Ollie was standing around watching with wide eyes as more people arrived and Sophie became distracted. That was fine with her, after all she was more than capable of mingling. Ollie did feel a tad strange seeing all these people from school after a year of completely no contact. Though this was a good introduction into the new year that was before her. After year of not going to Hogwarts she knew that it was going to be weird, and she wanted to make it as seemless as possible.

"Hey Winnie," she said having brief fleeting memories of the other girl from before. She waved and was going to start to get into conversation when over the way she saw someone arrive she had not seen in ages. Nope, she had not seen her since the Leaky Cauldron which felt just weird. She had barely even spoken to her there. Plus the added benefit of Pax was over there and she had to admit she was sort of excited to see the young one. She barely knew him only that he was a member of SAWS and she felt sort of excited to get to know the fella who had stepped up despite not knowing her. It almost meant more since he was standing up for the rights without knowing someone. Of course she actually couldn't say who he knew and did not know outside of the SAWS circle.

"Excuse me," she said as she left and made her way over to Dion, Pax, and Fauna. "Hey guys!" She said with a bright smile. She did not want to interrupt but the urge to hug Fauna was a strong one. "I didn't know you guys were coming." Then again she had no idea who Sophie had officially invited.

"Hi Sophie. Thanks for inviting me.  Love the earrings".

Sophie had been about to say something else when she heard a voice just behind her, turning she recognized a mop of familiar dark hair and clasped her hands together, eyes bright, "You came! I hoped you would, but I wasn't sure because, you know, last weekend before summer," she looked absolutely gleeful - but like with Alfie she didn't fling her arms around Kelvin. They weren't that close, but he was housemates with Luc, and he was a nice boy. She liked him, even if he seemed a little shy sometimes. Lightly touching the feathers at her ears her smile widened a bit, "You're the first person to say so all night, thank you for noticing," she reached out and squeezed his hand, before looking back over her shoulder, "you remember Fauna, and Dion, and Dax? They just graduated and oh! There's Ollie". She waved to the other girl as she wandered over.

There was such a flurry of activity then, with Pax arriving and the layered conversations going on around everyone. She had debated a long time about inviting Pax - genuinely torn because he would be the youngest person there, and knowing Deus and some of her other friends...things might get more adult than Sophie had planned. Of course after her first hangover she wasn't keen to repeat the experience. It all came down to Ollie and their big annoucement really, and Pax deserved to be there for that because he was, in many ways, the most earnest and vital face of SAWS. Sophie couldn't exclude him, and on a personal note was absolutely ecstatic to see him, "Pax"! She flung her arms around (basically) the only person in the room remotely shorter than she, herself, was. She did refrain from kissing his cheeks to make him blush though.

"Right so," she turned back to Kelvin, "Fig might be coming, I mean I assume he'll come. He basically never passes up a chance for free food and an opportunity to be socially embarrassing," her voice was fondly amused rather than critical, "But, until then there are lots of people here already, and foods in the kitchen, I made heaps,  and not all of it is weird Puerto Rican dishes, that for some reason people are always scared to try," she was talking in her fast-Sophie-voice now,  sort of bouncing on the balls of her feet as she glanced from Fauna to Dion and everyone else in the little group, "Ollie, this is Kelvin and Pax, Pax and Kelvin this is Ollie - you probably remember her," she was trying to tick off the list of hostess things she was supposed to be doing, "Toss your coats anywhere! I will be back and I am so happy to see you", the thing about Sophie was she always meant it when she said those sorts of things.

Bowing out of that group she scurried over to where Erin and Luc were loitering, expression a little more serious than her previous encounters, "Alright, you two, I am trusting you to start the fire and not burn the whole lane to the ground yea? Wood's all stacked up, just please be careful because really... Da will be pissed if he comes home and there is no house here". Her nose wrinkled a little as the serious facade broke and she reached out to hug Erin's arm, "I am really glad you decided to come. Luc kept nagging and nagging me to nag you because he was worried he'd be surrounded by a bunch of screeching harpies," she rolled her eyes and lightly poked the Ravenclaw with the toe of her sandal. There was still some unresolved weirdness there, but mostly Sophie was tired of fighting with him. "Anyway, you should probably get started, you two lighting fires in the dark, oy" she didn't even finish the sentence just rolled her eyes.

A lot of the sixth years present were ones that Winifred didn't readily recognize. Mostly because her own interactions with upper years included her own house, or if she got into trouble, or the occasional tutor on the side to try and help with her abysmal spellwork. (Like Harcroft had.) But when Winnie saw Dax and Dion, she literally squealed.

Her excitement was sidetracked momentarily when Sophie hugged her and told her that she looked so pretty! She did remember Ollie (the werewolf girl) but didn't really know Neely or "Mimi" very well. Winifred had always steered clear of the Slytherin types- she had always been the big target for wayward spells or thoughtless insults. She wasn't sure that she wanted to keep them company- and then she remembered that Dax had wondered off to food, and she spotted another fourth year- a Ravenclaw boy- and little Pax, and she didn't feel quite so guilty about wandering off to say hello to people (Dax).

Winifred approached the man (eee! he was a man now!) and tugged gently on his sleeve. "Hullo Dax!" she greeted- much quieter than her usual Winifred self. She had not seen him over the summer (despite begging Uncle Archer to take her to the ministry) and she had forgotten exactly how handsome he was. Her cheeks flushed bright red the more she thought about it, and Winifred wondered exactly when she had begun to feel shy rather than excited around cute boys.

Deus still had on his work clothes when he appeared, not from the fire grate, but from the evening haze at the edge of the backyard. He had a sludge soaked rag shoved in his back pocket and a battered, black half apron on his waist that had seen better days, all roughly infused with the lingering scents of alcohol, sweat, and smoke  that clung to his clothing from the shift he'd just, well, evacuated might be the best term. His summer had been considerably shorter this year, given that he'd spent the majority of July unconscious and recovering, before venturing out with the Slytherins as a much needed cabin fever stress relief. Today, he'd decided to keep the new scars a secret from the non-snakes for a little bit longer, and his arms were covered by a flannel shirt tossed hastily on over the Lazy Kelpie seaweed-green shirt, and his hand was wrapped in unobtrusive beige bandages.

But really, who was going to notice that when, balanced comfortably around his neck and over his shoulders was a three-headed ewe bleating ferociously. As soon as Deus stepped into the yard, he placed the creature down. "Run along then, Mopsy!" He said merrily, giving the sheep a firm tap on the rump to send it off into the clover. "Be free!" The minute the creature found the sweet clover, the additional heads disappeared, and a perfectly normal lamb stood stupidly and placidly munching on the prevalent plants. Deus watched it like a proud papa before scanning the growing crowd for her new owner, and didn't even try to check the broad grin that stretched his lips when he saw her playing hostess, back turned to him.

Well enough of that, it was a party, wasn't it?

Quick as smoke, he crossed the distance of the yard, slipping silently behind Sophie and reaching out to fold the petite Gryffindor into his arms where he knew precisely how she would fit, his arms slipping underneath hers to leave them free as he wrapped them around her slim waist.  Until she was there, it hadn't really sunk in that he was free for the night, and some of the jangling, residual adrenaline poured out to leave his grasp languid as he borrowed a bit of her warmth. "Hey you," he murmured comfortably with a settled sort of sigh into the ear that he had to duck to put his lips even with. If the gesture was a bit protective, and more than a bit intimate, well, Deus had a bone to pick with one of the boys Sophie was talking to, even if he wasn't ready to announce it yet.

"I brought you a present,  Mrs. D!" He chirped, easing up a bit on the intimacy as he rearranged himself so his head was draped on her shoulder in a far more friendly fashion. "She's adorable. Especially when she only has one head."

And then he placed a featherlight kiss to her temple and released her to give a wave to Erin. "Oy, mate. Who else is here?" There were faces he vaguely recognized--Mimi and Neely's voices were easy to distinguish, and the newest batch of Aurors-to-be were easily recognizable. Some of the younger ones he couldn't place, but he'd get to them after the important point--"We settin' this shit on fire or what?"

It would have been a lie, saying that she’d been only a little worried about going to Sophie’s party.

For more than ‘just’ a while, Gracie had stood in front of a mirror, staring blankly at its surface and wondering how much trouble could she possibly get into if she went—after she’d spent that last hour tugging things on and yanking them off. Unnecessary drama was its own repellent, but on the other hand, it was her littlest, most favorite smoosh buddy playing hostess—not to mention it’d give her something to keep her mind off of other things like morons who were stupid enough to walk around Knockturn by themselves. Ultimately, it had winded down to thus: she was going to a bonfire, she was vain, she wanted to get it right—

and in no possible way was she puttering because an ex would be there and things were still strained between, nope

-Which was why, of course, that galling impossibility had her hauling arse into one fireplace and stepping out of another, dolled up in jeans ‘n Chucks and looking as cool as a cucumber. Dark hair pulled back into a tight, but messy bun, Gracie pushed away errant bangs from her face as she glanced around, emerald flames sputtering at her feet. To her delight there was already a number of people crowding the hall, just enough that a few of them spilled into the rooms on both sides, and enough of them familiar faces that she smiled. . . even when one of them wasn’t one she was exactly on the best of terms with. Grinning faintly, the girl eased her way through that small group towards that tiny girl—just in time to see one Deus Deres pulling away.

Brows raised. That was new.

She’d think on it later, though. For now, a mischievously whispered “Sophie!” would have to do, a hand snaking towards the girl to tug her flush against her. “Babe,” she gushed, happily setting her chin atop of the Gryffindor’s head, “thank you so much for inviting me~”

A brisk but friendly arsing later, the Slytherin darted away, weaving past those who still lingered about the girl to disappear into the kitchen. She was starving—and didn’t see the boy sitting in the corner until she looked up again, a sandwich hanging from her mouth as she looked for something to drink. “Mmf,” she uttered intelligently, before taking it away. “Hey…”

Briefly green eyes squinted at him until recognition kicked in. Leaning against the counter, Gracie tilted her head to the side. “Vaillancourt, right?”


   

"Was not nagging," the Irish boy poked her.  It was true that inviting Erin been a preemptive strike against possible issues.  For the most part, Luc liked to think he didn't have too many problems with the people filling up the room, but inviting Gracie and Deus felt a lot like stirring the pot unnecessarily.  Sophie didn't do things to be cruel, of course and Lucas didn't want to deny her when they were still on patchy ground.  They'd get here soon enough, he realized, better start prepping the game face.

"I am not going to burn the house down, Sophie," Luc rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged on his lips.  Sending one of the twins to monitor them was not on his list of fun times to be had during the bonfire.  He didn't mind the Fayette twins so much, but he didn't need a babysitter either.  Before she could make mention of the time he had in fact done a number on a patch of grass, "It was the one time!"   

 What was the worst that could happen, really Norwood?  He just had to push Murphy's Law into existence, it just wouldn't be a night without it.  More and more people arrived, and though crowding didn't bother him per se, the combination of Deres and Slant within a two minute period did.  Gracie's interlude may have been brief, but Dues showed no signs of letting up any time soon.  Game face or not, a scowl threatened to take over his face if he didn't get a move on.   Lucas had never asked for details about what happened with Dues and Sophie, but he certainly didn't approve in the slightest. 

"Come on," he tugged on Erin t-shirt.  "Lets get 'er going."  It felt good to be occupied, doing something with his hands, configuring the mountain of wood in just the right way. As he worked, other things swirled in his mind, but giving them any amount of time would result in a foul mood the rest of the night.  His resolve might be shaky, but it wasn't completely out just yet.  When it was to his satisfaction, Lucas plucked his hawthorn wand from his back pocket, aimed at the base and one small spell later fire bloomed licking up through the pile. 

Alex was just about to step in the fire to go to Sophie's party when a cold, commanding voice said, "Alexandra?" The use of her full name made her toes curl, "What are you doing?"

Fixing a wide, obviously insincere smile on her face, Alex turned to look at her Father. "I'm visiting a friend."

"Yes, that much is evident. What will you be doing?"

"Going to a bonfire," she replied, wondering if she should have given advance notice after all. Her Father did not look happy, but it seemed luck favoured her for the night, because after a few minutes of staring, he turned and left without another word. Smiling in triumph, Alex spun and stepped into the flickering green flames, stepping out as soon as she arrived, eyes scanning the crowd for Sophie.

Catching sight of her, she slipped through the crowds quickly, smiling, "Hey. Sorry I'm late, Sophie." She had planned to be on time, but the tailoring appointment had finished later than she'd expected, and then she'd gone to her favourite book shop and lost track of time, arriving home after the party had started. She had whizzed through hair and makeup, but nevertheless her hair was more of a sleek bob than the usual shaggy one, and the makeup did make a subtle difference. She hadn't changed her clothes, sticking with the peacock blue dress and black blazer she'd been wearing earlier, although she had substituted her pumps for converse and added a black lace cardigan, hidden under the blazer.


Looking her friend up and down, her smile widened, "I love the dress. It looks good on you."

Ayla had spent most of the afternoon convincing her mother that she HAD to go to the party. It was the social event of the summer and she made sure her mother knew just how many other social events she had missed out on in the past two months because she had been stuck babysitting the twins. She finally managed to wear her mother down but it hadn't left her with much time to figure out an outfit. Instead she threw her wavy raven locks into a high ponytail over a hufflepuff yellow tank top a pair of black skinny jeans and black hoodie for later. The only thing slightly fashionable about her rather hum drum outfit was her boots.

Ayla slipped out of the fireplace and into an already full pumping party. She grumbled a little about having been so late. Scanning the crowd of party goers she tried to find someone to latch onto. Most of those there were older years which was completely fine with her but there was a surprising amount of older years she wasn't all that close with, then she remembered most of the older friends she had, had actually graduated and weren't likely to be at the party. She spotted Winnie (Whom she had not seen in like EVER!) and started to move towards her when she spotted Fauna out of the corner of her eye. She hadn't seen her surrogate older sister since school had ended for the year but had managed to write her enough letters to cause blisters. After Lexus had cut off contact for the summer Ayla had turned to Fauna to get her adult advice.

Ayla beelined it for the Auror Trainee, not really paying attention to any of those that were standing near her, "Hey you!"

The thing about Luc was... if she let his romantic entanglements dictate who her friends were she wouldn't have any, besides Ollie at least. He hooked up and broke up with girls like Metamorphmagi changed hair color, she was sorry he was fighting with Gracie but it was kind of his own damn fault. She loved him, she really did, but the boy could not help himself. He was also crap at playing nice, so Erin showing up was probably a good thing... probably. She didn't really have time to go over all the logistics of it in her brain or even properly joke back with either one of the boys before a pair of familiar arms wound themselves around her waist. The familiar smell of smoke and magic sparks mixed with some un-nameable thing brought a slow I-know-something-you-dont-know sort of smile to the sixteen year old's lips.

She didn't want to be so happy that he's shown up, she didn't want to be even more happy that he seemed to have made straight for her rather than anyone else. She didn't want to care, but she did. It was a fact. Leaning back into him, for just a moment, everyone else sort of faded away, her hands resting over the top of his. Then she felt the bandages and felt her stomach drop. Looking down she kept her expression neutral as she tried to hazard a guess as to what was going on underneath the tender wrapping. She wasn't going to fuss at him, it wasn't her job... she really wanted to though. Leaning to one side she turned her head to place a fleeting kiss on his jaw, voice belying the worry she felt, "A present? Just for me, how sweet," then her brown eyes swept toward the pasture and she gave a gleeful laugh.

"Oh Mister Deres, I do believe you've gotten the idea of dowry backwards," she placed a small kiss on his jaw as she nodded her head to the place where Mopsy stood happily chewing, "traditionally, my family would give you livestock, a sturdy cauldron, and maybe a little land - though probably not because I am the youngest and there for least desirable of the daughters, in exchange for your taking me off their hands," bumping his cheek with her forehead, she wrapped one arm around him, her voice just low enough for him to hear, as she had to stand on tiptoe to reach his ear, "I don't suppose that is actually my long lost lonely shoe? It's rather impressive, but then so were the bunnies". Annoying as it had been to try and figure out the counter spell to change her entire shoe collection back, she had to admire the sort of perverse genius that was Deus Deres.

Of course all to soon the moment was over, and the rest of the world came rushing back around them. Erin and Luc lit the fire, more people arrived, she was greeted and left by Gracie (who did not seem at all phased by seeing Luc so maybe the night wouldn't end in someone's tears - though that seemed doubtful). She hardly had time to say anything before the Slytherin scampered happily toward the kitchen and was replaced by a dark haired Ravenclaw. Though Sophie admittedly would have much rather stolen away with her so-called husband she smiled and let him go to give Alex a warm hug, "You can never really be late to a bonfire so long as you show up before the fire burns out, and you're in luck! We've just lit ours". She blushed a bit at the compliment, "Awuh, Alex, you always know just what to say, unlike some people," her tone was teasing as she nudged Deus playfully.

She really didn't want to tear herself away completely, but now that the fire was going... it seemed like a good a time as any to move the festivities fully to the kitchen/conservatory/pasture area, "If you'll both excuse me," she placed another kiss on Deus cheek and patted Alex's shoulder before hopping onto the nearest raised surface (it happened to be a chair) and cupped her hands around her mouth, "MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE," she was so good at being loud. As heads turned in her general direction she cleared her throat and lowered her voice just a little, "Ahem, you all look fantastic, now food's in the kitchen, party is out back, mind the mutts, and for the love of Merlin don't fall into the flames. The only person more terrifying than Professor Storm is Angry!Nana Flickwick. She will send me to Azkaban herself," with that she gave a war whoop and hopped off the chair and onto Deus' back, "Tallyho, Stallion! I deserve a butterbeer".

It was late in the day when Raine had been reminded of the bonfire gathering her housemate, Sophie, was throwing just that evening. A fortunate reminder; she would have otherwise been forced to make less stimulating plans to draw her out of the house and Merlin knew that she'd already exhausted most of Oxfordshire's wizarding entertainments in the last month. With the weather the way it was (reasonably warm with a tingling autumn chill)... well, why not a bonfire?

The Gryffindor was not her punctual self however and, having dressed and left a note with the Caretaker, she arrived at the Flickwick Residence barely on time to catch Sophie being especially Sophilicious (loud). She was calling for everyone's attention, being altogether expressive and efficient in her greetings. Raine slipped easily into the crowd as this happened-- nodding at a few faces and smiling at some.

As their hostess concluded with a very prudent note about Nana Flickwick, Raine turned around to look into the mass of Hogwarts students in the crowd. She found Alex Carstairs' familiar face not far away and waved at her Ravenclaw friend demurely before heading over.

"Got away from your father, did you? I only just remembered I was supposed to be here," she spared the usual greetings, having only seen Alex a few weeks ago: "Food and then stare at the fire or stare at the fire before food?" Raine smiled, a glimmer of flippancy in her countenance.

Why hadn't the fire already been started? Erin couldn't understand. But once he'd been roped back into the house and Luc had showed up he didn't much mind waiting. Norwood was a good bloke, and talking to him kept Erin's mind off the fact that Dax Fayette was stuffing his face over by the food table practically begging to be knocked into the punch.

"Alright, you two, I am trusting you to start the fire and not burn the whole lane to the ground yea? Wood's all stacked up, just please be careful because really... Da will be pissed if he comes home and there is no house here".

Heh heh heh. Fire. Erin grinned back at Sophie when she hugged his arm, careful to keep his expression from looking too devious. Norwood started stacking like a fire-burning boss and Erin, pleased to be trusted with such an integral task, did the same. 'Twasn't too long at all before they had a right blaze. People began wandering out back to stand by the flames, and Erin glanced around curiously. Big group. Varied. He stuck by Luc's side and wondered how long it'd take before Deus came up with a brilliant reckless crazy-arse plan involving the fire, and if so whether he'd want any help.

Sophie's energy was infectious and Kelvin couldn't have kept from smiling if he'd tried, though there was a moment of surprise when she squeezed his hand.  He wasn't used to physical contact from people, but in the back of his mind, it registered that he wasn't really uncomfortable with the touch like he would have been in the past.

"You remember Fauna, and Dion, and Dax? They just graduated and oh! There's Ollie" Sophie said before shouting and flinging her arms around Pax.  Kelvin felt a bit disoriented by how quickly she jumped away to greet Pax before turning back to him.  "Right so," She began, and then feeling a bit overwhelmed Kelvin quickly started to lose track of what she was saying catching something about Fig and food, people, food in the kitchen, something about Puerto Rico, and then being introduced to Ollie, though of course he knew who she was already.  "Toss your coats anywhere! I will be back and I am so happy to see you" Sophie said before she had left the group.  Kelvin stood there for a moment before speaking. "Nice to see you all, I'm going to go get..." He trailed off awkwardly pointing with his thumb in the general direction of the kitchen.

He had made his way over to the food, and had been picking at a few things since he didn't have much of an appetite despite not having eaten when  "MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE."

Still nibbling on the food, Kelvin made his way out to the back and to the bonfire,  the light and heat of the fire helping him to relax a bit.

Demitria was rather bored. After talking with Neely for a bit, she had begun wandering around and greeting people here and there. Most of them she usually had little to no interaction with and knew about them only through her nefarious use of the Monarchy's information chains. No Huxley, no Kitty, no Xavier, no Liviana... The only other Slytherins were Erin and Deus. And Deus seemed pretty preoccupied with Sophie ( even more preoccupied than he usually seemed with pretty girls.) This was turning out to be one Hell of an August.

Absentmindedly, she rubbed the new forming scars on her arms. They still hurt and her mother had insisted on her going to a mediwitch to take a look at them, but she continuously refused. They wouldn't do much except leave more jagged lines on her snow white skin. She had so many already that she couldn't imagine anyone would notice a few more once the thick dark scabs were gone.

She ended up near the fire and saw Erin there. She wasn't really that close with the other Slytherin, especially after the Kitty fiasco, but after five years in the same house and a quidditch season together, they were friendly. "Hello, Harper," She said as she came closer to the fire. "Getting your pyromaniac tendencies out of you system before the school year starts again?" The Russian chuckled quietly. 

Of course Zoe had to make the party, she knew that many other members of SAWS were going to be there. After missing out on a meeting that had been held during the time that she was in Egypt, she had to catch up. Not just that, but she needed a nice fun party before school began to mingle with her classmates. Above all, she heard that Olivia was going to be there, and better yet she was coming back to Hogwarts! New headmaster, new rules. Goodbye Headmaster Snarky.

She had dressed up for the party in a blue cocktail dress with a fringe skirt and matching high heel shoes. She had also put in gold hoop earrings, but other than that she wore no jewelery. Her long chestnut hair had been put up into a bun. Zoe was pretty sure this was a nice party outfit, not too plain but no too overdone either.

Like many others, Zoe arrived via floo powder. She stepped out of the fire place, glancing around to see who else was there. First of course it would be most polite to greet the host, Sophie, and then go to mingle. It didn't take long. A loud cry for attention rang out through the room, Zoe turning to see Sophie atop a chair. Good thing she had arrived just in time for directions.

After Sophie was done Zoe figured that when someone was on someone else's back was not the absolute best time to greet them and instead began to walk towards the door outside, noticing one of her fellow Ravenclaw fourth-years. "Hi Kelvin!" Zoe greeted, walking over to him and following him outside. "How has your summer been?"

Raising her eyebrows at Sophie's antics, Alex turned to go and find someone else to talk to, amused, if surprised, that Sophie seemed to be together with Deres. Questions were in order, but for the time being, she planned to grab something to eat and then go and stare at the bonfire that one of the boys had lit. Catching sight of Raine, she smiled broadly, pushing past a cluster of students to reach her.

Her smile didn't flicker at the mention of her father, although it had been a little close for comfort, instead suggesting, "If we get food, we can gaze at the fire and eat simultaneously." She hadn't realised previously, but the only things she'd eaten since breakfast had been three chocolate frogs, and Raine's mention of food had made her suddenly aware of a gnawing feeling in her stomach.

Pushing past a gaggle of students, Alex made her way to the kitchen, triumphantly scooping up a burger and butterbeer. Food in hand, she turned to Raine, quickly excusing her actions, "I am famished- I haven't had anything to eat since breakfast," pulling her most pathetic expression at the last admission.


She took a sip of butterbeer, making a slight appreciative noise before saying, "So, to the roaring fire? Or shall we remain within arms' reach of nourishment?"