May 26th, 1894 — COB

The grand hall of Hogwarts was adorned beautifully for the ball. The soft murmur of conversations and the lilting strains of the orchestra filled the air as students and their families mingled, celebrating the coming out ball with a blend of excitement and formality.

Emma stood at the edge of the dance floor, her cheeks flushed from her previous dance. She had just finished a waltz with Professor Prince, her betrothed, and the experience had left her with a mix of emotions. Next year it would be her debut - shortly thereafter she would be expected to marry. The thought did funny things to her stomach.

As Ignatius offered her a formal nod and moved away to join a group of professors, Emma took a deep breath, smoothing the delicate fabric of her gown. Her father's expectations weighed heavily on her, but she was determined to make the most of the evening. Her gaze scanned the room until it landed on Leander, who was making his way towards her, and she flashed him a small warm smile.

  

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MJ Did Beautiful things!

It was hard to believe that this was the last night he would be gracing these halls as a student. At the end of the night, he and the rest of the graduating class would be departing via the boats and enter into their lives as newly graduated adults. He was still contemplating which team offer to take. He would still need to do tryouts but they would be more of a formality.

He had spotted one of his younger friends dancing earlier with her betrothed. That whole thing had caused quite a scandal among the students and Miss Flitwick had experienced quite the backlash. He had done his own turns around the dance floor with a couple of girls. Being proficient at dancing was such a benefit for these occasions.

"You're looking beautiful tonight, Miss Flitwick," Leander said, using her surname since they were at a public society event. He would have just used her first name if they weren't. He liked to think they were close friends, especially given the way his stomach always fluttered around her.

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   Sirius Black

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Admire all of you
But fire burns me too
Can't stop that disco getting through
Can't stop that disco wanting you.

Emma's smiled as Leander approached her, his presence a welcome comfort in the midst of the grandeur of the ball. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness knowing that this might be one of the last times she danced with him at Hogwarts, as he was about to embark on his journey beyond the school walls. The etiquette classes and Yule balls where they had been in each others company had always been safe - friends who didn't manage to step on each others toes.

"Thank you, Mr. Hobday," Emma replied, her voice soft, a shy smile gracing her lips. She felt a rush of warmth at the compliment, the formality of her surname reminding her of the expectations hovering over her. "You look quite dashing yourself - and congratulations on...leaving the school" she finished rather lamely, blushing. She couldn't exactly say NEWT results- he wouldn't know those for months.

As they began to dance, Emma's nerves started to melt away, replaced by the familiar comfort of Leander's presence - they had often been paired during etiquette class. She found herself relaxing into the rhythm of the music, her movements becoming more fluid and confident with each step - just like class - just like nothing was changing.

There was something about her friendship with Leander that made her feel safe, like she could truly be herself around him. Despite the weight of her family's expectations and the whispers of scandal surrounding her betrothal, Leander's presence reminded her that there was still joy to be found in the simple pleasures of friendship and camaraderie.

"Are you excited for your tour?" Emma asked softly. For a brief moment, even as her stomach lurched - anxious about her own upcoming travels.

  

---

MJ Did Beautiful things!

He chuckled as Emma congratulated him on leaving the school. He sincerely hoped Emma would write to him and that they would still see one another now and then over the summer. "Why thank you," he said, enjoying the blush on her cheeks a little too much.

With years of etiquette and dancing lessons behind them, they were quite practiced at dancing with one another by now. He smiled sheepishly when she asked about his tour. "I am not so lucky as to go on a tour. Instead, I shall be joining the world of professional Quidditch. I have not yet chosen a team - do you happen to have one you favour?" He was heavily leaning towards Appleby or Montrose but he thought it would be interesting to hear which team she named.

  

---

Admire all of you
But fire burns me too
Can't stop that disco getting through
Can't stop that disco wanting you.

Emma's eyes widened in surprise and delight as Leander mentioned his plans to join the world of professional Quidditch. "Professional Quidditch? That's wonderful, Mr Hobday!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with genuine enthusiasm. "I had no idea you were considering that path. Any team would be lucky to have you."

"Well," she began, her voice a touch bashful, "if I were to choose, I might suggest the Montrose Magpies. They've always been my favorite team. Their strategy and teamwork are simply unmatched, and I think you'd fit in perfectly with them." She enthused, of course everyone thought their team was the bees knees, but she was a Ravenclaw and they were always right.

She looked up at Leander, hoping her suggestion didn't seem too forward. His eyes sparkled with interest, and she felt a wave of relief and happiness that he valued her opinion. "Of course, whatever team you choose, I know you'll be brilliant," she added, her smile warm and sincere. "I'll be cheering for you no matter where you go."

  

---

MJ Did Beautiful things!

Leander smiled as Emma seemed truly enthused by his plans. He would eventually have to get a job but he had that planned out too. He would do as many retired Quidditch players before him had done: work in the Games & Sports department of the Ministry. All in all, his career was quite laid out in front of him.

The Montrose Magpies! One of the very teams he had been favouring. "I shall endeavour to join their ranks then," Leander said, valuing her opinion quite highly. It would give him a small thrill to know he had joined her favourite team. "And then I shall endeavour to be your favorite Magpies player." He winked, unable to keep the light flirtatious tone out of his voice.

  

Emma's heart skipped a beat as Leander smiled and expressed his enthusiasm for the Montrose Magpies. Hearing that he valued her opinion filled her with a warm, fluttery feeling. When he winked and spoke with a flirtatious tone, she couldn't help but blush deeply, the color rising in her cheeks.

"Leander, you're already my favorite player," she replied without especially thinking but her voice soft and sincere. She looked down briefly, trying to compose herself, before meeting his gaze once more. "But seeing you in Magpies colors would be quite thrilling." she wasn't an especially big fan of quidditch - well up to this point.

Her smile widened, and she felt a mix of shyness and delight. Leander's light flirtation and the ease with which they conversed made her feel rather special. "I'll be cheering for you from the stands,Hogwarts won't be the same without you" she added, her eyes shining. "And I have no doubt that you'll be a star player for the Magpies. They couldn't ask for a better addition to their team." she coloured again, she had all but admitted that she would miss him next year

  

---

MJ Did Beautiful things!

The rising blush in the beautiful blondes cheeks filled Leander with a sense of glee. She was so very lovely, especially when she was flustered. Her voice was always so soft and sincere, he often wondered what she sounded like when she sang.

"You are going to make me blush and develop an ego," he teased, thrilled with her words. Maybe she was just saying that to be polite but he appreciated it all the same. "I am going to miss being at Hogwarts as well. Especially with all my friends who have not yet graduated still being within its walls. I do hope you will write?"

  

---

Admire all of you
But fire burns me too
Can't stop that disco getting through
Can't stop that disco wanting you.

Emma's blush deepened at Leander's teasing, a soft giggle escaping her lips. His playful words, the warmth in his eyes made her feel both flattered and bashful. "I wouldn't dream of letting you develop an ego, Mr. Hobday," she replied with a light laugh, her green eyes twinkling with amusement. "But you truly deserve every bit of praise."

His mention of leaving Hogwarts tugged at her. The thought of the castle without him seemed strange and a bit lonely. But his request for her to write brought a smile to her face, and she blushed again.

"Of course I'll write," Emma said earnestly, her voice filled with sincerity. "I would love to hear all about your adventures with the Magpies and how you're settling into the professional Quidditch world. The letters will be worth something some day." she teased, it was perhaps a little forward to write to one another but she wasn't about to discourage him

  

---

MJ Did Beautiful things!

That soft giggle of hers never failed to make the butterflies in his stomach go stir crazy. "Why thank you for saying so," Leander said with a grin when the young woman insisted that he deserved praise. It was going to be so odd to be out in the world while she was still in Hogwarts.

And besides that, getting married probably right after her own official debut. None of that sat quite right with for more reasons than just the butterflies in his stomach that she brought about. He tended to choose not to think too deeply about that though.

"I don't know about that but I will be glad to regale you. And you must inform me of all the goings-on of the castle. I am going to miss this place."

  

---

Admire all of you
But fire burns me too
Can't stop that disco getting through
Can't stop that disco wanting you.

Emma's heart fluttered at the sight of Leander's grin, a warmth spreading through her that she couldn't quite ignore. The thought of him out in the world while she remained at Hogwarts left a bittersweet feeling lingering in her chest. It was strange to imagine the castle without him, he had been here when she arrived, he seemed as much of a fixture as Professor Black or the ghosts, and the idea that he would be moving on while she stayed behind made her feel a twinge of sadness.

"I'm sure this place will miss you too," she began softly. But before she could stop herself, the words tumbled out. "And I'll miss you as well, Leander." Realizing what she had just admitted, Emma's eyes widened slightly, and she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She quickly averted her gaze, suddenly bashful. It wasn't like her to be so forward, and she worried for a moment that she might have said too much.

"I mean," she stammered, trying to recover, "Hogwarts just won’t be the same without you around. It’s going to feel… different Mister Hobday."

She glanced up at him, her blush deepening as she met his eyes. "But I’m really glad we’ll keep in touch. Your letters will be something to look forward to." Emma offered him a shy smile, hoping her honesty hadn’t crossed any boundaries. She could only hope that her words had conveyed the genuine affection she felt for him, even if she wasn’t quite ready to fully acknowledge what those feelings meant.

  

---

MJ Did Beautiful things!

Leander smiled as she said that the place would miss him. He had made plenty of friends within Hogwarts hallowed halls but he knew the realities of the world was likely to see some of those connections diminish. He sincerely hoped that Emma would not be among the friendships he would have to keep as a fond schoolboy memory.

He grinned boyishly at her slipup. The use of his actual name making her sentiment feel even more intimate. He chuckled as she averted her gaze and stammered. He wished right then that they were somewhere more private because the desire to kiss her had never been so strong. However, they were in the middle of the Great Hall so he kept his respectable distance as their dance continued.

"I will be looking forward to yours as well - and I feel much the same way," he said, referring to her earlier sentiment about missing him. Their dance came to an end but Leander allowed himself a quick rub of his thumb over the back of her hand before bowing to her and leading her back off the dance floor. It would look like absolutely nothing to anyone watching but his thumb and hand were tingling to the point that he had to flex it a bit as they reached the edge of the dance floor. "Thank you for the lovely dance, Miss Binns."

  

As their dance came to an end, Emma felt her stomach jump into her throat. Leander’s boyish grin had sent her heart fluttering, and his gentle touch as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand left a warmth that lingered even as he led her off the dance floor. The gesture was subtle, imperceptible to anyone else, but to Emma, it felt like a secret moment shared just between the two of them - just two school friends saying farewell, that thought made her feel a little sick.

When they reached the edge of the dance floor, she turned to him, her cheeks still faintly pink from both the dance and their exchange. She curtsied gracefully, trying to steady her emotions though her heart was still racing.

"Thank you, Mr. Hobday," she said softly, her voice low, only for him. "The pleasure was truly mine."

She glanced up at him, her green eyes meeting his, and for a brief moment, the bustling Great Hall seemed to fade away. There was so much she wanted to say, but the words seemed to catch in her throat, tangled up with the confusing emotions swirling inside her. Instead, she offered him a sincere smile, hoping it conveyed what she couldn’t put into words.

"I’ll be counting the days until your first letter," she added, her tone light but sincere. "for all of the quidditch gossip and I’ll make sure to keep you well-informed about all the mischief and happenings here at Hogwarts." she added to not make her pronouncement too intense.

Emma hesitated for just a moment longer, not wanting to relinquish his company, but knowing she couldn’t linger. With a final, heartfelt smile, she inclined her head. "I hope the rest of your evening is as wonderful as this dance was."

  

---

MJ Did Beautiful things!

Leander was reluctant to leave her side but he supposed he must. A lot of unsaid words floated around him that were left unspoken due to public decorum and opinion. Still, at least he had this dance and moment to store in his memory.

"I will not keep you waiting long," he said lightly. "I hope yours is as well." And so he finally parted from her though he was sure to keep stealing glances throughout the rest of the night.

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   Emma Flitwick