J. Fletch

17. Hufflepuff. Ladies man. 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina could see that he wasn’t comfortable with having a makeover and she only suggested it since it was the first thing that came to her head. “You know what, no makeover today, I change my mind,” she said with a smile. Aware that they were still in the library, she tried not to make sounds but the feeling of his fingers against her skin was so satisfying. Sighing in relief she replied, “perfect, thank you.”

His first sentence definitely didn’t go unnoticed but she put it in the back of her mind because this was important. Irina hugged Justin as he pulled her closer, “you’re important to me too, very important in fact, and that’s why I want to do this, to help you.” She looked up at him as he continued to talk. The tears came back when Justin’s eyes started watering too. “I promise,” she said whilst nodding, “but that doesn’t matter right now,” she wiped Justin’s tears and then her own, “food does,” she said with a smile. “Let’s go eat.” Irina took his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb against the back of her hand to comfort him.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

He looked down at her and cocked his head to the side. "Are you sure? I mean, you always make me look good and I could tell you were really excited at the idea. I certainly didn't mean to imply I didn't want one." He clarified, pulling her tighter for a hug before letting go and getting the massage underway. The feeling of her skin under his fingers, the way she relaxed so completely, her faith and trust in him, filled his head with a sense of calming tranquility that he hadn't felt in a long time. "You're quite welcome, Iri." He whispered, giving her a small smile. He wasn't even sure how she felt about the nickname but if she hated it, she certainly didn't say anything.  

He didn't want to talk about this because he knew how upset it made Irina but he had to know that she would be able to do what was necessary if the Darkness attempted to hurt anyone. But she was also right. They needed to enjoy the good times while they could and while the Darkness was dormant. At her insistence that they go eat, he laughed and nodded his head. "Yes. Food can solve anything. And who knows, maybe having a full stomach and a beautiful girl in my arms tonight will be the cure for the Darkness." He teased, crinkling his nose as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led them towards the kitchens, his hand squeezing hers tighter.  

[rxbytuesday]

George MacKay and Antonia Thomas in Sunshine on Leith (2013).

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina sighed once they finished, leaning back in the sofa to relax for a moment. She let out a light laugh at Justin’s elation for completing his work. Irina’s eyes lit up at the word adventure, Justin knew how much she loved them. “I thought we were going to give you a makeover but food sounds so much better right now,” a growling noise came from Irina’s stomach, “and my stomach agrees, let’s go!” she said with a grin, getting up and stretching. “Sitting down for ages has made me stiff,” Irina rolled her shoulders but still couldn’t get loose, “do you mind quickly giving my shoulders a rub, please?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at Justin.

Feeling Justin’s hand, she interlocked her fingers with his whilst leaning against him. The action soothed her and she could see why people always asked if they were together, but she didn’t mind. Irina bit her lip as she listened to him, trying not to let how worry show and be strong for him. “Shhh, it’ll be okay,” she said, bringing their hands up to her lips and kissing her back of his. “I’m trying not to,” she smiled a sad smile, “I just don’t want to lose you.” She let the tears fall, no point in hiding them now that he’d seen her. Looking up at Justin as he wiped her cheeks, “what if I stayed with you one night and followed you to see where you went? It could be another adventure!” she said, trying to make the situation seem less serious than it was because honestly, she was scared. Especially with the war going on, even if Justin didn’t destroy himself, someone else could take him away from her.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Justin rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I promised you that you could make me over and despite my better judgment, I will let you. But I need either food or alcohol in my system first and since we’re nowhere near Hogsmeade, food will have to work.” He teased, standing up and stretching out his limbs, his eyes scanning over Irina as she did the same. He tried not to stare but she was so beautiful that he couldn’t help it. “Huh?” He asked, her voice breaking through his reverie. “Oh yeah of course.” Justin said, cracking his knuckles before coming around behind her. He cautiously moved the straps and after catching his breath, he kneaded his fingers into her soft skin. “Is this okay?” 

At Irina’s insistence that she stay with him one night, he bit his lip. “While I’ve sometimes wondered what it would take to get you to stay with me, this isn’t what I had in mind. The idea of you getting caught between my consciousness and my nightmares scares me. I could... I could hurt you during this and I would never be able to forgive myself. You’re too important to me to risk it.” He admitted, pulling her closer and wiping her eyes. “I wouldn’t want to deny you an adventure nor do I expect you to listen to me when I tell you no but if you decide to do this, just please... be careful. Hex me or...” He said, tears welling in his own eyes. “I need you to promise that if I attack you, you’ll do what’s necessary to stay alive. Even if that means I don’t.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina hated when Justin put himself down, he was so much more than the Hufflepuff beater, the guy who dated Hannah and her friend. He was sweet, caring, funny, cute, loyal, layered and someone that loves fiercely, she just wished he could see it himself. She was lucky to have him in her life. “I’m sure there is too but you’re doing perfectly,” she replied, returning his kiss on the cheek, hoping to cheer him up and show her sincerity.

Irina hugged him back, sighing as she relaxed into his arms, taking in his warmth, smell and general cosiness. “I’m sorry that it hurts you to see them.” She giggled lightly at his last comment, letting the idea sink in for a second, “and you’re all I need,” she replied with a smile, pulling away from the hug so she could look at him.

Nodding in understanding, Irina felt her eyes start to well up at the thought of him being hurt or sent away, she wouldn’t be able to handle that, he was the only real friend she had. Pressing her lips together, she looked away to try and compose herself. “That makes sense, I just hope it doesn’t get worse in that time.” She turned back to him, “do you know if it’s your blood or someone else’s at least?” she asked, worried that he’d hurt himself or another, the thought making her eyes well up again. Merlin, girl, get yourself together.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Justin had kind of forgotten what the pair of them were talking about as he focused back on his work. He knew he wanted to get this essay done so that he could spend more time with Irina. There was so much he wanted to tell her and the sooner he finished, the better. Finally after a bit more teaching from Irina and frustration on his part, the essay was complete and Justin triumphantly slammed his books closed and threw his fist in the air. "Yes, finally done! I am so hungry! Time for a snack." He said, laughing as he wrapped an arm around Irina. "What do ya say bestie? Are you feeling up for an adventure?" He smirked, choosing to ignore the topic of Stevie and Chrasshole. He didn't want to ruin the rest of their day by being sad and angry. "I think a trip to Hogsmeade is just what Finch-Fletchley ordered. I'm dying for a good meal."

As they left the library, he linked his fingers through hers, as they often did, and he pulled her closer, letting her small frame rest easily against his. "I try not to think about who's blood it could be because then it becomes real. If I don't think about it, its just an illusion. Something that I can brush off. But then it happens again and it becomes a reality. I just wish I could figure it all out. I'm tired of these memory lapses. What if I..." He trailed off, not trying to scare her but hinting at the idea of the blood belonging to someone he'd hurt during one of his blackouts. "I'm just scared of myself." He admitted, reaching up to wipe her eyes. "Please don't cry. I hate seeing that look on your face."

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina smiled at his compliment before blushing lightly at the kiss. She was glad that her complexion didn’t let it show.

The Slytherin opened her mouth to reply but she wasn’t sure what to say, she thought he was joking. Wait, did Justin like her? No, of course not, he’s a male, of course things she does he will find attractive because that’s just what happens. She thinks that a girl’s curves are sexy but that doesn’t mean she likes the person. “It’s okay, it gave me a confidence boost anyway and that’s what besties are for right?” she said with a wink and a smile.

Irina played with Justin’s hair as she thought about her answer. “I don’t think Chris would get with Stevie unless he wanted to and I think she’s happy so maybe you should be happy that she’s happy? If it goes tits up then you can be there for her and see what develops but until that happens, if it does happen just do what makes you happy. I don’t want you pining after someone that doesn’t want you back, you’re worth more than that,” she kissed the top of his head before going back to playing with his hair. Irina smiled at the thought, “I wouldn’t mind that.”

Irina was going to explain but she noticed that he hadn’t realy been listening. “Are you okay? You seem a bit dazed,” she asked, a little worried. “Actually, how are your memories?” she questioned slowly, not wanting to talk about the subject if it was too sensitive for him although she was usually the one he came to about these things, she still didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Justin wanted to tell her that it wasn’t just a compliment, that there was more to his words than just being nice, but he couldn’t. It was bad enough that she was more involved in his life than he really wanted her to be. He was glad she was but the drama, between Hannah and his memory problems, was something he never wanted her to get caught up in. Their friendship was something he’d cherish forever and he was eternally grateful that she’d given him a chance. But some things he had to do on his own. At her words, he chuckled and nodded. “I’m sure there’s more involved than that but given my track record with friends, I don’t know what those are.” He said, laughing and shaking his head, trying not to read too much into the wink she gave him. 

Listening to her speak about Chris and Stevie had his anger rising and threatening to surface. He had no idea what she saw in that guy and he hated him by default. Add that to the fact that Chris and Hannah had slept together the day after he’d broken up with her only added to his hatred of the guy. He wanted to disagree with her and say that she was wrong but she wasn’t. He could see how happy Stevie was with him and it hurt to see them together. He guess it was karma for not saying something sooner. He simply shrugged and let out a sigh. “Ugh, you’re right. Now I have the misfortune of seeing them everywhere.” He groaned, pulling her in for a hug. “You’re all I need anyway.” 

Justin hated being distracted but with the newest complication on his already long list, it seemed inevitable. At the mention of his memories, he rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “Still missing.” He confessed, sighing. “I keep missing time and I wake up covered in sweat and sometimes covered in blood and its starting to scare me because I have no idea what happened. I’m worried tht if I go to the professor that they’ll send me to St. Mungos and I’ll have to leave all this behind. And we’re so close to graduation. I just need to hang on for a little longer and then I can find some answers.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

“I know.” Irina frowned at herself, why did she say that? Shaking her head she turned towards Justin, “sorry, I think I’ve been hanging out with too many snakes recently.” Irina shrugged, “that just means I have to spend more time with you!” she said with a big grin and giggled at the thought.

Irina gave a nod of approval, “sounds like a plan!” She blinked at him in confusion, “that wasn’t what I was going for but sure,” she said with a laugh, hoping it would hide her embarrassment. She didn’t mean to be sexy, why was that sexy, why is he telling her it’s sexy? Because he’s Justin Finch-Fletchley and that’s what he does, broomhead. Irina didn’t understand why she was fussing over this, do friends tell friends they find stuff that they do sexy? She came to the conclusion that Justin was joking although she did keep it in the back of her mind to tease him with later. 

Irina became a little sad at the mention of Stevie, Justin was better than pining after someone who is already head-over-heels for someone else and doesn’t realise how amazing he is. “Maybe, I’m sure she’ll realise how wonderful you are eventually,” she said with a smile, she wasn’t sure that Stevie was even available to be won over, Chris and her are inseparable, she hadn’t seen them apart since they got together and she thought they were very close before. “Good,” she said scrunching her nose up with a smile. She didn’t know why but there’s just something about playing with someone else’s hair and seeing them react and relax that makes her really happy.

As he explained what happened, Irina charmed the material to do as he was saying, she thought he would talk slower but she got there in the end, making the fluid blue and glittery so it wasn’t as gross. Irina laughed at his complaint, “stop being such a baby, I swear people who grew up in the Wizarding World are so sensitive about scientific things.” She forgets that many people had a different childhood to her, she doubts they’ve never really had to deal with bodily fluids, with a wave of a wand or a few swigs of a potion, they were good as new. That reminded her to figure out a way to get the Slytherins to watch a horror movie, the gorier the better. “The quicker you write it the quicker it’s out the way and you don’t have to think about it. Have you never been bitten by an insect and had the poison turn into a bubble, or had a blister? Surely you’ve gotten a blister before.”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Justin looked up at her and smiled softly, shaking his head. "You might be a Slytherin, Ry, but you are much more than they are. As I've said repeatedly during our friendship. I mean, you're friends with me. How many other Slytherin's can say that?" He grinned, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "You better spend more time with you. I need the popularity more than I need air." He teased, crinkling his nose as he let himself think about what it would be like if they had never become friends.

Justin laughed at her confusion but he bit his lip, his own cheeks flushing. "I, uh, sorry. I don't know what made me say that. I mean, you are, uh sexy but um, I'm not sure that was appropriate for me to say." He flustered, looking away from her. The truth was, he knew why he had said it and he had meant it. There were lots of things that his best friend did that made him question if it was Stevie he was crushing on or someone else. Her. He had indulged the thought of what it would be like to be with her and at the time, it was too much to consider, given that she was a Slytherin and amazing and he was a Hufflepuff and they just didn't... mingle. Or date. They'd proven that wrong by becoming best friends but still, if they were to date and it ended badly, they'd have to stop being friends. Merlin, why was he thinking so hard about this? He liked Stevie, was in love with Stevie, right?  

"You think so? I just don't see what she sees in Chris. Its ovbious that guy is not good enough for her and I want her to notice that before we graduate. I just know I could be the guy she needs in her life. Do you think I should tell her how I feel? That way she knows someone else is interested. I just... people have told me that she only got with him because he was the only one interested so maybe if I tell her, she'll realize I'm the better option." He confessed, biting his lip. When her fingers ran through his hair, he sighed and rested his head on her shoulder, just basking in the familiarity and calmness that he felt when she did this. "I don't know. I think perhaps it should just be me and you forever. I quite like what we have now so I wouldn't be sad if it was just us." He grinned, nestling more into her neck.

He scoffed at her suggestion and feigned being hurt. "I'm not sensitive, I just hate gross things. Slime, snot, boogers, its disgusting." He made a face at her and ran a hand through his hair as he listened to her explain it in a way he could understand. He watched her work, wondering what was going on inside that head of hers. He noticed that when she got focused on something, it was hard to get a word in. She was a natural at studying and one of the smartest people in their class. Which is why he felt lucky to have her as a study partner. He noticed the little wrinkle near her eye as she swirled a potion in the flask. He was so lost in staring at her, that he missed what she said. "What? Uh, no, I don't think so. I mean its possible but I'm pretty sure I would have remembered being bitten. I've seen a spider bite on someone else if that works." He clarified, shaking his head to get the previous thoughts of the curve of her face out of his mind.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina felt a little flutter in her stomach when Justin leaned on her shoulder, she was so aware of every time he touched her, him being close made her happy. She leant her head on top of his, her hair becoming a pillow. “You should deny them. They were tortured enough by Fred and George’s snackboxes, although I do love those inventions.”

Irina bit her lip and smiled fondly at Justin when he complimented her. “Yes, red is read but,” Irina thought for a moment, “you know the Gryffindor colours? There’s yellow, and what would you call the other colour? Red and,” Irina sat up and looked around to find a different shade of red, she spotted a bright red rose in a painting on the other side of the room, “what colour would you say that flower in the painting is?” she asked pointing to it, “red. But it’s not the same shade of red, the Gryffindor red is much much darker so if I got a dark red dress and you got a bright red bowtie for example, we wouldn’t match, and that would be absolutely atrocious, darling,” she said in a posh accent at the end. “At least you’ll be in the colour scheme?” she suggested before laughing with him.

“No, no, no, I just want to enhance your beautiful face,” she said whilst stroking his cheek, “make the girls fall for you even more, and you’re the only guy who will let me do it and it’s so fun! And don’t tell me you don’t like it when I play with your hair, I know you do.” Irina grinned and shook Justin’s hand with their intertwined pinkies. Turning towards the table, she readied herself, imagining what she wanted to see on the table before casting an illusion spell. A light blue square appeared in front of them with a vial of venom beside it. “So what happens first when someone gets bitten?” she asked, pouring the vial onto the square.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Justin couldn’t explain why he felt so connected to Irina or why he always wanted to be around her. She was clearly his best friend and would always mean a lot to her but deep down, he wondered if it was something different. Whenever he saw himself out of school and working for the ministry, it was Irina’s face he saw there with him. Perhaps as a roommate or for moral support. It definitely couldn’t be because he liked her. No, he’d had his eye on Stevie for a while and yet she was still hung up on Chris. He didn’t know why he’d bothered trying to get close to her because clearly it wouldn’t change her mind about him. He cleared his throat and smiled, his eyes falling closed as he breathed in the gentle fragrance of Irina’s shampoo. “I will. You know I’m a sweetheart. I could never be that manipulative.” He smirked, shaking his head. 

“I get that there are different shades, I mean, I’d have to be daft to not, I just don’t know what they’re called. Light red, bright red, its still red.” He grinned, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t even own a red tie so I don’t think we have to worry about that. How about this? You get the red dress, tell me the color, and I’ll have Madame Malkin made me a tie or cumberbund to match it. That way we don’t end up being remembered as the mismatched couple.” He grinned at her accent and crinkled his nose. “I love when you go posh on me. Its sexy.” he teased, focusing back on her. At her insistence that she would make him look good, he laughed. “I trust you, Ri. I did get Stevie’s attention last time you made me over so maybe this time she’ll realize how much better for her I am.” He confessed, biting his lip as he nodded. “If it means my hair gets played with, I’ll let you make me over all the time.” 

Justin watched as she conjured up the materials she needed to help him with his assignment. “When someone gets bitten, it doesn’t usually take effect immediately. I mean there’s the pain and redness and then the site of the bite swells and a pustule forms...” He said, gagging and shaking his head. “And it fills with fluid and keeps growing until it pops.” He said, letting out a groan. “This is so disgusting. I swear Hagrid is trying to kill me. I thought he was supposed to be nice.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina grinned widely back, lightly giggling at his reply. “Then try thinking of it as just a square piece of material on the desk, it doesn’t even have to be the same colour as skin, it could be green or purple,” she suggested with a shrug. “I can try and show you what I thought of when I wrote my paper?” she asked, pulling out her wand from her pocket.

“Justin!” she exclaimed, hitting him lightly on the arm. “You shouldn’t cheat. I thought Hufflepuffs were about fairness and that’s not fair,” her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape in shock. “Who would want to do other people’s homework anyway, it’s so tedious.”

“Yes!” she said excitedly, “I know mine’s going to be red, although I’m not sure what shade yet, I’ll have to see what they have in Malkin’s with Stevie.” And it’ll need straps because these boobs are not made for strapless things. Irina gasped and put her hands on her face, a twinkle of excitement in her eyes, “if we get most of these papers in the next hour and a half then I’ll give you a makeover and we can try out different looks. Deal?” she asked, holding out her pinkie.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

The truth was, Justin had checked out of this conversation about venom a while ago. He always found it hard to focus when in Irina’s presence. They were best friends and he found his attention always taken by her, and not the schoolwork they’d met up to discuss. At her suggestion, he nodded nonchalantly and sighed. “That could work. I mean, its still gross to think about it oozing and rotting and just not something I want to think about this close to dinner.” He smirked, running a hand through his hair before looking over at her. “Yes, Obi Wan, teach me the way of the force.” Justin teased, rubbing the back of his neck as he dropped his quill on the parchment. 

“Owww!” He grimaced, sticking his tongue out at her. “I said I might! I never said I was! That would be... mean and cheating and I’m not capable of either of those things.” He grinned, leaning in to rest his head on Irina’s shoulder. “You’d be surprised how many of the young ones look up to me. I’m kind of a big deal and if they want to be my guinea pigs when I practice spells, who am I to deny them?” 

At the subject change, Justin let out a sigh of relief and shrugged. “I will never understand women’s fashion. Red is red. I mean, with your skin tone, you could wear anything and it look good on you. I especially loved that red number you work at the Masquerade Ball last year. I’m going a bit more traditional. Powder blue suit and ruffles. Perfection.” He teased, letting out a soft laugh at her excitement. “Should I be offended that you want to make me over all the time? I thought I looked fairly good.” He pouted, shaking his head but grabbing her pinkie with his. “Its a deal. Let’s get this gross show on the road.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

“Of course we love you, I couldn’t not,” she said with a smile. “Don’t think of it as human skin, think of it as a material that has the same properties as human skin. It’s a process rather than something that happening to a person, I know it’s gross but that’s how I remove myself from it.”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

“Aww... I love you too booboo!” He teased, grinning wide as he flipped through some pages in his book. “That’s not bad advice but unfortunately, once I think of it as skin, I can’t stop. Plus I’m a visual learner so I’m seeing it inside my head every time I read or try to write something.” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. “I wonder if I could pay someone to write it for me. That’s how I survive most of my classes.” Justin closed his book and turned to look at her. “I’d much rather talk about you and this dance. We should plan our matching outfits.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina grinned at Justin in reply to him saying she’s smart. “You’re smart too, just in a different way.” She scribbled down his tips on scrap paper as he spoke. “That’s a good idea, see, I knew asking you would be the right thing to do. Now what do you need help with?” she asked, scooting nearer to him.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

“I’m more clever than smart. I understand 9 that there are some things I will never understand and that’s fine with me. As long as you guys can love me despite that, why do I need to be as smart as those nerds in Ravenclaw?” He grinned, bowing slowly and tipping his “hat” in response to her words. “I do have good ideas every now and then.” He said, pushing his essay towards her. “I have to be as desciptive as possible when describing the effects of Acromantula venom on human skin. And that’s just something I don’t want to think about.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

“I’ll take that deal,” she said sitting down. “Well, if we get it over and done with now, we can have the weekend free to do whatever we want.” Irina got her stuff out of her bag, “I’m having a problem explaining the theory behind only partially transfiguring a human to an animal and a full transfiguration. I know that it’s basically the wizard’s magic isn’t strong or experienced enough, I don’t know how to explain to make a whole paragraph about it.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

“Good.” He said, giving her a cheeky smile before nodding his head. “Now that sounds like a plan I can get behind. That’s why you’re the smart one in this friendship.” He said, looking over at her paper and noticing how little she had written. “Well you’ve come to the right person. I’m the King of BS. If you know the reason why it won’t work, then the rest is just filling in the gaps. You could always put yourself in the place of the spellcaster and act as though you’re putting the spell on someone. Practice it and then explain what you felt when it didn’t work and why it didn’t.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

She smiled at his kiss, “it’s okay, I won’t tell.” She perked up, “oh of course! Every girl must be danced with at least once. I may even have to steal one from you,” she feigned a shocked face. “Anyway, let’s get on with this homework.”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

“Well obviously we’ll have to share. Its the best arrangement. No jealousy, no hard feelings. Just good fun amongst friends.” He teased, giving her hand a squeeze before sitting down and opening up his book. “I forgot we actually decided to study. Ugh, this sucks.” He smiled, turning a few pages in his Transfiguration book. “So what’s keeping you from getting your work done? what are you working on?” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

Irina pulled back from the hug a little and moved her arms from around his waist, to his neck. “You’re so sweet to me,” she replied with a smile. “Then you are my valentine for the evening and nope, I want you all to myself, unless someone is really desperate.”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

“Shh, don’t say that too loud. People might hear you.” He teased, kissing her cheek. “You know I have a reputation as a ladies man and I can’t have them thinking I’m sweet.” He smirked, laughing when she shook her head. “I swear I don’t know where all this is coming from. I’m as nerdy as they come.” He grinned, rubbing her back softly. “I’ll only have eyes for you. But you know how I feel about charity cases. I’ll leave no girl undanced with.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

“That means a lot and I thank you for it,” she replied, giving him a hug. “Well that’s a given, but they are not even a remotely a good choice. I assume Zach is going to take a girl from a younger year who will faun over him because he’s older, however he hasn’t been like that recently but I heard him say he’s got a date and Ernie is just, Ernie. Maybe I’m being too picky. To be honest, I’d rather go with you and know I’ll have an awesome time and not have to deal with the date drama.”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

“Well you’re welcome. That’s what best friends are for right? I mean, you’re amazing and any guy would be lucky to have you as their date and to be honest, I was just naming guys. You know you’re the only girl I’d want on my arm, Ri” He smiled, pulling her into a hug, his hands gently rubbing her back. “I’d be honored if you’d accompany me to the dance. And I’ll dance with all the lonely women and you can stake out your prey for the evening if you want. Or we could play the fake couple and dance with each other the whole time. Either way you look at it, its a win-win for us both.” 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[irinadiabolos]

“But I would be in the best company, and no one’s asked me yet so I assumed no one wanted me. Okay then, name them and I’ll go ask them myself, if they’re worthy.”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

There’s no denying that. You’re always the best company. I’m your best friend so you’ll always be wanted by me. Not sure if that means anything but its true. Well, I mean, there’s Ernie, Zach, Crabbe and Goyle. Although, you’d have to take the pair because they can’t do anything without the other one. 

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Oh you know how I do Irina. So many ladies, so little time. I heard Bones is looking for a date for the dance and last time I checked, I was single and so ready to mingle. 

[irinadiabolos]

“Of course, how could I forget? Oh, I assumed you were going to be my date, I suppose I’ll have to find someone else.”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Well I mean, there’s still a few days left until the dance and all and its not like we wouldn’t have fun. I just didn’t think you’d want to spend the last dance of the year keeping your best friend company when I can name at least three guys willing to go with you.

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Okay Hogwarts

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

I do realize that yes but I just thought perhaps they’d give us a break on the weekends. Its the only time we really have where we don’t have to think about work and yet, we’re doing work. Its not fair. But yes, that works. Two heads are always better than one. Though don’t blame me if I get distracted. 

[irinadiabolos]

“Nope, apparently we live and breathe school work to them. I won’t blame you, what were you planning on doing if you didn’t have homework?”

[hufflepuffjfletchley]

Oh you know how I do Irina. So many ladies, so little time. I heard Bones is looking for a date for the dance and last time I checked, I was single and so ready to mingle.