Black Dresses and White Tuxedos ((Leo and Elaine))

[Bevin Banes G6]

[PG-13-ish for drinking and lewd comments. ]

Oh, the wondrous life of the in crowd. The parties, the food, the dresses, and tuxedos. Bevin loved it; she loved every minute of it. It was the life she had grown up in and the life she would never leave. She didn't know how she would be able to fair outside of this elite world, and she thanked God everyday that she wouldn't have to find out. Bevin sat at her vanity table, staring into the mirror as she tried to figure out what she should do with her hair. She normally wore it down, and that was why she was trying to change it. It never looked as good as she would like it to when it was up. With a slight sigh, Bevin ran her brush through her hair again and then started to pin it up on the right side in a comb, letting the left side fall free elegantly down her bare shoulder. She stood then and slipped her feet into her black velvet stiletto pumps, fanning her black dress around her so it fell beautifully against her lean body. She spritzed some perfume on her neck and then fixed her pearls before grabbing her silver clutch purse and leaving her bedroom. Tonight was the night of some charity or other's gala banquet, and Bevin, as always, had to go with her family to put off the appearance that everything was as "perfect" as it seemed. She hated nights like this for that fact. But she loved nights like this because they always had the best alcohol.

She descended the stairs like a princess in her own right, and looped her arm obediently through her father's; her mother stood on the other side of him. They apparated away and appeared in the waiting room for the charity banquet thing. Immediately, Bevin casually pulled her hand from her father's arm and smiled around at all the people who flooded them. There was a Mr. So-and-So and a Mrs. Something-Or-Other. Bevin smiled brightly, asked about the kids or the business, whichever applied, and then after about ten minutes of schmoozing up her parents' business partners and friends, she hurried away to the bar and ordered her favourite drink. She leaned against the bar as she sipped from the pink liquid that tasted kind of like bubblegum with a kick. Bevin watched as people chatted, danced, drank, and made business transactions at a charity event. She could never get over how everything contradicted everything in the world of the elite, the in, and the beautiful. Nothing was pure or great anymore. Everything was impure and tainted. Bevin smirked to herself as she raised her glass to her lips and sipped again. Her included. She was probably as impure as the blackest soul on Earth. She didn't mind it. She found being bad was far better than being good.

Bevin looked around toward the entrance to see who all was just arriving, and it was a good thing she did, too, because she caught sight of Leo Keane. Leo and Bevin had, in an odd way, been friends for many years; at least, from the moment they realized they were both part of a world that didn't allow just anyone in. Leo was the male version of Bevin, if not a little bit crueller. Bevin was catty and could definitely tear someone to shreds if she wanted to, she broke hearts, caused drama, etc. But Leo? Leo was master at stringing the girls he wanted along. Bevin could never do that. She honed in one guy and focused on him for sometime before making her move and crushing him to pieces. She knocked back the rest of her drink and then leaned against the bar in such a way that it made her back arch a little, her elbows on the top of the bar, her eyes still following Leo as he entered with his respective parent for the weekend. She tilted her head and waited for him to spot her, because he eventually would. Sure enough, he soon saw her and was making his way over to her in that Leo Keane way he did things. Bevin smiled at him in the way she always did; the "Keane you're so fooling yourself but somehow I always enjoy our witty banters" smile. She contemplated their friendship. They would argue, tear each other to shreds, and if they got drunk enough – make out a bit; but Bevin was good at making sure she didn't get too drunk.

"Well, well, Leo Keane, my favourite boy toy…" Bevin didn't bother to stand up straight as Leo neared her, she merely smiled up at him from her position of leaning against the bar and tilted her head at him again; "You get dragged into this place, too, sexy?" Her smile melted into a smirk as she nodded to the bartender. Her drink refilled and another drink, one of Leo's favourites, appeared beside her. She knocked back hers again and then waited patiently, or almost patiently, for Leo to respond. If he didn't respond quick enough, she would jump on the subject.

[Leo Keane G6]

Leo’s head was pounding hard within his skull as he woke up the next morning. All his clothes were spread in a messy trail from the door to his bed. He didn’t even remember coming home the night before. Groaning, Leo covered his hands with his face rubbing his temples gently as the pounding continued. It felt like someone was thrashing his skull with a hammer. Leo had thousands of hang over, but nothing as bed as this was. He usually didn’t drink to the point where he was puking up his own stomach. “Where are the towels?” a female voice spoke, the snow white door to his bathroom flying open revealing a brunette woman with crystal blue eyes. Leo rubbed his eyes, sitting up from his bed draining in the mystery girl. She looked to be in her early twenties but Leo couldn’t put his finger on why she was so familiar. “They should be hanging up…” he replied tiredly finally remembering who the mystery woman was. It was the girl he was flirting with last night in the club. Wow. How could he be so obvious and forget another score? Shrugging, Leo laid back down into his cushioned bed closing his eyes slowly. The sound of the shower was soothing the ache in his head, but it still throbbed. Oh well. At least he could stay in his bed all day. There wasn’t anything that he had to do that day. Well, Leo though he did until he heard that loud pitch of his cell phone ring. It kept on ringing, buzzing against the carpeted floor. “Aren’t you going to get that, Leo?” the woman shouted from the shower causing Leo to groan as he forced himself out of the warm bed. He shakily walked to the mirrored grabbing the end before reaching with he free hand toward the cell phone. Flipping the bottom open Leo stared down into the set schedule that flashed wildly. “Oh god!” he called quickly dropping the phone before heading into the bathroom. He only had thirty minutes to get ready before the charity event his father and him were invited too. Leo couldn’t talk himself out of this.

Thirty minutes later when the girl…Leo couldn’t quite figure out her name, but it wasn’t until then when she finally left. It wasn’t a loss to the Gryffindor. He thought of it as a gain for the woman. Smirking, Leo fixed his maroon and gold stripped tie until it hung just right around his neck. There were still some dark under his eyes, but it wasn’t noticeable in the light. Running his hands through his thick mess of brown hair, Leo took a step back staring at his reflection in the full mirror. He wore his favorite kaki trousers with a bright yellow, pressed dress shirt topped with a red jacket lined in black. It was a simple Leo look since his mind was too exhausted to think outside the box. At least he was wearing different colors and oddly it appeared flawless on the sixteen year old boy. After all, how else did you expect Leo to dress? He was part of the elite family which meant he was constantly being watched by someone. Why appear plain and average? Nodding at his reflection, Leo heard the familiar honk of the limo coming from outside. Grabbing his wallet, wand, and cell phone Leo descended down the stairs and into the opened door of the limo. Inside was his father talking on the phone while a much younger sat next to him? This was either Scott’s new ‘fling’ or maybe personal assisant. To Leo it was all the same. His father had never been in a steady relationship since his mother. That was where Leo got his playboy side. Growing up and watching his father go out with countless of other women. If one thing that Scott Keane taught his son besides how to charm girls was, the art of persuasion. It was the business side of Leo. He was to inherit his fathers business which brought in millions to both the wizarding and muggle world. It was the life of the rich and famous. The elites.

Once arriving at the party Scott Keane had finally hung up his cell phone. “Remember to talk to the Callaghan’s. They are soon to be business partners and they want to meet my son.” Leo wanted to roll his eyes but instead nodded slowly as he got out of the limo. Scott held out a hand for his date as the three strolled into the exquisite party area. Immediately his father headed off toward a group of men his age that he called his ‘friends’. Glancing around the room, Leo kept a watchful eye out for anyone he knew. He was highly hoping Rachel would be there, but he didn’t know if her mom would come. Probably but he didn’t see the brunette beauty. He hadn’t seen her since the day in the lounge where they almost kissed. Smirking at the memory, Leo’s brown eyes stopped on a familiar face of Bevin Banes. She and Leo were friends, if you counted arguing, and playing games with each other as a friendship, then they were best friends. Nodding toward her, he headed the direction of the bar stiffly sitting down in the stool next to her. She spoke in that cool tone she always gave him until drinks finally arrived in front of them. Taking his glass, Leo took a sip remembering the hang over he still felt rushing through his head. “Since I’m you ‘boy toy’ how is my babe doing on this early morning. Honestly, couldn’t charity events start any sooner?” Taking another long sip of his drink, Leo looked up from the counter into Bevin’s face. Turning around in the chair Leo gestured his arm toward his father which the blonde girl attached herself too. “He’s got a new girl this week. He insisted I some and does some of his business work for him. How about you? Want to be here Bevy?” Leo asked his brown eyes questioning her blue before taking another long sip of his drink. “I would expect you to be playing the field looking for your next game. Tell me, anybody interesting worth mentioning Bev-dear?”

[Bevin Banes G6]

"Aw. Does ickle Leo have a headache?" Bevin turned around and leaned against the bar on her side, reaching her hands over to massage his temples with a smirk. She had been hung over plenty of times to be able to notice the tell tale signs of a hangover. Complaining about the earliness of the event was probably a big sign. Bevin loved early charity events, the more time she had to flirt and drink. She let her hands fall again and reached over to pick up her drink, finishing it off again before answering Leo's question, "No, charity events couldn't start any later because then they'd have to share time with late night parties, and you and I both know that the late night parties are better than the charity events." She slid the tall martini glass back at the bartender and then in an instant it reappeared, this time a clear liquid with a lime on the side of the glass. She took the lime off and held it to her mouth, sucking on it before pulling it out and setting it on the bar top. Leo had turned around and motioned to his father who had a new girl on his arm for the week. Bevin sipped from her drink and listened to Leo explain his being there, when he turned back to her she smiled sardonically and set her glass down; "Oh, you know it. I just love charity events."

She disregarded the use of her nickname as she always did with Leo. He was the only person that she didn't yell at for using it, probably because she called him nicknames all the time. Their friendship was indeed a strange one, but Bevin did like it. She liked the fact that Leo was good at entertaining her, either by arguing with her or flirting. Bevin looked around for her parents and spotted them immediately, acting the picture of perfection; "I'm here to play the perfect daughter," she told Leo with a bright smile and a tilt of her head, "As always. Who better to play the perfect Banes daughter aside from me? I'm absolutely fabulous after all." Bevin licked her lips and sipped from her glass again as she slid onto the stool beside Leo, crossing her legs and resting her heeled foot on the ring underneath the stool. Her long black dress fell against her legs smoothly, tickling her skin a bit. She loved wearing evening gowns just for that feeling. Leo was speaking again and Bevin smirked at him, "Why, Leo Keane, you are my next game. I'm appalled that you would think I would go after anyone but you." She knocked back her drink again and set the glass back down on the bar. The alcohol was flowing through her, but it really didn't have an effect just yet. It would take a few more drinks that were stronger to get an effect coursing through Bevin's blood.

Bevin slid her fingertip along the rim of her glass, her eyes never leaving Leo's face until he looked over at her, "If you want an honest answer, I'm in a rather daring mood tonight. I would have gone after the Lumley boy, but he's not here right now and I'll probably be gone by the time he shows up. He's always the night owl, you know. At the New Year party last year, he didn't show up until after midnight. I was left without anyone to kiss." She pouted and fixed a strand of her hair before looking away again, scanning the dance floor. The music they had playing was some light tinkle music that really wasn’t as fun as she would have liked it to be. Charity events were dull in that way. Bevin sighed slightly and looked at Leo again, "So, there's no one here that's worthy enough for me to chase – aside from you, but you weren’t there to kiss me on New Year either." She smiled at him coyly and reached across him at the tray that held chocolate truffles. She put one in her mouth and shrugged as she chewed on it, thinking. The chase was always fun, playing a game of cat and mouse before getting anywhere with someone always made Bevin crave more. Sometimes, though, she was in a different mood. Tonight was one of those times.

"I say we play 'I choose, you choose.'" I choose, you choose was a game they hadn't played in forever, but one that they used to have a blast with. She would choose one girl for him to either kiss, make out with, have sex with, or do whatever else he felt the need for – what they did was up to him. The point was sometimes to either pick the ugliest girl she could possibly, or pick the hottest one and give him a challenge. He would choose one boy for her to do what she pleased with and so on and so forth until they were out of people. It was a nice game especially when they were bored. "Alright, let's see…who is your lucky girl for tonight? Let's start you off with something at least remotely easy." Bevin looked around the place, her blue eyes trying to find someone Leo would find remotely attractive. Off in the distance there was a pretty blonde girl who wore a pale pink floor length evening gown. She held a white clutch purse close to her chest, and she just had 'virgin at life' written all over her. Bevin smirked and nodded in her direction, "I choose her."

[Leo Keane G6]

Noise. Why was there so much? All the chatting and loud classical music wasn’t helping with the fact that Leo’s head was pounding into an olivine. Veins were probably going to be visible on his forehead soon at the rate the pain was inclining. Groaning as Bevin commented on his head ache, Leo closed his eyes slowly. “I want to take a hammer and smash my brains out,” he responded inaudibly, desperately wishing he could go someplace quiet. The bathroom….the car…back to the mansion…anywhere was better than being stuck at a lousy charity event. Bevin wouldn’t be the girl to go off alone with. They would probably end up where they always did: in bed, or a heated session on the couch. Smirking at the memories, Leo let out a long sigh as she felt the girl’s hands gently press into his temples. It was helping the head ache lower down to a dull pain. How much did he have to drink the night before? “I honestly don’t remember anything about last night,” he commented enjoying Bevin’s warm fingers pressing delicately into his head. “Woke up this morning with a woman in my shower…..” Smirking, Leo ran his hands over his wash, taking a deep breath. He could smell the scent of his soap from his skin. He wished he could remember his passion filled night, but couldn’t. What a bummer. “Most have done something. Just wish I could remember it.” Grinning over his shoulder at Bevin, Leo took hold of the crystal glass in front of him, bringing the alcohol to his lips. With how much Leo consumed, his liver was going to fail one of these days. He didn’t care though. How could such a wonderful drink be given up? It numbed him to the point of where he couldn’t feel anything. Though there were some who thought that Leo Keane couldn’t feel anything, but he did, he just didn’t wear it on his sleeves. His heart was darker than most others and if someone had a problem with Leo Keane he would most obviously didn’t care. Very few people were worth his times: Bevin, Tristan, and even Rachel. Leo had to catch up with his old friend. Tristan however was smitten completely by a Gryffindor fifth year. Pushing those thoughts to the back of his head, Leo rested his chin inside his palm, listening to Bevin speak. “You never miss a charity event, dear. Not with so many fresh new fishes that join our lifestyle. Tell me, who has you attention this week?” he asked deciding to ignore Bevin’s remark about enjoying early events. Leo couldn’t care. He would rather be at home sleeping off his hangover. That wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

The topic soon moved back onto their parents, Bevin’s blue eyes gazing off into the distance. Following her vision, Leo stopped upon the Bane’s who were talking to another couple. Leo knew them personally. After all, he and Bevin were close friends, plus his father enjoyed Bevin’s in a good game of golf. “That’s all they want us to be; perfect. They just don’t know about our secret party lives,” Leo commented tearing his eyes away from the married couple. It made him sick sometimes how couples faked their happiness. It was all a popularity contest in the world of the Elites. Only the strongest most equipped survived. “I don’t know any other back-stabbing, alcohol consuming Bevin than you,” Leo addressed grinning at his friend as he took another sip of his Scotch. “Your one of a kind.” Smirking in Bevin’s direction, Leo returned to finishing his drink, pushing it forward out of his way. Glancing up as the bar tender filled the glass back up Leo held the crystal gently in his palms. He could feel the burn flaring in his throat from the hard liquor. When Bevin sat in the stool next to Leo, he looked up from his cup, watching her legs cross gracefully. Bevin always knew what it took to get a man attention, and she most certainly always had Leo’s, but to a point. Leo didn’t sink into her charm like all the others did. He somehow liked to think he could handle Bevin Bane….and he could. He let out a small chuckle at her comment swishing the liquid around in his cup. “Really? I never knew there was a game going on between us to start.” With a small nod, Leo picked the glass up from the counter holding it to his lips. “Glad to know my charm works on the fabulous Bevin Banes. So many boys would be jealous. Now tell me, what attracts you most about me?” he asked with a small movement of his head before taking a long gulp of the scotch. He stared at the couples dancing for a while, before returning his full, un-devoted attention back on the Gryffindor next to him. She was talking about that Lumley boy. Leo knew him, but not personally. The kid couldn’t keep up with Leo’s wild streak. “You like that kid? Honestly Bevin…you could do better,” Leo began setting his glass down on the black counter before staring into the girl’s eyes. “He wouldn’t be able to keep up with you…but if your only looking for a one week, or night thing, and then do whatever you please. That kid is too soft for my own liking.” The boys that Bevin chased after were ridiculous sometimes. She even went for old men who could be put in jail for such a thing. Plus, there were too many to possibly keep track of. Leo couldn’t help but chuckle at Bevin’s pouting face as she said she didn’t see him on New Years. “I was at my mother’s party…though I have to say…I did kiss a lot of girls that night.”

There game was on. Leo turned around in his chair, his brown eyes taking in the girl that Bevin picked out for him. What would he do? Leo was always up for another wonderful night. She did have that whole deflower me vibe to her. Smirking at the idea, Leo stood up from his spot looking over at Bevin, “Watch my drink.” With that, Leo made his way over toward the girl his hand resting softly across her back. “You seem dazed,” he whispered in her ear feeling her jump from his touch. Leo took a step back, a small smile slipping across his face. It was the smile he gave every girl when he wanted them to trust him. “I was just waiting for my friend….” She spoke looking around the room quickly before staring into Leo’s eyes. He shrugged, leaning against the wall next to him comfortably. “Well, it looks like she isn’t coming anytime soon. What is you name? You do look familiar.” The girl turned her full attention on Leo, her blue eyes staring into his softly. “Sarah…my parents invited your mom and you to our annual Easter party.” Leo scrunched up his face in thought, trying to remember anything about that day. Nothing. Oh well. He didn’t need that information for this game. “I don’t understand why your friend has showed up yet,” he whispered closely in her ear his lips brushing across her cheek smoothly. Sarah was speechless; her eyes gazed into his as if she were in a trance. He loved that reaction from women. Brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, Leo waited as she took a couple steps closer to him. Sarah was finally sucking into his charm. Leo just grinned as he leaned in closer toward the girl, their lips meeting softly. He pulled back barely, the tips of his fingers wistfully brushing across her cheek. “If they don’t show up, you know where to find me.” With that, Leo turned on his heel heading in the direction of the bar, taking a seat back next to Bevin. “She’ll come to me by tonight. They always do,” he spoke glancing around the room for Bevin’s victim. His eyes stopped, landing upon a red hair boy who was sitting alone in a chair. Leo hadn’t seen the boy ever, but it seemed like a perfect experiment for Bevin. “Him…the red head….he looks like he could use some company.”

[Bevin Banes G6]

"Aw, Baby," Bevin cooed softly as she rubbed Leo's temples, trying to ease the headache away slowly with her touch, "I would suggest we go someplace quieter, but we both know how that turns out…" she smirked at him, "Though it's not a terribly bad idea." Her blue eyes lit up with amusement as she continued to massage his temples slowly and listen to him talk about his night. She hadn't had a wild night the night before, because she remembered the charity event, but she felt Leo's pain somewhat. She had gone to plenty of charities with a hangover that would kill a person. After a moment, Bevin let her hands drop and she smirked back at him when he said he wished he could remember what had happened. It was the life of a partier. Remember what you can, because it must have been mind blowing, and if you forget it…well, it couldn't have been that worthwhile. She didn't mention this to Leo, though, she just took another sip of her drink and finished it before ordering a cosmopolitan. The fruity drink was always a delight. Bevin smiled over at Leo shamelessly and cocked her head to the side, "Why, Leo Keane…you make me sound like a huntress, and I'm far from. The boys come to me, not the other way around." A laugh tumbled from her lips and she drank from her cosmo again before shrugging and looking around.

She followed Leo's gaze to her parents and she felt her stomach do a sickening churn at the sight of them faking their happiness together. She was half tempted to throw her cosmo on them and call them out on their lies, but that would be a good waste of a drink and she knew she would pay for it later. Instead, she raised the glass to her lips and sipped as her eyes never left the smiling face of her mother. The smile didn't reach her eyes, though. It only reached her mouth, and even then it didn't warm her face. Bevin found herself, foolishly, wondering if her Latin lover in Beliz made her whole body smile the way Bevin's did whenever she was around… she pulled herself out of her thoughts and looked over at Leo when he spoke. She nodded morosely at his comment about all them wanting is perfection and then she down the rest of her cosmo and ordered something stronger. She wondered if Leo could see her sorrow as she drank, he probably could. She didn't drink this much this fast unless she was thoroughly upset. Seeing as they had grown up together, it was probably rather noticeable to him. Bevin offered him a smile when he commented on her drinking, taking it as a compliment, "Thanks." She was far from perfect, and she was glad someone saw it.

"Oh, there's a game, Baby," Bevin replied with a smirk, "You pretend not to want me, I pretend not to want you – but at the same time… we know we want each other, and we end up in the same place we always do. It's a fun game, don't you think?" She smirked more and then looked away into the dance floor, drinking from her glass of Jack Daniels. Her relationship with Leo was more like a friends with benefits, but it wasn't because they cared about each other as close friends. She knew that if she, God forbid, had any need for a comforting shoulder to cry on – he would be there… of course, with a bottle of Vodka and some sarcastic and lewd comments. But he would be there. And then he would have the healing touch and she'd feel better. Bevin didn't like feeling weak, though, and so she rarely let anyone see when she was upset. If she cried, she cried alone. Not only did it make her weak, it ruined the perfect happy family image her parents were constantly trying to keep up. She pulled herself back to the conversation and smirked over at Leo, "Hm. You're incredibly sexy, does that count?" Her smirk deepened and then melted into a nice smile before she took another drink. She wouldn't stroke Leo's ego anymore.

Bevin arched an eyebrow at Leo when he spoke bad against the Lumley boy, "Leo, when have you ever known me to have any interest longer than a week or a night? Of course, he'd only been needed for a night. If I wanted something longer lasting, I'd focus all my energy on you." She brushed her hand over his knee slightly and then turned and looked around at the charity event. Bevin didn't do long relationships, she did one night stands and weekly flings. Bevin didn't open her heart to anyone. It was a good way to get it smashed. New Years was brought up and Bevin looked over at Leo with slight agitation, "Why wasn't I invited to your party? I was stuck at some charity event. And then we could have kissed. Promise you, I'm a better kisser than any 14 year old." She pushed her hair over her shoulder and slowly let her agitation seep away. She didn't want to have the evening turn into a downward spiral because of her attitude. She was having a nice time. Especially with the alcohol pumping its way through her veins. She nodded when Leo told her to watch his drink, bringing it to her lips instead, and watched him work his magic.

He could make any girl swoon, she knew this. It was always amusing to watch. He talked to the girl, causing her to grow flustered, and then he kissed her. Then he was heading back over. Bevin arched her eyebrow at him, waiting for him to explain and he did by saying she would come to him by the end of the night. Bevin nodded again and looked around for her target. Finally, Leo pointed a guy out and Bevin looked him over. He could use a lot more than some company. He could use a good lay. She sighed a moment, sent Leo a glare, and then stood gracefully from her seat. As she circled over to where the boy stood, she thought about what she could do; and then with a quick flick of her ankle, she caused the sling back of her Manolo Blahnik to come undone over her heel, making it difficult to walk. Right when she was in the line of vision of him, she fell gracefully, and grabbed onto his arm, an exclamation of 'oh!' leaving her parted lips. "Damn, I'm so sorry! These shoes are ridiculous. Beauty is pain, though, what can I say? Can you hold my hand a moment? Thanks." Bevin smiled at him flirtatiously and then lifted her leg in front of her gently, letting her black dress rise up on her thigh as she slipped the slingback over her heel. She then set her foot back on the ground and gave the boy's hand a squeeze, "Thanks again. Hey, do I know you?" She didn't.

"Erm, no, I don't think so. I'm Kevin," Bevin smiled brightly and shrugged, "Oh, well, that's a shame. I'd like to get to know you. I tell you what…" Bevin looked over her shoulder at Leo briefly before turning Kevin so he couldn't see where Leo sat, "My boyfriend's over there at the bar, but he's going to be so smashed tonight I'm not going to be able to get anything from him. How about, as…an um… reward for saving me from breaking my neck – you show up at my penthouse tonight at 3? It's number 42 in the East building." Her eyes glittered, and her smile warmed, and after a brief moment the boy nodded. Bevin smiled even more, "Great… I'll see you then." Then with a flip of her hair she sauntered back over to Leo and sat down on the stool, "He'll be at my penthouse tonight… of course, I won't be there." Bevin smirked and took a sip of her drink, looking for Leo's next toy. She spotted a pretty little brunette walking in, she looked like she didn't belong. Bevin recognized her from school. A Ravenclaw in the year below. "Her." Bevin nodded toward her, "She looks like she could use a nice warm welcome from Leo. Why don't you give her one?"