Just brunch ((Kadan+anyone))

[dana]

Dana worked at the Cubby during weekends. But today wasn’t her shift so she just enjoyed a quick bite here. Ordering a chicken sandwich without onions. Olves were alright. Or at least they didn’t bother Dana. As for onion – now onions were something Dana could never stand. Taking a sip from her cold apple cider Dana stared out of the window while she waited for her sandwich to arrive. She would still have to think what to order for dessert. But that would come later.
The mini wireless – also the Cubby’s merchandise – was blasting away in Dana’s ears as she looked around the cubby. Cat had made a good deal with this place – it was surprisingly popular among students of Hogwarts. And other people. Dana was rather sure she had even seen McGonagall enter the cubby one day. Smirking at the thought Dana was glad that she hadn’t had to serve her.

Rubbing the small scar at her right thumb once gain Dana eyed it. It had retreated only to a thin white line almost between her thumb and index finger. The Diagon Alley attack had been… unexpected at least. At least the ministry seemed to be reacting this time. Taking to other countries as well as Dana knew from a letter from her grand-parents. Julien was the Minister of Magic in France and Dana didn’t feel any guilt if she sometimes used it to get some more information. She didn’t tell her knowledge further than Kris, but it helped her decide on the best way to react.
Playing with the Ravenclaw raven hanging around her neck Dana wondered how much of all this would be mentioned by Dumbledore when Hogwarts started again. Or if the security of the school would be upgraded. Sipping at her drink once more, Dana let her head fall back as she closed her eyes enjoying the light breeze that reached her from the open window. She had dressed for warm weather – a blue tank-top and light-gray jeans – but the weather was still warm. Which was actually positive. Dana preferred warm to cold. Hogwarts castle could get cold during winter time. Why not use central heating and making everyone heppy? Dana gave a half-smile at the thought. Hogwarts with central heating would be a site to behold.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Kadan had spent the entire day in Hogsmeade shopping for the new school year. He walked down the street with his hands full of all his purchases: ink, quills, parchment, a few books, a kit of ingredients for potions class, and even a new collar for Tait, his black kitten. He was quite set on returning home, but just then he noticed Catalina's Cubby, the new store in Hogsmeade. He had heard a lot of positive comments about it. He knew the owner by name because she had graduated from his house, but he didn't know her personally. Eh, why not give it a try, he thought, as he walked through the doors into the cafe part of the shop.

It was rather crowded, and Kadan thought he may not be able to find an empty seat. He began wondering through the shop, carrying all his bags. He had just turned to walk down a row of tables when he heard a small crash. He turned to see what happened and saw that all eyes were on him. Noticing that his bags had accidentally knocked over a drink on the table behind him, his face turned an instant shade of pink. "I'm s-sorry," he stammered, looking up at the owner of the drink. He recognized her as a older girl from his house. "I really d-didn't mean it," he stuttered. He could feel the stares of people watching as he grabbed some nearby napkins and attempted to mop up the small spill. "Please," he added, "let me pay for this or something. I really feel bad." His face remained a scarlet color and Kadan felt like a total klutz.

[dana]

The song playing on the mini wireless turned into one of her favorites and Dana smiled with satisfaction. Only to jump and pull her wand out a moment later. Picking up her now empty glass of cider Dana stashed her wand away again as she looked up only to see a good 2 or 3 years younger boy than him apologizing and trying to mop the spilled drink together from the table. He had obviously hit the glass with one of his many bags.
“Eh, I survived. It’s warm enough so I shouldn’t get a cold either,” Dana said brushing herself off a little and looking up waved at a waitress for a refill of her drink, “Just settle down somewhere so you wouldn’t knock someone else’s glass over as well.”

Eyeing the boy closer Dana thought for a moment. She looked around the age to go into Hogwarts. “Aren’t you a Ravenclaw?” Dana asked curiously from the guy. Under no circumstances would she be able to guess what his name was, but there was a 25% chance this guy went to Ravenclaw. Wouldn’t hurt to ask. Actually a bigger per cent of a chance. No Slytherin would have blushed upon knocking someone’s drink over. They would have just offered some snarky comment. Or when it had been one of Dana’s friends form Slytherins they would have just sat down and started a conversation.
“No need to pay for it. Accidents do happen,” Dana told the boy with a light shrug and a smile. It hadn’t been nice accident, but it had been an accident. Besides no one was hurt. Not even the glass itself.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Relieved that the girl didn't seem too upset over the spilled drink, Kadan's face began to return to its original shade. Lucky me, she's not a Slytherin, he thought, imagining the names he may have been called if she were. He took a seat before he was able to cause any more trouble.

Dana asked if he was in Ravenclaw. "Yeah," he said with a smile. "I'm a third year." Suddenly he remembered how he recognized Dana. "Hey! Aren't you the seeker for our house?" he asked excitedly. He loved Quidditch and even hoped to be on the house team someday. Hoping he was correct, he was glad to possibly have something in common with the older girl, for he was a bit intimidated.

Just then, the waitress brought Dana a new glass of cider. When asked if he wanted anything, Kadan thought for a second and then ordered. "I'll just have a vanilla milkshake please," he said.

[dana]

Dana glanced up at the boy as he sat down and exclaimed rather loudly the fact that Dana was a seeker. Giving a half-smirk on it Dana answered: “Well, I was the seeker last time I checked. Maybe I should check again as you are asking it. I’m not even completely sure how I landed in the position… I didn’t even know how to fly when I started my fifth year nor was I in any way interested in the game before that. I’m Dana Coran.” Dana reached out her hand to the boy with a small smile, “You interested in quidditch?”

Dana looked up and smiled when a new drink for her as well as her ordered sandwich arrived. “Thanks, hey, could I get two slices of raspberry cheesecake too? And an ice-cream cup with triple chocolate, strawberry, cappuccino and lemon burst?” Smiling Dana turned to the boy and shrugged: “I’ve always had a healthy appetite.” Picking up her sandwich Dana bit into it calmly enjoying the taste. And the fact she was finally getting something to eat.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Extending her hand, Dana introduced herself. Kadan shook hands with her and replied,"I'm Kadan... Kadan Mong." Then, she asked about his interest in Quidditch.

"Are you kidding!" Kadan exclaimed. "Quidditch is the best! So don't you love being the Ravenclaw seeker?" he asked, confused. He couldn't imagine having the opportunity to be part of a Quidditch team, and not love every part of it. "I'd rather be a chaser, though," he explained. "My grandpa was a great chaser when he was young. He would have played for Ireland after he was out of school, but my grandma wouldn't have it. She told him that it was far too dangerous, and that if he really cared for her then he would forget about Quidditch." Kadan smirked at the thought of his grandmother and how she always thought everything was too dangerous. "I don't think I could have done it," Kadan added. "Giving up the chance to play professional Quidditch seems like it would require an awful lot," he joked. "But at least my grandpa taught me a few things behind grandma's back," he added with a smile. Inside, Kadan was hoping that Dana could maybe offer some advice for him to someday be on the Ravenclaw team. He wasn't sure if they needed any new players this year, but he had still considered trying out.

"Enough about me," he changed the subject. "Tell me a little about yourself."

[dana]

Dana listened to Kadan’s enthusiastic explanation about quidditch. She herself liked the sport, but Kadan seemed like a real enthusiast. “I like being a seeker, however I play for my own pleasure mostly. My classes are a priority and should quidditch EVER start disturbing my studies, then I’ll drop it,” Dana replied easily to the question how she liked being a seeker, “Not really overly fond of bludgers really. Whoever came upon the idea who adding bludgers to the game should be locked up. Flying cannon-balls chasing you around the sky. Not really my idea of fun, even though quidditch is surprisingly nice now that I’m playing it myself as well.”
Dana eyed Kadan calmly as she listened him talk about his grandfather and quidditch tricks he had learned: “Sounds like fun. Ever thought of trying out for the team as well? Or do you want to play professional after you’ve graduated from Hogwarts?”

Dana tilted her head as Kadan asked about herself. She hated that question. Dana never knew exactly how to respond or what the other person would actually want to hear: “And what exactly am I supposed to tell you? You know I’m a Ravenclaw. 6th year and prefect as well as Ravenclaws new seeker and team captain. Classes are my priority for now and I’m absolute helpless in Herbology. Potions isn’t my forte exactly either – even though I’m rather partial to Snape – so I’m continuing with that subject.”

[Jeremiah Baer]

Dana explained how she liked Quidditch, but prioritized it below her studies. He respected her decision, and although he loved Quidditch, he figured he probably would have felt the same way if he were in her position. He knew the importance of knowledge, and realized Quidditch was only a form of entertainment and activity. "That's good," he said. "It's probably best to maintain good marks in your classes instead of focusing all your attention on Quidditch." He smiled, feeling very mature to have said that.

When Dana complained about the bludgers, Kadan let out a small chuckle. She had a valid point, but without the bludgers he felt the game would lose most of its interest, as people thrive on watching others dodge dangerous situations. When Dana asked him if he had considered trying out, he responded immediately. "Of course! I'd love to try out." He knew that as captain Dana probably had some input as to who made the team, but he knew she would also be fair and not pick him just because they were talking about Quidditch now. But he figured that he had at least met her, and if he did make the team he would know somebody.

Dana seemed a bit perturbed at his last question. Kadan felt a little embarrassed. "Well," he said in response to her last remark. "I'm actually pretty decent at potions," he smiled. "I know that you are doing much more advanced work being that you are three years ahead of me," he added, "but I can offer you one bit of advice. Don't worry about what other potions around you look like, and always concentrate on your own work. By worrying that your potion is different than others, you may tend to get flustered and then do something wrong yourself." Kadan paused, unsure of if Dana even cared, or if she was willing to accept advice from somebody younger than her. Glad to have changed the subject, he looked up as his milkshake arrived. "Thanks," he said, glancing back at Dana to see how she would respond.

[dana]

Dana arched one eye-brow at Kadan’s over-enthusiastic reply about trying out. “Why haven’t you then? Teams accept students form 2nd year. Trying out never hurts,” Dana commented easily with a calm smile slightly curving the corners of her mouth.
Finishing off her sandwich Dana tilted her head listening to Kadan’s suggestion. Not to freak when potion wasn’t completely correct or like others had it. It was a good suggestion, so Dana just blinked at it thinking back to Potion classes.

“I’m usually too busy to pay attention to the potions of others around me. I usually ask for help from Snape or kick one of my friends or cousin under the table for help. They usually pull it through for me and they being Slyths Snape either hasn’t seen it or has turned a blind eye at it. Or most likely – just think they are mocking me for not getting the correct potion,” Dana recited her potion classes rather truthfully. She was under no circumstances afraid of Snape either. He was a good professor – he knew his subject completely which was enough to make Dana respect him. Certainly, he didn’t have the easiest nor nicest character around, but he had never really
picked on Dana either. At least no so far.
“Thanks for the suggestion however. Decent at potions? What about other subjects? You good in some special subjects? Transfiguration seems to be my specialty. Charms is alright most of the time when I get enough time to practice and I rater like Ancient Runes and Arithmancy even though they require a lot of work from me. Muggle studies is amusing from time to time. And DADA I’m rather good in as well,” Dana concluded her good sides. She absolutely sucked at Herbology, Divination, Potions wasn’t really good, Astronomy and COMC weren’t good either.

Tilting her head Dana picked up a spoon and started eating her ice-cream sundae while she waited for an answer.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Kadan listened as Dana gave a description of her potions class. He found her assumption about Snape to be reasonable. Snape usually didn't have it out for you as long as you weren't in Gryffindor or didn't do anything to put yourself on his radar. Kadan didn't mind him as a professor either. He always treated Kadan fine. Dana went on to explain her strong classes. When asked what his strengths were, he simply replied, "Basically I'm just good at potions." He in fact was very good at potions, but also was good in almost every other subject save Divination. He hated the class and the idea that your future could be predicted. Sometimes others had compared him to Hermione Granger along the lines of studies, but he didn't feel that he flaunted his intelligence as much as she did. "In the rest of my classes, I do fine, except one," he added, and then went on to explain how much he hated Divination.

He took another sip of his milkshake and watched as more people began to clear out of the cafe as the lunch rush began to die down.

[dana]

Dana arched an eye-brow when Kadan said he’s fine in all of his subjects besides Divination. You could do fine in your subjects. Even good in most of them and exceptionally well if you had natural talent for something. But to be good in everything – Dana never believed people when they said it. So far her experience had showed her that a person who was ‘good’ in everything knew only the basics of everything. While people who concentrated on a subject or two or three they liked – now those were the people Dana called good.
Dana herself usually managed with ‘E’s and ‘O’s. Sometimes barely passing some of her tests but in the end her grade for the year was either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Outstanding’. But Dana worked for her grades – she studied, did extra-credit assignments and actually paid attention in class. That was really why Ravenclaws did so well and were considered smart – they studied and they studied harder than most people in other houses. Except Granger maybe. But then again she seemed to study constantly.
This experience and belief had triggered the sarcastic rise of one eye-brow, because Dana sincerely doubted anyone could do ‘well’ in everything that easily. With studying, you could become tolerable. But never that extremely good.

Deciding to refrain from a biting comment Dana just changed the topic: “Why don’t you like Divination then? Just because you don’t have any talent in it or because you don’t like Trelawney? Or don’t you just believe in the art of future telling?”

[Jeremiah Baer]

Kadan noticed that Dana looked a little skeptical at the fact that he did well in all his subjects. He knew he worked hard though and he thought she being a Ravenclaw would understand that, but he simply ignored her skepticism. Who cares if she doesn't believe me, he thought. It's not like I told her I was a natural at everything. I simply said that I was fine in everything but Divination, and that's exactly how I do... just fine.

"Oh I have nothing against Trelawney," he answered, glad Dana had changed the subject. "I just don't believe in that phony fortune-telling business. I feel that we control our own destiny and that the future isn't decided until it happens." He stopped, took another drink from his milkshake and waited to see if Dana had anything to say about Divination.

[dana]

Dana listened to Kadan’s opinion about Trelawney attentively. Most people who didn’t like Divination – and there was a whole bunch of them at the school – didn’t like Trelawney either. Even though the professor was somewhat entertaining if you observed her from the side.
“Don’t believe in future-telling? What about Nostradamus? The Roman Sibylls? How did they manage to foretell what would be happening in the future, if it isn’t possible to see the future? And they were right more often than not,” Dana argued calmly as she leaned back in her seat. She didn’t really believe in future telling either. Well, she believed it was possible but it was a very rare gift that humans acquired and could understand even more rarely.

Hitting the play button on her wireless Dana glanced at the little instrument with a smile curving up her mouth-corner. It was a good song so Dana let it play for a moment, before reaching out her hand and stopping the music once again. She’d have time to listen to it later. Right now Dana wanted to see how certain Kadan’s beliefs were. Or how good he was at first – could she give satisfactory answers to Dana’s question? There was no one who could beat Slytherins in a light verbal spars, but it would be interesting to hear the thoughts and opinions about Divination of the younger boy.

[Jeremiah Baer]

((Umm, I was kind of confused about that last sentence. I don't exactly know what you meant by it, but I'm gonna post anyways.))

Kadan listened as Dana tested his beliefs. He thought she sounded as if she were out to get him, but he listened attentively and when she was done, he offered a long-winded explanation "Basically, here is my theory on Divination." he responded. "The art of fortune-telling is based mainly on logic. One can make a prediction, and that prediction is usually made from assessing a situation and deciding what is logical. When using logic, one can predict what is going to happen, more often than not," he explained, trying to get Dana to understand his view. "Now I know that there are few people who can predict totally random things, or people who can use more than logic to tell the future, but I strongly believe that no matter what, we all have the ability to control what happens in our lives. We all have choices, and those choices are what ultimately lead to our futures." He paused for a moment. "Maybe I was being extreme when I said I don't believe in fortune-telling," he added. "I know its possible, but I don't feel that it is accurate enough to use since we control our own destiny. And as far as teaching it to others, it is a matter of learning how to be logical, unless you have the true talent of Divination. And why attempt to learn how to tell others futures using logic, if they can control it anyways?"

Rather pleased with his defense to Dana's questioning, Kadan finished his milkshake and waited for her response. He didn't really feel like getting into an argument, but he figured Dana would want to offer a defense in return.

In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but assume Dana didn't like him much. After all, he did spill her drink and then he came off as somewhat of a arrogant little third year with a few of his last replies. He didn't care though if Dana liked him or not. He had nothing against her, and he somewhat enjoyed her little interrogation session.

[dana]

“Logic. Logic is never fool-proof,” Dana replied calmly as Dana picked up her glass and finished off her apple-cider, “Now let me give you an example. I look like a relatively sane person I hope. So considering your logic…” Dana raised her now empty glass of cider before whistling loudly to catch the attention of one of her friends before hurling the glass over the café. The friend who turned managed to jump forward and catch the glass. Shaking his head towards Dana he placed the glass safely onto the counter before leaving the café. Sending a smirk to his back Dana averted her eyes back to Kadan arching a calm eye-brow, “Who in their right mind could have figured that I will suddenly hurl my glass over the room?”

Dana leaned back in her chair while observing Kadan over her ice-cream: “And you didn’t answer. Nostradamus, sibyls – how did they tell future if it’s impossible? I’d like to pint out that I can influence my destiny. But only to one point. Let’s say I walk out and get hit by a truck tomorrow. I most certainly wouldn’t be planning my death myself this way – ergo, I’m not in control of what happens to me. How does that suit in your theory about logic?” Dana asked curiously.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Realizing that Dana was not going to back down, Kadan began to get frustrated. He let out a heavy sigh. "Look," he said in an annoyed tone, "For one thing, I don't know much about the subject since I have no desire to learn about it. Second, I know that there are those who can tell the future like Nostradamus and the Roman Sibyls, but those are rare cases, and I find it foolish to try and teach every student Divination if they don't possess the gift. And Finally, I simply don't like the idea of not having control of my destiny. Whether or not I have control, I don't know, but I like the idea of it, and I don't want any future reading to have an influence on how I live my life."

Kadan felt a little better after his small rant. He hoped Dana wouldn't take any offense to their small argument, but he didn't count on it. Although both seemed civil enough, he could tell there was a slight tension between them. He looked at Dana, waiting for her next defense, but deep down, he hoped she would just let it go.

[dana]

Kadan seemed a little flutrated that Dana didn’t agree with her. Sure, Dana believed that you could influence your destiny with your choices to one point. But luck and circumstances played a role too. A small chuckles escaped Daa’s lips before turning into full-fledged laughter as Dana threw her head back.
„Divination is an optional subject,“ Dana pointed out after her laughter had calmed down, „However to one point I agree. Seeing the future is a rare thing. A blessing as well as a curse I suppose. However you can just be in the wrong place in the wrong times. Accidents you hvae no control over do happen. Other people’s decisions influence your life as well.“

Dana took a bite of her ice-cream with a small smile still twirling at the corners of her lips: „Divination is a debatable topic I suppose. I believe in Lady Luck as well as the genes I got along when I was born and to my own abilities and decision. I guess I’m not 100% convinced about what makes out Divination, religion – I don’t say god doesn’t exist, but I’m not saying he doesn’t either. The only thnk I would say is the fact that there is only one god and all religions just name god differently. Note that I’m not putting a gender to god.“ Dana pondered over the matter for a brief moment, before banishing the thought to the back of her mind: „That’s getting off topic actually. Anyway – what brought you to Hogsmeade on today? Shopping?“ Dana nodded towards Kadan’s bags at her next question.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Kadan listened as Dana added a few more thoughts about Divination. He was glad when she had finished without leading into yet another point to be argued. Instead, she asked why he was visiting Hogsmeade. It was obvious she had seen his bags, so he went on to explain, "Oh, just picking up some last minute things for school." He assumed he wasn't the only one getting ready for the approaching year at Hogwarts, and with Diagon Alley in shambles, he figured most of the buzz would be in Hogsmeade.

"You ready to go back to school," he asked. Kadan knew he was more than ready. Since there had been recent activities associated with The Dark Lord and his followers, he wanted to be back in the magical world instead of being cooped up in the muggle world with his father in London.

[dana]

Shopping. Well the bags pretty much showed it. Shopping for school was a logical idea too. A lot of people did that already. There wasn’t too long until school started again. And everyone – well, mostly everyone ad Dana and Kris had gotten their books and stuff from France – did their shopping in Hogsmeade. Dana touched the barely visible thin white line between her thumb and index finger on her right hand. She had been at Diagon during the attack. Tilting her head Dana looked up Kadan’s question reaching her now: “Yes, I’m ready to go back to school. Not that I’m overly expecting it – I despise tests like every other sane person – but I have the things I need for it. Got the books from my grand-parents store, had most other things. Managed to get my potions supplies from Knockturn before the attack too. As much as I don’t like the Alley otherwise and refuse to go there alone – it is the best place for potions supplies. The apothecaries in Diagon and Hogsmeade don’t come even close.”

„You’ll be starting your... 4th year, right? No OWLs in the end of this year? Or do I recall wrongly?“ Dana asked with a thoughtful frown. OWLs had been a pain. She had passed them all with ’O’s and ’E’s luckily, but she had had to study for months for these grades. Nope, Dana was most certainly happy the OWLs were behind her. Then again NEWTs seemed to be even more horrofying once in came to them when she would enter her 7th year.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Dana informed Kadan of where she bought most of her school supplies. At the mention of Knockturn Alley, Kadan thought silently, his grandmother would have flipped had he even thought of going there to shop. Regardless, he found all he needed, even if his purchases weren't the best quality or the best deals.

When Dana mentioned O.W.L.'s Kadan breathed a sigh of relief. "No," he corrected her, "I'm only a third year. No O.W.L.'s for me yet." Kadan was glad he had some more time before his O.W.L.'s. He knew he would be spending much time studying for them because he couldn't stand failure and he aspired to be the best.