6
Rabastan sighed he was finally heading out to dinner with his soon to be fiancé Esmae and he hoped against hope that he’d finally figure out what he wanted one way or another.
He had watched Philip and Nihel together while he was in France and he ached for that. He was pretty sure that he would go through with this engagement and subsequent bonding considering how confident both Bella and Lucius felt about this match, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d find what he was finally looking for.
He had almost completely stopped bed hopping once he told his brother about his new found pull to settle down. Once his family had begun to discuss possible matches, involving the Malfoys in the process, he had stopped completely. He had meant it when he said he was ready to enter into a serious relationship. He wasn’t great at dating, he’d always end up in bed with them too early or just losing interest completely because he was so wrapped up in work and friends. Which was how Rabastan decided that maybe a match arranged by those closest to him would work out, after all it had for Lucius and Narcissa. They seem to be completely besotted with each other.
Rabastan had decided that he would take her to The Golden Spoon Lounge , a trendy upscale place that had just opened a few blocks outside of the main wizarding district in the Fortnum District, the more posh of Wizarding areas.
He arrived before she did and sat down with a glass of wine as he looked over the menu.
“Master Lestrange, may I present Ms. Esmae Rookwood.” the server suddenly said. Rabastan smiled and stood up.
“Hello Esmae.” she appeared to be nervous
“Hello Rabastan” she said shyly as she slid into her chair across from him. The waiter handed her a menu and said he’d be back
"Have you been waiting long?" She asked.
"Not too long, about ten minutes," he replied.
"I'm sorry." she said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it."
The server came up then, a young lady with dark hair pulled back into a bouncy ponytail.
"Hello, may I bring you something to drink?"
She gestured towards Rabastan’s glass “perhaps you’d like to join Master Lestrange with a glass of Chianti from our vineyards in Tuscany”
Esmae simply nodded.
Rabastan had half expected her to answer with a small giggle like Sirius would've, the last couple times they've had waitresses with an extra bounce in their step Sirius had barely been able to contain his laughs every time they came around.
The first time it happened Rabastan thought Sirius may fancy the waiter which made Sirius laugh even harder. "no that's not it at all" he had taken a sip of the drink they had just brought him "bouncy waitstaff for some reason always remind me of puppies, just bouncing around eager to please and 'who doesn't love puppies'"
Rabastan smiled at the memory "I’m so glad you were free to join me tonight Esmae. I wanted to spend some time with you before our possible engagement moved forward”
Esmae smiled, she seemed quite nervous “yes, it’s wonderful to spend time with you”
Rabastan waited to see if she’d say more. “So what are some of your hobbies? Is there anything you particularly enjoy reading?” Rabastan asked, taking a sip of his wine.
"I do enjoy reading mystery novels but my favorite hobby is perhaps taking long quiet walks in the woods behind our manor. I find it always clears my head" Esmae looked up to answer him, then went back to the menu. Rabastan waited for her to continue or ask him about his interests, but considering how hard she was concentrating on the menu he'd give her a minute.
They were almost finished with their 3rd course and just waiting for dessert.
In the past 2 hours, Esmae had been up once to the restroom, Rabastan had gotten up once as well, they’d ordered a second bottle of wine, and they’d both drummed their fingers on the table at least once before they’d caught themselves.
The conversation had become a little stilted as they attempted to get to know each other, and Rabastan felt like he was repeating the lines on a script that he’d made up to show his family in the best light just as he’d been trained to do since he was a child. Esmae hadn't been helpful, asking generic questions about his interests, likes, et cetera.
So far, it hasn't been the best of dates.
Not the worst, either, he had to admit. The worst he'd been on was a few years ago while on assignment in Spain. He’d met an absolutely gorgeous man, an absolute power bottom in bed. Rabastan had been so looking forward to dinner with him the next night and seeing where it would go. Except the man spent the whole time talking about the businesses he owned, and how many trips overseas he took on an annual basis. Then he had begun talking about how many women and men he’d bedded in the last year. No, this date with Esmae was better than that.
As they waited Rabastan looked around to see if he could see what others had ordered, most people had privacy barriers up so you couldn’t hear what they were saying. Only a few people put up privacy barriers strong enough to keep the other patrons from seeing them. He saw a few dishes he thought Sirius would like. He’d have to come back here with him, perhaps they could both order something different and share. Or they could come on a Sunday night and request the chef’s table to have a special seven course meal. Either way they'd have to think of good glamours to wear while out in the wizarding world before rumors started flying.
He imagined it was Sirius across from him instead of Esmae, he now wished it was, at least he’d have someone he enjoyed speaking with and spending time with. He pictured Sirius’ beautiful face and the way he would light up when he’d taste something new and wonderful. As he gently began smiling to himself Esmae interrupted his thoughts.
“Who is she?”
“I’m sorry?” Rabastan sat back
“Who is it that you’re thinking of, I recognize your little smile. It’s the type of smile brought to someone’s face when they think about someone special.”
Rabastan swallowed “oh it’s nothing of that sort. Just a friend of mine. Well we’ve known each other a long time and just recently became fast friends. I was just thinking about how much he’d enjoy that dish that woman is having over there and was wondering if we should come back here to try a few different dishes” he shrugged, suddenly feeling nervous. He wondered if he had said too much. He was disappointed his face had given anything away at all.
Esmae smiled, she didn’t look hurt nor did she look like he had said anything wrong “I think this is the first time we’re actually going to have a decent conversation tonight." she took a quick sip of her wine and continued "I have a friend that brings that type of smile to my face as well. It’s actually why my parents were looking for a suitable match for me, she’s a friend of mine from Beauxbaxtons, a muggleborn, and not a very wealthy one at that. My parents outright rejected the match. They know I have no preference for men or women either way, which is how I’m here. Although if I were to be honest my only preference is her.”
Rabastan smiled, “I’m unsure that’s what it is between my friend and I, but anyone who brings smiles to your face is to be cherished. I think at one time I would have agreed with your parents but now I think you should be with whoever makes you happiest. Clearly something forced isn’t in anyone’s best interest”
“Are you saying you’ve changed your thoughts on blood purity thanks to your new friend?”
Rabastan paused “maybe?” He thought about one of his first conversations with Sirius while stuck in an elevator about working on personal prejudices and he had found himself doing the same. His prejudices had already begun waning before the end of the war with all the time he spent in different countries around all kinds of people thanks to work.
His new insights were proving to be true every time he met someone who knew or heard more about Potter and Lupin. He had been taught from a young age that the Potters were blood traitors, and the Slytherins in Sirius’ year had been cruel to Lupin thanks to his poor health and the fact that his clothes weren’t as expensive as theirs. But they seemed quite wonderful based on what Sirius shared.
“I mean, he’s definitely part of it”
He shook his head as he did everything in his power to hold back a smile
“So what do you think you’re going to do about your friend? Is there any way that I could help you?”
Which is exactly how they ended the night: an honest conversation about where they stood with each other, an agreement to meet again so as to not arouse Esmae’s parents suspicions as she reaches out to her girlfriend to let her know that Esmae is indeed not getting married. Rabastan was glad for some answers.
He absolutely needed to write to Sirius about this lemon cheesecake when he got home. How the man stayed so fit despite his sweet tooth was beyond him.