Baby, It's Cold Outside (open)

[igloogirl]

Well, Charles had the guts to say what Gabriella knew that she couldn't. There was just something keeping her from saying that Wolfgang would be alright. Because if he wasn't, that would mean that Gabriella had lied to Angie, something she would not let herself do. "What's new Charlie?" Gabriella asked.

[weaslebee]

"Oh, nothing short of fabulous!" Charles said brightly, then took another swig of butterbeer. "Come January fifteenth, The CW Boutique is coming to Hogsmeade!" That's what he had decided to name his shop. He had plenty of designs to put on the shelves. Petite, tall, plus-sized, regular sizes. He wanted everyone to feel beautiful.

[calcetines]

Angel opened her mouth to protest at Charles buying her potato skins, but they were already paid for and put in front of her. She would ask Gabriella to sneak some money into his pillowcase or something. She picked up a knife and fork, although she was buzzed, she wouldn't stoop to eating with her hands. She swallowed, then forced another smile. "That's great, Charlie." Angel said, making a feeble attempt at enthusiasm.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella, however, was much more enthusiastic about this, glad for the change of subject. "That's amazing, Charlie!" Gabriella replied happily. "I can't believe that you're actually going to have your own store. I'm sure you'll get lots of business."

[weaslebee]

Charles grin widened even more (if that was humanly possible). At least Angel was trying, he knew how depressed she was, with Wolfgang being gone and everything. The poor girl. "Thanks, I have some pretty fabulous ideas for women of every shape and size, everyone deserves to feel beautiful!" said Charles.

[calcetines]

At this point, Angel was working really hard at maintaining a smile. She didn't want to discourage her cousin. His plans were really great, but she was having difficulty feeling happy for anyone. She pulled out the money that covered the cost of the potato skins and placed it in front of her cousin. "Good luck with the shop, Charlie." Angel said, then got off her stool, wobbling, although she had not had much to drink. She was so tired... Everything was spinning, she had let herself get too drained. Her head was pounding and it felt as if her head had been stuffed with cotton.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella had a strong desire to grab Angel and force her to sit back down. She could tell how dizzy her cousin was and Gabriella didn't want her to go back out in the cold to stumble back to Hogwarts. "Angie, why don't you have some more potato skins?" Gabriella suggested, right before she finished the last of her firewhiskey.

[calcetines]

Angel shook her head, which made everything swirl even more. "I'm not very hungry right now," said
Angel. She would make her way back to the castle, then if she had the energy, go down to the kitchens for a snack. She wasn't hungry, but she would have to force herself to eat something. But the potato skins were repulsive. Angel didn't even make it out the door, she collapsed.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella visibly winced as her cousin fell down to the floor, collapsing from exhaustion. Gabriella had to restrain herself from moving as fast as she could, but she was still the first one at her cousin's side. "You okay?" Gabriella asked, keeping a polite distance from Angel and holding out her hand to help her up.

[calcetines]

"Yeah," Angel said, feeling her head throbbing, she was going to have a ton of bruises from falling onto the hard floor. "I think I just had a bit too much to drink..." This wasn't exactly true, she was barely buzzed, not even remotly close to being drunk. She accepted Gabriella's hand and was pulled to her feet, she would have preferred to get herself up, but she was so exhausted...

[igloogirl]

"Yeah, sure," Gabriella replied, acting as though she accepted this answer of Angel's. She hoisted her cousin up easily with one hand and watched Angel steady herself. "You want me to walk you back up to the castle?" Gabriella asked gently.

[rebel]

Jasmine casually walked into the Three Broomsticks, manager tag still pinned to her robes. When she walked in on her cousins struggling, she immediantly swooped to Angel's side. "Angie? Gabs, what's going on?" she questioned. She had been working like crazy the past few weeks, but now that her schedule was fixed, she realized she had missed quite a lot.

[calcetines]

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Angel said quickly to Jasmine, then turned to face Gabriella. "No, you don't have to walk me up, I can make it there myself." Hopefully she hadn't come off as rude, but she did not need help getting around. She was stubborn on this.

[igloogirl]

Gabriella backed off instantly, slightly hurt by Angel's unusual rudeness. "Fine then, I guess I'll see you later then," Gabriella replied as she stepped back in the direction of the bar. Gabriella gave Jasmine a small smile, glad to see her, but also wary as to what she would do.

[calcetines]

"Bye guys, I'll see you around later." said Angel, then fastened her cloak as she walked to the door, ignoring how dizzy she was. She awoke slightly as she took a step out into the cold of the evening. She began the long walk back. Angel didn't make it very far, she fell just as she was passing the shrieking shack. She sighed as she got up, feeling her head pound.