Just A Quick Spin ((Dana))

[Vincent Crabbe Jr.]

He wasn’t entirely sure what had brought him here. It wasn’t exactly as though his choice of friends was one that would lead him here. Rather perhaps he was enticed to get away from everything for a moment. His brains, or rather excuse of them, sometimes made it hard to get along in his own house where the cunning dwelt. But recently he’d realised he was going to have to move on from the life he’d had now for seven years now. And he didn’t know how he was going to deal with that. It took long enough to get used to one place. There didn’t seem much alternative for him than the path of the Dark Lord. His father had lost most public respect already, and besides, the only thing Vincent was good at really was bullying and destruction. Besides, there was nowhere else he was going to see Draco grovelling nowadays.

And here was Vincent descending on the Beltane party, for now not hell-bent on bullying food out of younger students. His stomach wasn’t grumbling at him right now, and so he wasn’t shoving his way through the rest of the people mingling outside. Vincent was sporting black trousers and a black jacket, a white shirt, which he’d left un-tucked, and a black tie with silver markings which looked a little to his mind like upside down Vs. It wasn’t anything he’d spent time deliberating over. Making sure he looked presentable was usually left up to servants and house elves so he wasn’t particularly good at sorting that out himself. Now that he was here he stopped and stared around him a little stupidly. New situations took a bit of getting used to, and he wasn’t particularly sure of his orientation. But music was playing and suddenly he caught sight of a girl who had bothered him briefly at the Halloween Ball. That had probably been the most entertaining part of his evening though, since the rest of it had been spent in dull solitude. Mostly eating. Which while it was good - in fact one of the most important things possible - was an everyday occurrence.

Vincent would have hesitated since generally he needed to consider things carefully to get them right, despicable as hesitation was for a Slytherin, but on this occasion he strode right up to the Ravenclaw and held out an iris to her. He didn’t smile since that only tended to happen genuinely when he saw food, and half painfully when Draco made a joke and expected a snigger, but made an odd sort of half-smile and said simply (capable of nothing more eloquent), “You still owe me a dance since we were interrupted last time.”

((Have a problem with how likely he is to do this? Fine. Take it up with me.))

[dana]

((Out of character behavior? How do you think old bloodlines carry on? Vince would have to socialize with pureblooded girls one way or an other so why not socialize with Dana until then as there aren't overly many other female purebloods around Vince's age around. Besides Dana might have connections that might help Vince find a respectable wife one day as he might end up in an arranged marriage one day.
You're greatest by the way *huggles*))


Dana glanced at the one of the bonfire she passed on her way towards the snack tables. She was a bit thirsty so hopefully there would be some cranberry juice on the tables placed out here just for this purpose. Dana wasn’t dressed overly warmly, but she had been moving around constantly and the bonfires did give some warmth so she wasn’t cold. But moving also meant that she got thirsty. Much to her disappointment there wasn’t any cranberry juice on the tables though. The regular pumpkin juice – that Dana personally found disgusting – was present, but didn’t want that. Opting for mineral water instead Dana found as she sipped the drink that maybe it was better this way. Water would help get rid of her thirst most effectively and quickly.

Throwing her head back Dana finished her water and leaving the empty cup on the side of the table turned only to see Crabbe coming to her. Dana had entered the Great Hall with him during Halloween and she had to admit that the few moments had aroused her curiousity. Crabbe was considered a bully and someone with nothing between his eyes, yet… if he didn’t have a proper brain, how could he follow Malfoy around as he had at least done. Now that Dana thought of it he hadn’t seen the Slytherin trio – Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle – around and together for quite some time. Some trouble in paradise or what? Dana blinked for a moment looking at the iris pushed under her nose. Was a pretty flower though despite the rather surprising way it was presented to Dana from a rather unexpected person.

“Thank you,” Dana replied with a smile crossing her features as she accepted the tender bloom and raised it to her nose for a moment before attaching it to the flower to the strings at the front of her top. Pulling out an other flower from where she had secured them earlier Dana presented the flower to Vince before attaching it to the buttonhole of his white shirt with a smile displayed on her features as she did so: “Exchanging flowers on Beltane is supposed to bring good luck. While I wouldn’t take it for full truth – ancient celtic druids did die out after all – who knows? Maybe some wish should go with the gift as well? Be safe or something like that, but I honestly don’t know that much.”

Dana was a bit surprised as Crabbe smiled at her. Wasn’t he usually described as a mountain troll without about the same brain capacity? It was just one more proof to the fact that people shouldn’t be judged by their appearance. Besides while the smile didn’t make Vince look exactly handsome, it did make him seem more welcoming. Besides who knew what Vince was going to do in the future if given a fair chance? Though Dana did suspect very tight connections with Death Eaters but that thought was not for here nor now. Stepping next to Vince Dana slipped her right hand in the crook of his elbow rather easily: “It would be my pleasure to dance with the handsome gentleman. Especially as I do owe you a dance, Vince. Have you looked around the celebration already? What do you think of Beltane? I find it rather fun and amusing I must admit. Then again I have always enjoyed occasions that allow me to dress up. I’m vain-vain-vain. But at least that’s the privilege of girls, I suppose.” Dana didn’t know Vince to be very outspoken so she chattered on a little herself to keep the conversation up and going while she glanced calmly up at the older Slytherin wondering what might be going on in his head, but knowing better than to ask and better than to just guess randomly. Too many chances to get things wrong that way.

[Vincent Crabbe Jr.]

((*huggle* As always, you're wonderful at cheering me up/ reassuring me.))

Vincent looked down at the splash of colour Dana had just attached to the front of his shirt and regarded it passively for a moment before looking back at the Ravenclaw who had managed to carry on talking the entire time. Wow, she was actually multitasking. Talking was one of the things he had to stop and think about, and trying to do that at the same time as something else would usually mess up the words that came out. So he tended to opt for gormless stares most of the time. He looked at her in admiration for such a remarkable display of intelligence and led her towards the circle surrounded by bonfires where couples were dancing. He rather liked the music being played at the moment but he didn't rush her there. That wouldn't be polite and Vincent and haste didn't make an elegant combination anyway.

"There are plenty of vain men as well," he commented shortly, his mind going straight to Draco. Was it possible to find anyone who thought any the more of himself? His already rather small eyes narrowed momentarily and he fell silent again until they had nearly reached the centre of the circle. The other people tended to fall away to make room for wherever he was going. He took up quite a lot of room, and he wasn't well liked. "I haven't been at the celebration long, no." he said as he led her into position. He didn't start straight away because he had something extra to say and if he was going to be dancing that would need all his concentration. "But Beltane is good. As you said, the girls can all dress up. Helps make the scene a little more attractive." His face remained entirely serious as he said this but he took hold of Dana's hand and waist and started to dance with her slowly. His actions might not be the most graceful but he was determined not to step on any feet.

[dana]

Dana responded to Vince’s gaze with a calm smile. Even if she wasn’t that calm inside at her. Dana was a bit wary, a bit amused, a bit confused. Wary because Vince was a Slytherin and as such should never be underestimated. Then again she hadn’t expected Vince to approach her like this though true, Dana had taken the first step at Halloween.. Thinking of that and Vince’s rather suiting outfit pulled a small grin onto Dana’s face as she contended with the silence between them. Fitting her pace with Vince’s with ease Dana placed her other hand also on Vince’s arm letting him lead her. At least for now. Dana had been raised properly and in the pureblooded society – the man lead not only on the dance-floor but while walking to the dance-floor as well. A bit archaic at times, yet it could be made to work for your benefit if you knew how to manipulate these ancient rules. That was part of why half-bloods and muggle-borns who married into the status or received promotions form the Ministry to get to that society never seemed to manage to cope with it overly well. They didn’t have the instinctive understanding of such political and social games that all purebloods had been surrounded with since birth.

“Vain men. You make a very good point, but at the same time a man should take care of his looks too up to one point. Then again there are things forgiven to a vain woman, but the vanity-carried actions of a vain man are not so easily over-looked,” Dana responded with a tilt of her head having to look a bit higher to see Vince’s face. Or at the present case his jaw-line. Dana wasn’t a short girl, yet she knew that even if she wore heels Vince was still taller than her. Wider too most certainly, though that was besides the point. Dana arched an eye-brow for a moment at Vince’s words. He had just reached the celebration and he had came to her. Curious really and whether or not it had been intended Dana found herself valuing Vince in her mind. And it made her realize who little about him she did actually know.

Stepping closer gracefully and already raising to her tiptoes to fit Vince’s height easier - not to mention the fact that dancing on your tiptoes makes turning and twirling easier while making legs look nicer – Dana let Vince take hold of her fingers and laid her other hand on Vince’s shoulder lightly. Hopefully she would still be able to feel her toes as Dana wasn’t certain how good or bad of a dancer Vince was. Then again he had surely been taught dancing as a child so maybe it would be a wholly enjoyable experience. “I’ll take it as a compliment. Both you seeking me out and for the attractive comment,” Dana replied with a small smile as she waited for Vince to start moving, “And not only the girls dress up. It’s always such a pleasure to see a male wearing nicely tailored suits or robes and a fitting tie. A sight that almost always manages to charm a smile out of me, especially as things have been quite stressing lately. Even more so for you I presume. Pardon me for being curious, but may I ask what are you planning on doing after graduation? Travel the world to both see and experience life, go to politics, start your own business? The world could always use some classy restaurant that actually serves good food for example.” Dana smiled following Vince’s moves while looking at his eyes calmly as Dana moved along with the dance that wasn’t overly quickly-paced.

[Vincent Crabbe Jr.]

Vincent just raised his eyebrows enigmatically as she talked about vain men. He himself did try to look presentable, difficult as it was to be in any way 'handsome'. His father had never been particularly favoured as far as looks went and Vincent took after him in many ways. At first he hadn't added any verbal communication, but now as something he could say had occurred to him, he did have something to contribute. "It's more often called arrogance in men," he said, meeting her eyes as she danced with him. He didn't often meet other people's eyes, because he shielded his thoughts from the world other than those he wanted to express as many Slytherins did. His eyes were sometimes cold and brutal, but he couldn't always stop them from conveying what he was feeling. Today as on many days they were fairly benevolent - they'd only change if someone provoked him. So he wasn't going to stare anyone else down too much today.

You weren't supposed to stare your partner down at any rate. He didn't have much intention of talking too much whilst dancing. Coordination wasn't something that came particularly easily to Vincent, although of course he'd practised dancing enough that he was a tolerable partner. He was leading fairly dominantly at the moment without allowing Dana much freedom but he loosened his control to give her the opportunity to do whatever she would as he replied to her question.
"Politics, I suspect. You forge your own reputation. And I wouldn't have to work too hard at being feared and hated." Many politicians were feared and hated, but especially the type Vincent had been thinking of when he said that. Where else was there for him to go though? He didn't say anything more, however Dana might interpret his words. The song was coming to an end anyway and it was time for him to move on. Vincent twirled Dana away from him and performed a funny little half bow before leading her off to the side of the dance floor as the next song started. "Thank you," he said, giving her hand a small pat as he released it and moved off into the general crowd without a backward glance.