The Ball

[Madam Xiomara Hooch]

Xiomara Hooch shut her book with a sigh – it was time to go. Though many professors would be at the ball to supervise she had been charged with allowing the first patrons’ entry before the other professors arrived. She was also to make sure that all preparations were going well and everything would be ready by 8 o’clock when the doors were to be opened. Before leaving her office Xiomara checked her silver bun that she had done up for the occasion and pointed her wand at the wrinkle that had appeared in her black dress pants while she had been sitting. Once her appearance was immaculate Xiomara walked swiftly down to the kitchen where a swarm of house elves were bustling around making final adjustments to every snack food in sight. A harassed looking creature with big ears and large brown eyes the size of tennis balls walked up to her and bowed low to the ground. “Is there anything I can get Ms.? I am afraid the house elvesis are very busy at the moment, Ms. Perhaps you could wait until after the ball has begun? Lots of food there, Ms. And not just snackesis either. Oh no, elvesis know children skip dinner to get ready. Must have dinner food for kids who skip it. Lots of food, if only Ms. Is prepared to wait, Ms.” the poor creature stammered before looking up at Xiomara. “No I am perfectly fine thank you. Just making sure everything is well under way. So everything will be prepared in time then?” she replied. The elf simply nodded before scurrying away frantically calling at another elf not to drop the pitcher of pumpkin juice he had precariously perched on his head.

Satisfied that everything was going smoothly, as smoothly as can be expected at least, down in the kitchens Xiomara went up the flight of steps back into the front hall. The main doors to the Great Hall had been locked from the inside for now to keep people from peeking inside so Xiomara had to go in through a side room where the first years always waited before being sorted. As soon as she entered the hall looked empty. All 5 tables had been moved up onto the front pedestal so that the whole main portion of the Great Hall was free for dancing. High above the reach of even Hagrid were dozens of jack-o-lanterns with everlasting candles dispersed all through the hall so they will be hanging above everyone’s heads. With a flick of her wand all of the candles ignited and all the lights around the walls suddenly dimmed. Xiomara also preformed a charm on what would be the dance floor from the front stage so that everlasting mist would cover the floor and everybody’s feet as they danced. Sure it was a little mean to the ones who still watched their feet to count their steps but most students seemed to enjoy the effect of having the mist swirl around them – especially the girls when they wore long dresses.

A glance at her watch told Xiomara it was 7.59 and so she slowly walked to the doors. At 8.00 on the dot she lifted the charm and pulled open the doors. At that moment the 5 tables at the front filled with every type of food imaginable – wizard and muggle – as well as a whole table of drinks ranging from water to pumpkin juice to butter beer as well as some fruit punch and apple juice for those who enjoyed it. Loud music, too, filled the hall that could be heard anywhere around.

[luna]

Luna made her way down the staircases bemaing happily inside her costume. Hippo-people were absolutely great. And they watched funny things on that box that had moving pictures. Luna had dressed like one of the character from the moving picture. They 4 characters simply looked so sweet and friendly! Luna thought that they were called teletubbies. Luna had dressed as a teletubby too. Her teletubby was Ravenclaw blue had the silvery square on it’s stomach and a blue daisy hovering happily over Lunas head.

Bouncing happily over to the Great Hall door Luna stopped for a moment to fit the relatively big costume perfectly. Teletubbies were big and soft and cuddly! So Luna had made her costume big and round too. Hopping into the Great Hall happily Luna stopped and hrew her teltubby-paws happily around professor Hooch. „Happy Halloween, professor!“ Luna tried to give the professor a hug but it dind’t exactly work. Around the huge round costume Luna’s hands in the blue gloves barely reached the professor but it was the point that counted.

Bounching forward into the Great Hall Luna started singing Yellow Submarine as she bounced around giving some people hugs. She chose people who seemed like they could use some cheering up! Halloween was meant for everyone to be happy! Everyone should laugh and drink and be happy! It was the end of harvest after all! No poor farmer had to work anymore! Luna had read it in a hippo-people book!

[Professor Neville Longbottom]

Neville Longbottom left the common room in black dress robes and a white mask that covered the left side of his face. When shopping for costumes in Hogsmeade, nothing had really appealed to him. He had even scoured through all the muggle costumes before he had left the racks looking rather sullen. The witch behind the counter had recognized his plight and made a suggestion. At the time, the Phantom of the Opera seemed like a marvelous idea, but now it didn't seem like it was the brightest. Several underclassmen had looked at him oddly as he walked out of the common room. It was apparent that he had no idea who he was. Fortunately for him, Cassandra Blackfire had just fallen down the stairs so he was able to slip away unnoticed.

After a brisk walk down to the Great Hall, Neville took one last look in the mirror. He didn't look half bad. In fact, he thought he looked pretty handsome. Opening the doors to the Great Hall, he looked for Luna Lovegood. He almost didn't recognize her in the overly large blue costume. Sometimes he didn't understand her, but she was still one of his closest friends. " Hey Luna. I hate to be rude, but may I ask what you are dressed up as?"

[cleo]

Cleo sauntered down the stair-cases calmly ignoring the gasps from younger years who whispered exitedly how the fire didn’t burn her legs. Cleo just smirked knowingly and sauntered past them. The charms that were cast on her hadn’t been easy. In fact she had had help from Dana for them. But the outfit looked good. Cleo was dressed in a tight red top and a flourishing skirt from the smae red material that flared out at every move. The leather belt with the rubies hanging from only added to the effect of dancing flames. But that was just the beinning. The elbow-length gloves Cleo was wearing actualyl had magical flames burning on them amking it appear as if Cleo’s hands were on fire. The same was true about her shoes – magical red flames flickered and danced around Cleo’s legs reaching as high as her knees. The flames surrounded Cleo’s legs and moved along iwth her, but the total effect was eye-catching. A much for the bright colour as for the constant moving of flames. Dana had even casted a charm on Cleo’s vibrant red hair so that they seemed to be on fire as well. Cleo’s make-up was done the same tone of deep red – her lips, eye-shadow and blush all added to the effect of making Cleo a fire-spirit. In her own opinion Cleo had rather succeeded in it as well.

Entering the Great Hall Cleo looked around as she moved around with an almost dance-like step with some twirls here and there. Fire enver stood still. Fire wasn’t tamed easily and neither were fire-spirits. Cleo made sure to play out the shifting and moving part that added the real meaning to her costume. Her gloved fingers slid over the golden dragon curled around red ruby around her neck and Cleo smiled. Oh yes, she liked it. Not Halloween that much, but she adored dressing up. And hsowing others how well she could dress up. Even though the belt and necklace came from Dana – she had said that they belonged to the family. Moving to the snakcs table Cleo threw a cheese and grape into her mouth before pouring a tall glass of water for herself. Idly tracing circles on the misty class with her finger Cleo turned and observed the Great Hall and all the people in it with a small knowing smirk still hovering over her lips.

[kris]

Kris ignored the chatter around himself more or less succeeding in turning the music off for himself as well. He hadn’t really came here to party. He wasn’t in much of a mood to party anyway. Not after the Attack on the Express. Kris still missed his eye-sight. But he had came today. Not for the food not for the company and most certainly not for the music. He wasn’t even dressed up. Kris wore the same clothes he wore every day. A pair of black silk-pants and a Slytherin green silk-blouse today with small silver snakes braided into the material at the cuffs and collar. The black ebony wand gleamed in the light as Kris’s hand rested comfrotably on the the thestrals head adorning the top of the cane.

Moving to a window of the Great Hall Kris smiled riasing his wand and muttering a few choice charms. Tehre was a reason why he had slipped one more charm on the wide belt Dana had borrowed for Cleo’s costume. And for the same reason had Kris offered a pendant for Cleo. Well actually the pendant had protection charms on it. But finalyl muttering accio Kris smiled and slipped his wandback up his sleeve nad preparing to catch the girl upon hearing an undignified shriek. A few moments later Kris smirked wrapping his arms securely around his firespirits waist.
„Having fun?“ Kris asked ina slow drawl his finger lazily burshing back Cleo’s hair as his fingers calmly slipped over the dragon pendant around the girl’s neck, as Kris leaned calmly on the window-still behind his back, one of his arms still resting calmly on the small of Cleo’s back.

[Mary Evans]

Lips were red and hair was gold. Dress fit like a glove with a long sheer, shimmering, gold trail. Mary smiled at her reflection in the mirror – perfect Aphrodite. The gold full-length evening gown seemed to float across the floor as if she didn’t have feet. But she had on gold shoes for when she sat and people would be able to see her feet. They looked almost like gold slippers that people had stuck a three inch gold heel onto. Mary had always been proud of her red hair and usually picked outfits and costumes to show it off but she felt the Goddess of Love was too important a costume not to do it fully – golden hair and all. The charm would wear off as soon as she stepped into the dorm again that evening anyways so it wasn’t too big a deal. She had her hair in an elegant French twist with flowers strewn throughout. Her green eyes, red lips, and the flowers were really the only things on Mary that evening which were not golden. A small golden handbag sat on Mary’s bed and she picked it up before exiting the room. It was 8.30 already so she knew things would have already began. Mary was never one to be on time – especially on purpose. Although even when she did try to be on time – to class for example – it almost never worked. It was as though she had something running through her veins which prevented her from being on time – and who was she to fight biology?

When Mary reached the front hall she found several couples still mingling out there but knew she had better go in. The large doors were hanging open and as Mary stepped through the threshold mist began to swirl around the bottom of her dress. Several people were there but nobody of any interest that she could see ((no Kris that does not mean you are uninteresting it means she didn’t see you lol)). She moved with the music though she did not technically dance as she walked up to the front podium where all the food and drinks were. Food was unappealing at the moment – she had eaten supper but a few hours ago. But a glass of water was always a good idea – especially in a environment such as this one. Mary filled a goblet with water then waved her wand above it. Suddenly the water turned a pale shade of pink – fitting for Aphrodite she believed.

[Solitaire Keighley H7]

Solitaire had been watching as everyone was entering the room now. She supposed that she would be the only one dressed so differently. Dressing as a muggle hadn't been one of her brightest moments, but it was all she could think of at the last minute. She really hadn't planned on coming to the ball at all, but her friend talked her into it.

Standing near a table that was covered with refreshments, Solitaire noticed a girl in a very bright costume. She looked carefully, and discovered that it was a Slytherin girl, that was in the same year as she. Solitaire loved the costume. Slowly and casually Solitaire walked over to the girl, " Hi, that's a great costume." She said hoping not to start any fights with anyone tonight. She had planned on staying somewhat invisible through this, since her costume hadn't gotten her a date. Everyone Solitaire knew had dates, except her. This didn't bother her much, but it made her want to blend into the decorations.

[Mary Evans]

Mary turned around at the sound of someone addressing her. She gave the girl a good once over as she took a sip of her pink water – it had taken on a tad of a strawberry flavour. She licked her lips then pursed them as though deep in thought before clicking her tongue. “Yes it is. And what exactly are you supposed to be? A beggar child? I’m afraid the nearest road for you to camp at is all the way out the gates but I bet if you asked they would allow you to eat out of the trash can; you certainly look unfortunate enough a soul.” Mary responded smirking now at the girl she had come to recognize as a Hufflepuff in her year – Sarah, Sally, something like that.

Without waiting for a response Mary promptly turned on her heel and walked away to a chair by the wall with her flavoured water in hand. Gracefully Mary sat down pulling her skirts flat under her with one hand while holding her goblet with the other and not spilling a drip. She then put a placid little smile on her face and set out to watch the people dance.

[Solitaire Keighley H7]

Solitaire didn't want to start any fights, but a few words being exchanged in a harsh manner wasn't what Taire considered a fight. Especially if the words weren't shouted at the other person. Noticing that the now recognizable Mary had turned and walked away, Taire decided to follow her.

Solitaire sat down at the same table with Mary without even asking if it would be alright. Taire felt that she didn't need approval from someone else to do anything. "Well, I had said nice outfit, but now I take it back. A goddess would be sweet and kind, both of which you definitely aren't. And obviously you have never taken time to make fun of a muggle before. Why else would I dress this way, except to make fun of the muggles. Stupid gits, shouldn't even be allowed in this school. And speaking of the school, they need to find a new way to sort the students. How could a stupid enchanted hat know exactly where to place a student. I belong in Slytherin, not in this muggle loving Hufflepuff House. But it's obvious that you are too blind to notice another pureblood when you see one. I didn't have to dress this way, it was my choice." Taire spoke her words softly but harshly. She was determined not to let a Slytherin bother her. She rightfully belonged in the Slytherin house. The stupid Sorting Hat had been wrong and that was something she could not change. But it didn't mean that she had to act like a Hufflepuff.

[Mary Evans]

The Hufflepuff girl apparently had nothing better to do than follow her around like a lost puppy and Mary sat there looking up at her with an amused smirk as the girl ranted trying to impress her. It was just sad honestly, this girl was so pathetic as to try and impress Mary with the fact that she wanted to be a Slytherin. Of course she wanted to be a Slytherin; everyone did. But the fact was that not everybody could be a Slytherin, not everyone was worthy. Just being a pureblood did not warrant you a Slythie.

“Are you finished?” Mary asked when the girl’s tongue finally stopped moving. Mary didn’t wait for her to answer though before she kept on, “Good because I need you to listen to this not just brush it off. Number one, you already said it, you cannot just take things like that back because of some unrelated vendetta. Number two, yes it is an amazing costume, we both know it, taking it back won’t change that so get over it. Just because your costume is stupid does not mean you need to get all upset about mine. Number three, ya sure you were making fun of the muggles with that outfit.” Mary said that last bit with a huge unconvinced grin. “Because muggles are so worth the effort right? Your life is so worthless you have nothing better to do than make yourself look like a fool and pass it off as making fun of muggles.” Mary continued sarcastically. “Number four, you’re right muggles shouldn’t be allowed at Hogwarts. And will you look at that, they aren’t. There is not a single muggle around. Now, why didn’t you make it into Ravenclaw with brains like that. Now did you figure out that non-magical people should not be allowed into a school of magic all on your own, or did somebody help you with that? Number five, just because you may be pureblood does not make you worthy of my house so don’t even bother dreaming. You aren’t good enough obviously or you would already be in here. And finally, you’re right you chose to dress that way so I don’t see why you are getting so upset with me. I never insinuated you were forced to wear that. All I did was point out that you were dressed up as an orphan begging for table scraps. And hey, if that’s how you feel like dressing go right on ahead I have no intention to stand in your way.” Mary went down the list point by point smirk growing all the time. If this girl was getting so upset already Mary may just have a very amusing evening without even getting on the dance floor.

[Solitaire Keighley H7]

Solitaire thought for some time, allowing herself to calm down and think of something that was worth wasting her breath to say. She didn't care about how she looked or how Mary looked, but she really wanted to find a way to get back at her. Taire sat sipping her drink ever so patiently, allowing Mary to think that Taire had no come back. She thought about everyone she knew and what she knew about her. Then the idea came to her.

"Wait a moment, Ms. Slytherin. Why are you trying to act like your so much better than I am? Do you think I know nothing about you? Aren't you good friends with Charlie? I mean I don't know him well enough, but I know that I have seen the two of you talking and it wasn't in the same snobby way you are attempting to put me down." Taire spoke very smuggly, even though she wasn't sure of Mary's reaction. She knew that it might not be a good reaction, but that there would be a reaction none the less.

Taire sat back in the chair beside Mary, not caring if Mary minded or not, and sipped her drink again, waiting on Mary's reply.

[Mary Evans]

Mary cocked her eyebrow at the girl as she called her “Ms. Slytherin” as though that were some sort of insult. Then the Sarah, Sally, Suzan, whatever girl mentioned Mary being friends with Charlie and Mary placed her goblet down on the arm of the chair. She stood up to her full 5’3” along with the extra inches her heels provided and glared down at the girl who had just sat. “Well maybe you should get to know him better than and you would understand why he is actually worth my time while you are hardly worth my condescension. Oh and by the way dolly, I am succeeding to put you down, not attempting.” Mary said hotly before picking up what was left of her drink and tossing it at the girl ((sorry Taire)). With a heaving sigh Mary rolled her eyes and stormed away from the girl in desperate need of other company. She was finished with this girl – attempting to undermine her choice in friends.