How to Make a Snowball

[Dante Vroom]

“An easy target huh? Where's the challenge in that?” he said smiling in jest.

"Anything you want to be called?"

“Calling me Dante is fine, never found a nickname that suited me.” He was always calling other people nicknames, making them up often instead of working with what they already used. “If you can think of a nickname, by all means try it out.”

She linked arms with him, a gesture Dante was familiar with, even though it was not his favorite. He focused his thoughts on it for several seconds, wondering what exactly a person was supposed to do with arms linked like this. He thought about the old Wizard of Oz movie his mother had shown him, perhaps they should skip to the doors. No, that would be ridiculous. But it always bothered Dante that people linked their arms like this.

His arm was not allowed to rest beside him, and instead it awkwardly hung with another arm between it and his body. He couldn't raise his arm either, as it would appear that he wanted to remove the link between their arms. But it felt so strange to him, not in the sense that it was a strange gesture, but that it was a strange pose, a strange way to stand or walk. At any rate, rather than make any move in discomfort Dante let his arm hang in the locked position, dead weight that he had no idea what to do with.

Instead of focusing on it anymore Dante began the walk toward the closest door that would lead to the Kitchen. Quickly tugging on the locked arms, trying to get to the Kitchen quickly. He wanted to get the cocoa and get back outside. Moreover, he was dying for some hot cocoa, it was getting quiet a bit colder out, so the warm liquid would be nice in the crisp air. “We shall see who is kicking butt in round two” he nudged her with his trapped arm.

[Tallulah Skeffington]

Tallulah grinned at Dante. "Well, maybe not that easy." She kept up with him, not wanting to fall behind. That would make her look like an idiot.

She thought for a few seconds for a nickname for Dante. Nothing came right to mind. She sighed, looking up to him. "Nothing comes to mind right now but if anything does I'll surely tell you." There goes that famous grin again, Tallulah loved to use it. They neared the castle. She could now see the doors that would bring them to the entrance hall. It was until then that she noticed how cold she actually was. Tal shivered a little as this realization came more into focus. "That hot cocoa is sounded better and better every second."

The walked through the doors and into the hall. It was pretty much deserted. Dante then pulled Tallulah down one of the hallways near them and started walking at a quick pace. The darkness of the hallway was quite refreshing. Unlike the dark outside this was more overbearing. It always comforted her, this darkness.

“We shall see who is kicking butt in round two”

She laughed quietly, unlinking her arms. She felt his nudge to her side, the area feeling a little tingly after. She didn't let him see this revelation of hers. Tal looked back over to Dante, her dark eyes searching his face. "We'll see. Though, it seems we're about the same with snowball fights. So this match could go on all night long." Not that she would mind hanging out with him for that long. She wasn't sure what he was thinking now so she kept quiet.

The door to the kitchens came up on them faster then she expected. Tallulah reached forward and tickled the pear lightly, watching it jiggle from her touch. Turning her head back she grinned at Dante and walked into the kitchen, holding the door open so he could get it. "Maybe they'll have cupcakes here too. I could eat one of those right about now."

[Dante Vroom]

Entering the room and looking around he began scanning for the ingredients for hot cocoa. The kitchen was unsurprisingly busy, even at the late hour. House elves were scurrying about the kitchen not paying attention to the two students that had just entered. It had been a while since Dante had made his way to the kitchen, so the aroma was a pleasant surprise.

“Mmmm,” he hummed at the thought of some cupcakes, “lets hope they have some!” He continued to scan the kitchen for an elf that did not look to busy, he did not want to be much of a bother to them. So when a house elf made his way toward the two, he was happy he did not have to be a real bother.

“We're looking for some hot cocoa to warm us up,” he smiled, pointing to Tallulah and himself with his thumb as he explained their being there. “And if you have any cupcakes or cookies around the kitchen, some of them would be nice too please.” He always tried to be very kind to those in charge of food. Mother had always warned him that people in charge of food should be kept happy at all times. Who knows what they might put in your food if they were angry with you.

The cups of cocoa were brought so quickly to the two that Dante wondered if they already had the cups ready to go. “That was fast, thanks” his smile still on his face as he took his cup and brought it to his nose. “It smells amazing,” he took a sip, “and that's some rich chocolate.” He laughed and turned to Tallulah, “don't tell anyone, but this is better than what Mum makes.” He turned back to the house elf, “any luck finding some cupcakes? Even if it's just one we'll take it.”

[Tallulah Skeffington]

All of the wondrous aromas hit Tallulah as she entered. Chocolate, sugar, peppermint. She was in heaven. Tal had never been down to the kitchens at Hogwarts, so coming here for the first time was quite exciting. House Elves rushed around them as they walked further inside the kitchen. They were showing the two of them food of all sorts, trying to get them to eat it. Tallulah gave the little elves a smile, looking at what they were showing her.

Tallulah turned to Dante as she started to speak to an elf who had trotted over to help them. She could hear his voice and the way he spoke to the elf, not down to the elf but he spoke nicely. Most people she knew would have barked an order at the elf and impatiently waited while the elf was doing what they asked. This brought a smile to Tallulah's face. It also reminded her of the task she was set out to do. Look for cupcakes.

She turned around, trying to find a house elf who didn't look too busy also. As if her prayers were answered a very small house elf walked over and pulled on her pant leg. She looked down and smiled. "Do you have any cupcakes? We're really looking for some." The little house elf bowed and ran off farther into the kitchens. In a heartbeat she could see the little one running back, a tray held above it's head. Her smile grew wider as she saw the assortment of cupcakes the house elf and brought. She picked the tray up and walked over to Dante, saying thank you as she walked. She set the tray down near them on a counter.

The smell from the hot chocolate made her mouth water. She took her cup and sipped it, instantly warmed up from it's chocolate-y goodness. A quiet 'mmmm' escaped her. She set her cup down, and picked up two cupcakes. A green frosted one and a blue frosted one. She held out the blue one for Dante, a little joke about their houses. "Yes I did find cupcakes. And don't worry. I won't tell mum this is better then hers."

As she stood there looking at Dante a thought came to her mind. All the student's got a notice about a school-wide Valentine's day dance. At first she was skeptical about going. She didn't know anyone or really want to know anyone. After this lovely time with Dante she really knew she wanted to know someone here. Should I ask him? The thought fluttered through her mind, teasing her. She didn't know if he would want to go with her or even see her again. Tallulah was never good with rejection. Never. She knew that the dance would be a fun time for her, but she really wanted someone to go with.

"Dante?" She asked, putting down her cupcake. Her voice was slightly embarrassed, though you couldn't tell. Her eyes looked away for a second, trying to muster some sort of confidence in herself. "I was wondering. There is a school dance on Valentine's day and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go? With me?" There she said it. Now it was all up to him. Yes, it as very gregarious and slightly out of character for Tallulah, but sometimes you have to put yourself out there to get what you want.

[Dante Vroom]

A blue frosted cupcake, how fitting. Dante said nothing about it though, instead he bowed his head in thanks as he took the cupcake. It was pretty good and went well with the hot cocoa. He was not sure what flavor it was, and there were endless possibilities.

Taking another sip of his cocoa he perked up when she said his name. And when she finished her question, Dante set down his cup. She was asking him to go to a dance, with her? And not just any dance, this was the Valentine's dance, all the red, pink and heart shaped romantic theme that could be fit into a few hours of music and free snacks. Originally, when he got the notice that there was going to be a dance, he figured he would pass it by. It just did not sound like something that he really wanted to go to by himself.

But with the invitation came the opportunity to not be alone at the dance. “Sure, sounds like fun,” he finally said after finishing the latest bite of the cupcake, “to go with you to the Valentine's dance.” He really wasn't thinking much of it. They were just going to a dance right? The fact that it was on Valentine's day....wait, did that mean? She liked him? The arm lock, the joking around, the smiles all started to make sense. So many thoughts began running through Dante's head, he began to get nervous, cheeks turned rosy, but perhaps he could blame that on the warm drink. He could not be sure that was what she meant though. Maybe it was just a friendly gesture, and he was taking it way out of proportion. They were friends right? That much he was sure of.

“I'll have to look through my stuff and find a good suit, maybe something...blue” he doubted he had anything in red to match the holiday. Maybe a lapel pin or something, he'd have to see. “At any rate,” he turned to the girl, “do you still want to go back outside?” He took a step over to Tallulah and offered out his arm so they might lock again if they went back outside.

[Tallulah Skeffington]

It was as if something bursted inside of her chest. Relief washed over to her as Dante accepted her offer. The Slytherin gave Dante a small smile, glancing away again. When she glanced back she noticed the light tinge on his cheeks and wondered if that was because of her? He was just blushing because of the heat from the drinks. They were quite hot. Picking up her cupcake and took a small bite, some frosting was left on her lips. Wiping it away and licking it off her finger she finally made eye contact with Dante.


“I'll have to look through my stuff and find a good suit, maybe something...blue”

She grinned at his comment. Taking another sip from her drink she loved the warm feeling she felt from hanging out with Dante. She could tell the difference between the warm from the drink and from Dante. The drink warmed her indefinitely, but the feeling from Dante didn't stop. She knew it would fade when she was forced to go back to her dorm for the night.

"I have no idea what to wear. I'll owl home for a dress. Darius will pick out one for me. He has the greatest eye for things like this." She took another bite of the cupcake. The sugar rush was effecting her slightly, making her grin more. "Blue will look great on you."

Asking if she wanted to go back outside she nodded. He stuck her arm out for her to link hers with. Giving him a smirk she links arms with him. Her free hand grabbed another cupcake. She loosened the arm linking to bend down and thank the house elves for their trouble. The squeaked back at them that it was no trouble and they are welcome back anytime they wanted. "I think we may have to take that offer up some day!" She looked back over at Dante and smiled sheepishly. This was turning out to be the best day of her life.

[Dante Vroom]

All the talk about sending requests to a butler really bothered Dante. Biting into the cupcake he thought more on the matter. She really had a lot of cash, more than his family had. And admittedly, it intimidated him. He just hoped that she was not expecting those kinds of things from him. He could afford to treat his friends every so often, but not to the extent of someone who could afford to travel so extensively all the time. He let out a slight sigh at the whole thought.

"Blue will look great on you."
“Blue looks good on everyone, I have yet to meet someone who looks bad in some shade of blue or another.” He was trying to be smart with the comment, and hoped that it his tone was not to dry for it to be understood. But then he was taken back by a sight that made him smile. When he felt the lock between their arms loosen for just a second he turned to see Tal thanking the house elves. She was down to earth, which was a relief from his previous worries about her and the family money.

He decided to stay silent when they told them to come back at some point, and just nodded while smiling. He then took the last bite into his cupcake and it was gone. It was really good, but he needed his free hand for the hot cocoa that he planned on taking outside. Grabbing the cup he was quick to start the trip back outside once the girl was ready to go.

The halls were almost completely empty, in part Dante figured it was because of the Dragon Pox still going through the school. But he also figured it was because it was quickly getting still later at night. He figured it had to be close to ten o'clock, if not later.

When they finally made it back to the courtyard the snow had begun falling on it's own. The once clear sky was a patchwork of clouds and starlight. He was happy that it had started to snow, but was upset that the moonlight was not constant. Turning to the girl on his arm, “so, where were we?”