Midnight Surprise, `Tam`/`Mimi` <3

[Brianna Cortez]

It had been a long night for Bree, but oddly enough she felt awake and full of energy. She had just finished another prefect round that had been filled with interesting encounters and she was now waiting to meet Tam for a surprise outing. She didn't know where Tam was going to take her, except that it would be a complete surprise -- duh! -- and that she should dress warm. The blue eyed girl could dress warm, certainly, but the surprise part was sending a mob of butterflies stampeding around in her stomach. The anticipation of a surprise had always made her feel like this ever since she could remember. The badger supposed it came down to the fact that she was impatient about finding things out. For that, she always jokingly blamed her father for passing down the gene through to her; her dad had always hated surprises too, except that he would bug someone persistently until they gave in. Brianna, on the other hand, was just filled with the constant mob of butterflies and an inability to stay still for long.

For the moment though, all the badger could do was revisit in her mind the first time she and Tam had met. Thinking back on it now, Bree was slightly embarrassed that he had come across her crying, but he had been so nice and attentive about it all that it brought about a slight warm feeling in her. The memory of having so much fun with him always brought that warm feeling inside her and she had finally figured out that it was because she liked Tam. She was embarrassed to admit that it had taken her a while to figure that out, but she was rather naive and slow to pick up on her feelings sometimes. Her fondest memory of that night, aside from her discovery that adrenaline had become like a new drug to her, was holding hands with Tam for half the night. Even thinking about it now, made her hand ache to hold his again and although no one was around to even hear what she was thinking, Bree still blushed deeply at the thought. It was a rather strange concept to her, liking a guy in this way but at the very least, she didn’t feel ashamed at it. Just that it was rather like an exciting new adventure.

Looking high above her, Bree noticed that the clock tower was ticking closer to time they had to meet and consciously, the badger started fiddling with her hair and clothes to make sure she looked nice. She had decided before her prefect rounds that she would not change in between the end of the round and their meeting time. It was just a lot easier for her, but more importantly at the same time, if she didn’t liked what she was wearing then she would have had a bit of time to change. Her jeans, boots and nice top were all covered by a floor length woolly robe that her parents had given to her as a gift for the upcoming winter. Brianna was wearing it because firstly it was warm and secondly, it was one of the nicest things she owned. And to put it frankly, the fifteen year old wanted to look nice when she saw Tam again. Thinking about him made the mob of butterflies in her stomach roar a bit more as she waited in anticipation of, hopefully, a good night out.

[+ Tomas Findlay]

Tam, quite frankly, had always been uncontainable. This was true about him whether the word was in reference to the Head Boy out on the Quidditch field, or sitting in class, not quite quietly. And if that was what he was like when he didn't want to be somewhere, it was only fitting that now, when he was looking forward to tonight's events, the Gryffindor would be...well, uncontainable wouldn't be the proper word then. Atomic would probably be a good word to apply to it, if one were to believe Jamie's definition of it. Tam's older brother had spent the summer reading about nuclear energy, strangely convinced that the world would end in a mushroom cloud, much to Tam's disdain and teasing and his father's questions about what this Muggle phenomenon even was, and as he had explained to Tam, when subatomic particles hit each other, the results were usually less than pleasant, and quite explosive. But surely nothing bad would happen tonight besides Tam being excited. The only thing that might tip him over the edge would be a kiss of some sort, and Tam was pretty certain that wouldn't happen tonight. But for now, the Gryffindor just concentrated on the basket in front of him, various foods and a blanket and all sorts of other small things that Tam had just stuffed in there, to amuse Bree if needed.

Bree. Bree. Brianna Cortez.

It was a bit of a surprise to Tam that his heart jumped at her name, especially because they hadn't even known each other that long. But that midnight excursion that they had had was still quite memorable in Tam's mind, and he couldn't help but smile as he remembered how their hands had linked together, entwined together as they yelled and screamed in pleasure. Amusement park rides in the middle of Hogwarts, giant staircases, and mattresses were all things Tam looked at fondly now. And today--this midnight picnic, which had been quite the ingenious plan, if the fourth-year might say so himself, would just be another pleasant memory to add to their friendship. With a final grin, Tam stood up, the basket securely stuffed and fastened. Tam himself threw on a sweatshirt before he left...but then he paused at the door. He should look nicer, right? After all, there were some of those fancy sparkling juice glasses in the picnic basket, and it wouldn't be very becoming of him to dress like a slob. It would just be the two of them, after all...he wanted to make a good impression. Once more, the boy's heart jumped. What was he saying now, about good impressions and dressing? It wasn't like they were going on a date, or anything. Right? The boy bit his lip, frowning, before setting the basket back down, and digging through his corner of the fourth-year dorms, pulling out a slightly wrinkled red button-up shirt, and replacing his t-shirt and sweatshirt for it and a nicer jacket.

Finally ready, Tam made his way down Gryffindor tower, his heartbeat loud in his chest, face flush, basket in hand. He made his way down to their meeting spot--the Great Hall, where no one would think twice about seeing a prefect and the Head Boy, if anyone was still up at this hour--and spotted Bree, already there, waiting. "Hey," Tam called, his voice coming out louder and slightly more nervous than he had expected, a grin spreading out over his face regardless, "I'm glad you made it." He paused, and then, as if his brain were speaking without consulting his lips, "I missed you." The boy really blushed as the words left his mouth, and then he cleared his throat, glancing down at the basket in his hands. "We're going on a picnic!" Tam said then, trying to build up his excitement and hide his embarassment. Why was he like this? It hadn't been like this at all the last time they had been out at night. This was supposed to be fun, not awkward. The Head Boy frowned at himself, much like he would have done after missing the Quaffle in a Quidditch game, and then took a deep breath, smiling brightly. "Ready to have some fun?"

[Brianna Cortez]

As the cool air flew about her, Brianna had started bouncing back on the balls of her feet whilst straining to see or hear any sign of Tam. Something inside her really wanted to see him now and she felt like a little child again, ready to throw a fit that she wasn't getting her way. But before she could embarrass herself in front of nobody, fate intervened and Tam finally arrived. With a basket. She had a sneaky suspicion about what Tam was planning, but she kept quiet and went about biting her lip, as the badger was wont to do when she was feeling happy but not sure how to fully express it. Then, like an elephant had come stampeding into the corner of the courtyard, Bree started feeling awkward and unsure of what to do aside from standing like a dork, biting her lip. She was really happy to finally see Tam but she didn't know what to say now! Hello? How are you? Is it bad of me that I've just been wanting to be near you every day for the past few weeks?. No, that was definitely something she wasn't about to say. But then when he admitted that he missed her, a flame warmed her insides. "Really?" Brianna said almost too happily, "Because I've missed you too," she gushed out before she could think about what she was saying.

Then all of a sudden, she was feeling embarrassed and red in the face. But then she noticed that Tam was blushing and had a feeling that they were both just embarrassed and feeling awkward because they had both felt the same way. This was one of those moments that Brianna wished she were more experienced so she would know what to do. But then if she were more experienced, then she wouldn't be feeling in awe and happy at how amazing and new this all felt to her. "A picnic?!" So her suspicions were right but that didn’t dampen her excitement any less. She clapped her hands in glee. "I love picnics! This is going to be so awesome!" the badger said with a large smile. Although she still felt embarrassed at how she had gushed out before, Bree was really glad to see Tam at last. It was like the days that had passed since their first and latest outing had all been forgotten in his presence. “I’m so glad you decided to bring me on one tonight,” the badger said happily. Without thinking it through, the blue eyed girl wrapped her arms around Tam’s neck to give him a hug as her way of thanking him before it all began. But upon realising that she had done that, the girl froze and she wondered if this was too weird for him or not.

On her part it felt quite natural to be hugging Tam. After all, it felt like a step up from them holding hands on the night they met. But considering this was technically the second time they’ve met, but not the second time they’ve talked, the badger didn’t really know how Tam would react. Merlin, she didn’t know how to react now that she went and hugged him. It wasn’t like this was the first time she had hugged someone without warning. She did it all the time around her family and closest friends and sometimes even with people she didn’t know. So why was she fretting over what her hug meant to Tam? Before it felt too awkward, Bree pulled back and grinned shyly up at Tam. “Thank you,” she muttered before looking down at the ground whilst blushing. “A picnic is just what I need,” she mumbled before shaking it all off, trying to act normal. “Shall we get to it?”

[+ Tomas Findlay]

Her buoyancy lifted him up as well. Her smile was infectious, and Tam was very glad that he had decided to take Bree on a midnight picnic. The grin that spread over Tam's face was like a sudden crack in the earth--surprising, slightly frightening, and altogether quite awesome. Bree made him feel so....excited. There was something about her that just brought out the energy in Tam, the freshness and intensity that he thought he had lost after Misa. Not, of course, that Tam felt the same thing for Bree as he did for Misa--unless he did, for Tam wasn't quite sure exactly what he felt right now anyways--but there was definitely something there, although he didn't know what something comprised of. It was light and airy and protective-feeling, and his smile meeting hers, and the way her eyes sparkled and the way everything just was when they were together. It was why he had been so eager in the first place to come out tonight, and it was the reason he had taken a bit more care than usual with the way he dressed. It was something Tam Findlay couldn't quite place yet...but it was there.

And there was still the matter of his heart, after all. His heart, thumping loudly in his chest as Bree threw her arms around his neck. Tam didn't think twice anyways, however. His hands went automatically around her as well, picnic basket and all, and he smiled, squeezing her as he returned her gesture of affection. The grin on his face split even wider, if that was possible. It wasn't until she pulled away that the grin dimmed a little, and Tam felt a little awkward, as she surely did as well. He wouldn't have minded at all her hug, if she hadn't pulled away, which clearly was making both of them think twice. But it just felt natural, and Tam wanted to hug Bree, to hold her hand as they had that last time at midnight, hands intertwined tightly as they made their way down the Room of Requirement on a mattress. That was the life. That was the type of stuff the Gryffindor loved, loved to do with his friends. Bree was his friend. It was exactly right for him to want to spend time with her and feel excited and happy.

"I'm glad," he said softly in reply, the grin fading into a gentler smile. "I was hoping you'd like the idea." He hesitated as well, before reaching out for her hand, to intertwine with his once more. It felt right, after all. It was right. Tam knew it, deep inside of him. "Let's get going," he agreed, "we're going out next to the lake. It's really pretty there at night ,and the moon is nice tonight, and you can see all the stars." The smile widened briefly once more, "I'm really sure you'll love it."

[Brianna Cortez]

_{(replying because I don't like to have unreplied threads lingering -glares at ocd-)}

The euphoria Bree felt when Tam wrapped his arms around her was so much better than any other feeling in the world. It was uplifting, blissful, and every other related word in a thesaurus. Perhaps to others it may seem like she was over exaggerating a bit, but to a girl who had very little experience when it came to boys it felt normal. Her smile widened even more -- if that were possible – as she felt his arms squeezing her and she could feel her own heart beating. The badger briefly shut her eyes, resting her head on his shoulders for a moment before she realised this may have been just a tad awkward. The loss of warmth she felt when she pulled away was noticeable and Brianna wanted to rub her arms to warm up. In doing so though, she would have felt a bit exposed because she feared it might have shown to him just how much she wanted to keep on hugging him. At least that’s what she thought in her own mind.

When they were talking, Brianna didn’t notice Tam’s hand creeping along until she felt warmth surrounding her own hand. Looking down, she realised it was his hand and without a second thought the badger tightened her grip on his hand, feeling even happier than before. It just felt right and natural to be doing that. The hand holding brought back memories of the fateful night they met. He had treated her with kindness when she had been at her weakest and since then, fun had come out of their meetings and smiles out of their conversations. At the very least that was how she felt. Besides, Tam’s hand felt like it was shaped to fit her hand.

It was a little bit cheesy when one thought about it, but sometimes you just knew it was right, cheese be damned. “I can’t wait,” she breathed out, as they set forth towards the lake. A night spent in his company under the stars and eating by the lake sounded like the most romantic thing she had ever heard. Certainly it was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her and deep down, Brianna knew she was going to cherish this night forever. As they made their way down, Brianna fell silent but it wasn’t the awkward silent. It was more the comfortable silence. She enjoyed the feeling of being connected to Tam once again by their hands. She enjoyed the feeling of her arm accidentally brushing against his. Basically, she enjoyed being near him and doing nothing except feeling content.