The End of Year Masquerade Ball

[Felicity Locke]

As everyone who knew Felicity would know, she was basically bouncing off the walls in excitement for this dance. Any major event usually had her freaking out, that was probably the veela part of her finally showing it’s strangely beautiful face. Her mother was as excited, if not more, by this turn of news. She demanded that she take Fay on a shopping excursion, and told her to bring Bray along as well. The poor boy, Christi wouldn’t let him get off with wearing an old tux.

So, after several hours of searching and a few cases of charming, Felicity had found her dress and Bray his tux. Her mother had also wanted to do the hair and make-up and all that other nonsense, but Fay refused. It was scary enough that her mother was only a blink away, but having her fret over Felicity like it was the muggle prom was just embarrassing. She politely told her mother that she could deal with her own hair and make-up, and sent the over-eccentric veela on her way.

First things first, get on the dress. Slowly, Fay slid the touchy dress over her head, and tugged it down. The dress itself was beautiful, and better yet, one of a kind. Christi had fixed up and added a few things to the already original dress, and suddenly it was so perfectly…Fay. A grin broke across her face as she twirled around, watching as the light danced off the dress. Her fingers brushed lightly over the soft fabric, smoothing and straightening certain parts. The dress fit her body perfectly, accenting her curves and rightfully showing off her tall form.

Next was the hair. Fay decided to just keep it simple, so she curled her hair, and pulled some of it back. Her hair decided to actually work with her this evening, and she was very grateful. A bad hair-do could totally ruin an outfit, as her mother so often told her. Her mask was simple as well, and part of a pair. Bray had the other part of the pair, which she found amusing. Placing the mask gently onto her face, she was happy to find it didn’t make her look like a complete idiot. Score one for Fay.

Felicity had just promised to meet Bray down there, since he didn’t want to have to deal with waiting for her to get ready. So impatient. As carefully as she could, Fay navigated her way down the stairs, biting down on her lip as she did so. She never usually had luck with stairs, considering they’ve hated her over the past few years. Today, though, she seemed to have managed to get down without any injury. A miracle. With a deep breath, she pressed her hand against the door and pushed it open. The sound of chatter quickly drowned out her fears as she walked inside, a small grin placed on her pale face.

There was a small cluster of students on the dance floor, but for now she avoided that. Scanning the room quickly, Fay noticed several people had formed into groups, and were thus conversing with themselves. Shrugging, Felicity moved over to the refreshment table and nibbled on one of the cookies placed on the table. She was debating whether or not to join one of the groups over there, but for now she was content on munching on her cookie. That is until she finished it. Placing one slender hand on her hip, she pursed her lips, trying to find someone she recognized. Now, anyone who knew her would probably be able to recognize her just by this look. Lips pursed with a hand on her hip, classic Fay.

[Blakely Wilson]

Blakely watched and listened as Noah had a row with the very young Slytherin girl, by the name of Wilbanks. She had seen her around trying to make trouble, but this was the first time it had happened to her. She couldn't help, but smile whenever Noah complimented her footwork although she knew it was a lie.

Seconds later an older Ravenclaw girl walked up and mouthed the Slytherin off, she ushered the small snake away and came back. Blakely smiled and said,"Thanks... wow, you are on brave soul, but that girl needs to find her place!"

Turning back to Noah she gave a look. In Blakely's mind Noah was handling the situation quite well, but she didn't know the Ravenclaw very well, but had heard about her. She figured by her actions it was the same one, but with the mask Blake would never know. She faced Noah and said,"Shall we proceed...?"

[Kayleen Wilbanks]

"Oh really" Kayleen stated at Noah's remark. Who brought him into this? She wondered. She wanted to tell Blakley something, but it would have to wait. She looked around the room and noticed a bunch of Slytherin first years. To bad she probaly wasn't gonna come back to Hogwarts next year. She had decided this after she found out her mother was haveing an affair with one of the staff members. She shivered in disgust.

"Noah, I belive you have no right to tell me anything. Plus you can't say you know my name, when you never even met me. So why do you have to stand up for this girl? she is a fifth year she can stand up for herself" She finished in disgust. She was guessing Noah might have been the one, nah that was impossible.

[Prof. Hikaru Tanaka]

Glancing around the now quite crowded room, Hikaru decided it was best to mingle than stand around like a wall ornament! However, just as he was about to leave, he heard a voice. He turned and smiled at the woman. "Yes, I am." he replied in answer to her inquiry. He listened as she voiced her concerns over taking his job. "Oh no, don't worry about it." he replied with a smile. "I knew it would most likely be gone by the time I returned so I just applied for a different postion." He sipped his wine, "Flying in fact." he clarified.

Hikaru smiled at her again, "Would you care to dance?" he asked holding out his hand. Setting his plate back down on the table, the young teacher led the way through the students. A smile here, a nod there, a few words.

Not watching where he was going, Hikaru managed to bump into a dark-haired Ravenclaw girl wearing a blue dress. Stumbling back a little, he regained his balance. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you." he apologized in his soft Japanese accent. The student looked...familiar somehow. Was it... "Felicity Locke?" he asked, hoping that he was right and wouldn't make a fool of himself!

He turned to Ariel and smiled, "Well I guess that's what I get for not paying attention!" he said in a lighthearted voice. Anyone who knew Hikaru knew he was not easily upset.

[Ariel Trenton]

The room was getting fuller and hotter the longer she stood there waiting for a reply from the teacher that she felt so bad for. But she smiled when he turned around to acknowledge her presence. He wasn't upset. Ariel just wanted to stop, drop, and jump for job, but knew that would be an inapropiate way to act.

She smiled and took his hand. "Why yes, seeing that nobody else has asked, i'd be delighted." He guided her through many students and accidently bumped into one. It sounded as if he knew the girl, but wasn't so sure. He just looked up and and joked about it. She laughed and replied,"Well I guess that it is."

[Emmalynn Barkley]

There had been rumors about a Masquerade Ball going on around the Ravenclaw common room. Emmalynn wasn't ectatic about attending it. She actually had her mind set, but then her mind flashed back to Dean and her cafeteria incident. She couldn't help, but thinking he would be there. Although he didn't seem like the guy that would go, she could be wrong. So technicaly this thought totally changed Emma's mind.

She went to her dorm and searched for her white sparkly dress. In her mind it made her look like an angel, but in other peoples she looked like a normal girl, in a normal dress, going to a normal ball. Em liked the sound of that normal thing. Emmalynn slipped the dress on and went and made herself a white sparkly mask that only covered her eyes, but her nose was free to breath. She put on her plain white short heels, and decided she still looked beautiful.

Keeping that thought Emmalynn left the Ravenclaw common room and made her way to the Great Hall. As she moved around the guests of the dance, she didn't see Dean or anybody else she knew. Emma decided to go get something to eat. Her stomach was a bit grumbly, so that seemed to be the decision.

[Felicity Locke]

This was ridiculous; the blooming masks were keeping her from finding anyone! Usually one could tell from their voices, or from the hair or something. But everyone was so different now. All dressed up and what not, plus she couldn’t hear anyone talk because of the music and everyone else was talking too…

Something hit her shoulder, and Felicity stumbled back, letting out a small squeak of surprise. Miraculously, she managed to not fall and otherwise injure herself (because that’s what usually would’ve happened). Fay rubbed her shoulder and winced. It wasn’t like she had been thinking she was in the way. For merlin’s sake she had been off to the side! Some people just didn’t pay attention. Stupid, tall…

“Felicity Locke?

[/i]”

Felicity blinked, looking back up at the man and actually not glaring at him. She nodded slowly, confused. “Yea. Can’t say I know you though.” Did that mean she had a reputation for someone else to know her? Huh, weird. Well, she had gotten into a lot of crazy things in the past few years, so maybe it wasn’t really surprising. Her gaze traveled to the woman standing at the man’s shoulder. A teacher? Wait, that meant…

Oh dear.

Fay’s eyes widened a bit, and she took a little hesitant step back. Professors were talking to her. She was just blunt with a professor. Aw crap. Felicity glanced around the room, trying to look for someone she knew again. Nope, there was no one. Cursing herself mentally, she quickly formed her scarlet lips into a flawless smile, one only Fay could pull off. Mentally, she was begging for someone to save her from this awkward conversation. [/font][/blockquote]

[Erys Grace]

Startled into a laugh as he flicked her nose--forcing her claws back into perfectly manicured nails again--Erys' eyes had widened a bit at the unpredicted action, but then again thats all Ricky was to her; completely and utterly remarkable. Tilting her head to the side and listening a moment to the sound of disagreement or possibly complaint, she frowned, wondering who the hell had the guts to ruin her pretty night. Tugging him inside and locating the source, a little group of students with a Snake--Kayleen Wilbanks, it smelled like--causing the commotion. Sidling up beside the first year Slytherin Erys towered over her, releasing Ricky's hand to cross her arms over her chest. "Listen up, Kayleen. I appreciate your effort to put people in their places, but I'm afraid you have neither the age nor the actual rank to do it. Try that on another first year and you might have better luck." Erys scolded her, eyes flashing cat-like for a moment. "But I suggest you step off and forget about ruining the night, because even though I'm having fun I have no problem stepping outside to put you in your place. Got it?" The Slytherin finished sharply, really having no patience for this kind of thing. On nights like these everyone was at least slightly courteous to one another.. That was the silent rule, like it was at that huge drinking party, and the graduation one.. You just left the snotty remarks and the rivalries for occasions that weren't special.

And so the Slytherin continued to stand there whether Ricky was beside her or not, waiting for Kayleen to step off and head somewhere else unless she had to forcefully drag her away. She wasn't about to ruin this night for her, no, too many hour of preparation had come into it and frankly it was the last one before she graduated, so the fanged squirt would have to wait until it ended.[/color]

[angelinagomez]

""Listen up, Kayleen. I appreciate your effort to put people in their places, but I'm afraid you have neither the age nor the actual rank to do it. Try that on another first year and you might have better luck."

Ahh...Erys Grace. Angelina smirked, setting her drink down she made her way gracefully between students and staff. Arriving at the small group, she too crossed her arms. "What seems to be going on here?" she asked Erys, eyebrow raised in amusement, lip curled up in a slight smile. She nodded towards Kayleen, "She causing the usual trouble?"

Angelina sighed, it really was disappointing how even first year Slytherins thought they ruled the school. The poor souls really had no clue how it worked. Seventh years had always ruled, and they always would. Especially the seventh year Slytherins. It really wasn't that hard to figure out. It was that blatantly obvious. Honestly.

She gave Erys and Ricky both a smile, "My, you two are looking quite extraordinary this evening. I would expect nothing less of course!" she complimented. Of course she knew her own russet dress, that complimented so well, her bronze-toned skin and chestnut hair was gorgeous as well. As well as her silver, gold, and white mask with the feathers and crescent moon.

[Willa Abbott]

[/I][/center]
Blakely asked, and Willa laughed with a wave of her hand. "Nicked a neat book from the potions closet.. The locked one." She added with a grin, as a few other people wandered to join them, including a little Slytherin brat. "Listen, weren't Snakes supposed to have a small semblance of intelligence? If so, why are you confronting someone inside a group that clearly outnumbers yours?" She wondered, arching an eyebrow behind the mask and basically towering over her. "And hey! I'm not clumsy tonight!" She heard Noah's voice somewhere and twisted her head around to look. "I took a potion for it." She said to, well, anyone, figuring that he must be nearby. Realising then he could possibly be the strapping young fellow who stood up for Blakely in the face of the Snake brat Willa grinned behind her mask, but said nothing. Where was Lucas this evening? Probably too chicken to come, even though they had a truce. Blast, she had been hoping to see him, if only to kick his butt at dancing.

As a tall, obviously older girl came and put the younger one in her place Willa's eyes widened with surprise, but she said nothing, feeling only a twinge of relief towards the girl whos pupils slitted and returned back to normal in the fraction of two seconds. "What the.." She murmured under her breath, but said nothing to her. If she could get that girl away, then she was alright, at least at these events. Must be Erys grace, because that girl had a reputation for being nasty off the dance floor. "Anyone want an alcoholic beverage?" She broke the silence cheerfully, waving her own drink in her hand before downing it and grinning as the warm feeling swept through her body. And at that moment another apparent snake appeared.[/ul][/color][/size]

[Lucas McGuff]

Finally a night in Hogwarts that wouldn't consist of some boring riddle in the Quibbler or playing Wizard's chess with someone in the Gryffindor Common room. Lucas loved to dress up, it was fun and you could make people laugh just by walking into a room. Tonight however, everyone was going to be dressed oddly and he would blend it. The thought pleased him that he could actually be a mystery man for a night, and the thought of even pulling in this mysterious persona urged him to get ready. Normally he didn't make much of an effort, but tonight wasn't going to be much different. His entire head would be covered by his mask and so no hair products or spells needed to be seen on him. His rather odd ensemble of a medieval costume went surpringsly well with his choice of headgear that it infact shocked Lucas.

Jogging down the steps, he had no date, but planned for there to possibly be a mystery lady that he would keep his eyes open for. This night was going to be fun! Stalking around, bowing at a few people before he reached the punchbowl, he dunked his cup in and began chugging the fruity liquid down, instantly quenching his thirst. Observing people dance and laugh he rocked back and fourth on his heels.

[Noah Yves]

"Oy, Grace!" Noah grinned at her amiably, untangling his fingers from Blakely's. He recognised her right away, though she hadn't exactly made a show of hiding her identity. "Stop intimidating away all of my admirers. Kayleen's on my leash tonight." He winked. Wilbanks wasn't exactly a roadblock to a pleasant evening, though she was a bit of a headache.

Smirking slightly at Erys' date, who he assumed was Ricky, Noah raised his brows. "I best go mingle now..." He couldn't be sure if Erys had recognised him, they didn't know each other remarkably well after all, so he nudged her playfully. "It's only fair for my hero to save me a dance, though." He held back a wicked smirk, eyes traveling to the Slytherin pair again, before he excused himself from the group.

Polaris still stood by the crew idly, and after promising Blakely a proper dance later, Noah leaned against one of the table chairs next to her. "You're poorly disguised." He smirked, knowing it would be impossible to stay anonymous with eyes like hers.

A few people crowded around them, and with a shake of his head, he led Polaris to an empty table a few feet away from the chaos.

"Narcissus is late, fashionably as always." He grinned, settling down in his chair and watching the glass in front of him fill itself up with a thick, blue liquid.

As the excitement escalated around him, Noah heard his King of Spades, stitched at the very bottom of his mask, protest loudly against the music. "Abbott is always clumsy." The trinket said grumpily. Noah had to laugh slightly in agreement, eyes searching the throng of bodies for the Gryffindor girl.

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Becoming slightly intimidated by the growing crowd, Polaris was glad to see a stranger catch gazes with her and motion over to a separated, empty table. Following the boy, she smiled kindly in thanks to getting away from the crowd. Just as she thought he was her saving grace, he spoke up.

"You're poorly disguised."

And there it was, the typical comment from her good friend Noah. "Well aren't you charming, Noah. Hah.. and I know, what a bummer, eh?" She laughed softly. "Unlike yourself, Mister." Polaris pointed a finger to him in a playfully accusing manner.

"Anyways.. I would think that Narc would make such an amazing entrance to compensate for his tardiness. Something that includes.. hippogriffs." The ravenclaw mused before sliding her mask up above her forehead to rest it there for a few moments while talking.

Polaris offered another smile before peering down at the self-refreshing cup she was grasping. "So, what is this, anyways?" She asked curiously while bringing it to her lips and sniffing before taking a small sip.

[Blakely Wilson]

Lots of people had come around to putting Kayleen Wilbanks in her place and Blakely had faded into the distance like she usually did. She could never stay in attention for long and she guessed it was okay. As Noah addressed some Slytherin girl that she did not know they untangled fingers. Blakely stood there. She apparently wasn't in the conversation anymore. As Noah promised her a real dance later she bid him goodbye, flashed Polaris a smile, and decided to go get a cookie or something.

On her way she saw Lucas McGuff. Stopping Blakely smiled and said,"Hi... why aren't you mingling?" She just stood there. Her cookie could wait. At a dance you shouldn't be alone, so here was where she wanted to stay.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was sitting in his chair, feet on the desk in front of him and fiddling with the tie on his mask as he chatted away to the old Headmaster portraits. They were strangely good company for a bunch of 2D drawings of dead wizards and witch’s and when awake they seemed to like the sound of their own voices. With a glace down at his watch Dan gave a small groan as he saw that the ball had already began. Turning around to look at the shut door that lead to the bed chamber the man gave a hopeful shout.

“Dia?! Are you almost ready darling?”

There was a mumble of a reply and all Dan knew was that meant not quite, so it was with a small sigh that he joined in the conversation between the ex headmasters and mistresses.
“Typical female!” A grumpy old wizard began. “They take hours to get ready!”
“If Hubbles was not married he would be there already!” Agreed his neighbour
“If Hubbles was not married he would not be wearing a tie!” Glared a rather red faced witch
“Yes the BLUE tie!” Came a shrill shriek from a former Hufflepuff
“It should be yellow!” Concurred another
“Black with the school logo he should show equality to all the houses!” Demanded another
“Look.” Dan said butting into the conversation. “I would be wearing a tie, it just would have taken me longer to pick one and also it would have ended up not coordinating with my outfit.”

There was a small mumble of annoyance as the office slowly fell silent as slowly the bed chamber door creaked open. Swinging his legs off the desk and jumping out of the chair as if it was on fire Dan looked over at Dia his breath taken away even more then usual and it seemed the other Headmasters agreed as for once the room was deadly silent.

“Wow.” Dan sighed as he walked closer to his wife “Just…wow.” For once Dan Hubbles was speechless or at least he was until a cheeky smile filled his face. “I say we forget about the ball and stay in for the night.” He threw in the trademark Hubbles wink. “You’re too beautiful to share with anyone else and I will just end up getting jealous due to the pining glances everyone will be giving you.”

With a small laugh Dan knew that Dia had put too much work in arranging everything for this evening that she would not just abandon it for him. Spinning on his heel Dan turned to face the exit and raised his arm slightly in signal for Dia to latch on so that they could make their way down to the Great Hall and the Masquerade Ball. The couple ambled down from the tower; talking about small, simple and rather uninteresting things that only married couples really would talk about. Dan was enjoying the quiet well it lasted as he knew that as soon as they got into the hall the chance of conversation was slim to none.

The sound of the music and laughter reached them before they even reached the entrance hall. Students were running around like headless chickens, chasing one another and trying to pull off the others masks….already Dan wanted a stiff drink and they had not even entered the hall yet. With a deep breath the Headmaster pulled his mask down and stepped into the Great Hall and the shark infested waters, trying to led Dia through a safe path as well as not step on any of the first years who seemed to be on a sugar high.

Dan knew just where he was heading, right to the dance floor, one of the first things him and Dia ever did together was dance and at least this time around they would not have to jump over bowls of custard.

“Care for a dance my love?!”