July 14th, 1894 - Hogsmeade Ballroom

Alvin still felt a little silly strolling up to the town ballroom, but with both Sloane and Harry in tow, he felt a little less ridiculous. He hadn't any idea what he was doing, Miss Thompsett had invited him, but he hadn't told his siblings this was the reason. He didn't need Sloane giving him weird looks when he didn't even know what he was doing. All he really knew was that he enjoyed spending time with Miss Thompsett, so that had to be as good of an excuse as any. After everything that had happened between them, he was still filtering through his feelings on the matter, but he also knew he was lacking in a lot of respects, so was trying to temper any expectations he might be harboring.

Both Sloane and Harry dispersed upon arrival, finding their own friends and so Alvin set about wandering the room at large, keeping an eye on Sloane out of the corner of his eye. She had been uncharacteristically agreeable in coming, but she seemed to jump at any chance to get out of the house these days, which, he couldn't exactly blame her. He was on the rope for making sure she was well-supervised however, and so he kept her in his peripheral vision at all times. Fortunately, she seemed to actively enjoy these sorts of things as of late, and her behavior reflected that.

He happened to find Miss Thompsett shortly after arrival, mostly but accident. A couple of dances had gone by in the short time since arrival and though Alvin knew he should probably participate as expected, but still hovered around the edges regardless. He waited by the refreshments as the current dance wrapped up and hoped to catch Miss Thompsett's eye; otherwise he'd feel absolutely foolish for coming tonight.

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Sisse Thompsett

  

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It was still early in the evening when Sisse spotted Sloane across the ballroom. She had just finished speaking with Mr. Orpington and was feeling confident, almost as if she were the belle of the ball. A grin crossed her lips at the sight of her friend. She'd noticed when Sloane appeared at these events she seemed to enjoy them more, which somehow was a relief to Sisse who had always worried how her life would mess with her friends' once they graduated. But even more important than that, it was simply the miracle of having Sloane alive that made Sisse smile.

It was more than just Sloane that made Sisse smile though. It was a conversation on High Street, summer wind caressing her face as she teased Mr. Bixby into coming to this very ball. Her stomach seemed to leap on its toes in excitement when she glanced around the room a second time. Surely Mr. Bixby had come to accompany Sloane as well.

As much as Sisse longed to sidle over to Sloane she always wanted a chance to see Alvin, a chance to see him without Sloane noticing. While she knew there was no future with Alvin, something he'd made clear in the past year, when they spoke it felt like perhaps there could be something. No matter the case she had no idea how to explain it to Sloane. Just how did one approach the subject: oh? While you were dead I fought with her brother, kissed him, and wrote to him? Really it was an awful lot to explain when she didn't even know what her feelings were or even his. And that was the crux of it, she didn't want Alvin to forced into a weird position from that either.

So instead of slipping over to Sloane instead she wove through the crowd and arrived at Alvin's side. "Your curiosity won out!" She preened playfully with a broad smile on her lips. What she really wanted to say was: I'm glad to see you. But there were curious ears around them, better to not say something that might be misinterpreted.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

It didn't take too long for him to spot her and vice versa. Alvin still felt a little weird about approaching her, doubly so with Sloane around, but he still didn't know what to think about this situation and everything that had happened since Sloane's disappearance last summer. It would be a lie to say his time with Miss Thompsett hadn't been part of what propelled him toward the ministry, but he couldn't tell if it was her specifically, or if maybe he'd just come to the realization that she represented what he should be working toward at this point in his life.

Alvin met her smile with one of his own. "Far more my speed than anything fancier, at any rate." He had never attended one of these regular balls in Hogsmeade, meant more for their class and a little more relaxed, but then again he'd been gone for a while and not in a position to socialize for even longer. It would be good practice for him. Once he was more established at the ministry, which he knew would take a little while, he would be in a place to take these things more seriously. Now the guise of supervising Sloane was good enough.

"I must admit, this is my first time. I forgot they are somewhat regular events." He'd been too caught up in his own life to really think about leaving the house for things like this.

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"Then you have no excuse for the next one." She chirped, followed by a chuckle at his next comment. "Indeed." They were regular enough and cheerful enough that Sisse felt like she owned the night at them.

"And they provide ample time for dancing." The blond wasn't entirely sure if she intended the statement as a tease, a suggestion, or merely good conversation. Excitement flooded her veins, the evening moving through her and lifting her up and away from her worries. It felt as if this was what she had been born for in moments like this.

Her mother would argue this was the very thing she had been born for, but Sisse had grown past wishing to be the opposite of that which her mother had wished. Instead she reveled in feeling alive, feeling like she could be herself, and feeling like the future was finally here and full of possibilities.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Alvin pulled a little bit of a face at the fact that she was already alluding to another event like this. He wasn't so sure that he was ready to commit to multiple balls, but he wasn't about to burst her bubble either. Her quip about dancing had him chuckling. He knew she enjoyed it more than he did, and he hadn't exactly gotten any better at it, but he hoped tonight was a little less formal than the debut ball. That seemed to have far more weight upon it that this though, which was good. Alvin could use something a little more casual.

"I'm sure you must be thrilled." He teased back lightly, wondering just what she expected from him. A dance, two if she really wanted, but for his poor feet, mercifully that was all that it could be. "It seems more casual?" He just wanted to make sure so that he didn't make a fool out of himself or her.

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A thrill rushed through her at the reminder that he understood this simple truth about her in a way her friend never really had. "Indeed." She beamed at him.

But he didn't ask her to dance. Part of her excitement dropped, but she refused to let it bother her. He'd arrived, he was at ease around her, she was happy. Truly she couldn't ask for more after the last anxious months. "It is." Sisse reassured him. There was a time and place for formal balls, she loved those too, but also a place for the public assemblies full of chatter and cheer and cider spiked with the best of the Jewell's stock.

For a moment she bit the inside of her lip wondering what else to say, before the first menial comment tumbled almost unthought of from her lips. "If you keep your eye out you might even see one of the Americans." The posse of American girls were boisterous amid the British folks of Hogsmeade, but it was welcome. It gave Sisse a chance to be more herself without attracting attention. Compared to them Sisse looked like the perfect English rose without even trying. The dynamics aside, Sisse actually enjoyed the blooming friendships she had formed with them. Most especially with the quiet Sutton. Miss Whysper, however, was a force of nature that Sisse thought was better to observe from far - and if she were truthful she was a bit intimidated by the older girl.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Well, that was a relief. Alvin visibly relaxed a little. He used to attend things like this back when he was living in the States, but that felt like another lifetime ago entirely. He used to have a fun social life, back when he was closer to her age than nearly thirty. Funny how things changed over the course of a decade.

By her tone, Alvin got the impression that he was supposed to know what she was talking about, but he looked around and didn't see anyone out of place? "Americans?" He questioned, eyebrow raised. He hadn't attended any events since Hogwarts and Sloane had come home, so he was woefully out of touch with anything that might be lingering in any social circles. This was the most he'd done since starting at the ministry, aside from drinks with a few of his new coworkers.

But his curiosity was piqued. "I wonder where from. I lived there for a while." He added distractedly.

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She was drifting away from her goal, feeling Alvin latch onto the topic that was supposed to be more of a passing comment. She ought to have realized he wouldn't know anything about them. So she bobbed her in affirmation and listened to him. "I believe several are from New York and one from the south?" Sisse appeased his curiosity. "They've been causing quite the conversation this season, truthfully."

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

"Ah, opposite side of the country. I was on the west coast." It wasn't like he would know any of them anyway, he hadn't been there in quite some time. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to get out of the question, but somehow his thoughts had connected it all, but clearly it didn't matter.

"I wouldn't know," he chuckled, turning his attention back to Miss Thompsett. He wasn't sure Sloane had mentioned anything either, but he didn't know how much she was paying attention to the rumor mill these days either, considering she was a hot topic at present. The things he'd been asked at work were the only indication he had gotten and he'd shut them all down quickly. "What dance is up next?" Hopefully something not too complicated. He still wasn't very confident in his skills.

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Glancing about the room Sisse looked to see if she could spot any of the ladies in question. But Alvin wrested her attention back to him in a moment that set her stomach leaping again. She made to check her dance card as she said, "A country dance, I believe." She knew. Because Sisse loved the simple fun steps of a country dance almost as much as she loved waltzes and minuets. She'd grown up with the chasse and reel, the exchange of partners, it was something that most people at assemblies knew. The steps easy to follow - and even if one didn't it was easy enough to follow the group through the steps.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

A country dance. Did he remember how to do that? It was a big group reel wasn't it? "I'm not sure I remember how to do those?" He passed her a more sheepish grin, rubbing the back of head with his good hand. He would hate to be an embarrassment out there. An easy waltz was one thing, but these were quick and evolving, changing partners and organized steps. "I really wasn't the best etiquette student." Had any of the Bixbys been good etiquette students? Alvin had always been far more graceful on a broom than on his own two feet. Now he had a hope and a prayer of coordination with either.

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"I highly doubt most people here were the best in etiquette class." Sisse chuckled, looking about them. Most of the debutantes, sure, but the gentlemen? The married women? She doubted it. "But it's easy to pick up." She assured him. "You just follow everyone else. Besides, I won't lead you astray." Her cheeks pinked as she realized the presumption in her tone and quickly she strove to move away from her clumsy verbal mistake.

"I think there is polka coming up as well." She hummed in consideration. "They often do those at these." She hated that she'd already danced a waltz this evening. But there was another one in a few songs as well. She did love a waltz, it afforded her more of a dance to speak with her dance partners. The thought of a dance with Alvin made her feel almost giddy, to be so close to him, to let him swirl her around in the arms she found so safe, so comforting..... No. She couldn't think like that. She didn't want it to mar her evening. Besides it wasn't as if she could suggest a waltz, that was much to forward.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Alvin hardly thought he was going to be any better the polka than a country dance, but it might have been safer? Miss Thompsett looked far too eager for him to hesitate much longer and he supposed he may as well get give it a try. "Just promise you won't hold it against me if I do not do that well." He grimaced, thinking that at least he had once been somewhat agile, if not very graceful. He had spent most of his youth outside running around, climbing trees and whatever else it was that they had gotten up to with the Pottses at large or the Hatchitts. Laurel Potts must have seen to their dancing education at some point.

"I'm willing to try." Hopefully he wouldn't make a complete fool of himself, or her by extension.

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"I could never!" Sisse was quick to assure him. She wanted to tell him he was much better than at least half her dance partners, that he knew her, that he didn't intend to move her to America, that she didn't have to blather on about minerals or architecture or anything else she knew nothing about. Not to mention that he didn't smell bad, act pompous, or try to stomp on her gown with each step. But this was not the place to say such things, nor was she brave enough to voice them to him.

At his comment she beamed. "You shall have to ask properly then." She informed him, but she was already extending her wrist so that he might write his name in her dance card.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Her quick assurance felt more like something Sloane would pull; agreeing just to get what she wanted. That bright smile didn't help, either. Still, it was hard to say no to, so he bowed low and held out a hand. "May I have this dance, Miss Thompsett?" He caught Sloane's eye accidentally as he straightened up, noted her raised eyebrow, but he chose to ignore her and turned his full attention back to Sisse.

"Remember, you promised." He said as he took her hand and headed toward the floor.

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Delight thrilled through Sisse as he bowed before her, she felt giddy with it, feeling it fill her smile, her eyes, her very being with a lightness that made it hard to stand still. "You may." She gave him a small nod of acquiescence, it would not due to appear to eager.

His hand captured her's sending jitters from her fingers and wrist up her arm. Instead she tried to focus on his words, on keeping her face polite, neutral. "I never break a promise." Sisse assured him, turning to meet his eyes, hoping he could see the truthfulness of her words. She hoped he might know this already, perhaps he did, but it did little harm to reassure him.

Taking their spots Sisse swept into a graceful curtsey before him. The first notes of the lively music starting up. Her eyes danced as she tried to convey her question through her very look, a look, a question, just for him. Do you trust me? Are you ready? For she would not lead him astray with the steps. She'd led enough boys through the dances over the year that she had become quite adapt at ensuring that they did not look incompetent leading her through the room - even if she were the one subtly doing the leading.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom