Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 21, 2024 6:56:25 GMT -8
Was Lydia excited for the party? Yes, of course! The puff could hardly contain herself as the day went on, bouncing in her seat at dinner, trying to shovel the food down her throat as quickly as she could so she could go back to her dorm and get ready. Her bright blue eyes found Graysen several times throughout the day, her heart fluttering in her chest whenever she saw him, knowing that she was going to spend the evening with him. She knew that he wasn't as happy as she was to be going to a party, but she was hopeful that he would have fun anyway. What was she thinking? He was going to be hanging out with her! Of course he'd have fun.
As soon as her dinner was gone, Lydia was getting up and leaving the Great Hall. She took a quick shower and got ready in the bathroom, putting on a little makeup and dressing herself in a cute dress. She wasn't the type of witch to wear heels, not that she would to a party in the forest, so her clean white sneakers covered her feet. Liza took one last look in the mirror, her hands running through her hair, laying the curls down perfectly before she collected her things and left. Graysen was supposed to meet her outside of the dungeons where they'd then walk together down to the forest. She was running late like she always was, the blonde rushing up the steps leading to the rest of the castle. When she emerged, her eyes fell onto the figure of Graysen waiting patiently. Her lips spread into her brightest smile and she bounded over to him, pulling him in for a hug. "Hi!" she said excitedly as she pulled away. "Are you excited?"
Graysen Phillips
Outfit
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year // Gryffindor
|
Post by Graysen Phillips on Apr 21, 2024 8:04:05 GMT -8
Graysen was half full of dread and half full of giddiness, maybe. He had never experienced a feeling like this before, so he wasn't sure what it was. He only knew that it had something to do with Lydia. The only part of the evening that he was looking forward to was seeing her. Being around people that he didn't know or care to get to know was not his idea of a good time. But Lydia claimed that he would have a good time. His eyes kept flicking toward her throughout the day, a pleasant warmth swirled in his chest at the sight of her. Gray had always liked to see her, but this was a new feeling toward her, a new feeling to him entirely.
When dinner was done, he went back to his dorms way on the seventh floor, taking a quick shower, not that he smelled before, but something was urging him to be even more presentable to Liza this time. He chose a navy blue hoodie with a band he had seen earlier that year, jeans, and a pair of black converses. Nothing fancy, even though he wondered if it was enough. What was even going on with him?
He made the trek back down near the dungeons where he was meeting the young witch. He waited and waited for her, which wasn't new. Gray waited patiently. When he heard new footsteps pattering on the tiled floor, she had been worth the wait. His heart rate increased, there was a strange fluttering in his stomach. His breathing got weird. She smiled and pulled him into a hug that didn't make his spine shudder. "Hey," he managed to smile back. "I'm half excited," he admitted. "You," he asked, even though he knew that answer.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 21, 2024 8:30:57 GMT -8
A strange, warm sensation washed over her when she saw him and she wasn't sure what it was about seeing him in his jeans and hoodie that caused such a reaction. She thought he looked cute, but she always thought that about him. Her smile brightened at the sight of his and Lydia bounced on her heels. There was a flutter in her stomach when he said he was kind of excited, happiness bursting in her chest. Him being excited for a party was a huge step in the right direction. Maybe they'd get that happy memory tonight! "Super excited," she said before grabbing his hand and pulling him down the corridor toward the grounds. "Come on! I can't wait to get there!" Lydia looked back at him with a bright smile.
She slowed down at the end of the corridor, her heart pounding with excitement, allowing Graysen to catch up to her. Once he was beside her, she continued walking toward the forest. She didn't let go of his hand, liking the comfort of the warmth his hand provided. "Campion's parties are always really good," she said. "I haven't been to one since we got back from break." Lydia had been preoccupied with Ophelia and her grief. Going out to a party was the last thing on her mind. "I want to sneak into the mooncalf enclosure and see them," she told him, bringing her bag around and opening it a little to show him. "I brought feed for them."
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year // Gryffindor
|
Post by Graysen Phillips on Apr 21, 2024 9:03:09 GMT -8
He didn't know what it was about Lydia touching him lately that didn't make his skin crawl right off of his body. It was something new and strange. He hated it when even his own mother touched him. Like, he knew that his parents would be gone one day, so he tried to put his own feelings in the back of his head and appreciate the few people he had in his life, but it still felt like a million bugs were crawling over him, trying to bite his skin and rip in apart, bit by tiny bit. But with Lydia, he didn't pull away, letting her guide him to the end of the hall.
Once they were walking in the dusk of the evening, her hand was still grasped onto his, not relenting in on the uneven terrain. "Mhmm," he added, just to let her know that he was listening. He had never been to one of his classmate's parties. He hadn't been invited, not that he would have gone either way. When she added that she wanted to go see the moon calves, he nodded his head. He was fine with anything that wasn't around others. "That's nice of you."
"Who all is going to be here," he asked. Graysen couldn't stand anyone, but there were some people that he just couldn't stand at all. He had a feeling that Lydia was going to ditch him around part of the night (she was just that social), so he had to prepare himself.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 21, 2024 9:55:01 GMT -8
The thing that Lydia loved most about the Wizarding World was the magical creatures. She was fascinated by them, their abilities and habits, the things they loved and hated; she wanted to know everything there was to know about them. Often times, Ophelia and Lydia would come to the forest so Ophelia could find flowers, mushrooms, rocks things that called to her and Lydia would go to the creature sanctuary. She particularly loved the nifflers and crups, kneazles and knarls, creatures that she could interact with. She bonded to the Hippogriffs and unicorns and enjoyed to watch the diricawls Apparate here and there. But the mooncalves she hadn't gotten to see. They were nocturnal and curfew kind of put a damper on her seeing them.
He asked her who was going to be there and she looked up from the ground to meet his gaze. "Well, all the popular kids," she said. "I'm sure the those snake princesses will be there, but Rose, Finch, and Rory are going to be there. Lola, too." She gave it more thought, her attention focusing back in front of her so she didn't trip on something. "Nathaniel and Ainsley are coming. I think Bella said something about going, so maybe Liam will be there." That was a lot of people already, she wasn't sure about the people she didn't talk to. Her bright eyes moved back to his face, offering him an apologetic smile. "I just want to visit for a bit and then we can go see the mooncalves." She knew how much he hated being around people in general, but hated crowds even more. Throw in a little music and alcohol... well, they won't be at the party long.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year // Gryffindor
|
Post by Graysen Phillips on Apr 21, 2024 13:10:28 GMT -8
He listened as she listed who was going. All people he could tolerate. She mentioned Ainsley. The Ravenclaw was nice. Perfectly tolerable. If he gave her a chance, Gray could have been friends with her, maybe, but not anything more like Lydia wanted. Anyone that the Hufflepuff tried to set him up with was a failure. He didn't know why she kept trying.
”You’re not going to try to match make, are you,” he asked cautiously.
Lydia said that they were only going to be there for a little bit, but he knew for personal experience that she got easily distracted and talked to every person she could. He didn't fault her. She was easy to get along with. Obviously if he was friends with her.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 21, 2024 13:28:01 GMT -8
Lydia's mind was a rollercoaster most days. She was so scatterbrained it was a wonder she got anything done. But she was sociable and made friends easily. It was entirely possible that she would get caught up in the party and abandon Gray. It definitely wouldn't be her intention. Lydia snorted when he asked if she was gonna play matchmaker tonight. "No," she said with a giggle. "I've taken my matchmaking hat off for tonight." She didn't say that it was because she wanted to focus on him. Something about that thought made her feel all tingly and she didn't know what that meant. "I need to get you a happy memory, after all, so what kind of friend would I be if I just annoyed you with matches all night?"
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year // Gryffindor
|
Post by Graysen Phillips on Apr 21, 2024 15:32:07 GMT -8
Relief washed over him when she said that there wasn't going to be any matchmaking that night. There were times when he didn't even know it was matchmaking until she walked away after the introduction, like what she had done with Gen. Lydia had joyfully come over to Gray at the beginning of the year with Imogen and said that she had forgotten something, leaving him completely alone with her. Gen Harris was a year older and a Hufflepuff. She clearly knew she wanted to work in fashion and that was all she talked about. They had nothing to talk about since he just wore tees and hoodies.
When she asked what kind of friend she would be if she annoyed him all night with matchmaking, which made him smile at what came out of his mouth next. "You would be you, Liz."
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 21, 2024 15:51:58 GMT -8
Joyous laughter flowed out of her at his words, her free hand coming to her bubbling chest. That was more than fair. Lydia knew that she got a little crazy with it, but it was all in the name of love! She once tricked her brother and her bestest friend to go to a concert together. She really would stop at nothing when she believed in it. The hand that held his gently squeezed. "I guess you're right," she said with another laugh. "I just want to enjoy tonight without worrying about anything else," she confessed with a small shrug. "It's not everyday you get the infamous Graysen Phillips out to a party." Her gaze flickered over to him as a teasing grin pulled at her lips.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year // Gryffindor
|
Post by Graysen Phillips on Apr 22, 2024 8:17:33 GMT -8
He was infinitely aware of their intertwined hands, but not in the way that made his skin crawl. He actually…liked it. Maybe. Graysen didn’t not want to stop. He didn’t not like it when she squeezed it and said that she wanted to enjoy the night. His dark eyes looked down at her as her delightful laugh echoed in the slowly creeping night. “You haven’t gotten me there, yet,” he pointed out with a teasing smirk. Lydia was the only reason he was going to this party. The one and only reason. He would have been just fine staying in his dorm. There was just something about the Puff that made him step out of his comfort zone.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 22, 2024 9:16:19 GMT -8
Lydia was also aware of all the points where their hands connected. If she gave it any thought, the fluttering wings of butterflies would stir up in her gut, so she was trying not to think about it. His hand felt warm and comforting and maybe she felt at peace in a way she hadn't in a long time. Liza giggled, her lips spread into a bright smile. "Oh, but I shall," she promised. "Don't you worry." Her laughter lingered for a little longer before it dissipated with a happy sigh. Usually silences between them were easy and relaxed, but tonight it was filled with charged energy, her mind lingering on the thought of his hand in hers. What was going on? Lydia cleared her throat. "Uh - have you ever been to the creature sanctuary before?" she started out stammering, but gained her confidence back by the time she finished asking her question. Her limbs were buzzing and her heart was racing. She had never felt like this before and she was very confused by it.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year // Gryffindor
|
Post by Graysen Phillips on Apr 22, 2024 15:06:17 GMT -8
Her laughs were always joyful and delightful, but there was just something extra about the ones tonight. They sang louder, brought more joy, lit up the dark pathway in front of them. That's what they felt like. Gray thought that he might go to every party she wanted if he got to hear more laughs affect him like these ones tonight. There was a stammer to her as she asked her question, maybe she caught a chill. She could have his hoodie if she needed it. "Uh, no, never really felt the need to go," he answered. Gray didn't mind creatures, but he didn't need to know more about them. As his dad had put it, he had learned everything he needed to from the school, and he could learn more hands-on in the shop. But the idea of leaving the school, the picture of leaving Lydia, didn't set well with him.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 22, 2024 16:33:46 GMT -8
The moment was passing and her heart rate was starting to slow as she got a grip on herself, unsure of what the heck had just happened. There was still a faint fluttering in her stomach that she couldn't shake, but she was starting to feel more like herself again. That was weird. Lydia tried to distract herself by focusing on her conversation with Gray, humming softly as he spoke. "I'm there all the time," she said with a small shrug. "There's this, like, mini castle and then fields of enclosures and what not. It's probably my favorite place at Hogwarts." A soft smile touched her lips the more she thought about it, glad that she was getting to share it with Graysen for the first time.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year // Gryffindor
|
Post by Graysen Phillips on Apr 22, 2024 16:57:01 GMT -8
When she said that it was her favorite place at Hogwarts, Graysen wondered if he had a favorite place at the castle. It definitely wasn't the library or the study rooms. His dorm room was comfortable, but it wasn't just his. He liked the open fields where he could run and practice footy drills, get him out of the stuffiness of the castle, out of his own mind. Lydia seemed to enjoy every little thing in life while Gray held everything at an arm's length, was apprehensive and hesitant about anything, because that's what he was taught. Be cautious because anyone could turn on you. But the thought of Lydia turning against seemed impossible. "How much longer until we get there," he asked.
|
|
Year/Job
Sixth Year
I need somethin' stronger that'll last a little longer. I could use a love song |
|
Post by Lydia Bradley on Apr 23, 2024 0:20:04 GMT -8
They had made it to the edge of the forest when Graysen piped up, asking how much longer until they were there, and Lydia threw him a wicked grin. "Patience," she said before giggling again, knowing how ironic it was that she was calling for something she had none of. "It's just a little ways past here. I think they said it would be in a clearing just before the sanctuary." There were probably wards up to prevent any teachers or prefects from stumbling upon them, though she couldn't imagine why either would be in the forest at this time.
Dead and mulched up leaves crunched under her feet as she walked over the forest floor, her eyes lifting to look at the blooming trees. It wasn't much longer until they stepped through an invisible barrier and were greeted to a party in full swing. Music was playing from a Muggle boombox and Lydia had the thought that someone smuggled it in. Her bright blue eyes scanned over the crowd and fell on some of her friends over by the drink table. Liza glanced over at Graysen, throwing him a soft smile, before tugging him in that direction, saying, "Come on."
As soon as they were spotted, there were some squeals from her friends. "Lydia!" Her lips spread into a happy grin as Rose Kelly bounded over to her. The redhead paused when she saw Graysen, her green gaze flickering down to their joined hands as a brow slowly raised, "Hey Graysen." Her attention turned back to Lydia. "I've been wondering where you were! You have to come do shots with me." Before Lydia knew it, Rose's arm was wrapping around her and she was leading her away. Her heartrate increased and she looked back at Graysen, unwilling to let go of his hand, but she did anyway as she was taken to the drink table.
Lydia wasn't much of a drinker. Like, at all. She preferred to sip on butterbeer at parties, only trying firewhisky once or twice. It hurt. What kind of drink hurt? But that didn't stop Rose Kelly from shoving a shot glass of the burning liquid into her hands. Lydia looked over at Graysen, wanting to go back to him, but then her friends were hooting and hollering, encouraging her to let loose a little, and she turned back to them and tossed back the shot. She pulled a dramatic face as her mouth burned, her throat on fire as she swallowed it. It settled in her stomach, flames licking up her insides and warming her from head to toe. "Oh my gods," she coughed. There were some cheers and some laughter and she couldn't help but join in. Rose handed her another and, this time, she didn't hesitate.
|
|