A Surprise Reunion (Invite Only)

by **Tess McCartney** Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:13 pm

Tess sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her vacation was cut shorter than expected when a meeting between her father and his business associates occurred. They decided to hold a get together to share their views of new political occurrences such as a female Minister to be first appointed to the rumor of creatures revolting and trying to overpower the wizarding world, to the Germans and their recent attack at Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

She was now in her formal wear as she was supposed to help her parents be the gentle host. Walking downstairs, she stumbled a bit not used to her shoes that now held her in an elevated state. Heels were also another issue she needed to face. She moved her hair away from her face, and walked towards the door.

Her comments ranged from "Hello" "Hola" "Bonjourno" "Bonjour" and she forced a smile towards every guess, ignored the inner wincing as they commented as always 'My how you've grown' with a smile and waited until she was free to go.

"Go off now" her mother said.

She didn't need to be told twice. She found herself in the gardens once more. It was big , almost as much square feet as the house itself. She walked towards the flower arches and looked up at the sky. It was bright with stars, something almost unheard of from where she came from. She realized that while this was not America, it was her new home and it was treating her well.

"Tess!"

She turned immediately hearing her mother calling to her and rushed towards the house. Stumbling up the stairs, she gracefully walked towards her mother as kind as she could possibly be as new guests seemed to be arriving.

by **Xander Clarke** Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:24 am

Xander's father took him in tow for side-along apparation to the event. He didn't mind the uniforms for Hogwarts, but a full suit was rather uncomfortable. As they walked up to the door he vaguely remembered the place. It looked like the house of an old acquaintance of his mother. Maybe they moved.

He hadn't bothered asking who the hosts were, he just dressed the part and put on his usual party face. He had changed over the year, but returning home brought back all of the oppressive feelings he got from his parents. To be the perfect Slytherin son. I just have to get through tonight. Then maybe they'll let me be.

As they were walking with the line up to the hosts to greet them he heard the woman yell something, but couldn't catch it. Xander was worried he would have to sip punch and entertain bimbos all night until he saw her. He was used to girls getting dolled up for these things, but they usually looked like they were trying too hard to look older. Tess was able to pull off a mature elegance for her age, without sacrificing her youthful look. He broke away from the assembly line of adults to walk over to her and plant a kiss on her hand.

"Fancy meeting you here," he smirked at her. He wasn't sure how his parents would take his actions with Tess, but he didn't really care. "Can we get out of here?"

He knew he should introduce her to his parents, but he just wanted to be alone with her. He hadn't heard from her since school ended and he'd really missed her.

by **Tess McCartney** Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:13 am

Tess looked at her mother and let out a soft smile her eyes dimming as she continued to greet people. She could not understand why people would even arrive late.

She smiled softly and shook their hands and waited patiently her hands in front of her waiting as they kept small talking.

Her eyes widened and she felt her cheeks redden at seeing him. A genuine smile appeared on her face and she was surprised by the fact that he moved out of the line to greet her. She looked up at him shyly and bit her bottom lip as he kissed her hand.

I missed that smirk she thought smiling.

He looked very handsome in his suit and she thought he looked dashing. Everyone really did, but Xander just looked handsome especially with his smirk.

She trailed her eyes away and looked towards her parents wondering if they had thought of it as inappropriate. Her father didn't look too pleased but continued to greet their guests and her mother had a smile. She didn't know whether to present him or ignore the group. He made the decision and she nodded softly.

"Come on" she said grabbing his hand and tugging him along.

She missed him and while she might get reprimanded she didn't mind, no one would have really missed her, and she didn't really care.

Stopping at the gardens she turned to look at him and smiled softly.

"I was surprised you and your family was coming" she murmured.

by **Xander Clarke** Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:10 am

Xander was happy to have this time alone with her. At school he felt so suffocated and judged by others that he never felt like he could really breathe. He knew his parents would be focused on the party, and hopefully hers would too.

He looked around for a minute at the garden. It was beautifully groomed and almost scarily perfect in its organization. But the flowers were wonderful. He returned her smile, "I really didn't know myself. They just told me to get ready and here I am."

He'd thought about Tess a lot over the summer. He had been happy to tell her how he felt in the Room of Requirement, but knew that they hadn't really decided what they really were. He wanted her to be his girlfriend, but it wasn't something you asked in a letter. He'd flirted with many girls, but felt like his heart was in his throat at the idea of possible rejection.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he took both of her hands in his. "Tess, I have to ask you something." He tried to pour his love and sincerity into his gaze. Love? He had never actually said that word, or thought it for that matter. But that's what he felt. "Would you be my girlfriend? Officially." He couldn't help a small smirk at the last word.

by **Tess McCartney** Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:59 pm

Tess was happy that she could share her love of her garden with a person she fancied. She did admittedly fancy him and it was no secret considering their last encounter in the Room of Requirement made it clear that both of them enjoyed each other's company.

She had thought about him over the summer as well and many letters to Victoria had it mentioned him subconsciously. But now seeing him there, and someplace she never expected, she couldn't help but think it was fate.

She had never expected that question; in fact the look that he was giving her made her stomach tense in confusion at the lack of knowledge as to what that even was. She felt herself flush and looked at him in a mixture of surprise and awe. She parted her lips trying to say something, anything really, trying to wrap her mind around what he had asked. And while she was nervous about the sudden change from friends to something more, she felt that it was a risk she would gladly take.

"Girlfriend?" she managed to whisper out.

She bit her bottom lip and nodded not really knowing what to say, but she did reach over and grabbed his hand.

by **Xander Clarke** Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:01 pm

Xander was stunned, to say the least. He was more than expecting her to turn him down, to laugh at him. He was so happy he did something he'd never done before.

He grabbed her offered hand and pulled her to him, picking her up and spinning her around. He just wanted to be near her. It occurred to him that this may scare her away a little, so he slowed to a stop and set her back down.

"Sorry," he almost whispered. It wasn't until she was steady on her feet, still in his arms, that he realized how close they were. He tried not to tense up, wanting to give her the option to pull back. But Merlin, he really wanted to kiss her.

by **Tess McCartney** Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:55 am

Tess was glad he took her hand but soon a squeak emancipated from her lips at the spin. For one thing she never knew he was that strong, another being that he was so happy.

He was happy because of her. She gripped his shoulders lightly as he spun her, and when put back down, she lightened her grip and looked up at him. She felt his muscles flex and relax and she wondered if he ha something in mind. She smells his cologne and she found it fitting for him and moved closer allowing their personal spaces to diminish.

by **Xander Clarke** Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:09 am

Elated that she hadn't pulled away, Xander took this time to really look at her. She had been light on her makeup, which, despite his mother's influence about proper etiquette, he really liked. It allowed him to recognize her as the girl he'd liked and not some clown, like other girls.

He went with what felt natural and let his hand reach up to touch her cheek, surprised at how smooth her skin was. He knew he probably looked like an idiot, just looking at her, but it was the first time they'd been this close.

To hell with it! He leaned in and kissed her ever so lightly. He'd never admit it to anyone, especially Luke, that this was his first real kiss. He is NOT hearing about this.

by **Tess McCartney** Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:05 pm

Tess smiled softly and looked up at him with a soft grin. She closed her eyes as she felt him touched her cheek and nuzzled him softly.

It was nice, being so close to someone and feeling so fragile and cared for, did she say it loved ? She smirked softy as he kept staring at her and before she could say anything she felt him move closer.

Her lips parted and as she felt his breathe she was wide-eyed. The it happened, she felt her lips tingle an she closed her eyes immediately and knew what was happening.

He was kissing her. He was kissing her!! She pressed her lips back and felt her cheeks redden all the more. Her hands slowly moved to his chest and couldn't really grasp the whole ordeal