HP-Hogwarts Story So Far

Transcript Seven

The Yule Ball

Entrances

 

The Great Hall has been magically transformed for the Yule Ball.

It's night ceiling glittered with starlight and a bright Full Moon shone down bathing the room in a silver glow.

The walls were covered in Yuletide greenery - holly, ivy and mistletoe sparkling with silvery white frost. A large Christmas tree stood at one end; its frosted branches decorated with real fairy lights and jewelled ornaments. Other corners of the Hall held smaller but equally beautifully decorated evergreens. This gave the overall impression that the Great Hall was in the midst of an enchanted faerie wood, though one that was warm and welcoming. Small tables, lit by small lanterns, were placed around the large open space reserved for dancing.

The smaller side dinning rooms were filled with long buffet tables loaded with wonderful treats so that students and teachers could eat and drink when they wished to. As usual house-elves were busy making sure that everything remained tidy.

To the side of the largest tree was a small stage where musicians were seated ready to play once the Ball had begun. As students arrived at the entrance, various Professors were shepherding them in different directions so that the separate years were seated at tables set close together.

Most of the students were in fancy dress though a few had decided to just wear dress robes. Some of the Professors had joined in the fun. The Headmaster Professor Dumbledore looked magnificent in a Father Christmas robe of white and silver. Professor Snape though remained in his school black robes frowning slightly at such foolishness.

Many of the Third Years had agreed to meet each other at the Entrance so they could enter together with their partners for the evening, though some would undoubtedly meet in their Common Rooms and come in later.

Sarah was among those students who had decided to go 'stag' to the Ball.

After a couple of disastrous attempts by some of the older girls to transform her hair into a 'Medusa' style hairdo, Sarah had opted to dress against type in one of the muggle dresses she had inherited from an elderly relative. She left her snake Basil to sleep the evening away rather than be an accessory.

Thus, she appeared in a floor length hand-embroidered white and pale green evening dress dating from the Edwardian period (circa 1908). A green velvet shawl was around her shoulders and her usually spiky red hair had been transformed (or she was wearing a wig?) into an elegant hairstyle compatible with the period of the gown.

She looked quite different from her usual self.

Winifred was one of the firsts to arrive at the ball. She had decided at the last minute to be a sort of fairy. She was wearing a very flowing blue and green dress and a pair of silver wings with blue and green accents. Her arms and chest were sprinkled with glitter and she had blue and green flowers arranged in her curled hair.

Winifred spotted Sarah and went over to chat while she awaited the arrival of Kalidor and the others.

Achel and Nimue entered the Great Hall and stopped for a moment at the entranceway to get their bearings.

Nimue had indeed chosen matching costumes apparently from an 'Elven Fantasy range' (note we are talking High Elves here not indigenous house-elves which are more properly 'brownies') and they looked like a prince and princess who had just stepped out of the Otherworld to attend the Ball.

Her underdress was of a rich cream fabric cut close over an embroidered bodice of white, silver and green with a full skirt that was over layered with a number of diaphanous panels patterned with leaves, buds and flowers also of white, silver & green. The sleeves of the dress were of lace matching the bodice and complimenting the skirt. Her long dark hair fell in a mass of curls and she wore a wreath crown made of holly & ivy.

Over her shoulders was thrown a cloak, again of a diaphanous material in the pattern of green leaves which was discarded as they reached the table where they would be sitting next to Morticia and Egreen.

Achel wore a similar though heavier cloak and his costume of tunic, tights and boots mirrored the colours of Nimue's though was less ornate in its patterning. A small ornamental sword was at his belt. He too wore a crown of holly and ivy and it seemed his ears were slightly pointed. Nimue's hair covered her ears so whether these too were pointed was not evident.

Marvo is waiting just outside the Hall's main door, walking backwards and forwards, looking a little apprehensive and waiting for Kat.

He is wearing thigh high black boots, tight black trousers with a wide red belt with a VERY baggy white shirt with puffed sleeves (Imagine an eighties Adam Ant version of a pirate).

He has two thin swords on his belt. Over his Left eye is a patch and on his shoulder is what looks like a stuffed Parrot. On his head is a red and white Bandanna.

He looks slightly nervous, walking away from the door whenever anyone comes near and acting like he has just arrived when they have gone past.

Kat looked completely different. She had a couple of strange looks from students who didn't recognise her and had to look twice. Right now she was running along the corridors towards the hall. She had taken a little longer than she planned to get ready and she wasn't gong to be late. Her hair had been the problem because she wasn't used to doing anything with it! All that most of the students could see was a blur of blue veils floating behind her.

As she approached the hall she stopped to make sure everything was in place for maximum effect. As she walked round the last corner she looked more like the princess that she was dressed as than the normal Kat Black in her purple Doc's. She was dressed in a mid blue that made her eyes shine brighter than normal. She wore loose fitting pantaloons that were gathered to a silver band around her ankles. On her top she had a small tight top that covered everything it needed to but showed what little shape she had. Her flat tummy was open to for all to see, and in her tummy button she wore a bright blue sapphire. Her hair was mostly gathered around her head although hundreds of ringlets fell to her exposed shoulders. Her hair glowed in the light a red tinge around the normal dark brown. (This is her normal colour, but she never makes this much effort...) In her hair was a silver tiara and attached to it was a full blue veil that sat over the back of her hair.

Across her face was a small veil that covered her nose and mouth, although they could be seen through it. On her feet she had delicate silk slippers, also in blue with a silver motif. And on her wrist was the bracelet that Nathan had sent her.

Her cheeks were still rosy for her running as she approached Marvo and her heart is pounding with the excitement of turning up for a 'date', "Why hello prince charming!"

As Kat approaches Marvo at first did not recognise her. When he did his mouth drops open.

When she speaks a gurgle comes from Marvo.

He clears his throat ' Er.. Wow.. Erm.. hello. You look..... Nice'

He smiles, blushing slight.

He puts out his arm for Kat. 'Shall we enter... Princess?'

The head of the Stuffed Parrot on Marvo's shoulder turns to face Kat, 'SQWARK - Wow! You scrub up nice! Giz us a Kiss Cuite - SQWARK'

Kat laughs at the parrot, and looks at Marvo. "So your parrot has a mind of it's own does it? Or are you doing that? I'm surprised you didn't find a real one."

Marvo goes deep red at the Parrots remark.

'Oh no! It's not me saying it! I put a couple of temporary spells on it, just for fun.'

He gives it a sideways glance and mumbles, 'I hope I won't regret it.'

Marvo walks arm in arm with Kat into the Main hall and are ushered to the 3rd Year tables

Kat grins at Marvo's response, definitely pleased by it.

"You look very dashing." She told him. She tucks her arm through his. "Lead on. We can see who else is here."

At a distance Nimue agreed with Kat that Malc... Marvo looked very dashing indeed. The rather annoying parrot though - that was pure Marvo in buffoon mode.

Illessa walked slightly nervously into the great hall, feeling very exposed walking in alone and very late, her costume had gone wrong at the last minute and by the time she had got it good enough to wear again people had already been leaving for the hall.

It had taken a lot of work but she finally looked like a pretty convincing mermaid. Her hair was long and loose, and felt very strange compared to her usual thick ponytail, and had been magically lightened to a honey blonde. Her bikini top shimmered hundreds of different colours in the light, but it was the tail she was most proud of. It was basically a green skirt with some clever sewing to get the general shape, but she had been working for weeks using several charms that were far more advanced than anything she had tried before. They make it appear like a real tail without resorting to sewing it round her feet and having to jump around all night. If you looked closely it was obvious that most of the bottom quarter was illusion, but otherwise it looked like she was swimming through thin air. She smiled shyly at anyone who looked over and went to find the others that were 'stag'

Sarah walked as gracefully as she could (there was an impression that she'd rather have bounded like a small puppy but her rather prim dress exerted some restraint).

"Illessa, that is such a great costume! Come join us."

Sarah indicated the tables where a number of the Third Years were already sitting and standing about. Although some were 'stag' and other there as couples, it looked as though people were mixing together.

It was also obvious that a fair few students in the Hall had come on their own and that when dancing began there would be plenty of partners to choose from - that is unless the boys 'froze up'.

'SQWARK. Oh Look! Goths, Pixies and Wallflowers! SQWARK' called the parrot.

Madison hurried to the Great Hall, trying not to mess up her costume. She had decided to go as a forest nymph. Part of her dark hair was in a braid wrapped around the top of her head, with small flowers and leaves woven into it. The rest of her hair ran over her shoulders and down her back like a waterfall. She had a bit of glitter sprinkled on her skin, which had taken on a very slight green-golden glow, and was wearing a strapless forest green dress with an unevenly cut hem that came down to just above her knees. Over it, a lighter, pale green translucent material was wrapped tightly around the top half of her body, criss-crossing about her chest, shoulders and waist, then came loosely down to mid-calf.

Some of the students stared as she hurried by, making her blush. She made it to the entrance and looked around, not seeing Lee anywhere. So he was late. *Typical Lee,* she thought.

Madison looked over to the loud parrot, afraid that people would look her way. She gave Kat and Marvo a small wave, then leaned against the wall, trying not to draw attention to herself. She took a quick look around. Everyone's costumes looked great, and she suddenly felt silly in hers. She blushed, and hoped that Lee would arrive soon.

'SQWARK. Looks! Someone has come as a weed from Hagrid's pumpkin patch! SQWARK' shouted the Parrot.

Madison blushed brighter, and seriously considered throwing her shoe at the thing and knocking it right off Marvo's shoulder. *So this is why my dad always hated parrots...*

Andy walked to the entrance of the Yule Ball wearing his costume. He had dressed as a house elf. He had a green vest on with a tight green shirt underneath which revealed his muscles very much so. He wasn't that buff, but he worked out. Enough to turn on some girls at the dance. He wore red pants with green and white swirls that changed colours every so often. He wore shoes that came to a point with a bell on the tips of them so when he ran it sounded throughout the hallways. He also wore a hat that was heated from the inside so he wouldn't get cold without a coat on. Just in case he did some forbidden forest lurking. He stood outside of the Hall waiting for Yvette.

'SQWRAK Look at the Macho Man! Bet he couldn't crush a grape! SQWRAK' commented Marvo's parrot.

Marvo and Kat move to the table and Kat tries to manoeuvre them to sit next to Nimue and Achel, but Marvo gently push's them down to a sit on the opposite side.

At the Parrots remarks Marvo looks very embarrassed and hurry's to wave his wand over it, but seems to be having some trouble turning it off.

He whispers to Kat, 'Sorry. I was casting the spells on it when Peeves came into the Dorm. I think he might have 'jinxed' it a little' He says with a embarrassing smile

'SQWARK. Poor little Malcolm can't even use his wand. SQWARK' said the parrot.

Yvette swept over, smiling at Andy. She was dressed as a Veela, and somehow looked different than usual. Her curly hair was actually down, and framed her face. Her silver eyes appeared huge, and matched the colour of her dress. The pride and confidence she emitted was exactly like a Veela's, and to her surprise, she looked gorgeous. Of course, a few illusion spells had helped, and she shone with radiance brought on not only by magic, but happiness, as well.

"Hey! Ready to dance?" She grinned at him.

'SQWARK! Watch out boys! It's Veela! She's only after your wand! SQWARK!' called Marvo's parrot.

Madison caught sight of Yvette, and smiled. "Hi Andy! Hi Yvette! Wow, great costume," she greeted. "You both look great!" She lowered her voice.

"That little parrot on Marvo's shoulder might not think so...it's been squawking out 'cute' little remarks the whole night...Just thought I'd warn you." She smiled. "I'm just gonna wait for Lee here...You guys have fun!"

Yvette grinned and punched Madison's shoulder in a light, friendly manner. "Don't worry about him! Lee will show up, and we'll just ignore the bird."

"Hi...Yvette!" said Andy. "You look...great. I love your costume."

He swallowed. For once in his entire life, he was speechless. She looked great, but as soon as the comment about Ceridwyn came about, he began to blush. It wasn't that she dumped him, it was that he couldn't really find her. Andy turned to Madison.

"Yea," he said. "Marvo's parrot already had his comment with me." He clutched his wand.

"Ready to go inside, Yvette?" he asked wanting to show off his date.

"Hi, Yvette that is very cool look" remarked Sarah, feeling quite underdressed around all these fantasy costumes. "How come you're here with Andy - thought he was coming with Ceridwyn - did she dump him or did you nick him from her?"

Marvo pauses for a moment as he waves his wand over the (getting louder) Parrot to look at Yvette.

He smiles then returns to working out how to shut the thing up.

Yvette smiled. "Thanks, Sarah! Yours is lovely." Her face became slightly red. "We just hooked up."

"Oh fine - but I wonder where Ceridwyn is?" Sarah said half to Yvette and half to herself. She decided to go have a wander around and see if she could spot her.

However, a few feet from the Third Year Table she was intercepted by a rather prim and proper Fifth Year prefect, dressed as a muggle Victorian gentleman. By the look on his face he appeared to think Sarah was far more interesting that all the girls in more revealing outfits and asked her to dance.

She accepted his invitation with a backward glance at Marvo's stupid parrot ('wallflower' - hah!)

Achel looks angrily at Marvo, then at the Parrots remark about Marvo smiles and turns to Nimue

'Is he always such a buffoon?' he says.

Then he smiles 'You looks wonderful by the way, defiantly the bell of the ball' He kisses her hand. 'Shall we dance?'

Nimue couldn't help smiling at the parrot's remarks especially as by the look on his face Marvo had lost control of it completely by now.

"He does when he feels awkward and I guess he's feeling that now." They might not be friends at present but she did feel for Marvo as he was obviously trying hard to impress Kat and was being seriously hampered in this by the meddlesome parrot!

"Yes, I'd love to dance." Once on the dance floor Nimue felt she could leave behind the awareness of Marvo and her ongoing problem of finding an opportunity to bridge the gap between them.

She felt much more in her element as the music carried she and Achel into the midst of the Hall.

Riala was frantic, but not showing it. Her face had succumbed to a constant red. A 'friend' 'helped' her out but turning her hair primary colour red instead of the intended white. Then her makeup had turned to mush when she had tried to make her face a silvery pale, with blue highlights in the eye. Her costume was an Angel, but last minute problems meant it took twice as long as intended to get it to look good enough to ware in public. The good thing was her make-up was hiding her complete embarrassment at the fact that she had been running so late that Peesemould had, had to come and knock on her dormitory door. He had come to see if she still intending to go, when she had failed to come and meet him in the Slytherin common room. Not the best thing to happen on a date. But finally she had made herself presentable. Her finished product was a river-like silk flowing gown that covered her from toes almost down to her finger tips that was loose everywhere but the very top of the bodice, the was a slivery white. Her hair was in white ringlets. And finally her wings where white feathers and patterned to look like real wings that came out of her shoulder blades.

They arrived to find that really they weren't all that late for anything, most were chatting with friends and a few were dancing but it appeared that not a lot had been missed. Riala sighed with the relief she would have hated to have ruined the night for Peesey. And he did look stunning in his Dark Angel/Devil costume, well as stunning as you can look as the devil, looking at him, a smile formed her lips, so grateful she was that she had asked him to come with her, and even more that he'd said yes.

The parrots head turns to the dance floor, ignoring Marvo's frantic wand waving. "SQWARK! Oh no! Someone's cast a mass JELLY LEGS spell! SQWARK"

Riala looked started as she heard the parrot from behind her and for to frantic seconds she wondered what was wrong with her legs before she fully heard the sentence in head. She was definitely self-conscience tonight! But she moved on and joined the other third years at the table. Where Peesey being a gentlemen had pulled out her chair which made her extremely thankful for her makeup once again as she turned a deeper crimson.

Peesemould was dressed in a Devil costume, his face was painted red and two horns came out of his head. He also wore a long red satin cloak. "Watch it!" He said to a passing student who trod on his red pointed tail (which he had magiced on himself)

"Are you alright Riala?" Peesey asked as he pulled out a chair for her. He glowered at Marvo's parrot. "You look, great Riala, all that waiting did pay off!"

Several Boys, of all ages were starting to head towards Yvette and before she had even sat down some had already asked her to dance.

Yvette blushed. "I'm here with Andy." She smiled, and most of them scattered. She looked over to where he was standing and grinned sheepishly. "Maybe I shouldn't have come as a Veela..."

Many of the older boys (and quite a few of the younger ones) are staring at Yvette, and a few of the other girls are looking daggers at her.

Yvette straightens her shoulders and decides to ignore them. It's hard, because many of the girls are looking like they'll kill her and guys are tripping because they're watching her too much. Yet, she smiles tentatively and picks a chair to sit down on.

"Don't be silly," said Andy. "I'm grateful that I'm here with such a pretty girl."

Andy looked around. "Wanna dance?" he asked.

Yvette's face lit up. "Sure!" She'd been taking dance lessons for years, and was delighted that she would have a chance to use her skills.

Egreen had been quite surprised about Morticia's costume, just as she'd hoped. Now as she's strolling towards the ballroom at his side, Morticia feels a bit uneasy about herself. After all, she isn't used to such daring clothes and she's never worn any makeup before. She feels people stare at her.

"It's 'Death' from Sandman, you know, the comic books of this Muggle Neil Gaiman!" she growls at another Slytherin who gapes at her. "Found them in our common room, great books, now get out of the way!"

She glances sideways to Egreen and smiles. They DO make a stunning couple after all!

Although Egreen had initially objected to Morticia's costume he did now feel that she looked quite wonderful as `Death'. She was drawing a fair amount of attention from boys of all ages, which both pleased and worried him at the same time!

Like his cousin he had been too caught up of late in other matters to bother much about a costume but Morticia had rescued him at the last moment by helping him find something suitable.

Indeed, everywhere he looked his classmates seemed to have been transformed into elegant lords and ladies, dashing pirates, beautiful princesses and handsome princes. Even Sarah looked lovely and very different.

 

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Part 2 - Enjoying Themselves