The End of Year Masquerade Ball

[Shaun Zinn]

Talk about a Masquerade Ball had been spreading like the flu. When it reached Shaun's ears, it hit him hard. He didn't like the idea of showing up alone but he wasn't sure who he would've asked to go with him. He would've asked Via Thorn, but he knew she was only a friend and a dance wasn't something you show up to with a friend. Alexis? Yes, he'd ask her, but how and when? He had tried the library the entire week before the ball but she was no where to be found. Shaun finally decided that he'd just find her at the ball and ask her for a dance.

Standing in front of the mirror, he straightened his tie once more. He would've called Via in again to make sure it was perfect, but she had already left for the ball but at least he had a peak at her dress and would be able to pick her out of the crowd. Shaun stared at his reflection for a while and pushed his hair about so it was out if his face. The black suit he had picked out fit him comfortably. Carefully, he placed his mask on his face and left the Hufflepuff Common room with a confident smile painted on his face.

Shaun entered the great hall with a hand in his pocket as if he hadn't a care in the world, which he didn't. He was certain he'd find Alexis tonight and if not her, then Via. He glanced around and what had caught his eye made him smile. He didn't think he'd find her that soon. Via was standing by the bar, punch in hand and looking as if she'd rather be somewhere else than here. Shaun decided to pay her a visit first before he'd go looking for the lovely Alexis.

He walked over to his fair-haired friend with confident strides, acting as if it wasn't him behind the half mask. "Good Day, Miss. You seem to be enjoying yourself," he commented with his usual boyish grin. He put his arm around his friend's shoulder and let his weight fall onto one leg as he grabbed her punch and took a sip. "Might I say that you are looking absolutely lovely tonight?" he continued before giving her back the glass of punch.

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis decided she wasn't all that hungry. The food did look good her stomach just didn't seem to be into it. She leaned against the table, since most people were on the dance floor there wasn't a line at the table. Alexis watched and marveled at how they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. She would love to be out there dancing, laughing, there was part of her that wished Shaun had asked her. They just hadn't seen much of each other since the library. Looking around the room she hoped she would run into him but she had no idea how that was supposed to happen with everyone wearing masks.

Deciding she now wanted something to drink Alexis moved away from the buffet and onto the punch table. Punch seemed more appealing so long as she didn't spill any on her dress. Sometimes she was a little accident prone, she ruined many a dress in her younger years. Her mother always got her ready for parties minutes before they had to leave. She would say it was to save her from herself. Alexis smiled at the thought suddenly missing home.

Absentmindedly picking up a glass she grabbed the ladle in order to pour some of the brightly colored liquid into it when she heard a voice one she recognized all too well. It was Shaun but he was talking to someone else a female someone else. Alexis' face turned into a frown as she pulled the mask down over her eyes for a moment right before dropping the ladle back into the punch bowl with an ungodly splash. Lucky she thought to jump back before she got any on her. Now she felt terrible and had made an arse of herself.

Turning on her heels Alexis didn't want to him to see her looking like a looser. This was one of those moments were having the earth open up and swallow her whole didn't seem so bad. Had he seen her? How could he not have? Closing her eyes tight she stood there wishing she could turn back the clock so that she would be sitting in her room now contemplating going to the dance and coming to the conclusion that she wouldn't be attending. Her hair started to turn a little red as did her cheeks.

[Lucas McGuff]

As time ticked by, he wondered to himself why he even thought of coming to the ball, by his obscure outfit people would of guessed it was him, afterall, who else would come in such a big nosed mask and medieval costume? Lucas could think of nobody else. Looking down at his costume, even his lion symbol on the front took resemblance to the Gryffindor house emblem, and with that, Lucas let go of his costume as he pinched it at the front and looked back up towards the floor.

Just as he did, somebody made him jump, and for once he was off guard. Turning to the culprit, it was obvious it was Ellie from what she said, and Lucas couldn't help but grin.
"Bloomin' hell Ellie, are you trying to give me the heebie jeebies?" he smirked, tickling her sides a little in an attempt to get her back for frightening him. It was then, when he saw her grin that he realised how beautiful she looked. Stopping tickling her, he gulped back the ready made dry lump that had formed in his throat. Blimey....well what you waiting for lad, ask her!

Bowing slightly, careful not to poke her in the eye with his mask's nose, he held out his hand before doing a small half-bowed jig.
"Care for a dance madam?" he said, mocking a posh english accent.

[Ellie Rook]

As Lucas jumped from her sudden grasp, Ellie's smile brightened. She giggle. "Right, what was it again...oh yeah, brave and manly brute." She said with a sarcastic glance up and down Lucas. She enjoyed his company. He was absolutely hilarious and it let Ellie get all her energy out in a good way instead of starting a fight or something.

"Nice outfit." Ellie said laughing as she was tickled by the Gryffindor. His only retaliation coming from his fingers on her waist. She smiled and pushed his hands off her waist, realizing that as usual, Lucas was the one to stand out from the crowd. His medieval outfit certainly added a playful tone to all the formality of the ball. Suddenly Ellie wished she was in a sweeping white medieval gown with long sleeves and a simple gold threaded belt. Ellie smiled as she pointed out his ensemble. "Should I call you Sir Lucas for the night then?" She said with a wide grin.

Ellie saw him glance at her, with a strange look, not Lucas at all. He almost looked nervous, almost. Ellie had to step back a half step not to get poked with the riddiculous mask he was wearing. She giggled at his request, replying in the same posh voice: "Why, of course, Sir Lucas," holding up her arms waiting for him to sweep her across the dance floor, or whatever they did at balls these days.

[Lucas McGuff]

Lucas couldn't helpp but burst into laughter when she recalled what they had said just a few days previous. Raising his eyebrows, he picked up a cup, filled it with punch and handed it to her before doing the same for himself.
"Brute, Pinnacle, Legend, Manly...it's all the same to me" he wavered before giving a smug look and flicking his mask's nose up in the air as if he was an arisocrat, albeit a very odd looking one.

Taking a big swig of his punch, Ellie then piped up and asked if she should call him Sir Lucas. The shock and the funny side, made him spit his drink out and begin laughing instantly. Wiping his mouth, it didn't work too well, so he lifted his mask up slightly to continue.
"You know what? That's never sounded better!" he grinned, putting his drink down and somehow gracefully swooping her up by her hand and taking the drink from the other, spinning her around and putting her drink on a nearby table as he lead her to the floor.

"I hope you know how to dance, because I don't... I'm a little too brutish to know how to" he smirked, unsure whether it was visible under his not so hot alias.

[queen]

With a sigh, Ava walked down the stairs to the Slytherin common room. The fire had not been lit considering more than most of the Slytherins were already down at the ball. She sighed again as she sat in a deep green wing back chair to strap on her heels. The common room was empty except for a lone firstyear who looked like he thought he was too good to dress up for any one. Avaleigh would agree with him, if she didn't want to show off her dress.

It was circa 1920, very vintage. It was gorgoues and not to mention expensive. Ava's mother had bought it for her, and it was perfect. Ava wasn't to phased by the ball. It wasn't her first and it would be her last. She would be a seventh year next term and she would be expecting her parents to throw her a giant graduation party. Ava had already begun talking about it.

Shoes finally strapped on her feet, Ava grabbed her black and silver clutch and her mask. Her mask was slightly over the top, but he father had gotten it specially made for her in Italy. She loved it, and it definitely would draw attention to her. Perfect.

Ava walked up from the dungeons and toward the Great hall. Her heels clicked on the stone work as she walked. It made her grin. She passed by some stragglers and couldn't help but notice how simple their dresses were.

Avaleigh entered the Great Hall, a small grin on her face. It looked like Hogwarts had actually done something right for once. The hall looked spectacular. Ava sighed, as she walked through the crowd. She looked around, trying to spot a fellow Slytherin. For the common room being empty, there certainly was a lack of Snakes. Ava walked by a cat masked figure and nodded to her, knowing very well that it was Erys, and her 'beau' Ricky. She seemed to be telling off a younger girl, with what looked like Angelina Gomez as her 'back up'. Ava stepped in closer and grinned.

"The belles of the ball." She said with a smirk, looking up and down the two fellow Slytherins. She glanced at the younger Slytherin girl. and gave a small growl. "Pups are getting bold, no?" She remarked to the older girls.

[Via Thorn]

Jumping suddenly at the appearance of Shaun, he instantly brought a smile to her face. As she opened her mouth to speak to him he snapped up her punch and cheekily took a swig, she smirked at him, crossing her arms over her chest before the plastic cup was thrust back into her hand.
"Enjoy that did we?" she smiled, finally able to take a sip for herself. Bring her cup back down she looked back at him and smiled.

"So where's your date tonight?" she asked before pausing for a second. A look of shock appeared on her face before she spoke again.
"She better not of stood you up, I'll set arnie on her" she chuckled, bringing a delicate hand to her lips. Arnie, a toad in love with girls. Gryffindor girls to be exact. A regular pimp, and Via was sure he would get kissed by a girl one day and turn into a prince.

Looking him up and down in surprise, she grinned at him and began dusting off his chest.
"My, don't you scrub up well?" she grinned so much that her eyes became squinted. Looking over to the floor once again, she sighed. She was regretting coming now, she looked more of a loser for not having a date and nobody being interested in her. She would stay for a while to see shaun was okay and then leave.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie took a sip of the drink Lucas handed to her. She smiled at him. She couldn't help but smile, considering his mask was outrageous. But that was Lucas, outrageous, and Ellie wouldn't have it any other way.

Ellie was unexpected and rather elegantly twirled and pulled out on the dance floor. Somehow, she didn't believe that Lucas couldn't dance, maybe it was the smidgen of a smirk she could see under his mask. "Brutish...right." Ellie said, rolling her eyes with a smirk of her own.

As they danced, not as bad as Lucas had made her believe, Ellie caught another glimpse of Bray, She put her head down closer to Lucas' shoulder so he wouldn't see her. Embarrassing. She was actually hiding.

"Sorry..." Ellie said, noticing she was totally ignoring Lucas. "Can I tell you a secret?" She said, stopping the circles they were moving in and dancing calmly so they could talk. "You are aiding and abetting in my hiding from Bray." Ellie said, the smirk pretty much gone from her face. "You might be killed in the line of fire Sir Lucas." She said, the grin forming again on her face as they danced.

[Shaun Zinn]

Shaun was awaiting the slap he would receive from Via but as he waited, he felt no hand on his face. He gave a soft sigh as he let the breathe he was holding out slowly. He grinned and gave a nod, "Yes I did, thank you very much," he answered as he looked around the room.

Shaun noticed a girl in red to his right but Via began to speak so he turned his attention to his friend for a moment. A frown showed on his face for a moment when she asked him about his date but it disappeared just as fast as it had appeared. "I am dateless to say the least. The lucky lady was no where to be found so I didn't have a chance to ask her. But, I am determined to find her and steal a dance," He said raising a finger as if making a point to his friend.

Via brought her hand to his chest and Shaun's face flushed red. "Yes, well I-um, I try," he said nervously before he heard a splash behind him. He turned and the girl in a dark red dress and feathered mask jumped back from the punch. He squinted through his mask and examined her features. It was Alexis. It had to be. He turned back to Via and smiled, "I'm sorry, but there is a damsel in distress that I must rescue," he said rather cheekily before rushing after the girl.

He was just fast enough to get in front of her and stop her. He smiled and tilted his head in a curious fashion. "Excuse me, but I'm looking for a girl about your height with your same build. She's a beautiful young woman with bright blue eyes. You haven't seen her by any chance, have you?" he asked before a playful grin appeared across his features.

[Alexis Heart]

Why wasn't there a corner somewhere where she could hide? It would have been so convenient for her right about now. There was no all the noise she made went unnoticed. She had the desire to turn around and look. Trying to figure out where to go now, she saw a boy and a girl who had been hiding in a corner by the window move away. Alexis headed for an ideal spot.

Too bad, it had taken her so long to decide. In the time, it took her to find that nice corner someone moved in front of her. There was no doubt in her mind about who it was. Hoping that he simply was trying to pass Alexis started to move away. Seeing that he didn't move Alexis figured he guessed who she was.

It would be rude to walk off, but she wanted to. She thought they would be coming to this thing together instead, she found him chatting up someone else. Yes but if he wanted to be with that someone else he wouldn't be standing here in front of you silly came the voice inside her own mind. Pondering that a moment she stopped being angry.

His sweet talk helped a bit too. No boy had ever told her she was beautiful before. That made her feel good and the frown she was wearing suddenly turned upside down as a smile broke out. Deciding to play along with him, she remarked, "Oh a beautiful blue eyed girl hmmm lets see then." She feigned looking around the room for a while "Dear me I don't seem to see her anywhere but I think I might make a good substitute." The last word was said on a giggle she had been having a good time with her little charade.

[Shaun Zinn]

Alexis looked upset and Shaun had a pretty good idea why. It was the same reason he was feeling bad. He should have asked her to the Ball when he first heard about it instead of putting it off, but he couldn't find her. It wasn't his fault, nor was it hers but he was determined to make it up to her. A Dance first off.

Shaun gave a fake look of disappointment when the said beauty was no where to be found but when Alexis offered herself as a substitute, Shaun's boyish grin returned. He could feel a response coming on and didn't know if he should say it or not but before he could talk himself out of it, it was already escaping his lips, "Are you sure you don't see her around?" he asked, his eyes never leaving hers. He stepped closer to her, taking her hand in his, "I see a beauty right in front of me."

So his face was beginning to flush red so he bowed to her and offered his other hand to her, "Alexis," he started as he stood back up, "Care to dance?" he asked.

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis was feeling loads better even though she had not been officially asked. The fact that he came and looked for her well that said a lot. Alexis had allowed the thing that angered her to leave her mind. Instead she paid attention to the really cute boy there in front of her.

When he finally answered her again he once more said the word beautiful. How was it possible he found her beautiful, when she looked in the mirror she saw a plain Jane kind of girl. Nothing really remarkable about her except her eyes, but for some reason this cute boy thought there was more.

It was hard not to grin not to feel a certain sense of pride at being complimented not once but twice. He took her hand and Alexis bit her bottom lip. All of this was so knew for her. In all their discussions on boys her older sister never prepared her for this. He too must have felt out of sorts because he looked down and from what she could see he was blushing slightly.

Alexis made no mention of it allowing the moment to pass. His hand made a grasp for her other hand seconds later and he asked her to dance. "I think I'd like that Shaun," and now it was her turn to blush.

[Amara Conway]

Amara had been looking forward to this ball since she had heard about it. The Ravenclaw was most definitely the type of person who would thrive on the opportunity to dress up and make herself all pretty for no good reason but to parade around in front of people she didn’t like and generally didn’t care very much for. She had bullied her little brother into going to … partly out of a want for him to have some fun but also so that if she needed it she had a scapegoat.

So, dressed, slightly casually but still, in her short blue boob tube dress Amara checked herself in front of the mirror, slightly late for the Ball already. Her hair was loose, hanging over her shoulders and down her back, almost hiding the deep “v” her dress made at the back. Her mask lay on her bed, watching her with sunken eyes as she looked at herself. Patting down the thick lace that covered her dress, Amara scooped the hair that hung around her face and fastened it behind her head with a smaller version of her necklace. It, being the necklace, was a large round medallion that looked like a partially eclipsed moon that shimmered and smoked under the glassy surface.

She knew that she looked good, perhaps a little casual, she knew, but still good. “Besides,” she told herself, “it’s too late to change it now.” She gave herself a dashing grin, scooped up her mask and made for the Great Hall. Her mask had been a lucky find, really. It was a two-faced half faced mask that curved over the head. The one half of the mask was deep red in colour, brow frowned in a sneer, with a small horn sticking out the top, with two medium sized feathers sticking out from behind it, one red the other blue. The other half was a very light blue colour, with a raised eye brow and a dark patch on the top, as though bruised.

The dark haired Claw had slipped the mask onto her face by the time she had gotten to the Great Hall, where music was playing loudly, everyone was dressed up for the occasion, people were both dancing and standing around looking bored. Mar had always enjoyed seeing others dress up too, to see what they had decided to wear was always a great source of amusement for the young Claw. But now that she was walking slowly into the Great Hall she realised she hadn’t arranged to come with anyone and so had no one to dance with.

Not that she cared, of course, Mara didn’t need anyone else to have fun. Throwing her hair over one shoulder confidently, her feathers bobbing playfully behind her, Amara walked slowly around the dance floor, watching through the both happy and angry eyes of her mask as people twirled past her. Eventually she came to a halt near a cluster of small tables and absently pulled a seat out and took a seat. The swaying dresses and rodes were enchanting and captured Mara’s imagination, giving her many ideas for new songs. But all she could do just then was stare at the swirling bodies and smile.

[Harrison Greg]

Harrison did not know weather to take offence by Blake’s little stab at his way of accessorising or to join in and let his more feminine side out. Instead he decided that today was no time to get all mardy with his mates and minced over towards his housemate and the Ravenclaw trying not to stop himself from laughing. The slight problem was Blake was finding it hard to keep a straight face and Fay, well she was not even trying. When she asked what he was wearing Harrison did a little twirl on the spot and gave a small grin and joined in with Blake and put on his campest voice.

“Why don’t you like it honey bun.” After doing a complete 360 degree spin he reached out with the end of his feather boa and tapped Fay on the nose. “I thought it suited my outfit, although I am sure that skinny red dress would have worked better, I just don’t have the legs for it.”

With a small chuckle Harrison looked away from his conversing friends (yep he actually counted Fay as a friend) and surveyed the room. Teachers and students were dancing side by side, people were laughing and joking and for once he was not the centre of attention, where were the normal crowd of girls swooning over him and Blake?

Lost in his own little self absorbed world Harrison only snapped back into the hall when the sound of another person shouting out Fay’s name floated towards them. Glancing over his shoulder he saw someone who he guessed would be Bradyn walk towards them. He stood near them and clearly ignoring him and Blake, which was not such a bad thing however in the Gryffindors mind he knew it was time for them to move on. Side stepping towards his best mate Harrison wrapped an arm around his shoulder and slowly start to drag him away.

“I think I see Rieko over there.” He stated knowing it would be one of the only ways to get Blake moving. “She said she would be wearing yellow right.” Too bad a lot of others (Most likely Hufflepuff’s) were wearing yellow as well. But it was then Harrison saw someone enter in a blue dress and one of the most interesting masks he had seen that evening he had a feeling who it could be and at the glimpse of her dark red hair it confirmed his assumptions. Giving Blake a nudge Harrison turned to face his mate with a wide grin. “Got to go mate! I have a damsel to annoy. ”

Unravelling the feather boa from around his hat Harrison spun around back towards Fay and Bray and threw the mass of feather at the male Ravenclaw before making his escape across the dance floor, jigging away, dodging other couples and as he passed the Headmaster and his wife the Gryffindor pulled the white cowboy hat off his head and placed it on the head of the original Professor Hubbles and with a small wink at the former Professor Owen and blowing her a kiss Harrison danced off towards the lonely table where a lonely Ravenclaw sat.

Now Harrison was never one to do things the easy way and instead of just pulling out the chair from the opposite side of the table the showboating Gryffindor jumped onto the table and gave Amara a small bow. His fringe flopped over the top of the mask and his cheeky grin beamed out, if the light had shined at the right angle he would swear they would sparkle like in those toothpaste ads.

“Good evening madam.” He spoke with a terribly fake posh accent. “Would you do me the great honour of granting me permission to sit on your fair…” He paused a gave Amara a cheeky wink “…table.”

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

It all seemed so familiar to the professor in the elegant black dress, this waltz that Dan so skillfully twirled her into. They had danced like this … almost, once before and that had sparked off their whole whirlwind relationship. Dancing seemed to be something both man and wife did very well; Mrs Owen had commented on Dan’s wonderful dancing abilities at the small wedding reception that they had had and Dia grinned all the more widely at Dan when the memory filled her mind.

Dan spoke and Dia realised where they were, in the decked out Great Hall in Scotland, not under the straw roof of Moswen’s house with her small family and Dan’s family and Moswen and his friends playing music. Her far away smile dimmed slightly as her blue eyes met Dan’s gray ones and held his look for a moment. It was lovely to be standing in a crowd, swaying gently with the man she loved so much. His voice was light and strong. Dia had been worried for a while that his new appointment had been taking it out of him but now she was certain that this would do him some good.

But suddenly there was an unexpected explosion and clouds of purple wafted around lazily. Dia jumped and grasped Dan’s arms with both hands. That was the last things she had expected. Dan did the same, holding her tightly. Then he broke away from her. He moved away from Dia, leaving her in the crowd as he dashed off to save the day. She was glad the holiday’s were coming, he certainly needed it, that was for sure; their holiday to China could not come soon enough. Dia took a deep breath but let out a snort of air as she made up her mind.

Marching over to where Dan was, Dia stood next to him, looking enquiringly at him. This little show had had a marked effect on him, it was clear on his face. Dan asked for a drink and all Dia could do was nod. She wanted to say how it was all going to be alright and that worrying wasn’t going to help anyone and that he should just relax tonight and enjoy the party atmosphere but she realised that her throat was so dry she couldn’t say anything. This was the reason she had nodded, she too wanted a drink. Perhaps then she would be able to give Dan all the comfort and strength he needed.

Again he questioned her as they walked towards the refreshments table about the drinks and again she nodded. She had suspected that alcohol would be needed for some of the staff and so the special punches bowls had it on strict instruction to not allow themselves to be scooped by any one attending Hogwarts. Dia slipped her hand into Dan’s and she gave him a reassuring squeeze before she broke away from him, picking up two cup and pouring them each a glass of the peach-coloured punch. Dia handed one cup to her husband, giving him a warm smile, and then took a large sip of her own.

Leaning on the table, Dia smiled at the Gryffindor sixth year she recognized that walked past them. Turning back to Dan, Dia leaned her head to one side and smiled at him again. Lifting her hand to his chin, Dia felt the stubble and smiled a little wider. Her hand went up his cheek, feeling the stubble tickling her hand as she did. “Hey Dan,” she said softly, “forget about all that. –“ she nodded towards the dance floor “ – we’re here to relax, to have fun. You do still know how to do that right?” A cheeky grin curled one side of Dia’s mouth as she drained her small cup.