Moose crossed his arms, as he listened to her. Not meant as a threatening posture but as a means to feel a bit comfortable while standing. Though it could come off as a bit intense with the way he glares at everyone. "Oh..pearl. That's the color. You could also say it's water themed as well then." Because Pearls come from Oysters and Oyster are in the Ocean. So yeah....Water.

"She is. Maybe next time I'll have her design a tux for me. You think she'd be up for that challenge?"

Moose, being an oblivious and foolish boy completely overlooks Nerina's hair and mack-up. If he had noticed it she would absolutely get a compliment but his attention was moving elsewhere once she mentioned if he was dressed to impress. Whomever he was trying to impress he had not seen yet. "Maybe, I could be trying to impress everyone." It was Christianna, he was trying to impress Christianna. Who else would he try to get to look at him? Nobody else mattered. ...okay maybe that was a lie. Still he was looking for her now. "are you not impressed?" He said in a cocky tone of voice styling his suit and popping the collar of his gray jacket.

”Suppose I could,” Nerina agreed. She hadn’t wanted to take the theme too literal, stifling her own idea of what dance attire should be in the process. She felt she’d done a good job finding a happy medium. ”Do I think she’s capable of making a tux? Absolutely. Do I think she’d make one for you? Couldn’t say. Maybe if you asked really nicely and didn’t try to kiss her again.” She was being a bit of a brat, but Moose was an easy target and she was only teasing. Mostly.

”Impressing everyone is overrated.” Exhausting work, that was. She’d much rather impress the few who mattered. ”Me? Not easily impressed, no. It is nice to see everyone wearing something other than a uniform, though. Like a behind the scenes glimpse into their fashion sense. Yourself included.”

Violet flushed with pleasure at the compliment. She was still new enough to having gotten past being an awkward adolescent and finally being able to have fashionable clothes that complements were a novelty to her, and a very welcome one. Particularly from a nice-looking fellow. And...oh! a rose. Somehow it was really sweet, and more romantic than an ostentatious bunch of them. Violet took it carefully between two fingers and gave it a gentle sniff. "Thank you, Caes, it's lovely! What a nice gesture. Let's see..." Violet looked down at herself and realized that one disadvantage of a grown-up dress was that there wasn't much room for a corsage, even a single rose. Finally she remembered the temporary sticking charm she'd learned at Professor Tapio's event--but...her wand was in a place that wasn't easily gotten to, certainly not in the middle of a dance floor. "Do you have your wand with you?" she asked Caes. "I was going to use that mild sticking charm we used at the Festival of Lights, but I...I can't get to my wand right now."

Caes was relieved seeing Violet look quite happy and appreciative of the gift. He had a feeling Professor Tapio would discover the missing plants overtime, but the look on her face was worth whatever punishment should he be discovered. What was she saying now?

"Oh, yeah, I can do that for you," Caes kept his wand always, one of the perks to never wearing a dress he supposed given the current circumstance. Waiting until she directed him on the spot to place the charm at, he would mutter the incantation placing the rose right on the spot. "There, how's that?" He asked. Not too bad, he thought.

The place sure was getting crowded now around the wall. "So... I suppose uh, would you like to dance?" Caes felt his face heating up again. "I should warn you, I'm not an expert or anything." It wasn't like they had dance lessons or many opportunities at his previous school. But he didn't want to let his other insecurities stop the potential fun.


Hearing that Freddie's jaw positively dropped. We're talking mouth gaping, "Wait.. really??" Looking wildly to make sure his volume wasn't too loud enough to attract other people's attention on their conversation. "I mean, you look so good here I-" Stopping momentarily, maybe saying that would make Atlas feel embarrassed at not having a date even more. Now that he mentioned Lisa wasn't alone. "Sorry, but uh, if it helps I don't have a date either." Trying to give one of his reassuring smile, though considering how huge his smiles were, the intention may or may not have matched the actual appearance. "Ohh, you did that? That's so cool.. you know what I'm not surprised with the other works you've shown me." Gazing up at the fixture, Freddie sure missed out on the decorating fun.

As for why he was all dressed up, "Well, one of my dads has such high expectations soooo he went all out on sending me and my brother some dress suits as soon as I mentioned there being a dance in the letter." Lightly shaking his head, "But yeah, it's not easy finding someone especially when we're studying for O.W.Ls!" But that was enough venting from him. "Well, we might as well have fun together as single lads then, don't you think?" Another one of his cheesy grins.

Soon they were joined over by Lisa, "Hi Lisa! I'm Freddie, it's so nice to meet you," Freddie did his best to not shake her hand so hard from his enthusiasm. "Thanks, you look great! Whoever your date is sure is lucky!" Another beaming smile. He found himself charged up from this leading him to laugh, "Atlas was just showing me the fixture he designed, I think our plotting's on a temporary hold for now." Looking back at Atlas to get his thoughts on the matter.

“It’s an old proverb. A lot of things in life come in threes,” she explained. Like survival stuff but she wasn’t going to go into that right now. “And myself,” she added with a smirk, referring to her quidditch jersey number. They weren’t on the same team anymore, but did he still remember?

She was glad their first song was a slow one. It gave them the excuse to be close. It took her back to last summer. Sliding a hand onto his shoulder, Serena bit the inside of her cheek when she felt his breath tickle her ear.

Dead.

Thank Merlin, she was able to keep her cool. “I’m perfectly okay,” she whispered back, and just like him, taking advantage of their proximity. “It’s what one does when they’re trying to woo someone, Jas.”

Violet looked down at her rosebud, pinned discretely onto a spare spot on her bodice, and smiled. Used to doing everything herself (and rather liking it that way), she had to admit that it was nice to have someone willing to help you with things once in a while.

At his question, she looked up--ah, thank Merlin Caes wasn't one of those boys who would NOT dance. "Yes, I'd love to dance," she smled back at him. "And don't worry, I'm not an expert, either. Or rather--well, my family drilled me pretty hard on the mechanics of dancing, but I'm afraid I'm not naturally that naturally graceful. But frankly," she added, looking around at the dance floor, "there are so many people here that I doubt anyone will notice if we're not the best. As long as we don't step on anyone's feet." She laughed and looked back at him, waiting for the dance to begin. If she could just have one dance without anything sinister interfering (or any sisters), this night would be about perfect.

Smirking, he traced his fingers lightly up and down her spine as they continued to sway. It was amusing, to him at least, how often he received that kind of compliment...while also not all surprising considering how much academic tutoring and dream somnologist mentoring he had done over the years. He supposed he had a natural knack for teaching. Pity he had absolutely zero aspirations of ever becoming a professor or teacher. Maybe a gobstones coach, someday, but that was also a pretty big maybe. It was professional gobstones player first and, ironically, confectionary entrepreneur as a secondary side hustle. "I'd guarantee you received nothing but O's if I were." She could check out his credentials on that as well, any time she wanted.

All that aside, he really did hope that he could teach her to identify that star in the sky...especially considering that she was going to get scouted somewhere and that would mean international travel while he stayed local to finish out the other half of his NEWTs and remaining schooling before he too was scouted. The moon was easy enough to spot and could suffice, but obviously her star was the more personal option. In any case, no matter where they were...they could look up and find them.

A softness had taken over his features while he reflected on all this, distracting him just a bit from the conversation revolving around his little cousin. "Nah, I was cuter," he teased, blinking a bit while his thoughts refocused. "He is a big fan." Of her, obviously. "I mean, he does hear nothing but good things about you from me." He glanced around a bit, his good eye straining to see in the distance. It was still exhausting, receiving information from only his right eye, but at least his headaches were less and less these days. At least something was working out since his joints still were creaky at times - his knees having a bit of issue tonight, but it was easy enough to ignore. "I promised this one fourth year, Victoria, that I'd save a dance for her too," he went on to explain. "She...sort of has become like a little sister to me here...and was one of the first to visit me when I was in the hospital wing." Autumn ought to remember the name. "I'll go claim that while you claim Phoenix." Smooth, he would like to think. An efficient use of time as well.

His fingers moved back down her spine until his palm settled on the small of her back. Brow quirked, he did not even bother to hide his intrigue with what she was suggesting. "Well," smirks just a little bit more and gives her playful pinch. "I look forward to that." Very much so. Smiling a bit, he dropped the sarcasm for a hot second and held her a little bit closer. "Not painful at all. We can head over to the photo booth on our way to the lake later." So there was no doubling back and more linear, spare his legs and knees some strain and ache later.

He supposed now would be the moment where he ought to be sentimental, but the truth was that he had nothing more to give to this school and it had taken quite a bit out of him as it was. No real attachment to the place and had been ready for well over a year not to get the hell out of here. "Not really," he shrugged nonchalantly. Perhaps a few conversations, but those did not absolutely have to be here at Hogwarts if push came to shove. "I'm ready to be done with this place."

Been ready.



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The fixation with dates that had seemed to consume this entire term had been suffocating to the Gryffindor. A certain peer pressure and expectation he had not wanted thrust upon him and in his unease he had also boxed himself into a corner. A corner where he really only felt seen by his brother and Remy - not only seen but...actively looked for. It was confusing, unsettling, and he really was not sure what to make of Freddie's surprise over the fact that he had chosen to come alone. A choice that had been partly accidental and primarily avoidance, so it wasn't embarrassment that he felt. That might actually be a welcomed sensation compared to what he had been feeling as of late. Though...Violet not noticing him gaping at her for a couple of seconds was a little embarrassing on a much much smaller scale. "It's fine...I mean...it's not a competition or anything," he said, trying to shrug it all off. Only it kind of was, wasn't it? Whatever. "Being linked to just one person for a school social event meant to unify everyone feels contradictory anyway."

Anyway.

Rotating his cap back and forth a bit more by the bill, twisting to WILL away the lame vibes that had his toes pushing into the bottoms of his sneakers, Atlas rolled his shoulders to warm his spine after the shiver his dormmate's compliments had elicited. "...I wasn't even really actively looking for a date." Which was the honest truth, but also a bit of a white lie. Always a complicated and hypocritical relationship with decisions of this sort. "But hanging with you wo---" Before the Gryffindor could properly react to the rest of that, particularly that cheesy grin of Freddie's, Lisa had joined them... and he wasn't sure if he felt more anxious or if he had arrived at a pleasant neutral.

"Hey," he smiled back. "Definitely wasn't expecting to see you standing by yourself at any point tonight." That was NOT meant to be a passive aggressive comment (even though there were still a lot of residual feelings and more things he was choosing to remain tightlipped on) - he just knew, through observation, that she had been buzzing about this dance for months now. He tugged on the sleeves of his jacket and smoothed down the front. "Just threw something on...to be honest. My dress robes are still hanging over my desk chair," he chuckled, slipping off his cap entirely so he could run his fingers through his hair...and then slip the cap back on. A pointless gesture, really, but he did not have the metal bars in his pocket from Nem that he usually fidgeted with...so messing around with hi shat or zip would have to do. "You...look like you just walked out of a fairy tale," he complimented in return. Sure, she wasn't in some big poofy ballgown, but he personally thought that looking like a sparkly marshmallow was overrated. "I like the bow," he added, pawing at one of the long ribbons that hung down her front.

Oh, they didn't know each other. He could, uh, show a bit of chivalry."Lisa, this is Freddie. My goof ball dormmate, resident hypeman, and..." Mate? Mate. "... mate. Freddie...this is Lisa. Powerful mind and in the year below us, in Ravenclaw...she is the one who lends me all the books to exchange ideas and knowledge..." The ones that may have seemed uncharacteristic for him to read but was often seen reading while lounging on his bed or in the common room. Ideas he was pretty sure were now misleading on a couple of fronts. Lesson learned there, never listen to Maya Nam again. Introductions settled, Atlas directed his eyes skyward to the twinkling dandelion that was slowing fading towards more warm hues, a pale canary yellow to start that brightened to more of a mustard before a some red began swirling its way in, bleeding the colors together to make a stripe of a kind of pumpkin or carrot orange. Yes, Atlas Flamsteed DID know a thing or two about colors, surprising as that may be. The crystals really made it look like moving flames too and his chest swelled a bit with pride. "Yeah...I'd really only popped down to see it in its element. It had been a labor of...uh...affection all term...so..." he concurred with a nonchalant and pseudo humble shrug of the shoulders; an accidental pun and nod to the theme itself twisted into his words. "I wasn't planning on sticking around long, but Freddie snagged me before I started wandering back," he explained while giving Freddie a playful elbow to the side. So, he was here, and would hang out for a bit more. "Nothing else up my sleeves tonight. No glittery dungbombs," he added with a small grin himself.

There was already plenty of glitter around here anyway.

Atlas' comment made her falter for a moment but she didn't take it as a passive aggressive comment. She knew it was simply an observation. "I... I suppose that makes two of us... I was hoping to dance... but nevermind that. Some things aren't meant to be." She paused and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm glad I'm with you two," she explained, managing a smile. She'd explain it later to Atlas if he wanted to know more but she didn't wish to ruin the mood of him and his friend. Lisa did notice him straightening out his clothes in front of her. At the mention of the dress robes, she nodded. He looked good just the way he was. It was an iconic look.

She smiled at the compliment from both Freddie and Atlas; however, Atlas' made her tummy do weird flippy things. It shouldn't have done that but the fact that he told her that she looked like as if she walked out of a fairytale made her feel all warm inside. The compliment was just as good as a hug. "Thanks Atlas. I.. I wasn't sure about the dress... I had another one that was more fairy looking but I felt like this one was more ... 'me'?" she explained with a blush on her cheeks.

She turned to Freddie and shook his hand as he introduced himself then Atlas made introductions. Lisa could see that Freddie was the resident hypeman just by the sheer amount of infectious energy he was giving off. "Nice to meet you, Freddie!" she greeted in return. When he complimented her, she thanked him and was about to verbally thank him when Atlas complimented her mind in a way that made her very happy. Powerful mind... The words caught her attention greatly. She did pride herself on her intelligence and wit. "We do! If you like reading and need any book recommendations, I'm sure between Atlas and I, we'd have you covered."

Lisa followed Atlas' gaze up to the dandelion that had caught her attention before. The colours that were reflected were magnificent and beautiful. At Freddie's words, she gasped and turned her attention to Atlas once more. "Wait. You're the designer of this fixture! Merlin. That's incredible, Atlas. The colours are incredible. It's beautiful." She gently gave his arm a squeeze before dropping her hand.

She chuckled at both of the older year's reactions before frowning. "Plotting on hold and..." LEGASP! "No glitter dungbombs? What should the people say?" she asked dramatically adding a hair flip for extra flair. Then a gasp! "Merlin... It'd be the perfect night for mischief... Holden's office was looking a little too neat earlier.." she teased before looking around for the professor that she had lended a hand to Remy and Atlas in pranking.

To her point, Jasper laughed quietly. "True." Of course he still remembered. How was that even a question!? "Speaking of, how are you feeling about the season?" Jasper couldn't wait, tbh. And though he did prefer playing on the same team, they were a killer pair on the field ok, having an equal as an opponent made for more interesting matches. Besides, he was itchiiiiiiiing to leave homework behind and trade it up for his broom 24/7. Summer time was the best time.

With that being said, he liked living in the moment. So even with the anticipation of the summer quidditch season, he was quite content at present, swaying to the slow song, holding Serena close.

"So that's what you're doing. Wooing me?" He raised his brows, smiling all the while.

“I’m excited. I’ve been practicing a few techniques,” she said, a bright spark in her eyes. It was something one of her mum’s players taught her over Christmas. Speaking of! “I’m going to train with the Falmouth Falcons this summer,” she chimed. A feeew practices, but it was something she’s been wanting to share with him. Training with professional quidditch players, it was a special kind of excitement he’d understand.

She also couldn’t wait to fly around the barn at sunset and watch all of the creatures settle for the night. And then a bonfire and a sea of stars above her. Serena was a sucker for summer barn nights. Her little secret.

At this moment, though, she didn’t want time to fast forward. She was content living in the present and taking all of this in.

Hand on his shoulder, her thumb toyed with his collar, her index finger absently trying to reach for his curls. “M’hm,” she nodded, her lips curving into a soft smile. “Or how do the young kids say; flirting.” Her cheeks flushed. She wasn’t even old to begin with, and she still didn’t have a clear idea on flirting—like, do you flip the hair then wink OR do you wink then flip the hair? Do people even wink nowadays?

Yes, I'd love to dance

Caes really liked her smile and laugh, the sort of nerves he had been building up settled from hearing her talk about her dancing experience. "Well, I least I know I'm in good hands, shall we?" Offering his hand for her to take before they could finally move on the dance floor.

The most he could do we the simple two-stepping side to side. He was hoping to hear something slow so he could feel less awkward. "Everything seems perfect so far," Knowing their luck with the school's reputation and other factors.



"But hanging with you wo---

Freddie was curious about what Atlas was going to say before Lisa joined in. No matter, he could always ask later. Lisa was so nice, he was wishing he had gotten to know her beforehand. "Oh really? So she's responsible for your brilliant works?" He couldn't help beaming. Some of the stuff that Atlas shared with him was an honor in itself. "I will have to take you up on that offer then, especially for this summer's shenanigans." He had some ideas but they were up there juggling with the rest.

Freddie's own eyes couldn't help noticing the vibe between Atlas and Lisa. Maybe he was misreading things but there was something. He wondered if he should zip off for them two to be alone, but they were too cool to pass up as he did one of his chuckles. "Soo what should we get up to? The dance floor seems to be calling. You both look like you could cut a rug with moves." As for him? Weeelll, that's another matter.

"Yeah? Can't wait to see them." And that was the honest truth. He had been practicing some moves of his own, many of his own creation, in eager anticipation of showing them to his coach. Though U17 quidditch took place over the summer season, every other time of year was meant for training. It was the only way to stay at the top. So when Serena shared her training plans, he responded with appropriate enthusiasm. "What? No way! That's awesome." And yes, he was a little jealous. The Falmouth Falcons weren't his team of choice (Magpies ftw!!), but he'd still give an arm and a leg to practice with the pros. Maybe he could ask his baba to make that happen.

These were things he'd have to think about later. For now, his attentions were with hihs date. The one who was flirting. Heh.

He pulled her in closer, grinning mirthfully. "I never thought I'd see the day." But he wasn't complaining. In fact, he quite liked the turn of events. Let it be known that Jasper Botros was thoroughly enjoying himself. It wasn't any secret. His smile said as much.

Open/mentions of several people ^_^
 

There was the reaction she was looking forward to. It made Serena smile a little more. She was aware the Magpies were his team. Hers were the Harpies, but still. Training with a professional team was high in the list of goals. “Yes, it’s awesome,” she repeated. “Would you like to come with?” Maybe they could even scrimmage. Test out their abilities and her wicked curve hits—one that had already taken him down…purely by accident.

When Jasper pulled her closer it confirmed that her flirting wasn’t all too bad, and it seemed like he was enjoying it. Serena adjusted her arm, sliding her hand to the back of his neck. It was better for proximity sake. She tilted her head at his response. “Of me flirting with you? Why?” she asked. What did he expect? That she’d hate his guts for the rest of forever? Especially after what happened during last summer? She dumped her peach for him.

As soon as that memory crossed her mind, Serena’s eyes flickered to his lips for a split second. Worth it.

It was interesting, looking back, how despite astronomy being an interest of his brother's as well...Benjee had not sacrificed it in order to be ~everything his brother was not~. When he was younger he supposed the reason for that was because it was the whole family's interest and therefore not something that could be specifically compared to his brother alone. He actually, sort of, regretted those wedges that he had put in place...at least things were better now. He had learned. He liked to think he was a little more mature now. "I know how seriously you take anything you want," he countered, leaning in a bit so his cheek was nestled against her temple. In any case, another round - or several - her locating her star was officially on the agenda for the evening.

Sure of himself was probably a modest way of putting it. While he would not go so far as to call himself insecure now, life and people had humbled him a bit. Though Autumn did a very good job of skillfully stroking his ego. No complaints, none at all, obviously. So he simply smirked at her and kept on dancing. It was interesting, though he had not brought it up so bluntly to her yet, how someone who talked with such confidence had the love language of words of affirmation. He never really looked too deeply into such things, not until the knowledge was demanded in order for him to be a more effective dream somnologist. "Mmmm, that's a secret between Phoenix and myself. Wouldn't want to embarrass him before he even gets his dance." Some of it were things she had already heard before, others were not...and things he may be saving for the right moment to say. A school dance felt too cliché for it and Benjee tended to avoid doing anything that put him in that category. "What can I say, you're not the only one with fans," he mused before giving her another little spin.

Holding her close to him once more, very vivid thoughts of locker possibilities now distracting his focus and overlapping with the photo booths just over there, he leaned his head back slightly to look at her. He found himself...surprised, for some reason, that she had a bucket list of sorts specific to Hogwarts. He wasn't sure why he hadn't pictured Autumn the sort to be sentimental in that way, but it did leave him a little curious. "Oh? Like what?" Anything that also required him to properly check it off the list?




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Ironically (sorry, Freddie) Atlas hated it when people never finished their thoughts. Lisa had, however, gotten most of her sentence out...which made him curiously confused as to why she had asked someone to be her date to the dance that was so adamantly avoiding the dance floor. He decided that THAT was absolutely none of his business and he wasn't sure that any response would make him feel any more positively about things. "That's the most important thing, I would think. Feeling like yourself in what you wear." He had no real interest in fashion, but he knew what he was and wasn't comfortable in...which he felt counted for something.

WOAH! WOAH WOAH WOAH!? Atlas' eyes widened a bit and he lifted his index finger in protest to Freddie's claim. It wasn't so much that it was a preposterous notion that Lisa, or anyone else, could inspire the results of his tinkering and inventions buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut he had a certain brand of Gryffindor ego that needed its own trademark. "What? No...I mean...not really...sometimes yes," he stammered, trying to soften that blow a bit and keep himself from coming across as defensive. "Different ideas and knowledge. All that metal charming work coming from here," he added with a couple if taps to his temple. Though he could argue that Lisa had planted an idea about daydream charms in his mind, but that was a blue print that had not properly manifested itself yet and therefore would be kept close to his chest for just a little bit longer. His hand moved to the back of his neck, rubbing and scratching it a bit to keep his fingers occupied, while Lisa gushed at him a bit. His chest inflated as well, impossible not to when your hard work and vision were praised like that. "Yeah...Violet Blackthorne helped me a bit with attaching crystals. I worked all term on the design...started with something cube-like at first but...spheres are a more efficient shape...and also the shape that is relevant to all the elements...gravity and...anyway..." He was rambling and he could probably talk about the logic behind the process all night. But he did not plan on staying here all night. He was already here much longer than he had anticipated. "...the dandelion motif was...is...homage to my aunt." Auntie June who had left her post of Herbology professor and squashed even more of his motivation to do decently in the subject. Poor Sadie Kareless having to tutor both himself and his brother, they were pretty hopeless.

Glitter and dungbombs aside, the blonde found himself smiling subtle at the promise of summer hanging out. "Definitely," he nodded in agreement. And, you know what was about as subtle as Lisa's hint that she wanted to dance? Freddie's hinting about the dance floor calling. He wasn't opposed to dancing, if anything he was indifferent with his two left feet and lack of rhythm (ironic considering he had charmed his fixture to change colors in accordance TO rhythm and beats), and so he found himself nodding once again. "Seems like the only logical conclusion would be that...we dance," he suggested to Freddie first and then swiveled his head to Lisa. No where said you could only dance with one person at a time and...well...doing something that was NOT the same as everyone else was one way to make Atlas more inclined to do something. And if doing The Twist™ constituted as 'cutting a rug,' which was precisely what Atlas started to do in the moment while being completely off beat to the peppy fire-inspired song playing now, then...yes. He could do that.

Also, Freddie. No more reading.

Jenn/Maya .... with dormmates/lisa reference too o.o
 

Maya had not originally planned on going to the dance. But after hearing her sister talk about it so often along with the rest of the student body, she couldn’t help but be curious. Then before she knew it, the Slytherin had picked out a dress, owled her Eomma to ask to borrow some jewelry and then somehow ended up with a date. A date that made her feel like a cliché from any coming of age muggle move - the kind where the girl finally gets the guy and is whisked away on the dance floor. Like A Cinderella Story… minus the curfew and raging stepmother.

”They did an excellent job,” Maya agreed, looking around, wide-eyed. Sure the charmed ceiling in the Great Hall was something but this… was another level. Maya had never seen anything quite like it. She smiled at the sight of the banner of the houses and the elements they represented. ”It’s a bit funny, isn’t it? The banner? None of my siblings came as the elements their house represents,” she said with a slight giggle. Since Evan chose fire… and Lisa chose water… and Maya herself had settled on air. It was a it amusing to her. ”And our houses are complete opposites, but you know… sometimes they say.. they um… attract each other” Maya said the last part quietly, embarrassed that she even said it out loud.

She cleared her throat, looked at him with a bright smile on her face and took his offered arm. ”Whisk me away, Prince Charming,” she joked, before her head turned as well. Maya’s attention turned to the dias where the headmaster stood, equally confused as Apollo at the poem. ”I thought today was supposed to be a break from the OWLs,” she said, her head tilting slightly and then her brow furrowing as she tried to figure out what the headmaster could possibly be referring to. ”Maybe a creature… got… loose?” Not that Maya could think of any who could write. Unless it was like in the Little Mermaid and a mermaid turned into a human… except the Mermaid was mad at everyone?

"It is. Perfect," Violet agreed, not caring whether they were doing a simple two-step or a Viennese waltz, but just glad for the chance to stand close to a boy she seemed to care more about as the days went on (which frightened her a bit, but she was determined to make the most of this chance).

Delighted, Autumn giggled lightly, pulling her arms tighter around him in an embrace while they danced as he leaned his head against her. She did take what she wanted very seriously, pretty much always getting her way. But she supposed that was what superior ambition looked like. "Let me know when you're ready to do some star-gazing." Which also sounded very romantic by the way, searching for her own star aside. And since they'd made their spotlight appearance on the dance floor and she had plenty of opportunity to have her arms around him and dance nice and close, anything else was just the cherry on top.

Autumn probably couldn't say herself why her love language was words of affirmation, but she was glad Benjee usually indulged her, even if he wasn't at the moment. Of course she knew it wasn't just lip service either and that he meant every word when he was complimenting her, as she would expect from most people anyway. She knew those things were true. But it was a good thing that she was such a secure woman and didn't need to hear those things, she just really, really enjoyed hearing them. And Benjee had already told her she was the most beautiful girl here so she wasn't too fussed about him not telling her what he might have said to his cousin. "So, I shouldn't ask him then?" she continued teasing him gently, having no intention of asking Phoenix about it. But even if she was having fun with their banter, she softened a bit. "Of course you do. You deserve all the fans." He was pretty great, in her opinion. And another spin - she was kind of impressed with his dance moves.

She traced her finger along his collar as he momentarily grew quiet, then she looked up at him with a mysterious sort of smile as he leaned back a bit to look at her. "Mm maybe it would just be easier to show you." There was still a little bit of time to do that.

“Yeah, I think… i lost myself for a bit, Atlas… I lost who I was and who the people that were important to me,” she mentioned. She had learned a thing or two about friendships. She had gone through a betrayal and had committed a betrayal too all in one year so she had learned a lot.

Umm sometimes yes? That made her heart beat rapidly.

Freddie was sweet but she agreed with Atlas. “He’s all the brilliance. I only give credit for the Princess and the Frog book if that’s what you’re referring to,” she admitted honestly as she brushed her hair behind her shoulder. She cast a mischievous smirk in Freddie’s direction. “Ill give you my owl. I’m always up for shenanigans.”

She turned back to Atlas after listening to his explanation about the dandelion. “Its beautiful. I’m sure your Aunt June would treasure it… I… miss her. She was awesome.” June Flamsteed had been one of her favourites. Not because of the subject but more so because she had been so helpful and encouraging. Lisa had appreciated her.

Freddie’s suggestion made her grin wider - especially when Atlas agreed. Dancing as a group sounded fun. “Let’s go!” she grabbed both boys hands and led them to the floor. No time to waste!

"Your feet, probably." Evan quipped back, his face settling into it's usual dead pan expression - which Lisa merely referred to as 'the Evan'. But considering he was merely teasing his friend, he relaxed and smiled teasingly back - having used that merely for the delivery. "I say that as a joke but also... maybe." It was true - thankfully Jude did. The Ravenclaw could hold his own when it came to a pinch, or just when it came to wanting to practice his favorite cousin's routines with him, but partner dancing? He was horrendous at it. Jude and Reagan's hours and hours of practice, sprinkled in with natural talent, certainly kept him far more equipped. Spins? "Only if you promise to point me in not the direction of anyone else on the dance floor." He paused on that for a moment, before glancing around. "... Unless you also aim me at my sister's and their dates. That would also be okay." Had they both come with dates? Thinking about that, Evan really only knew that Lisa and Daniel were in attendance together.

Which... as much as he liked Daniel - and he did - he was a little disappointed it hadn't been the Ravenclaw boy.... whatever his name was.

They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, while Evan assumed Jude was tallying all of the friends he would also need to make his rounds too through out the evening - which certainly didn't bother him. But the silence did not last long, and while Evan had not been aware of any advise given to the youngest Nam... he was certainly grateful there were so many people looking out for her. Lisa was... a very large component of his concern lately and he wasn't quite sure how to help her - hopefully others advise would be able to do so. An eyebrow raised slightly when the Hufflepuff continued however, and Evan considered his words as they were spoken. Truthfully, he'd assumed for quite awhile that Jude and his friend had been an item - months he'd assumed given how much Jude lit up when he spoke of him, or how often he was composing letters for his mom to deliver to him. There had been... jealousy, of sorts, for the Ravenclaw. But not the type that he knew Jude would have preferred. He'd been worried that his friendship would be replaced, because it was too hard to be around him which he would have understood and respected - but not liked. It had been.. a shock to hear the boys were not together, and this current conversation while a little suprising, was not as much so.

Contemplating how to respond, Evan stayed quiet for a moment longer before giving a small nod of his head. "I think... that would be a good idea for you. It's clear Davet really cares about you. And it does seem like there is at least something there for you in regards to him as well." Which Evan hoped, merely for Jude's sake so long as the actor remained good to him, that his feelings would eventually strengthen to where whatever discomfort Jude felt about E would dissipate. As much as he wished it was different, his romantic feelings... or lack there of .. had not changed. And while maybe there had been some confusion regarding a Gryffindor for him, it was not something he was likely to pursue, both out of respect for Jude and the fact it would just be too complicated and they were all so close to graduation as it was. "I just want to see you happy, Jude." Truthfully. And he hated that he was in part of reason that the Hufflepuff was not.

It would have been a pity had Maya not gone to the dance. What would she have done instead? Stayed in her dorm and studied? She needed this. They needed this.

"Really. Like, Hogwarts is normal magical, but this just takes it to whole other level." Seeing her wide-eyed though was almost as memorizing as the decorations. Oh, so she had taken in the elements that their house represented. Would it have been cliche to say that he wanted Maya to be his air? Or for him to be her earth and keep her grounded? Maybe ... but before he knew it, she was going on to talk about their houses being opposite and before he knew it, he was saying "Opposites attract," in matter-of-fact tone at the same moment she said the last part quietly. He grinned sheepishly, but shook his head. "Funny or ironic?"

"Consider yourself whisked, Cinderella." For a pureblood, he still knew muggle pop-references. "Guess they want to test us always? Even if unofficially," he shrugged. "A creature makes sense, but what sort of creature ... dances. Do they all dance?"

"How is that even a question?" Would he like to come with? YES. Yes, he would. "That'd be killer." He did miss practicing with her, by the way. As teammates. Training together during the school year was far more fun than practicing on his own, but it was different knowing they'd be going into the summer as competitors as opposed to teammates.

So he'd really be milking the time they had together right now. Because, yeah, he was enjoying it for suuuuure. "Because of all the years you went pretending to hate me," he grinned, knocking back a piece of her hair behind her ear. How'd she get her hair so glossy anyway? It was super distracting. Especially during boring classes like History of Magic. He couldn't help but stare ... at her hair. Yeah.

Seeing where her eyes landed made Jas smile a liiittle wider, as he puuulled her in again. "Maybe we can hang for a bit after the dance is over?"