The End of Year Masquerade Ball

[Felicity Locke]

Felicity covered her nose after Harrison poked it with the boa. Her nose wrinkled in an attempt to stop herself from sneezing, and it surprisingly worked. She moved her hand from her face and in the same motion brushed some hair from her face. Her eyes strayed over to the doors again, and she couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated that she hadn’t seen a certain somebody yet. At least the frustration was hidden beneath the mask.

Bray seemed to have materialized out of no where, which was ironic. She jumped a bit, and thankfully managed to not lose her balance because of it. “Aren’t you a ray of sunshine?” Felicity rolled her eyes at her friend. Obviously his mood hadn’t lifted since the last time she saw him. Which meant that him and Ellie hadn’t made up yet, and the two were still avoiding each other like the plague. Great. It seemed that once again, she was going to have to intervene for the sake of her friend’s relationship. It was annoying how stubborn the two were.

Scanning the room quickly, it didn’t take long for her to catch sight of the familiar bouncing curls that were only natural for her Puff friend. Alright, target in sight. Time for operation save-Bray-and-Ellie’s-relationship-by-tonight. Wow, that was a mouthful wasn’t it? She needed to think of shorter code names next time she went into spy mode. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to be a spy any other time in her life; all of these secrets were starting to get on her nerves.

First, she had to distract Bray so he couldn’t stop her. Well, it wasn’t like he could anyway, but it was easier when he wasn’t arguing the whole time. “I’m kind of thirsty Bray, why don’t you go find us some punch or something? I think it’s over there.” She gestured over to the little snack table and gave him a small shove. “Maybe sugar will lighten your mood.” Fay muttered sticking her tongue out at him.

After he was properly distracted (assuming that Bray did walk over to the table) Fay zeroed in on Ellie and made her way over there. She seemed to be dancing with some boy that Felicity couldn’t really recognize. How rude. A smile instantly stretched across her face as she neared. Fay laid an arm across Ellie’s shoulders and smiled angelically at the boy. “Can I borrow her for a while? She owes me a favor.”

[Bradyn Reed]

Almost as soon as he came, Fay's company trailed off as if he were her bodyguard and he couldn't help but feel rather glad. Watching her flirt with a bunch of Gryffindors was not going to lighten his sour mood at all, now was it? "Oh, indeed, I'm the freaking pot of gold at the end of the rainbow." He said a bit more irratably than he felt so she'd get the point. He wanted to have fun tonight but Fay was probably going to be a thorn in his side.

And suddenly she was going to die of dehydration? Likely story, he could tell that she was sending him away. "Alright, I'll be back." Bray said while rolling his eyes and taking off towards where she pointed. If she wanted to be alone, well, fine then. It was always best to let that girl have her way.

He would just rebel against her since obviously she wasn't going to pass out without a refreshment. So instead he just looked to see who was around, recognizing a couple in nearly matching cat masks and almost burst out laughing. Grace and her scratching post seemed to be having fun on their own so he decided to be merciful and let them have their fun.

But who else was there? He dared not look too much in case he saw a dark-haired girl in the midst of a group of guys since that would probably be too much for him to take. Silly pride of his, but instead he spotted a familiar blonde head and a familiar face since her mask wasn't exactly covering much. Still, he had to admit she looked amazing tonight.. surprisingly. "Wow, don't you look stunning?" He said midstride on his way over to Laney with a bit of a smirk. So he'd talk to her for a bit, she looked a little lonely without her Tree.

"Looks like you're trying to impress a certain someone, ay?"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

It was strange how simply giving Dan the title of Headmaster had made him so much more jumpy; he was never one for responsibility and working hard unless push came to shove. But now Dan was actually stressing over things, he was keeping to a timetable, doing extra work it…well it was not the same Dan Hubbles and the problem was he knew it. So as he and Dia walked towards the refreshment bar hand in hand he knew he needed to do something about this alteration in his personality, if only just for tonight.

Taking hold of the cup that Dia offered he looked at the peach punch for a moment or to before throwing it back in one as if it was a glass of Whiskey. It was when he was glugging back his drink did Dan feel something placed up his head, he could see the white rim of a cowboy hat and as the ever so confident Gryffindor waltz past blowing Dia a kiss Dan could not help but chuckle.

“That boy has far too much confidence.” Dan reached up and straightened the hat, tipping it slightly to one side and gave Dia his smoothest smile. Dia however still seemed to be slightly concerned about how he had reacted earlier and in her usual magnificent way was making him feel better within seconds. As her hand traced his jaw line Dan could not help but look deeply into her dazzling blue eyes, a small lopsided smile appeared as he listened to her words.

“Of course I still know how to have fun.” Dan teased as he reached out taking the empty cup off his wife and placing it down on the table behind Dia meaning that he was able to get that little bit closer to her. “It just depends on how you want me to show you my fun side.” With a cheeky grin Dan gave Dia’s bum a quick squeeze before peaking her on the cheek.

[Lucas McGuff]

Lucas had picked a great mask, and if he was stuck with a boring one then he would sure of been miserable all night. It was not like him to do things in a dull or boring manner, and so the mask had to be slightly outrageous to match his odd outfit didn't it? It all made sense...at least to Lucas.
"Yeah, you betchya....Brutish and rugged, that's me all over!" he chuckled, tempted to quite believe himself. If only.

Lucas noticed Ellie keep looking over his shoulder and eventually she ducked down enough that he looked around and smirked.
"You know i'm uglier under the mask. If I take it off you'll actually have something to hide from" he stated looking down at her. She soon apologised and asked if she could tell him a secret. He let go of her with one hand and saluted her.
"Yes ma'am. I'm like a safe me. Only because I forget things as soon as i'm told them, but that's not the point" he mumbled.

"Hiding from Bradyn Reed!? Why on earth would you do that?" he asked, mocking a posh English man. It was times like this he had a huge moustache so he could twizzle it. He made a mental note then and there to try and grow one.
"Ahh, line of fire aye?" he asked inquisitively.
"I'm sure my masks nose will keep me from harm" he smirked.
"Just go and get him" he said, twisting around so she was now in the line of fire, so to speak. As he turned he was greeted quite closely by a face that made him jump at how close she was.
"Sure, take her" he said, teasing Ellie and letting her go.

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie played with one of her curls. She felt so stupid she didn't even know why she had came. She spend and hour and a half to make sure she was perfect but why she was nothing. She felt so miserable. She wanted to get up and leave but she knew she wouldn't. It wasn't any one fault but her own.

She took off the mask that hid the sad face. She watched people having fun. She never could socialize. She felt the bitter tears. She wiped then away. She didn't even know why she was crying. She knew she didn't have a date. She knew she would just sitting here all night well the rest of the school had the time of lives. She sighed and put her head down. She wished just one person would dance with her just once.

[Lucas McGuff]

Since Lucas had no dance partner anymore, he sighed as he watched Ellie walk away with the random stranger. Scratching his jaw as he stood motionless on the floor, he sighed lightly and made his way over to the punch, grabbing the ladle and plunging it deep into the bowl, scooping the orange liquid into a plastic cup. Looking up he saw he was sat next to a younger Gryffindor, one he recognised but had never really talked too. The poor girl looked real upset and Lucas did a double take at her to notice tears roll down her cherub like features. Putting his cup down he looked at her.

"Ya'lright there, Sarie right?" he said frowning slightly, hoping he was right. Giving her a warm smile, he motioned her over and began to walk over to the dancefloor.
"Come and hop on my feet" he smirked.

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie looked up in shock. "Yeah..." She flushed, she couldn't believe it. She didn't really know him she knew his name was Lucas and he was in the sixth year. Why did he want to dance with her. SHe wasn't pretty. She knew that. She smiled all the same. The tears that she couldn't explain where still there but she felt happier than she had been in a year. "Ok, I'm not really a good dancer though." She muttered and her flushed grew darker.

[Ollie La'Roque]

Tonight was going to be....well, eventful was the word that sprung into Ollie's mind. He had been asked by a few girls to the ball, all of which he politely declined. He didn't want to have the pressure of entertaining them all night, and tonight was his chance to have a bit of harmless flirting fun.
As he adjusted his tie he looked in the mirror and check out his suit.
He never was one to feel entirely comfortable all dressed up, but the odd occasion it was nice to have a break from the norm. This was one of those occasions.

Sighing, he really knew the mask would be a pain in the behind all night and was tempted to not wear it at all, but that would defeat the object of a masquerade ball. As he walked into the great hall with his friends, they soon disappeared on the hunt for the female of the species. They really were like a pack of lions, it was quite an odd spectacle. Ollie spotted Lucas dancing with some younger year and he saluted him with a smirk. 'Daft Kid' he thought to himself about Lucas. 'He does get himself in some crazy situations'. Then he turned to look around and automatically his eyes gazed upon Rieko. He seemed to have a radar for her, it was crazy. Everywhere one of them went, the other one wouldn't be far behind. He caught her glance and looked around, determined not to annoy himself with her antics tonight. Glancing around again, he spotted a beauty (from what he could see) sat at a table and promptly made his way over to her in her black dress with her blonde hair flowing.
"Excuse me miss, would you care for a dance?" he smirked.

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Listening to her group of friends talking and laughing was somewhat comforting for the girl, but it quickly got a bit lonely seeing as she was the only one not really joining in. Polaris kept on people watching and sipping at her drink in slight boredom. Whats the point of this whole thing if you knew everyone?

After a few moments, Polaris was caught off guard when a boy approached her and asked her to dance. Blushing faintly she nodded with a smile and stood, taking his hand. "Sure."

As they scooted closer for the dance, Polaris found herself smiling more than at the table. "It's my first time dancing like this.." She confessed, hoping she wasn't too horrible at it.

Squinting her eyes slightly at the boy, she couldn't recognize him. And here she thought she knew everyone who came! "Are you new around here? I don't believe I've ever smelt.. I mean met you before." The ravenclaw asked, bright eyes peering up at the boy innocently.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie smiled and shook her head, rolling her eyes. Lucas was a character, how many times could she think it. The mask certainly was ugly, she would agree with that, but the face beneath it, no. Ellie thought about the first time she met Lucas. He was joking around, what else, but she saw something in his face that made her smile, truly smile. His face certainly wasn't the most handsome face in town, but it was warm, caring, free. It was like Lucas was always thinking of a joke, even if he didn't tell you, and it makes you smile.

Ellie really did feel bad that she was ruining their dance by thinking of someone else. Not that Lucas would mind, and he did understand. His actions, what we like to call throwing her to the wolves, proved that. Not only did he truly turn her into the light of fire, but he turn her directly into a flaming ball.

"Fay!" Ellie said, a smile coming over her face. She hadn't seen her friend for so long, but when Fay asked if she could steel her, Ellie's face scrunched a little. She turned to Lucas and pleaded with her eyes to take her for his own, steal her away, if only for five minutes.

"Sure, take her"

"I..Fay...Lucas!!!" Ellie said as Fay dragged her away from the dance floor. Ellie looked in front of them, She couldn't see Bray, so maybe Fay understood.

Unlikely.

"You look nice..." Ellie said opening the conversation, innocently, and not mention any of the following: cats, Irish boys, or Bradyn Reed.

[Felicity Locke]

It was surprising that Bray had actually left. Felicity had expected him to put up a fight. He didn’t even seem to argue at all, just walked off. Damn, something was seriously wrong with the boy. A small frown tugged at the corners of her lips as she watched him walk off. It was annoying how unbelievably stupid this whole thing was. They could’ve stopped fighting ages ago, but no. They were both freaking mules and refused to apologize. She glanced over to where other couples were dancing. Smiling, laughing, and dancing awkwardly to music, if only her life could be so easy.

Why did she always take it on herself to fix things? She was like some freaky type of perfectionist. “Oh yes it’s me! Aren’t you so glad to see me?” A grin filled her face instantly. She glanced back to the boy that Ellie was dancing with; still frustrated that she couldn’t recognize who he was. Stupid masked ball, she’d have to go yell at Hubbles for this later.

“How does everyone recognize me already? First Blake, then Harri, you too…it’s rather annoying. I can’t tell who anyone is…”

She was still grumbling when Ellie cut her off, commenting on her outfit. “Oh, thanks. The dress was my mom’s doing.” Felicity glanced down at her friend and let a grin fill her face again. “But I have to admit, you outshine me today Miss Rook. You look simple dashing darling.” She drew out the last word, adding a very overdone accent.

Fay finally got to where she wanted, which was a random table that she just happened to pick out of the blue. Felicity gestured for Ellie to sit down, and she sat down also. “Alright, I know I shouldn’t really be butting in, but you know how I am.” She hesitated, then placed a hand on Ellie’s shoulder. “I’m not going to force you to go talk to Bray or anything, nor am I going to force him to come over here.” Fay stood up again and placed a hand on her hip, chewing on her lower lip as she thought of what to say.

“But by the way you two are acting, I think you need to make up. I suggest you get over there and you both stop being complete imbiciles and freaking dance with each other. Have one of those lovey-dovey moments or whatever.” She waved her hand flippantly before looking down at Ellie with a raised eyebrow. “Tell him he owes me some punch too, I’m still thirsty…”

(( Bleh post ))