Knockturn Alley and the Surrounds. ((Zane.))

[sassy]

Bored, bored, bored. That was what described Saski Stark’s mood. She had never in her entire life been so utterly bored to tears. “This is ridiculous,” she said as she flounced off the couch in her living room. Stark manor was vast, richly decorated in the art and materials of the various placed her parents had travelled. Saski even had a sari to commemorate her birth place of India. She marched from the living room, through the halls, her heels making a clicking sound with every step. She walked through the greeting room, salon, a place her mother kept guests for small conversation before leading them into the parlour for a more formal atmosphere. The Stark manor seemed to have an endless abundance of extra rooms.

“Larkin!! Larkin!! Where are you, you in sufferable house elf?” she screamed out. House elves, if they weren’t so good at doing what you told them she would be rid of them all. However Saski was hardly ever inclined to do anything so mundane as cleaning up after herself, so Larkin and the other house elves were necessary. She was a wealth pureblood, and of a long line of Slytherins, connected to very influential and powerful families, what had she with doing laundry and what not. “Larkin!!!”

“Yes miss? Yes miss? Larkin here,” the timid elf said as she came up behind her. Saski turned on him startled. “Don’t you ever do that again! Don’t you dare sneak up on me.” She took a deep breath and regained her composure. “Let my parents that I’m going to Knockturn Alley. I will be back,” she started to walk away, “when I’m back,” she said firmly. She looked over her shoulder at the elf that was waiting for further instructions. “Well? Get going!” she bellowed before grabbing her cloak and heading to the fireplace. She pulled her hood up over her head, concealing most of her face, before grabbing a handful of Floo Powder. There were other means for her to travel, but she wasn’t in that particular mood.

She threw the green powder in the fire and stepped in, “Knockturn Alley,” she said clearly before disappearing. She emerged several minutes later, in the back room of a dark, dank shop that catered to the more eccentric of tastes. She walked through the curtain and into the shop itself. The clerk never looked her way, they knew better than to enquire after the people who came and went. She walked out and into the street, she would visit the apothecary there, Grant Night needed a gift, since she didn’t have time to give him one before she went on holiday, and being a man who loves potions, a few ingredients would make his day. What he would like would not be easily sold in other Apothecaries; he tended to dabble in the darker potions of his own concocting.

She entered the shop and went to the clerk, “I want two bags of powdered Black Mamba venom and one of dried Unicorn blood,” she stated. “Saski Stark?” she heard her name being called behind her, as the clerk disappeared in the back, and she turned to face who had addressed her.

[zane]

The distinctive smell of acid and scorpion venom burnt the hairs of Zane's noise as he turned over in the green silk sheets of his black framed bed. The sun shone brightly through his gray curtains and he groaned realizing that, despite his wishes, morning had come yet again. He rubbed his eyes groggily and then ran his fingers through his thick black hair before letting out an enormous sigh. Pushing back his gray comforter he swung his feet out pressed them against the cold wood of his bedroom floor. Stretching out his arms he released a massive yawn before standing, wearing nothing but his silky black boxers and one black sock. He reached to the floor to put on the jeans he had taken off the night before and stumbled over to the cauldron sitting underneath the window in his bedroom. He looked out his window, over the enormous brick walls of the castle, and out onto the glistening turquoise lake. He took in a deep breath and then casually looked down to the potion he had been working on for nearly a week.

His eyes grew wider as he noticed that the potion had now taken on a yellowish pink hue and was bubbling furiously. He bolted over to his closet and grabbed a belt, hustling to push it through the rings of his pants before grabbing a black shirt and throwing it over his head. He looked down and realized he was only wearing one sock, annoyed he grabbed a second and then threw on his black sneakers. He reached to the top hanger for his black silk cloak, threw it over his shoulder, and briefly checked his hair in the mirror before heading over door and turning the knob. He flew down his stairs and out the front door before anyone would notice him and stepped into his carriage. "Take me to Knockturn Alley Froid," he grumbled, "And step on it."

He stepped out of the carriage and onto the dusty road of Knockturn Alley. He nodded to several familiar witches and wizards in the alley before scuttling down the road, in a hurry to get to the apothecary and get the last ingredient needed for his potion. He brushed past several shady looking characters in the darker part of the alley, nothing beyond the ordinary however, before reaching his destination. He pulled back the glass door and stepped into the familiar shop.

The smell of House Elf Ears and Unicorn Blood wafted beneath his noise as he walked through the dusty isle's of his favorite shop. The shelves were filled as far as the eye could see with dark potion items you could find in no other apothecary. He ran his finger along the dusty metal shelves checking each and every label carefully. It wasn't until he had neared the end of the third row he found what he was looking for, Hypogriff Hoof, he grabbed two from the shelf and headed toward the front of the large store. As he drew closer to the counter he noticed the voice of someone very familiar, turning he noticed it was Saski Stark. He quickly straightened his hair and checked his breath before approaching the girl. A smile crossed his face as he remembered their times at Hogwarts, "Saski Stark?" he said confidently closing the gap between them waiting for her to turn.

[sassy]

A devilish smirk graced Saski’s lips as she turned to find Zane Jade to be the person addressing her. He was lucky, if he had been someone else say, some lesser Slytherin (for who else would speak to her) he would have gotten an earful calling her name like that. “Why Zane Jade, what brings you here?” she inquired with a raised eyebrow. She looked at the items he had in his hand, “Brewing something are we?” she said cheekily. She lowered her hood in a more polite fashion and pulled her long dark hair out from its hiding place.

“Here you go,” the clerk said as he laid Saski’s items on the desk, however when he noticed her face her quickly added, “miss” to his statement. She looked at him gleefully, it was good when the lesser members of society understood their place and addressed her in the correct manner. “Wrap them and charge it to my father’s bill,” she stated. ‘That will annoy him’ she thought. One of Saski’s little joys was enraging her parents. She liked to let them know she had her sway when she wanted it and they could do nothing to stop her. She had stated her independence a long time ago and neither of them could be her jailer.

She looked back at Zane as her items were parcelled for her. “Yes. Mr. Jade,” she said coyly. “I must say I am surprised to find you here, I would have expected you to be busy in that castle of yours.” Saski would like to have been off with her sisters, or perhaps Jass her brother this summer but they already had plans, and if she was being forced to stay in England for the summer then she was going to be very sure she bought herself a good time, on daddy’s credit of course. She would never spend her own money, where was the sense in that? Besides, that was what daddy was for…to spoil her…well to let her spoil herself.

However it may look, with her designer clothes and lavish spending, Saski was not all about money; on the contrary she had a brilliant mind that she used to benefit herself. She had great plans for her future and with a little bit of effort Saski would possess everything she desired.

[zane]

The smile broadened on Zane's handsome face as the girl turned around and pulled her long dark hair from her hood. She looked gorgeous and sophisticated, as usual. Her lips parted slightly and a smile shown through, "Why Zane Jade, What brings you here.... Brewing something are we?" He looked down at the hoofs in his hand and smirked, "What's it to you," he questioned cockily, an arrogant smile to match across his face. He laughed casually, "This," he said looking down at the items in his hand, "Just a simple potion to get rid of the hinkypunks in the lake outside. There are too many to do it one by one, so I figured a small poison would do them good."

He watched as the man behind the counter addressed her casually and then quickly corrected himself. It was a good thing he had done so, otherwise Zane would have had to correct him, perhaps in a very impolite way. A lady such as Saski should never be treated with disrespect, especially from some one as low as this. He saw a smile cross Saski's face as she told him to charge it to her father's bill, he smiled, that was just like Saski... nothing was too small if it pissed her parents off.

She turned to him after finishing with the man, "Yes, Mr. Jade.... I must say I am surprised to see you here, I would have expected you to be busy in that castle of yours." Yet another arrogant smiled appeared upon his face as she stated this. It was true, he could usually be found gallivanting about the Jade castle, but it was nice to get out on occasion. "Are you trying to say, that incredibly rich and good looking people can never leave the comfort of their homes," he joked with her, "That doesn't seem practical, you know, and if that is your philosophy than why are you here, Miss?" He smiled perplexedly at her before stepping up to the counter to pay for his items. "Quickly," he snapped at the man then turned back to Saski, "So other than lurking in shady stores," He teased, "What are you doing today?" He hoped that they might be able to catch a bite before he had to return home, it wasn't everyday he was graced by the company of someone such as Saski.

[sassy]

“Disposing of hinkypunks? How noble,” she teased as Zane offered a reason for his presence in the apothecary. She would never do such a think herself, Larkin or one of the house elves would deal with them. However it was amusing to think of Zane dealing with hinkypunks himself.

Zane Jade; not traversing the halls of his castle but out and about in Knockturn Alley, how intriguing. Perhaps this day wasn’t such an utter loss. She stepped out of his way as he approached the counter, a smirk on her face, “No of course not, I am suggesting no such thing, for as you so aptly pointed out, I am also out today.” ‘Miss’ if he had been anyone else Saski might have taken offence, but since Zane, was Zane, it was quite alright. She smirked gleefully at Zane’s attitude to the clerk, such knowledge of one’s standings…wonderful. It was good to make sure people remembered who you were, especially if you were the likes of Zane and Saski.

She cocked her head to one side, a playful grin playing at her lips. “Nothing actually. I came to buy something for a friend,” she stated. “I wouldn’t usually be in London at this time, but unfortunately my plans were ruined, so I am stuck with mummy and daddy,” she said disdainfully. The thought of being at home with her parents was mortifying. Why couldn’t they have gone to Africa as planned? Then at least she could have the manor to herself. However, today was showing more possibilities for ways of passing her precious time. “And what of you Mr. Jade,” she teased. “What are your plans for this fine day?”

The clerk gave her a cheeky grin as she spoke to Zane, which Saski returned with a venomous glare. “Aren’t you supposed to be doing something?” she said annoyed, and then went back to Zane.

[zane]

Zane brushed off her comment about the hinkypunks, if it weren't for his deep interest in potions, and his love of killing things unworthy, he would not be bothering with them at all. But seeing as there was nothing to do around the castle besides find ways to avoid his family, that was what he had been filling his days with.

He smiled as she told him that she had not yet made plans for the day, this was music to his ears... he needed a day out of the castle and her company was preferred above most others. He cleared his throat quickly and then lifted her delicate hand and kissed it politely, giving a small bow, "Well, I was hoping you'd like to join me for lunch... seeing as we are both doing nothing and I would rather enjoy your company." He gave her a slight wink and waited for her reply hoping that he wouldn't find himself alone at lunch this evening.

He gave the man behind the counter a life threatening look as he commented, people of his status had no right. However, as he knew she would, Saski showed her fierce side which brought a smile to Zane's face. He didn't realize until now how much he had missed this girl, even though summer had only began a short week ago.

((sorry for the shortness, I had a busy busy day))

[sassy]

Saski waited for her answer, patiently even, though patience was not always a virtue she possessed, but she had many virtues they were simply not what most people liked. She was ambitious, driven, strong-willed, opinionated, loyal to those loyal to her, and she never missed an opportunity to better herself. Plus she had the highest opinion of herself, which was excellent, if you don’t think you own the world then how can you? No, world domination wasn’t in her plan, but only one person could say they had any idea of what went on in the head of Saski Kilani Stark, other than Saski herself, and that was her currently absent best friend.

“Does my lack of things to do amuse you Zane?” she asked before she was silenced by his gentlemanly kiss of her hand, which took Saski aback, but pleasantly so. Saski fought the smile that was trying to come to the surface at such a proposal. It was the finest idea she had heard in days, but Zane needn’t know that. She flicked some hair that had fallen over her shoulder back behind her. She nodded her head with a smirk as he winked at her, “Well since you are so pleasant in your request, and I have nothing else to do, why of course I’ll join you for lunch,” she said in false pride. She was truly flattered but Saski never gave away her true feelings on anything so easily unless you angered her, then, then you know in an instant and were you ever sorry for it.

[zane]

He was grateful that he had decided to concoct the poison for the hinkypunks otherwise he would not have been graced with this run in. He was also grateful that he had taken the family carriage instead of using floo powder or apparating, now he would have adequate transportation for a lady such as Saski if she decided upon going. He did not believe in treating a lady out unless he could give her the whole package, for an evening where he could not make a lady feel like a princess was shameful to him. She turned to him casually.. though Zane felt she was hiding a bit of happiness within, "Well since you are so pleasant in your request, and I have nothing else to do, why of course I’ll join you for lunch." Zane was pleased with her answer, he knew that a little flattery went a long way, and to flatter Saski was not a hard task

He turned to her as she flicked her hair behind her back, it shimmered and he could smell her conditioner floating beneath his nose, he smiled, "I am flattered that you have decided to join me, are you ready to go now?" he asked. He assumed that she was so he took her bag from her, "Let me take this for you," he said casually and then headed to the front of the store. He opened the door for her and smiled, "Where is it that you would like to go, any where you choose is fine... my treat."

[sassy]

Saski was an easy girl to flatter if she thought you worthy enough to do so; otherwise your attempts at pleasantries may backfire. People liked to say that flattery got you nowhere, they were wrong, it had simply gotten them nowhere. Saski was a queen at flattery when it suited her, but nothing was better than being flattered whether is was genuine or not. If people were honest with themselves they would admit that, Saski was completely honest with herself, and acknowledged her somewhat small weakness to flattery. What woman didn’t like hearing good things about herself?

She was cool in her response, “Well I couldn’t be responsible for you having to eat alone now could I?” she replied. She was ready to go; the smell of the apothecary was beginning to annoy her, as well as the clerk. She allowed Zane to take her package, “Thank you,” she replied, which was indeed a gracious event since Saski was hardly polite, but Zane was deserving of her good manners so he would get them. He would, till he showed himself less than worthy of them, but she didn’t see that happening Zane was like her, no that wouldn’t happen.

He opened the door for her, and Saski stepped outside. “Are you sure?” Saski asked. His treat? Saski was not a cheap girl, she certainly hoped Zane realised that, though she doubted that he was not aware. She didn’t picture his as a cheap fellow, and realised her question was unfounded. “How about Chateau Fleur? It’s not too far,” she suggested blanking her previous question.

[zane]

Zane smiled as she informed him that she would not let him dine alone, not that he minded doing so, it was simply nicer to dine with a lovely lady. He escorted Saski out and led her to where Floid was supervising his large black carriage. He opened the door and helped Saski up by holding his hand out politely. He stepped inside the carriage and the smell of chai drifted slightly under his nose. Floid shut the door behind him and Zane rested his arm on the silk covered rest of the side panel on the door. He sat on the comfortable black velvet seats and looked at the front window to Floid, "The Chateau Fleur," he said before turning to Saski, a confident grin adorning his face, "Anywhere you wish to go," he said, "Nothing is too expensive for you." He was pleasured by her company and confident to know that Saski, a sixth year Queen, had accepted his offer to take her out. Possibly it was not a mistake that they had run into each other this very day.

Upon their arrival of the Chateau Fleur, Floid came to the carriage door and opened it for them, "We have arrived," he said. Zane stepped down from the carriage and held his hand out politely for Saski. The restoran was decorated gorgeously, white chandelier lights twinkling through the large French doors that welcome wealthy customers. Large green velvet curtains hung just inside the door, tied back by white gold clasps. Large gold laced cases sat next to the curtains containing flourishing decorative flowers of all types. A long red carpet led down to the Valet area where Zane's large carriage was sitting and a large canopy covered the walk-way from the valet area to the doors of the restoran. Zane held out his hand and waited patiently for Saski to take it so they could enter the restoran, "Miss," he said politely.

[sassy]

Saski allowed Zane to escort her to his carriage; it was a fine one, black, one of Saski’s favourite colours. She took Zane’s hand, lightly placing hers in his as he helped her into the carriage, she raised the hem of her robe to make stepping up easier. The familiar smell of chai filled her senses as she entered the carriage and took a seat, gently crossing her legs in the spacious compartment. Zane entered after her, she barely allowed her eyes to watching as he took his seat, her air of disinterest still being played. She smirked as he assured her that no place was too expensive for her, which was music to Saski’s delicate ears. Zane had qualities which Saski could appreciate; his manners, his confidence and assertiveness in his position in the wizard world. “Well Zane, I would hope not,” she teased. This day was indeed turning out much better than Saski had planned. Her sour disposition over being forced to remain in London, was somewhat lessened at this pleasant development. At least she could say that she had a pleasant day…at least so far.

She looked out the window as the carriage moved along the streets; her hand propping up her chin, this carriage was indeed a good one she would have to commission one for herself on her father’s credit. They came to a stop and Saski gracefully uncrossed her legs and the door was opened and Zane stepped out. Saski allowed one leg to step out, as she took Zane’s hand to make her descent an easy one. The restaurant’s lavishness greeted her and Saski couldn’t help but smile. She loved this place; it was one, if not the, best restaurant in the area. She could see the chandelier lights sparkle through the front doors. Her mother had the identical lights at their summer home in Scotland. The Starks had so many ‘summer homes.’

She gave Zane another devilish smirk as he called her ‘Miss’. “Lead on Mr. Jade, lead on,” she told him with a smooth nod of her head.

[zane]

Zane watched as Saski stepped down from the carriage delicately and onto the red carpet. He held out his arm for her and escorted her down the long carpet and through the large french doors. There was a tall and stout man standing behind a podium, looking down at a sheet of papers, "Do you have reservations?" he inquired without looking up from what he was doing. Zane cleared his throat calmly, "Last I checked, the Jade family never needed to make reservations, nor did that Stark's," he said matter-of-factly waiting for the man to look up from his paper's. Surely enough the plump mans head rose abruptly and a tiny glint of fear shone in his eyes, "No sir, No, I did not realize who it was," he began to mumble. Zane shook his head disapprovingly, "Apparently not," he spat, "But all can be forgotten easily, I want our usual table, on the balcony," Zane demanded. The man scurried away quickly, but not before mumbling, "right away, sir."

'Insufferable fool,' Zane thought bitterly as the plump man waddled away quickly. He then turned to Saski and smiled, "Have you ever sat out on the balcony," he asked simply, "I'm sure you will love it." He flashed her a handsome smile before reaching down for her hand, "Did I tell you how beautiful you look, Saski?" He smiled cunningly at her trying to conceal the patches of pink he could feel forming on his cheeks. Saski was the only girl that could get to him like this, it was a wonder he had never asked to take her out before. However, now was night the time to dwell over things such as that.

The plump man came back to the podium, weazing slightly, "Your table is ready, sir... just follow Donnivan," His hand gestured to a short and very thin looking man who was holding two menu's in his hand and staring up at Zane and Saski, "Right this way," he said and began to walk towards the balcony. It wasn't until they had walked past a large dining room, a smaller more private dining room and a hallway of decorative paintings that they reached the small and private balcony. On the balcony was a table for two, set with wine glasses candles and crystal plates, covered with a silky maroon table cloth and delicately folded napkins. To the side sat a wine and desert cart, a lovely view of the country side visible just over the rail of the balcony. The small man reached for a chair and gestured for Saski to sit, Zane glared at him maliciously, "That'll will be fine," he huffed before taking the chair and brushing the small man away. He smiled at Saski and held the chair out for her politely, "Your table awaits you," he said grinning devishly at her.