she only reveals what she wants you to see

[Helena Armitage]

Helena idyly wandered through the Ministry having had a short chat with Michael Lehrer under the pretence that his brother had asked her to pass an invitation to him for another exhibition he was involved in though too shy to advertise so openly. The truth was she had her eye on said man as a potential candidate for the high-profile, handsome, intelligent, charismatic and charming second husband that she’d been seeking for quite some months. She was almost certain Michael knew this too but to be honest he hadn’t exactly rebuffed her – she saw this as permission enough to slowly ease her way into his life more than when she happened across him nowadays at the scant high-society social events he deigned to actually show up at, usually with that month’s woman on his arm. Sooner or later, she figured, he would have to settle down and marry rich, high-society, sensible and level-headed and she was just that woman. She was wondering, however, whether to ease off a little on this plan; after all she wanted him to come to her in the end, though the forward nature of the pair of them meant anything could happen with this.

It was this which primarily occupied her mind as she exited the Department of International Magical Cooperation and entered the waiting lift, turning away from the figure stood in it as she instead faced the closing doors with an impassive expression coming over her features. It was only as the lift began to lurch away and she was momentarily knocked slightly off balance – something she corrected with a smooth, casual step forward, as though merely crossing one foot gracefully in front of the other – did she realise the figure was in fact a familiar one. “James, I didn’t see you there. How are you? Clearly not busy if you yourself have the time to leave the department, hmmm?” she suggested, a slight edge of teasing in her tone, as she turned to him with an amused smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

[James Osric]

James returned her smile as she had finally noticed him when the lift began to lurch away from yet another floor. “I am going to have lunch with the Minister,” he said plainly, ignoring her insult at his work ethic.

James was not one of those arrogant wealthy, pureblood men who pawned off all his work on the minions he commanded below him. Although arrogant, he took pride in his work. In fact his love of work is what pushed his wife Arabella into divorcing him, that among other things, they could never have a single conversation without fighting.

“Are you here to see Michael?” he asked, knowing her well. He could see the social scheming twinkle in her eye.

[Helena Armitage]

“Ooo it is alright for some, isn’t it?” Helena teased him lightly, flipping her hair back over her shoulder and meeting his gaze with an amused smile, “Well, do enjoy your lunch. I’m sure you will though I hear our dear Minister has been feeling a bit insecure lately, hopefully he won’t pour his heart out to you in some corner of a fancy French restaurant.”

Her amused look turned scathing then as he asked if she was here to see Michael. She appeared innocent though as she smoothly explained, “Yes as a matter of fact, I had to pass on an invitation to him. I collaborate often with his brother Isaac and he is having another photography exhibit. I can tell he wants Michael to come but has this incessant self-confidence issue which means he won’t actually ask him face-to-face. Hence, I am being the good girl and passing the invitation on. Nothing more,” she assured him seriously but the way she looked up at him then was almost impish, mischievous somehow, as if to say that yes, he had got it right when it came to her and Michael and her mission there.

[James Osric]

James sighed, “We are talking business not his life story,” he clarified. “And I will have a lovely time thank you,” his tone was dry.

“Hmm, of you no less?” he replied with a success of quippy remarks, “It’s not merely also a ploy to see Michael, or shall I say your next successful, well-to-do, social mogul and potential husband,” he stood beside her then and shifted his gaze sideways without turning his head towards her. “You do know he isn’t quite as old and ill as your last husband, you may have to wait quite a while before his untimely demise,” he teased morbidly, his expression mirrored her impish one at the corners of his mouth.

[Helena Armitage]

“A business lunch? Yes, of course, of course, and I’m sure neither of you will get off the agenda already agreed and segue into needless phatic discussions or small-talk, that never happens during ‘business’ lunches at all,” Helena replied, equally as dryly as his gratitude was.

The brunette fixed him with an inscrutable look as he began to talk of her true intentions towards Michael. “But of course it’s not a ploy,” she refuted his suggestions as though affronted by the mere mention of such a thing, before sighing in a faux weary way, “I am aware of Michael’s age and I am aware of how old Richard was when he unfortunately passed away, thank you very much. However, you very much mistake what I am looking for this time around in a husband, James, and I feel Michael is more… my level, we would do well with each other I think. But that is not why I came to see him, of course,” Helena brushed it off.