Prove Me Wrong (Verity/Leo)

[Verity Bromley]

"I think parents certainly influence how we act, just as much as where we grew up and what kind of household we were brought into." Verity said after a moment's thought. "But I don't think it's in our genes. I mean, we can change our ways and fight how we act. I like to think I am nothing like my father, or at least I try not to be." She had her moments, as did everyone else. She believed her parents had set perfect examples of what not to do for when she grew up

[Leo Ignatius]

"What about the person that has never met his alcoholic, abusive father and grows up in a good home, only to become an alcoholic, abusive father to his own children?" Leo asked, looking at Verity intently for a few moments before he shook his head and looked away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get all serious." It was something he thought a lot about, though.

[Verity Bromley]

Verity was caught off guard by the question. She hadn't thought about it much because she was fortunate enough not to have had to experience that situation personally. "No, don't be sorry." She said. It was funny how much things had changed from when they first met. "You're right, but alcoholism is a disease, isn't it?" She should have just stopped talking, but the thing is, she had a hard time not blurting out what was on her mind. It was a curse. "I was thinking more about a person's character and personality."

[Leo Ignatius]

"Well, being prone to become an addict is a personality trait, I'd think," Leo said. "And abuse runs in families, as does being loud or quiet, or arrogant." He gave another small smile. He didn't think he was too arrogant, but he wasn't around himself very often. In his own mind he was perfectly rational in his thoughts and feelings.

[Verity Bromley]

Verity could have said more, and probably would have, but she gained this incredible amount of self-control out of nowhere and instead smiled. "You're right." She said plainly. It wasn't worth getting into an argument over. Frankly, she was sick of arguing, even though that never stopped her before. "What year are you?" Verity asked, changing the subject. Subtlety was never her thing, either.

[Leo Ignatius]

"Seventh," Leo said. Academically, he was probably on par with most of the seventh years and was even in class with some of them, so while he wasn't "officially" a seventh year until the end of the term, he considered himself one. "Basically," he amended, shrugging. "And you, my dear?" He was just as willing to move on from the previous flop of an accidental conversation topic.

[Verity Bromley]

"I'm Seventh, as well." Verity said, a little bit surprised she didn't have any classes with him. It wasn't that big of a wonder, considering it would be impossible to fit all seventh years in the same exact classes at the same time. Verity's finger traced the rim of her glass lightly. "What do you do for fun?" Verity asked next. "I mean, besides torturing poor, innocent girls in the Common Room." She joked playfully. She was a bit dramatic at times. Well, actually, most of the time, but who was keeping track?

[Leo Ignatius]

"Torturing poor, innocent girls in the Common Room just takes up so much of my time, I don't have time for much else," Leo said, grinning before taking a long drink from his glass. "But I also enjoy long walks by the lake and a nice game of wizard's chess." As cheesy as it sounded, he was being truthful in his answers, even if it was all but impossible to find someone that could keep up with him in the game.

[Verity Bromley]

Verity laughed before taking a sip of her water. "I love the lake." Verity said. It was one of the most beautiful places at Hogwarts. It was peaceful and calm and no matter how many students were around, it was usually pretty quiet. "However, I must admit I am terrible when it comes to playing wizard's chess." She had tried to teach herself one time, but it only ended up with several smashed pieces in front of her and a cut on her finger.

[Leo Ignatius]

"I could try to teach you," Leo offered, raising an eyebrow. He had attempted to teach a couple of people to play before and had failed, mainly because he would get aggravated and leave halfway through their fourth time asking how the Bishop moved. It really wasn't that complicated to understand the moves, it was the strategy that caught people up. "Or I could just take you on a walk around the lake."

[Verity Bromley]

"I'm a terrible learner." Verity said crinkling her nose. She didn't have the patience to sit through an entire game nor the focus needed to actually play it...which probably explains how she got that cut on her finger the first time she tried playing. "But a walk around the lake sounds nice." Verity said smiling. It sounded perfect, actually. With the shop just opening, Verity hardly had time to do anything besides focus on schoolwork and focus on the shop.

[Leo Ignatius]

"Maybe the moon will be bright and the stars will be shining, all romantic and cheesy," Leo said, his eyes twinkling brightly with the tease. Who would have thought that he would already be planning a second date with this girl? But here he was, doing just that. Even past that, he was looking forward to seeing her again, and they weren't even finished with drinks, much less food or dessert or whatever else they would end up having.

[Verity Bromley]

"It is kind of cheesy, isn't it?" Verity said with a little laugh. It was unlike her to get caught up in the romantic gestures and such so easily. Had Hogwarts really changed her that much? Or was it just this night? He definitely was turning out a whole lot different than the guy she thought he was upon the first impression. She found herself laughing easily with him and having fun.

[Leo Ignatius]

Leo laughed lightly, "Maybe I'm just a cheesy kind of guy." Maybe he was, and it just never had a chance to show. He hadn't exactly been around people that encouraged that kind of behavior. "It's my curse, really." He liked hearing Verity laugh, and seeing her smile. Ugh, maybe he didn't like this side of himself. It was all mushy and gushy...

[Verity Bromley]

"It's not so bad." Verity said pushing some of her curls back. She had heard of, and experienced, worse. Much worse. In fact, this was rather nice. Her lips curved into a small grin. "I like it." She said softly, tilting her head to the side slightly. There was every bit of truth in her voice. That was another thing, it was so easy to just say what she was thinking in her head, without having to worry about saying the wrong thing.