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

[dearest_ella]

This was, to be perfectly honest, not at all Ella's scene. It had for a long time been clear that between the two of them, Ava had managed to inherit the majority of the class and fashion genes - for her part, she would still rather be sitting cross-legged in her living room in an oversized sweater with no pants on, a pencil serving at the only hair accessory she needed, shuffling through papers and sipping on a lazy whiskey on the rocks.

Still, there was nothing that could have kept her from squeezing into a gown, working her hair into some sensible half-updo, and coming out to support her sister's efforts.

She knew that Ava and Daphne had been working tirelessly for days on end, sculpting every aspect of the decor and entertainment down to the tiniest detail. Looking around the flawlessly dressed gallery, she couldn't have been more proud.

...Now, to get a drink, and try to ignore the blisters that were already forming on her red pump-clad feet.

[chase_em]

Jonah hadn't wanted to come- hadn't wanted to put on the suit- especially hadn't wanted to put on the shiny dress shoes that he'd never worn enough for them to be properly broken in. But Jonah was a good brother, the best brother he'd said repeatedly as he and Marlow walked inside the ballroom. Riley had a last minute business trip and Marlow had begged him- no, bribed him to attend with her. She said it'd be good for him- his career-

He just figured she didn't want to show up alone. Not that it would have mattered- she'd shown up with her brother so this obviously wasn't better.

But nearly as soon as they walked inside, Marlow spotted a very hammered Neville Longbottom and hurried off to make sure he didn't make a fool of himself.

And that left Jonah wandering aimlessly, chatting briefly with other Quidditch players, trying not to let the whole evening become about work. That was when he spotted Ella.

"Tell me there's more than just champagne here," he asked her, tugging idly at the lapels of his suit jacket.

[dearest_ella]

Ella had been idling in a corner next to one of the smaller versions of the ornate Christmas tree, a flute of champagne balanced in one hand as she tried her best to be subtle about readjusting the bra strap that kept wanting to slide off her shoulder and past the short sleeve of her dress

[chase_em]

It took him a minute to move, his eyes very fixated on her shoulder as he watched Ella reach into her dress and adjust her bra strap. He just didn't know how women did it- how they could maneuver around in a way that was still bone-tingling sexy. He was gaping, he knew, and he tried to snap himself out of it the best he could, taking in her words with a slightly befuddled grin.

"You can thank my sister," he said, shrugging. "It's not exactly the most comfortable thing I've ever worn-"

His eyes flickered back to her dress briefly.

"You don't look so bad yourself."

[ccecilia]

Cecilia was nervous

[george_goesboom]

George had been keeping a relatively low profile since his earlier arrival. He had greeted a few familiar faces, passed compliments on to the hosts and party planners, and downed two flutes of champagne before moving on to a more comforting double whiskey, which he was now slowly nursing, keeping his eyes on the entrance as he made his uncharacteristically quiet way around the room.

Already he was feeling the eyes of Witch Weekly staffers subtly following him around, despite the fact that he had yet to do or say anything at all noteworthy - he could only imagine the blatant stares they would be getting once Cecilia arriv--

It was all he could do to keep his jaw attached to his skull as that unmistakable figure strolled in. She was quite literally glowing, her silhouette cutting through the halo of light that poured in from the main entrance hall behind her.

It was a few moments before George found his wits, straightened his tie, fiddled with his pocketsquare, and wormed his way through the crowd to meet her

[ccecilia]

There was a wave of relief that washed over Cecilia as George's arm curved around her waist, her hands instinctively rising to graze his arms as his lips lingered against her cheek. She could have sworn she heard a click of a camera go off but she ignored it, instead focusing on just how good it felt to be this close to him. The nerves she'd had prickling at her skin from the event itself had began to wear off as the tingle of butterflies filled her stomach, a feeling her body reserved for George only. It helped that the tone of his voice and the look on his face when he'd come toward her were enough to make any woman feel incredible.

She pressed her lips together, a smile tugging at her cheeks as she looked up at him.

"Yeah?" she asked him, nudging his shoulder playfully. "You look nice-" she continued, her eyes traveling over his form. She let her fingers graze the vest before she glanced back up at him. "Really nice-"

Somehow, they even complimented each other. She knew they didn't have that planned but it certainly was a nice

[george_goesboom]

He managed to pull back from her just enough to suit the proprities of their environment, though he kept his hand pressed lightly to the bare skin at the small of her back, silently thanking the gods of fashion for whatever divine intervention had allowed for backless dresses to be created.

"Shall we brave the crowds to get you a drink, then?" he asked as he flicked his eyes toward the bar across the room, a smile playing across his lips, apparently the only (well, almost) expression his face seemed able to conjure up in her presence.

[oohlalaorla]

The gallery was absolutely beautiful, she had to admit. The decorations even played well off the art. Considering Orla had gone a little manic when she realized what exactly was going to be happening at the gallery and declared all her plans entirely inadequate and inappropriate for a Christmas event, she couldn't be happier with how it had turned out. She hadn't trusted anyone to touch anything - even though she was only contracted to work with the gallery for a short time - without destroying it. Maybe she shouldn't have been so concerned

[marloww]

She'd left Neville in delicate hands, she knew, with Dean Thomas not exactly the most responsible when it came to the intoxication of friends. Last time this happened (Dean had sworn he'd keep watch over a rather buzzed Cormac McLaggen), Dean had somehow convinced Cormac it would be prime to get a tattoo right on his bloody face. But, the night had only just begun and Marlow was determined to enjoy herself. She'd bought a special outfit specifically for the night. So, bugger Neville and bugger Dean.

She needed a drink.

And someone who didn't plan on puking all over her.

"Bloody irresponsible-" she mumbled, moving toward the bar. "Head of Gryffindor, for Merlin's-"

She spotted Orla before she could continue on with her tirade, the features of her face softening as she saw her.

"Oh, Orla! Merlin, you look incredible!"

[oohlalaorla]

Orla was still scanning the room when she heard her name. Turning, Orla couldn't help smiling. "Marlow! Thank you!" She looked down at herself on reflex, as if she needed to remind herself that Marlow was telling the truth, which was silly. Orla knew she looked fantastic.

"So do you. That's an amazing outfit. I can't think of anyone else who'd be brave enough to try it." It could have been a slight against Marlow, a backhanded compliment. In all honesty, though, Orla truly meant it.

[marloww]

Marlow felt no need in being bothered by Orla's comment because it was true. She hardly knew anyone in the room that would wear what Marlow wore on a daily basis. She shrugged, a relaxed expression settling on her face. Now this was much better than dealing with grown, stupid men.

"Good thing no one was," she said, a teasing smile pulling at her lips. "Otherwise that would be incredibly awkward, don't you think?"

As if she had summoned him herself, a waiter came by with a tray of drinks and she took one, eager to have something cold to drink.

"Are you having a good time? This gallery is just incredible."

[so_astoria]

Ever the proud little sister, and a sucker for a good, lush party furnished with an open bar, Astoria couldn't have stayed away from this one even if she had been asked to. The leading publication for all things gossip hosting a party planned by her sister for an exclusive guest list of wizarding who's whos? Please. She was all over this one, if only for the sake of being able to see first hand the drunken disasters that would unavoidably end up in the magazine's glossy pages the following week.

She had actually had to take the time to go shopping for something that would cover the middle ground between her working attire and her off-the-clock dressed-down garb, but she had eventually found a perfectly suited something which was sure to draw just the right amount of attention.

Strutting into the already-packed gallery at her usual somewhat-fashionably-late hour, it wasn't long before Astoria had found her way to the bar and ordered herself a Manhattan, leaning back against the counter to take in the scene and its usual suspects.

[pureprincess_p]

Pansy leaned back against a wall, taking in the scene. Daphne had done a beautiful job, it was no surprise. It was in her blood, and now in her job title too.

Surveying the crowd, she spotted a blonde she'd been hoping to run into for a while now.

"Ces!" she waved, a rare real smile upon her face.

[ccecilia]

Cecilia heard her name called and looked up from her spot in the crowd to see Pansy leaning against the back wall. George was off, running into a few of his own friends, leaving Cecilia to navigate herself through the party. When she spotted her old friend, she moved her way through the crowd to reach her.

When was the last time she had even seen Pansy? The reunion?

She smiled, "Pans! Merlin, it's so nice to see your face-" she said. "How long's it been?"

[pureprincess_p]

"Too long," she pouted, kissing both of Cecilia's cheeks. "I hope you're alright from that attack?"

The question was airy, because she felt a bit guilty for not going to see her personally. But it was no secret the two had grown apart during the war.

[ccecilia]

"Well, I'm alive-" she said, shrugging her shoulders. "Which I suppose wasn't the intended outcome but you know me, never following the rules-"

Which actually said more about her than just the light joke she intended it to be. Even still, she gave an aloof smile before letting her eyes travel around the ballroom.

"Something, isn't it?" she asked. "Daph really outdid herself this time."