tone it down a bit.

[Aiden Neeson]

you're making it really hard for me to actively not pay attention in class with your hand shooting up into the air to answer a question every minute.

respectively concerned,

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[Serena Lovelace]

Well, some of us actually study, Mr. Neeson. And who says you're paying attention? I don't see you taking notes or answering questions. Leave me be. I'm simply doing my part to be a good student and you may do well to learn from my example.

[Aiden Neeson]

A smirk threatened to break across his face as he glanced up at the back of the younger girl's head, causing Aiden to lick his lips in an attempt to suppress it. Scrawling back an answer, he leaned forward onto his elbows, flicking a lock of her hair with the tolled up piece of parchment as he passed it back over her shoulder.

little miss lovelace i am absolutely shocked and befuddled that you think so low of my academic drive. one of the many perks of being me is that i don't need to study or pay attention.

i learn everything by osmosis.

i'm actually concerned that you're disparaging the rest of us by acting a bit too Ravenclawic. do mind your pureblood manners. maybe insult someone's shoes, that'll make me feel better.

most humbly yours,

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[Serena Lovelace]

Serena tries to ignore the tiny flick of her hair, yet it gets to her and she lets out a tiny, frustrated huff before reaching back and snatching the paper from behind her. She unravels it and scoffs so loudly she almost catches the professor's attention, but Serena bows her head quickly before he draws his eyes to her and pens a reply.

Don't be cocky, Mr. Neeson, it isn't polite. Only those of us who actually participate in class are allowed the luxury of being arrogant, and that is a luxury I intend to enjoy, whether you like it or not. You want me to insult someone's shoes? Alright.

Well, yours are clearly last season.

[Aiden Neeson]

Eyes quickly scanning the parchment, Aiden rolled his eyes dramatically. He then, not to subtly, kicked up his feet, resting his heels on the side of her seat, obviously so she could get a better look at them.

maybe you need a closer look but these are the highest quality Antipodean Opaleye dragon hide shoes. they cost more than the livelihood of most of the students in this class. i think Fehlandt could back me up on this one, he is a professional after all. they still have that freshly tanned hide smell, don't they?

even if they are from summer's collection.

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[Serena Lovelace]

Serena wrinkles her nose and stares down in horror at Aiden's shoes propped up near her desk. The audacity! The nerve! She quickly pens a response and shoves it back behind her, not caring if it falls on the floor or hits him in the face.

Feet. Off. Now.

[Aiden Neeson]

Aiden had to smooth his hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh and try to hide his smirk at her reaction. He was still distracted when the piece of parchment flew back over her shoulder, bouncing off his nose and effectively cutting off his suppressed chuckles.

Rude.

But he put his shoes back on the floor anyways.

it is absolutely adorable when you get your feathers all ruffled like that, really. that murderous glare really brings out the color of your eyes.

i didn't get dungeon dirt on your skirt, did i?

[Serena Lovelace]

Adorable. Adorable. Aiden Neeson called her adorable! She stifles a blush and shakes her head to counter a small tremor, completely caught off guard by his compliment. Of course it occurred to her that he may be messing with her, but... her better nature instructed her to believe that most pureblood gentlemen, no matter how smug and bothersome they may be, indeed meant the best toward pureblood ladies. So she took it as such and penned a reply.

Have you been traipsing around in the dungeons, then? Of course many of our classes are there, not to mention our dormitories, but really – it's so much easier to invest in two pairs of shoes, one which you wear down there and one which you wear up here. No doubt you could afford such.

[Aiden Neeson]

Aiden propped his left elbow up on his desk, leaning his mouth and chin against his hand as he pretended to be interested in what the professor was saying. Which he happened to not be very good at today. He grinned into his palm, however, when she passed the note back to him. Serena was one of those girls whose moods seemed to jump back and forth pretty easily.

"traipsing" could be a word for it, sure. plenty enough to do down there if you know where to go.

that seems like a whole lot of effort just to keep my shoes clean. i'd rather buy a new pair every week or so. in fact, thank you for reminding me. i really should invest in a new pair. i could also use some new cologne, i don't think this one does me much justice. what do you think?

[Serena Lovelace]

A new pair of shoes every week? Well, that seems a bit excessive. But if Aiden Neeson can afford to be excessive then Serena's interest in him is even more piqued. She considers his words and upon reaching the last of them gapes – asking her for advice on his cologne? How marvelous! How unprecedented! Suddenly Serena feels quite like a dutiful little Pureblood wife helping her husband get dressed in the morning. This conversation of theirs has certainly taken an intimate turn and she can't say she's unhappy about it. Quite the opposite, she thinks, with a little smirk. She decides to push it to the next level.

Well, sir, if you must know, your taste in shoes is rather sub-par. If you're serious about purchasing a new pair every week or so you might do well to bring someone along who knows best what will suit you – a lady, perhaps, since a lady always knows best.

Your cologne is passing, to the unrefined nose. You would do better with a darker scent.

[Aiden Neeson]

Aiden considered the note for a moment, obviously seeing where this was headed. He was, after all, a master manipulator and could spot out someone else's efforts from a mile away. He smirked. What harm could it possibly do?

how embarrassing. you make a valid point, i guess i need someone to show me the error of my ways who happens to be fully versed in high end fashion. and cologne. do you know anyone who fits that description?

[Serena Lovelace]

And he's taken the bait! Oh, how delightful! Serena can barely sit still in her seat as she reads his reply, bouncing her feet up and down (discretely, of course) beneath her chair. She is going to go shopping with Aiden Neeson! Like a real Pureblood society wife! Oh – but she mustn't get ahead of herself. He hasn't asked her yet, even though she's absolutely sure he will. Serena thinks of what Vivi might do in a situation like this, to ensure she has his undivided attention. Yes, she's sure he'll ask her, as it was her idea after all, but she thinks she remembers her mother saying a lady must always take extra precautions, to be safe. So what can she do? Hmm. Oh! of course! When in doubt, play the humility card. It always proves successful.

There are many Pureblood ladies who would be more than willing to show you around, should you extend the offer. There's Genevieve Sauveterre, and Cissa Black, and Tori MacMillan, and.. well, I suppose there's always me, too, should you run out of other options.

[Aiden Neeson]

What a Slytherin Pureblood Elitest in the making. Couple of more years of practice with some victims a bit more braindead than himself and she could have the run of things around here.

Sauveterre hasn't an ounce of fashion sense, i'd rather kiss a dementor than spend any amount of time alone with Black and MacMillan and i don't see eye-to-eye. honestly, i think you might be stuck with me for this one.

[Serena Lovelace]

Her victory is complete.

I do think I can manage to fit you into my schedule.

[Aiden Neeson]

brilliant. next's Hogsmeade trip then?