[Great Hall] Relaxing for lunch

[William Harris]

William waltzed into the Great Hall, not figuratively but actually, he was dancing with one of his friends who insisted he show her some moves. Swinging her arounf with good grace, he had begun somewhat begrudgingly. But getting quickly into the swing of things he took her sweeping down the Great Hall. Sophie was always so insistant with such things often managing to get her way, especially over William. His other friends clapped but some wiped tears from their eyes from sheer laughter. Sophie murmered barely audibly to him
"let's have some food now." So he released her, now begrudgingly again as he had quite enjoyed it. With his few friends about him they quickly took their seats and began to tuck in talking amiably amongst themselves. Chattering in particular to his present best friend Sophie he helped himself with a gusto to food, finding he was actually rather ravenous. Wolfing down his food but keeping his manners and wits about him he laughed warmly as Peter and Gary began thier usual argument over which was the best food to eat at this hour of the day. William laughed happily enjoying this time with his friends, but feeling as though somebody was watching him he turned around slowly and was met by some startling eyes...

[Dax Simmons]

Dax was quite happily eating his lunch, nibbling on some carrot sticks, munching on a handful of chips and gulping down some pumpkin juice when a Gryffindor boy came dancing into the hall. Dax put down his drink, wiped his mouth with his sleeve and watched the boy intently. As soon as Dax even caught a glimpse of the boys face he let out a jolly chuckle. It was Will, and Dax and Will had been good friends since the lower years but due to work loads they had not seen each other in a long time.

Suddenly Will turned around to look at Dax. With a wave of the hand and a smile Dax stood up and jumped over the Hufflepuff dinning table and marched on over towards Will.
“Good afternoon young sir. I see you were showing people how to dance.”
Dax cheerfully sat down next to Will, feeling very nervous that he was on the Gryffindor table.

“I told him everything he knows.”
Dax winked at a few of the girls sitting by and picked up an apple taking a huge bite out of it.

[William Harris]

William smiled broadly on seeing Dax and wondering why they hadn't spoken in quite some time, waving urgently for him to come and join them, he patted the seat next to him shouted as Dax approached
"Why hullooo me old mucker, me old pal," he chortled glad to see Dax looking as happy as ever, grabbing hold of him he drew him closer giving him a friendly embrace and knowing that it would make him blush the brightest read.
"I am indeed teaching others how to dance, and they're really no good at it." he smiled mischeveously at Sophie as she shot him a warning glare.
As Dax proclaimed himself his tutor of dance, William with a glint in his eye and a plan already formed nodded his head sagely
"oh aye, my tutor he is," he acknowledged with a wry grin, when in fact they had each taught the other their moves, which they had perfected over years of trying to attract girl's attention, even going to the extent of dancing together. Wanting to tease Dax as they always did to each other he exclaimed
"yes indeed if any of you glamorous lady's want lessons he's your man, in many ways," he chuckled and gave Dax a playful thump on the shoulder.
"You remember Sophie don't ya?" he asked conversationally knowing the history between them.

[Dax Simmons]

As Will mentioned Sophie his eye line moved over towards her and although a small smile filled the Hufflepuff’s face his cheeks still turned a light shade of pink.
“Hello Sop. Did not see you there.” Dax looked over at Will then back at Sophie. “Guess you have been having fun dancing with Will, again. Like the time at the ball when you were meant to be dancing with me and then went off with this loud mouth.”

Dax poked Will in the arm and gave him a cheeky smile. He took another bite out of his apple, sucking the juices from it before munching away. After he had swallowed his mouthful he shuffled along the bench so he was opposite Sophie. He reached forward and took hold of her hand and kissed it lightly.
“No hard feelings?”

He shot her a smile before leaning back on the bench.
“I’m single and proud of it!”

His voice was raised slightly as he shouted out single, quickly giving a glance around the hall wondering if anyone might hear him and want to ask him for a drink.

[Loren Hayes]

Loren pushed her reading glasses up her nose as they once more slipped down, threatening to fall in her pumpkin juice. Tomorrow was her finally exam - Ancient Runes - and so far she had had little luck in finding time to go to the library and revise. Her only chance had been during break times on her tedious treks to her next lesson, or during lunch where she barely managed to eat anything. She had been stressing and under eating so much she had even noticed her ribs showing through this morning.

Stuffing a hardened Yorkshire pudding in her mouth, Loren feverishly flipped to the next chapter of Advanced Runes and Their Origins. She frowned with a tired expression, finding the noise in the Great Hall just too much. 'I've had enough!' She barked to anyone who was listening, swiftly standing up and gathering her books in her arms. She was just about to storm from the hall when she cast her eyes over at the noisiest of Gryffindor crowds, only to see Dax sitting in their midsts, his lips pressed to the fingers of a pretty girl.

Immediately Loren's temper flared, her cheeks turning an ugly crimson. What the hell is wrong with you? What are you getting so mad about? You don't even fancy Dax... she chastised herself mentally. She began to walk determinedly toward the door, but found that she was simply too wound up to study now. She wondered if she should just go and grab some food from the kitchens and sulk in her dorm, but for some reason she found herself stalking toward Dax. She stopped next to him, several Gryffindors peering at her.

'Hello, Dax.' She smiled somewhat stiffly. 'Haven't seen you in a while.' She had, of course, only been with him in Charms that morning.

[William Harris]

William couldn't help but laugh out loud as Sophie accepted his apology putting the past behind them. He grinned cheekily at Dax, remembering all too well that night, it had been fun but had almost resulted in the loss of a friend. Thakfully that hadn't been the case. Chuckling as Dax did their usual flirting he was about to resume eating and send a teasing comment at Dax when a a real beauty appeared in their midst, a Ravenclaw he deduced with in moments, and the way Dax blushed hinted that they were more than just acquaintances and friends. Her apparent anger, hoepfully not directed fully at Dax failed to dispell her genuine good looks and he chuckled with mirth.
"Looks like you're going for more than you can chew with this one Dax," he chuckled but seeing her anger flare up once more and wanting to try and save his friend from unecessary harm he said
"he means nothing by the kiss, he does it all the time," realising what he had said he bounded to his feet.
"But his heart's in the right place, honest!" he chortled much to the mirth of his fellow Gryffindors who were listening in intently obviously wanting a fight to ensue, which quite frankly appalled Will. He smiled good naturedly at this new Ravenclaw and asked
"Dax aren't you going to introduce me to this astonishing lady?"

[Dax Simmons]

As Dax sat laughing he heard someone appear behind him. Twisting around he looked up to see Loren standing behind him. A nervous laugh escaped him as he looked over at Will who was already flirting with Loren. He could feel anger raging up inside of him and he looked at his friend with burning eyes. This however only seemed to spur him on. Jumping to his feet Dax stepped in the way of Loren and will and put on his best smile.

“Loren is just a good friend. Come on she is only a 6th year, a mere child not like the wonders of the 7th years.” Dax started to laugh and looked at the laughing Gryffindor who would follow anything that had a pulse. With a small grin he turned around to Loren. Although his eyes showed remorse for what he had just said his tongue would not stop.

Thinking it would be safe now Dax stepped aside and stood next to Loren, still wanting to protect her from any trouble she may get from will.

[Loren Hayes]

Only a sixth year? ONLY A SIXTH YEAR?

Loren inhaled a deep breath as she stared into Dax's face, her expression a mixture of insult and absolute fury. How could he embarrass me in front of all these people? How could he be so patronising? I didn't think he was like that at all! Loren knew that she was probably over reacting, that Dax had merely said something very stupid out of nerves. She dearly hoped it had not been to impress these rowdy Gryffindors however, as they all seemed to be smirking cruelly. The only one who did not have a darkly satisfied look on their face was the tall blonde boy standing opposite her.

'Oh, as Dax says, I'm just a friend,' She gave a sickly sweet smile to the boy then looked at Dax, her eyes positively freezing. 'And please, I'm really not astonishing. I think Dax will gladly agree with that.' She chimed. Loren was feeling unnecessarily evil, but she was by now too annoyed and humiliated to simply stop.

'I'm sorry, but Dax has never taken the time to mention you before...' Loren asked with a mixture of apology and churlishness. Although Loren usually found hand shaking very awkward and overly formal, she raised her hand daintily for the Gryffindor to take.

[William Harris]

William shook his head wondering what was the matter with Dax, he seemed to be putting his foot in it left, right and centre, then it clicked, rather than actually just flirting with this girl, he properly liked her, looking in wonderment at his friend he thought cor Dax is finally in love. He could easily have got the wrong end of the stick of course, but Dax usually managed much better than this bumbling effort.
Will himself couldn't but flirt he had tried often in the past not to, but it had just not seemed like him, and though Dax even seemed to be trying to protect the lucious Loren as he would now call her to tease Dax, in a friendly way mind, his nature just demanded him to be himself. Realising too that his gang of friends was making the two lovebirds uncomfortable he was going to usher them away, but that would just make it all too obvious.
Taking lightly Loren's outstretched hand Will gave it a quick peck that he had perfected over the years.
"I agree with you there, the word astonishing is simply not good enough, wondrous is perhaps more appropriate?" he failed to notice the raise of the eyebrows from Sophie and carried on regardless
"I beg to differ with you there Dax, I myself am a sixth year in case you have forgotten, and it seems to me you have upset this wonderul young lady, won't you apologise?" Seeing the look of outrage on Dax's face he carried on
"but there's no love lost between friends now is there?" Still lightly holding Loren's hand and waiting patiently for her to take it away he was counting down the seconds her fingers lay in his and how much of a mood she would be in with Dax, maybe she would evn try and make him jealous he wondered, which didn't really suit Will.
"Hasn't mentioned me has he not?" he raised his eyes in mock shock at Dax, well his friend knew all too well he was flirt, but he really couldn't help his nature, quashing the feeling of annoyance that Dax would think he would try and steal hsi girl as it were, he smiled ever wider and said
"Well Dax never really thinks much now does he? Always jumping into things without a moment of consideration take him and, what was her name..." With a gasp he suddenly realised what he had been abotu to say, it seemed hsi mouth could easily run him into trouble.
"The teacher, nah it's gone well he didn't just apologise for forgettting the work, he got into a big argument ending up with a detention, silly fool." he chuckled warmly at Dax, hoping he had just about managed to save Dax from some very awkward questions.
"You've known Dax a while then?" he continued amiably.

[Dax Simmons]

Dax watched with his eyes wide, his nostrils slightly flared and his whole body was tense. Will was saying some things that were unnecessary and in fact were down right painful. As he glared at Will he could not help put let his gaze pass form Loren’s face and then to her hand which Will was still holding, Dax could not understand why put he could feel a digging pain inside and his stomach want to spit out the apple he had just ate.

You do not like Loren…come on…you swore after Sophie you would not get into any other relationships…however that was 3 years ago….

Dax’s mind was racing with thoughts and he lost his concentration on what was truly happening around him. When he returned back to reality he saw that Will was doing his normal act with Loren as he did with every other girl. Taking a huge step forward Dax took Loren’s hand out of Wills and lowered it down to the side of Loren, with him standing proud next to her.

After a few seconds he realised that his hand was still tightly holding that of Loren’s and he let go, nervously raising his hand up to run it through his hair. With a small cough, Dax regained his composure and looked at Will.
“We have known each other long enough. Loren is a good friend.”

[Loren Hayes]

Loren got what she had expected - a courteous kiss on her knuckles from Will. For a moment she considered flicking him hard on the nose for such a typical male gesture, but decided against causing any more drama. She was about to withdraw her hand when Dax suddenly reached out, doing it for her. She stared at him, her eyebrows knitted in questioning, perplexed. Now what was all that about? He can kiss HER hand, but Will can't kiss mine? She thought stingingly, suddenly suspicious that Dax was perhaps considering Loren as not single but his. Her insides swam with a mixture of triumph and satisfaction - partly from knowing that she had made him jealous, partly from knowing this gave her a little control over the situation.

Dax was stood next to her with his shoulders squared, looking at Will politely. For a moment she felt guilty, but upon noticing the Gryffindor girl again the image of his lips on her hand came back. Loren was only giving him a taste of his own medicine.

'A good friend?' She asked, looking at him with fake thoughtfulness. 'I always saw it as an acquaintanceship, but if you say so...' She said with a passive shrug of her shoulders. Guilt curdled in her stomach once more as Dax flinched, surprised and pained. With a sigh Loren knew she had to stop now. 'What about you and Dax? You seem to know each other pretty well.' She said calmly, changing the topic from her to them.

[William Harris]

Will shook his head as Dax passed or failed the test depending on whether he really wanted love or not. Jealously removing Loren's hand from his had clearly showed this, shaking his head ruefully he analysed the look on Loren's face, she seemed in total confusion as to whether him acting so jealously was good or bad. Loren hadn't seemed amused either with Will's kissing of her hand. The plot was thickening between the pair and Will knew exactly how to help get the ball rolling, for their own good of course, or so he hoped.
Resisting the urge to chuckle and make matters worse he listened intently to their words being thrown venomly at each other. Wanting to jump in before either one dug themselves a deeper hole he seized the opportunity of Loren's question butting in before Dax could respond with a spiteful comment.
"Tisn't nearly as interesting as yours I should warrant, but I'll tell thee nonetheless," Giving Dax a look meaning don't butt in yet mate, I'm trying to help you, he often tried to say a lot through a simple look, he began with his rich lilting voice
"well we've lost contact just recently through no fault of our own I hasten to add, thoguh although in a way it must be" he threw a reproachful look to Dax then centered once more upon Loren wanting to keep eye contact, though also wanbting to keep a weather eye upon Dax too. Therefore he was obliviosu to the giggling behind him as his back faced his fellow Gryffindors or even to him where acting rather harshly; laughing and joking about the present predicament,, not even having the decency to keep quiet.
"Dax and me are old pals, though I've a feeling we've both grown quite different over the years, whatever you do, don't believe Dax's stories about me," he chuckled "unless they're good of course." he was trying somewhat unsuccessfully to diffuse the tension in this frankly embarrassing conversation, for them much more than him.

[Dax Simmons]

As Will talked Dax kept wanting to put in to protest about what was happening, but then Will did something quite unexpected. He was nice to Dax. Paralysed with confusion Dax stared at Will when he suddenly realised what he was doing. O no Dax did not need William Harries help. It never got him anywhere in the past and it would make no difference now.

Straightening his back and puffing out his chest Dax gave a laugh which turned many heads of the people on the table around them.
Ok bad idea. He thought slumping back into his normal posture.
Looking back at Loren he felt his heart beat faster, so he quickly looked away and back at Will who had just stopped talking.

“Thanks for that. I’m sure Loren will be pleased to know that….not saying that she will be pleased to hear about you, do not let your head grow to big…but that she has knowledge that you…well that I…oh…hum…erm..”

Dax broke off has he had got himself into confusion. Running his hand through his hair he let out a sigh and lowered his head to look at the ground.

[Loren Hayes]

Loren folded her arms over her stomach and looked at the two boys crossly. It was more than obvious that Will had a little control over Dax in the nerves department, and she wondered whether she should condemn or defend Dax for being so small in front of the Gryffindor. Dax was usually rather smooth, but right now he was barely keeping his head above water.

Loren bit her lip thoughtfully, then turned to Will. 'Yes, well... interesting is one way of describing it I suppose.' She said cynically.

The Ravenclaw's eyes cast over the other girl, and she stared at her coldly for a moment. 'Aren't you going to introduce us, Dax?' She snapped suddenly, turning on him. 'I'd love to know how you two are associated.'

[William Harris]

Seeing the two girls were by no means hitting it off Will though he had best intervene again, especially seeing as though Dax seemed to have lost his power of speech completely. As Sophie glared furiously at Loren Will walked happily over to Sophie and slid an arm around her waist, though Sophie didn't immediately pull away he could feel the tension and wished he could quickly whisper a word in her ear to forstall an outburst. He divulged falsely to Loren without thinking
"Well Soph here is my girlfriend you see, we've been goin out fer yonks, and so Dax knows us from then, course he probs had a little crush on her, but who wouldn't?" he said earnestly with a laugh, as Sophie blushed but then she did something he hadn't expected, breaking away she turned with eyes flashing and looked ready to slap Will, who looked taken aback, though he quickly reverted his shocked look to one of idle curiousity.
"If only," she said simply seemingly too annoyed to get her words out.
"Eh?" responded Will dumbly, with an exasperated sigh and smile knowing smile towards Loren she said
"ah boys" Hoping the tirade was over Will looked quizzicaly at Dax then as he turned back towards Sophie got a hard slap for his troubles, as Will staggered he contained the blushes as his so called friends laughed loudly. Sophie turned on her heel and swished down the hall followed closely by a gang of girls who pointed excitedly at Will and giggled. Apparently the entire hall had seen the incident as people left, right and centre laughed and pointed.
Unfortunately Will couldn't help but open his big mouth for the final words.
"You've had your time! Get over me," clamping his mouth shut as Sophie presently burst into probably fake tears just to make him feel far worse. People muttered snide comments all around
"He's a moron that Harris,"
"some Casanova eh?"
"treated her like dirt over the years,"
Wanting to sink into the earth below his feet, Will made to follow and apologise profusely to Sophie who had left the hall in a fluster when something unexpected happened...