Magic ((Adam))

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

((Don't worry about replying to this unless you have time to, I just want to get it up.))

The sun was shining and for once, Dixie was enjoying it. Her days had been in the dark in the past and it was only recently that she had become at least a ltitle bit happy. Why she was so happy, Dixie wasn't too sure. She did, however, feel that Adam had a large part in her sudden happiness. People who knew her, watched her with uneasiness. Was she about to blow a hysterical fit? It was only a matter of time before she had a complete meltdown. Dixie smiled to herself as she weaved through the crowd of people in Hogsmeade. She was confident that she wouldn't break down. Since that day by the lake with Adam, Dixie hadn't had problems with her mentality. She had shoved everything out of her mind that had to deal with Kurr or Derreck at the moment, all that was on her mind was a cup of hot chocolate and buying a gift for Adam. What would she do if he didn't like his gift? Dixie shrugged it off and pushed the door open to enter the coffee and tea shop.

Dixie welcomed the warmth and wonderous smell of the shop. She shook her brown hair, letting the snow fall off. After she unwrapped her black scarf from around her neck, she sat down. She loved the winter even if it was cold. The sun still shone and that made Dixie shine as well. Ordering a hot chocolate, Dixie pulled out a piece of parchment and a pen. She liked the feeling of writing on parchment with a ballpoint pen. As her hot chocolate appeared in front of her, Dixie made a list of things she needed to get for people. Money was no object. Electric guitar- Mack, Pearl earrings; necklace; and bracelet- Mum, Gold watch- Hank, Limited Edition World Books- Trevor. Dixie's pen lingered over what to write next. She took a sip of her hot chocolate, which burned her tongue. What could she get Adam? Dixie only bought presents for those closest to her. Adam was probably the only person who really understood her. What she got him had to be magnificent.

She finished off her hot chocolate, payed, and left the shop. A particular shop with glass figurines in the window caught her attention. Wrapping her scarf around her neck again, Dixie made her way to the shop. When she entered, a musty but light aroma of lilac and lillies filled her nostrils. The shop was tiny, but rather cluttered. There were shelves filled with figurines everywhere. The only light was a glowing blue chandelier that floated around the room so only certain parts of the room were illuminated at one time. It added a certain eerie feeling to the shop. Dixie shuddered as she slid toward a shelf. The figurines on it were beautiful and entranced her. She lifted her hand and touched a ballerina figurine. The ballerina rose and started to dnace. As she danced a soft but melodic voice filled the air. The voice sang a familiar song and Dixie placed it as 'Dancer' by Xandria. Once the tune was finished, the ballerina stopped dancing. Dixie smiled and wasa bout to touch another figurine when a voice made her jump, "That's my favourite one. I keep waiting for someone to stop by and make another that might replace this one, but no one has. Perhaps you will, yes?"

Standing beside Dixie was a woman who looked to be about 30 years old. She had unnaturally blue hair and sparkling emerald eyes. Her height was about 5'3" and she didn't look like she weighed much. She was a very odd looking woman, but Dixie felt a sense of comfort from her. Dixie turned her attention to the figurine which was perfectly poised in the same position she had been in before she had begun to dance. "Someone made this?" She askedin slight awe. THe lady grinned, "No, I made the figurine, she sang, and her voice was forever captured in the crystal." Dixie raised an eeybrow. "Am I able to make one of these?" The lady nodded and then motioned for Dixie to follow her to a small room in the back. The room had a couch, a table, and two glasses of water. Dixie sat and watched as the lady waved her wand. The water floated out of one glass and began to weave. As it began to form, Dixie gasped. It was taking shape of a girl standing against a tree wtih her hair blowing int he wind. As the crystal continued to form into movements, Dixie began to sing; "You found hope, you found faith, foudn how fast they could take it away." Now there was another figure, in the shape of a boy and Dixie felt she needed to continue to sing, "Found true love, lost your heart, now you don't know who you are." She finished the song, wondering why she had felt compelled to sing that one. The figurine was finished and Dixie touched it. She thought it was wonderful. She payed for the figurine and then left teh shop with the bag in hand. There was a spell over it so it couldn't break. Dixie smiled as she thought abuot his present, but how would he feel about it?

[Professor Adam Greene]

His head tense, Adam stopped amid all the confusion that surrounded him in the busy village. Hogsmeade at this time of year was a headache, that was for sure. Everywhere he went, the crowd of last-minute shoppers huddled around the shelves that slowly emptied of items. Adam vowed that next year he wouldn't wait until the last week before Christmas. He would have all his gifts bought and wrapped before December came.

Running his one hand through his hair, he went through his mental checklist once again. Mom and dad, check. He had bought them the latest magical luggage. It was supposed to be ideal for holding a ton of things while only consuming a small amount of space. It was the perfect gift for them since they were traveling so much. Rolling his eyes at the thought, Adam went back to his checklist. Sierra, check. For her, it was a set of stationary that he thought fit her well. Plus, he figured it might help her with the new goal she had of doing better in classes. Grandparents, check. Aunts and uncles, check. Most of these other gifts were simple. If he had trouble deciding, he knew that he couldn't go wrong with candy. That was most of the reason that his heaviest bag was the one from Honeydukes. Going back to his checklist, Adam concluded that this only left one gift to buy- Dixie's.

He had left this one for last, not because he had forgot, but because he was having a hard time thinking of something to buy. At first, he even wondered if he should get her something. Would she be buying him something? Did she expect him to get her anything? Finally, he decided that he shouldn't be worrying about these things, and set forth that he would get her something because he wanted to, regardless of whether she bought him anything or expected a gift at all. She really was the first person outside of his family that he would willingly call a friend- even if he had no clue what to buy her.

Stopping amid all the commotion, Adam scanned the shops around him. No, no, no, he thought as he saw each one. How could he find something when he had no clue where to even begin. Whatever he bought had to be just right- something that just had 'Dixie' written all over it. Plus, he kind of wanted it to mean something; sort of a reminder of their friendship. Finally, he spotted a small store at the corner of one of the buildings. It was the tiniest of the stores, but the name caught his eye: 'Remember This?' With a look of intrigue, Adam strode over to the store, avoiding the frantic shoppers on his way.

When he opened the door, he entered a very small room that was cluttered with every sort of knick-knack possible. There were picture frames, figurines, and so many things that he wouldn't have even been able to identify. Nobody else was there except for a short little man who sat behind the counter and stared at Adam. He was silent though, and Adam simply looked around, occasionally peering up to see the man's beady eyes following his every move.

About fifteen minutes passed by, and Adam had yet to find anything that piqued his interest. But just then, when he was about to give up, he saw the thing that he knew right then would be the perfect gift for Dixie. Sitting on a table of boxes of many sizes, colors, and shapes, was a black crystal jewelery box. It appeared to have been hand-carved. The lid was ornate with tiny gemstones that were sapphire and emerald. The blue and green specs added a vivid color to the black background. The best part of all though, was what was on the very center of the box. Lined in gold plating, two words stood out against the dark exterior of the box: 'Trust Me'

Adam stood in awe, thinking how ironic it was that he found this very box. He couldn't pass up the chance to buy it, no matter what the cost. Carefully, he picked it up and took it to the counter where the strange little man accepted his money and then wrapped the box in paper and placed it in a box. Smiling from ear to ear, Adam left the store and went back into the crowded streets where the people didn't seem to bother him anymore. His headache was gone, and he set off happily down the street.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

The song was now stuck in Dixie's head. She frowned as she rubbed her temples and tried to get it out. Of course, that didn't work. None of the things Dixie did ever worked. She should be used to it by now, but she wasn't. A breeze blew by and blew her scarf off from around her neck. It wasn't wrapped too tightly, so it wasn't too shocking to see it go. Dixie chased after it, calling out to the passersby, "Watch out for my scarf!" Of course, no one caught it and handed it to her. People! Dixie gripped the bag harder as she weaved through the busy people in the village. Finally it stopped, wrapping itself around someones leg. She reached down and plucked it up, wrapping it around her neck again, "Just love how everyone is too damn busy to catch a simple scarf." She muttered to herself.

Dixie was about to turn around when she thought perhaps she should thank the person for being a block for her scarf. She sighed and looked up. Her eyes widened and then a smirk settled across her face, "I was going to thank you for stopping my scarf, but since it's you, I don't know if I should." There in front of her stood Adam. Her smirk slipped into a grin and she shifted the bag so she was holding it behind her. She glimpsed at the bags in his hands and grinned wider, "Have you been shopping?" She shifted so she was standing beside him and then nodded toward the Three Broomsticks.

"Let's grab lunch, shopping always makes me hungry. Come on..." She pulled on his arm with her free hand and led him through the crowd. They reached the Three Broomsticks and Dixie nearly lunged for an empty table, beating an old witch to it. She pulled Adam beside her and then placed the bag underneath her chair so he wouldnt be able to get to his gift. "So, late Christmas shopping?"

[Professor Adam Greene]

Adam was still thinking about the jewelery box, and he didn't even notice the stray scarf that found it's way wrapped around his leg- at least not until it tangled itself around his feet and almost caused him to trip. Looking down, he was about to pick it up when its owner seized it from around his ankle and then looked up. Adam opened his mouth to speak, but instead, he laughed. How was it that even the wind seemed to bring Dixie to him? Smiling back at the familiar face, Adam helped her to her feet.

"Indeed I have been shopping, as it appears you were too," he said, raising his eyebrows as Dixie tried to be casual with hiding her bags behind her back. Adam knew that avoiding asking what was in her bags would mean she'd have to avoid asking about his. That was, if she decided to play fair. With Dixie, you never knew.

Adam made no objection when Dixie suggested lunch, and he followed her to the Three Broomsticks where he grinned as she cleverly snatched the last available table. Settling down beside her, Adam took of his winter coat and draped it over his chair. Then, he helped Dixie out of hers, and then handed her a menu while looking at one himself. "Too late, I'm afraid," he said in response to Dixie's question. "I've already decided that next year I have it all done before December even rolls around. "What about you?" he asked with a grin. "Any good buys?" He tiptoed around the topic of gifts, knowing full well that she probably suspected it.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie smiled brightly as she looked over the menu he had given her. She knew what she wanted. It was the same thing she always got whenever she came to the Three Broomsticks. Well, who knew? She might be in the mood for something different. Nah. She set the menu aside and folded her hands over each other as she looked at Adam from across the table. "I like shopping late... it gives me a thrill somehow. I don't know, the rush maybe?" She smiled slightly and then traced the shapes on the table, the lines which wound around and around. Dixie liked shopping period, so it probably didn't matter how late she did it for gifts. She peered down at her presents and grinned dimly at the thought of the figurine. She thought it was pretty neat, but would Adam?

After Adam had asked if she had any good buys, a witch appeared beside them looking quite frazzled. Dixie ordered a salad and a butterbeer. Waiting for Adam to finsih ordering, Dixie smiled and continued to trace the pattern. Once he was done, she shrugged in response to his question; "I've only bought one gift so far. The others I can get at a muggle store and probably for less money, as well. Well, maybe except for Mack's gift, that's going to be expensive regardless of where I get it." Dixie smiled softly and then tapped the table once with her right forefinger before asking, "And you? Or have you yet to start on your shopping and were on your way when my scarf so lovingly wrapped itself around your leg?"

[Professor Adam Greene]

"The thrill?" he questioned with a wary eye. Laughing, he shook his head at the thought. Nothing about fighting crowds and waiting in line forever was thrilling to Adam, but he wasn't much of a shopper anyways. After hearing Dixie order, Adam looked at the witch who was waiting on their table. "I'll have the same," he decided, "but I'd also like a bowl of your broccoli-cheese soup as well." Handing his menu over, he smiled back at Dixie. "If you haven't had their soup before, I insist you try some of mine when it comes."

With the crowd, Adam figured it would be a while until they saw their food, however salads and drinks were usually the first to be delivered. Maybe they wouldn't have to wait very long if they were lucky. His attention back to Dixie, Adam listened as she told of the gifts she still had to buy. He felt bad that Dix had only bought one gift so far, but she didn't seem to mind. "Actually," he began, "I had just picked up the last of my gifts just before I conveniently ran into you... or should I say your scarf." He smiled at Dixie, glad to have coincidentally found her today.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Adam pondered when he might even get to give Dixie her gift. Maybe now would be the best time. Odds are, now that it was break, he wouldn't see her again until the holidays were over, unless he made arrangements. "You know," he said, interrupting the silence, "it just so happens that one of these gifts actually belongs to you." He paused waiting to see her reaction. He still wasn't sure if she had bought him anything or if she expected anything from him in the first place. "When do you suppose I could give it to you?" Adam was open for anything. He just hoped that Dixie would like what he had got her. Before she answered, the witch had brought back two butterbeers and salads. Adam figured he would have to wait for his soup.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

“Yes, love, the thrill.” She replied with a grin on her face. Adam then ordered his food and afterward told her if she hadn’t tried the broccoli and cheese soup that she would have to try his. Dixie shrugged, “I can’t say I’ve tried it, but I can’t say I will either. Broccoli and cheese, together? Hmm…. I can’t tell you how tempting that sounds.” Dixie smirked. She hadn’t tried the soup and she didn’t know if she really wanted to all that much. Trying something new always scared her. Then again it was just soup. Dixie really didn’t have much to be afraid of.

Adam said he had just picked up the last of his gifts and Dixie smiled, “Lucky you, do you want to finish mine for me?” She rolled her eyes slowly and kicked the bag even farther underneath her chair. She didn’t kick it too hard, though, afraid that the charm might have worn off. “Actually, Mack’s gift will be easy to find. Just go to a muggle music shop. Hmm… that means I have to step into muggle Manchester.. oh how exotic.” She sighed and leaned her head on her hand, her eyes fixed on Adam. Their food arrived and Dixie sat up. “Oh, food. Great.”

She picked up the fork and started to eat when Adam said that one of the gifts belonged to her. Raising her eyebrow, Dixie smiled, “Really? Y-you got me something? I wasn’t expecting anything, Adam.” She speared a piece of lettuce and put it in her mouth. She really hadn’t expected anything from him. Sure, she had gotten him something, but she could give without receiving. “Well, I’ve been meaning to ask. My parents are going to this huge party and I have to go, as does Mack, and well… want to come? It’s this really stupid thing but I don’t want to have to go alone. We could even exchange gifts then, considering I got you something as well.”

[Professor Adam Greene]

Adam smirked. If Dixie had got him to try her chai-tea, she would have to trust him with the soup and try it for herself. "I'm afraid I'll have to pass on that," Adam replied in his most sarcastic disappointed voice. "You, my dear, can finish all your shopping on your own," he said, eyebrows raised. He couldn't help but grin then when she told him how she would have to buy Mack's gift from a muggle store.

Between bites of his salad, Adam listened to Dixie talk about Christmas plans. A party? he thought, intrigued by the idea. Even if Dixie admitted that one of the reasons she was inviting him was to escape the boredom. Adam took it as a compliment. Apparently Dixie enjoyed his company, although he would have assumed this anyways.

"That sounds like a great idea," he began, and then tried his best to put on his best look of disappointment. "But I'm afraid I have plans already." He only lasted a few seconds before his smile widened and he couldn't stop himself from grinning. "I'm just joking," he admitted. "I'd be delighted to join you, and your gift will be anxiously waiting to be opened." When he finished talking, the witch rushed back over to their table and plopped his bowl of soup in front of him, spilling a bit over the edge of the bowl. She left without a word, and Adam just shook his head before spooning some of the hot liquid and holding it over the bowl. "Here, you've got to at least try it," he insisted, eying Dixie with a look that young children often gave when they wanted their way.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie puouted slightly, "Fine, then, be that way. I don't need you anyway. I am fully capable of shopping for things on my own..." She nodded and then twisted her face into a slight frown. "I really don't want to finish this shopping, perhaps I'll get Lolli to do it. Of course, sending a house elf into a muggle shop wouldn't be intelligent. All right, I'll guess I'll finish it up, however, you get to do all the wrapping." Dixie smiled innocently and took a sip of her butterbeer. She wouldn't make him do anything, she just liked teasing him. Why she liked to tease him, she wasn't too sure. Although, she figured it wasn't too bad because it wasn't throwing her into a hysterical fit. Anything that didn't throw her into a hysterical fit was okay in Dixie's book. Spearing a tomato with her fork, Dixie dipped it into the cup of ranch and then put it into her mouth while there as a silence between them.

She smiled a bright smile, after swallowing the tomato, when Adam said it sounded great. That bright smile dimmed considerably, though, when he said he already had plans. "Oh... well that's... o-" But before she could say anything more, Adam broke into a smile saying he was only joking. Dixie raised an eyebrow, "Haha, very funny, Adam. I think I shall break a rib with how hard I'm laughing." Sending him a small glare, she took another sip of her butterbeer. The witch then brought over Adam's soup, not bothering to apologize for spilling it. Dixie rolled her eyes, making a mental note not to tip. Adam then spooned some of the soup, claiming she at least had to try it, and then gave her a look that Dixie had used when she was younger to get what she wanted sooner.

"Alright, fine," She crumbled and looked for her spoon. Seeing none, she shrugged and reached across and took his. Making sure not to spill the soup, she brought it to her mouth and sipped at it. After all the liquid was gone from the spoon, she held it while pretending to critique the taste. "Well, it could use a bit more salt, but all in all it isn't too bad." Dixie smiled, knowing Adam would translate that into her liking it. She handed his spoon back to him and then picked up her fork once more. Before putting a piece of lettuce in her mouth, though, she figured she should tell him about the plans for the party. "This party, since you could clear your busy schedule to attend, is very formal. I have to wear this dress that I designed and.. Mack has to wear a dress. Hank's wearing a tux, it should be very impressive. Dinner is expected before the party, and I'm certain Mum would want to meet you before allowing you to arrive with us. So, whether or not you want to, dinner is mandatory."

[Professor Adam Greene]

It was amusing to see Dixie pout, as Adam was quite certain she was only playing. Plus, he figured that by her teasing him in return, she didn't mind his joking. Then, however, she seemed a bit more agitated when he admitted to joking about going with her to the party. Her glare made it hard to tell if she was really made or just upset that he had fooled her.

She couldn't have been too mad though, as she agreed to tasting his soup and then proceeded to offer her opinion. He smiled when she said that it wasn't too bad, emphasizing the word 'too'. When she handed him back his spoon, he took a bite himself. He scrunched his face and thought that it could have been a little hotter. Lukewarm soup was not something he cared much for. Still, he ate a bit more of it as Dixie then told him more about the party.

It sounded as if the party was going to be quite formal. Adam didn't mind though. "I don't think that should be a problem," he replied when Dixie explained that he would be expected to wear a tuxedo and also eat dinner with her family before the party. The initial thought of it did make his stomach churn, but he was also happy to at least be able to meet the rest of her family aside from just meeting Mackenzie. "Anything is worth an evening with a beautiful girl in a beautiful dress," he added, finishing his soup and downing the rest of his butterbeer. Then, their waitress came past again. This time, she left their bill and walked off without speaking, just as before. "Not very hospitable," Adam muttered as he glared toward the counter which the witch disappeared behind. The service overall had not been very good, but Adam at least had enjoyed the time with Dixie.

Digging in his pocket, Adam pulled out enough money to cover their bill. He left only the exact amount though, and nothing more. Figuring Dixie was done with her meal as well, he put on his jacket. "Ready to go?" he questioned. He wasn't quite sure where they would go. He didn't have any other plans, but he wasn't sure if Dixie had any or not.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie smiled, satisfied, as Adam said it wouldn't be a problem. Good. If it had been, they could completely skip the party and stay at the manor, though that meant manning the phones and making sure everything was all right with Trevor.. something Dixie wasn't too sure she wanted to do. That was Mackenzie's territory, not Dixie. Recently Mack had stuck to Trevor like a mussle on a boat dock. She didn't know why her younger sister had taken a sudden interest in their step brother when only months before she couldn't stand the sight of the boy. Whatever the reason, it gave Mack something to do and Dixie something to be free of. She finished off her salad and was about to bring her butterbeer to her lips to get the disgusting after taste of ranch dressing from her mouth, when Adam said anything was worth spending an evening with a beautiful girl in a beautiful dress.

Another smile graced her lips and she nodded, "I'll tell Mack you can't wait to see her dress, then. It really is rather pretty, even though she doesn't like it. That girl doesn't like anything unless it has studs or some weird band name on it." She rolled her eyes to the table as if to roll her eyes at Mack. She finally took her last drink of butterbeer as the waitress came by and dropped the check on the table. She nodded in agreement with Adam at him saying she wasn't very hospitable, but her mind was elsewhere. Though Dixie was still on Earth, her mind centered around the gift that was in her bag. She suddenly felt nauseous, not sure if Adam would like it.. perhaps it was too much of a girly gift. Perhaps he didn't like to stare at pretty things and such. Dixie bit her bottom lip and tried to shake the thoughts from her head. When she returned to the table, Adam was setting down the money. She stood and slipped her jacket on, grabbed the gift she had and nodded when Adam asked if she was ready.

She eyed him a moment and then sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I want to show you something, but I'm not wearing the right shoes for it." As she said that, she looked down at her boots and shook her head. "Oh, well." She said as she took out her wand and flicked it. Her shoes transfigured into a pair of tennis shoes. Granted, she had shrunk an inch or so because the heel was two or so inches shorter, but Dixie figured it would be better for what she had in mind. She also pulled her long brown hair up into a pony tail. Once she was done, Dixie reached out, grabbed Adam's hand and left the Three Broomsticks. She didn't speak until they were near the shrieking shack, which was looking even more worse for wear. Staring at it a moment, Dixie smirked; "Mack got trapped inside that once you know, with Jack. The thing collapsed on them." She shook her head and then turned to the tree at the top of the hill, the one she had almost fallen out of.

Tugging Adam in the direction of the tree, Dixie spoke with a small smile. "You know Kris Graas? He was here until last year or so, then he left. I don't remember why, but he just did.. poof. Mack and him were really close, she thought of him as an older brother. I didn't know him nearly as much as she did and probably never will." They reached the top of the hill and Dixie dropped Adam's hand to rub hers together and then leap up and grab the branch. She hung there a moment and then swung back and forth, her legs wrapped around the next branch and she hung upside down before pulling herself up. She climbed higher and higher until she was only a little ways up, so as not to be too far from the ground and Adam. She situated herself in the tree so her back was leaning against the trunk and then looked down at him, "I got stuck up here once, and Kris helped me down. I've gotten better at climbing since, but I haven't had the time to come up here. It's pretty. Come on."

[Professor Adam Greene]

Adam looked at Dixie, then away, and quickly back to her again after her comment about Mack. He was confused, and surely his face indicated that. "I... didn't mean Mack," he said slowly, wondering if Dixie was just trying to dish out a little of his own joking nature, but part of him didn't quite think that she was joking. After she mentioned nothing more about it, he just shrugged it off, figuring that if she was joking, then she knew that it was a compliment directed toward her. And if she wasn't joking, well then, he would just have to take another moment later to try again. It was odd though, and he couldn't help but think if she really knew he was complimenting her, and if she did, why she had said what she did.

Adam pushed those thoughts out of his head though when Dixie said that she wanted to show him something. Adam was learning to expect anything with Dixie, and so he just smiled and let her do her thing. In moments, she had transfigured her shoes and put up her hair. Then, she led him quickly through the village until they were standing at a placed that overlooked the Shrieking Shack- a place that Adam had heard many stories about but never experienced any of the adventure of it for himself. The shack, however, did not seem to be in Dixie's plan. She did mention about Mack and Jack getting trapped there once, but then turned her attention to a nearby tree and led Adam there before explaining more.

Dixie went on about a student Adam remembered pretty well, Kris Grass. She then surprised him, but all the sudden jumping onto a branch of the tree, and swinging her way up until she climbed part way to the top. At first, Adam watched in shock, but then smiled. No matter how much he expected with Dixie, she always proved that there was more to her that he had yet to discover. "You better climb fast," he shouted up to her with a laugh. "Once I catch you, you'll be sorry!" Adam leaped onto the first branch and proceeded to scale the tree. He was laughing as he tried to catch up to Dixie, who ended up being a lot better climber than he'd have guessed.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie smirked down at Adam as he began to climb the tree, then her gaze went to the sky. It was empty except for some birds every now and then. She looked down at the village, at the smoke curling from the chimneys, and at the people passing by with bags and scowling faces. Christmas always made people so grumpy. She sighed and leaned her head back, her eyes moving to watch Adam continuing to climb. Once he was getting close, Dixie grinned wickedly and stood on the branch, reached up and grabbed the next one. She continued to climb and climb until she was at the very top and her head was sticking out, or at least it would have been if there had been leaves on the tree. She waited a moment and then looked down just as Adam reached the top. "Adam Greene, I do believe you have some monkey genes in you." Dixie teased before looking back at the village below. There were some cottages further out where people lived, and the closer you got to the shops, the smaller the yards seemed to get.

There was a silence between them and Dixie looked down at her hands, "I was teasing back there, you know." She paused and looked back up at Adam, shrugging with a small smile on her face. "I knew you didn't mean Mack. Though, I wouldn't be so surprised if you had. She seems to be getting more compliments than me lately and I think it has to do with the fact that she's successful with her music and... well.. not crazy." Dixie didn't know why she had twisted his compliment around like that. In fact, she should have smiled and thanked him or done soemthing of the sort. Not make it seem like she was petty and all she cared about was competing with her sister. Yet, sometimes, that's all it was. That's all she felt. Sometimes she didn't know how to feel anything else. That was another part of Dixie she would have to learn about at another time. Right now, wasn't the time.

A smile brightened her face and she tightened her grip on the tree branch considerably, "Did you know I am terribly afraid of heights? Yet, when I climb this particular tree, I'm never afraid. Any other tree, yes, I would be screaming and possibly crying. But this one... not so much. I don't know why. Perhaps I because I almost fell from it, I know what to expect. Though, I doubt Kris will be my knight in shining armour next time. The ground will, I'm sure." She looked down at the drop below them. It was pretty high, but she didn't feel that familiar tug at her stomach. She was content with how high up she was. There was another long silence and Dixie broke it with a small sigh as she turned and sat down on one of the sturdier branches. "So, besides the party, what are you plans for Christmas?"

[Professor Adam Greene]

"Monkey genes?" he questioned, pretending as if he were offended by the comment. His smile indicated otherwise. By this time, he had reached the same height as Dixie, mainly because there wasn't much higher they could climb. Any higher and the branches would likely not support their weight. Adam took a moment to view the scene for himself as he saw Dixie glancing at the village below. Adam had never observed it from this point of view. It looked very different, almost as if he were a world away from the busy crowd.

When Dixie went on to mention Adam's compliment, he hung his head. He could tell that it must have made her uncomfortable earlier, as she admitted that she really knew he wasn't referring to Mack. "Dix... you know I did mean it, right?" he asked quietly, although it really wasn't a question as much a statement that he just thought was reassured by his saying it aloud. And you're not crazy, he thought to himself, not wanting to get into that conversation at that point.

"Ah, maybe not, but who says I can't be?" Adam teased with a raised brow in response to Dixie's knight in shining armor comment. Then, she changed the topic again, going back to Christmas plans. "Are you kidding," he said sarcastically. "My Christmas plans consist of sleep... sleep... and I'll give you three guesses what else."

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

"Monkey genes. Well, if you believe in evolution, we all contain monkey genes in a sense." Dixie wasn't religious, in fact she thought being a Christian would conflict with being a witch. Derreck was a devout Catholic, which struck Dixie as odd, considering. "One of those corrupt Catholics." Dixie whispered, although it had nothing to do with their conversation. If Adam wanted to know what she meant, he could ask. Dixie looked at Adam watching the scenery. A calm smile donned her face and she tucked her hair behind her ear with her left hand, her right hand holding onto a tree branch. The first time Dixie had seen the beautiful view, she had nearly fallen head first from the tree. She had caught herself in time, but she wasn't so lucky the second time. "This has to be my favourite spot in all of Hogsmeade." Dixie told Adam as she smiled brightly.

After a silence or so, Dixie felt her stomach tighten at Adam's words. She hadn't meant to make it seem like she had taken it as a negative ting. It was just a defense. Something she did when she didn't know how to respond. The old Dixie would have smiled smugly and said something just as smug, but the new Dixie... she didn't know how to take compliments. Dixie figured she should probably speak to let him know that she wasn't completely offended.. not that she was at all. "I know you meant it... I think that's what scared me. Compliments don't blow my way easily, and if they do.. they usually aren't real compliments." Dixie looked up at Adam and smiled again, "Thanks, though. It's nice to know I am still pretty even if I don't put as much effort into my appearance as I used to." She looked away again, trying not to let the flicker of hope and admiration show in her eyes.

A smirk appeared on Dixie's face and she continued to look at the village below them. "I wouldn't mind that, you being my knight in shining armour." She looked out the corner of her eyes and grinned as she watched Adam a moment and then turned her total gaze on him as he answered her question about Christmas plans. "Sleep, honestly? Oh, dear... Adam, love, I do believe I'm going to have to kidnap you more than once this break. You can't spend the winter hols sleeping. If you spend the winter hols sleeping, I can only imagine what you do with the summer hols. You should come to Paris with me sometime this summer. I plan on living there, but I need to visit first." Dixie had always wanted to do one thing with her life, and that one thing involved Paris... the center of fashion. At least to Dixie, it was the center of fashion.

[Professor Adam Greene]

Dixie went on about evolution, and Adam even thought he heard her say something about Catholicism. She must have saw that he was busy taking in the scenery though, as she mentioned that next. "Yeah," Adam said in response, unable to really capture the sight in words. It wasn't like it was the most beautiful scenery he had ever seen or anything, but it just had something unique about it.

After he had explained his compliment, Dixie offered her explanation. Adam took it with a smile. He understood where she was coming from and it didn't bother him that she avoided the compliment at first. As long as she really knew that he meant it and wasn't just offering it emptily. He didn't say anything else though, now knowing that his compliments would have to be saved only for the times he really meant what he was saying. In a way, he thought that maybe that seemed like the best idea anyways. After a while, he figured that his compliments might not mean as much if he used them to casually.

When Dixie said that she wouldn't mind him being her knight in shining armor, he smiled back, seeing her smiling his way as well. By this time, the sun was beginning to set and the air was becoming quite cool. Adam sat beside Dixie on the large branch, their feet dangling over the edge. "Kidnapping? That sounds like an adventure," he said, grinning as Dixie said that she wouldn't let him spend his break sleeping. Moreover, she leaked her plans for the summer, even indicating that she would have to take him away to Paris as well. Adam tilted his head to the side and just stared at her with another smile. "I say, someone has big plans." Adam couldn't help but think how much he would probably enjoy a trip to Paris with Dixie. If it were anything like the rest of the time he'd got to spend with her, he knew he would love it.

For a moment, Adam couldn't help but just look into Dixie's eyes. In only a few weeks, he had felt like he had go to know her so well, yet deep down he knew that there was so much more that he wanted to find out. Even if he didn't admit it to himself or even to Dixie, he was falling for her. The way she made him smile, laugh, and just forget everything else when he was with her. Realizing that he was staring, Adam broke out of his thoughts. "Oh, ummm, what time is it?" he questioned, a bit flustered. He looked at his watch and saw that it was much later than he thought. "Wow, I really should go," he said, taking another moment to look back at Dixie. Instinctively, he leaned forward a bit. It was very subtle, but enough that if Dixie was really paying attention, she would recognize.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie let her legs sway back and forth as she held onto the branch above her and the branch she was sitting on. Now she was beginning to feel that familiar tug in her stomach, or maybe it wasn’t as familiar as she thought it was. Dixie looked down and watched her feet move across the ground that seemed to be millions of feet below her. She breathed in slowly and then out just as slowly, trying to calm her tight stomach. It’s okay, she told herself, you aren’t going to fall. Besides, if she did fall, she could just blame it on Adam anyway. Yeah, she liked that idea a whole lot, and it seemed to ease her stomach quite a bit. Why that was, she wasn’t sure, but she didn’t complain. Dixie lifted her gaze from the ground and looked over at Adam with a small smile, “Maybe this tree isn’t as grand as I thought it was, it still has the ability to make me frightened even if I have climbed it many times before.” She shivered and looked at Adam a moment longer before turning her attention to the setting sun. She almost wanted to laugh aloud when she thought, This is the second sunset I’ve seen with Adam. That was two times more than she had seen with anyone else.

“Oh, trust me, it will be one adventure you will never forget. See, I am a renowned kidnapper and all the people I’ve kidnapped have said it’s the most fun they’ve had while being kidnapped. Granted, most of them were kidnapped for the first time by me… but we’ll disregard that little bit of information.” She smiled innocently at Adam and let her right hand drop so that she was holding onto the branch they were sitting on with both hands. Maybe she would feel a bit steadier like that. Nope. No such luck. Dixie sighed again, this time in defeat, and shrugged at Adam’s remark about her having big plans. “They’re in the making. I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer, and I’m told I am really good at it… well… supposedly I am. I just… I don’t know what to believe anymore. So, I’ll have to see where it takes me.” Dixie looked at him, wondering if he understood what she meant. Another breeze blew by, and Dixie shivered slightly before tucking the stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiling brightly, “I guess I do have big plans, then, don’t I?” Excited by the prospect, Dixie’s smile stayed on her face for a moment.

Then it was like silence was around them and Dixie could finally place that feeling in her stomach. She locked eyes with Adam, and kept a small secretive smile on her lips. It was a secret she didn’t plan on sharing, and finally her stomach stopped torturing her with the knots. Adam broke the stare, and Dixie looked down at her left hand, watching the knuckles turn white. She hadn’t realized how tightly she had been gripping the branch. She released her grip and looked back up at Adam as he asked what time it was. Dixie looked to the sky and let out a small disappointed sigh at how low the sun had sank. “Yeah,” Dixie responded quietly when he said he should go. It was true for her as well, Hank would be furious with how late she was already. She looked from the sinking sun to Adam and without thinking or without even hesitating; she leaned in when he did. At that moment, that second in time, Dixie felt like she was completely sane and that everything in her was alright. That she wasn’t a nut, that she wasn’t some filth, she just felt like she was Dixie. It was a feeling that was buried for so long that it was like an energy rush when it overwhelmed. And it was all because of Adam. Dixie pulled away and opened her eyes, out of the corner of them she saw the lights in the village spotting on in different patches. She grinned, and whispered, “We should probably get down from here before we’re spotted.”

[Professor Adam Greene]

Dixie seemed quite happy as she told Adam of her other kidnapping experiences. He listened, all the while unable to rid the large smile that covered his face. Dixie never seemed to run out of wit or comments that always made him either smile or laugh. It seemed that lately, he was smiling every second he spent with Dixie. "I can't wait to be kidnapped then," he replied in a teasing tone. Dixie then told him more about her interest in fashion. He nodded his head, interested to someday see what she might have already worked on.

At the moment after mentioning the time, Dixie seemed to agree that she should go as well. Then, almost at the same time as him, Dixie seemed to lean in toward Adam. Closing his eyes, Adam felt their lips touch- his first kiss. It was beyond description. For a moment, he even almost lost his grip from the tree, but quickly balanced himself to stop from falling. He wondered if Dixie even noticed. When they pulled away, he opened his eyes to see Dixie grinning. "Yeah," he whispered back, biting his lip to stop the smile that would have taken over his face had he let it.

Together, the two worked their way to the bottom of the tree where Adam did feel a bit safer to be on solid ground. Turning to face Dixie squarely, Adam grabbed and held both of her hands which were starting to get cold. "Take these," he said, pulling out a pair of gloves that he remembered having in his coat pocket. "They might be a bit big, but they will keep your hands warm." He stood and watched the sun finally sink below the tips of the mountains. He didn't want to leave, but he knew he had to. "So I guess I'll see you for Christmas then, if not earlier? You could stop by my house before the party to help me pick out my tux," he joked. "Owl me if you'd like," he added, donning a small grin. After Dixie answered, Adam leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on her forehead and then seconds later disappeared with a small 'pop'.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie sighed, as she started the climb back down the tree, which proved to be a more difficult feat than the climb up had been. Once her shoe slipped, and she had to grab at the branch nearest her quickly. Luckily she regained her footing, and gave a nervous laugh before finishing the climb and jumping to the ground. She stood still, trying to gain her sense of what was up and what was down, before nodding and turning to Adam. She was glad to see he had safely made it down the tree as well. "Do you think monkeys have trouble climbing down trees? Or are they as good at climbing down as they are climbing up?" Dixie wondered aloud as she rubbed her icy hands on her jeans. She smiled up at Adam as he took her hands and then gave her a pair of gloves. She put them on and then waved her right hand back and forth, the fingers of the gloves flopped over her fingers. She raised an eyebrow to Adam, "A bit? What's your definition of 'a bit'?"

They did warm her hands considerably, though, and for that she was grateful. Dixie fiddled with the bits of the fingers that hung off her hands. She nodded when Adam spoke and then bit her lip in thought, "I'll try, but I've got to make sure my dress gets made correctly. You can never trust a house elf to do my job. They don't get anything done right. I'll let you know though, promise." Dixie crossed her heart and smiled as Adam kissed her forehead. Before she could say anything more, he was gone. Immediately Dixie wished he hadn't left, but there wasn't anything she could do about it. Standing there, the breeze blowing her hair past her and her scarf behind her, Dixie closed her eyes and thought about the day. She hadn't expected anything to happen, she hadn't even expected to see Adam... much less.. kiss him. Dixie smiled as she picked up the bag with his gift in it, and then made her way into the village. She needed to find a floo chimney. Perhaps she should go out for her apparating liscence.