Lisa had sent a note to Jasper about her hat. She was willing to make *the* trade for his hat for hers… or well… more accurately return her hat to her and his is hat to just him so they’d both be happy. However, his hat was growing on her.

The Ravenclaw waited for the Hufflepuff to join her on the battlements. Feeling a little cold, she wrapped her arms around her waits and moved her hands up and down as she tried to warm herself.

Having received Lisa's note, Jas made his way up to the battlements to meet his friend. He was, of course, wearing her hat as well as a comfortable hoodie and long, sports shorts. His cousins would call him out for it, but nothing beat expensive comfort. He'd leave the frills and expert detailing to his younger sister, who always wore them better anyway. Jas liked dressing up too, when the time called for it, but luxurious comfort? Unbeatable. And so, he was mighty content.

"Hey, Lees!" He called out to her as he made his way over, raising a hand up in greeting. And, right away, he clocked the shivering. "You cold?" He asked, but didn't wait for an answer before beginning to peel off his jumper. "You should take this." This being his jumper, which he was now holding out for her to take.

Arms still hugged around herself, she turned around and grinned at him. “Hi Jas!” she smiled between shivers and then noticed he was taking off his JUMPER? She averted her eyes with a blush on her cheeks. And she glanced back when he offered it to her. Eyes as wide as saucers, she gave him a small smile as she eyed the jumper. She then reached out to take it from him. Sheepish smile for she felt bad because he would be cold. “Thanks Jas. You’re a gentleman…” Pink dusting on her cheek as she held the jumper in her hands. Seeing the jumper reminded her of the football match several years ago when she’d been jealous that he had offered his jacket to V instead of her. But… V was right. Jasper was being kind.

“ You won’t be cold will you?” she said, feeling slightly guilty before slipping on his jumper. It was warmer already. She hugged her arms around herself. “Its ten times warmer. Guys clothes are far superior to girls clothes.” Comfy and big pockets! “Thanks again.”

Lisa cast her eyes down to the grounds below them, remembering just how tiny everything looked from up here. “I know I said I had wanted my hat back but it does look really good on you.. might as well keep it for the dance.” Cheeks flushes as she glanced around before looking at him. She offered the biggest of grins. “Looks quite dapper and daring like a … handsome detective in the midst of an incredible case!”

Lees was so cold that her whole face was turning red (that's how things worked, right?), so it was a mighty good thing that Jas had come prepared with a jumper. If his mum taught him anything about fashion, it was the importance of layering. It made for effortless style and ultimate practicality. Plus, this was his favorite hoodie, so he liked having it on hand. "Yeah, anytime," he smiled warmly, his tone sincere.

As for himself? Getting cold? "Nah, I'm okay," he shook his head, still smiling. He had tough skin. Probably from all the flying. Wind hitting against him 24/7, you learn to handle all kinds of weather. "But if I get cold, I trust you'll warm me up," he laughed, moving up behind her to run his hands up and down her arms to help her warm up. "That's the patriarchy in action for you, making women's clothes way less practical." See? He had learned a thing or two from his family members. Gideon would be proud. As would Mags and Antonia, surely. "It's total dragon dung." But he smiled again in reply to her thanks. "Yeah, of course, Lees." Dropping his hands, he moved to sit along one of the pillars and motioned for Lisa to come join, holding out a hand to help her keep her balance, should she want to take the extra precaution.

"Yeah?" he smiled, turning her hat backwards as he looked over at her. "Detective Botros, I like that." Though he wouldn't make a very good detective, tbh. "Does that mean you're keeping mine?" He teased, grinning in her direction.

She hugged her arms tighter around her torso and continued to rub her hands together. Lisa looked up at the taller Hufflepuff as he moved over to run his hands up and down her arms to warm her up. She appreciated the gesture and offered him a smile as her cheeks became dusted pink once more. The cynic in her wondered. Surely he did this for every girl and she wasn’t special. The very thought left her deflated as she pursed her lips. “Deal,” she nodded as she reached up to rub her arm and accidentally grazed her fingertips against his hand.

Result of accident: Cheeks turned more pink.

She retracted her hand as if she had touched something hot. “S-sorry,” she whispered quietly. She focused instead on the conversation. Ah yes the patriarchy. His comment earned him a chuckle and several nods. “It is total DRAGON DUNG. The WORST. Clearly.” Hands left her arms and so she crossed her arms over her chest as she watched him move.

Did he expect her to go over there?

Lisa gave him a concerned look until she saw his hand and she gently took his hand into hers before walking over slowly. She walked as if she were on a tightrope. Fingertips lightly on his to help her balance. Once having made her way over to where he was, she took a seat. “Less scary than I thought,” she commented as she finally let go of his hand to bring her own up to her ear to brush her hair behind it.

“Ilikeittoo.” Her words ran together before she cleared her throat. “It looks nice on you.” She shuffled a little before reaching up to tap his hat. She giggled before adjusting his hat ever so slightly on her own head. “I think I look good in it. What do you think?”

Jas smiled a little when their fingers ran into each other ... though Lisa's immediate apology made him pause. "Don't be." Sorry, that is. His tone was sure of itself, but not unkind. There wasn't any reason to apologize and he didn't want Lisa to feel the need to. Not to him or anyone else. "You deserve to take up space, Lisa Nam." And he meant that sincerely.

........

As for their cozy spot, sat on top of the battlements? It was awesome and he was glad Lisa made her way over, even with her aversion of heights. "Yeah? Kind of cool up here, isn't it?" He asked scooting closer towards her. "But your hands are freezing, Lees," he reached for them once again, even as she let go. In comparison, his hands might as well have been a furnace with the way they gave off heat. But, here, he could help. Holding her hands in his, he leaned over to blow some hot air on them, holding them close to trap the heat and listening intently as Lisa went on to talk about the real order of business: Hat Exchange.

Otherwise known as, the reason why she had summoned him here in the first place. Jasper Botros was paying attention. "Thanks," he offered her a warm smile, chuckling as he pretended to reeeaaaally think about her question in return. Easy. "I think you work it. That hat looks way better on you than it ever did on me," he grinned boyishly. "You should keep it."

She glanced up at Jasper as he mentioned that she deserved to take up space. Had he always been so wise? He saw through her… or she felt it at the moment.

She knew that surely… or she had forgotten. Lisa had changed. Sure, she was vivacious, full of colour and fun but puberty had made her question things. She didn’t want to be perceived as too tomboyish or be labeled for a stereotype. Self awareness had taken its toll a little too much on her. But his words resonated with some her siblings had shared with her. “I won’t. Promise.” Lisa shared a warm smile with him before making her way over.

Had she mentioned she was afraid of heights? Cause as she crossed the battlements, she wasn’t sure if her heart was racing because of the heights, the company she kept, or a mixture of both. She took a deep breath as she took a seat. Lisa was so focused on calming her breathing that she didn’t notice him move closer to her until he took her hands into his again. For a moment, she thought about pulling them away with a bright blush on her cheeks but she didn’t. She hadn’t noticed how warm his hands were. “Your hands are so warm. Is that a superpower? Can we trade powers?” she blurted out before immediately realizing how silly she sounded.

She was so much smarter than that comment she had made. Instead, she sounded like a girl who was entirely smitten with a boy… Almost desperate for his attention. She could have rolled her eyes at herself and groaned loudly.

But she didn’t. She just bit her lip.

Her cheeks were even brighter now. If he asked, she’d blame it on the wind.
She was about to mention something to him- something that she wanted to get off her chest for a while- no, several years - however, she changed the subject to the business they had. It was a lot easier than focusing on the feelings, his warm hands, and his curly locks.

“Really?” she shot back so quickly after his compliment with eyebrows arched. She would have touched the hat with her hands; however, he was still holding her hands. “You think so?” It was a sweet thing to say. “Ill treasure it. You should keep mine too. Keep it safe… it’s our… thing like a secret handshake?”

Something that was between them?

"Good," he replied steadily, watching as she made her way over. Jasper had noticed some of the changes, but they were all changing, weren't they? Everyone deserved the opportunity to figure things out for themselves. But Jas liked to remind his friends that they were great just the way they are too. He wouldn't enjoy their company as much if that weren't the case.

Despite her fear of heights, Lisa was always willing to try and, that, was something Jasper had picked up on immediately. Not wanting her to feel uneasy, however, he'd always offer a steadying hand if needed. He had a careful watch over her in case. He chuckled at the mention of superpowers, rubbing his hands against hers in hopes to warm her with the friction. "Sure, I'm down to trade," he smiled. "But only if I can get your super ability to get everyone and anyone smile." One of her many superpowers, he thought.

Still thinking that her red cheeks were due to how cold she was, Jas didn't ask about it, but instead held onto her hands a little tighter. Surely this would help warm her up.

"Yeah," he nodded, curls bouncing into his eyes. But he let them crowd his face, not wanting to let go of Lisa's hands. "So I should keep it a secret? I can do that."

Her cheeks remained pink.

She was astounded at his comment. “I make people… everyone and anyone smile? Really? I.. I do that? I’m not like… that pretty” she asked with eyebrows raised super high if she were a cartoon character they surely would have been touching her hairline by now. “Surely, that’s you… you can make anyone smile. You make me smile.”

And there he was. Holding on to her hands more tightly and making her stomach do all of these flippy things. “I want your power to be confident. You just… Know what to do… and are so kind. Plus are good at Quidditch..” That was really cool in her books.

Making it like a secret seemed like both a good idea and a bad idea… His question gave her pause. “Yeah, should we make a secret handshake?” she asked as her inner kid was bouncing within herself. As much as she tried to hide it, she really couldn’t stop her true self from coming out.

Jasper frowned at her disbelief. "Yeah, you do," he nudged her gently with his elbow so as not to scare her. "You haven't noticed?" This astounded Jas, tbh. He wasn't even observant and he picked up on it. Lisa was popular and not without reason. If anything, Jasper thought she ought to own it. "And I'm glad I make you smile, but this isn't about me." He offered her a knowing grin. He saw that attempt to flip the script, Lees.

Unlike Lisa though, Jasper took the compliments in stride. Not in a cocky way, but an appreciative one. "Emerson confidence is a whole thing." A casual, but ever-present thing. His mum's whole side of the family had it. Jasper, his mum, his sister, their cousins. Everyone. It was basically genetic. He smiled as he squeezed her hands.

Still holding her hands, he only let go at the suggestion of creating a handshake. They'd need their hands to do that. "Sure, I'm down! Have any ideas?"

Had she noticed? Welllll.. She mulled over his question in her mind and thought of a few people who seemed happy to be around here. There was Jasper, Serena, Atlas, Remy, Sammy, Ash, and even Daniel who seemed to enjoy her company. Haven and others too. "I guess... I never thought of it I caused that..." she admitted truthfully but now that he said it and she had mulled it over, she believed him. Maybe she ought to throw a party to see if the hypothesis was accurate though? She chuckled, glancing down at their hands as she shook her head. Glancing up at him, she smiled. "You saw through my Jedi mind trick, Jas."

Lisa nodded. She observed how Jasper navigated the compliment so differently from her. He wasn't arrogant - he was merely appreciative and let it roll. Interesting. "Yeah? Seems like a super power I need to learn." She was confident but there were moments that she doubted herself. As a child, she had been very headstrong and confident but as she progressed through puberty, she found herself having these inner thoughts that gave her pause. "I mean... I used to be confident. I used to have lightsaber fights with my siblings and make decrees how things were supposed to be... but I think... wanting to be like everyone else.. I started not to feel confident. Like my eyes.. I don't really like my eyes. They're different. They're not like V or Serena's who have beautiful coloured eyes. Mine are.. boring." She could hear Stewie tutting in her mind right now and proclaiming that her eyes were beautiful. And she knew that Misa had told her to embrace her eyes but at moments, Lisa had her doubts. "I'm confident that I am smart. It's just the other things." She stared at their hands. "Wow. Sorry.. that was a whole... lot of rambling that I never do. I guess... I just feel really comfortable with you."

The talk of secret handshakes brought her spirits up even as he let go of her hands. "Umm.. How about fireworks yeah? Something like... fist bump.." she spoke as she did the action. "To I don't know what next... But there has to be fireworks somewhere in there." She smiled. "What do you think?"