Blue Skies

It was late morning on a Friday. Lavender and Seamus were having a little brunch at one of their new favorite places. Lavender had to admit that she was enjoying having him around during the day. She would definitely miss that when he started his new job in a couple of weeks. She had even agreed to pick up a few more hours around the gallery alongside her new mission to decorate Oliver's London flat. 

"When do you think is a good time to tell someone that you're in therapy?" she wondered out loud. Her date with Oliver was the week after next. She had been thinking about it way too much. She hadn't let herself spiral too much though considering how much Seamus had going on.

"That's not first date material, please don't say that!" Seamus said quickly "first dates are ‘wow, your eyes are so blue!' vibes alright?"

God, he's right. They're so damn blue. 

"I know how to flirt,"

"Your flirting is just flicking your hair around a lot and being a bit mean to people,"

"Well it worked on you didn't it?" 

Seamus nearly sprayed tea all over the crisp white tablecloth at her words. She occasionally liked to bring up the fact that he asked her out first. She had liked him too but normally didn't mention that part when remembering that brief flirtation between the two of them. Which quickly dissolved into the best friendship ever instead. Their bi besties era had truly begun then. 

"I didn't think this joke would resurface again," he laughed.

It'd literally been about three and half years since she had mentioned it. She didn't find a lot of their old jokes funny anymore. It was clearly the exception because when words left her mouth, she knew she found it funny and that he did too. It was just a tiny moment that the old her was still holding onto. Something the new one still found amusing. 

"You can't beat a classic one though," she said, flicking up her blond curls to make her point. 

"I'm here for this new old you!"

"Me too,"

She was pleased to report that it wasn't a lie. 

She was happy. 

"So what did you decide to do about Michael now?"

She meant now that he had sobered up. 

"I don't even know what he wants, like what if he wants to meet up to invite me to his wedding with his gorgeous fiance, Cynthia,"  

"I think he would probably just send you an invitation then."

Seamus had clearly done a lot of thinking.

"What if he wants me to talk him out of marrying Cynthia and run away with me instead?" he said dramatically. "I can't just break them up like that. I can't be a homewrecker!"

"You wish you were a homewrecker," Lavender quipped

Lucky for her, about 50% of her friendship with Seamus was based on them talking each other out of a ridiculous fantasy situation which they had made up while horrifically overthinking. First job was reminding him that Cynthia was not real. 

"Maybe I'll just sleep with Chloe instead," he mused

"Absolutely not!" she said in horror, "I'm not avoiding another bakery because you slept with someone and it got awkward. I like Chloe's bakery and I've only just found a new one up to my standards!"

"What is it with you and croissants?"

"Maybe you should just call Michael because I know that you want to,"

"I hate you."

"I love you too"

*

The studio was messy but it was splatter with someone's life - colour and texture which built a complete picture of who this artist was. Lavender had a good feeling about this place. A good feeling about this person. Matilda had sent her out on a 'fact finding mission' which basically just meant scouting out new and fresh artists to showcase at the gallery. She was meeting with an artist at their studio.

Lavender studied a piece which consists of different sized shapes in bright fuschia and bold magenta. The shapes began to lose their form and blur into one. The colours once vivid turned into delicate creamy shades of pink. The painting settled again into a new piece of swirled pale pink clouds. It was brilliant, lavender couldn't help thinking it was a commentary on how life changes from being on solid ground to a whirlwind of emotions but somehow you would always settle somewhere. That's the brilliant thing though art can mean anything to anyone. There is no right or wrong. Only art. She didn't want this piece in Matilda's gallery. She wanted it in her flat. 

"Bonjour, merci de m'avoir invité dans votre studio aujourd'hui"

"Oh, I'm not French, your French is far better than mine. English if you don't mind," 

The voice belonged to a woman. Hanna Martin.

 She was casually dressed in a pair of navy overalls with a striped short-sleeved top underneath. Her long dark hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She looked to be in her early thirties by lavender's guess. Lavender is probably not meant to notice that she's absolutely gorgeous too. An American by the sounds of it. 

"A long way from home then," Lavender commented warmly

"Where else do you come to find divine inspiration than Paris," 

Not a truer sentence spoken. 

Lavender could only imagine that Hanna Martin hadn't had enough time here to know that Paris was beautiful but it wasn't a place that guaranteed all your dreams would come true. Paris will always be what you make it. Lavender did know that Hanna Martin was very talented at what she did though. Lavender would have to put her on the short list for the collection of new artists.

"You look really familiar, have we met before?" Hanna asked as she appeared to study Lavender's face more closely. 

Lavender felt a bit alarmed. The art community was all about networking and meeting people. Lavender pride herself on remembering names and faces but she was coming up empty for Hanna. She had been in hiding for six months and honestly a lot of things happened directly before that was a blur.

"Ah, I've got it!" she exclaimed, "You were involved in the Parvati Patil exhibition a while back?"

God, Lavender was surprised to be recognised from that.  She had been heavily involved in the promotion, planning and networking for that. Parvati had been very shy at her first exhibition not willing to take on as much front of house. It was only a small show though. They didn't have as many contacts then.

"Yes, I was,"

"Ah, knew it! I don't forget a pretty face! I thought you would be scouting for your own gallery by now! You've obviously got a good eye to spotted Patil's work,"

Lavender felt a sudden rush of emotion at her words. Lavender had barely considered the idea of her own gallery as her life had been overtaken so full by mental health issues, Parvati had left and getting herself together again hasn't been easy. Her own gallery did make perfect sense though. She would need to learn stuff on the job. Natural talent wasn't exactly a substitute from experience in this field but it's certainly a possibility that she hadn't considered before. She would be getting a cash injection once she finished her word for Isolde and Oliver. 

" Good  memory. I'm currently working at another gallery but who knows about the future,"

"I certainly wouldn't mind being part of your new endeavor if the opportunity came around," she commented lightly. "Think about it!"

Lavender certainly would do; however right now she did need to pull herself out of the fantasy world when she owned her own gallery and focus a little more on the gallery that Matilda actually did own.

"I would love to see more of your pieces," she asked in a slightly more business-like tone. 

"Oh, of course, please follow me," Hanna said, guiding her towards a huge canvas made up of primary colours. 

*

She couldn't help but smooth down her dress. She couldn't help being really nervous about her date. She didn't really do dates. She was so young in her first relationship and after that she never really wanted to speak to those who came after them. Just to feel something in a moment. This was different though. She wanted to talk to Oliver. She wanted to enjoy herself. 

If Paris was all soft and gorgeous then Rome was all strength and beauty. The buildings showed such craftsmanship was a treat for the eyes. Lavender had just fallen in love with yet another city just like that. Lavender also couldn't deny the man approaching her was also a treat for the eyes as well. Did he always look this good?

"Hi,"

"Did you fancy getting a coffee?"

She hoped to Merlin that he's not a tea person. Lavender already had to put up with Seamus drinking pints of the stuff. She didn't need another tea drinker in her life.  Team coffee.

Please 

Please

Be team coffee!

"Yes, I would love that. I know a place,"

Yessssss! Team coffee! 

She knew it! He is her dream guy! Slow down! She really must keep that to herself though. Must not mention that to him. She was a sexy and aloof woman of mystery. Remain cool. He might just like instant coffee. That's worse than liking tea. 

They wandered through the streets. The april sunshine was bright today. Oliver pointed out some of the architecture on the way. He spoke in a relaxed manner like he had walked these pavements many times before, he left time for her to respond if she wanted. Lavender listened to his comments with her full attention. He spoke confidently but it didn't feel like he was monopolizing the conversation. Lavender got the impression that he was talking because he knew she would want to hear it but definitely to show off his knowledge of the city and its quirks too. She liked that though. Her previous nerves dissolved as they chatted with ease.

They settled at the cafe that he had chosen. The cafe was lovely. It was a little out of the way of the main square and seemed a little less touristy than some of the other places along the way. It seemed very clearly still in the muggle part of the city though. Lavender knew she had made the right decision to use her glamour spells today. While she had gained confidence to show off her scars more in the wizarding world. The muggle world was different because nothing in the muggle world would explain her injuries, those scars, that monster. 

She gave herself a little shake. She flipped her hair from her face and smiled brightly at Oliver who was looking at the small menu. They ordered coffee and a little cake each. Oliver could apparently read Italian much better than he spoke it. Lavender had not tried any more than French. 

"So what is your type?" he said cheekily once they were settled.

 "That's literally such an embarrassing question," Lavender countered but a smile played on her lips. 

What's her type? Cheesy answer. He's right in front of her. 

"Everyone has a type though," He teased

"I didn't say I didn't have an answer but you know how to put me on the spot so let's say quidditch player, nice smile and eyes, dark, tall.." she said airly

"You do know that you're not talking about me right?" he said jokingly as she tailed off suggestively.

She wasn't. 

He was not dark or tall. If the conversation that she had heard in London was correct then he wasn't even a quidditch player anymore. She didn't care but she wasn't really sure if he was done with that yet though. Art was her passion but she had nearly walked away from it more times than she could count. Sometimes passion wasn't enough but if she had learnt anything then it was passion that can be re-lit in the right circumstances. There is always a chance. 

"Nah, I'm talking about Amber Wiley, she's the only type,"

She's a goddess. Amber was a chaser for the Falmouth Falcons.  She's so hot that she made Lavender want to pay attention to the actual game. Yes, really. She was obsessed as Seamus is at this point. So like just a little bit. Luckily for Oliver, he may only be 5'10 but he's still one of the hottest people that she has ever met. More importantly, she was interested in what he had to say. Conversation seemed to flow. 

"You know I literally have her number, I'll just give it to you and we'll finish up here,"

His smile wouldn't be quite that wide if he knew how much Lavender considered this idea. Perhaps she could get that number for Seamus though because she is a really good friend. 

"I'm not letting you get away so quickly,"

"Really?"

"You can't just run out on the bill here," she quipped "plus I'm enjoying your company,"

"I guess I'll stay here then,"

"So you obviously love it here, why?" She asked changing the subject, "I mean it's beautiful but why is it so special to you?"

"It was my mum's favourite place. I don't think my dad would have left Scotland if it wasn't for her but luckily for mum he would follow her to the end of the earth," 

That's the type of thing that Lavender wanted. Someone who would generally adore her and go places and see things with her. Lavender noticed the use of the word ‘was' and couldn't help but wonder what happened but she knew way better than to ask. She isn't the only one with wounds. He would mention it again if he wanted to share. She knew he would. 

"A woman with excellent taste then,"

"Maybe in some things but you should see the state of her art collection. It leaves a lot to be desired," he spoke fondly but also used air quotations over the word ‘art'.  "My dad always hated it but refuses to get rid of it. However there are a few rare original Oliver Wood pieces in there though, I think I was about 5 but you can tell I was a genius already,"

She laughed heartily and then noticed that the coffee had run dry. Perhaps they would get another cup as the beautiful sun was so lovely and she was enjoying their conversation. Oliver seemed to have read her mind however but he had a slightly different idea.

"I thought we would leave here now, I have something to show you. I thought you might think of it as food for the soul but I promise I'll buy you some physical food afterwards,"

"Lead the way,"