Birthday Bash! PV Group Locked

Jorah gazed absentmindedly at the tendrils of an orange flame licking away in the common room hearth when he heard a disturbance coming from behind him. The silence between the crackling of the burning wood was broken by loud tapping on a window. Craning his head away from the fire, Jorah saw a Snowy owl outside the common room window. She held an envelope in her black beak. A beak which she used to tap on the glass as if to say, "Hey you! Let me in!" Jorah rose from his chair and granted the owl entrance into the room. She dropped the letter on a table near Jorah and flew out of the room as quickly as she came. The note was addressed to Jorah in a lovely cursive handwriting, likely from a talented girl. He opened the letter to find an invitation to Ruthie's birthday party. Jorah's heart filled with joy. He wasn't used to getting invited to parties and he wouldn't miss friend's big day for the world.

It was too late to have a proper birthday gift delivered by owl. Jorah's parents had sent him Ruthie's quidditch flag, naturally thinking it was for their son. There was no time for that now, Jorah would have to improvise. Think, think. What could I possibly get for Ruthie? After a moment of internal debate, Jorah settled on the best thing he could whip up last minute. With a sheet of parchment and quill, he wrote her a birthday card which he sealed in an envelope with a little surprise that he hoped wouldn't upset Ruthie.

When the time had come for the party, Jorah freshened up, combing his hair and brushing his teeth. He was nervous. What if she hates my gift? Jorah pushed those thoughts aside for the time being. He made his way down the tower stairs and over to the Rehearsal Room. Jorah was surprised to see so many familiar faces. There were even decorations and a cake! This was a legitimate birthday party and it only made Jorah feel more self conscious about his cheap gift. Jorah smiled at anyone he made eye contact with and quietly made his way to an empty corner of the room.

Open to Interactions

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@Thora Larkston, @Charlie Woodward , @Dale Kurt, @Cormac McCarthy, @David Young, @Griseldis Edelhardt, @Elzabeth Gillan, @Jake Morris,@Jorah Moussa.

As Lark waited for the response from the other two about decorating and the final touches to setting up, she noticed Dale enter the room and gave a wave of her hand. She hadn't been sure if he would make it or not, or how many others would show but seeing the group already gathering together put a smile on her face.

"Glad you made it!" Lark took the card from Dale. "She'll jus' be happy you thought of her, trust me!" Noticing the look on Dale's face, Lark motioned to the decorations her, Thora and Charlie were looking over. Maybe putting his talents to use, and height, would take his mind off being nervous about his card.

"Thora, Charlie an' I were just trying ta finish up hanging these chains.. just decidin' on where best ta place 'em." Turning her back to the others, Lark put a finger to her lower lip. The room just needed a little bit more... something.

"Hello,"

Another familiar voice drew her attention away from the task at hand, her eyes pulling from the ceiling and towards Cormac. He looked as chipper as always. "Mac! Ye made it!" She thanked him for the compliment on the room as her gaze drifted over Cormac's shoulder toward the door, a brown haired boy making his way into the party.

"David, 'ey want ta give us a hand?" She motioned for the boy to come over. He was also on the Quidditch team, though Lark had never gotten to really speak to him outside of practicing or while the two waited their turn on the bench at a game. Another welcome face though! Just as much as the next friend of Ruthie's to join them all, Gris. Lark found she looked up to the older Gryffindor. Prefect among so many other talents, and gorgeous to top it all off.

"Not late at all! Actually right on time!" She peered up to an old clock that hung across the room. Although... Ruthie would be here any minute.. a small spark of worry snapped at the back of Lark's thoughts. Hopefully they could set up in time as long as Elz-

"ELZ!" Her friend came almost tumbling into the room. "Oh you brought more, fantastic!" Lark waved at her apologies. "Dun' worry about it. We're almost all here now so we can finish up before Ru comes." Glancing around at the group of party goers, Lark couldnt help but don a widened grin. All these people here for Ruthie.. she deserved it... needed it after the year she had.

"I really want ta jus' thank you all for comin'" her accent thickening and taking hold as she fought back a quiver in her voice. A swell of pride and warmth almost made the young Ravenclaw tear up. How wonderful were all these friends to take the time to celebrate Ruthie. "I told her ta meet me here... in well... about ten minutes. That should be enough time ta finish up and get ya all inte some good hidin' spots." Excitment fluttered around in her stomach. After never having experienced parties or celebrations like this with friends... and being thrown into them with the others her first couple weeks at Hogwarts, Lark had found an almost unhealthy obsession with decorating and parties. Well.. except for the Ball.

Looking over the decorations Elzabeth had brought with her, some stars and other things she made note to compliment Elz on her craftsmanship later over, a small voice piped up. Blinking, Lark studied the small boy. He seemed so familiar...

"That is so kind! There's a spot near the cake over there for gifts!" She offered the boy a warm smile and held out her hand when she realized it was the same boy she had run into outside at the start of the year while she had been drawing. "Jake, right? I'm Lark, nice to officially meet ya finally." If they had shook hands, Lark would then point towards the bench where some of the other gifts sat. "We're just gonna finish up an' hide before she gets here." To her the boy looked nervous still... maybe giving him a task as well could help him feel more comfortable.

"Could'ya check on the drinks while you're over there? Make sure the cups are out an' punchbowl has the ladle on it? I would be real grateful for it!" She would wait for his response before looking up and noticing someone else sliding their way inside. "Thanks Jake!" Her attention still drawn away towards the boy slinking over to the corner of the room, was that Jorah? She had never really seen him beyond what happened at the Ball and only much of it from a distance.. a knot formed in the bottom of her gut like a heavy lump. She wasn't sure if he was even going to show up honestly. The two seemed to be distant from each other and from what Lark had seen of Ruthie she couldn't blame the girl.. the feelings she had and guilt that succumbed her friend from that night.. no. NO. Lark refused to let her best friend live through those emotions again.. slinking into a party or not, Lark strode over to the boy with purpose, maybe a little too direct in manner than she had intended but nonetheless.

"Jorah?" She asked as she reached the boy's temporary hiding spot. It had been strange for him to just settle himself here while the others helped out. "Glad you got my owl!" Lark dove deep to try and bring forth a smile. Why did this feel so awkward... "I wasn't sure if you would make it, but we're all trying ta set up if ya wouldn't mind helpin' the others? Still quite a bit to go before it is ready for Ruthie." Her eyes fell over the dark haired boy standing before her. Tracing the lines on his face, studying him. As was her job as best friend. She felt the need to protect her friend and took her place next to Ruthie very seriously. The two had formed quite the bond and after what had been going on between the pair of Ravenclaw girls, Lark was adamant she would do what she viewed best for Ru.

"She needs this y'know." Lark's voice was low, just between the two of them. "Things have ta move forward.." As much as the Ball had been hellish for all those involved, Ru had continued to be haunted whether she admitted it openly or not. Lark saw it in the way she glanced over her should outside, winced at certain noises, the look that came over her face at the mention of certain topics in passing conversations.. "Be good ta have some help." Nodding towards the others Lark would wait for his response before returning to the group to get ready.

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Thank you all for coming! If you guys want to do another post that would be great! Otherwise I want Ruthie to be able to finally make her entrance so giving this thread 24 hrs before I ping the birthday girl!
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Interactions: Everyone but specifically @Lark Flaer and @Griseldis Edelhardt

A smile found its way over Thora's features as she continued to glance over the decorated Rehearsal Room. Setting her small package down next to Lark's, she stood aside as more people came in. It was nice that Ruthie had so many people that cared, so many people that wanted to celebrate her birthday. Thora didn't know too many of the people arriving herself, while a few faces registered as someone she'd seen before.

"Sure, I can levitate those balloons for you if you want," Thora grinned as she found her aspen wand deep in her hoodie pocket. Magic was something she excelled at, despite her very Muggle background and thereby very little experience in the world of wizardry. She didn't have an incredibly consistent record, having actually failed to even create a spark of light last time she'd tried casting the Levitation Charm at the ball, but hopefully it would work this time around. Even if it didn't at least there was a slightly larger margin for error now. She'd best not aim at anyone, though...

"Hey, I'm Thora, by the way," the girl said softly as more people came in. She wasn't exactly comfortable with the steadily growing number of students, but alas, it was a good thing. Thora bit her lip as she realized that really, she was pathetic. Today wasn't even about her. It was about Ruthie. "Hey Gris!" she brightened a bit as her favorite Gryffindor appeared in the doorway, cheerful as always. 

Her name being called caught Thora's attention, and flustered, she tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind an ear. How long had Lark been trying to get her attention? "Oh, ehm, we could drape them about the window, around the doorway, or even from the ceiling if someone can reach," the girl suggested. Ideally, the bare ceiling was quite empty and was practically asking for the colorful chains, but reaching it might be a problem. 

It wasn't like Thora could, anyways, standing at a mere 142 centimetres. Ideas weren't worth much if nobody acted on it, so she briefly considered moving a chair or even table so the shorter students could climb on top and attach the chains to the ceiling. But while rather tame for the almost impossible happenings at Hogwarts, it wouldn't do. Well, they could find some way to pull it off. They always did.

But meanwhile, she had a job to do, didn't she? Attaching a bit of some adhesive to the balloon, Thora set it on the ground, pointing her wand at it. "Wingardium Leviosa," she muttered, swishing and flicking as she was supposed to. To the snek's relief, the blue balloon rose, following every motion her right hand made. Directing the balloon to the wall, Thora furrowed her brow as she jabbed her wand forward just the slightest bit. A bit more...

...And there. It stuck. Thank Merlin.

@Ruthie Greer ✧ @Thora Larkston ✧ @Dymphna Teague ✧ @Griseldis Edelhardt ✧ @Cormac McCarthy
✧ @Jake Morris ✧ @Emma Hill ✧ @Adam Harringtom
✧ @Jorah Moussa ✧ @Saskia Nicholson ✧ @Julie Shaw
✧ @Charlie Woodward ✧ @Dale Kurt ✧ @Elzabeth Gillan
✧ @David Young ✧ @Pipere Shick ✧ @River Dewlight ✧ @Natalia Draig

Talia had been sick. Between frequenting the Hospital Wing, classes, and homework, she'd nearly dug herself a rut between rooms in a desperate bid to catch up on everything, but her attempts at trying to do well academically meant that she had to cut a few corners elsewhere in her life—namely, socializing. Because of her study-dorm-study routine, she'd effectively lost more than half of her already-limping social circle, and it didn't take long until she'd forgotten most names and faces she'd learned at the beginning of the semester... but a handful stuck, thankfully, and when one time she'd seen a familiar face across the hallway, the young girl had ducked her head and scuttled away, unseen, too guilty over the fact that she had gone missing from their company.

It had eaten at her, the crime she'd been so convinced she committed, but when word came of Ru's surprise party, she'd decided it would be best to make ammends—a first for the young, shy lass who'd never had a friend in her life, though not for a lack of trying. She'd simply been too emotionally unqualified to be a good one, she'd kept telling herself, but she eventually reached the point where she realizee she'd never be a good one if she didn't try.

So she walks into the Rehearsal Room, the first time she's deviated from her daily routine in a long while, with a wrapper gift held firmly between her palms. It's two feet in height, heavy enough thar she looks for the gift table immediately, and precious enough that when she puts it on the present-laden surface, she does so with great care, making sure that it makes not even a sound when she finally puts it down. She gives it another nudge to make sure that it wouldn't fall off the edge, and when she's done she sighs in relief, glad that she's made it on time without breaking the darn thing.

Except now, she doesn't quite know what to do, and she's surrounded by faces too unfamiliar to approach. There are far too many people bustling around, and it makes her feel awkward and wrong and entirely undeserving to be there, so she scuttles to the side of the room and waits for the only person she knows to appear.

A part of her wonders if it's such a good idea after all, but she crushes it with the guilt she'd been carrying for some time now—she's doing this for Ru, because she undoubtedly deserves better.

Jorah's entrance had not gone unnoticed. Not long after settling away from the others did a girl make a bee-line towards him. It was Lark, a fellow Quidditch teammate and this lovely party's organizer. Lark and Ruthie had spent so much time together recently that they looked like two peas in a pod. He felt a little sad that Lark was Ruthie's best friend now. Ruthie was the first and probably the only friend Jorah had at Hogwarts. The shy introvert had trouble making friends so when he found one that he liked, it was because they were special. Over the past month, Jorah watched as he lost his title of best friend. He felt a little jealous, but ultimately he was just happy that Ruthie found someone that made her happy. Jorah hid his sadness, masking it with a simple smile. "Jorah? Glad you got my owl!," she began. "Of course! Thank you, so much for the invitation!," Jorah replied.

She continued, "I wasn't sure if you would make it, but we're all trying ta set up if ya wouldn't mind helpin' the others? Still quite a bit to go before it is ready for Ruthie." A pause, then as if changing with the seriousness of the discussion, her Irish accent came in thicker, "She needs this y'know. Be good ta have some help." Jorah's first thought was of Lark's nice accent. Ruthie had an accent too, but her's was Scottish. Then the meaning of Lark's words were actually processed. Jorah's self pity melted away at the thought of his best friend suffering. They hadn't interacted much since the ball, but he could tell she was changed. Was she having nightmares too? Atleast I have the pheonix plushie that Ruthie gave me... The plushie helped to comfort Jorah after the night terrors. ...but what does Ruthie have...Lark? Then Jorah saw Lark for what she was, someone who cared for Ruthie just like he did. If she wants to help Ruthie then she's fine by me. Maybe one day we can be friends too. Jorah answered, "Ah, sorry. I get lost in my head sometimes. I agree, anything for Ruthie. I'll go help the others set up."
@Lark Flaer

Open to Interaction

Open to Interact

It seemed kind of silly to go all the way to the rehearsal room just to talk about Quidditch. If Lark wanted some place the other houses wouldn't know about, there was the common room. More private still would be the Sycamore Dorm. And absolute worst case, they could stuff themselves in a broom cupboard. It might be a little uncomfortable, but it'd be safe from preying ears. Still, she'd do what Lark said. There was no one she trusted more in the school--perhaps no one she trusted more in the world.

And that was why she was here, going away past the Great Hall (despite a small stomach growl) and towards the Rehearsal Room, a space she'd never actually visited. With a few head turns at either side, she kept looking for the door, making sure she wasn't getting accidentally lost on the fourth floor. As a mere first year, she suspected there were still many parts of the castle she had yet to explore. Eventually, her eyes stumbled upon the wooden door marked "Rehearsal Room." The door was slightly ajar, but she didn't hear anything particularly loud--just some rustling that could easily have been the wind.

But pressing the door open revealed an extraordinarily different sight all together. Inside the room was the most marvelous thing she had seen since her start at Hogwarts several months ago. The room had been completely transformed in a space of love and joy with wonderful magical decorations. A large collective "SURPRISE!" burst from the room and the young now 12 year old's eyes widened and jaw dropped in surprise. Is this really for me!? She couldn't quite believe it. After all the pain she had cause several people in this room, the still really turned out. After her hiding and crying and panicking, theses people had turned out. Raising her hands to her face, she walked in more closely and took better notice of the exact people in the room, not to mention the table where it looked like a cake and some envelopes were currently residing.

She wasn't sure who to speak to first. Everyone there was equally important to her, each in their own way. Even those she hadn't know for all that long like Charlie and Cormac had found a special place in her heart. And Jake too--how wonderful of him to come to a social gathering like this that in all likelihood would have scared him. Dale, Lark's good friend, had even spent his time coming here--what a good sport! And of course, there was Thora and Gris, whom she knew would always be there for her. They had quite literally saved her life in October. Not to mention Thora's patience with her panic attack at the SWAG game. And Nat, it'd been so long since she'd seen her, but she was glad. The young Ravenclaw had always seemed intelligent and generally cool and Ru wished to get to know her better. Then there was Jorah, the boy she'd nearly killed. To be honest, she was surprised he'd even showed up from the way she never saw him anymore. Perhaps he had his own friends. Perhaps that was for the best. The group she had in front of her was difficult, if not impossible, to compete with. They were genuine, caring and thoughtful. But of these, the greatest was Lark. The metamorphagus, her undeniable best friend, had supported Ruthie like none other and they had developed a bond no one would be able to pierce no matter how hard they might try.

"This is incredible!" she pronounced, unaware that she had started happy crying. She wasn't a particularly emotional person. Empathic, yes, for others, but not always self-aware. Still, the events at Hogwarts had pushed her over the edge and this was such a great moment for her to come back. "How'd you all do this?" she questioned, wondering who might be the brains behind the operation. She had some suspicions, but didn't want to single people out. Besides, she wouldn't have been surprised if it had been a group effort. Groups had been a great way to get through Hogwarts from the horrors to the daily tasks like errands.

Gris seemed to be talking to David, and Lark with Jorah, so Ruthie wanted to first check on the quieter guests, the ones with whom he'd had less of a history, the ones who didn't necessary need to be here. "Charlie! Nat! It's so good to see you. Thank you for coming," she greeted them with a smile, "I owe you some time on the pitch, Nat. And you still need to meet my owl, Charlie. Let me know what your schedule is like. I heard second year is harder than first." It was kind of a half joke and as such, she lightly tapped him on the arm. Obviously second year was harder, but still she didn't want to impose on the boy's time. In fact, it was great he and everyone had come out like this. Nearby she could see a small little boy, she'd know anywhere. "Jake! Come over here," she encouraged him. She wasn't sure, but she figured Jake wasn't the best at meeting new people. The least she could do was help him along.

And that was when she noticed the one face she didn't recognize (Elzbeth). A girl she had seen in passing in the common room. She must have been a friend of a friend, which was completely welcome! After all, Dale was here and he was great. "Hi, I don't think I know you. I'm Ruthie," she introduced herself, outstretching her hand. "I think I've seen you around the common room. It's about time we met," she continued with a smile. Ruthie had always enjoyed meeting new people and it was about time she met them under pleasant circumstances. Besides the overwhelming kindness, the truth was that Ruthie simply needed some happiness. She needed this party. And she was eternally grateful for not only the event, but the people in it.

Interacting with @Lark Flaer, @David Young, @Griseldis Edelhardt, @Natalia Draig, @Thora Larkston, @Charlie Woodward, @Cormac McCarthy, @Jake Morris, @Elzabeth Gillan & @Jorah Moussa

NB: As Lark said, if you are not hiding & saying surprise, please tell me and I will edit. Thanks!

"This is incredible!" Charlie heard, his head turning from his preoccupied state to see Ruthie standing with tears in her eyes. He couldn't help a small smile, seeing her happy with all these people around her to wish her happy birthday. He'd happened to be standing by a girl named Nat (as he found out when Ruthie approached them, sweetly pronouncing their names.)

"Happy birthday Miss Greer!" He chuckled, "-and I'm sure Darby is just as excited as I am. I'll keep you updated." He was surprised by the sudden contact, physical contact, but he just lightly tapped her back- all smiles on his face as they exchanged a few small words. "Hard- but not impossible, I reckon." His awkwardness bled through a bit at the statement, texas accent slipping.

When she walked away, greeting other guests, he waved her off before turning to the girl named Nat. "On the pitch? You play?" The introduction of the birthday girl sent him into more of a social mood, and he didn't see any reason not to attempt to make new friends. "Charlie, by the way. Nice to meet ya'" He stuck out his hand, nearly ignoring whatever commotion of partygoers was happening behind them.

★ Interacting with @Ruthie Greer and @Natalia Draig ★