Too late to Turn Back Now ( Meggera / Jamison )

[shava444]

When he finished his fencing practice for the day and hosed himself down in the shower, Jamison felt extremely confident. He was quite sure that today would be one he would remember for a very long time, the game-changer of his life in many ways! Dressing carefully, he went for a more relaxed look to show the tension was over and that things could now proceed as he wanted them to. Professionally faded jeans, a blue button down, tie (almost a normal extension of his body to wear a tie it seemed), and a sweater as it was still chilly in the air even inside. With all of these elements in play, he made his way to his locker and pulled out several things. Two pieces of paper rolled up around each other, a ring box, and another ring for himself, only needed for the presenting.

Odd that the man only needed to wear his for the first moment of recognition, but it was more convenient.

Placing the ring carefully away in his pocket in it's bag instead of the box for secrecy, he slipped the small ring for him on the correct finger and it charmed to the same color as his hand making it hard to spot. The papers he would carry but since they were only copies to give to her that should be no problem at all. He stopped and made an adjustment in the mirror, added a bit of scent at wrists, behind the ears, and his mother's favorite, middle of his forehead. While not believing in luck per say, he always did the same infinity symbol with it there; it just felt right somehow, even if you could not see it. Prepared, he exited the dorm.

After checking the courtyard and then the halls and her dorm (several said she was not inside) he headed to the only other place he could imagine a Ravenclaw being located, the Library. And sure enough, he saw her at a table surprisingly very close to something he thought would work well for a distraction. Smiling at the thought it was lucky, Jamison crossed the room with long strides and slowed as he came up behind her. Stepping to one side and leaning for a moment on the other chair, Jamison said "Good morning, Meggera! Can I show you something rather special that you are sitting in front of?"

Stepping back behind her he pulled two books off the shelves from two different locations. His he had memorized, hers was a bit farther away, but he had seen it before. Sitting beside her he opened hers first, finding the page her name was on and then opening up his. "I know you may have looked yourself up before, but I think this is rather interesting and it's a family secret. Probably no one else here knows about this detail of mine..." As he opened the book, he set the two documents (which looked like one at the moment) aside to the left of him away from her. "Now here is your family. They put out another set of these every five years for updates and if we look down...yes, here you are. It's kind of nice to know your name is in the Hogwarts Library, yes?"

He pulled his own over closer. "And here I am, of course." He showed her as well, then placed his hand on the open book with her name. "Now if we follow yours back, we know who we will find," he winked, clearly enjoying this, "But you probably don't realize mine is a big more difficult then that as it's not quite a straight reading in the book." He showed her from marriage branch, flipped to another part of the book for a second (both of which ended with only one descending line), and then pulled the first book off the shelf to find the one before that and found the place with his finger before showing her. "Ready? Remember, this is a secret so don't mention it around. I doubt your grandfather looked this far back."

And the name above his finger was Helga Hufflepuff nearly a thousand years earlier. He watched her face with curiosity to see what she would think. "I'd like to think she shakes her head when she looks at me from wherever. I'm the last of her line, even if her name isn't mine anymore. Now is that a good secret or what?"

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[Meggera Tepes]

Meggera had been having quite the week. She had been walking around in a near daze it seemed. Nothing seemed real to her, like she would wake up from some odd and confusing dream at any moment. She was certain her friends had noticed, but she had been able to push it off as concern over tests etc. Though she hadn't be able to explain the inability to sleep through the night to her dorm mates, but that was ok because it wasn't starting to majorly effect her yet or be very noticeable.

She was in the library trying to study. Though she wasn't making much progress. She was distracted because she hadn't heard from her father or grandfather about anything...yet again. Perhaps they were still arguing over how many horses she was worth.... That was an extremely infuriating thought. It made her angry to say the least, the thought that her own family was selling her off. It had been the thing keeping her up at night, triggered in full by the reality that they were bargaining with Jamison and his lawyer for her.

She flipped through her potions book, trying to refocus her mind on her essay, but was pulled away from it by someone coming up behind her. She looked up at Jamison as he said good morning, echoing the phrase before watching him walk off curiously. Something special she was sitting in front of? She didn't see anything particularly special...ah he was pulling to books from the shelves. He opened up the first book which she briefly recognized. It contained her family tree and her name, as he showed her. “Mmm I don't know. The thought that anyone here can look me up on a whim..well...it's not always the best.” she said offhand, resting her chin in her hand. She was thinking about certain enemies of her family who's children still attended school here of course, not really about how he had looked her up.

The next book was a bit of a surprise though. She followed his finger down the tree until he had to flip to another part of the book and followed his finger yet again. Though it took a brief moment for her to realize what name his finger came to rest on and nearly choked on air. Hufflepuff? As in..the founder of the house? “You're related...to Helga Hufflepuff? Seriously?” she said in a shocked tone. She was already having one hell of a week, shocked was starting to become a permanent state of mind it seemed and now it turns out he was the last descendant Helga Hufflepuff.

“That is quite the secret...I can't imagine many in your house would be very..impressed by such a relation.” she said, pulling the book an inch closer to her to look down at the page with Helga's name on it. Huh...how about that...one really wouldn't guess that her final descendant would be in slytherin house. Weren't families supposed to follow the same house patterns? Well...then again her older brother hadn't been a Ravenclaw. “But that is pretty impressive. Not many people can claim a direct line to someone so influential in our wizarding history.” she said, leaning back to her starting position after she had looked at the page a bit better.

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Outfit: www.polyvore.com/steampunk_inspired/set?id=31065052
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

She had a point, though he doubted many people used the books for that part so much. "Well, most of the people who use these books are either checking bloodlines or looking up their own families. My grandfather has a set of these from when I was born, they still have not been updated with the recent ones. I'll probably have to do that next edition." She reacted with surprise and leaned in closer; he was pleased with the reaction. "Yes, quite a ways back too. Well she was a pure so probably not too bad, but I simply don't mention it. You can hide a lot of things under a name as simple as Smith." He shrugged, not happy about that entirely but admitting it was true.

While she looked closer, his hand closed around the two documents and he separated them, one hand holding the thicker set of three pages behind the edge of the book as he placed one in front of her. "By the way, here is the copy of our personal agreement. You can see it's the same one you signed and there's the register's seal. I didn't tell your family about this one, they probably would not find it in a general search so it's pretty much our secret as well." Before she had a chance to dwell on his wording and wonder about the words "as well" having just shared two secrets, he placed the other in front of them both and said to her "Here's the copy of the contract for you, I thought you might want to know what your grandfather has been up to with it. Your grandfather suggested I not show you, but I think we have an agreement already about sharing information." 'Yes, I'm the good guy who has been tricked into duping you. Your family did all this, you should trust in me...'

Carefully not having said it was finished, of course, nor already signed by both sides of the family; he and she were still underage so not able to sign such a thing, funny enough. "Here, I'll show you the two parts I think you need to know first off," and he flipped off the main page which listed the requirements of an older nature. "The wedding is set for my birthday, which would be this September 16th, which as you know is two weeks after we're back in school." He waited long enough for her to focus on where the date was written in and then lifted a finger to turn the page. At the bottom of the next page were the signatures, but he pointed immediately to the top line instead, partially blocking her view of the bottom.

The phrase he pointed out was a note that as of the signing of the contract, the groom's family will take over all financial and support of the future bride. The bride's family will release her from same to honor that the contract will be fulfilled on said date. In a way it was a 'check the goods' legalese which no bride would be very happy about he was sure.

"Now because you will still be underage, according to your grandfather's customs, and yeah I agree with you he is very old fashioned, you become my responsibility. So I've been instructed on a few things I have to tell you which I've promised your father I would." Several things, but not all of what he was going to do, of course. Again, first impressions made a big deal. He pulled the ring from his pocket with his other hand out of sight in it's little bag. "First off, we're both underage, so they didn't need either of our signatures. This is your copy of what they actually have finished. It's done. I'll be glad to explain anything in it you want to know about, just ask." He pulled out the ring and held it out above the contract for a moment, let her eyes dwell on it. It was an edwardian design and very unusual; he thought she might like it that way to be honest.

"It's a blue diamond, by the way, though it's pretty close to teal in my opinion. I thought someone with as unusual a style as yours should have something also unusual." Taking her left hand he separated out her ring finger gently while she was still stunned and surprised. Holding out the ring again to show what he was going to do, he slid it on her finger easily for a nearly perfect fit. Due to the magic of the ring, it shrunk slightly to fit her finger and then became stickied so it wouldn't come off without magic help. "So, do not take this off. It has to stay on continuously till the wedding, all right?" First command. Holding her hand so he could admire the fact he had just pulled off the ownership of a rather healthy young woman he would be keeping quite busy, Jamison couldn't help but smile. "Very pretty. I hope you like the way it looks?" Careful again not to ask if she liked the ring as that could get him a different answer completely.

"Now, I need to see a lot more of you till summer. You will be going back to your family for the Romania vacation like normal, but your father is delivering your things to my house sometime this week. I'll take you over there this weekend make sure he didn't leave anything behind you want. So when you go with them this summer it will be with a suitcase. Bet that will feel weird!" Second command hidden in his phrasing well leading into his next one, also carefully crafted in advance. "My mother will be our escort until the wedding so any issues, you ask her if you don't feel comfortable asking me. But remember to abide by our agreement; I don't want any disagreements or anything in public, okay? You should always be attentive to my needs especially in front of others." Technically two, possible three commands, but good enough. Any of these could be accidental phrasings, but they did reinforce her obedient and good behavior till the wedding bands were on, at which point she would be pledging him her word and obedience in the first place.

Hook, line, sinker. Reeled in, netted, and safely stored. Meggera was from this point on, his. leaning over he whispered in her ear for her alone "Welcome to the Hufflepuff family, Meggera..."

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[Meggera Tepes]

She nodded as he told her about the books and how you could easily hide things like being related to Helga with his last name. Well, that she could understand. Luckily not many people recognized her last name here or she'd be wanting to hide behind a another last name as well. She was distracted from his heritage though when he placed a document in front of her, a copy of their personal contract. She nodded as he said he didn't tell her family and they wouldn't find it in any general search, which was reassuring. She knew her grandfather especially wouldn't like it very much.

Then he put another document in front of her which he said was the actual contract her grandfather hadn't wanted her to see. Typical of him, leaving her out of the loop as long as possible. He went on to flip from the main page to show her some things he thought necessary. “Wait...but thats after school starts.” she said. She honestly didn't think Hogwarts would let two students leave so early in the school year, especially to get married. But he was moving on to explain another part... which was that on the signing of the contract she would be transferred from her families responsibility to his since she was still under age and he would be coming of age before her.

Then he went on to say that since they were both still under aged they hadn't needed them to sign or approve the contract and had signed it. So basically it was over. It was really over? And she was now officially betrothed? Or well...she supposed it would be engaged not betrothed. And now he was pulling out a ring for her to see. He said it was a blue diamond and that he thought someone with her unusual style would like something equally unusual for a ring. Well he was right about that, she did like the ring, it was something she would have picked herself if she had the chance. She was just in to much shock to speak at the moment.

As he slipped the ring onto her finger and it shrunk to fit her perfectly things started sinking in. This was really happening? She wasn't going to wake up in a few minutes? But she couldn't take it off until the wedding? Why was that? She knew that it was usually expected that one wouldn't take off the ring during the day, but she wasn't used to wearing jewelry at night. “Its...a very pretty ring.” she managed to say. Though it looked weird, having a ring on her finger.

Her head was reeling as he went on though. Her father was already going to be taking her things over to Jamisons' house. She would only be returning to her house briefly for their usual trip to Romania over the summer but then would be at his house...not with her family. That was....extremely weird... Knowing that she wouldn't be in her house, with her brother, in her own room... If she thought her head was reeling before it really was now. She almost didn't hear him to remember their personal agreement about not disagreeing with him in public and being attentive to him and his needs. Keeping up images.

She couldn't speak. She had never been so completely speechless in her entire life. She wouldn't say her world was crashing down around her. Quite the opposite in fact, her life was suddenly very planned out and set, but it had rather the same feeling. The realization that she was getting married...in less then a year. It was overwhelming. “I...um...” Um? Seriously? What kind of word was that she said in her head, mentally berating herself for a moment. “So this seeing more of me before summer, how so? Meals and that sort of thing?” she managed to ask. She assumed that meant sitting with him at meals and stuff.

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Outfit: www.polyvore.com/steampunk_inspired/set?id=31065052
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

She noticed the date issue and he nodded. "That day is a Friday. Evening wedding. Short honeymoon I'm afraid, I'll make it up to you over the next few weekends after." Boy would he. The plans were going to be quite excellent if he had anything to say about it, which he would of course. Too stunned to speak he assumed, she put up no resistance to the ring or his words. From what he had heard, she wouldn't really feel anything from the ring till she tried something against his direct orders, but he wasn't sure about that to begin with. It might just compel her mind to do as he said without her conscious control, who knew? It would be interesting to see how long it was till she discovered it and confronted him.

"I'm glad you like it, they had some old archaic thing they wanted to use and I convinced them in fashion even the rings would be important so I managed that at least. I highly suspect the ring your family wanted to use would be with some huge stone which covered half your hand." A lot of the old jewelry was made to be seen from a distance, literally. Some trended towards it now too, but he wouldn't be doing that in the shop; it looked ghastly to him most of the time, like someone wanted to wear a tea saucer.

When she did struggle for words, his face was pleasantly smiling, warm for the woman who would be bearing him children, giving him status and he meant it. Caged bird she might be, but it was a big cage with lots of room and amenities and a hint of freedom. She would be well taken care of and have a career of sorts as well as she wanted. "Well not all of your time, obvious, you have friends and you'll want time to yourself clearly," he said having found out she was a fairly solitary sort of person. "But some meals, some days off. Spending time learning more about each other can only make this easier to deal with for both of us, I hope you realize. Possibly even studying together when it's needed."

Putting a hand out he ran it across her hair once, not quite possessively, but similar; more like touching something very precious you wanted to be careful with. "What does it feel like, Meggera? What's running through your mind?" Her thinking would be an important guide to how to deal with her in the future, especially if she was already willing to talk to him, the only person listening to her right now. Did she think that yet? Did she understand that while she might write her father about something, that he no longer legally was responsible? Telling Jamison was now her direct route to solutions or questions; how long till she started to use that bond, to take it for granted? Would that build up into more trust or acceptance? How strong minded was she with stuff she knew there was no way to fight?

"My mother was going to get some furniture for you more appropriate for a lady; my grandfather had mostly very old stuff, nothing new. When I take you the rooms will be mostly empty except for our rooms." He drew with his finger on the table to show the layout of the four rooms, bathroom behind the bedroom with doors into the rooms at either side, one for him and one for her. "Until the actual wedding this will be your own space. After ward you can still have that separate space for clothes and things you want to keep. That way you can have some privacy still, though either one of us could walk into the other's room, no one else except a maid will." Consolation prize? Maybe. he figured she wouldn't be really happy about any of it till he showed her the old library.

She was, after all, a Ravenclaw.

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[Meggera Tepes]

A friday evening wedding right after school started? That was going to be weird..one week being a Tepes in class then suddenly being a Smith the next. She didn't even want to think about a honeymoon right now. Granted it was certainly expected and normal following a marriage, but it was still an extremely awkward thing for Meggera. She had never expected it to feel otherwise since she first found out her grandfather was going to marry her off, and she was right. Hence the not wanting to think about it.

The ring covering half her hand certainly rang true to her grandfathers sense of style. Old ways died hard with him. When he mentioned having some meals, days off, and studying together she nodded. Studying she could do. She wasn't to sure how she was going to handle the stares for the meals though. Sure she dressed differently which incurred some stares...but this was completely different. She did agree with him though. Getting to know each other a bit better would definitely make things easier in the long run. “Those sound alright. Studying especially.” she said. Studying was definitely one of her strong points and this way she could learn a bit more about him then the normal eye could see. Small details one notices about people who are concentrating like the way they write or take notes or even their method of doing it could say quite a bit about a person. Even unintentionally.

She was somewhat startled when he ran his hand across her hair, not quite enough to recoil, but startled none the less. “What does what feel like? Knowing that my family has essentially sold me off, or knowing that in less then a year I'll be getting married?” she asked, not in any sort of angry tone, even though in all truth she was angry at them. They had put her in an extremely confusing situation without the courtesy of a guide or even information over what had been going on. “I'd have to say...confused. Thats the main one. So many things, happening so fast...most of which I wasn't warned or told about until afterwards. Confusing and somewhat frightening. Thats how all this feels...” she said, looking down at her hands which were now fiddling with a quill she had laying there.

Of course she was frightened. She would never intentionally let on how much though. Her entire life was changing at the drop of a hat and in a matter of months. Any normal girl would've probably had a nervous break down by now, but Meggera was a classic 'try not to think about it' type of person. Except now she had no choice but to think about. All of it. The fact that she wouldn't be returning home this summer except for briefly. She wouldn't spend the summer afternoons with her little brother just idly drawing or making music. No, now she would be moving to strange house with people she had barely met. It felt like a ton of bricks had come crashing down on her from a great height. So many changes that she wasn't sure she was ready for. “I'm just...I can't believe everything is changing so fast. I never thought something like this would happen before I graduated...” She said, rubbing the back of her neck, anything to keep her mind distracted and not dwelling on everything that had just flashed through her mind...

As he showed her the layout of the house she nodded. Their rooms were going to be linked apparently. Another somewhat uncomfortable thing for her to push away and not deal with. Honestly she was surprised that method was still working for her. But apparently she got to keep that room for stuff she might want in there after the wedding. That was good she supposed. Frankly she was rather ocd about some of things and how they were placed. Her art supplies for example, so she could keep them in there and in proper order without worrying about anyone touching them. “Mostly empty? Is your mother renovating the entire house?” she asked, trying to focus on something that wasn't uncomfortable for her.

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Outfit: www.polyvore.com/steampunk_inspired/set?id=31065052
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

He was glad she agreed with that. He had been thinking about what would sound reasonable a lot this week, planning out phrasing and revising them based on how she answered him on other things. While not the game of his life he was sure, this was a critical series of events calculated to get him what he wanted in the long run, or so he hoped. By constantly tweaking his wording he kept control over his appearance to her, much as a fashion show tweaked it's models. "Well I am trying to make this as easy as I can, it doesn't make any sense to run at the wall with your head." Jamison smiled trying to come across warmly. "I'm sure a logical approach from here on out will help both of us to get a grip on the situation."

"I have high hopes by the time summer gets here we will understand a lot more about each other. Maybe, dare I hope, friends?" Surely that didn't sound too bad! She was clearly taken aback when he stroked her hair, but how else was he supposed to get her used to him physically? baby steps. As she spoke he paid very close attention to her answer, listening to the wording. "Both actually. I grew up with the knowledge that if my grandfather had found a match he wanted for me I would have been contracted long ago. I think hearing him say it that often got me better adjusted for what might happen it sounds like. It can't be easy to comprehend so I'm here to listen. After all," he gave her a rueful look as if slightly embarrassed to hear it, "I am the one you should complain to as much as them. I may not have started it, but I did accept it."

Admit guilt early on, be reasonable sounding, make concessions seemingly just for her was his chosen formula. Let her become used to the fact he was there for her and she could be conditioned into accepting the inevitable. "Well, I'll try and keep you more warned in advance now that I have some control over the situation. I probably should have tried to get you some earlier contracts, but they kept changing so it didn't seem smart at the time." As to the other there was little he could do about fright or fear except to remain calm and helpful, hope she started to give more weight to his words. Reaching out he put his hand palm up next to hers as if asking her to trust him and give him her hand to take that first step. It was a human gesture, one most would recognize and also symbolic of the fact she was following what her family chose. "Like I said, ask me what you need to, what you want to, Meggera. No matter what you think of the situation, we're going to be partners and I'm here for you."

Change. Yes, that seemed to be a key for her indeed from what she was worrying about and he could totally understand it. "Yes, well I'll show you how much is changing for me this weekend. That might help to know you are not alone. What would you normally do for the summer? How would you usually spend it?" Her comments about the house made him chuckle himself, and sit back a touch, running a hand through his hair in the least disturbing way he could manage. "Ha, not quite. Your grandfather gave me money to refurbish to bring up to a standard for you. About half the rooms could use a touch up, you know a little paint and cleaning up." He didn't make it sound casual, but he didn't want it to sound a huge deal either. Yet. Let her see the spaces first. "My grandfather was a collector of antiquities despite being deep in the fashion industry. There are some I wanted and a few for my mother, the rest I had sold off to purchase newer things more fitting to me."

He owned an auction company which he had never mentioned outside the family on purpose. Child's play to use to sell off such a large collection of valuable antiques by using their connections to other companies which specialized in those types of items as well thus getting fast payments and high prices for the choice items. The family lawyer had certainly done a good job on this job making Jamison sure he would be giving the man lots more work soon enough! "There are a few rooms I'm not changing, but when you see the house you will understand better why. As you said things have been going fast, we'll try to slow down things for awhile." He patted her hand softly, trying to seem comforting.

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[Meggera Tepes]

The logical approach he was talking about made sense. It would definitely help them get to know each other better and get them used to each others company. They were going to be seeing quite a lot of each other after all...especially during the summer. Not to mention after graduation and farther on. She definitely saw the reasoning...that didn't mean she was still entirely ok with it. She just hoped the talking would die down quickly once people found out what was going on... She knew they would, one way or another. People were nosey, and if they couldn't find out what was really going on they would make things up.

Friends by summer? That didn't sound to terrible....better then strangers by far. Meggera had never been to fast at making friends, usually letting people come to her and work their way in over a year or so before she considered them a friend...but the situation was different. “I wish I would've know earlier on too. It would make this so much easier.” she said shaking her head. She had only found out about 2 years ago after all what her grandfathers plans for her were. They weren't in the same boat per say, but he would probably understand far easier then anyone else here. Not exactly what she was going through, but the awkwardness of the situation and everything else.

She hesitated at his upward facing palm, her hand twitching ever so slightly. Her usual instincts would be to hide her hands in her pockets or something similar, but she couldn't do that or hide here. Not anymore at least...so she slowly moved her hand to place it lightly on top of his. She'd have to get used to things like this. Keeping up appearances and such. She wasn't a fan of PDA when anyone did it, but small things like this she'd have to become more comfortable with. But at least he was being very reassuring about everything...making sure she knew she could talk to him and such. And he was going to show her how much things were changing for him as well, so she wasn't alone going through all these major changes, even if it felt like she was at the moment.

“Usually I spend time with my brother's when we aren't traveling to Romania or France to see my other grandfather. We just...play our instruments and stuff like that or explore the wooded area by our house or ride.” she said, referring to horse riding. Her little brother loved it, and she was more comfortable on a horse then on a broom for some reason. Perhaps its because horses didn't leave the ground unless you were jumping over something...and they were alive and more understanding then a stick of wood.

Ahh so his house was being refurbished and touched up a bit, it must be an older house. Her grandfather did something similar with his manor in Romania every 4 to 5 years or so, but then again the man had far to much time on his hands in her opinion. She nodded when he said he had kept a few things for him and his mother, but sold the rest to get things that fit him better. That made perfect sense. It was his house after all, not his grandfathers anymore. She was fairly certain she would change over half the things in her grandfathers house if it had been passed on to her, she knew her older brother definitely would. Probably cover everything with Quidditch memorabilia.... She was somewhat relieved when he said they'd slow things down for a bit and patted her hand comfortingly. That would give her time to process a bit better.

“Alright. Quick question... do you think they'll post an announcement about it in the paper? I know my grandfather most likely will in Romania...but do you think there will be anything here?” she asked. That had crossed her mind a bit earlier when she was worrying about people talking about it, but she just hadn't vocalized it. She wasn't sure if she wanted something like that or not. It would get the word out there, and maybe it would die down faster if it was posted, but still. She wasn't a huge fan of these people talking about her, despite any appearances she might keep up. Yet another thing she would have to get used to she supposed. Especially with Jamison being in the fashion industry.

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Outfit: www.polyvore.com/steampunk_inspired/set?id=31065052
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

He glanced at her, more the a little surprised. "He didn't tell you? How recently?" Too good an opportunity to miss, as she spoke, Jamison let his frown develop as he looked at her. "That's not right. I was always told that all pureblood children were warned from an early age that this could happen. Maybe I wasn't told the truth, but that changes this from my perspective. I assumed you had known for awhile, I'm sorry." He was silent for a minute studying her face as if debating on saying something while he watched her body language. She really was shy, reclusive; he was going to have to be slow with this one when things got more personal.

"I cannot apologize for taking advantage of the situation as you provide an opportunity which could not be passed up, but I am going to apologize for your discomfort and if anything i do makes you feel more so, I want you to tell me. Only that way can I learn." Definitely too good a chance to pass up to sound both innocent and another type of victim in a way, soften her up more. As this rate he would be able to read her body language very well by summer and he looked forward to that! She then conveniently handed him another opportunity to make himself look good to her eyes by mentioning her brothers. "Well I certainly think I can manage something there! Let me owl to your father about your brothers coming to visit before the end of the summer so you can spend time with them!"

He mused again, but his hand did not twitch under hers, holding hers simply and trying just to build a connection. It would take time, but he thought if he could get her to accept one clear sign like this, the rest would flow later. "The horses your father is sending will be outside the area though at a boarding farm. The house is not one for great views but hiding. I think the farm they are at I've seen before but it's been awhile. Maybe you will want to check it out before your brothers come to visit?" If he arranged for them at two different times, maybe the older second it would help her adjust better.

"Actually, I suspect my lawyer or my mother sent it off to the paper without telling me. We can check the next Prophet, do you get it?" There was a spot where marriages or contracts were announced, he had seen it. Why did wonder about that? Wasn't it a standard when paper were signed? Or did they only do marriages in Romania? For some people it was the only way to keep track of availability for their own children. "Why? Was there something you wanted said? i don't know that many students would notice it, but some might. However I suspect the only ones who might notice are either your house or mine. I would think the others would find it rather dull."

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[Meggera Tepes]

She shook her head. “No... I didn't find out until 4th year that he was going to do this. My parents never really let on that it might happen either. Then again they probably didn't think it would when I was younger. They hadn't had an arranged marriage after all.” she said with a small shrug. Her mother had probably thought they could get her out of it when the time came, she never got the chance unfortunately.

She nodded when he said to let him know if anything he did made her more uncomfortable so he could learn. She perked slightly when he added that he could owl her father about having her brothers come visit her. That would be perfect if her father allowed it, and really, how could he deny her her brothers company after everything? He couldn't. Besides, James was going to be starting at Hogwarts this year, he would be wanting his big sisters advice before school started. “I would like that. I'm sure father would agree.” she said with a small smile. She might even be able to wrangle a Diagon Alley visit with James for his school supplies depending on the timing of his visit.

Her father was sending them horses too? Hmm...that wasn't a big surprise really. He had given her mothers family about 5 horses as gifts after they had gotten married. He would probably include the horse she tended to favor when riding. “Yes, I would. I'd like to see that they're well taken care of and the riding range. Have you ever ridden a horse Jamison?” she asked. She knew most wizarding families preferred riding brooms to animals, but some of the older families in Eastern Europe still kept riding alive in their children.

Ahh so they probably already sent out the announcement. She shook her head, “I don't get it, no. I think some of the girls in my dormitory do though.” she said, thinking for a moment. She wasn't sure some of them read all the way to that section so she could probably just ask for the latter part of the paper without any question. At least she knew it wouldn't be on the front page, unlike in Romania...her grandfather wouldn't have any less. “No, nothing in particular. I was just wondering if I would have to prepare to start fielding questions or not... It might actually be a good thing. The sooner people find out, the sooner they'll grow bored of the gossip.” she said, looking down slightly.

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Outfit: www.polyvore.com/steampunk_inspired/set?id=31065052
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

So that was why she was so skittish about things, it was making more sense now. Instead of being raised with it, she had been really assaulted with it, much to his advantage clearly. Well now he could afford to let things progress more normally because he had already won, legally and in other ways she did not realize yet. "I see! So while I knew at like age five that my grandfather was in charge of my future, you had no inkling till you had time to think about what it might be like to find a guy you liked. Yes, that would be disturbing. See, this is why I would like the time together, see who we really are for things like this." Certainly by summer he would understand her mind better at the least. Probably by then he could manage to do some serious convincing her he was a good one.

Jamison didn't miss her interest in the idea of her brothers over either. Smiling at seeing that weapon to use he said "How about I ask to join them when they take him to get school supplies?" He knew the boy was old enough for Hogwarts and assumed since they were in this country they would go. "That way you can have a visit and then see him again just before school. Would you like that, Meggera?" Yes, see him as someone who could get things done to her liking as long as she pleased him. 'Get it in your mind that serving me gets you what you want, which is quite true,' he thought, thinking of what the next move should be on his part.

"I was taught proper riding at school, yes, before Hogwarts. That's where I learned to fence actually." he mused for a moment, remembering those days. "I'm probably a bit rusty it's been awhile, but I should remember quick enough." It was a skill of the old nobility really, though horse shows amongst muggle elite was still quite popular. He'd have to take her to a few of those at some point properly. "Have you ever been to the competitions? Horses are very big in the muggle world. They are just so expensive that these days only the rich can really afford to keep them up." Under the table he worked the small temp ring off his finger one handed, awkwardly, and slipped it in his pocket, it's use now finished.

Probably the reason why few wizards learned. It was pleasing to him that he knew something of what she was speaking of though, rusty though he may be. The mention of the paper certainly gave him another opening. "Well then, this week when it comes out why don't you come sit with me? We will have the paper to check and if anyone should notice you won't have to answer any questions, it will be obvious. As if any girl in your dorm who sees your hand won't be asking you already..." That was two days from now. How would she answer the questions and deal with it? Would she try and retreat or field the questions? "Maybe we should speak about that, actually, so we have the same story to give out."

Putting his other hand on top of hers in a soft sandwich between his, he said "How would you answer them? It's clearly an engagement ring. Turning it would only make it appear a wedding band which might be worse for them to see. From what I've seen most girls check a guy's hand without even hesitation upon meeting, they won't miss a beauty like this one on yours..."

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[Meggera Tepes]

“Yes...I got accustomed to the norm here and all the fairy tales my mother read me when I was young. It was quite a shock when my grandfather told me his plans.” she said with a nod. She had, of course, heard of arranged marriages before then, she had just never expected herself to be in one. Quite a shock for a young girl who had been raised on fairy tale romances.

Her eyes visibly brightened at his suggestion that they go with them when getting her brothers school supplies. It was as if he had read her mind. “I would like that a lot actually. I know James would be thrilled too.” she said with a smile. The thought actually excited her, knowing she would still be able to go with her brother for his school supplies like she would have in different circumstances.

So he had been taught to ride at the same school he had learned to fence. That was interesting, and helpful because he already knew the basics so they wouldn't have to get an instructor. “Which school did you attend?” she asked curiously. Obviously it was a school for the elite because of the Horseback riding and fencing, but she had heard of very few schools for the younger generation that were wizarding schools. She shook her head at his question, “No, Ive never been able to attend one. James has though, he's actually participated in two.” she said.

She nodded, sitting with him that day would probably make things a bit easier and she wouldn't have to field any questions alone. He had a point that any girl who noticed her hand would know instantly and she couldn't exactly go around wearing gloves all day. She looked down at her hand with the ring on before he placed his other hand on top of hers. She shook her head, “Im not sure. I know most girls would expect some elaborate romantic story, but Im not really accustomed to lieing....especially to my friends, but it sounds rather sad if I say it was arranged by my grandfather.” she said, shaking her head. Perhaps he would have some suggestions over what they should tell people.

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Outfit: www.polyvore.com/steampunk_inspired/set?id=31065052
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

Her level of excitement grew before his eyes and he made a mental note that the younger brother was an excellent reward for her in the future and he could probably expect her to spend a lot of time with him once he was in Hogwarts. They would have only a year as it was, though he suspected once she did the math on the time needed for a baby she would realize she was going to miss some part of her last year. "Well I had already noted his age when I did the family research on you," he said putting his hand on the book with her family before returning it to her hand, "so I already suspected he woud be starting this year."

After a moment he thoughtfully said "The two of you must be very close? I find it hard to imagine not ever having had family beyond my mother and grandfather..." She asked about his school and he grimaced, wondering how much he could safely say at this point. "Well, I started there at six in a special program for boys from upper class homes. I don't know how my grandfather explained it to get me in, but it was a muggle school called Bedford. It was....mixed I think." He shrugged before he continued; it was a mixed memory. "If there were ever any other wizards I never met them. "

"Ah well we had to go to a few when I was in school. It's interesting. Maybe next time your brother is in one I can take you. That way you can cheer him on. Wait, why were you not able to go?" 'Yes! Just keep giving me things to hold in front of your eyes...' If this kept on, he'd have her obediently sitting on his bed halfway through the summer to earn rights to go to places. Hearing that semi-question had him flustered for the first time however. Looking puzzled, he thought furiously for a long moment before he came up with something.

"Well..." he said softly, running a thumb over the back of her hand to feel her skin which was quite soft, "You could tell them it's a wedding contract between us, not mention your grandfather or that it was against your will. Or you could tell them you can't tell the details till after the wedding is final. That would buy you time." What was she hoping for, a romantic story from him? He wasn't sure he even knew what one of those would really sound like. "Is it that bad to give a version of the truth however? Tell them I pursued you and won and you don't want to discuss the details."

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[Meggera Tepes]

“Yes, we're very close. After our mother died we became attached at the hip nearly. He would follow me everywhere when I was home from Hogwarts. He still does at times actually.” she said, shaking her head with a small smile. The little boy was certainly her weakness. So he had gone to a muggle school for his education. “Really? Was it difficult going there?” she asked. She could imagine how hard it would have ben hiding magic before you could control it fully, and muggle children were much more prone to believing in magic then the adults she had noticed.

“They were always in the middle of the week or during testing times unfortunately. So I never got to attend.” she said with a small shake of her head. Bad timing was a beast when it came these kind of things. Besides, her father wouldn't let her neglect her studies to attend. She was actually quite surprised he was being so lenient, but then again it wasn't time for finals and it was related to her contract.

She noticed the puzzled look he had when she mentioned she wasn't sure what to tell people. At least she wasn't the only one. He mentioned she could just say that its a wedding contract. That could work she supposed, she might not even have to explain about the contracts to some who might ask. “No, I suppose it isn't that bad. I'll probably just tell them its a marriage contract between us then. Then if they're curious they can go look it up themselves.” she said. She supposed she could use the 'he pursued her and won' too if anyone pressed the matter farther then the basic questioning.Yes..that would work for now. After all, only one person knew her grandfather had been trying to marry her off aside from Jamison, so she could probably get away with it.

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Outfit: www.polyvore.com/steampunk_inspired/set?id=31065052
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

As she listened and responded, Jamison wondered what it would be like to have another person in his bed with him. Beyond the whole baby making process, he thought it would be odd indeed. While he knew for a fact he didn't toss and turn, he'd seen a few fall out of their beds at night before. And Timothy seemed to be an Olympic swimmer in his bed each night he moved so much, covers often all off the bed by the end of the night. Was she one who moved a lot? Did you sleep back to back or front to front? How could one sleep with another aware of your every movement, your every sound? Jamison remembered his mother saying he was the most still sleeper she had ever heard of; what ever position he was in was it for the entire night.

And he supposed he could see that, the covers were always perfect when he woke, just like he remembered. "Ahhh, so in many ways he was using you to help get past her being gone? I would have been a lost cause without my mother, can't imagine how badly things might have gone without her around..." Oh that would have been a true horror indeed! His grandfather-- Nope, he couldn't begin to imagine it. "Who is there for him when you are not? Do you think he will end up in Ravenclaw?" Jamison wondered if she snored. One of his roommates did and he wanted to beat him to death with a pillow some nights.

A canvas pillow with metal tassels like a cat of nine tails.

Snoring was one of the most uncivilized thing sin the world, mainly because you could not even blame the person themselves as they did it unconsciously, but you wanted to flail them alive. He'd heard there was one boy in the Lion's Den who could keep the whole dorm awake unless they used a silence spell on him every night. What kind of horror would that be? If you had a snoring problem, Jamison had decided, it was only for your own protection you seek a healer for advice stopping it so others were not kept awake. Did girls snore worse? No way, it was probably some feathery thing, soft and barely heard.

"Yes in some ways. It was strict as a boarding student I had to do certain chores each day, do a minimum of exercise every day, and the pile of lessons taught was immense. There were times I didn't finish schooling till eight or nine o'clock at night." Of course they slept late, had servants, and meals and snacks were carefully regimented throughout the day. Discipline they taught which he was proud to say was why he could manage as far as he had in keeping his secrets just that. "It was hard but I very much enjoyed it. It was much better then the reality outside..."

Realizing what he had said out loud, he turned his eyes to her swiftly. "Um, please do not mention that to anyone. Again, you will understand when I take you to see my house and can talk more freely." Ah his house where she would see his bed for the first time. His old one. His mother would have changed the sheets he was sure, but still it would be pristine as much as could be expected considering where it was. "Ah, a shame. Interesting things those shows. There will be some this spring, maybe one over a weekend day we can go see briefly. Why don't you write and find out when he is going to be at them?"

He nodded at her acceptance of his words, taking his advice. He liked that very much, very satisfying to hear. "Besides, if they see you with me over the weeks they will come to see it as clearly a settled thing. That will stop any issues on it's own." Silk sheets or super soft cotton for her? He removed his upper hand long enough to run his fingers across the underside of her hand and fingers. Such delicate skin, so pale. Silk then, something nicely dark to draw out the porcelain doll color she seemed to have. Cotton for the first part of the first night of course since they had to be displayed, but soft for her skin...yes.

Hopefully she didn't drool in her sleep.

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