[ CHERRY BOMB. ]

“Just so happens that she’s pestering me as we speak, sweets. Does a lad even consider it pestering when said bird happens to be so lovely that he doesn’t mind a bit? Said lad is obviously in rather deep with our aforementioned lass, ain’ he? Poor sod.” Atlas shifted an arm to rub lazily at the side of his jaw, “I dunno. She’d have to tell tell me if she is or isn’t. I hope so.” 

“Mmm, discounts.” A grin curved onto his face, “–payments! Is that the one?”

“So cheeky, I was sure that you’d get it, but try again, bruv.”

“Look. We’ve went over this before and this is the last time I’ll say it. No discounts. Payments are okay but discounts are bad for business. Sorry, bruv.”

“Say that word one more time.”

“I would’ve told you if I actually knew something about it.” Other than the fact that Amma would probably be attending.

“So, we’re the two left in the dark, aren’t we, Mathieu?” Petra frowned over at him, taking a deep breath, running a hand through her hair. “Alright, you’ve any suggestions about how we’re going to get some information?”

“Depends, my Pet. See, I’d have half a mind to let myself be pestered on account of how lovely the bird doing the pestering is. Then again, I could just divulge, and oblige said bird’s wishes —- make her happy an’ that. What say you, kid?” 

“Well. I could help you, little, but then I’d miss out on a lot of  e n t e r t a i n m e n t, wouldn’t I?”

“Well, that is very true. You’d miss out on a hell of a lot of entertainment. Godric knows. So, Miss W a r r i n g t o n, where do we start? I’m thinkin’ ... -- Ravenclaw?” Petra looped her arm through Jess’, giving her a kiss on the cheek, burying her head in her shoulder. “Did you use a different shampoo, Jess? Or am I finally fucked up enough to start smelling things?”

“Pardy, Pets. P a r d y. And nah, we’re all gonna have a secret turn up without you, you know. Since you’re a bit of a fucking bore.”

“Ah, right, parrrrdy,” she purred, a light giggle rolling off her tongue. Petra couldn’t help but roll her eyes because it was such a lie. A bad one at that. If Petra wasn’t anything, it wasn’t a bore. Slut, drug dealer, village bicycle, maybe. But a bore? Never. “You lie like that to everyone? I’m surprised you’ve even gotten this far in life, Kiran. And you know only Atlas can call me, Pets. It’s Petra to you.”

“Hey, I’m, uh, sorry, but…as head boy, it’s my job to tell you that streaking is not allowed on campus. And you also seem rather drunk, which is…also not allowed…”

"Michael, Michael, l i s t e n ... the human body is beautiful and we only might have some time that is not much left, you know?” Her words were slurred, jumbled, even if they were full of passion and sincerity. “Why don’t you take some of those clothes off, mate? Might help you loosen up a bit.”