Dean had spent the last month in France working with their magical government on some international statutes between the European countries. It had been a good change of pace and scenery. He'd stayed with some relatives of his mother's and it made him appreciate being immersed in the language and culture he loved so much. He caught up with some old friends and generally thought winter in France was far more pleasant than it was back home. Milder, more to do outside, it was a good respite from the normal drudgery of the day-to-day.

Still, it was nice to be home, in his own bed, in his new place in Hogsmeade. The house itself wasn't much, but he was in a good spot financially after inheriting a little money from his father's father after his passing and was now quite settled. It was small, just a couple of bedrooms and he kept a modest staff that was mostly just a housekeeper and a maid, but he paid them well and they were mum on his indiscretions if they knew at all and that was all Dean needed of them.

The ball tonight had been a whim. It was his birthday and after dinner with his parents, Dean had chaperoned Mae for the evening, watching his sister shine in the social scene was an interesting thing, if strange. She was as charming as he was, but far more outgoing and she could command a room and a dance floor with an ease he did not possess. After dropping her off at home, he'd decided to investigate the after party he'd heard rumblings of and had hardly made it past the hosts when he was basically cornered by Dempsey pressing a whiskey into his empty hands.

Dean had mostly put that behind him, had sent the coat back as mentioned, cigarettes in the pocket and picked up with some of his more easygoing bedmates in the meantime. He'd only seen Dempsey in passing at parties, but hadn't had the fortitude to try and strike up a conversation. The French came easily, especially after the last month and he shrugged, "It's my birthday."