Gift bag girl? Young pretty little thing? Best we have?! Gretchen said nothing, gritting her teeth. Underneath her still, composed frame, underneath the surface her blood boiled. Never in her entire life had anyone spoken to her - or rather ABOUT her - in such a way; Not even Provel had been so rude, so creepy, and that was saying something. How DARE he?

Gretchen Montasio was no one's pawn, and she had no idea what game the man was playing at. He was severely mislead. Even as he spoke his parting words, the young woman took offense. Henchmen?! Gretchen was VERY much so a grown woman, not a little girl nor any other insult of a name that was thrown around. Merlin so HELP him if he didn't leave that instant..

And he was gone. Feeling a hand on her arm, Gretchen's gaze swiftly turned to see who's hand it was and only relaxed when her eyes met Alex's. Had she? Gretchen tried to return the smile, though weakly. She mumbled, "I wouldn't ever do anything to harm the children.. or anyone else for that matter.." How could the man make those comments? The gift bags, unsafe!

Gretchen's face fell, breathing out a low sigh as Alexander's hand fell from her arm, brown eyes watching Bryce stroll away. When the dark haired man disappeared into the crowd, she frowned down at the gift bags.

Emmalee cleared her throat softly as she got her hand back, and quickly moved it to her purse handle.

"Well, in that case," she said, leaning forward as if to whisper to him, and hesitating, "I'll just help myself," she added, her voice breathy.

Leaning back with a smile, grabbing a bag as she did so, Emmalee's eyes twinkled. "Many thanks to you, and to our," she paused to surpress a chortle, "tremendous host."

Joey rolled the stroller over beside the gift table.She grab a gift bag at the table.Heather started to cry and joey gave her a passy and her ravenclaw rattle she had made for her.then she started to cry again she took the pacifier out and then took her out of the stroller and fed her a bottle of baby formula.Where is my mother when i need her she said out loud hoping no one would hear her.Having two kids is so hard i think i need a baby sitter.

Okay... perhaps the lingering was a bit much. Not like he flirted often. Or... whatever this was.

Letting her breath wash over him he smiled back at her. "What a little minx," he muttered softly. He watched her take the bag and say something about Lord Borr being tremendous. Twas true. Alex pressed his lips together tightly and nodded his head at her before chuckling slightly.

"Thank you for coming today. I am quite sure we will see eachother again," he said with a wink.

Oh man? Really? Why wasn't this kid on a leash or something? Damien had been walking past minding his own business when he saw that shifty character cast on that Prefect kid. Heh. It was actually pretty funny and harmless to boot.

Buuuut what wasn't funny was a child using underage magic in front of an Auror. Being security DID have it's upside. Heh. Adjusting his hat he caught the boy by his collar as he tried to walk past and said, "You know... I should snap your wand for that."

Emmalee's attention was taken by the cry of a child. Blinking, she turned and saw a woman with her baby at the gift bags. Perhaps she needed some help.. but that was for the gift bag people; Emmalee harbored not one maternal bone. She turned back to Alex...

... and caught every word. Smiling again, she cocked an eyebrow and put her giftbag in her purse. "Thank you, Alex," she said. "Until then," she said, turning with a little wave of her fingers in response to his wink.

And with that, she moved on from the table, swaying ever so slightly as she walked, completely ignoring the auror and the child.

Not. her. concern.

Glancing up at the sound of something being pushed, Gretchen became aware of the couple of people near and at the table, but payed them no attention.

The.. whatever it had been, with the man, had gotten to her quite a bit if she were being honest and at the moment with Alexander.. flirting? with the young redhead and visaversa, Gretchen felt a crushed and sinking feeling in her stomach.

She no longer desired to stay with the gift bags. She had been standing there for quite some time now and surely Lord Borr would understand if she were to explain - if he were to ask why she wasn't keeping watch of the table. Gretchen was sure he would understand.

And so, without uttering a single word, the young woman turned to leave. Perhaps she could find Ren, if he wasn't busy.

Oh Bugger!

Patroclus had acted rashly, he thought he had checked the area for MLE, but it seemed one had missed his scan, "Oh Hello Mr. Jackson, Sir" he blushed, his thoughts for a moment running to the Stories Jacob had told him about the Michael Jackson that was an alien, this Jackson however was not an alien.

"I know you should Sir, however, I was just protecting my self from a case of aggravated assault," he knew the lingo, he had a brother to thank for that, but Patroclus was going to use nepotism to get out this.

"What do you plan on doing with me, Sir"

Trust Patroclus to get on the bad side of the Walpurgi and an Auror, all because he was in the wrong place at the Wrong time.

Damien kept a rather stern aze locked on the boy. He was sure this was Prometheus' brother... or cousin... or something like that. Meh. It didn't matter to him really.

"I plan to give you a fine, son. Nowww.... Patroclus Hudson, correct?" Damien said rather dryly as he released the boy's collar. Yes. They had a list of kids and all that such. No... he is not a PSYCHIC.

Wait...

"I hardly call someone casting a breeze at you aggravated assault, kid. Now. Give me just a moment..." he said as he reached into his pocket out took out one of the tickets and released one of his wands to his free hand and tapped it a few times on the parchment.

"Sorry. The laws are in place for a reason, kiddo. Underage magic is strictly prohibited outside of the school," he mumbled as he held out the parchment to the child.

SPOILER!!: TICKET!

Alex winked back at her and gave her a little waggle of the fingers as she slipped away. Yes. He would find her and see her again real soon.

Hey hey hey! "Gretchen!" he called out as he turned and saw her walking away. What the? Turning to glance at the Auror giving that child a ticket he chuckled to himself and then turned to go after Gretchen. "Hey. What is wrong?" he asked when he got up beside her.

Gretchen had not been counting on Alex coming after her. The thought hadn't even crossed her mind, in fact. But then she had thought he was a bit preoccupied for the moment.

A soft sigh escaped her slightly parted lips, she made no move to look up at him, instead looking anywhere but into his face. It was easiest on her that way, because if she didn't, if she looked up at him, she may blurt out the truth. "I'm not feeling very.. festive anymore," Gretchen answered rather absently, her tone light and emotion withheld.

Alex furrowed his brow and tried to step into her line of sight. "Are you sure? Absolutely positive that there is nothing wrong? What put you off the party?" he asked in a softer tone than he typically used.

Great Merlin... she was beautiful. But knowing... what he knew... he couldn't. Sighs. He didn't care though... whatever had upset her was more important at the moment. "Talk to me." Please.

Gretchen stopped when he stepped in front of her, making her forget for a moment that she was trying to avoid his gaze, she found herself staring up into his eyes. This really wasn't good. "No.." There was something wrong. The older, completely off man was partially to blame for her lack of enthusiasm. Not only had he insulted her but others, unknowingly fellow Cultists, who she thought of as a family.

And then there was.. something else. Forcing herself to look away, Gretchen closed her eyes. "I don't think it's a good idea.." She murmured. It wasn't the time nor place, and she knew it would be inappropriate to bring up now at Lord Borr's celebration.

Lies. She was lying to him and it hurt his heart. As small as it may be it still hurt it. He furrowed his brow deeper still and brushed a lock of hair from her face with his thumb.

"Why? Why is it not a good idea? Please tell me what's wrong so I can fix it," he said very quietly. He WOULD fix it. Come hell or high water he'd fix whatever it was.

Her brown eyes fluttered opened when he brushed the lock of hair away, resisting the urge to lean into his hand. He wasn't making her decision to avoid the subject, avoid acknowledging or showing exactily how she felt at least for the rest of the party, very easy. She was trying to be professional, and yet..

And yet, Gretchen simply couldn't help the words that slipped out, looking up at Alex. "I don't think it's fixable." Her voice barely reached above a whisper. "And I don't think it's a good idea because it doesn't seem like the appropriate timing to lay my heart on the line and tell you that I like you, Alexander. Far more than I should and.." and she hadn't liked watching, or hearing, whatever that had been between him and the redhead. That it hurt her, even though there was no reason that it should except for her feelings toward him.

And they were still at a party for Lord Borr, and she was making a fool of herself. Great.

Alex gulped and cast a glance around himself. Taking Gretchen by the hand he led them to a more secluded corner. "You... you mean it, Gretch? I thought... well I thought you might have your eyes on someone else. Like... someone more important or something," he said, his eyes boring into hers with a great deal of intensity.

Charles was probably going to murder him. He didn't care though. He was sick and tired of pining over Gretchen. Sick of it! Charles D'Isigny might be higher in the food chain than him, but Gretchen chose HIM. His little heart fluttered a bit and a wide smile stretched his lips.

She KNEW what he did and she still liked him. "I feel the same way about you, Gretchen. I just... thought you might not reciprocate the feelings," he said as he leaned closer, whispering in her ear. He wanted so badly to kiss her right then and there. SO BADLY. He was afraid that it would be seen as inappropriate though, like she had said.

Allowing him to lead her further away from the table, Gretchen chose to stare at the ground. He was going to break it to her gently, wasn't he? That was so much like him. She had ruined their friendship, Gretchen was sure of it. When they came to a stop, she lifted her head.

Someone else? Gretchen blinked, confused as to who he could possibly be talking about. Slowly, she shook her head. "I wouldn't tell you if I didn't mean it, Alex." She said sincerely, "And while I admire Lord Borr for his work, I believe he's much too old for me." Though she intended that part as a little joke, she couldn't help but wonder if that's who Alexander had thought of. It couldn't have been though, just .. err, no.

As a smile took over his face, Gretchen felt the familiar motion of butterflies in her stomach and bit her lower lip. "You do?" She asked in the same soft voice that would be nearly impossible for anyone but him to hear, almost in disbelief. She certainly hadn't expected him to return the feeling, but it brought her hope. Reaching a hand to gently touch the side of his face, Gretchen's eyes never left his. "I can't imagine why you would think I wouldn't."

Kurumi, who had become more than a little befuddled by the argument going on over her head between the adults in the area, took a few steps to the side in hopes of avoiding more conflict.

Why were things outside of Hogwarts so complicated?!

Still clutching her gift bag to her chest, Kurumi waddle in the uncomfortable shoes that came with wearing her kimono until she saw the familiar face of Patroclus. THANK MERLIN!

Waddling a little faster now, Kurumi was just in time to see a man is a rather spiffy looking hat hand her Gryffindor Prince something.

Oh! Was he being rewarded for something?! How exciting!

"Congratulations!" she chirped taking a step closer and leaning in to look at the parchment. "...for...oh..."

Kurumi's cheeks turned bright pink when she saw that he was in trouble and not being rewarded for something.

He blinked a few times. Lord Borr? What was she on about. Tilting his head to the side he tried to see if she was teasing or what... Okay that was odd. "I, uh, actually was not referring to Lord Borr, but I must say it is nice to know that you are not infatuated with His Lordship," he told her with a slight smirk as he ran his thumb gently across her cheek.

His smile spread as wide as was humanly possible on his face, he couldn't blink. He couldn't even speak for a long moment. Nodding his head he finally spoke, "Of course I do. Are you insane? You are any man's dream, Gretchen." He was speaking so softly that he was sure only she could hear him. At least that is what he hoped for anyway. There seemed to be enough eavesdroppers around here.

When her hand touched the side of his face his eyes closed and he nuzzled his cheek against the feel of her fingers. "Well, because you know what I do... who I really am. I couldn't imagine someone as good as you wanting someone like me," he said in a forced whisper. She DID know. She knew what he and Ren did. And she didn't mind? She still had feelings for him?

Kurumi she said with a smile "Its Me Joey" Holding Heather in her arms.This is heather she said with a smile.I'm sorry if I'm Interrupting I wanted you to see my Little girl.My Son is a handful hes 16 years old and Going to hogwarts next term.He Transfer from Drumstung she said with a smile.

WHy... was there a waddling child in a kimono coming near him? o_____O WHY? He looked around the immediate area thinking surely the little girl would go somewhere else. No. She didn't.

Damien was unable to contain the little chuckle that escaped at her words. Yes, congratulate him. He successfully had been given a criminal record in a moment's time. Real accomplishment.

This little tyke was kind of funny. "It looks like you all are getting ready to leave. Let me escort you to the seating area so I might have a word with your Headmaster," he said looking from the Little Miss Waddles to the Prefect With the Criminal Record. Niiiice.

Wow.

This was really happening, Patroclus was shocked, he knew he had been in the wrong, but it was so not him to be on the wrong side of the law; He was mister goodie-two-shoes.

Wait?

"Begging your pardon, Sir but Aggravated Assault is by definition an attack with a deadly weapon; and a wand when used in such a way is deadly, and I was unsure as to what spell had been used on me, so I acted rashly and illegally I know, but still it was to protect myself."

He wasn't making excuses he was just making the situation clear.

Taking the piece of parchment, he nodded "Patroclus Julius Hudson" looking over the page he had to admit, it was a rather fancy looking document, even if it was a permnant blotch on his life.



His heart dropped.

Not Kurumi, anyone but Kurumi!

Patroclus would have taken his mother over Kurumi right now! She always thought so highly of him, and here he was being served a fine for a Breach.

"I was an idiot Kurumi," he whispered glummly, "I am not so perfect after all it seems...."
"Mr Jackson, whom to I address the money too?" he need to know where the send the cheques, Patroclus asked as the man began to walk them away from the scene of the crime.

Oh No..........it was Tate time.

Maybe Kurumi was better to have by his side after all.

Oh for the love of Morgana and Merlin! "So with that logic you mean that anyone that has EVER cast ANY spell on you is prosecutable in front of the Wizengamot. Got a list of names? I will turn them over immediately," he said rather dryly.

"Have your brother bring the money into the office? Seems the easiest route, dunnit?" he said with a snort that time. Seriously. This was part of the reason he didn't like kids. At all.

Taking the young man's arm he began to lead him through the crowd toward the student area. Oh man. This totally made his entire day worthwhile. Really.

A giggle escaped Gretchen's mouth, finding his reaction to be a bit funny even though she still wondered who had come to mind then, if not Lord Borr. Not that she had really believed it was him. That would just be.. strange. But searching her mind for who it could possibly be, the young woman still drew up blank. And at the moment, that was okay. She didn't need to know, that didn't matter.

A faint blush appeared across her cheeks, lips tugging up into a sweet little smile as she whispered, "I highly doubt that. You're being too nice now, and possibly a bit bias." Yes. He was.

Gretchen let her fingertips stroke his cheek, tilting her head at his words. "You are a great man, Alexander. You do things for the cause, what's sometimes necessary to help keep us moving without problem, and there is nothing wrong with that." She chose not to acknowledge or know too many details on of those certain tasks Alex assisted Ren with at times; It was for the best that way. There were times in life when you have to do what you have to do, and that just happened to fall under that category of moments in life. "If anything, it is honorable."

Only slightly aware of those wandering near, paying them hardly any attention as she stared up into Alex's face Gretchen remained quiet for a moment, an unsure expression presenting itself. "Where does this leave us?"

He couldn't help but smile softly as he watched the blush spread her cheeks. It was such a lovely sight. "No, I am not biased at all, love. Apparently you don't see yourself through my eyes," he said with a chuckle. Yes, he KNEW that he was being a bit biased.

Wow. She was a gem, this one. Clearly. "Honourable is not something I have ever been called. Thank you for that," he whispered as he let his eyes drift closed once more at the feel of her fingers on his face.

Oh no. He didn't like that look. At all. "We want to be with one another, yes? What is there to figure out. We will make that happen one way or another," he promised her. He would not let her go. Ever. No one, not even Charles, was going to stand in his way.