Xavier paced the silent armoury. He looked to the rows of gleaming suits that lined the walls around him but even they couldn't give him solace. He was nervous, he hated feeling nervous and he kept telling himself that there was nothing for him to be nervous about. He had dated before, he had asked girls out, before why should this time be any different. He could be charming and sincere and actually quite a nice guy when he wanted to be, any girl would be lucky to have him, so why was he so convinced he was going to get shot down?

He grumbled a bit to himself and checked his pocket watch. He still had time before she was supposed to arrive, if she even came at all. He had sent a letter to her house table asking her to meet him here but with her being in another house and all he had no way of knowing whether she had received it or what her reaction had been. He glanced over his shoulder to the long package in non descript wrapping leaning against a clear spot on the wall, underneath it was a more recognizable present in a white box with a pink bow. It was a valentine's, the first Xavier could remember ever giving. He hoped she showed up, it would be rather embarrassing to have to send it to her after being shot down.

He paced around the room again running his hands through his dark brown hair, he absently thought about needing a haircut. He was a mess and it didn't exactly sit well with him. He couldn't figure out why this girl had gotten so under his skin, even Bella hadn't gotten him rolling around restless in the middle of the night unable to think of anything other than the feel of her body pressed against his.

Kit Branwell you will be the death of me. 

To say that Kit Branwell wasn't a little anxious about this meeting would be a lie. She detested lies. But she also detested admitting she was anxious. She was sure there was something about it in a sub-clause of the knight's code somewhere.  So as far as the meeting was concerned, she would say only to herself (she hadn't told anyone about it), that she was cautiously looking forward to it.

There was of course, no question as to who the letter was from, and it had taken nearly all of Kit's willpower to not keep sneaking telling glances at Xavier whenever she saw him at meals and in class. Although, come to think of it, that had hardly been a new development. Ever since their little impromptu duel, Kit Branwell had found herself...smitten.

It was a very curious sensation, and not one she was accustomed to. The feeling had only increased when Xavier (surely she could address a dueling partner by his primary name and still observe proper decorum?) had vanished without warning from the school for a short period. He had returned, obviously, but Kit hadn't been able to corner him at meals or after classes as to the nature of his absence. Part of that was the general chaos that affected all fifth-years with rapidly approaching O.W.L's and part because Kit had been trying, almost overly so, to not overstep her bounds as a proper lady or come across as forward or crude.

But it would be very rude of Kit not to answer the invitation (never mind their were likely to be no chaperons). So here she was. She had, as requested, left the Great Hall immediately after dinner and come straight to the armour gallery, still in her uniform and with her bag of books and homework at her side, and hoping that he was the punctual sort.

He was.

"Good evening, Xavier," Kit said as she entered and found him already waiting. She suddenly felt very unsure of what to say or how to stand, another curious sensation she was neither accustomed to or appreciated. Heavens above, what was wrong with her? Someone must have slipped something into her pumpkin juice, she was just sure of it.

Xavier flattened down the front of his uniform shirt and straightened his tie as she walked in giving a fleeting look of nervousness before his lips cracked into a wide excited almost childish smile, "I've got somethin' fer ye." He had been so anxious to get through this he hadn't even properly greeted her which would likely make him look less a gentlemen in her eyes but he couldn't help himself. He just wanted to see the look on her face when he gave her the present. He had gone above and beyond for this one, had even sent in a special request with his newly reacquainted grandfather to procure the perfect present for her.

He held up his finger for her to wait there and grabbed the two packages he had leaned against a bare spot on the wall. He hurried back and handed her to first and smaller of the two. The box itself was very obviously a present - white with a fancy pink bow - inside were an assortant of treats he had gotten from Honeydukes in Valentine's fashion (he had to order them by owl but it was worth it) and a stuffed cat in a fancy little dress. He knew girls liked stuffed animals but he wasn't sure if Kit was one of those girls. It didn't really matter though because it was all about the other package.

With a wide smile that made his cool grey blue eyes sparkle he handed her the second less spectacularly wrapped parcel. The long rectangle box was wrapped in brown parchment paper. The box itself was a soft silver and inside nestled in red velvet was a beautifully hand crafted silver rapier, perfect for fencing.

Pausing just for a moment to let her open her presents Xavier rushed on knowing that if he didn't get it done now he likely never would, "I was hopin' ye'd go to thee Valentine's ball wit me."

---

Kit's Present

Sir Cadogan had been making his usual rounds- galloping through portraits, waving his sword fiendishly at students breaking the more obvious of Hogwarts rules- when he happened upon quite a curious sight in the armor gallery. Cadogan paused in the current painting- a beautiful scenic masterpiece, depicting Hogwarts in its youth and glory- shortly after its construction and opening. There were a few random students flitting around the grounds- but Cadogan was hardly interested in those students.

The knight was, however, interested in the scene unfolding before him. He dismounted from his squatty, rotund steed, and watched the boy give the girl what was obviously intended to be a romantic gift. But what on earth was romantic about giving a girl a sword? Cadogan grumbled quietly to himself- in complete disagreement with the gesture. A proper gentleman did not give a lady a sword- he simply used one to defend her honor!

"Ho there you bawdy pox-marked knave!" Cadogan called out loudly from the portrait."What business have you giving a lady a sword! You rump-fed ronyon!" His moustahce billowed out as he hollered at Xavier, but when he turned to Kit his expression immediately softened, and he offered her a sickeningly sweet smile. "Do not wory, m'lady! I will defend your honor to the death if I must! Such disrespect will not be tolerated by the honourable SIr Cadogan! Avert your gaze, sweet lady of Gryffindor- I should hate to offend your delicate senses with such violence as the boy is about to experience!" He gave her a very deep bow, and then turned to Xavier again.

Sir Cadogan fumbled as he unsheathed his sword, waving it wildly at the Slytherin boy. "I'll have your gizzard you ill-bred misleader of chastity!" With his final taunt, the visor of his helmet fell shut on his face, and he ran at the front of the portrait- obviously believing that he could launch directly out of the frame and into the real world... Instead, he found himself running against the invisible, magical barrier which kept him in the painting. But it was not unusual for Sir Cadogan- he was always jousting windmills.


((In this instance, feel free to interact with the deus ex machina.))

Kit was only too happy to return Xavier's smile.  He had a very nice smile. She hadn't really noticed before. Wait, she had only been eating supper. Why had her pulse just speed up. Oh heavens, she hoped nothing was showing on her face. At least she wasn't blushing (yet. She hoped).

Were the presents completely unexpected? She was a lady, but she wasn't a mindless doll. The thought had crossed her mind on those occasions when she had permitted herself secret daydreams pertaining to her duel with Xavier. Daydreams that would never be spoken aloud, she might add.

But even though she had rather hoped for this, she hadn't wanted to be presumptuous. Although that hadn't stopped her from making Xavier a small token from her, even though it would only be proper to give a Valentine's day token to a gentleman who had done likewise to her.

"Thank you very much," Kit told him, taking the first box and opening it, "That was very kind of you."

No blush, tho bashful bat of the eyes. Nana Branwell would have been proud. Chocolates and...a cat. Kit kept her grateful smile, although the cat was likely to go into the bottom of her trunk and never see the light of day. She had been called 'kitty' enough times to make her throughly dislike the animals. However it was very thoughtful of Xavier, and after all it was the thought that counted.

The second, larger box, was completely unexpected. Curious, Kit opened the parcel. It was heavier, and not the usual shape one might exact for the usual expected gifts of chocolates or flowers.

She took the lid off of the box. Her mouth fell open ad that traitorous blush appeared at last. A rapier. Not just a rapier. A beautiful, exquisitely crafted rapier. So great was her surprise and delight she almost missed his invitation to the ball.

"Xavier! It's beautiful. Thank you!" Kit said, this time with far less tact and decorum. Good thing Nana Branwell was not present.

"I would be delighted to accompany you to the ball," she said with a bright smile. Oh there was no hiding her increased pulse and blush now.

Ho there you bawdy pox-marked knave! Kit's badly handled attempt at a proper thanks was interrupted by a voice coming from the portrait. She turned and saw Sir Cadogan, a portrait she usually enjoyed seeing and hearing around the castle. However, the only reason she was glad to hear of him at the moment was that he had given her cause to stop her blush and stammering in its tracks.

"Your chivalrous intentions are most appreciated Sir Cadogan," Kit said, giving the painted knight the best curtsy she could manage with a sword in her hand. "But in this case unfounded. This gentleman has not disrespected me, for I am a lady that believes in practicing self-defense with wand and blade. Mr. Tawse has obliged my wishes by presenting me with a quality model so that I may practice."

She turned back to Xavier with an amused smile. "Thank you, very much," she said. "I do have a small gift for you."

She reached into her bag and pulled out a small chocolate box with a card and a blue rose (magically dyed by Kit) tied with a white ribbon to it. She had thought long and hard about what to give Xavier, and finally decided to do the proper ladylike thing and give him a token along with the more usual Valentine's Day gifts. And a rose was ever so much nicer than an embroidered hankercheif.

Xavier wore a smug smile as she opened her presents, letting her take the time to appreciate them now that the hard part (asking her out) was over and done with. He should have known that a girl like Kit wouldn't have liked stuffed animals and chocolates but he felt it was safer to lead with that than to just get her the sword. It didn't feel very Valentine's like. Although the look on her face when she uncovered the rapier was definitely worth it. He had never seen a girl light up so brightly at the sight of a weapon. Kit definitely was one of a kind.

His smug look turned to genuine delight when she agreed to go to the Valentine's Ball with him. He knew he was going to be turning lots of heads when he entered with Kit on his arm. After dating girls like Ayla Collins and Bellatrix Dark, Kit was actually out of the ordinary for him. He couldn't wait to see the look on everyone's face, "Brilliant this is gunna -"

He narrowed his eyes as the painting threatened and insulted him. He knew Sir Cadogan well enough to know he didn't need to feel offended by anything he said but it was still annoying to be interrupted. He was about to say as such when Kit intercepted and seemed to be able to talk the knight down from trying to slay him. Xavier smirked wanting more than anything to remind the little man that he was simply a painting and couldn't do anything to him. Instead Xavier cleared his throat and bowed his head, then for the first time in eight years spoke in his real pureblooded English accent, "I assure you Sir I would never do anything to dishonour this fine young lady."

He turned back to Kit giving her a wink, she was the only person in all of Hogwarts that had ever heard his real voice, "Righ den, see ye at thee dance." He wasn't willing to insight anymore portrait wrath and besides he had some homework to finish before finishing his preparations for the dance that weekend. He took her hand and gently kissed her knuckles, "Till then."