Basking

[astoria greengrass]

"I'll probably spend tonight looking for a book for you to read" Astoria admitted, "If we're still on for that trade?"

[graham pritchard]

"Yeah, we're still on." Graham already had his picked out, wanting it fresh in his memory for her.

[astoria greengrass]

Astoria nodded. If they were still on for book trade, they were still on for an afternoon in Hogsmeade; a thought that made her smile brightly.

[graham pritchard]

Taking a moment to admire the way that Astoria's face lit up when she smiled Graham returnd the gesture then went back to eating.

[astoria greengrass]

Her salad finished, Astoria looked over at Graham to see if he was done as well. It was polite to stay, but since they'd lulled into quiet anyway she wasn't sure whether she should or not. Deciding she would stick around, she drank some of her juice very slowly, trying not to stare at him, but rather looking around the hall.

[graham pritchard]

Graham didn't take much longer to finish. To avoid talking with his mouth full Graham had simply avoided talking. He wasn't sure which was more impolite; talking with his mouth full or not talking at all but Astoria had seemed to mind. When he was done Graham looked over to Astoria washing it all down with a much needed drink of Pumpkin Juice. "Do you want me to walk you to your common room?"

[astoria greengrass]

It was a bit out of the way for him, but since he had offered... "That would be nice," She said with a smile, "But if you have a lot of homework to do, I understand."

[graham pritchard]

"Not so much that I can't take the time to escort you." Graham assured her pushing his plate away from him.

[astoria greengrass]

Whether or not it was just a ploy to spend time with her, Astoria didn't care; he was acting every bit the gentleman, and she couldn't complain about that! "I would appreciate it," She admitted, smiling at him again.

[graham pritchard]

Flashing Astoria a quick smile, Graham stood and offered her his hand. There were some curious stares but he ignored them fully. It wasn't uncommon for Graham to be nice to females but to act as cordially as he was, he was sure, had some people whispering.

[astoria greengrass]

Astoria noticed the stares as well, though - and didn't know if she should ignore them or not. Choosing the latter, at least for the moment, she took Graham's hand and stood as well. After all, what could be the harm?

[graham pritchard]

Harm, at least for him, would be the questions. Ones that Graham had no problem in answering of course. He liked Astoria and had no scruples with people knowing it. Why wouldn't he like her after all?

[astoria greengrass]

When one of the girls in her year whispered to her friend that Graham was too good for Astoria - whispered being an exaggeration, it was more of a stage whisper - she frowned. Maybe that was what all this staring was about; Graham slumming it with a Ravenclaw.

[graham pritchard]

Graham too had heard what had been said about Astoria. He didn't think that was true in the least, a jealously thing was the only explanation so if the girls were going to be envious Graham figured he might as well give them something more to envy. He wrapped his arm back around Astoria's shoulders pulling her in close to him then leaned in real close to whisper in her ear. "I whole heartedly disagree." It wasn't necessary to have gotten as close as he did but he had a good reason, make them think he was whispering sweet nothings to her.

[astoria greengrass]

Astoria had already decided not to argue with him wrapping his arm around her, and so let him pull her into his embrace. When he spoke, her worries drifted off and she blushed, looking down with a smile. He was too sweet to her. Turning to press her lips to his cheek, she thanked him quietly, before sliding her hand across his back to rest on his other hip, for comfort's sake (or so she told herself).