The YaYa Sisterhood:Late September {Mary}

[Anastasia Savage]

Ana threw a hand up in the air, smiling brightly as she stood beside the portrait of the Fat Lady and hailed Peter Pettigrew as he approached. She had been waiting for nearly twenty minutes when finally someone had come along. He stopped outside the tower to greet her and then let her into the Gryffindor common room at her request without any question. Why would he question it? Anastasia Savage had become a welcome visitor in the lion's den over the last year, and the beginning of this year was no different. In fact, she hung around more often now than she ever had, and it was totally due to one James Potter.

"Mary!" the girl called upon entering the room, spotting the girl easily and with much joy. Mary MacDonald had become a good friend to her and even if not for James, she would love to be around the redhead anyway. But today's visit...well yes, it was about James. She needed advice, and Mary seemed the perfect candidate: She knew James well, was a year older, and likely had more experience in this field. Ana, for her part, had never dated, had never wanted to really. She did now though, and that was a new feeling for her. Of course, Hes already knew how she felt, but...she just needed someone else to talk to this about.

The Hufflepuff joined the Gryffindor with a tight hug and a kiss on each cheek, which she had to bend far down to achieve -she had sprouted up over the summer! "Bonjour Mary." she said, taking a seat across from the other girl. A big part of her wanted to jump right into the reason for her unexpected visit -well not really unexpected, she had told Mary this morning at breakfast that she would find her at some point today- but that didn't seem right to just unload right off. The other girl was first and foremost her friend, not strictly a sounding board. "How was your day? Anything new on the guy front?"

[Mary Macdonald]

sunday, sept. 21

As Mary Macdonald stabbed through the too-taut even-weave fabric in her embroidery hoop, she absolutely was not imagining her sharp needle pricking the soft spots of the Slytherin girls who'd made her morning attempt at studying in the library rather hellacious. She was not feeling petty. She was not wishing them ill. She was calm.

Keep thinking that and it'll come true, won't it?

One would think that going into their fifth year of sharing this castle, the "medusas" would have long tired of crude remarks and ill manners towards her. For Mary did nothing to bring their ire upon herself, or so she felt. She hadn't had any control over her parentage, after all, and had had no say in the fateful last journey her parents had taken without her. But those who fed their demons on cruelty towards others instead of battling them...You won't ever understand them. Just rise up...later. For now, she needed to take out a little aggression. Methodically. She'd focus on her schoolwork after dinner; term had only just begun, and O.W.L. year was proving to try and throw her and her fellows for a loop already; but she knew she'd have a friend coming by the common room this afternoon, and she was looking forward to her time with Anastasia more than cramming Charm theory into her brain.

So when her attention was drawn by the Amazonian - this Hufflepuff was going to have to fight like one of the legendary warrior women too, to keep the boys off - Mary was ready. She hopped to her feet to greet her friend, and still Ana had to lean down quite far to reach her for a kiss to the cheek. The girl was a darling, and Mary was glad for the company, if even she didn't know exactly why Ana had wanted to hang out today. But whatever her friend's agenda was, the lioness would do what she could to help. "Bonjour! How was that?" she asked, always keen to improve her speech with the other's guidance. But as Ana followed-up with an inquiry to her own day, Mary gave a wry smile.

"It's been a day already, Ana. Decompressing." She held up her in-progress cross-stitch as a temporary explanation, and had to chuckle at the second aspect of the question. This summer she'd broken things off with her first love boyfriend - impulsively, fearfully - and hadn't let her eye wander all that much since returning to Hogwarts. This upcoming Saturday was the first Hogsmeade visit, and she was determined to walk down to the village with her head held high.

"I'm not worrying about other boys yet," Mary settled for, resuming her stitching and looking to her friend curiously. "If - when - I feel up to that, I'll be sure to let you know so we can scout together. How's the world treating you today, honey?"

[Anastasia Savage]

Grinning like a fool, Ana reached out and took Mary's hand briefly. "You are getting so good!" she complimented, remembering how bad the redhead used to butcher fudge up the French dialect before they had begun their informal lessons. "You sound like you've been practicing. Bien sur vous. Good on you, good on you!" A part of her felt satisfaction at the other girl's success, she had helped, after all, had sort of been her teacher. And she felt happiness at her own reasons and feelings for coming to the lion's den today. Overall she just felt joyful in general and excited to spend some time with her Gryffindor friend.

Mary quickly put her back into perspective, however, when the other girl held up her needlepoint, something Ana knew she sometimes did when stressed. Like the Hufflepuff liked to get in a hardcore workout when life was getting her down, the Gryffindor liked to sew. "A day already?" she echoed, feeling suddenly rude for coming all this way for her friends help when the other girl appeared to be having a bad day or something close to it. And she went on further making it poor by asking about boys. Sometimes Anastasia Savage was a complete idiot and she knew it, asking such questions, of all people she should understand how Mary might be feeling. They were both staunch guarders of their hearts, and the hearts of others too, and Ana knew she must have really liked the Ravenclaw boy she recently called boyfriend quite a lot to call him boyfriend in the first place. It was just that, in her excitement about her quest she had...forgotten about Zach. Stupid. "Sure, sure, scouting buddies all the way. I'm here whenever you need." Of course, she wouldn't be over Zach yet, much less on the prowl for another guy! Even if the petite bombshell could get another in a heartbeat. Stupid, stupid. Ana twisted her fingers in her lap, smirking a little sadly at Mary's last. "Seems my day may have gone better than yours." she commented, feeling bad for her friend, and guilty for her own supremely pleasant day. "It was perfectly uneventful and...nice."

Getting up, the taller girl squatted a little awkwardly and pulled her friend into an anything but awkward hug, embroidery hoop and all. There, that would make up for all her bad friendship in the last few minutes. Ana pulled back with a smile and resumed her seat, hugs always made her feel better and she hoped it would for Mary as well. "You can tell me about it if you want. Your day I mean. Was it school work? Something else altogether? Or was it them?" Mary would know of the them she spoke of, the Slytherin girls who were all venom and bite and liked to make certain people's life's hell as much as they could manage. Unfortunately, Mary Macdonald was one of their favorites to torment. Suddenly, Ana didn't feel so right about coming to Mary about her crush on James, at least, not right now. It seemed supremely bad timing on her part. Drats.
 

[Mary Macdonald]

Her darling friend was already turning Mary's day around by her buoyant presence; how could someone not return Ana's smile? They would have to have the coldest of hearts! She had to laugh as Ana complimented her so graciously, and really hoped that she was getting better; at the start of their informal lessons, Mary had spoken like she'd come down with an unshakable cold, with overdoing the nasal and guttural sounds. At least her practice was paying off! "I have been," she returned with a grin. "You never know when it might come in use!" While she was doing her best to maintain her pep, renewed by Ana's company, Mary's smile faltered slightly. For doing a trip to France would just be so romantic, wouldn't it? And who better to travel with for a trip like that than Roderick?...Come on Mary, get it together! You can't keep letting everything remind you of him. But Hogwarts just felt different without him by her side; hell, even this morning's encounter with the medusas wouldn't have transpired if he'd been by her side.

Not being altogether grand at holding her frustration in when things were off, Mary was a bit shorter with the other girl than she would have preferred to be, and succeeded in bringing the Hufflepuff's energy down. Well done, Mary. She gave a smile of her own in acknowledgment of the other's comparatively relaxed day, willing herself to get out of her funk and be present for Ana. Her smile broadened in surprise at another unexpected hug; she gripped the girl more strongly than she had before, letting herself take the comfort that was given so generously, and when they let go, it truly did feel as though the weight of the day was starting to slip from her shoulders. 

"Them, you've got it," she admitted, securing the needle within the fabric and setting it all off to the side. The slight girl folded her legs up onto the squishy armchair and gave a sigh. "Just words this time, it could've been far worse. I think that since Mulciber is a prefect now that she won't let things go so far again. But you can never be sure with them, they're so delightful like that, always keeping you on your toes. But enough of my woes, I'll be fine," Mary promised, knowing it would be true in time. "I'm sorry I didn't give you the password this morning, was incredibly foolish of me, but you've been around so often lately that it seems like you should be given it the same time as us! I promise to do better next time. Did you have any trouble getting in?"

[Anastasia Savage]

Ana really did enjoy helping others, a well-known trait of her house, and helping Mary was one of her favorite things. But seemed no matter her assistance and her friends gratefulness for the lessons in another language, today was made to bring the redhead down. For she never said anything outright but Ana could tell that even though she smiled, the girl was hurting inside. "Yea! You never know where a little spot of French might come in handy," she added on easily as she made herself comfortable. She refrained from pushing further on the girls less than perfect mood, covered up by a perfect smile -she really thought it had something to do with Zach, but she couldn't be sure-she was soon rewarded for her patience in this matter with the events of Mary's day. Even if it wasn't a grand day.

The Medusa's.

Ana remembered the first time she had referred to the Slytherin girls as such and her mother asking if it was some sort of girl band, now she used that thought to help her not be so frightened of them. Because from Mary's mood and words, it was clear there was a good reason to be wary, which there always was, even if Meredith was a perfect now. There were no specific details forthcoming, only that the girl's weapons were words this time and for that, Ana was thankful. Last time her friend had not been so lucky to only escape with hurt feelings. The younger girl wanted to say more, to give more comfort, but this was an old topic and one that was unlikely to change. There was nothing she could do for Mary now.

So, Ana gladly allowed the girl to drop that part of the conversation with a simple. "They can go to hell anyway." and happily moved on to other things. Like her real reason for seeking out her friend so specifically. Ana licked her lips nervously, thinking of how to gracefully drop into the conversation even as she answered Mary's question. "No, no. No trouble at all. Peter came along soon enough. Nice guy that he is let me right on in. And you're right, I usually do know the password, really should come up with a system for keeping up with it. I kinda would really like that and well I like James too." What? "I mean, so, having the password would be good for the whole guy I like being here all the time thing. Do you think he knows I exist? Anyway, please stop me now." Yes, Ana, real GRACEFUL!

[Mary Macdonald]

Mary was heartened by her friend’s bluntness, sending a smile over to the younger girl in hearty agreement. But as Ana spoke about her recent proclivity of password hoarding and that turned into a specific reason, the redhead felt her already wide eyes nearly bug out of her head completely. She grinned and scooted her chair towards the Hufflepuff, sending a quick look about them to ensure that no one was listening in before whisper-shouting, "You like James?" Her mouth gaped open in a silent scream of exhilaration and she took the girl’s hands in her own. "Oh my heavens - Ana, this is so exciting! He so knows you exist, although I don’t know if he knows you exist in that sort of way, but that’s no fault of yours. Sometimes I think he’s taken one too many Bludgers to the head, and the part of his brain that would help him pick up on - " Mary let go of her hands to gesture between the pair of them meaningfully, heart-to-heart. " - signals has gone and gotten all muddled. So you might need to be a bit more direct than just being here a lot, although that definitely is a good start, don’t get me wrong. But oh honey, my heart - I haven’t known you to fancy anyone before! Tell me everything!" 

She laid both hands over heart and sat back with a grin, already honestly thrilled for Ana, even though they had some work to do before she and James were together. But if that’s what Ana wanted then they would manage it, Mary had no doubts about that. She was a sucker for a love story, after all. Ana was a remarkably special girl, and her heart was good and pure, and she was too brilliant to go after just anyone. And Mary’s Housemate was a sweetheart underneath that oversized ego, and she wouldn’t deny that he was fit as a fiddle and attractive in his own right. The pair would even look great together, all dark flowy hair and perfect tanned skin, and she could already see them racing around the pitch and canoodling in alcoves and sending owls to each other just because and, really, just making each other happier. That’s what being with someone you cared about did, right? Happiness compounded, smiles spread, and hearts beat faster and stronger and surer.

The thought made her wistful for the heart she’d had this time last year, fast and strong and sure and beating in time with another’s. Not for the first time and certainly not for the last did she wonder if she’d made a mistake. You’d have to be crazy to ask him to come back to you and think he would. Even if it was a mistake to end it, you did, and you can’t take back the hurt you caused from it. Things are different between you now, they just are. And for Merlin’s sake, focus, Mary! James and Ana would be adorable, and making them happen would give her the most lovely project to work on, and while she hadn’t expressly been asked to give any assistance, Mary was in.

[Anastasia Savage]

A myriad of emotions flitted across her features as Mary took her hands, excitement flowing from the girl in happy waves. First was an equal excitement, yes, she liked James! Mary was saying that he had noticed her...but maybe not in that way, and Ana's face fell a little. She didn't want to make him like her. She would rather he did that on his own. But the way Mary spoke, that may not be the case. Everyone was different, some people were pretty oblivious to feelings, but that didn't mean those feelings weren't true. Ana found herself smiling again as Mary gestured between them, shamelessly teasing James.

Her redhead friend knew him better than she; she trusted Mary with this and found herself giving the other girl an affectionate stare as she finished her gushing, lovingly demanding an explanation for the Hufflepuffs feelings. Ana promised herself that she would repay the Gryffindor for her endless kindness, somehow, someday, no matter what. Then her face grew serious as she considered. "I don't think I ever have fancied anyone. Not really." she admitted after a moment. There had been a few boys that she found attractive and was attracted to. But those had all been shallow things and because of that, Ana had not pursued them. James felt like...more.

She sighed, glancing shyly up at Mary. "I guess it's been coming on gradually." she said a little uncertainly; even though she had spend hours analyzing her feelings, it was still hard to piece all the little moments together to tell the tale of her feelings. There had been so many! "We've known each other for years you know. And I always admired and respected him; he's a great Quidditch player and...He's just a goof guy. I've always like him, but I thought it was all friendly." This next part wasn't something she was particularly proud of but it was how it was. She was only human after all. "Then last year when he and Lassie were a thing, well, I realized that I was...jealous. I wanted us to be a thing." That had been hard to deal with, but she had stuck it out admirably, still hanging around Gryffindor as much as possible. And being as endearing as possible, to everyone, but especially James. "I think I liked him before that though, before I even really knew. But now I do know." She met Mary's dreamy gaze -Dieu, she hoped she wasn't asking too much of her friend with this, not after Zach- with an imploring one, reaching out to hold the others fair hands in her own, and dropping her voice. "What am I going to do? You really think I have a shot?"

[Mary Macdonald]

As the kind girl's features shifted in and out of smiles, of seriousness, as she listened to Mary's take and gave her side of the story, the Gryffindor was pleasantly surprised to find her heart beating in time with her friend's. The pair was cut from the same cloth, with romance in hearts that were not easily given away, and never had it been so evident. And as Ana's story reminded her of her own realizations of having feelings for Rod, it took her also to a conversation she'd had just a few weeks ago. And as she had then, she didn't want to put doubt in a loved one's mind because of her own shortcomings. She didn't want to preach of the heartbreak that can happen when friends become failed loves. And it was hard, so hard, to stop herself from butting in. This wasn't about her, this was about Ana…

I knew he’d be part of my life since we spoke at the shop. The way he looked at me, that day in Diagon Alley - butterflies. It seemed like they’d come out of nowhere, but you’re right, I think - we like them before we know. The butterflies are in their chrysalises, pupating, taking their time. And when they break free…there’s nothing we can do to stop them.

The Hufflepuff reached for her, and Mary returned the squeeze of her hands, willing her own wistful melancholy away in preference of tending to her friend's plight. Ana's dark eyes were beseeching, worried, hopeful - and if James Potter didn't get his head out of his arse and truly think about this and realize he could fall for this girl, he'd be answering to her personally.

"Ana, ma chère, I get it," Mary assured gently, matching the other’s lower tone. Listener's-in wouldn't be tolerated, not with something so sensitive. "Taking the first step, it's - daunting, to say the least. But there is a Hogsmeade trip next Sunday, so if you're feeling up to it, you could ask him to accompany you. If that's too much, then I could help arrange an absolutely random run-in somewhere in the village." She held the other's hands as she thought, mental calendar a whir. "First big match is in a few weeks, and he's always in a good mood at the afterparty - so long as we win, naturally. It'd be a crowd to get through to find him, but you'd have more time to figure out what you want to say."

[Anastasia Savage]

“Daunting seems an understatement,” Ana admitted with a wry smile. James Potter just wasn’t any guy at Hogwarts, he was the guy, and approaching him with her crush seemed almost childish. Even so, she wasn’t opposed to making the first move at all, it was better knowing than not. Though she would be sad, her life wouldn’t be over if he wasn’t interested, but it would make it much better if he was. Either way, she could do it, she could go after what she wanted. Mary had done it and so could she! The Hufflepuff wanted to say something, about Zach, to let her friend know that she felt for her hurting heart and was always there for comfort but nothing felt right.

Besides, they weren’t talking about Zach, they were talking about James. “I think it’s too soon for a Hogsmead trip; especially if he hasn’t ‘noticed’ me.” Merlin’s smelly socks, dating, or attempting to, was complicated. She didn’t want to rush anything for fear of having it go wrong but was also so ready to express what she felt that she felt near bursting. Ana placed her face in her hands and gave a sound of distress. “Je ne sais pas, je ne sais juste pas.*” To wait or not to wait, that was the question.

Ana picked her head up with renewed determination. She would not let this bring her down or deter her from her newfound feelings. She had never liked anyone before, not in that way, and now that she did she wasn’t going to give it up that easily. “Alright, asking him to Hogsmead…definitely too soon for that. Would you mind hanging out that day, with me then? Just for a little while, I promise I won’t steal the whole day, just so we can come up with a ‘completely random’ run in? That seems like a safe enough idea.” It seemed a little like trickery to her but she couldn’t deny that it was a good plan and one that had the lowest chance of a backfire. It would give them time to maybe hang out more intimately than the Quidditch pitch or the common room but it wasn’t private by any means and there was no pressure. They would just be handing out. ”Maybe then, by the next match I mean, we’ll be in a better position to talk about being more than friends.” That thought was a thrill in her mind, more than friends, and it made her feel warm inside. Like Mary’s hands were small and warm in her own, and she found herself smiling again. “I hope you all win, then. It’s my best shot.” Then she found herself chuckling, feeling a little better about the whole situation now that she had a sort of plan. Now, to make it happen.

I don't know, I just don't know. *

[Mary Macdonald]

"If anything, he's the one who should be intimidated, honey," Mary insisted. Nothing against James - he was a fine bloke by all accounts, and partnered with the right person his rough edges could smooth out - but Anastasia Savage simply was a cut above. "I know he's James Potter and everything, but have you met you? You are the most beautiful person inside and out, and he would be lucky to be on your arm, don't you forget it."

She lent a sympathetic listening ear as Ana worked through her thoughts, biting back commentary she would freely give if Ana's mind was made up, and hoped that this would turn out to be a good experience for the dear badger beside her. "Nothing would make me happier than being your date," Mary asserted with a smile, so glad that her friend seemed more at ease. The plan seemed like a solid one to her, and it gave them something special to look forward to this weekend, besides! "I'll get you my work schedule and chat with him about his plan for Saturday, I'm sure we can cross paths with him on my break. I hope we win too," she agreed with a laugh of her own, giving Ana's hands another squeeze before releasing them. "I've got a few ideas in the works for the party, but maybe I need to include some extra charms on the curtains," she teased with a quick wink.

[Anastasia Savage]

What had she ever done to deserve such good friends? Mary in particular was the loveliest girl and treated her so well. She had never stopped to think of herself in this equation, she only had a mind for James. Everything about him had consumed her thoughts and she had never stopped to think of how she appeared to others or how he might think of her. Ana did fancy herself a good sort of person and she was athletic and intelligent enough to hold a conversation. Some might even think themselves lucky to have caught her attention according to Mary and she couldn’t help but blush a little. “Thanks. Right back at ya.” she said, scrunching her nose up playfully. Hopefully, James felt the same way Mary did!

“Excellent. Sounds like a fun day for us regardless!” Feeling much better about the whole situation after chatting with her friend and coming up with a plan Ana was able to gasp in mock affront at Mary’s tease. “Scandaleuse!” Though...the thought of some privacy for snogging talking at the party, was a nice thought. As much privacy as could be had at a bash full of rowdy Gryffindors, if they won. Ana so hoped they wiped the floor with Slytherin at the next match! It was always enjoyable to see the snakes be taken down a notch, and if the lions succeeded, well, as she had said, it was the best circumstances for her to approach James about her feelings. So she would get to spend some of the next Hogsmead trip with the red-headed beauty and if all worked out, James too. It was bound to be a great day. 

With something to ease her nerves about her crush, she was able to move on and think of other things. "What about you? Do you need some help with the party?" Ana had never planned anything like what this common room was known for, but she was capable of helping. It was the least she could do for all of Mary's help and friendship. "Hey, I'm pretty good at charms, I could take a look at those curtains." Ana couldn't help but laugh at her own joke, she was just so happy!

[Mary Macdonald]

Mary happily scrunched her nose up in return at her friend's words, smiling at the heightened color in Ana's cheeks, but even more at the acceptance of the compliment. Ana was an amazing girl, and she hoped that James would recognize that, that the well-deserved compliments were only beginning. As Ana had said, he was a good guy - at heart - and Mary hoped he would rise to the occasion here. Ana deserved an absolutely wonderful first love, and James...was without a doubt still figuring himself out, and with that came who he wanted to partner with. Mary could hope, and prod, but it would be up to him to ensure that Ana was treated as she deserved.

"I would love some help," Mary declared with a laugh alongside her friend. Putting parties together for her House was something she'd long wanted to do on her own - she thought she had an eye for decoration and everyone loved a good theme, the world outside of their castle (and sometimes within it) was so awful that these nights of levity were needed beyond measure if any of them were going to have a semblance of normalcy during their teen years, and the silliness of making memories with her friends wasn't something she was keen to give up - and this year she'd been able to step up. Now in the upper years, with those she'd looked up to party-wise having graduated or moved on, she had been thrilled to take leadership of the back-to-school party at the start of term. It hadn't, however, been as smooth of an affair as she'd wanted it to be. She'd had to send Ruff out for more food right away, and somehow the first years had snuck down for a little while, and the mess - she shuddered to think of what everyone else’s dorm rooms and rooms at home were like if they could put their common room into such a state!

"Besides soundproofing, we'll need to reinforce the strength of the rings," she said, still giggling as she gestured from the curtains to a study table. "It definitely wasn't your beau who tore those down in September because he thought he could use them to swing from there to there. I think he'll be on better behavior if you're here, wouldn't want to embarrass himself in front of you, but - fair warning, we're not always at our best at these things."

[Anastasia Savage]

Ana was no stranger to parties, Hufflepuff knew how to throw together a bash and she and Hes could have a party all their own, it was another matter entirely to attend a Gryffindor party. There was a reason they were notorious through the centuries. This did not worry her though, contrary, she was anticipating it. She had gotten used to the ruckus nature of Gryffindor Tower and if Mary was right, she would confess her feelings to James and hopefully leave the victory party a couple. That was the best case, worst case, he said no and she still had a good time with her friend.

Until such time she could help Mary get this place in tip-top shape. She looked up to the curtains the redhead mentioned - she was still sometimes amazed at the sheer scale of Hogwarts, even more so in the towers- trying to picture James hanging from them. "He did, up there?"  Ana could only be amused at the image, looking back to Mary with a giggle. “I think I have the perfect spell for that, just in case he decides he wants to go for attempt number two.” Looking back to the curtains and then the various other priceless memorabilia around the room, Ana's brow furrowed.

“You know you should probably secure some of the more valuable things in here. I’d hate to think of Professor McGonagall if something was destroyed.” She shuddered at the thought. That was truly the fiercest witch that Ana had ever met, and she had met her own mother; she would never dare trifle with the Gryffindor Head. That thought, coupled with the constant need for activity, had her standing. “I could start now if you like. The curtain first, and then maybe everything on the mantlepiece.”

[Mary Macdonald]

"It may have been a dare," Mary laughed. She wanted her friend to know what she was signing up for, if things worked out with James - but not to scare her off! The boys their age were, well - boys. She had been so spoiled with her first love in so many ways, that Mary didn't know if she'd be properly interested in dating any of the students here, even down the line when she had healed from her and Roderick's split. There were many who were handsome, certainly, and she took her notice of such things. But beyond that... If you're interested, one day, you'll feel it.

Ana, however, was ready for the challenge, and Mary smiled in surprise as her friend was already thinking of spells to help keep future escapades from turning too dangerous. She was such a capable witch, Ana was, able to take even a silly story about James and find a practical solution in her mind without missing a beat! She wished she could see what Ana did as the girl scanned the familiar room, and followed the other girl's lead in getting to her feet.

"You know, I think you're right. We've been terribly lucky so far," she admitted with a look of guilt-and-concern (unnecessary talking's-to by their Head of House were not on the top of anyone's planned to-do list and if they could do something to avoid it, they certainly should), "repairing what can be repaired and transforming, hiding, what can't. What are you thinking to use, can you show me?" Mary spun the wand in her fingers with a grin, ready to put her energies to use alongside such a thoughtful companion.

[Anastasia Savage]

Merlin! She felt so much better about her situation having talked it through with Mary and come up with a plan. Ana knew her good friend was the right person to turn to with her dilemma and Mary had not proven her wrong. She was now looking forward to her next meeting with James, she had hope that maybe something could come of her feelings and she had Mary to thank for that. It was the least she could do for her friend after all her help.

“Well, this time we could try hiding things before they get broken.” She said with a grin, going over and picking up a delicate-looking orb off of the mantle. “Bedazzling hexes or disillusion charms should work on the smaller objects.“ Ana glanced over the decorations littered above the fireplace and then around the room at large. There were so many breakable things compared to her own common room. Everything there seemed so soft compared to the grandeur of Gryffindor Tower.

She turned her mind back to her task, backing up a few paces to through her arm over a statue of armor. “A concealment charm should work for these if you're worried about them being dragged into the dance party. Temporary sticking charms should do for the bigger things that can’t be charmed or moved around the room. Now the curtains are a bit trickier, perhaps an Impenatrable charm? Oh or a slippery jinx! That could be amusing, as long as no one gets hurt, of course.” She would bet anything James would land on his feet in normal circumstances, but drunk James? She wasn’t so sure.