Looking at Lexi, Ivan smiled, "Absolutely," because that meant more time with her and more time meant, he could persuade her to change her mind about their...situation.

Then she was dropping his hand and hugging a boy and his irritation level grew up a notch. Looking at the boy he held out his hand politely, "Nice to meet you." Yup he was her friend.... And he was just going to pretend he hadn't heard Jake even though they were right next to them. Yup.

His attention was caught by Lexi and he raised an eyebrow. Who was she talking about? He obviously had missed something. Oh well. Shoving his hands in his pockets he simply watched her.

Salander turned his head slightly on hearing Jake explain Lexi "Ahh...... so you used to go out? Cool....." he nodded simply, although noting the past tense of that statement. He wasnt gettin' all territorial over her was he?

Just as he was about to prod ever so slightly on the matter, he saw Marie speak to Jake and give some old dude a hug. And called him Dad. He would've thought it nice if only Jake also hadnt called the other guy Dad too. That got him to furrow his brows, shifting his eyes between Jake and Marie "Are you two related?" Wasnt Jake's last name Morgan or Upstead or something? And Marie's was Salazar-- he was pretty sure about that, she always came after him in the roll call. But there was something about Jake's look and tone that got him to say "Errr... catch you later Jake--Hey dude!..." he called out to the wiggling man by the corner as if he knew him.


Of course he could always do with a hug. Heck yeah he loved hugs! And then some....

He gave Lexi a bearhug squeeze then let her go as she introduced the other guy she was with "Pleased to meetcha Ivan" he said as he gave the other boy's hand a firm shake "Hey any friend of Jimmy's is a friend of mine."

He gave a warry look at the blonde committee forming down the way. Maybe he should've gotten Jake a ringside bell. It looked like they would need it from the looks of things "So a transferee?" he asked Ivan "Or a return student like Jake there?"

My brother is Turing 20 your welcome to come.Yes he knows about and you can bring your friends free buffet and drinks don't forget a get and He likes Anything he can work on cars with she said with a laugh.Yeah i mean tools.

Lexi giggled as Sal bearhugged her. Looking at him she beamed and giggled some more. Huggles were awesome, especially if Salander was giving them. WIN. She stepped away and let the boys introduce themselves and do all that manly type stuff and slid on over to Jakers.

When Jake replied she nodded her head. "Yes, she is a heiffer... but let's not let someone as ridiculously attention starved as she ruin your big day. Let it slide off of your back. For now at least," Lexi said as she quirked an eyebrow at him and gave an evil grin. There were simply too many adults around to go hexing eachother. Even if Jakers was of age... Lawson and Mr. Wiggles over there might not appreciate it too much. She slipped an arm around him and smiled brightly. "It's cool. Ignore the wretched girls and have fun. You deserve it."

Ivan watched as the boy gave his Lexi a bear hug with only a flash of annoyance in his eyes. Okay...so he couldn't stop the his Lexi part from taking hold was that really so wrong? Yes. Grrr.

Shaking the boy's hand he then shoved them back in his pockets and watched Lexi with a smirk on his face. Yup he knew she could handle herself and would be quite entertained to see if he was right. Hearing the boy's question he nodded, "Something like that. I was home schooled with the same tutor James used before coming here. Mum said I was annoying her so is now sending me to Hogwarts." Thanks mum, he thought with a smirk.

Having found a poster, well...like 15 of them, around Diagon Alley for a party and, not knowing why, she now found herself in a rather loud room holding a box full of very happy gingerbread cookies. Did she know anyone here? Looking around, she wasn't sure that she did. But! Then she saw her Slytherin Prince, Salander, and waved a little awkwardly in his general direction. There were a few others she had seen around Hogwarts before...but it didn't look like anyone from her normal group of friends was present. Oh well, time to stand in the corner and play with one's hair nervously...

Reese couldn't help but to flail her arms a little bit when Lexi came bolting towards her. The only person missing from this picture was Dylan. Siiiiigh, she hasn't seen or talked to him in what seemed like forever! She needed to write him a letter soon just to catch up on things... she might even plan a little get together for all three of them before the term started! "Lexxxxxxi!" She exclaimed. "I've missed you MORE. Gosh, girl! You're getting taller!" She returned the girl's hug. "You look great too, and I've been doing okay. I miss being at school with you lot, though. I miss it more than I can explain in words." Cue another sigh. "How have you been? How has Dylan been?"

And then there was...

"Vannie!" Oh, yes. Her brother's party was going to be awesome with all these people here. "And Gracie! Hey!"

"Ok, Marcus." SO WEIRD. Reese kept saying 'Marcus' over and over again in her head, hoping that it will stick in there and she won't end up calling him 'Professor Lawson'. Knowing this woman, she would end up calling him Professor again. That was okay, though. She knew he would forgive her because he was awesome like that.

She sighed when he patted her shoulder. "Actually, yes. I went into the music business after I graduated butttttt," oh what I story she had to tell but she was just going to keep it simple, "I got mad at the manager and started an argument, broke my wand, and left. Never went back after that." Her mind traveled back to the talk her and Lawson had a few years ago and then she said, "Didn't we talk about being a cursebreaker?" Ha, like she had gotten the grades for that.

She frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that," she replied. "I do hope things get better for you."


Reese loved buying presents for people just to see their reaction when they opened them! Thus, she was super excited for Jake to open his present. Her smile grew bigger, if that was even possible at the moment, when he finally saw what was inside the box.

"You like it?" It was obvious that he did. "I decided that since you onnly turn of-age once in your life and that I love you sooo much that you deserve a really good present. Just, whatever you do, don't tell Jack that the watch has diamonds and everything on it." That had expensive written all over it and she didn't want to have to sit through another lecture about how he wasn't the Minister and that they didn't have that kind of money yet.

When Jake mentioned that it had been a terrible year, she took another glance at Lawson and then looked back at Jake. "I'm sorry," she said once more. Leaving it at that, she changed the subject, "So Jake, since I got your attention right now. I wanted to ask you about the Christmas holidays. Do you think that you could spend a few days with Jack and I? I know I would love to have you and Jack, well, I'm sure he would love to see you." The Christmas Holidays were far from now but she wanted to make plans ahead of time.



Reese turned towards the guy that had just walked in. An older guy. Was he a friend of Jake? Or was he a party crasher? Either way, he was realllllly cute. No denying that. She gave him a little welcoming smile before looking at the boy that was with Lexi. "Hey," she greeted him. "I'm Reese. Reese Upstead." One of Lexi's BEST FRIENDS. She didn't say that out loud though because best friends could scare guys away... and she wasn't ready to scare him away just yet.

Oh, look. It was NANCY.

"Nancyyyy!" She called out. "Hey!"

She hasn't seen her Slytherin buddy in a long time!



That girl obviously didn't see this woman standing there.

One thing most everyone knew about Reese was that she DID NOT want people being mean to her brother. Oh no. That was just asking for her true Slytherin side to show. She sucked in a good amount of air and slowly breathed it out while she tapped her show against the ground. Who was this girl anyway? She looked familiar but she just couldn't put a name with the face.

"Excuse me," she spoke. "Hey, I'm Reese Upstead. Jake's sister. Um, yeah, it's nice to meet you." NOT. "First of all, you don't need to comment about how many friends Jake has. Just in case you cannot count, there's a least 10 people here... and the party hasn't even begun yet. Second of all..." She should REALLY shut her mouth right now but... "You just need to back off of him, okay? Because obviously, you aren't cool enough to be Jake's sister or Marcus's daughter."

Right, now all that made her hungry. Did this party have any chocolate frogs?

OOC: Don't mind Reese. She can be a little mean at times! Even if Reese doesn't, I still love Marie <3

Bench?

What in the name of Merlin is that supposed to mean?

"Er...that's cool." Axe said running his hand through his hair. He felt rather old all of a sudden.

Marcus burst out laughing at the look on Jake's face. He didn't even know what the presents were or where they were going but he still looked extremely excited.

"Of course I do." He raised his eyebrows at his son. "You thinking about going into the business?" He knew that the boy could sing. And sing really well. "We'll talk about it after the party."

Marcus decided to just ignore the whole business of what had happened. Today was not the day to talk about it.

"I guess you already know the answer to that question Vanessa." Marcus shrugged his shoulders. "But I'm getting there." Of course he had been mentally preparing himself for when Iliana showed up because of course she was going to be here and there was nothing he could do to avoid it.

Grinning at the young child, Marcus ruffled her hair again. "Nice to meet you Grace." His gaze shifted back to Vanessa and he nodded. "No probs. No doubt we'll see each other again before the party is over."

Yes this was going to be a Hogwarts reunion. Marcus smiled at Sarah. "It's nice to see you too Sarah." He was just about to direct her to where Jake was when she seemed to have found him on her own. And Merlin did that girl have a set of lungs on her.

Marcus gave Reese an amused look. "Managers tend to do that. If you are still interested in the music business then I can help you out if you want?" Since he was actually now back in it himself. He could get her what she needed but of course she would have to learn to control her temper.

"Yeah I hope things get better too." He said with a shrug."

He had just been thinking about heading over and grabbing himself a drink when he heard Marie's voice. Which was a shock in itself that she was actually here. But the words she spoke caused Marcus to groan. Loudly.

There would never, ever be a peaceful day when these two were in the same room. He didn't need to see the look on Jake's face or to hear the dangerous tone in his voice.

"I'm on it." He said grabbing Marie by the arm but then Reese decided to throw her two sickles worth in and he sighed deeply. "I said I've got it. There is no need to jump all over each other. This is supposed to be a happy day." He looked between Jake, Reese and Marie before dragging the blond across the room.

It was going to be a long day, wasn't it?

"Sure am," Jake grinned. Most definitely... after that teeny brush with fame that night he was definitely into it... at least for a little while. It was an awesome career... and not everyone had connections. So since Jake did he figured may as well give it a shot.

"Sure, I'll try and make it," Jake smiled. He knew he'd go and would definitely bring gifts. How could he not, after these?

It was a new new person. Yup... and she looked like she wasn't doing the whole party thannnng. Jake smiled over at her and waved 'er on in.

"I love it... it's fantastic," Jake grinned, realising just how much it must have cost, and Reese wasn't exactly like at the top of her career ladder. Shiiiiiiiiny watch...

... whatever that ladder might be.

"I won't say anything to him."

SO COOL!

When Reese mentioned Christmas, Jake looked over at his dad. He wanted to spend the majority of the time with him, buuuuut... "I can probably spare a few days at the beginning of the holidays, but I already made plans to go to my dad's for the holidays." He felt... a little bad. "But yeah... at the beginning it sounds good."

He needed the time with his dad at christmas, since school was starting now and before then... well...

Between Reese, Lexi and his dad, Jake figured he was pretty lucky. They all seemed to realise where his temper could lead and stepped up. The boy pulled Reese into a hug and lay his hand on Lexi's shoulder, both gestures of gratitude. When he pulled back he flashed an awkward smile to Lawson and breathed slightly.

"Thanks dad," he said sincerely, his voice with that tiny edge to it that made it clear that this was one of those times that Jake had told the man indicated he could make father of the year.

Even this year.

Time for happy happy. The girls could stay, and he would busy himself with happy party stuff.

"Let's have some fun, girls. Like Lexi said."

YUP.

Hmm yes.

"Don't get used to it." she muttered, crossing one leg over the other as she gave him a nice little glare. There. She was here. Her presence enough and her forced out happy greeting was enough of a birthday present he'll get from her.

Which was making her wonder...why was she still sitting here when she could be up and gone? Oh right, there was nothing to do today.



...

And here was another reason she was staying.

Just about to actually get up and go outside for a moment or so to see if there was anything else to do when one of her friends came in. Not just any friend though. Marie. Hehe, and she definitely came with a few things to say herself as well.

However, the Slytherin girl was not expecting everyone to blow up about it. Really. Everyone just needed to take a chill pill! And yes, she had heard a muggle say that on the telimition. So what...

Sighing, Evelyn stood up, fixing her shirt and once again, did not move any closer to her she-snake friend. Why? Because that one girl was practically biting her head off, that's why. And Evelyn didn't want hers bitten off either. On the other hand, the teen girl was soooooo thinking up ways of smashing some sort of food substance on the person's, and Lexi's, head right now without getting caught. Totally.

Oh wait. Lawsguini to the rescue!

He wouldn't mind if...she scooted herself on closer to them two right? On the other side of the room? Not that he had a choice. She was scooting her way around the crazy lady and towards them anyhow.

REALLY? That's Jakers now?

He HAS grown, literally and figuratively! Jake seemed like another person. Was being adopted by two awesome professors ignited or even triggered Jake's inner and innate awesomeness? Having a party this big, having SO many friends, and looking so gentlemanly... that was just GREAT. Ced was impressed.

Cedric paved his way to Jake and patted Jake's back upon reaching the birthday boy. "HEY! Don't you look so good? You're pretty popular too," Cedric grinned, his left hand holding a small, square-shaped parcel. He then handed it to Jake. "Happy Birthday, Jake!" He surely hoped Jake would enjoy reading the muggle book, 'The Blokes' Book of Bloody Terrifying Stuff'.

(He was bad at shopping stuffs... if it were to be given to others)

Aaaaand please Jake don't stutter! Ced would need a translator if so...

Cedric's gaze accidentally landed on... the Lexi girl? Again he noticed her giggling in his way. Ced just smiled at her, as what a gentleman would do, and turned back to Jake.

His gaze still wandering from the place's nook to nook, it inadvertently landed on a most familiar face he'd seen so far! PROF. LAWSON! And the guy was with Jake whom Ced was talking to!

"MARCUS!" Ced exclaimed, in tones of complete excitement and amazement.

...

Please former Hogwarts professors... show yourselves. *crosses fingers*

Kurumi pointed to herself in disbelief. Was this guy motioning for her to join him?! Kurumi hadn't talked to many of the older students outside of her prefects and Salander, so she found her cheeks flushing like two ripe strawberries as she made her way over towards him. "H-h-h-hello," she bowed reverting to her Japanese customs.

She looked around a moment at the other people. Wait...was that....o___O

Sylvie smiled as she set her eyes on the birthday boy and moved toward Jake and the group that he was surrounded by. Giving her head a small shake as she made her way over, the bells that were her earrings jingling lightly. She had promised bells and she wasn't going to let him down.

"Happy Birthday, Jake," she grinned as she reached her destination and set the package she had in her hands a top the nearest flat surface. "You are looking very handsome yourself, and thank you," she replied. Her nervousness over her appeal choice melting away with his words. Everyone did took rather causal and that did put her at ease at the moment.

Glancing around the room, she smiled softly. "You have some turnout here," she voiced as she looked back to him. "Quite the popular one," she added with a small wink. There really was a lot of people in attendance. She really hadn't seen so many students outside the castle in one place celebrating something of this magnitude.

Oooh. Jake was reaching out for Grace. That was good. If he held her for a while, she'd have spare arms to get his present out. That would work perfectly, and was why she let Jake take Gracie. "She wanted to dress up." She explained, as she reached into her handbag, pulling out a small box, and a card. She hadn't really known what to get him, apart from an owl, so she did hope he'd like it. "Happy Birthday Jakey..." They could swap presents and children once he was done holding Gracie. haha

"Jakeeey." Gracie giggled, as she was passed from her Mommy to Jakey. Hehe. She was reeeallly tall now. Even taller than Mommy. "I be tall." She beamed, wrapping her arms around Jakey's neck. Yup. She didnt want to go back to mommy and be tiny now.

Oooh. It was Reese! Vanessa smiled. She hadn't seen Reese in ages, which was a shame because she really missed all of her old friends from Hogwarts. She'd have to make sure they she invited them all to her wedding so that they could have reunion. hah. "Hey Reese!" She hugged her old friend. "I haven't seen you in so long."

Yeah. She already knew the answer. She also knew that Iliana would be coming soon, which she was quite happy about....Iliana was her best friend, but then she did hope that Marcus would be okay. "I'm glad." Because she kind of had to be didn't she? She was a nice woman...kind of.

"We will." Because well she wasn't going to leave the party without saying bye to him. "See you later." She smiled at him, before going to find Jakeey.

Why was he here? He didn't like Jake. He didn't like parties. He wanted to be back at school. He wasn't even sure he was allowed out. He had studying to do. He had a performance in a week. Stupid Lexi owlling him. He just stood in the doorway. Someone had to recognise him. She'd better.

Lexi flailed a bit in unison with Reese and errupted into fits of giggles as she squuuuuueezed Reese a little. Releasing her from her clutches she looked at her buddeh and beamed. "It's the heels... probably not grown much, really. And there is NO WAY you have missed me more! Last term was so DULL without you around, Reese," Lex pouted playfully.

She watched with a satisfied smirk as Reese introduced herself to Ivan. Good times! Hopefully everyone would like him and make him feel welcome. Oh SNAP.

Reese snappage on the Slythiefreak = epic. Covering a giggle with a little cough Lexi turned her back a little so she could smile triumphantly as Reese got jazzy with Marie. Good times!


Lexi laid her hand over Jake's and smiled over at him. Reese and Lexi... and Lawson to the rescue. She would kick anyone that tried to ruin Jake's birthday. ANYONE!

O
M
G

...

The other Denver walked in just then. The less cool Denver, of course. Hehe. Bouncing again Lexi called out to him, "DYL! Get your bum over here!" Reese could ask him how he was doing all by herself.

Mhmmm, a compliment about his looks?

Jake could deal with that, of course.

"Thanks man," he smiled, taking the present. "Quite a good turnout, yeah."

With that, he ripped the paper off the present. "Sweet! I love books." And this one looked interesting. "Thanks for that, Ced. Come enjoy the party."

"Hey," Jake smiled warmly to the nervous kid, not really picking up on the actual nervousness. He waved to the crowds. "Come on in and enjoy yourself. You want some ice cream?"

They had... errr... loads.

And Jake would stick with the girl until she was comfortable with everyone or found someone she knew.

"Thank you," Jake smiled at Sylvie, glancing down at the package she put down but not focusing on it. He was thanking her for basically everything she'd said. "I didn't expect a huge turnout," he added, glancing around.

He really REALLY hadn't expected it... so hadn't prepared much for it... but he was doing well, no?

"I'm really glad you could come," he added. So... how many adults was that? And past and present professors, and of course Mr. Wiggles over there.

"I can see that," Jake chuckled and looked at the costume again. "Nahhh, she's always a little fairy."

Smiling at Vannie, Jake was about to take the present and card but it seemed Gracie would rather use him as a human climbing frame. "Super tall," he grinned at her and looked over at Vannie, on the verge of absolute laughter. Grace cracked him up.

Oh, wow. That was a face Jake didn't expect to see here... after their last encounter.

Their last PAINFUL encounter... like a year ago.

Well, 364 days.

Still, the corners of Jake's mouth twitched into a smile and he waved Dylan on in.

Oooookay, Lexi had dealt with that... louder than Jake had.

Dylan ran a hand through his hair as he leaned on the doorpost. He recognised a few faces, but the majority were not apparent to him. He saw Lawson! THE LAWSON! His face fell. OMG he loved that man. He wanted to bound over straight away, but he could not. Because that was inappropriate. He was nearly 19, you could not bound. He heard a familiar voice through his incoherent flibbling in his head. Lexi. She was here. His eyes unglazed, and he stopped staring at Marcus.

Sigh. He strode over to Lexi. "Lexi. How may I help you?"

Lexi quirked an eyebrow at her brother and then furrowed her brow. "Really? Is that how you address your SISTER? That you haven't seen in a while. 'How may I help you?' That is just plain rude and wrong!" she said actually a little hurt by his behavior.

Crossing her arms across her chest she looked back over her shoulder to Ivan and then pointedly looked at the clock. Looked like they would be leaving early. Like VERY soon.

Dylan smiled at his sister. "You were the one that summoned me to this party." He smirked, "Would you rather I greeted you with a giant bear hug? And crumple my robes? Not likely. How does a normal hug sound?" He was not crumpling his new school robes. Not likely. He was out with them on display."[/b]

He saw Jake out the corner of his eye. Would it be best to offer the boy a happy birthday? Nah he had lots of people around him to do that.

It wouldn't have been the first bear hug she had gotten in one day. He could have shown some enthusiasm at least. GAH! She needed ATTENTION. Stupid brother. "Any greeting would have been better than that," she said grumpily. Her bottom lip poked out just a bit as she went into full on pout mode. MEAN BROTHER. She did look at him and say, "You should apologize to Jake for the way you behaved last time you saw him." GO NOW.

Dylan chuckled, "Stop pouting you drama queen." He picked her up and squeezed her tightly. "I was only querying why you wanted me at this party. And no I am not apologising to him. If he wanted an apology he would've invited me himself. Instead you had to. Therefore no apology." And no present either. Ha ha take that Jacob Lawson/Upstead whatever your name is.

Ivan smiled and gave Lexi's friend a nod, "Nice to meet you Reese." Hmmm it seemed she and Lexi were close, best to stay on her good side or so. And then there were a ton of things going on and people talking and his eyes sought out Lexi again. Then she too started yelling at the poor girl and he raised an eyebrow. Really? Why all the yelling? From what he heard she didn't deserve it...oh well.

Finding Lexi talking to some guy he walked over to her stopping as she turned to look at him and then look at something else. He looked over his own shoulder and saw the clock making him laugh. Looked like someone wanted to leave. Continuing his walk over to her he looked at the guy she was talking to as he slid one arm around her back. "Hi there I'm Ivan," yup he could introduce himself when he wanted to.

Okay, so, Kaika wasn't precisely sure why was Treyen tagging along (she didn't know he got an invite to this) but since he'll go his own way, then no problem. And he'll literally go his own way, because she was going to Wimbourne after this, and he had to go back to Appleby, thank Merlin.

The young woman had noticed, though, that he'd written his name on the present, which was something she wasn't particularly amused about, but magic does wonderful things, doesn't it? It was instantly erased.

Honestly, Kaika just didn't believe him anymore! This was all Cricket's fault.

He, Treyen Lockhart, was also invited, to every party on the planet (by the way) because he'd made such a promise to a certain person called Aaron, right? Mmmm, that wasn't the REAL reason. Free ice cream? And a chance to see the long lost Jake Lawson or whatever his name was now? Yeah, that was THE reason.

Silly name changes. He'll be Treyen Lockhart forever. There was NO way he'll be trading a 'Lockhart' for anything in the world. Seriously.

And there he was! Easy to spot after she'd seen him in Diagon Alley not too long ago! Awww, she couldn't believe Jake was already 17! She still pictured him as a sweet 11 year old. A very sweet one.

Her sweet little Huffie boy. Star Seeker. Pink!haired boy. It all seemed like a million years ago.

"Jake!" she exclaimed, though not the high pitched sound that once made an appearance at the Leaky Cauldron. "Happy Birthday!" she said, as she hugged the young man. Whoa, 17, that's...something, you know?

Wait. What?! This wasn't the little boy he once knew. Fletcheeeeer! Come to the rescue!

"Jake?" yeah, Treyen blinked, once, twice, thrice. Where did the cry-baby go to? "Yeah, that, happy birthday" he nodded, with a smile, that's as best as Jake was going to get, no hug, just a smile from his side.

He was no Sir Fletcher, you know.

And Treyen could've been more enthusiastic about this, coming of age was simply brilliant.

"This...is a little present from me," she said, as she motioned towards the little box in her hand, it could fit on a pocket, really.

"From us, actually," Treyen hurried to say, smirking away.

"No, from me." And the look towards Treyen was one that shut him up.

He wasn't getting near her present to Jake. He'll have to figure out a much intricate way to do so. "Do I leave it somewhere...or can you take it now?" it was best if he took it, really, in case Treyen actually managed to put his name in there as well.

Fine. No present. "Yeah, I didn't get one," nor he mentioned when he'll be getting Treyen's present either. "But I do hope you have a brilliant birthday with the ones that love you." And that lot seemed to include his sister, apparently.

But..."Vannie!" and she wasn't holding anyone or anything, except for the box, that meant...hugs, yes.

And then she eyed the girl Jake was holding. Yes, it wasn't until now she noticed the little girl. "Wait...is this? Is she? Yours?" she asked, eying the girl once more. She was just adorable whoever she belonged to. And looked like a pixie. The dress, of course, she looked like a pixie thanks to dress.

His eyes wandered off for a moment after his sister's attention was sidetracked by a young little girl on Jake's arms.

And he was soooo going to take this moment to write his name on that present when...sigh...he forgot to bring something to write with! Yeah, never mind, Jake won't get the present from him. No big deal, right?

Hold on a minute. His head was tilted to one side as this girl seemed rather familiar to him. "You go to Hogwarts, right?" of course she had to, because she was also between all those students when Lafay decided to test the regrowing bones potion on them. Yikes. He remembered himself with no jaw and shuddered.

"You bake cookies," he nodded, most certain of this. "I'm Treyen, Treyen Lockhart," the one boy who brought absolutely nothing to Jake. Ha.

"S-Sure," she smiled nodding her head. Wait a second...why did his face look so familiar? It wasn't that she had seen him at Hogwarts...no...she had seen him much more recently. Then it hit her like a bolt of lightening. "Oh! You were on the posters!" she chirped bowing out of instinct. If he was Jake...then this was his party. Hardly stopping to catch her breath,she flung the lid off the box of cookies. "Um...I made some cookies," she said shyly hoping he would take one. It was rude, after all to come to such occasion without a gift.


Kurumi's attention shifted at the appearance of another boy, older than her naturally. She nodded at his first question, a very first year thing for her to do despite being a second year. Hadn't she gotten better at this meeting of people? Maybe that little burst of Gryffindor courage only took effect when she was within Hogwarts. Some Gryffindor she was.

But then...the ice breaker! He had mentioned cookies and the clouds parted. "I do," she smiled opened the box and offering him his choice of happy gingerbread faces. "I'm Kurumi, Kurumi Hollingberry," she said bowing her head slightly. "Y-Y-You look different with your jaw bone..." Her free hand immediately flew to her mouth. First, she didn't want to be reminded of Dragon Lady's classes and second, that had been a traumatizing experience for everyone. Kurumi remembered crying...in front of Dragon Lady...not her finest hour.