The French Match-Maker ((Wynd))

[juliet]

Juliet clutched a couple of bags in her hand as she arrived in Diagon Alley. She had been shopping most of the day in muggle fashion designer stores, but she had switched to Diagon Alley after her own clothes shopping was complete. She had bought enough clothes for herself. Now she could concentrate on buying her dad a gift. But that was it, right? Well did she really have anyone else to guy for? Well Juliet did have one person she could buy for but she couldn’t. Nope her mind wouldn’t let her. Juliet was a complicated person even though few people believed this. They usually only looked at her appearance. No one would believe how complicated and smart she was by her clothes especially by what she was now wearing. She couldn’t help it, she loved small clothes. For the moment, Juliet favorite color was plum so she wore a short plum colored dress with a black sash. She wore her new stiletto heals and her new white faux-fur coat. She hated wearing real fur. It was itchy and cruel. Juliet had the heating charms placed on her dress as usual. That way she looked beautiful and she was still warm. Juliet gave a small smile. She liked knowing how good she looked. IT was a nice feeling.

“Danka!” ‘Pop’ A house-elf appeared right before Juliet’s eyes. “Take these home and hang them up in my closet.” She ordered. Danka nodded. “Yes Miss Juliet.” Juliet nodded and with another ‘pop’, Danka was gone. Juliet wasn’t mean to the elf. After all, Danka had been around since before Juliet was born. Really, Juliet was much nicer to Danka when they weren’t in public places, but she never hurt the elf. Of course she wouldn’t hurt someone who practically raised the young Juliet. Juliet quite liked Danka, but she couldn’t tell anyone that of course. Juliet ignored the few glances she got from other people. One boy looked a little too long. She rolled her eyes. “What? You’ve never seen a house-elf before? Your mum must be proud.” She sneered and the walked off leaving the boy to follow her with his eyes.

“Yes. Deliver that to the Moreau Mansion. And be on time with that.” Juliet told the lady after she made her order. New dress robes for her father would work quite nicely. His job often required them so Juliet usually picked him out a good pair, but these were the best yet. They were midnight blue pure silk with gold Persian looking lining that was divine and for an added touch, Juliet insisted that they place M’s in the lining itself. Yes this would be a rather good present. Her father liked anything that Juliet gave him, but Juliet knew that he would smile a rather large grin while looking at these. Juliet smiled at the thought. She paid the cashier and then left the store. Every Christmas, Juliet’s father gave her a new book along with a beautiful outfit he had a store lady pick out. Last year, it was a white lace Chanel dress that was adorable. True, he never bought her something that was truly Juliet, but she always liked his selections. Josef denied that his daughter dressed rather appropriately. Actually he denied all of her bad behaviors, but he always did that. And Juliet denied that her father knew anything. That was just the way they were. That’s the way that they would always be.

After a bit of shopping, Juliet entered a rather nice restaurant in Diagon Alley. It wasn’t visit by boisterous kids or muggle-borns. Well, at least they knew not to venture in there. It was a rather nice restaurant that refused to call itself a café. Le Café, as it was named, was owned by a French man named Pierre Leax who knew Juliet’s father. Besides, Juliet adored French Food. The only flaw at the restaurant was that students were forced to sit at three table which usually meant that Juliet was eating with a guest. Of course, the waiter named Jean would only sit Juliet with respected students and Juliet was always grateful for this. She didn’t understand why Le Café had this policy. Jean said it was for mingling purposes and that parents had suggested it. So what, now parents were using eating out to find a suitable husband or wife for their child? Jeez. Crazy was what it was. Whatever. Juliet was hungry. “Bonjour Jean.” Juliet smiled to the waiter. Juliet did speak French, but she would only do so at this restaurant or with her family. Jeans smiled. “Oh Miss Juliet. Hello again. You look beautiful as always. Follow me.” He babbled in French. She offered a smile as she followed Jean to the tables in the back. Juliet smiled as she realized that no one was sitting at any of the tables. Well that would only last so long. Juliet knew that the next person to enter would be stuck with her. Jean loved to try and pair Juliet up. It was annoying actually, but he was a charmer after all. “For Miss Juliet, let me guess. Water with a hint of lime.” He smiled. Juliet nodded. “But of course.” He nodded and then disappeared. Juliet eyed the dark yet beautiful room. She loved the French décor. Moments later, Jean brought back not only her drink, but a boy as well. Typical Jean. Why did he have to be such a match-maker. Juliet didn't want anyone. Well that wasn't true. There was only one boy she wanted and this wasn't him. Juliet looked to the boy for a moment trying to remember the face. She didn’t say a word and waited for him to speak. Hmm, this would be interesting.

[Wynd Lehane]

Wynd would have much rather spent the day at home but he had put it off until the last minute. He could not wait any longer. He had to get a present for Ruby. Being twins, Ruby and Wynd had been born of the same day. They happened to share that day with the rest of the world. They were born on December twenty-fifth. Also known as Christmas. When he told other people that he was born on Christmas their face usually lit up and exclaimed that it must be wonderful to be born on a holiday. The truth was far from it. The truth was that it was awful being born on a holiday. When they were younger, their father would often combine the twins' birthday with Christmas and say that the gifts they received were for both. What a rip off. While most children got gifts on their birthday and Christmas, Ruby and Wynd only received gifts once.

To counter this action, Wynd and Ruby had decided that they would get presents for each other for their birthday. It was not a birthday/Christmas gift, it was a plain birthday gift. Forget about Christmas. Their father could worry about Christmas presents. The twins wanted to celebrate their birthday. And that's what they did. Wynd was in search of a birthday present not a Christmas gift. He dressed appropriately for the weather as it was the middle of December and sure to be chilly in Diagon Alley. Wynd made his way to the family fireplace. The Lehane family had been in the same place for generations and acquired several possessions. One was the castle that they lived in. Approaching the fireplace, Wynd grabbed a pinch of powder out of the small leather bag located next to the hearth. He threw the Floo Powder into the blazing fire and it crackled and turned green. "Diagon Alley," he stated. One had to be perfectly clear or who knows where you would end up.

After what seemed like hours of searching for the perfect gift, Wynd had to take a break for a meal. His stomach was growling and his head was swimming from all the books and cauldrons and broom accessories. Wynd made his way to a well known French restaurant. Well known to the right people. This particular restaurant only served the right people. The people who were not mudbloods. Pierre Leax knew how to run a restaurant and keep his regular customers happy. Wynd was in the mood for something different as he did not often visit a French restaurant. He was not one to differ from his usual eating habits but today something was telling him to go and get some French cuisine. The only problem with this particular restaurant was that students were made to sit together. Therefore, Wynd was often placed with someone he was not acquainted with or someone he did not know well. Today was no different. Leax took him to a table already occupied by a girl in a tight plum colored dress. Wynd had to make himself make eye contact with her face. He recognised her as an older student at Hogwarts but could not summon her name. "Hello, my name is Wynd. May I sit with you? I don't think I have much of a choice," he said taking a seat across from her.