One Song

[Catherine Weasley]

There had not been very many options on where to go when a majority the shops had been closed as they assessed their fire damage. Some had finally started to open up though and that included the Beautiful Beast Boutique. Catherine had decided that she might like some sort of pet and her father had decided to allow her one. Setting off with her trusty chaperone, Catherine made her way to the shop in question.

The animals could be heard from outside and it brought a smile to her face. It seemed that they had survived though Catherine didn't allow herself to dwell on thoughts that some may not have. There were several possibilities, both magical and non-magical and the young blonde couldn't help but feel somewhat overwhelmed. "I do not know which pet I would like. They're all so delightful," she declared aloud to her older female companion as she reached for an information leaflet that was near a collection of puppies.

  

[James Ellesborough]

With the fire out and repairs well under way, James had decided it was probably time to venture into the high street and pick up all the supplies they were in need of that they hadn’t managed to procure from the slightly shady street vendors. He already had several paper bags under one arm when he made a detour into the Beautiful Beast Boutique to pick up some dog treats for Hugh and Harriet, and maybe look at kittens for Isotta- even if it did seem that it’d be longer than he’d anticipated till she’d actually be going to Hogwarts.

He’d been feeling rather out of his depth as he surveyed the mewling bundles when he caught sight of a very beautiful young lady. Feeling his breath catch a little, his initial response was to duck under a table and cover his eyes and wait for her to go away, but he quickly realised that she obviously wasn’t an actual veela. Well, he wasn’t being seduced by her yet, so that was a good sign.

James decided to test it anyway. “Excuse me, Miss, but if you want my opinion, a dog is always a good way to go- I cannot recommend the jeweled turtles, however.” He offered with a winning smile, tilting his head to a cage where said turtle was snapping quite viciously at the bars.

  

[Catherine Weasley]

Catherine was slightly surprised to hear a reply to her statement coming from someone other than her chaperone. Turning her attention to the man who had spoken, Catherine did a mild double take as she recognized the speaker. It was Mr. Ellesborough, the opera singer that she greatly admired. This was even better than when she had gotten to meet Mr. Darrow! She had to take a brief moment to fan herself, grateful to have the object on hand. It was one thing to watch the man on stage performing and quite another to have him speaking to her.

"Your opinion is most welcome, Mr. Ellesborough," she stated, moving slightly away from the cage with the vicious turtle, cheeks flushing a delicate pink as she realized she had spoken slightly out of turn. "My apologies for being overly familiar but I have often attended your performances." She informed him, hoping that she had not offended him. "This is Miss Catherine Dalton," her chaperone piped up, supposing she best get the proper formal introduction in while she could. It was entirely too difficult to be the chaperone of a part veela.

"Is there any sort of dog that you would personally recommend?" Catherine inquired, hoping to lengthen the time that she would get to speak with the opera singer. A base level of her knew that she easily could make him wish to speak to her all day but she hoped she would not have to resort to such tactics.

  

[James Ellesborough]

James gave a small bow as the chaperone introduced the lovely young lady, though he only knew the introduction had been made through his hearing- he couldn’t spare the chaperone more than a single glance.. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dalton.” He replied with a genuine smile, gratified (but embarrassed, if the slight red tinge to his ears was anything to go by) that she had recognised him by merit of his work. “And it is also a pleasure to have my conviction that society here is largely comprised of philistines overturned- so few people seem to appreciate the art of opera.” Sure, Hogsmeade had a theatre, but it hardly had the opulence, grandeur or refinement of the Royal Opera House.

“My recommendation? I have an English Bulldog myself, but between you and I, he’s rather slow. My sister, however, has a Pomerian, I believe, who she’s rather fond of.” James offered.

  

[Catherine Weasley]

Catherine had long ago gotten used to the way that she trapped a mans gaze but she had never thought on it much before. Mostly because it had not interested her overly much. Now though, she definitely wanted to keep this mans gaze on her. He was not overly handsome but his voice more than made up for that, in her opinion. Catherine pushed aside the thought that this was the first time that she had actually had any genuine interest in continuing acquaintance with a man that was not her family.

Philistines overturned? Catherine had no idea what the words meant but she was sure it was something great. It had to be, if he was saying so. "My family are great patrons of the arts. We attend performances whenever possible. I do hope there is another soon, when all the mess has settled," she stated conversationally.

"A Pomerian? Is the breed overly large?" She asked, looking at him as if he held all the answers in the world for her, only slightly aware that she was acting on some sort of instinct brought on by the whole other side of her that she had not paid much attention to until now. Indeed, she was finding Mr. Ellesborough as agreeable off the stage as she did on it.

  

[James Ellesborough]

“As do I.” He agreed with a bright smile. “I must confess, explaining my absence to my employer has been getting a little tricky- as far as they know, I am currently suffering from tonsillitis, though I pray the ministry will lift the quarantine soon.” James didn’t even qualify to leave via the hospital, otherwise he would have been out of there before Julia, Oswin or Isotta could blink.

There again, he would never have met the simply charming Miss Dalton if he had.

James shook his head a little. “They’re only a little larger than a housecat, though they are rather fluffy. My sister is forever complaining about the grooming it so often and it shedding on her gowns.” He smiled.

  

[Catherine Weasley]

Catherine could not truthfully say that she was sorry that he was stuck within the quarantine. Who knew if she would have had the chance to meet him otherwise. This day was turning out to be quite amiable.

"Perhaps you could do some private performances. Not everyone lost everything in the fire. I'm sure that some people would appreciate the entertainment," she suggested, wondering if such a thing was even possible. "Alternatively, you could host some sort of performance dinner within your home," she mused, wondering what sort of place Mr. Ellesborough resided in. The chaperone by now was practically non-existent despite the fact that she was still standing right there, quietly taking stock of the situation.

Pomeranians sounded to be quite a decent size to Catherine. "Anything worth having requires a bit of hard work," she couldn't help but state lightly. "Perhaps, if I ever have the luck to meet the lady, she could give me advice on caring for the little darling." It was certainly plausible, especially with everyone stuck within the quarantine, that she might eventually meet his sister. Or he could simply introduce her to his sister himself ... now that would be much more preferable to her now that she had decided that she was interested enough to wish for Mr. Ellesborough to further their acquaintance.

  

[James Ellesborough]

That was an idea, even if it did seem wrong to be making merry when so many were in mourning. “It is indeed a shame the theatre has closed and the ballroom has been lost, for there are no other suitable venues- the park might have done, but it seems hardly right to do it when there are so many homeless families there.” James said ruefully, running his hand through his hair. “Though I suppose with this horrible plague it is best not to organise any large gatherings- I’d hate for anyone to get ill on my account.” Especially Miss Dalton- he’d never be able to forgive himself if he caused this goddess to suffer, no way.

“I suppose that is true.” James found himself agreeing- generally he didn’t like to extend more effort than necessary, but the opera wouldn’t be nearly so appealing if they all performed in their every day clothes, would it? The effort in the costumes made the whole thing much grander and far more worthwhile. “I’m sure she’d only be too happy to extend her advice as well.” He smiled. That certainly was true- Julia loved nothing if not giving her opinion on matters, asked for or not. “I am certain you shall meet her at some point, for she loves throwing parties, and I shall be certain to introduce you.” How could he not, especially when she seemed so keen as well?

  

[Catherine Weasley]

Catherine nodded lightly in agreement to Mr. Ellesboroughs rueful statement. She had not fully thought her idea through, having simply spoken their thoughts when they had sprung to mind. Oh, she hoped that he did not think that she thought little of the tragic situation that had Hogsmeade in its tight grip. She would hate to have Mr. Ellesborough think of her as some heartless harpy.

"Oh, you are quite right of course though a majority of them have used the quarantine loophole to leave for their estates outside of Hogsmeade. I do hope this whole mess will be over soon. So much loss has occurred in the past months. When I made my debut at the last coming out ball, I never would have dreamed that such tragedy would occur in later months," she mused with a sad look in her eyes as she thought back on the carefree merriment that particular evening had been.

The sad look diminished as she flashed a bright smile at the idea of being invited to a party thrown by Mr. Ellesboroughs sister. "Oh, I do look forward to it and hope I would not be forgotten after we part ways today," she replied, hoping that their next interaction would not be too far off. Even a letter would satisfy her.

  

[James Ellesborough]

James found himself agreeing again. “Indeed, I confess I was rather looking forward to the season, however all these events seem to have put a bit of a damper on things. I suppose that by next summer most people will be out of mourning, but it is still a great shame to have lost this year’s season.” He’d actually spent the handful of weeks at the start of the season that had been plague free hiding from his sister so she couldn’t take him to parties, but if he had known that the charming Miss Dalton would have been in attendance then he wouldn’t have had an objection on earth- what man could?

“Oh, certainly not!” How could he forget such a lovely young lady? No, that wouldn’t do. “Perhaps-” he began, blushing a little. “Perhaps, if I may be so bold, might I have permission to write to you some time?” James asked a little nervously.

  

[Catherine Weasley]

"I agree though I do feel more for the mourners than I do myself and my fellow debutantes. I was just lucky enough that my household managed to avoid any sickness." Mostly because precautions had been taken and she had been cooped up until only very recently but she did not see a need to divulge that information.

Catherines trusty fan hid the smile that was brought on by simple womanly triumph. She had managed to charm the man enough for him to wish to write her. Finally remembering the chaperone that had practically been forgotten by her, she was relieved to merely get a nod of approval. It wasn't often that she felt gratitude towards her father for anything but the fact that he trusted her chaperone enough to let her approve such simple things was really a stroke of sheer luck.

"You may," she said simply with the most subtle of a flirtatious smile on her face. "I shall be looking forward to it."

  

[James Ellesborough]

James nodded in agreement, pleased he had been granted permission. “I shall endeavour not to keep you waiting on my account.” He smiled broadly, very happy with how the conversation had panned out. “And I shall not detain you any longer.” That and Julia would be demanding where he’d gotten to if he didn’t get back soon.

He gave a small bow. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dalton.”

  

[Catherine Weasley]

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Mister Ellesborough," she stated as they parted ways. Purchasing a Pomeranian pup, as had been suggested much earlier in their conversation, Catherine couldn't help a pleased smile as she scratched behind the dogs ears while her additional purchases were rung up.