December 2nd: 'Tis The Season - Lake (Open)

[Willa Robbins]

This was simply not how they were. They weren't awkward with each other, they weren't short with each other, they weren't uncomfortable with each other. They helped, they comforted, they supported. Was having a relationship really going to change her friendship with Sirius - and maybe others - so much? Willa felt that there was more he wasn't saying - as there was so much she was holding in, he had to be as well - and was too apprehensive to ask. If Sirius knew something about Benji, if he wanted her to steer clear of the Ravenclaw because of something he knew, he surely would speak up. So it wasn't that...

Could he - no, he's with Guin. Willa cut that train of thought short almost instantly, not willing to let her mind wander into what was surely an impossibility. As she did her best to apologize, Sirius met her eye but it was...different. Gray eyes that usually were so warm towards her had hardened, and his well wishes towards her day felt flat. She debated, for a moment, staying. Asking what was really wrong. But as she lingered, Willa lost whatever nerve she had had, giving him a nod and tight smile as she turned away. While she would have gladly taken up a spot in the shack to distract herself, distraction in the form of a waving, smiling, Benji Fenwick was waiting for her at the lake's edge.

She awkwardly stepped off of the ice and onto the snow, doing her best to keep her balance as she took the few steps needed to get to him. She laid a hand on his arm as he spoke and kissed her cheek, both for stability and comfort, and shook her head with a warming smile. "No, no - it's a nice surprise, I just hope I haven't kept you waiting long." She nodded towards the bench where her shoes were, keeping hold of him as they made their way over, but couldn't stop herself from looking back at the lake. Sirius and she hadn't felt so off ever, in her memory, and while she wasn't happy with how he'd taken the news of her blossoming relationship, she still hoped he'd find a friend to pal around with this evening. She caught sight of him with Doe and Arnie, not far at all from where she'd left him, and found herself glad for it...above the lingering regret and want to fix things. But how can you fix this when you don't really know why he's so bothered, or why he won't even agree to get to know Benji? It was frustrating, to say the least, and as she swapped her skates for her boots - kept warm by a charm under the bench - Willa still didn't feel all like herself. It was just so unusual to not be on comfortable terms with Sirius...you'll catch him soon and figure it out.

"What did you feel like doing?" Willa asked as she tightened her ponytail, getting up and bringing the skates with her. "I've got to return these, and I've got a shift at the shack in a bit with Dirk...it'd be close in there, but you could hang out with us there too." 

[Benji Fenwick]

“No, no, not too long at all.” Benji assured her, grinning broadly and feeling like he was telling a little bit of an innocent, white lie. No matter how long it took, waiting on Willa would always take too long. Every moment knowing he would see her but not having her in sight was akin to agony, and every moment next to her a balm to his heart. He smiled at her stupidly, shifting her hand into the crook of his elbow, silently thanking his father for teaching him such courtesies. He may be a bumbling idiot, but Benjamin Fenwick was nothing if not well mannered.

He helped Willa over to her normal shoes and a surprisingly warm bench, trying to ignore the way his stomach twisted when she glanced about, knowing she was looking for someone else. Someone who wasn't him. They are friends! Willa isn't like that, she wouldn't be kissing you, if she was kissing him. They are friends, deal with it.  Benji counseled himself, his inner voice sounding very much like his best mate. Speaking of, poor bloke didn't look too thrilled to be interrupted, but Arnie was a naturally easygoing guy and Benji doubted he would put up much of a stink in front of Dorcas. He just wished Arnie didn't have to either, but mostly, Benji was just glad he wasn't having to share his time with Sirius Black.
 
“What do I want to do?” Benji repeated, slightly confused -he just wanted to be with her- as Willa got up from the bench. He scrambled up after her, unable to believe he had allowed his thoughts to wander off while with her. He needed to focus. This wasn't going how he had planned it...something was...he really didn't know, it just felt different. He wanted it to feel the way it usually did when he was with her. Gentle he caught at Willa's sleeve, stopping and turning her around to face him. They were almost to the rental shack, and all around them people were milling about, but for a moment it was only Willa.

She had the sweetest eyes, hair almost like honey, and Benji was still often struck by her. He reached out now, running some of the smooth strands between his fingers, before pulling back with a little blush in his cheeks. “You look lovely today.” he told her, meaning it. “And as far as paling around, if I'm not going to be in the way, I would be all right with that. Dirk is fun when he wants to be.” Well, not really, and he knew he didn't sound too convincing. He smiled sheepishly, thinking that for Willa, he would probably do just about anything. Even hanging around his most sour roommate. “After, maybe you might want to take a walk around the greenhouses with me to my plot. I was going to do some of my winter harvesting today.”

[Deleted]

Sirius was grinning like a fool, and the look on Peaselbody’s face was just ice on the cake that was tonight. Of course, Doe would never ditch her new boytoy for only him - she was really too nice to most people. ”Yeah, I’ll join - been awhile since we’ve properly caught up, hasn’t it?” He didn’t mention that they had spoken last night in the common room while pouring over their Muggle Music homework that was due today, but what if she was looking for a reason to get away from this git?

He chuckled when the Ravenclaw spoke, there was no way the three of them were going to be comfortable together in those carriages - he knew from experience. Even he and Robbins had been pretty close throughout the ride, not that he minded but -

You’re going to need to stop thinking about her, Black.

His eyes moved over his friend and her boyfriend and into the crowd that Willa was now lost to. She was probably having fun with the other irritating Ravenclaw that was there tonight. The two of them held hands and he skated along beside them like the third wheel he was. ”Never been better, thanks - you going home over the holidays?”

[Remus Lupin]

Perhaps he should have practiced his skating some, but at least he hadn't injured himself. He smiled as Charlotte skated up to him, trying to brush off his fall as best as possible. "One can always hope. It's not like I can make a proper Christmas dinner though, so I think she will get some more Holidays out of me." Charlotte was kindly offering to help him up, and he took her hand carefully. With his luck, he'd pull her down to the ice if he wasn't careful. Somehow, he managed to pull himself up, letting go of her momentarily to make sure he was stable.

"Right, and I'm good," he said with a grin. "Ah, where was I? After the holiday I'm going to the Potters, it's my second home really." And he would get a chance to talk to Dory about Charlotte, something he was quite looking forward to. He was sure James had already written her to spread the news. James, who would be going to Christmas at Lily's. He extended his hand to Charlotte, before returning to skating. "What about your holiday? Hopefully nothing too stressful?"

From their conversations, he knew that her family wasn't exactly fun to be around. And he knew Rufus well enough to know that he wasn't exactly the most accepting or logical person on the planet. Looking towards the carriages as they skated, he nodded towards them. "Up for a carriage ride?"

[Admin]

He picked up on her enthusiasm quickly, like he usually did, and she shook her head, ”No. Tyler wanted to go to one last summer but my Mum didn’t let me go.” At the time she had been furious, but she supposed it was for the best since things had ended up going down the drain with the boy that wanted to take her. ”I probably will go this summer, once I’ve moved out.” She laughed, grabbing his arm in excitement, ”I could even try to get the rest of the Quidditch team on board! That would be a fun day.” While there were many different personalities on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, some which complimented each other, some which would never get on, it would be sad if they couldn’t put these differences aside for one day before half of the team went off to live the rest of their lives.

Doe finished wiping herself clean of the snow and moved closer to Arnie to help him dust it off, a smirk on her face. How could he possibly be this cute when he was so clearly annoyed? Shouldn’t a negative feeling have a negative face? Maybe he thinks it’s a negative face, but you’re just in too deep. She knew, of course, that things would need to end with her Strudel one day, and her heart gave a lurch as she realized that it would need to be sooner than later. He had somehow snuck his way into her heart already, and that couldn’t be good for either of them. She would need to squash the more intense feelings or else let him go and suffer on her own. There was a perfect girl out there for Arnie Peasegood, and she wouldn’t let her selfish need to have him around stop him from finding her. They were just having fun together anyway...he wouldn’t be too upset if she ended things, right?

Relief swept through her as Arnie agreed to have Sirius tag along on their evening and she smiled, taking his warm hand in hers. ”Yes, Black, it’s been a century,” Doe rolled her eyes. They shared most lessons, had the same group of friends, and sat near one another at most meals, but of course it had been too long since they’d spoken. Despite this, she was happy to skate forward in silence and let the boys converse. Who knew? Maybe this was the push they both needed to start becoming friends.

[Willa Robbins]

Willa hoped that her Ravenclaw companion wasn't trying to fool her, but maybe his cheeks were red from seeing her, and not because he'd been out in the cold so long waiting for her to notice? Whatever the case, Benji was all grins and gentlemanly actions as he helped her make her otherwise-shaky way to the heated bench to change out of her skates. Hardly even got out on the ice before making things weird, well done Robbins. She knew she should be giving the boy the attention he deserved, but she was too in her head about Sirius to do so. Going right from an odd encounter with one to an unexpected one with the other was more difficult than she would've anticipated, had she given it any thought. The inquiry about what Benji would like to do with the day was sent out on autopilot, Willa felt, and it seemed that the bloke was nearly as off-feeling as she was, with the confusion in his tone...

She was ready to excuse James and Lily from the shack, and already on her way towards it, when she felt Benji's hand at her arm. Having been in the mood of go go go to try and distance herself from the awkwardness with Sirius, she hadn't anticipated any stalling. Better to keep her mind busy, thinking of the next task, right? But she let the boy stop her, a bemused smile coaxed from her as he spun her about to see him...As he so tenderly met her eye and fixed her hair, complimenting her after, Willa felt herself starting to relax behind the attempted front at seeming okay. She couldn't be unbothered by such a good friend's unfortunate reaction to her seeing someone, but here that someone was, getting her back into the moment, and chipping away at that uneasy feeling within her. The Hufflepuff found herself chuckling at Benji's assertion that Dirk could be a lark, and took his gloved hands in hers as he finished. "I'd really like that. It's not an easy thing, having a successful winter crop - look at you go," she teased gently. "It'll be good to have something to look forward to...you'll have to help me pry that fun side out of Dirk, eh? Never been too successful at it myself, but I've also not lived with him. Must be some tricks to it - give me a hint?"

[Charlotte Fudge]

How're you still discussing this? Poor bloke's taken a tumble!

Remus' altogether English manner of carrying on was incredibly endearing to her, and Charlotte was glad he took her offer of help. She wasn't the steadiest on the ice, to be sure, but thankfully her study partner was strong enough to pull himself up without pulling her down in the process. Remus was shortly holding his hand out to her again, and she took it without a second thought, grinning at his acknowledgement of not being harmed by the fall.

Hearing him speak of the Potters so fondly made her think of Daisy recounting Peter doing the same; she felt a compulsion to know the family as she'd never felt before, because what in the world went on inside the Potter home that made these boys love it so much?

"Hopefully just the usual - so the anticipated measure of stress," she admitted as they continued on. "There's the Ministry event of course, and I expect Violet and her husband will join us for Christmas dinner, so we'll get the update on them...Do you - do you think you'll be at the Ministry? For the holiday party?" The girl was, oddly, finding herself excited at the prospect. Their fathers both worked for the Ministry - on the same Level - and she was chiding herself inside at not knowing whether or not it was a usual event, the Lupin men - and Mum? - going to the party. You've not really ever paid attention to who was there...but that would be awfully nice, seeing him outside of school. If her confidence meter had somehow been bumped up a few notches, she would've shared the sentiment; as it was, Char was all smiles in anticipation, even though she knew his relationship with his father may not warrant an accompaniment...

But what if it does?

Maybe this year's party wouldn't be spent in dull conversation with her father's cohorts, those who weren't ever keen on hearing the opinions of a young girl when it came to their work. Maybe instead she and Remus could explore the grandeur of the place when it was decked out to the nines, enjoy time out in the world instead of the confines of Hogwarts...The sixth year was pulled from her musings, however, at his question. Why's something so simple getting your heart going like that? She'd been alone with him before today, of course - had preferred it to being out in public - but the carriage seemed slightly more intimate than the library...This is what it's like though, isn't it? Change, progress, they're meant to make you react...

"I don't think I've ever been on one," Charlotte replied, meeting his eye with a smile. "Good idea, let's give it a go." With only a bit of fumbling, the pair turned and joined the queue for the carriages; going from skating to standing still, Char was grateful for her boxy sweater, for even if it wasn't the most flattering item of clothing, it was warm at least. "Could you tell me more about the Potters?" she inquired as they waited, curiosity from earlier cropping up again. "Peter and Daisy have always spoken so highly of them, but haven't ever really gone into the specifics of what makes them so...special?"

[Arnie Peasegood]

His heart sank, truly, as Dora started envisioning this amazing day with her team...She likely hadn't meant it to seem exclusive, and was so buoyed up by the prospect that he felt misplaced in being slightly sour, but did he not even enter her mind? When he'd brought up the basic idea in the first place? He generally got forward thinking when it came to girls, trying to figure out where they'd go as a couple, and with how regularly he and his girlfriend clicked, he thought they were on the same page...

She's used to blokes leaving, remember? Gotta show you're not like that.

His patience, however, was being put to the test shortly. Black had deemed it appropriate to interfere on their date, making a rather obnoxious entrance as he did. Even Dora helping to get the chunks of snow and ice off of him wasn't helping to ease his mood...for Arnie had the disconcerting feeling that the look on Black's face was due to his own irritation.

Having been the giver of such a look many a time before, he knew it well.

Rarely, however, had he been so irked by it.

This was furiously becoming anything but ideal.

Now - instead of telling Dora that he loved her, instead of cozying up in a carriage to cuddle and canoodle - they were continuing in queue with the forcible intrusion and forcible inclusion of Sirius Black. Was wanting some time alone with his girlfriend really too much to ask for? And it didn't even seem like Black wanted to be with them, with the way he kept looking towards the castle. And Dora and Black saw each other all the time, they didn't need this togetherness, and he wasn't even sure if Dora wanted her housemate there with them! Because after the Gryffindors' sarcastic exchange, and his own attempt at conversation, Dora took his hand but was silent...What're you trying to do to me, babe? Little help here? He usually wasn't so ornery about making conversation, but he'd been this close to something huge...

"Yeah, I am. Always good to be home and see my folks, first year here without my brother as well so will be nice to catch up properly," he replied, trying to keep annoyance out of his voice. "Hopefully will be out and about a bit though, gotta figure out how to see this one before too long." Turning to Dora, the bloke smiled and gave her hand a squeeze; this wasn't how he figured they'd start working out holiday plans, but he could make this most of this, couldn't he? "What about you? Ready for a break?"

[Deleted]

He shot a teasing raise of the eyebrows at his friend when she moved back from her current boyfriend a bit. Had been a while since he’d seen her get so lovey-dovey with someone. Usually, Sirius would watch her date blokes, but not care too much, not get too invested. It was like she was with them just to pass the time. Only exceptions to the rule before Peaselbody had been James and Vanderhyde - was interesting as all hell to see it happening again.

Remember how those other relationships turned out, Doe?

Obviously, he wanted the best for her, but she couldn’t be looking at this realistically could she? She was graduating in a few short months that would be loaded with schoolwork, the kid was coming back to Hogwarts next year - what were they gonna do? Write letters? Hardly seemed like enough when you were into someone that much. No, he was sure that Doe was going to end it, it was just a question of when.

Sirius ignored her jab at him - was sure he would get an earful about this later on - and skated forward with them. ”You’ve got a brother? You the youngest?” He hated that his interest had been piqued. Regulus joining the Death Eaters was still very fresh to him, and even though he had an idea that Arnold wasn’t going down that path, there was a sudden urge to meet another older brother and pick his brain. How were you supposed to make sure that the younger one didn’t get into trouble? How did you protect them when they didn’t want you to help? ”Was he a Ravenclaw too?” They skated forward again, now only having one or two couples in front of them.

He shrugged, ”Born ready - just you wait, seventh year is horrible.” Sirius laughed. ”Few parties to go to here and there but otherwise will be lonely.” He’d been thinking of a way he could loop Willa into doing something, but now that she was dating the Fen, he was sure she’d be up to something with him on the break.

You can just give those magical flower show tickets to Dory.

[Benji Fenwick]

A warm feeling spread out and filled his chest cavity until it was right, they were rights again, him and Willa. They were holding hands and she was complimenting him, making him feel like a million galleons, he was practically preening and it was all right again. Benji didn’t dwell on what had caused them to initially be so off kilt with each other, it was done now; besides, it was probably just him being his normal frazzled self. He could have just been making things worse than they were. It could have all been in his head. Whatever it was, it was done now.

Now, Willa was looking forward to heading to his plot later and Benji couldn’t have been happier. Though…”Hmmm, I don’t think there is a ‘fun’ side to Dirk. And if there is, I haven't found it yet. “ Benji told Willa conspiritally, a joking grin on his face. “But, we may be able to convince him to be less sour. Pretty girls usually help with things like that, so, it’s good you’re here. Sweet girls are better, so I guess, it’s doubly good you’re here.” Internally, the Ravenclaw was doing a joyous tap dance: he had just sounded and acted like his normal self! He glanced over her shoulder, spontaneously wanting to shout out to Arnie his accomplishment. His roommate was still tied up with his beau and his beau’s friend, though the bloke looked a tad more at ease with the situation and Benji was happy for that.

He turned back to Willa, admiring her for a moment before they arrived at the shack to relieve the Head Boy and Girl. Benji leaned on the small ledge of the rental shack, angling his head so that he could still see Willa. “It’s okay though, if it doesn’t go well, hopefully, I’ve got some things at the plot to cheer you up.” He gave her a smile as she took over for Lily and James, electing to post himself outside the hot box as opposed to cramming inside with the workers. “So,” he said conversationally. “How’s is going there Dirk? Enjoying the day?”

[Admin]

Arnie didn’t look too excited about her taking the Quidditch team to a match, and she looked away from him. She knew that he didn’t like sports, muggle or magical, all that much, but it was disheartening to think that this was something she would never be able to share with him. True, they weren’t going to be together for very long, he was sure to find someone better suited to him than her, but in the time that they did have together, she wanted to get on. She hated feeling like she was boring people with what she was passionate about, and here he was making her feel like she was.

Maybe everyone has a point when they say you should end it with him...

Sirius and Arnie seemed to be getting along pretty well, and she skated closer to him when he teased about them seeing each other. She would love to spend more time with him over the holidays, but the only date she could think of was the party at the Potters. Her mother was sure to keep her locked inside unless she was spending time with Ethan or some other Pureblood. ”Well, hopefully you’ll just be able to come to the party we were talking about.” She hoped Sirius wouldn’t catch on what she was saying, the last thing she wanted was to be cornered in the Gryffindor common room by James demanding she get a date they were friends with. As it turned out, she was worried for no reason, because Sirius had become interested in something else that Arnie had said.

[Deleted]

He stepped out of the way as some younger students ran past him and into the castle through the large wooden front doors, a sigh escaping his lips in the process. In the beginning, Dirk had thought that Potter’s idea for a skating night was genius - it required a well thought out procedure, organized scheduling of activities, and would surely pull a crowd. His original faith in it had been the only reason he had not called upon the Sheriff’s Initiative to patrol during the event. Yet, it was clear to him as he stepped into the cold winter air, that the only thing the night had from his list of requirements for a successful evening was a large amount of people. Students were running all over the place, skating freely wherever they pleased, there was no organized line up for the sleighs or shack with all of the skates inside. He huffed once more, a small cloud of frost escaping his lips as he did. He would need to take charge of this event. And soon.

”Good evening, Lily,” He nodded towards her, ”James.” They looked like fish out of water trying to deal with all of these students. ”If you don’t mind-” He moved in front of them and put his wand to his throat, speaking loud and clearly, ”I need an organized line on the right side for RETURNS. And one on the left for RENTALS. Thank you.” Students started to scramble and organize themselves - not in as much of a hurry as he would have liked, but at the very least they were pulling themselves together. He looked back at the Head Students, ”You’ve been relieved of your duties in here. I suggest doing something about that sleigh line - it’s looking too chaotic by my standards.” His standards, were of course, the right ones.

He had been inside the disorganized shack for 20 minutes before his partner decided to show up. ”Nice of you to grace me with your presence this evening, Prefect Robbins.” Dirk looked over at the sound of his name, one of his dormmates hanging around, no doubt to try and distract the pretty Hufflepuff from her duties. ”It would be nicer if you weren’t blocking my return line.”

[Remus Lupin]

He hadn’t been to a Ministry party in years. Sure, he had gone when he was younger. His mother had even accompanied his father in those days, when he was just the cute Lupin toddler. After the attack though, it was simply too dangerous. As far as most people were concerned, Remus was always at home with his sick mum during them. It wasn’t as if Lyall was really a social butterfly, so they hadn’t been missed. And now that he was older and able to take care of himself, well he had simply chosen to stay home most years. But if Charlotte was going to be there...”I haven’t been in years but I don’t think my father would say no. What day is it?” He was so out of touch with these sorts of things, he’d have to mail his father later today if he wanted to go. Then again, if it was too close to the moon he wasn’t sure if his father would be too keen on the idea.

But Charlotte was agreeing to his idea of a carriage ride, and without any more falls, he was able to return to stable ground. And as they waited in line for the carriage, he felt an uneasiness creeping up on him. Because being alone like this was his chance, and he didn’t need another lesson from Sirius about kissing. She was pulling him from his thoughts though with questions of the Potters, and he reached for he hand to intertwine their fingers before he spoke.

”Well, there’s not quite anyone else like them. They treat us all like we are family, without any hesitations,” he answered thoughtfully, moving forward with the line. ”Dorea always sends my mother potions for her health, and always makes sure how to ask how she is doing. Charlus is brilliant, a master at potions. Sure you knew that already though. It’s hard to explain really, it’s just who they are.”

They were at the front of the line, and his mind went into a panic as he climbed into before reaching back to help Charlotte up. ”Between the four of us, think they might have replaced every vase in that house honestly.”

[Lily Potter]

“My parents used to take Petunia and I skating in Hyde Park all the time during winter hols.” The words were out of Lily's mouth before she could stop them, her voice sounding both happy and sad all in one go. Those were happy memories initially, but with her relationship with her sister now near extinction, they were tinged with the most awful sadness. All she had was her memories now. Tuney hadn't come with them in the last few years - she didn't want to do much of anything that involved freak of a sibling. Lily bore that pain in silence, knowing there was nothing for it. She was a witch, her sister was not; there would forever be a wedge between them because of it.

Sometimes, Lily thought as she sat on a warm bench, with how many people despised her for being a witch...it hardly seemed worth it. To be scorned by your sister, someone you loved, and attacked -hunted really if she was being honest- by people who didn't even know you. All because of blood. A different girl, of a different disposition, would maybe back down. Lily was not that girl; sometimes she needed to remind herself of that, and she did so now. Her magic was hers by birthright, she wouldn't change that for the world. In fact, she would fight for it.

She turned back to James, hurrying to move on from the moment. Lily was feeling a certain way about James these days, true, but she was definitely not ready for him to hear her whinging about her broken relationship with her sister. Especially not after the great time they had been having so far. She wasn't unaware of the electricity they had been exchanging back in the shack. The little touches, the laughs, the speaking in unison. Lily gave him a teasing grin, lightening the mood. “Don't worry, I'll try my very best not to show you up, promise."

After fixing up her skates, Lily stuffed her hat on, tucking her hair in, then wiggled her fingers into warm gloves. She shot her fellow head a wicked grin before waddling onto the ice. After a second of finding her balance, she did a little turn around, making sure she wasn't going to bust her bum and make a fool of herself. For some reason, the thought of doing that in front of James was incredibly embarrassing. A few moments later, her muscles had remembered what it was like to glide on the ice. Lily turned to James, meeting his eye and feeling her stomach somersault.

"Come on then." She urged with a smile, holding both hands out to assist him. All around them, their friends and classmates were reaping the benefits of his hard work, it was only fair he get to have a bit of fun himself. Ice skating was a grand way of having some fun, in her opinion. And he was willing to give it a try. Their hands locked and Lily felt the strength in his grip, she felt the way it intrigued and excited her. She also felt the wobble in his movements and called upon her own center to keep them steady. Slowly her fingers crawled up until she was holding onto his wrist and felt she had much better control over them both. They were close now, though. When she looked up from the ice she could see the honey tones in James eyes and when she exhaled, a plume of fog hung in the small space between them.

"I'm not going to miss Dirk that much, honestly." She said quietly, not forgetting how he had dismissed his head students, and feeling she needed to say something. Things were getting... intense. Things had been getting intense with them for a spell, and Lily felt she was nearly at the end of her string of resistance. Now, however, in front of a great number of their peers, was not the time to bridge that gap -if she was going to bridge it. Either way, keeping a conversation going was a good way of keeping her thoughts on track. "I'll miss the others. Carolyn and Tommy, but Dirk...I wish he would loosen up. It's possible to be responsible and progressive and still be enjoyable company, just look at you."

[James Potter]

While he was glad to be getting out into the air, as James saw one of their replacements show up, it felt as though he'd just swallowed an acid pop whole. Dirk Cresswell was many things, as he had learned this term. Relaxed was not one of them. "Lily, he's going to ruin this for everyone. We should've had him man the marshmallows at the cocoa station, this is too high profile for him," he whispered in agitation. He didn't know exactly what the Ravenclaw was going to pull, but from the look in the kid's eye, James wouldn't be a fan of it. He gave a curt nod back and was shortly proven right, gloved hands flying to his ears as the boy's voice boomed away with instructions. Meeting Cresswell's eye with distaste as he was dismissed, James couldn't hold himself in completely. This wasn't Cresswell's event. "Remember that this is for lighthearted, low stress, inter-house bonding, won't you? No micromanaging required." In his mind the purpose was simple: fun. To sell to some of the others, though, he'd needed to beef up the language.

Thankfully, James had a very good reason to, himself, lighten up shortly. He and Evans were off to take part in the festivities themselves, and she'd hardly protested at all! After his admission of skating ineptitude, and struggles with switching his boots for skates, he was graced with another little insight into the workings of the Evans family. He'd picked up bits and pieces of the story over the years, and was always perhaps too eager to learn more about them. It was difficult, though - James wanted to just ask. What was her favorite birthday as a kid? Had she been a mini academic at her muggle school? Were there neighbor kids around to play with? What had she done for fun? But mentions of her home life usually had a melancholy sort of undertone, which he knew he should be sensitive about...maybe she'll tell you on her own, one of these days.

The thought wasn't as ludicrous as one might anticipate - James knew that they were getting closer. As friends, as Heads, and as a pair of good looking people on the road towards the elusive something more. Time in her company made the sacrifices of his responsibilities worth it, and not to say that he'd been wearing her down or anything, but...she seemed...receptive? To his ideas, to his jokes, to him. At the start of the year he'd known better than to try asking her out again; it would just make the year intolerable if, as he'd figured, she'd say no. But just because he hadn't asked, didn't mean his feelings had done anything but grow in these past months...It didn't feel so much of a matter of "if" anymore.

Rather...when?

"Don't you dare sell yourself short," James returned quickly, wobbly in the snow on the impossible footwear, but grinning nonetheless. His pride wasn't so fragile as to be broken by her being a better skater than him! This was a skill he could learn! "Show me what you've got, Evans." She took to the ice quite naturally, as he did his best to not fall before even getting to the slippery surface. James' measurably slow progress was noted by his companion, and as he looked up to meet her eye, nearly lost his balance at the warmth in it. "I am," James said in a laugh, reaching for her outstretched hands as he stepped onto the ice.

As soon as her hands were in his, any fleeting intention he'd had on checking the sleigh line - just to prove to Dirk that his interference wasn't necessary - was dashed. Nope. Not giving this up for that. He felt as unsteady as a bumbling baby deer taking its first steps, and just as absurd, but she was so close. And wearing a Merlin loving deer sweater like she knew you'd be in one of yours. To coordinate. Bleeding hell. He hadn't even had to try and convince her to wear one, like the annual struggle he had with the other marauders. He was about to comment with as much, because the space between them had to be filled with words or he'd struggle more not to close it himself, when Lily spoke up.

"Responsible, progressive, and enjoyable? Almost sounds like you - " like me. The tease died in his throat, and he moved his legs as she did, propelling them forward just a little bit. "Ah - yeah, I'll miss some of the kids, but won't be sad to say goodbye to him, in particular." James cleared his throat, shooting her a quick grin. "Sweater's ace, by the way. Was too mad busy in the shack to tell you. What - what're you doing - Evans - "