like a bird in the night

seventeen. ravenclaw. pure-blood. life of the party.

[decoruspopulus]

As they turned about the floor, Dorcas couldn’t help but notice she no longer heard the music. She was certain it was still going but all her thoughts were focused on the man in front of her. Here was the object of her affections. The one she’d had a thing for much longer than she’d ever admit. She would deny it until she was blue in the face but as he held her close, she was beginning to wonder why it would be such a bad thing to want Ludo. His words brought her back to reality as the familiar strains of a Celestina Warbeck tune played throughout the room. “Perhaps.” She countered, a sly grin on her face. “Then again, I might never truly be able to do it as much justice as you.” She caught him looking at her and the look in his eyes made her heart stop. Could it be? It seemed they’d both been silent for an eternity, merely looking at one another and trying to stave off something they both probably couldn’t deny any more. Ludo had been the one she’d been hoping to see all evening. The one she’d been drawn to as soon as she saw him enter the party and here she was, wrapped in his arms as they danced. You tell me. Dorcas was just about to respond when she found his lips upon hers. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as he tangled a hand up in her hair. She felt herself melt into him as she deepened the kiss. Something she’d been waiting for, for far too long.

[lxdobagman]

Ludo laughed lightly at her reply. Though he would have liked to flatter her, an air of pride that enshrouded him forbid him from denying the truth. Still, he directed his smile at Doe (which she played a major part in producing) and said, "Well, that shouldn't stop you from trying. Set your own standard, even if it is below mine." To be honest with himself, Ludo had to admit it -- his night would have been a lot worse if Dorcas hadn't been there. Brilliant, still, but much worse than it was at present.

He met her lips ready to respond, his posing a question. Ludo set a rhythm to the kiss, fingers tangling into the fabric of her dress and sifting through her hair. The suddenness of his realization did not lessen the desire he felt for the girl before him, it only made it all the more potent. Dorcas. The thought clouded his head as he roamed her mouth. Dorcas? The thought changed when he pulled away from her  for air, when reviewed her again. She was his classmate, teammate but she had never been this, could they go back so easily? For a few moments, Ludo stood there, squinting at her in a mixture of amazement and confusion.

[crxsswell]

Stung by the other boy’s sharply worded retort, Dirk opened his mouth to reply only to be greeted by silence. He eyed Ludo suspiciously as he followed his barb with an apology. Uncertain how to proceed, the dark-haired lad shrugged nonchalantly, trying to mask his earlier surprise. "S’fine. I didn’t want to disturb her," he muttered, as if to justify his absense. "I’m…glad that she’ll be there. I don’t doubt her dedication, but the fall did look pretty nasty. Hope she won’t be putting herself at risk of re-injuring it.”

[lxdobagman]

Ludo eased up sufficiently after his initial harshness, offering Dirk a small smile. "I suppose you're right." Though Ludo assumed that Gwenog was bored stiff of being confined to the Wing, he also knew her feelings regarding their captain. Perhaps the distance was good for both their sakes, but it might just add fuel to Gwen's flame. "It was, but Gwenog's tough and Pomfrey's talented. I doubt it -- boring as the Hospital Wing may be, she's smart enough to know that leaving too early will only extend her stay in the long run."

[decoruspopulus]

"I know you Ludo. Give me some credit.” Dorcas replied with a slight chuckle. She did know Ludo, far too well. He was a teammate and friend, even if he hadn’t always been. Regardless of how her feelings had changed over the years, she still cared for him immensely. At his question, Dorcas looked passed his shoulder to her hand which proceeded to hold up numbers. After five she simply gave up and shrugged. “Who knows. Someone keeps handing me drinks so I keep drinking them. Got to be the life of the party, you know?” Her face flushed a brilliant crimson at the idea he might be judging her and for a brief moment, her gaze had dropped to the floor. His next question brought her back to reality. She was silent for what she had assumed was an eternity but in fact was a brief moment. She did want Ludo, in all sense of the word. She’d wanted to see him, to be there with him, and for him to want her. “Of course I wanted you.” She finally replied, letting him take from that what he would. “Didn’t you want me?” She stated, hoping that her answer coupled with another question made the answer seem innocent when it was far from it.

[lxdobagman]

She did. It had been seven years -- Dorcas was well within her right to demand a little credit. Had it really been that long? It seemed strange to Ludo then, a little disarming couple with the music surroudning around them. It was getting to him -- the atmosphere had the same sweet intoxication of the firewhiskey. Of the way cigarette smoke swirled up into the sky. Of Dorcas -- swaying there with him. "Oi, I thought that was my job. Trying to put me out of work, Meadowes?" You're not bad at it. The thought crossed his mind as Ludo's gaze was preoccupied with the blush that had graced her cheeks. Her eventual reply brought him back to reality and the question thoroughly shocked his mind back into action.

Didn't you want me? While he mulled over that, Ludo's eyes roamed Dorcas. It could be said that he arrived here with thoughts of her, but he didn't think of anyone in particular. And once here, he felt drawn to her by a magnetic force, tangible and taut. It felt still stronger now. One thing was sure and clear to Ludo in all this speculation -- if he hadn't wanted Dorcas before, he did now. "You tell me." As the words dripped off of his lips he leaned in to capture hers. One arm tighten around her waist and the other tangled into her hair. He definitely did now.

[frank-themeticulous-blog]

"No… I actually wanted to thank you. You were right about Alice!"

[lxdobagman]

He clapped him on the back and pulled Frank to his side, half in a hug. "What? Finally!"

"Oh, mate, tell me everything. And don't you dare even think to skimp on the details. I want all the 'Once Upon a Time...' bollocks."

[crxsswell]

"Practice on Tuesday, Bagman - you escorted Gwen to the hospital. Is she going to be alright? We’ve got to get some sessions in before the next match."

[lxdobagman]

"Here's an idea -- why don't you visit her yourself, Dirk? I'm sure she'd be thrilled to see you." Sighing, Ludo ran a hand through his hair. He hadn't meant to be short with the boy, stress was just snapping at his heels. "Sorry, cap'n. She'll be there, it's Gwenog we're talking about. She'd break one of Pomfrey's legs if need be."

[lxdobagman]

 notyourbambi:

"I’m sure you would. After all you know everyone who’s anyone.” She quipped. Dorcas was all too familiar with Ludo’s reputation which is why she cursed herself for feeling the way she did. “I can’t really recall names at the moment.” All the names and faces seemed to blur together in the booze filled haze she’d been in for most of the evening. “The best date?” She responded, eyebrow cocked as she found herself gripping onto him to keep from tripping. “I get you.” She replied, smile on her face. Dorcas tried to hide the fact she was absolutely thrilled he came alone, then again she should’ve known he’d come alone. After all, he was Ludo Bagman, party boy extraordinaire. 

Rolling his eyes, Ludo laughed at what sounded almost like an imitation of himself. "That sounds...a little too much like me." It was true that not everyone was anyone but Ludo had time for them all, provided they wanted to chat. A grin spread across his face and eyebrows shot up questioningly, "Exactly how much have you had, Doe?" Here he thought her merry disposition was just from giddiness. Surprise stole over his face at her compliment, then a sly smirk settled in its wake. I get you. Well, that begged the question, didn't it?"Did you want me, Dorcas?" She could take from that what she would -- Was she looking forward to seeing him? Did she want to come here with him? --  and Ludo would deduce still more from her answer. 

[frank-themeticulous-blog]

"I said that I have something to tell you!"

[lxdobagman]

"Oh, please say it's not more doom and gloom."

[tonksiest-deactivated20160526]

salt in your wounds || gwenog && ludo

[tonksiest-deactivated20160526]

     Perhaps it was the pain that weakened her resolve — the ever-present reminder that pricks like that student weren’t worth it, weren’t worth it, rolling about in her head every time someone said she couldn’t do something because she was a girl. “I am sick, and tired—” she spat, wanting to thrash about in Ludo’s arms. “—of feeling like—of how every bloody wizard with a basic knowledge of what a Quaffle thinks that I still need to prove myself. Damn right Dirk is terrified of me missing the next match, I’m—-hssss” she hissed as she was laid down on a bed in the Hospital Wing, turning her face into a pillow and yelling for good measure.     Madame Pomfrey took one look at Gwenog’s Quidditch robes (mud splatters and all) and the pained expression on her face before letting out a deep sigh. (Gwenog maintained that all of her Quidditch injuries were caused by outside forces, not her stupidity, which wasn’t easy to say for the other 27 players in the school.) She set right to work mending Gwen’s injuries, handing her a pain-reliever potion to take the edge off. The seventh-year took it quickly and tipped its contents into her mouth — before noticing that Ludo was still there.      ”You don’t have to stay, you know,” she croaked, avoiding eye contact because when did she sound so pitiful?!?! “Thank you for, ah, getting me here.”

[lxdobagman]

Ludo witnessed firsthand the nonsense that she faced each day. Gwenog was dedicated to practices and worked hard, as well as having natural talent. She earned her position on the team, which was much coveted after, just as they all had. But it hadn't mitigated the prejudices stacked against her, or at least not enough. No one could possibly think her unworthy, yet somehow they believed it. That's how ingrained it was in some of their classmates, it seemed, embedded past the reach of logic and reasoning. Prejudice was not something you could physically grasp and throttle the life out of -- Ludo was sure that if you could, Gwenog would have tried by now. "Just try not to listen." He muttered, not the best advisor on the subject.

Offering Gwenog to the hospital bed, Ludo felt a weight lifted off his shoulders -- not the girl's mass, but the responsibility of her care. She was in much better hands now, he was certain. Relived, Ludo collapsed into the chair beside Gwen's bed, long legs outstretched and arms reaching back to cushion his head with his hands. All he lacked was the paper. At Gwenog's stating the obvious, a light laugh left him. "I know. I don't have to do anything." Was he known as a deserter? He dismissed her thanks with a shake of his head. "Nah, don't mention it. I won't let you hear the end of it later, so make the most of this. How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?"

[lxdobagman]

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

[decoruspopulus]

Her smile only seemed to get brighter. Whether it was the music, the alcohol in her system, or simply the fact she was currently in Ludo’s arms, it didn’t really matter. She was happy and any thought of the oncoming storm or the girl who had died was far from her mind. Her thoughts were only on the night ahead and the boy who currently had a hold of her waist. “Alright, Ted can stay.” She replied with a smile as they took a turn around the floor. At his question, she felt her cheeks warm once more. “I suppose I’m here with myself. I figured I’d see friendly faces when I got here and apparently everyone loves giving me alcohol so new friends were to be made.” While she had many friends, girls and guys included, she hardly ever said she came with people. In fact the only person she wished she had arrived with was currently moving her about the dance floor. “Who are you here with?” She hoped he hadn’t arrived with a date.

[lxdobagman]

Ludo led them lazily about the floor, as if they were drifting. He was mostly here for pleasure, rather than business because he donated so much to the cause himself. If any of his regulars were in need, they would seek him out, Ludo was sure. "New friends. huh? Any names I'd know?" He rather thought he knew them all but that could not be possible, with the size of the school population. At her question, perfectly understandable, yet still ludicrous to him, Ludo let out a hearty laugh. "My good self, Doe. Best date I could find. Besides, I like to be free so I can talk to everybody, y'know?" Some dates could be good, in his experience, if you were of like-mind with them and they could be independent. Others proved to be a hassle, responsibility, though pleasing company enough.

[wolfyval-deactivated20160227]

Get me drunk | Andromeda && Ludo | All house party

[wolfyval-deactivated20160227]

Andromeda looked at him with a small smile on her lips as she ran fingers through her hair, looking around for a while before taking the cup from him, raising her cup to against his with a smile. “To tomorrow’s hangover.” She chuckled, taking a sip from it before she looked at him and nodded a bit to him. “I’m just asking. Things haven’t been the easiest lately and I’m just worrying about my friends.” She explained before smirking back to him a bit. “Have you been up to something good during these past days? I hope so at least.” She leaned against the wall beside the table that hold the drinks, looking at him. “Yes, negative thoughts. I… We haven’t had time to been with each other after the Winter Ball, at all. I’m hoping to catch some time with him here but I don’t know. I’m just scared, Ludo. And it’s stupid, it feels stupid at least. I shouldn’t be scared of loving someone.” She blurted out, deciding to drink to that, chugging most of the drink before taking in a deep breath. “But yes, dancing might be something that could take my mind off of this whole situation. Dancing and alcohol.”

[lxdobagman]

"I know how to handle that as well." Ludo grinned, and on that note, downed the drink with vigor. That was the thing about Ludo's alcoholism -- there were no, or no immediately evident, drawbacks. Magic negated the fear of a hangover. So the complaints of his body, beaten and bruised by the chemicals forced into it, went unheard. A warm smile lifted his sobered lips. "While I'm glad you consider me a friend, I do wish you wouldn't fret. Not over me -- there's nothing to worry about." All Ludo's problems were drowning in alcohol and loud music in that moment and besides, something told him that Andromeda had more pressing matters to worry about. "I've been spreading cheer, or trying, at least, where ever I go. No easy job, I can tell you." Ludo still couldn't decide whether that was selfish or selfless of him. Most likely both, he supposed. "And you?" The question was an automatic reaction, but it could assumed that the answer heavily involved worrying, worrying and more worrying. Not unlike the rest of the student's daily activities.

Andy's answer, the sadness with which it was laced, settled on Ludo, but he did his best to fight against it and not without ammunition. "Well, if there's anywhere for a couple like you to catch up inconspicuously, then it's here. Everyone's having too good a time to care about ruining someone else's life." Ah, the brilliance of a party. "Oh and yeah, you probably should be scared. You should be terrified, in fact, considering who you both ａｒｅ. But that doesn't really matter, because you're brave enough to face your fear anyway." Ludo was not entirely sure were all of that came from, not entirely aware that he was saying it but some part of him knew that Andy needed a little honesty, so honesty was blurted out before her. There was no point in sugar-coating, especially not when there was a happy ending to his point anyway. Many moments pain but for a life's happiness that may have been worth it. It was hardly Ludo's style, so he did feel a little uncomfortable advising Andromeda on what to do. All he knew was this -- she definitely wasn't him. He was reassured by the fact that tonight was about his expertise -- dancing and alcohol. "Then you let me know when you like a song."

[areversion-deactivated20170930]

"I just might," Evan replied with a small grin. Evan certainly enjoyed a party like this from time to time. Even though he could appreciate a fair amount of alcohol — or, admittedly, even too much of it — he was not one to do drugs or to smoke a lot. Still, he found that it was fairly easy to keep up his appearance and some sort of status in the school by attending parties like these. Besides that, he enjoyed being around those he considered his friends, especially when it meant he would be relieved from his fellow Slyhterins, no matter how much he appreciated having them around, if only for a few hours, for some alternation.

"It’s not as much strange it’s highly annoying. If something were to happen now, we’d have no way of defending ourselves,” Evan complained with a bit of a grumble, regardless of the fact that he had still brought his wand and probably had nothing to fear in the first place. In order to shut himself up and to force himself to take on a more cheerful attitude again, he swallowed the contents of the glass at once, stepped towards a table, and exchanged his empty glass for a full one.

[lxdobagman]

"A boy can dream." Ludo returned the grin, comfortable in the pleasant air that seemed to surround Evan. This party, though enjoyed by everyone to a different extent, was working wonders on almost everyone who attended, whether they stayed for one dance were being dragged away by the end of the night. It was deserved, well-earned, though some people deemed it inappropriate and too soon -- those were the sensitive souls who needed its little respite the most. "You're enjoying yourself, then? Come here with anyone in particular?" Ludo liked to keep up to date, in the know, so he posed the question to almost everyone that night.

Completely focused on the fact that it was a party and nothing else, Ludo was, in a fashion typical of him, none to concerned with a feature like the safety. "But isn't that supposed to prevent anything happening, too? Is someone going to attack us like a Muggle?" Following suit, Ludo downed the contents of his glass and helped himself to a bottle of firewhiskey. He had contributed to the feast that lay before them, so you could be sure he'd be indulging in it as much as he wished.

[decoruspopulus]

The smile hadn’t left her face since she’d laid eyes upon Ludo, if anything it had only managed to grow larger. Sober Dorcas had enough trouble keeping her cool around him and in a matter of minutes, Drunk Dorcas would probably throw all that progress out the wind. “Drinking games.” She echoed with a nod. “We can probably do something later. I had a thing going on with Ted but I’m sure you could take his place.” Dorcas’s gaze followed Ludo’s, it was clear where his heart was currently set. Her smile faltered as for a brief moment she figured he’d move on to someone who could actually dance, not the drunk mess that was currently before him. That’s when he asked the question. “I’d love nothing more than to dance with you.” She beamed up at him, taking his hand in hers and bringing him out onto the floor. “Oh, hold up.” She scanned the room and tossed the bottle she’d been holding to the side. “Alright, now I’m ready.”

[lxdobagman]

That was his favourite thing about the parties hosted by the students -- they decided when the night ended, each individually. The thrill Ludo got from donning the role of host himself was exactly in the being in control, orchestrating the bliss that fell before his eyes. Tonight was all that, minus the effort and it was much appreciated. Of course, he was keen to donate to such a worthy cause, a proud benefactor of drinking games. "Later it is. Now, now, there's room for everyone. No need to kick out Ted, competition's half the fun, right?" A grin took hold at her approval, at Doe's sheer enthusiasm, that might have equaled even his own. Ludo offered her his hand, laughing at the momentary delay. From the clumsy swaying of the crowd, it was clear the party was in full swing -- just as he liked it. Dorcas fitted in well. Taking her hand, he twirled her, smiling as her hair fanned out. Then to steady her, somewhat, pulled her closer to him and secured an arm round her waist. "Who are you here with?" His voice rose over the music to her ears.

[frank-themeticulous-blog]

"Hey, I’ve never doubted the fact that you have a heart. I doubted your ability to use it at appropriate times” he teased, “let’s just hope that the night doesn’t get out of hand” his eyes scanned the crowd as he tried to find the blonde, “have you seen Alice?”

[lxdobagman]

"Timing is a minor issue." He dismissed the talk of it with a wave of his hand. "That's exactly what I was hoping for, but I suppose that's why you're here, ay, Frank? I just got here, mate. You didn't come here together?" On a date or otherwise, Ludo had expected them as a pair.

[vndervood]

"You should be proud! None of them thought I could do it, but I showed them. My head is bloody fuzzy, but it’s great. Let’s definitely do some more. I’m not fuzzy enough.”

[lxdobagman]

"Well, I, for one, have always had faith in you, Alice. I always knew this day is coming. That's absolutely perfect. C'mon, then." He took the spinning girl by the hand to guide her through the crowd, watching her steps more so than his own. "So, are you here with anyone, in particular?"

[decoruspopulus]

She couldn’t stop beaming as she made her way towards him. They met around halfway through the room and it took all her focus not to make a fool of herself. At his compliment she found herself turning a violent crimson although she was rather certain she could pass it off as a side effect of the alcohol. “Better now. And you look gorgeous as well… I mean good… I mean handsome.” The more she talked the more she found herself growing flustered in his presence. “You know what I mean.” She caught his gaze, holding up the half empty bottle in her hand. “I’m having a marvelous time. The music has been rather good. The only thing you’ve really missed is me schooling everyone in this room in various drinking games and I suppose you’ve missed out on hanging with me but you’re here now so we can make up for it.” 

[lxdobagman]

When Dorcas stumbled over the compliment, Ludo let out a true, happy laugh. A feeling of warmth, borne of slight intoxication and good company, spread through him. Once he had finished, his eyes settled on Dorcas again and he beamed at her. "Why, thank you." Her rambling evoked more laughter in him, Ludo had to bite down on his lip to stop and reply. "I can see that, Doe. Yeah? What kind of music do you like?" In disappointment, he frowned somewhat, which Ludo had ceased to think possible in this state. "Drinking games? Aw, shit. We'll have to start up another round later. Yeah, we will." The dance floor called to him, when Ludo's eyes fell upon on it he grinned a little brighter. "You wanna dance, maybe?" He gestured to the floor with his head, completely ready for it.

[areversion-deactivated20170930]

"Try that in an hour and I’m sure it’ll be much more effective," Evan bantered in return, after which he followed Ludo’s example and took a proper gulp of whatever his drink contained. Quite a bit of alcohol, it turned out. He then gestured for Ludo to follow him a bit farther into the room, so that the people entering would not constantly bump into them and therewith drain Evan’s patience bit by bit. "It’s not too bad so far, actually. It’s better than the previous one for sure. As is the music." 

[lxdobagman]

"Good idea. You might even cheer for me, then." They passed the dance floor and Ludo let his eyes roam it, taking in all the carefree bliss that glittered beautifully there. This was his scene, he fit right in. Just as he did not the Quidditch Pitch. Ludo was overcome by a sense of belonging here, as others might feel in their house or their family. He chuckled at Evan's words, "Well, that wouldn't be difficult to achieve. It's a given, the students' parties are always better than the official ones. No magic, though -- strange, ain't it?"