i will be better

“That wasn’t playing dirty, that’s how you’re supposed to play– if you don’t want to get hit by a bludger then move a bit faster, not my problem.”

“Hmm, yeah, you keep telling them that, Amycus,” Elizabeth said, interrupting him. “I’m sure that one day they will believe you but ... why care? If you ask me, there’s nothing wrong with playing dirty.”

“Well if Ravenclaw can beat the Snakes, then we certainly should be able to” 

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” she said, after accidentally hearing what he had been saying. “We Snakes are only more motivated after we lose, and while I’m not on the team, I can assure you that next time, victory will be ours.”

“Do victory parties like this always bring out an intense need to win for you, or is that just me? I want to win something now, even if it’s just wizard’s chess, or Never Have I Ever…”

“Hmm --- I’m always competitive, ‘tis in my blood. But yes, these kind of parties do seem to make my desire to win even BIGGER. You name the game, I will play. And win,” Elizabeth said, a grin spreading over her face.

“ do you think i’m in the right mood for a  d r i n k  right now? “

“nope. but i’m quite good at forcing alcohol down people’s throat and, trust me, you will feel better with a few shots of tequila in your body.”

“This spot is taken, go find someplace else.” Adonia muttered from her place in a cozy little nook in the castle, her nose buried within a book. she didn’t quite feel like celebrating on a win that wasn’t for her own house– despite it being a win for her brother’s house, nor did she feel like enduring the sulking and angered members of her own house in the common room. So a tiny little nook would settle until things died down.

Eyebrows knitted together in a frown at the sight of Adonia, and for a moment Elizabeth thought back at the moment in the owlery, when she had wanted to be alone. Roles seemed to be reversed now, and so it only seemed right to show interest, and perhaps even some concern. “You alright?,” she asked, edging closer. “Are you sure you don’t want company? I can stay ‘round, if you’d like.”

“ seems like we both fancy getting drunk off our arses elsewhere, yes? ”

“seems like it, yeah,” glancing at evan with a small smile, she raised her bottle or wine. “wanna do it together? being a sore loser alone is quite depressing.”

“Solutions are always a good thing. If you need some help….maybe I could be of assistance?”

“I think I’ve got it under control --- thanks, though. It’ll be fine, truly, just gotta work through it, you know? Anyway, let’s talk ‘bout something else, yeah?”

“Oh goodness,” she blushed, smiling and covering her cheeks. “Okay. Okay. So you know that Amos and I were inseparable in fifth and sixth year. Never seen without each other, ridiculously in love. And then we broke up, and that was because… well, I just knew we wouldn’t be together forever,” she said, her smile faltering. “But that was so stupid, because knowing that didn’t make me stop loving him, you know? So… I went to see him the other night, which was a very risky move, but he… he kissed me. And then things kind of, er, progressed from there,” she said, blushing deeper. “And it could have ruined everything, but now I think that even if we do grow up and marry other people, he loves me now, and that’s enough… right?”

Positive energy seemed to radiate from Sybill, and Elizabeth could not help but smile, affected by it. Romantic love was not something she had experienced herself before much -- apart from suppressed crushes -- and there did not seem to be much room for it in her life, but that did not mean she wasn’t glad someone else was experiencing it. “That is enough,” she said reassuringly. “And really, Sybill, that is wonderful --- and while it may have been risky, I think it was mostly brave. That takes guts, you know? It does. Merlin --- this is so good, I am so happy for you, I am.”

Kingsley managed to smile a bit. “It’s the only way to put it, I think,” he said. “There is, I mean… they wouldn’t disown me. But they must have some sort of reason for doing it or they wouldn’t ask this of me… so I don’t know. It’s weird. I never even really thought of getting married at all, you know?”

“Hm, yeah --- I know,” Elizabeth mused, thinking for a moment. “I mean, I suppose they do. People always have their reasons and all --- but at the end of the day I do think it’s your choice. You’re of age, right? They can’t force you into anything. I don’t know .. I’m not really an advice person, but maybe you should talk to them in person about this? That might be best --- spring break is soon, isn’t it?”

“I try my best.” She wasn’t quite sure what to do next, so she lightly patted the girl on the shoulder. “I’m sure whatever it was you were upset about will resolve itself.”

The pat on her shoulder made her feel nothing but uncomfortable, but she did not let it show. “It will, one way or another ---- I’m working on a solution.”

‘i don’t pitch. share with me, if you wish, everyone nows i’m best to get drunk with.’

“My, my, look at us! Aren’t we pompous! It’s even sparkling!” Lucinda clapped her hands in amusement as she made a gesture for her friend to hand over the bottle. “Let’s not be selfish, liz, let your aunt Lucinda taste it as well.”

“We are sooooo fancy, aren’t we?,” Elizabeth took another sip, the taste more than pleasant in her mouth --- there was something about the taste of expensiveness that she loved --- and she handed the bottle. “I’m never selfish, don’t worry. It’s amazingly good, Merlin bless our rich housemates.”

“Are you really going to make me do this? Should I get slides out as well? Maybe some music to set the mood?”