dragon slayers

[Deleted]

Joe didn't care to be at Hogsmeade's Winter Festival. Unfortunately, for Joe, the Fontaine kids weren't allowed to go into Hogsmeade during Winter break unless if an older sibling chaperoned. This year, he was the eldest sibling of the bunch, so he had to take responsibility for his younger brothers and sister. At first, Joe said 'no' altogether. He wanted to stay home and play his Xbox, and he wanted to stay as far away from Hogwarts as possible...but Ashley blackmailed him into getting her way. Again.

Yeah, right, as if Joe was going to stick by his little sisters side the entire time... Nope. He didn't have any clue what his little sister was so persistent to do in Hogsmeade today, and to be honest, he didn't care. He had other spontaneous plans he wanted to pursue. Joe was hoping that he would run into someone from school, or better yet, Dominque. He was truly hoping for the latter option, but he wasn't going to get his hopes up. Within the past couple of weeks, he found himself talking to the older girl quite frequently. He had a lot of fun hanging out and flirting with her, it was always a good time. Since they got along so well, he asked her to be his date to his families annual New Years party that was happening in a couple of days. Joe was looking forward to it. He wasn't sure what he was looking for when it came to romance, all he wanted was to have a good time, and to see what happened.

Luckily, Joe spotted Dom in the crowd almost immediately. Her head of ginger hair was practically impossible to miss. Thank Merlin for that. Funnily enough, he recognized her from behind. He already knew that cute frame...but the red hair was the dead giveaway at this point.

Snow crunched under his feet as Joe took a couple of steps toward the radiant redhead, stopping behind her suddenly. He pressed against Doms back to play up the extreme 'creep' role. "Hey, pretty lady..." he breathed in the creepiest voice that he could muster, directly into her ear, taking extra effort to blow hot breathe on her. Dom was a funny girl, he knew that she could take a joke. It would be funny to see how she reacted.

@dominique

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Dom loved the winter festival. She went every year and had a blast. She'd come with Ethan a few times, she'd come with Riley. This year she was on her own. In all honesty, she thought she was working this morning. She went to Honeydukes, a little disappointed, but ready for a day at work. When she walked in, however, it was to find that she'd read the schedule wrong. She didn't have to work! Dom left the store quickly, grinning as she walked outside into the crisp winter air. 

The street was crowded with people, all looking at the little booths and getting food and laughing together. She smiled to herself, not quite sure where she wanted to start. Should she go to the ice rink or the ferris wheel or try something new out altogether? She was looking up at other people, trying to decide how busy everything was going to be. She froze when someone moved close behind her, breathing on her ear and calling her a pretty lady. Her elbow instantly flew backwards hard, where she knocked his stomach twice. She spun around, pulling out her wand and pointing it right in his face. "Now you watch what you're doing budd- Joe?!?" Dom's eyes widened when she recognized him, her mouth dropping open. She moved closer, putting an hand on his shoulder. "Joe, I am so sorry! Are you okay?" 

@joseph

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Joe should have known better than to approach a girl from behind like a creep whom he barely knew to begin with. Today, he would learn.

As Joe earned a first, and then second jab to the stomach, he faltered slightly to the ground. He caught himself with his hands on his knees, sending air through his nostrils with a grunt. "Oh--F-" he went cross eyed from the blows, instantly grabbing his stomach with his hands. As he cocked his face back up with a grimace to look at Dom, he breathed, "Sorry, I probably shouldn't have done that." Joe said with jagged breaths, unable to hide the laughs that would come out. "I didn't know you were a trained assassin." he forced a smile, trying to regain his stance on his own two feet. That hurt like Hell.

@dominique

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Once Dom realized who her "creeper" was, she couldn't help but feel guilty. Turning around to see the handsome American- who'd taken to teasing and flirting with her whenever he ran into her- crouched over, holding her stomach was not quite the sight Dom wanted to see. "Merlin, Joe, I'm sorry," she repeated, actually meaning it. Most of the time Dom's apologies weren't quite sincere, but she hadn't meant to hurt a friend. She gave a breathy laugh when he looked up at her, saying he probably shouldn't have done that. Dom didn't have anything to say to that. She'd attack anyone that approached her from behind, unless she knew who it was. If only she'd realized it was Joe, that would have made things entirely different. Now she just felt bad. She extended a hand to try and help him when he started trying to straighten up. He teased her about being an assassin and Dom shrugged a little, smiling too innocently. "Not quite ... but at least you know I can defend myself?" She laughed nervously. "Hey, do you need to sit down? There's a bench over there ... I can get you some hot chocolate or something?" Maybe she was going overboard in trying to help now, but Dom actually did feel bad. She didn't like hurting people, especially people she liked! Hopefully Joe would understand and wouldn't be too annoyed at her ... though it was his fault, so if he did get bad she could argue with that. 

@joseph

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The pain in his stomach was intense, but it was slowly fading away after seeing the look on Dom’s face transform into a look of concern as he hunched over. Joe didn’t want her feeling bad for him. He was no wuss. If anything he wanted the redhead in front of him to think he was mister macho man. Joe forced a smile, waving away her apologies and hot chocolate offerings, ”Nah, don’t worry about it, Dom, I practically asked for it. ” Joe reassured her, rolling his eye balls to the back of his head for his own stupidity. "But, oh my God! You've got some boney-ass elbows." He exclaimed, his eyes animatedly widening, then narrowing, at her elbows before giving one of them a cautious poke. Joe was trying to lighten the situation; he really didn't want her to feel bad.

A good thing for Joe was that he was used to getting hit from playing contact sports starting at a young age. Unfortunately, today, he was completely unprepared for those aggressive jabs to the stomach. He was relieved that he hadn’t just eaten, or else he probably would have puked on Dom. 

Joe shot her a pearly white smile, "You here with anyone?" he asked her, trying to feign nonchalance. Joe didn't know if she was with her gal pals, family, or maybe a some guy. Joe hit her with the question because if she wasn't with anyone he'd tag along with her at this stupid festival. Dom knew how to make things fun.

@dominique

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Joe smiled at her as he stood up straighter and Dom watched him carefully. He might be the type that wouldn't admit if he was really hurting, she wasn't sure if he was or not. Still ... it was just her elbows. How much harm could she have done, really? He said he practically asked for it and she couldn't help but smirk a little. "Well, I mean you did approach me unannounced," she agreed, a slight smile crossing her face as her worry started melting away. She laughed at his comment about her elbows. "Hey! They're no bonier than other people's! I'll bet yours aren't much better." He poked her and Dom twisted to the side, trying to see his elbows in retaliation. She was smiling now, glad that he wasn't upset at her. 

He asked if she was here with anyone and Dom shrugged, unconcerned. "Nope!" Then she laughed, "I actually came thinking I was working today, but I have it off so I was trying to decide what to do." She gave him a quizzical look, "What about you? Have plans to meet up with someone?" Dom wanted to tease him about meeting up with some cute girl, but maybe he was here to hang out with a guy friend or something. She'd hold off on that kind of teasing until she knew him better.

@joseph

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Joe chuckled when she twisted to the side, he tried hiding his own elbows in retaliation, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as they teased each other. A part of him really wanted to squeeze her. She was just too cute.

When Dom said that she had come to Hogsmeade thinking she was working today, he let out a laugh, finding it very amusing. Good. She was looking for something to do... it sounded like she was pretty free. Dom asked him if he came with anyone and he shook his head from side to side, unable to hide a smile. "Nope, no plans. My sister forced me to come because my parents wouldn't let her go alone, so I'm not really sure what to do with myself here." Joe said honestly, trying to keep up the easy going attitude. His eyes scanned the winter decor, people, and festive activities that were happening all around them. This wasn't really his style. "You, uhh, you wanna hang out?" he asked with a laugh, a hint of hesitation in his voice, only because he wasn't sure if Dom was down or not. Joe shot her a charming smile, trying to get back to his normal self.


@dominique

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He chuckled at her, but Dom didn't mind. She was used to people laughing around her, often because of her in fact. Dom liked making people laugh. It was something she did quite frequently when she was attending Hogwarts and spent most of her time around stressed students. She didn't get to do that as much now, since she was working and selling candies. She lifted her eyebrows when he said he didn't have any plans, that he just came because of his sister. "Oooh, well I'm going to have to thank her for making you come," Dom teased, "and don't worry, I can definitely show you all sorts of things that you can do with yourself here. It's not all shopping and stuff." He seemed a little nervous or hesitant when he asked Dom if she wanted to hang out. She grinned, "I kind of just assumed we would ... since neither of us have any plans. You think you can handle me for the better part of a day?" she teased. While it was cute seeing Joe all hesitant and stuff, she much preferred the confident version of him. 

@joseph

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Joe could tell that Dom noticed he hesitated a bit. She handled it gracefully, he was relieved that she was so cool about it and didn't really point out his awkwardness. This entire encounter started out weird, but he knew it would turn around. The redhead was already teasing him and commencing the typical banter that they shared whenever they hung out. "I invited you to be my New Years Eve date, so I'm pretty sure I can handle you now." Joe winked at her playfully, trying to redeem his normal flirtatious, confident self. Dom made it too easy to flirt, he was more comfortable the more she talked. Joe turned to Dom with a smile to match hers, looping a warm arm through hers to pull her closer to him, "Alright. Show me some enticing winter activities, then." Joe challenged her. Up for whatever she threw his way. He was glad that he got to see Dom again before the New Years Eve party.

@dominique

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Dom laughed when Joe said that he was pretty sure he could handle her, since he invited her to be his New Year's Eve date. She cocked her head to the side, looking up at him. "Are you sure about that? I mean, you've hardly spent more than two hours worth of time with me in all the time we've known one another. Maybe after today you'll realize that you don't want to spend New Year's with me ..." she trailed off, biting her lip and furrowing her brows a little, as if she were worried. She wasn't really. Joe knew how to take a good joke. She could tell that much from the time they'd spent together so far. He was fun and Dom was sure that wouldn't wear off after a few hours. And if it did ... well they could spend some time with other people at his party. Hopefully that would do the trick, if it was necessary. She was hoping that it wouldn't be though. 

He pulled her closer to him, linking their arms and Dom giggled. "Well it depends on what you want," she started as she began walking, pulling him along with her. "There are carriage rides and a ferris wheel," Dom glanced over and winked at him before thinking a second longer. "And there's an ice rink. A place for food and another for drinks- they're exclusively here for the festival, mind you," she added, shaking her finger at him as though lecturing him. "I think they have an annual snowball fight sometime ... and then there are all the shops. So where do you want to start?" She could let him choose something first. Then Dom would take a turn, as long as he wasn't done with her by then. 

@joseph

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Joe quirked a brow at Dom when she mentioned that they had barely spent two hours together, making a joke that maybe today he'd realize he didn't want her to be his date for the party anymore. Joe shook his head back and forth in disagreement. "I think that's very unlikely." Joe shot a quizzical look her way, "Maybe today you'll realize you don't want to be my date anymore." he joked playfully, offering her a pout. Since they were joking about it, he knew that this wouldn't be possible. 

When she listed off the different activities. He listened with interest, nodding along to her options. Joe was happy doing anything when he had a cutie like Dom on his arm. "Hmm...what about the ferris wheel? Looks like there's no line, and we could get a good view of the place." he gestured toward the large amusement park ride that was bright and glowy against the white winter backdrop. 

@dominique

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Joe obviously didn't think he'd get bored of her. Dom could tell before he even argued out loud, saying it was unlikely. She laughed when he turned the tables on her. "Oh, there's not a chance of that," she answered confidently, tossing her hair behind her shoulder. "See, I'm an excellent judge of character and I happen to like yours so there's no problem on my end." Dom winked at him, glad that he could joke around with this too. He was just proving her right and she appreciated that. 

He nodded as she explained the options, but didn't say anything right away. Dom waited patiently. While she could definitely choose something that would be fun for them, she didn't want to make all the choices. Better to let him start. He mentioned the ferris wheel and she grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "Sure! I haven't been on one of those in ages! Let's get going before everyone else realizes how short that line is," she chuckled, pulling him towards it. Dom wasn't really the type to dawdle. 

They walked right up to the front and Dom gave the guy a coin before walking forward. She had to wait for the operator to let them in, but she slid into place easily, smiling over at Joe. "Are you ready for this?" she asked. "Wait. You're okay with heights, right?" Sure he suggested the ride, but sometimes people forgot things like that in the moment, especially when they were with someone as fun as Dom. 

@joseph

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It seemed that Dom and Joe were on the same page. They both enjoyed each others company and were magnetically attracted to each other. As she guided him to the ferris wheel and presented the operator with a token, he was about to give her a hard time about it, but he hadn't gotten any riden tokens yet, so he'd let it slide. This time. He smiled graciously and gave her a squeeze. When the redhead questioned him about heights, his lips pulled upwards slightly, "I love heights." Joe confessed. He had always been a thrill seeker. Heights was his favorite part about playing quidditch. Heights and hitting people. Joe narrowed his green eyes at her with a flicker in his eyes, "Are you sure you're okay with heights? You tryin' to back out on me now?" he teased playfully with a surprised look, nudging her as they started to load their passenger car. Dom was the fearless type, like him, but he would definitely joke about it like back at the Shrieking Shack. "It's okay... if you're too scared, you can hold onto me.." he joked salaciously, waggling his eyebrows at her.  It was officially a recurring joke with them. Joe offered Dom a gentlemanly hand so that she could step onto the car.

@dominique

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Spending this time with Joe was so much fun. He easily went with her to the ferris wheel, his smile turning somewhat mischievous when he said that he loved heights. "Oh yeah? Is there something about you and heights that I need to know?" she teased, looking him up and down with a glint in her eye. "Or are you one of those crazy thrill seekers?" She certainly was, but she didn't have to tell him that unless he was too. He asked how she felt about heights and Dom chuckled, sidling up to him a little bit. "I like heights, but even if I didn't I wouldn't try to use it to back out on your." She winked at him, loving the playful banter between the two of them. She grinned, "So I can't hold onto you unless I am scared?" Dom asked, wiggling her eyebrows at him and taking his hand to help her into the car. She scooted over, patting the spot next to her and smiling over at him. "You're coming, right?" Dom teased, waiting for him to join her so the attendant could close the passenger car

@joseph

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Joe smirked when Dom looked him up and down, questioning him about his thrill seeker ways. Joe snorted, refusing to answer the question. He was a definite thrill seeker, but he loved flying because of heights, they went hand in hand. Joe loved how flirty Dom was being, immediately playing along at his flirty comment directed at her. As Joe slid onto the car, he scooted directly next to her, cradling an arm right behind her back. "You're welcome to hold onto me whenever you please." Joe invited jokingly, offering her a squeeze to the side. He liked the feeling of having Dom close. She was warm and flirty, hanging out with her was so easy. Especially when she wasn't using her karate moves against him. He waggled his eyebrows, "Just don't be alarmed if I hold you back." Joe said salaciously, enjoying his play on words. Depending on how this ferris wheel ride went, maybe he'd be able to steal another kiss from the redhead.

@dominique