Making an Impact

Orion/Hope

Orion stared at he woman at the counter of Twilfitt and Tattings his eyes narrowed slightly. The woman was putting clothes on the hangers by hand, not using magic, which told him that this was another shop that was abiding by the new laws for equal rights. This woman was most likely a muggleborn and though he knew he should be more accepting lest he be looked down upon by his fellow wizard, old habits were hard to shake.

She glanced up as though knowing someone's gaze was on her and caught his eye, smiling widely. She abandoned the hangers, approaching him before he realised what was happening.

"Can I help you today, Sir?" she asked, her voice different than he imagined. The soft Welsh lilt he placed from Northern-Wales was a breath of fresh air to someone who was so used to accents of those from London.

Realising he hadn't answered, Orion was quick to nod his head. "Yes. I came in here to get my son to try on his robes. He had to run to another shop but will be here momentarily."

Hope nodded, turning back to the counter and pulling a large book towards her. She skimmed over the names. "Mr… Black." Her already warmed voice seemed to get even warmer. "You're Sirius' father, aren't you? Well, it's lovely to finally meet you, Mr Black - I'm Remus' mother, Hope. Perhaps Sirius has mentioned my son? May I say that your son is such a pleasure to know. So charming and helpful and…" she trailed off. "I'm sorry, you're not here to hear me talk about your son. Perhaps I could get the robes now and show you the adjustments made? When he arrives, he can try them on."

Orion nodded, a little thrown by the comments, but pleased that Sirius had been making an impact on people. With all of the stories blowing up the paper recently, mostly regarding the purebloods that were treating the lesser families badly, it was good to have acknowledgement that his own family weren't failing in the same way.

"I'd like that very much," he replied. The woman beamed at him, turning and walking towards the back room.

Orion couldn't help but admire her form as she moved away. Already he was seeing the difference between this woman and the purebloods he usually associated with: she was friendly and warm, rather than distant and cold. She was animated when she talked, rather than wearing a mask of indifference. And the way she talked about Sirius… well, not even his own mother said such nice things about him. But when did his ex-wife ever say anything nice about anyone?

But more than anything, there was something so perfect about her voice. He could hear how genuine her words were, and he knew she got along with his son.

Yes, when she came back, he would offer to take her out to dinner. It was only polite after all. Perhaps those that he had looked down on in the past weren't that bad after all.