Night oh fun PV Hailey Rose Closed

@Emma Wynn as Louca

In retrospect, Haley was glad that she had met Louca on that one sunny day and that he had unknowingly convinced her to go to the ball. Yes, it was not easy, but it was a nice evening. As the initial tension faded, Haley felt more and more comfortable to enjoy the evening with Louca, she just hoped he would have fun too. Moreover, she hoped he hadn't noticed her discomfort when she saw Simon with his date. She had promised herself to stop letting it affect her and move forward, she had to remember Charles words and finally be Haley again.

The evening went well, Haley laughed a lot and enjoyed the event. Soon the champions were announced, but she didn't even want to think about the Tournament, the thought of it always caused a little panic in her. She was afraid that bad things would happen there and she could only hope that her fear was completely unfounded. Nevertheless, she clapped and congratulated the chosen champions and was totally surprised when Miles' name was read out. "Miles?" she whispered softly, remembering that time she saw him throw his name into the goblet.

"Mm?" Haley was lost in her thoughts for a moment and looked at Louca in confusion. "Oh cold?" She thought for a moment, she was indeed cold, she just hadn't noticed due to all the distractions. "To be honest, yes it is indeed a bit chilly." She answered honestly "But don't worry, a little movement and I'll be warm again very quickly." She smiled at him.

A little movement and I'll be warm again in no time - Haley Rose, do you ever think about what you say? Would you like to run a marathon in your dress? Or do some jumping jacks to get your body warmed up again? She was annoyed at her idiotic answer and was glad to be able to change the subject again quickly.

"Yes, it really is a great evening! I'm glad I went after all. That I went with you. My favourite thing? Mhhh. I guess I just like the atmosphere, the beautiful surroundings, the decorations and all the nice dresses and suits. And yours?"

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Louca was slightly surprised that Haley had been thinking of other things, although maybe he shouldn’t have been. It wasn’t like he always paid the utmost attention to whoever was in front of him. It had led to a few moments where he had had to use his charm to turn situations around, or do his best to guess at what had been said. Though not always successfully. Which then led to some funnier moments then what he had thought.

He shrugged his shoulders, starting to take his jacket off, before realizing Haley’s comment about movement registered. Maybe she wouldn’t like his jacket, but he could at least offer. “Would you like my jacket? Or we can just walk around or something like that.” He gestured in a general direction, smiling back at Haley. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he waited to see what Haley would decide.

Beaming at Haley’s answer to his question about the evening, he was happy to hear that she was enjoying herself. That made him feel warm inside, happy that he had been able to help her enjoy the night despite her doubts. “Me too, that you came with me I mean. It was done really nicely. I think the champions announcement was my favorite part of the night. That was really cool, and not what I expected.” Louca hadn’t known what to expect when he had seen the flames shooting from the Goblet, even having got an up and close view when he submitted his own name. But it had been an amazing show and the tension of not knowing was now over. Now he would be on tenderhooks until the champions decided on their teams. He was determined to participate in one way or another.

“Do you know the Hogwarts Champion?” He thought about what he said and if she did know him, he wouldn’t push, after all he didn’t want Haley thinking he was trying to get inside information for his own school’s benefit. “Alright, I have a proposition for you…..” He paused for dramatic event, chuckling slightly as he continued. “Wanna ask random questions of each other? Might be fun and lead to some interesting stories. Not that the whole night’s conversation hasn’t been interesting but just to add some more interesting conversation to the night.” Louca blushed at the slight ramble, wondering where his charm had gone.
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@Emma Wynn as Louca

Haley was surprised by Louca's offer and at the same time she couldn't suppress a grin. With red cheeks, she nodded and accepted his offer. "I'd love to." She turned slightly so that Louca could put his jacket around her shoulder. She smiled at him as she did so and immediately caught his scent clinging to his jacket. She paused inside for a moment and took a deep breath through her nose before returning to reality. "Thank you." She whispered almost too softly.

Haley was very pleased to hear that Louca was also enjoying the evening and once again she was confirmed that it was the right decision. "Well, yes I know him. But not really. We've never talked or anything. Do you know your champion? I know Miles. Not very well, but we know each other." Haley shrugged, she still didn't know what to make of it all and just hoped that this time it wouldn't end in drama, chaos or worse.

Louca's suggestion was an excellent idea and a good distraction from the worries about the champions. "That sounds great!" she gloated and out of affect took his hand and pulled him along. Haley advanced a little and only let go of his hand when she had led him to a bench where the two of them could sit down. "So Mr.Dufort." She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, noting the empty feeling in her hand where his had been a moment ago. Again her cheeks turned red and she quickly distracted herself, thinking of some questions to ask Louca.

Actually, it wasn't hard to ask anyone anything, but at the same time, Haley didn't want to just ask ANYTHING. She wanted to get to know Louca and not just superficially. She didn't want to ask an boring question, but one that had depth, or at least something she had thought about. She pondered for a few moments before some came to mind and so she started with her first question.

"Well, let me ask you the first question. Why do you think you asked me of all people to go to the ball with you?" Haley couldn't help herself and grinned challengingly at him. It was a slow start to the game for her, but she knew the question was mean. But she wanted to see how Louca would react to it and at the same time she wanted to know why he had asked her.

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Louca smiled bashfully, shrugging his jacket the rest of the way off before placing it carefully around Haley’s shoulders, ensuring it wouldn’t fall off. Withdrawing his hands slowly, it felt awkward just letting them hang at his side, so he shoved them into his pockets, turning his head slightly so he could talk comfortably with Haley. He almost missed her thanks, and he just shrugged, tossing his head a bit to make sure his hair was far enough from his eyes that it wouldn’t block his sight.

He smiled at her, happy to be on somewhat easier territory. Conversation he could do, especially more superficial conversation like discussing the champions whom had just been announced earlier in the night. “I’d say I’m about the same with Miles, maybe a little more. We’re both on the quidditch team so there’s that but I also haven’t had any kind of real conversation with him. Oh really? How did you meet if you don’t mind me asking?” Louca figured that was a good way to continue the conversation and maybe get it away from the tournament. He was sure that it was all anyone would be talking about for some time yet. Louca wouldn’t mind talking it over as well but it seemed that until the teams or activities were announced then there wasn’t a ton to talk about that hadn’t already been done. And maybe Louca also hoped that by talking about it less, he would be more likely to be on the team. Although he also thought that maybe having worked with Miles on the quidditch team would give him a leg up, even being a first year.

Louca blushed slightly at Haley’s enthusiasm but was almost giddy that she had not minded the rambling bit of his conversation. Admittedly he had had no idea of where he was going when he opened his mouth. He grinned as Haley took his hand and pulled him to a bench before releasing his hand. He waited for her to sit, before he would allow himself to sit. After all he had some manners at least.

Raising his eyebrow, he waited as obviously Haley had something to say. He hadn’t intended to match Haley but it seemed he had when he raised his eyebrow unintentionally. His eyes widened slightly at the question, unsure of how to answer it but also not having expected that as the first question. Stumbling over his words slightly, he did his best to answer. “Well, we were talking, and it was fun, and you knew a lot, and could keep up and and and you were beautiful and it just seemed like it would make for an amazing night to be able to go with you. It just clicked?” Louca had no idea what that mess of words that had spilled out of him meant but he blushed all the same, feeling for the first time that his charm had let him down in that he hadn’t been able to properly articulate his feelings. “Honestly, it wasn’t like a conscious decision so I really can’t pinpoint one thing.” Shrugging, he looked away, then turned back, deciding to turn the tables on her. “Oh. So I guess it’s my turn now. Why did you say yes? You seemed pretty over the balls.” He raised his eyebrow again, a smirk crossing his face as he got back to more stable ground.
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@Emma Wynn as Louca

Haley snuggled gratefully into Louca's jacket. "But tell me right away if it gets cold!" she almost ordered him, giving him an admonishing look. She didn't want him to freeze because of her but for the moment she was grateful for the gesture. The gentlemanly behaviour reminded her of Simon and she noticed the little twinge in her chest, immediately banishing the memory and the thought from her mind. Not tonight.

"We met quite by chance in Diagon Alley." She chuckled at the memory. "We were both sufferers from our parents' activities and who knows, maybe it was fate that had brought us like-minded people together." Haley remembered back to the day, her mother was in a pure shopping rush for Christmas and Miles' parents had some book signing. "Well, we got together and ended up having a legendary snowball fight that will go down in the history books. And what can I say, I think it's clear I won." Laughed the redhead now heartily on as she recounted the encounter with Miles. "I then met him again here when he had thrown his name into the goblet and we spent the rest of the day together. We haven't known each other long or particularly well but I really like him."

Haley grinned to herself as Louca answered her question. Haley knew she could be crazy and direct and not everyone could handle it, so she appreciated that Louca seemed to be trying to answer her question honestly. She giggled softly and looked down at her hands in embarrassment. Her cheeks turned pink when she heard Louca say she was pretty. "Well thank you for asking I really enjoyed the evening and it would have been a shame if I hadn't experienced it with you. And I'm sure if you hadn't asked I wouldn't have gone."

Of course he played the reverse card and Haley couldn't blame him, she would have done the same. "The question is how could I have said no?" she laughed with a wink. "No seriously, it was just the moment. Well I can't really explain it either, I was so sure I wasn't going to that ball and then we met quite by chance and hit it off so well straight away. It was almost like the universe wanted me not to miss that night." Oh Merlin, Haley bit her lips, she certainly sounded like an idiot, but she couldn't put it into words any better. "The yes just came. I felt like no wouldn't have been the right answer and I wouldn't be disappointed."

Haley noticed individual students starting to leave the ball and head back towards the castle. "It's getting late." She remarked, nodding in the direction of the groups of students. "I guess we don't have much time left before we have to say goodbye and leave to our beds too." She looked at Louca a little sadly, but she also knew that they would have plenty of time to see each other. "What do you say, one last question?" That was her offer to Louca and she waited for his question before the evening would end for both of them.

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Louca nodded to Haley’s ordering tone, but internally he knew it was unlikely he’d ask for the jacket back. After all, it was the gentlemanly thing to do and he didn’t seem to really feel the cold as Haley seemed to. Though maybe that was simply because he was enjoying himself so much or the manly ego was filling him with warmth. Who knew? For whatever reason, it was what it was although he wouldn’t take the jacket back even if he was freezing.

Louca’s grin widened and he listened carefully to Haley’s story about meeting Miles Thatcher. “That sounds like it turned into a fun day. And why am I not surprised? I think you win most challenges.” Louca laughed as he imagined the snowball fight that must have been quite the battle. He couldn’t imagine the champion going down without a fight. He enjoyed Haley's storytelling, and her laughter. “That’s good to know. I mean I figured he was a good guy from what I know of him from quidditch, but it’s always nice to hear someone else’s thoughts.” Louca also trusted that Haley had not been misled. Maybe he had rose colored glasses on, but he respected Haley’s opinions even in the short time they knew each other. She seemed to be quite similar to him and he enjoyed her company. He didn’t think he would enjoy the ball quite as much with anyone else, even some of his closest friends.

Looking away for a moment, he scratched the back of his neck, before looking back as Haley began to speak once more. “And that would have been a shame. Though we should definitely find out what that flying torch tag was all about because I have a feeling I could have beat you.” Laughing, Louca had felt comfortable saying that only because he knew that Haley would have a quick reply and not take him overly seriously. Others he would have avoided the last sentence, but he wanted to get back to more even footing.

His smirk grew at Haley’s wink, and Louca threw his head back and laughed at her first answer, then quietly chuckled for a moment more before catching her true thoughts. Louca blushed again slightly, but he was glad that she had felt that way. “Well, I’m glad you said yes anyway. I was just thinking earlier that it wouldn’t have been as fun if I hadn’t of come with you. So we’ll just have to thank the universe for its interference.” Louca told her earnestly.

Louca looked around at the surroundings but didn’t seem to take anything in, for once happy with the silence even though it was only a moment. “Well that’s disappointing. I don’t know how time went by so quickly.” Focusing, he realized that students were saying good night and leaving. Honestly it hadn’t felt like that long since they had met at the Great Hall. “Well now the pressure’s on…..hmmmm….Gonna have to be all cliché, but what do you think about staying in touch beyond the whole visit to Hogwarts?” Louca couldn’t believe he had been so….not smooth. Honestly that was awful and he fully thought that Haley would think it was a line, but he did want to keep in touch. He wasn’t a huge letter writer but he thought he could make an exception for Haley.
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@Emma Wynn as Louca

Haley really wished the night would not come to an end, but for one thing she was tired and for another they would risk getting caught and she would not want Louca to get detention because of her. But one would have to look at the positive things. She and Louca had a great evening, they were able to get to know each other better, they laughed and it seemed like they would both want to keep in touch no matter what.

"Distance." She looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Annoying, isn't it?" she laughed now, realising she hadn't even answered his question yet. "I would love to. Although it would be easier if there weren't thousands of miles between us." It was nice that the schools got together regularly but at the same time Haley hated that she made new friends who then had to leave again and they could only keep in touch through letters until it would come to a reunion again.

"But I guess letters are better than nothing?" she tried to lighten the situation and nudged Louca lightly with her shoulder. "I'm really looking forward to your letter." She finally said before another thought occurred to her. "Or wait, are you in for Summer Camp?" Even though that time would also be limited, they would have another month here to go on adventures together. "If yes, then we definitely need to see each other and if not an owl will reach you soon."

Haley stood up now and waited for Louca to do the same before walking slowly to the entrance of the castle to say goodbye to Louca with a hug. "Thank you for a great evening." She whispered into the crook of his neck before releasing the hug and making her way into Gryffindor Tower.

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Louca was feeling strangely energized, enjoying his time greatly with Haley. He, intellectually knew it was late and that he should be tired, but the thought of going to bed right now was a bit odd. He felt like he could run around a bit longer, maybe get into a bit of trouble. But he also was hesitant to do that especially since it was so late and they'd likely get in more trouble than just from doing something exciting. Though maybe curfew had been extended for the ball? But he couldn't be certain and while he enjoyed pushing boundaries, he wasn't sure this was the time for it. Though to be fair, if it meant more time with Haley, he would certainly enjoy it!

Louca nodded emphatically. "Such a pain I admit, although thankfully there are faster and easier ways to travel then muggles, so at least there's that. But still it's a bit of a pain to get anywhere really. Especially across continents." Louca was really bringing himself down with that whole ramble, knowing even with magical means of travel, it would be difficult to see Haley often, especially as his parents refused to travel to Europe, although maybe he could convince them to do so as long as they didn't go to France. After all, they couldn't hate a whole continent just because his mother's parents had disowned them. And France was plenty far enough away from the UK he was sure. Shrugging mentally, he was sure it would be an uphill battle, but maybe his parents were looking for some new targets.

He sadly grinned at Haley's shoulder nudge, turning to poke her side gently. "I guess, though admittedly I might be an awful letter writer. Never really tried, but I guess you're special." Louca cheered up at the thought of summer camp. "I've mentioned it to my parents and I'm sure I'll be able to talk them into it, after all, it's fun but I feel underfoot a bit after a while." Grinning happily once more, Louca shoved his hands into his pockets. "Maybe plan to meet sometime? Isn't there quidditch? Meet at one of the games?" Louca threw the suggestions out rapid-fire, not even pausing for breath, excited about the thought of summer camp, adventures and more Haley time.

Louca was surprised when Haley rose, not quite expecting it but at the same time he had just been thinking about how late it was. Keeping his hands in his pockets, he awkwardly pushed himself up, not sure what to do or say really. He just followed Haley towards the entrance of the castle, wondering what to do. He was even more surprised to receive a hug and paused awkwardly for a moment before withdrawing his hands from his pockets and wrapping Haley in a tight squeeze. "I think you might have stole my line. I'll send an owl once we're home." He said, his voice seeming loud against Haley's whisper. Releasing her, he watched as she walked into the castle before turning to return to his quarters, whistling as he did so.

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