Several emotions crossed his face as he thought of replies. He was so confused. He wanted to rage on and strangle her but he also wanted to play with that hair as she played with her bead. He had been trying all night to ask her to the ball and that had been another reason why he was so sensitive about the full stupid-no good moon. He couldn't go for the night parts. "Go to the ball wif me as a day date, Kat," he blurted out. His eyes widened realising his mouth had taken control.

"I -- you -- what?" Her anger vanished, along with just about everything else. She'd heard him right, hadn't she? The Morostide ball? He'd just asked her to go? Katsumi could feel herself turning the color of his old house's scarves. And he'd said date -- how exactly did he mean that? Or was she reading too much into it? Curse it all, but she was not the best at understanding people, for all that she could be uncomfortably perceptive at times. Did this mean she'd misinterpreted his invitation to the Quidditch game a few weeks earlier? She'd thought that was just a friend thing, but now she wasn't at all sure. Was that why he'd kissed her hand earlier? She couldn't manage to get her thoughts in order. Nobody had ever asked her on a date ever, and the girl was scared that she'd misread something and make a total mess of things.

Magnus' heart was pounding so hard he thought it would escape his chest. He was practically holding his breath as the seconds ticked by. Her face looked perplexed. "I love 'anging out wif you...even if you scare and confuse me at times...and I'd like ta... maybe... try a date-date." He wanted to add a plethora of other things but decided to let her reply, lest he sound desperate and she agree only out of pity.

Kat was floored, and suddenly it seemed like she might end up collapsing -- certainly it felt like the room was spinning. She sternly told herself to pull herself together. But she'd never dreamed that anyone might actually like her that way. She was proud and prickly and awkward, not to mention hard to read at the best of times. Maybe not as bad as she'd once been, but certainly not much better. And Magnus...he could probably ask just about any girl he wanted. He was one of the nicest students at Hogwarts, and his smile cheered everyone around him. "You want...but...yes? I mean, if you're sure? I just -- why me?" Oh God, she sounded like a blithering idiot. Where was an invisibility cloak when you needed one?

(( Way to go Magnus, you stunned her so thoroughly she can't form a coherent sentence.))

"Of course I am you nit," he said with a smile so deep it looked painful, "You've said yes, so you can't back out now. Why you? Oh geez and I thought you were in Ravenclaw," he teased. "You're smart, insightful, firey, got the cutest little nose...and damn pretty. Why wouldn't I want to?" Then his smile faded a little. "O'course, um, its the night 'o the full moon, so I ain't gonna be able to stay for the actual ball... unless you would rather go with Fade an' the others--and we go to Hogsmead or somethin' on another day..."

(( weee XD))

"Hey, you don't get to back out either!" Kat shook a finger in his face as he started sounding uncertain. "I know full well it's the full moon, and honestly I was planning on asking if you wanted someone to stay back that night, just to keep you company. It wouldn't be fair having you miss out alone. Well...you and Paddy, but I don't know her all that well yet...." She trailed off, looking embarrassed, though she could hardly flush darker than she already was, what with him calling her pretty. "Fade will just have to find his own date, now won't he?"

He smiled again, damn if she wasn't feisty. "Yes, ma'am. But you'll 'ave to promise to keep 'avin' fun when I gotta leave. You wouldn't wanna stay down in a cold dungeon whilst everyone else is 'avin' fun. Mimsy or Dad'll be coming. I ain't too sure yet cos Mum's got a huge quidditch supply order and might need 'er 'elp. Course, 'e'd send Paul if 'e couldn't do it. but there ain't much need o' 'elp, not wif wolfsbane... will be shifting and then sleeping it off." A small growl escaped his lips but he replaced it with a smile quickly enough. "I'll get you a pretty sakura blossom for you. Even if you 'ave ta keep it in your room if it don't match the outfit."

"...I imagine by the time the moon comes up I may have had enough people." Kat ducked her head and scuffed the floor with a shoe. "Crowds aren't bad or anything, but I seem to remember parties being /loud/ and I have a limit. And if I have a book and a blanket, well, reading in a dungeon is hardly much different from reading in the tower." She gave Magnus a shy smile. "I don't think it'd be fair to bail just because you have prior commitments. Maybe if I really feel like staying, but if I'm ready to go anyhow, I can keep you company for a while, at least." The mention of cherry blossoms made her eyes widen. "Oh /crud/, I have absolutely no idea what I should wear! ...is this costumes? Or like fancy clothes? Or...?"

"Okay," he said knowing there wasn't anything else he could say. "Just know, wolfsbane don't make the shift less painful. But if Dad or Paul is 'ere, they'd probly let you to sit beside me and pet me fur. More or less I'll be sleepy. Though when I 'ave the potion I can think human." He had to admit, he liked the idea of her having a little picnic and reading to him or petting his fur as he slept. His noses scrunched up as he tried to recall... "You know I fink its cosumes, but I ain't too sure."

"I know...I may have looked it up, after you let us watch." She looked a little embarrassed as she admitted it. She'd actually done more than a little bit of research, until she couldn't stand thinking about what he had to go through each month. "...I have to say, I'd like to know what your fur feels like. ...You wouldn't mind letting me touch it?" Okay, it sounded kinda weird when she said it, but he should understand. "We'll find out what people are wearing before we go," Katsumi declared. "But for now..." she looked over at where Paul waited. "It's still club time. ...You'll stay, won't you?" After just a moment's hesitation, she offered him a hand. "I'm going to try again, even if you don't want to. But...maybe we could try together, if you're up for it?" Wry humor sparked in her eyes. "After all, I seem to do okay when you're the one having trouble. Might be able to keep you from conking out if I can keep a closer eye on you."

He wasn't surprised at all and told her so. "Ain't gonna learn if you don't look it up." He shook his head, "no, not at all. Sometimes it 'elps soothe. I imagine its like what a cat feels--comforting it is. I'd say that's why I like contact but it ain't got nofing to do wif it. Just me I guess." He nodded not really caring what the theme was. It could have been the most revolting thing imaginable and he wouldn't care. "Yeah," he said, not remembering why he was leaving. She was a good distraction. He took her hand feeling so warm. "Let's give it a go then."

Paul gave them both a look, "Oh, am I needed again now?" he chuckled not in the slightest bit put out. Paul waved his wand at the device again. The dementor soared the threw the air. Magnus held Katusmi's hand, he focused on his family, friends and the feeling of being loved and cared about. He actually got to say the spell for the first time. It was a wisp of smoke but it was a better go than his previous attempts

Having Magnus at her side helped a little, but Kat was still only able to produce the weak veil to ward off the dementor, up until she could see him starting to have real trouble. Then her dragon came easily, though the girl was still frustrated no end that it took protecting someone else to get her mind to kick back into gear. "Though I suppose it's hardly a bad thing," she muttered, turning to look at her friend as the Patronus drove the fake dementor back. "You hanging in there? You did much better this time!"

He nodded vaguely. He didn't feel great but at least he was upright. "'Aving you wif me 'elped I think."

"Excellent Patronus, Katsumi," Paul said as he again turned off the device.

She squeezed his hand. Kat was proud of his progress, even if her mind was screeching that she ought to be able to do better, and why the heck couldn't she get past her fear without someone else being in trouble? It was more than just disappointing, it was infuriating, and she tried to shove that out of her head with only limited success. With the dementor gone, her dragon returned to circle around the pair for a moment before fading, and that, at least, made her smile slightly.

Dax stood up, stretched and yawned in response to Magnus's playful threat. To Magnus he mind spoke, 'Don't worry, your secrets are always safe with me.' He looked over at Aria, 'Unless Aria has some really good looking treats for me that I simply cannot resist,' Dax winked at Magnus while sending him the sound of a low chuckle.

Dax sat back down under the chocolate bearing table and nodded to Kat before he resumed napping.

Aria's eyes were wide in shock as she whispered, "He usually never speaks to anyone!" She stopped whispering before continuing to speak. "Dax must really trust you," she said with a cheery smile in their direction.

Aria walked over to the table of treats and took a full mug of butterbeer. She walked over closer to the wall and took a seat on a chair while watching Kat and Magnus exchange tender moments mixed with Dementor battles. Watching her brother as he tried to help Kat as she struggled with her fear made Aria feel really proud to be his sister. Aria almost jumped up to help Magnus when he fell but restrained herself, realizing that it was more important for Magnus to connect with Kat.

(( WOO MORE PEOPLE!))

Magnus was almost disappointed to see the dragon disappear. "I can't believe 'ow well you are doing, Kat." He said, even though he knew the girl must still be ticked off that she wasn't doing better. He still had a piece of chocolate in his pocket so he unwrapped it and broke it in half, handing her some.

Aria had been quiet and he realised that this was probably to give him space to talk to Katsmui. He smiled warmly at his sister and waved. "You gonna 'ave a go?" He asked. Dax still looked pretty content under the table laden with food.

Millie ran into the dungeon. She was really hoping she wasn't too late. "Sorry I'm super late everyone. I've been in the infirmary the past few days. I had the flu." Millie coughed into her elbow.

"I hope I'll be strong enough to cast my patronus. It's my favorite charm." She took her wand out from her pocket and got ready to cast the charm. "What is everyone else's patronus? Mine is a lynx. Same as my friend Emmett. He taught me how to cast the charm last summer.

(ooc - sorry for the delay. It's been a terrible week. Has anyone taken the Pottermore quiz? I got a St. Bernard

"Sorry you've been under the weather." Paul greeted her with a wave. "So you've done it before then? That's great. I have a fake dementor here when ever you want to give it a go."

Millie turned to Paul, "Thanks. I'm glad to be feeling better." She turned to the fake dementor and said, "Let's do this." She closed her eyes and saw Emmett's warm smile, his sky blue eyes, and black crew cut. They were holding hands in the Berlin Zoo and walking through the big cat section. Then she him again, in her oma's kitchen, burning biscuits. She could feel herself blushing and she calmly yelled, "Expecto Patronum!" and a steam of silver shot from her wand. She maintined her focus and her silver lynx appeared at the end of her wand. It took off towards the fake dementor