Old Traditions; New Year

[Lita Hollows R6]

"Aw, be nice and answer my demands," Lita protested lightly, grinning when she was swung up onto Gaenors shoulder. It was a good thing that she didn't mind being carried around in front of crowds since it seemed to be Gaenors favourite way of greeting her nowadays. Besides, Gaenors tallness came in handy when it came to seeing over crowds. Not that there was anything to see, but that wasn't the point. "Adrian decided that, if he had to wear a costume, then he would make himself unrecognizable," Lita informed him cheerfully, realising that Gaenor wouldn't recognise her brother since he hadn't taken the mask off for Gaenor. Speaking of her brother, Lita frowned darkly. He was hiding something, and he expected her not to notice. How ridiculous. She knew him better than he knew himself, and that included his facial expressions. His forehead was always slightly creased whenever he was hiding something. And he bit the corner of his lip, which was a dead giveaway that whatever he was hiding involved their parents. Maybe she would ask Dana to ask him, Lita pondered. After all, escaping from a bull together had to make them friends of a sort, surely.

Lita shrugged, fixing her mask when she felt it begin to slip. "No point in being a princess when there's no prince or knight to accompany me. May as well be a dark faery, who doesn't need the attention of an air-headed prince or an overly noble knight to make her happy." Lita raised an eyebrow slightly, hearing the edge to Gaenors words. "You wouldn't dare." At least, Lita hoped he wouldn't. Not even Adrian had tried to escort her from her common room to meals.Though he had shown her the kitchens and told her that he expected her to show up and eat something there for every meal she missed. He'd even extracted a promise from her, which meant that she had to. The only reason she had managed to skip the visit to the kitchens today was because there was food during the ball. Lita reached down for a piece of chocolate cake and bit into it, swallowing before snickering at Gaenors mistake. "That's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Lita corrected, still snickering. "Shouldn't you know that, after attending here for seven years?"

[Gaenor Maydell]

“Smart girl,” Gaenor hummed absent-mindedly picking up a bite-sandwich and with inborn lazy grace placed it in his mouth, “Fairies fit much better with outlaws or Robin Hood or whatever Cleo convinced me this costume portrays. Appearently I had lived in some damp and spiky forest – all forests are spiky as you fully well know – trying to hunt my meals but alwyas failing so I was reduced to robbing monasteries for a daily meal. If my costume is already expected to sleep on pine-cones under palm-trees I might as well have fairies with me to talk to when I go officially crazy and grow myself a mushroom to live in.”

He wouldn’t dare? Gaenor didn’t smirk or smile or snarl. He didn’t challenge the words, nor question them. HE simply looked at Lita. She would know well enough by now that he would dare and would do it should he ever get a reason to believe Lita wasn’t eating properly. Gaenor waved his hand absent-mindedly at Lita. “Wizardry, Magic. Magic sounds better. Wizardry portrays exactly what it is. Bald old weirdos flouncing around in purple dresses, waving wooden sticks and singing uncomprehensible phrases like adakadabra. Would you like to come to a school that has such a picture in it’s name already? Magic sounds much better. And as I still have authentic hair and a lack of purple dresses with pink polka-dots – I prefer to magic rather than wizard around.”

[Professor Artemis Hawthorne]

"It's almost time," Artemis murmured to Minerva, tilting her head toward the clock. In fifteen minutes the clock would chime twelve times and a new year would be in session. Minerva had been patrolling the perimeter of the Hall while Artemis kept a sharp eye on the drinks table, occasionally chatting with the few students who bothered to strike up a conversation. But now, with midnight so close, she had to switch places and find a dark-haired and tall male who could carry out her plans. Ah hah. A small smirk curved her lips as she spotted the perfect victim. It was a shame that she couldn't recognise him, but that would make the game even more fun, even if it would lessen the embarrassment that the poor boy would face. Artemis snickered. Like she cared if he would be faced with an embarrassing moment. She lived for mischief, even if her station as a professor had forced her to dampen that particular hobby. Maybe she would be asked to return next year, Artemis mused absent-mindedly. After all, she had been oh-so good this year.

Her smirk faded slightly as she approached the boy and the blonde haired girl he was talking with, just enough that she wouldn't make them too suspicious. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you. I'll return him to you shortly," Artemis smiled at the girl lightly, a spark within her eyes promising fun and mischief to any who cared to notice it. Artemis led the boy out of the Hall, stopping in a corridor only a few minutes away. The boy willingly removed the mask at her request and her smirk resurfaced. Oh this was wonderful. Almost like a punishment for Snape not bothering to attend the ball. Adrian Hollows. One of Snapes Slytherins, and one with the smarts to hide his identity, allowing him to wreak whatever trouble he wished.

"You have a very important job to do, Mr Hollows." Artemis handed him the wicker basket from a ledge and pulled back the cover to reveal a piece of charcoal, a small flask of whiskey and a packet of shortbread. "When the clock strikes midnight, you will take a sip from the flask, eat one piece of shortbread and then return to the Hall - with your mask on if you wish. Then I shall make an announcement, you will drop the charcoal in the fireplace and stand in front of the fire. Further instructions will be given in my speech. Understood?" Artemis gave him no time to protest, shoving the basket into his hands and pulling him back toward the Hall.

The clock finally chimed midnight and she watched approvingly as he followed her orders, regardless of the confusion she was sure he felt. Maybe he also enjoyed mischief or maybe he just wanted to see where she was going with her plan. The music was cut off, the dancing stopped and she strode through the doors, Adrian following behind her before veering over to the fireplace at her nudge. Artemis signalled for him to stand in front of the fire before casting a spell to make her voice louder and starting to speak. "Students, I hope you have all enjoyed the ball so far, but now the main event will be starting. The vlunteer in front of the fireplace will be carrying out an old tradition that originated in Scotland, many years ago. For the remainder of the ball, any young lady will be able to request a kiss from him and he will be unable to refuse. Ladies, your new year will begin with a kiss and I hope it ends the same way." With that, Artemis cancelled the spell on her throat and smirked, prepared to enjoy the show. Oh, wasn't it such a shame that Snape wasn't here to enjoy it too? Maybe a few photographs would make up for that. 'Smile' Artemis mouthed to Adrian silently, lifting up a camera and snapping a picture of the first girl approaching him.

[Adrian Hollows]

Adrian opened his mouth to reply, only to be interrupted by someone placing a hand on his shoulder. His eyebrow lifted almost involuntarily. Professor Hawthorne was...smirking. An expression expected from his own head of house, but not the DADA professor. "Please excuse me," Adrian smiled at Lacey apologetically before following the professor, mentally reviewing reasons why he could be in trouble with her. By the time they stopped, Adrian had still found no reasons and so was eyeing her warily. If he was in trouble then it must be serious to warrant pulling him out of the Ball, but he did nothing so it was a set-up. Then again, would she be smirking if he was in such serious trouble? Which left one option. He had somehow volunteered himself for something and that something would probably bring a lot of humiliation.

"Of course," Adrian inclined his head and removed his mask obligingly, growing slightly more uneasy when Hawthornes smirk grew brighter. Damn that smirk. The more satisifed it looked, the more uneasy he felt. Adrian peered into the basket curiously. Charcoal, a flask - apparently of whiskey - and quite a lot of shortbread. Whatever this something was, he was expected to have a dry mouth and hungry stomach before it was over. But whiskey? What Professor willingly handed a student whiskey? Adrian settled the mask back on his face, just in time since the next second he had his hands full with the basket and was being dragged back to the Hall. What on earth were the professors planning and how had they kept it such a secret? He had acquaintances all over the school and not one of them had heard about anything unusual going on at the ball.

He should protest, push the basket back at her and return to his conversation with the girl from before, but the more curious side of his nature wouldn't let him. Instead, he swallowed a sip of the whiskey as the clock struck twelve and took up his station in front of the fireplace when told. "This had better be good," Adrian grumbled to himself silently, fixing his eyes on the professor and she started to explain the interruption of the ball. Instead of feeling satisifed with her explanation, he was rather annoyed by the end of it, even though the serious side of his nature was gloating because it had been right. Hawthorne made it sound like he had volunteered to be involved with ehr wicked little scheme. And apparently the girls liked the idea because he could see some slowly turning toward him, with grins on their faces. At least he knew why he needed the alcohol now, Adrian thought solemnly, glaring at the sudden appearance of the camera in Professor Hawthornes hand.

((Arte and I worked together to create these two posts so naturally, we have permission for any godmoding done by either one of us. I hope everyone enjoys the ball, because I know Adrian won't. At the moment he's wishing Artemis had never come to Hogwarts and wondering if Snape would poison her if he begged. ;D))

[Lita Hollows R6]

"I think you're meant to be Robin Hood, an outlaw who lived in Sherwood Forest and robbed the rich to give to the poor, along with his band of Merry Men. You eventually fall in love with Maid Marian and probably give up on life as an outlaw because I can't see a rich girl giving up her fortune to live in a damp and spiky forest." Lita snickered. "Not once were fairies ever mentioned in the tales of Robin Hood, nor do you go insane. And elves live in muchrooms and toadstools. Apparently fairies live in flowers." Lita smiled wistfully, resting her chin on Gaenors head. "If that's the case then I want to live in a bluebell."

Lita looked at Gaenor and sighed. Of course he would dare. He'd do it to protect her health and probably find it amusing. "Adrian already made me promise that I'd eat," Lita informed him sharply. "So you have no need to worry." It was to protect her and keep her healthy, she knew that, but it just grated on her nerves for some reason. Lita tilted her ehad curiously when the music stopped, turning to face Professor Hawthorne and snickering. "What idiot would willingly agree to do that?" Lita rolled her eyes, then groaned and dropped her head into her hands when she turned her head to glance at the figure in front of the fireplace. "Oh no. Surely not." Lita sighed. Of all people, it would have to be Adrian, wouldn't it? Though she couldn't imagine him actually volunteering, which meant that Hawthorne had somehow dragged him into it. Myabe it was a good thing that no one could recognise him with that mask on, Lita decided. Then again, it was good blackmail material and balckmail was always a good road to go down. It had gotten her to Cleo and Kris' wedding, hadn't it?

[Riley Baldacci]

Clash, bang, stomp, pliu, pleu, ploh. Pew-pew-pew, clang! “AAAAAAAAYEEEEEEEEEEEE!” came the loud and overly gaily shout as the small fourth year Ravenclaw jumped happily as the commix-book hero overthrew his opponents. Bouncing up and down on her bed Riley beamed at her dorm-mates who were giving her quite exasperated looks. Perhaps they hadn’t liked Riley giving a loud overview of what was happening as she read the comic-book gramps had sent her. But surely that was only because they hadn’t seen the pictures. The pictures were important in comic-books! “Don’t worry, you may read the commix-book yourself too some day,” Riley generously told the girls in the room. No one said anything about the offer but one of the girls turned around from her seat before the mirror and smiled tiredly at Riley: “Riley-sweety. The ball is going to be starting soon. Don’t you think you should get dressed and get out of here so we could finish dressing ourselves in peace?” “OOOOOH! Costume! I have the super-extra-mega costume! Para-para-tarar-taaaaa!” Riley made a blurrying sound with her mouth as she beat an imaginary drum with her hands, “I’m going as Superheroine!” Someone muttered something but Riley wasn’t listening. Wriggling her toes under the cover of the comic-book until it closed Riley then dived at her drunk, throwing her things out randomly until finally locating the pieces of her outfit.

On the whole the outfit was simply. A pair of green tights with blue butterflies on the legs and a white tunic-type blouse that was just long enough to cover her bottom. Pulling the blouse tight around the slight waist with a wide belt hat had a flashy buckle portraying or crossed swords Riley pulled on simple white sneakers and a simple white mask Flo had made for her. It looked just like Supermans mask had looked, only Riley’s was white. Maybe it looked pretty on her, the light colours bringing out her dark hair, youth and slimness and fitting with her personality. But Riley didn’t care. She was a Superheroine who had horrors to fight. Looks weren’t important. Shoving her numerous bracelets onto her right wrist Riley skipped out of the room and raced towards the Great Hall to join the celebrations. Sining along to the music Riley headed straight towards the dance-floor where she enjoyed herself as she twisted, spun, twirled and hopped. Sure, she bumped into some people but Riley always called out an cheery sorry and moved on. Besides who would be mad at bumping into someone at a dance-ball? Riley was enjoying herself so instead of diminishing she seemed to be gaining energy from moving. But eventually even she grew hungry and she was about to head over to get something sugary and chocolate-y to eat when a professor started speaking. Hopping quietly from one foot to an other Riley waited for the professor to stop talking so she could get her food. But then the professor started speaking something interesting.

Riley clapped her hands thoughtfully as she stood on one foot. She had never been kissed before. But she had heard it was good fun! And so she could try it out here. Riley looked around but as the boy stood there after professor Hawthorne stopped speaking no one seemed to move. Shrugging lightly Riley stepped forward approaching the boy with a spring in her step. “Hello,” Riley told the boy with a wide smile, “I’ve never been kissed before and since you offered to I thought I’d try it.” Riley peere at the boy as she reached out her hands and grabbed her ears in order to pull his head low enough for her to be able to press her lips on his. Moving her lips slightly against the boys Riley let him dictate the kiss before she let go of his ears and smiled at the boy. “That was quite fun. Maybe we’ll do it again sometime but….ohhh! Look! The house-elves brought the cake!” Without a second glance at the masked boy Riley left him and skipped over to the snacks table with a wide grin splitting her face as she snatched a plate with a piece of the cake.

People started moving and mutters started up again as Riley merrily devoured her cake before looking around in search for entertainment. Noticing a tall figure with a kitten on his shoulder Riley cooed softly. Only to frown at the sight of vampiric fangs. Pouncing over Riley tugged on Kris’s hand. “Vampires aren’t nice. They drink blood! But kittens are so maybe you aren’t that bad. Come dance with me! I’m Superheroine! Do you like my costume? Flo made the mask!” Riley blurted out in one breath as she tugged on the SLytherin’s - with who she had had some previous run-ins with – arm as she walked backwards towards the dancing-floor, already moving to the rhythm of the song playing.

[Jackson Collins G5]

"I'll tell you what they mean one day, koneko-chan." Jackson smiled fondly, not at all surprised when she stepped away from him. "Well, I know I'm a jerk and you know I'm a jerk but no one else seems to have figured it out yet," Jackson humoured her easily, flashing a bright smile to a group of girls passing by. When would Nadine realise that he was only ever a jerk to her? According to Mieko, it was because he hadn't grown out of his child-phase. Jackson had fiercely protested until Joshua had pointed out that he was stamping his foot in rage and mildly commented on how cute it was in a five year old boy but rather annoying in anyone older, especially a fifteen year old who could be considered an adult. Thinking of Mieko, Jackson remembered that not only would he have to share his home with a stranger for the summer but also with five of Mieko's friends. For once, he couldn't hold back his groan and turned his head away from Nadine slightly. She didn't need to worry over him - and he knew she would because she was stupid like that - not when she had enough trouble of her own.

Despite his good intentions, he couldn't stop himself from confessing when Nadine placed a hand on his shoulder and asked what was wrong. "Five of my cousins friends are visiting this summer," Jackson sighed. "They take pleasure in taunting me until I want to throw them off a cliff and into the ocean. Ichi-san isn't a bad girl but Mi-ki-chan has a streak of mischief a mile wide and I know she'll drag Ichi into a lot of trouble. Then there's Izumi-kun who actually isn't that bad but he takes pleasure in flirting with my cousin even though he's engaged to someone else." Jackson sighed, his gaze seeing right through Nadine. "Meroko-chan, his fiancee, knows that he flirts a lot and lets him, because she knows he would never be truly unfaithful to her and she'll be here to keep an eye on him. Then there's the last of her friends, Yuki-san, who I've never actually met before but I know he'll be a handful if he's friends with Mieko and that group."

"Yeah," Jackson rolled his eyes, grateful to be back on playful terms with Nadine. "I'm a liar and you're a cross-dresser. I'll bet that costume was all your idea and you're just blaming Ryann because you're regretting your choice in costumes now," Jackson taunted mercilessly. He knew very well that, despite not wearing skirts very often, she was feeling uncomfortable as a boy but even thoughts of Mieko's friends had spoiled his mood for the rest of the night. Besides, what was Nadine going to do? He had annoyed her lots of times in the past and she had never done more than glare, stamp on his foot and stalk away. Though it did rather hurt when she was wearing high heels. And she had actually bought thin, strong high heels just to stamp on him with, Jackson remembered, smiling slightly. That had been just after he had insulted one of her hats.

((-san, -kun, -chan - honorifics placed at the end of a name to signify how close you are to a person, though -kun and -chan are at the same level, only for boys and girls respectively.))

[Nadine Whitaker]

"Sure you will." Nadine snorted. "And pigs will fly over the roof of Hogwarts while Santa starts singing one of those Japanese songs you're so fond of." Nadine rolled her eyes when Jackson turned away to grin at the other girls. She would bet her wand that he didn't actually know any of them and she would almsot definitely be right because she knew Jackson and he couldn't help himself when it came to girls and his treatment of them. At his groan, Nadine frowned and stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder gently. "What's wrong?" Nadine demanded, concern shining in her eyes. She was slightly surprised when he actually told her. She always vented to him, but he had never opened up to her before. Maybe it was just that he never had a reason to, Nadine mused. After all, he received a lot of owls from his family and always replied regularly. He always seemed more content after reading a letter from them too.

"Everything will turn out fine," Nadine replied easily. "It's when you start fretting over stuff that things start going wrong. Besides, at least you have the option of throwing them off the cliff. I can't even only lock Tyler and Ryann in the basement." Nadine winked, grateful to see Jackson look happier. He was always so chipper, it was rather scary when he started to feel down. After all, if someone with such a cheery attitude could act like that, shouldn't everyone else be downright depressed? "Chipper today, bordering on hyper tomorrow and being admitted to the mental ward sometime next week, right?" Nadine grinned, remembering the insult she had thrown at him in third year, during a Hogsmeade week-end and surrounded by surprised class-mates who had never seen Nadine break her calm before. Honestly, did anyone in this school know her at all?

Nadine clenched her fists tightly, feeling her nails dig into her palms before bending slightly under the harsh pressure. "You jerk," Nadine hissed venomously. She had just comforted him, attempted to make a friendship with him in her own way, she actually felt like she could tolerate him for more than a few minutes and then he went and spoiled the mood with a stupid comment like that. Before she was coscious of making a move, she had slapped him, leaving a red mark glowing on his cheek, and followed up with a punch, steadily aiming for his left eye. Unfortunately, her slap hadn't dazed him enough to blind him to her fist and he sidestepped neatly before catching her fist in his hand, exerting gentle pressure until she dropped her hand.

((Permission to godmode Jackson given by him, although Nadine really wishes he had let her punch him. He deserves it. ))

[Cleo Graas]

Cleo tilted he head as she examined the boy Hawthorne had said had volunteered to be kissed by anyone in the school. Behind the mask he was quite impossible to identify But a quick glance around the hall told Cleo that it wasn’t Gaenor either. Kris was standing by her side so it obviously couldn’t be him. Narrowing her eyes Cleo tried to guess who the boy was. Not a 7th or perhaps not even a 6th year yet. He didn’t have that width of shoulders nor quite that masculine – or testosterone poisoned – aura about him just yet. Ah well. Maybe the identify of him would be discovered as the night went on. And even if it wouldn’t, it wouldn’t be overly drastic either. Cleo really wasn’t planning on going to kiss that guy. An other girl did however. Cleo snickered quietly in a good-natured way as the girl’s words carried over the quite quiet hall. Her first kiss and the boy was abandoned for cake. Quite a blow to one’s ego that could be.

When the girl wolfed down the cake she had hopped too she seemed to discover Kris. As she approached Cleo recognized her as well as that over-hyper and quite charmingly innocent, light-hearted and blue-eyed believer of all that’s good from Ravenclaw. Laughing out loud as both of Kris’s eye-brows flew up as the girl latched herself on his arm. “Go on, dance with Riley,” Cleo prompted as she took Kris’s walking cane, that was a decoration as much as of real use. Giving a light shove to Kris who did allow himself to be lead to the dance-floor Cleo observed them a little bit. Riley didn’t have much skill in dancing perhaps with her quite unorthodox moves but she made up for that with shining eyes, willingness to try and not bad grace. Grinning widely Cleo turned around only to be met with an other interesting view. A boy who reminded vaguely of Nadine – and wore the same perfume according to Kris – slapping an other. An other thing to convince Cleo that ‘he’ was in fact a ‘she’. Males punched instead of slapping.

Being intrigued enough Cleo made her way over, not needing to go too far. “Old friends as I see,” Cleo commented as she eyed Nadine with a lazy smile playing on her lips, “Or am I interrupting a lover’s spat? I wouldn’t have but my husband was stolen for a little while.” Cleo smirked as she glanced over her shoulder at Kris and Riley absently wondering how Kris managed to stay in perfect tune with the younger girl’s moves before turning her eyes at the boy, slowly looking him over as she summarized him in her mind. “Because if I wished to take his side I’d say that he has to mean something to you if he matters enough to be a jerk. But of course why would I take his side. I just recall much too vividly what happened with me and the guy I fought nail and tooth with. “ Cleo smiled as innocently as she could at Nadine with her left hand resting lightly on her stomach, the wedding ring glinting dully. “I’m Cleo Graas. Haven’t heard much of you from the charming girl here,” Cleo informed the boy quite calmly as she held out her hand in greeting.

[Jackson Collins G5]

"Oi," Jackson frowned, catching Nadine fist easily and touching his cheek gingerly with his left hand. "That would've caused some serious damage, you know. Don't go throwing around punches so easily, and especially not where professors can see you." Jackson scolded, dropping her hand when he felt her resistance waver. Alright so he dabbled in martial arts every now and then - hey, he had spent almost two years in Japan with Mieko and he had had to do something while she worked - but Nadine didn't know that. Had she actually wanted to hurt him? And with the angle of her fist, combined with the ferocity and strength behind the punch, his eye would've been swollen shut for an annoyingly long time. "And you don't punch with your thumb inside your fist, idiot. Not unless you want to break your thumb."

Ahh, Nadine no baka. Jackson fumed silently, tempted to just leave. And he would have left if he hadn't had the feeling that Nadine would either throw a cake at his back or even a chair, if she was still feeling that vengeful. "What happened to the good old days of high heeled shoes in Hogsmeade?" Jackson demanded. "Not that I miss having holes in my feet, but it was much preferred to you slapping me over a small comment." What was even more annoying was that he was actually impressed that she had slapped him and then attempted to punch him. And he was worried about her being caught by McGonagall or Hawthorne! Then again, McGonagall was probably quite used to their fights since they'd been happening since first year and had grown progressively worse ever since. He had lost track of how many detentions they had served, both together and separately, because of their arguments and fighting. Though the pact to not start an argument during class perhaps should have happened earlier than fourth year. Maybe.

Jackson eyed the new arrival thoughtfully, amused both by her interruption and her interpretation of events. "I didn't think she would've mentioned me," Jackson assured her lightly, tilting a slanted glance toward Nadine before bowing and kissing Cleos hand lightly. "Jackson Collins. Pleasure to meet you, Cleo. You might be the first person to see our undying devotion to each other," Jackson joked lightly, despite the way his words rang half-true. Maybe he never would be anything more than 'that jerk' to Nadine but at least he was something.

((Nadine no baka - Nadine, you idiot!))

[Nadine Whitaker]

"I wouldn't be put in a position where I could break my thumb if you'd just disappear, Collins, you jerk." Nadine snapped. "And what do you care if I get detention for hitting you? It would be worth it, just like those ones for stabbing you with my stilettos were worth it." Damn it, why did she have to feel guilty about slapping him? She had flown into a rage with him many times before and attacked him more times than she could remember but not once had she felt more than a slight twinge of guilt and remorse. Now, seeing the barely restrained irritation and worry in his eyes, she felt like the worst person on earth. He was worried about her and she had slapped him then tried to punch him. And over nothing that would've required worse than her usual biting comments that only seemed to emerge around him.

"Sure Cleo, me and him are the best of friends." Nadine rolled her eyes. "That's why I've served what seems like hundreds of detentions because I've tried to kill him. But we do go back a long way. My first impression of Hogwarts was him approaching me before I got sorted and insulting me." Nadine sighed mournfully. "I was enraged when I realised I'd have to put up with him for another seven years." Nadine lifted an eyebrow curiously. What was it about her and Jackson tonight that brought up the issue of them being lovers? "You're the second person in a matter of hours whose suggested that and you'll be the second person to get a resounding no. I would jump off the cliff and into the sea before dating him." Nadine informed her curtly, adding in a glare for Jackson just for the fun of it. "You and Kris hadn't been fighting since first year. And Kris has charm; Jackson has...well, I'm not quite sure what Jackson has but it isn't charm."

[Gaenor Maydell]

“Rob from the rich to give to the poor. Isn’t that kind of pointless? I mean by taxes the poor have to give the money away again anyway so it ends being in the pocket of the rich anyway,” Gaenor countered Lita’s explanation as he blinked at her with some confusement, “And why on earth would a rich girl be a maid? Isn’t that two completely different things?” Gaenor smirked lazily as he raised a goblet with the drink to his lips, sipping lightly even as he listened to Lita’s further explanation. Appearantly he had been mixing up mythological creatures. “I don’t mind being normal. But it’s more fun to be insane. Bluebell. Well, why not. We’ll have to go to my spiky forest where I rob to find some suitable for you. Though admittedly it shouldn’t be too hard, as you don’t need excessively big one, considering that you yourself aren’t that big either.”

Lita seemed to know him good enough to know that escorting her to dinner wouldn’t be a problem. He had just shown that he could still carry Lita around on his shoulders without too much trouble as well. And if it really came down to it he should know full body bind spell that a first year couldn’t counter just yet. But Adrian had at least made Lita promise a smart thing. She was small enough not to be able to afford skipping meals. “But I want to worry. Entertain me by allowing it?” Gaenor questioned, gently tucking a strand of Lita’s hair back behind her ear, before turning to look at the guy that was free range to be kissed. Lita’s groan draw his attention back however and Gaenor blinked curiously at him, “Something wrong? Or do I have to take your reaction as that you don’t want to get a good luck kiss from that guy?” Even though Gaenor had to chuckle as the poor chap got his first kiss of the night before being abandoned for cake before Lacey dragged Kris to the dance-floor.

[Cleo Graas]

Cleo responded to Jacksons almost curious glance calmly, raising an eye-brow as he kissed her hand. “I’m sure I’m not the first to see it. You made it a quite colourful display and an almost educational use of words. And seeing someone who can draw forth such a reaction from Nadine without too much trouble, will certainly be an interesting person to absorb. Maybe I’ll even take notes,” Cleo responded lightly with a small smile, before turning her attention back towards Nadine. At least being pregnant saved her from an elbow into the ribs, that she might be facing otherwise as Nadine looked ready to bite iron into half.

She waved Nadine’s sarcasm away easily however, “It does take friends to let go as you just did and act without worrying of consequencies as you just did. People who accept you like this are the best that ever does happen to you. And he has made the memories colourful as well as livened up a dull day sometimes, am I right? That is already worth something.” Cleo laughed at Nadine’s next comment. She was the second person to point out their love-like relationship? She didn’t doubt that. They had made quite a loud and eye-catching spectacle of themselves. “If so many other people notice it, maybe it’s not that bad then? Look at him now. He isn’t half-bad looking really, and you know he’s witty and smart enough to be an adequate opponent. And he just kissed my hand. Really now, if that isn’t a sign of a bit old-fashionedly romantic charm, then what is?”

[Nadine Whitaker]

“He certainly tries to infuriate me.” Nadine answered, still glaring at Jackson. But it was true. He was the only person she had met so far who could drag such anger from her without any effort. She could curse and jinx her room-mates for teasing her but it was merely revenge without any feeling behind it. Jackson, on the other hand, had made her angry enough to physically injure him and feel absolutely no regret until hours after, when her anger finally receded enough for her to feel other emotions. He could drive her to tears with a few well-chosen words and yet she trusted him enough to tell him secrets that she had kept to herself for years. Maybe it was time to review that particular relationship. Nah. Jackson would never be anything more than the mean Gryffindor who had tormented her since the first day of her first year.

Nadine tilted her head thoughtfully, noticing that Jackson accepted her perusal of him as easily as he accepted her insults and her dismissals of him. Cleo was right. Nadine had considered Jackson a friend since she first told him a secret, back in third year. But hell would freeze over before she told him that and so Nadine simply shook her head. “Sorry to disappoint but he’s not a friend. And yes, it really is that bad. He’s witty and smart, but he’s also too quick to use that wit to start fights. And you’re not the only one to receive that charm. He shows it to everyone other than me, which should prove that there’s no way we’d ever be together.” Nadine nodded firmly, not noticing Jackson’s slightly startled glance.

((Godmoding approval given by Jackson, because he was too lazy to write his own post. *pokes Jackson reprovingly*))

[Lita Hollows R6]

“No one ever said Robin Hood was smart,” Lita pointed out. “For all we know, he could have been an idiot who only escaped capture through a lot of luck.” Which seemed very similar to how a lot of heroes lived. “It’s just a title,” Lita shrugged dismissively. “Like Duchess or Lady or Princess. I don’t know if she actually worked as a maid, nor do I honestly care. Unless you find your Maid Marian. Then I think I’d have a few questions to ask.” Lita decided firmly. One day she’d figure out why she was so touchy about the idea of Gaenor going away. It was fine to be dependant on him while she was still so young, but it would have to stop soon. Not that she was given much choice, with Gaenor leaving at the end of this year. “Oi.” Lita protested quietly, too tired to put up much of an argument against him calling her small. Well, it was past midnight and she was only eleven.

“Fine,” Lita yawned, resting her head on Gaenors shoulder. “Worry if you wish. But if you start camping outside my common room, I’ll find someone to hex you. Honestly, if you worry this much while I’m around you, how will you cope when you’ve graduated and you can’t see me at all?” Which was quite true. She was too young to go to Hogsmeade, her parents would never let him in the house nor let her go to his and if she was allowed in Wales, Clarissa would be under strict orders to not let anyone see her. Dan wouldn’t be much help either. He didn’t approve of his aunt but he approved of Lita even less. All because of something that happened when Lita was too young to really understand it. Pitiful.

“It’s Adrian.” Lita informed him, jumping down onto the floor and hugging Gaenor before yawning once more. “Make sure to take pictures of him for me. It’s good blackmail material and it’ll be useful one day. As for me, I’m off to bed.” Lita waved before weaving her way through the crowd, disappearing through the door and up to her dorm. It had been a fun night, but now she was exhausted.