Lexi clapped along with Salander and then allowed him to drag her up to the table to retrieve their awards. Hehe. How awesome. She took the roll of parchment and was looking at it when Sal said the G word.

Nearly dropping her award she looked up at him and smiled wider still. AWWWWW! Forget the hand squeeze! Lexi launched herself at her BOYFRIEND and pulled him into a BIG hug as she giggled loudly. "You just told the whole school that we are a couple... Oh Salander..." she said in a small voice. She couldn't have been happier!!

Braeden had sort of lost himself in the crowd gathering around the awards table after losing sight of Deus and Charlie after they'd left the upper tables. At first the poor boy was completely lost and confused about what was going on and what all the excitement was about, until the Head Girl stood and everyone went quiet.

Ooooohhh. It was time to announce the winners for the different costume categories! The Gryffindor boy, tall and lanky as he was, had no trouble watching as the Head Girl spoke above the heads of most of his classmates. He had that usual goofy sort of lopsided grin on his face as he listened to the girl's speech before she went on to announce the winners. He clapped along with the crowd as the first two winners were announced, glancing over in the direction of those mentioned before turning back to the prefects.

And then the Head Girl was announcing the third winner - most unique costume.
And then she said his name.
....................
....... Braeden? Stonem? Braeden Stonem?! As in - him?! The dorky Gryffindor with a lion's mane for hair and the messy Hansel-like costume that fit him so awkwardly?! WHAT?! But-- Braeden had never won anything before! Brown eyes wide, the boy looked around just to make sure Hogwarts didn't happen to have another Braeden Stonem, and as he confirmed he was the only one carrying the name, he couldn't wipe the lopsided, goofy grin off his face or the childlike sparkle in his brown eyes.

The boy's goofy grin only grew as he got to hold his certificate (which I have no idea how he got his hands on, but whatevs) and he admired it for a moment before looking around - his first ever moment of glory, the first time he ever won something, and none of his friends were around to witness it?! ...Why? Whyyyyyyyy?! Now no one was going to believe him... well, he had the certificate to prove it.

Oh well!
This was exciting! How should he celebrate? An Irish jig or a German dance? Excited as the boy was, he'd do both.
His first win... his first accomplishment ever! Life was good.

Amadeus had been standing amongst the peasants students, gazing towards the awards table as he leaned on his cane like the dapper gentleman that he was/was portraying to be for the evening. As the prefects mounted the podium, his eyes had narrowed as he looked on. His feelings at this particular moment about the situation were rather droll: it was yet another popularity contest, like all schools had, and yet another reason for people to viciously compete against one another. He was surprised that some girls had not already sabotaged one another, or at least clawed someone to death, in the race to win. As the winners were read off one by one, the Ravenclaw couldn't help but roll his eyes. Same old, same old, nothing new. Really, when would people learn to appreciate the civilized, chic couture that Don Deus had, well, donned for the occasion?

As the names were read and the list was done, a few cheers erupting here and there, Amadeus stood from leaning on his cane and for a split second, prepared to make a solo, moonlit walk back to the castle to ready himself for bed. It was then that it clicked, the name reverbating throughout the room and throughout his head, it seemed: Braeden Stonem. His blue-eyed gaze, now sharp rather than cloudy and unconcered, shot to the awards table, where he saw his Gryffindor mate clamber up in shock. Amadeus smirked, his mustache bristling as he made his way through the crowd, some of which was already beginning to disperse.

As he approached the table, the prefects having stood down and the music starting up once more, Amadeus grinned proudly, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "Well done, eh?" He laughed heartily, beginning to wonder if it indeed was a popularity contest after all, if Stonem had been able to snag a certificate. Maybe his new girl had put in a good word for him. "Allow me, will you?" Peeking over Brae's shoulder, he spotted the fancy script on the parchment that proclaimed Stonem to be the winner of the award. It was unbelievably true. Although he would have hated to admit it to anyone, a small, proud twinkle appeared in his eyes for Braeden, a twinkle that only shone brighter as it registered in his mind that their song was being played by the musicians.

Ellie stared at her cuticles while the names of the winners were being read off. Best female.... Best male.... Most creative..... Braeden Stonem...


O__O

Braeden Stonem?!

Ellie's eyes immediately lifted and found Braeden's sparkling face amongst the crowd, goofy grin and all. She suddenly stood up and cheered, even though most people were just... clapping. Ellie felt the need to celebrate more extravagantly. "Yeah, go Braeden!!" She exclaimed with a whistle and loud clapping.

That Griffindork was adorable.

Braeden jumped nearly a foot into the air as he felt a large, heavy hand clap him on the shoulder. At first he could only assume what made most sense to a silly mind like Braeden's: someone was out to get him for… well, just because. Paranoid much? Yeah, that was Braeden. But, as he turned his head and caught sight of his best mate's cool blue eyes, the Gryffindor boy's face lit up and his grin widened - Deus! He wasn't completely alone in his one moment of glory after all; his best mate, the person he most wanted to impress and the only classmate he looked up to was here to witness and celebrate this moment with him!

The Gryffindork could've just burst into tears of joy right then and there.

"Pretty… unexpected, eh?" commented the boy with a sheepish chuckle. He still couldn't believe he'd won something. Wow. Braeden Stonem had won something. How often did that happen? Yeah, never.

It was then that the boy heard an unusually loud cheer (at least compared to everyone else's more monotone clapping) from somewhere in the crowd, his name being called out as a pretty brunette girl stood and cheered loudly for him, whistling and clapping in a way that got the goofy boy's grin to widen and his cheeks to turn just the slightest shade of pink. D'awwwwwwwwwwww. He felt so… special. Sniffle.

"Hey, El!" Smiling brightly, the boy waved his free arm up in the air in greeting to the girl he felt he hadn't seen in… well, years. What had become of her? They had some serious catching up to do.

Either way, there was no wiping that lopsided grin off his face now. He was like a nine-year-old on Christmas morning.

Caroline was really paying much attention to the winners of the contest. She was to buzy nomming on a brownie, a very yummy brownie to top it off. That she really could care less about the costume contest. That is until she heard who the winner of the most creative Braeden Stonem. She looked up from her brownie, Braeden won. She scanned the area for him as she clipped loudly. She watch as he got his certificate. She seen him was walking back away from the award table, as he walked back near her table she yelled it him. "Hey, Braeden" she smiled and waved at him "Congrats, on winning the contest."

Kurumi hadn’t heard any of the awards after her due to her having a small celebration with Walnut and going up to receive her award. However, when she returned to where she had stood, she heard words that pierced her little heart. Salander had called Lexi his girlfriend.

Suddenly, it all seemed to fit into place. Lexi hadn’t been trying to suck Salander’s soul out in the kitchen, they had been kissing! And she had attacked them with cookie dough and birds. Kurumi’s cheeks burned red and her vision began to blur. Walnut, who was on the ground at the moment, pawed at her dress as he noticed her sudden change in mood.

Using the award to slightly cover her face, Kurumi ran out of the party and back towards the castle, but not before giving a sad look at the two.

Why was she so affected by this? Not knowing what to do with the sudden wave of emotions, Kurumi left as silent tears began to stream down her face.

Selina was clapping for everyone whose awards were handed out. Of course the ball of school spirit, Kurumi, had won an award. Based on the sheer volume of her dress alone she should have won.

Then as she was about to go and congratulate the Head Girl Selina saw Kurumi run away in tears. She looked to where the misty eyes of Kurumi were fixed before she fled. It was Salander... oh no. Was he dating that girl? And Kurumi now was upset.

Selina, or little Miss Wonderland as she was that day, ran after her friend up to the castle. "Kurumi, wait!"

"Ah. Well I wouldn't want to be a terrible boyfriend nor would I want to be on the scale of 'not-quite-terrible'." Grinning, he gave her a small wink. "You are definitely not winning."

As if to prove his point, Ivory was suddenly beside them, congratulating Arya. Taking a step back to give the two of them some room, Sabel folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against one of the tables. "See? She agrees." Anyone that didn't would have to be mad.

Cedric clapped in utter satisfaction as the awards had been announced. All the winners were quite deserving... now, didn't the Prefects did a good job on judging? Cedric walked up to the Headboy and girl, and the others as soon as the possessor of the last award certificate had been declared. "Great job Trixie, Kellen." Cedric said, his beaming face directed toward the two. "And Iris. And everyone!" Yeah. This event had been a huge success. The guests looked really pleased, and so were the Prefects, of course.

"I don't think you could ever be considered terrible or even come close." She shook her head with a grin. Of course she wasn't winning, she would probably never win this disagreement no matter how many times they came across it.

Before she had time to respond, her bestie had run over and given her a greeted her with a hug. Giggling, she returned it as best she could before the girl pulled back, keeping up the swing of their hands as she glanced back over at Sabel. "She doesn't count." Arya poked her tongue at him.

The best friends never did count, though it was becoming even more obvious that she wasn't gonna win this disagreement. Not that she would stop trying. Turning back to Ivory, she let her grin grow wider. "Thanks! YOU look beautiful too." Shame they hadn't run into each other at the party.

Cedric looked around the marquee, but couldn't see much. Yes, all the people where just gathered toward the awards table, probably to congratulate the winners and take an awed sweeping look to all of them. His muddy brown eyes seemingly wandered on its own accord, landing on a familiar face at once. Best dressed female, eh?

"Congrats Arya!" Cedric beamed at his housemate as he walked up to her. "You totally deserve the award, though the award would suit Ivory as well, had the prefects only been allowed to participate for this awards thingy... but yes, that would be conspiracy and stuff." Cedric let out a chuckle at that and realized Arya wasn't only with Ivory but with a boy as well, to whom he gave a small smile and a nod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

"Ah. Well I wouldn't want to be a terrible boyfriend nor would I want to be on the scale of 'not-quite-terrible'." Grinning, he gave her a small wink. "You are definitely not winning."

As if to prove his point, Ivory was suddenly beside them, congratulating Arya. Taking a step back to give the two of them some room, Sabel folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against one of the tables. "See? She agrees." Anyone that didn't would have to be mad.

Grinning at Sabel, she gave the guy a one armed hug as well. "Agree whole heartedly." Winking she gave them both a once over. "If there'd been one for cutest couple, believe me you guys would've won."

Quote:

Originally Posted by grangerfan8

SPOILER!!: Pretty People

"I don't think you could ever be considered terrible or even come close." She shook her head with a grin. Of course she wasn't winning, she would probably never win this disagreement no matter how many times they came across it.

Before she had time to respond, her bestie had run over and given her a greeted her with a hug. Giggling, she returned it as best she could before the girl pulled back, keeping up the swing of their hands as she glanced back over at Sabel. "She doesn't count." Arya poked her tongue at him.

The best friends never did count, though it was becoming even more obvious that she wasn't gonna win this disagreement. Not that she would stop trying. Turning back to Ivory, she let her grin grow wider. "Thanks! YOU look beautiful too." Shame they hadn't run into each other at the party.

"I do too count."

Picking up a hand in mock scout's honor, she recited the next words as if they were some sort of oath. "I do so solemnly swear that my decision was not biased by friendship in anyway.You just looked that good."
How her best friend didn't believe she deserved the award, she'd never know. If Arya had seen what they'd seen, she would've voted for herself too. Not only was she dressed to the "T" but she'd been friendly and cordial and enthusiastic and had most importantly shown spirit all around.

Ears tinging just a tad of pink at the praise, her grin quirked up in a small smile as she gave her best friend a curtsy. Her...beautiful. Aw shucks. "Thank you."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wenzlebug

Cedric looked around the marquee, but couldn't see much. Yes, all the people where just gathered toward the awards table, probably to congratulate the winners and take an awed sweeping look to all of them. His muddy brown eyes seemingly wandered on its own accord, landing on a familiar face at once. Best dressed female, eh?

"Congrats Arya!" Cedric beamed at his housemate as he walked up to her. "You totally deserve the award, though the award would suit Ivory as well, had the prefects only been allowed to participate for this awards thingy... but yes, that would be conspiracy and stuff." Cedric let out a chuckle at that and realized Arya wasn't only with Ivory but with a boy as well, to whom he gave a small smile and a nod.

And then a fellow prefect was joining them. Turning to the older boy, she gave him a lopsided grin of gratitude at his words. "Look who's talking. If prefects were allowed, you totally would've been voted for as well." Catching her own words, her grin widened. "Obviously not the female award though."

"Well I'm relieved to hear that." Not ever being considered terrible was a good thing. Definitely a step up from his first few years at Hogwarts. Grinning, he returned the hug Ivory offered him, about to comment on how long it had been since he had properly seen the fourth year. That was of course until she seemed to decide there wasn't enough blushing going around. Drawing up a finger, he waggled it at the Ravenclaw, unable to keep the amused grin that came along with the blush off his expression. "Now see that...that there is terrible." Not that being a cute couple was terrible, just the whole embarrassment scheme.

And then they were tossing compliments left, right and center. This time, lifting both hands he pointed at each of them. "I'm just going to agree with both of you. Except you Arya." Playful finger waggle. "Best friends count the most."

And then more smiles and laughter was added with the addition of another student. Returning the Prefect's nod, his own grin mirroring amusement to Ivory's words to the boy.

Lexi had just turned to BEAM at the people in the room when she caught sight of Kurumi... poo. The poor little girl was running out crying? Well... there was nothing that Lexi could do about it now. She and Sal were a couple and Kurumi was just going to have to learn to deal.

I mean... Lexi had a few unrequited crushes in her time at Hogwarts... Kurumi would recover, surely. Still. Sadface like whoa.

It seemed that blushing was required at these events as she couldn't seem to keep a light blush from her face. "I agree," her eyes flicked briefly to Sabel. The last thing she needed was another award that would have her even more flustered.

"You don't count." She paused to give Sabel a playful look as well. "Neither of you do because your both completely bias." Tugging on one of her curls, she let her grin grow a bit wider. "Though obviously I wasn't when giving my complements." It had taken her a few years, but she'd come realized that her friends were far from unattractive.

Her attention was diverted from her two friends when another one walked over and congratulated her. Grinning, and blushing, she nodded her head. "I agree. Ivy totally should have won the award." She would have believed that more. "Thanks, Cedric."

"I think were gonna have to agree to disagree." Obviously, she and Sabel were never gonna agree on this. She waggled her fingers at the Huffie Prefect and her boyfriend. "I think the both of you look good tonight."

Jake... kind of played along with the clapping. He felt like a prized idiot when he did it, but hey... it really was best to play along with Neptune sometimes.

"Yeah, guys. Cheers. Awesome party. You guys are pretty cool," he smiled as he spoke with a slightly raised voice directed at the prefects and stuff.

Then he stopped clapping.

Idiot-be-gone.

It was getting... busier here. And Neptune was the social one of the pair, so he let her take the social lead... it worked that way.

Marie sat there with Matty ready to listen to them announce the winners of the costume judging. She had no clue where Jimmy had gone... probably off talking to his friends or flirting with some random girl. Eh, whatever. She had technically come to the party with Matty so she may as well end her night with him. At least he paid attention to her.

When they announced the first winner she about jumped out of her seat. "Matty, you won!" She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.

Oh, ruffle thingy in the face. Time to let go now.

"Aren't you glad I dared you to come now?" She teased. Oh she was totally gonna take credit for getting him to the party. She just couldn't take credit for his costume. Heck she couldn't even take credit for her own. Oh well, at least she got him there. Now he had something good to tell his uncle.

Barrely hearing him whisper he thanks she laughed. "Well don't sound so excited here." Had the boy never won anything before?

"I am glad."
*Matthias hugged her back then pulled away hoping her boyfriend hadn't seen. It wouldn't look good on the costume if he got a black eye, or blood on the ruffle thing. He laughed a little and shrugged.*
"I've never really won anything so how should I act?"

Removing his hand from Braeden's shoulder, gripping the polished mahogany wood of his cane in the other, he nodded in response and let his friend bask in the limelight. A few friends of the fifth year's congratulated Braeden and Amadeus stepped back momentarily, smiling politely and nodding at those he didn't know or had never seen throughout his time at Hogwarts. Then, acting like a publicist for a celebrity, Amadeus stepped up from behind Braeden like a large, burly security guard. "Want to get away, mate, and celebrate in style?" He asked rather shiftily, already forming a plan in his mind to party over his friend's first real achievement, ever. He stroked his mustache forbodingly a few times, giving the evil eye to shy, younger students that passed by the award-winner and his handler.

He laughed as he caught Lexi's tackle-hug "Well yeah... I guess I did." he murmured near her ear chuckling softly, then glanced at the Professors, Prefects, and other students, and grinned a little sheepishly. He was proud to call Lexi his girlfriend and just wanted to share that feeling of elation with all of them.

Of course he wasnt quite expecting reactions of the less enthusiastic kind.

His eye caught the upset Kurumi as he saw the young Gryffindor brunette hastily leave the marquee. He frowned wondering what brought it about. It was only then that he realized that his denseness got the better of him again, as it had never occurred to him that little Gryff would consider him to be more than a big brother.

Suddenly he started to get that sinking feeling, if Kurumi was upset, how many more of his friends felt that same way?

He sighed deeply but quietly. He will have to deal with each of them. Soon. But not tonight. Right now was their moment with Lexi and with others looks to have been as fortunate as he.

He hooked Lexi's arm into his own as he clapped for the Groundskeeper, with his poufy POUFY sleeves, then for Jake and Neptune-- King and Queen of the Tea Party. He nodded his head at the Hufflepuff and had that lopsided grin. Very not bad Jakey boy. Maybe he's fixed whatever was wrong with Neptune's Runes desk?

Lexi sighed as well as she watched Kurumi's retreating figure. Poo. Why was it she was always making someone mad... or upset without MEANING TO. It was much more satisfying if she did it on purpose.

Well... at least no one that she knew hated Salander. No worries there. Well, Alice was worried that if they ever ended things that she would have to choose between them, but she would never do that. Not to mention, she was really digging Salander. Heheh.

Shaking her head slightly to take herself from that place in her head she smiled and turned to face her BOYFRIEND and said, "Hey... we got our award... you wanna get out of here?" She crinkled up her nose a little and nodded toward the castle. She had just got the boy... she wanted some time with him. Without an audience that surely held some haters of some sort.

"Maybe I should dare you more often to do things. It looks like things turn out pretty good for you on a dare." It was true. He wouldn't be getting this award if she hadn't dared him to come to the party. Then again she wound't be her to witness it either if he hadn't dared her back.

She didn't miss him quickly pulling away from the hug either. Pfft, not like they were doing anything wrong here. She was just congratulating a friend. "Just act like yourself." She said winking at him. After all, that's what won him the award... right. Well that and his aunt's taste in costumes.

"A dare dose drag me out of my shell a bit..."
*Matty laughed a bit and shrugged. The award should really go to his aunt and Marie. It was true that with out them he wouldn't be anywhere near this party. Looking at his award paper he held it up and winked at Marie.*
"Best dressed blokw is your friend. How do you feel about that?"

“Oh I have no problem daring you to do things. Trust me, the next time you’re trying to get out of doing something you know I‘ll be right there with a dare.” Maybe eventually he would realize how much better it is to get out and about instead of staying in the room of requirement all the time.

She looked at his award and smiled. “I feel honored to be your friend. We should do something to celebrate. You name it, we can go do it. That is if you’re up for hanging out with me some more.” She looked around and still didn’t see Jimmy anywhere so she was pretty sure he wouldn’t even miss her if she left with Matty.