Darian strolled into the Gala like he owned the place, which was his general approach to most things. His walking stick hit the floor in even, muted clacks; his hat hit his head at a jaunty angle. His hips rolled in their old-fashioned trousers like the dip and glide of a ship deck on a playful ocean, and his eyes were as blue as those hypothetical waves.

Despite the swagger, he was completely a Victorian dandy in his dress today. He'd felt it was better to don traditional for this sort of gathering, more wizarding, less muggle glam, but there was only so much a set of conservative clothing could do when the man it encased was Darian Morgan. Just because he'd left the tight trousers at home didn't mean he was any more respectable; oh, gracious no, and perish the very thought!

He trailed an Astronomy professor behind him, one who looked considerably less comfortable in his stiff finery than Darian did in the tails and tophat. "Smile, Tapendra," he instructed idly without looking around, he himself wearing a smile a panther would be proud of. "Stop fidgeting. Just look at the wonderful world before you!"

Initially, Brett had not intended to attend the benefit gala for St. Mungo's. A lot of the aurors would be there to duel, and she had been hoping to spend New Year's Eve with Iggy. But... You know. The full moon made that a difficult task, and thus Brett had to find something else to do for the evening. So a couple of days before the gala she rushed to find a dress. And not only that, but Dax was going... Things between them had been awkward ever since he'd caught her with a naked wrock star... And the petty person in Brett wanted to show Dax exactly what he was missing out on. If he was going to be childish, so was she.

The dress she'd found wasn't particularly traditional, but it was silverish and that was a good color for a winter themed party. And she enjoyed it. She'd even used a spell to grow her hair out for the evening and went out of the way to do her make up. She didn't look much like herself, but that was usually the point of big, fancy parties. To dress up and be somebody else for the evening. It should be fun, right?

She was caught a little off guard as she spotted a professor from Hogwarts. Not because he was in attendance, but she didn't remember Professor Trishna ever wearing stuff like that. She hadn't taken Astronomy with him teaching it- she'd failed her OWL in it- but it was hard to miss him. It was still so strange to Brett, to think professors had a life outside of Hogwarts! Imagine seeing one at a party! She wondered idly if the man that he was with was his date. Best not to ask such a question. She'd hate to offend anyone.

Grabbing a flute of champagne she smiled as she approached. "Professor Trishna!" she exclaimed. "Look at you all done up! Suits you better than Hogwarts robes, that's for certain." She turned her attention to his friend. "I'm Brett Abraham," she introduced herself. "I love your top hat!"

Jacoba had decided to attend the Benefit Gala on a whim.  She'd initially dismissed the event back in November.  The announcements had been scattered about St. Mungos when she'd accompanied a couple muggle teenage lads after a run in with some stray hofferpuffs ... pufferpuffs ...[1] whatever Edwin called them.  It wasn't until after the Yule Ball that Jacoba had decided to venture into a wizarding formal affair on her own. 

There were a few faces she recognized in the crowd as she strolled amongst them, hoping her choice of dress wasn't too out of place.  Her old ball gowns, from formal events of the past, seemed to have been given a new lease on life.  And, the wizarding tailor she found in Munich seemed perfectly content to accept the business of fitting and altering them.  She'd already noted at the Yule Ball that women's muggle formal attire had a much easier job of blending in than the men's.  Though, the lace midriff might be pushing it. 

It had certainly set her father's nerves on edge when she'd first purchased it years ago.  Consequentially, it had quickly become one of her favorites.  She was grateful her grandmother had held onto it. 

Moving amongst the crowds, Jacoba readily recognized Darian Morgan and Tapendra Trishna.  "Fancy seeing the two of you here," Jacoba offered, loud enough to catch their attentions as Darian seemed to urge Tapendra through the crowds.  Had she known Tapendra was planning on coming?  She couldn't remember though, given the general energy of the poor man's house, it wouldn't have surprised her.  For the last week and a half, Jacoba had been staying nearby in Cambridge - trying to be present without over stressing the already full house. 

She'd reached the pair about the time another young woman had.  She seemed close to Jacoba's age.  "Come to ring in the New Year the fancy way?  Allo, hope I'm not interrupting," she offered to the group.  Turning to introduce herself to the young woman, Jacoba extended a hand.  "Jacoba Schlagenweit."

1.	Puffapods in Atishoo We All Fall Down

For a man dressed like he was, Tapendra wasn't making much effort to look happy to be present. He followed Darian with an air of resignation - the man having thoroughly defeated his clever attempts to find excuses to leave. And with all the magic about he couldn't even fake a cell phone call and pretend something had come up.

The Gala was nice, he'd admit, and he had little reservation about seeing Dolly again, especially in her element (which, was, well...maybe it wasn't her element anymore, but still) and observing Darian being equally in his. The top hat was rather becoming on the shorter man, he'd admit, though the curly long hair did give it a bit less of a dignified air than such attire usually implied.

He jumped at Darian's command, releasing his sleeve - he'd been twisting his cuff link about. He did look around, and answered with a slight grumble, "It's a bunch of elbow rubbing," before a girl popped up in front of them. Who apparently recognized him? He looked at her face, trying to find a name but having no clue who she was.

After a beat of uncertainty, he smiled, with  just a twinge of the uncertainty he felt. "Err, good evening," he said, still certain he hadn't seen her before - her sister, maybe? She looked vaguely familiar -

And then Jacoba appeared, wearing a rather fetching lace dress. He blinked at her, not having realized she was attending too. His smile turned more genuine. "Jacoba - nice to see you," he said. "You look - err - nice." He hadn't realized she owned anything that looked like that, actually. 

"So have you had any more thoughts on where you'll set up home?"

It was New Year's Eve, and Johann Storm was trying not to think about the fact his two friends were locked up in the Ministry because it was a full moon. He'd barely seen Colin before his flatmate went, having got back in the middle of the night. He'd gone out to the overnight apothecary that could be found in Knockturn Alley, bought sleeping potion. After the last few days attending a funeral at short notice, arguments and upset, he'd had enough, and given in. As such, he'd not woken up until almost lunchtime, which was unusual.

"It'll all depend how much I get from the sale of the house." Ignan replied, trailing behind as they moved slowly through the crowd. The Deputy Headmaster scrubbed up well, in three piece black tie, cream waistcoat, white hair cut that day.

"But you've got thoughts?" Johann responded, "A room for Sas-."
"Mind!"
"No?"
"No, I mean mind out!"

Ignan reached forward and grasped Johann's jacket by the elbow, turning him on the spot.
"You almost walked straight into Jacoba."

Johann had been so busy looking back to quiz Ignan he'd not been paying enough attention to the movement of the groups they were passing by. He gave a little jumpy gesture in reaction to realising he was within inches of the back of Jacoba's head. Whoops. His keen eyes quickly surveyed the rest of the group - was that Darian Morgan? Johann knew him from sight, Witch Weekly cited him enough, and Johann would read those magazines when bored and left alone.

"Hello!" He greeted brightly to the group from just behind Jacoba, and heard Ignan gently clear his throat beside him.

A young woman fluttered up, all grins for Tapendra, who in his turn was not faking recognition as hard as he could've. Darian quickly bent over her hand in a flourishing bow, half-automatic, half-distraction, not that he thought Tappy would notice to appreciate it. Lovely freckles. He was tempted as he always was with such complexions to see how much lovelier they'd be lost in a warm rose blush, though she was a bit younger than his tastes usually ran. The animal print on her gown suggested she would not be adverse. Tapendra's morals were keeping him from all sorts of opportunities.

"Darian Morgan," he said easily, straightening again. He touched the tip of his hat in silent thanks. "Absolutely charmed." He was even more charmed to see on her heels quickly follow the trim figure of Jacoba Schlagenweit.

"Jacoba!" It was a warm and exuberant greeting, accompanied by a light brush of his lips to her cheek - covered with the premise of continental manners. How he loved Europeans. "It's been too long. Are you enjoying yourself tonight? Participating in the auction?"

"Hello!"

"Good evening!" Darian cried with equal amounts of cheer. Though it did not seem possible, he dredged from somewhere even more dazzle for the happy flash of his teeth, his smile approaching Lockheart-levels of brilliance for the newest additions. "Welcome to our little group."

The man who'd spoken was not known to him, but his older companion carried a certain reputation. Darian was always inordinately delighted to meet a member of the Hogwarts staff, with the staff from the visiting schools coming in a close second. He was trying to collect the whole set, a game of which the appeal largely stemmed from the fact that he wasn't a student anymore. Now he could have all the nice conversation he liked without worrying about little things like House points for cheekiness and the legal age of consent.

As for Storm's unknown companion - the man who'd spoken - well, he possessed some of the most unusual cheekbones Darian had ever seen. Considering that his attic was full of painted Morgan ancestors who could've cut glass with the sides of their faces this was a stimulating accomplishment and worth encouraging.

She giggled at Darian's flourished bow. Darian Morgan! She knew his name. He was one of the most popular designers of the wizarding world. Of course he'd be at an event such as this! Especially considering the names attached to it. No wonder he looked so dapper and had such a wonderful top hat. (Brett always found top hats to be incredibly wizarding in appearance.)

Brett smiled at Jacoba. The dress that the other woman wore was very pretty, she liked the translucent middle on it. It flirted with sexy without being quite as overt as the short front of Brett's dress. "Brett Abraham," she said to Jacoba as she introduced herself. Schlagenweit. The lady must be related to Sasha. She remembered him from school, but thought it might be rude to ask if she knew the boy. Society manners were always out of Brett's grasp. She hadn't been raised to rub elbows with the fancy folks. "And I have! I thought it would be a nice change to do something fancy for the new year. Rather than getting bombed at a night club." Her usual route of entertainment.

As Professor Storm approached, Brett suddenly felt incredibly under dressed and practically naked. She had taken Defense with him the year before, and never would have dreamed he'd see her in pumps with her legs exposed in such a way. She blushed furiously and shifted a little uncomfortably. "Professor Storm," she greeted in the most respectful tone she could manage.

Brett then worried herself with shifting her gaze from Darian to Tapendra, wondering whether or not they had come together. Trishna had children, though... So maybe they were just friends who attended separately and happened to find one another? (Anything to not have to look Professor Storm in the eye.)

"Jacoba - nice to see you.  You look - err - nice.”

The young woman arched an eyebrow at Tapendra and offered a coy grinned back.  “Err – you’re looking quite dashing yourself,” she offered in turn just as Darian stepped forward with an unsurprisingly enthusiastic greeting.  Aside from the occasional sightings around Diagon, the last time she'd seen the fellow was the morning following the first Triwizard Tournament Task.  "It's good to see you, again." 

She returned the kiss on the cheek and stepped back just in time to hear a familiar voice greet them from just behind her.

“Now I see where the single-minded focus comes from,” Jacoba quipped with a smirk, reaching out to rest a hand cordially on Johann’s shoulder while simultaneously making room for the two Storms in the group and giving Johann a little more space.  The statement seemed vague enough that only those in the know would follow its meaning.  Which seemed to be the majority of the present group, minus two.

“I am!” Jacoba confirmed, turning back to Darian to finish answer his original question.  “I just got here a little bit ago but, so far I'm starting to almost feel like I'm a wizarding well-connected sort."  She glanced around, again, at the small group gathered.  Here she was, independently attending a high social function and actually recognizing people ahead of time.  Who would have thought? 

"These things are quite a bit more enjoyable when you aren’t getting dragged to them.”  Given her first glimpses of Darian and Tapendra, Jacoba suspected Tapendra was currently able to relate.  “And, I did sign up for the auction.  We’ll see what happens.”

Darian was, as ever, apparently energized by the presence of other people. Tapendra’s gaze flicked to him as the man greeted both women enthusiastically – grateful for the distraction he provided to the student. Tapendra shook his head at himself, ever so slightly; he was letting the dread and mounting embarrassment of this…meat market thing get to him far too much. He didn’t have any reason to be awkward, did he? Up until he got sold off to the highest bidder, anyway…

Ye gods, why had he agreed to this?

He looked up as Johann and Ignan arrived, smiling a bit more easily. The fact they were there was both comforting and rather terrifying. Ignan would never let him hear the end of this, would he? Hopefully, he could remain anonymous. “Good evening, Johann, Ignan,” he greeted, moving a few steps towards them and away from Darian – the way the man was looking at the student…well, graduate…was a look he had a feeling he knew. “Surprised to see you here, Ignan,” he added, a bit more casually. “Come to get sloshed for charity?” His joking grin shifted as Jacoba spoke.

“What, you signed up t – you signed up?” He asked Jacoba, looking at her, surprised and a bit wary. “Are you sure that’s – I mean –“ They were in mixed company, but his first thought was one of worry. She was a muggle, wasn’t she? What if someone picked her up that didn’t approve?

"Mademoiselle Schlagenweit, it seems we meet again " Arianne said as she approached her little group, flute of champagne in hand and all charming smiles, despite her deep desire to grimace at the woman's dreary choice of frock.

Arianne had arrived at the Gala fashionably late, it had taken her half the day to decide whether to attend or not. It all screamed of boredom and stiffness, she would've much preferred to go on a binge in some dubious part of London, but alas her position demanded she'd make an appearance. There was also that bit about the auction, at least that showed some promise. The moment she had arrived, she had decided that England had to be the most depressing place for fashion in the entire world. The majority of the gowns and suits around her seemed to have come from the 1800's and haute couture was a term unknown to the Englishmen. For a moment, she actually thought to go home and change. Her attire was too Parisian for these -these antiques.

Her heels proved to be a most awful choice, as she now had a mind to throw them out the first window she encountered. She had been running in circles greeting every sad little Ministry official and uptight aristocrat, all she wanted was a small break from the smiling, the shaking of hands the kissing of overly made-up cheeks.  "Emphatiques, hypocrites ou égoïstes![1] Quelle horreur..." she thought to herself with a small, hidden scowl. Therefore, she was most delighted to see Mlle Schlagenweit. She could do with a bit of amusement... Most delighted indeed.

1.	(fr.) Pompous, hypocritical or self-serving

"Good evening!" Greeted a man who looked much like Landis Morgan, Ignan considered. Johann's expression seemed to be of unhinged glee to greet the other man, but not over familiar - recognised perhaps? "Welcome to our little group."

"Good evening." Ignan replied politely, joining Johann properly.

"Professor Storm," addressed a younger female voice, and the Deputy Headmaster had to struggle not to let his eyebrows retreat into his hairline at the sight of Abraham.

"Abraham, it has been a while." As he spoke the Professor found himself resigned to staring at the top of her head - realising her blushes, and not wanting to add his own.
"Are you well?" His face creased into a blink as he added, "You look well." He opened his eyes, looking in the direction of the ceiling and rubbing his nose, acknowledging her blushes and trying to be polite.

Lowering his gaze to her face, he gave her the hint of a smile.

“Now I see where the single-minded focus comes from,” Jacoba was addressing Johann beside him, and Ignan stepped back ever so slightly to be able to address both sides of the group without being in the middle of it.

Sasha's sister continued to speak, carrying on the conversation they must have interrupted.

“Good evening, Johann, Ignan,”
"Ah Tapendra." Ignan greeted his friend, pleased to see someone he knew well. Johann raised his glass to the Astronomy Professor, but seemed preoccupied with Jacoba's conversation.
“Surprised to see you here, Ignan,”
"You're not the only one." Ignan replied with a chuckle.
“Come to get sloshed for charity?”
"Something like that."
"“And, I did sign up for the auction.  We’ll see what happens.”

Ignan and Tappy both caught the end of what was being said. Ignan's head twitched round in surprise, and he leaned forward a little to see his daughter in some distant sort, better.
“What, you signed up t – you signed up? Are you sure that’s – I mean –"

"Mademoiselle Schlagenweit, it seems we meet again "

Arianne had alighted at the edge of the group just as Tappy's question fell unanswered. However, Johann was already drawing breath to answer for her.
"I don't see why she shouldn't be part of it. Just harmless fun for charity." The younger man shrugged. "Besides, I reckon if we tipped off the Head of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, he'd bid rather generously on Jacoba's lot, from what I've seen."

"Mister Glass?" Ignan frowned, "She could do better. Mademoiselle Desrosiers, we neglect you. Good evening." He addressed his Tetra-Wizard colleague. "We were just discussing the auction, Jacoba's entered herself as a lot for bidding."

Having neatly diverted that moment of the conversation, he inclined a little and attempted to make eye contact with Darian, the only face he so far hadn't recognised.
"Have we met before? Ignan Storm, Professor at Hogwarts." He extended a hand to shake.

"Good on you, Jacoba," he said appreciatively as Tappy hesitated his way into expressing disapproval. "Got something fun planned for the winner, have you?"

And then, gods, then a stunningly beautiful woman glided into the group all small charmed smiles and a flute of champagne. Darian drank his fill of her from top to bottom without being obvious about it, barely a flicker of his gaze hidden by his heavy ginger bangs - and she preoccupied greeting Jacoba - that heated as he watched her, a spark of interest kindled by hidden intent. She was the first woman he'd seen tonight whose ensemble he could look upon with true admiration. He still wanted to get rid of her dress, but he didn't want to bin it afterwards.

When she spoke he caught her accent, which explained everything from the airs she'd sauntered up with to the cunning golden spikes on her clutch.

"Several of us have," he drawled, an addition to Ignan's explanation and a more subtle way of drawing the newcomer's attention. He looked around the circle for confirmation, specifically meeting the eyes of Brett, Ignan, Johann, and lastly Arianne, the ones of whose participation he was not sure. The tilt of his head and dark curious eyes asked a silent question, and you?

"Have we met before? Ignan Storm, Professor at Hogwarts."

He shook hands easily, matching his cool grip to Ignan's own. "Darian Morgan, designer and owner of Libertine Ltd. What a pleasure." For a moment he hesitated as if to say more, then smiled instead. Warm and wide, it distracted from the subtle way he eyed the lines of Ignan's lapel and the shape of his shoulders. The older man was outfitted well, but Darian could do better (he could always do better). Greedy, greedy. He wouldn't want to insult him by suggesting so immediately after they'd met that the man needed a new tailor, but, well, shiny.

There would be time later to sidle close and attempt to add another dash on the chalkboard of his soul (DADA professor, St. Mungo's benefit, stiff reputation + very polite + old. Wrinkle cream??? Inquire). For now he leaned past Storm to get his pretty eyes on his party mate, extending the same handshake and the same warm smile for Johann whose expression was more promising in that he seemed already interested, which meant less work on Darian's end to hook him in the first place. To that end he let something else slip into the standard stock greeting, a hint of slyness lingering in his gaze like they shared a secret.

Brett fidgeted uncomfortably as Professor Storm told her that she looked well. Egads! What did that mean? All of this exposed skin was not meant for men like that! Not that Storm was looking, but there were other men like him out there who could look. She should have thought this through. Or, at the very least, she should have had more alcohol by now. Her gaze shifted awkwardly to Jacoba- and then even more awkwardly to the French woman who approached. Brett thought her dress was actually very pretty. She liked the fact it clung to her frame so well. That was sexy. She should have done it like that. Oh well. Brett liked her own dress, even if nobody else would. And she'd seen worse items wandering about the gala.

Even so, Brett crossed her arms awkwardly over her exposed chest and shifted to hide her legs a bit. "I'm bidding on the auction," she said. "I don't have much gold to spend on it, but I wanted to do something to help since I couldn't compete in the duel." Trainees hadn't been invited. That was probably for the best, though. "There was a qudditch date that sounded fun, so I put my name for that one. Private lessons and dinner and going out sounded like lots of fun. Plus if he's particularly famous then my brothers will be jealous." It might also aid her in making Dax and Iggy jealous- not that she'd admit to that being even the slightest bit of reason behind her bidding.

"You're brave for signing up to auction yourself," she said to Jacoba. "I don't think I could do that. I'd be afraid of who would be the one to bid on me- or that nobody would bid on me at all. I can't imagine ending up with some old fuddy-duddy as a date." Brett couldn't help the way her eyes shifted to Storm as she said this. "And that it would ruin all of the fun. Or you know, just somebody absolutely atrocious in general. Of course, could be an atrocious qudditch player. Imagine if it ended up being Weidman. I think I'd be afraid to fly near him- he might knock me off the broom just for spite." He had that kind of a reputation, after all.

Jacoba paused, her grin faltering briefly at the hesitation in Tapendra's broken question.  Even though the question trailed off, the implied meaning was obvious.  She had considered the risk when she'd first signed up but had, finally, decided it was minimal.  "I don't-" she started to answer when a now familiar young woman strode up to join their circle. 

Given their previous (and only) interactions, Jacoba was admittedly surprised the woman had sought her, of all people, out of this given crowd.  "Evening," she offered the french woman with a pleasant, though surprised grin.  "It is good to see you again." 

Jacoba offered Johann an appreciative grin when her in-some-manner-or-another cousin offered his support. 

Smirking, and blushing ever so slightly at the mention of Edwin Glass, Jacoba turned back towards Darian.  "Figured I'd feature a muggle-themed outing.  Seems fitting."  And, she hoped, would help ensure any likely bidders were muggle-friendly.  At the very least, she'd spend most of the date in muggle-populated areas.  With a functioning mobile if things really got tricky. 

Jacoba had considered bidding but, when the idea had first crossed her mind, had assumed she wouldn't have much in the way of expendable cash.  Or, gold. 

But, she followed Brett's glance over towards Ignan and chuckled.  Fuddy-duddy?  "Oh, he's not that bad," she offered with a smirk.  Somehow, the semi-not-really relation made such ribbing easier.  "Besides, it's just a date.  Not a marriage proposal."  But, yes, Jacoba did make it a habit to avoid anyone named Wiedman. 

"A pleasure to see you as well, Fräulein Schlagenweit" she smiled and inclined her head in greeting at Mademoiselle Schlagenweit. "I hope you have been well" she added politely, before turning her head, recognizing the voice of her tournament colleague, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.

"Pas de problème, Monsieur Storm" she smiled charmingly. "How do you do, Professor?" she inquired formally and raised her brows upon hearing of Miss Schlagenweit signing up for the auction. Arianne was most fascinated with this small bit of information. She thought the woman so plain, stiff and, and—brunette that she could not fathom her ever having a blind date. But before she had time to formulate a question, a voice she did not know spoke and the thought was soon forgotten. 'My, my' Arianne thought to herself as she turned to identify the source of the voice.

The man was most... intriguing, to put it mildly. Arianne couldn't help but arch an inquiring brow as she subtly took in his appearance from head to toe. She was most impressed with his attire, but most than anything she found herself desperately wanting to know how his hair would feel through her fingers. A smile started forming at the corner of her lips, and for a second she forgot about everyone else in the group, as his inquisitive eyes met with hers. She lowered her gaze just a fraction, still watching him through her lashes and smiled enigmatically. It only lasted for a second, because soon she subtly returned her expression to a neutral, polite smile and took a sip of champagne.

"It seems there are many of us involved in the auction in some way or another" she mused. "It is heartening to see how many are willing to subject themselves to a date with a stranger for the sake of charity" she said jokingly and laughed softly. "Personally, I'm rather excited to see who might win my bid and whose bid I have won" at these last words she turned her gaze back to the mysterious gentleman she so badly desired to get to know more... privately. "A date offers so many opportunities to study the cultural customs of each country, n'est-ce pas?" she quickly asked no one in particular.

For the sake of propriety, she hoped someone would show enough common sense and formally introduce her to the rest of the group. Especially him. She was seconds away from a severe faux pas.

She then overheard the younger woman's conversation with Mademoiselle Schlagenweit and she subtly scowled. Were they in different circumstances, she would've told her Quidditch players do not make for pleasant dates. Quidditch players were good for only one specific activity and that was only if they were either silenced, or if your threshold for inane, idiotic conversations was very high—not that one conversed much during this specific activity.