[Great Hall] The Tournament Ball (For All)

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn grimaced at the boy and swooped close to him, holding her wand to his eye. "Don't play coy with my, young man," she hissed, her eyes shining with anger, hatred and grief. "You are in no position to act the wiser."

She stood back and lowered her wand. She looked at the professor, a smirk wiping her mouth. "This is your slightly tipsy professor, is it?" she asked, pointing her wand at the clearly drunk man with her wand. "If you call this man a half decent teacher, I'm a flee ridden dog named Sparkey."

Quinn strode to the man and smelled his breath. She quickly pulled away, putrefied at the heavy smell of alcohol. Turning back to the boy, see said condescendingly, "are you willing to loose everything for a drunken nobody who would attack a student, possibly a friend of yours? Seems a poor waste, even for one such as you."

[Henry Boggleworth]

Standing tall Boggleworth chuckled as the official tried unsuccessfully to use her dominance, ooh I'm scared he thought but really I am a touch apprehensive, I don't need this yet, my plans may be scuppered before they're properly begun so perhaps I should just accept the lash of her tongue rather than prison itself.
Smirking nonetheless he looked down at the woman; whom not even he could call a lady with such a scathing and autocrative attitude.

"I'm sure you think I've nothing to loose so yeah why not put my life on the line if mine's oh such a waste. That's what you presume is it not? That I am a waste of space, only dirt to be trodden upon by your hard iron boot I know." Smiling nonchantly he looked curiously at the woman, she was as hard as nails, perhaps he had best leave the matter there. But his tongue ran away with him.

One deed such as this seems hardly enough to condemn a man,
"Such prejudice," he murmered, seemingly deep in thought; as if mulling over the offer.

"Credit where credits due at least, I'm standing up for what I believe in" my passion is my undoing he thought with a small sigh.
"What do you want from us then? Can't I tend to his state? Help him recuperate?" He asked a pleading look in his eyes; no matter what he needed to get Professor Hubbles away, he was steadily digging his own grave here and it would just not do.

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn glared at the boy, a powerful fire burning in her eyes. Deciding to play a different card, she wandered towards the boy and came very close to him. “Now now,” she said genially, “don’t be like that. You do mean something … to someone.” She spat the ’someone’ out like it was dirt swallowed in a sandstorm, putrid and filthy. Dropping the concerned air, she added quickly, “Though I couldn’t fathom why you think so little of yourself, could it be that you weren’t loved as a child? Has your heart become so rotten with self-love that you …”

A conniving look dawned on Quinn’s steal face as though she had just come to realise something about this boy. “No,” she whispered softly, knowingly, slowly walking towards him, “not self-love … self doubt.” Her hateful words were lined with hurt and anguish. A wicked leer crossed her face for the briefest instant, then she turned her back on him and rounded on the drunken man.

It was despicable, the way that he had gotten drunk at The Tournament Ball, and she despised him for it. She glowered down on his with distaste and contempt. “What is this mans’ name?” she queried, glancing at the ground just over her shoulder. When no name came, she said again, more loudly, angrier, “what is this mans’ name?” She glared at the boy, waiting upon an answer. She was beginning to hate how slowly things moved here, and she had only just arrived.

[Ella Malfoy]

Ella looked at the boy who had appeared in front of her in almost a confused expression. As he got what he had to say Ella cocked an eyebrow, and before she could control it, words flew from her mouth.
"Why is that any of your business?" Her words stung. She knew her tone was harsh, and the air grew stiff between them so suddenly.
'Oh No. I didn't want to come off that way. Im terrible! She thought frusteratedly.
"Im sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound so terrible." She saved before he could reply in an apologetic voice. "It's just- well, your right, I'm not having fun. I'm new here. Just yesterday I arrived, actually. And being new isn't fun. Clearly. And I decided I might as well just turn in early, write some letters to my friends...and my parents" Ella explained in a softer, less snappish tone, her expression softened. But she did absentmindedly cringe slightly when she talked of her parents.
How angry they would be if they knew she would write to them, and lie.

[Henry Boggleworth]

Her glares and harsh words rang quite false; thankfully Boggleworth was content with his character and amiable qualities, of course anybody could improve, therefore her line of argument unphased him. Self doubt would get to him at times certainly, but not in this instance; he was passionately against the Ministry and would stand up to them.

Scoffing he smirked wishing to delay her still further, he needn't answer her questions fully, leastways not yet.
"How can one such as you speak of love? Your heart is as cold as steel, I sincerly doubt you've felt a touch of true love and worth in your life, I do pity you so. Yet love can be found in the most unlikeliest of places, perhaps in their folly of true human nature people have shown you love; only to receive a cold shoulder I deem." He was countering in manner meant not to antagonise, but merely delay her still.

[Lidia Cullen]

Lidia looked up at the boy. She raised an eyebrow, confused as to why a Gryffindor would ask a Slytherin anything. "My name is Lidia. May I ask you yours?" She said with a smile. It was obvious he was younger than she, but it was still nice to have anyone talk to her.

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn had little patience at the best of times and this silly game was becoming tiresome. "Enough," she said, frowning and waving her arms, "what I am and how I have become so is not the issue under discussion here. Nor is your ... pathetic excuse for a life. What is important is resolving the issue at hand."

She turned to the boy, slowly raising her wand. "Now," she said ominously, "we can do this the easy way ... or the hard way." She cocked her head and grimaced at the boy. "Easy way, you tell me what I want to know. Hard way, I make you. And take my word for it, you don't want to make me get it from you. I'm an accomplished Legilimens and I know how to make it hurt."

Once again, she looked at the drunken professor and said slowly, "so tell me, boy, are you willing to play like a good little boy and tell me this man's name? Or should I start tearing your mind apart for the name?"

[Prof. Darrow]

Seated in his office Darrow twiddled his thumbs patiently, he had guessed such a rucous would ensue during the Ball, but he had been thus far delayed. A Minsitry Official conversing in a deep undertone, spoke of their reasons for being here situated at the present moment at Hogwarts; defending the school's interests and pupils they claimed.
He had no dislike nor liking for the Ministry but when a house elf whispered into his ear he abruptly left, giving his apologies and sweeping instantly towards the Great Hall.

Youth back with him, he skipped down the stairs two at a time; half wondering whether to summon his wand to arrive even swifter. Eventually his old and weary legs brought him down the grand staircase directly leading to the Great Hall. Hearing words drifting upwards; raised voices arguing. Cloak billowing behind him he abruptly broke into the conversation bowing low to all present; one of his pupils, teachers and an esteemed Ministry official gracing them with their presence.

"Miss Locksley I hope you are not threatening the use of a most disagreeable spell upon one of my students? I must be simply hearing things in my old age." He surmised with the same straight honest and sincere smile.
"I'm sure Mr Boggleworth will divulge all that took place to the full and honestly at my office tomorrow morning, at the crack of dawn, but now shan't we let the young one's dance Miss Locksley?" He asked pleasantly offering her the utmost respect. Always Darrow was honest and sincere and showed his true colours towards all those he knew. Treating everyone with respect.

"I thank you most humbly for beginning the inspection into the events here tonight, perhaps you may like to continue with your enquiries first thing? Being young I guess you're not particularly fatigued from your journey here? But if you are we can offer you the best victuals around for refreshment."
Gliding towards her gestured away from the Great Hall and ordered "Henry Boggleworth back to your dancing, we shall see you at first dawn." Gesturing for Quinn to follow he smiled pleasantly wishing for the hostilities to be over...but feared they had only just begun.

[Quinn Locksley]

Upon seeing the Head Master walking to her, Quinn instantly lowered her wand and turned shyly towards him. "Head Master ..." she began as he began. "I did ask nicely the first time but this stubborn young man was being obstinate and a hindrance to my job as peace keeper here."

She glared at the boy called Henry Boggleworth with the same contempt as she had given the drunken professor. She did not understand how he could simply leave when he was bidden to do so after they had gotten so far with the enquires as Prof Darrow put it. Thinking of the proceedings of the night, Quinn remembered why she had threatened the boy in the first place.

Dropping the innocent girl routine she always seemed to have around the Head Master, she said controllingly, "Prof Darrow, I cannot believe that you would encourage such behaviour at Hogwarts?" She pointed towards the other professor. Quinn did not move when gestured to. "How can I simply let this man go after having caused two students to flee from the castle?" She frowned at the Head Master and pointed at the pair of shoes, abandoned, with her wand.

[phantom]

lidia said:

Lidia looked up at the boy. She raised an eyebrow, confused as to why a Gryffindor would ask a Slytherin anything. "My name is Lidia. May I ask you yours?" She said with a smile. It was obvious he was younger than she, but it was still nice to have anyone talk to her.

Adam smiled and bowed, "Adam Carson at your service Lady Lidia." he took her hand in his and gently kissed it as he straightened up. "May I have this dance Milday?"

[Prof. Jonathan Starsmore]

Throughout the whole ordeal Jonathan had chosen to stand back, observing the scene with a barely hidden smirk on his face, every now and then snorting into his drink as he witnessed something particularly shocking. He had thought about stopping Dan from chasing the students in his burning temper, but upon seeing that it was Loren Hayes he was after he had decided to let that particular offense slide under his radar, watching with mirth as she skidded about the hall in fear. the shattering ice sculptures had been particularly entertaining.

But now as the scene escalated to several people moving out of the Great Hall to argue in privacy, Jonathan briskly followed, not wanting miss the action. As the ministry woman whose name was apparently Locksley - if she was the same Locksely he remembered from when he was working at the Ministry, he was in trouble - repeatedly pointed at Dan and demanded who the drunkard was, Jonathan could not help but feel slightly paranoid that would quickly figure out who the real drinker was. Boggleworth had, bizarrely, stepped up to confront her in place of Jonathan (the only adult there who was capable), but he seemed to handle the woman with enough ease - if not a little rudely, though. Ministry or not, she was a lady.

Jonathan's paranoia reached a new height as Darrow appeared on the scene. 'Ah, leave this to the adults now, eh Bog?' Jonathan laughed nervously as he rushed forward and looped a finger over the back of the Hufflepuff's collar. 'Think you've handled this quite - er - longer enough for tonight...' He attempted to drag the boy away without being noticed, quickly hooking Loren's shoes with the toe of his boots, attempting the get hold of them and scarper. He would leave them in the common room for her later (unless he got a little more drunk and forgot, of course).

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn looked down her wand, which was still pointed at the abandoned pair of shoes, when she heard then be moved. Someone she had not seen for quiet some time was standing in her line of fire. Her eyes narrowed as she observed the man.

"Mr Starsmore," she spat, "what are you doing here?" Then it dawned on her. "Of course," she whispered, "I should have know that as soon as you were run out of the ministry you would have come crying here." She hoped her loathing for everything and anything to do with this man was not too obvious, though deep down she hoped that he would feel her burning hatred.

[Prof. Jonathan Starsmore]

Jonathan winced uncontrollably as Quinn's voice rang out, alerting him to the fact that she had spotted and, unfortunately, recognised him. Letting go of Boggleworth and abandoning his quest for the shoes, Jonathan donned the best look of pleasant surprise he could muster. 'Quinn Locksley - is that you?' He said with a grin although he spoke through his teeth, knowing it was the only way to keep his expression from turning sour. 'It is you!'

Please don't hurt me please don't hurt me please don't hurt me, he begged with his eyes, flinching as she rounded on him with crossed arms. 'Oh - er - I wouldn't call it running, Quinn,' he said weakly in his defense. 'A very well paid job opened up here. Got to snap up the opportunities as they come along, you know?' he gave a jolly roll of his eyes. 'And I wasn't avoiding you, honest. I just thought it'd be more convenient for you if I got Smithy to break the news of my leaving to you - you were so busy back then, weren't you? I didn't want to bother you or anything!' He gave a shaky little laugh, his cheeks burning.

[Quinn Locksley]

Give me a reason, she thought, give me any reason to do something to you! As Starsmore made excuses, Quinn was thinking about what she could do to him, what hideous torment she could inflict on him to burn her name into his chest.

But he gave her none. She lowered her wand and looked away from him, trying to contain her anger. Then he brought up the incident with Smithy. She whirled around and stuck her wand under his nose. "You were a coward, Starsmore, and it sickens me that I might actually have had feelings --"

She cut herself off. She could not say that. Then he gave a little laugh. She took a step back, still with her wand pointing at him, "did you ever hear from Smithy again? Last I saw of him, he was lying on the floor with his mind fried. I didn't mean to go that far but his impudence was just as sickening as your cowardice."

She quickly thought, then articulated, "Petrificus Totalus." A bolt of red light hit Starsmore square in the chest and his whole body went rigid. Quinn strolled over to where he was lying and stood over his body, "you don't know how long I've wanted to do that."

[Prof. Darrow]

As events began to run even further out of control Darrow sighed wearily, what a job being Headmaster. He'd gone through many a career in his time; held privelaged positions on Ministry Boards even the Wizengamot, but this really was the most difficult, such challenges to deal with, he felt young at the prospect, being induced with renewed vigour, rigour and determination to succeed.

A student being threatened then a teacher being physically assaulted was a tall order to deal with; in front of his very eyes too, were people not subtle these days?

Seeing Boggleworth itching to counter the ministry he so despised, whether by words or action Darrow had to intervene, he would only come off far worse.
"Mr Boggleworth please go back inside," he ordered crisply expected his instruction to be obeyed instantaneously.

Turning from his student he rounded upon the adults; why Starsmore had appeared at such a critical and unlucky time was just the way of the world. Reversing the spell immediately and offering his hand to help the dazed Professor up he pondered over quite what to say thinking as he frowned at Quinn;
no matter how long you have desired such an act, you really could not have picked a better time and place before my very eyes, I shall be forced to act, perhaps that's precisely what the Minsitry desires, for my to loose my temper and act rashly upon the spur of the moment.

"Miss Locksley," he demanded in a steely calm voice "you've been mere minutes and already you've threatened a student and physically assaulted a teacher, it just won't do." He sighed clasping his hands behind his back after conjuring a seat for Starsmore to collapse upon. Lowering the dazed man into the chair he rounded once more upon Quinn.
"Whatever your past differences with my esteemed colleague here, I wish you to forgive them, he's a changed man, steadily improving his demeanour here at Hogwarts." Resolutely defending his staff Darrow always sought out the best in a person, no matter how difficult it could prove.

"No matter what your past feelings for anybody one shouldn't act so rashly Miss Locksley, did I teach the pair of you nothing?" He asked pointedly wishing for them to hang their heads in shame, though knwoing they undoubtedly would not. He referred to his time as tje History of Magic Professor all those long years ago; thankfully the gentleman for whom he had stepped in for momentarily had recovered and regained his post without Darrow having to remain at the school permanently. How fate had played him a turn to bring him full circle back to the place where had begun, always Hogwarts had this effect upon him, drawing him in when needed.

"Need I ask you to sheath your weapons? Please put that wand away Miss Locksley," he stopped himself from adding it should only be used during lesson time. She had always been eager to utilise her magic skills, hexing a number of students if he remembered rightly.
Now having the time to answer he questions posed afore he added
"I do not encourage rash and angry behaviour here at Hogwarts, and I refer to you too, during your stay here it should be expected that all Ministry Officials should act with due care and consideration, these young people" he said gesturing towards Boggleworth who stood rooted to the spot, "need to be set a good example, and will be dealt with when they do wrong. Need I repeat that I shall deal with you all tomorrow when we all have clear heads." He looked with a faint smile at Starsmore then turned to Quinn
"Is there anything else you require me to do?" Though he was the Headmaster the Minsistry still had power over him, unless he acted wisely then perhaps given time they would trust him further.