Closed A Night For Four

[Lilith Ilves]

Though Lilith was beyond disappointed in her two failures this past semester she didn't want it to dampen her mood this evening. The Halloween feast had been cut short because of the leaf incident so the prefect was determined to make the most of Yule Ball. She enjoyed the process of getting ready, whether it was with a friend, on her own or this year with her younger sister. It was nice. This time around the fifth year had kept it fairly simple with a black dress and her hair up.

Once they'd made it to the Great Hall Lili was feeling fairly good. She was looking forward to the evening and making most of it with Eoghan. They only had a few of the dances left and the Ravenclaw didn't want a single one to be ruined anymore, certainly not by the mandrake leaf hell that still awaited for her next semester, but for now she'd focus on her boyfriend and friends. "You look really nice tonight, Antares." She said looking up at Eoghan. It was true, he did look nice and she was just glad he put up with all these functions and attended with her. It was the main reason she wanted to attend, to spend time with him in a different setting. Stopping by a familiar Gryffindor duo Lilith looked at them both with a smile and then noted the fourth year's dress. "Oh I love your dress Mania, you look pretty." She told the girl with a genuine smile.

 

[Felix Layton]

Felix was feeling pretty pleased with himself, since he'd managed to pass all of his subjects this semester. He'd gone from a student who barely gave a textbook a second glance, to suddenly feeling as though he wouldn't be totally out of place with the Ravenclaws. Not only that, but he'd managed to win the match against Slytherin, meaning that Gryffindor were still in the running to keep a tight hold of their Quidditch trophy. Only Lilith stood between them and their continued success.

Luckily for her, Felix thought of Lilith quite highly, so while he may have felt inclined to give some fighting talk to any of the other seekers, the Ravenclaw prefect was spared. As Felix stood with Nia in the Great Hall, feeling a mix of emotions as he admired her choice of outfit, a small smirk on his face as he did his very best not to butcher the pronunciation, "Eísai ómorfi.*" Lilith and Eoghan spoke in a different language so often that Felix had been doing his best to pick up on some Greek phrases, trying his best to prove that they weren't the only ones who could talk without the others overhearing. The prefect turned when he heard Lilith complimenting his girlfriend, dance partner, and for some reason she also looked a little..taller? than usual. Felix had been worried about Lilith recently, so it was a relief to see her at the Yule Ball. "Do you like mine too?" he asked, giving the Ravenclaw a twirl in his suit.

*"You are beautiful"

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

Eoghan's otherwise still face flashed a small smile as Lilith told him he looked nice. "Thank you, so do you," he replied, sliding an arm around her waist as they moved further into the Great Hall. It was more for his own comfort than Lili's, as while Eoghan had struggled previously in the large crowds it was getting even harder to not become quickly overwhelmed these days. He stayed silent however as the brunette addressed a couple of Gryffindors, and Eoghan came face to face with one of the fourth years he'd heard so much about. Of course Felix couldn't help himself but to steal her limelight, and Eoghan sighed quietly under his breath, focusing on Lilith beside him instead. He was determined to see this night to the end, and for the first time since coming to Hogwarts, perhaps they wouldn't bail the moment they arrived.

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Mania was excited at the prospect of the Yule Ball. She had a dress that was a little combination of two dresses she’s stolen from her older sister’s closet. Okay well not exactly stolen… Hera had given her one willingly and the other one was more or less stolen. Mania was sure though that the woman wouldn’t mind. Besides Nia had just taken the two dresses apart and sewn them together to make something fitting and something unique.

Standing beside Felix had the Gryffindor fighting inner demons not to ogle the prefect. He looked very good in a suit, too good for his own good and for Mania’s for that matter. She was just about to steal another glance at him when he surprised her by speaking in her mother tongue. The fourth year turned her head around slowly, almost comically so, her eyes the sizes of two moons as her mouth fell open. HE’D JUST CALLED HER BEAUTIFUL IN GREEK. It took Nia embarrassingly long to recover from her shock, her mouth hanging open, but eventually she managed to turn the gawk into the biggest grin on earth.

“YOU LEARNED GREEK?” She questioned him still smiling big. “Efharistó, íse k'esí ómorfos*” She said back, hoping he’d be able to understand her words. Turning to the two Ravenclaws Nia suddenly felt far shorter and out of place being the only non-prefect. Still she smiled at Lilith’s compliment and laughed at, her boyfriend’s, Fifi’s antics. “Thank you, I kinda made it myself well at least half of it. It was two dresses I just kind of took apart and made something new.” She explained happily, then taking in the older girl. “You look very pretty too,” the fourth year added honestly. Lilith had this elegant sort of style and beauty to her that sometimes Mania envied. The girl seemed so put together.


*Thank you, you look handsome too.

 

[Lilith Ilves]

Lilith's cheeks flushed slightly from the compliment her boyfriend gave her. No matter how many he'd given her along the years, each time he said anything about the way she looked the Ravenclaw felt a swarm of butterflies take flight in her stomach. Leaning into Eoghan's side she watched the Gryffindors who were exchanging what Lilith could only assume was Greek, but honestly she couldn't even hear properly. She was pretty sure Mania was from Greece and assumed Greek would be her mother tongue. Judging by the fourth years expression she was quite taken by the fact that Felix spoke in the language too.

Lilith was still focused on Mania's dress when the Gryffindor prefect beside the brunette seemed to want some compliments too. Looking at her friend the prefect let out a soft laugh as the boy spun around to show off his outfit. "Yes I like it Felix. You look very distinguished. Smart too!" She told him with a big grin before shifting her focus back to the other girl who was explaining about her dress. "Ooh that's amazing, it looks really good." She said nodding before leaning her head on Eoghan's shoulder. "Are you guys excited for the break?" Lili questioned the three people around her, it was different for her now that her siblings were at the school it only left her mum at home to miss.

 

[Felix Layton]

Nia's reaction to Felix talking in Greek was exactly what he was going for, and he stole a quick kiss while she was gobsmacked. He watched her a little blankly as she said something in return, the only word he could make out was thanks. He had to presume it was something sweet, unless of course Nia was trying to tease him and test out how much he knew, "We'll come back to that later," he smiled.

Smart? That was a first for the blonde. "You mean to say I brush up well?" Felix tilted his head back a little, sweeping some of his hair from his forehead. Teddy would have been proud at the amount of volume he'd managed to achieve tonight. He listened as Nia explained she'd made her dress, and it reminded him of the skirt she'd once made out of ties, before one of the younger students had commented on it. "Nia is incredibly creative," he reiterated. With one hand holding the younger girls, he lifted their arms, giving the brunette a spin too, "not much she can't make with some fabric to hand."

In truth Felix hadn't really considered what he would do over the Christmas break except how it would probably mean he was separated from his friends. He'd already decided to stay at the castle over the holidays just in case Lilith had, not wanting to risk her being left on her own at this time of year. Besides with Ten now working at the Harbour, it wasn't as though he couldn't see any of his family over the holiday. The prefect simply shrugged, "I hadn't really thought about it," he lied.

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

It was embarrassing how much these two liked to flail around in front of the crowd. As Felix was showing off he almost hit a passing student walking behind him, and he was completely oblivious to it. At least Lilith seemed more mindful of her presence, and was much more graceful in her movements than these hooligans. Mania had put something questionable together, as though having a dress already made was too much of an easy option and she'd had to make it more complicated. Had she nothing else to be doing with her time than making things harder for herself?

The grip around Lilith's waist tightened a little as she rested her head on his shoulder. Eoghan was secretly hoping that her family would invite him over for the break again but he didn't want to get his hopes up too high in case they didn't ask. "Can I get you a drink?" Eoghan mumbled quietly.

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Mania grinned at Felix's blank expression, no doubt it was because he hadn't fully understood what she said. "Sure thing princess," She whispered to Felix with a grin. She'd need to teach him more Greek because his accent while he spoke it was just adorable. Shaking her head as Felix continued to bask in the compliment he'd received from Lili Nia tried to stifle a laugh. However when the attention was back on her she couldn't help her cheeks from gaining colour because it was still weird to her that someone would think she was good at really anything. Though she was trying to get used to it.

"Well I wouldn't go that far, but let's say I wouldn't be completely lost if all my clothes turned into fabric instead of actual clothes. I could make something wearable out of them." She'd practiced sewing a lot in the last few years and had full faith in her abilities. Glancing towards Eoghan, who if she was being honest kind of scared Nia with his silent looming presence, she tried to figure out how he was doing or feeling but it was quite difficult given how the boy's face seemed to always be stuck in the same expression except when looking at his girlfriend.

Turning to glance back at Fifi she considered Lili's question. Not sure if she wanted to go home. Her mum no doubt was planning something with Alex's mum and Nia wasn't looking forward to that. Giving a shrug the fourth year glanced back towards Lili. "Yeah I haven't really thought about it... Not exactly looking forward to going to home though." She said, noticing that Eoghan seemed to mumble something to Lilith.

 

[Lilith Ilves]

Lilith shook her head with a small smile as Felix sweeped some hair back from his forehead. She was so glad they were in good terms again. It had been terrible last year around this time when their friendship was not at its best. Lili's smile widened as the Gryffindor prefect spun Mania around to show off her dress better. It really made her happy to see one of her best friends with someone with such ease. The two of them seemed to be working out fairly well, whatever they were. "Seems so," the Ravenclaw agreed.

Lilith tried not to frown when she felt the grip around her waist tighten, she turned her face towards Eoghan next to her trying to see if he looked like he was doing alright before glancing back. The prefect listened as both lions said they hadn't thought too much about the holidays yet. "I think I'm probably returning home to see how my mum is and such but beyond that not sure."

When Lili heard her boyfriend ask if he could grab her a drink she gave a small smile. "I could come with you, I was wanting to ask something." She offered quietly before turning back to the Gryffindors. "I think me and Antares are going to get some drinks, hopefully we'll see each other around but if not have fun you two and enjoy dancing." She offered their friends a smile.

 

[Felix Layton]

Felix had every belief that Nia could make anything she wanted to. Both Eoghan and Lilith however seemed to not really be paying attention to either of them, and it only made Felix want to do even more to make sure the fourth year had a night to remember. It wasn't long before the Ravenclaws were already making their excuses to leave the group, and he was doing his very best not to let the disappointment show in his face. It wasn't that he didn't want to be alone with Nia, not at all, however for a moment it felt as though it had been a few years ago, that there was still a group of students willing to hang out together. Now the more he looked around the castle the more he found his friends had sort of left him. Jonah had moved school, William was spending every moment with Eury, and Amory rarely came to these occasions. He hadn't spoken to Tori in months, and even Christa had stopped asking to hang out. It was hard not to take it personally.

The blond turned his head back down to Nia who also didn't really like the idea of returning home. Did that mean she would have to anyway? By the sounds of it he was going to be left alone in the castle, but at least he would be there for anyone else that did stay. Pushing it out of his mind, and pulling on Nia's hand, Felix dragged her through the crowd and to the dance floor where the music was almost so loud Felix couldn't hear what anyone around him was saying. If nothing else, they had tonight. No matter what the next few weeks or months or years held, tonight would be for fun.

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

Eoghan's eyebrows hardened in concern when Lili mention she had something to ask him. "What's wrong?" usually she would just tell him there and then, but it looked as though she wanted it just to be the two of them. He wasn't hiding the fact he had nothing against Felix and Mania leaving the pair of them to it. Better them than Eoghan, being dragged into the sweaty pool of students would have been one of his worst nightmares. "Er ye, have fun," he threw over his shoulder as they left, although the prefect wasn't convinced they'd even heard him.

The blond withdraw his arm from Lilith's waist, and slid his hands into the pocket of his black trousers. "What do you need to ask me?" Suddenly it was the only thing Eoghan cared about knowing as they slowly walked towards the refreshments table.

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Mania felt like there was a shift in the atmosphere but she wasn't sure what had happened. Perhaps it was the fact that the Ravenclaws seemed to be eager to get away or maybe the break talk? She wasn't all that sure really. "Okidoki, you too!" She told the pair before letting herself be pulled towards the dancefloor by Felix. Glancing around at the other students Mania felt like she just wanted to stay at the castle because it was nicer than their family manor.

Looking at Fifi the fourth year wrapped her arms around his neck before starting to dance. She was wearing heels so it allowed her to reach his neck when on her tiptoes, but it was really worth the effort. "You really do look nice, very handsome." She told the prefect with a grin. "That is what I said in Greek, thank you and you look handsome as well." She added quickly. "I was also thinking... I don't want to go home so what if..." The fourth year bit the inside of her cheek while glancing around the room, pondering her options. "I was thinking of just giving Windy or Gaia a letter to deliver to my mum saying that I am staying at the castle. Not like they'll be missing me much there anyways, Hera might but she's also probably down at Obsidian Harbor." It was just an idea she'd been playing around with, she wasn't 100% sure on Fifi's plans but maybe they could hang out. She'd contemplated asking Finley and Pim if she could stay at theirs for the holidays, but she hadn't wanted to bother them really.

 

[Lilith Ilves]

Lili gave a reassuring smile to Eoghan, not wanting him to worry about her when nothing was really wrong. She also gave one last parting smile to the Gryffindors, feeling a little bad about parting so soon after the night had started but she had faith they'd run into each other during the night again. "Everything is fine really." She told Eoghan as they began walking.

Once they were closer to the drinks where there were less people Lili spoke again. "I was wondering if maybe..." She began but bit her lip nervously, it was silly to be nervous to ask it but she still was. "It's okay if not but I was thinking that maybe if you wanted to come to our place for the holidays?" The prefect finally got the words out, glancing at her boyfriend hopefully. "It's just... I am a little nervous maybe even scared to return home for Christmas and I would love to spend the holidays with you but also..." She needed him around, needed his comfort and support but she wasn't sure how to word it. How to admit it out loud.

 

[Felix Layton]

Felix was a little surprised Nia managed to wrap her arms around his neck, then again, only just. "Oohhh, that's what you said," he smiled, "here's me thinking you were winding me up about my pronunciation." He had been practising but only to himself, so this was the first time he'd spoken any Greek out loud. "You think I'm handsome too?" Felix's smile only grew more at the Gryffindor's words.

Nia seemed to have another plan up her sleeve, the question lingering on her face. For a moment Felix forgot who Windy was, although throwing Gaia into the mix he remembered her quite clearly. He didn't think it would have been a wise choice to ask Nia why she didn't want to go home but he guessed now was a good a time as any to tell her what his plans were. "I'm not going home either," he was almost shouting over the volume of the music, leaning down a little so Nia could hear him probably. "If you stay here too, I'm sure we could find something to do together."

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

Eoghan was following after Lilith eagerly waiting to hear what she had to say, especially as she seemed to be a little nervous about asking him. Surely it couldn't be too nerve wracking to ask him? The moment she actually asked him to stay over the holidays however, it was like Eoghan could feel the weight leaving his shoulders. "I could come over, if you want me to," Lilith seemed to want him there but maybe there was something else that he wasn't picking up on. "But what?" Eoghan pushed. "Lili it makes sense you're nervous," Eoghan took her hand again lightly, "But your mum will be there. Leo and Leena will be there. You're all in the same boat aren't you," Eoghan knew it would be strange but it would be for all of them, "If you want me to be there I will be."

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Honestly wrapping her arms around Fifi's neck was a workout and a half, but Nia tried not to show she was struggling. She couldn't give up now, she was committed to the bit. Nodding the fourth year smiled and then it turned to a grin and she lowered one hand to her chest and gasped. "Me? Winding you up?" She looked around as though she was offended. "I would never." Mania said her words accompanied with a small laugh because she definitely would. "Besides, you sounded adorable!" She added tilting her head a little to the right as she gazed up at the prefect. "Duh, very handsome."

Mania's plan to not go home was just that for now. There was still left the part where she'd have to convince her younger sisters to let her stay, though it wasn't as though the two of them were exactly dying to go home either so it should be an easy feat. The Gryffindor looked at Felix as he admitted he was staying at the castle too, her face lighting up with another grin. Oh then she'd surely stay. She could just spend the time with him instead! "It is settled then. I'll write the letter and give it to Gaia." She concluded already excited at the prospect of hanging out with Felix for the holidays. "Oh? Yeah I suppose we could manage to entertain ourselves." Nia agreed and now that he was leaning down she stole a kiss, would have been rude not to when he was closer and she didn't have to practically leap upwards.

 

[Lilith Ilves]

Lilith let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in as Eoghan said he'd go if she wanted him there. "You don't have to just for me, you can think on it. I understand if you want to go home instead." She said, just to make sure he knew she wouldn't be offended if he chose to go to Helsinki instead. The prefect felt unease gnawing at her insides as Eoghan pushed and made a point her mum and siblings would be there too and that they'd all be in the same boat. Technically yes, but in a way no. "It's not that... It's that I don't think," she started but halted for a moment, pondering on her words. She held onto her boyfriends hand as she formulated the words into a sentence that made sense in her head. "Around them I feel like I have to constantly be ready to shield how I feel, to hide away my own discomfort or sadness to I don't know better look after them? It's different with you. I don't have to do any of that. I can be myself fully and truly." Somewhere along the years she'd grown comfortable letting the boy beside her see every bit of her hurt and joy alike. "I just think I need to know I have someone to lean on, too." She concluded, knowing it was a lot to ask but he was really the only one she could and wanted to ask to be that person.

 

[Felix Layton]

"Adorable wasn't exactly what I was going for, but I'll take it," Felix smiled down to Nia, his eyes transfixed on her features. A few months ago he'd decided that he would just let things run their nature course. He'd already spent a while trying to avoid the Gryffindor and not let himself get too close, but apparently with her it was easier said than done. He'd been throwing caution to the wind this year and so far the speed in which they'd been taking things had been.. good. The fifth year was glad they also seemed to be on the same page, neither of them particularly having any interest in labelling whatever it was between them so much as just making the most of the enjoyment they got from spending time with one another.

"Oh yeah?" Another smirk appeared across Felix's face, "Your sisters might think I'm stealing you from them," they'd be right, too. While Felix was all for spending Christmas with family, it would have been a lie to say that he wasn't excited at the prospect of spending it with Nia, even if it did the both of them would have the school to contend with. Felix kissed Nia back, the crowd and music around them making him feel even more lost than ever in the moment. "They will have to get through me if they want to try to take you home."

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

"Right, because there's a lot of competition when it comes to whether I want to go home," Eoghan replied flatly. Even time he saw Imogen things were becoming increasingly tense, and the prospect that in just over two years he'd have to return to her anyway was a looming expectation he'd rather not consider for any longer than he had to. "Besides, you're my home," he was sure he'd told her that before, "where you go I go, remember?" He didn't doubt she didn't. His eyes trailed to the side of Lilith's face, tracing the outline of her body, down her neck, until he lightly brushed her shoulder, squeezing her hand with his other. He listened intently as Lilith explained that she felt as though she could unmask around him, a familiar sense given he felt the same towards her too. He thought for a moment, considering the differences between their families. Eoghan knew his own would judge him and use what he knew for their own advantages, but he didn't believe Lilith's family were like that. "Maybe give them a chance," he replied finally, eyes meeting hers once more. "I know you want to be strong for them, but I don't think they'll think any less of you for showing them how you really feel," Eoghan reached for a glass from the table beside them, handing one to Lili before picking up a second for himself.

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Mania's grin widened, of course adorable hadn't been his intention but it was where he'd ended up. It was partly also because he'd gone out of his way to learn the language she grew up with and spoke in with her family but also in part because of the pronunciation. Looking at Felix the fourth year just kept smiling up at him because she was really happy how things had turned out for them. There was no pressure of anything but they could also just spend time together and know that they were on the same page.

Mania snorted at the fact that her sisters might think Fifi was stealing her, because Gaia would most definitely go down that route. "They'll survive." She grinned. The people around them seemed to blend to the background as they kissed at least that was the case for Mania. She'd always been one to barely be able to sit still and focus on one thing at once but in the recent years she'd found a few things that captured her whole attention and apparently kissing a certain prefect was one of those. "I'd like to see them try, Gaia just might." Nia spoke against Felix's lips with a grin, but in all honesty she had a feeling the third year might just be glad she wouldn't have to scare Alexander away from her constantly during the break.

 

[Felix Layton]

As Felix and Mania were talking in their low tones amongst themselves, the occasional grin or chuckle being passed between them, the prefect felt as though they were sharing the same air. It was a sort of intimacy he wasn't really accustomed to. "Don't even joke, I wouldn't put it past Gaia to appreciate witnessing me hanging upside down from a tree again," she seemed to enjoy it the first time and judging how much closer he now seemed to be to her sister, Nia's personal bodyguard would probably take great delight in watching Felix dangle.

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Mania's hands had started to slip down from around Felix's neck and were now resting on his shoulders, making it a little bit easier for her to be. She didn't mind their closeness at all or that there were others all around them. When Felix said Gaia wouldn't mind seeing him hanging upside down from a tree the fourth year snorted out a laugh. Then her brain caught on and her laughter stopped as she stared at Felix confused. "Huh..? What do you mean again?" She asked, was there something neither of them had mentioned to her. She was still amused by the thought, just confused.

 

[Felix Layton]

Felix's eyes were flickering between Nia's and her lips, occasionally pressing his own to hers. "Well, I get the impression she doesn't like me hanging around you," he sniggered at his own joke. "I think given half the chance she'd string me straight back up by my pants," honestly he didn't want to offer the idea to the Slytherin and Felix would be a happy boy if it never came to that, but he would be using Nia as a meat shield against her sister if Gaia ever approached him with that intent.

 

[Lilith Ilves]

In a way Lilith felt bad for Eoghan and the way he felt more apprehensive about returning home as the days and years went by. She didn't blame him of course, but it was still sad to see how Imogen and his grandmother made him feel. She smiled at the reminder that she was his home as he was hers. "So you'll come then?" She asked hopefully, wanting confirmation. Glancing his way the prefect considered his words as she took the glass, giving a small smile and thank you. Perhaps it'd been unfair of her not to give her family a chance to be there and see how she was feeling. She'd grown used to doing most things on her own or with Eoghan since she was half a world away at school, but maybe she could start now. One step at a time. "I suppose, I just want to see how mum is doing first. I reckon it'd been difficult now that the twins are off to school as well," Lili said with a small frown. Merlin she'd sent some letters home and gotten a few back too, but that was all she'd been able to do. "Se was asking how you were in her last letter too so I think she'd love if you came over as well." The Ravenclaw looked at her boyfriend with a smile, it'd be nice having him around for the Holidays again.

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Mania cringed a little bit on the inside, or more like her whole being recoiled, as she thought of what Felix might mean. "Wait so, has my sister strung you up a tree by your pants before?" With each word she felt a tad bit more horrified by the idea. "Please tell me she hasn't tried some medieval interrogation technique on you..." Nia wasn't sure she wanted Felix to answer that.