[Great Hall] The Tournament Ball (For All)

[thefifthmarauder]

Elizabeth sighed as she heard girls giggling outside her room. She knew there was a ball going on in the Great Hall, she just didn't feel like going. Her father had sent her to Hogwarts after her mother was murdered in Beauxbatons when some crazy wizards had barged in. Lizzie loved her mother more than anyone in the world. She had been her idol, she had made her feel safe and loved. Now she was alone. Her father was too busy with his job in the Ministry and she had no other relatives to go to.

Lizzie had arrived at Hogwarts the day before and it hadn't been easy for her. No one had spoken to her, no one had even noticed her. Everyone had been too busy preparing for the ball. What they were going to wear, who they'd be going with. Lizzie had had one friend in Beauxbatons, Gabrielle. The two girls had been devastated when Lizzie was told she'd be transferring to Hogwarts. Gaby had promised her she'd write. Besides her, and her father, Lizzie was alone in the world.

She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed deeply. She could hear the loud music from downstairs and students laughing. Lizzie wished she knew someone here, she wished she could be having fun like any average teenager. But she wasn't average, and Elizabeth knew that.

[Anyone? Come on! Please? I'm lonely!]

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty was still sitting in the corner of the room in stitches. She had not stopped laughing for around 15 minutes, and she could tell that people around her were starting to get freaked out. But Girty could not help it, today had turned out to be such a fiasco and now with her bother on the lose, most likely chasing poor Loren and Dax around the grounds Girty had found herself quite alone. The hall had filled up quite a lot since she arrived, and the noise level was slowly rising again.
After managing to clam herself down finally Girty realised how dry her throat had become and made the decision to go and get a drink.

When she was wondering back, drink in hand Girty looked around for a clear spot where her drink would not be send flying. Jigging her way across the dace floor, dodging in-between the many couples Girty finally found a quit spot where only another girl stood. With a small smile and a small sip of her drink Girty thought she would go and greet the her.

“Good evening. It is like a battlefield trying to get from the bar to over here. I think I am lucky my dress is the same colour as the drink otherwise I would look a right mess.”

Taking another sip of her drink Girty looked around the room, she saw Grace and Bog dancing in the middle, Bailey dancing on the spot and by the looks of it Will chatting up a poor girl. As her attention came back to the girl in front of her, then Girty realised she had not introduced herself.

“I am Girty Hubbles by the way. Hufflepuff 6th year and house champion. And yet I am standing here all my myself and the guy I came to the ball with is now kissing somebody else. So it is a good night all round.”

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell walked into the Great Hall, straightening his jet black dress robes. He felt dreadful about being so late and hoped no one would notice. He had taken forever to get his bow-tie just right and it had cost him precious mingling time. He strolled quickly into the Great Hall. Passing some students he smiled confidently and at a Hufflepuff girl he had seen around the school and knew she was their champion, he smiled playfully.

He looked over the heads for those around him looking curiously at all the pretty ladies. It was times like these that Rus thanked his father for being so tall. He could see every pretty dress and every delicate female form that so freely exposed itself. Spying a particularly lonely looking girl who he recognised as a Hufflepuff in a deep plum dress.

Straightening her jacket again, cleared his throat and walked towards her. His mind worked quickly, thinking of something very clever to say. Standing behind her, he said slowly, "someone as beautiful as you are tonight shouldn't be standing here all by yourself." As she turned, Rus slipped his hand into hers and bowing slightly, brushed his lips on her hand. "Good evening."

[oliviabelmont]

Olivia had begun to wonder why she had even bothered to come. Why had she spent money on a dress, and spent all that time getting ready. Perhaps she should just admit defeat and head back up to the common room. She doubted if any one had noticed she had come, and doubted any more if anyone would noticed she had left so early.

Ok, Liv thought, I'm leaving in three...two...

Liv heard a voice behind her. It was a deep, obviously male voice. It seemed very close, but she doubted that anyone was actually talking to her. Just to make sure she wasn't imagining things, she turned around slowly. Face to face with an older, rather tall, Ravenclaw boy she had seen about in the hallways, she gasped, which kind of hurt considering her lungs were still being crushed. He obviously had been addressing her, for her hand was now being lightly kissed by the tall boy in front of her.

Olivia stood, frozen for about two seconds. Then realizing her manners, she snapped back to reality. "Oh, good evening." She said, her hand still being lightly grasped by the boy. Sadly, thats all she managed to get out. The shy Hufflepuff was still in awe that she had indeed been noticed. A little glimmer of confidence glowed inside, it would only take a little coaxing to get it out now.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell smiled up at her from his bowed stance. He was glad she did not take her hand away, it left him with many options. He liked having his options open. Looking around quickly, Russell noticed that there were many people gathering around where they were standing.

Taking advantage of their clasped hands, Russell led the beauty away from the crowd. As the approached tables, Russell changed his mind about sitting. He pulled her from behind him to in front of him, twirling her around so that they were standing again. Now in a quieter spot, Russell asked softly, "would you honour me with a dance, lady?"

[oliviabelmont]

Olivia wasn't really sure what was going on as the boy lead her away from their crowded spot. She looked around, gladly no one was staring at her, as she blushed, her hand still in his. They went towards the tables, and Olivia noticed the dance floor again. They all looked so elegant, gliding across the floor.

Suddenly, she was in a twirl, toward the tall boy. A dance? Olivia wasn't sure that she could dance. "Oh, p-please call me Olivia, Belmont that is. Uh, fifth year, Hufflepuff." There all the introduction out at once. Olivia blushed again, "I've, um, never danced before." She said, her embarrassment adding every moment. She hoped her violently pink cheeks didn't clash with her dress.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell looked quickly over his shoulder towards the dance floor and quickly turned back. "There's no time like the present," he said wistfully, "and dancing is like walking but to a beat." He pulled her in close, twirled her out and pulled her in again, putting his other hand on her waist. "And I'm Russell," he added, "Russell Parkhurst. But call me Rus."

"And on that note," he said, and began to lead her towards the dance floor. He held her close so that she might feel the rhythm of the music and how he swayed in time to the beat. Dancing is easy enough if you have a good partner. Russell heard his cousins voice in his head and remembered the lessons she had given him during the holidays. "Just follow me," he whispered as they reached the middle of the dance floor. The song was slow and they swayed slowly with it.

[oliviabelmont]

Walking to the beat. Ok, sounded easy. Olivia took a deep breath as he placed his hand on her waist. Russel. Olivia said in her head. She smiled at him.

"I- uhh. well.." It didn't really matter, Olivia was being dragged lead out onto the dance floor. As they reached the middle of the dance floor, he held her tightly to him. She became slightly flustered, and yet she swayed along with him in the rhythm of the song. Pulling away slightly she asked, "You won't be mad if I step on your foot will you?" She somehow knew he wouldn't, but she asked even so.

"Why aren't you here with someone?" Liv inquired as they danced, keeping up conversation so she wouldn't have to be so close as they danced. Olivia was already slightly flustered, another good line, and her face would be permanently red.

[icky post. sorry.]

[Russell Parkhurst]

"You won't tread on my toes," Russell said confidently, giving Olivia a wink. He smiled at her and moved his hand higher on her back. He didn't want her to think he was trying something funny so kept it a safe distance from her derrière.

When she asked why he wasn't there with someone, Rus merely shrugged. "I did ask a few ladies and they all seemed to already have dates," he replied slightly sadly, "or weren't coming." He picked Liv up by the waist and spun her around once. He set her down again and as they continued dancing, Rus asked, "and why don't you have a date?"

[oliviabelmont]

Liv lifted off the floor in the twirl and smiled as she was put down. She had always liked watching this dance. She remembered at her cousins wedding, she was only nine years old at the time, but she remembered watching all the older people dancing around and being lifted gracefully. She hoped one day she could dance like that, and now, she was, sort of.

Olivia blushed. Why didn't she have a date? Well, she knew why, but she was slightly embarrassed. Talking to boys didn't come easy to Liv. She was shy to the opposite sex. She wasn't even going to come until her mother surprised her with the beautiful dress she was now wearing. Then Olivia felt like she had to attend.

"Well, I.." Olivia bit her lip and looked up at Russ. "Well, I've never actually talked to any boys outside of class." Liv grimaced waiting for him to burst out laughing. Any second now.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell saw the obvious joy on Olivia's face as they danced. She was very good, in actual fact, graceful, elegant and lots of fun to dance with. He smiled his skew smile at her and watched her closely as she answered the question with a bit of hesitation. The answer was no surprise. Rus could tell she was shy. But he didn't laugh, he merely nodded in understanding and smiled.

He swirled Olivia out and pulled her back, wrapping his arm around her so they were facing the same direction. He whispered into her ear, "you dance very well." He smelled her hair and it was sweet and intoxicating. He sighed and twirled her out again, pulling her in so that they were dancing normally again. "I loved dancing," he commented, "it's great fun. My cousin got married last year and she gave me lessons. So every time I see her now we had at least two dances." Russell chuckled.

[oliviabelmont]

Amazingly, Russel didn't laugh at her. Olivia was expecting him, considering her was a boy, to laugh and say that it was silly, that the male race didn't bite. Instead he gave an understanding nod. Olivia smiled back. It was nice to be understood.

"Really!" Olivia said, her heart jumping. She was good at dancing! She smiled. She had hoped she was, more for his sake than hers, but even so. Even if Russ was lying through his teeth, Olivia didn't care. It meant a lot to her that he even mentioned it.

"That was very nice of her!" Olivia said. "And she is a very good teacher." Liv was becoming more and more comfortable with the tall boy. She smiled at him. She realized that he couldn't be her age. He was much taller than her, but besides that, he didn't carry himself like the boys in the fifth year. "What year are you?" Liv inquired, hoping to keep the conversation going.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell smiled at the shy girl and nodded. "Really," he assured her. He winked at her as they continued to swirl on the dance floor. It was wonderful dancing and if there was a class for dancing Rus would definitely be the first ones there.

Rus nodded. "She is very nice," Rus agreed, "she's always been the one to know exactly what to do and she gives great advice which is great for me." He chuckled lightly as he remembered how she had helped him with his latest problem. It was great having someone like her who he knew he could depend on.

When Liv asked his year, Rus frowned and said, "seventh year. Why? That's not a problem, is it?" He wasn't sure how she would react to hearing that because he guessed she was in about her fifth year, a talent he had developed at Hogwarts, guessing peoples years.

[oliviabelmont]

Liv smiled. She couldn't stop smiling. So boys weren't as scary as her mother warned her. They were enchanting. Well, at least this one was. Liv enjoyed dancing around it circles. She wondered how they weren't getting dizzy.

Liv wished she had someone she could talk to like that. Her mother was not understanding when it came to girl things, and she didn't give good advice at all. Her brother was to young to be any help at all. Beside taking advice from a ten year old was crazy! "I wish i had someone like that." She told him. "I guess I just take my own advice. And it's not very good advice at that." Liv laughed.

"Oh no. It's not a problem!" Liv assured him. Not a problem at all, she thought. "I was just wondering. I couldn't decide in my head what year you were, so I took the easy way out and asked." Liv laughed. Her honestly surprised her.

The song ended, and Liv turned toward the band and clapped along with everyone else. "Well, What now?" She asked with a smile.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell smiled at Liv and then laughed along with her. "My advice isn't too great either," he admitted, "so never take me shopping. I'm useless." He smiled at the beautiful girl and wondered many things about her. "Asking usually does help," Rus admitted then added, "and you're in your fifth year, right?" He was certain she was but following her example, he asked. His year-guessing gift did fail him sometimes, rare though it was it did happen.

Rus could tell the song was about to end so he quickly dipped Olivia, holding her low, low, lower still, with his muscular arm. Then he pulled her up and spun her around. Smiling his skew smile at her still, Rus said, "now we go get something to drink. We have something to toast." He took her hand, knotting his fingers in hers, and lead her towards the drinks counter. "Your wonderful dancing skills," he explained at Liv's confused look.