing most ladies. He'd been given a face and voice they loved, he just had to follow through with their image of him and he'd have them in the palm of his hand. It had taken some doing, of course, he wasn't a miracle worker from the start - but it could, admittedly, get dull. Saying the same things. Getting the same response. So it was nice to be here with Meredith, having a moment where he was honestly lost for words. This was the first time he could see actual potential in anyone he'd been set up with, and it was good. If she was going to be his wife, he wanted an actual relationship - not just something physical, not just something surface level. The young man watched her features, therefore, with quite a bit of interest as her moonlight pale hand ghosted over to his, her fingers soft as they trailed over his. He smirked as she spoke, glad her confidence was reappearing - he'd surprised her just as much as he'd surprised himself, with how well this was going, and it was nice to have her coming back to herself. But she went on, complimenting him -

No one's going to argue with you there, Meredith.

"I'm glad we can agree," he teased lightly after she looked down, turning to the menu himself. She'd up her confidence again, he was certain - he'd just have to make her feel comfortable with him, more comfortable than when they'd been at school. This transition was vitally important, after all. He scanned the menu, taking a drink of his wine, and pleasantly smiled over at her as she spoke, folding his menu closed. "The salmon caught my eye tonight," he commented, and as if on cue the waiter arrived, smoothly laying out apologies for the wait. As he began speaking about the day's specials, Ethan held up an impatient hand. "We've decided, actually - she'll have the steak - how do you take it, Meredith? - and I'll have the salmon." Once the waiter left - having also refilled their wine glasses - Ethan took a drink, content in looking across the table at her. There wasn't anything wrong with the view. "Do you have any guesses at what else we're doing tonight? I can't promise I'll let you know if you're right, but...what are you thinking?"

[Meredith Mulciber]

Oh yes, they were defiantly in agreement. So much so it was a little frightening for the normally solitary woman. Not since…him, had she been in such accord with someone. And he had broken her heart been weak and unable to handle the duty that came with being her husband. Meredith liked to think she had well-guarded against that happening again. Even staving off arranged marriage all together, going so far as to live alone and answer to no one.

She felt she was in grave danger now however, of losing herself to Ethan Vanderhyde. It was a troubling thought indeed. She let none of her thoughts show on her face, keeping up the pristine smile she seemed to be sporting for the night. “Tell Henry I’ll have my favorite.” She said to the waiter, dismissing him with an absent wave of her hand. “Henry really knows how to cook a fillet, ah perfecto.” She added to Ethan only, smiling across the table from him with a most curious glint in her hazel gaze.

Change was a terrifying thing, yes. But then where would the world be without it? Where would she be without it? Certainly not sitting across from a most handsome man on a date, of all things really! At his question Meredith grinned, picking up her glass to take an unnecessarily drawn out sip of the delicious wine. Really she was deducing. How much did Ethan really know about her?

“Well,” she said, at last setting her glass down with barely any missing liquid. “I will not pretend to know enough of your mind to predict your plans normally; I will say that if this occasion is for my entertainment then there should be music involved. Whether you know me well enough to know that I guess is the real question.” Meredith raised a single sculpted brow, unconsciously, and stippled her fingers under her chin. She considered Ethan critically for a moment, trying to read his face, see if she was right. Though he had said he wouldn’t tell her, and she would never be positive if he didn’t confirm her suspicions.

“It hardly matters what I think though, you have said you will not tell me and I have resigned to be surprised so let’s talk about something else. Let’s talk about you.” Here her eyes grew large and positively gleamed with all the things she didn’t know about Ethan. All the knowledge still to be learned. She grinned a wicked little grin. There was nothing to compare to Meredith on the pursuit of knowledge.  “Tell me, what do you like to do for fun Ethan?”

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

He and this young woman really were cut from the same cloth, Ethan noted with a small smirk as she ordered the waiter about, addressing the chef by name before turning her eyes back on him. He couldn't help but return her smile, glad she was, by the sound of it, becoming more comfortable engaging with him tonight. It wasn't as though they'd never spent one-on-one time in each other's company, but this was decidedly different - among other things, both had dressed to impress, the young woman invitingly giving his wandering eyes quite the view. The waiter away, the two fell back into conversation, and he could hardly contain a laugh as she went on. Deciding to let her in, the bloke gave her a smile as she eyed him so intensely. "Oh, Meredith, I'd never say it didn't matter what you thought," he amended smoothly. She had a mind that wasn't about to stop working just because they may get married - she was smart, smart as any man - and as her partner he should encourage that as long as it didn't interfere with anything else, right?

"What do I like to do for fun?" Ethan echoed, surprised at her interest, but realizing he really shouldn't be. Meredith was one of those girls who lived off of information, and he was - ever-more willingly - her newest puzzle to break apart and put back together. But it was odd for him to be asked something like this, as lately his "dates" had hardly been as formal as this. They were much more - ah - to the point. Around the castle. His father had encouraged him to get some of the wildness out of him before a plan was revealed to him, and he'd taken advantage of the opportunity. This next young lady you're going to pursue, his father had written in his unmistakable broad strokes, should be your last. There is no need to make your marriage more difficult than it needs to be by future dalliances. You will do good by this one, commit, do what you need to do to keep her happy. This is not even just about our name, Ethan... When the Slytherin had learned who the mystery girl was? When he had seen her at the dinner with the Dark Lord? His father's wishes made perfect sense. He was not only going to carry on the Vanderhyde name through this young woman and their children - Circe willing - but make the ranks of the Dark Lord stronger through their union.

Nothing like pressure of that magnitude on a first date, eh?

"Actually, the second part of our night is something I'll enjoy just as much as you will, would have tried to go even if I was alone tonight - and no, I'm not just saying that," he clarified with a not-so-subtle wink across at her. "We haven't been out of school long, but I'll admit I've hardly had any time for fun, and nothing quite like this. I love a museum day, an art gallery showing, someone doing justice to classical pieces...our world has so much to celebrate, it's beyond wonderful to have an opportunity to share a piece of it with someone as lovely as you." He gave her a smirk over his glass before he drank, wishing the volume of wine in her glass would shrink as his was. Did she trust him enough to let loose a little with him? Ethan dearly hoped so - an inebriated Meredith Mulciber was something he wanted to experience tonight. In the spirit of trust and encouragement, Ethan continued, "But go on, ask me what you will, love - to you, I'm an open book."

[Meredith Mulciber]

A spontaneous grin slipped into place and she almost, almost, giggled. Not laughed or chuckled or even maniacal cackling; but an actual, girlish, giggle. It wasn’t what Ethan had said to her, it was how he had said it. Well really, how he had said her name in particular. It sounded so nice in his mouth. It hardly mattered if he was being honest with the other stuff. He probably was, he would never tell her what she thought was insignificant, that didn’t mean it wasn’t unimportant to him anyway.

Either way, she was having too good a time to analyze it. A blush had crept into her cheeks and she let it rest there with insecurity but more determination than anything. So what if she was thinking of his mouth saying other, less polite things to her. She was only human after all; and this night was designed, it appeared, to show her just how much like everyone else with a sex drive she was. Jeesh, until recently she would never had thought of herself and ‘sex drive’ –or anything to do with the carnal act really- in the same sentence. Things were defiantly changing.

Meredith liked it. She liked Ethan. She liked his charm, the way he paid attention to her, the things he liked to do for fun. The blonde smiled fondly at him as he finished speaking with a smirk and a sip of his wine. She mirrored his movements, hiding a deeper blush than before as he spoke of spending time with her as if it was a gift. The food arrived then and Meredith waited patiently for the waiter to disappear again before she re-entered the conversation.

“You have good taste, I also find all those things entertaining and good leisure activities.“ She said approvingly. “I’m glad to have found someone who shares so many of my interest and is so flattering about it.” She added with a tease, taking up her utensils with elegant practiced hands. She glanced at him from beneath her lashes, weighing her next words. No, she would not launch into that discussion, she would not lay her heart down tonight she would not lay her heart down at all.

“It must be music.” She said instead, feeling very much like she was spoiling the surprise, it was a buoyant feeling. It had to be music. What else could it be? Meredith tried wracking her brain, wasn’t there someone notable doing a show tonight? She sighed. Her brain was too full of other things to think on it. “We must be going to see someone play. What else could we do that we would both enjoy so much?” she asked, though it wasn’t meant to be answered. Her mind answered it anyway and the thought was so scandalous Meredith for once did not blush; her face seemed to have drained of color this time. Her hazel eyes widened and she bit her lip. Her formidable mind had turned into a complete slag.

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

For the umpteenth time, Ethan marveled at how well this was going. They could be a much better match than he'd given the girl credit for - not only was she beautiful and showing herself off to him, but the hard edges she sometimes had had seemed to disappear, revealing a much more playful and complimentary Meredith than he was used to. And, his charm was working just how he liked it. "Oh, come now, Meredith," he said without missing a beat, "we're a pair of interesting, good-looking adults here. I, for one, am sure we could find some way to keep ourselves entertained." As he took a drink of his wine, Ethan had hardly ever been so tempted to cut a date short, but the slip of the tongue Meredith Mulciber had just had...and the way she was biting her lip, looking at him...he was snogging her good tonight, there was now no doubt in his mind about that. He'd have to stop himself from going under her dress, even though he was finding himself wanting to tear it off her ever more with each passing moment. Because if he went too quickly with her...heaven forbid, but this girl could get scared off. That, or too clingy. For he was quite sure that her engagement hadn't held within it any of the lust that was being exchanged in the not-so-subtle looks between them tonight. And, if his knowledge was right, she hadn't had anything more than looks in quite some time, so who knew how she would react to him taking things quickly? No - he'd need to leave her apartment tonight after giving her enough to want him back, and soon...

Rein it in - can't let her know just how much she's getting you going...

    At least, not without egging her on.

And so the young man caught her eye and musingly continued, "We have such good..." Chemistry. "Conversation together, after all. Perhaps music has nothing to do with it, and we're simply going to talk the night away, the tickets granting us access to some place...private." 

Ethan held her gaze for a few quiet moments before he left his date to mull that over - the two of them, together for the night somewhere they wouldn't be disturbed - while turning, smugly, to his dinner. "Did Henry meet your expectation?" he asked politely after a short while, nodding towards her steak. The last thing he needed was for subpar food to undo all of his good work.

[Meredith Mulciber]

She felt maybe she should be alarmed with how easily she accepted the way the night was turning out. Usually she was cautious in everything she did. And hadn’t she been with Ethan? They had known each other for years. Not she would not be alarmed at how much their banter excited her. She was by no means ready to jump into the sack so speak, but she was ready for something. If that something started with innuendos between two good looking people, well then, who was she to stop the fun.

Resolutely Meredith kept reminding herself that she was a woman. “I’m sure.” She agreed wryly. It still took her some time to recover from her slip up and his words that followed. Unbidden images sprang to mind as she cut into her steak and waited for the blush to begin to creep up her neck again. For once Meredith wished her mind wasn't so sharp and able to clearly draw up images of things that hadn't happened yet. Ethan managed to pick a moment she was chewing to speak and she was glad for the time to control her reaction to his words.

 Each time he said something tonight she seemed especially affected by it; she decided she liked that too, the intensity to the evening. She was just about done with her dinner, feeling too full of 'butterflies' to want much substance. She decided to would have one more bite and some dessert; definantly chocolate. Meredith attacked her steak just as Ethan was asking her about it, and a comfortable smile slipped into place at the coincidence.

“Of course, Henry knows better than to serve me anything less than exquisite. I’m sure your meal is more than satisfactory if he made it.” She said matter-of- factly, pausing in her efforts with her dinner to wash the food down with a healthy sip of wine. Meredith gazed across at her date, trying not to let on to how much to wanted to well…kiss him. She wasn't wanton after all. “As far as our activities for the night go, I doubt what you want to do has much talking involved.”

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

Meredith was slowing down on her meal, and he subtly matched her, although the salmon was divine. It was a nice step into the adult lives they were leading to have a date begin here. He had grown incredibly tired with the dull assortment of places one could take a girl out at Hogsmeade - the village only provided a few permissible spots, and the younger students invaded all of them with their racket. This - a fine meal, a candlelit table, quiet chatter and music - was on a whole other plane, and the young Vanderhyde much preferred it, especially with his current pleasurable company.

He gave a nod to her commentary about his meal, finding it nothing less than satisfying. "It absolutely is, and I'm glad we're able to be here, aren't you?" Ethan asked. "There was no where I could have taken you at Hogsmeade that would have been good enough - I apologize for the wait, but I hope you'll find it's worth it." No harm in letting her think he'd developed feelings before the summer, was there? It gave him more credibility with pursuing her, and would - at the very least - flatter her. Nothing wrong with that.

As Meredith was all too willing to continue their train of innuendos, he wasn't going to stop them. Especially as she turned her gorgeous hazel eyes on him, giving him a look he was well familiar with - coming from other women, that is. He was in. Ethan made a face, waving his hand to indicate the partial correctness of her response. "You're right that there won't be much talking during, but I find it's nice to chat afterwards. It all depends on who you're with, I suppose, but I feel like you'll have a thing or two to say." He gave her a playful wink, his mind traveling - or so he felt - to the same place hers was in. He couldn't wait to touch her, to bring out a wildness in her - but what he'd said wasn't untrue, and if he was lucky they'd experience that sort of thing twice tonight. Once with the concert - where etiquette prohibited conversation, of course - and the second...at her apartment...

The waiter returned, interrupting politely to inquire about dessert, and Ethan raised his brows to his date. "What do you think, Meredith? I'm growing full, but I'm never not in the mood for chocolate mousse..."

[Meredith Mulciber]

Usually Meredith checked her surroundings every few minutes or so, one could never get too comfortable. Tonight however, several minutes would go by where she had altogether forgotten they weren’t alone, for sure Ethan held her full attention. The rest of the restaurant was simply background noise, she had not a care for anything else that was going on around her as long as it was not a direct threat to her. She was defiantly too comfortable.

She nodded along with his words –hiding her slight surprise that he had ever entertained a thought of asking her to Hogsmead - and then added a few heated ones of her own. “That place is unbearable, it does have some uses I admit, but it is always filled with those things. Children. I suppose it would be tolerable if they were better behaved but what can one expected from half-breeds and filth.” She finished with a shrug. “Animals always breed animals. I’m glad we are here instead, I find it most preferable and well worth the wait.” She added decidedly, arching an agreeable brow at her date.

So what if he thought she had been expecting his affections all along. Never mind the fact that she wasn’t even sure of her own feelings until recently, much less that he had eyes on her in a different way than comparing Arithmancy notes. Either way here they were; there was no doubt in either their minds Meredith was sure, they wanted the same thing, each other. It seemed in more ways than just each others excellent company. Really, when had she become so wanting?

Their play on words was fun, but she could admit to herself when she had been bested. They were moving into a realm of insinuations she was not familiar with. So quite unlike herself, she conceded. “I’ll just have to take your word for it, for now.” Meredith gently pushed her plate to the side as a waiter appeared to retrieve it and ask about dessert. A spontaneous smile lite her face at his words, she just loved chocolate -but she was just so stuffed- and then turned sly. “I too am quite full, but perhaps if we share…”