Blind Date {Open to Adults!}

[The Daily Prophet]

((OOC: Hey lovelies!! 'The Daily Prophet' is the adult equivalent of the 'Phantom'... hopefully. The rules are simple; Madam Puddifoot's are running a 'blind date' night for young hopefuls to meet someone special. The night has the potential to become incredible cringeworthy.  Post as you wish! Absolutely anyone can join, whether that's two people or ten, and there's no posting limit. Just have fun! If you have a student that you would like to join this thread please this account about it first. This event doesn't correspond with a Hogsmeade day at the school (not that they would be out so late) but drop me a line explaining exactly why you want them sneaking out of school to be there!))

[Deleted]

Colin Harrison was not a lonely man. In fact, he had no problem to befriend others or to get to know new people, because he was famous. But there, there, there is no need to overreact because of it or anything, all of you young witches and sometimes even wizards (well he was good looking, he would give you that), because it was all fine. There was enough Colin for all of you. Besides, he wouldn't want people to overlook his stunning personality just because he was a celeb among the wizards world. Oh, no. That was one of the reasons that he was here today. He didn't want to be Colin Harrison the actor, he wanted to be just Colin for one day, and to charm his date by his own personality alone.

And it indeed seemed like such a nice plan. Besides, his schedule was empty for today and he was more than willing to make the day for some poor unattached witch. Because hey, not everyone was as fortunate as him, and he loved to make people happier by merely being at their presence. Not to mention that it's been a while since he have been to Hogsmeade, and he arrived a couple of hours ahead of time so he would be able to wander a little around the village. And as for Madam Puddifoot's? He hasn't been here since his teens. Colin entered the tea shop a few minutes before seven and headed to the back of the shop, choosing one of the further tables. He sat down and smiled to himself as he looked around the store. It was already dark, but the soft illumination made the place look very inviting and relaxing. Oh, it was absolutely lovely. He was definitely looking forward for tonight.

[Georgina Parkinson]

Georgina found amusement is almost any situation, and this one was no different. Who'd have thought that Madam Puddifoot's would stoop so low and to invest in blind dates? Was business so bad that they felt it necessary to force people together now? Still, it was a good situation for her since it meant the perfect chance to get out and have a reason to talk to people, and what better way was there to find someone suitable minded to join the Death Eaters? Unlike some, Georgie was always on the prowl looking for fresh meat, and it was surprisingly easier than she'd thought.

As she entered the little tea shop a member of staff wearing a pink ribbon directed her towards the table at the back where a guy sat, and with a smirk, Georgina strode over in his direction. "This seat taken?" Oh, this was going to be an interesting one, she could tell just by looking at him.

[Deleted]

It didn't take long before someone reached his table (well, of course it didn't), and Colin raised his eyes only to stare in surprise as he was met with the sight of the young woman. Even if she seemed a little too young for him, the woman was definitely attractive. Actually, she seemed a little too young for blind dates in general. Colin only ever imagined elderly ladies with no luck in their life or with their appearance who did not manage to find themselves someone attempt to go to blind dates. Not some decent-looking women at their early twenties, and this one was more than decent-looking for certain. Maybe she was one of the hopelessly romantic people who were devoted in love at first sight? It might be. Unless she was some of his fans. She might have seen him wandering around the village and followed him here. It seemed like the only likely answer.

"Not at all," Colin stood up gracefully and was next the chair opposite to his in a record time, pulling it slightly backwards. "There you go, my dear." He send her a dashing Disney smile full of teeth and waited for her to take a sit before he would return to his own. Ah, wasn't he the perfect gentleman? "So what brings you here?" He asked as he turned to look at her. As much as Colin was certain in his earlier assumptions he still wanted them confirmed. And if she wasn't a fan, he was genuinely curious to know the answer to this one.

[Georgina Parkinson]

Georgie lived for dramatics, but it seemed that this guy, whoever he was, was quite an over dramatic character himself. Yes, this was going to be amusing, no matter what happened, and Georgina loved to be amused. This guy even went as far as to pull out her chair for her, though she couldn't decide whether he was trying to be a gentleman, or whether it just made him took desperate. Either way, she tugged down the bottom of her dress before taking a seat at the table and watching him closely as he returned to his seat.

"So what brings you here?"

"I'm just looking for a little evening entertainment. And you?" Georgina didn't care about the whole 'dating' aspect of this night, in fact she didn't bother with dating or relationships at all. To her, there was no need for such things when you could be free to have fun with whoever you wanted to, no strings attached. Dating? Pft, that was for good girls. No, she was here to see who she could meet, and see if anyone was worthwhile material. 

[Deleted]

Entertainment? So maybe this one wasn't helpless romantic after all. Colin looked at her with some curiosity, when he was back to his sit once again. No, she definitely wasn't the kind of witches he expected to meet there. "I had the day off and thought that I could make a use of it. It's been a while since I've been to Scotland." About three months ago, actually. In one of Glasgow's bigger wizards theaters. He only had a small part in this particular play, but it was still good. Three shows a week for almost three months while he was playing in front one of Britain's more famous actors was a very good opportunity, and the money was not all too bad as well. It didn't pay like a main role in a smaller play, but it opened more doors for him in the end. If it wasn't for that tour he probably wouldn't have been offered his last role. Rehearsals were only supposed to begin in two weeks, and for now he had some free time.

"It seemed like a nice idea." He finished with a smile. "I'm Colin Harrison, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you. Have you been to Hogwarts as well?" It wasn't hard to tell that she was over seventeen, and even if she looked older than she actually was, Hogwarts students had no reason to be there, so logic said differently. But if she wasn't in for something serious it was even better. A pleasant evening with no further expectations was exactly what Colin signed up for. He wouldn't have wanted to let down some witch or wizard that was hoping to meet their soulmate or something. He had no intention to settle down anytime soon, after all. Not when he was enjoying his current lifestyle so much.

[Georgina Parkinson]

Georgie watched the guy across from her, trying to work him out. It seemed he was doing the same - each trying to read the other as well they could and work out what was going on in their head. Well, Georgina was a master of foolery, so it was easy to put on an act and pretend she was a good girl out for a good time, no ulterior motives.

"I had the day off and thought that I could make a use of it. It's been a while since I've been to Scotland. It seemed like a nice idea."

"So you choose a date night?" Off all the times to visit Scotland, why would anyone pick a night when Britain's finest in lusting desperation came out to drool. Georgie glanced to the door where a woman, clearly past her prime, walked in with a shirt that split to her stomach and barely covered her massive backside. Georgie curled her nose up in distaste of the wretched site of too much skin and makeup and not enough clothes. "The night of wrinkles and celluloid... Pleasure."

"I'm Colin Harrison, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you. Have you been to Hogwarts as well?"

"Georgina." She leaned forward, placing her arms on the table in front of her and leaning in. Georgie knew how to work it, and was pretty sure she could keep his attention where she wanted it. Thankfully this dress had a high neck so she wouldn't appear to stoop as low as some of the badly dressed women stepping through the door. "Slytherin to the core." Though there was no need in mentioning her alliances just yet.

[Deleted]

Colin grinned at her expression, knowing full well that she wouldn't be the only young adult to react that way. "Hey, it's not that bad, you know." Being raised in a pureblood family ensued that he would be more than used to elder people talking nonsense, after all. Some of it was actually even useful if you managed to lead them to talk about the things you were actually interested in. It didn't took much effort, and many of them seemed to think that just because you were younger than them you were harmless. Those desperate witches weren't much different, and from his experience most of them gossiped. And Colin loved to gossip. It's not like he liked to create too much drama if given new pieces of information, he wasn't spiteful, he didn't just want to make a mess, nor really use it, but it was definitely interesting.

"Besides, aren't you the one who is seeking entertainment in the night of... how did you put it? 'Wrinkles and celluloid'?" Hmm... Colin watched her with growing curiousity. He probably should have asked her what she would like to order by now, but it seemed to disappear from his mind as he examined the young witch in front of him. He understood why one might not be too keen in going to a blind date, but to appear in one and laugh at the idea...? What would be the point of that?

His eyes trailed down instinctively when she leaned in his direction, lingering for a few seconds before they went back to her face once again. "Oh?" Was she a Slytherin? Colin didn't remember her at all, but it wasn't that surprising. She must have been only a first or second year student when he was in his last year. If she even was in Hogwarts at the time. The age gap might have been even bigger as far as he knew. Most seventh years didn't pay attention to the younger students and Colin was not an exceptional. Even if now he was paying attention. Very much so. But Slytherin was good, it was bound to be interesting. Not that Colin had any doubt about that by now. "So am I, what a lovely coincidence." And a coincidence indeed. He didn't know of any Slytherins who would humiliate themselves enough to go to a blind date. At least not with pure intentions.

[Georgina Parkinson]

"Besides, aren't you the one who is seeking entertainment in the night of... how did you put it? 'Wrinkles and celluloid'?"

Georgina smirked and motioned towards the same woman she had looked at before, who was now shuffling her way towards a seat and eyeing their table, clearly wishing she could be the one sitting there. "But I get to sit back at watch in amusement as all the desperate women past their prime stumble their way in wearing heels they can't walk in and clothing that doesn't cover enough skin, while I sit here catching the attention from all the poor old sods -" Her attention now turned to a greying, middle aged man who came through the door, "-looking to catch themselves a nice 'bit on the side' as they grow tired of their failing marriages and miserable sex lives." She smirked. "Not that I've got an ego or anything." It was simply the truth of it. "Now, don't tell me you haven't come in here knowing that all the women who walk through the door will be all over you, and every man will be glaring in envy."

"Oh? So am I, what a lovely coincidence."

She smiled as sweetly as she could for someone as bad as she was, "So long as you're not a Hufflepuff, we're good." She couldn't deal with Hufflepuffs, they were pathetic, but she'd almost began to wonder. But a Slytherin, that was good. Now she was interested in finding out where his alliances fell. "A Slytherin that isn't all wrapped up in a war - now that's a rare sight." And not even an assumption, because if he was a Death Eater, she'd know about it. 

[Deleted]

Shifted his gaze, Colin subtly eyed the woman that the young witch in front of him was gesturing at. Because, honestly, the last thing that he wanted was to look like he was staring. Or worse, that the woman would see him staring and think that he was interested. And then he followed her gaze to the man who just arrived, before looking at her again. Well of course that he thought nothing of that!. He thought that all the women and the men would be all over him, but the fact that the woman in front of him was attractive enough probably stole some of the audience from him. He almost wanted to huff in annoyance at the clear unfairness of the world, but in the end he had company, which was sometimes better than audience.

Colin crossed his arms over the table. "Maybe you are right, but it doesn't mean that they can't enjoy it and really find someone that suits them-" a last choice from the forgotten supply that no one really wanted or needed, more like, "-I think that it's very sweet of Madam Puddifoot to give them a chance to meet up like that." Not to mention that it was great for the business. But, really, some people weren't so shallow as to judge others only by their appearance. After all, wasn't it how half-breeds were created? Of course that Colin himself was shallow, but it really wasn't the point. How did she call them...? Desperate? Well, it was pretty accurate.

He smiled a bit at her comment, but shock his head a little. "Hufflepuffs are fine, they are pretty harmless, really." In all honestly, there was nothing wrong with Hufflepuffs, aside from the fact that they were a bit dull. He didn't know many that actually succeeded in their lives, but they made lovely and very generous fans. They reminded him a little of house elves. They were nice, eager to help and always hiding somewhere in the background. But... ah. The war, was it? He never liked this topic all that much. It just caused unnecessary heated discussions that never really ended.

Colin shrugged, "I wouldn't call it a war, and I have a pretty tight schedule." Well, perhaps it was a war, but it didn't really reach him. He wasn't one of the suspicious for involving in of the Death Eaters activities, so the Aurors and the Ministry didn't bother him, and he was a pureblood, so neither did the Death Eaters themselves. In the end, the only thing that Colin knew, was that the situation wasn't good for business, but what can one do about it? Either way he just hoped that the whole thing would end up soon and life would go back to normal once again. People should come and admire him, not some political leaders. It just wasn't right. He eyed her a little warily now, "So I take it that you are all wrapped up in the war, then." Fancy that. Which only put a bigger question mark as for why she was there.

[Georgina Parkinson]

"Maybe you are right, but it doesn't mean that they can't enjoy it and really find someone that suits them. I think that it's very sweet of Madam Puddifoot to give them a chance to meet up like that."

"Well, if you want to call that romance..." Romance, pft! There was really no such thing, because at the end of the day, everyone had the same goals in mind. There was one thing that people wanted, some people just went a different way to get there. "I'd hardly call it a chance, though, as to just a last resort."

Georgina couldn't help but watch the door as people made their way in. People watching as a particular favorite pastime of hers, it this evening it wasn't disappointing. There were some right sights making their way through the door.

"Hufflepuffs are fine, they are pretty harmless, really."

Georgina raised an eyebrow. "Harmless, perhaps, but annoying. I'm sure before slavery was abolished all those slaves were natural-born Hufflepuffs..." Probably not the nicest thing she could have said, but really, they were quite pathetic.

"I wouldn't call it a war, and I have a pretty tight schedule. So I take it that you are all wrapped up in the war, then."

"Now, when did I say that?" She was, but really, did he need to make such assumptions? "Maybe I'm not and I was merely acknowledging the presence of another non-war loving Slytherin." But was she, that was the question. She wasn't one to make things easy.

[Deleted]

"I think that it's quite lovely, actually. Just look around, they all look so happy." In fact some of them looked a bit miserable, especially those that hadn't been very popular and people kept away from their tables, but some of them just looked nervous. They were actually hopeful about it, and maybe even looked forward to it! In Colin's opinion it was sweet, and why not? It can be described as romantic. Besides, some of them looked like they definitely needed the extra push or a matchmaking. They were unlikely to find a date by themselves, if he had to be honest.

Well, maybe it was a last resort, but not getting married and having kids was even worse, wasn't it? Colin had one of the more easy going family among the purebloods, as far as he knew, and they let him off easily with things, even didn't mind all that much if he associated with muggleborns, as long as he remember who he was and didn't take it too far. But not getting married? Not passing on the family genes? His mother would have an heart attack. He still had time, yes, but not to the the only thing that his family ever expected from him? That would be completely ungrateful, and certainly unacceptable. Colin shrugged with a small smile. "Still better than nothing." He wouldn't had liked to be in their position, nor did he think that he would ever be, even if he had no plans to settle down anytime soon. He would never look like that, and first impression was more important that almost everything.

Laughed, he shock his head. "They really are alright, you know. I can even introduce you to some fine ones, if you want." Colin grinned at her, guessing that it would appall her, just like it would appall his own family. Most of the Hufflepuffs were hardly brilliant or interesting, but some of them were quite fun to be around. There were always exceptional. Besides, it's not like you could be very petty in the industry. Sometimes it was far easier to play alongside Hufflepuffs than actors from other houses.

"You certainly didn't." Colin smiled. Of course she didn't, but she didn't say otherwise either. And it wasn't like most Slytherins would give you a clear answer at most times. "And are you a non-war loving Slytherin?" He asked, as he finally gestured to one of Madam Puddifoot's workers to come to their table, expecting nothing but another vague reply from the younger witch. Not that he cared all that much, and he had no intention to press on the matter. He silently took two menus from the worker – that was resembling a bit the cherubs that used to float around the tea shop on Valentine's Day, although not quite – nodding for him that he could go, and held out one for Georgia. So far the evening went even better than he expected, and he hoped to pass a few hours in the witch company.

[Georgina Parkinson]

"I think that it's quite lovely, actually. Just look around, they all look so happy."

Happy... Sure... That was happy. The women look desperate and the men looked disappointed as if they were expecting some young, blond-hair beauty to walk in and talk to them. The women seemed about ready to pounce on any guy they saw, regardless. How pathetic. Sitting at the table, the two of them definitely stood out from the rest of the crowd. Actually, now that she looked, she was well aware that a number of sly glances were being sent their way. 

"Still better than nothing."

"I think I'd rather the nothing..." What sort of relationship would two desperate people like these have? They'd probably try and force the relationship to work even when they weren't a match for each other and the whole thing would be some kind of draining battle that they couldn't win, and then it'd all go to hell. No, she'd rather be alone.

"They really are alright, you know. I can even introduce you to some fine ones, if you want."

Georgina had never been keen on Hufflepuffs, even at school. She liked them less than Gryffindors, because at least you could toy with Gryffindors and they'd try to bite back. The girl she'd tortured at the end of her last year - she'd been a Gryffindor and she'd been fun. Her Hufflepuff boyfriend, on the other hand, had been pathetically easy to fool. "I'm fine, thanks. I pass on the opportunity."

"You certainly didn't. And are you a non-war loving Slytherin?"

She watched him signal over a chubby waiter who passed him two menus. Rather than replying, she watched the exchange and took a menu when it was offered to her, casually opening it and browsing the options. "That entirely depends on the situation."