Eight PM

Avis yawned. Although it was only seven fourty five, she already felt tired and sleepy. Her day consisted mostly of reading and boiling, reading again and sometimes eating. Though she did not want to confess it to herself, she was developing an eating disorder, and it made her feel weak and disgusted with herself.

It was unbelievable how nervous she was right now, however. Avis had never been on a date, and though Andrei was not the list of people she'd have fun with. As a matter of fact, she did not imagine how would their date end. Would they go to school and hate each other even more (which was quite possible in Avis' point of view), or they would end up having an agreement and become friends.
Though he promised to be punktual, Avis believed that it was better to show up earlier. Waiting was better than rushing and disappointing him. Yes, even though she'd hex him, she would not want to disappoint Andrei. Why? She did not know.

She yawned again and took a sip of her butter beer. Avis was only glad that this place did not sell any alcoholic drinks. She feared that if they would, she'd get herself whiskey or something to calm down and get herself to think straight.
Sometimes, unintetionally, her eyes traveled to the door, and when it did not open, then to the window, and then back to her table. She repeated this circle many times.

Andrei took a bit more time to get ready than usual. He kept staring at himself in the mirror, trying to get his messy hair into some decent shape at least. After failing constantly for the first few minutes he gave up. It was ridiculous for him to be in the bathroom for this long anyway. He finally went out and threw one some jeans and a dark sweater. It was a good change to be wearing normal clothes rather than the school uniform. Although his mother would never let him in the house in 'muggle' clothes as she called them, he preferred it because they were comfortable.

Stepping out in the cold reminded him of all of the reasons he hated winter. And even though it was February, the bitter storm was still here. He pulled up his scarf tightly around his neck to shield his now icy skin. Finally, he reached the Three Broomsticks and felt relief. Letting the warm air surrounds his body, he let out a delightful sigh. God he despised the cold, more than he could even describe. Glancing across the room, his eyes searched for a familiar brunette and his lips stretched out into a smile when he found her. He glanced at the clock and saw that he still had a minute until eight. So that meant he wasn't late, but she was early.

He flashed her a smile and sat down across her. "I'm not late - just pointing that out", he said with a smirk. The main dilemma Andrei now faced was protocol. In situations like these, on a date, he had certain steps he went through and rules he followed. Most of them were from the way he was raised, some of them were just common sense and the others were his own little experiment. But they were all focused and successfully tested on the kind of girl he used to date - Slytherin, pureblood, high ranked and wealthy. To be honest, he was picky and saw these dates mostly as a game to improve his knowledge and have fun. The girls he dated thought the same thing, sometimes even worse, so there was no misunderstanding possible. Again, with Avis he was in the dark and clueless.

"Hey. It's nice to -", he started but was interrupted by the waiter who came by their table. "I'll have butterbeer and a yorkshire pudding with beef. I'm starving. Not sure about the lady here", he said with a small smile. Andrei was pretty sure Avis wasn't use to being called a lady. Unlike stuck up purebloods, he found that other girl's expectations of a date were much lower than the standards he was raised to. But then again that was too old fashioned even for him.

Avis did not know what to expect. Would Andrei actually show up? If so, what were they going to do? Make a proper introduction?
She had the feeling that the two of them would never understand each other even if she wanted that. It was not a secret that she found him interesting, and not only because of his family and the background that he possessed. She saw Andrei Dolohov as a clever boy, a manipulator if you must.
She closed her eyes and leaned her her back until it touched the wall and the curtains. Interesting what would Andrei think if he'd find her sleeping? Because she feared that if it would take him longer than five minutes, she'd fall asleep eventually.

When the door opened, Avis raised her eyebrows. It was clear that she was surpirsed and her eyes traveled to the clock after Andrei mentioned that he was not late. She grinned and gave him thumbs up:"Good for you!" He did not disappoint her this time.

She examined his clothes, and again she expressed her surprise with raised eyebrows and a quiet sigh. Avis did not know that a wizard from a family such as Dolohov would wear usual muggle clothes. And without any strange accessories? Avis bit her lip. Did Andrei fall and hit his head or something?

"You're looking nice," she decided to comment. Dressing this way was probably something new and out of ordinary for the young boy. She had only seen him in the school uniform. She smiled at him, but she was forced to look away when the waitress interrupted. "Nothing, thank you." She smiled again. Andrei was well mannered. Or was he simply doing a fool's play? "Its nice that you actually showed up. I began to suspect that this all was for nothing."

Andrei raised his eyebrow at her comment. He accepted it with a smile of course, but there was a hint of surprise in her tone. Was she expecting something different than what he was wearing? "Am I?", he asked glancing at himself and shrugging. It was just ordinary jeans and a sweater, he didn't come in formal wear or anything. He then chuckled, finally realizing why she was so surprised. "You obviously never saw me outside of school", he noted with another chuckle. "Now what you were expecting from a Dolohov? Have I ruined all of your expectations of pureblood guys now?", he asked with a teasing tone.

He shook his head in confusion when she refused to order anything. If he remembered correctly, the last time they were together she didn't want to eat as well. Seems like the whole water and salad order wasn't just a Slytherin female thing. But he wasn't going to allow it this time. "She'll have the same as I'm having and bring some pudding afterwards as well", he added to the waiter while he was still in their reach. He could feel a complain coming from Avis just by the way she was looking at him so he spoke before she got the chance. "You can't order nothing, that's nonsense. Since you couldn't pick, I did that for you. Relax, you don't have to finish all of it just have a bite.", he pushed his point further. "Not eating in unhealthy you know", Andrei added in the end with a swift smile. He truly didn't understand how girls could go through that whole dieting process - he would rather die than restrict his favorite foods in his diet.

"Why did you think that?", he asked rather surprised by her words as the waiter was bringing them both a large mug of butterbeer. "After all I've invited you here, didn't I? I might be many things Avis, but rude is not one of them". This was actually quite true, as both his upbringing and personal pride didn't allow any wide deviations from 'proper' behavior. Except in special situations of course, where he would give himself the permission to just ignore that completely. "So, I think I'll need your help on this. How do you act with a Gryffidor? I think I'm suppose to compliment your hair or eye color by now or something of that sort. That's what you girls like to hear, isn't it?", he asked joking as his eyes flickered in the light.

Avis opened her mouth to reply, but Andrei was faster. All she could do was spread her hands and smirk at him. Indeed, she guessed that he'd show up with some wizarding robes or at least with a long cape of crimson or bright green or something. Avis had seen pureblooded wizards walking around the city, most of them old, though, but they still wore the classy robes that earned many odd looks from muggles who did not understand a thing. Or some looked at them with an amuzed sparkle in their eye. Avis never was a fan of extraordinary dressing and nor did she complain when someone, looking like this, showed up.

Avis sighed in disbelief when he ordered her the same thing that he was having. Did he think that she came unprepared for this date? She did not. She had had a small meal before leaving the school and it was more than enough to keep her going till the next morning. Besides, she was already having the butter beer which contained more than enough calories. She refused the urge to roll her eyes and instead she looked away. The window reflected slightly mutated versions of both of them.

"Not eating for days is not healthy," she fixed him, looking back at the young man.
"Because you're a Slytherin, Andrei. I was suspicious. I still am," Avis confessed. She took the large cup into her hands and examined it. The butterbeer was warm and it made her insides feel good and warm whenever she drank it.

Summers hummed quietly. What girls liked to hear? She shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what to say. "I don't know... I guess they do like that..." no one has ever complimented her hair or eyes. They were the most usual color ever. Brown hair and brownish-green eyes. Nothing that special or worth mentioning. "Um... I guess that depends on a girl. Why? Did you call me here so that I could give you an advice?" she grinned. That was interesting.

Andrei was about to make a remark of her not eating well, but as she opened a whole new topic his mind wandered. Seems that Avis was no exception when it came to judging him by his house. He might be what people described as a 'typical' Slytherin, but he was still offended by her words. Not that he allowed it to show of course. It was his fault mainly, after all. Andrei had completely deserved the most part of his reputation. Usually, it came in handy as he learned how to use it to his advantage. However right now, it was only ruining his mood. Guess his reputation was something like a double edged knife, useful and dangerous at the same time.

"That's kind of disappointing. Although I can't say I wasn't expecting that", he sad honestly and his thoughts were once again interrupted by the waiter who brought their butterbeers along with two very large portions of food. "And I haven't even done anything yet", he remarked with a smirk. "I'm not really sure what you exactly think you know about me, Avis. All I know is, that I asked you out and you said yes. Nothing suspicious about that to me", Andrei said shrugging his shoulders. "Let's play a game of truth and dare then. You can start. Tell me a rumor or gossip you've heard about me and I'll tell you if it's true. I'll be honest as well, I promise"

"They? You're talking like you're not a part of the 'girl' group", he said with a laugh. Now it became even more obvious to him that Avis wasn't really use to these things. She seemed quite oblivious to compliments or the general date process. A girl pretty like her must have had plenty of experience in this field. Or has she? "No I definitely didn't call you here for advise. But just so you now, you hair and eyes are pretty", he said with a grin and a glance of her porcelain complexion. Well he thought she was pretty in general, all of her, and he was no so shy when it came to complimenting a girl's appearance. "Can I ask you something? Don't get me wrong but - have you ever done this before", he asked rather curiously.

She could see that she had disappointed him. Though he made good effort to hide this in his expression, his eyes were still mirror of his soul. Avis looked down, not sure should she apologize or not. Her eyes were still glued on him, and it was easy to say that she was still surprised by the fact that he showed up. Indeed, he did promise to come, and it was his idea to have a small date, but still... her prejudice was a curse, and she feared that it might take a while before she'll get used to Andrei and get rid of her small fear and emotions caused by that.

Avis bit her lip and looked down. He was right, she rushed a bit too far away with her own thoguhts about him. She was about to say something when their order was brought to the table. She looked at the puding, not sure what to do with that. In fact, she did not even know how it tasted like. However she took the mug of the butterbeer and embraced it with her fingers. It was warm and it made her feel better.

"To be honest, I'd like you to talk yourself. Not about the rumors, but simply... You. That's what dates are all about, right? Meeting and talking about each other?" She could not hide that rumous really did spoil the clear picture of him, but the change could be arranged, right? Avis had to change herself so that she could see trough that frame.

Avis shrugged. She was a girl, but she did not see herself as one of those pretty cute girls in her house, or in Slytherin or in Hufflepuff. They all were so popular. Even the young ones. She was simply out of the league.
"They are?" she raised her eyebrows and took tuft of hair between her fingers. She examined it. Her hair was really just the most normal color ever. Simple brown. In the light it could have reddish glow, but that was it. No special effects, no pretty curls, no accessories etc.

"You mean a date?" she asked, leaving her hair alone and giving her attention to Andrei now. "Um, no... not really." Avis grined. This was so obvious, was it not? She did not even know what to talk about.

"Simply about me? I'm afraid there is nothing simple about me", he admitted with a smirk. In all honestly, he wouldn't know where to start. "Well - if you want to know I guess that would be fine. I guess I shouldn't start with my father. I think that's a story everyone knows around here and there's nothing much I can add to it either", he said with a shrug, with an anxious expression on his face. He felt uncomfortable talking about his family to anyone and Avis was no exception. There was not much to tell anyways, his story was right there in the newspapers for the whole world to read. His father, who is know probably somewhere in Russia still hiding from aurors, regularly makes the headlines. With time, he learned to deal with it but he never learned how not to care.

He chuckled at Avis as she started carefully examining her hair, probably trying to find out if there was some truth in his words. "Yes, they are", he repeated with a silly grin appearing on his face. "Aren't you use to getting compliments?", he asked, quite sure that should be the case by now. "Alright, listen let's try this again. And this time, you just say 'thank you'. Ready? You have pretty eyes, Avis. And hair.", he said as he staged a repetition of some sort. The girl had to learn how to accept compliments in a normal way and today was a good time to learn as any. Saying anything else or doubting herself didn't suit her and she didn't have a reason for it either.

"Wait - really?", he asked with his mouth wide open, not being able to hide his surprise from here. "I did well then, didn't I", he said out loud with a playful and smug grin. How was he, the least obvious person she could pick, the first guy who she actually said yes to. "So you're a date virgin then. Never had those before", he said teasing her. "Sorry, it's just really weird you know", he added in the end trying to apologize. "But how come? I mean, I don't mean to judge Gryffindor girls or anything, but I know that most girls your age in your house are on their road to slutsville. How come you didn't go on dates before and all?", Andrei asked as his curiosity got the best of him.

Avis did not say anything. Instead she raised her cup and drank the warm liquid from it. If someone would ask her to introduce or to talk about herself, she'd start with the basics. She, unlike Andrei, was not a complicated person. Her life was not full of action or cool school life full of parties and interesting things like that.
Her days were quite similiar to each other and even though it was tiring sometimes, she could not say no to her hobbies.

She sighed. "I did not ask about your father or family. Simply You. Tell me what you like doing? Where do you go after the lessons? What is your favourite color? Food? Drink? Pet, etc. You know, the basics." She suspected that everyone knew well enough about his family, his father who was hiding in Russia and his adventures with girls. That, however, did not interest her. She could hear the gossips even in her own dormitory, and, it bored the hell out of her.

"No... not really." Though he wasn't the first Slytherin to comment on her appearance. Later, after the strange incident with the young man, Avis had stared into the mirror for minutes and tried to figure out what in her looked so appealing. Nothing in her opinion so she left the topic for quite some time. Until now, of course. She looked into the window; Avis possessed a pale compexion and small mouth which rarely formed a smile. "Uh... right... Thanks?" she said quietly, voice suspiscious and unsure.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps boys don't like me even though you think I have nice hair and pretty eyes." Sounded obvious. Everyone had a different taste after all.

"My favorite color?", he asked with obvious confusion in his eyes. No one has ever asked him about that kind of stuff, no one knew that about him. It was simply not a topic of discussion people had with him. Usually it was either about his family, school, some lame rumors or the Dark Followers. In the mist of all these common to him topics, normal ones such as favorite color and number seemed to shock him. "I don't think I have a favorite color", he said honestly with a chuckle. But he promised her that he would try, so he might as well make some effort in answering her questions no matter how strange they seemed to him.

"What do I like doing? Sleeping more than anything I guess. Most of the days I'm way too lazy to get out of bed. That's why I'm late to class, more often than not. Sad to say that my reason is sleep, and not some secret society or hidden prank like some people keep saying. I wish I was that dedicated", he started with a strange smirk. Even saying just a few sentences, he felt strange revealing some much information to one person in such a short time. It was quite a different experience from what he was use to, but it felt good in some weird way. "I'd eat anything you put in front of me. As you saw in the kitchen a few days ago, I'm not really that picky with my food. I'm not sure about drinks though, anything that has a slight kick in it I guess. "

Andrei shook his head at her at her unconvincing gratitude. "Wow, oh I really believe you know", he said through a laugh. It was strange how girls who were beautiful would think they were nothing special and then ordinary girls thought they were everyone's first choice. It was strange how a female's self image can be disrupted like that.

"No I'm pretty sure that's not it. Well if most guys are like me, they would be a bit intimidated by your wand pointed at their neck. Or did just I had that kind of special treatment?", he asked with a teasing smirk. "You're very.... uncorrupt then", he said commenting about loud about her lack of dating experience. He thought of it as a good thing. At least she wouldn't be keen on the little power games girls so often use.