Sabel shook his head in wonder. "I'm not so much surprised, as impressed. Never would have thought to do that." Maybe she had a bit of raven in her too...

But no. One hundred percent Gryffindor. That made him grin. "It seems to be a bit of an unspoken agreement that we are made for this type of work, doesn't it?" Which, the sorting hat had conveniently left out."If you hadn't yet noticed, a heads up for you. A surprising," or perhaps very unsurprising, "portion of the MLE is composed of lions and lionesses."

As for her family, he was going to let that one go. Family could be a touchy subject, and from the tone of her voice, it sounded like hers was one of those subjects. He tried for a different approach on breaching that topic. "So, welcome back to the Pride." She would understand he meant, welcome back to her family, wouldn't she?

Speaking of sensitive topics, Sabel muddled over his response for a moment. He didn't want to make the same mistake as he had before with his friends, but then not everyone needed to know everything right off the bat. Exclusion was still exclusion, but it had a place and a time. "It's the first wizarding school I attended, so yeah. I quite enjoyed it. Besides the nearly dying in my first year..." There was that. He eyed her. Hogwarts was known as a place of trouble, so he wondered... "Anything like that happen to you during your terms?"

As for the hair, Sabel reached up again and ran his fingers through it. "You know, I forget they have a charm for practically everything." The wizarding world still eluded him sometimes. "Guess I could give it a shot, as long as it doesn't go wrong." As confident as she was that it would look good on him, he liked his dark mop head and preferred to keep it that way, thank you very much.

Sighing, Sabel turned them about slowly. "It does sound better, but I'm running out of disappointments here, and I really don't want to keep making them up for you." Soon it would be two out of four, then three out of five, though that did help with his percentage gain. Another shake of his head, and a small grin. "But considered yourself shocked. Never played. Never want to." That height thing, was still an issue. "But I do love cats." That was truth. "Had a black one called Merlin when I was in Hogwarts."

As the for list of disappointments, he was going to try and see if he could weasel his way out of having to guess more. Really, he was running dry on the list of possibilities. How long was this song? Or were they already on the next? He wasn't really paying attention.

"Well, best make me feather thin too while you're at it." He looked down at himself. "I'm afraid I'd ruin your cousin's nice collection, if I tried them on looking like this." His eyes came back up to her, a mischievous glint in them. "Does she have one with sparkles?" Because hey, why not?

And then there was that. That answer to the question that had all joking aside. On the one hand, he was surprised and impressed that she had answered. It seemed like something that required a good deal of trust to confide in someone, or it was simply the Gryffindor stupidity streak. On the other hand, her answer and the determination in it, was concerning. He wondered if she had seen something in the past, or someone, that she was looking to get back at. That added another layer of concern. He was going to have to keep a weather eye on this one. A really weather eye. Yet perhaps, even more concerning was the fact that he could sympathize with her. Perhaps it was another Gryffindor thing. Righteous anger, or simply, anger. But it was a dangerous path to walk on, let alone even consider walking on. No matter how much hurt one had endured.

Letting out a slow breath, Sabel contemplated how best to get his point across. "You have a point, Alexa, to a degree. And I thought similar to you when I was your age. I thought intention was all that was behind a spell, and if it was cast to protect or help, then how could it really be dark."

Was she listening? He wanted her to really listen.

"I received some advice though, advice I will never forget from a man that helped me get where I am now. I'm going to pass it to you, to do with it what you will. 'We all have options. To crucify or to stun. To kill or to stop. To control someone's will... or to come to terms with them. The choice makes the Dark Wizard.'**" The exact words that Tate had uttered, sounded like they were coming from that man again, to the young hot-headed and eager boy that had been looking for answers.

But he wasn't sure that Alexa was looking for answers. She sounded like her mind was already made up. He let out a noisy breath. "Just...if you don't take that advice, do me a favor? Don't mention this to anyone in the MLE? You're likely to loose your job if the wrong people hear it. And frankly, I don't want to end up having to arrest you."

(**Disclaimer: direct quote from Headmaster Gallen Tate (Cassrin). All credit to her!! )

Nope. He did not just kiss her forehead. Nope.

What the heck, Bellamy!?! This is NOT how the night was supposed to go. What happened to the game? What happened to trying to win?? Why in the name of Merlin were you being so darn romantic tonight?! Why was he making it so bloody hard to try to hate him. Or well... She was never trying to hate him, that'd be far too difficult of a challenge. Just... She wasn't about to admit feelings okay!? Because those feelings were nonexistent. Tiffany Price was not woo-able. She wasn't. What was he getting at with these romantic gestures and the smiling and the FOREHEAD KISS????

Never in her life had Tiffany Price felt this conflicted. It was doing strange things to her head. And she was not a fan. But yet, she was blushing. Dear Merlin. What was going on? She had lost all control. NO, WORSE! She had lost the game.

"Mhmm, you suppose?" she let the 'm's buzz on her lips as she raised a playful brow. But really, she was clinging on to every word of his. What was his solution? Could he tell her now? Or was he going to wait for her to ask herself? Thankfully, it was option number one because it would be best if she could get by with saying as little as she could, thank you very much. What if she said something stupid? Admitted to things. Nonexistent things, okay? It was just the fairy lights. Merely that. She glanced down only for a brief moment after he mentioned the Leaky, but when she looked back up at him.. He was holding out a rose?? Sweet Merlin, Ezra. Was he aware of what he was doing to her head?? It was madness. She reached for the rose-- with her hand that wasn't currently holding onto his (((Ahem)))-- and held it to her nose, letting it's scent overwhelm her for only a few seconds. "I suppose just one visit wouldn't hurt," giving him a small grin before-- WAIT WHAT.

....WHAAAAAT???

Had she just???? What? This whole time she was practicing the virtue of restraint. She wasn't going to set herself up for failure. And yet, she said yes to a second date at the Leaky? Oh Merlin. Except, she wasn't even freaking out about it??? What. It had to be the flower. Or the cheesy lines. OR well.. He was playing all the right cards and she... Maybe she was woo-able? Oh sweet Merlin. But question. He had asked her another question-- after he had answered hers with something ridiculously romantic and cheesy again. MERLIN. HELP HER. "Oh, it was....quiet." It was strange, not knowing how to answer him. Not knowing the right words. Not being able to speak. Such a thing hardly ever happened to her. She was Tiffany Price not some silly little school girl. This was ridiculous.

... Wasn't it?

One date wouldn't hurt. Maybe it'd be fun?

As Jasmine was scoping out the dance floor she noticed a familiar face with a handsome guy at that dancing. Jasmine remember meeting Tiffany a while back and she was helping her on a shopping spree. She wondered if she would still remember that. She grinned and decided to probably intervene and want to know the details. She began to dance to the beat of the song and tried to blend in. Then she tapped Tiffany on the shoulder and said, "Pardon me, I need to talk to Tiffany about something real quick." She bowed her head to the handsome man (Ezra) she was dancing with.

As soon as she got her out of his earshot she asked, "Girl spill the details. I saw him kiss your forehead. Something is going on.." she smiled slyly.

Ezra watched her with an unwavering gaze, biting his lip while he waited for a reaction. And there she was blushing, right on schedule. And there he was raising an eyebrow, right on schedule. He silently kept up the rhythm of their swaying, both to bask in the glory of yet another triumph, and calm his heartbeat down enough to actually speak, because apparently winning things got him far too excited. Winning things, alright? Just the winning things. He'd put himself out there far more than he should have tonight, which he was fully prepared to blame on Tiffany because it was really her all her fault. The clothes, the hair, the face, all her fault. Oh, and the lips, not that he'd ever actually forget those. And the voice and the laugh and the intelligence and the--what was he doing again? Right. Her fault, not his, because nothing unfortunate was ever Ezra Bellamy's fault. It was a rule. Obviously.

His smile widened as she took the rose and smelled it. He took it all back, okay, this instinctively cheesy stuff was what he should've gone to in the first place. No need to even play the game anymore, he had it all in the bag. Not that he hadn't always had it in the bag, obviously, because no woman could resist a Bellamy even if they tried. Not that Tiffany hadn't put a good fight making her even more desirable, or anything. He wasn't even surprised when she said yes to the second date. Did you hear that, heart? NOT surprised, no need to beat even faster. MERLIN, calm down. "Mmm, I'd even say it'll help" Yes, help. Because if he didn't snog her sooner rather than later it felt as if he'd surely combust. And how would the world even survive without Ezra Bellamy? "But, who asked me." He leaned the slightest bit. Totally smooth, Bellamy. Totally smooth.

He cocked an eyebrow and let his grin falter slightly, leaving the right side quirked up in a half smile. Quiet? Ezra wasn't exactly sure what he'd been expecting, but it surely wasn't that. She hadn't been off living a glamorous life with the bugger from the blind date, then. He wasn't entirely sure why he was so relieved by this fact, or why he was suddenly worried that she had been lonely over the holiday. Did she have any family here? Or...anybody. WHOA THERE. He was winning over here, he had a second DATE, it was no time to get distracted. He opened his mouth and closed it again quickly, worried he might give in to his sudden urge to give her a good hug and ruin the whole winning thing. No, uh, more cheesiness then because that seemed to work before. "Well, we'd better make sure that never happens again." He meant it, okay. Nobody deserved a lonely holiday especially Tiffany.

SPOILER!!: Jasmine XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

As Jasmine was scoping out the dance floor she noticed a familiar face with a handsome guy at that dancing. Jasmine remember meeting Tiffany a while back and she was helping her on a shopping spree. She wondered if she would still remember that. She grinned and decided to probably intervene and want to know the details. She began to dance to the beat of the song and tried to blend in. Then she tapped Tiffany on the shoulder and said, "Pardon me, I need to talk to Tiffany about something real quick." She bowed her head to the handsome man (Ezra) she was dancing with.

As soon as she got her out of his earshot she asked, "Girl spill the details. I saw him kiss your forehead. Something is going on.." she smiled slyly.

He'd closed his eyes for ONE moment okay, just to enjoy the...things, when there was another voice? His blue eyes fluttered open quickly but already felt her grip slipping from his own. Was somebody just TAKING his prize away from him? Come ON they hadn't even snogged yet. Ezra lifted her other hand to his lips and gave it a soft kiss before meeting her eyes and saying, "I'll see you at the leaky, then." SOON SOON SOON PUH-LEEZ. Ahem. Not desperate, but combustion, remember? He was going to combust, there was no doubt about it. He gave a curt nod to the woman (Jasmine) who'd STOLEN her away, before adjusting both his bowtie and his glasses and drifting away from the dance floor. He was still the more interesting one, obviously. He glanced back towards them for a moment before turning and continuing on with his hands in his pockets. Did Tiffany miss him yet? Because he missed her. Wait, what?

It was only a second date after all. Couldn’t really hurt, could it? Though… She wasn’t exactly sure if he was right about it helping either. Didn’t he know what effect he had on her heard? And stomach too for that matter because it was still going all topsy-turvy on her. ”Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out,” and with that she let herself fall into silence once more. She liked dancing with him. How come they hadn’t gone and done something like this sooner? It was much easier than standing around struggling to find the right words to say. It was less awkward. More rhythmic.

She was about to give him another response equivalent to that of a awkward, lustful little school girl, but before she could say anything further… She felt a light tap on her shoulder. It took her EVERYTHING to take her eyes off of Ezra as it had been a really long time to go without her eye candy, y’know? She was deprived, man. SO deprived. But of course… Someone had to meddle. Except, she did recognize this voice. Giving him an apologetic look, she let her hand fall from his grip. But only after he kissed it???? MERLIN SEND HELP PLEASE. THERE WAS NO HOPE LEFT FOR HER.

Ahem. Right. She wasn’t blushing. Nope. That was definitely just the tint of her blusher. Yup. That’s all.


Turning her head and FORCING a smile on her face, the brunette faced Jasmine and walked over with her. Did this woman happen to know what she was interrupting??? Well, if she didn’t know, it happened to be eye candy hour thank you very much. Sigh. Yet, Tiffany couldn’t be hostile towards Jasmine. She was the woman’s first friend at the ministry, after all. ”Mm… Details?” And then at the mention of the forehead she literally blushed into oblivion (which if you knew Tiffany, NEVER happened). Had EVERYONE seen that??? Merlin. When she was dancing with Ezra it felt as if they were the only two in the entire room but… Alas. Reality. It was a hard wakeup call.

”There’s nothing to tell, Jasmine.” It was a lie, yes. But now that she wasn’t near him, she could finally think straight and she couldn’t let that stupid mushy feeling stuff overcome her again. And the only way to convince herself of it was if she convinced others of it. So no. Tiffany Price had no feelings for him whatsoever. ”There really isn’t anything going on… He’s just a… A coworker.” A coworker with a very nice face. Nothing more. She was only now sure of it…. Wasn’t she?

Noticing Ezra nearing, Tiffany gave him a small apologetic smile. Every time. Merlin. ”See you, Ezra,” and with that she turned back to Jasmine, not even realizing that she had a stupid smile plastered onto her face.

… Whoops?

Jasmine eyed the guy (Ezra) and smiled apologetically, "It will be for a few minutes. I just need to talk to my friend over here." she led her way for a bit. She led Tiffany over to where they were out of earshot. When she asked for the details Jazz raised her eyebrows and put a hand on her hip. "Well from what I saw that guy was FULL ON flirting with you. He kissed you hand and made eye contact with you the whole night and even as we speak he is eyeing you. Girlll you are gonna have a boyfriend soon." she winked and nudged her playfully. "Plus he is good looking too.." she said eyeing him up and down in approval. Hold on Jazz this is Tiffany's guy. Get your head in the game. She saw her blushing and smirked even deeper when she said she had nothing to tell. "Now that is totally bloody merlin untrue. Your body actions say more.." she winked.


So he was just a co worker huh? She raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes and said, "Sssuuurreee he is JUST a co worker." She didn't believe it for a second. "Soon enough you guys will be kissing." she smiled coyly. Jazz saw Tiffany give Ezra an apologetic smile and she pushed her back to him. "Go get your man girrll...remember play it cool and be yourself." Not that she was already doing it but she didn't wanna ruin their time together.

Now she needed to find a guy soon. She was going to be on the single train for a while if she didn't step up her game.

She let her eyes drift over to her favorite pice of eyecan-- coworker. Her coworker. She let her eyes drift over to her COWORKER as he walked away from the pair. He had said his goodbye. It was too late. Ugh. Jasmine out of all the possible times you choose, why must it be NOW? She only snapped back to her conversation with the blonde when-- BOYFRIEND??? No. No, no, no. This wasn't a relationship. Tiffany Price didn't do long term commitment. Not anymore at least. Even the ministry was something of a temporary position. Merlin, she couldn't stay here forever. She'd get WRINKLES. EW. Ahem. But no. She wasn't going to... You know.... Boyfriend???? No. Although, Ezra Bellamy would make a-- NO. They were coworkers. Nothing more. Nothing less. Tiffany Price had no feelings. Feelings? What were those?

"Of course he was flirting with me," who wouldn't? Duh. But this was different. She actually LIKED this one-- Wait. Ugh. Merlin. "But like I said, Jasmine. Coworkers, that's all we are." Besides, he never really asked her to be anything more. If had wanted a relationship he would've said something. Right? "But he is very good looking, that I can't deny." She shot a look over in his direction, but he had already left. "But I can't go after him, it's like the very first rule." Tiffany Price did not chase. It's not how things worked.

Jasmine rolled her eyes and now it wasn't the time to get full of herself but I mean anyone with eyes could see they were both flirting. "Well I mean I give you props Tiffany keeping your cool because that guy was attractive." she winked. She raised her eyebrows and scoffed at the co workers comment. "Yeaahh sure it will turn into something more. Your new guy made sure of that the moment he stepped onto the dance floor." she pointed to where he was. Jasmine smiled deeply and was glad Ari was agreeing. "Nope I can't lie either but he is all yours. I hope to meet a guy like him someday.." she sighed. Anyways back on topic.

Jasmine stood there with an are you serious face. "YOU MOST CERTAINLY CAN GO AFTER HIM!" she hissed. "If you want something you better make it yours.." she said trying to push her and go to him. "You will regret it later if you don't do it now, trust me." Jasmine made some mistakes in her life and she wished she would have acted instead of being on the sidelines.

She kept quiet as she couldn't really protest to the fact that Ezra Bellamy was a looker. Ugh. It made her angry actually. If he wasn't so good looking, none of this would have been a problem. Or maybe it would've been less of a problem... Whatever. Still made her angry, okay? "He not my new guy, Jasmine." She was starting to get annoyed now. Hadn't she just said there was NOTHING going on between her and Ezra? Of course she was lying, but Jasmine wasn't supposed to know that.

She watched Jasmine carefully, of course Jasmine wanted to meet a guy like him someday. Who would-- Wait. This was it. This was the perfect opportunity to get Jasmine off her back. "If you like him, Jasmine. I could introduce you to him?" There. Did Jasmine believe her now? That Tiffany Price was not interested. Not interested at all. Maybe. "Anyways, he's gone now, but next time I'll let you two hit it off, so maybe you can take some of your own advice." There. She was a GENIUS. Now no one would ever suspect that anything was going on. See, she was brilliant.