Like A Shooting Star (Gilderoy)

[Deleted]

Feb. 14, 2025

Okay. The Valentine's Dance that Gilderoy told her about months ago was finally here. Kinsey was actually surprised that Gilderoy was able to convinced the staff to go along with his plans. When they talked about it at the Halloween Party, she seriously thought that he was exaggerating. All it took was one look around the Great Hall to see that he'd brought his image of a masquerade ball to life. Kinsey still wasn't sure how she felt about it. She came, partly because she promised Gilderoy she would if he actually did it, but also partly because she hoped to be able to sneak a dance with Riley. 

However, the first person she saw when she walked into the Great Hall was definitely Gilderoy. Even with the mask and everything, she could tell it was him. Maybe it was because she could sense his intentions, his desire for everyone to have a good time. Either way, Kinsey made her way towards him. She wasn't exactly sure if Gilderoy would notice her or if he'd be too distracted with all his other guests. Still, she did owe him a dance. When she got close, she offered a little wave. If he noticed her, she'd come closer. If not, she'd do something else. 

@lockhart

[Deleted]

Gilderoy was there as his masquerade party began, he both had to and wanted to be there first thing. There was always the desire to wait and not be the first to walk into a party or event but this was different, this was his party after all. He had put all this together, He had even thought of putting up some stuff with him on it. He decided against it as this was a party about Valentine’s Day and having fun. As much as he was the one putting a lot of this together it was more for the people who came and not him. Also, the fact that he hoped this would be a party students talked about for some time to come and who had made it all happen, himself.

As people started to come into the Great Hall Gilderoy got a kick out of how some decorated their masks. He was still impressed with how they worked. He could take a couple guesses on who was who but there wasn’t much of way to be sure thanks to the charms put in place. Watching on as people spread out he was just happy with himself and how this was all turning out. Surveying the room he found one person standing nearby who waved as she looked toward him. Again, the masks while fun made sure that he couldn’t be one hundred percent on who it was behind the mask Still based on height, figure and hair color he had a good idea who it was. The masks couldn’t disguise someone completely, just made it harder. Gilderoy walked closer and smiled, “well don’t you look amazing mysterious stranger.” He stayed once Gilderoy was closer. “I’m glad you decided to come Kinsey and not just because you owe me a dance.” Was added with a laugh.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey wasn't super surprised when Gilderoy approached her after her little wave, but she hadn't thought he'd approach her so soon. When she thought him she thought he was busy with all those people around him. Apparently not. Still, she smiled when he approached and complimented her. "You look really well yourself," she answered, glad that the mask covered most of her cheeks. He shouldn't be able to see her blush, which Kinsey definitely considered a good thing. He said he was glad she came and Kinsey shrugged. "How could I stay away? You made the biggest Valentine's party in Hogwarts history, I'm sure. I couldn't miss the chance to witness this." She chuckled a little, "Though your added note onto my invitation was also a good idea to convince me to come," she added. Knowing that Gilderoy hadn't forgotten she promised to dance with him made Kinsey feel like she needed to come. She glanced around the room, "It looks like you have a really good turnout too. So many people are here." It was a good thing she had a handle on her abilities now. It meant she'd be able to stay for a lot more of the party, at least. 

@lockhart

[Deleted]

Gilderoy smiled as Kinsey complimented him back. Of course he had to look good, which wasn’t hard but he still had to put in some effort. This was his party after all, everything needed to be perfect including himself. “Thanks for noticing.” Gilderoy said joking for a moment. Kinsey commented about having to come to the Valentine’s Day party as it was the biggest one ever and she couldn’t miss that. “Well I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you there, I can’t imagine it getting much better than this and as long as no one ever does have a bigger one I can always have that title after I leave hogwarts.” Gilderoy explained as he was hopeful and a little proud in being remembered for the best Valentine’s Day party this school had ever seen. “Eventually you’ll learn that all my ideas are good ideas.” He teased as Kinsey explained bringing up the dance they owed one another was another reason she came.

As Kinsey pointed out just how many people had arrived for his party Gilderoy looked around and nodded. “Yeah, I don’t want to say I’m surprised because of course I knew it was going to be this big but seeing it in person is another thing.” Gilderoy explained with a laugh as this was far more than he already had imagined in his head. “I suppose having most of another school with us this year does help with the numbers too.”

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Somehow, talking to Gilderoy wasn't as hard as talking to a lot of other people. Even though the two of them weren't really close, Kinsey appreciated how he reached out to her at the Halloween dance. He'd saved the night, even helped her enjoy herself there and for that she considered him a friend. She smiled, "Well I don't know how you convinced them to let you use the Great Hall, so unless someone else is as charming as you, I can't imagine another party beating this one out." Really it was incredible. She was impressed by how much effort Gilderoy put into this. She laughed, "Well, I don't know how I'm going to learn that unless you keep telling me more of your ideas. Right now I only have proof that one of your ideas is good," she teased back. Kinsey was in a much lighter mood than normal tonight and she was glad for it. 

Even Gilderoy seemed impressed by how many students showed up and Kinsey nodded, "Yeah, it's really cool to see this." She nodded at his comment about another school being here helping. She definitely thought she recognized some people who she believed were Americans. Also, she saw some of them walking around without their masks. "So are you going to dance with me, or was that a ploy to get me here?" Kinsey teased, a little surprised by her forwardness, but oh well. She doubted Gilderoy would judge her for it.

@lockhart

[Deleted]

As Kinsey complimented him about being able to charm his way into using the Great Hall while also doubting anyone else possibly could Gilderoy just smirked for a moment. “I don’t know, keep up with the compliments and I might be worried you’re after my title as most charming.” He teased for a moment. Still he liked to think he might just be the only person to pull something like this off and if so no one could take the title away from him. “You have a point, do remind me to share more ideas with you after tonight. I’ll have to prove that I’m right after all.” Returning her teasing comment with even more the same.

“I’m glad you think so, I’d hate for someone to come through the doors and think it looked like a terrible party.” He commented as he hoped everyone here had felt like Kinsey had when they first came into the Great Hall. It was just the sign of a good party in Gilderoy’s mind. As much as he wanted people to know this party was because of him he more so just wanted it to be an amazing night for everyone. Eventually Kinsey asked if he was actually going to dance with her or if he just used that as a way to get her to come. “Of course, last thing I want to be excused of is leaving a pretty girl waiting at a Valentine’s Day party.” Gilderoy replied with slight smirk as he offered his hand to lead her out further into the dance floor.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey chuckled when Gilderoy teased her about charming him and then rolled her eyes. "I can only charm people like this when we're friends. I definitely wouldn't be able to do it with the teachers, or anyone else in authority," she teased him. Honestly, there were few people she felt comfortable teasing like this, but she was glad Gilderoy was one of them. He was surprisingly easy for her to talk to. She laughed, "I'll do my best to remind you ... you just need to keep on coming up with your ideas. Don't let your abilities slip."

She glanced around the room as she and Gilderoy continued to talk a bit, surprised at how happy everyone around them actually did seem. From the little she'd seen of parties, they seemed to be mostly dramatic places, with things happening left and right and people's intentions all over the place. From what she was seeing now, most everyone had good intentions and was enjoying themselves. Gilderoy definitely had outdone himself and she was happy to see his plans were going well. Kinsey laughed at his response to her teasing question, and then Gildeoy was leading her onto the dance floor. She followed easily, not minding the physical contact with him. His intentions weren't anything but positive, which made it easy for her to be around him. "So are there any specific people you're keeping an eye out for at this party?" Kinsey asked curiously. 

@lockhart

[Deleted]

Kinsey claimed she could only be charming with someone she was friends with and not a teacher. “I don’t know if I should encourage you or not here. On the one hand I get to keep my most charming title and on the other I’d love to see you try and give me a run for my money.” Gilderoy suggested both options with a smirk as he was fine with either outcome but would have been partial to seeing Kinsey attempt it. As they spoke of him having only good ideas and Gilderoy saying he needed to share them more often Kinsey explained she would do her best to remind him as long as he kept the ideas coming. He just laughed and nodded. “You have a point I can’t be letting myself get rusty just because of masquerade party was a success. Do you happen to have a birthday coming up that I should be planning a birthday party for, sounds like a good idea also to me.” Gilderoy said only slightly kidding as he highly doubted Kinsey would want a party like something he would put together for a birthday event. Yet he could be wrong.

Leading Kinsey out to the dance floor she asked if there was anyone in particular he was looking for. “Besides you, you mean?” He asked back with a slight smirk before continuing, “yes and no. There is a few people I’d love to run into and have a dance with but I already planned to dance with half the school.” He explained with a laugh as he looked around the Great Hall once more. “Sadly looking at just how many people showed up I don’t think that is going to happen realistically. At least with me being able to talk tomorrow.” He was only a little disappointed as he had come to realize it but it wasn’t all bad news. It just meant more people had come than he had actually expected. “How about you? As much as I’d like to imagine you only came for our dance I get the feeling you’ll be off looking for someone else eventually.”

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Gilderoy continued to tease her and Kinsey laughed. "Even if I could get myself to charm the teachers, I doubt I'd be able to take your title away from you. You've got way more experience than me." He obviously wanted to see Kinsey try, but how in the world would she charm teachers? "How am I supposed to charm a teacher anyway? What about?" she asked, the question now stuck in her mind. She shook her head, chuckling when he asked about her birthday, "I don't need a party for my birthday, thanks," she told him. She definitely would get overwhelmed if everyone was trying to approach her and wish her happy birthday at a party designed just for her. "I'd love to see you in charge of a party for someone else though." She'd love to attend a party like that for someone else. 

He was such a tease, something that Kinsey appreciated more today than she realized she would. She rolled her eyes when he questioned looking for someone besides her. "You didn't look for me ... I was the one to come up to you," Kinsey pointed out with a smirk. Gilderoy started to answer her question and Kinsey nodded along, chuckling at the look on his face when he admitted he didn't think he'd be able to dance with as many people as he wanted. "Who cares about talking tomorrow? You can just go to class and take notes," she teased, though she was also encouraging him. Why was she doing that? Gilderoy asked her about her plans for the dance and Kinsey blushed and tried to shrug it away. "I ... don't have any specific plans ..." she hesitated. Why couldn't she just say it? It wasn't like Gilderoy didn't already know who she wanted to dance with. "I'm hoping to find someone though," she admitted, not meeting his eyes. "If he's even here," Kinsey added. She didn't know if Riley would even want to come to the dance.

@lockhart

[Deleted]

Gilderoy laughed for a moment as Kinsey said she couldn't never take his title of charming a professor away even if she tried. Asking how she would even go about it if she wanted to. “It’s easier than one might think. Being confident in what your saying and asking for goes a long way. That and a wonderful smile and compliment never hurts.” Gilderoy explained smile still in place, “as for charming them about what who knows? Whatever you want I suppose. That or it’s always handy when you want to avoid a detention if you need too.” Gilderoy added with a quick laugh as he realized what year they were in. “Still it’ll only be helpful for that for a few more months. It can always help in situations outside of school too I imagine.” Kinsey refused the party for her birthday which he wasn’t entirely surprised about. Gilderoy didn’t take her for one to want a huge party like that. “I’ll invite you to one if I ever do plan it. Even if you don’t know who it’s for. You can be my personal guest.” He teased for a second as he probably would invite Kinsey like that if she really wanted to go to one.

“Fine, you’ve got me there.” Gilderoy admitted with a slight smirk. No, he hadn’t really been looking for just Kinsey but he was still glad she both found him and he saw her. They did owe each other a dance and he was just glad she came to the party. Gilderoy nodded as Kinsey encouraged him to keep up with his hopes of dancing with everyone and just deal with the repercussions later. She did have a point after all he didn’t really need to talk the next day. “True but think of all the questions I won’t be able to answer tomorrow.” Gilderoy joked along with Kinsey’s moment of teasing. Kinsey tried to be subtle as she explained that she was hoping to dance with someone else. He figured it was Riley as who else would it be, beside him but they were dancing just because they had promised way back. Dancing with Riley would be whole another reason for Kinsey. “I’m sure he’s here somewhere, this is the biggest party of the year so if he isn’t he’s rather boring.” Gilderoy teased jokingly as he was sure Riley was behind one of these masks. If he hadn’t wanted to come Priscilla probably still dragged him.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Gilderoy told her that it was easy to be charming, that it had to do with confidence and smiling and asking about others. She shrugged, "You mean flattery?" she teased, a little surprised at herself for doing so, but she was more relaxed than she'd been in a while. When Gilderoy started explaining about charming professors, she laughed outright. "I don't get detentions," she told him. Honestly, she didn't really see any reason why she would need to charm a professor, but it was a very interesting conversation. Gilderoy promised to invite her to another party if he planned it and she nodded. "I guess I'll keep that in mind if I ever hear about you planning a party I want to go to," she answered with a smile. 

She laughed, rolling her eyes when he mentioned not being able to answer any questions. "Just carry around a board or something. There are other ways of answering questions." Sure, he really could do that, but she was just teasing him, mostly because he could. Of course, Gilderoy knew exactly who she was talking about, but she was glad when he didn't say Riley's name. Kinsey nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure he is. I just ... hope I'll be able to find him, you know." Maybe Gilderoy would be able to kind of understand, or at least act like he understood. Kinsey wasn't exactly sure. 

@lockhart

[Deleted]

Kinsey asked him if he was talking flattery in a teasing away and Gilderoy just smirked for a moment. “Only but one weapon in my arsenal for getting people to see that my ideas are actually very good one.” He joked for a moment, as part of the time it was that cause and other times he just liked to compliment women for who they were. Kinsey claimed that she didn’t get detentions and he could actually see that being true. Kinsey didn’t seem like the type to break the rules often. Gilderoy broke a few at times but typically avoided detentions for the most part. They were also never very serious rule, typically curfew ones. “Neither do I.” Gilderoy replied with a smirk and a small wink. “Or at least I get as few as possible.” Kinsey explained she’d be on the look out for any invites Gilderoy might send her way for any parties he might have planned and nodded his head. He had no plans at the moment but who knew.


“A board? And deprive the people of hearing me speak?” Gilderoy attempted to sound shocked Kinsey would suggest such a thing before laughing. “I might just have to do that or allow others to answer some questions I guess.” He spoke mostly in jest as he figured he would be fine tomorrow anyway. Kinsey expressed her desire to find Riley once more, at least he assumed it was Riley but he avoided any names. He was engaged at the moment, no matter how silly the idea seemed to him. “It’s Valentine’s Day, if there is any justice in the world you’ll be able to find him and have your dance. It’s what this day was made for.”

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey smiled when Gilderoy joked back, surprised by how enjoyable this conversation was. Not that Gilderoy wasn't easy to talk to, she just didn't normally feel comfortable enough with people to want to tease them or to allow them to tease her. He continued on to say that he didn't get very many detentions either. Kinsey smiled, "Well, I guess we have that in common then, though you still have more than me," she teased. How was she still in the mood to tease him? It was an extremely uncommon thing with Kinsey.

Gilderoy seemed appalled by her suggestion and Kinsey immediately started to chuckle. She couldn't help it! The look on his face was just too funny. Still, she shrugged and answered, "Well, you've got to decide what's more important then, talking now or talking tomorrow." Kinsey was still joking around with him, since in all reality he would probably be fine tomorrow, but where was the fun in admitting that? He insisted that she'd probably be able to find Riley and dance with him and Kinsey nodded. "Thanks. I hope you're right, but if not ... well, at least I got my dance with the host, right?" She moved the conversation to something lighter, not really wanting to think about how sad she'd be if she wasn't able to find Riley tonight.

@lockhart