( seafoam heart.)

It wasn’t his idea of a good time by any means, and for every one of his peers that felt the same Isaiah was disturbed to see another that was actually excited at the thought of this little test—-the idea of having to prove his loyalty rankled; or maybe it was the idea of owing anyone other than his family his loyalty at all. He was the only Travers here tonight wearing a mask, he knew; having already made what flimsy excuses he could for his siblings (traditional purebloods still embraced misogyny just enough that his words about his sister’s delicate sensibilies were easily enough to believe—-Ruben was another matter entirely) and so he had to succeed—-he had to IMPRESS—-tonight, not only for himself but for his family. All of this while keeping an eye on Bron and Ruben—-and Adele—-would not be easy. His voice was smooth, showing none of the strain he was currently under as he spoke to the person before him, “This doesn’t have to be painful—–now, what can you tell me about Dumbledore’s Army, or the Order of the Phoenix—as they are now; I don’t need a history lesson.”

Dominique had already been pushed to her limits before a new mask stepped in front of her. She could barely hold herself up to even face this one. It was hard not to tell them what they wanted but even she knew that if she gave them what they wanted they would still hurt her and her family. “You...know I’m not...going to tell you. And I know you un-understand why.” Though hot tears littered her cheeks and her shoulders heaved with sobs, she kept her head high.

“Dom!” The relief in Dex’s voice was palpable, but still tinged with anxiety—-a stark change from his usual mellow nature. The moment he realized it was her, he was at her side; a hand grazing her elbow as his other hand came to rest on the small of her back. “I’ve—-we’ve—-we’ve all been looking for you. We…. we need to go the Great Hall, yeah?”

Dominique was pulled swiftly into Declan’s arms, her fingers still curled around the hem of her dress. “W-what?” She relaxed against him, enjoying the way he held her and how he spoke to her like she was the single most important person to him in that moment. “What do you mean? I was late because I couldn’t find what dress I wanted to wear and -- I was talking to the paintings? But why? Is there food or something?” By the end of her ramble, Dom let her arms circle his torso pulling him closer with a hug. She didn’t quite care why he was being so affectionate out of the blue but she didn’t want him to stop. Perhaps being super fashionably late was a good thing.

“It’s Ryder.” He recognized her voice before he saw her, which was actually one of those small blessings, because his jaw dropped as soon as his eyes found her. “I — Wait a minute.“ He took a second to breathe deeply, wearing a frown of amazed disbelief. “I think you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” Ryder sighed. “Not that you’re not beautiful everyday, I mean— Wow.” 

“What? --Oh no, I’m not Annie.” She pouted as she bounded over to him so that he could see her more clearly. “I know she’s like eight inches shorter than me but we look exactly the same from the back. Still that has to be the nicest thing you -- or well anyone’s ever said to me...even if it isn’t about me.” Dom grinned up at him. “Is the party good by the way? I took to long to get here and I’m still not brave enough to walk in -- especially since I apparently look like I came in my ‘bloomers’.” She rolled her eyes and pointed to the 18th century painting that she’d been talking to.

“Ahhh—” There was really no argument he could make; the mental images being conjured making it plain that yes, Dex, you idiot, you’d missed out. His tone was therefore appropriately apologetic as he finished fixing her sleeves, hands lingering by her wrists, “S’that mean my invitation’s been rescinded, then? C’mon Dom, you’re not really going to shut me out like that, are you? Maybe I’ll come visit next break, we’ll go sailing.” As she brought up Annette’s tendency to insist on double dates, he laughed. Even before she’d become surprisingly receptive to his flirtations, Dom had always been the only girl he could tolerate going on a faux double-date with. So much so that he supposed he wouldn’t really mind if it weren’t faux after all. But still, he couldn’t resist the chance to tease her, moving closer and letting his fingers ghost along her arm until his hands reached her waist, “And what do I get if I agree to these double dates, Weasley?”

“Well if you’re choosing video games over the beach with me, maybe I should but I guess if you’re going to take me sailing.” Dominique couldn’t decide if he was just playing along or if he meant what he was asking. It didn’t help that his hands were on her waist and they were practically nose to nose. Now, it was her turned to be flustered with reddening cheeks and eyes that couldn’t quite meet his. “I...I guess you’d get a-- girl who’s a friend that you go on dates with ...a girlfriend?” Though she’d just put her arms around his waist, she was withdrawing from him before he could from her. “N-not that I meant...that...we- us..ha ha. You know what I mean?”

“Sure, but you’re a barbie doll. I’m… you know, I’m the comedic relief.” He half smiled, “Didn’t you see me fall over yesterday in front of… most of my house?”

“I’m not nearly as pretty as a barbie. And I’m the drama queen -- everyone has their faults and to be honest people are more attractive when they are funny.” She pouted. “I think I heard about it but you can’t let that get to you, Lou. I do embarrassing things all the time. You’re still allowed to be human even if you’re super cute!”

“Are they… are they blind…?”

“Of course not! They can see how cute you are and they can only think to blame it on being a veela. Trust me. Own it and then they can’t use it against you, hm?”

“I’m not really sure why people insist on using the word ‘veela’ in my description. We all know I’m one hundred percent more Weasley than I am veela.”

“It’s because they think you’re pretty, Lou!”

“How would I know? That’s your business with the eyelashes and the little smiles - what are you smiling about anyway?” He was confused. It was rather unlike Dom to spare him a glance unless she was teasing him about anything and everything, which had him instantly on alert. “What are you up to?”

“I do that to everyone! Ask Annie she’ll tell you and-- if you aren’t into you can just say so instead of acting like this.” She pushed her hair behind her ear, “I’m not..up to anything. I was just flirting...not that its not mortifying now. So obviously nevermind!!”

He didn’t really have an excuse for not tagging along with Annette and Rhys this summer, except that he hadn’t wanted to be a third wheel—-but apparently, he wouldn’t have been with Dom there. Apparently the invite had been her idea. “Disappointed you didn’t get to see me laid out on the beach, Weasley?” Having regained his footing, he looked down at her with a grin, reaching out to roll the sleeves of his shirt up for her, “I don’t know where you get that idea, but a pretty girl asks me to share my liquor with her, I’m not going to say no. You mind making a stop at my dorm so I can grab a bottle for us? You want anything else?”

“Exactly. You could have came over to see me laid out on the beach but nope you totes missed your chance. --It was fun by the way, still wish you would have came.” Dominique watched his grin as he fixed her sleeves, noticing how he had gotten more handsome over the summer...even with his scruffy beard and flannel. The idea of him being cute wasn’t as annoying as last year. Whether she had just simply gotten used to him being around or just decided to stop fighting her feelings, Dom wasn’t sure. “Lead the way. The only other thing that I want is if Annie or Rhys asks you to go on a double date with them or set you up with me this year...always say yes.” Though she tried to flirt with other people and though she tried to date other people somehow she always came full circle back to him.

“Are you trying to turn me on?” @domiweez

“No.” WIth cheeks red from embarrassment and eyes locked firmly away from him, Dominique had never wanted the group to open up and swallow her whole. “Why would I try to do that?”