Out and About (Seth, Elizabeth, Open)

[Maxi Borale]

Maxi sat wrapped up tight in her robe, outside the Three Broomsticks waiting for Seth. He was running late, which was common for him. Maxi had noticed that Seth had been really tense lately, what with his brother comming to town, his issue with potions, and Maxi being in the Tournament among other things. So Maxi decided to get Seth out of the school for an afternon and the two were going to spend the day in Hogsmeade.

Another gust of wind blew and Maxi shivered, hoping Seth would get there soon.

[Seth Inophen]

Seth ran past a group of first years, nearly knocking one of them down as he flew past. "Sorry," he called back, continuing his run down to Hogsmeade. He told Maxi he'd meet her twenty minutes ago, but he was trying to study in the library and lost track of time.

When he reached the Three Broomsticks, he saw Maxi in front of the building, freezing. "Maxi, I'm sorry," he apologized, helping her th stand up and taking her hands in his. "I lost track of time..." he stuttered.

[Maxi Borale]

She laughed as Seth came running toward her. She was just contemplating going inside and waiting there when he arrived anyway, and she wasn't really that cold.

"It's okay Seth," Maxi said, squeezing his hands in hers. "Why were you late? What were you dong?" she asked and they turned to walk through the village hand in hand. The transaction between friends to bestfriends to boyfriend/girlfriend was a lot easier for Seth and Maxi then they thought, and Maxi liked that they could just ease into convorsations like they used to before they started dating.

[Seth Inophen]

Seth squeezed her hand back and then looped her arm through his, still holding Maxi's hand as they walked past the shopps, occasionally looking in to see the window displays set out for the up comming holidays.

"I was in the library," Seth said. "Don't give me that look, i do on occasion spend time in the library," Sethlaughed, knowing that Maxi was looking at him in utter disbelief. "I'm just trying to figure out potions thats all," Seth said. "I NEED to do well in there."

[Maxi Borale]

"So Potions isn't going well?" Maxi asked as they continued their walk. "Why don't you ask Severus for help? Last I checked he was the best in the school," She offered. She felt bad that she couldn't be of more help, but Potions was a class that she had just scraped by in. She felt another gust of wind and a chill ran up her spine, It was really cold out, even for November, and Maxi wished she had another jacket as she leaned against Seth for warmth.

[Seth Inophen]

"No, its going horribly," Seth said with a groan. "And I'm not asking Snape...not for help," he hadn't mentioned the incident in the common room to Maxi, too ashamed with himself for acting the way he did.
Seth felt her shiver and lean in closer to him. "Want to go in the Three Broomsticks and get warmed up?" Seth asked, kissing the top of Maxi's head. He led them inside and sat her down at a table by the window. "Be right back," he said, before going to the counter.
"Two Butterbeers please," Seth said, and as he waited, he drummed his fingers on the counter quietly, smiling.

[Elizabeth Inophen]

Elizabeth tapped her fingers on the bar, waiting for her order. Her husband would be in Hogsmeade any minute to buy her those new earrings she was craving. Slowly, she turned slightly, hearing a similiar drumming about two feet.

She took a sharp intake of breathe as her eyes glaze over her second born. She gave a harsh glare, and then slowly made her way over.

Elizabeth decided to surprise him.

[Seth Inophen]

He heard the sharp intake of breath and his fingers froze in mid-tap on the counter. Seth took a deep breath and turned, knowing instantly that his eyes would meet that of his mother's. "Mum," Seth said, nearly choking on his tongue. "What are you doing here?"

[Elizabeth Inophen]

Elizabeth gave a small, forced smile, "Seth, darling, what are you doing here?"

Elizabeth meant it more as an accusation rather then an actual question. She didn't want his insolance to his father's requests to dampen his mood. She had really wanted those earrings. Elizabeth sighed mentally. If Seth ruined her day, she would be even less happy with him then she already was.

[Maxi Borale]

Maxi saw Seth order their drinks and had begun to warm up when she then saw him turn toward another woman who started talking to him. She looked at them curiously, wondering who the woman was, but she stayed in her seat.

[Seth Inophen]

"I'm......." Seth hesitated. Don't say it Sethie, don't tell her... "I'm on a date," He mentally smacked himself. Good going Seth.

"What are you doing here Mum?" Seth asked, trying to sound thrilled to see her.

[Elizabeth Inophen]

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed slightly, and she bit her tongue on saying anything outright mean. She could feel eyes on the back of her head. It was the Hufflepuff girl, or Puffle, as Elizabeth heard her beloved say.

"With whom?" Elizabeth could draw the forced answer out of her son, making him squirm and feel uncomfortable for upsetting his father. "A nice girl from Slytherin, I presume?"

She had always had a gift of deception and guilt.

[Seth Inophen]

Seth sighed. "No Mum, she's not a Slytherin. I wrote you about her remember? Maxi?" Of course she wouldn't remember, she didn't care.

His drinks came and he payed the bartender. "Thanks," Seth said. He turned back toward his mother and bowed his head. "Enjoy your afternoon Mum," he said before heading to the table he lft Maxi at. He knew that wouldn't get rid of her though. No, Elizabeth Inophen would surely follow him.

Seth reached the tabe and handed MAxi her drink. "I'm sorry, Max." he said with the deepest of apologies. "So very very sorry..."

[Jarrod Inophen]

Jarrod had been spending the day in Hogsmeade with the intention of meeting up with his parents for dinner. He had already met up with his father, who was out shopping for jewelry for his mother. After giving a report on the miserable failure of his talk with Seth, he headed over to the Three Broomsticks to meet with his mother.

He spotted her first, sitting at the bar, and went straight to her. "Hello, Mum," he greeted her. "What's going on?"

Then as he turned his head, he saw them... Seth sitting with his little Hufflepuff girl. He sneered in annoyance. Apparently nothing that he'd said to his little brother had managed to sink in.

[Seth Inophen]

Right when Seth thought it couldn't get worse, here came Jarrod. He looked back at Maxi. "Again, very sorry," he apoligized as his brother spotted them. He saw his brother sneer, and Seth knew it had something to do with their talk over breakfast the other day. Seth looked to Maxi, knowing she was probably a bit confused by his constant apologies.

"My mother is here," he said with a sigh. "And my brother Jarrod just showed up."

[Maxi Borale]

"Sorry about what?" Maxi asked when Seth came over. He looked both baffeled and annoyed and Maxi wanted to help, but didn't know why he had suddenly become this way.

As he explained, Maxi sighed and took his hand, knowing how much the presence of any of his family members bothered him. "It'll be fine..."

[Elizabeth Inophen]

"Jarrod, Darling!" Elizabeth threw her arms around him in a maternal hug, "I've missed you!"

As she leaned in as her arms enclosed around him, she muttered, "he's out with that girl." Her tone was disapproving, and she knew Jarrod would understand her feelings of resentment towards the girl. "You can do a fantastic job at showing them a true son of mine behaving well, won't you?"

[Jarrod Inophen]

Jarrod hugged his mother, forgetting momentarily about his worthless brother. Jarrod had always been devoted to his mother. "I've missed you, too, Mum. Sorry I was away so long... but I think things are going well for me, business-wise." He wanted to tell her about his prospect for joining with Lord Voldemort, but decided it would be best to wait until later, when he could discuss it more freely.

Pulling back, he looked over at Seth and his girlfriend. "Yes... I know. Everything I said to him the other day went in one ear and right out the other. He's so stubborn and foolish. Should we go talk to them, Mum? Perhaps the girl can see reason, even if Seth can't."

[Elizabeth Inophen]

Elizabeth pulled back and beamed at her son, "you always knew exactly what to do! I'm sure that even if Seth keeps being so thick- headed, perhaps Puffle will understand. Only God will know. I don't believe that Hufflepuff girls are smart enough to take a hint."

Elizabeth sneered in the general vicinity of the girl and her insolent son. Jarrod would wlways be her favorite.

"Also, have you seen your father? He was supposed to meet me here," Elizabeth gave a curious look at the door.

[Lyle Inophen]

"I'm right here," Lyle said. He had come up behind her just in time to hear his wife ask for him, and he smiled at his timing.

"I'm sorry I'm late, darling. I was caught up." He left the details at that, since he had been shopping for her. "Lovely to see you as well, Jarrod. What are we talking about?"