Just Another Night Of Hopes ((Anyone))

[Caitlin Martinez G7]

Caitlin Martinez looked at herself in the mirror. If one didn't know any better, they could say she was someone else entirely. Her fingers played with the dress lightly, as if afraid to break the beautiful fabric. The dress had been her mothers - a beautiful ivory coloured satin dress. She was to save it for her wedding, but Caitlin wasn't even sure if she was going to fit in it by then. She was growing fast and the dress was already a bit tight on her in some areas. Her brown hair fell in soft ringlets down her spine and there was a mask, covering her eyes - but she could still see out of it, for there were two holes punched where her eyes would be. Around her neck was her necklace, a gorgeous amythest gem on a white gold chain, that almost appeared to be invisible against her creamy skin. Her make up wasn't over done, light pinks and blues to match the light tone of her outfit were suitable here.

Caitlin looked down as she lifted up her skirt of her dress, at her shoes. The white heels made her at least 3 inches taller, they were going to kill her feet by the end of the night. But Caitlin really didn't care. For all she was concerned, the ball was just another night of hopes. Another night of dreams. Tonight she would be Cinderella, and by the stroke of midnight she would turn back into a pumpkin. Caitlin sighed and let her dress down again before turning away from the mirror. She grabbed her white purse in her hands, lifted her skirt with her free hand, and walked down the stairs to the common room. She didn't have a date. Who needed a date for the stupid ball? She wasn't going with friends, though she was sure if Amelia had wanted to - she would go with her as well. But Caitlin hadn't asked. She would rather show up alone, then in a false happiness for her friend's sake.

The common room was bustling, and she made it clear that no one was to stop her as she made her way through. She did this by simply shoving people out of the way and hurrying out of the portrait hole. The Gryffindors wouldn't notice a run away princess. They were too wrapped up in their own costumes, dates, plans for the evening. She breathed in sharply as she made her way down the staircases to the Great Hall. The soft click click of her heels was the only sound she could hear anywhere near her. She didn't know if she should take that as a good thing or a bad thing. Caitlin fought inside herself. Was it good that no one was following her? Or bad that no one wanted to? Mentally, she shoved it aside - either way she didn't care. She had finally reached the last staircase, and was thinking of turning back - when there was a sudden push down the steps. She started to stumble, but grabbed onto something or someone for support, "Ah!" She let out before she steadied herself and was able to look the person in the eye. She was blushing crimson now - she nearly fell down a flight of stairs!

"So...sorry." She breathed out, her voice sounded like she was five. When she wasn't. She was 14. Caitlin managed a small, apologetic smile and looked down at her feet.

[sammy]

Sharp blue-gray eyes pierced the mirror as Catherine looked over herself. She wasn't dressed up in any silly costume; she considered that she was a little old for such a thing. Instead, she was wearing a beautiful white dress with matching white shoes. The shoes had two inches on them, which was a good thing it was only th at. Cathy moved gracefully all the time, but with high heels of four or five inches would certainly make her wobble uncertainly. And tonight she wanted to look certain. Sure, she didn't have a date, but she had convinced herself that half the people that went to the Ball met a date during the Ball. That was what she planned to do, but who knew what would really happen? Guys would be guys, and most of them were too chicken to ask a girl to a dance. Catherine, however, was never too shy to ask someone for a date or dance. Still, she thought it the 'gentlemen like thing' to do instead of the lady thing. She sighed and looked around her dorm. Caitlin Martinez, a girl Cathy had refused to talk to over the past few years, was already gone. Cathy sighed; she had been hoping to make up for her silence by telling Caitlin how much their past conversation had helped her to realize her real self.

Cathy was not moody any longer; she was happy, excited, and aloof. Even Giselle had noticed such a drastic change and had commented on it quite nicely, in Catherine's opinion. She was glad that the reverie that had held her in a bind was now off and she was free. Free! The word tasted so good on her tongue. Cathy smiled at her reflection. Her hair was up in a loose bun, letting a few strands fall down here and there to make her look (as Giselle put it) stylish. Yes, Giselle had managed to make a few things of Cathy's outfit. Of course, Giselle was going to take horribly long to get to the Ball, but when she did, Cathy was positive she would see much of her twin. Catherine shrugged while putting on dangling diamond earrings that not only showed off her wealth, but glinted in the light. She would truly look like a star among the commoners. Cathy put a white mask over her eyes, just to give something of a mysterious air about her. The mask was lined with diamonds as well. The dress fell to the mid-calves. Cathy liked it this way because when she twirled, the dress would flow out and around her with grace and yet modesty. She smiled before walking with royalty stature around the room, watching in her mirror, before leaving very satisfied.

The common room was so busy with noise and people alike, that Cathy had to climb over a few people sitting on the floor. How they could be chatting so much about their costumes and dates made Catherine sick. Maybe it was jealousy too, but so what? Cathy pushed through a pack of loud-mouths before reaching the portrait opening and stepping out. Even the corridors, she found as she walked through them, were seething with students. Some, Cathy envied for their beauty and grace, although she was positive she had an abundance of that, and some she envied for the people that held their hands as the made their way down the stairway. Cathy sighed and tried to rid herself of jealousy. Honestly, if she continued the night like this she would surely turn out much like Giselle and her multiple feelings. Suddenly, Cathy was jerked out of her thoughts by someone grabbing onto her for support. Cathy - unaccustomed to the sudden gain of weight, grabbed on to the railing, leaning heavily on it. The girl finally let go and said an apology.

"Don't worry about it," Catherine said with a grin spreading across her face. She got rid of all the wrinkles in her sparkling white dress before looking at the girl, who wasn't meeting her eyes. However, she did look familar..."Caitlin?" Cathy asked with astonishment before letting out a small laugh. "I'm so glad to see you here! Oh my gosh! You look absolutely dashing in that wonderful dress. Come on. Now that I found you, you are going to be my date to the Ball." Cathy grinned at Caitlin while stepping down the first few steps. "Come on," she repeated, glancing back at Caitlin. "You don't need to worry about gabbing on to me. Everyone needs support sometime or another. I should be the one apologizing. And now I will. I'm really sorry about ignoring you lately. I just was trying to work some things out, and as you can see, I have."

[ames]

Without a date... Amelia sighed and finished the touches on her costum. It wasn't too special or anything, something she thought would be fun. Her beaded and feathered earings were barely visible underneith her frizzed out blonde hair and her large tie-dyed peace sign headband. Beads hung from strings in her hair and her tie-dyed shirt fit loosely about her body. She smiled at herself in the mirror. Hyppies are fun! Amelia slipped into her overly large bell-bottom pants (which was decorated in peace signs and flowers). After throwing her jean vest (again decorated the same as the pants, only the words 'Groovy' 'Peace' 'Love' and 'Age of Aquarious' were added to the mix), she ran out of her dorm room and into the common room. Even if she didn't have a date... that didn't mean she couldn't have fun! Besides... this meant that she could dance with any guy that would dance with her, instead if she had a date - they would only want her to dance with them.

On her way down the many flights of stairs that led to the Great Hall, thoughts of the next few hours occupied her mind. She imagined what the dance would look like. What the food would be. Even who she danced with. But it wasn't the same, it never was, than the real thing. I mean... come on! Who doesn't like dances? The lights, the snacks, the music. It was all so alluring. She wanted to dance right away! That's just the way she was. most people wanted to relax a bit before dancing. Not Amelia. She always was the first on the dance floor.

Half way down the staircase, she noticed Caitlin Martinez. One of her close friends, same year and house as well. They were dorm mates, but somehow she had missed Caitlin while getting ready. She rushed down the stairs, toward her friend. Another girl, seeming to be Cathy Dumas, another house and year mate. She smiled, already doubly excited for the dance. She grabbed Caitlin's shoulders and looked around her friend's shoulders to look her in the eye. Amelia's smile was radiant.

"Catty!" she said, her own nickname she had given her friend a while back. She let go of Caitlin's shoulders and stepped next to the two, "Oh... wow! You look stunning!" she smiled and looked at Cathy, "You too!" she felt a bit out of place... seeing as she was all bright colours and feathered earings... and they were wonderful dresses and beautiful shoes.

[giselle]

Giselle Dumas should be written on every poster. Her picture should be put in magazines for everyone to admire. For indeed, tonight she looked like a model. Her silky blond hair was down and wavy. It framed her face well. Mascara and eyeliner was applied heavily on her eyes as well as eyeshadow. She looked like a sculpture. Her slim feminine figure was being thoroughly shown in her midnight blue/purple dress. Quite a bit of cleavage was shown for the dress was low and the spaghetti straps on her shoulder were small but thick enough to hold up her dress. She had lip stick on her lips very thick and a bit of cake make-up was well. Her dress reached mid-thigh but it didn't show too much. She had sandals on her feet but she had enchanted them to give her no uncomfortable footing when she danced. Everything was perfect, but Giselle remained seated beside the mirror longer then needed. She wanted to be fashionably late, but the thought of the dance made her get up and pace the floor. She had told Catherine she may be joining them and her girlfriends. If the girl cared or not, she didn't say. Becoming smarter, Giselle noted with a smirk. She plucked at her eyebrows until they were perfect pencil lines on her face. Satisfied, she left the empty dorm, thinking she had already waited long enough.

Things didn't look completely empty in the dungeon, however. Giselle was sourly disappointed, and she let people know it. "Shouldn't you be at the dance?" She spat at a second year rather aggressively. The small brat nodded quickly and didn't dawdle any longer in the drafty dungeons. Even more people were present in the Great Hall. Giselle scowled, not wanting to tell off the elders of the group. She instead dodged the group entirely and started up the stairs that would lead to the Gryffie tower. Maybe Cathy was still up there somewhere. If she was lucky, she might catch Cathy on the stairs on her way down. Giselle soon became tired. She didn't have strong legs like Cathy and she loathed exercise. The stairs seemed to go on forever. Finally, she saw three figures in the middle of the staircase. "Thank god," Giselle muttered under her breath as she recognized one to be Catherine Dumas. She smiled at the group, waving. She didn't know the other two, but the look on Cathy's face was enough for a smile to cross her face. Or a wide smirk. The look on her twins face was distorted, as if she was tasting something sour. Her eyes were directed at Giselle so she must have seen her twin too. The look was soon washed away by that look of coolness and collection that Cathy always hid behind. Giselle glided up the stairs, trying not to seem too out of shape.

"Sister, dear!" Giselle exclaimed when she reached the same level as the girls. "You look simply beautiful in the white dress. Why, it's exactly opposite of mine almost. Isn't that something, dear?" Giselle walked past the two girls arrogantly, giving them a small smirk on the way. She winked at Cathy. "I've been looking all over for you! It seems like everyone has decided to be late, even the filthy nobodies." Giselle had forgotten about the girls standing there, but she didn't offer an apology. "Honestly, none of them looked better then me and you. I'm sure we'll be the stars of the party. Everyone will come over to look at us. No doubt about that, right?" Giselle laughed. The pearly white dress did look great on Catherine. It wasn't just a coincidence either. After all, Giselle had chosen it. She and Cathy were the same size too. The diamond necklace on Cathy's neck was different from the necklace Giselle wore. She had a dark necklace, one of a stone she didn't recognize. It was dark, almost black like her dress. With a smirk, Giselle draped her arm around Cathy's slim perfect shoulders.

"Now, darling, do show some manners and introduce your friends to me," Giselle said snidely, finally giving the girls some notice that they were people and not animals.

[ames]

As she stood there, awaiting for the two girls to say something, a voice called down at them from atop the staircase. Amelia's eyebrows shot up as her eyes turned to gaze at the owner of the voice. Instantly Amelia knew it was a Slytherin. The girl's voice and manner of which she was speaking gave it away. No doubt the girl looked stunning. Her hair, her dress, her makeup was all extremely beautiful. Amelia again felt very out of place. The girl slowly descended the stairs and came to stand next to the three.

Amelia felt more and more offended as the girl spoke. She wanted to glare at the girl and say something, but her manners got the best of her. She bit her tongue and looked down at the floor, ignoring her sudden wants to lash out at the girl, who seemed to be Cathy's sister... oh yes... They were twins... how could she forget!? Amelia was too focused on how rude the girl was to even notice that they looked alike. She sighed, waiting for the snide comments to subside. She really did not like Slytherins... When the girl took notice of Amelia and Caitlin, did Amelia put on an obviously fake smile and looked up at the girl.

She held out her hand mockingly as she said, "Amelia Richardson, your majesty," and bowed, "And what wonderful name would thou hold?" she asked, after she straightened and stared straight into the girl's eyes. Her own flashed sarcasm and anger at being treated so. Her smile was purely and obviously fake as she looked at the girl.

[Caitlin Martinez G7]

((Sorry you guys for the wait! I've been very busy - and when I had time I wasn't in a Caitlin mood which is odd, because she's sort of me...))

Caitlin looked up at who she had grabbed onto for support and found herself wanting to disappear at who it was. Catherine. She bit her lip and smiled as the girl began to speak. Oh. OK. She knew it was her turn to apologize but she couldn't find her voice. She was just about to say something that could either make her appear sincere or a total fool - when Amelia Richardson appeared out of no where decked out in feathers and vibrant colours. Caitlin giggled, that was Ames for you. Amelia wasn't one to be all dressy. Especially on a night like Halloween. Halloween was something that Amelia took great joy in preparing for. Her blue eyes flickered back to Cathy, wondering if now was the best time for her to say her apology back. BUt once again, she was interupted. This time by someone who thought they were holier than everyone else.

Caitlin raised an eyebrow at Giselle and crossed her arms as the girl began to speak to her twin as if no one else was around. Finally, Giselle made a move of acknowledgement toward Amelia and Caitlin. She did it in a manner that Caitlin wasn't very fond of either. As if they didn't matter. Now it was Caitlin's turn to speak; "I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't realize we were in your way of completely making an utter fool of yourself. I'm sorry to say that this is an invitation only party - and you are, sadly, without one. Now, run along and play with your friends; that is if you can find anyone who is worthy of your presence." She sent Amelia a look, and nodded her head down toward the staircase as if to say - let's go. She picked up her dress and started to walk down, and once she made it all the way down she turned and looked up at Cathy. A twinkle in her eyes.

"You coming, Cathy?" She called up, a smile on her lips as if to say that was her apology. If Cathy was to be with them for the ball, she would get a verbal apology before the night was over, but if she were to stay with her sad excuse of a sister then Caitlin would just have to apologize later on. Caitlin stood at the bottom of the staircase, her eyes never leaving the twins - and waited for Cathy's decision. She wasn't sure if Amelia had followed her, if she had gone her seperate way, or if she had already entered the Great Hall - but either way, right now Caitlin's focus was on Cathy and Giselle Dumas.

[giselle]

Giselle smiled at the first girl who spoke. She ignored her mocking to take it as a compliment. "Why thank you. It's pleasant to met you also, Miss Richardson." Giselle replied with her lips pulling into a smirk. She pulled back her hair before saying, "Giselle Dumas. Isn't that simply a beautiful name for one so pretty?" Giselle smirked, already knowing that their answers may not be the nicest. She was being nice, shouldn't they be the same to her? Honestly, Giselle thought this was going to go fine until the second girl spoke. She sounded just like that stupid, ignorant Hufflepuff back at Hogsmeade. It was sad that people thought she was a baby when she was actually bigger and better then others. Giselle raised an eyebrow and let a snicker fall from her lips.

"I'm glad to see you're good at lying, dearie." Giselle smirked at the second girl, who hadn't even introduced herself. This girl was amusing yet annoying like a splinter in her sock. And Giselle hated interrupters and annoying mudbloods and other things that this girl obviously fell under. "There is no invitation," she declared. She was positive Catherine would have mentioned it if there was one. She was the one who had let Giselle come anyway. Well, she hadn't really said anything, but that counted. "I wouldn't have come if there was an invitation. You see, I don't go masquerading with mudbloods every day, especially the ones who join in parties and all that junk."

Giselle raised her eyebrow as the girls descended the stairway. "Cathy, I'll be seeing you later." Giselle said just loud enough for everyone to hear. "I would be utterly embarrassed to be with your group of...ah...friends. I'll see you later at the ball, just so people don't notice I decided to come with you. For I indeed haven't!" Giselle smirked at the two girls. If they thought they could keep her away from her twin, they were sadly wrong. Giselle Dumas got what she wanted when she wanted. Not even a bloody made-up invitation could keep her away. She sauntered down the staircase, throwing Cathy a wink and the two girls a smirk of knowing. If she drove those two away from Cathy, Giselle wouldn't be sorry. Maybe she should start picking which company Cathy should keep. As she walked down the staircase, the idea stuck on Giselle like gum. Deciding that she would see the group at the ball, Giselle quickened her pace until she heard the loud music. She was going to have one hell of a time at the Ball. She would make sure it was so. After all, she always got what she wanted.

[sammy]

Cathy frowned at Giselle as she continued to bash Caitlin and Amelia. She elbowed Giselle in the stomach and sent her a hard glare, but that didn't stop the evil twin. She continued to attack both girls. Cathy watched as Caitlin told Giselle everything she thought about her before going down the staircase and calling for Cathy. Cathy was torn between Giselle and her friends. Maybe Giselle noticed this, for she left saying she would see Cathy at the ball. Letting a breath of relief hiss through her clenched teeth, Cathy smiled and became bright once more. Giselle could be just so cruel sometimes. Cathy knew it but what she had saw with Caitlin and Amelia was a nicer Giselle. It was strange, for her twin was meaner to her sister then she was strangers. With a twisted mental shrug, Cathy ignored that thought and walked down the stairs to Caitlin and Amelia.

It felt weird, after just being interrupted by Giselle and her rude comments, to be alone again. Giselle had a right to say whatever Cathy did resulted on her status. Cathy felt this way too. She felt very out of place with the two girls now that her twin had tried to tear them from the comfort zones. Shifting uncomfortably in her shoes, Cathy gave a strained smile. "I'm really sorry about Giselle." Cathy apologized, feeling horrible about what had happened. Honestly, Giselle could be the worst Slytherin in the world, especially because she was the mirror image of a Gryffie. With a stifled moan, Cathy fiddled with her hair. "She's always like that. I try to stop her but that's just...who she is. I hope she didn't hurt you in any way..." Cathy looked down at the ground. She hated Giselle sometimes. Really hated her. She made things harder for Cathy then they should be. Cathy closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then looked up, smiling. She wasn't going to let Giselle ruin this for her. Not like she always did. No, this would be different. The Princess wouldn't get what she wanted.

"So, let's go to the Ball now, shall we?" Cathy asked, going down the first few steps and looking back at the two.

[ames]

Amelia remained quiet in her flashy outfit. Giselle answered her sarcastic remarks as if they were serious ones and acted as if Amelia were some slave that attended to her every need. When Amelia remained silent, however, Caitlin started in. Giselle moved on to Caitlin and soon was insulting her hard. Amelia kept her mouth shut, however. Her was getting more and more angry, but tried to stifle any thoughts of bursting out. If she did she would probably take it too far. Amelia needed to vent her feelings and she didn't need to ruin the ball with all the yelling. So she bit her tongue and stayed quiet. Cathy looked devastated when Giselle bashed at the two Gryffindors. Amelia felt sorry for her fellow house mate. The poor girl, being bullied by her own sister. She wanted to say something to Cathy, but her anger toward the Slytherin was too harsh and she was worried that if she said anything, it would make everything worse.

When Giselle finally left the three alone, Amelia breathed easier and so did Cathy, it seemed. She apologized for her twin's behavior, but Amelia felt there was no need. It wasn't Cathy's fault. "No Cathy... Don't apologize for her," she motioned with her head, sharply and despisingly, toward Giselle's retreating back, "It's not your fault your sister's a..." she paused, trying to control her words, "...a...mmm... Mean person," she gritted her teeth, knowing the way she censored her words would leave the right impression on Cathy for how she felt toward Giselle at the moment. Then Cathy mentioned that they should go to the ball. Amelia nodded, suddenly enthusiastic again.

"Yes! We've waisted enough time on this staircase! Lets go show off my costume!" She smiled at Cathy, hoping the girl knew how much Amelia felt for her.