There was no mistaking those brown eyes staring up at him, wide and surprised. She hadn't intended this. His heart beat resembled the wings of a snitch as it attempted to flit away from capture. He'd missed her, there was no mistaking the thought as it crossed his mind in a scamper, and now she was here looking just as startled as himself a crown of flowers askew in her hair. Without thinking he reached forward with gentle hands and straightened it, trying to think of something to say, but all he could do was smile at her as if nothing had happened between them. "Miss Lockhart -" He started, but he didn't know what to say. The thought crossed his mind that she smelled amazing, a perfect blend of perfume that only made him want to mend things with her. Like a smell could mend the words and accusations between them.

Rufus's teammate had continued on, appearing to not have noticed Rufus no longer with the group, Rufus hardly noticed their own departure. Beside them music played, a jolly jig, high spirited and merry. Couples danced as a crowd formed around them and acting on impulse Rufus held out his hand, "Dance with me?" Maybe, just maybe, they could pretend the last two months hadn't happened. That they were meeting together and it was as it had been. He tugged her hand forward and drew her into the crowd before she could object. Maybe they could pretend. Maybe it could all go back to the way it had been. Wishful thinking, but the smile and the joy he felt at her appearance, even tinted with half memories, it made him hope for an impulsive and irrational moment that maybe they could mend things.