This time of year usually put Permelia in a pretty sour mood. Knowing that there were kids going back to school- starting school- getting to experience something she never got to experience always annoyed her. Being born a squib- in a pureblood family- was something that shaped a lot of who she was. And she'd been exceptionally grumpy and short tempered at the ministry as a result of it. But it was finally Saturday and she was going to get to spend the evening out to dinner- having drinks and hopefully enjoying herself with the company of a not-bad-looking guy that she had recently met and been making friends with. (And making friends was not easy for Ellie by any stretch of the imagination.)

At the very least she had the luxury of using the Floo network to get around since she had no other options due to her lack of magical ability. She did, since she was meeting Xavier at Calaveras, go to the effort of putting on makeup and wearing a dress so that she looked nice for their evening out. Once arriving in Diagon Alley she coughed and spluttered as she exited the flu and knocked some dust off of the dark colored material before walking toward the restaurant.

As soon as she was on the street she tucked a cigarette in her mouth and lit it with a match, tossing the stick to the street as she inhaled deeply, sucking the smoke deep into her lungs before letting it out again. At least cigarettes calmed her nerves and soothed her hurt feelings a little. Once she arrived at the restaurant she stayed out front- waiting on Xavier to arrive. She knew they had a reservation, but Permelia didn't want to go into a place like Calaveras by herself. Not that she was exactly scared- but she didn't want to look like a loser.

Besides if she stayed outside she could finish her cigarette before they went in- and not wasting cigarettes was important when you didn't earn the best wages being an entry-level welcome witch at the Ministry of Magic. When she saw him approaching she stubbed out her cigarette on the sidewalk and tossed it into a nearby bin. "I'm dying for a drink. That Merlin you're here."

Xavier walked down the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley at a leisurely pace. He had a reservation later with Permelia but he had arrived earlier then he needed to in order to enjoy the fresh air. Truth be told he had already enjoyed a few drinks before heading out and needed to make sure he wasn't going to show up drunk to their 'date'. Not that he'd already be under the table after a few but the fresh air still helped stabilize him.

He had met Ellie through a mutual friend and she had become welcomed company for his evenings. He hadn't spoken much about his own heart break that was driving him from bottle to bottle over the summer. He didn't need to, the whole point of going out with Permelia was to enjoy himself and forget about yet another failed romance. Sure he was only Eighteen, and no one really expected Hogwarts Sweethearts to last but something had felt different about Jordyn.

He rounded a corner and saw his date for the night outside the restaurant having a smoke. He would have lit one up himself but he had forgotten his pack at home and he didn't want to delay her night any further. He could likely bum one off someone else later in the night anyway, "Sounds good ta me." He offered her his arm and walked into Calaveras.

He let the hostess know about the reservation and they were guided to a more private table near the back but close enough to still appreciate the live band. He ordered them both drinks as he started to look over the menu, "So what'd ye git up ta today?"

The smallest ghost of a smile crossed her harsh features when Xavier offered her his arm. Her upbringing had prepared her for those moments- but she'd been led to believe, after it was realized she was a squib, that she'd never be on a date with a nice man with manners. Well- not a date really- but to outsiders it would look that way. She allowed herself to be led through the restaurant to a small table. After being seated she tucked her bag under the table. Xavier ordered her drink for her- another move of a gentleman- and she left the menu laying open on the table- barely looking at it when he asked what she'd done today.

"Nothing exciting," she told him, spreading the napkin in her lap. "Glad I wasn't working today. Needed a day off after the week I've had." Not that Permelia was going to willingly elaborate on that. No reason to, after all. Not when she didn't want to draw attention to the fact she was different. "Stayed 'round the flat, cleaned, washed up dishes and laundry. Popped by the shop for a few groceries and some cat food. Adult things that nobody warned you came with the territory of being an adult." Of course she'd been fairly independent from a young age. Her parents lost interest in her early on.

Ellie wished she had a cigarette in hand. She never knew what to do with her hands when she didn't have a cigarette in them. "Sure whatever you spent your day doing was a lot more interesting and a lot less boring. Much more important person in the world than I am. Welcome witch doesn't have many stories to tell. I mean I could you who's shagging who at the ministry- but it's usually only women who want to hear about that kind of thing. You hear a lot and see a lot when you're someone people see as a piece of furniture most of the time."

Xavier had unbutton his jacket and laid out a napkin himself. While it hadn't been his usual style for going out while he was younger, over the past few months he had become accustomed to wearing suits for business. Although, at least for tonight, he had forgone with the vest and tie.

He looked her over as she spoke, giving her all of his attention. He had learned when they first met that she was often overlooked being a squib in their purebloods world. Ever since, Xavier always gave her his complete attention when they were together. He often wondered if it got under her skin that he did so, then again getting under girls skin had become a specialty of his.

He rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Blasted adult responsibilities." Although he didn't know what it was like to do his own grocery shopping or laundry or even pick up food for a beloved pet, Xavier had been saddled with a mountain of responsibilities he never thought he would have once he gained control of the family business. In a sense he was thankful that he had a house staff that took care of all of his more mundane responsibilities.

He let out a charming chuckle, "Doubtful, I spent thee day mapping out thee mansion and catalogin' all thee shite me granda' left behind." The Wentworth Manor, Xavier's current residence, was huge and had been in the family for generations. It was also enchanted. Rooms disappeared and reappeared based on the current owner's preferences. Xavier was convinced that there were rooms missing from when his Grandfather had been the owner.

He gave her a wink, "Anyone tha' treats ye as a piece o' furniture is an idiot. Besides, Welcome Witches always 'ave thee best stories."

The waiter returned with their drinks and asked for their orders. Xavier ordered fried calamari and stuffed mushrooms for the table along with lamb chops for himself after Permelia had a chance to order for herself.