New Years Eve Bash at Lavender & Mandy's (Invitation Only)

[lavender_x]

The year was coming to a close but Lavender refused to make any new resolutions. The way she saw it, she had already started over two months ago when she returned to England after six years of traveling for work. Now that she was back she was working to find a balance between the person she had been and the person she had become. She didn't want to

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[so_harry]

This might have been the last place he wanted to be.

With what happened in Hogsmeade- with the revelation that this wasn't a wizard, Harry had rung up Scotland Yard immediately, having to go well above his own pay grade to get into contact with the Captain there. The uneasy relationship the Ministry had with the Muggle government always left Harry uncomfortable.

He wasn't ever sure they were taking him seriously.

But even though his head was back at his office, he knew he couldn't ditch his plans with Skylar- and he couldn't ditch Lavender's party.

Speaking of which- the hostess was exactly who he was looking for.

"Lav- hey-"

[lavender_x]

Lavender had just excused herself from catching up with Travis Briggs, her cup in desperate need of refilling. The night had barely began and she had already had quite a few rounds herself. It helped calm her nerves and keep her mind off of the articles in the Prophet.

"Harry!" she beamed, not hesitating to wrap her arms around him. "Isn't this great? Having everyone together?"

[so_harry]

He hugged her back tightly, a laugh catching in his throat at her question.

"Couldn't think of a better way to spend the night-" he told her, offering her a smile. It really was impossible to be in too foul of a mood when Lavender was grinning like that- it lit up her whole damn face.

"I- erm, wanted to see how you were doing-"

[lavender_x]

It never felt complete without Harry added to the mix. The year he had been gone left Lavender uneasy for months. He was a comforting presence to her.

A very sexy, comforting presence.

"Me? Oh well-" she pulled back slightly, her arm still wrapped around his waist. "I little shaken up. Maybe another reason I'm so happy to have everyone. And you, of course."

[so_harry]

He braced his hands on her arms, offering her a meek smile. He felt rotten, still not having figured out the bloody case, knowing it had been going on now for months. He scrunched his face up slightly.

"I'm sorry this has taken so long-" he said, his shoulders sagging. "Every time I think we're getting somewhere- something new turns up."

[lavender_x]

"I know-" she said, her face falling just slightly.

Over the last few months Lavender had been reading the Prophet religiously, scanning the paper for any and all mention of the case. Of course, working at the Prophet also allowed her access to updates almost immediately.

But Lavender held a lot of faith in Harry. It was clear by the way she was looking up at him.

"You don't think- well, do you think they could still be watching me?"

[so_harry]

There was that look- one he'd seen a thousand times before from the people around him, all waiting for him to swoop in and save the day. He wasn't sure how to react- knowing the confidence they had in him was one thing, but to know that he could let them down was another.

"I don't know-" he answered honestly. "Whoever it is- they seem to have eyes and ears everywhere."

The fact that Harry was convinced there was more than one didn't help.

[lavender_x]

"They?" Lavender asked, her eyes growing a little bit wider.

She shifted her weight from one side to another, chewing at the corner of her mouth. As much as she wanted to hide her worry she couldn't at this point. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was her trust in Harry. But fear, a look that Lavender wasn't known for wearing, was painted all over her face.

"What do you think I should do? I mean-" She sighed, looking more than slightly defeated. It had taken her weeks to leave George's flat.

[so_harry]

He stopped, pursing his lips as he realizied how his words affected Lavender. Bloody idiot. He hadn't even brought his suspicions to Shacklebolt yet and here he was blabbering at a holiday party. He shook his head, frowning, as he caught that look of fear on her face.

It was one he didn't see from Lavender all that much.

"Nothing-" he said, trying his best to calm her. "You've got to just live your life normally- I'm going to catch whoever it is behind all this. I promise-"

[lavender_x]

Lavender forced a smile, nodding. Though, she didn't think she'd be able to be as carefree as she wanted to be until these Burning Man killings had stopped and he, or they, were behind bars.

"I know you will, Harry. I bet you're closer than you think even," she assured him, squeezing his arm.

"But relax tonight. I've got firewhiskey, we're all together again-" It was easier to distract herself than face the issue head on. "And did I see you bring a date?"

[so_harry]

His brain was muddled, completely clouded over with the importance of fixing this case. Even seeing the fear creep into Lavender's skin had a heavy effect on him. He knew coming out to the party was a bad idea- he wouldn't be able to relax until this was all over.

"Oh- uh, yeah-" he said, turning to catch where Skylar was at that moment, on the other side of the room. He tossed her a smile before looking back to Lavender. "Have you met her yet?"

[lavender_x]

"I remember her from DA," Lavender told him, watching him watch her. It was a little strange, at least at first, to imagine him in a relationship with anyone other than Ginny after so many years. But he seemed happier now than he had in months.

"She's a really sweet girl. I'm glad you brought her," she told him. Then Lavender playfully poked his side, "And she's prettttyyyyy."

Okay, so maybe Lavender Brown wasn't as mature as she tried to be.

[so_harry]

He laughed, feeling a slight blush creep into his cheeks. If anything could get him out of his head for a little bit, it was any sort of mention of Skylar. He hadn't felt this way in a long time- the feelings he had for her nearly bursting from his chest.

Even looking at Lavender, that grin boring into her face, the way she teased him, he had to smile.

"She's beautiful," he said, nodding. "Absolutely beautiful."

[lavender_x]

The look that settled over him was sweet and she couldn't help but feel warmed by how content he seemed just watching Skylar. It was a much better look on him than drunk, stumbling, and angry.

"Oh, young love," she sighed dreamily, not being able to help herself. As nice as it was Lavender needed to properly tease him about it.

[so_harry]

"Oh, bugger you-" he said quickly, his attention snapping back to Lavender. "There's no need to get all mushy now-"

He also wasn't sure why his stomach flopped at the mention of love, the word squirming in his chest. He rubbed at the back of his neck, pushing that thought from him now as a devious smile tugged at his lips.

"Just for that- you've got to take a shot with me-"

[lavender_x]

Lavender was grinning from ear to ear, a knowing look on her face. She wasn't so unaccustomed to that look or the reaction that followed her teasing.

"As if you need to guilt me into taking a shot?" she asked, nearly shocked, "Just for that we have to do two - at least."