What could go wrong?

[Amortentia Layton]

When Leda and Mervyn had first told Ten that they were planning a week away with the girls, she'd assumed that meant she and Eluned were going too. It was only later that she realised Leda had bought three new brand new little suitcases, and given that Ten had never actually been on a real holiday before, she put the pieces together relatively quickly. As a result, the prefect had stomped into her best friends room to rant about the situation, and it wasn't long before they'd come up with a plan of their own.

Ned was right. With Leda and Mervyn away, they were the adults of the house. They were also seventeen now, they could anything they wanted. With Leda and Mervyn away, who was to stop them doing exactly what they pleased? It had taken a day to round up a selection of invites to their friends, although unfortunately Felix had managed to catch them in the act. Ten had told him that as long as his friends didn't get in the way of their friends, she didn't frankly care who he invited to their gathering. The date had been set, and the gang had been requested to join them, for their first parent-free house party.

It was the day before the party that things started to get a little sketchy. Finley of all people found out about the party when Ten had been trying to snuffle snacks into the kitchen. Honestly if he hadn't been hanging out with Felix they may have gotten away with it. Although she wasn't overly keen on even more people knowing about their secret party, Ten had told Finley he could join and bring a few of his friends on the promise he didn't breathe a word of it to either of their parents. The last thing they needed was Zennon checking in while Leda was away.

And that was how it came to be, that Ten finished setting up a small fire pit in their garden where they could hang outside and keep warm, the kitchen laden with snacks and juice boxes, and a number of younger students on their way over. With a parent free evening ahead, what could go wrong?

 

[Felix Layton]

Felix had been a little offended that Ten and Ned hadn't actually invited him until he'd practically caught them the day prior. What did they think they were going to do? Hold an entire party in their house without Felix having any idea, as though he'd be so preoccupied in his bedroom that he was oblivious to the goings on around him? It was a reminder than even though they may have been on civil ground now, they still didn't exactly see him as their equal. He'd come to the realisation though they probably never would.

Trying to focus on the positive, Felix was glad that it meant he could spend more time with his friends and Cassie before she transferred back to Scotland. At least in his mind, he'd see this party as a fairwell of sorts he supposed. It would be nice too to see the rest of his friends, to have them all under one roof which was frankly rare when they were at Hogwarts these days. Felix had been sipping on a drink for most of the day already, helping his sister and aunt prepare for the evening, and while he knew Ten was more likely to hang out in the garden, that just meant his territory was the living room. Nothing wrong with that.

An hour or so after the party had "officially" begun, Felix was sat on the arm of one of the couches in the front room, feeling a little surreal given that in his first year he would have done anything for a group of friends like this, somewhere he could have felt seen. He just wished he could go back and tell his younger self that things would work themselves out eventually, even if he couldn't see it at the time.

 

[Cassandra Cohen]

Cassandra had felt a little sad when she'd realized her year at Hogwarts New Zealand was coming to an end. Don't get her wrong she was excited to get back home Scotland and see her old roommates, but she'd grown fond of this side of the world and perhaps even more so of some particular people here. It had been a fun year and though her studies had more or less suffered during it, she wouldn't change it.

She'd been more than glad when Felix had invited her over for this said party, though she'd not hung around many of his other friends she'd hung out with the boy himself more than enough to want to spend a few extra hours with him before leaving. She was now sat next to Felix on the couch more or less still hanging onto his arm, which was now a bit awkward given he was sitting a little above her on the couches arm, but it'd do. She'd done so the whole evening, not because she was nervous and didn't know these people. No no that would never be the issue, but simply because she wanted to make every second count. She wasn't going to see Felix again anytime soon if ever so better make it worth it. "I like the house," she told the Gryffindor with a smile while taking a sip of her juice.

 

[Amory Raven]

Amory had taken the invitation to Felix's party gladly. He was sat across from he Gryffindor on some arm chair staring at the girl that had been with his best friend most of last year. It wasn't that he knew the girl he just didn't agree with her vibe, she seemed too nice. Taking a sip he corrected the glasses that now sat on his nose, because apparently he'd needed those to see. Sure having magic was cool and all but Merlin forbid you wanted a good eyesight. "So is this like in celebration of someones birthday or just for fun?" The Slytherin asked once he was done glaring.

 

[Victoria de Lacey]

Tori hadn't expected to receive an invite to a party so quickly after returning to New Zealand but she'd been happy about it. First and foremost she wanted to catch up with people she had missed, and she obviously cared a great deal about her friends opinions both on her, and on where she'd been and what she'd been doing since then. She'd thought about Felix quite a lot in the time she'd been gone, owing to both their conversation after school in the train and the conversation they'd had which had lead to the kiss they'd shared slightly before that. So she was... put out wasn't the right word she supposed, but she was a little maybe, surprised, when she saw some other girl she didn't know sitting close to Felix to the point that she got the impression that there was something going on between them. She was shocked up the sudden streak of jealousy that shot up her back, but tried to stamp it down because it didn't feel right that she have that reaction when she hadn't even spoken to Felix prior to any of this. There'd been the odd letter, but she'd been so busy in Germany, prioritising her letters had been difficult. At this point she wasn't entirely sure how many letters she'd sent, who she'd sent them too, or who'd replied.

Though she was acutely aware of her lack of responses from Esme to the point she'd eventually given up. She headed over to get herself some juice, and then made her way over to Felix and the girl to introduce herself to the girl and say hi to Felix - maybe she could make that jealousy go away if she learned they weren't as close as they appeared. When she got to him, she found herself unable to totally stop herself from moving one of the curls out of his eyes as she kneeled on the floor beside him and then looked up at the girl next to him. "Hey Felix, Hi... you. I'm Tori."​

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

Teddy was a little surprised to get an invite to Ten’s party. He half expected Veronica to veto it but either she didn’t mind him being there, or she didn't know he'd been invited. If it was the latter, things could get awkward, but that was a risk Teddy was happy to take. He wasn’t about to turn down a party after all. There was also the chance that Veronica wasn't here tonight as most people inside were fourth years. Getting himself a juice on the way, Teddy wandered outside and found Ten by the firepit. “Nice fire Ten,” Teddy said grinning. “You used magic to light that right?”

@Amortentia Layton

 

[Finley Mackintosh Baros]

The only reason Finley was here was because he'd promised he would not cause any trouble, and so he'd invited Callie and Nia, but not anyone else. He'd considered inviting his roommates, but he didn't think that Ten would have appreciated that and he didn't want to get chucked out. His dad was only letting him over here because Ten had promised that they'd look after him, so he was even staying the night. His dad trusted the Layton's, and he trusted the Layton kids, and either way, Finley knew he could just go to his dad if he really needed to. It made sense, right? And it's not like Aunt Rowan as far, she and Percy were always close by these days. Finley liked to think it was because his aunt missed him, but he was pretty sure that wasn't the truth. So he sat on the edge of one of the couches, just watching, he had a box of strawberries in his hands that his dad had made him bring, but he was just eating them right now so he wasn't sure what the point of them was. He'd invited Nia and Callie, he knew Nia would show up, Callie was harder to know, she was a muggle born so she didn't always know everything going on, and getting away might have been harder for her, but he hoped she'd come too. He had Tinsel wrapped around his neck and was slowly feeding her a mouse as he waited.​

 

[Mania Athanasiou]

Mania had been reluctant at first to accept the invitation from Finley given she'd asked who else would be there and Felix was among them. The hesitation had lasted all of five seconds though, because she'd never turn down an invitation to hang out with her best friend more. It was sort of exciting too really, she'd never been to any party other than those her parents held and those? Those were boring. Like boring where you'll cry because you feel like you are being crushed by boredom. Boring where you'd rather chop your leg off than stay five more minutes, that sort of boring. Mania had also been very eager to get away from her family and more importantly away from her heart break that was Alexander. The boy she'd had a massive crush on since new years had come to their house with a girlfriend. Needless to say the Gryffindor had had a miniature, well some would say a massive, mental breakdown over it. Tears were involved, screaming into a pillow too.

Eyeing up whatever was happening with Felix and his two little girlfriends Nia scrunched up her nose as she sat next to Finfin. Disgusting. She leaned her head to Finley's shoulder and watched Tinsey eat the mouse, at least someone had an appetite. "Why do you have strawberries?" She asked looking at the box in Finley's lap.

 

[Felix Layton]

"Mhmm," Felix couldn't bring himself to say thanks to Cassie's compliment of the house. It wasn't like it was his. His family situation was a little complicated to say the least, and both he and his older sister had more or less just found themselves staying with their Aunt Leda and Eluned more often than they'd been at their own house, that they'd practically moved in a couple of years ago and just never left. It helped of course that Felix helped babysit the triplets, and given how often Finley came to stay too, it was just nice to have members of the family under one roof.

The fourth year was doing his best not to glance at Amory, because he was in danger of laughing if he continued to catch sight of the glare he was sending around the room. Amory knew better than anyone what was going on with him these days, but that didn't mean he had to entertain the Slytherin's ideas. "Nah, no birthday," at least he didn't think they were for here for Ten, especially after she'd banished them to the living room. "It's just for fun since Leda and Merv are out," a brief glance to Finley suggested that there was a gentle reminder that it wasn't common knowledge to everyone's parents, although his cousin seemed to be a little too preoccupied with Mania to notice. He didn't know why it had surprised him to see Nia in their house given that she was best friends with Fin, but it was one of those situations that seemed a bit surreal.

Another of which, was witnessing his Quidditch Captain walking past the living room and through the kitchen, presumably on his way to Amortentia. It was as though he was viewing students outside of their natural habitat, and in doing so it made them feel more, real? Felix took another sip of his juice, unaccustomed to playing host despite the majority of those in the room only being here because he'd asked them to be.

Something else that was surreal was having Tori back. It had been a shock when he'd found out she was staying at Durmstrang for another semester, but he trusted she knew what she was doing and she'd be back when she was ready. That evening was the first time he was seeing her again since their encounter in the common room, something they still hadn't really spoken about since. His face had actually flushed when she'd arrived, although he was hoping that he was acting a little more natural now that she was making herself more at home. "This is Cassie," he introduced the brunette that was sat on the couch beside him as it was clear Tori didn't know who she was. His voice was stuck somewhat in his throat, as though the motion of her playing with his hair caught him off guard for a few seconds. "Erm, she's a transfer. Or at least, she was." Cassie would be returning to Scotland before the start of the next term, "It sucks. You two probably would have gotten on since she's a Gryffindor too," he explained, oblivious to the tension between them. "Tori's my friend I told you about, the one that's been away," he added to Cassie with a grin. He couldn't lie, he was very glad to see her back even if he hadn't explicitly said it yet.

 

[Cassandra Cohen]

Cassandra found it funny how one of the boys was glaring at them, maybe even cute in a way. Though she paid no mind to him just focused on other things happening around them and when a girl approached her and Felix and then went on to play with the boy's hair she fought against the natural instinct to scrunch her nose in subtle disgust and instead put on one of her sweet smiles. The picture of innocence.

When Fifi introduced them Cassandra's smile didn't waver. "Oh this is Tori? Nice to meet you, enjoy your year abroad?" She asked glancing from Felix to this Tori girl. "I sure enjoyed mine," she added tilting her head slightly. "Oh I'm sure we would have gotten along well, it really is a shame I am leaving." The Gryffindor gave a small frown.

 

[Amory Raven]

Honestly the longer this went on Amory wasn't even sure anymore why he was here. His best friend was very much pre-occupied by not just one girl but two now and he was just, well he was sitting on his own and that was just sad. He'd given a nod of understanding to Fifi's answer, but decided to stay quiet after, observing everyone else. There was a snake at the party too apparently, eating a mouse. At least he wasn't the only snake he supposed and with that thought he raised his cup as if in cheers towards the snake around boy's neck who he was pretty sure was a year below himself.

 

[Amortentia Layton]

Ten had been friends with Teddy for even longer than she'd been friends with Veronica, so she'd been glad when he'd agreed to come to the party they were throwing. Even Veronica didn't seem to mind that she'd asked him, or at least she didn't show it when she told her. She grinned as the prefect joined them, handing him some firewood. "Not everything needs magic Teddy," sure, maybe it had given the fire a little helping hand, but she liked to think she was perfectly capable of striking a match or two if the occasion called for it. She was grateful for magic but she didn't rely on it. "You can be in charge of keeping it going," she announced, taking a seat on one of the individually swinging pod chairs. She was pleased he'd already found himself a drink and hoped that Felix was behaving himself indoors, "I'm glad you came," Ten said, more sincerely than she normally appeared to be. She knew she'd been pretty distant from her friends over the last few years, and she was grateful that even though Teddy probably had many other opportunities and places to be these days, he'd still turned up to spend time with them.

She looked between the others amongst them, all about to head into their seventh and final year of school. In twelve months, they'd have all graduated. She certainly hoped that didn't mean they wouldn't see each other again. "What's the craziest thing you've done at school so far?" she asked the group. They had six years behind them now, there must have been room for a little nostalgia at this point.

 

[Jasper Beese]

Naturally, Jasper was running late for Felix’s party. Not fashionably late, not even forgivably late, just plain old late, late. He reached the door that he was pretty sure was the right house and knocked. He could hear people inside but Jasper would never dream of entering a house without someone answering the door to him first. He knocked again, this time a little louder, and waited for someone to answer.

 

[Amory Raven]

Amory was still sitting wondering about it when he heard a knock at the door. Getting up he didn't feel like explaining to anyone, nobody else had seemed to notice anyways. It wasn't his house but it'd be rude to just not have anyone get the door, especially since it could be someone coming to the party. Once he made it to the door he opened it to Jasper's face. A guy he didn't know all too well. "Come on in," H said stepping aside from he door to let he boy in.

 

[Veronica Walden-Cade]

Veronica didn’t really want to spend her time during the holidays at a party with her schoolmates, but it was Ten’s party, so she would be there for her, and maybe just maybe, she’d have fun along the way. She decided to drag Millie along with her because her sister really needed to get out more; they’d be graduating soon, and that was when things would get serious, and Millie already took everything too seriously.

The crowd was very young when the twins arrived, and Veronica was wondering if bringing her sister was a good idea; she would have Ten to spend time with, but she wasn’t sure if Millie would know anyone. She grabbed drinks for both of them and found Ten in the crowd, talking to Teddy. A few months ago, she’d have turned on her heel and left, but a lot had changed for her in that time, and she could at least stomach being around him, and maybe he wasn’t that bad after all. “Ten, Teddy,” Veronica reserved a softer tone for her girlfriend and gave Teddy the friendliest nod she could muster. “You guys know my sister Millie, right?” She nudged her twin forward to make sure she was involved in the conversation.