The next few days spent at Luna's whizzed by for Seymour. Many hours were spent helping her prepare the garden outside for the up coming party on the 31st. The weather did it's best to help derail the smooth sail with snow falls now coming daily and vicious winds carrying cold throws of air into the house whenever the door was left open.
This did nothing to dampen Luna's spirit however as she ploughed on regardless, erecting the large red marquee in the field behind the house. The tables and chairs magicked up by Mr Lovegood had been stacked neatly to the side whilst the stage for the band was conjured into place after many failed attempts at making it small enough to fit under cover. Large stone fires filled with glowing blue ever lasting flame were placed around the sides to fill the area between with a comforting warmth which made decorating the rest of the area in the heavy snow a much more pleasant affair.
It amazed Seymour how quickly he began to feel at home at the Lovegoods, spending early mornings out with Luna in the snow down by the lake or larking about with Harry and the Weasleys either playing Quidditch or holding rather furious snowball fights in the fields between the two houses.
If it hadn't been for Luna who reminded him constantly he would have forgotten that they also had Christmas day to look forward to which quickly approached in between days spent decorating the house and the huge tree Mr. Lovegood had erected in the already over crowded living room.
Mr. Lovegood himself was often found whizzing around the house busy answering owls from Quibbler readers or arranging the parties entertainment.
Seymour awoke on Christmas day with a start as the door to his room burst open with a bang and Luna came bounding into the room, her arms laden with the gifts no doubt found at the bottom of her bed. Seymour looked down as was pleasantly surprised to find he himself had a wealthy looking haul perched at the end of his.
"Get up, get up, get up!" she chirped pouncing onto the end of his bed and dumping her gifts onto it. "I thought we could open them together. I've never done that before." she looked positively thrilled as she grabbed one of his gifts and chucked it at him.
"Morning." he replied with a wide grin, rubbing his eyes trying to bring her into focus. Donned in a pair of red pyjamas Luna certainly looked the part as she tore open her first gift.
In no time the room was covered in ripped wrapping paper as they made they way through their presents. Luna was particularly happy with the new scarf and gloves Seymour had bought her along with the rather loud pair of crescent moon shaped earrings which she wasted no time in putting on.
Seymour too was very happy with the brand new Quidditch gloves she given him along with a large book titled "101 Quidditch conspiracy theories and why they are completely true."
His heart caught in his throat momentarily as he watched Luna pick up her last gift which he'd temporarily forgotten about until now. It was the size and shape of a book and was wrapped in gold wrapping. She looked at the tag and gave Seymour a warm smile after noting it was from him. She tore along the edge and let the paper fall to the bed as she stared at the object in her hands.
It was a brightly decorated handmade frame filled with roughly carved radishes and brightly painted flowers and in between was the picture Colin Creevey had taken of Seymour and Luna during their first trip into Hogsmeade. They stood smiling happily at the camera in front of the huge Christmas tree with a light downfall of snow falling around them. Seymour had his arm around her shoulders and waved along with Luna as the bright streetlights twinkled round them. Underneath Seymour had neatly carved the word "Friends" as best he could with his limited skills. Overall though Seymour had been rather pleased with the effect.
He scratched his nose and tried to force the flush not to show on his face as he explained. "Hagrid taught me how to do the carving, his radishes looked better than those ones though. Clearly my skills aren't quite up to his standards." he smiled holding up his hand to point out the numerous cuts on his palms and fingers.
Having not planned on being there when she opened the present Seymour now wanted nothing more than to sink underneath the bed as the red tint leaked over his features. Luna stared at his hands and then back at the photo her eyes studying every detail of the gift. She went to speak but her mouth merely opened and closed with no sound escaping her lips. Her fingers shook slightly as she placed them on the surface of the photo and a smile slowly appeared on her face her eyes still running over every inch on the frame.
"Do you like it?" he asked nervously as she returned his gaze, her eyes piercing his before leaping at him, wrapping her arms around him hugging him tightly.
"Thank you. It's amazing!" she smiled happily and hugged him again putting as much feeling into it as she could. Seymour laughed nervously returning the hug before she pulled back and kissed him on the cheek. "Sorry." she chuckled wiping the spot were she had kissed him but Seymour merely gazed back at her his breath momentarily stolen from his body. She studied his face for a while absentmindedly running her hand from his cheek into his hair. Even Luna who so often had something to say seemed lost for words as the silence around them lingered. She sat back on the covers, a puzzled look running into her eyes before shaking her head and getting up.
"Come on!" she grabbed his hand pulling him up from the bed. "Get changed, let's get some breakfast. I'm starving." She smiled clutching the photo frame tight to her chest and walked out the room.
He watched her leave and sat back down giving his pounding heart a few precious moments to collect itself whilst he touched the spot her lips had left only seconds ago.
The rest of the week past by with little event, Luna went about preparing for the 31st and Seymour was there to help her. Though little had changed Seymour still caught Luna giving him quizzical stares in the moments she thought he wasn't looking and sometimes she appeared to be a little more on the quiet side, staring off into space not with her usual serene stare but rather a lost one.
The closer the 31st came the more the house outside looked fit for royalty. The marquee simply shone from the house like a beacon. Enchanted lights blinked round the tables and stage and the stone fires kept blazing filling the area with a warm cosy haze.
On the day of the party the Weasleys popped around to help out with the spread being laid out. Alone Seymour doubted whether the Lovegoods would have made it in time but as the evening dawned the garden was set for a truly extravagant celebration. The band had arrive earlier than intended, a group of middle aged wizards all dressed in lime green top and tails and were busy setting up outside as Seymour watched them from his bedroom window.
Far in the distance just over the hill he spotted a steady line of people apparating into view making their way towards the house. He watched Mr. Lovegood dressed from head to toe in a red satin robe stride down the path, his arms open wide to greet them.
Seymour turned towards the cracked mirror on his wardrobe door to shift his dress robes into place. The last time he looked like this was at his Aunt Miranda's wedding and he felt just as uncomfortable then as he did now. He made his way to the bedroom door stumbling over his robes as he went.
Tripping down the stairs he came to a halt in the kitchen when he caught site of Luna at the sink dressed in a bright orange dress that ran down to her ankles. She stood bare foot with her hair hastily tied up into a knot on top of her head which put Seymour in mind of a pineapple.
She had an apron tied round her front and cradled a bowl in her arms furiously mixing the substance inside with a large wooden spoon. She shuffled about the kitchen blowing the few loose strands of hair out her face, completely ignoring the smudge of flour across her nose.
Seymour leaned against the handrail and watched her for a while. Even in her rather haphazard appearance he couldn't seem to find a good enough reason to look away from her and only moved when she spotted him on the staircase and beamed up at him.
"Look at you!" she declared putting down the bowl to take him in.
"Look at you." he smiled in retort making his way over to her before rubbing away the flour on her nose with his finger.
"Just a few last minute things to do whilst Daddy greets our guests." she explained picking up the bowl again. Seymour drew up next to her and rolled up his sleeves.
"What do you need doing?" he asked holding up his hand as she went to intervene. "No, come on Luna. "My home is your home" remember. As a temporary member of this family I need to do my fair share."
She grinned at him and nodded as they both set to work putting the finishing touches to the food laid out on the kitchen table. The next fifteen minutes not a word was uttered as the two of them danced around each other finishing off the plates of food which one by one were whisked away by the smartly dressed waiters Mr. Lovegood had hired to serve the party members. The constant murmur of the guests already mingling outside didn't put them off and they only stopped when they heard a loud cough from Harry and Ginny who appeared to have been watching them from the garden door, their faces etched with amused grins.
Luna rushed over to greet them as Seymour waved and went to put the empty bowls into the sink. Ginny grabbed hold of Luna's hand and disappeared upstairs without another word leaving Harry to help Seymour wash up in the sink. They chatted about Quidditch for a while until the sound of footsteps on the iron staircase announced their return.
Seymour leaned back against the sink and held his breath for a while as Luna now apron less bounded down the stairs smiling at the two of them. Her hair had now been let down and arranged as neatly as possible though it still retained that slightly weather worn appearance as if she'd been picking plums in the garden. A light touch of makeup had been applied to her face which no doubt Ginny had a hand in yet Luna herself paid it no mind as she dashed over to her shoes pulling them on before motioning for them to follow her outside.
The effect had left him speechless as he watched her stride out the door. Harry followed but Ginny lingered looking rather pleased with Seymour's reaction to Luna's appearance. "You're welcome." she smirked laughing as he once again failed to reply. "Come on you, time to go meet the mad lot out there." she instructed as she pushed him out the door.
Finally having the chance to witness the marquee outside in it's finality the effect was quite mesmerising as he stepped into the warmly lit party already full of the strangest combination of people he'd ever laid eyes upon.
A group of hooded wizards stood in the far corner of the crowd all gathered greedily round a small crystal ball that one of them was holding. An odd looking old man dressed smartly in a white suit and tie wandered by with an empty fish bowl carefully lodge under one arm. He greeted a young looking witch dressed head to toe in gold, her skin a strange green tint to it which glowed as she hugged the man in a friendly greeting. A middle aged woman with long straggly black hair and large horned rimmed glasses wandered though the crowd pulling along a large black haired creature she had on a leash, it reminded Seymour of a badger but it's short nose and green eyes gave it a look all of it's own. As it made for the heavily laid banquet she pulled it back sharply and growled at it in some odd language Seymour had no knowledge of.
These were just the few that stood out the most amongst crowd more colourful than the following at your average Weird Sister's concert. A small long nosed Goblin dressed in a black cloak leered at Harry as they passed and Seymour cut him a wide birth as he turned his piercing glare onto him next. They came to a halt in front of the stage where the band playing a rather bouncy tune stopped as Mr. Lovegood made his way onto the stage. Everyone under the marquee gathered round pushing Seymour further towards the front in between Harry and Ginny.
"Welcome friends. Welcome." Mr. Lovegood smiled fondly at them all. "I'd like to take this chance to properly welcome all of you to our home. I'm thrilled you could all make it here and so is Luna. Luna where are you dear?"
With that Luna clambered up onto the stage and joined her father with a large grin on her face. She spotted Seymour at the front of the stage a gave him a wave which he returned ignoring Ginny's snort of laughter.
"I'd like to thank each and everyone of you for turning up, well aware that the Ministry is no doubt monitoring this gathering with great interest." he gave a knowing look to all of them, many of the crowd murmured in agreement. Seymour shot a quizzical look towards Harry who merely shrugged back and rolled his eyes. "For without your gracious support the Quibbler wouldn't be the literary giant it is today. Paving the way for the truth in a society shrouded in mystery and secrets." Luna nodded next to him and a "Here here!" broke from the crowd. "It's with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to celebrate The Quibblers 1000th edition. Many long years spent exposing truth behind lies and fact behind myth. None of this of course would have been possible without the support of my daughter Luna and my dear, dear wife Clarabelle who sadly left us six years ago, the driving force behind my desire to keep at it during those tough first years." he smiled to himself and raised the glass in his hand above his head. "So here's to Clarabelle, my darling wife and a wonderful mother." he looked down at Luna who smiled back at her father with a proud expression.
The gathered crowd all raised their glasses in toast before Mr. Lovegood continued. "So please dear friends let us enjoy this occasion, one of few that may present itself under the current climate with the return of He-who-must-not-be-named." Everybody nodded in agreement. "Harry my boy." Mr. Lovegood raised his glass in Harry's direction. "You still and will always have the Lovegood's most gracious support, know that our door is always open to you in any time of need." He smiled warmly towards Harry who attempted an awkward smile back, Ron who was stood at his side gradually sunk out of site leaving his friend to the limelight.
"Here's to Harry!" Luna piped up at her father's side to which everyone raised their glasses yet again and roared "Harry!" Somewhere in the crowd Seymour could hear Ginny laughing but couldn't find her over all the outstretched arms.
The crowd dispersed as the band struck up yet another joyous rhythm. Seymour broke free from the crowd and found Hermione, Ron, Luna and Harry standing on the edge of the marquee talking animatedly between each other. He made his way over to them taking a pumpkin pasty from a waiter as he went. Luna spotted him and walked over grabbing his arm and pulling him over. "There you are. We were just talking about Daddy's speech, I thought it was rather touching. Looked like it went down well didn't it Harry?" she asked leaving Harry to stutter a reply before resorting to smiling politely and nodding in agreement.
They remained chatting for a while until a rather austere looking wizard wandered over to them dressed in a grey pinstriped robe and monocle. His long grey hair and bushy moustache neatly combed for the occasion.
He nodded and smiled at Luna in greeting. "Hello Luna dear, lovely to see you again."
"Hello Mr. Milborrow." replied Luna turning to her friends. "Everyone this is Bertrand Milborrow he provided us with the free distribution for Harry's edition of the Quibbler we did last year."
"My pleasure dear, my pleasure."
"Mr. Milborrow this is Seymour Turner, Hermione Grainger, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter they all go to my school."
Mr. Milborrow merely glanced at Seymour until moving his eyes greedily onto Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Ah yes of course Harry Potter it's a delight to finally meet you sir." He shook Harry by the hand and edged forward gradually pushing Seymour further round the circle. "Such bravery sir, truly inspirational. Luna has of course sung your praises often" he chuckled motioning to Luna who nodded back eagerly. "Venzelda my dear come here quick." the man called out to a large round woman dressed in blue satin. "Come meet Harry Potter dear. Come."
The woman rushed over full of enthusiasm and joined the six of them. Her size alone caused Mr. Milborrow to make further room as Seymour took another step back to make way. "Venzelda my dear please meet Harry, Hermione and Ron, they are friends of our dear Luna here."
"Don't forget…" started Luna before Mr. Milborrow interjected with a chuckle. "And Simon of course." he added motioning to Seymour nearly poking him in the eye with a heavily ringed finger.
"Actually sir it's Sey-" but Seymour was cut off as Mr. Milborrow beckoned even more wizards and witches over to join them including one from the hooded crystal gazers who floated over holding out a thin hand for Harry to shake. As the crowd grew larger the less room there seemed to be for Seymour to stand until he found himself behind the large woman who was wedged between Luna and Harry bombarding Harry with requests to come visit her local witches tea group.
Seymour tried to find a space to sneak in but gave up and merely headed towards the house trying to fight off a nagging sense of displeasure building up in his head. As he past the group of hooded wizards from earlier one of them wandered over in his direction. He went to take out his hand from beneath his robe and Seymour went to shake it but the man merely took out the crystal ball he had been holding instead and turned it mysteriously in his hands, leaving Seymour holding his hand out in mid air which he hastily shot back down to his side feeling particularly stupid.
"Have you by chance seen Harry Potter around young man? I have pressing matters I need to discuss concerning his future which I'm sure he would be most interested to hear." the man inquired, his piecing white eyes peering out from the cloak. Seymour frowned and bit down a rather childish reply before nodding in the direction of the small crowd on the outskirts of the garden. The man didn't even thank him as he floated off along with his other followers towards Harry's group.
Shoving his hands into the pockets of his robes Seymour pushed past yet another group of oddly dressed wizards all making their way towards Harry's group and he came to a stop beside the two large apple trees marking the entrance to the house. He leaned up against one of them and eyed the pasty still grasped in his hand, slightly crushed after resisting the urge to clench his fist. He didn't really feel like eating much anymore and merely watched over the guests under the marquee.
Seymour had never been prone to bouts of inadequacy before but couldn't help the large gaping chasm filling his stomach widening every time his eyes drifted over the large group gathered around his school friends. He watched Luna standing next to Harry who was deep in conversation with Mr. Milborrow and the hooded wizard. She gazed at Harry her attention rapt as he spoke. She nodded along proudly with something Harry had said and the crowd gathered in tighter pushing her and Harry closer together.
"Might as well be back at school." he grumbled to himself realising how pathetic he sounded but not caring for one second. He was broken from his personal pity party however when a crashing sound from within the kitchen erupted and Mr Lovegood's voice emerged from it sounding downright outraged.
"You think you can just come strolling into our house again after all these years!" There was a shuffling of feet and then another man spoke. Seymour leaned further back towards the door and listened carefully.
"Well forgive me for thinking I would be welcome back considering the hand I played in keeping your family afloat all those years!" The second voice sounded muffled as if the person's mouth was covered, possibly by a robe but Seymour couldn't be sure as he still couldn't see anyone from the doorway.
"We both know the role you played in my families life." Mr Lovegood was spitting with rage and slammed his fist down on the dining room table.
"Look you and I both know she would have done it anyway. Don't go blaming me for something I played no part in."
"No part in. No part in! Filling her head with such things, I told her it wasn't right but oh no she'd only listen to you."
"You know perfectly well my reasons behind that, it's not my fault, you would have done the same." the voice shook but not with anger. A sadness twinged the low tone.
"I… yes but you know what she was doing when… when she…" Mr Lovegood's voice also broke and the anger that once permeated it ceased momentarily before flaring up again. "Get out! Get out! You are not welcome here." Something smashed and there was the sound of the shuffling of feet before a loud pop announced someone in the room had just apparated.
Seymour waited outside his breath baited until Mr Lovegood came through the door out into the cold night air. He breathed in heavily before noticing Seymour stood only yards away. His smile automatically appeared on his face.
"Enjoying the party Seymour? A rather splendid turn out if I do say so myself." he did his best to sound calm and jovial but something that hinted at a heavier emotion echoed behind it.
"Yes sir." Seymour replied instantly replacing his shocked look for something more fitting.
"Xenophilius please my boy." Mr Lovegood smiled before striding off down the garden path into the heavy crowd of guests.
Seymour ran past the conversation in his mind for a while until his racing heart had settled. No doubt what had just gone on inside the Lovegood's residence was not meant for his ears and he tried his best to put his mind off it only to realise that he instantly went back to watching the large crowd gathered round Harry and Luna when he did.
"Quite a crowd pleaser isn't he that Mr Potter." Seymour turned to be greeted by the same long nose and deep black eyes of the Goblin that had glared at him so fiercely at the start of the party.
He motioned over towards the group and then back at Seymour. "One would think he'd be more inclined to avoid the public eye considering things. Mr-?" the Goblin asked.
"Seymour Turner" he replied making to shake the Goblin's hand who blinked down at Seymour's guesture momentarily before reluctantly reaching out to shake it. It was warm and clammy.
"Seavers editor and chief of the Witches Weekly. I'm sure you've heard of my publication? A bit more of a following than such a charming magazine as the Quibbler." The last few words of speech were heavily dipped in sarcasm.
"Err… yeah sure I have." Truth be told Seymour hadn't a clue but didn't feel like disagreeing with the only member of the party who was surveying the group of witches and wizards around Harry with the same disgruntled look.
"See how people seem to gravitate towards him. Amazing what the power of legend can do isn't it?" Seavers smirked up at Seymour.
"Yeah I suppose so." he replied trying to avoid dwelling on this, especially when his gaze fell to onto Luna who remained at Harry's side listening avidly.
"I'm sure many feel a longing to get closer to "the boy who lived". Naturally such an enigma causes such fascination, a true hero some would say." Seavers' words were cold and calm. "Mere mortals like us no doubt pail in comparison when such a person offers an alternative." he sighed causing Seymour to shuffle uncomfortably as the words washed over him. "Yes life can be easy when one is gifted the status of a hero." The goblin frowned and stared back at Seymour who instead fixed Seavers with a frown of his own.
"Easy for Harry? You do know what he's been though I take it?" Seymour tried to rent the slight aggrieved tone from his voice as he spoke.
"Yes but you don't really believe such a boy capable of defeating the darkest wizard who ever lived surely?" The Goblin eyed him sceptically as Seymour thought over this question.
"Yes I do actually and even if he isn't at least he's giving it a try which is more than a lot of us are doing. He didn't choose this you know? He's not lapping all this fame up. I'm sure he'd much rather had just been a normal person like the rest of us." Seymour glared down at Seavers who stared over at Harry with a smirk.
"Yes but giving interviews to the Quibbler making such spurious claims. Hiding behind Dumbledore safe and sound at Hogwarts. One can only imagine the temptations offered to a boy in such a powerful position."
"Doesn't mean he has to take them though does he? I might not know Harry that well but I know him well enough to recognise a good person when I see one. You just sound jealous because he'd rather speak to the Quibbler than your own magazine."
Seavers' eyes opened wide and he glared back at Seymour in utmost dislike. "I… that's… what do you know boy. Let's just see where you'll be the moment Harry Potter comes unstuck and requires more than just legend to get him through a true test of worth." His long pointed nose had flushed red and his voice shook with anger.
"I'll be right behind him. That's what happens when good people come unstuck Mr Seavers their friends know when a cause is worth fighting for. Let's see how many people rush to your aide the next time you come up short. I'm sure that happens a lot from what I've seen." Seymour stared back at Seavers not taking his eyes off the Goblin who rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet his fists clenched at his sides.
"I see Harry Potter's delusional charm is reaching much further than I thought." And with that he turned tail and stomped off down the garden path, ignoring the marquee and making his way towards the hill he had no doubt arrived from.
Seymour let his temper simmer and went to walk back towards the party guests when he caught Ginny looking over at him from the garden gate. She had an oddly fierce look it her eyes that Seymour had only ever seen directed at one other person before as she smiled and walked over to him.
"Nice to see you're mingling well with the other guests." she smirked motioning to the departing Goblin.
Seymour turned red before replying, "You didn't hear that did you? Well he asked for it. Talking all that rubbish about Harry when he doesn't even know him."
"I agree." Ginny nodded coming up to him and straightening the collar of his robes.
Seymour once again surveyed the party guests before adding. "He's right about some things I suppose." he frowned watching Luna in the distance. "People do tend to pull towards him don't they. They're bound to really."
Ginny followed his eyes and answered. "I assume you're more concerned about one certain individual than his general fan club though?"
Seymour nodded without realising it and slumped back onto the heavily laid table next to him. "It's not like I can go fighting You-know-who on a weekly basis and when was the last time I won the Tri-Wizard tournament. Must all sound rather appealing no doubt. There's not many people who would stand out when put up against the marvellous Harry Potter." he grumbled.
"Maybe you need to grow up." Ginny snapped causing Seymour to turn towards her. She didn't look angry but she still eyed him with a look that caused him to take a step back.
"I'm sorry Ginny, I was being stupid. I don't know why I said it." he replied fixing her with an apologetic smile. She smiled back and patted his arm before leaning on the table beside him, pushing her shoulder onto his.
"It's alright. I've know you long enough to know you're not like that."
They watched over the party for a while in silence until Ginny spoke again. "You do realise Harry's not the only person people notice all the time, he's just the one they think of first. Being the chosen one will do that but given time other people make their impression in their own way as well. Enough so that makes them more than a match for the boy who lived." She watched Harry fondly for a while before looking up at Seymour. "Let's be honest here you know how I feel about him, you've known it for years but if I went around thinking of nothing but Harry Potter every day I'd miss out on the qualities in other people that are just as fascinating and appeal to me just as much, it just takes time that's all." she watched Seymour for a while her expression one she was glad Seymour couldn't see for he was still absent-mindedly watching Luna on the other side of the garden.
She smiled and shook her head. "Seymour look at me." she grabbed him by the arm and turned him round to face her. "Do you honestly think Luna would care about something as shallow as fame and power when it came between you and Harry?" she fixed him with a serious stare.
He frowned and cast his eyes down before looking back at her. "No of course not." he replied honestly already knowing how stupid he'd been.
"And even if she was interested in Harry that way does that mean you're going to just give up now without even trying." Ginny smiled at him as he glanced over towards Luna.
"No I wouldn't."
"Is she worth the effort and maybe the embarrassment if it turns out she doesn't feel the same?"
"Yes." The answer was obvious to Seymour but only now looking back into Ginny blazing stare did he feel confident enough to admit it.
"Then what are you standing here talking to me for?"
"You're my friend."
Ginny laughed and rolled her eyes before walking off towards Hermione and Ron. "Harry's just as big an idiot. What is it with me and terribly dense boys?"
Seymour watched her leave before turning his gaze back towards the crowd of wizards and witches. He broke into a stride and made his way directly towards Luna and Harry still being hassled by his many admirers.
"Luna." he called loudly.
She turned round and beamed at him. "There you are. Where have you been?"
"Oh just around, you know me, I always like to mingle."
Mr. Milborrow gave Seymour an annoyed glance before trying to catch Harry and Luna's attention again.
Seymour ignored him and approached Luna. "Fancy a dance Luna. It be shame to waste the good music on a night like this." He held out his hand as Luna smiled widely before grabbing hold of it and dragging him away towards the band.
"Oh fantastic, I've been dying to loosen up since this party started."
Mr. Milborrow broke from the gathered crowd and raised his voice. "But Luna dear I was hoping you and Harry could join me and Venzelda for a few drinks and a bite to eat." he motioned towards Harry who was watching his two friends with a grin on his face.
"Not now Mr. Milborrow I'm sorry. I'm off to dance with Seymour. Maybe later." Luna replied and without waiting for an answer she turned and made towards the music bouncing around the garden. She took off her shoes as she went and chucked them over the garden fence. "That's better." she declared fixing Seymour with a joyous smile before breaking into the oddest dance Seymour had ever witnessed. He watched her for a while with a smile before shrugging and joining her in the middle of the floor the band playing louder now they finally had an audience worth playing for.