You can dance if you want to

[shnpc]

WHO: Everyone
TONE: PAR-TAY
RATING: PG-Rish?
WHEN: December 24th
WHERE: Hogwarts Great Hall
WHAT: The Yule Ball!
NOTE: The log is going up now due to the holiday season. We'll have a thread for the announcements of the winners for King, Queen, Prince and Princess. Dumbledore will start it off and you guys take it from there because he's going to go party on the dance floor. PS The train home will be leaving on the 22nd for those who want to spend Christmas with their family and 26th so students can stay for the ball, but we won't be doing a logs for the train.

Comments

[3houseswatson]

Well, I don't know if I'd say tender, but... well. I was married. I don't remember to who, but from the emotions I remember, I'd really like that bit of the potential future to remain unchanged.

[3potionproblem]

[Sherlock chortles and, feeling that perhaps that was not what he should have done, explains with a smile.]

John, you are an attractive man with saint-like patience, a kind disposition and an attitude not to be ignored. I have no doubts that someday you will find yourself a mate well within your standards.

[3houseswatson]

[John rolls his eyes at Sherlock's chortle, but still goes a bit pink at the ears at the unexpected praise.]

Yeah yeah, I know that, 'plenty of fish in the sea' and all that. Excuse me for thinking the one I had in that maybe-future was a definite keeper. I wish I could remember more about her.

[3potionproblem]

[It really shouldn't have bit at him. "Her". He did not have a crush on John Watson; that would be tremendously stupid of him. He didn't care like that about anyone. Was probably just... a stomach ache.]

Is that what muggles do? Proverbially cast out into the sea hoping to catching their proverbial mate?

Fish in the loch, John. There there be monsters.

[3houseswatson]

[John notices the slight change to Sherlock's expression and chalks it up as...]

Yes, yes, I know hearing about this kind of stuff bores you. And that you intend to be blessedly single all your days.

And what's this about fishing in the loch? What, date Scottish girls? No, I learned my lesson after my first girlfriend. Burnt that bridge a long time ago.

[3potionproblem]

I was married as well in that future world. All the more reason not to think it true.

I mean to say, don't settle for just some ordinary girl. If that's what the sea is, just a vast expanse of single women, then balls to it. Look for her somewhere that isn't teaming with pointless faces and names. And maybe have a bit of adventure while you're at it.

[3houseswatson]

[So John might be openly gaping at that little revelation.]

... wait, really? Really?

But, uh, don't worry about that. I might not remember who she was specifically, but she was definitely extraordinary, and make no mistake. Probably adventurous too, since I seem to recall being vaguely worried about a plan of hers.

[3potionproblem]

Your surprise at this revelation is noted. Thank you.

So John Watson grows up to be a careful doctor with a wild wife. I'm sure you'll both be very happy. Can we perhaps move on to more interesting topics of conversation?

[3houseswatson]

Sorry. It's just... well, you've always been the first person to scoff at the whole relationship thing. Mostly I'm impressed someone got you to change your mind.

[He holds up his hands palms-out in a placating gesture.]

But you're right, we can talk about something else. Especially since you make a strong case that whatever future it was won't be happening.

[3potionproblem]

Good. Talk of the future is done, then. The present is much more interesting. Have you observed anyting of interest?

[He tucks down those not good feelings and turns on the machine. This is about work, not fun.]

[3houseswatson]

[Just to be sure, John gives a sweeping look around the room, though he has to stand on tiptoes for a moment to see past Sherlock's shoulder for that side of the room.]

Hm, can't say I've seen anything too odd, though I'm impressed Molly's in the running for Queen. Fingers crossed she gets it, and if anybody chooses to pull any funny business then, they're getting my foot to their kneecaps.

Mostly I think people are finally trying to get into the whole Christmas spirit thing, since that kind of thing has taken a backseat to all the weirdness that happened this month.

[3potionproblem]

Do you do Christmas, John?

[He tilts his head slightly, staring at John rather intently.]

[3houseswatson]

Yeah, of course. The whole package: decorations and a tree, stockings put up, blindingly ridiculous jumpers...

It's one of the few days of the year where the whole family gathers up and at least tries to be decent to each other, even if we all get pretty sick of each other midway through Boxing Day.

[3potionproblem]

Then this won't seem too terribly awkward.

[He takes a small bag from his pocket it holds it out to John.]

[3houseswatson]

[John awkwardly rubs at the back of his neck, smiling a bit as he takes the bag.]

Oh, wow, you didn't have to do that! Or at least you should've warned me so I could get you something.

[3potionproblem]

If you ever avail yourself of it, you will have.

[The bag's contents shift rather than hold their shape in his hand. The tag on the bag reads "Villa Sancti".]

[3houseswatson]

[John notices the tag and reads it aloud, most likely slaughtering the pronunciation.]

"Villa Sancti"?

Sounds posh. What is it?

[3potionproblem]

My home: Villa Sancti. I thought it might be best to write it down for you rather than rely on your memory.

[3houseswatson]

[John looks down at the gift, feeling the fine texture of the powder through the bag.] Then this is Floo Powder.

[He grins back up at Sherlock.] Count on you to convey a "Feel free to drop in for a visit" invitation with the actual means for getting there. Thanks, I mean it. I might take you up on it sometime, since I can't say I've ever been to a home that has its own name.

[3potionproblem]

It's rather obvious you're not overly enthusiastic about going home on holiday. Should you feel the need to... escape... before term begins, we should be more than willing to see to your comforts in the interim. No need to drop an owl by first. We're quite set for impromptu visitors.

[3houseswatson]

[John's smile turns slightly wry. He should've guessed that he'd be that transparent, especially to someone with Sherlock's observational skills. He wanted to hope for the best with his family for the upcoming holiday, but he had been burned there before. He couldn't help being a little leery.]

Well... good to know that's an option. Thank you. I'd give you the same invitation, but I'm pretty sure my family doesn't even know our tiny fireplace has been connected to the Floo Network. My parents would probably have a heart attack if somebody tumbled out of it.

[3potionproblem]

[He smirks at the thought.]

Bit difficult to end up in the Watson's den without a proper address. Can't say it doesn't sound like fun, though. But I shall stick to my side of the divide for now.

[3houseswatson]

You'd have to be pretty careful about getting that address exactly right, anyway. It's a flat. I doubt any of the others in the building are connected to the Floo Network, but slipping up would be one hell of a way of finding out.

[3potionproblem]

You live in a flat? How pedestrian. Must be quite close quarters indeed.

[3houseswatson]

Hey, it's a decent sized flat! Bigger than the one we were in when I was a kid, anyway. Had to share a room with Harry and thank God that's a thing of the past.