proof of heaven, as your living `` open,

[lucius abraxas malfoy]

^{In order to know virtue,
We must first acquaint ourselves with vice
Only then can we know the full measure of a man}[/I]

There was nothing quite like indulging oneself with baser desires and impulsive wants. Honeydukes, in Lucius’s perspective, was one of the best places to ‘let loose’, so to speak. Looking at his lean build and stiff airs, it was pretty obvious that Lucius was not the sort that gorged and succumbed to gluttony. In fact, Malfoy, much like the generations before him, ran on strict regiments and studious dictations, always executing a sense of control - on exterior levels at least. At the Slytherin table Lucius was never seen with juice dribbling from his lips or green between his teeth. His posture was always stout and strong, even when he ran he showed some level of control and restraint as if at ease with putting his heart and lungs to their brink; so mechanical, it was hard to believe that he was human and not some sort of creation made in the Malfoy laboratories hidden under the drawing room. And yet this same person who strives to execute perfection is also an addict for innovation and urge; when he deems fit he does what he pleases, uncaring of the consequences.

Not that chocolate or lollipops ever harmed a man, unless they were hyperglycemic or something just as inconvenient. Even still, becoming flubby was not an aspiration for Lucius Malfoy, but who could resist the caramel and crème topped coffee and turtle shaped chocolates? Since a particular night in the Forbidden Forest he’s been practicing naught but restraint from the purposeful wiles of Narcissa Black, he had to find some source of release, and what better than scintillating sweets? He had to win her bet, after all. Donned in a clay brown oxford and charcoal gray tie and trousers, even on Hogsmeade weekends Lucius put consideration into his outfits. In many lights, he dressed more like a prospectus businessman than a teenager, but with his upbringing, there were very few situations where a flimsy tee shirt and denim were acceptable as attire - even as a child he was suited up as his father's miniature carbon copy. He’s been wearing ironed trousers and crisp shirts for as long as he could remember, what he wore now seemed normal to this seventeen year old - even when his peers were glad to get out of their school uniforms for Hogsmeade.

Taking a cup of hot cocoa that he had purchased from the counter, he ambled slowly towards the chocolate section - otherwise known as half the store. Milk chocolate, dark choclate, white chocolate, swirled chocolate - Lucius almost felt sick just imagining himself trying one of each. He sipped his hot chocolate instead, licking remnants of froth from the inside of his bottom lip as he examined the fanciful wrapping and displays that no child - or adult - could truly resist. It was almost unfair. Seeing as refraining and refusing was not really an option, the only problem now was choosing what to purchase to take with him as he continued on with his business around Hogsmeade. Whilst contemplating and browsing, a hefty crowd of fourth years stampeded around him, setting Lucius up against a shelf as the hormone-ridden teens raided every counter they could find, as if they needed any more stocks of sugar. If he were actually motivated he’d set them straight with some vague threat of spit-shining trophies (though just approaching them was most usually enough) - but he’d much rather just drown out the squeals of excitement than have to listen to their disillusioned remarks they think are witty - besides, it would be rather unfair to the employees of Honeydukes to scare all the young customers out of store like he did as a hobby back at Hogwarts.

Rather, he decided to purely indulge himself, as he usually aspired to do. The metallic goblets and bowls of free samples were surprisingly still somewhat full at midday, but they'd most likely be gone before snack time. Might as well get a lead before the youngsters raid the shop. Stopping first at a table with filigreed, wrapped chocolates and caramel drizzled cubes, Lucius fingered himself out a morsel of milk chocolate, popping it quickly into his mouth as he pressed his lips closed as if to not let any of the potential taste escape. It was times like these - when sucking the deliciousness between his tongue and the roof of his mouth - that he wondered why he didn't just live here, rather than fulfill his mundane, mental 'to do' list (which dismally included buying some pots of ink and eggshell parchment) Naturally, he plucked himself up another 'sample', examining it briefly before placing it on his tongue as he scouted for another open canister ripe for the taking. His left hand wound around the handle of his mug of hot chocolate as he maneuvered around the kiddies and display tables littering the store; so much for a 'quick stop'.

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[gabriel sutherland]

Honeydukes was a candy fanatics heaven and while one thought of little kids running around all hopped up on a sugar rush, there were a few older teens running around as well. Most of the Gryffindors hit this place first on their visits into town, followed by Hufflepuffs. The snakes on the other hand....well...they didn't gather here in droves as being seen in such a childish shop didn't bode well for your image, but to Gabriel, it really meant nothing. He had grown up in a child's play land, what with his father being a toy maker and what not, specializing in dolls mostly. Sure, it didn't seem like the most prestigious job for a pure blood, but it had more than paid the bills and got them in good with all sorts of pure blood families. All pure blood girls had to have one of the Sutherland dolls and seeing how fathers can't help but spoil their tiny princesses, Gabriel's father charged whatever he saw fit, whether it be money or favors.

With all that said, seeing Gabe in a childish shop wasn't that unusual. Dressed in dark brown cargo pants with beige tee shirt and brown long sleeve collard over shirt and brown boots, Gabriel sort of blended in but the way he carried himself and the way his clothes looked like they had been pressed and cleaned recently made him stand out just a bit. Even dressed casually, Gabe always looked his best, never letting anything on him or about him look out of place. First impressions were everything and you only had one chance to make them, so making sure everyone saw him as clean and well kept was a major priority.

The shop about Gabriel buzzed with life and Gabriel took it all in, moving about slowly, smiling at the little ones who ran about from candy bin to candy bin. Kids amused Gabriel and while he wasn't aspiring to have of his own any time soon, he had given it thought. Every guy wanted a son to carry on the family name, but was the sacrifice worth it all. Children required a lot of attention and while he could hire a nanny, that sort of put a strain on the family relationship. Children with nannies sort of grew to resent their parents over time and if Gabe could not have a child who respected him, then he wouldn't have one at all. However, before this line of thought could be pursued further, Gabriel caught sight of a familiar platinum haired head. A double take confirmed whom Gabe saw and he couldn't help but chuckle, bringing his hand up to his mouth to stifle it a bit. Lucius Malfoy was floating about, sampling candies here and there as if he owned the store. Now, Lucius was known for his taste in the finer things and chocolate seemed to be one of them now. It was just an odd sight to behold, and one Gabriel could not resist interrupting.

Slowly and methodically, Gabriel stalked Lucius through the shop, watching his actions and studying the moment. Lucius was an odd bird and one which Gabriel had trouble pinning down. Sure, he was predictable by pure blood standards, but deeper and more hidden was a darker objective. It was this dark aura which kept Gabe's attention and made him tolerate Lucius for as long as he had now. "Shopping for yourself or for another Lucius?," Gabriel asked as he stepped beside Lucius now, halting his stroll for the moment. "Maybe Narcissa?," he asked, slipping his hands into his pockets, flashing Lucius a smile, making sure to keep eye contact with his fellow house mate.

[lucius abraxas malfoy]

^{In order to know virtue,
We must first acquaint ourselves with vice
Only then can we know the full measure of a man}[/I]

(sorry for the lengthy delay!!)
Lucius pounced on some tortoise-shaped chocolates next, which were ironically stacked right next to the chocolate frogs. He furrowed his brow while he scrutinized the gentle rivets in the ’shell’ of his chocolate, the feet threatening to melt right in his hand while he held it. He popped it into his mouth quick, sucking on his index finger to ensure that there was no evidence of his mischievous vices left on his hands. After sucking and chewing gently, he chose to clean his palette with nothing else than the hot chocolate that he had purchased earlier. At the rate he was going he was either going to throw up his lunch or have a very darling nap within the next couple hours. Lucius will definitely have to take some home with him - Hell, he might even be in a good enough mood to share. Upon Gabriel’s approach, Lucius had already picked up another succulent little turtle sample just before he claimed a whole little bag to purchase once he was finished perusing store (whenever that will be). Lucius also picked up a couple boxes of chocolate frogs, tucking them under his arm as he looked for some better way to carry around his goods.

In doing this, his eyes met up with Gabriel, who was already in the midst of a salutation. Gabriel’s introductory, joking comment induced contemplation for Lucius, however. The thought of indulging himself was an innovative one - and to be quite honest, he had not even considered buying for another. Blame it on his heavy dose of ‘only child’ syndrome or maybe even his greediness, but it did not cross his mind for one second at the prospect of someone else enjoying some chocolate at his expense, let alone Narcissa. Well, that’s an eye-opener. “I hadn’t considered it,” Lucius admitted quite gravely, a sense of honesty not common of Malfoy lacing his words. And even still, what would Narcissa think if he were to buy and send her chocolates - wasn’t that too smitten-like, too boisterous, too obvious? Last thing he needed to portray himself as is a sick puppy vying for a little attention. Funny how so many complications arose from one, simple teasing question? The fact that Lucius had to prance around as if he was indifferent to Narcissa’s seductions was the culprit.

It was definitely time to change the subject now. Dangerous waters were being trodden here, all by Gabriel’s persuasion. His intentions may have been good enough, but leave it to Lucius to reveal nothing unless he wants to. “Though I do think I shall be taking a bit back with me,” Lucius proclaimed conversationally, looking to his beaming counterpart with sincere contentment. Though the searing question had assaulted Lucius’s mind, in the eyes of his counterpart, the question beseeching to be passed from Malfoy’s lips was one that probably made him seem novice in the matter of women. Having never had a technical girlfriend that has lasted more than a week or so and not exactly the charitable type, Lucius was blithely curious. Then again, this comes from the same lad who didn't do much of anything for others unless there was some form of compensation - what a great quality for a boyfriend. “Do girls actually like this stuff?” Lucius asked with a feigned tenor of passiveness, when in truth he was clearly wondering. Maybe it was some grand secret that somehow eluded Lucius for all this time. On an emotional level, Lucius was well more than brain-dead - especially for the likes of others. His mother was not exactly a great example of what women were like today (this is the seventies, not 1940), dear Mrs. Malfoy preferred a perfect figure and expensive champagne with diamonds in the glass, let’s just say she’s not exactly the ‘chocolate type’.

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[gabriel sutherland]

Lucius Malfoy was one of the more collected individuals Gabriel had come across in his years spent at Hogwarts. The boy was patient, cunning, and very educated, three things which only elevated him within the pure blood social circle. The Malfoy name brought innumerable connections with it, however, Lucius' father had put some strain on that with his anti-muggle views and actions. Everyone who were even close to the Malfoy's had heard the propaganda which Lucius' old man had spread everywhere. To Lucius' credit though, he had done a good job of keeping the good parts of the Malfoy name while separating himself from the more controversial aspects of it. Of course, to those such as Gabe, they knew that Lucius shared some of his father's hate for muggles and muggle sympathizers, even it some of it might just be for social standards.

The actions of Lucius now were typical, calm and cool, deflecting Gabriel's question with one of his own, denying mister Sutherland the slight insight to what he was up to. It was a classic move and one Gabriel had to surrender to if he wanted this little social meeting to continue. Lucius had much to offer Gabriel, but like all things one wants, they never came free. Gabriel and Lucius put forth the friendly faces to one another in public, all for house unity and the pure blood cause. They both shared that alpha male syndrome and as such, that meant they could never bow to the others will, however, lucky for them both, Gabriel was good at staying out of the spot light, good at letting others take credit for his ideas and machinations. It might have been seen as a weakness, but it had served Gabriel well all these years, had kept him from bringing shame on his family with his dark intentions.

Shrugging his shoulders, Gabriel gave a warm smile at Lucius' question. "All girls are different Lucius," he said in response, "Some like candy, others flowers....but all," he added with a wink and another smile, "All of them like money. Cissa falls in the latter category I do believe," he said, referring to Narcissa by a more friendly name. Cissa was something only those close to her called her and while Gabriel wasn't exactly a member of Cissa's public social circle, he was a confidant of sorts, as was she for him. The two got along famously and shared a few things in common, so much in fact, that the only other at Hogwarts who was closer to Gabriel than Cissa was Natalie Bane.

The bustle of the store grew a bit as the two boys made small talk, however, it did not bother Gabriel as he was used to such things. Children amused him and seeing how his father's profession was toy making, Gabriel was always around flocks of small children, all wanting the next and brightest thing his father would create. Gabriel himself shared his father's talent, even the darker side of it. Some of the so called toys which had come from the Sutherland home, had been called into question by the Ministry, but none could ever be proved to have actually caused their owners any harm. "I hope you don't mind some company," he said, looking beyond Lucius and catching the eye of someone who worked in the shop, motioning to the mug in Lucius' hand, indicating that he too would like something warm to drink.