9:00 PM

Standing off to the side was not typical for Jordyn.  She wasn’t the sort to be the dark, rainy-cloud over the head girl at something as fabulous as a ball put on by Spellpunk, but there was no real reason to be celebratory tonight.  Jordyn was alone. On Valetine’s Day.  It was like the worst crime to the attractive teenager!  She was in a veritable prison of singledom, lumped together with the nerds and geeks with buckteeth and frizzy hair that could never get dates and here she was, as alone as they were! It was a travesty, and for that, Jordyn had (secretly) volunteered to don her Prefect badge for the evening and supervise. 

Now, what she had told other people was a completely different story.  She had complained and whined about having to be the watch guard, but really, there was something sickeningly satisfying about sending little electric sparks to the couples that were dancing just a smidge too close to one another.  Jordyn was enjoying herself and certainly didn’t mind it.  She continued to pretend to be miserable though (well, half-pretending, she really was miserable), and crossed her arms over her chest, residual red sparks dimming from the last little sparks she sent.

She smiled in their direction, the kind of smile that when you read between the lines is really telling you to bugger off, and Jordyn sighed.  Really?  This was like the ultimate joke.  At least she was appropriating her feelings with her outfit, all black with little hints of red.  She had her mum send it (something she found and thought Jordyn would like) and she was right.  The black dress was supremely appropriate, and Jordyn paired it with accessories she already had for a fabulously anti-Valentine’s Valentine’s outfit. 

Licking her red lips, Jordyn sighed, at least she got a necklace out of this – even if it was probably super cheap and rub against her skin or something.  She tucked it into her bodice – ditching the candy, didn’t need any of that nonsense.  Walking a few steps to the left, Jordyn’s heels clicked against the floor of the tent, glad that the grass wasn’t under the heels of her shoes.  She saw a couple that looked like they were getting a little too cozy under the dim lights and Jordyn held her wand hand out, squinting her eyes to see what was really going on. 

 Naturally, she was right, and she zinged the pair.  Their hands immediately released the other person – she couldn’t exactly see where one pair had come from (unnerving) and Jordyn smirked to herself.  A bubble of a laugh escaped her and she shook her head.  Really, they shouldn’t have accepted her offer to do this, she was having far too much fun making other people miserable.  It almost made her forget about how she was feeling.  She twisted her wrist again, just for good measure, the little yelp almost audible over the music.  Thankfully, she could see the girl’s face and it was just… sublime. 

He'd had a difficult time deciding what to wear for the ball. Callum had a set of red dress robes- but he found them awfully garish and too... tacky for such an event. No reason to wear holiday colors, especially if it only made him look like a fool. So Callum had decided on something much less obnoxious, and featuring Slytherin colors. He paired it when a fancy pocket watch he had received from his father for Christmas, as well as a nice cane.

Callum had come with Imogen- it was only proper to do so, considering that he was technically engaged to her. Besides, it had made her happy that he had made his entrance with her. Though he was currently taking some time for himself. He had told Imogen beforehand that they needed to spend some time apart to enjoy it with friends- and she had seemed rather understanding- likely because she was glad he wasn't going to ignore her the entire time. Callum had even danced with her a few times already- just to ensure her satisfaction.

He had been in search of Maeve- unsure whether she was in attendance or not- when he spotted Jordyn. He watched as she flicked her wand at a couple, and he grinned. It was funny, to be sure, even if he would have throttled her had she done the same thing to he and Maeve.

"That's not very nice, is it?" Callum asked from behind her. "Nothing wrong with having a little fun. They're not hurting anyone." On the contrary they were probably far from hurting one another. They were probably making each other feel quite nice- in one way or another. A way he likely wouldn't mind spending his evening after he satisfied his societal obligations of socialization and wooing his betrothed.

Jordyn was relishing in her latest victory when she heard a smooth voice from behind her.  Jumping a little, Jordyn turned her head, her last puff of air escaping her chest as she did.  Golly Godric.  She felt her heart jump a little in her chest. He looked… fine.  The cut of that coat was very flattering and Jordyn could appreciate a good sight when she saw one.  Naturally though, the irony of him telling her she wasn’t being very nice was far more distracting than the snug tailcoat. 

Clearing her throat, Jordyn resumed her smiling and shook her head.  “No, but it is against the rules for the evening,” Jordyn pointed out, and reaching up to adjust her badge, “And – well, duty stops for no one.”  She gave a half-hearted laugh, shrugging her shoulders a bit, and flipped her long, slightly curled hair over her shoulder, glancing back at the couple that was still reeling from the electric shocks.  Maybe they thought every time they touched one another that happened.  They weren’t exactly wrong. 

Twirling her wand in her fingers, Jordyn sighed.  “Besides, I have to do something to keep myself busy.”  She looked him over again, her brown eyes doing the once over.  He certainly knew how to dress himself when he wanted to.  “I see you’ve pulled out all the stops tonight,” she commented with barely any sarcasm in her voice, something to behold for Jordyn, who seldom said anything to anyone she wasn’t close friends with in a tone anything less than horrific. 

But, Callum hadn’t been so bad recently.  He was cleaning up his act a little anyway, from what Jordyn could see.  So, maybe he was something close to friendly with her, as friendly as they were probably ever going to get, which was a step up from growling at each other like a pair of wild nifflers over a gold piece.  “Is Imogen suitably impressed?  Or too concerned about having to leave her stuffed animals at home from the party?”

Valentines Day Ball, an event that was the talk of Hogwarts for many weeks. Gossip was spreading like wildfire about who was going with who or what kind of dress each girl was  wearing. This was indeed important, to anyone who had nothing better to do but talk. Gavin on the other hand was a bit, well depressed. For one thing he was dateless. Nicola was in France with his sister, no doubt discussing Hogwarts affairs. Without a date Gavin was sure he was not going to go. What was the point? Not going to the ball would not make him seem like a social outcast like many girls had hinted to him ever since they heard Nicola was off, probably trying to get him to ask them. When would people start taking his relationship seriously? But in the end he decided to go.

Stepping into the comforting warmth that welcomed him into the ball, Gavin let out a sigh to himself. He hated the cold and he vowed to himself one day that he was going to move someplace warm and peaceful. He quickly dried his soaking wet shoes and walked farther into the ball. Many students seemed to be standing around, a bit shy of dancing. Gavin nodded to a few people that he was acquainted with and settled himself alone in a booth.

It would be a lot easier if his best friend was around but then again he was gone from Hogwarts. If only Gavin could do the same without looking like a complete moron in many eyes and with his sister as Headmistress it was impossible to do something that wouldn't give people the chance to give her a headache. School to Gavin seemed pointless. He did not really try in his classes and he most certainly had no idea what he wanted to do so what was the point? But it was in fact his last year in this dreaded place and he decided to attend the very last of the school events.

He spotted from the corner of his eye Jordyn Dimbleby who seemed to be having too much fun tormenting young couples in love. He quietly walked up behind her and a boy who Gavin never met before. "Hello Jordyn." said Gavin as he poked her on the shoulder. "Having fun embarrassing students?" He couldn't really blame her for not wanting to watch students having tongue wars with each other. No one wanted to see that.

He turned to the boy and stretched out his hand. "Gavin Snark, I don't believe we met before."

Callum figured that Jordyn was simply jealous that there weren't any good looking men pawing at her- but he knew better than to point something like that out. It would result in himself getting hexed or her docking points. Though Callum doubted that Jordyn would really take points from her own house, any woman who was personally insulted could be entirely unpredictable- something he had learned.

So the Slytherin decided not to comment when she mentioned that duty stopped for no one. Were he a prefect he'd ignore most of the couples, but he wasn't. (And it didn't seem likely to Callum that he ever would be.) He did not, however, miss the compliment, and his ego visibly swelled as he realized it. His head definitely deflated when she brought up Imogen though, and he countered with an indifferent, lazy shrug. "She seemed to be, but then again, what third year wouldn't be?" he asked. Any proper pureblood girl would die to be on his arm this evening- especially one as young as Imogen was. "She's satisfied it seems, if she wasn't we would all be hearing about it." And she would be following him around, too.

Speaking of- he took a quick glance, to make sure she wasn't watching him. Callum didn't want her to get jealous for no reason. He had no interest in Jordyn. Though he could appreciate that she wasn't bad looking, she wasn't pure- so it would never happen.

His attention was split, however, with the approach of a seventh year. One who had the audacity to treat Callum as though he was nameless. Callum might have been two years younger, but they did share the same dungeon, and he was on the quidditch team- and even more recently he had become quidditch captain. So no, Callum Knight was not nameless, and his ego was definitely bruised at the insinuation that he was. He looked at the hand, but did not take it, instead he busied his hands with adjusting his outfit for the evening. "Good evening," he greeted- not offering his own name in return.

Jordyn understood that Imogen was young and could be ridiculous.  Thirteen year olds tended to be that way.  They were starting to understand just how important knowing the right people was and what it could do for them.  She figured Imogen, as a pureblood, must have been raised in that environment, and being betrothed to someone like Callum, well, that had to have its perks.  She couldn’t imagine that Imogen was going to enjoy any of them - she never really thought those arranged sorts of things had much love in them, but through that, Jordyn imagined that at some point, Callum would make someone sit pretty for a while - most likely not inside that marriage.

She could have been wrong, but she wasn’t sure she was.  She read the books (okay they were teenage romance novels, but really, they were books!) about torrid affairs and loveless marriages with wild and passionate romances outside of it.  There was something to it, she thought, if so many plots revolved around such a thing, she could see Callum being one of those main characters - though he had a lot more flaws than the men in the books.

Everyone had more flaws than the people in the books, well, unless they were the villains, and then they usually had more good traits than them too.  It was hard to really figure out, where people stood, and right now, Jordyn felt like she could tip the scale either way.  “At least there are no complaints,” Jordyn pointed out, looking back over the crowd. 

Her breath hitched in her throat as she saw who was heading toward them.  Gavin Snark.  Jordyn had always been enamored with him, but he was with that tosser, Nicola Hames - robbing the cradle and dating a boy younger than her while she worked at Hogwarts.  There had to be some rule against it!  Too bad the rule log was disgustingly large for Hogwarts.  She’d graduate by the time she found it! 

But that wasn’t important right now.  What was important that her heart was already beating against her ribcage and she almost whimpered before she realized how absolutely pathetic she would look and straightened up, too prideful to let it visibly bother her. 

She tilted her chin upward, sidled a sideways glance at the handsome young man - not wanting to admit just how good he looked either - why was it that all of the beautiful boys at Hogwarts were all taken?  Wasn’t Jordyn good enough?  Why couldn’t she have the things she wanted?  Huffing internally, the young woman made another glance over - so painful!  “Gavin,” she greeted coolly.  “I’m just following protocol,” she explained with a slight smile, though it stopped dead in its track when he addressed Callum.  She had a flashback to a book scene with a duel - that’d be fun!  Though highly unlikely.  She blinked.

Really?  Seriously?  “Gavin, did you get hit upside the head?”  Callum was rightly snubbing and Jordyn shook her head.  “This is Callum Knight, the quidditch captain.  I would expect you to know that.”  She examined him to see any sign of recognition.  Perhaps being involved with the dreary looking assistant girl was taking a toll on his understanding of house politics and the people one should and should not know.  Really, he was slipping.  Perhaps she shouldn’t feel so bad.

But, the way he looked and the dapper attitude - she couldn’t help but bite the inside of her cheek.  Better to do that and bleed a little than show any outward sign of her conflict.  “Decided to show up alone?” she asked, throwing a dart at the clearly sore spot - since he seemed to have so many issues with other girls and whatnot because little Hames was away.  But, unlike the famous mouse, Gavin was not playing.  “I’m surprised.  Fighting temptation was never really your… strong point.” 

Gavin's right side of his mouth twitched as he attempted not to laugh. Of course he didn't know who the boy was standing next to him. Sure he saw him from a distance just like any other person at Hogwarts and even though he saw him in the common room it did not mean he knew his name and therefore he thought maybe the boy did not know his. Gavin didn't consider himself popular, he didn't really associate himself with other people and he did not talk about himself. So, why should the boy know him? He never spoke to him. "Er, truly sorry I don't know your name," which was a lie, Gavin didn't really care but he thought it would be polite and calm the boy down for he did look a bit distressed. He also was bad with names but pointing that out would probably not soften his attitude.

"I did hear that a boy named Callum was named captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team but you must understand I never attend games, I don't care for the sport and the only way I know you is from my cousin who absolutely adores it. " Well really his Uncle but he didn't want to confuse him even more. Jordyn made him seem like a fool, which was normal. She always had something negative to say to Gavin and ever since he started going out with Nicola she became ten times worse. He did want to pretend he did not have a clue why this was but he was not blind and knew that Jordyn had always had a thing for him but who could blame her? Who didn't have a crush on Gavin Snark at one point?

"Have no idea what you mean, there is not temptation here. I wasn't sure if I was going to go or not but I thought I might as well do something instead of studying for a change." Gavin said with a soft chuckle. He scratched his head and looked around his environment. He did not really feel comfortable being here anymore. Why did Jordyn always make him feel so awkward? Every conversation turned out to be the same thing, she always questioned his loyalty. And though he loved Nicola with all of his heart, he could not deny that there had one time been something between Jordyn and himself but it faded quickly. Being with Jordyn would not be the best relationship. They were a bit alike and dating someone like himself would not go so well.

"So tell me Callum," said Gavin trying to get the boy to join in on the conversation. He didn't want to steal his spotlight. "How do you like the dance so far?" he said trying to make small talk.

Callum visibly (if not literally) preened when she said there were no complaints. "Naturally not," he told her. "I treat Imogen with the utmost respect- though perhaps not in the way she'd wish. She's a bit young, and just because we are betrothed I have no intentions to take advantage. Besides- she's just a child, and I've no use for children in my life." Callum offered her a devilish grin then- "Good thing you're a lady then, isn't it Jordyn?"

But naturally Gavin was going to ruin his little bit of private fun with Jordyn...

He shrugged whenever Jordyn seemed offended that Gavin did not know of him. "No matter," Callum said to them both. "I'm just unaccustomed to unimportant people not knowing who I am. They're always looking for somebody else's coattails to grab onto." He followed his jab with a polite smile, and pointed across the way to a new couple which had come strolling out.

"Best to do your job then, Miss Dimbleby," he told her. "I really ought to go find Maeve. I should hate to offend her by spending my evening with other ladies. Imogen at least is excusable- given she is my betrothed and she could be an equal."

And- even though Callum did like Jordyn now, he was offended by the whole situation, even more offended that she seemed to be... well, looking at Gavin differently than she did him. "You, on the other hand," he trailed off with a slight shrug. "Well, not everyone is lucky enough to be born pure, are they? Pity, you really could be good people if that wasn't in your way."

With a nod of his head- entirely ignoring the offensive other boy- Callum excused himself from the conversation in the hopes of locating Maeve- or, if worse came to worse, entertaining Imogen for a little while. Putting in some good face time with her friends would be a great way to butter her up some more, and buy him more leeway (making her less likely to owl home to daddy every time something he did made her angry.)


((out))

Callum almost made Jordyn blush with his devilish sort of grin.  He was the type that could charm a dragon, but Jordyn knew it was just talk.  She was a half-blood (damned technicality thanks to her parents) and he was not only betrothed but also involved with Maeve.  The last person on his radar would be Jordyn, except for perhaps a passing flirt and homework help.  They could help one another, of course, he was much better with a wand than she was (under pressure) and she had an excellent memory, but whatever the case, Jordyn smiled mysteriously.  “We are both lucky on that account, I believe.” 

Naturally though, as soon as Gavin had to ruin everything, it was no longer about Jordyn enjoying herself.  Apparently because he was alone, he had to make sure that she was alone too - even if being not-alone was a momentary condition with no hope or agenda of becoming anything more than that.  She had just been having fun.  It was no longer fun though. 

Jordyn did not like it when the attention shifted off of her.  She was supposed to be the one getting all the attention here!  She was the girl and that’s what they were supposed to do - but it seemed once Gavin came over and rubbed Callum the wrong way he was acting like a snot-rag to both of them - particularly her. 

Affronted to some extent, that she did not know what she had done to deserve his contempt to such a level - granted, he was a misogynist and purist, but she thought they had at least achieved some semblance of an understanding.  Any trace of a smile that had been on her lips disappeared and she bit the inside of her cheek just to stop from cursing at one them.  She wasn’t sure who was worse, the one who was purposely coming to embarrass her or the one who was too prideful to be seen talking nicely to her.  She supposed the second could not be helped, she knew how he was, and sighed softly - trying to exhale her frustration with that puff of air. 

Impossible.  She was still frustrated and flushed from mortification as Callum demeaned her again.  Was this some sort of show?  Of all things to do on Valentine’s Day he could have just walked off without insulting her like that.  “I suppose I will see you later, Knight,” she said with practically clenched jaw, not wanting to betray her anguish at the whole situation, especially being left alone with Gavin.

She took in a deep breath and looked at him, feeling a distinct pang in her chest.  “Ah,” she responded to his declaration there was no temptation here, already deflated from having been thoroughly cut down at the knees by Callum and his foolish pride.  Now that he was gone, Jordyn felt she could address his answer to her question.  “Well, I suppose I am glad you came out to distract yourself from your studies.  Doing well, I’m sure?” she only half-asked, she already knew the answer, of course he was doing well.  He was Gavin Snark and he had to do well, lest he embarrass the family and the girlfriend’s family.  Damn her. 

Jordyn felt foolish for ever having ever entertained a thought of Gavin Snark.  She should have been smarter than that, and now that he basically ruined her night, she fiddled with her wand to distract herself a bit.  “Having fun laughing at the awkwardly newly in love and the miserably alone?  I couldn’t imagine why else you would come - maybe the library would be more fun this evening.”  She sent a zap toward the snogging couple again, just for good measure.  She was feeling fairly terribly - it was nice to impart that feeling onto someone else. 

Why is it that Gavin always offended people? He could say two words and the world could end by his hand. Maybe it was his bluntness. He spoke the truth and nothing but the truth -- most of the time. He was raised that way, it was in his nature. If someone bothered him he would immediately say something. One of things Gavin was not was fake, unlike many people. Callum was probably used to games and sly talk and if the boy wanted to leave then by all means leave. Gavin was though disappointed with Jordyn, if she kept these kind of people as company then what did that tell him about her, that she was sallow? Hopefully not. Gavin just shook his head, kept his mouth shut,  and let the boy pass. He wasn't going to stop Callum if he wanted to leave.  What a disrespectful child.

"Being away from schoolwork is always a plus and if it wasn't for Callum I would've probably enjoyed myself a bit. And Jordyn," Gavin said with a pause. He had the notion that he had offended her. "You know your a temptation, to every guy who attends this school." Which was true, he wasn't just trying to make her feel better. She was beautiful and any guy would be lucky to be with her but Gavin didn't want her. She wasn't a temptation because he had found someone already who he loved deeply. But no one could deny that she was good looking.

Jordyn and Nicola had always had problems since he went out with her, even probably before. Jordyn always had something offensive and well it bothered Gavin a bit and because of that he had dropped Jordyn from his life practically. It wasn't like he was going behind Nicola's back but it was nice to have a decent conversation with the girl when Nicola was not the subject. Clearly her hatred was showing through different ways.

After Jordyn's jab to the side he rolled his eyes. "Why are you so emotional Jordyn, this is not like you. I was trying to have a conversation with a few peers for you can see that I am clearly alone but of course you think I must be anything but human. I did not mean to offend your friend. If he thinks he is a big shot then let him be one but I for one did not know him. I said what, eight words to the boy and he already was jumping down my throat?" Gavin raised his arms in frustration. Tonight was just not his night. He shook his head slowly. This was a bad idea. If he thought Jordyn and him had anything of a conversation anymore he was mistaken.

Jordyn had to roll her eyes.  Flattery wasn’t going to work tonight.  Even if she wasn’t really mad at Gavin, more just mad at her situation and lacked the emotional maturity to deal with it in a way that would be productive.  But, whatever he was pulling, she wasn’t going to buy it.  She was not a temptation.  Jordyn Dimbleby was intimidating and she was fierce, but she wasn’t tempting.  Little boys did not find something so dangerous tempting, and if they played with fire, well, general rule of thumb was they got burned.  At least someone got burned. 

Amusingly enough, Jordyn always seemed to be the one dressing her own wounds - or curling up with Fergie to whine about what was bothering her.  To be truthful, the only two real boyfriends she had weren’t even boyfriends at all!  Yea, Jordyn liked to flirt and she certainly had dalliances, but they were never on the level of real - and Devlin had used her to get to Blake, which wouldn’t have been so bad, she liked kissing him - that part was really fun - and he had been really decent, but it didn’t mean anything.  It was all contrived, and even with Julian, who she didn’t even want to kiss because of what he did, almost messing up her friendship with Neely, but those were the only too official ones she had. 

Made a girl feel pretty badly about herself, she reasoned, and Gavin standing there telling her she was some sort of temptation tour de force, well, that was just mean.  He probably thought he was being charming or whatever though, and Jordyn sighed.  “Guess so,” she answered blandly, unsure how to really respond to the comment.  What was she supposed to do?  Thank him whole heartedly and then remember that he had some mannish girlfriend that kept him from really meaning anything nice he said? Yup, that wasn’t happening.  She wasn’t a fool and didn’t want to be treated like one, even if it meant a fantasy for even five minutes.

Entertaining those ideas made girls miserable, she didn’t want to be miserable. Of course, that plan was backfiring.  She should have skipped out rather than endure this sort of thing.  “I don’t care about Callum,” Jordyn pointed out bluntly, wondering if he really thought that was the issue.  Sure, she was unhappy, but she had been unhappy before either of them showed up - and then when she had some semblance of happiness, yes, it was because the attention was removed from her, but honestly, she wasn’t mad about him.  She was mad about what day it was and what she was doing and the fact that she was alone. 

She huffed a little and tucked her wand under her arm.  “For your information, I hate Valentine’s Day. So, you can rest assured it is nothing either you or Callum have done..”  Just the whole thing, really.  It messed with her brain and made her upset and angry without anyone to really blame it on.  There was also the whole matter that home was getting pretty stressful, the money situation was tight, and things were getting even more difficult.  She wouldn’t admit the whole thing to him, that wasn’t his problem and he didn’t need to know.  Not the type of conversation one had a dance like this anyway. 

Deciding that she had to find something else to talk about, Jordyn sighed a little.  “Stop by any of the club booths?”

Dilly had run an errand to Hogsmeade that afternoon, for Madame Nagde. She was given a little extra to buy sweets from Honeydukes...but when it came time to spend the money something drew her into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes instead. 

As she walked into the joke shop, she remembered that there was going to be a Valentine dance that night. Now Dilly was no more enthused about hearts and flowers than any other nine-year old, but she did think  it might be fun if she could somehow manage to crash the party and laugh at all the lovebirds.

As if reading her mind, a disembodied voice called to her from the shadows in the darkest corner. "Hey kid!"

Dilly turned to see who was addressing her, and saw what looked like the tiniest...and ugliest...House Elf she had ever seen.

He grinned at her, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "You look to be a likely lass," he said with a conspiratorial grin. "How'd you like to go to that dance tonight?"

She sighed."I'm only nine going on ten. I'd never get past the door."

The elf belched, breathing enough fire-whiskey in Dilly's face to almost get her drunk on the fumes alone.

He held up a glass bottle. “A little of this would take care of that…”

Dilly eyed the bottle suspiciously. “What is it?”

“Polyjuice potion. It’ll make you look just like me. I’m supposed to be serving tonight, but I can’t stand watching all those kids making sheep’s eyes at each other. But if you was to take over for me…I could spend the night relaxing…and finish off  this bottle.”

It was much larger than the other, and said Ogden’s on the label.  "And,” he added, showing her another bottle, rose-colored and smaller than the Polyjuice one. "I’ll even throw this in, for the fun of it.You just toss it in the punch, then sit back and watch the fireworks…”
 
“It’s tempting,” Dilly allowed. “But you don’t know the lady I live with. If she ever found out I was up to something like this…”

The Elf snorted. “She has to sleep sometime. You just wait, and sneak out after she goes to bed.”

“What’s in that pink bottle? It won’t hurt anyone, will it?”

“Oh no,” the Elf assured her. “It will just make them do what they wanted to, all along.”

Dilly wasn’t so sure she believed that…but it sounded fun to go to the dance in disguise, and watch the big kids make fools of themselves. And…she was curious about the pink bottle.

So…she went back to her room in the Hospital Hut, locked the door, and downed the Polyjuice. It tasted disgusting, but it worked. Once she was sure Mme. Nagde was in bed, and either reading or asleep,she did everything else the Elf had told her.

Right up to hiding under the refreshments table and emptying the pink bottle into the punch.

She did wonder what Amortensia meant…