*sweet ╱ LIONESS.

           " HE’S FINE, HE HAD FRIENDS! “ alice pipped up, brows furrowing in slight embarrassment as she realized she may have just ruined lily’s night. “ he’ll just you know wake up regretting his life choices tomorrow. “ she added as she flashed her fellow housemate an encouraging smile. “ now that’s a plan i absolutely LOVE. “ she mused with an affirmative nod. “ besides it’s not like one can’t reach a similar state by eating enough candy. “ she declared with a scrunch of her nose. “ a sugar high is much more pleasant and no headache after  —- what’s not to love? “ she finished as she reached for some of the filled glasses, doe eyes searching for a the nearest bin to toss them into. “ you look BRILLIANT by the way lils. “ she complimented with a grin. “ can we be expecting you to break out into a chorus of ‘ somewhere over the rainbow? ‘ or is that honor just for dorthy? “

           " HMM SOUNDS MORE LIKE A NATE problem than an alice one. “ she joked with a tilt of her chin. “ but in the spirit of the holiday, you’re forgiven. “ she declared with a nod. laughter slipping past her lips as he took her less than accurate explanation to heart, boy was he in for a surprise  —- if and when he read the book that is. “ my costume is more of an ODE to the muggle film. “ she explained again. “ which isn’t entirely like the book but, i’d recommend watching it anyway. “ it was a brilliant way to spend and afternoon, muggles really did know how to entertain themselves, it had to be admired. “ the man who came up with it mr.disney, i’m told he’s IMPORTANT in their world. “  she expressed with a wiggle of her brows. “ like dumbledore important. “ at least that’s what the seven year old girl she’d chatted with on one of her excursions to the muggle side of london made it seem like. a smile formed on her features, as he complimented her dress, giggling once again as she nodded. “ much better. “ she complimented before she took a look at this costume. “ felt like doing some swashbuckling? “ she wondered with a scrunch of her nose. “ or did i miss prince adam turning into a pirate at the end of beauty and the beast? “

           " YOU’D BE A LITTLE LATE anyway i have a rabbit. “ she mused with a tilt of her chin as she toyed with her hands. “ or i had one when i arrived. “ she added with roll of her shoulders. “ s’probably somewhere around here still, unless of course it’s FOUND it’s way to the great out doors. “ which once again had been the plan anyway, free the furry creature, because it stuck it to the man  —- whoever the man was.  “ but if you do see a white rabbit running around with a pocket watch on it’s neck, it’s not a third year who took his COSTUME way too seriously.. it’s chester. “ she declared before laughing softly. “ so no to the name then hmm, well would saying something like ‘ you’re a piece of art ‘ be better? ‘n not just in the literal sense but in like the... appealing to people sorta sense. “ because phrasing it like that made alice logic any better. some concern was still reflected in her eyes, but she nodded as she spoke. “ well so long as you feel like you can be here. “ she determined with a wiggle of her brows. “ if you do feel SICK...say something okay? “ she encouraged before shaking her head to dismiss his lack of questions about her evening. she always enjoyed talking about her friends more anyway. “ why the mad hatter of course  —- he prefers going by his ‘ sane name ‘ when outside of wonderland however. “ she paused, enjoying her own ramblings as was per usual. “ frank, i’m here with frank. “

             " YOU’RE ALWAYS PRETTY, DANGEROUS but lovely nonetheless  —- dangerously lovely. “ the brunette confirmed as she watched the blonde take one of the now empty seats next to her. watching with certain interest as she reached for one of the glasses on said table. a sigh of relief slipping out as soon as she watched her do so, which did make her feel guilty but hey a girl could never be too careful right? so she once more reached for her own and raised it to her lips before setting down. “ several, actually. “ she admitted with a sheepish smile, the memory of the slow dance still making her feel light headed for a reason she’d yet to figure out. “ what about you? has anyone dared to take SANDY for a spin? “

           " JAMES AS IN... JAMES POTTER? “ she questioned with a quirk of her brow. “ why? did you loose a bet? “  doe eyes were wide in slight shock, some horror could be displayed in them too. “ not that you know being james is a punishment. “ she offered up quickly unsure of how to even dig herself out of the hole she’d just made. “ excellent bloke, great teammate and it’s not him i hate. “ she offered her words still not registering in her head. “ it’s the other one, you know siri... i don’t hate him either, not really i ‘m just.... “ her voice trailed, huffing slightly she shook her head. “ i don’t like this CONVERSATION anymore. “ she declared with a pout, arms folding across her chest, cheeks flushed as she groaned with obvious embarrassment. “ don’t tell him. “

            “ YOU LOOK CHEERFUL WHO’S drink did you poison? at least tell me that it’s one far away from this table i just had a  —- i mean s’nice to see you having fun skeeter, happy suits you. “

             " I WOULDN’T GO NEAR THOSE if i were you. i saw a third year reach for one of the pink ones and five minutes later he was talking to st.nick like he was father christmas  —-   and then he passed out. and you’d think i was joking, truth be told it was far more terrifying than funny. “

               SHE’D HAD ABOUT ZERO TIME to react, a laugh was muffled as the brunette pressed her lips to hers, quirking her brow as she pulled away. “ no miss mckinnon... “ she began, doing her best to look as stern as possible. “ what sort of behavior is this? and what sort of lady do you think i am? “ she stated with a firm nod, as she pointed a finger at her. “ a respectable girl like myself should be wooed  —- and you haven’t even OFFERED me a drink yet. “ it was that last sentence that made her burst into a fit of giggles, lacing her arms through marlene’s, a pleased look on her features glad to see her having fun. “ so queen of hearts, who’s heart have you shattered tonight? “

“ well i’ll keep it in MIND but between you and me, i happen to think that a sugar high, achieves the same effect. “ she stated with a proud smile. “ and passing out because i ate one too many CHOCOLATE frogs sounds loads better than  —-  whatever might be in any of those things. “ she rambled on for a moment as they found their rhythm. he was after all about a foot taller than she was, not that she minded  —-  there was always a feeling of safety that came with being close to him. this time wasn’t any different and all she could really do is smile as he rambled on. “ you’re doing great. “ but he was always great, regardless of what they were doing she’d never think any differently. a sheepish laugh slipped her lips, scrunching up her nose she shook her head, the position growing even more comfortable as they swayed to the music. “ no thanks necessary, besides it’s my pleasure. “ she mused with a soft smile, as doe eyes met the blue of his. oh? had they always been that blue? how could she have possibly missed that? blinking profusely in an attempt to play down her staring she shook her head as if that would get her to come back to reality. “ it’s never difficult when it’s you. “  and not because they didn’t have their differences, they so obviously did but things flowed naturally just about all the time. “ and it’s i who should be saying thanks, for pushing me to come. “ she paused for a second. “ i’d be buried under a pile of opened chocolate bars and i don’t anyone here is ready to see that. “ she finished with a light snort. “ maybe someday but certainly not today. “