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Post by lukejasperdenmark on Jan 26, 2013 17:58:58 GMT -5
"So who are you going to the Gala with?" "Mary McDonald." Came Luke's reply to Lloyd Irving one night as they climbed into their respective beds. "Really? Awesome! So you finally worked up the courage to ask her huh?" "Well uh ....no .....she asked me. And it's kind of a ....well I don't know. See, she said in order to pay her back for tutoring me, I could take her to the Gala if I wanted. But now I'm starting to think that despite what she said, I'm her last resort you know?" and the conversation went on throughout the night. The next morning, Luke wrote a letter to his uncle, telling him he was going to the Gala and he was going to need a blue suit. Iggy replied happily, telling him he'd send him a really nice one. A couple days later, a package came in the mail with shoes, slacks, a nice dress shirt, a tie and a handsome blue, leather jacket. It was perfect. Not too formal, and yet not too casual. He could easily dance in it without getting over heated. He'd mailed a thank you letter to Iggy, also telling him he was going to get tutoring in the classes he wasn't very good at. It turned out, that Luke improved in a few classes with Mary's help, Transfiguration being the most noticeable but he couldn't improve in Potions, no matter what she tried and he wouldn't tell her the reason why he couldn't focus on her, or his potion or anything else while down in the dungeons. It was all too embarrassing. Finally, the night of the Gala arrived and Luke nervously styled his hair, ignoring advice from everyone, which was different. Some said to leave it the way it was, some said to spike it up, some said to slick it back. Instead, Luke went for his usual way, just running a comb through it and calling it a day. His blue eyes focused on the scar on his face and he sighed slightly, wishing it could be a masked ball, he'd always felt weird about his scar and now that Mary would be close to him all night long, he found himself wishing he could hide it. He glanced to the flute necklace hanging from one of the posts on his bed and then, took it with him. He put it around his neck and tucked it under his shirt, just for good luck and a small sense of security. Finally, he adjusted his tie and then, put his jacket on and finally, he was finished. His outfit was as good as it was going to get. He knew that he didn't have to bring a corsage, but his uncle had thought ahead and had sent him a little gift for him to give Mary that morning in the owl post. It was a color changing rose that could easily attach to her dress or to her hair, her wrist, whatever. He watched it change from red, to blue, to purple, to pink and and then back to red again and with a simple charm, made each color last longer before switching. "There." He said softly and then, gave it a sniff and smiled, it smelled great! "Hope she likes it." He muttered and then, headed down the stairs to meet her in the Entrance Hall as they'd agreed to. While he waited, he nervously buffed his shoes on the back of his pant legs, and then before he knew it, there she was. He smiled broadly and gave her a slow look up and down before settling on her face. "Hey Mary. You.....you look....." What could he say that wouldn't sound lame or like he was trying too hard? "Gorgeous." He finished and then, held up the rose. "This is for you." He told her, "It.....it changes color and it won't wilt for....for ages! So um....here" He wasn't sure where she wanted to put it, or if she wanted him to put it on her in the first place! After a moment, he offered her his arm "Want to go in?" He asked quietly and then, mentally kicked himself for his stupidity. Of COURSE she wanted to go into the gala! What else would they do? Stand outside the Great Hall all night and play cards? Dumbass. |
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Post by marymac on Jan 28, 2013 23:08:06 GMT -5
Mary Macdonald was at a loss for what she wanted exactly. She knew she had feelings for Luke nestled in her heart, but it was surrounded by doubt and fear that kept it shut away like a princess guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. Most people would whine about how damaged they were and that was why they couldn't have stable relationships. In Mary's case, yes...having her mother leave did make it hard for her to seek out relationships and keep them alive but she felt she was doing a good job of keeping it from hindering her. And even if it did, she would never blame it on that...she refused to let anything about that woman get to her. She would instead channel her feelings into breaking past the things that held her back. And asking Luke to the Gala was one of those big steps. She was currently looking in the mirror and not particularly sure if she liked what she saw. Mary didn't really wear these type of dresses, and she had never felt the need to go to a dance or a ball before so she normally avoided them. So when she had realized that the Gala would be formal-ish she was sure none of the dresses she wore over leggings normally would do for the Autumn Gala. She smoothed her hands over the soft fabric of the dress. It was a really nice shade of blue and she hoped it matched what Luke was wanting. Regardless, it was what she had found and she liked the way it felt. It wasn't restricting and she could breath properly and was comfortable, even though the shoes were tall and weird to walk in. She usually wore combat boots, worn in from years of faithful service, but these heels were new and tall and strange and she felt a bit like a baby Hippogryff trying to walk on cobblestones. She heard someone call for her that Luke was waiting down in the common room for her. After adjusting her hair one last time in the mirror she made her way down the stairs to where he was. Mary blushed almost instantly, he looked so handsome. He thought she was gorgeous and she couldn't help but smile. "Thank you so much.. mind putting it on me?" she asked and held out her arm for him to put it on. She nodded with a smile and squeezed his hand. "I'd love to go in.. But first. Can I tell you that I am really excited we are going together.. I really wanted to go with you.. so thank you for accepting my invitation. She murmured They walked in a few minutes later and she squeezed his hand. "I don't know if you do this or not but would you like to dance maybe?" she asked wanting to get her blood flowing. |
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Post by lukejasperdenmark on Jan 30, 2013 18:55:44 GMT -5
"Your hair looks nice too." Luke said softly, "Kind of makes me wish I'd done something with it but then again, it'd be strange if I did, seeing as I'm a guy and all." He joked, then took the rose and gently tied it around her wrist, adjusting it so the flower rested on top. "There you go." and he nodded at her as she squeezed his hand. Hers was so tiny compared to his, he could engulf it if he wanted to. "I'm excited too. I'm glad you're the one who asked me and, not anybody else." he told her and then nodded again "Of course I want to dance."
And he led her into the Great Hall, peering around at everything and everyone. "It always blows me away how this place transforms from a dining hall to a dance hall so seamlessly." Luke said quietly, staring up at the ceiling for a few moments before looking back at Mary and smiling at her. "You did a really good job of picking out a color." He said to her, "For your dress I mean, it matches but it's not a perfect match, it's a little different shade I think. That sort of ....sets each other off. Don't you think?" He asked, and he took her and led her onto the dance floor.
It was a fast paced one and after a moment, he found the beat. He danced along to it with Mary, every now and again he'd grab her by the waist and spin her around with him, then plop her down gently on her feet. Luke never let Mary out of his sight, but he also let her do her own thing. He just made sure that no one bumped into her and risked hurting her or something like that.
As he danced through a couple of songs with her, he finally seemed to tire out a bit and took her by the hand, "You want to get something to drink?" He offered with a smile, "We'd better get the sealed bottles of butterbeer though, just in case someone's tried spiking the punch." he suggested.
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Post by marymac on Feb 3, 2013 2:51:35 GMT -5
She laughed softly and rolled her eyes as he complimented her hair. It really wasn't anything special she had done to it at all really, just smoothed out the messy curls that it usually sported and fluffed it up a little. Her heartbeat quickened a tad as he took her wrist to tie the flower on and his huge hand squeezed her small slender one. She was excited to find out what it would feel like to have him hold her while they danced. "I'm glad I asked you. I was hoping you hadn't already asked someone else..." She blushed with a sheepish smile spread on her lips. "Then let's dance already.. She giggled following him into the Great Hall.
The place was packed with people all dressed in arrays of different dresses and dress robes with sprays of all sorts of colors. And the hall itself looked magnificent, he was right it was rather amazing how it changed from a place where they took in their meals, to a place where they could make amazing memories of the evening. She looked at the way their colors offset and felt bad she hadn't found a color that matched better with his outfit. "You really think so? I couldn't really find something I liked in that color... but I'll admit.. I'm not so good at the whole coordinating colors thing. I'm pretty much the worst at being a girl.." She laughed.
Mary didn't really have the experience or the teaching that other girl's had. They had mother's or older sisters, or even aunt's to teach them how to do these things. Pick out dresses, coordinate colors, help a guy enjoy your date and not regret agreeing to take you out. Mary would just do her best with what she had and hope it turned out well.
Luke led her out onto the floor, and the fast paced music suited him. He was having a great time, and Mary was enjoying just dancing along with him and getting her blood flowing. Every time he would pick her up and spin her around her heart would skip a beat. It was unbelievable how much fun she was having with him and she never wanted the songs to end.
After a couple of songs worth of dancing, her cheeks were flushed with excitement and exertion. He took her hand again and she smiled, catching her breath. "A drink sounds great, especially after that." she laughed and followed his lead. He was right the butterbeer seemed like a safer option, even though she knew how much fun spiked punch could be. "You're right, better safe than sorry. However from experience of being a spiked punch victim. It is pretty fun. So if we get bored perhaps?" She winked taking a sealed butterbeer and cracking it open.
She raised her bottle and clinked it with his; "To a wonderful night, and new opportunities that may lead to many more." She smiled before taking a swig of her drink and letting it cool her off. They enjoyed their drinks for a few more minutes as the party started to settle down a little and a slow song came on. Mary set down her bottle and looked over at Luke curiously. "Would you like to sit out for a little while and talk a bit? Or try a slow dance first?" She asked with a soft, sweet smile.
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Post by lukejasperdenmark on Feb 3, 2013 18:54:56 GMT -5
"I dunno, I'd say you're pretty good at being a girl." Luke teased lightly, "So what if you don't match me perfectly? I can't stand it when a girl thinks they have to match their date so much that they constantly check up on what he's wearing. It's really annoying to be honest. I was in Hogsmeade the other day and overheard a couple of girls talking about their dates and how they were all going together. Those poor guys.... apparently they all had to wear colors that complimented their eyes but wouldn't clash with each other and the girls had to wear dresses that matched their date's clothes but didn't look the same as the others and on top of all that, they had to have corsages that were 'perfect'. When I was stupid enough to ask them what 'perfect' meant I got treated to an entire rant on 'what a terrible date' I'd make." he said with a laugh.
"I don't know, I think I'd make a pretty scary drunk." Luke said, smiling at her as he toasted her "To a wonderful night and more dates." He agreed and took a swig. His eyes went wider as a slow song struck up and he smiled slightly, a little surprised that it was so early in the night but then again....maybe time had just flown by and he hadn't realized it.
That smile! It wasn't fair. He'd never seen Mary smile at him like that before, but damn.....how could he resist anything she asked when she smiled at him like that? ".....Let's dance." He said softly and took her by the hand, leading her onto the floor. He pulled her close and revolved slowly on the spot.
He gave her a spin, artfully twirling her out to end of his reach and then right back into his arms, where he stared down into her face. "You dance really well." He told her, "Where did you learn?" He asked, leading her in the dance, keeping her close. No one tried to cut in, no one really dared to. "I don't really know what the hell I'm doing, but I don't care. I just like this. Being ....being close to you." He was glad she was shorter than him, if she wanted to see directly into his face, she'd have to look almost straight up, seeing how close she was. His face was turning a faint shade of red. "I didn't want to ask anyone else to the ball. If you hadn't asked me, I wouldn't have gone at all. I'd have stuck around in the Common Room or gone outside for a walk or something."
He blushed even deeper, realizing just how lame it sounded.
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Post by marymac on Feb 5, 2013 0:29:17 GMT -5
"You think? I'm not trained.." she laughed and adjusted her dress a bit while he talked giggling softly at his story. Mary hated girls like that, they drove her crazy. The ones that had to have everything just perfect and match all their stupid friends and everything had to be planned out. Mary preferred having fun, spontaneity was always the best way to go about things because well, who doesn't love being surprised.
"Well those girls are wrong, I think you are a wonderful date and I am lucky to have you." She murmured. The thought of Luke being drunk was slightly amusing, she couldn't imagine it being scary really. If anything the thought was laughable, he and Mary would have a great time drunk. But that would be for another time, she wanted to remember every moment of this night and have it unclouded and unmarred by an alcoholic stupor.
"To so many more. " She murmured hoping he was right, that there would be more. Suddenly he was watching her, watching her smile about dancing. Mary felt like a foolish little girl but he smiled and took her hand anyway, making her feel like a princess as he whisked her out onto the dance floor. She felt safe, pressed so close to him like this.
"I actually dance well? Oh good I was hoping I wasn't stepping on your feet. I never really learned how to dance i'm just kind of going with what you are doing.." she murmured relieved she was doing well and he was enjoying it. They moved gently with the beat of the song, slow and relaxing, romantic. "Well then I'm really glad you are here with me because I would have been doing the same thing... she grinned
The song was getting to that point where it was dying down, she looked up at him. He was so handsome and sweet, and he'd been her best friend for so many years now that it was easy for them to talk. Luke was her hero, he'd saved her that day she'd been attacked. Found her lying on the floor bleeding and battered and brought her to the hospital wing. He meant so much to her and being here with him was something she wouldn't trade for anything.
The song ended and she was still holding onto him, staring into those amazing eyes. "There's no music anymore.." she whispered.
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Post by lukejasperdenmark on Feb 6, 2013 0:08:18 GMT -5
"You're not a puppy." Luke said with a laugh and pulled Mary closer to him, "I think it's me who's lucky to have you." He told her with a smile "And just so you know, I don't know what the hell I'm doing." He whispered as he danced, "But at least we're good at it."
"Seems that way." He whispered, still dancing to a song that was no longer playing. A few people giggled at them, while some sighed and watched. He didn't notice them, he just stared down into Mary's eyes, remembering how they're nearly closed forever not too many years ago. He stopped dancing after a moment, and people began flooding out of the Great Hall, the gala was over and it was time to go back to their Common Rooms or in some cases, off to a 'real party' or to have sex in some empty classroom or something.
Smiling, Luke led Mary off, just holding onto her hand and walking down the corridor and up the stairs at their own pace, allowing people to walk past them. Finally, as they entered the Common Room, Luke stopped Mary from going upstairs right away. "Hold it." He said softly and then, bent down and kissed her on the cheek. That was as close as he dared get. He didn't want to ruin things by going too fast.
"Good night Red." He whispered, using the nickname only he seemed permitted to use around Mary. "Sweet dreams. Thank you for tonight. It was the greatest night I've had in a long time." And he released her hand, then headed up the stairs to his dormitory, glancing back at her every now and again. He shut the door behind himself and leaned against it, smiling to himself. "Yes." He whispered and then, took off his suit, put on his pajamas and flopped onto his bed.
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