Title taken from Crazy Kids by Ke$ha.  Language warning.

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New Year’s Eve. 

They were led to believe it was an evening filled with possibility: the portal into a brand new year that would somehow fix all the things that were wrong with the last one and revolutionize the living situation of whoever so happened to wish hard enough and resolve to do it.  Dosia always found she was a little more practical than that:  It was arbitrary, for the most part, and one more excuse to be drunk and disappointed.

Thankfully, she was sort of working for the night.  Augustine needed someone to watch out for her and knowing her sister, the type of event they’d be attending would have an open bar.  That seemed fun, didn’t it?  She’d been trying to convince herself of it.  In an effort to increase the possibility of having fun, Dosia invited Zia Piselli along for the ride.  They’d known one another at Hogwarts and she had always been the life of the party. 

Granted, she probably wasn’t like that currently… what with everything from Guy Fawkes, but more the reason to do it, right?  At best, she’d force Dosia to attempt to have fun. At worst, they’d commiserate about the terrible party and all of the ridiculously drunk people at the gathering. 

Sure, she was stuffed into a dress and shoes, but she had to admit she sort of liked what Tine had decided on.  It wasn’t as… garish as it could have been, and she knew when Zia managed to show up she’d be equally as… sparkle’d out.   She’d given Zia the address to show up to and escorted Tine inside (and to Charlotte who blessedly hadn’t left for the other party yet) before coming out again.  They had her on the list with a guest, so now she just had to wait out in the frigid air for Zia.

Bouncing back and forth between her heels, she looked to the doorman and gave a strained smile.  The burly wizard (frankly, he still had nothing on Hercules), gave her a nod and snorted – obviously her pain was hilarious to him and Dosia muttered to herself about Zia and her lateness – hoping she would show up within the next minute before her fingers fell off! 

New Year’s Eve was a fashion highlight of the year for Zia, who specialized in sparkles and sequins. It had actually been difficult to narrow down the choices. Ringing in the new year properly required a show-stopping ensemble, and the pressure to impress tonight was high. Not only was she trying to erase the dark feelings and events that had transpired in the past several months, but she had been invited to an elite party. A few of her family members had commented on her outfit was she left the house, saying that perhaps it was a bit too much. Zia responded by saying that was exactly the point.


In her enchanted bag she toted several bottles of wine in every available color. Zia did not have the amazing ability that Ronaldo had to guess the perfect wine for someone. She couldn’t even decide if Dosia would prefer red or white. She just threw a bit of everything in there, aerator and carafe included.

With a glance at the time Zia realized that she was running late, which was typical for her but a peeve of her older friend’s. With a flash she was next to Dosia, an enthusiastic smile plastered onto her face. She could fit one of the wine bottles into her dimples. (Luckily that wouldn’t be necessary, as Zia had remembered wine glasses, and besides that was reaching expert level at drinking from the bottle.)

“Hi!” Zia greeted her friend. There was an awkward moment while Zia looked around for what she was supposed to be doing.

“Oh thank Merlin!” Dosia was too happy to be able to go inside to even register that Zia was definitely dressed to attract attention.  Throwing her arms around her, Dosia immediately enjoyed the warmth of a hug, “You look great!” she commented quickly before taking Zia’s hand.

“Let’s go inside!” she offered and tugged Zia toward the door where the same doorman who had been snorting at her predicament moments earlier was now just staring at her.  It was almost like he didn’t even know… oh Merlin! Really?!  With a heavy, exasperated sigh, “Theodosia Fortescue,” she let her mouth hang open a little at the end ,”and guest.” 

Even though she wasn’t quite as… demanding as her sister, she did pick up on a few things.  This was one of them: hating cold and incompetence, she waited impatiently, casting a glance at Zia as the wizard set to checking the list again.  It’d barely been ten minutes!  He shouldn’t have to… was he just making this harder for her? 

Dosia forced another smile – maybe that was going to be theme of the night  - forced smiles.  It wouldn’t be unheard of, really.  Especially not in Dosia’s life.  She practically forced smiled for a living.  “You look fantastic, by the way.”   It was easier to talk through the time spent outside! 

The guardian of the warm place finally let them in and Dosia tugged the only slightly taller girl’s hand, “Come on!” she gave a sideward (and upward – out of necessity) glance at the wizard, “Thanks,” she muttered under her breath and sighed in relief as the door opened and they were wrapped in the warmth of the already bustlng venue. 

“What do you say to grabbing a couple of vodka tonics?” she looked to Zia hopefully.  She’d need a lot of them by the end of the evening, for sure. 

While the bouncer eyed them, Zia glanced around to see what the other partiers were wearing. She smiled at the people who caught her eye, and at the people who wore outfits that were just as gaudy as her own. Dosia complimented it, which was a good sign.

“Grazi!” Zia chirped. “You too!” Finally they were admitted into the club, and into the lion’s mouth they went. It was dark but there were flashing lights and fireworks of nearly every color. The lights reflected off of the sequins and sparkles on the festive dresses and now, it really felt like a New Year’s Eve celebration.

“What do you say to grabbing a couple of vodka tonics?”

“I say yes!” Zia concurred, her voice extra-loud so that Dosia could hear her over the thumping music. Zia felt herself starting to dance. An idea suddenly occurred to her. “But first, shots?” It was the best way to end one year and ring in another. Zia had seen a crowd of people at the bar, carrying silver, glittery, bubbly drinks.

“And one of those.” She raised her eyebrows at Dosia. “My treat!” For the Piselli family, money was very much not an issue. If anything, they had too much of it and needed it dispensed. The prospect of someone in the family having a happy night had prompted them to send Zia with enough to buy the pair more than a few rounds. Hopefully, the rest would be paid for, by cute boys that they’d kiss at midnight.

Oh! It was a blessing that Zia agreed to vodka tonics.  Dosia’s shoulders must have dropped at least a foot.  She hadn’t realized how tense she was!  Tomorrow she’d definitely need a good stretching… But, it wasn’t time for thoughts of tomorrow!

Only of the next five minutes, which meant drinks! 

Any drink  - whatever Zia suggested.  Dosia was in a… party (re: anxious) mood and she’d take advantage of someone else being babysitter for the better part of the evening!  She was only 19! Merlin, it was time to have fun! “It’s open bar!” Dosia called after Zia with a bright laugh and managed to get on her toes to sneak past the only slightly taller girl and get to the bar.

There was an age line at the door, so no need to have them check wands.   She was small enough that she’d sneaked in between two people and held her hand up to try and gain attention (as well smiling and flipping her hair, in case that worked).  It felt like an eternity before a response was actually garnered and she sighed before ordering.  All of it, all at once: it’d be more efficient that way.  Though the witch next to her looked at her as though she were insane. 

“Not just for me,” she rolled her eyes – a particular special talent of her’s and looked behind her, “Zia, come up here,” she motioned toward the bar and the space she’d pretty much hip checked a person out of… all while smiling and pretending she had no idea what she was doing. 

All three arrived at once: just like the three bears and Dosia lifted the shot first (might as well!).  “New Year, yes?” she grinned before raising the shot glass once more before tipping it back. 

The music and lights made resisting the urge to dance very difficult. For someone with as excitement about the night as Zia had, it was next to impossible, which is how she found her hips bumping to the rhythm of the song. She closed her eyes for just a second and could still see the lights changing colors on the other side of her eyelids. She was feeling like a bubble floating on the high energy vibes the party was sending out.

“Zia, come up here”

At the sound of Dosia’s voice Zia returned to the moment they were in, no longer a bubble but a shiny glittering sponge for liquor. She bounced her way over to her friend, thankfully tiny enough (even with heels on) to wind her way through the mass of people crowded by the bar. A few guys looked annoyed and ready to fight whoever had just pushed them out of the way - but as they saw a curvy pink dress of glitter heading towards a slinky girl in black, their faces relaxed and the gears started turning. It seemed they had some prospective drink-buyers in the future.

By the time Zia reached her friend, there was an array of drinks at the table. Of course the shots would be downed first, the flare they’d shoot off to begin the night. “To the new year!” Zia cheered, lifting her shot in agreeance. She clinked it with Dosia’s before tapping it to the table and sending it down the hatch. When she opened her eyes she reached for the first drink they landed on, which was one of the attractive ones from earlier. She smiled at the bartender as she bit the short straw.


"Any resolutions?" Zia shouted over the music. Hopefully anything Dosia had to say would be short, sweet, and to the point enough to yell back in just a few syllables.

There would be a time in the future when Dosia would look upon a night that started with downing shots in a crowded bar with bass pumping and elbows catching her in the shoulder and head with disgust.  Tonight, however, she was resolved to ATTEMPT to enjoy herself, and if it took drinking everything in front of them in within ten minutes, she would do it. 

It wasn’t like Hercules was going to kick her ass tomorrow for drinking!  Dosia had the luxury of not having to give a damn about silly things – like working out.  Good thing too, because the amount of alcohol – Dosia coughed as she put down the shot glass.  She wasn’t expecting that! 

Seemed like Zia could take it like a pro though.  Trying to be as discreet as possible, Dosia took the cocktail napkin from the bar top to dab her chin and chest from the dribbles that had come out.  Merlin, this was already starting out… She was just glad she wasn’t wearing white! 

Clearing her throat, Dosia resettled her eyes on the fizzing drink that Zia had demanded they order: she took it up and was thankful for a straw, and no expectation to finish in one fell swoop.  “No idea!” she replied genuinely, yelling over the crowd, “More fun?” she shrugged and took a drink.

It tasted like bubbles popping on her tongue.  That was strange.   Everything in her mouth was fizzling – she imagined it was like one of those muggle sparkler things that she had seen kids waving about.  It’s what that would feel like in your mouth… without the burning.  “You?” she yelled and tilted her head to the side as she took another bubbly sip of the drink.  Vodka tonic would be welcome after this! 

Her eyes scanned the crowd, one – looking for her sister.  She was probably in one of the cordoned off areas with Charlotte – and the other for the subject of her favorite bar game: unicorn or basilisk[1]  “Total basilisk,” she leaned toward Zia trying to subtly indicate the wizard she was talking about, which was hard… since he was staring at them. 

1.	Based on a game played by my friends: T-Rex or Velociraptor.  T-Rex = hottie.  Velociraptor = STAY AWAY.

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Xavier leaned against the bar of the club with a rocks glass in his hand. Whiskey on the rocks wasn't his favourite drink but it was more acceptable at the moment than doing shots. He was dressed as dapper as he would allow. His cousin had something completely different in mind but he had managed a compromise. Despite being six years younger than her Xavier was only admitted to the club as her chaperone. He had been told it was part of his legacy. He didn't argue, it wasn't like he had any other plans for New Years and he was used to doing the Chaperone shtick for Cadance, why not for Eloise?

It wasn't all bad, the lithe little actress was often invited to the best of high society parties. There was no telling who he could manage to rub elbows - or lock lips - with at a party like this. All he had to do was make sure his precious little package didn't go home with the wrong guy at the end of the night.

He scanned the crowd catching Elle grinding with a guy who looked as if he had drank a shot of Felix Felicious given the attention he was getting. Xavier simply scoffed and shook his head. The poor guy, she was going to bleed him dry for drinks and leave him in her dust. As much as Elle believed in Prince Charmings and Happily Ever Afters, she had no qualms about using men to get closer to her own fairytale. As he looked away something else caught his eye.

He called the bartender, pointing to the girls not far from him and ordering them another round of drinks (the night was on Grandpa Arathorn's coin anyway) He came to where the two girls were gathered with his own whiskey and another round of vodka tonics in tow. He managed to catch the last thing Dosia had said, "Aye, poor bloke's gunna need ta pay out his arse ta git any tonigh'" He gave the smaller Ravenclaw a wink, "Alright there Piselli?"

Once they reached the bar, Zia and Dosia were in full-on party mode. It wasn’t like they had a specific plan in mind; getting to the party was pretty much the extent of it. Zia kind of liked that: no expectations. It was a big change from the way she used to live and die by the events in her planner. It was a fun omen to have for the upcoming year.

Zia cheers-ed in concurrence of Dosia’s resolutions. She could definitely get used to the sparkly, fuzzy atmosphere of this party. Every so often she started dancing along with the music, humming when there weren’t words to sing.

She was in one of these little trances when a familiar voice said, “Alright there Piselli?”  Zia’s entire body perked up, her face lit up and she bounced over to her classmate. “Xavier!” She nearly bounced right into him, but grabbed his arm for support as she kissed both of his cheeks in quick succession. “What’re you doing here?!” She looked up to him with big eyes, her face glimmering as the light reflected off her glittery face.

A large smirk split his lips. Watching the petite Ravenclaw bounce in response at seeing him was definitely quite the sight. They had known each other for years but outside class they weren't exactly buddies. He always assumed she thought he was a wanker much like the rest of the girls who weren't in Slytherin with him. It was a reputation he had gained in his fifth year and was having a hard time shaking off. He was thankful he didn't have to worry about that tonight. He wrapped a hand around her lower back as she bounced up to each of his cheeks. He leaned into the kisses trying to make it a little easier on her given the height difference.

At first his eyes had been drawn to Dosia but given the peppy reception he figured his attentions would be much better served on Zia. There was no mistaking that the girl was already drinking, something he had no qualms with as he was a few drinks in himself. It was also easier to focus on the tiny figure in front of him than the one that had been running through his thoughts most of the month.

"Babysittin'" He kept his arm around her back and twisted her toward the dance floor pointing out a glamourous young woman in a stunning purple dress, "Tha's me cousin Eloise MacMillan," He glanced over at Theodosia, whom he was sure he had seen around his cousin before, "Aye, tha Eloise MacMillan." He made a face that mimicked the feelings Dosia had about working for her sister. He knew his cousin was famous but had never been one to latch onto such fame. A lot of his family was rich and famous (or infamous in the case of his mother's family) he spent most of his time trying to get out from everyone's shadow rather than bask in their glow, "Me granda wan'd me ta make sure she didnae do anythin' stupid tonigh."

He turned back to the bar, his arm never leaving it's place around Zia, "What about you?"

As Xavier bent down to greet her (which made the act much easier for the teeny tiny girl), Zia realized how warm he was and leaned into the crook of his arm, her long pink hair occasionally brushing against him.

”Babysittin’... Tha's me cousin Eloise MacMillan…. Aye, tha Eloise MacMillan."

Zia glanced expectantly in the direction Xavier indicated. “Ooooh, pretty dress!” she chirped automatically. This party was so exciting! There were a lot of big names here - Zia had to remember to keep her cool and not have a squealing fangirl meltdown every time she spotted a famous face.

"What about you?"

"Dosia brought me," Zia answered, smiling at her. She turned to get Dosia's attention, pulling away from Xavier for just a moment but long enough to get distracted by a guy holding two drinks. Without missing a beat Zia took them both, said “Thanks!”, and turned back to Xavier. She may or may not have thought he was a waiter, but either way, the poor bloke blinked a few times and then walked dejectedly back to his group of friends.

“You want this?” Zia asked. She bit her straw before taking a sip and offered other cocktail. The perky girl was riding a girly-drink sugar high. Next she looked around for something exciting to do. The best option seemed like dancing, and her decision was confirmed when the song changed. “Hey I love this song!” She turned to Xavier. “You can babysit from over there right?” She gestured to the dance floor.

Zia wasn't protesting his instant closeness which was nice regardless of who it was coming from. She even leaned into him at times and despite the heat of the club her could feel his arm break out in goose flesh where her hair brushed against it. It didn't take long for his thoughts to become completely and utterly fixated on her.

"Cheers." He took the cocktail she offered. It tasted awful, way too sugary for him but he threw it back like a shot. He gave a smug look to the guy who had brought over the drinks in the first place. He didn't look like a waiter and if he had been looking to get in with the girls the same way he had - with a pair of drinks - he was quickly disappointed. Xavier supposed it paid having gone to school with Zia after all.

He nodded, "Aye." He shouted over the music and guided her to the dance floor, weaving through the crowd. He had taken her hand at one point to make sure he didn't lose her.

Once in a space where they could dance freely Xavier started to bust a move. He wasn't the most skilled dancer out there but he was no slouch either. He knew how to move to the beat and he knew how to move along with her if she was so inclined. He had spent nearly an entire summer grinding his way through the dance floor - sometimes with Strellie sometimes without. He had learned how to get teenaged girls grooving.

Zia threaded her fingers between Xavier’s as he led them to the dance floor, and handed off her drink to a random stranger on the way. She laughed as she caught up to him and they started dancing. Right away she was impressed with Xavier’s dancing skills, but then again it was impressive when any guy managed to keep a beat.

She brushed her back against him, shaking her hips along with the beat  and almost unconsciously sang the lyrics. Zia had a lovely singing voice, but she was pretty strictly a shower singer. This was a great outlet for all of her energy, and dancing against somebody cute felt really, really good. She leaned back closer, putting her hands on Xavier’s to direct them to her hips.

Cheers to the New Year!

Xavier didn't need much encouragement once Zia took his hands. He set them firmly on her hips and continued to dance. When the music called for it he grinded against her, enjoying the sensation, but he hadn't gone full horn dog on her either.

He was however close enough to her to know that she had been singing along to the song. It wasn't his kind of music and he wouldn't have listened to it by choice but he did happen to know the lyrics. As the chorus came round again he pressed his body against hers placing his lips next to her ear and sang along. It was only loud enough for her to hear, although he probably could have sang at full volume and still be drowned out by the music.

As the song concluded he kept himself close against her. The following song was definitely better suited for some dirty dancing and he was game if she was.

Zia followed Xavier’s lead, feeling a rush when she felt his hot breath against her ear. She closed her eyes and could still see the lights as they flashed and moved, reflecting off of her glittery makeup and dress so that she was like part of the light show. Zia let herself float on the beat of the music, moving her hips and arching her back, cradled in Xavier’s arms.

The song changed but it was clear that she had no intention of moving. This song was fast and so loud that she could feel her own heart beat. She slowed down and grinded against Xavier, throwing her arm back to wrap her hand around Xavier’s neck, keeping him close.

Zia was enjoying herself, light and tipsy and partying. The alcohol got rid of any awkwardness there might have been in being this intimate with a classmate. She looked back and gave him a half-lidded glance, smiling so her dimples showed.