Basking

[astoria greengrass]

She thanked him quietly as Graham opened the door, but Astoria saw no space as empty as she would have liked. "Where ever you want is fine" She said quietly.

[graham pritchard]

Graham saw the perfect spot, littered with first years. First years that, with a harsh look and jerk of his head, quickly moved down the table to free up space for Graham and Astoria (as well as ten other people on both sides). "Here's good."

[astoria greengrass]

She felt bad for the kids, and smiled apologetically at them even as she nodded and sat down. "Look at you, all tough."

[graham pritchard]

Graham laughed and poured some Pumpkin Juice into the goblet in front of him. "It is what they expect. Wouldn't want to disappoint. Pumpkin Juice?" He asked gesturing to her empty goblet with the pitcher.

[astoria greengrass]

"Yes please" Astoria answered, "Why do they expect it?" She asked, serving herself some salad.

[graham pritchard]

Pouring Astoria her Pumpkin Juice Graham smiled softly. "In Slytherin, upper classmen, especially that larger ones are like the bogeyman. They're scared of us for the most part."

[astoria greengrass]

The macho act was one of the reasons Astoria had been drawn to him. "Well, I can't blame them, you're physically imposing."

[graham pritchard]

Although Graham might not have been one of those body builder types he did have very tight muscles, his washboard abs for example, so he could see Astoria's point. "Takes hard work to be that way though."

[astoria greengrass]

"It's worthwhile," Astoria supplied, taking a piece of chicken and cutting it to spread it across her salad, "If not for scaring first years then for getting girls' attention."

[graham pritchard]

"That is why I do it after all; the perks." Graham piled a piece of steak on his plate accompanied by a baked potato.

[astoria greengrass]

Innate sexuality. Graham exuded it, even in something as simple as choice in food. A manly man, unlike most of the pureblooded men she knew. She was very soft. Not fat, nor thin, but soft, curvy. While Astoria thought herself rather pretty, she wasn't sure if it was enough to please someone like Graham. "Are there other perks?" She asked, considering perhaps aiming for a more muscular tone, herself - if that was what he wanted.

[graham pritchard]

"Sure," Graham cut his meat skillfully. "You feel better, have more stamina, look better..." It wasn't all about vanity, it was about health too. But Graham wasn't really a health nut so he supposed, for him, it must have been about vanity. Had to be, right?

[astoria greengrass]

"Have some carrots or something," Astoria suggested in passing, pushing a plate full of steamed vegetables towards him. "I like the muscular bit on you, but I don't think I could pull it off" She said more thoughtfully.

[graham pritchard]

He had a potato... that was a vegetable (mostly starch). Flashing a smile Graham took the plate putting some on his plate. "Yes, mum." He teased lightly. "I think you look stunning the way you are." Astoria wasn't too skinny or too curvy.

[astoria greengrass]

Astoria nudged him in the ribs with her elbow, blushing again, "Oh shush, just because I don't want you to get scurvy" She muttered, but the faux annoyance melted away at the compliment, and her blush only worsened, hand lifting to her cheek subconsciously. "But thank you."