Potterheads Unite! discussion

((here grace?))

((Kk))

James threaded his arm through Yellow's and pulled her close to his side. A blast of flavorful odors wafted toward them as they entered the Dining Hall. What really was the Entrance Hall, was turned into a beautiful cafeteria. There were long tables filled with delicious looking foods. There were full three course meals being laid out, and people laughing and eating at little spindly round tables that seated six.

The large main doors were flung open and James could see new statues and fountains had been erected outside, and benches stood at intervals along the courtyard. Hedges created walk ways winding about through the yard. Twinkling lights floated here and there in the air, and James suspected they were actually hundreds of tiny, sparkling fairies.

James grinned, and stopped at a slightly larger round table that was covered with goblets filled with foaming butter beer, orange pumpkin juice. Waiters were walking about, filling out order forms for students seated at the tables. "Would you like to sit down? There aren't going to be free tables if we wait much longer."

He grabbed a glass for himself, then handed one to Yellow.

James laughed. "I guess I haven't told you this, but I went to Durmstrang for 2 years, at Durmstrang they begin education at age 10, not 11. So I went there until my third year, so two years ago. They through these kinds of parties almost every weekend, and believe me, they were much wilder than Hogwarts parties," he smiled dryly, and led Yellow to an unoccupied table a few feet away.

"Lovely," he said, picking up the surprisingly thick menu.

((I want them to meet up with another couple... Do you think we could start another RP with your new charrie finn and one of my manny 5th year girls? I've got Paige, Eve and Theodora open at the moment, or we could wait for one of the twins to free up))

((As will I. Paige is great! Haven't used her in a while. Should we get on that? Where to?))

"This is overwhelming. I have no idea," he flipped through the main course pages then onto the appetizers. "Good God, they have us set up for a full three course meal," his eyes widened. "I don't even know if I can eat this much. Hope they have take out boxes," he joked with a smirk.

He paged through the menu, and spotted something that looked good. Well, he thought, it all looked good. But this was a simple pasta with three types of cheese, pepper and butter. Showing the menu to Yellow, he pointed. "I'm going to have to get this, I'm a chees-aholic."

James nodded vigorously.
"Fantastic. I do love a nice French bread. Ok, are you ordering anything else?" James barely finished before a spry waiter popped up beside their table. "Excuse me, are you two ready to order?" he asked.

"I'll have number 17, the macaroni and cheese. Also, we'll have the French bread. Yellow, are you ready?"

"You really should eat more, they don't host these every year you know," this the most variety in food selection they'll have in a while," he laughed a little, smiling broadly.

They waited in silence for a few minutes, and a different house elf came delivering their appetizer and James's meal. His eyes widened, and he stared at the pasta. It was larger than even he could ever finish on his own, and he looked up at Yellow for help. She was covering her mouth with a hand, giggling madly.

"Do you want any of this?" he asked sheepishly, grinning. "I had no idea they'd give me so much, I could never finish it."

James took a bit, forking it with one of the two forks set at his placemat. "I don't even know if I'm using the correct fork. Blimey, this is large," he laughed, and he and Yellow sat for a few silent moments chewing.

"Now I'm not joking, I hope they have take out boxes. This is ridiculous."

((Sorry for the short post!))

((Hullo))

((No no, you're fine! happy birthday!!))

James nodded, his mouth bulging. He swallowed with great difficulty. "I know, its so heavy," he took another bite, and smiled placidly. "Its just so good though," he said with a chuckle.

"Forget not eating for a week, a month for me. And believe me, thats really saying something," he said winking.

James was taken by surprise. "I...I'm not entirely sure," he strained his ears to pick up a familiar chord.
The song was an older one, and it was more of a ballad than anything, and it was all too familiar to him. The singer wasn't singing currently, and the band was playing on its own.

Then the music picked up to what he assumed would be the chorus if someone was singing. It was beautiful, and he suddenly knew exactly what song it was. He looked up at Yellow to share his idea, and found she was staring down at her empty plate, a glazed look on her soft features.

"Its Fix You, by Coldplay, I believe," he said shortly, cocking his head to one side. "Yellow, hey, are you ok?"

((its the absolute best!!))

James's eyes filled with concern, than he called over the nearest house elf, announcing they were finished.
"But sir, you didn't even touch your bread," he said politely, but he looked annoyed.

"I'm well aware, please take it away, thank you," he said, standing up and helping Yellow to her feet. She wobbled a little in her heals, and he briskly led her out to the ballroom.

((Lyra and I are beginning an Rp there, shall we combine the two, waiting for her to respond?))

((Completely up to you, we could join the two Rps together maybe?))

((Yeah. Either way. You start somewhere, I'll follow! Did you have a nice birthday?))

((Sounds good.))

((SO are we starting here with Andrew/Elle? And Grace, where should Aito/Juniper start?))

((Sure... I thought I checked every topic and I didn't see a comment :( ))

((Found it! thank youu!!))

((They should, we should do a mash-up either here at the ball or some other time with her and James!))

Skylar could tell the two other girls were talking about her. After a life time of being tormented by bullies, she knew when she was the topic of hushed tones and quick glances. What was it with these people that made them look at her so? Like she was an injured animal? For once in her life she'd felt strong and confident and now, just being off alone again with complete strangers who seemed to know something she didn't she felt almost like the scared little girl who used to trail after Matthew Anderson around Illvermorny.

Skylar came back with drinks for all three of them and smiled warmly, handing both the other girls their drinks. "There you are. Though, I must confess, I've never tasted Butterbeer. Well, real Butterbeer. It's all imported in America. Never made fresh. Instead we drink mainly giggle water with a splash of flavor or as a spritzer." She told them, trying to make small talk.

Bryssa's eyes widened. She couldn't believe this girl had never tasted true butterbeer. "Thank you," she said, accepting the drink and gesturing to a nearby table that seated four. "That's bizarre, I can't imagine living without it," she said truthfully, smiling.

"So, Skylar, you're new to Hogwarts then?" she asked quietly, smiling in a friendly manor. She hoped Skylar didn't become suspicious of them trying to pry, but then again, she needed to find out this information, and be of some little help to Ruby and Dimitri.

Bryssa didn't know if Reese felt the same, but she'd felt like she hadn't been making any progress with the whole Morth situation, and maybe she'd even been in the way. She hadn't even met Morth before tonight.

Skylar nodded at Bryssa's question. "Yes, my family and I moved to Britain from America this past summer." She replied. "It was strange adjusting but I managed. Nicolas helped a lot in learning my way around and getting used to Hogwarts." She replied.

Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to mention Nicolas but at the same time she didn't see the harm in it. If he asked her to be his date, then they were obviously friends. So it only made sense he'd helped her.

Skylar took a sip of the Butterbeer and her eyes widened. "This is so much better than the Butterbeer in America! And completely better than giggle water." She said happily and took another sip.

Bryssa laughed easily. "I know right? I've tried giggle water once when I went away to the states with my sister, but I prefer butterbeer for sure," she said, taking a swig of her own.

"That's really nice of Nicolas to help you out. I'm sure moving to a new country would have been tough. But that's good you found a friend, Nicolas is a good guy," she lied, and it hurt herself to lie to Skylar, for she probably didn't know any better than to fall for him. Bryssa new that Nicolas's aura seemed relaxed and secure, and he was very handsome. She completely understood why Skylar found him attractive. She just wished she could know the truth about him. '

Her eyes slid to Reese, and she noticed Reese was studying Skylar closely. Well done Reese. She wore an easy smile, so the searching was hidden, but it was there all the same.

"So how did you and Nic meet?" Bryssa drilled, tucking her hair behind her ear and downing another swallow of Butterbeer.

Skylar hesitated a bit at the question. The day she'd met Nicolas was... complicated, to say the least. She'd never seen him like that before and, according to his reputation, neither had anyone else. she had a feeling he wouldn't want her to mention how shaken and distracted he had been that day. How.... Un-Nicolas.

"We met on the Quidditch pitch." Skylar told them smoothly. "It was several months ago. We'd both been flying and I was going after a snitch I use for training, not paying attention, and well. We ran into each other. We spent the rest of the time hanging out, talking, flying together, doing some stunt tricks." She told them, smiling a bit dreamily as she remembered the day.

It had been so wonderful... and she and Nicolas hadn't been flying since. Maybe she'd suggest it to him later that night. Skylar smiled and took another sip of her drink, deciding to do just that.

((Yeah, Bryssa's just playing the interviewer right now! That's alright Grace))

Bryssa smiled. "That sounds lovely, I didn't know Nic flew," she said, looking at Reese who was now engaged in listening to the conversation too. Between lines, Bryssa looked at Skylar, and noticed, that yes, she definitely had an athletic build, as would be expected in a Quidditch player.

"So... If you don't mind me asking, are you two a couple?" she asked breezily. "I only ask because we've known Nicolas for ever, and he hasn't dated much lately," Bryssa said, crossing her fingers under the table that she wouldn't appear blunt and rude.

Skylar seemed sweet, and Bryssa thought, maybe, they could some day be friends, after this was all over.

Skylar blushed a bit at their question and shook her head, laughing a bit. "No, Nicolas and I are just good friends." She said, smiling. "Most people assume we're dating but it's just a rumor cause some students found us together in the Astronomy tower." She told them, taking another sip of her drink.

She thought about when they said and realized they were right. She'd never seen Nicolas hang out with anyone like he did her. The thought made her suspicious but also feel special. And, would Skylar want to date Nicolas? Part of her screamed yes while the other reminded her she knew almost nothing about him. She wondered if it was on purpose or merely they'd never talked about him before. Skylar decided she'd try to talk to him about himself for once.

Bryssa laughed her fairy like laugh, and was thankful for Reese to cover up her almost interrogation like manor. "That explains it," she said, playing with a loose thread of embroidery on her skirt. She silently contemplated the thought, for it truly did explain it. It was clear that Skylar was slightly infatuated with Morth, try as she might to hide it. Nicolas wouldn't want to get attached in that way, of course he wouldn't. Then that meant that maybe Morth was after something else, and Skylar was his only way to get it.

Or, a quiet voice nagged her, he could actually like her, and just not want to ruin their friendship, like a normal boy would. She pushed this thought out of her mind, because Nicolas was not a normal boy. He was a snake. She suddenly felt protective toward Skylar Harlow, and wanted to get her away from Nicolas Morth as quickly as she could.

"I hate how people just jump to conclusions, without knowing the full story or anything," she said, rolling her eyes in fake disgust.

"So, you've probably met Ruby right? She and Nicolas go way back," she added, knowing that Ruby and Skylar hadn't met before tonight, but she wanted to see what Skylar said.

Skylar's smile fell into a frown at Bryssa's question and the mention of Nicolas and Ruby having a past. However, she quickly replaced it with another smile. Though, this one was a bit more forced and didn't reach her eyes.

"No, Nicolas never mentioned her, actually." Skylar said, a bit of a smirk coming out as she said it. Nicolas hadn't mentioned Ruby, so she couldn't be that big in his life anymore. Like Reese said, they had history, as in no longer. Skylar had nothing to be jealous of, or so she kept telling herself.

"I just knew her name because I've heard her mentioned around school and such." Skylar said casually, shrugging a bit before taking another sip of her Butterbeer. She began to not test the two girls. And decided it was time to build her walls stronger and put on a second mask, one almost like Nicolas's.

Bryssa nodded hurriedly, "I didn't mean, no. They've never been involved romantically at all. Just friends, I guess you could call it," covering up her mistake.

She noticed Skylar smirking, almost as if she knew something. Could she be...lying about her lack of knowledge? Had Morth confided their plans to her? How much could she know.

Bryssa also noticed Reese wiggling her eyebrows at her, and her eyes shown and she laughed a little. She knew exactly what Reese meant.

"Anyway, I think it's lovely you and Nic have become such good friends, its always nice to have someone to whom you can tell anything." she added smoothly, wanting to see, again, Skylar's reaction.

((nudge nudge? ))

((That's okay! Take your time))

Skylar inwardly frowned but kept her mask up and her relaxed demeanor and smile never faltered. Alarms went off in her head and she could tell these two girls were almost investigating her. She had to steer the conversation away from herself somehow.

"I'm settling." She replied vaguely, taking a sip of her butterbeer. "The school experience is different but I'm doing alright. What about you two? I've realized all the questions have been about me and I don't even know your names." She said, taking another sip of her butterbeer and looking expectantly at the other two girls.

Skylar wanted to know why they were so interested in her, why they wanted to know about her relationship with Nicolas, and what any of this had to do with him. She knew something was going on, just didn't know what.

Bryssa took a gulp of her butterbeer, and looked at Reese out of the corner of her eye. She knew that by steering the conversation toward them two, she was getting a little suspicious. Skylar was smart, she'd catch on.

Bryssa smiled. "Oh, god that's embarrassing. I'm Bryssa Andrews, this is Reese Samson," she said, twirling the straw of her butterbeer around and around with her pinky.

"And I've lived in England my whole life, but I've visited the states a few times. I love Europe, I can't imagine living anywhere else," she said shaking her head. This much was true- Hazelle had never been happy here. It wasn't enough for her adventurous spirit, but it was enough for Bryssa.

((OH MY LORD. Things are happening here! I love this so much girls, keep it up :D We're actually seeing teeth from Bryssa and Skylar (still of course in their very polite way) and I love how Reese plays asupportive but determining role in the discussion! AAAAAAAH :D Eve, I was wondering if you'd want to have an RP with Julian and Kahlen somewhere till things roll with the Ball RP?))

((That sounds good to me! Where were you thinking?))

((Yay! Maybe the Balcony? ^^))

((Great. Do you want to start or shall I?))

((I'll start!))

Skylar smiled a bit and took another sip from her mug. The girls seemed nice enough. Skylar hoped they could be real friends. But something still told her to be cautious, especially if they tried to bring up Nicolas again.

"That sounds amazing," Skylar said with a smile, referring to Reese's travels. "I've only been a few Places like Greece and Italy. I went with a friend of mine, Matthew." She said, her smile turning a bit sad at the memory of Matthew.

((Don't worry about it Grace!! I was gone all week too))

Under the table, Bryssa lightly squeezed Reese's hand, showing that she knew what she hadn't said, and that she was there.

Bryssa nodded. "I wish I'd could explore Europe more, but since my family is so huge," she paused, looking at Skylar, "I have eight younger sisters at home, with one on the way, and my older sister doesn't live at home anymore," she said, because she didn't want to get into the details of Hazelle's injuries.

"How about you Skylar? Do you have any siblings?" she asked, but what she really wanted to know was about this Matthew person she'd brought up. Was he a friend? A boyfriend? She had to know. She didn't know why, but she felt it was important.

Skylar's smile faltered and this time, she didn't fix it right away. It took a moment to turn it back into a small, painful smile. She carefully set her glass down on the table and folded her hands in her lap, sitting up straighter.

"No. I don't have any siblings. Not anymore." She told them, looking down to straighten her dress and compose herself once more before looking back up at the girls, the pain still evident in her smile and eyes. "You see, my brother was an Auror for MACUSA. He was Murdered in the field just a few months before we moved to Britain." She told them coldly.

"Is that what you two wanted to know? My big secret as to why an American girl suddenly shows up in Hogwarts her Fifth Year and is a complete nobody till she becomes friends with Hogwarts' Slytherin Prince? Well, I'm afraid I can't tell you why Nicolas and I are friends. Not to your satisfaction, at least. All I can say is that he is my friend and I am his. How or why is frankly none of your business. But I hope now you have something to report to whoever asked you to interrogate me or whoever you feel you should tell." She said, the smile and her poise never leaving but their was an icy cold harshness in her eyes and tone. She calmly stood up and looked at both girls.

"Now, if this interrogation is over, I'd like to enjoy the rest of the night. Good evening, Bryssa, Reese." She said, nodding subtly to each girl as she said their names before gracefully and swiftly turning on her heel and walking away.

She appeared to be an icy pillar of strength; strong, cold, intimidating, and seemingly unapproachable and untouchable by anything or anyone. For a split second, she resembled Nicolas.

Bryssa was stunned. She looked at Reese, a smile playing on her lips. "Well," she said, "I like her a lot." she said quietly, squeezing Reese's hand tightly. She stared at her drink before taking a final swig. "Drink up Reese, this butterbeer is much better than any other," she announced.

Her smile faltered though. "I suppose that we should return to Ruby and Dimitri," she said shrugging. "But then again, I hate how Morth looks at me when I am there. Like he knows I have no idea what I'm doing," she said even quieter.

"I just feel so helpless, Reese," she said, looking at her, her eyes shining.

((Haha!))

Bryssa looked at Reese lovingly. She knew that it had probably been Bryssa's fault in the beginning, she should have chosen a more diplomatic route. She hastily blinked quickly to rid herself of any years that had been about to spill over.

She shook her head. "No, Reese. Listen, that wasn't your fault. It was mine. I shouldn't have drilled the poor girl like that. You were just following suit. Don't feel bad," she said, putting her hands on Reese's shoulders and shaking her gently.

"And I don't think it'll be that big of a deal. Skylar and Ruby will both come round," she said, reassuringly. She didn't know what they would do when they returned to Ruby and Nicolas, for they would definitely notice that Reese and Bryssa and Skylar weren't exactly bosom friends.

Bryssa took a final sip of butterbeer, and pushed her hair over one shoulder. "Let's stay away for just a few more minutes, I wouldn't want to ruin a breakthrough or anything," Bryssa suggested, shrugging.

"And Skylar's return will have caused a bit of a fuss, I'm sure. Nicolas will be delighted of course, in my experience its always helpful to have an ally in an argument, if that's all tonight is," Bryssa tried to pretend that that's all this was, a silly argument between peers. That there was no bigger picture at all.

((Don't worry about it))

Reese looked agitated all the sudden, as if she'd remembered or realized something. An almost haunted look crossed her face, and her eyes shone in the candle lit hall. Bryssa immediately knew that something was wrong, and stood up right away when Reese spoke.

In fact, she wanted to go over some things with Reese in more detail, because in all honesty, she still wasn't sure what had happened when Reese had bumped into Morth in the owlery.

As she stood up, she pushed in her chair hastily and pushed her hair off her shoulder again.

Bryssa fidgeted with her hair when she was nervous.

"Let's go," she said quickly, taking Reese's hand in both of hers.

((Sure))

((Sure!!))