The Prodigal Son

[Derek Ritcher]

"Now, now, don't tell me you're opposed to the idea... or ideas. Which one has you all flustered, Blondie?" He teased Harley, half-tempted to walk over and pick her up as he had in the midnight madness party before she'd been able to give her the chance to truth or dare Flyte.

A smirk crossed his face as he noticed the blush in her features. "That's the first time I've seen you blush Blondie.. it suits you like the jewerly does."

[Harley Johanson]

She bit her lip, holding back a laugh. "You really enjoy teasing me, don't you?" she asked him as she walked over to him. She placed a hand on his cheek. "If you like to see me blush, maybe you should make me blush more often."

[Derek Ritcher]

"I do enjoy teasing you, Harley.." He replied, the back of his hand stroking down her cheek, his fingertip tracing over her neck and collarbone, before he held both of her upper arms in his hands. "Make you blush more often.. maybe I should.. should I start right now, Blondie?" His dark eyes bored into hers, intense and serious. "Should I carry you upstairs right now?"

[Harley Johanson]

Harley raised an eyebrow at him as she smiled. She tilted her head and pretended to think as she bit her lip once again. "I see no harm in it," she softly said. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she looked into his eye. "Carry me away Pretty Boy."

[lianora]

Just as Derek had scooped the little blonde up in his arms and made soft strides towards the stairwell, Lianora stepped into the room and cleared her throat softly. "Dinner is done, children." Her eyes watched them both shrewdly, her hands on her hips as she waited for them to head towards the dining room.

[Harley Johanson]

Harley's head quickly turned towards Derek's mom. Closing her eyes and sighing, she gracefully climbed out of his arms and stood beside him. Not knowing what to say, she took Derek's hand. "You have to lead me to the dining room Derek. I could get lost in this place," she said quietly.

[Derek Ritcher]

Derek kept his mouth shut under his mother's scrutiny as he took Harley's hand and led her to the dining room, pulling her chair out for her and waiting for her and his mother to sit down before seating himself. The house elves had outdone themselves, delighted to tempt their kind mistress to eat, show Derek that they were taking good care of her, and impress their guest.

Dishes ranging from the exotic to the most bland sat on the table and Derek shook his head at them, knowing they were also well known for making leftovers work well later on. Mostly he was worried about his mother and her health,.. and what she was about to chew him out for as she leaned her hands on the table, chewing carefully.

[lianora]

Lianora ate her dinner in silence for the most part, enjoying the tender morsels the house elves tried out to get her to eat. Eventually, she stopped for a moment and looked up at her son. "Derek, what you and Harley do at school is none of my business... but under my roof, in my home, it is." She began, a firm tone to her voice that said it was not up for discussion.

"You will keep up the appearance of being a respectable young adult and that goes double for you, young lady. I'll be having some words with your mother next week." She pointed her fork at Harley.

[Harley Johanson]

"Yes, Ma'am," Harley said simply looking at Derek's mother in the eyes. At least it's my mom and not dad, Harley thought to herself as she looked down at her plate and started to eat again. She kept her mouth shut during this time. One, because it was polite, and two, she didn't want to make matters worse.

She closed her eyes and savored the food. It was excellent. Not to put the Hogwarts food to shame, but it had been quite a long while since she had food made like this from a house elf.