Witch Weekly Annual Holiday Party (Thursday 12/19)

[daphne_x]

The Holidays were a cheerful and festive time. In fact, this season was Daphne Greengrass's favorite time of a year. Everyone seemed to be in a better mood around bright lights, wrapped presents, and the jingle bells. It was about the only time that she preferred to see snow on the ground rather than feel the sand between her toes

Comments

[skylar_x]

The entrance to the gallery was simply breath taking. Skylar had been to the the Witch Weekly Holiday Party for the last four years, each year outdoing the next. This, however, was beyond anything that she could have imagined. Her editor had told her early on that they were looking to expand themselves and a party with just the right people would be the way to go. It looked like there were big things for Skylar and the magazine in the works.

She had taken a half day from work to get ready for the night, realizing that it would be her first true public appearance with Harry that night. This wasn't a night out to dinner or the movies; Skylar had helped hand pick a section of the guest list from the people she specifically wrote about in her column. But it was more than that she realized as she pulled her hair up and back from her face. For the first time she was seeing true potential in her relationship with Harry and she wanted to make sure that the night went well. She made sure to keep her make up softer with a lighter lip choice than usual, considering her bold choice of dress. And she was ready long before Harry had said he'd be by to pick her up. She sat on her sofa, busying herself with a magazine and anxiously watching the time tick by.

When the knock at her door finally arrived, Skylar jumped off the seat quicker than she had meant to. She could hear Reid fumbling in his room and suddenly felt like a child keeping her date away from her parents as she darted for the door with her bag and jacket.

"We'll meet you there! Okay, bye. Love you!" she called sweetly yet rushed, shutting the door before she had even finished calling over to him. Reid was protective of her and while she knew she couldn't keep Harry away from him all night, maybe she could avoid it until cocktails.

But now that they were here, Skylar was feeling much more relaxed. She took in everything around her - the tree, the carolers singing her favorite song, and the rich colors that were simply elegant. It looked like a fairy-tale to her.

"This is amazing," she breathed, not even pretending to hide how impressed she was.

[so_harry]

He wasn't the biggest fan of parties- not exactly finding himself to be the best company these days. He was tired and still reeling from Cho's death (his first kiss was hardly forgotten no matter how soppy and wet it had been), still working restlessly on the Burning Man case. He'd almost cancelled on Skylar- But he wanted to be there with her. Wanted to be by her side for her big night, knowing that a Witch Weekly event was going to mean a lot to her. Honestly, as he was readying himself for the evening, catching teasing looks from Ron and Neville (both of whom were going stag and already completely hammered), he kept thinking of seeing Skylar in some incredible dress - looking as gorgeous as she always did and he couldn't ignore the flip flops in his stomach.

He had been completely and uttered wowed when she answered the door- the red lace and the short skirt- the way her hair was pulled off of her face, revealing that wide, dimpled smile..

She was gorgeous.

And suddenly, all his apprehension disappeared.

Now, the two of them stood in the entrance and Harry was taken back to the Yule Ball from his fourth year.

"Merlin, they really outdid themselves, didn't they?" he asked, turning toward her slightly. He glanced down at his suit, adjusting his tie with a slight groan. "It's crooked, isn't it?"

[skylar_x]

She was used to seeing him in t-shirts and jeans or, honestly, nothing at all. While he seemed less than comfortable in his colored shirt and jacket, Skylar thought he looked more handsome than ever. It even looked like he had tried to manage that hair of his. The butterflies were on over drive.

"You're an adorable mess, you know that?" she teased, turning to get a better look. It was, of course, crooked but not obviously so. Skylar gently pulled at his tie, shifting it around before tightening it back up. She took a step back before giving him an approving nod.

"There - absolutely perfect. You almost look happy to be all dressed up."

[so_harry]

He watched her carefully as she fixed his tie, glancing down at her with a bemused expression flickering across his face. He pressed his lips into a line to prevent himself from chuckling as she surveyed him, her nod finally causing him to laugh.

"I'm happy to be here with you," he said, earnestly. "This bloody suit will just have to do until I can properly ravage you later-"

Which was his entire plan, of course. He could deal with constricting ties and cuff links as long as he knew it would make her happy and knew that she would rip them off him later on in the evening.

"Now, should we get a drink?" he asked, offering her his arm.

[skylar_x]

"Not before I manage to you on the dance floor," she teased, taking his arm as they made their way towards the ballroom.

The gallery was already buzzing with guests and she was happy to see so many faces that she recognized. They noticed her as well, not for the fact that she was behind so many of their precious secrets being leaked, but because she was on Harry's arm. They were looked at her the same way the crowd at the carnival had.

"I didn't realize being your date would case so much attention," Skylar noted. Which was, of course, a lie. So many still thought of her as the shy one from school and it was easy to keep that persona up. "I think I will need a drink."

[so_harry]

The glances he was used to. They were consistent and always with the same shocked look as his scar registered in their eyes. He rubbed it absent-mindedly, turning to see the look on Skylar's face. He'd been Harry Potter his whole life- the looks, the glares, the concerned glances were all something he was used to. But he knew Skylar wasn't. How could she be?

He threw her a sympathetic look, his brow furrowing as he offered her a slight smile.

"Something strong, I think," he said, nodding his head then. "That'll make the looks nice and hazy-"

[skylar_x]

Skylar laughed and leaned in to place a quick kiss on his cheek. If they were going to look, she was going to make sure they had something to talk about.

"My idea of strong is very different thank yours," she reminded him. The firewhiskey didn't always go down so smooth.

[so_harry]

He thought he heard a few clicks of a camera as Skylar leaned in to kiss him, his eyes darting briefly before letting it go and relaxing against the softness of her lips. Bugger the press, bugger the guests- he just wanted to have a good time with his date.

"Right-" he said, smiling ruefully. "How about- wait- what exactly do you like to drink?"

He almost hit himself for not remembering.

[skylar_x]

Skylar pulled back and feigned insult. Though, she could hardly blame him. In the past by the time she found him he was so drunk she was often surprised he recognized her at all.

"Vodka soda, Wonder Boy. With lime," she reminded him, reaching for his hand as they continued on. There were a few more camera clicks in the background and the whispers followed them. Skylar gave Harry her best innocent doe eyes but couldn't help stand a little taller realizing the attention they were receiving.

[so_harry]

He paid no more mind to the cameras, squeezing her hand as he led her toward the bar. He signaled the bartender with a curt nod, approaching the counter with a friendly smile. "A vodka soda with lime, and a whiskey neat-"

While the bartender was putting together their drinks, Harry turned back to Skylar.

"Have I told you yet that this dress is incredible?" he told her, his eyes traveling up her form as he took in the sight of her. It hugged her every curve and her legs- Merlin, they looked a mile long. He was amazed at his self-control, to be honest. "You look amazing."

[skylar_x]

"I may have picked out just for you," she told him, taking a step closer. It was not only temping for Harry, Skylar couldn't help but imagine herself ripping open that perfectly pressed dress shirt later. He looked so handsome there, in the warm uplit room, looking her up and down.

She placed her hand gently on his shoulder, only to run down his toned arm. Tempting. Very tempting.

[so_harry]

He hiked an eyebrow, his hand reaching out to curve around her waist, pulling her just a bit closer to him. He supposed this was as close as they could get in the public eye- but he could contain himself for a few hours, couldn't he?

"Just for me?" he asked her, his skin tingling where she traced her fingers on his arm. "How did I become so lucky?"

[skylar_x]

Skylar wrapped her arms around his neck as she rested gently against his. His touch sent shivers up and down her spine as she looked into his green eyes. All she wanted to do was push him against the bar and -

She had to get those thoughts out of her head if she was going to make it through the night.

"You were destined for some good luck eventually," she teased, leaning in to place a light kiss on his lips.

[so_harry]

People were definitely watching now, though whether it was due to who they were or their gratuitous displays of affection, he didn't know. He didn't care. How could he when a woman like Skylar decided she wanted to kiss you?

He chuckled against her lips, "You think? It's about damn time."

[skylar_x]

"I think you're in for a very long streak of good luck, actually," she told him, grinning against his lips.

Yes, they were looking. But even Skylar didn't care at this point. How could she when she had Harry wrapped around her like this.

[so_harry]

That was when the bartender behind them started to clear his throat. It was polite at first, low enough that Harry could barely hear it. Then, it grew into a bit of a cough before suddenly Harry realized it was directed at him and Skylar. He ducked from underneath her arms, turning around toward the barkeep with a sheepish grin.

"Sorry, mate, got a bit caught up-" he said, before grabbing both drinks and spinning back around to Skylar, making a slight face. "What a dud-"

To which he heard another slight cough.

"Dud-lightful bartender-" he tried to correct.