Anya was a great explorer. In fact, if she had lived in the days when the world was still a mystery, she was pretty sure she'd have discovered America. But she didn't. No. She lived in time when everything had already been discovered.

Except this lovely room. And Anya knew just what to do with it. She sent out some invitations and swept some of the dust off the rug. Now it was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

For what you might ask?

Why, a lovely game of duck, duck, goose, of course.

After cleaning up the room slightly, she leaned against the door frame and waited for people to arrive.

"Babeh liiion! " Ariana called as she skipped down the hall, surely Anya could hear her right? He had gotten a little invitation just a few minutes prior and wasted no time hurring up to the sixth floor to look for said room that her baby lion had found. "baybeh liooooon" she sang said with a little melody to it. "who else should be coming? " she wanted to know. Priorities you know.

Duck, Duck, Goose, huh?

Ella hadn't played that since she was a little kid. She also liked the idea of a random room discovered by one Anya Phillips. Proud spy was proud of her friend's Heh, friend. She liked that. spy skills.

After doing some exploring of her own, the badger arrived at said room and peeked her head inside, green eyes filled with curiosity. "I didn't know this was here."

Oh and HI and stuff. She hoped she wasn't intruding.

Penelope had gotten the invitation and decided to accept since it sounded like fun. She couldn't remember ever playing duck, duck, goose before honestly, but she DID know how to play. So here she was. And Anya, Ariana, and Ella were already there. Cool. Good group already.

"Hey guys," the Gryffindor greeted them with a smile as she entered.

Anya grinned at the gathered group. Snakey. Elle Belle. Penne.

Anya shrugged at Ariana's question. She honestly wasn't sure who was coming. She didn't really care. The more the merrier, right?

Anya smiled at Ella's statement. "Me either. I like taking inventory at the start of the year. Sometimes things change." That was just how Hogwarts worked. Things were never the same twice.

"Hey Penne." she greeted the younger lion with a smile. This was nice. When was the last time they'd all gotten together.

... oh... ... nevermind. ... she remembered. ... here's to hoping this went a lot better than that night a few summers ago.

She poked her head out the door. "Should we wait?"

It was much too annoying that she'd taken forever to get round to this, what with her own problems and things. But fresh from the break, Elodie was ready to get this show on the road and bring Choo's mood back up from the grave. With a Stanley.

What a good friend she was, HUH?

Her original plans would have led them outside and things, but nope. Not in this cold. The castle was cold enough as it is. She'd done a little cleaning of the office when she'd got there (an hour before the agreed time, of course) and set up. A blanket on the floor for them to sit on. A nicely lit room. Because NICE was NICE. And a picnic basket. Full of sandwiches and all the necessary picnic basket foods. Including fudge. Because Charlie was a fan.

There were a few sandwiches missing, because Elodie had gotten a little hungry whilst setting up, but that was okay. She had made them. AND left an 'IOU' message too.

She was just going to watch. And make sure Stanley poured Charlie her drinks and was a gentleman. And stuck by the rules she was going to give him when he got here.

Who was going to get here and receive their blindfold FIRST!?

In all of the television programmes she'd watched, and all of the stories her sister had told her, never had Charlie imagined wanting to go back to school. But the fact that the holidays were over and that she had classes and homework to distract her was surprisingly therapeutic. That, and the fact that she was away from his father and his sucky romance and their stupid talk of marriage.

On receipt of Elodies' message, she'd actually debated whether or not to stay curled up in bed with her book and tell her friend she was sick. She felt it, so it wouldn't have been a TOTAL lie. Except Charlie couldn't do that, so she dressed quickly (albeit nicely, of course) and made her way to the sixth floor.

At least she didn't have to walk too far, right?

Should she knock on the door. Charlie didn't really know, but she rapped her knuckles against it once before pushing it open. "Hey, Els," she smiled, praying that the tiredness didn't show on her face. ""How're you?"

Stan slowly made his way to the sixth floor, a frown on his face. He had loads of homework to finish and kind of debated showing up. BUT, if he didn't, Elodie would probably hex his face off. She was annoying that way. Meh. This had better be something important. Really important.

He knocked on the door before carefully pushing it open. "Elodie.. I.." He stopped talking when he saw Charlie, the corners of his lips lifting up in a small smile. "Hey." Stan winked at her before he turned towards Elodie.

"May I know what this is about?"

Choo. Charlie was here first. Elodie griiiiiinnnnnnneeeeddd at the other girl, and gave her a finger waggle, before nudging her towards the blanket to sit her bottom down on. "I am wonderful. How are youuuuu? Are you feeling dateable?" Els hoped she was. She had no choice in the matter right now. This was a date. Unless Stanley threw a tantrum and Elodie had to put him in check. She had an idea how to though. Just.. not in front of Choo. That'd be awkward.

'Hey, your date is being rude. I'm just going to kiss him to shut him up, okay? Yeah. Take him back.'

But before she even had time to pull out the blindfold for her friend, STANLEY HASTINGS HAD ENTERED THE ROOM. He got a finger waggle tooooooo, and potentially a little bit of a look over. Because even though she was still pretty committed to her ex, she was still single. And she was allowed to look. Though, Elodie looked a little bit more than she should have and found herself smirking slightly. "Hiiiiiiiiiii Stanley," she started before seeing him greet CHOO.

OOH. It was working!

"You guys are on a date. A blind date. Neither of you knew it was happening. You already ruined my blindfold surprise so.." He got almost annoyed eyes for that, though she wasn't really. She was just making sure he wasn't realising how close she was getting so she could WARN HIM. "You go sit over there with Choo, okay?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, and she jabbed his chest with her finger. Still whispering. Whissssperrrrr. "And you tell her she looks amazing, that she has a great personality and.. Do. Not. Tease. Her. And. Not. Kiss. Her. You understand? I will be here. I will hit you." Mama Els was being protective, and she knew Choo was already in a bad place.

And she'd just completely pretend that she wouldn't be slightly bummed if he called Charlie 'beautiful'. She was a good pretender. Man, she wanted her own date with Coul. ndjkwemfbd. Gah. Breakups.

She wouldn't deny that, however tired she was feeling, and however much she'd wanted to remain in bed today, Charlie giggled a little at Elodies grin, and smiled right back at her. "I'm o- uh... I, what?" A little shocked at the reaction, Charlie let herself be guided over to the middle of the room, and slid down onto the blanket. "Dateable? I... dateable?" She repeated, a frown forming between her eyebrows.

Before she could figure out what Elodie was on about, however, the door opened once more, and Charlie turned her gaze towards it. She smiled at Stans wink, the colour in her cheeks deepening, and wiggled her fingers in the direction of his 'hey'. Why was he here, too? Were her and Elodie not having a picnic?

Were her and Stan and Elodie having a picnic?

".......A date?" Again, the repetition of the older girl. Although the idea annoyed Charlie slightly, she tried not to show it: the girl could have told her, and she would have turned up looking the least bit presentable. Jeans were not a staple in Charlies wardrobe, why did she have to chose today to wear them? AND NO MAKEUP. WAS THIS A JOKE. Not that she was complaining about the Stanley part..... he looked good, as always.

Even if she'd explained to Elodie a million times that he just wasn't into her.

Not in that way, at least.

"Elodie. Hey." Okay. WHY was she staring at him? Not that he was complaining. You know, she was pretty and HE had a nice face so.. but still. It was weird. He glanced at Charlie for a second.. before he suddenly jerked his face back towards Elodie.

.........

A DATE!?

WHAT.

He looked rather shocked for a few moments. This was completely unexpected.. and somehow, it annoyed him just a little. Not because he didn't like Charlie, obviously. She was nice, caring, a good friend and also very attractive. It was just that he wasn't a fan of blind dates. At all. But before he could open his mouth, Elodie was already instructing him to behave. Sigh.

....... "Fine. I promise I will do all those things.. only IF you leave us alone." There. Because he wasn't going to have her watch them probably having the most awkward date ever. Just, no.

Had she ever came across a more ungrateful pair? NO.

Gosh. Anyone would think she'd done something awful. Charlie needed cheering up. Stanley was good at cheering up. They obviously liked the look of one another, and they both needed to stop acting like pouty little brats. -.-

Elodie scowled at Stan and shook her head. "I'm not leaving you alone with her when she's all fragile and you're the kind of guy who teases kissing." Her whispering was fast and loud enough to show he was already annoying her, but not loud enough for Charlie to hear, thankfully.

Not letting him get to her all too much, Els turned and waggled her fingers at Choo, before nudging Stanley in the direction of the blanket. "Your daaaaaaaaaaaate, Choo Choo." Now smile and wiggle your fingers and be super girly and maybe he'll kiss you.

Oh, she was a genius.

Thankful that Stan seemed as shocked as she was, Charlie heaved an inward sigh of relief.

Relief didn't last long, though, because there was WHISPERING. She needed to know what her friends were whispering about. Whispering wasn't nice, or fun - not when you weren't involved. She pouted slightly, trying not to stare too hard at them and pretending that she wasn't straining to hear what they were going on about. When Elodie turned again, however, she stopped all eavesdropping attempts - unsuccessful, she might add - and tried to put a smile on her face.

Elodie was just trying to cheer her up, wasn't she? And she wasn't complaining about the choice of date. No, Stan was lovely, and really good looking, and it wasn't like her and Els hadn't talked about kissing him.

Y'know, just talked. And it wasn't like Charlie wasn't into him, but they didn't need to know that right now.

"Date," she repeated again, this time with a wry smile upon her face. Was Elodie gonna stay? Part of her wanted the older girl to, because then it would feel less like a date, but then... if it felt like a date, her friend being there would be awkward. She offered an apologetic smile to Stan, though - this wasn't her idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric

Once they got to where they were going? Okay, that comment made Schuyler even more curious than she already was. But that probably meant that she wouldn't need her cardigan, which was nice because she was all too used to layers this time of year. "Are we going dancing?" She guessed, trying to figure it out on her own. Music and movement. That made sense.

She liked the blue flowers as well. "Me too. And these red ones.. they look like raspberries." The calla lilies and sweet peas were very nice, too. Okay, they were ALL lovely. Right, right. 'Obligatory Valentine's gifts.' It was still thoughtful.

Tucking her chocolate box under her arm and keeping her flowers in that same hand, she looped her free arm around Aidan's and smiled. "Ready." Off to the secret place.

Aidan chuckled and shook his head, but wasn't answering. He wasn't going to let her spoil her own surprise. Even if that was essentially what he had in mind. Sort of.

"Raspberry flowers?" he asked as he led her away from the portrait and towards their destination, "Is that what they're called?" They DID look like raspberries. Nice, ripe, red, sweet raspberries. Which...come to think of it...reminded Aidan of a different feature of Schuyler's face that his eyes have also lingered on.

A flight of stairs and a few turns down corridors later, the fifteen year old opened a door. Inside the small, usually empty office, was a small table with a music player on top, another longer table filled with food and refreshments courtesy of the house elves, a comfy looking couch, and a banner painted by Aidan himself reading, 'The Triwizard Tournament of Academics Ball' in large letters.

It was corny, and Aidan knew it, but he knew Schuyler wanted a ball and this was what he thought of on the fly.

Schuyler eyed the Ravenclaw boy. No answer, hmm? Well, fine. She could wait! As long as she was going to find out very soon, then yes.... she could wait a little.

With a light laugh, she shook her head. "No, they're not called that. I'm actually not sure of their name, so I'll have to find that out when I get back to my dorm tonight." Otherwise it would bother her. She knew most flower names, and the fact that this one was escaping her was getting under her skin.

They walked on a little further and it actually didn't take them long before they reached their destination. She flashed a grin at Aidan in anticipation when he reached for the door handle. And when he opened it, her eyes scanned the room. The music player and the long table of food, and the convenient couch and even a banner that was handmade by none other than the Ravenclaw beside her. A personal touch. She finally turned back to Aidan now, her smile reaching her eyes. "You are too cute."

She walked into the room, her head on a swivel as she glanced around. Then she placed her cardigan and her obligatory Valentine's gifts on the table with the music player, but not before slipping her iPod out of her cardigan's pocket. "So, which first, dancing or eating?" She was up for either, but he would be dancing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric

Schuyler eyed the Ravenclaw boy. No answer, hmm? Well, fine. She could wait! As long as she was going to find out very soon, then yes.... she could wait a little.

With a light laugh, she shook her head. "No, they're not called that. I'm actually not sure of their name, so I'll have to find that out when I get back to my dorm tonight." Otherwise it would bother her. She knew most flower names, and the fact that this one was escaping her was getting under her skin.

They walked on a little further and it actually didn't take them long before they reached their destination. She flashed a grin at Aidan in anticipation when he reached for the door handle. And when he opened it, her eyes scanned the room. The music player and the long table of food, and the convenient couch and even a banner that was handmade by none other than the Ravenclaw beside her. A personal touch. She finally turned back to Aidan now, her smile reaching her eyes. "You are too cute."

She walked into the room, her head on a swivel as she glanced around. Then she placed her cardigan and her obligatory Valentine's gifts on the table with the music player, but not before slipping her iPod out of her cardigan's pocket. "So, which first, dancing or eating?" She was up for either, but he would be dancing.

He looked up at her, "If you're not sure, it could be raspberry, right?" he smirked. "Look it up and let me know." Aidan actually didn't care what the flower was called, but it gave an excuse for Schuyler to talk to him again. And maybe hang out again...

He kept his eyes on her as she took in his surprise, nervously waiting for a negative reaction. But she SMILED. She called him cute, which he didn't think he really wanted to be called, but she SMILED, so it seemed like she liked what he'd done. And he was going to be happy with that for now, and read into the 'cute' thing later.

"You're the ball expert," he shrugged, "What do you want to do first?" He...was open for both, because obviously he expected dancing. He'd dance. For her.

The food looked much more appealing, though.

Schuyler simply grinned at his retort. It wasn't raspberry because if it were, she of course would have remembered such an obvious name and linked it to such a flower. But she chose not to say this, and instead just gave him a slow nod to match her grin. "Sure. I'll get back to you on that." On the raspberry flower name.

She was still taking in the whole room when Aidan answered her. And called her a 'ball expert,' which she found amusing. Really, though, wizarding schools ought to have more things like that. After all, didn't muggles get things like Prom? Prom sounded liked fun. Schuyler wanted a prom.

Glancing around some more, a small smile stayed on her lips because Aidan was giving her one right now. A makeshift dance. And so her eyes steadied on the Ravenclaw for a moment or two before giving a proper answer to his question. "Let's eat something first. Save the best for last, right?" Yes, dancing after getting a little food in their stomachs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric

Schuyler simply grinned at his retort. It wasn't raspberry because if it were, she of course would have remembered such an obvious name and linked it to such a flower. But she chose not to say this, and instead just gave him a slow nod to match her grin. "Sure. I'll get back to you on that." On the raspberry flower name.

She was still taking in the whole room when Aidan answered her. And called her a 'ball expert,' which she found amusing. Really, though, wizarding schools ought to have more things like that. After all, didn't muggles get things like Prom? Prom sounded liked fun. Schuyler wanted a prom.

Glancing around some more, a small smile stayed on her lips because Aidan was giving her one right now. A makeshift dance. And so her eyes steadied on the Ravenclaw for a moment or two before giving a proper answer to his question. "Let's eat something first. Save the best for last, right?" Yes, dancing after getting a little food in their stomachs.

The Ravenclaw laughed, "You and I have different ideas of what's best, I think," he joked.

But he wasn't going to seriously argue with eating first or ever or at all. After closing the door to keep their party - and his dancing - private, Aidan crossed the office, picked up a plate, and started piling on the food. "You can start your music now, though, even if we're not dancing yet." It would make silences less awkward. Or at least for Aidan because he was nervous and everything felt pretty awkward already.

Schuyler grinned over at him. "I'd have to agree, yes." Because of course dancing would take the cake. Aidan here thought otherwise. But he was a boy. And boys loved food.

Once he closed the door, she took him up on that suggestion and moved to where the music player was. "If you don't like what comes on, feel free to change it," she added, hooking up her iPod to the speakers. She really didn't mind. Come to think of it, though, she really had no idea what sort of music Aidan liked to listen to. Maybe she'd get an idea of that tonight. Chingy's "Right Thurr" all of a sudden started playing really loudly from the speakers, and Schuyler quickly paused it and turned down the volume some. She laughed heartily, but yeah, not that song. She scrolled through her songs and soon decided on "Scar Tissue." Couldn't really go wrong with Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Now the Gryffindor joined Aidan over by the refreshments and followed suit by beginning to place an assortment of food on her plate. She poured herself and Aidan some punch from the punch bowl - how quintessential dance drink was that? Good call. "So, Aidan. What do you like to do?" He knew hobbies and activities that she liked, but when it came to him, she really only knew that he was into quidditch. Ravenclaw seeker. Quite impressive at it, by the way.

She munched on some pretzels and the fresh fruit that was at the perfect ripeness. Especially the raspberries. And chocolate covered strawberries.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric

Schuyler grinned over at him. "I'd have to agree, yes." Because of course dancing would take the cake. Aidan here thought otherwise. But he was a boy. And boys loved food.

Once he closed the door, she took him up on that suggestion and moved to where the music player was. "If you don't like what comes on, feel free to change it," she added, hooking up her iPod to the speakers. She really didn't mind. Come to think of it, though, she really had no idea what sort of music Aidan liked to listen to. Maybe she'd get an idea of that tonight. Chingy's "Right Thurr" all of a sudden started playing really loudly from the speakers, and Schuyler quickly paused it and turned down the volume some. She laughed heartily, but yeah, not that song. She scrolled through her songs and soon decided on "Scar Tissue." Couldn't really go wrong with Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Now the Gryffindor joined Aidan over by the refreshments and followed suit by beginning to place an assortment of food on her plate. She poured herself and Aidan some punch from the punch bowl - how quintessential dance drink was that? Good call. "So, Aidan. What do you like to do?" He knew hobbies and activities that she liked, but when it came to him, she really only knew that he was into quidditch. Ravenclaw seeker. Quite impressive at it, by the way.

She munched on some pretzels and the fresh fruit that was at the perfect ripeness. Especially the raspberries. And chocolate covered strawberries.

Aidan shook his head, "There was a reason I asked you to bring your music." He didn't care what played and he wanted to hear what kind of music Schuyler was into, learn more about her. He chuckled along with her laughter when a certain song came on that she seemed to decide wasn't right to start off on. When she did pick a song, he nodded his head along with it, trying to get into it.

He liked it.

"Thanks," he said for the drink, then took his plate and cup over to the couch. After a sip, he set the cup on the floor and plate on his lap. Schuyler could join him. Or not. "Well I like Quidditch. And flying. I like reading. I'm quite good at gobstones. I swordfight and my cousin's taught me how to skateboard which is fun, but I only do that when he's around."

Well, the offer still stood, even if Aidan was reminding her of how he had asked her to bring her music in the first place. And she noted that he laughed and DIDN'T give her some 'what the heck was that song?' look to her when Chingy came on. Because some boys did that. Thought they were too cool for the likes of Chingy and Vanessa Carlton and Sheryl Crow. She knew. But Aidan hadn't, and she liked him for that.

After she had gotten what she wanted on her plate, she followed Aidan on over to the couch and set her punch glass onto the ground before smoothing her dress beneath her and taking a seat beside him. She listened to him rattle off some of his interests, but there was one in particular that caught her attention. "You swordfight?" No lie? "Like, fencing or swordfighting?" Because both were cool, but swordfighting would be very cool. He could have made a mean knight for Halloween.

She popped a grape in her mouth and eyed up one of her chocolate strawberries. They looked too tempting; she would have to try one of them soon.

Chicken nuggets were a thing, obviously, as Aidan planned this 'ball' and they were his favorite food. So they were loaded on his plate. He dipped a couple in ketchup and ate them together.

"Swordfighting," he laughed, "Calling fencing that is just glorifying it." Fencing was wearing a body suit and poking someone with a giant needle. Aidan was into swordfighting. Clanging and fancy moves and stuff. "I'm defender of Hogwarts castle." He put on a straight face and puffed out his chest all gallant-like...for a moment, before slouching back down and chuckling it off.

Was it only last year that he came up with such a foolish idea of himself? Seemed ages ago.

The swordfighting was still cool, though.

"Question for you," he began, popping another chicken nugget in his mouth, "Where exactly are you from?" Because it was obvious Schuyler wasn't British. Quite obvious she was American, actually. But Aidan wanted to learn from her.

Schuyler glanced down at the pile of chicken nuggets on Aidan's plate. Someone was a fan, yeah? Chicken nuggets and ketchup. "Have you ever had dino nuggets? They're basically just chicken nuggets, but they're shaped like dinosaurs." She had had them when she was a kid. Her own mom never bought them for the Gryffindor or her siblings, but Schuyler thought they were very cool when she had gotten to eat them at her friend's house.

She grinned his way when he confirmed that he was a swordfighter, not a fencer. He made sure to distinguish that. "So, are you a swashbuckler, too?" Was there a difference? Swordfighting sounded more like knights and swashbuckling sounded more like pirates. Defender of Hogwarts Castle - that's what he was. She chuckled and poked his puffed out chest. She bit off a piece of a pretzel. "I am going to make you defend the caste one day, and I will try to get in." That sounded like a fun game. Maybe they could do it to de-stress from OWLs. "And no wands, either. Also, you have to use a fake sword, just so you don't actually swashbuckle me to shreds." Yeah, that wouldn't be so good. Aidan would be in Azkaban and she would be six feet under.

She washed down the dry preztel with some punch before setting her glass back on the ground and looking to Aidan when he said something about having a question for her. Where she was from, that was it. "Brooklyn. New York, New York." East coast. United States. North America. The world, the earth, the universe.. "And you?" Schuyler smiled. She liked the accents here, though.

The song switched to one she didn't feel like listening to, so she got up and began clicking through a few of the songs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric

Schuyler glanced down at the pile of chicken nuggets on Aidan's plate. Someone was a fan, yeah? Chicken nuggets and ketchup. "Have you ever had dino nuggets? They're basically just chicken nuggets, but they're shaped like dinosaurs." She had had them when she was a kid. Her own mom never bought them for the Gryffindor or her siblings, but Schuyler thought they were very cool when she had gotten to eat them at her friend's house.

She grinned his way when he confirmed that he was a swordfighter, not a fencer. He made sure to distinguish that. "So, are you a swashbuckler, too?" Was there a difference? Swordfighting sounded more like knights and swashbuckling sounded more like pirates. Defender of Hogwarts Castle - that's what he was. She chuckled and poked his puffed out chest. She bit off a piece of a pretzel. "I am going to make you defend the caste one day, and I will try to get in." That sounded like a fun game. Maybe they could do it to de-stress from OWLs. "And no wands, either. Also, you have to use a fake sword, just so you don't actually swashbuckle me to shreds." Yeah, that wouldn't be so good. Aidan would be in Azkaban and she would be six feet under.

She washed down the dry preztel with some punch before setting her glass back on the ground and looking to Aidan when he said something about having a question for her. Where she was from, that was it. "Brooklyn. New York, New York." East coast. United States. North America. The world, the earth, the universe.. "And you?" Schuyler smiled. She liked the accents here, though.

The song switched to one she didn't feel like listening to, so she got up and began clicking through a few of the songs.

"Yeah!" he practically shouted from excitement, his eyes alight. "Just a couple times, though, at my cousins'. At home, mum makes the nuggets, so they're just boring...squares..." But they tasted better, in all honesty. He even liked his mum's better than Hogwarts'. They were the BEST.

Swashbuckler? Aidan laughed. "I was thinking more along the lines of a knight, but pirates are cool, too." Pirates were swashbucklers. Knights were defenders of castles. "I think the swords are kind of different, too." But that was just a detail? Was he contradicting her too much? Was he contradicting her at all? He gave a wary look over to her to try and read her expression.

Then his worry disolved into a smile again. "I definitely wouldn't want to swashbuckle you too shreds." She was far too pretty for that. It would be a shame to lose a face like that around Hogwarts and he would never forgive himself for it. "And a wand would be cheating. But I'll definitely take you up on that." The game, it sounded fun. And another opportunity to hang out with Schuyler.

"I've been there," he said, "To New York. It was wicked!" All the noise and tall buildings and cars and food. He was only like seven or so when he went, but from the bits and pieces he remembered, it was awesome. And the feeling and emotion he associated with the memory was of excitement and happiness. "I'm from Bristol." ...England, obviously.

He watched Schuyler stand and go over to her music. Was it time to dance? It was far too early in the date to dance, right? They could push it back to...never, really. And it would still be too early.

He really didn't want to embarrass himself in front of her.