broodygryffindor: You busy?
EllieBranstone: No. Definitely not busy.
broodygryffindor: *grins* You sure? I'd hate to think that I was interrupting something important.
EllieBranstone: No. You're not interrupting anything.
broodygryffindor: Though, I imagine there really are very few things more important than I am.
EllieBranstone: I'm not going to answer that one.
EllieBranstone: So, I'm your personal teddy bear now? ::grins::
broodygryffindor: Well, yes.
broodygryffindor: Aren't you?
EllieBranstone: Yes. :)
broodygryffindor: Lucky me.
broodygryffindor: ... you really are wonderfully squishy.
EllieBranstone: I'm glad you approve.
broodygryffindor: I certainly do.
broodygryffindor: "Approve" might, in fact, be putting it mildly.
broodygryffindor: You don't mind, I hope?
EllieBranstone: No, I don't mind at all. I *really* don't mind.
broodygryffindor: *blushes* So, um. I made the team... But you know that already.
EllieBranstone: I saw that. That's great!
broodygryffindor: Oh, I don't know.
broodygryffindor: Imagine all the new opportunities to prove myself a right idiot.
EllieBranstone: You'll be fine. I know you will.
broodygryffindor: Oh, because your perception of me isn't at all skewed.
EllieBranstone: Absolutely not. I think you'll like hitting things. ::grins::
broodygryffindor: ... you've got me there.
EllieBranstone: And hitting things at people, and staying on your broom, are the two major skills you'll need. I see you're actually going to get to play in a match, even.
broodygryffindor: Yeah. I saw that.
broodygryffindor: But, you know, perhaps the staying on my broom bit is where the trouble will come in. Can't imagine I can possibly compare to /the/ Non-Faller-Offer.
EllieBranstone: Well, no, you're hardly in my league. But I'm sure you'll be fine. ::grins::
broodygryffindor: That means a lot, dear. Really.
EllieBranstone: I wish *we* had the first match. I have to wait a whole month before I get to play.
broodygryffindor: Well, I'm glad at least that the match won't be against you lot. Horribly distracting, I'm sure.
EllieBranstone: Yeah. I'd have to pout at you.
broodygryffindor: Oh, that just wouldn't be right.
EllieBranstone: Why not?
EllieBranstone: I've checked the rules. There's nothing that says the Seeker can't pout adorably at the opposing Beater.
broodygryffindor: ... because I said so. -That's- why.. dammit.
EllieBranstone: So you write the rules of Quidditch, now?
broodygryffindor: In my spare time, yes.
EllieBranstone: Good to know. Want to write one that says that the Ravenclaw and Slytherin seekers have play blindfolded?
broodygryffindor: *blinks innocently* Now, why would I want to do a thing like that?
EllieBranstone: As a favor to me? Notice, I left out Gryffindor.
broodygryffindor: Yes, I noticed that. Awfully kind of you.
broodygryffindor: What do I get in return?
EllieBranstone: What do you want?
broodygryffindor: ... I don't know.
EllieBranstone: Then I can't really tell you, can I?
broodygryffindor: Probably not.
broodygryffindor: It would probably be a horrible idea for me to sleep over there again tonight, wouldn't it?
EllieBranstone: Terrible. Think of all the trouble we'd be in.
broodygryffindor: Oh. Yeah. So much trouble, I'm sure.
broodygryffindor: But, uh. Apart from that. Why would it be a bad idea?
EllieBranstone: Um, because.... er.... I don't know.
broodygryffindor: Oh. okay.
EllieBranstone: Why would it be?
broodygryffindor: Well, because there are classes tomorrow. Of course. Uh... yeah. That's really all I can think of.
broodygryffindor: Oh! And practice. I have my first practice tomorrow, early morning.
EllieBranstone: Oh, yes, I saw that. Sounds like you're going to have it even worse than we do.
broodygryffindor: Just for a little while.
broodygryffindor: Besides, I get by just fine without sleep. Proven that much over the past week...
broodygryffindor: *squints* I'm going to be an awful bitch for a month, aren't I?
EllieBranstone: No. Of course not!
broodygryffindor: It just seems like it may be a sympton of sleep deprevation. At least, in my case.
broodygryffindor: I'd honestly blame it on that more than anything else. *smirks*
EllieBranstone: Then you should....hmm. Start going to bed early?
broodygryffindor: Oh, no. Don't like that idea either.
EllieBranstone: Even with a teddy bear?
broodygryffindor: ... oh, now /that's/ tempting.
EllieBranstone: And then you can wake up ready to practice at 5:30 a.m. with your slavedriver of a coach.
broodygryffindor: Oh, joy.
EllieBranstone: I will never complain about Justin again.
broodygryffindor: Damned right, you won't.
broodygryffindor: I might have to be angry. And I'm sure you wouldn't want that. I'm bloody terrifying, remember.
EllieBranstone: You are. You really are.
broodygryffindor: Yes, yes. I know.
EllieBranstone: And okay, I'll complain about Justin--but not about his practice schedule.
broodygryffindor: Can't really complain about his having late night visitors anymore, either.
EllieBranstone: I can complain about his taste in late night visitors. :)
broodygryffindor: *smirk* Well, yes. You can do that.
EllieBranstone: Mine is much more pleasant company, I can assure you.
broodygryffindor: Of course, not everyone can be as lucky as you, my dear.
EllieBranstone: No. I really am lucky, you know.
broodygryffindor: *eyerolls* Oh, of course.
EllieBranstone: Okay, don't believe me.
broodygryffindor: Think I can manage that.
EllieBranstone: We both know I'm right.
broodygryffindor: My, you're persistent, aren't you?
EllieBranstone: Only when it suits me. :)
broodygryffindor: *sighs dramatically* And, you know, /that's/ kind of adorable as well.
broodygryffindor: ... damn you.
EllieBranstone: ::grins::
broodygryffindor: Stop being so fucking cute. I mean it. *shakes fist*
EllieBranstone: And what if I don't?
broodygryffindor: Well, uh.
broodygryffindor: Huh. Hadn't really thought of that.
EllieBranstone: All right, then.
broodygryffindor: ... damn you. (yet again, it seems.)
broodygryffindor: So, uh. What did we decide about my staying over?
EllieBranstone: We decided you should, I thought.
broodygryffindor: Alright. Just thought I'd check.
broodygryffindor: *smirks* I'd hate to get my hopes up.
broodygryffindor: Seeing as you and I tend to have the, eh. Occasional miscommunication.
EllieBranstone: I think this time we're perfectly clear.
broodygryffindor: Yes, right. Because I do need sleep.
broodygryffindor: ... and I miss my teddy bear. *pouts*
EllieBranstone: Your "teddy bear" misses you, too....
broodygryffindor: Does she now?
EllieBranstone: Yes. She does. You should come visit her right away.
broodygryffindor: Are you hinting at something, my dear?
EllieBranstone: I didn't *think* I was hinting.
broodygryffindor: Fine.
broodygryffindor: Is now good?
EllieBranstone: Now is just fine. I'll be waiting in the common room to let you in.
broodygryffindor: Considerate of you.
broodygryffindor: I'll be right there. I've just got a few things to do and then I'll be right over.
EllieBranstone: All right. :)
broodygryffindor: ::signs offline::
broodygryffindor: ::shows up in the Hufflepuff hallway about ten minutes later. she's wearing a nice sweater with pajama bottoms because she's really just kind of like that, and fussing with her hair again, of course:: ::hesitates, licks her lips, and knocks twice::
EllieBranstone: ::waits at the door for a second, not wanting to seem like she's been standing by the door for the past several minutes waiting for the knock, then opens it and steps aside to let Natalie in::
broodygryffindor: ::manages to adjust nearly three imaginary wrinkles out of her sweater in just that second or so of waiting. but then the door opens and she smiles a really big smile and steps in, lingering awkwardly by the door:: Sorry about the wait..
EllieBranstone: No problem. You said you had things to do.
broodygryffindor: Wanted to make sure everything was ready for tomorrow morning. You know, when I won't be awake enough yet for my brain to be properly functioning and all that.
EllieBranstone: I don't blame you. I don't know that I could find the pitch at 5:30, let alone practice.
broodygryffindor: ::grins:: Well, don't be terribly alarmed if I turn up missing for a bit tomorrow. Probably just got lost or fell asleep on my way there.
EllieBranstone: I'll send out a search party.
broodygryffindor: That's sweet of you.
broodygryffindor: Not sure you'll be able to find very many volunteers, though.
EllieBranstone: I'll do it myself, then.
broodygryffindor: You'd do that? .... but what about breakfast?
EllieBranstone: Well, I could always wait until afterward. :: grins::
broodygryffindor: ::smirks:: Probably should. Most important meal of the day, from what I've heard.
EllieBranstone: And then I can miss Potions to look for you, too.
broodygryffindor: And then everybody wins.
EllieBranstone: This is an excellent plan.
broodygryffindor: Well, there's nothing for it then. I suppose I'll simply *have* to get lost.
EllieBranstone: It'd be a public service. And think, you could slip off somewhere and have a nap.
broodygryffindor: Of course, there is always the question of what happens if you don't find me.
EllieBranstone: Well, you'll just have to make sure you don't get too lost.
broodygryffindor: Oh. Right then. I'll make a note of it.
broodygryffindor: Do, uh. Do you want to.. sit down, maybe?
EllieBranstone: ::nods, and leads the way over to an overstuffed yellow sofa near the fireplace::
broodygryffindor: ::bangs her shin on a table on the way over to the sofa:: Aw, fuck! ::takes a second before she realizes that it's late so, of course, others are sleeping, and bites her lip, smiling weakly:: Eh. sorry.
broodygryffindor: ::frowns and mutters something under her breath about acting like a "fucking idiot" as she walks the rest of the way to the sofa, sort of half-hobbling and definitely blushing a little at this point::
EllieBranstone: Are you okay?
broodygryffindor: Oh. Me? Uh, fine. Just, you know... ::manages to plop down onto the sofa in a sufficiently stiff and awkward manner, bending over to rub her leg just a bit and muttering again:: ..clumsy.
EllieBranstone: ::scoots over a bit closer to Natalie, but not close enough that they're actually touching:: So. It makes you happy that I don't hate you, hmm?
broodygryffindor: ::blinks and looks up from her leg and, ooh, look at that, Ellie's remarkably close rather suddenly. that's nice:: Yeah. It does. Very much so, in fact. ::tilts her head:: Are you surprised?
EllieBranstone: Not surprised, really, not now. But...glad. ::smiles::
broodygryffindor: ::licks her lips and grins:: Glad?
broodygryffindor: ::pouts a little:: Just glad?
EllieBranstone: Well, no.
EllieBranstone: Glad. Relieved. Thrilled.
broodygryffindor: Well, good. I'm... glad. ::smirks a little and leans in further, head tilting even more:: Hey. You smell good. Do you know that?
EllieBranstone: ::blushes slightly:: No. I didn't.
broodygryffindor: ::nods slowly and smiles:: Well. You do. I noticed before. Your bed. It smells kind of like you.
EllieBranstone: ::the blush deepens:: Um. Thanks.
broodygryffindor: ::raises her eyebrows just slightly:: You don't mind my saying it, I hope.
broodygryffindor: It's true and all. ::smirks::
EllieBranstone: ::still bright red:: No. I don't mind.
broodygryffindor: ::grins a slow, toothy grin:: You sure?
EllieBranstone: ::grins back, a little shyly:: Yes. I'm sure.
broodygryffindor: ::nods:: Just checking.. ::trails off, finding herself suddenly very much distracted by eyes and red cheeks and, oh. those lips:: ... fuck, Ellie. You're beautiful. ::swallows and squints:: Have I said that before?
broodygryffindor: ::doesn't really wait for an answer, shaking her head a little:: ... I think maybe I should have.
EllieBranstone: Um...I dont think you have.
broodygryffindor: ::nods:: I'm.. sorry.
EllieBranstone: You...you'll probably tell me I'm wrong. But I think ... you're beautiful, too.
broodygryffindor: Well. um. Thanks.
broodygryffindor: ::has the faintest hints of a smirk starting to form around the edge of her mouth. because she really can't help herself:: ... I do think you're wrong, though.
EllieBranstone: ::grins, because she knew Natalie would say that:: Oh, then just let me be wrong.
broodygryffindor: ::shrugs:: I'm not complaining. Honest.
EllieBranstone: Good.
broodygryffindor: ::slowly moves her arm up around to rest on the back of the couch so that it's kind of drooping just above Ellie's shoulders, and tries to be casual. tries to pretend her heart hasn't gotten away from her and isn't beating a whole, whole lot faster than it was a few minutes ago. she doesn't do a very good job. so instead she resorts to the old tactic of staring at the floor:: ... yeah.
EllieBranstone: ::bites her bottom lip nervously, then slides over that last bit so that she's snuggled up against Natalie::
broodygryffindor: ::blinks, her eyes going a little wider. (okay, a lot wider.) eyes that are now most definitely focused back on Ellie. for a moment or two, she just freezes, stiff and shocked. and then it's just like something giving way inside and she starts to snuggle back, pulling Ellie in closer and grinning against that shiny, soft hair::
broodygryffindor: Think I'll even get any sleep tonight? ::says it like she really won't mind if she doesn't::
EllieBranstone: ::closes her eyes, unable to stop smiling:: Oh, I don't know. Maybe a little.
broodygryffindor: ::lets out a little happy sigh, forehead wrinkling slightly in thought:: I'm sure there's a reason... but tell me why it'd be a bad idea to just fall asleep now? Here. Like this.
EllieBranstone: Because we'll get caught? Because I'd rather go to sleep in my own bed, with you holding me?
broodygryffindor: ::groans softly:: oh... right. Those are good reasons, but.. ::smiles lazily and then pouts a little:: don't. wanna. move.
EllieBranstone: ::sighs:: Me neither.
broodygryffindor: It's not all that long before I have to be there. We could just. sit here.
broodygryffindor: ::yawns softly and smirks:: It would be a horribly awful idea, wouldn't it, to miss my very first practice?
EllieBranstone: ::nods:: I'm...good here.
EllieBranstone: Probably. You wouldn't want that.
broodygryffindor: No.. ::grins and nudges Ellie gently with her head, sort of like a kitten, leaning in to murmur quietly in her ear:: ...wouldn't want that.
EllieBranstone: Then maybe we need to stay here. If that'll make it easier for you to make practice. ::happily pulls her feet up onto the couch, curling up next to Natalie::
broodygryffindor: ::murmurs dreamily, eyes drooping closed and smiling:: If you insist, my dear. ::yawns again, softly, and uses the one arm which has become wrapped protectively around Ellie to pull the other girl even closer, although it's barely possible::
EllieBranstone: ::rests her head on Natalie's shoulder, now at least half-asleep:: I do. insist.
broodygryffindor: ::makes some nonsensical, sleepy noise that's meant as an "uh-huh" of sorts but doesn't really sound at all like it:: Mmmm. ::unconsciously, the same hand that had been concentrating on holding Ellie close moves to idly stroke her cheek once, twice, before becoming suddenly still and just resting there::