#betternott

(Are you sure about that? Because everyone else manages) 

[text]: Is it international quidditch super-star an Holyhead Harpy captain Sophie Chambers? :O

[text]: Just kidding ;) I heard you were back. 

1. 

“I beg your pardon? What did you say to her?” Rhys looked up at the sound of a familiar voice rising in outrage. He frowned. Diana had stood up from the Slytherin table, her hands on her hips. Ceri was shaking her head and looking down at the table, her whole body language screaming that she wanted nothing more than to disappear through the table back down to the dungeons. Rhys stilled, putting down his cutlery and sitting up straighter, all of his attention suddenly concentrated on the little outbreak over at the other table. “No, no. Go on,” Diana challenged the pair of younger looking boys who were giggling, but now looked baffled by the older girl, and both had gone bright red. “You think it’s funny to make fun of someone’s stutter? Do you? I hardly need point out that Ceri is still infinitely more eloquent than both of you walking toadstools!” There was a round of sniggering at the boys expense now, and they didn’t seem able to offer any answer. Instead, they shuffled off and moved their seats. Diana sat herself down again, seeming to suddenly remember where she was. Ceri raised her head - bright red and looking mortified. Diana laid a hand on her arm for a moment, the two of them sharing a few words Rhys had no hope of catching. He watched for a few seconds more, before a hand waved in front of his face. “Oi. Rhys, what do you reckon? We were saying odds on the Harpies winning the cup this year-”

2. 

“Hey there,” Rhys smiled, trying to catch the attention of the younger witch, who was sat at the desk amidst a pile of notes. Diana looked up, seeming surprised to see him standing there. “Rhys. Hi,” she smiled, replacing her surprise with a welcoming smile. There was a tiredness around her eyes that Rhys would never dare to mention, but he couldn’t help but notice. “Still studying up for the exams?” He prompted, shuffling the pile of books he was holding against his hip. He knew that the pressure was mounting for a lot of the younger students at the moment. “Yes, yes. Potions at the moment. I’ll be glad when these are over,” she smiled. Rhys nodded, “I remember the feeling.” Studying for topics he wasn’t planning on taking any further had been annoying enough, but he was suddenly reminded of her vocal plans that her future career would have nothing to do with her academic studies. And yet here she was, in this pile of notes and books. “You keep up the good work,” he smiled, trying to be reassuring, “I’m sure you’ll do great.”

3.

“There,” Diana smiled, triumphantly patting Rhys’ chest as she stepped back to admire her handiwork. “Much more handsome,” the witch teased, adjusting her bracelet and picking up her champagne flute again.

“My hero,” Rhys chuckled, with only a glance down at his perfectly polished shoes.

“Well we can’t have you looking scruffy when you’re one of the hosts,” Diana teased, pulling a very serious face at him, which made Rhys chuckle. He checked his neatly retied bow-tie in the mirror, it was dead-centre, perfect. “Thanks Diana. It’s perfect.”

“Oh it’s nothing,” she shrugged off his compliments with a wave of her hand. “We’d best get back to the party-” there was an unspoken hint of something there. Before someone noticed they were both missing from the main room? Before someone got the wrong idea? Before someone saw them standing in the hall together? Questions were bound to be raised.

“Of course, of course. You go, I just need to check something-” Rhys nodded, stepping closer to the mirror and trying to flatten his hair, which was being uncooperative. There was a strange feeling of comfort in his chest, a warmth he didn’t fully recognise as he saw Diana striding back into the main room, the door shutting again behind her.

4.

The evening was drawing to a close now. More and more people had drifted away to make their apologies and leave, or to sit quietly at tables, wrapped in their own conversations. The music had turned slow as well, the band setting the mood, slower, more romantic music, the soft crooning of the singer. Rhys was getting sleepy. A whole evening of being dragged around and shown off to people, making enthusiastic conversation and beaming at people he barely knew. It took its toll. Diana had been a godsend, dragging Rhys to the dancefloor when he was obviously struggling, herself dazzling most of the guests, but even she was beginning to tire. Or perhaps it was the music taking its effect. Her head was resting against his chest, one hand in his, the other laid against his shoulder. Rhys felt suddenly acutely aware of his own heart-beat, thudding away under the pressure on his chest. He wished it wasn’t so loud, so disruptive. He hummed gently along with the song - it was a familiar tune, he had a version of this somewhere in his record collection he was sure. Cutting himself off, Rhys glanced down. “Hey. Do you want to go and sit down? I can escort you home if you want?” 

Diana looked up at him, her eyes coming back into focus from whatever daydream she’d been having. “No. No, I’m ok for now, thank you Rhys.”

5. 

Rhys and Diana both stood outside the front door of her building. They’d been there for perhaps half an hour now, reliving the highlights of the evening. Rhys wiped his eyes, trying to stop himself from dissolving into another fit of laughter at some anecdote Diana was telling. Before he could catch himself, he found himself yawning widely. Diana groaned, and stifled a yawn of her own. “Now you’ve set me off!” She chided him, with a playful smack on the arm. Abashed, the man looked down at his shoes for a moment. “Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t help it. And no wonder-” he pulled out his watch. “It is half past one.. I should let you get some sleep!” Stepping back, Rhys was slightly surprised, when Diana closed the space between them, placing her arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug. He raised his own arms, giving her a gentle squeeze. “I had fun tonight,” Diana spoke, softly, before pulling back and pressing a kiss to his cheek, “Thank you, Rhys.”

“Er.. No problem. I had a great time.. I should be saying thank you, I’m pretty sure you saved me,” he found himself smiling back. Diana stepped back again, fishing out her keys and opening her door. “Goodnight,” Rhys nodded, taking a few steps back down away from the door. 

Rhys closed the book he had been reading with a faint snap. Then he froze, watching as the weight that had been on his leg - not, for the record, something he’d instigated, or been particularly comfortable with in the first place - stirred slightly. Stirred, but didn’t move...

Inching his way forward, Rhys leaned uncomfortably, trying to see whether the girl was actually asleep, or was just trying to wind him up a little. But after a few minutes, he was forced to concede that she was definitely asleep. He tried to tell himself he should probably be pleased, there weren’t many people that others trusted enough to fall asleep on them, but his stomach was beginning to growl, and his leg was uncomfortable. 

But ... he smiled. She did look peaceful there. And how often did he see anyone look peaceful these days?

DIANA

MARZIA

Rhys tried his best - but wasn’t actually successful - to stop his jaw dropping open. His cheeks were flushed bright red, feeling as though he was suddenly burning up. He tried to speak, but instead of words a strangled noise came out. He sputtered. “I.... I.. Marzia!” He choked in a hushed whisper, feeling suddenly self conscious and glancing around.