New Year's Love ((Invited and their Guests Only))

[cdc]

Jamison nodded as Meyghan had to go greet the new guests. It was her party and he felt a bit selfish for taking her away from all the guests. He promised himself he wouldn't do that all evening as he wanted her party to go smoothly. He didn't know many of the guest, but most were Ravenclaws that he had seen before. As he looked around, Jamison noted that there wasn't a Slytherin in site. This was good news as he knew they would probably only start trouble. That was the last thing Meyghan's party needed. Jamison smiled at the entering guests as they walked past him. Finally, when two sisters seemed gone, new guests came and Jamison had to wait once more for Meyghan. It didn't bother him much as he just wished to talk to and get to know her better. She seemed like an interesting person and Jamison was eager to know more about her. He smiled tilting looking around the room as the new guests talked to Meyghan.

"Hey, watcha doin?" Wendi cheerfully came over with her funny little country type tone she used for fun sometimes. Jamison smiled laughingly at her as usual looking at the crazy look on her face. "I'm waiting for Meyghan to take me on a tour." He said calmly. "So, what have you been doing?" Wendi smiled and sighed. "Oh, I see." she said mischievously with her goofy grin spread wide across her face. "Just been talking to the other kids. Meyghan's brother's name is Cleve, did you know that?" She asked. "No I didn't really." He said not able to put a face to the name. "Well, he's very nice and sort of funny." She said giggling as a boy walked by Jamison thought to be Cleve, but Jamison wasn't sure. "Can I come with you?" She asked tugging on his nice shirt. "No, it's just me and Meyghan. She's just going to show me the house for a minute." He said nicely. "Sure." Wendi said sarcastically before running off. Jamison smiled at her and then continued to wait for Meyghan.

Jamison smiled as Meyghan walked up. "If it's convenient." He joked a bit. Jamison did tell few jokes, but not to the point of being truly annoying. He liked to see how people reacted. But, sometimes they didn't get his jokes at all. However, Jamison was just glad he could tell them his jokes. Some didn't seem like jokes at all, but Jamison didn't care. He followed Meyghan to what seemed to be the kitchen. "Nice he said looking around them. "So, have you lived in this house your whole life?" He asked nicely. "It's very nice. It looks like the perfect hose to grow up in." Jamison commented.

[Zara Phoenix]

Zara sat on the couch with Mikhail. She had already dressed for the party and was only waiting on Sapphire to get ready. Sapphire had invited Zara to a New Years party at one of her Ravenclaw friends house. Having no plans for the evening her self she decided to go along. Mikhail and Zara were in the middle of cracking a few jokes with each other when Sapphire's voice floated into the room showing it was time to go. Zara grinned and Gave Mikhail a hug and stood up as Sapphire stepped into the room and did the same. Zara smiled at Sapphire and spoke in a casual tone. "If we're late its only because you took so long to get ready." She said as she put on her coat and stepped outside and into the awaiting Taxi.

The drive took a long time, it would of been so much easier to just use magic, but they finally made it to the party. Zara climbed out and looked at the house as Sapphire paid the driver. When Sapphire rejoined her Zara smiled at her as they made their way up to the house. They were greeted by none other than the host herself, Meyghan, if Zara remembered her right. She had never met Meyghan personally, but, they were in the same year so she saw her in classes a lot. Zara smiled at Meyghan as she let the two in. "Thanks for inviting us. I'm Zara." She introduced herself. Slipping off her coat and handing it to the house elf.

Meyghan had been telling the truth. The sound of music drifted through the house and reached her ears. Making her head bob unconsciously along with the music. It seemed that Meyghan was extremely busy with her hostessing for she left them right after showing them the way. Zara didn't mind, it was after all a tough job to host a large party like this. Stepping into the room where everyone was hanging out she looked around. She hardly knew anyone here, most of them were in her year but a different house.

Zara looked about the room at all the knew people and spotted someone she knew at least a little. Elisabeth was a third year who was also in Gryffindor. Zara had seen her a few times around the common. Elisabeth seemed to be talking to someone so Zara wasn't going to interrupt. She noticed the snack table, and with her head still bobbing to the music made her way over to it.

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan made her way into the kitchens. Responding to Jamison's question, she spoke softly, for the kitchens had a tendency to echo, "Yeah, my father bought this house from a widowed muggle woman just before I was born. He made additions to the house magically, so that the muggles in the neighborhood wouldn't be suspicious of how the house got expanded over night. It also allows the house to appear as a normal, muggle dual layer house. Cleveland was actually born in one of the upstairs rooms, but that room was locked up right after my mother passed away." Meyghan didn't let the mention of her mother's death upset her. She was determined not to let anything bother her, even if it was a very horrible memory like that.

Meyghan continued through the kitchens, into the dining area. She didn't mean to be so quick in giving the tour, but she wanted to also be a good hostess to her other guests. She pointed out a couple of portraits that she had painted herself. "This one was done just after I started painting. My father thought that it was so good, that he hung it here. Most of them are upstairs in my studio that my father created for me." She said as she headed up a set of stairs to the upper level of the house. Once she had led the tour to the upper levels, she proceeded to show Jamison the study, and her studio, telling him bits more about her art works as she went through the upper level at a fairly fast speed. She gave quick little details as to what was behind each of the numerous and massive doors that were up and down the lengthy corridor. "I really wish that I could spend more time on this tour, but I think we really need to get back down to the party." She said as she lead Jamison down yet a different set of stairs, that brought them back to the point that they had started from. Meyghan hoped that Jamison would understand her wanting to get back to the party. After all she was the hostess, and it wouldn't seem right for her to be gone too long. "Pardon me a moment, I want to make sure that the house elf got everything set up right, and see if everyone is having a good time." She said as she entered the party room.

As Meyghan made her way through the party room, she noticed that everything had gotten underway just fine, her brother must have handled all of that for her. She would have to make sure to thank him when it was appropriate. She made her way to the snack table to make sure that Tawa the house elf had gotten everything set up right. As she approached the table, she met Zara. "Hi, sorry I didn't properly introduce myself earlier. I'm Meyghan. Welcome to my home. We have a couple of classes together don't we." Meyghan noticed that she was babbling, but she was trying to also be sociable, and she wasn't good at making new friends. She tried to remember what someone at school had taught her just before the holidays, but it wasn't much use. Meyghan hoped that she would be able to converse with everyone that had came. She really wanted to be a good hostess.

Meyghan knew that there were still others at the party whom she had to at least speak with before the night was out. She would have to make time for them shortly. But for now, she wanted to get to know Zara a bit better, and hoped that she could make more time to spend with Jamison, so that they could get to know each other a little more than they did.

[Shirley Crane]

Shirley teased Noko and Gary who looked shockingly adorable together for a while before moving over to the snacks table while sending the couple with her eyes as the left the room. Really. They were cute. Very very very cute. Looked like his little brother was starting to grow up without even noticing it himself yet. Grinning a little at the thought Shirley stored the idea in the back of her head as she walked overt o Lindy and Cleve tickling Cleve as she approached him from behind. “Got you!” Shirley said with a smirk as Lindy joined in with the tickling so Cleve was soon howling with laughter as he had dropped to sit on the ground a long time ago. Finally stopping the merciless tickling Shirley stayed crouched as she conversed with the younger children or a while grinning a little as she observed how easily Lindy and Cleve socialized. Lindy could talk to anyone really, but she really did seem to adore Cleve. Watching them leave again as Cleve went to start the music while Lindy just pranced around him talking non-stop.

Giggling at the sight Shirley stood and as music started twirled over to the snacks table liking the way the hem of her simple red dress flared around her knees. Everything looked nice. He decorations Meyghan had worked hard with. People were gathering quietly and Shirley was a little glad to see that it wasn’t going to be an overly large party packed with witches and wizards. That would have been a bit uncomfortable to her. And to the whole family actually. Which did remind Shirley that she hadn’t seen mom for quite a while. Meyghan had taken her upstairs but she didn’t appear to have make it downstairs again? Were there something to be afraid of here? For a few moments Shirley played with the idea of going and finding Kelsey but just then she did appear in view again in Felton’s arm. Letting out a burst of laughter Shirley raised a glass of water in greeting towards them sending an air kiss over to both of them as she decided that they looked good together. Swallowing a giggle Shirley grabbed a piece of cucumber from the table and as she turned almost stepped into a girl. ((Sapphire))
“Sorry, wasn’t paying much attention.” Shirley admitted with a bright smile at the girl her eyes admiring the red blouse she as wearing. “I’m Shirley. Shirley Crane. And yes a muggle before you ask. My brother knows Meyghan from Hogwarts.” Shirley glanced over her shoulder with a grin as she eyed her mother and Felton for a moment before turning back. “And my mom looks rather fond of Meyghan’s dad as I see. I’m babbling now aren’t I?”


((Sorry for the late post Sapphire. But Shirley is here as I promised. )

[crane]

Gary smiled and brushed Nokos cheek gently. “You looked amazing then but you look absolutely breathtaking today. Come let’s go and find the gardens.” His hand tightly clasping Nokos with their fingers entwined Gary felt happy and calm and content this way. With Noko right there with him what could go wrong? As they finally made it out to the garden Gary smiled fondly at Noko letting her hand go for now as he wandered deeper into the garden admiring the trees and bushes and trying to imagine what the garden would look like if you saw it in summertime.
“It looks like winter wonderland. I like that song.” Gary said whiel scooping up a handful of snow from the ground as he turned and smiled at Noko not even trying to hide the snowball forming between his hands. “It’s peaceful. Winter seems to be the most peaceful time of the year with falling snow.”

Gary smiled at Noko quite openly raising his hand and taking aim at the girl only to take a half-step back and slip. Dropping the snowball Gary let out a small surprised yelp as he fell to sit in the snow. Not really bothered by it Gary laughed and let himself fall backwards until he was laying in the snow. Letting out a chuckle Gary closed his eyes not really worried about the snow. “I deserved that for trying to throw a snowball at you, didn’t I?” Gary asked with a small grin etched onto his face even as his eyes stayed closed.

[Sapphire Phoenix R7]

((Oh lovely Shirley. As I said... no pressure. But I suppose that passes on to me now. Oh, and Meyghan - Zara + Sapphire aren't exactly identical. Zara has red hair and Sapphire black. I think their eyes might be different colours too though I'm not sure. *huggle* Oh and Shirley, I put a reference in to a previous post with Gary which I think due to me we never finished. Hope that's okay. )

Sapphire gave Zara a small frown at her comment about having taken a long time to get ready. "Getting ready is a rather vague term," she said. "You could mean it in the sense of beautifying myself, in which case you'd be mistaken in saying that was the only factor - especially a major factor - which made us late. Though we're not going to be late - especially anyway - as it is. Are we?" Sapphire gave her sister a smile and later added another comment as they were walking up to the front door of the Gallagher house. She didn't keep many secrets from her twin sister, and there was certainly no point making a secret about what had taken so long.
"I'd say the most time-consuming operation was ensuring that we could actually go," she said with a small smile. Sapphire hadn't spent a disproportionate amount of time getting appropriately dressed for the party; a large amount of time had been spent assuring her mother there was no risk and that they weren't going to be doing magic at the party. From the way the taxi driver had driven without the use of magic (were they all suicidal?) Sapphire wasn't now sure about the 'no risk' part but they were here, even though the non-magical taxi had taken longer than she would have liked despite the driving.

Sapphire smiled as Meyghan opened the door to them, stepping inside as directed as Zara introduced herself to her dormmate. "I could hardly not come," she replied with a smile. "Thanks for letting us." Sapphire could tell that Meyghan was evidently very busy trying to cope with the influx of guests and so having offloaded her coat onto the house elf (who seemed to be coping with everything admirably), she followed her sister to the snacks table, whereupon someone bumped into her, starting to divulge a stream of information before Sapphire had had much chance to even register she'd just been run into by someone who wasn't paying attention.
"I'm not a walking dictionary, but for me personally babbling would be talking or mumbling incessantly about subjects nobody but yourself is interested in in a failed attempt to hide embarrassment." Sapphire said, adding with a smile, "And since you don't look embarrassed to me - and neither should you do - as well as having been talking coherently , I don't think you could claim to be victimizing me with anything near constituting 'babbling'." She took a small cucumber sandwich from the table, feeling vaguely amused at having been reminded of a particular scene in 'The Importance of Being Earnest', biting into it and enjoying the crunchiness before continuing, "I believe I know your brother a little - Gary as far as I remember. Running into people and being perfectly charming about it evidently runs in the family."

[cdc]

Jamison nodded as Meyghan rushed through the tour. He understood she had a party going on and didn't want to interfere with her hosting. Jamison kept up the pace as to not fall behind so Meyghan couldn't promptly return to her party. "Wow, the house sure has a nice history." He said following her through the rooms. She had said something about her mother dying, but Jamison didn't mention it. Meyghan didn't seem to upset over it at the minute or she was very good at showing it. Maybe one day they could talk about her mother's death, but it wasn't yet the correct time. Jamison had lost his parents when he was younger also, but Meyghan didn't yet know that. She might know that Wendi and Jamison lived with their grandparents, but Jamison couldn't remember if he had told her even that much. It was something Jamison learned to deal with and had gotten used to not having his parents around. Sure, it hurt sometimes. It especially hurt when Wendi asked him to describe them. It was hard that he had to be the one to explain them, but Jamison's grandparents had difficulty even talking about their daughter and son-in-law. So, Jamison didn't mention that and in return, they let him live a pretty easy life free of too many new emotions.

"That's really nice, you are a good artist." Jamison commented on one of Meyghan's early painting. It was pretty nice for someone so young. Jamison had never really been a painter. His talent and hobby was in his singing. He loved everything about music and loved writing his own songs and lyrics. Jamison alway loved the way his songs made him feel like someone special at moments. It gave him something to be proud of and Jamison loved to feel that way. He smiled at the thing Meyghan loved to do as he moved through to the next room. When the tour was over, Jamison grinned listening to Meyghan. "I understand it's your party and your a great hostess." He said as they both walked down the stairs. Jamison looked around as Meyghan left to greet some guests. He nodded looking around the room for someone to talk to.

The party room was pretty full of people including Jamison's sister. She grinned approaching Jamison. "Guess what?" She chirped. "What?" He asked comically in a way that always made her smile. "I like this party and Meyghan." She sang like a bell. "Me too." He replied softly so Wendi couldn't hear. "So, when are we going back?" She asked in a sad curious frown. "Well, we can't be too late, but we won't leave at least for a while longer." He responded. "Okay!" Wendi giggled running off somewhere out of Jamison's site as always. He then searched the room looking for someone to talk to. Most seemed pretty busy talking and other things. Jamison spotted one guest, (Cougar) a third year Ravenclaw he didn't know and decided to walk up to him and his guest. "Hello, I'm Jamison." He said as he approached him. "Your a third year, in my house, Ravenclaw, right?" He asked in his friendly tone. Jamison waited for the boy to answer.

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan looked around. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, but she couldn't be absolutely sure of it. Checking her muggle wrist watch that her father had bought her. She noticed that it was almost time for the fireworks. She wanted everything to go smoothly so she headed over toward her father to let him know. He had planned to make this a special night, and Meyghan wanted to help him in any way possible.

She wandered her way over to where her dad and Kelsey were dancing, and tapped him on the shoulder. Whispering in his ear, she noticed him wink. She was glad that he was ready for his night whatever it entailed.

Meyghan turned down the music and hoped that she had gotten everyone's attention. "I'm sorry to inturrupt all the fun, but we will be having a colorful fireworks display out in the gardens in approximately an hour. The gardens are just out those double doors." She said pointing to a set of doors that were attached to the next room over. Walking over to Jamison, she hoped that he would watch the fireworks with her. "Umm.. I'll be going out to the gardens in a few moments to make sure everything is prepared, and ready for the show." She smiled polietly at him, and waited.

[Felton Gallagher]

Felton was so delighted that Meyghan had invited Kelsey. He was extremely nervous though. He planned on telling Kelsey how special she really was to him, and he was hoping that she felt the same way, although he wasn't intirelly sure. He remembered everything, from the moment they met in the muggle animal shelter, to the end of the evening that night where he had gotten Kelsey to dance with him for the first time.

Felton had never really believed in love at first sight until he had met Kelsey. He wasn't sure how he was going to word how he felt about her, but he was just going to let it flow out. Hoping that it would come out right.

Felton looked at the beautiful woman dancing with him for the second time since they had ever met. She was perfect. He loved everything about her, and he loved her children as if they were his own. He didn't know what he would do if Kelsey didn't feel the same way he did. She almost seemed to be his soul mate, and that was one thing that he didn't believe in. Spinning her around on the floor, he noticed her smiling and laughing. He was glad to see her having a good time.

Listening when Meyghan spoke to him, he gave her a slight wink to let her know that he was as ready as he could be. Pulling Kelsey up to him, he whispered to her, "My intentions are completely honest but I have a wonderful suprise for you on our upper level balcony. Meyghan helped me arrange it, and she has just informed me that it's almost time for it. Would you accompany me to the balcony?" Felton felt like a teenager for the first time since he had met Kelsey in Hogsmeade at Christmas.

[Kelsey Crane]

Kelsey felt like a queen as she walked down the stairs in Felton’s arm. The house, the decorations, Felton and everything together just felt so special and right. The evening just had a purely magical feel to it. Looking around Kelsey smiled at Shirley who blew a kiss to her and to Kelsey’s pleasant surprise also blew one to Felton. Kelsey returned the blown kiss to Shirley before gasping lightly as Lindy rushed across the floor and launched herself at Felton. Holding onto Felton’s waist with all the strength in her 10 year old arms. “I’ve missed you so much! Why haven’t you came to play with me? And mom had a headache one day you could have made better! And given her a massage to make her less tired!” Lindy told Felton all this information almost accusingly without taking a breath. Slowly unattaching herself from Felton Lindy gave Cleve a hug as the boy had came over as well. “Mom can I be a witch? I want to go to the same school as Cleve!” “We’ll have to see about that dear but you go and enjoy the party until then.” Kelsey bowed and kissed the foreheads of both children before they rushed away somewhere once again.

Kelsey followed Felton to the dance-floor where Janey appeared. Throwing one arm around Kelsey’s shoulder and the other around Felton’s Janey gave a kiss on both of their cheeks. “You two look great together. I must tell Meyghan that I adore her wrap. The house is lovely as I did already tell her. Did you save my mom from getting lost in the house, Felton? Take care of her will you before she wanders off somewhere. Enjoy the end of the year!” Janey grinned and left them before Kelsey had any chance to admonish her for her choice of words but instead felt herself be pulled into a dance. Words didn’t seem necessary so neither spoke. Kelsey laughed as Felton twirled her. It felt so right to be here in his arms in this gorgeous house. Even if it wouldn’t last Kelsey would always have this memory of Felton with her.

Meyghan and Felton talked for a moment and curiously enough Kelsey’s heart gave a small lurch as Felton brought her closer to whisper in her ear. His warm breath tickled Kelsey’s ear and Kelsey had to draw back a little and swallow before she was able to find her again in order to reply. “You are too much of a gentleman to have anything other than honest intentions. I would love to come with you.”

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

Her hand safely in Gary's she let him lead the way out into the gardens, and once they were outside she the cool wind blew against her face and same smiled. It was refreshing. She was better in crowds, with all these people here, but it always made her feel hot and uncomfortable. It was better out here. The wind in her face always reminded her of quidditch. After a moment Gary smiled at her, and she smiling back just before she felt his hand pull away from hers. I almost made her sad to feel him letting go, but they were outside now, she didn't need him to hold on to.

She walked after him, looking around at the winter wonderland as Gary called it. When she looked back at Gary she saw that he was a few strides in front of her, and he had a snow fall. She stood very still for a moment, eying his hand very carefully, and then he slipped. She gasped, but then Gary started to laugh, and she laughed too and walked up to him. "Yes it does serve you right." She giggled, and then after hesitating a moment, at down so she faced him. "Your lucky you didn't hit me though, because that would have meant war."

[cdc]

Jamison smiled talking to the two. But, suddenly Wendi walked up. "Hey." He smiled at her. "Having fun?" He asked nicely. Jamison was glad she kept talking to him that night. Ever since Hogwarts started, Jamison hadn't had time to talk to Wendi too much. He was glad she was checking in with him. Jamison was basically her guardian while she was off at school. He hated to not see her for periods of time. Jamison had always been afraid of loosing her just like his parents. It was a fear of him. One that he was certain to never overcome. "Nothin." She said smiling. Wendi just stood their for a second smiling without uttering a word. "Ok, so what's with the smiling?" He asked laughing a bit. "I dunno, but I like all these people!" She cheered not too loudly. Jamison smiled at her. "Well, go talk to them." He commented nicely. "Ok!" She announced running off somewhere again. Jamison smiled looking around the room.

Jamison smiled as Meyghan walked up a second later. He listened carefully at her comments. "Well, need assistance with that?" He asked nicely as she talked about setting up for the show. Truth be told, Jamison just wanted to watch the fireworks show with Meyghan and he hoped that's what she was referring to. Jamison looked at her nicely waiting for her to say anything. He was actually quite glad the show would be starting soon. Jamison hadn't seen fireworks in a few years. During the holidays, Jamison didn't really have a chance to venture out to see any. He was grateful that he would have the chance that night. He was also glad to get to know Meghan better. She was a nice girl. One that Jamison really wanted to learn more about.

Jamison looked around at the guests. Some he knew while others he didn't. Most were younger while many were in Jamison's house and year. It was funny, Jamison didn't know too many Ravenclaw fifth years. he knew many Gryffindor fifth years, though. That's just the way it was for some reason. But, he did have Ravenclaw friends of course. Most were girls as there were only a few Ravenclaw fifth year boys. Besides, Jamison had many friends that were girls at a young age. However, he was at know was girl crazy or anything of the sort. No, Jamison just liked their company and they loved to hang out with Wendi and him. Jamison looked at Meyghan waiting for her to say something.

[Shirley Crane]

Shirley grinned at the girl as she didn’t seem very upset about the small run in. “I’m not really embarrassed, rather grateful that I’m human enough to make mistakes and so learn as well because we learn form our own mistakes, don’t we?” Shirley smiled and crunched happily on a slice of cucmber. “now that you have unluckily brought more talking upon yourself. Than again parties are meant for socializing and meeting new people. Which I have already done today as I didn’t know anyone ehre besides my own and Meyghan’s family. Who have pretty must escaped for the most art. Lindy tackled Cleve earlier and my mom is occupying mr.Gallaghers time evidently. And even though I’m almost sharing my life story with you I’m not sure whether I have introduced myself or not. Shirley Crane. And a muggle as you folk tend to say according to my brother. Which brings on a whole new dimension to our conversation cause you might very well give me warts or something equally nasty should you desire it any given moment.”

Shirley grinned whirling around to face the snackstable once again as the hem of her simple red dress flared flatteringly around her knees. Quick and practical moves placed a bit of punch into two glasses before she turned again and offered one of the glasses to Sapphire. “Glad to hear Gary was charming. We do worry about him and miss him at home as we can’t see him for months on no end during school year. He seems to have disappeared now as well with that Hufflepuff girl. Noko is sweet. I like her. Mary I ask what house you are in or don’t you want to talk about school right now? I’ts just that Hogwarts seems somagical to me. And it most surely also is magical, but you get what I mean. A toast? For a magical end to a wonderful year?”

[crane]

Gary remained laying on his back as he stared into the sky above them. Sometimes. Just sometimes it was better to dream. Better to squeeze your eyes closed and believe that there were smart and old and strong souls behind every star. That there were people who cared gazing down at you with smart eyes. That there were ancient gods there who made sure that times changed and took care of you. “I’m sure I could never hit you.” Gary looked up at Noko seriously feeling something warm creep into his heart as he looked at the girl with her hair swaying gently around the pretty face. “You are my lucky star. You have became one at least during the time we met. See? I always see a shooting star when I’m around you. Think my wish will come true?” Gary asked seriously as he sat up and reached his hand out at Noko’s once again. Even if scientifically it was calculated that you should see 3-5 falling stars every hour of the night.

Tilting his head back Gary rubbed Noko’s hand between his as if to make sure she wouldn’t get cold. “Do you sometimes think that ancient Egyptians or Greeks or whoever they were, were right? That there are actually numerous bigger and smaller gods somewhere up there looking after us? There must have been some reason for all those people believing into something they couldn’t see other than that they couldn’t explain a lot of things back then.” Gary said slowly as he stood next to Noko and looked at her with a soft smile that touched his whole face and heart. “I’m really grateful you came with me today. I really am. There’s no one I’d rather spend a day with.”

[Felton Gallagher]

Felton took Kelsey gently by the hand and led her up the spiraling staircase that lead to the balcony entrance. Stopping a moment as they reached the doorway, Felton noticed for what might have been the first time since he owned his home, the beauty of it. Felton was never ignorant to Kelsey’s beauty, but he finally noticed how her radiance brought out the beauty in everything around her, even now in his home. Kelsey made everything shine in Felton’s eyes. He just hoped that when the time was right that, even though Kelsey tended to make him breathless and speechless, he could find the right words to tell her his true feelings.

Looking at the terrace entrance for just a few seconds, even though they seemed like moments, Felton admired the doorway and trimming for the first time. It made him think back to when he and Meyghan had originally redecorated the opening. Felton had started by having Meyghan paint a large picture of their family crest, for he knew his pin would not be big enough for the door makers to get the details from, then he had a set of crystal glass doors made by a muggle company. The crystal doors had been specially ordered, not only because of the type of glass that Felton had requested, but also because the family crest was to be made into them so that when opened each door only showed half the crest, but when closed, the full crest was visible. When the doors were complete, Felton hired some muggle workers to come in and remodel the trim and also replace the original mahogany doors with the new crystal ones. The skye blue and teal green shield from the crest mixed nicely with the greenish blue trim, and the silver celtic cross that completed the crest, complimented the doorway perfectly.

After taking what had seemed like hours to admire his own entrance way, Felton twisted the sparkling silver door handles, releasing the latch that held the double doors together. Pushing the doors open, Felton turned to Kelsey, “Ladies first. Meyghan fixed a surprise for the two of us, but I have yet to see it, so I hope that it will be to your liking.” Allowing Kelsey to step out on to the veranda before him, Felton looked around nervously, hoping that Kelsey would like what ever Meyghan had planned for them.

As Felton walked out onto the balcony, his eyes widened in awe. Meyghan had magnificently decorated the balcony with white roses, which were fully bloomed. The balcony supports were covered with spiraling ivy, and for what seemed like Meyghan’s final touch for the main part of the balcony, she had placed beautiful blue tulips in small places, as to make accents among all the other decorations. Meyghan had also placed a small table with two seats in the center of the terrace. The table, which was covered with a sheer blue lace tablecloth, held two crystal goblets, each engraved with either Felton or Kelsey’s name and the Gallagher family crest. There also sit a silver plate with small snacks, and a matching ice bucket holding a bottle of pink champagne. “I do believe Meyghan has truly outdone herself this time around. I never knew that the balcony could look like this.” Felton commented before he realized what he had said, it seemed that he couldn’t help himself because of the balcony’s beauty.

Stepping around Kelsey, he pulled her chair out and offered for her to sit. After helping her take her seat, Felton made his way around the little table and seated himself nervously. Felton felt like a teenager again and it made him wonder if Meyghan had these feelings at all. He hoped that the fireworks display would ease his tension for he had something very important to tell Kelsey after it was over.

[Kelsey Crane]

Kelsey could feel butterflies flying in her stomach. She didn’t know why or when they had started but suddenly she was fully aware of them. Kelsey accepted Felton’s hand with a grateful smile and followed him up the staircase hr ohter hand gently lingering on the hand-rest. Kelsey sent one more galnce over her shoulder to make sure all her children were behaving nicely and enjoying themselves before Felton led her out of sight. In a way Kelsey was thankful of the silence between them. It was a comfortable silence, something that made you dream and think that things couldn’t get any better. Kelsey woke from her thoughts and dreams about Felton as htey reached large glass doors.

It took a moment for Kelsey to register that the doors were identical to the pin with the family-crest Felton was carrying on the chest of his robes. For a moment they just stood and admired it as Kelsey’s eyes hungrily drinking in the gorgeous sight. The door was really a master-piece. „It is a masterpiece.“ Kelsey smiled as Felton opened the doors and let her pass through first. Once a gentleman always a gentleman. Kelsey had to admit that Felton had alwyas been more chivlarious towards her at all of their meetings than any woman could ever even dream of.
Stepping onto the balcony Kelsey stopped for a moment trying to take it all in. The smell of flowers, te view, the velvety night enveloping them. It was almost too much and Kelsey had to laugh so she wouldn’t cry because of the beauty of it all.
Kelsey walked forward kneeling without second thought next to a vase of blue tulips as she bent her head forward to inhale their sweet aroma. Laughing quietly Kelsey touched the silky petals with her finger-tips turning to smile at Felton a little.
„Meyghan must be a mind-reader. Tulips are my favourite flowers and blue is my favourite color. The whole balcony it’s just so amazing and wonderful. Completely breath-taking.“ Kelsey rose to stand again smiling as she looked around as she closed her eyes for a moment but still saw the balcony as clearly in her mind as she would when she opened her eyes again. She wanted to savour this moment for ever in her head.

„This place is marvellous. You have a very pretty home, Felton.“ Kelsey smiled at the man walking over to the table that had been prepared and thanking him quietly as she took a seat. Her thumb brushed gently the engraving of her name on one of the filigree goblets. It was almost too pretty to drink anything from it. And Kelsey felt the butterflies start flying even faster. Why had Felton brought her up here? And Shared all this with her? Swallowing and promiseing herself to not cry should she not see Felton ever again Kelsey smiled at the strong and mysterios man sitting opposite from her. His look on her when Kelsey’s eyes met hers was enough to take Kelsey’s breath away. „Felton...“ Kelsey didn’t know what to say. Maybe she was asking to know what made Felton’s eyes look so serious and maybe she asking him to not spoil suhca moment with some casual comments. She dind’t know so Kelsey just sort of looked at him.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She couldn’t help but smile when he said that he could never actually have hit her with the snowball. He was so sweet, and so kind to her. She was rather sure that she couldn’t hit him with one either. At least not here, at this party for him, sitting on the ground in this beautiful winter wonderland, and not caring if she was getting her skirt wet and covered with snow. When he opened his eyes and looked up at her she couldn’t help but bite her lip, even if she wasn’t really sure why, and she found herself biting it harder when he told her that she was his lucky start. “I’m really not that lucky.” She added “or I never have been. You though, you seem like the lucky type. I bet all your wishes will come true.”

She felt quite again for a moment, and Gary sat up, taking her hand in his again, and started to rub it. His skin felt so warm against hers. She was pink and chilled from the air, but she had been too distracted to realize it. She stayed quiet as he talked about Gods, and how they were in the times of the Egyptians and the Greeks. She didn’t really know what to think. She had never really thought about it. “I don’t know, I mean, I guess it would make sense. I don’t see how one…thing I guess, even if it is a god, can be in charge of everything. Even if he could be, wouldn’t it make more sense to have things that specialize in areas? Like in quidditch, you could play one on one with a single player doing everything, but its better to have more players who specialize in different things and can focus on just that. Maybe that’s how gods are, there are a bunch of them, and together they sort of mesh to make one big god, though really they are just separate beings that watch over separate things.” She looked away from Gary for a moment and bit her lip, not sure if what she said made any sense at all, but she said it with out really thinking. After a moment again she looked back at him and smiled. “There is no one I would rather spend the day with either”

[Meyghan Gallagher R7]

Meyghan looked around at her guests, hoping that each of them had heard her announcement. She had noticed that her father had already led Kelsey up toward the balcony, and she hoped that everything was perfect still up there. She then heard Jamison ask if she would need any assistance with the fireworks set up. “That would be lovely. I must shamefully admit that it is the one aspect of tonight’s party that is not yet fully prepared.” Meyghan answered hoping that only Jamison had heard her confession. It was important to her for everyone to think that everything had been pre-meditated, and arranged beforehand.

Meyghan began to lead the way out into the garden. She had at least already arranged and
prepared the special area for the fireworks to be launched from. Taking Jamison by the hand, she guided him through the bushes, into the clearing that she had arranged. The fireworks had already been left in the clearing, but had not been arranged for firing. “I don’t know the best order to put these in. I have never really done anything like that before, my dad always did. But he’s busy hopefully admitting his feelings.” Meyghan said the last part slightly blushing for she also had some hidden feelings at the moment. She just didn’t know if she should share them or not. Meyghan noticed that Tawa the elf had already moved the fireworks out to the garden from the tool shed, this made her thankful that the family did have the elf around to help. The elf wasn’t treated like a slave though, but more as a friend. Meyghan looked around at the fireworks, and wondered how she was going to fix it so that as soon as one ended the next would go off. She finally decided on a timer of sorts on the fuses. She looked at Jamison, “I hate to ask this of you but could you pull the fuses this way toward the shed? I’m going to get a timer box that my dad has out of there, so that they will go off just right and all we have to do is watch.” Meyghan turned and ran toward the shed. A moment later, she was back in the garden, standing next to Jamison again. She took the fuses, and hooked them all up to the timer box. It was a muggle item, but had always worked on Filibuster’s before.

“I hope this works as well for me as it has my dad.” She said after rigging up the timer box, and setting it to start the show in the next few moments after that. Meyghan looked back toward the house, and noticed that Gary and Nokomis were already outside. I do hope everyone else will make it outside shortly. She thought to herself. She looked up toward the balcony, and noticed that her father and Kelsey seemed to be talking. That was good. Meyghan really liked Kelsey, and knew how her dad felt about Kelsey as well.

Turning back toward Jamison, Meyghan smiled. Her night was going well. She was with a handsome, and sweet boy, and her guests and parent seemed to be happy. “I’m glad you could make it. It has been really nice having you here.” She said to Jamison. Looking back toward the box, Meyghan noticed that the timer was lighting the fuse for the first set of fireworks. “Look,” she whispered not wanting to ruin the moment, “The show is about to start.”

[crane]

Gary felt his heart soaring at Noko’s words. She was glad to be with him. It created some fuzzy feeling deep in the pit of his stomach and warmth from it surrounded his whole body. “I am not that lucky either. But today… tonight I do feel lucky and strong as if I could do anything. Anything at all. And I almost wish I could hold onto to this feeling and this moment and you and just stay here forever. But at the same time I don’t want to stay here either because I can’t wait to see what the next moment spent with you would bring on.” Gary felt his cheeks heating up a little as his mouth had ran away with his feelings before he could even control it. His words sounded cheesy perhaps but that was not how Gary had meant them. He had never been very good with words so he very often couldn’t express his feelings without actions to demonstrate themselves. Sometimes a smile or a hug could pass on joy much better than a couple of over-flowing words. Feeling a bit shy Gary looked up and noticed that her mom and Felton had moved up to the balcony together. Gary liked Felton. And it looked like his mom cared very much for Felton too. Gary looked at the silhouette of his mothers figure and wondered if she felt the same way up there with Felton as Gary did down here in the garden with Noko.

“I think you are right. But I like to think that there is someone or someones or something out there somewhere who look after us. It comforts me to think that while I’m away at Hogwarts there is some angel or a fairy that lives in flowers like Lindy believes who will keep my family safe. If my family is happy then it’s easier for me to happy too.”
Gary watched curiously as Meyghan walked outside and jumped up as the first rocket flew upwards to the sky. Taking hold of Noko’s hands Gary pulled her to her feet too as he turned his head upwards. “Fire-works. Just the thing needed to make tonight perfect.” For a few moments Gary looked at the colorful sparks filling the sky with beauty before looking down at Noko who was standing next to him. Gary hadn’t even noticed when exactly he had put his arm around her shoulders. Gary smiled at the pretty girl and leaned his forehead against hers enjoying the moment and the feeling of companionship between them as he whispered. “Happy New Year, Nokomis.”

[Felton Gallagher]

Felton sat across from Kelsey and paid more attention to her beauty than to the fireworks themselves as they started to launch. He had something very important on his mind and wasn't sure how he was going to say it. He had come to the conclusion earlier that day that just coming out and telling her how he felt was the best way to go about it, but he was beginning to doubt himself again.

Looking across, not knowing if his gaze was catching Kelsey's attention or not, he reached for her hand, which he had just moments ago noticed her gently place on the table. "Aren't the fireworks lovely?" He asked trying to dodge the subject that was actually on his mind. He knew that the night was drawing to an end, and that he really needed to tell her what he was thinking but he felt like a school boy sitting with his first crush. Felton thought these feelings were wonderful, and couldn't believe that he had once again found someone that made him feel this way.

After watching a big blue firework burst into a heart shape, he decided that now was as good of a time as any. "Kelsey, there is something that I need to tell you. I am not sure if I can put this into words, but I need to get it off my chest." He said gently touching her fingers and hand.

"I care for you, my dear. Not the way that a friend cares for another friend, but a much stronger care. You make me feel like a teenage boy again, all nervous, and unsure of myself. These are wonderful feelings that I have not experienced since I lost the children's mother. There's not a moment that goes by that I don't think of you, nor a second that I don't want to see you or hold you or even kiss you my dear. I long to hear your voice, or just to see your smiling eyes. I know we have only known each other a short while, but I Love You, Kelsey. There is no other way to describe it. I love you, and feel as if I could not live without you or the kids." He had said it, he couldn't believe that it had come out right, but he had accomplished what he needed. Now he could only wait to see if she felt the same about him.