Fifth Year - Of Bludgers and Ballrooms

[Bobby Britto]

People passed in and out of the library doors with Librarian Pince trying to silence the few individuals that were too rowdy. A few students received a raised brow as a couple permission slaps marched up to the front desk for "permission" to a book from the restricted area. Sly and clever first years students never realized how ill-conceived their forgery plans really were. All and all it was just another day at the Library in Hogwarts really.

Dierdre made her way silently through the small group of first years and ignored them as they moved out of her way quickly. She could hear a few of their whispers behind her as she walked on, knowing that they thought they were being descret but failing miserably. They were lucky she wasn't in a mood to deal with anyone today.

"Fun to funky, we know Major Tom's a junkie, strung out in heavens' high, hitting an all-time low," Bobby sang in a low tone while he received a few odd looks for singing a song most of the student's rolled their eyes. Some would find that to be singing and others, butchering. Either way it was one of the few things he could do to keep his mind off of the happy talking couple that he left behind saying he had "class".

Some class this turned out to be, singing songs, and mindlessly browsing through books with no intention of actually taking one. "Bloody hell," the boy sighed as he tried to regain his composure, the whole ordeal even saddened him.

"I doubt you'll find that text in those volumes there." Came Dee's voice from behind the Gryffindor. She had two of the three books she was searching for and he was standing in front of the shelf that was supposed to hold the last one.

Bobby smirked at the voice, "So you've heard of the legendary codex on how to master the magical art of song writing by Bowie then?" inquired Britto as he turned to eye the Slytherin. At least with this member of the rival house the worse it was going to be would have been that question, all pending on whether or not that was sarcasm.

Dierdre rolled her eyes and set her books down on the table just behind her before turning back towards Bobby. "Not that I have the slightest clue as to who this 'Bowie' is, but I'm fairly certain the answer is no," Diedre's answer resonated sarcasm as she glanced at the book bindings, scanning briefly for the volume she needed. "And anyway, why are you searching for song charms in this section?"

"No one said I was searching for charms of any sort, not even song ones," Britto replied as he watched Diedre set her books down. "What brings you to a place like this? It's not exactly the most lively hang out spot to be around here."

"I'm not exactly a lively person, so I'd say the atmosphere fits me. That and I'm looking for some more potions books." Her blue eyes finally caught sight of the title she wanted and quickly reached out to pull it down, trying not to bring down the rest of the snugly arranged bookshelf with it.

A slight chuckled managed it's way through Bobby's mouth, "Well I come here to escape a few things, so I kinda like it here...at times anyway. Sometimes it's very dreadful being here, but other times...it's like home. Which probably makes me some sort of bigger reject for saying home's in the library," the Gryffindor student smiled at himself slightly amused as his own self-awareness right now.

"The only thing I find dreadful here is Pince, oh, and first years."Dierdre pulled out a chair for herself to sit down in, glancing up at Bobby for a moment before set her first potions book in front of her, not really ready to read through it just yet. For some reason conversation, though small and with a house rival, seemed like a better idea, for the moment at least. "So, are you searching for any book at all right now? Or are you simply here for the company."

Another chuckle found it's way out of his mouth, "Actually at first I came to get away from a few people specifically. Now, I'm enjoying the conversation with a suedo-stranger. As for book searching, I was just using it to look busy and make it seem like I'm doing something. Right now the only thing on my agenda besides hide is this conversation,"it was an honest answer that came from his lips. For some reason it never revolted Bobby to divulge information to this Slytherin. She wasn't like Casey or any of the others over the years that snuck in the word, "Mudblood", or some derrogatory comment that traced back to that word. This girl could be trusted, or at least that's what the impression of her last words gave Bobby. "just for your reference, not all Slytherin look down at everyone else who's of mixed blood," is what she said before storming off. Her statement opened his eyes a little more to the fact that maybe a few members of the rival house actually had their heads on straight. Only a few though.

Dee nodded, her eyes not really focused but staring at the books on the table. "Well, you're welcome to hide here with me while I search for a few more potions to work on." She gave a small smile, the kind that actually made it to ones eyes while not being too showy.

"Maybe you could actually help me with potions..I'm not very good at them," Bobby smiled back as he pulled up a chair. Maybe today's hide out in the library wasn't going to be so bad. "So how come you're at Hogwarts? Besides the obvious," the boy inquired.

Dee gave a shrug. "Hate to disappoint you any, but the obvious reason for me is that it's my parent's expectations that have brought me here, there's really no other reason for me." She flipped the book open to a chapter containing easy healing potions for minor injuries only. "Did you have a choice or something?"

"Kinda. My family has always had wild stories about My Great Great Uncle Seamus. How he could do this and one time he did that, and there were rumors about him going to some weird boarding school. Not sure why or how everything died off, but one day we got a visit from Professor Mcgonagall. She put everything into perspective," he watched the girl read baffled that she was choosing to read that subject. "I had always been into plants so when the opportunity to study new and never-before-seen ones came I took it. Mom and Dad, always gave me the choice though. Mom had a sinking feeling some of the stories were true, and Dad always thought they were rubbish. I wonder if Kevin will catch the same bug me and Uncle Seamus got."

"Must be nice to have a choice, though, I'm not sure what other school I would have gone to if not this one." Dee quickly picked up her wand and placed a copying charm on her quill to save her the trouble of writing the entire text out. "So why plants? They seem almost boring to me, if not for the fact of how important they are in so many potions"

"I could say the same about potions you know. Just an old saying about a sorta plant-life entity, the grass is always greener on the other side. So how are your dance plans coming?" asked Bobby. It was only a few moments later he realized this was a very bad move.

Dee stopped her quill for a moment, and looked over at Bobby. Why did he want to know? Did he have a problem with her going to the dance with Forster too? Dee gave herself a mental shake. Better just answer the question and see."Actually they're coming along fine. Forster and I are working on putting our costumes together right now."

"Good pick for the dance," Britto talked very low. He hoped none of the question would be fired back at him but knew they would..eventually. "Crap..," he exclaimed as a sudden thought washed over him. "Tom's birthday is coming up and I haven't gotten a gift for him yet."

"Why are you so worried? I thought boys didn't care about stuff like that, birthday gifts and such." Dee had put her quill back to work again and was checking to make sure it didn't copy anything she didn't need.

Inside Bobby smiled brightly because the sudden thought managed to help him weals his way out of dealing with the inevitable, "So who are you taking to the dance?" question that haunted him so. "Sorta, but Tom's my best friend...well he's...he's my best friend and everything gets all sorts of complicated. Either way I want to get him a gift and somehow find something crueler than a birthday spanking with a paddle for him."

Raising a thin eyebrow Dee turned to Bobby, again stopping her quill for a moment."A birthday spanking? Are you serious? You're right, you do need to think of something better."

"I know. I was thinking a cat-of-nine tails with jagged edges at the end of each piece of leather. Something that could really tear flesh off, or if my wand could create a flaming based one that could seer skin with ease would also be doable," a smile filled Bobby's face as he spoke about his best friend like that. It shouldn't have made the Gryffindor student that jovial to think of Tom like that, but there were issues between the two.

"Uh, are you sure you're in the right house?" Dee wasn't sure if he was being serious now or not. Surely a Gryffindor wouldn't even know where to get a little device like that, but then again... "Okay, why the need to send birthday wishes in the form of torture devices? That's odd even amongst most Slytherin."

"Because of the one thing that has caused numerous different battles between kith and kin alike, a girl."

Blue eyes widened as she put two and two together quickly. "Wait, all this over a girl?" Dee began to smirk as she leaned on the table on her elbow, getting a little more comfortable while facing him. "Okay, tell me something, is it because Tom and her got together before you got a chance? Or because you tried and she still chose Tom."

"The sooner," replied Bobby through gritted teeth, "Why do you ask?" Suddenly there was a pause that ran over Bobby. "I mean she could be happy with him...I mean they're always hanging around together. I..I don't know anymore," the boy shook his head with uncertainty. "My," Bobby raised both hands and used the universal quote symbol,"Date for the dance is all about somehow making Rose jealous. I always waver on the idea."

Dee took a deep breath as she realized what he was really meaning to do and shook her head. "Making her jealous might not work as brilliantly as you want it to. Rose is not someone who plays those kinds of games. Especially if she knows it's your intent."She leaned back and folded her arms over her cardigan."You'd be better off going without a thought of Rose in your head and try to enjoy the night, and wait till morning to see how it all turned out."

"I don't think she does. She seems so self-absorbed into the next mighty Llewelyn to even notice a muggle-born like me. Even if I have spent different parts of class just staring at her. Trust me when I say this, she really doesn't dig me D. Never has and I doubt she ever will, not when a good guy like Tom has swept her off her feet." A sigh escaped his lips and he looked down trying to fight tears, "I don't even think she'd notice me shoving my tongue down my false date's mouth at the low-chance she'll even glance at me. She's for Tom....and seems there's only one person in the school that doesn't like that couple. Sadly, that one guy is me," Bobby started to walk away from the book shelf. "Been good talking to you, but I think I need some alone time D."

Dierdre watched as Bobby began to walk away. A part of her said to let it all go, after all it wasn't as if it were her problem right? And while the other said to try and cheer him up she knew it was probably pointless with him being as down as he was right then. So she nodded at him, letting him know she heard him before she went back to her quick study. "I'll see you around then."

"Count on it my friend," with those final words Britto exited the library.

(thank you Dee for making this posts real fun and here's the credit for it, which you highly deserve)

[Dan DuMorne]

Dan had been wandering the halls, pondering the upcoming dance. He had become fascinated with the idea of the colour shifting rose and was fairly sure of his ability to cast colour charms, but was unsure about how he could integrate it into the flower's very structure. He knew there was only one person who could help him with his problem. Walking into the Ravenclaw common room he spotted her as she stuffed a book between the cushions of the couch and pretended to be looking over her notes.

"Rose! Yuir jus' exactly who Ah'm lookin' for."

"I am? Really?" The tiny blonde grinned up at her friend, waiting for the blush from the steamy scene now hidden in the couch to fade from her cheeks. "I love being exactly who you're looking for."

Dan couldn't help but smile at the beaming face of his housemate. "Good. 'Cause I need yuir help inna little project of mine." As a skeptical look began to work its way onto Rose's features, he quickly added, "An' it's nae going tae get anyone in trouble."

Rose couldn't help but laugh. "So it's not going to get anyone in trouble. And it's you... so it can't be just normal studying. That means..." Tapping a finger against her lips, she pretended to think about it. "It must have something to do with girls."

"Ha ha. But A swear it's somethin' yuir perfectly suited for. It's helpin' a mate. It's furtherin' the cause o' romance. An' it's herbology. His eyes practically twinkled as he dangled the offer in front of Ambrosia. "So, kin I count on you?"

"Herbology and romance? Just try to stop me." Patting the empty couch beside her, and deftly retrieving her hidden book, Rose managed to wait patiently for a second or two before demanding, "so tell me about it!"

Flipping open his notebook, Dan began to point out things to Rose. "Well, these runes are fer changin' the colour of an item. He turned the page. "An' this is an archaic spell fer colour change." Turning the next page, he pointed, "An' this is Monkey as a giant, stompin' through Professor Kettleburn's class... but here, it's a way of makin' colours swirl t'gether."

Giggling at the drawing in the middle of the notes, she held her fingers down for the real, non-giant Monkey to rub against. Seeing that he didn't seem to mind a little affection, Rose scooped the black and white cat into her lap as she continued to listen. "Swirling colors... this is sounding pretty, Danny. But what exactly are you wanting to make all swirly?"

"A rose. Actually several roses." Dan blushed a little and grinned sheepishly. "I wanted tae make them blend an' swirl between our house colours."

"Ohhhhhhh..." Rose's eyes actually welled up with tears for a moment and she quickly busied herself with petting Monkey. "That's the sweetest thing ever," she said finally.

He grinned again. "Aye, it might be. D'ye kin other lads may be interested in this?" Thinking for a moment Danny added, "Nae, I cannae do that right now. This is goin' tae be a special surprise fer Cissy." He grinned again. "So, any ideas?

With a dreamy sigh, she hugged his cat then quickly got her mind on business. "Oh I'm positive we can make this work. We'll need a few flowers to test things on. And we'll have to be gentle. But I just know you're going to make her the happiest girl at the dance."

Danny grinned and began to outline the exact effect he was looking for, along with what he thought was the best way to accomplish the effect. Rose was somewhat baffled at Dan's knowledge of the colour change spells and effects, but was able to keep up without much difficulty. She offered occasional suggestions on how to combine the magic with the plants, and had plenty of advice to offer on the roses with which they could work. It was hard to say who was more excited about the project, but both of the Ravenclaws were applying their combined intellect to the problem.

"Do you think we're ready to try it?" Rose asked in an excited whisper, unable to keep the grin off her face.

Danny was grinning himself. "Aye. Let's give it a go."

The two prepared the flower, inscribed the runes on the stem, and cast all their spells. A sheen of colour washed across the rose, then seemed to settle in the leaves, turning them from brown to green and back again before settling on a strange muddy brown-green mix.

"Eww! That's so not what it's supposed to do." Pouting, Rose rested her chin on her hand. "Where did we go wrong?"

"A dinnaekin. But somethin' is wrong." They went back to Danny's notes and worked through it once more, considering the results of differing combinations of runes and spells before preparing a second flower.

With a chuckle, Danny asked, "How many roses d'we have tae work with, Rose?"

The little blonde made a face. "I suppose we can take some from Henry... if we really have to."

"Hopefully we won't need too many more, hen."

Casting a couple different charms on the flower, and then inscribing the runes this time. At first, things were looking good. The flowers colour began to swirl and fade, but the bloom unexpectedly it burst into a brilliant glow and began flashing on and off. Dan and Rose looked at each other. "Well, at least we got the right part of the flower workin'."

"Now if it would just stop making my eyes bleed..." At least all these failed attempts were giving her a good excuse to work on her vanishing charms. Rose quickly disposed of the flashing flower and snipped a new one from Henry. "This shouldn't be this hard."

"But we're combinin' different magicks... Runes an' charms an' what-not. It's bound tae cause some side effects." He checked his notes once more. "Maybe we should rearrange the charms. Move the first charm back to the end, and scribe the runes in between? Maybe add a bit o' a time delay?"

"I think you're right. Let's slow things down. It's not like we want to make anyone dizzy with these. Do we?"

"Nae. A dinnae want Cissy tae be sick before the dance even starts."

"She's not going to get sick." Rose blew a golden curl away from her face and absently thwapped Danny in the arm as she looked back over the notes. "Try putting the time delay here," she said, tapping the paper with her wand.

They cast their spells and scribed the runes carefully, and when they finished, they stepped back a bit. At first there was no reaction in the flower, but then, slowly, a thin vein of blue began to swirl its way through a petal, then a second, and a third, until all of the petals were being swirled with an increasing amount of blue colour. As they watched the rose's hue had changed to blue, staying there for a few seconds before the process began again with a vein of red.

"Yesyesyes!" Hugging Danny's arm, Rose couldn't take her eyes off the slowly changing colors.

Danny grinned, and scribble some notes with his free hand. He turned to Rose. "Perfect! Thanks for yuir help, hen." He gave his housemate a friendly hug. "Cissy's gonna love it."

Another dreamy sigh escaped the tiny blonde. "She really will, Danny." With an almost wistful look at the flower she gathered up Henry and stood to stretch. "May I keep a copy of our notes though? I'd give you credit and everything of course it's just that one day I kinda want to have a flower shop and... you know..."

"The credit belongs tae both of us." Danny jotted down the final notes on the process and tore them out of the notebook. Picking up the rose, he offered both to his friend. "One stipulation, though. If yuir gonna sell 'em, I want you to call it the Cecilia Swirl."

Juggling the notes, rose, and Henry, Rose threw her arms around Danny in another hug. "That's the sweetest, most wonderful thing I've ever heard! Of course I'll name them after Cissy."

Danny returned the hug and began to gather his notes. "Thanks again for yuir help. I'd offer tae make Tommy bring you a bunch o' these roses fer the dance, but then Cissy's wouldn't be unique."

"Don't you dare." Rose shook her finger at her friend. "I order you to make Cissy's night unique, and special, and perfect. So there."

"Yes Miss Sheridan," Danny laughed. "Now all we gotta do is keep it a secret 'til the dance. Hope it'll be a special night for us all."

-----------------
Thanks to Rose for a good half this post

[Orlando MacFoozle]

Orlando MacFoozle stuck his head out and looked around the corner. Sure enough good old Tommy Llewelyn was coming down the hall. The Gryffindor's usual smile was somewhat fainter then usual. His eyes barely left the his feet as he walked. Watching his melancholy friend trudge down the hall, he felt a little guilty. He told himself that it would all be worthwhile in a few hours. Tommy would appreciate it. Right? Of course he would. He was a Gentleman, after all.

Fooze came around the corner and headed toward his mate. In just a few calculated moments they collided in the middle of the first floor hallway. "Hey, Tommy!" He clapped his friend on the back. "Hou aboot that. A wis juist thinkin aboot ye, and hear ye are."

"Mornin Fooze," Tom sighed his eyes never left his shoes, "What's going on?"

"Ah sweir yuir life sa-" He stopped himself, looking Tommy over with concern. "Ye alricht, brither? Ye leuk like somebody juist asked yuir lass tae the dance richt afore ye..."

Tom cocked an eyebrow, a little of the usual smile returning, "Heh no nothing like that. Just...well, aw it's nothing. Why were you looking for me?"

He looked about them. "Remember hou ye lent me yuir notes from McG'onagall's class ower the weekend?" Tommy nodded and Foozle pulled out piece of parchment. He snapped it tight for Tommy to read. "Twa wirds, mate: Pop. Quiz."

Tom's eyes widened, "Is that a cheat sheet?" Orlando nodded. "I can't take that."

"C'mon, brither," he said, looking a bit hurt. "It's a gift. A coudna filled it oot wi oot yuir notes."

Tom studied Lando for a moment then smiled, "Listen mate, thanks really for thinking of me I really appreciate it, but I just can't. Give it to Danny he prolly needs it more than I do anyway."

"Fair eneuch," Foozle nodded. He lowered the piece of paper. "Ye prolly winna need it onywey, juidging frae yuir notes. Juist seemed richt tae-"

There was a polite, familiar cough from behind them. The pair of them had been so engaged in their conversation that they hadn't noticed Professor McGonagall coming down the hall from her office. Foozle tensed up at the sound, gripping the crib sheet in his fist. He didn't have his bag on him and was uncommonly short of hiding places. His eyes met Toms and he mouthed one word. Crap.

"Morning Professor," Tom said as cheerfully as he could, "How are you this morning?"

"Good morning, Mr. Llewelyn." Her thin lips smiled pleasantly at her star pupil. Seemingly having no other recourse, Lando deftly slipped the cheat sheet into Tom's bag unseen. He turned around and smiled at the Transfiguration instructor. Her smile fell to him. "Good morning, Mr. MacFoozle."

"Guid mornin', Professor." He beamed back at her.

McGonagall looked out the window, then back to the two of them. "Shouldn't you two be heading to class?" She addressed Tom more directly. "I certainly hope you are planning to attend class to day, Thomas."

"Of course Professor," he shot a sideways glance to Orlando, "Just heading that way now."

"Yeah..." Foozle returned the glance with a somewhat apologetic smile. "A shoud git gaun too. Later Tommy," he said, waving and retreating from the scene.

"Bye Lando." Tom opened the door to the transfiguration classroom, "After you Professor," Tom waived his arm toward the inside of the class room. McGonagall have him a polite nod, entering the room. She folded her arms under her robes and took her place at the her desk. There was already a smattering of students already arrived. Tom walked over to his usual table right next to Bill Weasly and started unpacking his things.

"Morning sir,"

"Morning," Tom said half heartedly as he sat down.

Taking a deep breath to hold back the nearly uncontrollable giggles she felt building, Rose curled her fingers at Tommy in a completely innocent wave as she entered the room. The sight of his gloomy face made her almost feel sorry for putting him through all this, almost. She slipped into her seat next to Nicolette and flashed him one more non-sneaky smile before turning away from him.

"Okay, settle.. settle. Please take your seats," As the preclass chatter died out, the professor stood up and walked around her desk. "Take out a role of parchment and your quills." She slowly walked down the aisles between desks as she often did giving instruction, looking over each of her students. "Since there appears to have been some... lax attention to the material, we'll begin today's class with an exam on last week's studies of-" She had stopped beside Tom's desk. The Gryffindor felt her eyes on him. Even so, for some reason he didn't move, even to look at her.

Professor McGonagall took her wand and aimed it down at Tom's bag. With a quick flick the crumpled paper jutting partway out the back pulled free and floated up into her hand. She examined the paper without a word. As she did her stern expression grew even harder. Whispers floated between several desks in the room. Oh bloody hell, Tom thought to himself as he watch her unfold the paper, He wouldn't have, he couldn't have...

"What is this, Mr. Llewelyn? She held the parchement out for him to see.

He did, Tom's face was a mask of shock and surprise, "I don't have the first clue of what that might be, ma'am."

She turned the paper and, adjusting her glasses, examined it once more. "It looks like the answers to today's exam."

Tom didn't show any emotion except shock on his face. He could hear Bill let out a shocked gasp of air beside him, Could this week get possibly any worse, he thought to himself as his eyes crossed over to Rose for support.

Unfortunately, Rose was staring at him like he'd grown another head. "Oh Tommy..." she said in the most disappointed tone she could manage. Nicolette just shook her head disapprovingly, not even speaking to him. Failing there Tommy looked over to Dan, who seemed on the one hand confused, but on the other somewhat impressed.

Bobby smiled to himself as he watched Tom squirm. Oh, how the mighty Llewelyn is starting to feel that Karma train now, the fellow Gryffindor thought to himself. Tom's eyes landed on Bobby. The look of almost glee on Bobby's face, made Tom's cheeks red with anger as well as embarrassment.

"Mr. Llewelyn," she said, her tone rather curt, "I don't think anyone in this class has the answer your looking for." Almost sheepishly the boy tried to look at her. "Perhaps you would like to examine the paper for its answers?"

"I swear, Professor," Tom lied as best he could. He'd seen Lando and Dan lie so effortlessly a thousand times before, but he was never as good, "I have never seen that piece of paper before and I don't know where it came from."

She sighed ever so slightly and folded the paper up. "I'm disappointed, Michael." McGonagall shook her head. Tapping the crib sheet it curled up in flames and ashes and then blew away. "You will report to me tomorrow afternoon for detention." She returned to the desk at the head of the classroom. "Now, then. Class put away your parchment. You may thank your classmate for sparing you the exam for now."

Tom was legitimately pleading now, "Professor, you have to believe me; you know me. Why would I do something as stupid as cheat?"

"I don't know, Thomas." She sat down. "It saddens me to find you have. I will say that it is your track record which has kept your house from losing points so far. I hope that after tomorrow you will think better of it for the future."

"Tomorrow?" Tom's heart sank.

She nodded. "Tomorrow."

"B-but Professor," Tom stammered, "tomorrow is..."

"As good as any other day Michael," she peered at him from over her spectacles.

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

It was amazing how much one could accomplish in a week with the right amounts of persuasion, the inability to take no for an answer, and a certain amount of sneakiness on their side. Ambrosia looked around at a perfectly decorated party dungeon that was already filling with guests and gave an almost dreamy sigh. "Perfect."

Miniature Falmouth Falcons flew elaborate maneuvers around the ceiling, weaving in out around the red and gold balloons and streamers that covered nearly every inch of available space. Tiny bludgers often dropped low enough to hit an unsuspecting party-goer in the head, but never very hard. Even the candles fit the theme, casting enough soft gold light to make the room almost sparkle. Everything was as absolutely perfect as it could possibly be for Tommy.

"I can't believe how great this place looks," Aeryn smiled as she took a sip of appropriately colored punch.

"Thank you," Rose answered without a trace of the frostiness she usually reserved for the taller girl. After all, this was Tommy's day; nothing was going to ruin it. "The cake was Foozle's idea." A surprisingly accurate replica of the Quidditch pitch in the form of a red velvet cake crowned the table in the center of the room.

"Tom's going to love it!"

"I know!" The tiny Ravenclaw didn't even bother to hide her pride. "I just can't wait till he gets here."

Nicolette walked into the dungeon holding a red box as if it would attack at any moment. A few steps into the room and the box attempted to leap out of her hands. She held onto it tightly and walked directly to Rose. "This isn't as good an idea as we thought. . . " At her last word the box leapt again, trying to escape from her white knuckle grasp.

Rose gasped and put her hands on the box, trying to add her strength to Nicolette's. "Sure it is. He's gonna die when he sees it... if it doesn't get away."

"Where am I going to put it? It is going to assault a partygoer! I had to charm the wrapping paper so it wouldn't tear!"

"Maybe we could put something heavy on it... or have someone sit on it... or..." She gave a little squeak as the box jumped again. "There's got to be a way."

"Is Corrina here? She could weigh down a dragon. . . " Nic sniped.

Rose giggled then immediately felt guilty. "You're not going to be able to let go of it. Ooo... unless we can find someone strong to hold it for you."

The brunette laughed. "Don't you ever think of anything else?" She gave her friend a wink. "I have an idea." Putting the box beside the others she tapped it with her wand. "Deprimo." The box sat on the ground and wriggled angrily but made no advancement towards the rest of the party. Nic smiled at her friend and gave her a thumbs up before moving on to mingle casually.

Up the steps in the back of the dungeon, Foozle and Dan sat with their legs dangling over the ledge. Danny leaned forward and Foozle leaned back. A mini little bludger went whizzing down between the two of them. "Oh, ye gat the stuff fer the punch?" asked Foozle. The Ravenclaw nodded. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a clear glass vial of blue liquid. Holding his thumb on the cork he gave it a gentle shake, which caused the contents to swirl into a yellow color. They chuckled softly as he slipped it away.

"Dae ye gat the..."

Foozle nodded, patting his robe. "Even wraped it."

"Ah'm impressed."

"You guys outdid yourselves," she laid down her present next to the others, "How did you and Rose get this set up so fast?

"Trade saicret luv," Foozle winked at Cecelia, "ye've ken me lang eneuch tae ken me glister."

"Of course. It's why I love you like I love the rest of my older brothers," she kissed Foozle on the cheek.

"Oi," Danny poked the Scot with his elbow, "that better hae been platonic," he said with a laugh.

Cecelia giggled, "Oh no, Orlando," her voice in mock fear, "He's found out about our forbidden love. What ever shall we do?"

Foozle held Cissy by the wrist and gave her a tug. "The ae thing we can dae, lass," she let herself slip down into a faux embrace, "skirt aff and stairt a spleet-new life taegither."

Cecelia placed the back of her hand against her forehead dramatically, "You're right! Forgive me Danny."

That's richt, daff wi a man's hert." Lando and Cecelia both roared with laughter.

Another member of Gryffindor waltzed in slowly, it was Bobby. He combed his hair back instead of parting it, a new look for him, but with today being Tom's party he felt it was kind of necessary to look a little nicer. "He'll love this," the teen blurted out in amazement. Rose really hit the nail on the head here.

Forster struggled with a rather heavy box. When he sent his request to his mom earlier this week, he didn't think she'd make sure he received every single revision from the last 6 years. He just hoped that Tom liked his gift. Half-dropping the gift unceremoniously near the pile of presents before seeking out his herbology tutor and fellow prefect.

Rose was surveying her handiwork still in a bit of awe as to how well everything had come together so quickly when a pair of arms suddenly encircled her. "How is my favorite blue-garbed prefect? You've thrown together quite a party here."

Giving a happy little squeak as she was lifted off the ground, the little blond grinned and waited to be released before turning to see her friend. "Thank you. But I didn't do it alone, you know."

Forster gave a smirk as he released his friend, and stated in a somewhat quiet voice, "So I hear... Does this have anything to do with why you were molesting my roommate in the halls?"

Rose's cheeks instantly turned a bright shade of pink. "I did not molest him. I just needed help. That's not at all like molesting."

Fors laughed even louder at her reaction, "Oh come on, 'Brosia. I know you better than that. Fooz is a good guy, but I know you don't think of him that way. But I do have to say, I've heard a few interesting stories from some of the younger students.

"Oh. That." Despite her blush, Rose giggled. "That's what they get for eavesdropping."

"Well luckily for your sterling reputation, no one believed them. But at the same time, I know my friends, and it sounded like there could have been a small element of truth to that story.

"Well there's only one person I want to molest," she said with a toss of her curls. "So, as you can imagine, I haven't been doing any at all."

Forster gave Rose an understanding smile, "I understand. Really I do. But the dance isn't all that far away, and then you, at least, will get your chance."

Bobby rolled his eyes as he couldn't help, but overhear the conversation before he let one of his gifts for Tom drop with a uncaring thud onto the table scattered with all the other presents. It was bad enough to hear gossip and rumors throughout the halls, and now to have witnessed Rose practically agreeing with the rumors of her and Tom. Just too much for one guy and with that Bobby started to head out for fresh air.

Foozle looked back down at the map. "Oi," he patted Danny on the arm, drawing his attention. They watched as the little image of Tom Llewelyn slowly moved down the corridor. "Here comes oor boy." The pair shared a grin as they got to their feet. Foozle tapped the end of his wand to the map, whispering the incantation that shut it down. "Brosia!" the Hufflepuff called out with his hands cupped around his mouth. "Shawtime!"

"Tommy's coming!" Rose squealed, eyes bright with excitement. Nearly diving toward the door, she grabbed Bobby by the arm and pulled him back. "You can't leave now. Everyone needs to hide so we can make this the perfect surprise."

"Alright....but after that I'm getting some fresh air. Everything's getting to be too much for me to be locked away in the dungeon. I need some air.i,

"Party now. Air later." The tiny Ravenclaw beamed at him; at least he was talking to her. Raising her voice, she looked around at all her friends. "This is it. Lights!" With that one word of instruction several people around the room - Foozle, Danny, Cee, and Cissy - pulled their wands out, aiming them at the floating lights. "Efflo" All the lights blew right out. All the party goers were incomplete darkness, waiting for that door to creak open.

[Tom Llewelyn]

I can't believe this, Tom thought to himself as he took the long lonely walk toward the dungeons, "I know Fooze was just trying to hide his cheat sheet, and I don't bloody well blame him, but in my bag? I mean why not one for the Sanderfords, they would have been a much better target. And then not a word to me since. not a, 'Oi, brither, lat me mak it up tae ye,' nuthin. He didn't even answer the bloody coin, and Danny neither for that matter." He walked past the first two dungeons but stopped before he opened the door. He pulled out the parchment that had been delivered that morning, "You are to meet Professor Snape in the third dungeon at six o'clock sharp. Well here we go," Tom slowly opened the dungeon door. The room was completely dark, but he thought he heard the faintest whirring from further inside. "Hello? Professor?"

"SUURPRIIISE!" The slightly staggered, but raucous chorus of voices filled the room. The cauldron in the center of the room erupted in the most brilliant streaming of reds and golds. The comets of light grew bigger as they shot around the room

"What the..." Tom nearly fell backwards. The comets of light grew bigger as they shot around the room. Their contrails crossed raining down around the room revealing several of his friends and a dungeon that was looking rather undungeony. The streams of settled down, relighting all the candles in the room, bringing it into full glow.

"Happy Birthday, Tommy!" Rose cried, throwing herself at him in the biggest birthday hug she could manage.

"Merlin's beard," Tom put his hand against his forehead, "How did you guys pull this off?"

"Hou daes onything git duin aroond here, brither?" Foozle stepped around the still smoking cauldron, his arms open wide. "Magic!" He wrapped his arms around the taller boy, picking him up with a bend of his back. "Happy birthday, ye auld bauchle!"

"No I was supposed to have detention tonight. You can not tell me..."

"Oh yes we can," Rose laughed. "It was all part of the plan."

"But McGonagall, she was in on this?"

"Acourse!" He gripped the birthday boy by the neck and gave him a good shake. "Frae the fore-end. Or verra nearly, onywey." Foozle grabbed Tom by the head and leaned in to Tommy's ear. "Tae tell ye true, Ah'm awmaist hurt ye thocht Ah'd let ye tak a faw like that." His grin was as wide as a Cheshire cat's, and he gave Tommy a wink, planting a wet one on his cheek.

"You two out did yourselves," he pulled them both into a hug, "I-I'm speechless."

"Then we did it right. Rose hugged him again and looked around at the room. "We just wanted to make sure your birthday was as special as possible."

Tom smiled widely, "Well then let's get the party started."

---

Tom had already opened presents from Bill & Charlie, Laun, and Sam when he ripped open the large package from his mother, "Oh wow mom got me dress robes, how..." Tom smiled, "How very much like mom."

"Open mine next Tommy," Cissy beamed as she thrust her package at her brother.

"Heh, okay," Tom ripped open the red and gold packaging "Oh cool a new gobstones set," he hugged his sister, "Thanks"

Nicolette gestured to Rose. "I'll grab the present, you call off the enchantment that is holding it down."

"I'm ready... I think." Rose watched until her friend was ready to grab the gift before making her move. "Finite."

The slight brunette cringed and held onto the medium sized box and hurried over to Tom. "Open, quick."

"Um, okay," Tom ripped open the packaging. The box almost escaped her before he could see what it was. Beneath the red paper was a case with a clear top. Held inside, bound to the red satin base was a furiously thrashing bludger. In shining letters across the front of the ball were the names Karl and Kevin Boardmoor.

"Oh my God...," Tom stammered.

"No way."

"Merlin's left monocle."

"That is..." he jumped up and hugged Nicolette, "Thanks Nic!"

She patted him on the back lightly. "Well, Tommy, you have been trying really hard in our lessons so I wanted to get you something really nice. Rose helped me pick it out of a catalogue. I am glad to see you liked it as much as we thought you would. Now hurry up and sit on it or something before it kills someone." She smiled at him. "Happy birthday."

Tom studied the struggling bludger, then pulled his wand and tapped it once, "Deprimo," and with that the bludger went calm.

"Aye soothing tha gurly bludger ye are, Tommy," Céilidh leaned over Tom's shoulder and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Sairy A missed the start o'tha céilidh, but A was waitin' on yer giftie ta owl in," she explained, dropping a rather large envelope with a hastily attached bow into his lap.

Tom thumbed open the wax seal, noting to himself that it was stamped with the crest of the Montrose Magpies. He slipped the contents from the envelope and studied it for a moment before what he was holding dawned on him. "Woof! This looks like my year for Quidditch memorabilia," he said, holding up the program for all to see. In his hands, he held a game program signed by the Montrose Magpies - Céilidh's father's team - and the Ugandan Patonga Proudsticks. The match made history earlier in the year when the Proudsticks managed to hold the Magpies to a draw, much to the shock of Quidditch fans and the ire of sports bookmakers the world over. He was about to pass it around for everyone to see when two sheets of parchment fell from the middle.

Foozle snatched up the papers and gave them a glance before handing them back to Tom. His eyes widened and he let out a short whistle, "Oi, Ginger, how'dye git yer Da ta spring for tha'?"

"He didn't, A asked Ma tae break tha lock on tha strongbox..." she gave Lando a wink.

"No. Bloody. Way!"

"Aye, nou A see whaur frae ye git yer sneaky streak," he drew a hand across her back in a sideways hug.

"No. Bloody. Way!" Tommy's eyes were as wide as dinner plates and they were busy shooting back and forth between the parchment in his hands to Céilidh, who by now was grinning ear to ear.

"What's all the fuss now?" Forster asked. He wasn't sure why, but Lando's familiarity with Céilidh at that particular moment made him feel... angry?

"Oi, really Tommy," Danny began, snatching the parchment from Tom's hands. "You're acting like she just gave you -" Danny's voice trailed off as he gave a hard look at the papers, "two tickets... to the... Quidditch World Cup. Top.. box..." Danny paused and looked about the room. Everyone save Céilidh - grinning like the Cheshire Cat - and Foozle was stunned to silence.

"Right then," Danny said, breaking the moment, "I'll be ready to go camp out a few days before the match."

Everyone laughed as Tommy crossed over and wrapped Céilidh in a huge hug, "A ken ye cannae use them fuir a bit, but A couldnae pass on them."

"Wow I don't know how I'm going to follow that Tommy, but I hope you like mine," Aeryn handed Tom a lavender shaped box, "I hope you like it."

Tom ripped open the package and opened the box. A green blur zoomed out of the box and raced around the room. It finally landed in front of Tom. A small green Dragon paced in front of him, small jets of fire shot from it's nose.

"Oh, wow Ryn."

"It's a Welsh Green," she beamed, "since your family is from Wales I figured it was perfect."

"It's bloody brilliant Ryn, I love it!"

"Here Tommy, here's one from Monty," Tom opened the glossy paper to reveal a new broom servicing kit.

"Wow, brilliant."

"And here's one from Benny," she handed him a package wrapped in shiny gray paper.

Tom ripped open the paper, "Excellent, a new beater's bat," he swung the bat in the air, making the tiny Welsh Green Dragon jump and snort a small stream of fire.

The assembled guests laughed at the little dragon figure, but suddenly all went silent as the door to the dungeons opened again, "I hope I am not interrupting,"The headmaster gave a lopsided smile as he joined the rest of the group, "Professor McGonagall had told me that you were using the dungeon and," the smile grew wider, "I do so love a party."

Tommy stammered, "Professor Dumbledore, I..." The guest of honor was a little taken aback by the Headmaster's arrival. "Welcome?" He sort of looked around the crowd for some sort of reassurance.

"Thank you, Tom." The old man gave the birthday boy a kindly smile. "Oh, and Happy birthday." He revealed a small package roughly the size of a brick wrapped a brilliant green paper with phoenixes flying around it, topped with a golden bow.

Had there been a stiff breeze there in the dungeon, most of the guest attending would have no doubt been unsurprised if Tom would have been knocked over from it. He looked at the gift, almost unsure of what to do with it. Dumbledore gave him a reassuring nod, almost as if he were more excited for the boy to open it then Tom himself. Tom delicately peeled back the elaborate wrapping paper with the greatest care. Underneath was a fancy box embossed with the D&B logo of Dervish and Banges. Opening the top revealed an ornate pair of what appeared to be the worlds shiniest binoculars covered in dials and knobs and levers.

The boys eyes went nearly as wide as the lenses. "Omnioculars?" His big eyes met Dumbledore's. "Professor, I don't know what to say. Thank you. Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome, Tom." the Headmaster nodded, quite pleased with Tom's reaction. "Now, I think I'll help myself to some of those treacle tarts and some punch." The elder man patted Tom on the shoulder and moved through the crowd to one of the tables of food set up along the wall.

A smile appeared on Bobby's lips. He was happy for a time despite their recent problems. Tom deserved and earned every little thing he got this year, including the Quidditch tickets. "Open mine next, Tommy," cried out the housemate once Professor Dumbledore excused himself. Unfortunately, the guest appearance of the headmaster made the teen forget the top part of his gift. Who knew "The Witches of Quidditch: Swimsuit Edition Calendar" laid on top of the real gift which caused the heavy thump earlier. A heavy book, leather bound, Healing Herbs and Remedies, by Phyllia Spore. In the back was this personal inscription, "Tommy. I know sometimes things have been rough with us, but you've always been someone I can count on. I know the application part of Herbology tends to get your after seeing a few of the projects Professor Sprout has given out over the years, but you always knew more about the medicinal herbs than anyone else I know. Maybe this could help you stay on top. Who knows one day you could be fixing me up thanks to this thing? Always, Bobby."

Tom turned the book over in his hands, "Wow, Bobby, that is great, I really appreciate that."

Glaring at the picture on the front of the calendar which now sat in Tom's lap, Rose elbowed Forster forward. "Now yours," she suggested, keeping her voice as level as possible as she considered the possibility that that was the kind of girl Bobby really wanted.

Bobby rolled his eyes before he muttered, "Always gotta be the center of attention," under his breath as his eyes were focused on Rose.

Forster smiled a bit sheepishly. "I knew I should have gone first." He lifted his gift and offered it to Tom. "Hope you like it."

Tom eagerly tore into the wrapping paper to reveal yet more books, but considering this was from Forster, that didn't surprise anyone. Tom began to look through the first two titles. Beating the Bludgers - A Study of Defensive Strategies in Quidditch and Quidditch Through the Ages.

"Don't tell Belle that I got you the Defense book; she'll have my hide."

Tom gave a bit of a chuckle as he turned the two books over inglanced his hands. Beating the Bludgers was practically pristine. The other book, looked used. And Tom got a bit of a lump in his throat. "Um... Fors... I don't know how to tell you this. But I alredy own Through the Ages."

Forster smiled, "I know, that's why I had 'Celia swipe it for me." He over at the younger Llewelyn whose grin matched his own. "Open the cover, mate."

Tom shrugged and opened the book and began to read, "To Michael Thomas Llewelyn on the occasion of his sixteenth birthday," He looked up in amazement before finishing reading the inscription. ""Kennilworthy Whisp!" Tom clapped Forster on his back, "This is really...wow."

Forster just grinned, "In that case you might want to hold off on digging any further in the box.

"There's more?"

"Well is there more weight in the box or do I have to go search my room for the rest of them?"

Tom reached into the box to pull out two more books. A new copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, "The new revision, he couldn't autograph it because it doesn't go on sale until Monday," Forster mumbled by way of apology. Tommy set it down to reveal the last book. He Flew Like a Madman: The Life of "Dangerous" Dai Llewelyn

Tom turned the biography in his hands, for a second, it almost looked like there was a tear in his eye.

Oh wow Fors," Cecelia beamed, "I so want to read that as soon as you're done!"

"I really appreciate this Fors."

Forster turned a bit red. "Your welcome. I'm glad you like 'em." He grinned again at the younger Llewelyn, "Let me know if your brother still hasn't finished it by Christmas, and I'll see if mom can get Whisp to send another copy."

Backed by the punch bowls Foozle and Danny watched as Albus Dumbledore approached them carrying a plate of treacle tarts, mint humbugs, and a cocobee crumpet. Looking at one another they shared the least suspicious expression they could manage and greeted him with a wide smile. "Hello, Headmaster."

"Hello, Lando, Dan." Dumbledore smiled. "This is quite the impressive show you all have put together. And in such short time too." He ducked as one of the little Falmouth Falcons buzzed him but was instead blindsided by one of the charmed bludgers. He shook the impact off as the ball dissipated and reconstituted on the other side of him. The two boys stifled a laugh. "Yes, quite impressive, I think." Dumbledore himself laughed, and the boys joined in.

"Brosia gits the credit, sir. It wis aw frae her megrim." Far on the other side of the dungeon the girl in question was beaming at Tommy as he chatted with his well wishers looking over all his gifts.

"I don't know about that." He picked up up a mint humbug and bit it. "Mmmm, delicious. Your girl Gerti has outdone herself." He finished the humbug happily. "I must say. It will be a sad day for Hogwarts were she ever to leave us."

"Aye." The pair nodded in agreement. After all, the motherly house elf had been an important figure in their lives here at school. Her not being there... The idea was just inconceivable.

Dumbledore didn't let the thought sink in too far. "How's the punch?" He leaned, looking past to the large bowls of red drink on the table behind them.

Coming from Albus Dumbledore the question should have unnerved them. The boys played it with an almost professional cool. "It's no bad." He shrugged.

They parted, allowing him access to the punch ladles. "Aye. A bit ower sweet."

The Headmaster scooped a ladle of punch out and poured it into a cup. They watched somewhat intently as he lifted the cup to his lips and drank. "Mmmmm." He smacked his lips some, examining his cup. "Ahh yes. Quite sweet. With the faintest aftertaste of..." His lips puckered as he tried to place the fading taste. "Fluxweed? Hmmm, interesting."

"Fluxweed?" Foozle looked down at his own cup. "Why would they use fluxweed to make punch?"

Behind those crescent moon glasses there was a twinkle in Dumbledore's eye. He looked down his crooked nose at the boys. "Why indeed?" His lip curled up on the end. "No matter." The elder man reached up the sleeve of his robe and came out with a flat black flask. He popped the cap back with his thumb and tipped it over the rim of his cup pouring a nip of its amber contents in. A wink passed to them as he slipped it back up his sleeve.

"Okay, Tommy," Cecelia beamed as she grabbed a large box from under the table and dropped it in front of Tommy, "Daddy said he wanted you to open it last."

Tom eyed the long package in front of him. Tom picked up the card that lay on it and opened it "Dear Tom," he read half to himself and half out loud, "I felt like it was time for this, you've had your old one long enough," he ripped open the package.

"No way!"

"Oh wow!"

"That model juist hit the shelves."

Tom's eyes boggled as he lifted the Comet 230 out of the box, "Bloody hell!!!"

"That is the dogs bollocks mate."

"Ach! Céilidh exclaimed "That's fairly ower muckle broom frae ye, Tommy!" Everyone had a good chuckle at that, despite half of them not really understanding a word of it.

"Really all of you thank you for this. This possibly has been one of the greatest birthdays ever. Okay enough of me, every body have fun eat some cake, drink some punch, it's a party after all," Tom's grin lit up the room.

---

"Cissy," Rose motioned Cecelia over to her.

"What's up?"

Biting her lip, the little Ravenclaw looked around the room before answering. "I got Tommy a really personal gift and even though everyone else in the room would know it's just a gift from a sister to a brother I'm not sure Bobby would understand that..." She looked back at Tom's smiling face. "I know this is Tom's birthday and he's the one I should be worrying about but I just thought maybe you could distract Bobby a little while I give the gift... just to make sure I don't make things worse and all."

Cecelia winked, "You got it," Cecelia put on her most innocent smile and walked over to Bobby, "Hey," she took a big sip from the cup in her hand.

"Hmmm?" Bobby responded in a sluggish way that sounded more like a grunt.

"That was a really nice present you got Tommy."

Britto rolled his eyes, "Then tell his self-centered girlfriend to actually spare a moment so Tom may be able to enjoy it. Y'know like she did with all the other bloody gifts." Every word was stuffed with a snide and slighted tone as daggers were tossed towards Rose's way with the piercing gaze the Gryffindor gave her. "Hard not to feel passed over thanks to the party dictator."

---

"Tommy?" Rose plucked at her friend's sleeve, lightly pulling him away from the group of partygoers who were still admiring his broom. "I haven't given you my present yet."

Tom smiled,"Funny, I hadn't noticed."

Rose stuck her tongue out at him then laughed. Reaching behind her back, she pulled out the delicately wrapped present. "I know it's not as fancy as everything else you got today..." She hesitated only a moment before placing it in his hands.

Tom studied the package. More carefully than any of the other presents, Tom removed the wrapper and opened the box. His eyes opened wide, "Rose is this?"

She grinned, bouncing on her toes a little. "I had it fixed for you."

"I haven't seen this thing in years."

"I just thought it might be something you'd like since it was for your sixteenth birthday and all..." She looked away, suddenly nervous.

---

Cissy's mouth hung open as she heard the words come out of Bobby's mouth, "Bloody hell Bobby what is that all about?"

"...Nothing. It's a long story," he watched Cissy closely, "Can I get out of here to get some fresh air? I....I gotta clear my head."

Cecelia's eyes caught Rose's as the door to the dungeon slammed.

Tom's head whipped around to the sound of the door, "What the bloody hell was that?"

"Excuse me for a minute, Tommy." Rose gave him a quick, tight hug then started to move toward the door. "There's something I need to take care of."

---

Céilidh had wandered away from the throng surrounding Tom and made her way over to the punch bowls for some refreshment and a snack. Jertie's treacle tarts were legendary, as evidenced by the pile that she had placed on her plate, along with various other confections. She was just about to ladle up a hefty serving of punch when Dan and Orlando wandered up on each side of her. She noted they were both grinning and glancing between her and the punchbowl.

"Good, innit?" Danny asked.

Céilidh's eyes narrowed, "A dinnieken, Danny. Why?" She knew the boys were up to something, but whether she was to be the butt of the joke or not... though after that one time in first year, they had made special efforts to steer her clear of any of their machinations. Rumor had it that Danny still woke in a cold sweat every now and then.

"Ye'll be want'n tae drink up as much as ye can, Ginger," Foozle leaned in conspiratorially, "Make guid an ready fuir tha Hallow's eve céilidh."

"An juis what are tha twa o'ye plannin'?"

Danny held up two fingers, "A've got twa wuirds frae ye, lass," he dropped on finger, "Plausible -"

"Deniability," Fozzle finished. "Drink up, lass..."

[Bobby Britto]

"Oh...it's you," Bobby turned as those words left his mouthand continued to head outside for fresh air trying to get away from everything, including his pursuer. His feet took him further and further away. Fresh air was his destination and maybe finding a friendly ear not at the party was another goal that ran across his mind, but it wasn't necessary.

Rose wasn't about to let him go that easily. She'd had enough of being quiet and waiting. Racing after him, she grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop. "What's your problem tonight?"

Blue eyes glared in the woman's direction, "Do you really want to know the lengthy answer to that question?" replied the teen. Sadly, angst, anger, and depression blinded any form of verbal inhibitor or suppressor Bobby had. This was going to get ugly if she demanded an answer.

"I thought Tom was your friend. And here you are running out on his party. So yes... I really want an answer." The little blonde stamped her foot, refusing to move until she got through to him.

"He is my friend...I just question others," the Gryffindor lightly pushed the blonde out of his path. It was best this conversation ended now.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" she demanded, moving in front of him again.

A deep inhale of air jumped into his body before it slowly released itself moments later, "My problem is you Ambrosia. If you really want to know, you're the problem!"

For a minute she was shocked into silence. "Me? What did I ever do to you, Bobby?"

He glared at the shocked teen his mind incapable of registering her emotions at all, "You shoved aside my gift like it was nothing. Sure it may not have been as lucrative, but damn it I put some thought into that! I went to Sprout and everything, saved and scavenged what I could. Then you give everyone else's gifts moments for Tom to register in comment...But low and behold, come to Bobby's..'here ya go Tom, oh next gift Tom!'" The blue eyes would have gleamed hints of red if they reflected his emotions that burned deep within. [bobby]"Not to mention you keep tearing my heart out every five minutes."

"Your gift? Your heart?" She couldn't even form coherent thought at the moment. "What are you talking about? Do I have to be half naked and straddling a broom like one of the girls on your calendar for you to want to talk to me and make sense?"

"You let Tom hug, congratulate and even comment on everyone else's gifts no matter how big nor small. How expensive or cheap, you gave everyone a moment to see their friend's reaction. Yet when it comes to me, I get shoved off like a house elf doomed to serve members of Syltherin. I'm a human being with feelings you blonde tart! Mudblood or not, I still feel! So get that through your head!"

Once again he tromped by, pushing the girl out of the way again. His head faced forward not looking back at the Raveclaw student. "I like you. I have for a while, but I get it you like Tom my best friend. It's bad enough to hear all of the students and people talk about you two...It breaks my heart to see you two together, all happy and what have you." An unseen tear ran down his cheek as he continued on finally accepting defeat, "Then to hear all the little things you want to do with and to him, just continues to tear at my chest. So I beg of you, take my heart now and do whatever you feel you must to it. Step on it, scar it, dig your dancing heels into it, whatever. I don't care just give it back to me so may I can move on to someone who actually cares about me instead of the girl I like that is very open about the things she wants to do to your best friend instead of you. Okay?"

Bobby kept pressing on ahead before a sudden stop, "I'm trying to find my date to the dance. We're just going as friends, but hey maybe if I get over you things could get a lot brighter for me. Maybe as bright as they are for you and Tom, or you and I could have been..If you had just looked past Tom for a second."

"Tart? TART?" Before she could begin to hate him or even wipe away the hurt tears that were starting to roll down her cheeks, Bobby kept on going. By the time he stopped, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do more... kill him or curl up into a little ball and cry her eyes out. "Stop right there." Her voice was shaking but she couldn't let him just walk off. "You can go do... whatever in just a minute. But first you're going to listen to me."

"No, I'm not," a forceful reply escaped Bobby's mouth as he kept on the go.

"Oh yes you are." Racing in front of him Rose held out her arms as she blocked his path, a living cross against the vampire of his anger. "You're not leaving until you get one thing straight. I. Don't. Like. Tom. He's like my brother, nothing more. There's only one boy in school that I like even though he's been making me cry almost all year.

A few moments passed where there was silence followed by an awkward stagger that made everything change from odd to downright strange. Bobby caught himself and shook his head for a moment, everything had taken it's toll on him. All of the emotions rushed his physical body and drained him a bit. "Save your lies for someone else. I know you're probably just sparing my feelings because you're just that nice," he picked himself up slowly. "You got the costumes from mom and the family is all excited. They both got letters, just spare me everything and I'll try not to rain on your parade." Again the teen tried to squeak by, but his strength was sapped from him this time.

Reaching out, Rose grabbed him by the front of his shirt, actually shaking him a bit. "I don't lie. And if I was going to start it would never be to you, you jerk!" She was really crying by now but it wasn't going to stop her. Her tiny fists clenched the material tightly as she opened her mouth to yell at him again, to force him to understand, but instead she shocked herself by pulling him down to her and kissing him hard on the mouth.

He pushed into the kiss enjoying it for a moment while his arms entangled around hers before he suddenly pushed her away lightly, "We...we can't do this," Bobby said with a heavy and panted breath not entirely sure if he took everything in just right. "You're Tommy's and I can't do that to my best friend, even if it's one of the few things I've really wanted. I'm sorry," the teen scattered to his feet and ran away with tears in his eyes once again, but for new reasons. Too bad the heat of the moment and his own tunnel vision blinded him from the painfully obvious when it came to Rose and Tommy.

[Laun Orris-Whitmoor]

Laun practically bumped into Rose as he carried a large covered tray, while an elaborately wrapped gift floated behind him.

"Oops sorry Rosie." He winked at her. Laun was known to go overboard so his friends looked on both his tray and the large overly wrapped gift behind him with curious hesitance. He merrily hummed as he placed the tray near the cake and motioned with his wand for his gift to join the others.

"Sorry I'm late guys, I had a little trouble with my little treat here." He motioned to the tray, meanwhile the tray's lid was shaking noticibly, and there were strange sounds from within.

Tom's eyebrow raised, "What the bloody hell have you got there Laun?"

"Well finally I cracked the recipe for chocolate frogs, the enchantment for them to appear to be alive has never mixed quite right with the Elysian sugar, but than I figured that they must use Hansgret sugar spliced in for consitency and that made all the difference! So once I got over that hurdle, adjusting the enchantment and increasing the ingridiants and easy peasy we have..." And with a stage magician's flair he flicked his wand and the cover of the tray dissolved revealling a gigantic chocolate Hungarian Horntail Dragon. The animated confection whipped his tail and snapped his jaws, and every once and awhile he breathed what seamed to be sprinkles at the crowd.

"Ta DA!"

The assembled party goers cheered, "Bravo Mr.Orris-Whitmoor, bravo!"

"Oh my God Laun, that is amazing!"

From the instant Laun entered the room, he had Nicolette's attention. With Ambrosia gone, she had been left to her own devices inspecting the peculiar tasting punch in her cup. At his arrival she smiled and walked over to join him. "Welcome to the party Laun."

"Hey Nicolette, you're not allergic to raspberry are you?"

She gave him a sparkling smile. "No, in fact, I love raspberry."

"Good! It has raspberry filling!" Laun said giddy, he always became over excited over his creations, he looked over to Tom;

"Do you want to open your present now or later?" He said practically hovering off the ground with excitement.

"Sure, after that I can't wait to see what else you have planned?"

Laun practically skipped over to the gift table, and grabbed the one he had brought. In character for Laun, the gift was overly done up; obviously having been wrapped over about ten time, five different types of bows and even more tinsel and colored ties. Tom smiled incredulously at the wrappings and than did his best to make his way through it all before Laun popped a blood vessel waiting for Tom's reaction. Underneath it all he found an ornate, antique looking gift box and inside laying gently on a velvet lining were four just as ornate and antique looking items; a silver pendant, a letter opener sized sword, a small cup and a diadem that was just as small.

"It's after the different houses you see!" Laun squealed despite the total lack of ambiguity of what they represented.

"Each one does something different!!! The pendant glows around a Slytherin with even a drop of muggle blood, I've tried it and you would be surprised," He laughed, "The cup fills up with your favorite drink whenever you crave it, the diadem when worn as a bracelet can give you any answer found in a Hogwarts textbook when asked and lastly the sword not only should cut through almost anything but automatically pokes a slytherin if they try and hold it!" He laughed some more, despite the small cuts they now noticed on his fingers.

"It's called the Hogwarts Houses Hodge-Podge Set, they stopped making them over a century ago, it took forever to find one."

Tom's jaw went slack, "Laun that is..."

Dumbledore's hand rested on Tom's shoulder, "A generous gift. I am sure yeayou would not want to risk damaging antiques in such a wonderful condition by using them while at school. I trust you are just the type of young man to keep them safe."

Tom beamed brightly "Of course sir."

Nicolette kept her smile but her eyes were serious as she turned to Tom. "I better not see that diadem during study sessions either."

"You know," Tom winked at Nic, "I think that was more threatening that the Professor."

"Believe it." She winked at him and returned her attention to Laun. She put her delicate hand on his forearm. "Come, try some of the punch. It has a peculiar taste to it. I'd like to see your thoughts."

"I love tasting things described as peculiar." He laughed, and followed Nicolette.

---

Tom felt a tap on his shoulder, "Hi stranger," Samantha threw both arms around Tom's neck, "I feel like I've barely seen you this year."

"I know I'm sorry about that," Tom returned the hug, "I think both of us have been so bloody busy this year..."

Sam held up her hand, "Oh just stop. You don't have to apologize," A smile danced on her face, "So," she changed the subject, "You and Aeryn?" an eyebrow arched over the rim of her glasses.

Tom's cheeks turned a bit red, "Heh well," his eyes darted across the room toward Aeryn who was laughing with Bill and Charlie. He rubbed the back of his neck, "Well there's been some interesting moments, but nothing yet."

Samantha grinned evilly, "And why not?" her eyebrows raised.

"The time just hasn't been right," Tom took a slow meaningful breath, "things just keep getting in the way."

"Yeah I heard about the Peeves situation," she said repressing a giggle.

"Yeah that was, bad. So, what's this I hear about you and Shawn?" Tom arched an eyebrow.

"What? He just asked me to the dance that's all," she tucked a rouge section of hair behind her ears, "just like you an Rose," she smiled.

"Uh huh," Sam could feel the sarcasm drip from his words, "Well if that were the case why not wait for Laun?"

"Cause Shawn asked me first," Sam folded her arms across her chest, "and besides, I'm sure Laun thought of me as his "Safety Dame"," Sam unfolded her arms and made air quotes, "You know how he is."

Tom laughed, "That sounds like him alright."

"But I'm sure he'll survive."

"He always does."

"Who does what?" Forster walked up to Sam and Tom holding two glasses of punch, "Figured you needed one Sammers."

Sam took the glass and took a sip, "Thanks Fors,"

"So Tommy how do you feel about the Gryffindor team this year?" Forster took a sip from his own goblet.

"I think we look pretty good, Bobby's new to the sport altogether, but he's catching on pretty quick. Teddy and I seem to be clicking at beater pretty well. And Cissy, well let's just say she knows what she's doing. What about you guys?"

"I think this could be the best team we've had in a while."

"Yeah," a sparkle of pride gleamed in Sam's eye, "We just needed to replace Gwen really."

"You say that like it was an easy proposition," Tom chuckled, "She brought the position of beater to an art form."

"You know if you drool any more, you're gonna flood the dungeon,"

"Can't a man admire someone for their skill?"

"Only as long as it doesn't border on obsession," Forster laughed.

"Oh bloody hell, you two are impossible," Tom beamed.

"Michael if I may have a word for a moment."

"Of course Professor," Tom shot Sam and Forster a worried look as he followed the Headmaster to a secluded part of the dungeon.

"I wanted to thank you for allowing me to crash your party tonight," the wise old wizard's mouth curled into gentle smile.

"Well it is your dungeon sir," Tom returned the smile.

"Ah yes," he nodded, "you have a point." The smile widened. "Before I depart I wanted to ask you, do you know what the greatest present you received tonight was?"

Tom thought about Laun's gifts, the new broom he got from his father, the Quidditch World Cup passes, the biography about his uncle. All great gifts, how could he say just one, "No I don't Professor, I thought they were all great."

Professor Dumbledore nodded, "Love Michael," his blue eyes sparkled behind his half-moon spectacles, "That is the greatest gift that anyone can receive. There is a powerful and ancient magic in love, one that too many powerful and wise wizards too easily ignore. Never forget it Michael. Never forget those who love you, and those you love. There is a fantastic power in it that can not be ignored," he held his hand out and Tom took it, "Happy Birthday, Tom," the elder wizard released the handshake and exited the dungeon.

[Dan DuMorne]

As Foozle engaged the headmaster in conversation, steering things away from the subject of punch and fluxweed, Danny surveyed the room. He saw Cissy, mouth agape, staring at Bobby. He began to walk that way when Bobby whirled and stormed out of the dungeon. As he walked toward Cissy, he saw Ambrosia follow. Frowning, he stopped, right in the path of Nicolette and Laun.

Taking pause from her unrequited flirting, Nic noticed her housemate's expression. "Danny? Is something wrong?"

He continued looking at the door, "Dinnaekin." He turned to Nicolette and added, "But we need tae find out. 'Scuse me, Laun, but I need tae borrow m'housemate for a mite."

Laun looked confused, but nodded. "Okay... You aren't going to drag her off on a toilet exploding trip, right?

Danny rolled his eyes. "A thocht it was Moaning Myrtle?" he quipped as he motioned Nicolette to follow him.

She gave Laun an apologetic smile and followed Danny. "What's going on? This better be important Daniel. . . "

"A kin it is." He looked about and headed toward Cissy. "An' Ah'm gonna find out." Reaching the Gryffindor girl, he asked, "Hi, Cissy. Whit's up with Bobby?"

Cecelia sighed. "What isn't?"

"I can think of a few things wrong with-"

Danny cut her off and tried a different tack. "Why'd he go stompin' out of the dungeon?"

"He prolly saw Tom and Rose hug after she gave him his gift from her. She wanted it to be a private thing and knew it would upset him, so she asked me to distract him."

"Wait... why would a hug between them upset Bobby?" Danny asked, clueless to the romantic entanglements of Gryffindor.

Nicolette crossed her arms. "Because Bobby is a pubescent emotional wreck?"

"Who can't seem to get it into his thick skull that Tom and Aeryn are all over each other ninety percent of the time Tom's not even remotely interested in Rose. She's like his sister."

Comprehension was slowly dawning on the Ravenclaw lad. "So... Bobby's upset b'cause he wants to date Rose. That's whit he was talkin' aboot at the library that night."

"Bobby is such an idiot. Rose told me herself that she has a total crush on him and he just doesn't know it! I don't see why though. I suppose it is just a nasty case of opposites attract. You know, she's smart, he isn't, She's got good breeding, he-"

Danny cleared his throat. "We should probably go find Rose."

Nicolette nodded. "Yeah, no telling what he said to her. She puts so much into her heart that it is easy to hurt. . . We better make sure she is okay."

They made their way to the door and out into the hallway. "Where d'you think they went?"

She looked around a bit. "Well, there is really just one way to go, let's head towards our common room and see if we can find her along the way." The pair headed out of the dungeons and up the stairs to the hallway. It was not long before they found their housemate curled up on a bench near a window. Rose's knees were drawn up under her chin and though she clearly heard their footsteps echoing through the hall, she didn't pull her gaze away from the crisp fall leaves that occasionally danced past the window.

"Rose? Whit's the matter?" Danny's usual jovial demeanor dropped in concern for his friend. "Why'd you leave the party?"

Nicolette sat on the bench beside her friend. She patted the other girl's back lightly. "You okay?"

"I'm kinda not sure," her answer was muffled by her knees.

"What happened?"

"Well..." she drew out a trembling breath. "There was yelling and name calling and more yelling and then..." The little blonde looked up at her two friends, a blush coloring her tear stained cheeks. "I kissed him and he ran away."

This bit of information caused Nic to fight back the ill look that crossed her face. "You kissed. . . Bobby?"

Danny's face brightened. "Good on you!" Taking boney elbow in his ribs, he quickly added, "But why'd he run? Whit were you fightin' about?"

Rose banged her head lightly against the window. "He thinks Tom and I are a couple and even me grabbing him and forcing him into a kiss didn't seem to help get it through his head." She made a face, remembering the bad parts of the fight. "And before that he called me a tart. I'm not a tart, am I?"

"He called you a tart?!" She looked to Danny, anger bubbling beneath her usually still exterior. "I think maybe we need to explain to him how wrong he is in his assumptions."

Danny's face darkened slightly and he sat down on the other side of Rose. "Yuir nae a tart, hen." He looked back to Nicolette and frowned. "But someone does need tae have a talk with him. Just a talk."

"Yeah, just a talk. . . this time. If he does it again, I am not making any promises."

"Okay... but be gentle. I mean, I think he liked the kiss until he let himself try to think. That or I'm really just that bad at it."

"A dinnakin if yuir bad at it. But Bobby's been mopin' since he found out Tommy was takin' you tae the dance. A kin he's a bit sweet on you an' it's makin' him mad with jealousy."

"He is a bit thick skulled too. . ."

"Well if he'd stop to listen to me, or anyone else for that matter, he'd realize that he's got nothing to be jealous about." Rose sighed and covered her face with her hands. "I need chocolate."

"You're in luck!" The brunette girl gave her friend a half-plastic smile. "There is a big sprinkle breathing chocolate dragon sitting right in the middle of that fantastic party you planned just waiting to be munched on." Standing, she pulled the slightly wilted blonde up off the bench. She dug out a white kerchief and pressed it into the other girl's hand. "You get back there and start having fun again." She gave Danny a meaningful look. "We will be right there."

"Aye. A cannae let Foozle eat all the cake an' drink that delicious punch. Remember tae try some, Rose. It's good. With a smile, he turned to Nicolette. "Shall we? With a nod, Nic nudged Rose back in the direction of the party.

"Remember to be nice!" Rose called after them, wiping her face and actually smiling a little at the thought of a chocolate dragon. "And promise to come back. I don't want you missing all the fun because of me."

---

"Okay where is it?! Where..where where...," the disheveled teen tossed about throughout the hallways unsure which way to go. All he wanted to do was talk to Tatiana at first and now Bobby really needed a female ear he could trust. She would know how to help him out with everything right? At least that's what he hoped and wished for. It would have made all the stares he was given by the few passing students worth it. His long blonde hair looked disheveled like he had been caught outside on a very windy day where the outside was most unkind, sans any foliage. Those blue eyes of were tinted with small red veins like he had just been punched in the gut and cried as the air got knocked out of him, boy the power of a woman in the mind of a teenager.

Elsewhere in the depths of the castle, Danny shook his head. "How are we supposed to find him? The castle's got a lot of twists an' turns an' nooks an' crannys. It's nae like we kin jus'..." His voice trailed off and he broke into a grin. "Escuse me a minute, 'Colette."

He jogged around a corner and shoved the special knut into his ear. After a delay, Foozle answered, "Whaur are ye, brither? Yuir amissin the party."

"'Colette an' A need some help. Do you have the map?"

Back at the party, Orlando looked around. "Let me git oot o sicth." He slipped into an alcove, ducking a flying Quidditch formation, and then asked, "Okay, who're ye leukin' fer?"

"Bobby Britto."

"Britto? Why?"

"I'll explain later. Where is he?"

"Leuks like he's stravaigin aroond naurby my common room.""

"Thanks, mate."

Nicolette looked at Danny skeptically, she had been looking around and the sound of him talking had been too curious to ignore. "Talking to yourself?"

Turning around with a start, Dan gaped at Nicolette. "A thocht A said 'excuse me', 'Colette!" He shook his head. "An' A was talkin' tae Foozle."

She looked around. "I don't see him. . ."

"Yeah, well..." His left hand darted to his ear and he feigned scratching it as he slipped the coin out of his ear and palmed it. "Sometimes A kin, um, work out problems by pretendin' tae talk t'Foozle?"

She crossed her arms in front of her and shook her head. "You think I believe that? Come on, you are a better liar than that. . ."

"Well, yeah. Usually." He thought a moment. "I kin trust you, right?

Her face softened to a rare look she saved for those she really cared about. "Of course you can, Danny. I haven't turned you in for any of your activities in the four years we have known each other." She smiled a bit. "and I'm no prefect myself."

"All right." He held up the knut. "This isn't a real knut. Foozle cooked 'em up, with plenty of help from Tommy an' me." He grinned. "They let us talk. An' Britto's hangin' out 'round the Hufflepuff common room."

She looked surprised for a fraction of a second. "Really? Wow. That is clever. . . really clever. It is good to see you putting your innate cleverness to use." She chuckled a bit. "At any rate. Let's head towards the Puff's dorms and catch up with Bobby." She headed in the right direction, though how she knew he wasn't sure.

Danny followed behind his housemate, considering what he was going to say to Bobby. He was sure the Gryffindor didn't know what he had put Rose through, but if he knew, if he hurt Rose on purpose, Dan might leave the boy alone with 'Colette.

The Gyffindor paced, "And then she kissed me!" exclaimed Bobby as he moved back and forth to the listening Tatiana.

"Thats what you wanted, no?" retorted the Hufflepuff, rather curious the boy seemed repulsed by the kiss.

"Yes...but no. No it's not."

"What do you mean no?!" a puzzled look struck the Hufflepuff's face as she answered back. This was the girl they had plans to make jealous and he didn't want to kiss her?!

"She's with Tom! I can't do that to Tom! I could maybe, maybe...probably...not feel too bad for kissing Rose if she was on anyone's arm but Tom's!"

"Bobby I don't think.." the girl tried to speak but unfortunately met up with interruption.

"I mean it was good. It was damn good, but she's with Tom..'

"..but she,"

"and I can't do that to Tom. He's my best friend.. the teen ranted on while his vigilant friend tried to fill him in on the painfully obvious.

"He's yuir best mate who's plannin' on handin' Rosie off tae you as soon as they get tae the dance, you git." Danny quipped as he walked over to the Gryffindor student.

Nicolette stopped, level with Danny, and gave Bobby a withering look. "Your mouth just keeps getting you into trouble, Britto. Does the poor girl have to make a lit sign saying that her and Tom are just friends and, for some reason that is beyond me personally, she likes you above all the other. . . more suitable boys at this school."

Although the words didn't fully sink in, they went in just enough, "At least someone has an interest in me, my friend. What's your record at again? Zero for..?"

Danny put his arm on his housemate's shoulder as she went for the kill, applying slight pressure with his hand. He addressed Bobby coldly, all traces of Scots vanishing from his usual faint accent. "That's two of my housemates you've insulted today. You need to apologize to Nicolette. You need to apologize to my mate Tommy. And you need to have a talk with Rose."

Bobby watched Danny with a vigilant eye, ready to lash out at either of them, "For years Nicolette has called me names, referred to me as some form of barnyard animal under her breathe, and then recently I thought we patched everything up. Yet I hear what her cousins say about this and that I really wanted to ca-" Bobby starred off into the distance for several moments. His eyes went blank and sort of spaced out, "Huh!? What do you mean she likes me?" he moved in close to Nicolette. "And what's this you mentioned about a chocolate dragon?! What chocolate dragon!?!!"

Nicolette drew back as if Bobby had a foul smell. "Back off if you want to keep all of your body parts you nutter. No one said anything about a chocolate dragon."

Danny raised an eyebrow and stepped between the two. "Chocolate dragon? Aye, there's one at the party. Yuir sure tae find Rose there, too. Where you kin apologize an' everythin'."

Britto rubbed his temple hard trying to ease the sudden pain that nailed his cranium, "I thought Nic just said...nevermind," Bobby still rubbed his head and hunched down a moment. His breathed turned deep, heavy, and slow. What remain unsaid was the unsteady feeling that surged through his body. It took a few moments but he eventually stood refreshed and looking at Nicolette, "I'm sorry, his words rang with a truth and sincerity he only recently showed her. "I would still like to be your friend after I make up for all the crap I've pulled."

"Yeah. . . well. . ." She gave him one of her little huffs. "Just worry about her for now. And watch what comes out of your mouth or next time I will come looking for you by myself."

"And if what I say pleases the young lady?"

"Don't push it Britto."

"At least you're not trying to kill me yet," Bobby nodded at Nic before his eyes went for Dan. "I owe you an apology as well Dan. I insulted two of your friends in one night and burdened you a few weeks back. So I'm sorry for that too."

Danny nodded. "Do the right thing an' we'll be all right."

"and stop being an idiot. . . " She added.

Bobby nodded and started to dart off away from the party heading towards a door that would take him out of the castle. His foot steps weren't frantic, but they were hurried.

Confused at Britto's actions, Danny shouted, "Oi! Ye bloody git! Yuir goin' the wrong way!"

"No I'm not! The party is going to last for only so long, and I'm deep in the dog house. My dad always said when you're in a lot of trouble, flowers could help ya. I figured I'm going to need to find a lot of the nicest ones on the castle grounds in a very short time span!" he yelled back as his feet carried him towards the closest door.

"That boy's a right numptie."

Nic shook her head again. "Yeah, whatever you said. . ."

He thought a moment. "Back tae the party? A kin you could use some of that chocolate dragon. Yuir elbow's way too bony."

She elbowed him again, lightly. "Everyone's elbow is bony. . . It's an elbow. Now lets go get you some chocolate before you get cranky." Nic grinned at him and pushed him by the shoulders towards the party in the dungeon and they headed back to celebrate a bit more.

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

Absently grabbing a cup of punch, Rose wove her way through small groups of her friends and did her best to smile as she reached Tom's side. Standing on her tiptoes, she bit her lip before whispering to him, "well, I think I kinda made things worse with Bobby. But I heard there was chocolate in here."

Tom pointed to the giant chocolate dragon that was now flying in formation with the Welsh Green and was chasing the miniature Quidditch players around the room, "Attack at your own risk," Tom smiled for a moment before getting serious again, "and define worse."

"Now how am I supposed to eat that?" she pouted for a minute before answering the question. "Well... we yelled at each other for a bit then I kinda sorta kissed him. But he ran away! Then I told Danny and Nic about it and they went after him."

Tom gave a sigh of moderate disappointment, "Well at least Danny will make sure nothing bad happens. Look out," he said almost non-chalantly and he put his hands on the top of Rose's head and pushed her down slightly as a blast of sprinkles from the chocolate dragon flew over their heads, "Did he at least get it that you and I are just going as friends?"

"I kinda thought the kiss might clue him in on that one." Rose held out her hand to try to catch some of the sprinkles as they rained down in the dragon's wake. "And I did tell him. I just don't know if he was listening. At all."

Tom shook his head, "I just don't get it Rose. Bobby and I have been friends since first year. He should know that I would never intentionally do anything to jeopardize that. I just hope that..." Tom stopped in mid sentence as he and Rose both heard a loud roar from behind them. They both turned to see the chocolate dragon racing toward them, "Oh for the..." Tom pulled his wand out of his pocket, "Impedimenta!" the dragon's momentum halted like it hit a brick wall, and it dropped to the ground like a stone, "Chocolate?" Tom asked replacing his wand.

"I'd like a wing please," the little blonde laughed, feeling almost sorry for the poor thing. "And I think he does know that. That's why he's freaking out so much about being a good friend to you... by not doing anything to mess up your 'relationship' with me. She rolled her eyes and suddenly felt the overpowering urge to hit something. "So in his own really infuriating way, he's trying to do the right thing... sorta."

Tom popped off one of the horns and gnawed on it, "Hmmm, this is pretty good. Oi Laun," he held up the horn like he was toasting him, "cheers mate!"

"Cheers."

"You're right though, in his own way he is doing what he thinks is right. The bad part is, his temper is pushing us away."

Rose nodded and held out her hand, tapping her foot while she waited impatiently for her chocolate wing. "If this doesn't get fixed at the dance I think I'm going to go insane."

Tom handed her a wing, "You and me both. I think we're gonna get through this though. We are going to follow through with the plan so that our mother's don't collectively die of heart attacks, and I will try to talk to and explain it to him."

Moaning exaggeratedly as she took a bite of chocolate, she nodded again. "I hope you have better luck than I did."

"That doesn't sound good. What happened?"

Rose took another bite of the almost indecently delicious dragon wing and shook her head. "Thanks for trying to help distract Bobby for me. It really did help."

Cecelia ripped off the other wing, "Anytime sis. I knew Bobby was into you, but," Cecelia took a bit of the wing, "wow this is good!"

"I know! Cover your ears, Tommy." Grinning, Rose leaned in a little closer to Cissy. "With stuff like this around I'm not even sure I need boys."

Cecelia nodded, her mouth still full of chocolate, "Totally!"

Tom rolled his eyes.

Forster crossed the room, pausing for a moment to break off a tip of the Chocolate Dragon's tail, wincing for a moment as he considered the work of art he was helping to destroy. But he smiled as he realized it was meant to be eaten and made a mental note to talk to Laun before the holidays came round. Goblet and chocolate tail in hand, he joined the trio. "So I see someone finally managed to slay the Choco-dragon?"

"Careful, Forster," Rose teased. "We just came to the conclusion that choco-dragon carcass is better than boys."

Forster absentmindedly searched the room for a head of red hair before averting his eyes back to the contents of his hands, "Well I should certainly hope so. I've been well informed that boys taste terrible."

Something about those words caused Rose to blush again. "Um..." It appeared that for a moment she was actually speechless. But the moment passed. "Are you having fun, Forster? You didn't hurt yourself hauling all those birthday books down here, did you?"

Suddenly the chocolate dragon was a lot more interesting than it was seconds before. He muttered a quick "I guess." before quickly jumping into the other question. "Nah, those weren't nothing. If I can survive a summer of slinging hay bales, I think I can manage four books in a box. Though I think poor Tom here is gonna need a slight bit of help lugging these back to his room."

"You know,"Tom looked back at the mound of presents, "You got a point there. I may have to lean on my house mates for help," he chuckled as he and Cissy exchanged glances.

Forster found his eyes darting about and told himself he was just counting the Gryffindors in the room. "Well," he said slowly, "If you need another body, it's not like I have anything else I should be doing."

"Ah it's okay, I think we'll manage."

"Alright," He gave a slight sigh. "Actually, I had a question. Is being 'clueless' necessarily a bad thing?"

Cecelia swallowed down the last bite, "Depends on what you're clueless about Fors."

Forster blushed a little bit. "Well let's say a guy asked a girl out that he liked but he didn't know if she liked him. And in the asking, he managed to word that into the preface of the the asking. In return, she calls him a word that apparently means clueless, gets mad, or at the very least frustrated, and then storms off."

Rose and the two Llewelyns exchanged meaningful glances. Rose giggled and placed her hand on Forster's elbow, "Are we talking about Cee?"

A red that matched Céilidh's hair quickly spread across Forster's cheeks. "Um.... yeah."

Cecelia stifled a giggle. Tom nudged her with his shoulder, "Her asking Lando to the dance hurt your plans yeah?"

Forster gave a shrug, "Sorta. But I didn't know about that at the time. And really! How hard is it to say 'I'm going to the dance with someone else.'? I mean that much, even I could understand. But instead she called me gormless, which I thought meant idiot for the longest of times, and tromped off. And I'm left standing there wondering what I said. And if Professor Sprout hadn't come out of the greenhouse when she did, I probably would have missed dinner."

"Oh Fors," she put her arm around him, "you're not gormless," she turned to Tom, "What does gormless mean any way?"

"Actually it does mean clueless, so it's kind of like idiot," Rose glared at him, "but I'm sure she didn't mean it like it sounded."

"What I think the birthday boy is trying to say is, your over thinking things. Do you like Cee?"

Forster gave a weak smile and tried to stop himself, but he began to babble. "I don't know. I mean I do. But I'm not one hundred percent sure. I'm not about start a fistfight with one of her best friends in the corridors, but yeah, I like her. I just don't know how serious I like her. And I thought the dance would be a good place to find out."

"Well old man," Tom clapped him on the back, "I'm sure you'll figure it out, and trust we're here for ya if you need."

"If you say so."

---

The party had pretty much wound down by the time Dan and Nicolette had returned. Only Rose, Orlando and Tom were left. "Oi aboot time ye twa gat back."

Shooting a sideways glance at Nicolette, Danny replied, "We had a little somethin' tae take care of." Nicolette simply nodded with pursed lips.

Rose wrapped her arm around Nicolette's "Come on it's getting late we need to turn in. Coming Dan?"

"Ah'll be along in a minnit.

Rose pouted for a second, "Fine," she got on her tip toes and kissed Tom on the cheek, "Happy Birthday Tommy," she turned back to Nic, "Come on let's go have a pillow fight in our pajamas," she smiled wickedly at the two boys.

Nic laughed, playing along. "Aw, I left my pajamas at home. I guess we will just have to fight in our knickers."

The two girls giggled to themselves as they left the room.

Danny shook his head as his housemates exited. "A half expect 'em tae be doin' it in th' common room when I get back."

"Those two scare me," Tom chuckled.

Orlando's eyebrow arched higher than usual, "Wha kent 'Colette haed it in her."

"Aye. She's a bundle o' surprises, that one," Danny remarked with a chuckle. Turning to Tom, he grinned. "But we've got anither bit o' business tae deal with, right, Lando?"

"Aye. Thare's still ae praisent fir ye." Reaching into his robes, Foozle produced a small box wrapped with red paper and tied with a gold ribbon.

"Happy birthday!"

"So why didn't you lot give this to me earlier, Tom ripped open the paper. Opening the box, he withdrew a flask engraved with the text To Our Man in Gryffindor, Best of Luck! F & D Giving the flask a slight shake, he could tell it was filled. "Whoa, so what in it?"

"Felix Felicis." The duo looked quite pleased with themselves.

"Teuk us all summer tae make."

"Aye. But don't drink too much at once. An' don't take any before Quidditch." Dan thought for a second and added, "History o' Magic tests are fair game, though."

Tom laughed, "So that's why I didn't hear for you two for most of the bloody summer. I don't even have the words guys," Tom tucked the flask into his pocket, "You really out did yourselves with this."

"Nuthin' but the best for you, brither."

Danny grinned wide. "Aye. Jus' be sure tae let me borrow a nip o' that before I pick yuir sister up for the dance...

Tom gave Dan a sideways glance, "I'll remember that when I'm launching a bludger your way sir," Tom winked.

[Tom Llewelyn]

"So what is the plan for today sir?" Bill asked as he and Tom walked through the giant doors of the Great Hall.

"Well," Tom looked up at the enchanted ceiling that mirrored the rain that fell on the grounds outside, "I was thinking of putting a study group together for the potions test tomorrow. You in?"

"Sounds like a brilliant idea mate. So did you see Bobby this morning?"

"No. He was dressed and out before I woke up this morning. Knowing him he's in the greenhouse." The two Gryffindor fifth years sat down and started piling food onto their plates.

"Ah yeah. I was just wondering. He left your party pretty early last night. I wanted to make sure he was okay."

Tom took in a large bite of eggs rather than talk. He knew the reason Bobby was "hiding" but thought it would be better left between just the people who knew rather than the whole school. Looking down the table, Tom saw a gaggle of first years and smiled, "Come on I think it's high time for a magic lesson," he said changing the subject. He grabbed his plate of food and moved down in front of the first years, "Good morning!"

The first years nervously looked at each other one of them finally spoke, "Hello Mr. Llewelyn, Mr. Weasley."

Tom turned to Bill, "Did you teach them to do that?"

Bill smiled, "Adds class."

Tom nodded, "Fair enough," he returned his attention to the younger students, "All right my little house mates, I'm going to teach you a spell that I created in my first year. Did you all know you could create your own spells even in your first year?"

The informal class shook their heads.

"You certainly can," Tom beamed, "It just takes practice, and patience. Okay everybody take out your wands," again the first years exchanged glances then pulled out their wands, "Okay first we need the subject," he turned his wand to an empty end of the table, "Accio goblet and milk pitcher," the pitcher and goblet lifted off the ground and flew to him, "Now that we have our subject," he poured the milk into the goblet, "Now the story behind this. When I was your age I got bored drinking plain old milk all the time and wanted some way to spice things up. So I figured this out," he pointed his wand at the goblet, "Cadburdarium," a shimmering dark brown light, like liquid chocolate, shot from his wand point and into the milk. The first years propped themselves up on the table and looked into the goblet. They applauded as they saw chocolate milk sitting in the goblet. Tom took the goblet and drank down its contents, "Thank you. Now it's your turn kids. Wands at the ready. You all, I hope have been paying attention in Professor Flitwick's class?"

The impromptu class nodded.

"Excellent, then you all know the swish and flick technique. Next comes the hard part. Here's what the dirty little secret to a spell like this is, Willpower. You are exerting your will over the object to be changed. So if you really, really want it to change, it will." Tom beamed as the first years all nodded, "Right, now everyone present your goblets," the first years emptied their goblets and lined them up in front of Tom. Into each he poured the remaining pitcher of milk, "Right then, everyone ready?"

They nodded.

"Excellent! Now remember one, two three, swish and flick, and then Cadburdarium. And remember the most important part; the fact that you believe you can change it. No hesitation, no insecurity, you all can do this, I know you can!"

They nodded and readied their wands. Tom watched them as, in their heads they each counted to three and then almost in unison they each pointed their wands at their goblets and said "Cadburdarium!" The same shimmering brown light shot from their wands into the goblets.

"Fantastic!" Tom and Bill applauded as the first years inspected their goblets contents, "Well done all of you. Now then,"

"Mister Llewelyn," Tom stopped cold as he heard Professor McGonagall's voice behind him, "May I have a private word with you?"

"Of course."

Professor McGonagall lead Tom up toward the head table. She turned back toward him, a smile on her face, "I trust you had a pleasant party?"

phew Tom thought to himself "It was great thank you for the surprise," Tom smiled.

"It was the least I could do Michael. I also wished to talk to you about the impromptu class that I just observed."

"Oh yes of course Professor, what can I do for you?"

"I wondered if you had ever thought about teaching as your chosen vocation?"

"Well Professor," Tom said thoughtfully, "I've always thought about being a healer."

"A noble career as well, but watching you with the younger students you may wish to reconsider."

"I will Professor," Tom beamed.

"You may carry on with your day now Mister Llewelyn," she nodded to Tom.

"Yes Professor."

Tom returned to the Gryffindor table and took his seat next to Bill, "Anything bad?"

Tom laughed, "Nothing at all, just a birthday wish," he finished his eggs and bacon, "Okay you go ahead and get Ryn, Terry, and Alan, and I'll go find Bobby."

"Right, meet you in study room A in what an hour?"

"Sounds like a plan."

---

"What is it?" Bobby cried out to a tingling sound that rang within the bushes followed by meow that almost sounded like a beg.A smirk danced across Britto's dirty face, "Tonight Lynn, I promise to give you that chicken I said I would. The rose is gone so I see you visited her just like I asked," silence followed his words with the bush. The only thing spoken was body language as a black paw lashed out from the bush followed by a quick hiss.

"Ow! I'm sorry! Didn't think you'd be stuck there all bloody night!" the teen yelled as before he sucked on a new cut that went across a finger. Must have been Lynn that lurked in that bush. Like many students before him Bobby had a black cat, but there was an odd form of understanding between the two. They understood one another, which made their communication great, but sometimes the unspoken bond wasn't needed to show displeasure. "Alright! Alright! Two pieces of chicken tonight, deal?"

A fluffy black head popped out of the bush like a buddy flower that got mixed in with the wrong plant. It pressed against the teens hand while giving a loving loud purr. Too bad he didn't know she would have settled on piece of chicken and small serving of milk.

This wasn't an unusual sight in the green house, just barely seen. Not many students were up that early to get dirty in the Greenhouse.Sure Professor Sprout, Ambrosia, Tatiana, and a few of the other herbology majors were used to something like this every once and a while, but to anyone else it may have been weird, at best, but standard morning for the Greenhouse.

"What you got there?"

The boy almost jumped at the sound of Tom's voice which rattled the cat. Sadly for the muggle-born, the cat had an easier way to weave in and out of this situation than he did. All the teen could do was just stand there and try not to sweat, "Umm..hi Tom!"

"Hey Bobby," Tom cleared his throat, "Okay. You and I have a few things we need to work out."

"Actually I have a real busy schedule ahead Tom. Gonna be hard to find the time my friend, but maybe tomorrow?" Bobby went to leave, but Tom stepped in front of him.

"Nuh uh," Tom shook his head, "You are not walking away this time. You need to stand right there and listen to what I have to say," Tom's voice was calm, his smile never faded.

Bobby swallowed hard. He knew where this was going and dreaded every second of it. Tom's voice rang through his thoughts and he could hear it all now, "I really like Rose Bobby. How can you help me keep her? I hear Rose likes someone else and I really really like her. Do you know who it could be?", or even "YOU DID WHAT WITH HER?! YOU KNEW I LIKED HER!!!" swear started to form across his forehead as several spell chants from a very angry Tom ran through Britto's head.

As the sweat started form more, I think I'd rather be listening to a Mandrake right now then go through this. He once again tried to distance himself from Tom, "I think I hear Professor Sprout calling me, heh heh...COMING PROFESSOR!" Bobby tried to head for the door to the greenhouse.

"Oh for the...I was really wishing it wouldn't come to this but," Tom pulled his wand from his jeans pocket, "Petrificus Totalus!" Bobby's body suddenly went rigid. Tom walked around so that he could look Bobby in the eyes, "Now then. I hate doing that, but to be frank Bobby I'm rather tired of all of this and I want it over with. I'll let you go once I've said what needs to be said. I want you to pay very careful attention. Ambrosia is in love with you. Ambrosia and I have practically known each other since the womb. We are best friends."

Still blue eyes just watched and waited in horror, "And this is where he zaps me out of jealousy. Oh well at least I finally got to kiss her," were the only comforting thoughts he had as his frozen body prepared for pain.

"Do I love her? Yes absolutely. But I love you too. I want the two of you to be happy together. Trust me, our mothers have been trying to get us together for years, but neither of us has ever thought or wanted to think of each other like that. She's into you Bob, and like I believe we talked about on the train, I am trying to get up the nerve to ask out Aeryn. You my friend," he put his arm on Bobby's petrified shoulder, "Are all Rose's."

The frigid friend muttered and mumbled the best he could, but most of it was inaudible. Being frozen definatly had its' downsides. At least the statue found a reason to no longer sweat.

"Now then, I'm going to let you free, do you promise sit," Tom pointed his wand at a couple of chairs against the wall of the greenhouse, "Accio Broom," the two chairs flew to a spot right next to Tom, "Alright then," he pointed the wand at Bobby, "Finite Incantatem."

Bobby sat just elated he could move and maybe even talk as he listened for Tom's next statement. He wanted to take everything in before he uttered a single word. "You didn't have to freeze me y'know. A simple binding spell would have done the trick," the gryffindor replied while casting an eye toward his housemate.

Tom chuckled, "It was the only way I could think of to get you to shut up and listen," He smiled widely, "Now then," Tom sat down across from Bobby, "are we good? And I want the truth, are we good?"

"You're my brother, even when I thought you were after the girl I cared for..I still called you my brother. Just because there was a string of obscinities and thoughts about hurting never hindered that. You still were and always will be my brother, Tom. So trust me when I say we're good."

"Good. Now then I have a plan for the ball that will put Rosie into a romance induced coma," his smile stretched from ear to ear.

[Orlando MacFoozle]

Foozle jogged down the hallway as if he were late for a very important something. Skidding to a halt in the middle of the empty hall he turned right back around and ran back the way he'd come, this time as if something very large had caught his scent and was giving swift chase. Having backtracked a few meters he, again, turned on his heel and ran back the first way. Now when he stopped this time he simply walked back, up to the wall.

He sighed, shaking his head at the plain brick wall. "Nocht." He poked the brick with his finger. Nothing happened. Foozle's face twisted in thought. He took out his wand. "Cachepose." The wall claimed to have nothing to hide. "Alohamora?" he asked the wall. The wall said nothing. Foozle poked it with the tip of his wand. "Open Sesame." The wall stood it's ground.

"You don't really think the wall has read 1001 Arabian Nights, do you?" chimed a voice from behind.

"Crivens!" He spun about, startled by not being alone. Across the hall, Audrey Mallone sat in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. She chuckled, amused at having clearly startled the Hufflepuff, but her smile wasn't the slightest bit malicious. "Ah..." He looked back at the wall, his cheeks a bit flushed. That too was a bit usual sight, at least for her, and this made her smile a little broader. "Nae," he said, recovering his composure a bit, "But A thocht ane o the portraits micht hiv read it alood..." To that she laughed a bit harder.

Audrey was a Ravenclaw in her Seventh year. Their paths had crossed a few times, mostly starting with his first trip to Hogsmeade where she ended up sharing her booth with him and Tom and Danny at Madam Rosemerta's. Were Foozle the type to be honest with himself, that brief moment was the beginning of a rather passionate, youthful crush which the younger boy projected onto his relationship with Sam. Well, the first one anyway. These days he mostly saw her in the dueling club. "Whit are ye daein here, Audrey?"

She held up a book. "Reading up. NEWTS and all that..."

"Leuk at ye, Audrey Mallone," Foozle smirked, "studious as iver."

She nodded. "And what about you, Foozle?" Audrey slid over a bit. It was an invitation for him to sit on the floor beside her. "What're you running up and down the hall, poking walls for?"

He took the seat. "A dinnaken. Juist powkin' aboot. Ye canna unlock the castle's saicrets wi oot a little powkin' aboot."

"This is what you do in your free time?" Audrey laughed, "Look for castle secrets?" He shrugged, throwing in a bit of a nod. "No studying for the OWLs for Orlando MacFoozle, I suppose." She tucked her book between her feet.

"Nae." She could tell by his swift response that it was an option he'd never considered but had probably heard several times before. "It's still early yet. Thare's rowth o time tae spare." He took her book and flipped through it. "No that Ah'll use it, but it's thare," he added, as if such a notion might sully a hard-earned reputation. There was a hint of irony in such a thought.

She tucked her wavy hair back behind her ears with two fingers. "I wish I had your confidence."

"Oh, A dinnaken." He looked at her slyly. "A haurd ye did richt brawly on yuir OWLS."

Her cheeks flushed, and her smile bordered on simpering, but she looked his way regardless. "I'll have you know I studied for months before those exams." She laughed, and he laughed with her.

A silence fell on the scene after the laughter died down. Sitting there in the quiet and framed by Barnabas and his students, Foozle realized that for some reason he didn't find it awkward at all. He was pretty sure he should have, but he just didn't. Thinking on this it took him a few moments to realize he was kind of staring at her. Oddly enough, she was staring right back, still smiling pleasantly.

The older girl absentmindedly pulled at the ring in her eyebrow. "I'm guessing you are all dated up for the dance, right?"

"Ach, the dance..." His chuckle was borderline mumble. "Dinnae tell me ye warna in the Great Haw whan A gat me marching orders..."

"Can't say that I was."

"Ahm no shuir who's taking who, but Ahm gaun wi Cee MacAllister."

"Ahh," she replied with a small nod. She picked at the binding of the book at her feet. "Well, if you could have fun at the dance with anybody, it's probably Cee I bet. She's fun. You're fun. It's a good combination."

"Dinnae ye mean 'dangerous'?" His brow arced up in that lopsided way it often did when he grinned.

The Ravenclaw laughed and shook her head. "No, I mean 'fun'." She reached over and have him a playful nudge. "Dangerous would be you and Danny DuMorne."

"Sae Ah've been telt." Foozle appeared to dismiss the thought with a shrug of the shoulders. "An whit o ye? Ah'm shuir yuir aw psyched fer the dance." She didn't reply. Her eyes averted slightly and her shoulders shifted. "Ye are gaun tae the dance aren't ye?"

"We'll see."

Foozle's brow knit together. "Whits tha mean?"

She shook her head, her long brown locks falling back from her ears and down against her cheeks. "It's dumb. Melissa said that Tony Beestrum was going to ask me, but I dunno..." She picked at the book's binding some more.

"He haesna?" She gave a no committal shrug and then shook her head. Tony was a 7th year in Hufflepuff. By all rights he'd seemed a solid bloke. That being said, Foozle couldn't help but feel that leaving a girl like Audrey hanging like that was less then cool. "Want me tae shoog his mynde?"

Some sunshine came back to her cheeks. "That's okay. It'll be fine, but thanks."

"Gif Tony disnae come aboot, gae tae the dance onywey." He gave her a poke under her ribcage. "The band, aw the fowk an' the dancing... Danny an' Belle even hae some ridiculous pagent or something thair daein. It'll be a guid time regardless o Tony Beestrum or any other bloke."

Audrey shook her head and rolled her eyes in that way that didn't mean "no" so much as "how could I say no" or something to that effect. "Alright, alright..."

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

"If you're going to be spending more time up here I think we need to go over a few rules." Golden ringlets fanning out over her blue pillow, Ambrosia let her fingers dangle over the bed and was soon rewarded by a furry head pressing against her hand. Letting loose one of the meows that had earned her her unfortunate nickname, Lynn continued pacing back and forth, rubbing against Rose until the blonde girl finally gave in and scooped the cat up onto the bed. "You know how to jump, you know."

Making herself comfortable on Rose's chest, black paws kneading the girl's sweater, Lynn meowed again and presented the deep red rose tucked in her collar. Gently removing the flower, Rose inhaled its scent deeply before setting it in the vase by her bed. "I'd say I'm getting spoiled... but he still hasn't talked to me much. Is he still all weird about the dance?"

Lynn purred her response as she curled up on Rose and prepared to take a nap. The little Ravenclaw ran her pink fingernails along the sleek black fur, feeling suddenly very sleepy. "Oh yeah... I'm getting spoiled."

The pair rested in comfortable silence for a while, the purring cat pushing away any thoughts of getting a little extra studying in. "Oh yeah, I was going to lay down some rules here," Rose murmured, sounding not at all authoritative. At least Lynn didn't appear to be too worried. She gave a kitty yawn and simply purred louder.

"Don't think you're getting out of this just by being sweet. You have to promise to leave Casimir alone. And since Nic is still babysitting Dief, you can only chase him if he tries to eat my shoes again. Oh, and don't go getting too friendly with Monkey. I'm not sure if Bobby is ready for kittens yet."

A light tapping on the tower window suddenly caused both occupants of the bed to pick their heads up. "Malacandra!" Rose squealed, gently moving Lynn to the foot of the bed and jumping up to greet her family's owl. "Did mom think of something else to add to my dress for the ball?"

The horned owl simply ruffled his feathers and waited patiently for the girl to take the letter. After giving the message what seemed to be only the briefest of glances the blonde squealed again and jumped back onto the bed, thoroughly dislodging Lynn from her formerly quiet napping spot. "Guess what? Daddy's coming to take pictures of everyone at the dance. That means he'll get to meet Bobby. And I just know he'll love him."

The black cat forgave the bouncing and purred loudly at the sound of her boy's name. As Rose set the letter aside and settled back on the bed, Lynn quickly occupied her new favorite spot on the blonde girl's warm stomach. "I can't wait to tell Nic about this. Just you wait, the dance is going to be even better now. But um... don't tell Bobby about my dad. You know... just in case things like that make him nervous."

[Forster Barclay]

Forster looked up from the letter, and the accompanying package to smile at Deidre, "So you see Grandpa Pythia gave me a few ideas. But in my opinion, muggle theatrical makeup would be easier."

"How could muggle make-up be better than a simple charm?" Dierdre couldn't imagine smothering her skin with all those paints. Normal make-up was one thing, the plaster that muggle actors and such wore was another.

"Charms is one of my best subjects, and even I've messed up a few of them. And this combination of color charm and glamour charm isn't exactly a simple undertaking. And unfortunately, Potions aren't necessarily the way to go either since a pinch too much of one ingredient or too little of another and you get the wrong shade, or you have to go to Madame Pomfrey to get your color fixed."

Dierdre shrugged her slender shoulders. "Fine, we'll split it. I know fail-proof charms for hair color and skin color. The rest I'll use actual make-up."

Forster smiled, "OK, but you'll have to teach me those later, they could come in useful on the OWLs."

At this Dee smirked in a very Slytherin fashion. "You got a deal there." She ran a hand through her short red hair, wondering if she should use a lengthening charm for it just for that one night.

"Just tell me what makeup you'll need and I can have mom or dad send it by owl." He gave a slight laugh, "And I have Grandpa working on a special prop for you."

Raising a thing eyebrow Dee wondered what it was. "And, exactly what would that be?"

Well, he's working on a sky-writing broom. And while there may not be room to fly about in the grand hall, but if someone starts bugging you, you could stick it in his face and make with the black smoke."

Dierdre gave a grin at that thought. She could think of a couple of people who could use that kind of thing. "Sounds like fun."

Forster donned a grin of his own. "Though I might have to borrow that myself to use on one of my roommates." He chuckled and shook his head, "Nah, I couldn't do that to poor Fooze, even if I really wanted to."

"Heh, just tell him you'll pay him to let you, and you'll get away with it." She gave a laugh at that thought. She wondered if there was anything Fooze and his friend wouldn't do for a little extra cash.

"Doesn't matter if I paid him all the gold in Gringotts, I'd still feel bad afterwards," Forster sighed and placed his hand on Diedre's shoulder, "Please, don't get me wrong. I'm really happy to be going to the ball with you. I otherwise probably wouldnt' have gone and then I'd regret it in a weeks time whenever everyone else is talking about the hi-jinks that Dumorne and Foozle got into. I just wish that Cee hadn't shut me down."

Dierdre gave him a sympathetic smile. "Look, it's not like you could have predicted it. And anyways, if she had said yes to you then who would I have gone with?" She joked with one of her rare smiles and shook her head. She knew exactly what she'd be doing that night if she didn't go with anyone, and that was stay in the Slytherin common room the whole time practicing some of her potion ideas.

"Between matchmaker Rosie and I, I'm sure we could have found you someone." He smiled and blushed a little bit. [Fors]"I just hope I don't embarrass you."

"I'm not worried." Dee reassured him then glanced up at a nearby clock, watching as the hands made their move to the hour. "Well I suppose we should get those costumes in order and everything. I'll let you know as soon as mine are finished."

Forster nodded. "If you need anything, just let me know, alright? And send a note with Pythia to tell me where you want to meet, since I won't be able to do the gentlemanly thing and show up at your doorstep."

Deirdre nodded and stood up, tucking some of her hair behind her small ear. "Alright, I'll do that. I'll see you later then Forster. Oh and if you see Rose before me, tell her I said thanks. She'll know what I mean."

---

Ambrosia walked up to the Owlery wondering what Forster had in mind. When he had passed her the note earlier in Dark Arts, she had to stifle a giggle at the dirty look Nicolette had shot the Hufflepuff prefect. And she had almost got caught whispering calming words to her friend just so she wouldn't turn the poor boy in. Despite his shyness in class, Rose knew that he took them as seriously as most Ravenclaws.

The note had been incredibly vague. Just asking her to meet him in the owlery before dinner and that it was dance related. She was curious, but at the same time it would give her a chance to spend a little time with Idril, with all her boy trouble she hadn't always had the time that she felt her pet deserved.

Forster grinned as he saw his friend enter the room, "Brosia, you're right on time."

"What's this about Forster?" she asked while holding up the note he had passed her earlier.

"Well, you know how I'm taking Dee?"

The blond prefect nodded.

"Well, that's not exactly accurate. I don't know who's taking who. Since she asked me after I go all bummed about Cee. But I guess that's my fault, if I had asked her before she asked Fooze... who knows. She could have said yes, or she could have called me clueless anyway."

Rose cleared her throat, riding out Fors's ramble.

"If not for Dee, I probably would have put a full night in practicing transfiguration and potions, that or asked Dumbledore for permission to go home and take care of the the twins so my folks could attend a party. I just don't want to have to wait until Christmas to see my little brother and sister." He blushed as he caught himself. "Sorry Rose, I didn't mean to get going like that. Anyway, I wanted to make something special for Dee, and I had an idea but I don't know if I could do it myself. But you're good with herbology and flowers and so there is this."He produced a corsage from behind his back and nodded toward a rather large barn owl. "Eustace here just brought this."

"Oh Forster, that's lovely! But it's gonna die before the dance if you don't put some sort of preservation charm on it."

"No, that's the point. I want it to die, and dry out if possible, and then a day or two before the dance, I'll order an identical one, and if you have the time, I'd kinda like to you to meld the two together. And then I can put a preservation charm on there to keep the dried flowers from crumbling at the dance. But I thought it would be right up our spooky little friends alley, a tasteful and pretty mix of life and decay."

"That's so sweet," Rose sighed and smiled up at him. "How did you get to be so thoughtful?"

Forster gave her a toothy grin. "Aw, Rosie, I may be oblivious five or six days out of the week, but you know I'd do anything for you or Dee or any of my friends. And since this is a dance the likes this school hasn't seen for quite some time. I might as well do my best to make it special."

"And I'll help you." The blonde grinned back at him, absently feeding Idril small treats while the other owls looked on jealously.

"Thank you Rose. If I can do anything to give you a hand, let me know. And by the way, I don't know why, but Deidre told me to tell you that she says thanks and that you would know what she means. And since that's obviously girl talk, I'm not even gonna ask what she was talking about, because it'll probably go right over my head."

"Probably," Rose agreed with a laugh, feeding her owl the last of the treats. "Are we done up here? Because as much as I love my baby here, I really need to clean my shoes now."

Forster laughed and placed a large handful of treats near Eustace's perch, offered a few to Idril and the other owls he passed, and handed the corsage to Rose."Just so you know that's why I have a cat. The smart ones can be trained so you don't have to worry about your shoes. But there are days that I really wish I had an owl of my own. I'll let you know when the other one comes in. I'd send it to you directly, but I don't want to cause any problems. Merlin only knows you don't need any more of those."

Rose laughed and gave her friend a hug before mentally mapping out the quickest route to her room and clean pair of shoes.






A great big thanks to Deidre and Ambrosia!

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

Nicolette looked at her hair doubtfully in the mirror between her and Ambrosia's bed, the long black curls sitting on her shoulders did not look quite right. Her dress hung in a black garment bag that hid all traces of her hard work. She had already spent a good chunk of time getting other parts of her costume perfected with secret charms and yards of gold fabric. All that was left were the stubborn raven locks that presently seemed to be in open defiance of her wishes. "I never put it down. . . but I think Laun likes hair down. Boys like hair down right?" She looked at the girl sitting next to her who was also getting ready.

"Just let me do it!" Ambrosia dug around in her trunk, past colored ribbons and sachets filled with mysterious ingredients, pulling out the various finishing touches her mother had sent to her over the past few weeks to add 'just one last touch' to her costume. "Ooo... I know just what to do!" She finally reemerged and pushed the now slightly disheveled curls out of her face with her wand.

"Um, what are you going to do?" She eyed her friend's wand suspiciously. Ambrosia was a talented witch, that she did not doubt, but the two girls often had differing opinions as to what they liked and what they did not. That was very apparent by quickly scanning the pair's living spaces. On Nicolette's side the bed was very neat, tight corners and smooth top. The space was sparsely decorated with an old looking jewelry box and a single picture frame from which a man with a warm smile was holding a young dark haired girl piggy-back. Lined up in a book case were several text and theory books and a navy colored diary sat on top, riddled with secrecy charms and magical alarms.

"Hold still, I'm just going to put a few highlights in your hair." She smiled eagerly as she stood over her room mate. Behind her, the Ambrosia side of the room was a striking opposite to Nicolette's. Soft pillows of varying textures nearly obscured the covers on the bed, the floor around it also covered with seemingly disorganized stacks of books of the romantic and intellectual variety. Where the piles of books ended, various sweet scented or otherwise beautiful plants dotted the area. The overall effect stopped just short of cluttered, instead leaving a feeling of soft comfort. "Trust me."

Nicolette's hands flew to her head, covering her hair. She looked at the grinning face that loomed above her. "High-lites? Rosie, my hair is black!"

"I was thinking blue. Or maybe a deep purple. Something to catch the light. Ooo.. or we could match your dress..." Ambrosia tapped her chin with her wand as she mulled over the options.

"My dress. . ." She hesitated, debating letting any bit of her top secret costume plans out. She decided if she could tell anyone, it was Rose. ". . .is gold."

"Gold... hmm...." She thought it over for a minute. "I still think blue highlights would be stunning. But if you think you're getting out of here without some body glitter you're crazy."

"Please don't make my hair blue. I will be forced to shave your date." Ambrosia knew her friend was just kidding, or rather, she hoped so. "Body glitter might be okay. . . ." Nicolette held her hand up and dangling from her finger was a crystal tiara. "I hope you know how to make this thing stay on my head. My mom got it from Austria. Something about good crystals there."

Ambrosia gushed over the tiara. "It is beautiful!" She took it in her hands and sighed dreamily as her fingers traced the delicate sculpted flowers set with small prismatic crystals. "It's so perfect. And so romantic."

Nic smiled, doubting that a tiara would have any effect on the evening's outcome. She looked in the mirror to the thin girl staring back. She still had on jeans and her baby blue camisole. It wouldn't be too long before Rose was done and off to the dance so that she herself could get dressed. "Let's just hope. Anyways, I am sure your evening will be 'perfect' and 'romantic' too."

The blonde rolled her eyes and sighed. "My date's Tom... still. But Bobby's been sending me flowers and Lynn. So it's going to be a good night. It has to be." She looked back at the mirror, unsure of who she was trying to convince.

Now it was the other girl's turn to look disappointed. She bumped Rose with her shoulder. "Well, you still seem better off than me. Laun doesn't think of me as anything more than 'that girl from mom's parties'."

Shaking off the gloom, Rosie dug a pot of gold body glitter out of her makeup bag. "Well... if we put a little of this on your cleavage maybe we can change that... After all, it's strawberry flavored." She grinned suggestively at her friend.

Nicolette frowned and looked down, pushing her chest together futilely. "What cleavage?"

Rose leaned over, digging in her trunk for extra socks. "We could pad you...."

A horrified look crossed Nicolette's face at the image that came to mind. She had bad experience with altering her image too much. "NO! With my luck, they will fall out in front of everyone!"

Ambrosia giggled. "Okay, okay... We'll work around that... somehow."

Biting her lip, Nicolette craned her head around to look at the other girl. "You know I am trusting you right? I am your friend. . . You wouldn't make me look. . . . stupid, right?"

Rosie waved off her concerns. "Are you kidding? Tonight's way too important to even joke about this. You're going to look amazing. I promise."

While Ambrosia used her wand to add curl, body, and shine to Nicolette's long midnight black hair, the two girls chatted about the coming night. "So, what is your costume anyways?"

"Rowena Ravenclaw. Tom's gonna be Godric Gryffindor." She smiled at the cleverness of the idea.

"Awww. . . That is so cute"

"I thought so too. It was a big mom plot actually. I think they just wanted to pick costumes that would match but wouldn't be a couple. That way they could remain innocent and say they never pressure us. What about you and Laun?"

It was the other girl's turn to smile. "You know I can't tell you. It is a surprise."

Ambrosia frowned. "Come on! You can't keep a secret like that from your bestest friend!"

Nicolette shook her head. "Sorry. No."

"Well, I know your dress is gold and you have a tiara. . . Sleeping Beauty?"

"No, and stop guessing!"

"Fine." Ambrosia put her wand down. "There, I'm done, wanna look?"

"Sure." Nicolette held up a mirror to get a view of all sides. She squirmed happily. "It is wonderful! You are magic!" The two girls laughed. She put the mirror down and turned to Rose. "So, you are gonna be Rowena, hmn?" Nicolette scrambled to her feet and appraised the other girl. "Something's missing. . . " She thought for a minute. "Oh! Your hair! Rowena had dark hair!" Colette smiled. "Want me to make your hair dark?"

Ambrosia clutched the hair she was so proud of. "Um... thanks but no thanks."

Nicolette put her hand on her hip and gave Ambrosia a look. "Oh come on. . . It is a simple charm and you know I am one of the best in our class. . ."

Ambrosia still looked unsure. "I know.. but... but it's my hair."

"I'll fix it afterwards! Your costume just isn't complete with blonde hair. You do want your costume to be perfect, don't you?" Nicolette's brow arched.

"Promise you can change it back?" Ambrosia gave Nicolette her best pleading look.

"Of course. That is so easy! I am insulted!"

"But... Ok... I trust you. You know that of course. It's just... my hair." Her dissent fading at the idea of perfecting her costume.

Nicolette put a hand on her roommate's shoulder reassuringly. "I understand. I am letting you put body glitter on me. . . I'll even put a little extra shine in it if you want when we take the spell off."

Ambrosia inhaled deeply. "Ok... you can do it."

Nicolette wiggled happily. "I will make it beautiful!" She got up and stood behind the other girl. Looking down for a moment, she finally began to wave her wand in a circle over her friend's head. "Pilonigerous" Rose's hair straightened, softened, and turned a dark black that was just as dark as Nicolette's. "Casius noir." Dark blue streaks flowed down her hair, just a little lighter than the rest. She smiled as got an idea. Reaching over, she picked up one of several silver necklaces off of her own night table and with a little simple wand work, turned it into an exact replica of Rowena's Diadem as it was depicted on the statue in their common room. She placed it on her friend's head. "There!"

Rose, who had been covering her eyes, not wanting to watch, opened her eyes bravely and looked in the mirror. "Ohh... Oh it's perfect. I love it!" She smiled and looked up. "Are you sure we can't stuff your bra?" she asked, finally ready to shed her fuzzy pink pajamas and don her midnight blue ballgown.

"I am glad you love it. . . and no"

[Shawn O'Reilly]

Shawn gave a quiet laugh to himself as he disentangled himself from the rather affectionate Golden Eagle that his uncle's department used for private deliveries, checking the contents of the box one last time before heading down to meet his date. His date... He still had trouble believing that he'd managed to snag the girl, even if it hadn't been in as... manly a way as he'd have liked.

---

Shawn looked over to where Sam was sitting in the Great Hall, and swallowed a lump of nerves. The dance was getting closer, and as far as he knew Sam hadn't been asked yet. But she was so pretty, there had to be more guys than just him that wanted to go with her. Mentally, he kicked himself. 'Pull yourself together man, are you an O'Reilly, or a mouse?' He looked back over at Sam, who was laughing at something that had just been said. 'Well I do like cheese... NO. O'Reilly, you are going to get up, march your yellow belly over there, and ask that beautiful creature to the ball!' Even as he stood up, Shawn was thinking somewhere in the back of his mind that when the voices in your head start ganging up on you, you needed some serious help.

After what seemed like an eternity, he made it over to the Hufflepuff table. Shifting from one foot to the other, he cleared his throat. "Um, Sam? Can I talk to you for a second?" Nervously, he rubbed the back of his neck. 'Dear lord did my voice just crack?!' She turned to look at him, and Shawn swore he felt his spine crawling out of his back and slinking away. 'Coward'.

Sam smiled, "What's up?" she said as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind the earpiece of her glasses.

"Well I, that is I...," He'd practiced this several times since talking to Foozle about asking her. Even so, his mind froze for a second, words backing up in his throat before releasing in a torrent, "Youwanngotodancewime?" He patted himself on the back for a moment, before he realized that she was looking at him oddly.

Sam squinted at him for a moment, "Um, what?"

'Crap.' Shawn gathered all of his courage and very slowly, enunciating every syllable to make sure he got the point across. "Will you. Go to. The dance. With me?" There, there was no way she could misinterpret that.

Sam's eyes grew large. She clapped both hands to her mouth, "OhmygoshabsolutelyIwillgotothedancewithyou!!!"

'No way was it that easy' Shawn blinked, once, then twice. "You will?" He sounded a bit dazed.

"Of course, you idiot," she playfully punched Shawn in the shoulder. "First of all, no one has asked me yet, and second," she punched him in the shoulder again, "I kinda like you, you idiot."

---

Shawn smiled goofily to himself, as he thought back on the previous week. Now he was on his way to an unused section of the Library with a box in hand that had come in the mail from his uncle. 'These costumes are gonna ROCK, even if half the student body won't get them.' His smile slipped a little as he remembered exactly how hard it had been to convince Sam to go along with his idea.

---

"You want me to dress up in a WHAT?!" Shawn winced as Madame Pince glared at the two of them over her glasses.

'Well, this isn't going well.' The Ravenclaw fought the urge to hide his face by palming it and repeated himself. "An Indian Princess, you know with the veil and the baggy pants and the top?"

"Are you out of you're bloody mind?!" Sam's glasses fell down around her nose. It was rather apparent that despite the formulation of her sentence for Sam this wasn't a question, and if it were, it was clearly a leading one.

Shawn went into pleading his case. "Ignoring the possibility that that may be true, what's so bad about it? I mean it's not like you're wearing a bikini or something. Honestly, it's less revealing than most bathing suits." He gave her a slightly lop-sided smile. It was almost sheepish. "Beside I think it would look good on you."

Sam's lips disappeared. Her face turned red. Shawn winced fearing the worst. When it didn't come he opened his eyes again. Shawn saw a smile on her face. "I'll do it, but you'll owe me."

Shawn breathed a mental sigh of relief, before eyeing his date warily. These little flip-flops were gonna be the death of him, he just knew it. But in the end it was worth it. "Thanks Sam. I'll remember that.

---

Shawn smiled again when he saw Sam sitting at the table. 'Good, looks like she got the note.' Then he noticed that she looked a bit peeved, and was nursing a large scratch on her hand. 'And it looks like Major was his usual charming self while delivering it.' "You alright there Sam?"

She scowled at him, and he winced a little. She was a nasty piece of work when truely peeved. "Right then, moving on. I got the costumes anf the props from my uncle today." He checked his watch. "I know we're pretty much sitting on the edge of the razor here, but you've got enough time to get ready right? That picture gave you an idea of what to do with your hair and all that?" Honestly he couldn't have cared less about how her hair was done up, but she was a girl and they had some of the strangest priorities he'd ever encountered sometimes. As he spoke he was opening the box, passing a pair of packages setting on top to her, before closing the box up. But not fast enough.

"What was that?" Shawn winced, but covered it with a grin. "What was what?"

"That metal thing in the box."

"Just a reproduction of a muggle weapon, completely harmless." Sam looked like she wanted to debate it for a moment, before shrugging it off. He'd never done anything really dangerous, so she'd trust him.

"Alright then, shall we meet at the entrance to the Great Hall?"

"Sounds like a plan. See you then, Sam." He waited until she'd left before reaching into the box and pulling out a battered looking fedora, spinning it on the tip of his finger before setting it on his head at a rakish angle. "Oh yeah, I'm gonna make this look good"

[Orlando MacFoozle]

"Bloody hell, Fooze!" David Fordham's jaw went slightly slack as his bunk-mate padded through the dorm. "That is... I don't even know what to say, mate." Ford repositioned his eye patch up onto his forehead. Between the bad vision and the transfigured hook on his hand, he was now not so sure that a Captain Hook was such a great idea. "If I didn't know better, I'd say it was a full moon."

As Ford was not a man generally known for his exuberance, Foozle felt a bit of pride from his reaction. "Yeah?" Fooze adjusted the deep green, black, and orange kilt on his haunches, climbed up onto his bed and looked down into the mirror that laid out on his pillow. His hazel eyes stared back, made all the more crisp in the dark fur that now framed them. The sharp angular muzzle curled in an almost familiar grin, bearing teeth more akin to fangs. With rather claw-like fingers on something more like a paw he reached down and picked the mirror up. Ford was right though. All the late night, busy weekends, and general cramming had really paid off in ways he hadn't even hoped.

"It's no bad, eh?" It felt odd to speak with his mouth all muzzled up. He angled the mirror around, examining the pointy ears on the top of his head. He hadn't expected the changes to really alter his perceptions, after all his vision was the same, but with the ears on the top of your noggin... Apparently things really sounded different. Foozle tossed the mirror onto his nightstand and hopped onto the ground. "Suffeeciently Big Baed Wouf?" he asked his bunk-mate. He licked his palm and coolly slicked his fur back with a toothy grin.

Ford nodded. "I'd say so man." He walked forward, pulling wide open the noose of a black tie as best he could with one hand. David Fordham was known for being one of Hufflepuff's great and quiet studious students, quite a feat for their house. He called it being driven. Such as it was, it was somewhat unusual that the two of them had become rather good friends. More strange if they knew he'd sought Foozle's help in his Transfiguration studies. Perhaps they made a good balance. Something more like yin and yang then oil and vinegar. Not that that stopped Ford from giving him crap about his studies.

The pair of them worked the tie around the wolf's neck and loosely tightened it up. "I gotta say. I dunno how, but you out did yourself, Fooze. I'm impressed." With an uncharacteristic smile he scratched his friend behind the ear.

"Thanks, Ford." He clapped him on the shoulder, winking. "Hou's the haund?" he asked, noting Ford's hook.

"I think it's gonna be a pain in the you-know-what." Ford chuckled to himself, as he tucked Foozle's tie under the flaps of the white stand alone collar. "I appreciate the help, but now I'm thinking a prop was a might have been a tad better then authenticity."

The wolf tightened his knot some. "Juist tak care whan ye hit the cludgie," he whispered. Ford shook his head.

Forster's voice reached the room before he did, "If I remember correctly, some of us tried to persuade you otherwise. But you went with the real deal instead.", he entered the room in an outfit that most people would call an eyesore, if they felt like being polite. "Just do me and Madame Pomfrey a favor and don't squeeze your Betts to tightly. I'm sure she doesn't need any puncture wounds. Though I think enough people are gonna be nauseous just from the sight of me" He chuckled and felt a minor pang of jealousy as he nodded toward Foozle, "Damn Fooz, looking good. And by good, I mean fuzzy."

"Thank ye, Fors, Ah think," Foozle replied as he pulled the tuxedo coat, smoothing out the lapel as he adjusted how it sat on his "shoulders". "Ye also leuk..." he casually gave The Wizard the head to toe once over, "impressive." Ford nodded in silent agreement.

"Yeah..." He adjusted the hat on his head. As it moved, the lights racing around it fluctuated in their color. "Not quite the same knock-out Cee is getting, but Dee and I are just friends. Still, she did ask me when I was thinking about just doing homework tonight after..." Fors shook his head and resumed speaking, "Anyway, I just hope I don't embarrass her, or anyone else that knows me for that matter."

"A dinnaken wha'll be knappin' oot wha," Foozle said mostly to himself, adjusting his sporran one more time. Cee hadn't been forthcoming much in how her costume preparation was going. She'd told him to mind his own business whenever he'd inquire. Of course her being his date never amounted to that making her costume any of his business apparently. It hadn't taken much for him to give up on poking the bear.

"And Dee's nice, contrary to popular beleif," Forster added, "And if she looks half as stunning as she's described, I'm gonna be the envy of most of you blokes. But even if she doesn't, I'm sure we'll have a good time."

"Ahm shuir ye will, mate." The Wolf fixed the pin in his kilt and checked the clock. "Ach! The time... Ah gats tae git gittin'. Ah'll see ye blokes on the dance floor."

Foozle bid his bunk-mates good luck and padded down the steps to the common room. The cacophony of pre-dance pandemonium washed over him. The excitement in the the second and third year students was particularly high pitched. Several of these girls appeared to communicate by locking their hands together and then some combination of jumping and squealing incoherently. He stepped back in the doorway a moment as two of the girls rushed by him.

"I bet that hurts your ears, doesn't?"

Around the corner Tatania stood by the fireplace. He gave a short whistle and walked over to her. "Arna ye a veesion, Tat." She wore a long slender gown which splayed under the golden bejewled belt that arced around her waist. The white neckline slowly faded down into a rich blue at the bottom. A pattern of shimmery gold embroidery grew up the from the thick band of her hemline. "Bobby'll hiv tae be blind and dumm no tae be wracked whan he losses yuir arm."

"Thanks, Fooze." She smiled, her cheeks flushed as she looked down at herself. "And Bobby is blind, but at least it's the good kind."

"Aye." He tied her up in a big hug. "An ye'll sauf a dance fer me then?"

"How could I not?" she told him, playfully scratching behind his ear. "Of course since Bobby's getting hooked up with Rosie tonight, my dance card's nice and open, but at least Tommy's gonna save me a dance or two as well, so with you two I think I'll be just fine," she winked.

"Ye'll be great."

[Dan DuMorne]

Danny looked in the mirror. He was dressing in his best formal outfit before layering on his costume, but he couldn't quite get his sporran to hang right. "Bloody kilt. 'Shuir, Foozle! Kilts will be a great idea!' I kin be such a daft bloke sometimes."

He looked about but could find none of his housemates about to help. A drawback of spending most of his waking hours with Tommy, Foozle, Rose or Nicolette. He fought with the garb a bit more, then layered on his Dumbledore outfit. Adding the false beard, he waved his wand and tapped his face, sticking it to his chin. A pair of glasses and a pointy hat completed the guise.

Checking the mirror, Danny found everything was in order and dashed for the stairs. He could just make it in time to meet Cissy at her common room. He didn't see Eric topping the stairs as he ran, knocking the smaller boy over. "Sorry mate! he yelled over his shoulder as Eric picked himself up, grumbling.

---

As he walked through the halls, Danny whistled a jaunty tune and twirled the end of his false beard. The corridors were abuzz with students walking to and fro, some in pairs, some singly, in various states of preperation for the dance. A sort of electricity filled the castle, and Dan couldn't help but feel energized by the mood.

Foozle threw his arm around Danny, hugging him tight by the shoulder, joining in his friend in enjoying the moment that sort of hummed around them. "It's pretty great, isnae it? And ye?" His wolfish ears twitched about with the sounds as he regarded the Ravenclaw. "Yuir leukin' right barrie, Headmaster."

Tossing his arm over his mate's shoulder, Danny grinned. "Thank you, wolfie. Yuir leukin' sharp yuirself." With a laugh, he added, "It's going tae be quite a show. A take it yuir off tae Gryffindor fer Cee?"

"Tha's the plan, my guid man." The pair trotted up the moving spiral staircase, cutting through the intermittent classmates coming down. "Sae... Nervish, brither?"

Danny laughed. "D'ye think? Ah'm about tae take one o' my two best mates' little sister tae the dance. An' she leuks at you like a spare brither, too. Gif A mak a carfuffle ooten this..."

"Tha's whit yuir nervish aboot? Bah." He waved him off. "Dinnae gae aff yuir heid. Ciss is awfu browden o ye an ye ken it. Gif onythin' that's the lastest thing ye shoud wirrie on."

"Oh, aye..." Danny wasn't convinced as they climbed the stairs, but with a shrug he changed the subject. "D'ye think the punch is goin' tae wirk?"

"Aye." Foozle scratched at the scruff of his chin. "Thay've been steepin' fer oors nou. Ah'd say naebody'll even gust the differ." He thought on the matter as they crested to the 7th floor. "Ah'd wad mebbe a 70/30 spleet."

As they approached the entrance to the Gryffindor common room they saw the Fat Lady staring at them. "Hello, lads. You aren't in my house, are you, Hufflepuff? Or you, Ravenclaw? Tut tut. I'm afraid you cannot pass without knowing the password for the house. And only my steadfast charges, the Gryffindors know..."

Foozle and Danny glanced at each other and laughed. "Fluxweed." They snickered, clearly finding something terribly funny about that. The Fat Lady sputtered as the portrait began to swing open.

"Thank ye, guid-wife," the wolf cooed.

"Much obliged, leddy," added the Headmaster.

[Tom Llewelyn]

"Oi, what do you think?" Bill stood in front of Tommy. He was wearing old farming robes, a straw hat, and his feet were bare.

"Let me guess," Tom said with a smile as he looked up from his own costume, "Renard, the farm boy wizard who saved the princess of the veelas from the Giant Mogdor?"

"You are good sir," Bill winked and went back to finishing his costume, "How did you guess so quick?"

"Elementary, my good man," Tom said as he applied the fake beard to his chin and pointed his wand at it, "Apoxrifix," the beard sealed nicely to his chin. "First of all you are going with Sarah Harper."

"Yeah."

"And she is one of the few blonds in this school that is beautiful enough to go as a veela."

"That is definitely true."

"And third..."

"Third?"

"Third. The tale of Renard and the veela is your favorite story from when you were a kid."

"And you know that how?'

"When I stayed the week with you last summer. Your mum was reading it to your little sister. She said it was your favorite story when you were her age."

"Alright you got me," Bill smiled, "that beard looks brilliant by the way."

"Thank you sir. How does it look with this? He stood up an placed a replica of the Sorting Hat on his head.

"Perfect!"

"And the final touch," Tom too the hat back off. He thrust his hand into the hat and pulled out a shiny silvery sword with jewels on it.

"Bravo! Your mum's a genius!"

"I may have to ask Tatti if I can buy this off of her," the boy muttered as his fingers grazed over the Cuirass that rested on the bed. He was never interested in time periods really, pretty much if it didn't have roots, black fur, blonde hair, or team Gryffindor there was no interest in it. Now things were different as the piece of armor stared upward and the glare of the metal burned away any disinterest.

"That is a great costume Bob."

"Thanks Bill," Bobby smiled, But it still needs something." His eyes continued to wander over the costume and came to a screeching halt at the clothes underneath. A simple black number making the armor look formal instead of combat ready. Something isn't right about this, his mind mulled over the look before his eyes widened with delight, "Colourium!"

Black started to run away from a very dark red that started to conquer the material thanks to a simple spell used in various dying techniques. One part of their exams involved turning a rat orange with this very charm."Perfect."

"Spot on Bob."

Several minutes later the teenager stared at himself in a full mirror with the silver pieces gleaming from his gauntlets, haubrek, greaves, and sabatons. He tried to hide the smile of enjoyment this little number gave him before tying his hair back with a piece of cloth and heading down the common room. Luckily there wasn't much armor, Britto would have been heard for miles from the rattling of armor thanks to his nerves getting the better of him. This was slightly quieter.

"Come on," Tom replaced the sword in the hat, "We don't want to keep our dates waiting."

[Forster Barclay]

Forster whistled as he fastened the tie-dye dress robes. He tapped his sleeve once and muttered the incantation his grandfather had left in the pocket. The patterns began to swirl upon a background of emerald green. Tapping and muttering once more, the robes became a solid emerald green. He studied himself in the mirror and glanced at his cat who was cleaning himself on Forster's pillow.

"What do you think, Brock?"

The cat gave a non-committal "Mew" and went back to the task at hand, or at tongue and paw as happened to be the case. Forster restored the robes to the swirling pattern. Patting himself down to make sure he had everything, he set off for the hallway.

As he passed through the commons area, thoughts of quidditch popped into his head. Which, in turn, made him realize that someone was mysteriously unseen...
"Anyone see where Belle got to?"

"She was just here. Came back from getting the dance ready to change, then sprinted out to get Eric into costume." Tat shook her head. "The girl looks a little frazzled."

"That's not good."

Samantha seemed unconcerned. "She'll be fine once this dance is is over with."

"I'm not worried about her. It's just that when Belle gets frazzled, people tend to lose teeth."

---

Forster swore he heard a howl and a chill went down his spine. He was surprised to see his cousin and her date waiting for him. Pythia Ekaterina. Pythia glanced at his costume, her eyes lingering on the broom that he had clutched in his hand before she spoke. "You're running late."

"No, Pyth, you're early."

The third year Slytherin shook her head, "If that's the way you see it. Deidre's probably waiting on you, that's not very gentlemanly." Her date, who Fors was certain was a Ravenclaw, snickered. "She said to meet her at the top of the stairs down to the dungeon. And you might want this." She produced the corsage from the fold of her Quidditch robes. "Ambrosia gave it to Douglas. I knew you would be late so I already charmed it for you. But you can double-check my work."

"Thanks Pyth, I appreciate it. And I must say, those are fantastic Woollongong Warriors uniforms. I'm assuming they're official?"

Pythia nodded, "Father had them custom-made. The team owner owed him a favor."

Forster chuckled, "Who doesn't?"

The two Woollongong Warriors turned to head towards the grand hall, but one pivoted and made a parting statement. "I see red hair in your future." She gave a cryptic smile to her cousin before grabbing her date's arm and dragging him to the party.

Forster shook his head, familiar with his cousin's tendency to make predictions and headed off for the dungeons as fast as he could.

[Céilidh MacAllister]

The black robes billowed in the air as the great bat like shape moved hurriedly down the halls, the greasy black hair clinging to the figures face. Two fourth years dressed as house elves scrambled down the stair way and into the path of the oncoming force

"Out of my way!!!" snapped Belle as the students hurried out of her way. She was beginning to realize that dressing as the spitting image of Severus Snape had some added benefits.

She moved with purpose towards Ravenclaw Tower to meet Eric and get him ready for the night. All the while she kept on reminding herself that in just a few hours this nightmare of a dance would be over and she could finally have a decent night's sleep.

---

"I still don't understand just why it is you're going to the dance with Foozle and not Forster," Aeryn said. She sat at her mirror and applied the finishing touches to her eyeliner.

"Acause he's ah git," Céilidh hollered from behind a dressing screen.

"He's not a git," the blonde chided, "he's just really shy... especially around you."

"A ken, A ken... it's like A telt Rosie, Ah'm juist fauchelt'a doin' tha chasing," she stepped from behind the screen. "Whit dae ye think?"

Aeryn did a double-take. To say that Céilidh had vamped it up a notch was to say nothing at all. Candy-apple red heels gave way to dark red thigh-high fishnet stockings, matched in the middle by a nearly obscenely short school-girl skirt in her family's tartan. The tails of the crisp white button-down were pulled up and tied into a knot, revealing her midriff, and was buttoned so that the eye could catch a glimpse of dark red brassiere. A glittering cape hung from her shoulders, falling to about the small of her back, and with the hood thrown back her usual pony-tail was replaced by pig-tails that brushed the tops of her shoulders. Her makeup was such that it highlighted her sparkling green eyes and finished off with glossy lips that matched the tone of her heels. Aeryn choked and sputtered with wide eyes.

"That bad?" Cee asked with a mock pout.

"Bad? Céilidh MacAllister, it's purely evil!" the blonde said, once she was able to find her tongue. "I'm just afraid you might give the poor boy a coronary." Céilidh smiled and whirled around. "In fact, I'm not so sure that the entire male population of the dance won't collapse in a collective fit of apoplexy. And some of the female half as well..."

((OOC: Threw Belle's bit in there as well, hope you don't mind lass!))