it's either a trick or a treat;

“I have reason to be.”

“And you’re nothing if not modest.”

“Don’t be so upset. It’s a compliment.”

“Everyone other than me is ugly - except you.”

“Of course I’d notice you.”

“You’re the second most handsome man in the world - after me, of course.”

“Second most handsome man? Gee thanks.”

“I hope no-one does. That would be quite gross. Although, you know, it’s not that unlikely,”  Carolyn commented, with a half smile half grimace on her lips. “I’m sorry to hear that. However I don’t think you can force yourself to have a good time. You do or you don’t.” She shrugged. “Anything that would make things better?”

“I know. It’s definitely possible. Hence why I am keeping myself over here.” He thought for a moment. What would make things better? “Well, you’re here. I suppose talking to you would be a lot better than just sitting here.”

“Mentally, you are. Physically?” He flicked his gaze down, grinning. “Who knows?” 

“I didn’t even know you noticed me, physically or not, Lucius.”

“Are you going to say nothing?”

“Yes, I am,” she responded. “Bit of dancing, lot of drinking, silly costumes, and even a few shocking sights.” Carolyn giggled softly. “I believe that from time to time this kind of distraction is needed.”

“I should really try to have a better time, I know. I’m just feeling anti-social for the moment for some odd reason. I really don’t want any of the drunken idiots to vomit on me.”

“Good point.” Carolyn chuckled lightly. “However that depends, too. It’s a matter of points of view. Kind of.”

“I suppose thats true. So, are you having a good time at this thing?”

“And now you are making faces at me which is lovely.”

“Good luck with that,” Carolyn joked, then laughed in return. “Maybe I am. Would that be bad? What would life be without a bit of craziness?”

“No, it wouldn’t be bad. I suppose it would depend on what degree of craziness you would fall into.”

“Have you always been this – dense?” Dawn asked, as kindly as she could.

“Dense? I’m not dense. You’re dense.”

“I wouldn’t go that far and say that. I do enjoy to be comfortable. Who doesn’t?” Carolyn chuckled softly. “I’m not crazy. Well, not that crazy,” she pointed out, joking.

“I don’t want to meet the person who enjoys being uncomfortable.” He commented. He couldn’t help but laugh lightly at her words. “So, you are somewhat crazy then.”

“Make me?”

“You should feel lucky.”

Narcissa dampened a burst of laughter. Lucius Malfoy’s outfit was certainly ridiculous - and strangely endearing. “I am very surprised at some of the chosen outfits. Some people’s underwear cover more skin than their costume.”

“This is very true. Of course, there are some of us who have kept our clothing on and our underwear where it belongs. Maybe I’m just a party pooper.”

Carolyn allowed a small chuckle to escape her lips in response to Barnaby’s words. “Yeah, me too. I do need a job. And since we are talking about that.” She paused briefly to finish her drink. “It’s getting a bit late. I should go.”

“Alright, I should probably get myself moving that way too. I tend to wait too long to leave places. Nice chatting with you.”

“Most?” Carolyn said with a slight tilt of her head and a quick shrug of her shoulders. “I don’t know. Some are.”

“I think most are. You don’t want to go out of your way to be uncomfortable, do you?”

“Already did,” he said happily. “Now I’m stuck with you.”

“Stuck with me? You are lucky to have me, you know.”