closing u p ::michael/open::

[victoria]

Victoria made the last of her notes for the day on a scrap piece of parchment, then tucked her quill away for the night. It had been a long day, incidents involving Dark magic were on the rise, and with the recent murder of a muggleborn witch more stories than ever were pouring in. Victoria was quite aware that the Prophet had become perhaps one of the most depressing things on the planet to read, but as of now it made for extraordinarily high sales- the public absolutely lapped up stories full of misery. It was starting to make Victoria feel sick, but she would give their subscribers what they were looking for.

With a flick of her wand her entire office began straightening itself from the completely disarray it had been in for the majority of the day. Victoria sighed, leaning her head against the back of her chair. She figured was the only one left at the office and she was ready to go home. It took only a second to prove her assumption wrong as there was a knock at the door. "It's open," Victoria called, sitting up straight once more.

[minister]

Michael didn't quite know how, but when he had gotten home, he had realized that he had beaten his wife back to the house. That was a rarity, even with her high position. Michael often found himself getting home in the wee hours of the morning only to get up again shortly after the sun rose. It was the nature of being Minister of Magic, he supposed.

At Victoria's call, Michael entered her office. "Hello dear," he said with a smile, coming over to her desk. "I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner with me." Michael figured that as long as Victoria didn't have too much to do at her office, they could go somewhere nice for once. Michael felt bad that he always got back so late, so he would try to make it up to his wife.

[victoria]

Victoria's pale visage relaxed into a gentle smile at the sight of her husband, she was pelasantly surprised that he had come to her office, perhaps he had gotten done at work unusually early- it was only around seven in the eveing. "I would love to," Victoria said as she stood up to go and give her husband a kiss on the cheek. She flicked her wand at a false pannel on the wall, which turned around to reveal a few extra sets of robes. Victoria always kept them there, in case she should have company at the office. "Which ones do you think?" Victoria asked of Michael. Of the three sets they were all similar in style- one was perriwinkle, the second somehwere between magenta and purple, and the third slightly ivory.

[minister]

Michael turned around to see that the wall had flipped around to reveal three sets of Victoria's robes. A smile came across Michael's face; somehow it didn't surprise him that Victoria kept extra clothes at work. "I like the ones in the middle," Michael commented with a smile. "But do pick whichever you like; you look beautiful in anything."

[victoria]

"You're such a flatterer," Victoria said, smiling as she stepped toward her husband to give him a peck on the lips, "but I love you for it." She slipped out of the pale yellow robes she had worn that day and delicately dressed herself in the ones Michael had said he liked. Victoria moved aside the last pair of robes to find some of her spare jewelry, a nice necklace and so bracelets, and checked her reflection in the mirror on the wall. "There," said Victoria, "perfect."

[minister]

Michael grinned after Victoria gave him a kiss on the lips. He had always felt lucky to be married to such a wonderful woman; not only was Victoria exceptionally beautiful, but she was intelligent and kind as well. "You look stunning, my dear," Michael said with a smile, handing her her cloak.

[victoria]

"Thank you," said Victoria with one of her famous smiles. She slipped her cloak on over her shoulders, fastening only the top clasp so the robes she wore beneath could be seen. At long last ready, Victoria slipped her hand into her husband's, quietly turning on her charm ever so slightly, to help her husband to relax. "So my dear," Victoria said, giving Michael's hand a squeeze, "where shall we go for supper?"

[minister]

Michael smiled and waited patiently while Victoria adjusted herself so that she thought she looked perfect. "Well, love, you'll see," Michael said in reply, giving her a sly smile. He squeezed Victoria's hand back and then, making sure she was ready first, turned on his heel and apparated. Michael and Victoria then found themselves standing in front of what appeared to be an abandoned building. Michael opened the door and held it open for Victoria. The place was actually an elegant restaurant for wizards, located in London.

[victoria]

Victoria smiled as they entered the posh restaurant, every detail of the interior seemed to ooze nothing but the utmost excellence and elegance. Everything from the shining floor tiles, to the painted ceiling, even the real golden faeries used for decoration was perfect. Victoria made a mental note to herself to make this a destination should she be set to entertain a first lady from another ministry, as she often did. Immediately the seating host noticed them, and with a slight bow, lead them to a table in the back. The window the table was strategically placed by offered a breathtaking view of London.

[minister]

Michael quietly thanked the host before offering take Victoria's coat. Michael considered himself something of a gentleman, so he wanted Victoria to be comfortably seated before he himself took a seat. "Like the view?" Michael asked as he noticed Victoria looking out the window. Michael was impressed by it himself; it was the best view he had ever seen of London. Then again, most of the views were from Muggle places, which were far less impressive.

[victoria]

"It's absolutely stunning," said Victoria, taking her eyes away from the window and focusing them on her husband. London truly was a spectacular city, even the muggle parts of it- although Victoria did not venture there but once in a blue moon. She hated wearing muggle clothes, robes felt so natural, and anything other than them strange and foreign. Victoria delicately crossed her ankles, sitting with perfect posture, as she always had done.

[minister]

Once his wife seemed comfortably seated, Michael sat as well. He took a sip of the water that was already on the table before addressing Victoria once more. "Well dear, how was your day?" Michael asked, feeling it was appropriate to ask. He knew Victoria's job was very stressful, especially with the terrible events that had been occurring, but Michael thought his wife was handling it all very well.

[victoria]

"Fairly busy, just like always," said Victoria, allowing a small smile to grace her lips. She absently thought that she had neglected to put lipstick on, but she wasn't too concerned about it- they would be eating soon anyways. "I assume the same could be said of you," Victoria added, and then took a sip of the water already placed on their table.

[minister]

Michael smiled and nodded by way of response to Victoria's comment. "It was busy until my last meeting of the day was cancelled," he said with a wry smile. "Then suddenly I found that I had nothing to do other than catch up on everything. So naturally I decided to take you out to dinner instead." Michael knew he could always take some of his things home to work on them. It was ridiculous to be working all the time anyway, he hadn't had a night off with Victoria in ages.

[victoria]

"Well aren't you sweet?" Victoria commented, leaning across the table to give her husband a quick peck on the lips. She returned to her own side, still smiling softly as she turned her charm on again ever so slightly. She loved it when Michael could take the rare time off and they could spend time together- she often got lonely. Victoria did work much longer than the average person, but she wasn't anywhere near as busy as Michael.