One x One with Deoldath

[Deoledath]

| Drew Byrne | 16 | He/Him/His | Hufflepuff | Muggleborn |

Devon continued to spend the rest of the meal telling him why doing anything alone with a Slytherin was a bad idea. He tried to convince him to let Devon come along for shopping to make sure there wasn’t any funny business but Drew was quickly dismissing the idea. “I’m telling you, mate. She’s not that bad. I have a gut feeling, she’s okay.” He answered back, which of course just earned a dramatic response of ‘yeah, a gut feeling does so well for you’. He changed the topic by bringing up the transfiguration homework they had and pulling it out, getting his best friend to help him with it.

He liked to stay as late as he could in the Great Hall to study. He just felt more productive there but he was keeping track of the time. He didn’t want to be late for shopping, and was looking forward to the reprieve from the walls of the castle. He never really went out… just Hogsmeade trips, and he went home to Devon’s for breaks to see Luna and his pseudo-parents. Dumbledore was speaking and that was when Drew started to pack up his notebook where he had been going over his notes. They were harder to read, but he managed. He stood up, and Devon once again tried to insist. ’Mate, off school grounds I can’t help you. Please, just let me come with you to make sure everything stays on the up and up.’ He admired how much his friend cared but he shook his head.

“I will be fine. If you’re that worried, just stay up and wait for me.” He shrugged off again. He went back to his dormitory where he changed quickly into normal clothes: a pair of jeans and a Hufflepuff Quidditch hoodie that Devon’s parents had gotten made for him last Christmas. It was warm, and there was a pocket stitched into the hoodie pocket for him to put his wand which was convenient. He then made his way to the third floor girl’s bathroom and waited for Blair to arrive.

[Elyidian]

|Blair | 17 | Slytherin | Pure

Blair put her hair into a side braid and put on some normal clothes which consisted of a green top and a pair of black skinny jeans. She knew it would be colder out due to fall coming early this year so she grabbed a pain light grey sweater to wear on top of it. Making her way to the bathroom hastily as she was a little late. Mentally face-palming herself thinking that the boy maybe thought she stood him up. As she reached the bathroom out of breath, she placed her hand on the entry arch and panted. "Next time, we should meet on the second floor." she said. Putting her bag over her shoulder and across her body she looked at him out of his school uniform and commented I like the hoodie, where did you get it?

Blair led the boy through the secret tunnels of the last stall in the girls bathroom and down a dark, dusty hallway towards the outside of the castle. Down more stairs and into the cold autumn night beside the Womping Willow. She stopped to retie the boot laces for a moment and popped right back up

[Deoledath]

| Drew Byrne | 16 | He/Him/His | Hufflepuff | Muggleborn |

Time passed, and he frowned when seven came and she was not there. Perhaps she changed her mind? Or maybe it was an elaborate ruse to embarrass him and her and some of the other Slytherin house students were going to play a prank on him? He needed to stop thinking so negatively but he couldn’t help it. He had seen a lot, and he had been through a lot as well… it was in his nature to assume the worst of someone he didn’t know. Still, she appeared and she was out of breath. He let a smile and a light laugh fall. “But then how else would you get your cardio in?” He shocked himself to find a tease falling from his lips.

She commented on his hoodie and he smiled. “My best friend’s parents.” He answered simply. “I was staying with them for Christmas and they had gotten it for me.” He explained, even showing off the wand pocket he had because he was quite proud of it. “I like the side braid; it looks really good on you.” He added back. It was strange to see others out of uniform. Sure, he saw his housemates dressed casually around the dormitory all the time, but to see it from a Slytherin was odd for him.

He let her guide the way, a secret tunnel in the girl’s bathroom of all places got them both out, right next to the Whomping Willow. “How did you find that exit?” He inquired, because he never would have thought the girl’s bathroom would have an excellent escape route out of the castle. He watched her tie her shoe. “How are we going to get to Diagon Alley?” He knew she was old enough that the trace had broken, his own trace broke in a few days when he turned 17. “Can you apparate us there?”

[Elyidian]

Blair | 17 | Slytherin | Pure

She gave a weird look at his laughing at her and rolled her eyes. Thanks, The wand pocket is super cool though. and nodded at the boy. His casual clothes made her notice more about his features, his dark eyes and messy hair was a good look for the boy but she didn't want to say anything about it because he might tease her again. Walking further from the Hogwarts school grounds and near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Blair noticed it was a clear sky and looked up at the stars.

To the question of apparation, Blair knew how to by the age of 14 due to her parent's rigorous training. I'm able to apparate us both once inside the Forest, The Barrier doesn't cover those grounds so we should be able to freely do it without fear of being caught. she said rather quietly, as these were the woods in which monsters lay. She grabbed his arm and led him into the thicket of trees. Being sure to stay quiet long enough to Apparate them both to the Alley.

[Deoledath]

| Drew Byrne | 16 | He/Him/His | Hufflepuff | Muggleborn |

Drew grinned proudly at the mention of the wand pocket being cool. He liked to think so. He often wore his hoodie under his Quidditch robes once it got cold enough and the pocket came in handy so he could keep his wand on him during the game. They started to walk further, and he didn’t miss the fact that they were getting closer to the Forbidden Forest. It was enough to set him on edge just a little bit. He had never been in, because the nature of the Forbidden Forest was that it was forbidden. He’d always been too afraid of what might lurk inside.

Then she mentioned they would have to enter it and his eyes widened. “We have to go in?” He asked, the hints of hesitance in his voice. He wasn’t sure about this. Perhaps they should just go to Hogsmeade? No. He was determined. He had picked the Alley because they were less likely to get caught farther away from the school. A teacher might spot them if they go to Hogsmeade. He moved, following closely behind her until they were in the thick of the trees. She took his arm and with a pop they landed in the Alley. He looked around, making sure he was still in one piece which of course he was, and sighed with relief. “I’ve never been in the forest before.” He admitted, as if it weren’t obvious enough.

[Elyidian]

|Blair | 17 | Slytherin | Pure|

Blair giggled at his slight fear and said I couldn't tell sarcastically. The girl looked at him for a moment before noticing she hadn't taken her hand off his arm. Embarrassed, she let go and started walking out into the alley. Can't let a boy inside my head now, or ever. she frowned slightly at her inner thoughts. Passing the colored lights at every step, It wasn't late enough for the shops to close but twilight was falling and soon darkness would be upon the skyline.

Stopping at a gown store near the end of the alley, right by Gringotts, she went inside. trying to see all the pretty colors that lined the store. Sparkles, lace, split down the leg and all sorts of other styles and details she was oddly familiar with. Blair's family held a gathering like a ball once every few months for other purist families and had tried to get Blair into an arranged pureblood family, like others before her. she wiped the look on her face off as she was relatively content at this moment. It was customary for each pair to pick one of the house colors to go with on the ball. Do you prefer green or gold? she asked.

[Deoledath]

| Drew Byrne | 16 | He/Him/His | Hufflepuff | Muggleborn |

Drew smiled, a slight flush to his cheeks when he also realized that her hand hadn’t left his arm. He didn’t really know how to react to it. He was still trying to process the fact that she was nothing like she seemed and nothing like some of her other housemates as well. The Alley was stunning, as always. He was hardly ever there. He made the journey once a year for school supplies and never really looked around the other shops. One year for his birthday, Devon and his parents had brought him to the Quidditch shop to buy a new broom. He had insisted that it was too much but they had insisted he take their gift anyway.

Drew entered the store right behind her, looking around as he admired all of the different styles and colors. He hadn’t considered what colors to use until she asked the question and he shrugged. “I prefer gold… but I’m bias.” He was a Hufflepuff after all. “I don’t know how some of your housemates might react in either situation… with me wearing green or with you wearing gold.” He was a muggleborn after all and some of her housemates were notorious about it. “Whichever you think would be best. I think you’d look stunning in both.”

[Elyidian]

Blair Wood | 17 | Slytherin | Pure

Blair nodded, looking around for dresses that they might both like, she picked her way to the back of the store, browsing all of the dress options. Thumbing her hand through all of the different styles, sizes and colors. Coming upon one or two that she liked and handed to the shop-keeper who, had been on her heels since they'd entered the small store. The three that Blair ended up trying on were very different in style. The first, which she tried on hastily was a pretty Slytherin green ball gown with the shoulder's comming down onto her arms like drapes. Showing Drew and after a twirl she stated " I don't like it." and went back into the dressing room to try on another.

The second was a brilliant gold color with a v-shaped neck line and glittered, reflecting the small lights. Going out to show her partner yet again, she said " Not sure if I like this one either." and went back. Putting on the last dress was like holding her wand for the first time. The pattern was perfect and she enjoyed the mix of color on it. Exiting the dressing room, Blair stood in front of the boy in a gold and green dress. Twirling so that the light danced off the small jewels encrusted on it.

[Deoledath]

| Drew Byrne | 16 | He/Him/His | Hufflepuff | Muggleborn |

Drew simply followed along and watched in awe as she worked. She had a mission and she was doing it. He could appreciate that. He figured they could shop for her first, then once her dress was all settled, he could get a matching tie of some kind to go with it and that would solve all of their problems. He took a seat on the couch outside of the dressing room, watching as she came out. He thought the first one was pretty, but ultimately she decided it wasn’t for her, simply nodding. Something similarly went similarly, though he still thought she looked stunning.

It was the third that she seemed to like the most, and he grinned, nodding in agreement. “You look radiant.” Personally he thought that was just her, because she could probably pull off wearing a paper bag just like she could wearing this dress… or maybe that was just him. He banished the thoughts for now. “And it beautifully captures the colors of both of our houses, that way we don’t have to chose.” He added, because that certainly made things simpler and pulled away from the complexion of things to come.

[Elyidian]

Blair Wood | 17 | Slytherin | Pure

Twirling around again before changing back, she noticed that he was lost in thought, bending in front of his face, she said " You ok?" before coming back up and telling the seamstress that they wanted to buy the dress. " You don't have to worry about buying your suit or tie. Ill get it" Blair made an effort to give a soft smile as she handed the owner money. Pulling out the green purse her parents had gifted her.

Blair thought a moment before grabbing his hand and exiting the store, " We have to get shoes after your suit, ok?' the young Slytherin insisted that they look the best. "We are gonna be so hot." She looked at the boy and noticed something she hadn't seen before. The boy was very attractive and that thought had made her let go of his hand and flush pink for a moment before going to the Suit-maker.