Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, Closed Options

[Nicholas Silvers...]

Nicholas had been planning this whole thing for a a month. He wasn't sure exactly how he was supposed to pull this off when he sucked at charms and spells but he was going to try. That was also why he started off early that day. That way he could work on the spells he needed work on. As a result the Slytherin had been running around busy as ever. Everything had to be perfect for this date with Angela. After all the drama at the end of last term, Nicholas wanted something to help Angela focus on that wasn't bad something that wasn't school.

Blanket, check. The dinner in the picnic basket, check...he'd have to set that out soon. The basket was charmed to keep dinner warm though and he didn't want to worry about dinner getting cold. Pumpkin juice on ice, check. Angela's favorite flowers, check. Candles, check. Nicholas continued to go through his little check list and grinned. He had everything, he was sure of it. Now he just had to get everything put together where he wanted them to be.

Flicking his wand at the things he had assembled, Nicholas got the blanket laid out on the ground and had the basket place itself in the center of the blanket. The pumpkin juice was placed next to the basket. Now time to play with the candles. Flicking his wand at them again he started to levitate them into the air so that they would hang just above their heads as they sat on the blanket. Then he flicked his wand and watched as the fire-starter charm lite the wicks one by one. "Perfect," he said looking it over. Another flick and Nikki iWiz started playing different songs from his play lists he hoped that Angela would like.

Now Nicholas just had to wait for Angela to get his 'valentine'. Merlin forbid Peeves deliver that thing to her. He really hoped it was someone nice that delivered it to Angela. He didn't want her in a bad mood because of Peeves insulting her. Picking up the orchids Nicholas looked down at them and smiled. This was going to be the best date...just please let it start off right.

[Angela Crenshaw]

Angela had never been a girly girl, that's for sure. Her long wavy hair was normally pulled back in a pony tail because of Quidditch and she wore practical clothes and shoes rather than the girly ones she had seen her other female friends wear. Still, she did know how to look nice on special occasions, and this was one of them.

After getting her Valentine, she started getting ready, even though she was early. Her hair she let hang down past her shoulders. She had Alexandria help her pick out her best outfit, within reason. It was still February so she picked something warm. A fitted turtleneck and fitted jeans with a pair of nice flats to go with it. Casual, yet flattering. They were going to the rose gardens not the opera. She took a double glance in the mirror to make sure it looked okay before glancing at her make-up kit that was practically unused.

For today, she decided to try just some mascara. She didn't want to overdo anything. She wasn't even sure she was using the mascara brush right. She missed a couple of times and had to clean off her eyelid a bit but the effect of the brush was nice. Her green eyes tended to pop a bit more than normal, and Angela wondered why she cared so much suddenly about her appearance. Nicholas liked her without all the extra time put into her appearance. Still, she wanted to look good for him and let him know that yes, she actually can spruce up on the occasion. It felt like a lifetime since she had. But she felt 'pretty' for once, and she was sure her smile radiated her confidence as she walked briskly to the gardens.

She had Nicholas' gift with her as well. Sure it was her birthday, but it was also Valentine's Day, which warranted a gift from her to him as well. She only hoped that he would like it. It wasn't anything big like a surprise at the rose gardens. As she turned the corner, her breath caught in her throat as she saw his romantic set up for her. The candles, the blanket, the picnic basket, and the orchids in his hands. How did he know her favorite flower?

"Nikki," she said softly in awe at all of this he had planned out for her. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so big as she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him a small giggle erupted from her lips before she pressed her lips to his in a joyful kiss. All thoughts of a bad world that they lived in was pushed far from her mind. It was just her and Nicholas right now. Nobody else and nothing else that had happened in the past mattered. She broke away from him, still smiling broadly. "Nikki this is....perfect," she said appreciatively, looking over the setting once more and appreciating the charms work he did with the candles.

[Nicholas Silvers...]

When Angela finally appeared, Nicholas was surprised to notice that she had some make-up on. It wasn’t a whole lot, just enough to accent her eyes. It looked nice and caused Nicholas to smile a bit wider. Nicholas wrapped his arms around her in return and returned the kiss with just as much enthusiasm as she was showing. “I was hoping you’d like it,” Nicholas responded to her as he handed her the flowers. “Happy Birthday and Valentines,” Nicholas said leading her towards the blanket, through the candles.

It had took him forever to figure out what he was going to do. How he was going to celebrate both occasions with Angela. He already knew that she wanted something different for Valentines present from her birthday. This had taken about a month of preplanning. He had managed to get Harlem’s help for some ideas…or rather to bounce ideas off of. That had been helpful. Now, seeing her reaction, Nicholas knew he had done a good job.

Nicholas let Angela take a seat before he sat down next to her and pulled the picnic basket over to the pair. “Thought I’d forgotten huh?” Nicholas teased as he started pulling out the different dishes. They were mostly things he had noticed Angela ate quite a bit whenever they were all seated in the Great Hall and eating dinner. He was assuming they were her favorite foods. Of course he’d never seen Angela turn down or waste food either…had to be something to do with all the quidditch training. He knew he was starved most days because of his work outs.

Once he had everything set out around them, he pulled the pumpkin juice out and poured two goblets for them. He handed her the first goblet and took the other one and took a sip. “I wasn’t sure about the music, I hope you like it,” he said after a moment, now a bit worried about that. He’d never really paid much attention to what music Angela listened to most. He should fix that he decided as he picked up his iWiz. “You’re welcome to find something else if you want,” he said holding the device out to Angela.

[Angela Crenshaw]

"Like it? I love it!" she corrected with a huge grin. Angela was just receiving surprise after surprise. First the Valentine from a house elf, then the picnic set up, the music, and now the flowers that Nikki gently put in her hands. She smiled as she just how much though Nicholas had put into this date. It meant so much to her, and there was no one else she would rather spend it with, as mushy as that sounded. It was nothing short of perfect for her birthday and first Valentine's Day with Nicholas. She brought the flowers up to her nose to smell the familiar scent before turning her attention back on the scene before her as she was led to the blanket where everything was set up.

She sat down with him and happily crossed her legs as she pulled the picnic basket over to them. She looked at them all with wide eyes. Her favorite dish after favorite dish was produced. It was hard for her to pick a favorite but they were all foods that she enjoyed immensely. She couldn't wait to dig in. But she also wanted to enjoy this too and not rush through dinner.

"I didn't think you had forgotten," she said with a sideways glance at him. "You just...worried me a little." In all honesty, yes, she had thought he had forgotten, but she was glad he didn't. Now she had no reason to be mad at him. In fact, he had gone above and beyond what she expected of him, making her present for him seem small and obsolete. She was sure he would appreciate it though. He had never been one to make her feel out of place or embarrassed for anything that she had done. Quite the opposite. "Guess who delivered the Valentine," she asked him with a small grin. Sure it was embarrassing at the time, especially with those first years whispering about her, but she had gotten over it.

"I have something for you too," she told him, bringing out the wrapped book with a bag of chocoballs tied to it. "I hope you like it," she said nervously, never having bought a Valentines present for a boy before. This was all new to her. The book was 'Mastering the Platform' because she thought it might help him in his dueling. Just because she didn't want to duel anymore didn't mean she couldn't be supportive of his extracurricular activities. He was supportive of her Quidditch.

After she handed him his present, she was handed pumpkin juice. She took it gratefully and stole some finger food that wasn't particularly messy to nibble on as he opened his present. She finished her mini snack before grabbing his iWiz that he offered and flipping though the songs. "I like the music," she told him honestly. It was nice, but she had never had the opportunity to go through and see what other types of music Nicholas was listening to. She stopped on one and looked up at him with a teasing smile, knowing she couldn't let it just go without a word. "Just Dance?" she asked. It was by some coo-coo chick. "Do you like to dance?" she asked with a teasing grin, not really seeing Nicholas as the dancing type.

[Nicholas Silvers...]

Nicholas was glad that Angela loved his set up. It had only taken forever to set up. The extra time he'd put in on the charms holding the candles hovering in the air around them was amazing, not to mention to make it so that the fire wouldn't burn them should they bump into the candles? Merlin those two tasks alone had taken up a good portion of his time. In between classes, duels, studying and making sure he spent time with Angela so she didn't get suspicious and just because he wanted to he was amazed he'd even managed to master those to spells.

He smirked at her when she denied thinking that he'd forgotten about her birthday and valentines day. He was sure that was exactly what had went through her mind but didn't push the issue. He didn't want to start an argument with her. This was supposed to be a perfect date and he was going to make sure it stayed that way. Then she brought up who had delivered the valentine message he'd sent. Merlin he hoped Mort had come through for him.

"Well you didn't come here trying to hex me so I'm assuming not Peeves," Nicholas guessed. Then he seriously thought about it. There were way too many creatures around the castle to pin point who it could be and finally shrugged. "Who?" he asked, genuinely curious over who had brought Angela his message.

Then she was bringing out a present for him. Nicholas smiled at her and took his favorite treats and a book. "Angela, you didn't have to," he said popping one of the chocoballs into his mouth still grinning as he set them aside and looked at the book and grinned. He held it up and looked at her. "Think I need more help do you?" he joked with her, clearly teasing her about his gift. Leaning forward before she could get offended at his joking he pressed his lips to hers. Upon pulling away he smiled at her. "I love it thanks," he said seriously.

Nicholas watched as Angela went through his iWiz. His eyebrow went up went she looked up at him smiling. She was making fun of Lady Gaga! Nicholas faked looking hurt before moving closer to Angela and looking over her shoulder. "From time to time. Though last time I did I got hit with a spell in the dueling chamber..." Nicholas said a bit offhandly. It had been an accident really! He wasn't supposed to be dancing in the chamber! "Would you like to see?" Nicholas asked Angela with a smirk.

[Angela Crenshaw]

"Peeves? No!" Angela laughed a little at the thought of Peeves delivering a Valentine's message. Or if he would at all. Wouldn't the name give him a reason to do some target practice on said student? Or maybe make their life miserable by ripping their valentine in front of them or something just as cruel. "I would have been angry, yes, but I don't know if I would have hexed you," Angela said with a smile, still leery on all things to do with aiming curses at someone, whether innocent dueling or not. She didn't let her mind linger though because she really didn't want to think of that right now.  This was a date, she reminded herself. Enjoy it. Now was not a time to worry about such things, especially when she felt so comfortable and safe with Nikki.  She always had, even when her friends back in first year were completely against him. She could see the good in him then. Her friends just needed a little convincing. 

"It was Turnip," she explained through her amusement. "You know...the one who stole my wand second year and who made you write notes on his life during History of Magic? But of course he knows how to do nothing subtle so the entire common room heard him." Her embarrassment showed on her face, as she never liked to be the enter of a crowd's attention.  Why didn't the little elf know any form of tact?! It was like Angela attracted tactless people sometimes.   "I don't really think many people cared besides that group of giggling first year girls but..." Angela shrugged off their mockery.  She was on the amazing date, not them, and they were probably just jealous. 

"Of course I had to get you a present!" she said offhandedly with a wave of her hand when he insisted she didn't have to. "It's only customary," she reminded him that while it might be her birthday, it was also a day to show her appreciation of her boyfriend. She smiled with glee when he opened his choco balls and popped one in his mouth, not even waiting for the meal he set out for them.  She took that as a good sign. And then he was smiling about the book. Or was that a smirk? Yup, definitely a smirk. He was teasing her about her present to him. She opened her mouth to protest but he closed it by pushing his lips against hers and her tenseness an worry at picking the wrong gift melted into a soft kiss that left her lips tingling. Merlin, his kisses were intoxicating.  He had to be the one to pull back, as usual, before genuinely thanking her for the book. Oh right...she had been offended earlier. Ah well, he made up for it good. 

Then they were looking through his iWiz and Angela leaned back on him lightly as he looked over her shoulder.  She could feel his chest rumble deeply as he spoke about dancing in the dueling chamber. She turned around to call a bluff, but he looked so serious. "You danced in the dueling chamber?" she asked again, unable to hide her laugh. She explained away her giggles with,  "I'm sorry you just...don't seem the type to me." Nicholas had always surprised her though. It's what she liked about him. She wondered if one day she'd know all his secrets, and that put a smile on her face.   Hopefully, one day.  "Of course!" she answered him when she was asked if she wanted to see him dance. "Wait a minute," she told him grabbing a pasta bowl and taking a bite of it before it got cold. That would be such a shame. Dinner and a show, Who would have thought? "Okay, now I'm ready," she told him with at least one bite of pasta down.

[Nicholas Silvers...]

"I had this fear that Peeves was going to deliver your message and end up insulting you in the process," Nicholas said with a frown That was one scenario that he was so glad had not come true. He would have seriously died had it turned out that way. Though considering he wasn't sure he wanted Turnip to have delivered it either but considering the house elf was much better than the poltergeist.

"I remember who Turnip is," Nicholas said, absently rubbing the spot that the elf had poked him with the pointer thing he'd brought to the class. Nicholas chuckled when Angela informed him of how Turnip had told everyone about their date in the rose gardens. "So much for secret meetings," Nicholas said with a shrug.

Nicholas smiled at Angela when she insisted she had to get him a present. He was glad that she had thought of him even if he thought it was unnecessary. Plus it was his favorite sweet. Had he told her that? He couldn't remember. He'd have to start paying more attention...of course kisses like those made it damn hard to pay much attention to anything other than Angela. She completely stole all coherent thoughts from him and he didn't mind one little bit.

At her questioning Nicholas nodded. "A first year got a hit on me because of it. A freaking knockback," he said shaking his head. He wasn't even sure why he had allowed himself to get that caught up in his music but he had. Ah well everything turned out in the end. Of course when she said she'd like to see him dance and then grabbed some pasta he frowned at her for a moment. He picked up his iWiz and flipped through his songs before grinning. He hit play and Hey There Deliha started playing.

Nicholas stood up and grabbed Angela's hand. "Might want to put that down," he said indicating her pasta before pulling her up and drawing her in. "Ready?" he asked. After a couple more notes, Nicholas picked up in step and started slow dancing with Angela. "So, what do you think?"

[Angela Crenshaw]

The thought of Peeves delivering the Valentine had not even crossed Angela's mind at all. Now the thought of Turnip delivering her Valentine was suddenly appreciated a lot more. It just goes to show that Nicholas had really thought of everything. "I don't think they would have let Peeves deliver a message...unless he stole one," she chimed in. The thought of anyone trusting Peeves with a Valentine, or anything to be honest, was just laughable. Luckily Angela had never had a run-in with the poltergeist, but she had heard plenty about him to know that she didn't want the opportunity.

Her lips were still pulled back in a smile as Nicholas explained away dancing in the dueling chamber. Well, as best as he could anyway. She still couldn't picture it. Nicholas was usually so cool and collected and observant. And yet, she had missed his big dancing show in the dueling chamber. This story was just going to get bigger and bigger every time she thought of it. Next it would be him and his dance crew boogieing down on the platform.

She was hardly listening as he grabbed her hand. "What?" She barely put her pasta down in time before she was pulled up to face him. She was drawn in towards him. They were close. Very close. She looked at him with surprise and embarrassment. "I've never actually..danced before," she said, explaining away the blush on her cheeks. What if she was bad at it? What if she stepped on his toes? She wasn't exactly prepared for this...

But it seemed as if Angela didn't really have a choice in the matter. Her eyes flicked down to their feet. Right. Left. Right. Left. It didn't seem too hard. Perhaps it was just the nerves of making a fool of herself in front of the boy she liked. Then again, he had seen her at her worst and somehow he was still there. Slowly, her worries floated away as she relaxed more in his arms after a minute or so dancing, letting him lead her around in circles while they slow danced. It wasn't difficult, really. Just new. And so far she hadn't managed to step on any of his toes, which she considered a success.

She managed to relax a little more and rested her head on his chest, the top of her head coming just underneath his chin. She could feel his heartbeat with her ear and decided she liked being this close to him. It wasn't exactly an opportunity that came around every day with school and classes and other people around. The rose gardens seemed nice and empty for them today, and for that she was glad.

"It's perfect," she mumbled into his chest. She looked up at him and interlocked her fingers behind his neck while they were dancing, swaying side to side. "You're very good," she told him, referring to his dancing, but she supposed it could be applied to everything else about him. "And you never cease to surprise me," she told him with a genuine smile on her lips that were mere inches away from his.

[Nicholas Silvers...]

"Don't worry. You let the man lead anyway," Nicholas explained as he brought her hands to where they were meant to be before placing his in their position and picking up the lead with the song. All in all this was the easiest type of dancing and Nicholas was sure Angela would catch on just fine. "This is much easier than learning the waltz or something like that I promise," he told her grinning from ear to ear.

As Angela glanced down at their feet he smirked and took the hand that was resting on her lower back and put it under her chin. "Don't watch your feet. You'll step on your own feet or mine that way," he said his amusement clearly showing as he released her chin and replaced his hand on her back. Nicholas felt Angela slowly starting to relax and started humming softly along with the music.

"I'm glad I've managed to surprise you yet again and hope to keep doing so for a long time to come," Nicholas said leaning forward slightly and pressing his lips to Angela's. When he broke the kiss, he grinned at her. "Ready for another surprise?" he asked but didn't wait for a reply as he picked up singing with the song. His mother had insisted on singing lessons and so Nicholas' voice was exactly where it needed to be as he sang Hey There Delilah to Angela.

[Angela Crenshaw]

Angela nodded, but didn't say a word as he explained he was supposed to lead. Obviously. Her nerves were showing as she clammed up, focusing on the dancing rather than talking. She had a lot of firsts with Nicholas in their relationship, and out of it seeing as he was her first kiss too, but she had never danced with another guy before though, so she wasn't exactly sure how it felt like. As her feet moved with his, she found it to be a lot easier than what she originally thought.

She hadn't even realized she had been too focused on the dancing before he gently pulled her chin up so her eyes were lifted to his. She smiled at his happy expression. She wasn't sure how she managed to keep him so happy, but she was glad for it. She had always said Nicholas looked better with a smile on his face. And lately he had been pretty much irresistible with that smile. She seemed to melt back into his arms as his hand returned to her back as they continued to dance.

For a moment, just for a moment, she thought Nicholas was thinking of their future with his last comment. It made her heart pound faster, but all thoughts were silenced as his lips came down on hers. It seemed to hush her talking and her inner monologue thinking of their future together. There was plenty of time to think about that later. She did not want it to distract her from any one of his kisses because they all seemed perfect, as did about everything else he did. What can she say? She was smitten.

The look on her face was enough to encourage Nicholas with his next surprise. One of these days she would expect all these surprises, she told herself. She shouldn't expect anything less from Nicholas. Her cheeks hurt so much from smiling as Nicholas began to sing. Very well, she might add. The whole thing was very romantic. The food, the music, the candles, the flowers, and now the sunset was even adding to the ambiance of the date.

She shook her head in surprise when he was done. "Well, you certainly surprised me," she told him with a nod. "And how come I didn't know you could dance or sing? What other tricks do you have rolled up your sleeves?" she asked in a teasing fashion as the song came to an end. Their dancing stance broke as the iWiz went onto the next song, but she still held his hand as they went back to the picnic Nicholas had set up for them. "You're not going to get a chance to eat," she told him, picking up her pasta bowl Nicholas made her drop earlier. Nicholas may be okay with not eating, but Angela's stomach reminded her of the necessity once she sat down again. A bit colder, but still very good food awaited her. She took her spot, slightly leaning against Nicholas, just wanting to feel him close, as her eyes gazed out at the sunset she could see across the lawns. It was really striking, and perfect, she thought. "Looks like it's getting late." On that note, a hint of sadness came across her eyes. She didn't want this day to end. If she could camp out here with Nicholas without getting in trouble, huge trouble, from the school (and her parents when/if they found out), she would.

[Nicholas Silvers...]

Nicholas wasn't sure if this date could get any better. Food, romance, music, and Angela..nope nothing could make this date any better. Except maybe more time. Time was slipping away too quickly. All too soon they would have to make their way back into the castle and their common rooms. Why did the sorting hat have to put them in different houses?

Nicholas didn't sing often or for many people. Often times his mother wanted him to sing at parties to show him off. Merlin how he hated those moments. It had put him off to wanting to sing for pretty much anyone. Except when he sang for Angela it felt right, felt like something he could see himself doing at random times, or even if she asked him to. The thought caused a smile to tug at his lips. This was just perfect in his opinion and apparently Angela wasn't objecting to his singing either.

"I don't do either very often," Nicholas admitted. "Mum use to dress me up for parties she and Dad would throw and I ended up being part of the entertainment," Nicholas said shaking his head, revealing part of his childhood that few knew. He really didn't want that getting around the school. He was sure that Angela would keep it to herself though. Her next question had him grinning all over again. "If I told you that I wouldn't have anything else to surprise you with," Nicholas told her.

Taking a seat next to Angela he grinned again as she mentioned not getting to eat. "I'll snag something from the kitchens if I have to. What matters is I got to spend the evening with you," Nicholas told her as she reclaimed the pasta she had earlier. The two remained like that for some time.

The sunset really was beautiful. Nicholas let out a soft sigh as Angela stated something he'd been trying to avoid for a little while now. He didn't want this night to end. It was just too perfect. "It is. I suppose we should head back in," Nicholas said reluctant to move. Finally he eased away from her and smirked, he leaned forward for another quick kiss before he finally started packing everything up into the basket he had brought down.

Once everything was together, Nicholas held out his arm for Angela to take and then escorted her back up to the castle and to the Hufflepuff Common Room. "Until next time, love," Nicholas said smiling at her as he watched her go into her commons for the evening. With that he went to his own common room for the evening.

Complete