Quote:
Originally Posted by
ArianaBlack 
It was late and James always came to the kitchen when it was late. Not many bothered to swing around this time, especially considering it was after hours and students were meant to be in bed. 'Meant to be' being the operative terms here because more often than not, students broke rules. But that was hardly the point, James Draper always came around the kitchen at this time of night because getting work done during sunny hours was becoming increasingly difficult when students insisted on office visits and peace was often interrupted by strange, routine Hogwarts occurrences.
So on the days when he still had a lot left to do come nightfall, he'd bring all the work over to the kitchens, grab a cup of strong tea and whatever else the house elves had to offer (normally it was a handful of dates), and sit down to grade papers. The place was quiet enough and the elves made things convenient.
Walking into the room, with his usual confident demeanor untouched, he looked to the nearest elf (knowing very well that their attention was difficult to capture if one just stood around waiting), "I'll have the usual," he grinned before turning to see--
Ah, who have we here? "Nana Ichihara," his tone one of amusement as he gave her a look up and down. Grin widening even more. "You're not normally down here this late," he noted, raising a brow. He'd give her a chance to explain before he commented on her appearance because Merlin help her if she thought that'd go unnoticed.
She had found the elf she'd been looking for. Tipsy was well versed in the preparation of Japanese cuisines and after he'd managed to make her some truly beautiful and delicious Yakitori last term, Nana had come to think of the elf as her own. It was a silly idea, not the sort she fostered, but whimsy was easy to slip into when you worked in a magical castle amongst magic creatures.
Having given the elf her order, Nana had taken to leaning against one of the counters as she sipped a cup of very strong green tea -with the slightest bit of lemon squeezed in- as she enjoyed the busy nature of her surroundings.
Unfortunately, she did not notice James Draper until the man announced his presence in usual fashion, and by then, it was much too late. She sighed softly, taking another long sip to fortify herself. "Hello James." Of all the kitchens in all the world, he'd had to wander into her own, hadn't he?
And yet, a part of her found pleasure in his presence. "No, I usually prefer to be in bed around this time of night." - or in her office where there were no distractions or frustrating CoMC Professors to be found. - "But I found myself insatiably hungry... And so here I am." trapped, once again, in a weird situation with a colleague.
"I take it you venture down this way often." She said, drawing the conclusion from his particularly showing choice of words.