Quinn gritted her teeth and for the first time ever felt a sense of frustration with her girlfriend, they'd been going at this for hours with no sign of the finish line in sight and quite frankly she was tired, exhausted even, swallowing down a growl she let her head fall back onto the pillow.
"Rachel! As much as you want this to happen it's not going to so please put the book down and come over here so I can get some cuddle time in before you have to go back to your dorm room."
Looking up from what seemed to be the millionth (at least if you asked Quinn anyway) book of costume ideas and sighed with a different kind of frustration, how hard could it be to find a decent pair that she and Quinn could dress up as? As it turned out, very hard indeed!
All the ideas she floated the blonde wasn't content with and Rachel in turn did not fancy dressing up as a zombie or a soldier or any one of the other less than flattering suggestions the Ravenclaw had come up with.
"Quiiiiinnnnn, this is really important to me, it's my first ever dance and I know it's fancy dress but I want to look beautiful."
Opening her mouth to comment Rachel raised a finger in a shushing motion.
"I know you think I'm beautiful all the time but this is different, it's my first dance with you."
She just had to use that phrase, and even as she felt herself melting at the words the brunette had to top it off by biting on her lower lip uncertainly.
"Damn it Berry…what did I say about the lip thing?"
At her girlfriends complaint Rachel couldn't help but smirk.
"I never asked you to tell me Quinn Fabray, you volunteered the information that it was your kryptonite, I just…cant help it."
So saying she did it again and thumping back on her bed with a grunt of irritation Quinn covered her face with the pillow.
"It wont work if I cant see it! Besides which you promised you would never use it except in cases of dire emergency."
Sighing Rachel closed the book she had been leafing through and headed towards the bed, smiling down she let her eyes drink in the sight of her very fit, very athletic girlfriend who was currently wearing little more than a faded pair of running shorts and a worn Holyhead Harpies T-Shirt, it was only when she reached her face that she realised Quinn had been watching her and smirking the blonde Raised an eyebrow.
"See something you like there Miss Berry?"
Clearing her throat and willing herself not to blush at being caught staring the brunette merely shrugged a shoulder casually.
"It's nothing I haven't seen before."
Eyes narrowing Quinn levered herself up on her elbows.
"Don't make me bring out the big guns Berry, you know that I know where your ticklish spot is, and though it goes against my rules of fair play I feel it is only right to warn you that I will use my knowledge."
Moving further up the bed on hands and knees until she was inches from Quinn, Rachel smirked.
"Ah! but you forget Captain Fabray that you unwittingly revealed a weak spot of your own, and if I were to unleash both barrels on you, I don't think you could resist."
Praying hard that the swallow she had just had to take wasn't audible Quinn made a concerted effort to keep her voice from betraying her.
"That sounded almost like a challenge to me, and you know how competitive I am…"
A dark eyebrow rose and Rachel smirked as she moved in as if to kiss Quinn, swerving at the last minute with only the barest of touches she let her mouth hover a millimetre above the blondes ear and husked out.
"So prove it."
Tickling however was the last thing on Quinn's mind and she lay back down on the bed, one finger hooking into the collar of Rachel's polo shirt bringing her down too, her lips found the brunettes and her higher brain functions happily handed the steering wheel over to her libido and went for a snooze in the back seat.
The kiss was slow at first, but rapidly gathered heat, lips parted and tongues duelled, tracing the contours of teeth and lips, hands drifted cautiously under shirts and Quinn's slid up to brush the underside of Rachel's breast tentatively, Rachel's hand landed on hers and at first the blonde thought she was pushing too far too soon, so far their make out sessions were all over the clothes, it was only recently they'd gone 'under the shirt' so to speak.
Drawing back from the kiss for a moment to catch her breath, Rachel slowly drew Quinn's hand up and onto her breast, never once breaking eye contact. before ducking down to lock her lips onto the blondes pulse point, it always drove Quinn wild when Rachel got possessive and marked her.
Closing her eyes as Rachel's mouth worked firmly against her skin, biting lightly then soothing the area with her tongue, The arousal shot through her, her hand squeezed the unmapped territory beneath her hand, the thumb brushing over a lace covered nipple.
When Quinn's hand had first crept up her stomach she had felt a flutter of nerves, but as soon as that same hand had found the underside of her breast Rachel knew she had wanted more, she groaned against the purpling skin she'd just let go off and arched into the blondes touch, the move brought her leg which had naturally fallen between Quinn's when they started to make out, to grind down against her centre. The blonde rose up to meet the contact bringing her own knee in contact with Rachel.
A rhythm began between the two of them as their lips crashed back together, more fuelled by passion than accuracy, it was a little clumsy to begin with as both of them moved more through instinct, learning each others bodies.
Quinn was transfixed by the image above her, Rachel's pupils had expanded and caused her normally dark eyes to become almost black, a flush spread from her chest slowly upwards and there was a thin sheen of sweat on her brow as they moved together, swallowing hard as the brunette bit her lower lip to stifle the moan, Quinn managed to rasp out.
"Rachel…God, Rachel you're so beautiful."
As the words left her mouth she felt her girlfriend begin to stiffen and arch up as a shudder ripped through her body and Quinn's name left her lips in a cry. The sound itself combined with Rachel arching hard and grinding her knee down caused the wave of release to crash over the blonde and drag her down with it.
Several long moments later when they dared to look at each other they were both sweating and smiling coyly, Quinn reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her girlfriends ear before pecking her lips.
"Wow, that ah wasn't intended at all but…wow."
Laughing softly Rachel lay her head on Quinn's chest as her limbs refused to acknowledge they had muscles in them at the current moment.
"It was certainly a good way of distracting me from the costume saga…and you weren't so bad yourself there Captain Fabray."
A contented smile drifted across the blondes face and her eyes began to close but when she felt Rachel move to get up she tightened her grip.
"No…stay here tonight? Tina has snuck off somewhere to be with Mike and it's nice…just holding you like this."
Considering for a long moment Rachel leant down and pressed a light kiss to Quinn's nose.
"Okay but I have to leave first thing in the morning, the last thing you need is to get into more trouble with half term so close…and no wandering hands, I've heard what you Quidditch players are like!"
Laughing at the teasing tone Quinn rummaged through her clothes and dragged out another pair of running shorts and one of her faded Quidditch jersey's.
"You can sleep in those, as for my reputation, I like to think its fairly modest."
Disappearing to the bathrooms to change Rachel smiled happily, she hadn't really wanted to leave Quinn's side after they'd shared such an intimate moment, the fact she would have to roll out of bed at some ridiculous hour of the morning barely bothered her considering she would get to both fall asleep and wake up next to the person she loved.
When she tiptoed back into the dorm room Quinn was already under the covers and half asleep, she smiled when she saw Rachel and opened up the duvet, in a half run the brunette leapt into the bed and they settled into each others arms,
"Goodnight Rach."
Feeling a kiss on the sensitive spot at the nape of her neck Quinn shivered slightly as Rachel settled her nose against the blondes ear.
"Goodnight love."
ONE WEEK BEFORE THE DANCE…
With half term fast approaching the school went into overdrive with preparations for both the dance and the mid term reports. For most students it wasn't that much of a headache as the burden was most solidly on the Professor's.
Unless you were Quinn Fabray of course, mornings she was drilling the Quidditch team extra hard, Hufflepuff had played their first match against Gryffindor the week previous and had pulverised them, this spurred the blonde Captain into more effort in her bid for the cup. The days were filled with lessons and study, despite Rachel's help she was starting to struggle in Arithmancy and the thought of going home with anything less than an exemplary report was causing a mild and sadly all too familiar panic.
Evenings were no better, with homework and her commitment to tutoring she found herself with next to no free time, she only managed to see Rachel at mealtimes and on the rare occasions she wasn't working or training she was in an exhausted slumber.
Rubbing her face roughly with both hands the blonde looked down at the charms project in front of her and blew out a breath. It was only half done and she could feel her eyelids drooping when Santana, Rachel and Brittany sat down opposite with her with determined expressions, Quinn raised an eyebrow and sat back in her chair.
"Okay, you guys have got me worried, what's going on here exactly?"
Santana inclined her head to Rachel in a nod.
"Your house elf is worried about you, so is Brit…and maybe I'm slightly concerned that you appear to be determined to work yourself into the ground."
The blonde shook her head with a sigh and tried to shrug off the concern.
"Don't be ridiculous, it always gets like this at this time of the year, I'm just trying to make sure everything is running smoothly before I…before the dance."
Rachel and Santana shared a brief glance both of them knowing that Quinn was about to say Before I go home…The Latina sighed and crossing her arms on the desk leant forward.
"Look Q, you need to cut out the extra practices and get more sleep unless you're planning on being so exhausted at the next match that it wont even take a bludger for you to fall off your broom."
Quinn opened her mouth to instinctively argue but Rachel looked at her with such a mixture of concern and affection that she sat back and nodded slightly, there was no way she would willingly risk having Rachel look at her with that combination of worry, anger and despair that she had worn in the infirmary.
"Okay, I'll cut down on the practices, I promise."
Brittany nodded and reaching across flipped Quinn's textbook closed.
"And you're taking tonight off to sit with Rachel and watch a movie, I know strictly speaking it shouldn't be possible to watch muggle movies at Hogwarts but that Miles kid, my new chaser, turns out she's some kind of technical wizard as well as an actual one and she's literally magiced something together, by the time you get back to your room it will be set up."
Frowning slightly she glanced between the three girls and reluctantly smiled.
"Okay…how long have you been planning this exactly?"
It was Rachel that spoke this time.
"I've been really worried about you Quinn, I know you're striving to be the best at everything love, but if you don't take a break you're going to burn out…plus from a purely selfish standpoint I've missed you."
Santana mimed vomiting and smirked, right up to the point that Brittany smacked her lightly upside the head and she subsided with a grumble.
"Okay I'll take a break, and you're right I am exhausted and curling up with you to watch a movie is about the best thing I can think of…though I'm wondering what movie exactly you chose given our differing tastes?"
Rachel opened her mouth to speak but it was the voice of the other brunette that actually got there first.
"Don't sweat it Fabray, I've known you too long not to know about your wide ranging collection of movies, I chose something that I know you like and that the elf wont mind too much…hopefully."
Huffing at the brunette Rachel stood up and offered her hand to Quinn who gratefully accepted it, she didn't even really have the energy to yell at Santana for calling Rachel names again, all she wanted to do, now they had planted the idea in her mind, was curl up and watch a movie with her girlfriend.
"For the third time TODAY Santana I feel I must remind you I am in fact not an elf, and your choice of nickname is not appreciated…however I feel it is also my duty to thank you as well as your far more civilised girlfriend for helping me with this evenings endeavour."
Processing the long winded sentence the Slytherin just stared at her for a long moment before replying.
"Was that all Berry, seriously you could talk for the world, you know that right? A simple thank you would have done."
Brittany sighed and slipped her hand over her girlfriends mouth to stop her inadvertently insulting the Gryffindor anymore that evening.
"What Santana means is you're welcome Rach, now get Q out of here before she collapses on you!"
Glancing to her right Rachel saw Quinn leaning on the table stifling a yawn.
"Good plan, and thank you Brittany, for organising this with Miles, tell her I'll make sure she gets that box of chocolate frogs."
With a last wave to the two she took Quinn by the arm and they made their way out of the library, once she was sure that they had gone Santana relaxed and leaned into her girlfriend with a soft smile.
"You know you're turning me into a complete wimp don't you B? I mean first I'm helping Fabray which sorta makes sense as we've been friends for like forever, but helping the house elf? At this rate I'll be less menacing than Pedro!"
Grinning happily at the mention of her stuffed toy lobster the Hufflepuff wrapped her arms round Santana and kissed her sweetly on the temple.
"But I like it when you do romantic things for Q and Rachel, they're so sweet and seeing them happy makes me happy…which in turn makes you very happy, need I remind you!"
Pretending to think about it for a moment the Latina smirked and pulled Brittany into a much less chaste kiss that left them both gasping.
"Speaking of, maybe we should get out of here and follow our own advice, ya know…find somewhere quiet just to relax into each others arms?"
Brittany chuckled, pulling Santana up and into her arms.
"Did anyone ever tell you that you're a closet romantic Santana Lopez?"
A bright and loving smile crept across the Slytherin's face, one that only Brittany had ever seen and she lightly cupped the blondes face in her hands for a moment.
"Only you B, only ever you."
They enjoyed the moment just a bit longer then Santana's hand slipped down to grip Brit's and lead her away from the library to somewhere more secluded, she wanted to prove just how much of a romantic she could be!
Quinn managed to shake off some of her fatigue by the time they made it back to her dorm, there was an unfamiliar tall blonde in an incredibly scuffed uniform fiddling with what to the Ravenclaw looked like an I pad with a thin tube of silver liquid attached to it near the power point.
The Hufflepuff looked up as they entered and she managed a half smile before looking down shyly.
"Hey, I um just wanted to let you know how to work this thing and then I'll get out of your hair."
For someone so tall (nearly six foot) she had a very light voice that reminded the listener she wasn't as old as she first appeared, tucking in her shirt, which immediately became un tucked on the other side she cleared her throat.
"All you need to do to turn it on is point your wand at it and say 'Ignito' obviously the screen is pretty small but it responds to the 'Engorgio' spell so you can make it larger."
As she finished speaking she plucked a pair of black framed geek style glasses from her shirt pocket and put them on turning towards the door before whirling back towards them and smacking her palm onto her forehead.
"Merlin! I almost forgot to tell you how to turn it off! uh same as with anything really just cast 'Finite Incantatem' and it turns itself off and returns to its normal state, just let Brittany have it when you're done."
Rachel smiled and surprised the Hufflepuff by giving her a quick hug.
"Thank you again Miles!"
Blushing the tall girl managed to walk straight into the doorframe before making it into the corridor and the last thing they heard was a muttered curse about moving doorways. Quinn chuckled as she stripped down to her shorts and a T-shirt before lying down.
"I think you flustered the poor girl Rach."
Shaking her head slightly the Brunette pulled her shoes off and moved up to settle next to the blonde pulling her into an embrace.
"For someone so agile in the air she's clumsier than Finn on her own two feet, now…turn on the movie and lets get you relaxed."
It was a testament to how tired she was that Quinn let that comment go by without even one dirty rejoinder, Rachel smiled softly to herself and kissed the top of her girlfriends head.
The Ravenclaw doused the lights and using the spells as instructed the screen grew to the size of a normal TV and as the opening credits rolled her eyes lit up and she let out a surprised gasp.
"This is one of my all time favourite films!"
The Gryffindor chuckled and pulled her closer settling her head into the crook of Quinn's neck sighing happily.
"I know, now hush, I've never seen it before!"
Quinn made it a little over halfway into the film before falling asleep happily in Rachel's arms, the brunette stayed with her until the end of the film then pressed a soft kiss to her girlfriends lips before tiptoeing out of the room, not only had she had a wonderfully lazy night with the Ravenclaw Captain but she had also solved the dilemma of what to wear for the Halloween dance!
ONE DAY BEFORE THE DANCE…
Dusting a few pieces of lint off of the hat that made up the last part of her costume, Quinn set it on her head and smiling slightly she tipped the brim lower so it brushed her eyebrows. From behind her Rachel let out a low wolf whistle.
"You do realise that whatever happens to the rest of the costume you're keeping the hat right Fabray?"
Smirking Quinn took it back off and set it on the bedpost carefully before collapsing into her desk chair, taking note of the bag in the corner that had already been packed with what she would need for the half term break she suppressed a shudder.
For most of the students the thought of two weeks of freedom was intoxicating, but for her it felt more like she was being pushed towards the end of a plank that was hovering over shark infested water…and not just any sharks but rabid ones. Ignoring the Ravenclaw side of her mind that pointed out the fact sharks could not actually contract rabies she blew out a breath and dredged up a smile.
The last thing she needed to do was to make the brunette worry over her, though Quinn knew that she already was she could at least try and diminish it. One more day, then the dance and the morning afterwards would see them homeward bound, forcing that inevitable confrontation to the back of her mind she chose to focus on the dance.
"I don't plan on getting rid of it don't worry, by the way if I haven't said it already this was a genius idea."
Flipping her hair over her shoulder with a satisfied smile the brunette shrugged.
"I know, inspired if I do say so myself!"
Tipping the chair back on two legs Quinn smirked and set her feet on the desk rocking gently as she pointed out triumphantly…
"And whose wonderful taste in film gave you the answer Berry?"
Rachel huffed and waved a hand as if brushing away a fly.
"Quinn you may have planted the seed of the idea but I germinated it! And arranged for the costumes might I add…do you really think that San will let Brittany dress her up in a lobster costume, and if she does how long do you think you have left to live?"
Laughing at the matter of fact tone her girlfriend used Quinn continued to rock in the chair and mulled it over, the first part of the answer was easy, the second one not so much.
"What Brittany wants Brittany gets and that's a direct quote from Lopez herself so yeah I think she will, as for the second part there are several factors to take into account."
Idly stroking Gideon the bat under his chin while she fed him slivers of strawberry Rachel tilted her head to one side.
"Oh and what particular factors are we taking into account?"
Stretching her arms out to the side until she felt her spine crack satisfyingly Quinn seemed to consider for a moment.
"Well, firstly there's how happy it will make Brittany because the happier she is the happier Santana is, secondly there's the effect it will have on San's bad ass attitude, at first glance it would appear to damage it…but, if you think about it who else but a bad ass could get away with dressing that ridiculously. Thirdly of course my amazing girlfriend will defend me."
At the blondes confident grin Rachel couldn't help but laugh and wiping the strawberry juice from her fingers on a tissue she raised an eyebrow.
"Oh I see, so you're counting on your girlfriend to protect you, typical Ravenclaw having to depend upon a brave Gryffindor for support."
Warring between a pout and a huff of indignation Quinn opened her mouth to reply when the door to her room swung open with a resounding crack as it crashed into the wall.
Rachel let out a yelp and immediately placed her hand over her heart to try and slow the rapid beating of it, Quinn however wasn't quite so lucky and she thought back to all those times her Professor's had told her not to swing back on her chair, if only I'd bloody well listened!
As she hadn't the abrupt appearance of Santana caused her to yelp and jerk backwards on instinct, as a natural result of this (and perhaps Newton getting his revenge for her evading his famous law at the first Quidditch match) the chair tipped back fully and sent the blonde tumbling in a backwards roll where she ended up dazed and only a few feet away from the clearly fuming Latina.
"What the goodness gracious is the matter with you Santanna!"
It was a lot more PG than the reply Quinn had been composing but temporary breathlessness and a dull ache at the small of her back prevented her.
Trying not to smirk at Quinn sprawled out on the floor in front of her after her tumble Santana paused for a moment to remember why she was so angry…oh yeah the damn Halloween ball.
"Fabray…I cannot even begin to tell you how mad I am right now, we may have been friends since we could speak but I swear on the deathly hallows I will smack you down so hard even Beelzebub is gonna have to look down on you!"
Scrambling backward rapidly the blonde retreated as Santana stalked towards her.
"N…now San, calm down and remember your golden rule!"
Dark eyes narrowed and Rachel shot up to stand between her girlfriend and the enraged Slytherin.
"Don't go there! You cannot use my own rules against me Fabray."
Trying to move past Rachel Santana didn't at first register the hand resting on her shoulder that was keeping her still with a deceptive strength.
"Berry let me go or so help me…!"
Letting out a low breath the Gryffindor managed to catch Santana's eye.
"I understand why the prospect of dressing up as a sea creature is daunting to you and that you are frustrated with Quinn for planting the idea in Brittany's head but…think about how happy she's going to be knowing you're willing to do that for her."
Wondering briefly if she should have made a request to save her nose the brunette tensed for a moment then felt herself let out the unconsciously held breath as she felt Santana's shoulder relax under her hand.
"Berry…you don't fight fair you know that right?"
Risking a smile Rachel shrugged.
"I'm a Gryffindor, we don't fight fair, we fight smart, and I'll make you a deal, if tomorrow night you aren't completely happy with the reaction you get from Brittany then I wont stand in the way."
Santana grinned causing Quinn to swallow nervously from her now standing vantage point behind her girlfriend.
"Uh…Rach?"
Both the brunettes ignored the Ravenclaw and so she subsided, but stayed behind the relative safety of Rachel. Santana considered the request then nodded before stepping back and shaking the Gryffindor's hand.
"We have a deal."
Quinn wondered what exactly had happened to cause her girlfriend to bond with the Latina but she was beginning to think that it might not work out very well for her, watching the Slytherin leave she waited for Rachel to turn to her and then raised her hands in disbelief.
"What the Hell Rach!"
Sighing impatiently as she reached out and slid her hands onto Quinn's hips the brunette explained.
"We both know that come tomorrow Brittany will be so happy that even if Santana did still want to pound you she will be so busy with Brit thanking her that you wont have a thing to worry about…plus you know I'd never really let her hit you."
Relaxing the blonde placed her arms on Rachel's shoulders and pulled her in for a lingering kiss.
"Hmm, Gryffindor's really do fight smart don't they?"
Smirking the brunette scratched lightly at the nape of Quinn's neck, revelling in the resultant shudder that worked it's way down the blondes spine.
"You aint seen nothing yet Fabray."
THE HALLOWEEN BALL!
Quinn fiddled with the cufflinks of her dress shirt and grinning at her reflection reached for the black bow tie smirking at the fact that magic meant she wouldn't have to struggle with the damn thing, as annoying as bra's were they were nothing compared to tying the perfect bow tie!.
Once it was in place she stepped back to check over her black suit pants, slim leather belt and shiny black shoes, after a moment she nodded in approval. Reaching to the white suit jacket on the back of her desk chair she slid it on and fastened it before smoothing down any creases. For a woman she looked pretty damn good in a suit, with a smirk she reached for the fedora and placing it on her head picked up the last iconic part of her costume and slid her arms through the sleeves of the tan trench coat.
She might not wear it quite as well as Humphrey Bogart himself but the new black hair she was sporting (courtesy of magic yet again) slicked down and parted meant she was a pretty good imitation.
Whistling 'As time goes by' happily, she stuck her hands in the trouser pockets and allowing the trench coat to flow loosely behind her happily made her way to the Gryffindor common room (thankfully she now had the password so avoided the snide comments of the fat lady, for the most part anyway) to wait for Rachel.
And damn was it worth it! As Rachel walked down the stairs that led to the dorm rooms Quinn found herself amazed yet again how someone so…stunted stature wise, (Rachel had forbidden the word short as it was heightest) could have legs that seemed to go on forever.
The Ravenclaw had no idea how she had managed to find an exact replica of the outfit and to be honest she didn't want to question it, in fact at that moment words on the whole were hard to find. Aware of the scrutiny Rachel cocked her hip placing one hand on it and twirling slowly round for approval, Quinn's eyes traced down from the tilted hat, past the well fitting outfit and then down the long stocking encased legs taking everything in.
"Of all the common rooms in all the magic schools, she had to walk into mine."
Rachel had to admit that Quinn's attempt at an American drawl was rather impressive and she walked…no, scratch that, it wasn't walking it was sashaying, she sashayed towards the blonde and laying her hand on one of the lapels of the white suit jacket pulled lightly until she could plant a kiss on those lips.
"Not looking so bad yourself there Rick."
Laughing in delight Quinn offered her arm and linking it with Rachel's they started to make their way down to the great hall where the dance was just about ready to kick off.
"This was a stroke of genius Rach, it wouldn't have occurred to me to ever think of Casablanca."
"That's why you keep me around Fabray, I make you look good."
Quinn shrugged, willing to accept that as truth even though the brunette was only joking, there were students of all ages milling around in a myriad of costumes, everything ranging from the typical Halloween fair to stuffed animals and even a few articles of food…Rachel looked to Quinn who just shrugged and they mutually agreed not to think about the students dressed like French fries.
She recognised Puck and Finn hovering suspiciously by the punch bowl dressed as soldiers and made a mental note ensure neither she nor Rachel had too much of the fruit drink. Sam was in one corner dressed in a Sherriff's outfit and chatting happily with one of the sixth year Slytherin's who was painted blue and wearing tribal clothing of some kind. Mike and Tina were over in one corner taking the photographs.
She couldn't see her best friend or Brittany though and she bit her lip wondering who would win the battle of the outfits, Rachel reached up and tugged on the brim of her fedora bringing it lower over her eyes before nodding in satisfaction to herself and winking at the confused blonde.
"Very sexy, it wasn't at quite the right rakish angle."
There was a loud hoot of approval from behind them and turning round the two found Kurt and Blaine, Kurt was dressed in an outfit that took Quinn a moment to place though Rachel squealed with delight and wrapped her arms round him.
"You make a wonderful Phantom Kurt Hummel, I'm glad the outfit worked out as you planned, quite dashing!"
Quinn glanced at Blaine and frowned for a moment before snapping her fingers in recognition as her brain kicked in.
"Dick Turpin…very nice, at least I'm guessing it's Dick Turpin as you don't have the black stripes to suggest Adam Ant."
Taking the three cornered hat from his head Blaine swept down into an impressive bow.
"At your service ma'am…or should I say Mr Blaine."
Bowing at the acknowledgement Quinn chuckled.
"You know your classic movies, I'm impressed, well the dynamic duo or blundering twosome, take your pick, are over at the punch bowl, Sam found another Avatar fan and Mike and Tina are swamped with the photo's so we're just waiting on San and Brit."
There was no sign of them anywhere on the dance floor and Quinn wondered briefly if Santana had managed to talk Brittany out of attending altogether in favour of a private night just for the two of them…until she heard Kurt's gasp and turned to see what had made the drama queen lose his composure, even if only for a second.
Beside her Rachel actually muttered her disbelief and Blaine managed to keep his mouth closed with a supreme effort though his eyes almost bulged out of his eye mask.
Quinn decided there and then that Santana Lopez was perhaps the baddest bad ass she knew, and suddenly she understood why the Latina did everything she did, the bright smile on Brittany's face was reason enough for the Slytherin. Glancing across at Rachel she knew she'd do the same for her, anything to make her smile, make her happy.
Locking gaze's with Santanna she nodded in faint recognition of the awe she felt for her friend, and that she understood why she had done what she had.
Brittany, oblivious to the looks of disbelief and shock, waved happily to her friends, after all she had never entertained any doubt that that they would attend the ball dressed as Lobsters.
And indeed…they were dressed as Lobsters, legs encased in bright red Lycra and topped with red foam rubber shaped to look like the shell, multiple legs dangling from the sides and of course the claws, in this case on Brit's left side and Santana's right the claws were stitched together to give the appearance of holding on to each other. Rather than come across as looking ridiculous it looked sweet.
Rachel was the one to break the silence.
"You guys look awesome."
Brittany laughed and hugged the brunette lightly.
"I know right! I gotta say though Rach you make a very nice Ingrid Bergmann and is it weird that Quinn makes a good Humphrey?"
Santana smirked at that and raised an eyebrow.
"I always knew Fabray would make a good man, it's the shoulders."
At the general round of laughter that followed Quinn sighed but acknowledged the hit and they made their way as a group towards the dance floor, though Santanna had to laugh as she heard the blonde mutter quietly to Rachel.
"I don't have manly shoulders though do I Rach?"
Hours later and hundreds of pictures had been taken, gallons of pumpkin juice, Butterbeer, fruit juices and punch had been consumed as well as ton's of various different party food. Finn and Puck had been ejected from the dance after their third attempt to spike the punch with firewater was thwarted.
Mike and Tina had set up an unofficial wizard chess tournament in one corner, Sam was there at the moment playing against his new blue skinned best friend, Brittany and Santana were still dancing quietly even though the music had long since stopped. At another table Kurt and Blaine were engaged with Miles and a black haired shorter girl, in a heated conversation over who was the Definitive Evita.
The only ones absent from the inner circle were Rachel and Quinn who had left the great hall in favour of a walk through the grounds. At some point the blonde had lost the trench coat and her bow tie was hanging loose round her neck with the top few buttons undone. Rachel had temporarily taken custody of Quinn's fedora which just looked adorable as it was a size too big and rested on her ears instead of her head.
"So…how do you think you're enjoying Hogwarts so far then Miss Berry?"
Crinkling her nose in thought the brunette waved her free hand from side to side in a so, so gesture.
"There are good and bad points, bad points being the sleeping space and bathroom sharing, good points being the wonderful people I've met and the fact that it really does feel more studious to be here than working at the kitchen table."
Walking in silence for a bit longer Quinn fiddled with the item in her pants pocket and swallowed a nervous lump. What if she thinks it's stupid, what was I even thinking!
She was so deep in her thoughts she almost jumped when Rachel carried on after a brief silence.
"The best thing though, is you…it feels like I'm just getting to know you but also that I've always known you which I know doesn't make any sense…"
Interrupting her as they paused underneath 'their' tree, the blonde leant forward and placed a firm kiss on Rachel's lips.
"It's fine Rach, believe me I know exactly what you mean, and you're not the only one that feels that way, these few months may as well have been years…and I mean, I know we're not like anywhere near an anniversary or…um stuff but I sort of want to give you something, it's not worth much money wise but…I just, wanted you to have it."
Looking faintly puzzled the smile nonetheless stayed on the Brunette's face and she nodded.
"Quinn you don't have to give me anything to let me know how you feel, but I will gladly accept anything, you don't have to be nervous…and I sort of got you something too…"
Trailing off she waited for the Ravenclaw to make the next move and after a second Quinn reached into her pocket and taking Rachel's hand placed something cool and spherical in it. When she took her hand away the brunette gasped as she recognised a golden snitch nestled there.
"It's the very first one I caught in my first year here as a seeker, it's travelled everywhere with me, and now I want you to have it just…in case anything ever happened to me I would rest easy knowing you have it."
The surge of love that had sprung upwards from her heart was suddenly doused by an icy cold grip of fear that someone as young as Quinn felt she had to quantify her gift with an idea in the back of her mind that she someday might not come back to school after a vacation break.
Rachel swallowed down the urge to just grab hold of the Ravenclaw and not let go, insist, NO, demand! that she come home with her instead, meet her dad's and feel safe instead of going back to a situation that obviously terrified her. But she knew it was too soon and so instead she curled her fingers over the gift and squeezed it as though it was a lifeline, after a long moment she tucked it into her jacket pocket.
"Quinn, this…this is the most meaningful gift anyone has ever given me and it wont leave my side now either, I swear to you."
Laying a hand on the blondes cheek she gazed at her intently, trying to communicate that she knew exactly what the gift meant, Quinn closed her eyes and turned her face kissing Rachel's palm before the brunette removed it slowly.
"Now what I have for you is…well it's just something silly and you don't have to wear it but I wanted you to have something innocuous (it went unspoken between them that she actually meant muggle) that you could have when you were home, just in case things ever got…to a point where you needed to be reminded that someone was thinking of you."
Quinn just nodded and watched as Rachel took what looked like two black bands out of her purse and held one out to the blonde who accepted it with a questioning look.
"It's not metal it's actually petrified wood, enchanted to be unbreakable…I had them made from a fallen branch form this tree, our tree, once you slip it on it will resize to fit your finger and only you can wear it, if you ever loose it, it will make it's way back to you."
The Ravenclaw Captain pulled her girlfriend into a tight hug, Rachel's arms reached up as well moulding the two of them together. Once Quinn could trust her voice she pulled back.
"It's…I cant even find words, literally cant scrape one simile from my Ravenclaw brain that adequately describes what this means to me…would you um…put mine on for me and let me put yours on?"
Wordlessly Rachel took Quinn's right hand and slid the light wooden band onto her ring finger where it glowed for a moment before sizing perfectly, she then held her own right hand out and watched as the blonde did the same for her. They stood for a moment then Rachel spoke softly.
"Come on, let's go and get some sleep, tomorrow morning will be frantic with everyone scrambling to make the Hogwarts Express on time."
Linking hands again they started heading towards the castle.
"Rach?"
"Yes Quinn?"
"Would you please sleep in with me again tonight, I just…don't really want to be alone."
"I was hoping you get around to asking me that."
…..
"Rach?"
"Yes Quinn?
"Do I really have man shoulders?"
Phew that was a monster chapter, for me anyway! Last time I try writing on only two hours sleep it took ages lol, next update will be even bigger but wont be on till Sunday as I'm away…sorry! As usual enjoy and thanks to all the new subscribers and reviewers xx
Also sorry if the light smut isn't very good, I'm more about the romance than the consummation of it when it comes to my writing!