A nation celebrates (closes Saturday 8/15/15)

[Professor Hermione Potter]

It had been a week since Harry's real birthday, and like the Potters had agreed, the Ministry would hold a grand ball in Harry's honor the week after. That freed him up for a private celebration at home for his actual birthday. Well now the downside of that agreement was in effect. Hermione was dressed in a dark blue modest evening gown sitting at the table of honor throughout the dinner portion of the Ministry Ball. Her children sat around the table doing their best not to fidget too much in the fancy clothes. Like her, they didn't really want to be here either, but would do what was necessary as the family of Harry Potter.

This level of the Ministry was generally where justice was met through the Wizengamot, but had been cleared to hold the grand party. It wasn't completely open to the public, but it might as well have been with the lack of precautions taken. Granted there had been no problems in near 8 years. Still, Hermione had been through a war so was still on alert, even at a boring function like this.

She gripped Harry's hand at the table while he talked to different dignitaries at their table. She knew he hated events like this as much as she did. But she smiled nonetheless at those who tried to engage her. The party itself was quite full. She would play this part, for him. Always for him.

[Hermione Chambers]

Hermione was bored. Officially she was on protection detail for her mentor and family, but unofficially, she was here to support said mentor. She was aware that Mrs. Potter hated events like this, having been told during one of their talks. Even though she hadn't been her student for almost 10 years, Hermione still respected the headmistress and occasionally would visit the school for advice or just a friendly chat between student and teacher.

But since she was here on official auror business, she got to dress in her formal uniform instead of a stuffy gown. She didn't think anything would occur tonight as not only were several aurors stationed around, but two of the most powerful of their kind were present; with their children. Hermione knew the Potters to be highly formidable when protecting each other, but protecting their children would see that level of ferocity increase exponentially.

Hermione leaned up against a nearby pillar, keeping an eye on the head table and any nearby areas just in case someone was stupid enough to try something tonight. Truth be told, Hermione was grateful for this distraction as it took away from her obsession of the last 5 weeks. Straw had apparently confided in others about his delusions and opened himself to risk. She knew none of the group would betray him like that, but the more people in on a secret the more likely it would be for someone to discover. She'd hate to do it, but if forced, Hermione would bring in her friend. It would make her secret job so much easier, but she wouldn't do anything unless she was put into that position.

[Straw Buckett]

“Now I couldn’t remember if you said Moscato or Mojito, so I got you both!” smiled Straw at Quety as he wobbled clumsily over to the table with a tray full of drinks. He began to hand them out to the girls before him, failing on multiple levels in remembering what they all ordered. “AND I forgot what you wanted too so a Pina Colada for you Ms Samuels cos we all know you like getting caught in the rain!” he joked before picking up a beer from the pile (the only drink he got correct) and sat next to Queety. He smiled at the girls before cheersing them with his usual goofy grin, “To Harry” then took a large swig of Bogarts Beer. “Oh, not entirely sure what's in yours Evans. I told the bar tender to surprise me but he did light it on fire so that’s cool”. The music was so loud that despite asking what they all wanted, Straw really hadn’t listened to them properly nor bothered to double check their orders.

Straw crossed his legs and placed a loving hand on Queety’s thigh. She was absolutely stunning in her dress and he couldn’t wait to get her a little drunk and on the dance floor. Straw was dressed in a black traditional formal robe with a black bow tie, white shirt and shinny black shoes. He was slightly uncomfortable but he thought he pulled it off well enough. The four had taken the night off as parents and aunties, leaving the triplets with a baby sitter and dressed in their very finest so they could attend the annual ball to celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday. “Personally I think we really should be celebrating the end of the war as that’s really the day Harry killed He Who Must Not Be Named, didn’t really do much as a baby I think” said Straw between sips as he became a little more tipsy, this was his forth beer.

“So why didn’t you bring a date Samuels?” he said poking his nose where it probably didn’t belong. “Such a pretty dress with no one to fully appreciate it. You should get out there and test the waters, see who might buy you a drink for a dance. Actually, I have a friend who also came alone, want me to find him? I’m sure he’ll buy the first round.” Straw winked cheekily.

[Ivy Pattinson]

Her dress is red, she’d always been told she looks beautiful in red. Red was emotionally intense as a colour, it stimulated a faster heartbeat and breathing. It was the colour of both love and hate. Red things move faster, red lips are sexy, red hot anger bubbles in your chest, red is both extreme and confronting, it signifies confidence and attracts attention. All of which Ivy was not feeling inside.

It had been 3 years since she’d lost her memory and attacked all she loved and cherished. Slowly she was rebuilding herself with counseling and regular exercise but there was still a haunting darkness to Ivy, one she very aware of and inconstant fear of. With the help of many Ivy was slowly finding herself again, none had been more helpful and stronger than her husband Erik. He stood next to her holding her hand as they entered the basement of the Ministry for the annual Potter ball.

Ivy squeezed Erik’s hand tightly as they walked through the crowd, she was nervous. This was the first time being in big crowd since her break down and despite wanting to come Ivy couldn’t help but wonder if this was a bad idea. Ivy hadn’t done so well in crowds since and was still struggling to remember a few things from her life before she’d lost her memory.

“1 hours minimum” she instructed Erik with a gentle smile, “Don’t let me bail too early, Jackie said I should at least try an hour....should I get us a drink?”

[Professor Carina Erikson]

She sipped her wine as she drummed her fingers against the table and she couldn't quite figure out why she came. Carina sighed, bobbing her bare foot up and down. The long dark green dress she wore was hot and felt too tight. Seems she had gained a few pounds lately. The shoes had been slipped off a long time ago. If Timothy didn't show up soon, she was going home. Another sip. With a smirk, she glanced over at the Headmistress' table. Looked like she was uncomfortable as Carina was. The thought had crossed her mind to offer the Headmistress a way out. She could go back and set the school on fire, but she figured Hermione would frown upon that.

Her friends were also there and she smiled slightly, watching them. She could have gone over but instead she sat at the empty table. Things had been different the last time she saw them. That had been a while ago at the 3B and she hadn't seen any of them since. Had no idea where Kat was staying, and she had tried going to Straw and Queetys' place, but no one had been home. So she let them be. If they wanted to talk to her, they knew where she was. Another sip. Damn, now she was out. Carina slipped her feet back into the black high heels and walked over to replace her wine, stopping here and there, talking to a few people she knew. A few from the school and a few she had meet through Timothy.

Making her way back to her table, Carina sipped slowly from her now third glass of wine. Ivy had just walked in. The dark haired witch gave Ivy a wave as she sat back down. They had never been close, Ivy and Carina, though Ivy made an effort to include Carina in family things. Carina just always felt out of place. Ivy had been through a lot the last few years. Carina resolved to try and spend some time with her. Maybe she could help with the wedding. Sighing in relief, the heels were slipped back off and hid under the table. Ivy would have to wait though, Carina was far too busy with her wine and her thoughts of escape.

[Queety White]

Queety looked at the two drinks Straw had placed in her hands. "Is this some crazy plan of yours to make me senselessly drunk?" she asked. She put the wine down on the table and began sipping on the mojito, which was the one she had original asked for. She'd drink the other one later (can't let it go to waste, right?). Indeed, it was nice to be able to get a way once in a while for an evening, get all dolled up and drink with her best friends. Her not-so-secret relationship with Straw now out in the open, Queety didn't feel like she was walking on eggshells around Kelly and Kat and had definitely loosened up. Well, the alcohol definitely helped with that loosening up as well. 

For this event, she wore a dark green, sleeveless cocktail dress with matching green heels that were high enough to make her almost as tall as Straw. Her hair was done up in an elegant bun on top of her head and she had accessorized with a matching earrings and necklace set. She placed her hand on top of Straw's that was on her thigh and squeezed it. She knew he would rather be wearing a t-shirt and jeans this evening but he still looked dashing in his dressrobes and bowtie. She looked up at him with a huge grin on her face. 

"It doesn't matter what we are celebrating. It's just nice to have an excuse to celebrate and have a fun night out!" she said. "We should take advantage of the night. And not sit around here the whole time. We'll end up looking like the Potters over there." She gestured toward the table where the Potters were sitting, not doing well at hiding their resentment for being at this event.

As Straw made comments about Kat bringing a date, Queety rolled her eyes. "You need to behave, Buckett. How many drinks have you had?" She playfully shoved him. "Leave Kat alone. She can do what she wants. Come on, let's go dance." She placed her drink down and stood up, holding out her hand for him to take. Now that she was sufficiently inebriated herself, she would be able to dance around on such high heels and not be bothered by them. 

[Tristan Clarke]

Tristan usually did not attend this ball. While he worked at the ministry and got an invitation as a formality, he never felt quite right about celebrating. He had been in school around the same time as the Potters and knew them, though they never really interacted much in school aside from the occasional class together. Then in the middle of the war, Tristan had fled, too afraid to even attempt to fight in the war. While it was years and years ago, he still felt like he had no right to celebrate a man whose achievements would always far outweigh his own. But Kelly had convinced him to come for once as she was attending with her friends. So he agreed to do so. Emily was spending the night over a friend's house so he was left with no choice but to join in the festivities. At least there would be several familiar faces around that he had not seen in a while.

Dressed in black dressrobes and a maroon undershirt and black tie, Tristan entered the room to see the event was well underway. He spotted Kelly and her friends right away. First he made his way to the bar to get himself a beer and made his way over to join them. Several people were already on the dance floor. Perhaps he would gain some confidence and dance as well. That will be the day nargles are proved to exist. He passed by the table where the Potters were sitting with their children. Tristan nodded at them with a small smile. He doubted they recognized him as a quiet Hufflepuff that passed them in the hallways and in the great hall when they were children. It seemed like a lifetime ago. He looked at the children who looked bored out of their mind. He then wished he had brought Emily with him. She would have willingly entertained the kids and played with them or took them to the dance floor. 

He finally made his way to the table to see Queety trying to convince Straw to dance with her. It was clear that both of them had already had their fair share of alcohol. He chuckled and said hello to them before sitting next to Kat and Kelly. "Well you got me here," he said to Kelly. "You happy now?" 

[Harmony Lupin]

At a ministry hosted event Harmony Lupin felt oddly out of place. In the wizarding world she was just another face - she didn’t work within the Ministry or have anyone of significance to her working in the Ministry that would have brought her as a date. Yet here she was, a flute of champagne in her hand as she sat at a table with a gentlemen who was much older than herself, but still young enough to only have a few stray grey hairs in his ever growing beard. “Alright lets be honest,” she mused with a bit of flush on her cheeks, obviously already having a little a few drinks. “Herbology only has one purpose, and it is to grow plants to chop up and use in other subjects. Like healing or potions,” she cooed, waving her half empty flute around before downing the rest of it. Like everyone else here Harmony was having a good time, and as a potioneer she was absolutely smitten with the idea of annoying this unspeakable who apparently had a love for herbology.

However all good things must come to an end, and as Harmony looked at her empty champagne class she realised it was time for her to get another. However she decided that champagne was no longer on her agenda, Harmony gnawing on her bottom lip as she got up from her table. “Now, sir, if you will excuse me I would like to go get another drink. Can I get you anything?” she asked with a lazy wave of her hand, the man shaking his head to decline the offer. She shrugged. “Fine, have it your way,” she smirked a bit, turning around and starting to move through the crowd.

Dresses, I hate dresses, Harmony thought as she struggled to hold hers up while she walked. She wasn’t the most graceful person, and while she could clean up nicely when she had to it didn’t mean she was particularly good at being that girly. On her way over to the drink station Harmony proved that fact when she collided with another person, the 24 year old stumbling back ever so slightly as she laughed, gaining her composure. Pushing a piece of hair from her eyes she smiled apologetically. “Sorry,” she mused. “You can dress me up but can’t take me out.”

OUTFIT
No one tagged, just chatted with a random NPC and bumped into someone.

[Kelly Evans]

Kelly usually looked forward to the annual ball that the Ministry held for Harry Potter's birthday, as a chance to get out of her Mediwitch robes and slip into something a little less comfortable but a lot nicer to look at, but this year, with everything that had occurred lately, the witch was not particularly in a party mood. She had decided to go anyway, with some prodding from Jacques, who didn't understand her sudden distaste for the party, and thus found herself in the basement of the Ministry, surrounded by happy, smiling people in gorgeous gowns and dress robes. Kelly herself was wearing a floor-length, dark grey gown, made of some floaty material the dress maker had enthused over, that was tied in at the waist and loose to the floor. Her dark hair was in loose waves around her pale face, and her make up was simple. As Straw handed her a drink she smiled tightly in thanks, trying to appear natural despite the nerves that were currently churning in her stomach. She sipped the drink slowly, considering she wasn't sure what was in it, and then clutched it in her hands.

She marvelled at Straw and Queety's ability to joke and have fun, when all she wanted to do was run screaming from the room. She was not easily frightened, she'd been sorted into Gryffindor for a reason, after all, but Kelly could not understand how the others were not more worried about the predicament they had all found themselves in. After her confrontation with Hermione, Kelly was even more worried that Straw - and, she had to admit a touch of selfishness, herself by association - would be in real trouble. As Kelly's eyes wandered across the party, she caught a glimpse of Hermione standing by the Potters, dressed in her usual Auror gear and clearly on duty by her posture alone. She smiled at her friend as they caught eyes, hoping that they would indeed still be friends once it was all over. Her eyes continued to wander across the crowd and she saw Carina, sitting by herself at an empty table, and she frowned slightly. She lifted her free hand and waved at her friend, trying to gesture her over, raising a mock-threatening eyebrow as she did so. If Kelly had to be a part of this charade, Carina had to, as well. She wondered who else was here, hiding away in shadowy corners.

She wished Jacques was beside her at this moment, but he had been stopped by one of his colleagues on the way in, and so she had smiled and waved him away, as he promised he would find her as soon as he was done. She hadn't told Jacques Straw's news, as she did not want to put him in a bad position unnecessarily, but she felt terrible for lying. Kelly vaguely heard Straw's jibe at Kat about not bringing a date and despite everything else, she grinned to herself, masking it by taking another sip of her drink, which had begun to settle a pleasant warmth in her stomach. Kelly shook her head and pulled herself straighter, trying to shake the nerves so that she could enjoy the evening as best as possible. She laughed aloud as Queety began to tug Straw towards the dance floor, and then looked up as she heard her name. The smile she turned towards Tristan was indeed genuine, grateful for the arrival of a new person, and she laughed again at his words. "Tristan! Yes, thank you, I am happy you are here," she replied, reaching up to press a quick kiss to his cheek. They'd been friends for a long time, and she was glad they'd all met at the party. "No Emily tonight? By the look of the poor Potter children the Ministry should probably allow kids of a certain age next year, they look so bored up there."

[Frankie Page]

She had been terribly late, a quick text message had her ushering her date out the door with friends rather than with herself but she had been stuck dealing with a particularly difficult case and couldn't drag herself away. Not even for Harry Potter. Not that she entirely understood of course, this world was still bizarre to her after 25 years and she shrugged away from it for the most part but if most of the world held celebrations for the Queen's birthday, then surely she couldn't begrudge the wizards for their celebrations. So she had donned her favourite suit, put on her dancing shoes and made her way to the basement of the Ministry, besides, with so many beautiful women all dolled up, who could resist? 

Frankie was getting herself a bourbon from the refreshments table when one such woman stumbled into her. She automatically threw a hand out to steady the other woman who quickly composed herself with a laugh, and Frankie found herself joining in with ease. "And what a dress it is!" she exclaimed with a wink, "thank goodness we were born of the fairer sex and don't have to suffer those ridiculous dress robes, that's all I'm gonna say!". Her attention turned for a moment to the bartender as he presented her with a bourbon, neat, and she sipped it with a small smile  before turning back to the woman before her. "Are you here with anyone? oh, and how rude of me, I can't let you practically fall into my arms and not introduce myself! I'm Frankie." She extended a hand to the woman before her with a smile. 

Of course she should really be looking for her date, but if she knew anything of that woman it was she could take care of herself, so a few moments of pleasantry with someone else wasn't going to harm anyone. It was a party after all.

[Kat Samuels]

Kat Samuels was good at a lot of things - teasing, messing up, falling in love, giving birth to beautiful babies - but dressing appropriately was never one of them. Hair up in a messy top knot, blood red lips and jewellery that looked more like body armour, Kat was dressed in a floor length black number, with a split up to the thigh and a deep v in the front. It showed more skin than should be appropriate for the celebration of the chosen one's birth but they say if you've got it, flaunt it, so flaunt it she did. 

Straw was off getting them all drinks and she could feel the tension in the air around them as soon as he had walked away, mostly radiating from Kelly, and perhaps a little residual tension directed at her from Queety after the other nights shenanigans. She felt as though it would be a long way back to repair the calm between them all, but she had faith they would do it. They always did.

When Straw returned and handed her a pina colada, she couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at him, taking the drink from him and sitting it to one side. While he was definitely right about her liking getting caught in the rain, pina colada's were definitely not her drink. Was he distracted or what tonight? He did make a good point though. "I think really we are celebrating Lily and James for having sex and producing a badass baby, lets be fair!" She grinned then, distracted for a moment as her eyes flittered around the party looking to see if Frankie had arrived yet. She had been so caught up in a case earlier this evening that Kat had just waved her on with it, saying she would meet up with her at the ball, but that was hours ago, surely she would be here by now. She saw a few familiar faces, Hermione on guard duty, the Potter's looking rather uninterested in the nights shenanigans, Carina on her lonesome at the table. She knew her friend wasn't one for large groups and made a mental note to slip away and greet her in a moment. 

Straw's voice made her attention snap back to the group. She almost rolled her eyes at him. "Of course I have a date Straw, Frankie's just running a little late, I'm sure they're about here somewhere. So you'll excuse me if I don't feel the need to tart myself around for drinks". She was joking, mostly, and stuck her tongue out at him before Queety attempted to whisk him away to dance. With Tristan's arrival, it meant that Kelly was suitably distracted, Kat felt for the first time in a long time like the fifth wheel. How funny it was to have such a complete life outside of this one she had grown so steadily into. It almost felt like she was wearing shoes two sizes too small, but so old and warn they had moulded around her feet.

She needed another drink. 

[Straw Buckett]

“Whyyyyy yes, yes indeed!” grinned Straw squinting his eyes at Queety and giving her an eskimo kiss. Now that they were ‘out’ with their friends about their relationship, Straw could relax a bit and be cute with Queety again. It had been odd acting as just friends in front of everyone, this felt much better and more honest.

“True again, it doesn’t” he smiled cheers’ing the air at Queety’s comment. “The point is I’m not working or on duty and have the day off tomorrow so… “ and he took another sip with a cheeky smile looking to Kelly to share the joy but she was as sore as an apple candy. She hadn’t spoken to him at all this evening and he could tell she was still angry with him about Josh. It didn’t bother Straw, he knew she’d come around once she saw him. Straw knew in his heart he’d done the right thing and he wasn’t about to take it back or apologies, even if that meant his friends were a little mad at him for a while.

“To James and Lily having sex!” annoued Straw lifting his beer in the air looking back to Kat and Queety, “May we all follow in their footsteps tonight in rigorous love making in hopes of creating bad arse childre!!” and winked cheekily at Queety.

“Ok, ok, I’m coming,” he said as he got to his feet and made a face and shrugged his shoulders, pretending this was not something that excited him when in fact he was biting at the bit to hit the dance floor. “Oh well, I wanna meet this Frankie fellow later! Give him the once over, make sure he’s… you know,” Straw called pointing at Kat and giving he a nod as Queety pulled, relentlessly, him away and onto the dance floor.

“Jeeze you’re keen for a dance aren’t you!” he teased as he took her hand and twirled her once as they joined the group of dancing wizards and witches. “Wanna know a secret?” he smiled as he began to dance to the beat, moving himself close to her ear so she could hear him over the music. “I’m wearing the sparkly thong!” and he winked.

[Professor Carina Erikson]

And now we have reached the point I give up, Carina thought. She had stopped going to the bar, instead bribing one of the bar keeps to bring her drinks. The white wine had been up as well, switching over to something called a sunset. It was quite good, though, very tropical. She could only wish she were somewhere tropical, laying on a beach. Maybe a quick vacation before school started was in order. It was that moment she opened her eyes and saw Kelly waving her over. Carina shook her head and Kelly gave her the Look. Guess she had no choice now, she had to join them. With a sigh, she finished off her second sunset, took the next one from the girl that had brought it, and padded over, leaving her shoes behind.

She reached the other table just as Kat was leaving. Not above making a fool of herself, she hollered at her friend. "You owe me a dance, Samuels." Maybe I should lay off the drinks, she thought,even though she was still sipping at her drink. To hell with that though. Its been years since she had touched a drop of alcohol, since she's been to anything like tonight. Carina was entitled to a little fun, wasn't she? Once again she hoped Timothy made it. She would love nothing more than to get him drunk and out on the dance floor.

But he wasn't, so she'd just have to have all the fun herself. Watching her brother and Queety on the floor, dancing away, she smiled. Carina was just happy everyone else was happy. There was something going on though, with her friends and something else she couldn't quite put a finger on. Her friends would tell her ifnshe needed to know, though. The other, she wasn't sure, but she had a feeling something bad was beginning. It was neither here nor there at the moment, pushing it aside.

"All right, Evans. I'm here." Carina paused for a minute before turning and smiling. "So, your date isn't here and mine isn't here. We should dance." She grinned stupidly and continued, "I think I'm just drunk enough to not step on your toes."

[Queety White]

Queety's eyes opened wide at Straw's toast. "Oh heavens no!" she said sternly. "We are not making any children. Don't you dare get those ideas in your head, Straw Buckett. You and your kids are enough work for me as it is. Come on!" Her voice came off as a playful tone but inside, her heart started pounding. That was not something to be joked about. She had been especially cautious, doubling up on muggle medications and specialty potions, to make sure that something like that did not happen. 

Queety wrapped her arms around Straw in a large hug once he finally stood up to dance with her. It certainly felt nice to be able to do this not just in the privacy of their own home. She glanced at Kelly, her eyes willing her friend to at least try to have fun tonight, even though they were all stressed out about the outside situation. Things were probably going to be rough in the foreseeable future so they might as well have fun tonight and not have to worry about anything else. She gestured to the moscato that she had not drank from, offering it to Kelly as well. She would not often recommend alcohol as a therapeutic way to deal with stress, especially to a health care professional, but everything was fine in small doses, right? 

She waved to Tristan who had joined them. "Long time, no see, stranger!" she said with a wide grin. And when Carina joined and asked Kelly to dance, Queety nodded. "Yeah, Kelly! You guys come join us on the dance floor! Live a little! And Kat, you better introduce us to this Frankie guy before the night's through. I wanna meet him!"

She pulled Straw onto the dance floor and began dancing close to him, enjoying the beat of the music as popular songs played. His little secret caused her cheeks to turn darker and she had to stop herself before she reflexively reached forward to check to see if he was telling the truth. Instead she grabbed onto his shoulders and pulled him closer. "You are not!" she giggled, her eyes wide. "Well if it makes you feel sexy, then wear it, I say. I still haven't had the chance to fully appreciate it, you know." She winked and leaned forward to kiss him. 

Tonight was definitely going to be a fun night. 

[Harry Potter]

He had come far from that scared little boy locked in a cupboard under the stairs. He knew what love was now and it gave him the strength to smile and deal with diplomats as he gripped his wife's hand. But, even he had a limit to how much glad-handing he could do at a time. He watched as groups of wizards and witches started taking to the dance floor as the dinner portion of this horrid event was ending. Harry wished that he could have left his children out of this, and left them in the safety of their castle home. However, they had been included in the negotiations for the events against his will.

"Well, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, minister, I believe I owe my wife a dance. If not for her, we wouldn't have much to celebrate tonight would we?" He signaled his bodyguard for the evening, his wife's one time apprentice. "Chambers, if you would, keep an eye on the kids." He knew she wasn't that comfortable with kids, but he called in his own favors from time to time. She was one of the few that he could trust due to how close she had gotten to the family during her apprenticeship.

"Love?" Harry inquired as he stood from his seat, still holding her hand like a lifeline. "May I have this dance?" He flashed her one of his boyish smiles that he knew she couldn't refuse. The two older kids started making gagging noises, while little Jane just happily babbled in her high chair, not old enough to understand what was going on around her.

[Straw Buckett]

“Oh I know” and winked back at Queety as she pulled him in for a kiss, “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten” he smirked as they danced on. Straw pulled Queety close, he mouthed the words, sung some words out loud and took every chance he had to take her hand and involve her in some silly move. Weather it was spinning her slightly away from him or in towards him, wrapping herself in her own arms as he twirled her about, Straw just couldn’t get enough for Queety White tonight. The song stopped and he playfully dipped her and pulled her back up for a kiss.

“Old man still has the moves!” he winked as they separated briefly. The next song began to play but this one was much slower and smoother. The atmosphere changed as people around them coupled up and drew each other close. Straw casually fell into a gentle sway with Queety, holding her hips in one hand and took her hand with his other. “And it’s not about me feeling sexy by the way,” he said in her ear as they danced around the floor, “I do it only for you too” he struggled to keep a straight face as he said this. “Plus, they were kinda expensive and didn’t get a full … ‘birthday workout’ the other day,” he winked and gently spun Queety out and pulled her back in again. “I may have bought you something special to match!” he winked. He knew she would be unsure whether to believe him or not.

[Kat Samuels]

She couldn't help roll her eyes at Straw's insistence he meet this 'Frankie fellow', she passed Kelly a quick smirk but waved it away for the moment. That was probably a conversation Straw and her needed to have at a different time. It's not every day you find out your ex-wife is dating a woman after all. Deciding to act on her earlier thought of a new drink - something more palatable anyway, Kat gestured towards the bar and slipped away for a moment, only turning around at the sound of Carina's voice who it seemed had finally decided to join them. "Anything for you, darling!" she called back with a grin at her oldest friend as she slunk her way through the mish mash of dancing witches and wizards as she headed towards the bar.

The trouble with dressing the way she does is that it sometimes attracts the wrong kind of attention, and she garnered just that as she slipped past between some wizards deep in hushed conversation, as she felt something distinctively like a hand purposefully trail up her thigh where the fabric of her dress was split. She paused, stone still for a moment, eyes ablaze with anger as she pivoted around on the spot to see if someone had indeed dare touch her. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she snapped, glaring at the man before her in disdain. She was not drunk enough for this.

[Sebastién de La Pérouse]

He hadn't been able to resist, really. He'd seen her slipping her way through the crowd towards where he was deep in bored conversation, how could he not have seen her, she was radiant tonight. And so he'd quietly excused himself in time to get her attention, the only way a dress like that deemed appropriate. Her anger was his favourite thing. After the months they'd spent in each others company, she was still such a firecracker, so full of life and passion, much like her best friend if he remembered correctly. It must be a Gryffindor thing. As she rounded on him now it was no exception, and he almost felt bad for his actions. Almost. Sebastién did not often feel bad. He was all conviction, whether or not people agreed with it, and over the last few years he had discovered that people agreed with it less and less.


So with her so revved up and so close beside him he slipped his arm around her waist and resting it against the small of her back as he leaned in close and planted a warm kiss against her throat before murmuring in her ear. "Kat, darling, I only jest. You know I only have eyes for one woman.." Not entirely true of course. He had eyes for almost every woman. and a fair few of the men if he was being completely honest, but only heart for one perhaps. "You must dance with me. A dress like that deserves to be shown off. I'll even buy you a drink afterwards." He wasn't going to take no for an answer and began to lead her back  the way she had come towards her small group of friends. If he had an ulterior motive, Kat knew him well enough by now not to fight it. 

[Kelly Evans]

Kelly laughed out loud as Queety chastised Straw for his toast, and she couldn't blame her. Queety had walked into the madhouse, in the best way possible, so she wasn't surprised to hear that adding another child to the Buckett brood was not a priority at that point. She could feel some of the tension ease from her body each time she laughed, though, and she took a deep breath and straightened her spine a little more. This was neither the time nor the place to hold on to anger and disappointment. She could go back to that in the morning. So when Carina finally made it to the right table and held out her hand to Kelly, she grinned and stood up without hesitation. She looked to Kat to join them, just as Straw made his 'Frankie fellow' comment before he was hauled off to the dance floor, and she returned Kat's grin. All in good time. "You coming, Samuels?" she asked, eyebrow raised, but nodded when Kat gestured to the bar. Kelly turned back to Tristan and raised the same eyebrow, cocking her head to the side. "I know you don't dance, so I won't force you... this time," she laughed, and she and Carina together followed Straw and Queety onto the dance floor.

They spent the next few moments dancing wildly, and Kelly thought back to the balls they'd all attended together at Hogwarts. Which had always been just as fun, and, Kelly noted wryly, had always been just as punctuated with drama. All though, looking back on it now, the drama had always seemed worse than it actually was. The music changed tempo and Kelly rolled her eyes at Carina. "It's as if even the band is on Straw and Queety's side tonight," as she gestured with her head where the new couple had snuggled in close. She reached up and kissed Carina on the cheek. "I'm going to sit out the sappy ballads, if you don't mind, so I'm going to the bar. Want a new drink?" she asked. She took Carina's drink order and then moved her way carefully past the press of bodies, gently swaying to the now very slow and very boring music, and unknowingly followed Kat to the bar. Before she could reach it, she recognised Kat's messy top knot and stopped her with a hand and a smile, not yet recognising the man on Kat's other side. "I think you've made some wives very unhappy with that dress, Samuels," Kelly laughed.

"But in more important news, look at Straw and Queety. Perhaps we should have let them keep it a secret, they're going to make me puke," she said with a grin, before her eyes fell on Sebastién, and her earlier scowl reappeared. "What the hell are you doing here? Looking lecherous as usual," she snapped, though perhaps a little unfairly. Sebastién represented a moment (maybe a year or two) of Kelly's life where she'd been very confused and lost, and she did not like being reminded of those feelings. She saw right through his act though, and she knew that deep down he was just as confused and lost as the rest of them. She ignored the voice in her head that reminded her that Sebastién worked for the Ministry and had just as much right to be here as she did, and she raised an eyebrow at Kat. "Is he bothering you?" she asked, feeling strangely like an overprotective boyfriend as she said it. Never mind, desperate times called for desperate measures.

[Harmony Lupin]

When someone was complimented on their dress they were suppose to say something like Oh this old thing? it was just sitting the back of my closet! Right? Harmony, unfortunately, was not that modest, and gave an ever so slight bow when the strange complimented on it. “Thank you, milady,” she cooed, her smirk twisting into a smile when she commented about not having to wear dress robes. Harmony literally snorted, nodding in agreement. “I’m just saying, even if I was a guy I don’t think you would ever be able to get me in one of those dress robes. They’re kind of like capes, and while it is cool in concept is really not that cool in practice,” she nodded, shifting her weight a little bit as she glanced over the stranger’s shoulder for a minute to the bar. She was so close.

But her attention was drawn away when she was asked if she had a date. Harmony blinked briefly, pursing her lips. “I have the best date, actually,” she responded dryly with a wave of her hand. “Myself. I am my own date,” she continued with a slight wiggle of her eyebrow. Really it was just another way to say no, I am not here with anyone. “What about you?” Harmony added. “I can’t imagine someone looking so dapper would be here alone,” she commented on her suit, which Harmony was mentally kicking herself for not thinking of wearing something similar.

Frankie. Harmony, upon the introduction Harmony nodded a bit. “I’m Harmony,” she mused, pursing her lips for a moment before peering at the refreshment table again. “Just uh - give me a sec here,” she pleaded, moving past her to grab herself another drink. She went for straight whiskey this time, wanting something a little rougher. “So,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at Frankie as she waited for her drink to arrive. “I’m going to assume you work in the Ministry. I’m starting to think I am the only one here who doesn’t,” she commented, literally clapping her hands when her drink arrived. Snatching it quickly she turned back around and gave her attention to Frankie again.

TAGGED: Frankie Page