A Wakeup Call (Laria)

[JEDEDIAH CHAMBERS]

Good thing Jed was more a morning person than most knowing him would think. He of course liked to spend the nights with partying, playing guitar and other games, and generally having a good time, but he was always energetic when getting up the next morning. Call it an overload of energy, but he could only laugh about those sleepyheads you better did not approach before ten o’clock had passed. While they were still busy trying to kick their body into gear, his mind was already soaring high, thinking of the most peculiar and crazy things. Yes, the time shortly after waking up was when he was most creative and had the best ideas concerning his essays, new spells or a melody to practice on his guitar. In his mind, he had worked through half the day before most of his friends had even downed their first mug of morning tea.

This was also why he usually was in exceptionally good spirits when coming down for breakfast, walking with a lissom skip in his step while he watched others trudge past him like zombies and with about the same reaction span. He wasn’t exactly looking down at them (well, maybe a little), but he would not pass up the chance either to show them how fit he felt in this early morning hour, ready to tackle another day with his brilliance. Whatever the teachers would throw at them today, he was positive, certain even, he could handle it. Nonverbal Magic? Bring it on! And then, later the day, he would delve a little more into his own personal studies, the subject of Animagi. He managed to transform into a black cat by now, but the transformation itself was still a bit from smooth and elegant. He would have to work on that and find a place where he was unobserved. Maybe, once he mastered it, he would even inscribe himself into the Ministry rolls, just to show the world that he COULD do it… what would he have to hide anyway? His brilliance? That’ll be the day!

With a smart grin on his face, he entered the Great Hall where some students were already gathered for their morning meals. Chatter was quite subdued at this early hour as they sleepily stirred their pots with cereal or nommed on their buttered toast. Walking by a group of Gryffindor girls, he flashed them his most charming smile, causing two of them to blush and giggle. Of course he was of the firm opinion his looks were impeccable today as well, although not dandified and slick, but a little on the rougher side. Perfection was only not boring if it wasn’t visible as perfection after all. And girls liked it a little… rougher!
Upon reaching the Ravenclaw table, he saw a few of his closer acquaintances already sitting over their breakfast, and he swiftly climbed onto the bench next to Laria MacKenzie, a spirited girl who had earned his respect by countering his ego on more than once occasion. “Morning minions!” he called out and grabbed for the nearest plate with French Toast.

[LARIA MACKENZIE]

Laria had been at breakfast for some time, dipping in and out of the conversations going on around her and eating her meal slowly. Her attention was mostly focused on a book her father had recently sent her, entitled The Engine Builder's Handbook. Inside had been a simple note in her father's neat script:

This can be our summer project.
I hope you are settling back into school.
Study hard.
Love, Dad.

Last night Laria had been unable to put the book down and had read by candlelight into the wee small hours of the morning. It was irresistible, really, the thought that she could create something from parts that, alone, meant nothing. It was like a huge jigsaw puzzle. The fact that her mother disapproved only encouraged Laria's interest in cars. Fortunately, her father was rather fond of them too.

Despite her late night Laria had risen early. Being at Hogwarts had a way of inspiring her, driving her on and making her more active than she would be at home. Besides, Laria had an unsettling feeling that this year was going to be very different from those that had come before. So Laria had rolled out of bed (quite literally) and on the floor performed her morning ritual of crunches and sit-ups. Her room-mates might think her mad but it helped prepare her for the day, it focused her mind and made her feel in control.

At the sound of Jed's voice, Laria bookmarked her page with the note and turned to survey her friend. She had missed him over the summer more than she cared to admit. During her first couple of years at Hogwarts Laria had found Jed overwhelming and perhaps a bit intimidating. That was a long time ago, Laria thought to herself, That was way back. Back when I was still toeing the line, playing the role of the perfect daughter and being a good little girl. Laria smirked, she much preferred herself now to how she was then. Certainly she was having much more fun these days. Ever since she had embraced her wilder impulses, and began pushing boundaries, she found she was able to keep up with Jed's banter - and give it back to him as good as he dished out. But recently Laria had begun to feel drawn to him, in ways she would rather not address.

“Jesus, Jed, you look awful,” Laria observed sarcastically before continuing quite frankly, “Honestly, it's a sin how fresh you look in the morning - I mean, you're practically glowing!”

Laria tutted playfully, taking a sip of her tea before continuing, “But then, what's new?”

[JEDEDIAH CHAMBERS]

Jed just grinned at Laria’s quite sarcastic comment, and didn’t believe her in any way. Of course he didn’t look awful, and he knew she hadn’t meant it that way. After all, she wasn’t blind, not even in the morning. Girls might have a ‘bad hair day’ or something similarly stupid, but Jed knew that with only a little effort, he always looked his best, he made sure of that, and mother nature had just blessed him. Yeah, some guys had it, some had it not, and who was complaining?! The delicious scent of pancakes only further fuelled his good mood and he started to dig into them ravenously. Breakfast… the best meal of the day! It kicked his spirit of adventure right off, and for now he could forget everything else, even the dull ache in his footsoles that were most tender in the morning. Over night, your body started its repair work everywhere, so it was also renewing skin tissue… bah, better not think too much about this, he couldn’t even comprehend it itself! Only good thing was that normally no one ever would see his foot soles. He made sure of that!

In need of a distraction, Jed’s eyes fell on the book next to his friends plate. What was Laria doing studying even at breakfast time? Jesus, he was a Ravenclaw too, but that just pushed it! He made a mental note to comment on that later, but then his eyes caught the title. Engine Builders Handbook? That wasn’t part of their muggle studies schedule, now was it? He knew that Laria showed a surprising interest in muggle artefacts, but that she wanted to build an engine by herself was a new tune to him altogether. To think of that! Getting your hands dirty with oil… like ordinary workmen did, those who couldn’t even read or write a full fledged paragraph and therefore had to put their hands to work to account for their lack of brain… Yes that was what Jed usually thought of the working class. It just wasn’t his field at all!

First though, he had a reply to deal out, and he already had the perfect one up his sleeve – or so he thought. “Glowing?” he repeated and took a long, lingering look at her, definitely flirty, but that was just how he rolled. “Don’t you think glowing belongs to your job description, Firebug? With that red hair of yours, you always remind me of a volcano. And anyway…”, he propped his chin in his hand and grinned sassily. “Do I hear a hint of jealousy there? Awww, your time will come, Laria.”

[LARIA MACKENZIE]

Laria knew her sarcastic remark wouldn't bother Jed in the slightest. They never did, that boy was just so sure of himself, but that didn't stop her from making cheeky comments. Laria was one of few who tried to keep Jed on his toes, one of the few prepared to tease him (in an affectionate way of course, there was no badness behind it). Most girls lost their heads as soon as they came within six feet of the handsome Ravenclaw, sometimes even as soon as they laid eyes on him. Laria recalled once seeing a Gryffindor girl practically swoon when Jed made some passing flirtatious comment about her appearance - swoon! As if they were still living in the Middle Ages!

Inwardly, Laria rolled her eyes. Honestly, you would think some of them had never seen a boy before. Yes, Jed was what the girls of Edinburgh would describe as 'tidy'. Yes, he was an excellent chaser. Yes, he had brains to burn. And yes, he was positively overflowing with confidence. But when you stripped that all away (though it was rather a lot to strip back, Laria was forced to concede) he was still just a boy. Laria had long accepted that some people found Jed overwhelming but, to her... well, he was just Jed. And she wouldn't change a thing about him.

“That's me, the little volcano - ready to blow. You like it, then?” Laria glanced up, so that she could just catch sight of her vivid red hair out of the corner of her eye, “I have to admit, I think it's the best colour I've had so far.”

Then Laria turned to her friend, a flirtatious smile lighting up her face and her hazel eyes mischievously wandering to Jed's mouth. Somewhere on the periphery of Laria's mind a part of her pondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to kiss him but she hurriedly extinguished that thought before continuing playfully, “Aye laddie, my day will come, but right now I'm just too hot for you to handle... though it'd be interesting to see you try.”

Laria held his gaze for a few moments, the provocative smile still lingering on her face, before turning away to poke unenthusiastically at the scrambled eggs remaining on her plate. Jed was flirtatious with almost every pretty girl he met but he tended to have sound tastes, or so Laria thought anyway. For that reason, Laria found it useful to bounce her ideas off her friend - and this was an idea she had been entertaining for some time.

“What are your thoughts on tongue piercings?” Laria asked, tilting her head to the side slightly. She had pierced her own navel just over a year ago (and had been very pleased with the result) and had since been toying with the idea of piercing her tongue. It would drive her parents mad, which was always an added bonus.

[JEDEDIAH CHAMBERS]

Inwardly, Jed saluted his friend for once again turning the tables on him. That was usually a tool he liked to use, returning a challenge with another, in this case provoking him to say something pleasing about her red hair and how it suited her. In this case, the complimenting one would be the inferior one, since it had been a compliment asked for. If he now obliged to it, it would please HER ego, not his. Oh yeah, she was good! More often than not meeting him tit for tat, and he couldn’t even count on his morning bonus much longer, Laria was definitely waking up! Now… how best to respond to this? He DID think that red hair suited her exceptionally well, making her stick out in a completely pleasant way.
”It’s good you warn people of your approach, you see”, he teased. “Otherwise, they might get too close and burn their fingers, which is never advisable.”

Of course he didn’t count himself amongst those poor souls caused him to raise an eyebrow and give an indignant snort. As if he ever! He knew JUST how to handle her, just like any other girl. The difference only was that she made it way more fun, because she always had a good comeback for him to work with. He could tease her all day and never get bored, and THAT was saying something with Jed, who felt himself to be constantly held far below his capabilities in and outside school. “There’s nothing like too hot for me, my dear”, he replied smirking, and flicked a strand of her red hair. “You know I do not only like to play with fire… I DANCE with it, and it is I who calls the tune… always!”

Their other friends were listening intently on their conversation, and Jed wondered if they might even have bets going on how soon he would get her… or she him, depending on where they stood. The thought amused him, maybe he should inquire later and find out how they guessed the odds to be. Ah, if he only wanted, he could up his game and have her… but somehow he liked this state of in-between they were now having. It made things far more thrilling.
Was SHE upping her game now or why was she asking about tongue-piercing? He shouldn’t read too much into it of course, but the thought of her maybe having a certain kiss on her mind pleased him much. “Weeeell…” he began, stretching the word meaningfully as he gave her a little size-up. “Such piercings can be entertaining, I should say. But if someone misuses them, you have a giant hole in your tongue someday… and that might be quite unattractive.”

[LARIA MACKENZIE]

A mischievous grin lit up Laria's face at Jed's retorts. The boy was sharp as a tack, as always, and she was rather enjoying their flirtatious banter. Careful now, an inner voice warned Laria, You know you're playing with fire – don't get too close! Laria pushed that thought away too, she was enjoying herself far too much. Laria was also aware of the Ravenclaws around them listening in to their conversation. Stuff them, she thought fiercely, If they're taking the time to eavesdrop, I might as well give them something juicy to talk about.

“It's true, it could be an utter disaster, but I'm thinking that, if I live long enough to tire of it, it's nothing that a quick trip to St. Mungo's wouldn't fix,” Laria pushed her plate away, her appetite had left her, and flashed Jed a cheeky smile, “I mean, have you ever kissed a girl with a pierced tongue?”

Laria looked at her friend expectantly, a wicked expression on her face. Give him a moment, let him think about it. Then she continued before he had a chance to reply. Bringing her face closer to his she said in a low, conspiratorial voice, “I have and it was... intense, to say the least.”

Laria shot Jed a sultry look before glancing away, focusing instead on her discarded book. Reaching out, Laria drew the book closer to her, not because she had any intention of reading it, but rather to give her something to do. She gazed at the cover but didn't really take it in - this charade would buy her a few moments to gather herself. Jed was having an effect on her, as much as she was loath to admit it. Nothing I can't handle though, Laria thought to herself and turned back to him.

“You honestly believe you could handle me?” she asked genuinely enough, arching an eyebrow and then added, with a small, nonchalant shrug, “I guess some like it hot.”

Laria reached out, picking up her mug of tea. She had to stay on top of this conversation and keep Jed on his toes, but it was steering into dangerous territory. Laria risked a quick glance over at her friend, taking in his features - the line of his jaw, his grey-green eyes and the soft hair that was just the right length and cut for his face. I'm Pandora and he's the damn box, she thought and, somehow, it seemed the perfect metaphor, I've got to tread carefully.

[JEDEDIAH CHAMBERS]

Now things were getting REALLY juicy, weren’t they, and that before even ten o’clock! What kinds of thoughts people were harbouring in the morning, seriously, it was quite shocking! Sodom and Gomorrah, his father would say. Too bad that Jedediah liked living in those cities of vice… he enjoyed it indeed! And the Whore of Babylon was his best friend, so to speak. No, he had nothing against this talk at all, HE was the one wide awake after all. If someone took offense, well then they just had to swallow it down and deal with it, cause he would not be the one to step down from this rather enticing challenge Laria had presented him. “Magic and its wonders…” he muttered and gave her an approving smirk. “Or you’d just have to find someone with the… skill to not let it come to that.”

Her next words took him a little off guard however, though it might not show other than in the quick battering of an eyelid. He had enough control over his features to not sit there agape, even if he could scarcely believe his ears. Surely Laria had not meant that?! And if she, in fact, HAD, he really had to ask himself what he thought of her now. Was he… more intrigued or mor appalled? Well, even if she hadn’t meant it, he still could take her up on it and tease her. Adventurious Laria… indeed, indeed!
Not removing his face one inch, very comfortable with their proximity and able to handle it – seriously this was HIS game, he excelled at this! – he slowly exhaled, imagining how his breath must tingle on the sensitive skin around her mouth. Oh, she undoubtedly would already imagine how it must be like to kiss him… all girls imagined that, but only the best really came that far. He had his standards after all!

”Kissing girls, are we?” he teased, kept his voice in a low alluring murmur and his eyelids lazily lowered. “Why, Laria-dear, aren’t we up to naughty experimental things?”

Oh, all her coolness she showed, where did she get that from?! Had she maybe been studying him more than she let on, as she now was trying to beat him with his own weapons? One moment all sultry and suggestive, the next… feigning disinterest and acting all superior. He should laud her for being such a good student, but that would be accepting she had something on him and that could not be! He would not be giving away his own game, not Jed Solly Saddler! “I do not only THINK so, my dear, I know it!” he replied matter of factly, taking another bite of pancakes. No need to forget his breakfast over this entertaining conversation after all. Laria would not fill his grumbling stomach in class!
“And you should know me enough by now that I am not only the definition of hot… I also like to surround myself with it. Like will to like.” He concluded with a cheeky grin. Now let’s see how much of his self-esteem she could swallow, she had clearly asked for this!

[LARIA MACKENZIE]

Laria very nearly flushed at Jed's words. He really was a master at these sorts of fast-paced flirtatious conversations and he really was the definition of hot, though there was no way she would ever willingly admit it to him. Laria was proud of herself for holding her own so well, surely it was much too early in the day for such shenanigans! It was a mess of her own making though and Laria swallowed down the sensation of butterflies that was developing in her belly - she couldn't back down now, even if the delicate feel of his breath on her skin did make her tingle all over.

At least one matter was well and truly settled - Laria was going to pierce her tongue. Heck, she might even do it this very evening. Laria gazed at Jed, wicked thoughts coming to her mind. Whether it was a simple fantasy or an actual plan Laria could not yet tell, but she could see herself sneaking into the sixth year boy's dormitory in the dead of night, drawing back the curtains around Jed's bed and slipping in beside him. He wouldn't know it was her until she kissed him (a certain ball bearing on her tongue would give her identity away) and even then, come morning, would he realise what had happened or would he think it had been a dream? Interesting idea, really. Jed was clearly used to, and very much enjoyed, being the one in control. If Laria were to do this she would be tipping the balance of power in her favour, even if only for a short time.

“I am so very glad that you don't practice Legilimency, Jed,” Laria said in a low voice so that the Ravenclaws around them strained to listen in, they really weren't being that discreet about their eavesdropping, “If you did, I think even you would be shocked at the thoughts that just ran through my mind. As to my adventurous, experimental side,” Laria smiled naughtily, “You really have no idea... or maybe you do. And perhaps someday you will have the good fortune to see, and experience, it first hand.”

Laria resisted the temptation to tug at the collar of her robes, it was getting hot in here or so it seemed to her. Laria poured herself some cold fresh orange juice and took a sip, trying to gather herself once more. This boy was almost certainly bad for her and why, oh why, did that seem to add to the attraction?! Although Laria was always pushing the boundaries, she couldn't deny she pushed them twice as hard when Jed was around. Plus Jed was obviously in complete control of his emotions whereas Laria wasn't sure she could trust herself not to get emotionally invested if something ever happened between them. They were friends, after all. Not huggy-lovey-tell-each-other-secrets-type friends but friends all the same. If something were to happen, could they really go back to that? If Laria could keep her heart out of matters, perhaps.

Damn it Laria, she chastised herself, He is your Pandora's box and you MUST NOT open the box! OK but that didn't mean she couldn't hold the box in her lap, caress its sides and come to the very edge of opening it... did it? This was a dangerous game to play but by God it was exhilarating. For now though it seemed wise to move to a safer topic of discussion, to take this conversation down a notch, if Jed would permit it.

“Do you suppose they will run the Duelling Club again this year?” Laria asked thoughtfully. She had joined the club when it reformed the previous year and had taken to it like a duck to water. Duelling was something Laria excelled at.

[JEDEDIAH CHAMBERS]

Jed was well aware they were giving everyone within a few yards’ radius one hell of a good morning show, but it was not like he would care. He wasn’t so timid as to rather do flirting in private or to think that no one should eavesdrop on what he had to say, in case he made a fool of himself. He knew that would not happen, and he liked the thought of publicity in a way. Laria was a catch, a true challenge, and they were good enough friends to not end up with bloody noses each, should anything go wrong. Though of course it would still be him making HER sweat, there was no doubt of this at all! She was putting on a very brave and clever show, but in the end she would crack just like all the other ladies did. And then he would be there… to savour the remains of her self-control, or so to speak. It was always a pleasure to toy with the girls and watch them getting riper and riper like a delicious fruit, until it was time to pluck them from wherever they had been hiding so far. Getting girls ready for you was an art, Jed firmly believed in that, and he like to think himself a master of this particular art.

On one thing she was right however, he DID want to know the thoughts on her mind right now. He had noticed her eyes to take up a wicked, slightly faraway gleaming, as if she was thinking of things in the future, and it drove him nutty not to be let in on her little secret planning. He would not show that though, oh she was not yet deserving of so much lenience from him! Maybe once they had gone a little… further, he would reward her with taking the lead every once in a while. But not too often… let’s not give her any ideas!
However, there was also the part of him who wondered how well Laria would take to losing… it wouldn’t be the first time ripe fruits turned sour because they were not being okay with being picked… but then, he just had to give her the feeling she was also gaining while losing – and that shouldn’t be so hard, seeing what a catch he was!

Chuckling darkly he accepted her clear challenge with a likewise naughty grin, leaning even a bit closer, until their faces were almost in touching range. “Who, my dear little volcana said I can’t?” Of course he could not, but it would well do to keep her guessing a little. He looked into her eyes quite intently for a moment, as if he truly could read what was behind it… then he let a catlike smirk spready over his face. “Interesting… you just try…” It was a long guess of course, but he was fairly sure she had been thinking about SOME kind of plan involving him in that pretty little head of hers, and so it would not hurt poking in that particular direction. This all was quite pleasantly rousing him, and suddenly a few plans of his own began flittering through his mind. He wondered how she would react, if he were to sneak up on her in a dark corner, trapping her between the cold stone wall and his own lean and warm body…

Focus Jed! He chided himself. This is but a game, and you better not let it get out of hand… let her simmer for a little, maybe then she’ll come to you on her own accord, and you have but to wiggle your little finger…!
Laria was trying to turn the conversation to less … sultry topics now, perhaps in a futile attempt to get off his hook. Was she getting agitated quite so easily? Hmm… well, he would just play with her a little longer and see if she still wanted to respond. The day was long after all, and judging by how it had started, maybe they even had a few exciting days before them!
”I think they might, though it won’t be on a defensive note, I reckon”, he replied, cocking his head a little. Surely, if they only could, the new rulers of Hogwarts would turn them all into little Death Eaters in the making! But then he could not resist bringing a little playful note back into their conversation after all. “Why do you ask? Want to get your butt smacked? You could have that without a dueling club, you know…”

[LARIA MACKENZIE]

When Jed claimed that he could read minds, Laria arched an eyebrow, playfully demonstrating her scepticism - but she was happy to go along with his little game. Sitting there, however, with her face so close to his, Laria had to resist the urge to bite her bottom lip – a nervous habit of hers that rarely raised its head. They were so close, their lips only inches apart, it was dangerously intoxicating - no doubt this was Jed's intention. As his eyes gazed intently into Laria's own, it didn't seem so far-fetched that he really could see into her mind and soul. After all, Jed was a hugely talented wizard for his age and his cocksure manner made it perfectly clear that he was aware of his own capabilities. Laria refused to ever explicitly tell Jed just how impressed she was by him – after all, there were plenty of other girls willing to fawn over him and stroke his ego! But the point of the matter was that, if Jed wanted to develop the power of Legilimency, Laria had no doubt he would be able to... or maybe he already had?

He's just teasing, Laria tried to reassure herself, He can't see a thing. Maybe she was wrong about that, but did it really matter? Either way, she would find out for sure when (no, if – if!) she acted on her fantasy. Trying to show Jed that he hadn't thrown her, Laria brought her face closer to his still – careful now! - and flashed a coquettish smile as she broke her eyes away from his and instead gazed at his lips.

“I hope you enjoyed the show,” Laria said, her voice a low purr, “You may think of it as a premonition. I reckon I will try it - and I dare say you will rather enjoy it.”

Slowly, Laria leaned away, but kept her eyes fixed on her friend. When Jed then mentioned the changes he suspected would come to the Duelling Club, Laria frowned a little. Aggressive, offensive magic was not appealing to her and it hadn't occurred to her that the club would be polluted by the new regime. But of course it would be, everything else had been, and trust Jed to think of that before her! Damn, her one extracurricular activity might have to be ditched this year. What would she put her energy into? Already she studied subjects that fell outside the school curriculum. How was she going to unwind? Well, one option was right in front of her. Laria tilted her head and smiled mischievously. As hard as she was trying to fight it, desire was beginning to bloom. But she couldn't act on it, not really... could she? Jed wasn't a bad guy but he was bound to be bad for her. It was still early in the school year and here she was already scheming to sneak out after dark (into the boys' dormitory no less!) and risk getting caught, all in an effort to take this flirting further and to satisfy her curiosity... but she was young, if you couldn't make mistakes when you were young, when could you? And who was to say for sure that it would be a mistake? Jed seemed the sort who loved the chase best but Laria reckoned she could keep things fresh if they went further... oh heavens! Nothing had happened between them and already she was over-thinking things, her thoughts running away with her. Laria quickly extinguished them and vowed to stop taking herself so seriously, it was rather uncharacteristic of her. What would be would be and she would just have to trust herself and go with her gut feeling - and hopefully have some fun along the way.

When Jed turned her attempts at normal, friendly conversation back into a flirtatious game, Laria seized the opportunity - surely this was an indication he was enjoying himself as much as she was? But at Jed's audacious words an image rose, unbidden, in Laria's mind. Herself, bent over Jed's knee, a devilish smiled on his face and his hand raised... oh my! Then Jed would most certainly be the one in control! His comment had caught her somewhat unaware (part of Laria had assumed their conversation would simply move back onto safer ground) and she was certain that a flash of surprise and desire had glittered momentarily in her eyes.

It certainly felt as though the balance of power was moving in Jed's favour now and Laria couldn't possibly allow that! He wanted to play hard-ball and that was fine with her. So now she inclined her head, as if pondering what Jed had just said.

“Baby, you're bad,” Laria exclaimed breathlessly with a cheeky, disbelieving smile lighting her face, “But, I must confess, that sounds like rather a lot of fun,” Laria now discreetly but purposefully shuffling along the bench closer to Jed so that her shoulder was now touching his, before looking up at him and adding in a confessional, hushed tone, “You'd really have to trust the other person though, don't you think? I'm not sure how I would feel about relinquishing control but it could be rather... liberating.”

There was fire in Jed's eyes, or did she imagine it? And Laria was certain he could see something similar in hers. Without pulling away, Laria pushed the boundaries further by continuing in a flirtatious murmur, “I think I could take you, you know,” pausing a moment to run a fingertip around the rim of her glass, letting her words and their connotation hang in the air for just a moment, before adding coyly, “In a duel, of course.”

[JEDEDIAH CHAMBERS]

A premonition… ah, now he REALLY wanted to know what was on her mind. He could guess the rough direction by how they were talking right now, but he wanted to know the details! Knowledge was a very fickle thing indeed, and those who posessed it had power over the ignorant. Only by pretending that he did know he had kept himself a slim chance of keeping up with Laria, but a little cheating never hurt anyone. All was fair in lust and war after all, and right now they were experiencing a little of both.He watched her gaze drop, and, taking a well-educated guess, thought she must be looking at his lips now. To tease her a little, he let the tip of his tongue wet them, as if by accident, but doing it quite on purpose, playing with the symbolism behind it. She was playing this game expertly, he had to admit it. Had she always been that talented and she had just never shown it to him before… or had he been such an apt teacher? He’d like to think the latter of course, and that as good as she might be, she would never master him. But she was on a good way… undoubtedly.

“Oh I am sure I will enjoy it… and add some of my own ‘numbers’ to the show… let’s just hope you won’t get caught.” Again he was fishing in the dark for what she had meant, but he was quite confident the sentence would fit anyway. Now… would she really go through with whatever she planned. He guessed he would have to wait and see. Not that he would wait FOR her of course, in no way, she shouldn’t think he would be expecting something and be disappointed when it didn’t come. But he could give her a little time to test her courage… and when nothing came of it, he would strike himself.

Ah, he had her now! He could see his turning of the conversation had caught her quite off guard and that she needed a while to think of a reply. Had he ellicited some naughty mental images? Jed couldn’t help but feel extremely smug. This was not how he had planned the morning to go, but he would be the last person to complain about the turn of events.
“And that you only realize now?” he chuckled, also lowering his voice to an alluring whisper. “But bad… you should know, can be good! At least in a few very… important things.” The next moment he would have liked to cry out in triumph, but he held his emotions in check. That was one of the many rules he followed when dealing with girls: showing too much interest in them would make you appear overeager and weak, and that was the last thing he wanted! She was openly talking about losing control now? Well, that meant that inwardly she already had lost much of it… and was toying with the idea of giving herself away, if not for a few instinctive fears.

Oh, yes he knew these fears. It was one of his own, but luckily he so far had never been the one with that problem, since he always had been the one IN control. And it was what all the girls wanted… trust. At least those with some class in their character, the sluts were way beyond wanting anything but the quick fun anyway. It was a critical point, since Jed was no samaritan, and Laria should know him well enough to know that. There was no saying that he wouldn’t spurn her trust. But as long as she still kept coming…
“Until you try, you never know, little volcano”, he teased, looking at her meaningfully. “It’s like dropping off a high cliff. The moment you jump, you lose control. But if you don’t jump, you might call yourself a coward and will always wonder… what if I did it?”

Jed laughed, he couldn’t help it, but it was a warm laugh, not a derisive one. Underneath all the flirtation, he still valued Laria as a spirited friend. “Of course in a duel. But I beg to differ… until of course you prove me wrong. You can always try…” he raised his eyebrows suggestively, taking a piece of scrambled eggs between his fingers and tossing it into his mouth, pointedly licking his fingers. “Yummy…”

[LARIA MACKENZIE]

Laria watched as the tip of Jed's tongue traced over his lips. Attractive, most definitely attractive, but Laria had not been born yesterday and she realised that Jed was almost certainly doing this on purpose. Almost everything that boy did was for his audience, to hold them captive and to increase his desirability. It was something that he was exceptionally good at. Despite this realisation, Laria still briefly considered the sensations that would occur if his tongue were to trace over her lips instead, if his tongue was to meet her own... Oh now stop, Laria! the young Ravenclaw scolded herself, You have to keep a cool head!

“I won't get caught,” Laria said lazily, “Believe it or not, I can have the stealth and prowess of a jungle cat when I want to.” Laria couldn't help but grin, with her loud hair and smart mouth she wasn't one known for being quiet or reserved. But if it meant getting one up on Jed (admittedly in a way that he would rather enjoy) she figured she would be able to make a good go of it.

“Oh, I have always known you were bad. Right from the first moment I laid my eyes on you,” Laria poked her tongue out playfully and gently nudged her friend with her elbow, feeling his muscles even underneath the layers of his robes. Oh yes, over the years she had become well acquainted with Jed's 'bad' side. Bad in the naughty sense, of course, as roguish as Jed might be at times Laria very much doubted that he would be the sort to be bad in a real, wicked, nasty sense. But of course she had no hands-on, personal experience of Jed's sinful side, at least not yet... “It's just that, every now and again, you say something that reminds me of exactly how naughty you are!”

It seemed Jed knew what she was thinking for then he made the metaphor about jumping off a cliff, using his pet-name for her as he did so. Laria swallowed a little, suddenly doubting her earlier conclusion that he could not read her mind. Still, she had best think of something to say in response - and fast! “I am no coward.” Laria murmured, arching an eyebrow, letting Jed work out the fairly obvious implication behind those words. She didn't want to say any more, however, it was best to keep him guessing – a least a little.

Laria's intelligent hazel eyes fell on his fingers as he licked them. There it was again, that tongue. Suddenly the room felt warm again and Laria reached for another sip of cool orange juice. Perhaps she ought to make an excuse to leave the table, to say she had to collect some books from her room before class... but that was much too obvious. It wouldn't do to let him know he was having an effect on her – she would never live it down! Faking a demeanour of nonchalance Laria pulled her extracurricular book back towards her opening it at the earmarked page. Her eyes casually skimmed over the words printed there, reading but not actually absorbing. She could feel Jed's gaze on her but didn't dare look at his face, at least not until she had recovered herself somewhat.

(OOC: Sorry this reply is a bit short, I was running low on muse, but I hope I have given you enough to work with! On the subject of finger-licking, I came across this recently – I think you might rather like it. It makes me melt, Kíli is so fine! XD)