baby snake~

Thoughts of the future always made Keller feel nostalgic, despite not having yet lived it: there was no knowing what would happen next week, let alone in two years, and as much as he wanted to hold onto the people in his life right now, he knew that it might not be the case. Ava’s optimistic suggestion of writing and seeing each other in the breaks made him smile, nodding to try and force his brain to realise that it was a viable option that would keep Ava in his life when he was no longer in hers. “Right, lets just dance,” he said, refocusing his attention on where his feet were going so that he didn’t end up tripping them both over. “Sorry for-.. you know-… being the most depressing in the room right now,” he murmured, looking down at Ava and trying to give her a smile, but it fell a little flat. “Just one of my many talents, as I’m sure you know.” They passed a couple who weren’t dancing so much as snogging right there on the dance floor, and Keller laughed to himself, shaking his head as they danced past. “Nothing like young love,” he murmured, before biting his lip, wondering if it would bring back memories of Isabel for Ava.

Ava tried not to think about the future and the uncertainty it held, she just didn't want to think about it. "Yes, one of them. But it's alright Kell, we love you anyways."  Ava gave him a smile and let him twirl her around.  She noticed that he was concentrating a fair bit on the dance, probably trying to make sure he didn't trip her or himself.  She appreciated the thought at the very least.  As they twirled, Keller pointed out a couple snogging. She felt a slight pang in her heart, but it was gone quickly.  Ava had trained herself not to feel the sadness over the loss of her relationship with Isabel, everything ends in the end anyways. She gave a sort of laugh and shook her head at the couple, "Young love has more appropriate places to be expressed. I certainly would never snog like that at a ball, much less one for the new Minister."

Now you’re one person I have not talked to in ages. Unlike you, I proudly tell everyone that I learned waltz out of the parties I was forced to go, but I know that relieving feeling of finally putting one skill to use. I used to think waltzing is such a waste of time. How’s the night for you, Collins?

The thing is that I didn't learn the waltz from parties, my mother forced me into years of ballroom dancing so when we did go to parties I didn't make a fool of my family.  I mean I like dancing, when it's my choice, not when I'm forced to.  The night is going fine for me. I really want to talk to the minister, just curious about where he stands on certain issues, but I don't think I'm allowed to.  How's the night been for you, Brandon?

Hearing Ava’s verbal contract made Keller release a genuine laugh for the first time that night - spending time with Ava never failed to make him remember what it was like to be around family, especially when she was almost as short as his ten year old sister. “I’m holding you to those words,” he said, still holding onto her hand while he placed the other around her back, before staring to lead them in a dance that matched the pace of the others around them. “Just think — this might be the last time we get to do this,” he said, frowning. “Once I graduate, I probably won’t see you until you graduate-…” It made Keller hold her hand a little tighter as they swayed around the room slowly. “That’s two years-… a lot can happen in two years-…”

Ava smiled as Keller began to spin them around the room in a slow dance.  When she hung out with him she felt safe and protected, he was her older brother and she loved him like family.  She gave a slight frown as Keller started talking about not seeing her until she graduates.  "Well, you won't see me at school until I graduate, but there's always breaks that I can see you.  Plus we can always write."  Ava tried not to think about what her life would be like in two years. So much had happened in the span of just a few months that she wondered if there would even be a Hogwarts to graduate from in two years.  "I don't really want to think about that though... We should just dance right now."

That’s what I’ve always thought too, and this seems… To be the very same thing. Parties at Hogwarts used to be fun. I wasn’t even excited about dressing up, which I normally am… I do enjoy spending time with friends though. This dress is actually- It’s bought in a muggle store. It was on sale, of course. But yeah… The only things I’ve ever bought at Madame Malkin’s are my school robes.

Well, I mean it's a school event, but we're also showing off for the new minister. That makes your dress even cooler though, that it's muggle.  I mean it's not a commonly held belief in pureblood circles, but I think  muggle things are fascinating. And the cool thing about having this ball around friends is that we don't care about any of that.  Personally I just like hanging out and talking to people.   

I definitely don’t have that much experience.

Count yourself lucky then. It's not exactly a useful skill to have. I only need it at the occasional party and most people survive their whole lives without needing to know how to waltz anyways.

"Alright, I’ll take your word for it," Keller says with a smile and loosening the collar of his shirt with a finger. "Though maybe you should sign a contract before we get started just in case," he adds, laughing before offering his hand to Ava and waiting for her much smaller one to take it before leading them out into the crowd where people were already dancing slowly around in circles.

Ava smiled at the size difference as Keller walked her out into the crowd.  She actually wasn't the shortest person at Hogwarts, but standing next to Keller she definitely felt like it.  "I don't have any paper, but I can make a verbal contract.  I, Ava Collins, take on full responsibility of any bodily harm that shall come to my person whilst dancing with the Hogwarts Giant, a.k.a Keller Murphy." She laughed at herself and turned to place one hand on Keller's forearm--she couldn't quite reach his shoulder--to begin their dance. "Satisfied?"

I-… well, uhm-… yeah? I mean-… if you want to dance with me and want to take that risk-… I can’t promise that one or both of us won’t come out of this without injury, so-… accept at your own peril, Ava.

Hmmm...  well I mean you are like a giant so maybe.... [Ava smiles laughs].  I'd love to dance with you, even with the risk of injury.  Though I am fairly sure you won't step on me. I have enough dance experience that I won't get squished.

Ava led them to the dance floor and found a space with enough room to dance in.  She let him begin to lead her through the dance, though she knew all of the steps she was supposed to make.  

It’s… I don’t know this just seems like such a fancy event. One of those things that… Purebloods go to on a regular basis and stuff, and I just… Don’t belong. This dress is, well… Thank you though. For the compliment. And you look gorgeous too, absolutely stunning. 

Well, I will let you in on a secret, those events aren't really all they are cracked up to be. It's just a lot of pomp and circumstance and pureblood families competing to be the most "perfect".  Very boring, I wouldn't recommend them. But this is just a school event and you get to hang out with friends who don't really care if your dress was made at Madame Malkin's or not. Thank you for the compliment as well. 

This is so damn fancy...

What are you talking about? You look gorgeous and that dress is certainly fancy enough.  Though who is to say what is and isn't "fancy." As long as you aren't wearing jeans and a t-shirt you are fine. 

"I would love to join you Seth." Ava grinned at him and grabbed his hand to begin the dance.  "As boring as these things can get, I do actually love the chance to ballroom dance."

I would love to. I consider myself to be fairly decent at dancing as well, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

I probably won't correct you, it's rude.  Also most people haven't had years of ballroom dancing forced upon them.  If you know the basics that's all that matters.

That does makes this more difficult also I’ve never been very good with hexes. If you wanted me to turn your bag into a scarf or give you an in depth description of the Giant wars I could help unfortunately neither of those things will do you any good. You could go to Madame Pomfrey, I expect she’s good with counter curses.

I rather like my bag as a bag / and I know all about the Giant wars, though I don't want to brag. / I think I'll try on my own to do the thing / I'd rather try to avoid the Hospital Wing.

This is the best thing I’ve ever seen. Oh please, I bet you I could track down whoever set this on you. I’m like a bloodhound, I can make sure they don’t get away with cursing my Little Cherry. Now… a rhyming tongue twisting hex, interesting, I know Finite doesn’t work….

Except that I think this "attack" was random / I don't think we'll find them even if we worked in tandem. / It's not really that big of a deal / I'm just frustrated with this rhyming spiel.