[019]

[rule_britannia]

One day, just one day, my dear siblings will decide that maybe they won't inflict various torments on me the day before I go back to school.

Today is not that day.

I have to give them points for creativity, however. Charming permutation ciphers into all my books was a new one.

Comments

[greenmoonrising]

[A few minutes later:]

They're fine with you coming - they even offered to let you spend the night and we can return to school together.

[rule_britannia]

Brilliant. I suppose I should pack a few things up, then. What's the address?

[filter]

[greenmoonrising]

[Insert some very English address in Holborn here]

Just Floo over whenever! :)

[rule_britannia]

I'll be along shortly.

[He just has to pack up a few things, get his mother to agree to bring his other things to the platform the next day, and then he's tossing a handful of powder into the fire and stepping into it, and out of the other side into Bruce's home.

Arthur hikes his bag up onto his shoulder and glances about the room. It's always interesting to see how other people live.]

[greenmoonrising]

[Bruce glances up from where he's been sitting in a rather plush armchair before the fireplace in the library, smiling when he sees Arthur. It's obvious from the woodwork in the room that this is no cheap apartment home but rather a seemingly simple place that has the undercurrents of wealth.]

Hey! Good to see you didn't get lost.

[He comes over and passes over a brush to Arthur to get the Floo powder and ashes off his clothes, holding out his hand for the boy's bag.]

[rule_britannia]

I choked on a mouthful of soot once and ended up somewhere in Hogsmeade. Quite embarrassing.

[He flashes a brief grin at his friend, handing the bag over if only for the sake of patting the ashes and powder off himself.]

It would be a much more convenient way to travel if it wasn't so damned messy.

[greenmoonrising]

Hopefully someone someday will come up with a way to make Flooing more problem-free.

[Takes the brush from Arthur once he's done and puts it away, hoisting bag over his shoulder.]

Do you want to stay in the library to work on the cipher spell or would you rather have something to eat first? I think mom's making apple pie...

[rule_britannia]

Perhaps I should start working on that.

[He glances to Bruce, one eyebrow quirking up.]

You don't honestly expect me to turn down home made apple pie, do you? Why is this even a sodding question?

[greenmoonrising]

[Chuckles and shakes his head.]

Stupid question, sorry. Let's get the pie first. My parents have a thing about eating in the library.

[rule_britannia]

And rightly so. [Eating around books? If he did that at home he'd never hear the end of it.]

This house is.. impressive.

[greenmoonrising]

I can't take credit for it. [Smiling wryly, he leads Arthur to the kitchen where there's a lovely steaming pie on the spotless counter.]

Do you want any ice cream or cream with it?

[rule_britannia]

Are you going to stop asking ridiculous questions at any point?

[Mm, pie.]

I'll take cream, thank you.

[greenmoonrising]

[Rolls eyes.]

No because you answer my ridiculous questions and thus allow me to indulge in the sounds of your velvety voice.

[Cuts the pie and sloppily dollops the slice on a plate followed by a generous serving of cream. He hands the plate over to Arthur and goes rifling through the fridge for milk.]

[rule_britannia]

Good lord, pack that in while we might be in earshot of your parents.

[He takes the plate, leaning back against one of the counters.]

... You know, I'm not sure why I've never been here before.

[greenmoonrising]

Dad's at work and Mom went to see her father a little while ago. We could strip down to nothing and run around the house naked and no one would notice.

[Sets glass of milk on counter by Arthur.]

I don't really have friends over much. Most of the time I end up visiting other friends instead. [Shrugs.]

[rule_britannia]

[He picks it up, taking a small sip and watching Bruce over the top of the glass.]

Really? With a house like this?

[greenmoonrising]

[Shrugs again, rubbing the back of his neck and ducking his head with a small smile.]

I'm not exactly the most social of butterflies around. House parties aren't really my style...

[rule_britannia]

I'm not saying you need to be inviting the entire bloody school, Bruce.

[But he laughs, giving his friend's shoulder a gentle push.]

Either way, I suppose I should be content with the honour, mm?

[greenmoonrising]

[Snorts and pushes back.]

I don't do well in social situations. I'd say it's a Ravenclaw thing, but Tony has no problem with having people over frequently, and in big numbers.

[rule_britannia]

I think it may just be a social recluse thing. [A shrug, and he smirks slightly.]

We can't all be like Tony. The world doesn't need that much hot air.

[greenmoonrising]

[Smiles and rubs the back of his neck.]

Something like that, yeah.