Kitty!

[Archimedes Atherton]

@Amelia Evans

Now that his house was more or less finished--he really was glad that he'd bought out his neighbors, the space he now had on his property was phenomenal and there was plenty of space for a paddock for Bucephalus and Sleipnir to stretch their legs. The gardens wouldn't be worked on until the following spring and summer. Artemis and Apollo had settled in nicely even if they didn't seem particularly amused by the fact that finishing touches were still being seen to in the interior of the new corner home. Things such as flooring, wallpaper, decorative molding, carved panels and fireplaces. He was glad to get out of the Three Broomsticks. As lovely as the establishment had been made, he was ready to enjoy the comforts of his new home. Even if it was a bit unfinished.

But now, already having gone for a morning ride with Bucephalus and still rather restless. Oh! He would just have to go and visit the Beautiful Beast Boutique! He could see Miss Evans--ha ha! He remembered her name...wait, he did, didn’t he?--and to make matters even better, he could play with the puppies! He’d been entertaining the idea of getting a puppy now that the wall was up around the property and he had a rather expansive backyard. But none of the pups he’d seen so far had the proper qualities.

Mind made up it was only a matter of time before he reached the shop in mind and marched in through the door, plucking the hat off of his head and revealing a slightly mussed head of hair. Truly he was the neverending nightmare of his valet. Spotting Miss Amelia Evans at the counter, his lips parted in a slightly crooked grin and he made a half-hearted attempt to at least pretend to be looking at the wares of the boutique. Then he spotted the kitten she was playing with and all pretense was gone.

“Kitten!” Approaching the counter, he stooped down slightly to get a better look at the rolly-polly thing. It was a calico, all black and orange splotches with white throughout. And when it swung its head around, startled, he nearly squealed. Yes, the Earl of Swanbridge nearly squealed. She had mismatched eyes! The little kitten swatted at his nose and went back to playing with the bit of string and blinking, Archimedes straightened and gave Miss Evan’s a warm smile. “Miss Evans; so good to see you again! Who is your little friend here?”

  

[Amelia Evans]

Tending to the shop (though she was hardly a manager) was busy work, which Amelia didn't mind much. She liked keeping busy, even if she knew she'd have to stop working when she got married (if that ever were to happen). She was ashamed to say she hadn't played with her favorite kitten in the shop for a long time, though thank Merlin no one had taken a liking to it. Amelia may or may not have steered customers clear of that corner as she was showing the cats. The kitten deserved a home, but the witch couldn't help but be selfish and want a few more days with the already growing kitten.

Today was one of those days that the small kitten demanded attention, and Amelia was more than happy to give it to her. "I'm sorry I haven't given you much attention as of late," she murmured, bouncing a small ball string in front of the kitten. "We haven't got a name for you, have we –" her train of thought was interrupted as the bell to the entrance of the shop run and she spun around. She couldn't help the shock register on her face as the Earl walked in! Curtseying deeply, she welcomed him to the shop. Though an Earl, he seemed quite casual for a man in his position as he promptly made a beeline for the small cage she was attending. "Good to see you again too sir," she said, a little perplexed. She opened her mouth to reply, then realized yet again, that the kitten had no name. "Um – I am not quite sure, sir. She doesn't have a name yet. I usually save the naming for the purchasing customers."

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[Archimedes Atherton]

“Then she is for sale?” His eyes lit up at the prospect of another cat with such beautiful eyes. Surely Artemis and Apollo wouldn’t mind. His housekeeper, on the other hand, was an entirely different story but she’d get over it eventually. His valet would bemoan having to pluck more hairs from his jackets but he was getting really good at that charm that repelled cat hair. There had only been that one time that he’d messed it up and Archimedes had ended up looking like a black and white hairy beast when all the hair in the room had flocked to his jacket as though magnetized! “Can you take her out? I’d like to see her more closely.”

He hadn’t missed the curtsey, of course and had responded in kind with a brief bow. It wasn’t that he was just completely informal but more that Hogsmeade allowed him to relax. He didn’t have to worry about having to explain his wand if he dropped it, or any instinctual wandless magic he might perform. He could be himself entirely; eccentricities and all. If that meant that he was slightly less formal and stodgy than might be expected...well he wasn’t all that sorry to disappoint. Besides, Miss Amelia Evans made the most delightful faces when he did something she wasn’t expecting. “I have two cats. Apollo and Artemis. They both have the eyes. Apollo is white and Artemis is black. That reminds me, how is Penny? Have you taught her any new tricks?”

  

[Amelia Evans]

Amelia couldn't help the fleeting look of sadness that crossed her face when Lord Swanbridge asked if the kitten was for sale. She had Penny, it was true, but the kitten had been another of her companions during her employment. Thus far she'd kept everyone away from that corner deliberately....the delighted look on the Earl's face had to make her smile though, and she complied. If the cat was to be bought today, Amelia was quite sure that it would at least go to a loving home.

Merlin, the man had two cats and a horse? Well, he was upper class – that probably explained how he was able to afford such luxuries. "Certainly, Lord Swanbridge," she said formally, and immediately the kitten leapt into her arms after the gate was opened. Amelia caught the cat, laughing at it's adorable expression and turned it around to face the earl. "Penny is quite well, sir – wait, where is she? She's usually quite diligent about greeting guests. Penny!"

At her mistress's call, the dog, who was currently upstairs eyeing keeping watch on the colorful birds and swishing her tail, came padding down, and gave a delighted bark as she recognized the man. Yay, he'd play with her. She sat at his feet, tongue out and smiling as much as a dog could, waiting for him to scratch behind her ears.

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[Archimedes Atherton]

Now Archie might have been oblivious to a lot of things, but that flash of sadness before Miss Evans turned to fetch the kitten from the cage was something he didn’t miss. It confused and perplexed him as he didn’t really understand what there was to be sad about. But something was definitely off. That look combined with her sudden formality...well maybe it wasn’t so sudden. She did seem to be rather formal despite his not so subtle attempts to keep things on the casual side of polite. But his mind strayed as he watched the kitten leap into her arms. Miss Evans laughed! He liked when she laughed.

When Penny came scampering down the stairs and spotted him, he patted his thigh, even as the border collie hurried over to him and then without hesitation, dropped to his knees in front of the dog. Reaching out he gave her a thorough scratch behind the ears, babbling nonsense to her in an excited tone; something about pretty puppy and clever puppy and whatever else happened to pour out of his mouth. Looking up at Amelia where she held the kitten, Archie gave her his best lopsided smile as he stroked Penny’s head. “You know, you really don’t have to be so terribly formal with me, Miss Evans.” He paused “Well no, I suppose you wouldn’t know because I didn’t tell you. But if you wish you may call me Atherton, or even Archie if you are comfortable doing so. Just please, I beg of you not to call me Archimedes. My mother still uses that when she’s irritated with me.”

  

[Amelia Evans]

Stroking the kitten's fur while it purred in her hands, Amelia giggled slightly – the purrs were vibrating on her hand, it was a most interesting feeling. She held the kitten out to Lord Swanbridge – no, Mr. Atherton – and smiled. He was so nice, and he really got along well with Penny.

The witch smiled fondly at Penny, though she flushed when she realized her eyes were slowly drifting over to Mr. Atherton. The exasperated look on his face when he told her about his mother made Amelia smile again. "Oh dear..." she replied, "Such a pity – I find Archimedes to be quite a splendid name! But if you wish, I shall comply...Mr. Atherton," she liked the sound of his name on her lips. "Are you not fond of formalities, sir – I mean, Mr. Atherton?"

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[Archimedes Atherton]

Standing, Archie gladly took the kitten and immediately tucked her into his arms, scratching her under the chin and behind the ear and rubbing along her back. She was a cute, round little thing. He made little clucking and kissing noises with his tongue and lips to get the kitten’s attention and after a minute or two, looked up to grin at Miss Evans.

She thought that his name was splendid? His head tilted slightly to the side and his crooked grin settled into a more thought though still lopsided smile. It didn’t sound nearly so severe when Miss Evans said it. Not even remotely...and her smile. “There is a time and a place for formalities. Besides, Miss Evans, I think that Mr. Atherton sounds far less ridiculous than Lord Swanbridge. It makes me sound a bit like I should be decorating a garden somewhere.”

Though speaking of gardens, he had to ask around about a decent gardener. “Have you ever had a cat, Miss Evans?” Archie asked as he dangled his pocket watch above the kitten, chuckling as she batted at it obligingly.

  

[Amelia Evans]

The kitten seemed to be getting along quite nicely with Mr Atherton. Amelia found that she was equal parts relieved and saddened. Surely he would adopt the kitten now, and then Amelia would have to find another animal to dote on in the shop – although Amelia doted on Penny, she found that Penny was more there for her, than the other way around. Penny looked after Amelia, whereas Amelia found that she needed to look after something.

"I suppose you are right," she agreed, turning her attention back to Mr Atherton. "Though to me, Swanbridge makes me think of a grassy field with flowers and a lovely little lake with an iron bridge over it....perhaps a few swans swimming in it." As soon as the words left her mouth though, Amelia blinked her multicolored eyes and flushed even pinker. "That must sound ridiculous...." she said, turning to shut the cage door.

"I have not had a cat," she replied, turning back. "Penny seems to get along with them quite well, and I find them quite amusing at times. I've had many a cat try to crawl in an empty storage box, as strange as that sounds." Indeed, there was a moment in the past when Amelia was done with her chores and had placed all the boxes on the shelves. As she was leaving to close the door, she had heard several faint meows coming from one particular box, and she had had to levitate them down safely.

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[Archimedes Atherton]

A field of flowers with a lake and iron bridge. It was a lovely image and a gentle smile tilted Archie’s lips as he looked at Miss Evans. A very lovely image, indeed. He’d have to remember that! Shifting the kitten unceremoniously to his shoulder, the young Earl pulled a scrap of paper from his left pocket and moved to the counter. With a combination of little sketches and a few words, he conveyed the idea and then promptly shoved it in his right pocket before Miss Evans could get a good look at it. “Not ridiculous at all. I think it’s quite a striking image. I imagine it would be quite appropriate for Swangate. Perhaps I should just hire you to design my new garden.”

He grinned and winked his blue eye at Miss Evans before plucking the kitten from his shoulder. Setting her down on the counter so she could explore a little bit. “Cats, are indeed, quite curious. Artemis likes to curl up in decorative urns and scares the poor maid when she’s dusting. And Apollo with consistently try and wedge himself in hat boxes that are far too small for his girth.” He grinned as he pictured the last time the cat had attempted that and had ended up flattening the box. “They are both avid seat stealers as well.” Chuckling, he watched Miss Evans discretely as the kitten played. “Would it be too terribly forward of me to ask you a personal question? Nothing inappropriate, I assure you.”

  

[Amelia Evans]

With her eyes focused on the kitty, Amelia didn't notice the Earl take out a piece of paper and jot down a few notes – the kitten was too amusing. At his comment, she chuckled. "Trust me, Mr Atherton, I do not think you'd want me as your decorator. I'd end up tripping over my own two feet."

The kitten rejoiced after having been set down on the counter, and began batting at Amelia's hands in hopes of getting her to play with her. The young witch knew better than to wiggle her fingers in front of a cat though, and settled for dangling the piece of string. Tapping her wand against the small jar that contained quills, Amelia charmed one to hop across the counter, and stop just until the last moment for the kitten to pounce before hopping off again. "I guess our maid is lucky Penny is too big for such activities – were she smaller, she would not hesitate to take advantage of such opportunities." Amelia laughed a little at the thought, though she stiffened a bit at the Earl's request. He did assure her it wasn't inappropriate, so she looked up into his eyes and nodded.

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[Archimedes Atherton]

“That would make two of us, Miss Evans. If I had it my way, there would be books and relics and decoratives intrigues scattered aimlessly about. I have been informed under no uncertain terms am I allowed to do much more than give vague preferences and even then only to such rooms that are frequented only by myself.” Giving a rather sheepish grin at admitting his complete inability to decorate his own home to current fashion or to any form of fashion at all, he watched the kitten interact with Miss Evans. Clearly the two had a connection and an impulse arose within him that he had to control. It would not be seemly to do such thing.

“Yes, lucky indeed. Though I am not sure I could abide such small, silly dogs. They get underfoot far too easily.” Though when she nodded, he smiled. Clearly she was slightly wary but she needn’t feel. “I wish to ask which house claimed you at Hogwarts. Whichever it was, I am sure you were quite a boon.”

  

[Amelia Evans]

Amelia had to loosen and laugh at the gall of his staff. They seemed almost as second parents to the Earl's peculiar personality. And she had to agree about the small dogs. "I do not care for such small dogs, so small that could fit in the palm of a man's hand." she stated frankly, putting her wand away in her apron. "I find they're quite noisy and extremely hard to teach to not bark."

She had to smile at his inquiry. Quite innocent indeed, and it made Amelia smile to think of her days at Hogwarts - one of the happiest times of her life, if she was being honest. Working in the Boutique was lovely to indulge her love of animals, but Hogwarts was the place where she felt she belonged somewhere. "I was in Gryffindor, Mr Atherton," she replied, her smile playing at her lips, a blush at her cheeks from his compliment. "Which house did you inhabit?"

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[Archimedes Atherton]

He did like her laugh. It was bright and earnest. It made him smile and his eyes brighten. He was glad to hear her say that she had no preference towards the smaller breeds. They did tend towards yapping and even piddling on carpets. They were dear little things but would never reside in his home. No, he much preferred far more clever dogs such as Penny or the fine, long-legged sighthounds.

Glad for her smiles every bit a much a her laughter, Archie shifted slightly, into a proper stance for a gentleman, trained into him as a boy. Though when she confessed to being a fellow Gryffindor, he made a delighted outburst. “Aha! I too was claimed by the house of the lion! Yes, I can quite see you in the house of Gryffindor; very well suited.”

  

[Amelia Evans]

"You can?" Amelia always wondered what the sorting hat saw in her to put her in the house that was valued for it's bravery. "I always wondered why I was placed in Gryffindor," she said, echoing her thoughts. "Though, I suppose my setting fire to some poor chap's robes in my years might have something to do with it...." Amelia bit her lip, hoping that didn't startle the Earl too much. "I assure you, that was one time only, and I have been quite tame since!" She laughed nervously.

Brushing a strand of hair that had fallen from her bun, Amelia furrowed her brows. "You were?" she asked. "I mean to say – and forgive me for my frankness, sir, but you don't seem too much older than me – what year were you? For I feel as if I should remember you if we were at Hogwarts."

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[Archimedes Atherton]

“Truly!” He laughed, trying to imagine Miss Evans as a young witch and causing such a ruckus. He probably should be startled and perhaps even a bit taken aback but he was far more inclined to be amused. Especially when she bit her lip as though perhaps she hadn’t even meant to tell him such a tale. He waved a hand as she tried to assure him it had only been the once. “Tame is all well and good but hopefully you have not given up all of your wildness. I myself find that if I am restrained for too long, I get a bit stir crazy and tend to do rather ridiculous things. Such as climbing trees in the park and purchases kittens on a whim.”

Tilting his head slightly. Frankness. He rather liked frankness; it didn’t leave a body wondering about a person’s true thoughts. Blinking at talk of age and years, he regarded her. He hadn’t really thought of her age, only that she was very likely at least twenty. “Well I am not yet eight and twenty and as for Hogwarts, I believe it was seventy-six that I graduated. Zeus! That’s nearly a decade past!” He hadn’t realized that it had been so long. Though now that he thought about it, if she was much older than twenty then they had probably attended Hogwarts at the same time, and been in the very same house! He opened his mouth to ask what year she had graduated only to close it again; even he--in his exuberance--knew better than to ask a question like that of a young woman.

  

[Amelia Evans]

Wildness? Her? Amelia blushed at the thought. She had quite a temper back then, and though it had simmered down, there were still moments when she had to transform into her Animagus and fly off to prevent things from catching fire. That was what she did on a whim – quite different to the Lord's purchasing kittens at random. She glanced down at the small one on the counter, sad that he might be purchasing it today. Though if it had to be done, at least Amelia knew it would be in the right hands.

Calculating the years in her head, Amelia nodded as she confirmed her previous thought. "Indeed, we most likely attended Hogwarts in the same year." she gave him a soft smile. "I mostly kept to myself, and only had a few friends, so I will not be offended if you don't remember me. I believe I was in my third year when I had my little incident. Which would make you either in your sixth or final year."

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