Open Get This Party Started

Amber had formed a friendship with the younger Gryffindor Prefect, and was glad they could catch up a little before the younger girl went to Hogwarts again. "It's strange that we're adults now, I still don't feel like I'm allowed to drink." She admitted with a small laugh. "Oh, really? Are you enjoying it so far?" She asked as Corrine talked about her job. She shrugged a little as Corrine asked how it felt to be a graduate. "Surreal, mostly. I still feel like I'm going to be boarding the train in a few months." She sighed. "But it's been alright." Ainsley caught up with them, and Amber smiled at her. "Hey, you." She said, reaching for Ainsley's hand. She was a bit startled as November hugged Ainsley before Amber could take her hand, and tapped her friend on the shoulder. "Hey, I'm here too!" She joked with a light laugh. She looked back over to Corrine, and smiled as she saw a boy kiss her cheek. Was that Corrine's boyfriend? "Hi." She said to him, giving a small wave. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Amber." She couldn't help being curious about this boy
 
Sophie had entered the party with Amber but quickly let her sister catch up with her friends. She made her way over to Caro instead, giving her friend a smile. She knew Caro was likely going to be grumpy about the fact that her sister was hosting this party. Caro was usually grumpy about something to do with Lizzie. Sophie gave her friend a slight smile. "Hey, your hair is even lighter. Are you just going to go white soon?" She asked her as a joke. "Anyone interesting here yet?" Sophie glanced around, and even though she wouldn't admit it even to herself, she was hoping to see Gabriel at the party.
 
From his position near the edge of the room, Tristan felt like not many people were looking at him. That's why he felt safe enough staring at Vivian, though it was honestly also just hard not to look. He missed him, and sometimes found himself thinking back to that moment in the hospital wing. He knew he had told Vivian not to approach him at public events, but kind of wished the other boy would come to him. He was just debating going over to him instead, when he saw another boy approach Vivian. Tristan's eyes narrowed and he took a bigger sip of his drink, almost relishing the burn now. He noticed that this stranger was giving Vivian something, and his heart clenched as he saw Vivian gaze at his face. He finally tore his gaze away, searching the room for a distraction of his own. Was Vivian trying to make him jealous? Two could play that game. Tristan was surprised to find his drink empty, and quickly put it down somewhere. He didn't see anyone he could flirt with to make Vivian jealous, so grabbed another drink instead.
 
Odette felt a moment of nervousness as Margo leaned against her. She wasn't a very open person, and public affection wasn't something that came very naturally to her. But she reminded herself that no one here would probably care that much, and forced herself to relax. She laughed as Margo joked that she was stronger than her, and grinned at the girl. "Prove it. Arm wrestling competition on that snack table over there." She teased, grinning.
 
The party was chaotic, there seemed to be things going on in all directions, but Kauri kept his attention focused on Rose, smiling at her warmly. "Thank you!" He said when she complimented him, grinning brightly. He had done his best to dress well in the hopes of impressing the older girl. Kauri's face only brightened when Rose said she had hoped to see him here. The time they spent together had been good recently, and he was glad that she was enjoying it too. "I was hoping to see you too!" He said cheerfully. "Are you enjoying the party so far?"
 
"So far, so good...and it smells like chocolate all day" she grinned, continuing to sip on the drink. She was no longer grimacing, having grown more used to the taste. Corrine knew the other girl that joined them in name only. She was November Albertson, but Corrine mostly knew her because she was dating the Head Boy. They'd never really spoken before. The trio seemed to know each other well, which left Corrine feeling just a little left out. But that feeling quickly left when she heard Cullen join them and then felt him kiss her head. Corrine blushed as Amber introduced herself, looking quite curious about who he was to Corrine. The teenager snaked an arm around her boyfriend's waist, tucking herself into his side. "Of course I'll share my discount with you" she grinned up at him, her blue eyes only on him for a moment before she tiptoed to kiss his cheek. "This is Cullen. My boyfriend" she introduced him shyly. "You have to try this, Cullen" she held her cup up before feeling how light it. She looked inside and gave a nervous chuckle upon discovering it was empty. "Oh...I finished it. When did that happen?" she giggled again looking at Amber as if she might have the answer.
 
Rose was starting to feel like Harley and Hayley probably wouldn't be coming, and allowed herself to relax. Lizzie was well and truly distracted, but to be fair, so was she. Kauri definitely looked nice, and she grinned as he said he had been hoping to see her too. "I am! Wanna dance?" She asked him, holding out a hand. They had always had fun dancing at events, and she didn't think this time would be any different.
 
He had been thankful that his icebreaker had gone without a hitch; Vivian accepting one of the sweets he had offered forward with little hesitation. Then came the introduction and he had been thankful that he could put a name to the face. "Vivian, huh? That is a unique and undeniably fantastic name for a strapping gentleman such as yourself." he grinned; his pearly whites beaming. "It's a genuine pleasure." he said, taking one of the sweets he had left in his napkin and taking a small bite from it.

Graydon couldn't help but smile at Vivian's dissatisfaction with the whole party element. He totally got it. Lots of people, a whole lot of noise and the inherent
requirement to socialise; it could be a lot. Particularly for those who didn't play nicely with social situations and masses of people.
"I get you." he said. "I usually thrive in these situations. Like, honestly, this is supposed to be my element. But here? No one knows me. I don't know anyone. I'm about as out of place as a Hippogriff at an Owlery." he explained, pocketing his napkin with the last of the sweets in it and running his now free hand through his hair to set it in place once more. His words had been a verbal reminder of it all again. Of how the life he knew hadn't been carried over to New Zealand. Of how now, in that very moment, Vivian had been the only person he'd even engaged with since arriving other than his work-obssessed dad.

He blinked back to life -- casting his straying thoughts from his mind and resurfacing back in the present -- the sound of the party once more returning to remind him that he wasn't cooped up in his room where he could comfortably lose himself in a state of pondering. It had been then that he had noticed it. Vivian's straying eyes; surveying as if he'd lost something, or perhaps, had found something. Graydon had flashed a glance over his shoulder as if to try and re-trace the boys line of sight, though, he had little success. His eyes soon found their way back around, resting back on the dark featured and somewhat handsome gentleman who stood before him.

"You waiting for someone?" he asked with a raise of his brow. "Handsome guy like you surely didn't stroll into a party like this alone, right?" Right. Because they never did. Or they never batted for his team; the never ending cycle of Mr. Graydon Manick's love life.
 
Standing close to Amber, Ainsley shyly returned the Gryffindor prefect's greeting. She felt Amber start to reach for her hand, but before Ainsley could accept the welcome comfort, she had an armful of who she quickly recognised as one of her former roommates. "November!" Ainsley said warmly, hugging the smaller girl back tightly. She knew November and Flavio's situation had been difficult recently, and was relieved that November seemed to be in relatively high spirits, if she seemed about as anxious about the party environment as Ainsley felt. She nodded in response to November's comment, words escaping her a little bit in the chaos of the party. With Amber's friend now talking to someone else who had joined them, and all the different conversations criss-crossing one another, Ainsley felt lost in a wall of noise. She reached out and took Amber's hand quickly, giving it a firm squeeze, and stayed by her side, contented to stay quiet and close to Amber until she started to adjust more to the chaos.
 
Lizzie was caught off guard by the flutter of her heart as Daisy presented the rose to her, a warmth she hadn't expected striking her at the gesture. She did her best to brush it aside, grinning brightly as she accepted the flower. "Thanks! It's beautiful!" Lizzie grinned, holding onto the rose happily. She forced herself not to stare at Daisy for too long, looking over at the refreshment table. "Do you wanna get a drink?" She asked, smiling hopefully.
 
Daisy grinned when Lizzie thanked her. "A beautiful rose for a beautiful girl!" She replied happily. She wasn't lying or flattering her friend. Daisy hadn't had any feelings for anyone other than Leo and Sheridan (which she definitely liked to forget about), but she was always able to admire a female's amazingness and good looks. "Yes!" Daisy exclaimed in reply about drinks. Grabbing Lizzie's hand, Daisy led her friend to the drinks table. The ex-Gryffindor hadn't actually had much alcohol before, it wasn't entirely her preference, but she was always willing to try something new. "What here is good?"
 
October had been to parties before, certainly, but this felt very different, She was an adult now, entering her final year of school. She could drink if she chose to, and more importantly, October would be farewelling people she knew, people she had known for years, either by conversation or just by sight. The landscape of Hogwarts changed each year as people came and went, but this year the people going were ones October had known for years, and in just a year's time, it would be her own turn to take that step. Although October knew where she wanted to go after leaving school, it still didn't feel like a thing that was really going to happen. After arriving with April October looked around the party quietly, not sure what to do first. She decided to start with a drink, picking up a butterbeer and glancing at her sister. "Our dads will kill you if you drink." She reminded April, not wanting to have to supervise the younger girl tonight. She didn't know what she did want to do yet, but keeping an eye on April wasn't it.
 
Vivian almost didn't remember the last time someone other than Tristan had approached him so confidently. Vincent, perhaps, but that had been years ago now. The compliment caught him unawares and he couldn't help the grin spreading across his face to meet Graydon's own, eyes lingering as he tried to find the words to respond with. "I... thanks." Vivian said quietly, face warm. "It's nice to meet you too." He was both intrigued and relieved when Graydon talked about not knowing anyone here. He was glad that he hadn't somehow forgotten the face of a classmate, but curious as to where he had come from. He chuckled softly at Graydon's vivid speech. "Did you just move here?" He asked curiously. "I didn't think I had seen you around Hogwarts before."

Vivian near-flinched when Graydon caught him looking at Tristan, eyes snapping away quickly. He knew Tristan wouldn't want to spend time together at an event like this, there was no point lingering, especially when there was the possibility of company who actually wanted to be around Vivian in public. He spoke quickly, shaking his head. "No, he's just..." My boyfriend. The love of my life. A mistake? "...a friend. I'm here by myself." He smiled a little nervously. "I.... assume you're here alone too?"
 
Cullen was grateful to Corrine everyday for introducing him to new people. It helped him overcome his anxieties about talking to people he didn't know in a language he thought he still had so much to learn about. Sometimes he wished she knew Korean, it'd be easier to compliment her then, he always found himself using the same words, beautiful, pretty, cute. But he thought more of his girlfriend than just those words. "Yes Cullen," he said politely back to the girl who looked rather Korean herself. He wasn't sure, she could be Japanese as well, but her English was good he wondered if she had been raised here or something. It wouldn't be a surprise to him he knew his people had moved all over the world and settled. Like his own parents who had decided to move here to New Zealand and that was why he transferred here. Feeling Corrine hold onto his waist made him smile down at here. He would have offered a hand in greeting but now he was happier to hold on to his girl. He looked at her cup and laughed a little. "I can get you more," he said taking the cup from her hoping she'd let him go for the minute it'd take to her another drink.
 
The party was barely getting underway, and of course everyone was fussing over Lizzie. Her last hurrah as the center of attention. Caro could barely stomach it, nibbling on some crisps with one arm across her stomach self consciously as she waited for anyone she actually knew to show up. It felt like it took forever, but finally Caro spotted Sophie, a big grin spreading across her face. "Sophieee!" She said cheerfully, smile widening when Sophie noticed her hair. "Do you like it? I wanted something different." Caro smiled, running a hand through her now platinum hair self consciously.
 
Kauri grinned, face flushing slightly as he took Rose's outstretched hand. His skin felt almost electric at the touch, heart thumping as he met Rose's eyes. "Definitely!" He said brightly. Over the past few months he definitely had felt more of a romantic air to the time they had spent together, but Rose hadn't been ready for a relationship yet. Kauri wanted to bring the subject up again, but he didn't want to make Rose uncomfortable, or feel like he was pressuring her. He liked having her as a friend as well, and if that was all they ever were, he knew he would be fine with it. It was hard not to wish for more though, as he followed Rose out to the dancefloor, grinning happily.
 
Amber looked at the boy curiously, but it soon became clear what he was to Corrine. The girl placed her arm around his waist and kissed his cheek, and Amber couldn't stop a grin. She loved seeing people in love, and Corrine looked very happy next to this boy. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend, how wonderful!" She said sincerely. She laughed a little as Corrine tried to offer Cullen an empty cup. It seemed like the drink was already affecting the girl a bit. Amber glanced at Ainsley and squeezed her hand back, giving her a reassuring smile. "We could get drinks as well, do you want something Ainsley?" Amber asked her, ready to leave the conversation with her for a moment if Ainsley needed to go somewhere more quiet.
 
Rose didn't see many people dancing yet, but she didn't care. She wanted to dance with Kauri, and in this moment she didn't even care if Harley and Hayley saw and judged her. She had grown to really like Kauri, and he had as good as told her he liked her too. It didn't matter that he was younger, or someone who enjoyed following rules. It was time to make a move. Rose pulled him over to the dance floor and started to dance with him happily, locking her gaze on his with a bright smile. He really was cute, and what was a better time than a party to let him know that? She moved a little closer to him. "I really am glad you're here, I missed you." She admitted.
 
Sophie was glad Caro was happy to see her, and she was also glad she had commented on her hair when she saw how happy it was making the Slytherin. "I do like it." She said, though she didn't actually think it was that much of a change from before. Blond or more blond, who cared? But Caro seemed to think that changing her hair was significant, so Sophie nodded along. She glanced around again, a small sigh escaping her. "So... any boys you like here?" She asked her friend, glancing at her with a small smile. She'd suspected Caro liked someone for a while, but her friend had never said who. Sophie had been wondering if she should say anything about her weird... crush or whatever it was on Gabriel. She wanted Caro's take on it, but also didn't want to say it out loud. That would make it real.
 
April was moving to the music from the moment she could make it out through the door. Always eager to dance, April was very excited about this party. She hoped to run into some friends, or maybe even make some new ones. As long as she could shake her sister a bit, at least. She sighed loudly and rolled her eyes as October reminded her not to drink. Did she really need to remind April of their one year age difference? "Please, you'll kill me first and you're more dangerous." She said, sticking out her tongue. She pointedly grabbed a soda and took a sip while looking at October. "I'll be having too much fun to drink anyway." She said, tapping her foot to the music. "I wanna dance."
 
He had felt a sense of warmness fill him for the first time that night when Vivian had broken a smile at his compliment. After all, before he'd arrived, Vivian looked agonised; the same way which Graydon had felt inside once he felt all the foreign eyes beaming at him. And yet now, just by the placement of his intentions and the uttering of his words, he had shifted agony into at least a vague sense of positivity.

Graydon had returned the smile which he had received. Though, the smile had broken down a little more by the time Vivian had questioned whether he had just moved to New Zealand. His mind rushed to his father; playing the scene he had left behind him just prior to disembarking for the party.
"Remember; nothing about the Scitorari. Nothing about how we live."
He felt a lump form in his throat, though, he did his damnedest to swallow it down in one effortful gulp.

"I-Uh... Yeah, I... Well, we....Me and my dad, not my mum though. No, she-..." he stopped, took a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd never been the secretive type. At least, not when it was expected of him to actively avoid the truth. Not that Vivian had pried or anything. Hell, he hadn't even asked about the details of Graydon's life. Almost as if to make whatever rambling drivel he'd been about to deliver believable, he'd tried to add depth to his 'origin'. And that had just made him look daft and confused. "I'm just going to pretend I didn't sound like a complete idiot and retry that." he paused, letting out a chuckle.

Simple. Basic. Believable.

He repeated it to himself over and over before he spoke again.

"I just got here, honestly. Just a few nights ago. I transferred in from Durmstrang, so definitely haven't been hiding from you at Hogwarts. I uh, had it a little rough over there because..." he thought about the students. He thought about how they used to cuss at him, calling him out as a 'tainted wizard', a 'dark mark worshipper' and everything else under the sun that they might have conjured up in typical, cruel, teenage fashion. Though for the moment, he blinked it all away; swallowing any emotion that might have come with it. "... Because I was missing my family. They've lived out this way for years. I just happened to get the Tom Hanks treatment and got Castaway." as if his words had been magic, he conjured up a story that even he might have believed if he hadn't known any better.

He'd been thankful when the conversation had turned away from him and onto Vivian however after he'd noted the boys straying eyes. Though, apparently the gentleman across the ways had been none more than a friend to his new acquaintance; alas, not a friend he had arrived with. "If I'm keeping you from your Hogwarts buddies, man, honestly, just shove me along. I won't be offended" he promised, gesturing as if to cross his heart. "Your assumption on me being alone too, however, is on the money. I'm Graydon-No-Mates." he chuckled lightheartedly.
 
Tristan had grabbed a second drink at random, but was pleasantly surprised to taste that it was sweeter than what he had previously been drinking. The alcohol taste was less strong, though he still felt it burn a little. It didn't matter much, it was actually kind of nice. What was less nice was that he still didn't see anyone he could distract himself with. He would have settled for a nice looking boy or girl standing by themselves, or a friend like Jerara to chat with for a while. But he didn't see anyone suitable that wasn't otherwise occupied. There was a group of people but Corrine was standing with them, and Kauri was dancing with the Minister's daughter. Without a good distraction, Tristan's gaze kept being drawn to Vivian and the stranger. Were they flirting? Or just talking? If Tristan knew Vivian, he had to guess it was at least somewhat flirtatious. Normally he would see this as a good sign, a sign that Vivian was still okay with their arrangement. But right now he was bored and lonely and had honestly, kind of missed him. And Vivian wasn't even looking his way.

Tristan's gaze was trained on the two of them as he sipped his drink. He was surprised when the bottle was empty, and placed it on a nearby table without looking away from Vivian and the strange boy. He was going to talk to them. That wasn't a bad idea, was it? His relationship with Vivan was a secret, but people knew they were friends. Friends talked at parties. It was fine. With his mind made up, Tristan pushed past a few other teenagers to make his way over to the two of them. It wasn't until he was trying to walk that he realized that maybe the second drink had been as strong as the first, if not stronger. The taste had just masked it a little. He was definitely a little wobbly, not striding with his usual confidence. But that didn't matter, he just had to know if they were flirting. Maybe he could steal Vivian away for a bit. A bit of kissing outside in the snow sounded quite nice, and he knew Vivian would say yes if he asked. He just had to figure out how to ask very subtly, so this new kid wouldn't know what was happening. As he approached, the stranger was talking, and Tristan caught the last part of what he was saying. He scoffed, was this guy trying to get Vivian to pity him? That was a pretty terrible move, as far as flirting went. Tristan shot him a smile once he came into view, but pointedly put his hand on Vivian's shoulder. It was both a possessive gesture, and a way to steady himself. (Not that he really needed to.) "Hey Vivian, who is your friend?" He asked, smiling as he looked between the two of them. If his gaze lingered on Vivian a bit longer, he was sure he still managed to make it look natural. The drinks weren't that strong, he was still in control. But Vivian did look very nice, and it was nice to look at him from up close.
 
It was difficult to think in a room so full and loud, and Amber's hand was the only thing grounding Ainsley. She felt as though the conversations surrounding her were almost gliding off her exterior, things she was aware were moving past her rather than something she was fully absorbing. Amber's voice cut through the noise though, and Ainsley nodded gratefully, squeezing Amber's hand. It was nice to see so many friends again, but the part was a lot, and she was beginning to feel the same kind of strain she had often felt at school dances. As always, Amber kept her grounded, and she stayed close to her girlfriend.
 
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Lizzie felt the heat in her face when Daisy called her beautiful, cursing the colour her cheeks were no doubt turning. "Awww, flatterer." She said, trying to laugh off how the compliment had made her feel. It was a relief when Daisy drew her away to the drinks table, and Lizzie quickly picked up one of the muggle drinks she had bought in town, not having wanted to bother apparating all the way to Obsidian Harbour or Brightstone for everything. "These are pretty nice. It's like, vodka and fruit flavouring." She explained, picking up a cruiser. Truthfully, she hadn't really tried much of what she had bought for the party, but anything fruity had to be good, right?
 
October couldn't quite help laughing at April's comment, nodding. "True." She admitted. Times like this, it struck October how stupid she had been, rejecting April's place in her family for so long. She couldn't imagine life without April as her sister now. She smiled at the sight of April tapping her foot, nodding in agreement. "Me too." October smiled, taking another sip of her drink. "Should we show them how it's done?"
 

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