Dressed for
a Night of Dancing
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-03-02 09:29
Nightfall was already upon the castle when Bronwyn slipped out of her dorm room. She looked absolutely radiant in her pale yellow dress robes and matching slippers. Her hair was piled up on her head in an elaborate bun, will a few golden strands framing her beautiful face. Bronwyn wasn't one to wear too much make-up, so the colors she chose to accent her features were for the most part quite natural.
Kendra was still in the dormitory prepping for the big night, and Hunter was pacing around the common room looking extremely nervous.
He didn't look up when Bronwyn entered the room, but another pair of eyes watched her go to the shifty young man and put a hand on his shoulder. "Hi Hunter. You look fantastic tonight."
Smiling timidly as he was forced to relax, he said, "As do you. Erm...where's Kendra?"
"She's still getting ready, but she should be down shortly." She patted him reassuringly on the upper arm and turned to Toby, who was decked out quite handsomely in his navy blue dress robes. He met her gaze levelly, the look in his eyes changing almost immediately from jealously to admiration.
"Aren't you going to tell me how beautiful I look tonight, Toby Beck?" Bronwyn stated calmly.
His lips formed into a wicked smile. He got to his feet and crossed the room to take a better look at her. "Hmm," he said, wrapping one arm around his middle and tapping his chin with his free hand. "Spin for me."
Bronwyn laughed and spun around a few times, the pale yellow robes twirling around majestically. When he finally let her stop, she looked at him expectantly, waiting to hear his answer.
"You are without a doubt the most beautiful girl I have ever seen," he finally said.
For maybe the first time in her life, Bronwyn blushed.
"Promise me something?" he continued.
"Hmm?"
He took one of her hands into his own. "Save a dance for me?"
"I promise."
With much difficulty, she left the common room after that and went in search of Prescott. He was standing next to the grand staircase looking quite dashing, yet a bit nervous.
"Hi Prescott," she said, taking his arm. "Ready for a night of dancing?"
Blue Velvet
Author: Kendra Beck
Date: 06-03-02 14:50
Kendra put the last finishing touches on her hair before she put the necklace that Bronwyn had given her back on.
She stepped back and looked in the mirror of the girls bathroom. Bronwyn had helped her curl her hair. They pulled her hair back into a pony tail, and curled several long ringlets in her hair.
Kendra turned, looking at herself in all angles of the mirror, her light blue dress robes seeming to shine in the candlelight of the bathroom.
She kissed at the mirror and hurried down to meet Hunter.
As she stepped out into the common room, Toby grinned at his sister, truly amazed at how beautiful she looked, and elbowed Hunter. His eyes widened. She was dazzling.
"K-Kendra, you look.....beautiful!" Hunter stepped forward, acting like he didn't know what to do.
Kendra giggled. "Do you think so?"
Hunter nodded several times.
"Well, if you're going to stand there like a raving idiot, do you mind if I give your girlfriend a hug and a kiss?" Toby said chuckling.
Kendra and Hunter turned the same shade of red. "Sure."
Toby gave his sister a big hug, and a kiss on the cheek. "Knock 'em dead, little sis!"
"Right!" Kendra grinned and took the arm that Hunter offered, then looked at Toby in his matching navy robe like Hunter's. "You're coming down with us, right?"
"Yeah. Right behind you." He said, and she sensed his disappointment.
An Evening
of Dancing
Author: Kendra Beck
Date: 06-03-02 15:16
Hunter and Toby went down to the Great Hall arm in arm with Kendra in the center. Their temporary trio looked adorable as they came own the stairs.
They entered the Great Hall and found candles floating everywhere, students in their different colored dress robes, and even some of the professors there, too.
Toby excused himself and went over to talk to George Weasley and a few of his other classmates. Kendra and Hunter waved, and turned back to one another.
"Well, Beautiful. The party awaits us!" He grinned.
She giggled. "Like Toby said, let's 'knock 'em dead'!"
Worst Christmas
Holiday Ever
Author: Pansy Parkinson
Date: 06-03-02 20:00
This had to be the worst Christmas break ever for me, everyone was so happy in their cliques, and I was still cast out. No Slytherins would talk to me ever since Hallowe'en, and it appeared like I have a lot of making up to do. And to make things worse, DRACO had asked CLARA to the ball, until this year I was sure Draco was mine, but now it appears as though he is interested in Clara. Hmmph! As a last resort I ask Crabbe, who accepts, then Malfoy reminds him that it is because of me that we are in last place. . .
Getting Ready
for the Ball
Author: Golbez Rushdie
Date: 06-03-02 20:14
I go into the sixth year boy's dormitory and change into my dress robe. It is midnight blue with intricate weaving of gold in it. I go to the bathroom and get washed up. Once that is all done, I go into the Ravenclaw common room and wait for Aradia to come out. I start to feel jitters of nerves and excitement. I really hope the ball turns out better than last year, that was a major fiasco. Unfortunate but it was kinda funny. As long as this one turns out better. I'm pretty sure it will, as this time we all know what to expect and hopefully how to behave.
New Year,
New Look
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 06-03-02 20:43
Nearly a week had passed and Bill's background continued to remain deeply suppressed behind a flurry of unanswerable questions. What were his parents' names? Where was he from? How old was he? Did he have a job? And just what animal produced that fang for his earring?
Every morning, he and Aaron would run through the list of names and sort through the gifts Bill had bought, but nothing could be gained by their efforts. It seemed that any and all memories from before the accident refused to come clear.
Needless to say, Bill was starting to give up hope that he would ever remember anything about his past. Thus, he began to look towards the future.
Aaron and Bill wanted to hit the town to celebrate the New Year. There were going to be several parties scattered around the city, as well as free rounds of drinks at many of the pubs. Before setting off for the night, Bill took a long, hot shower and then found himself standing before the sink staring at his reflection through the mirror on the medicine cabinet. What he saw was a man who was slowly becoming familiar to him, although only through recognition. Too many questions lingered about, however, and it was driving Bill mad.
Suddenly, Bill decided that it was time for a change. It was time to become a new person, especially since he just couldn't remember a thing about his past life. He reached out and opened the cabinet, his hands seizing a silver pair of scissors. Without thinking, he ran a hand through his longish hair and with one large snip, chopped off a great deal of it. In the end, long strands of ginger hair lay on the floor by his feet.
He surveyed his reflection once more and saw a different man staring back at him; a new man. This man's hair was short and somewhat stylish, although there were a few kinks here and there. Bill decided that he liked this change, but still wanted to take it a step further. He took out the earring and set it on the corner of the sink. Much better.
Half an hour later, a clean shaven and well-dressed Bill Weasley exited the bathroom. Aaron's mouth opened in surprise, and after a few moments of trying to figure out what to say, he said, "Bill. Wow...you look...um...different."
Bill tried to smooth down his hair. "I...er, did it myself. I thought it was time for a change."
"It...looks good," Aaron admitted, though he made a mental note to take Bill to a professional stylist on Tuesday.
After the initial shock wore off, Aaron finally decided it was time to hit the streets and so, the two guys left the apartment for some fun.
Back and Ready
to Slumber Party
Author: Belladonna
Date: 06-03-02 21:03
Bella Sinistra ran up the stairs of the astronomy tower rather quickly and gracefully, which was quite surprising since she carried a suitcase, two cages with birds in them, and a cat carrier made of white wicker and tied with a silly pink bow. She stopped at the staircase leading to her office and quarters and uttered the password she had chosen before break.
"A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle."
She ran after the door opened and giggled. Rather wicked of her, but what the hell? She ran and stopped in front of her door before pointing her wand at it and getting it to open for her. She sat down the packages and opened the carriers. Luna and Soileil flew to their perches, while Midnight settled himself on her bed.
She opened her suitcase and pointed her wand. Her clothes and other belongings went to their proper places and the suitcase went back in the top shelf of her wardrobe. She went to the wardrobe and pulled out the Muggle lounging pajamas of midnight blue silk with moons, suns, and stars made with a golden gossamer thread before shutting the wardrobe and putting them on.
She whistled at herself before rummaging in the top drawer of her vanity and making a gleeful sound when she found the matching gold ribbon neatly rolled up and unwrinkled. She set it down on the vanity table and sung to herself in French while brushing her dark black hair until it shimmered. She dusted the brush with fairy dust and brushed it again.
After a few minutes, her long hair hung in soft waves with soft curls on the end and was tied with the ribbon a la Alice in Wonderland. She then took out one of Madame Freya's Indelible Lipsticks in "Kiss Me and Then Try to Leave Red" and painted her lips into an adorable pout with sweet smile. Next came just a bit of mascara and face powder.
After satisfied her best foot was put forward, she grabbed the silly bunny slippers that had been a gag gift and put them on. The kids would get a kick out of them. She went to the bed and grabbed her favorite stuffed unicorn and fluffiest pillow in case of a pillow fight. Checking herself in a mirror, everything looked okay, although the ruby heart on the invisible chain needed to be straightened.
That done, she was ready to head to the dungeons. She softly closed the door and blew a kiss to the picture of Charlie that sat by her bed.
"I know...I know. You wish you could be here, but you can't. Have fun with Megabeast Helena in isolation. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or I hope so."
She giggled at she checked that the door was locked and ran down the steps again, a silly figure throughout Hogwarts. Well, this was the night for foolishness....or was that Carnivale?
She Walks
in Beauty
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 06-03-02 21:08
After tea on New Year's Eve, students going to the ball had started getting ready. Knowing impatience would do no good, Pyrrhus had waited patiently for a free shower. At last he'd been able to get washed up and headed to his dormitory. He'd put on his robe of hunter green, neatly combed his hair and then checked himself in the mirror. Satisfied he looked good, damn good, Pyrrhus picked up the wrist corsage he'd put a great deal of thought into and walked out to the common room.
The room by this time was fairly crowded as others waited on dates to finish getting ready. A few Slytherins had asked people from other houses but most of the Slytherins remained true to their house. Also hanging around were those too young for the Snow Ball. They were decked out in a colorful range of pajamas, robes, and slippers with most also clutching a pillow or favorite blanket. Many were staying around long enough to see who was dressed how and which dateless people from yesterday had managed to find dates by today.
Pyrrhus noticed several of the guys nervously fidgeting. Not Py though. He leaned his back against one wall, calm and collected as if without a care. Pyrrhus knew he had nothing to worry about. His date was the more gorgeous creature to have graced Hogwarts. He was certain she felt about him as he did her and he also knew without doubt they'd have a positively smashing time at the ball. Pyrrhus was also absolutely sure of one other thing.
Someday after their time at Hogwarts was over, when they were mature adults, Isolde Farnon would marry him. Even if she didn't know that yet, Pyrrhus did with unfailing certainty and with that certainty came implicit confidence in all things. A flurry of activity caught Py's attention. Several girls were entering the common room but Py only really saw the one true jewel among them. A broad grin on his face, Pyrrhus stepped over to present the corsage and then to offer his arm to the stunningly beautiful, extremely regal Isolde.
New Year's
Eve Date
Author: Majandra
Date: 06-04-02 00:03
All afternoon, girls in the dorm going to the ball had been getting ready, in and out of the different bedrooms wanting help with such things as hair, nails, and makeup. Adding to the chaos are the girls attending the slumber party. Not only are they eager to see the older girls all dressed up but they too want to look good for their own party. Majandra smiles and laughs along with them all, helping several do their hair.
True to her word, Majandra had released Ron as her date so that her could go with Hermione should Toby Beck do the right thing and back out of his date with Hermione. By this time most knew she and Ron were not going together afterall so several keep trying to get Majandra to tell if she's got another date to the ball. Majandra, however, remains tightlipped about it.
When Majandra does leave the girls' dorm, the few who observe her exiting the common room alone speculate that she's either meeting someone at the Great Hall or is going dateless. Once at the Great Hall, Majandra enters, observing who's there. As soon as she's certain no one's watching, Majandra slips away unnoticed. Once outside, she heads to her spot in the Quidditch locker rooms. Pulling out the books she'd secreted away in the folds of the bronzed silk and darkly orange spiced velvet robe she'd so recently sewn and using the Lumos to light her wand, Majandra curls up snug with the blanket and pillow she hides there and begins to read.
My Goddess,
My Prince
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 06-04-02 08:29
The night of the ball was finally here and Hermione was more than ready. She had gotten dressed extra early, and spent a considerable amount of time arranging her hair. Like at the previous ball, Hermione opted to flatten her bushy hair and additionally, she braided two thin strands from either side, tying them together with an equally thin, baby blue ribbon.
Not one to normally wear make-up, she applied a rosey shade of gloss to her lips and an extremely small quantity of shimmering, pale blue eye shadow to her eyelids. Lastly, she sprayed herself sparingly with some Muggle perfume her mother had given her for her birthday, and left the chaos in the dormitories to meet with her beau.
He was standing by the fireplace talking to Dean Thomas, who kept nervously running his fingers through his dark hair.
When Hermione floated down the stairs, Ron's mouth fell open causing Dean to turn away from him to see what was the cause behind his friend's sudden lack of speech.
She looked stunning, and quite different from her everyday, ordinary appearance. Not that she wasn't stunning then either. Ron always thought she was beautiful, but tonight–tonight she was the absolute, most gorgeous GODDESS to have ever graced this earth. Dean had to reach over and tap Ron on the chin to get the slack-jawed boy to shut his mouth.
As Hermione approached, her heart leapt into her throat. There he was, Ron Weasley, the boy she felt she's loved forever, and goodness, did he ever look handsome tonight! His fiery, red hair was combed nicely and his new dress robes (which Majandra had made him when she only had eyes for him) of the darkest sea foam green looked absolutely dashing on him.
When she got to him, he took her hand and kissed it. "Hermione, you look amazing."
"And you look like a prince," she answered, her eyes never leaving his.
Dean cleared his throat and said hastily, "Excuse me, I see my date over there." And he crossed the room to wait by the staircase leaving the two alone.
Ron smiled down at his date and ran a hand through her smooth hair. "Gorgeous, simply gorgeous."
A warm flush was creeping up her cheeks, but Hermione didn't care. She never felt more happy in her entire life.
"Shall we?" Ron said after a few moments of admiring his girlfriend's appearance. He offered his arm.
She took it and answered softly, "We shall."
{Azkaban
Fortress} Attack, Part 6: The Embers of the Battle
Author: Lord L. A. Higginton-Smythe
Date: 06-04-02 13:34
"The final count is eleven your excellency," said the Committee soldier. Lludd Alfred glanced up from the parchment he was leaning over.
"Eleven prisoners missing?" asked Lludd for assurance.
"Yes Consul. Eleven of the prisoners are missing though their whereabouts are unknown."
"Thank you." said Lludd to the soldier who bowed and turned away. The great entrance of the Azkhaban fortress, the dreaded wizarding prison, was now a command center of the combined Committee forces and Ministry aurors. Consul Higginton-Smythe had taken authority of both groups in the withdrawal of his fellow consul, Kalgrie Iulok, and the retreat of his superior of the British Isles' Ministry of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The Committee forces and aurors had been completing probes of the island and the fortress after defeating a last patch of dementors and death eaters.
"Voldemort," grumbled the Master Czufor beside Lludd. The consul nodded in agreeance. The person standing on the other side of Lludd spoke up confused.
"What do you mean Czufor? He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named what?" asked the auror Dierna, whom Lludd had ordered in command of the Ministry's aurors and was now included in his small circle of advisors following the battle.
"Once the names of the missing prisoners are known you will most likely find that they were all death eaters or allies to the Dark Order. It is apparent that the Dark Lord accomplished his goal with or without our intervention here," said Lludd softly to answer Dierna's question.
"Consul!" shouted a Committee soldier as he approached. He read from a parchment: From Baliseon, Consul Iulok has declared a complete victory over the Dark Order at the prison fortress of Azkhaban.
"Thank you soldier," replied Lludd. Once he had moved away Lludd shook his head disapprovingly, "She will use this within the Assembly..."
"Consul Higginton-Smythe, the losses are as stands: the Committee's army, thirteen lost, the Ministry's aurors, twenty-four lost, the dementors have sustained losses of seventy-eight, and five death eaters were killed. We have twelve death eaters in custody."
"Dierna. Order together your aurors and return to the Ministry. I expect the Ministry and families will now need to mourn and honor their lost. Give the Minister my condolences," said Lludd softly, he appeared to those around him as though he had aged years within the last hours. Dierna nodded and turned to gather the aurors.
"And Dierna! Thank the aurors on behalf of the Committee of International Magical Securities." Dierna smiled slightly and nodded again before disappearing out into the gray smoke rising from the fortress still. "Commander, gather your battalion and disembark for the headquarters. Tell Consul Iulok that I shall arrive with the second battalion once the Committee's new Azkhaban Guards arrive."
Hogsmeade
and the Ball
Author: Adam Higginton-Smythe
Date: 06-04-02 14:23
A piercing, hawkish cry rang through the sky above Hogsmeade causing the tiny Filius Flitwick, the professor of Charms at Hogwarts School of Withcraft & Wizardry, to jump with surprise. Filius glanced up towards the sky and with the use of the Moon's light was able to locate movement on the dark horizon. Within moments the speck began to grow larger and larger and soon a small hawk dashed overhead and disappeared beyond the rooftops of the homes of the village. The little man hopped into a scuttle through the streets of Hogsmeade in the direction of Hogwarts Castle looming further above.
"Hello Professor," said Adam Higginton-Smythe with a radiant smile as he approached the man from an offstreet. The little man jumped again and held out a readied wand. Adam held out his had instinctively before Filius could utter any words and the wand sprinted from his hand to Adam's. Adam's smile only broadened.
"Hmm..." muttered Filius thoughtfully, "Well done young Higginton-Smythe." A smile spread across the ancient-looking man's face and he took back his wand as Adam approached with it. "I am most pleased that you've returned Adam. I will admit I am in a twittle of nerves from standing alone in the village at this time."
"I'd be much too scared to attack you Professor Flitwick. I know behind that wonderful man there is a great dueling wizard waiting to be reborn," said Adam with a smile to the man whose head was at level with his hand as they walked towards the castle. Filius laughed heartily with a mischievous smile that only made him all the more innocent.
"You're abilities are nearly complete Adam. Very proud I am of you!" Filius squeaked with delight. They made their way up to the castle, Adam careful to limit his strides as the small man was bounding along side him to keep an equal pace. Once within the castle they stopped only momentarily to meet with a waiting Professor Dumbledore and then proceeded to the Ravenclaw House common room.
~ Later ~
Adam slept in long past the morning hours and awoke with a start from an unpleasant dream. At the foot of his bed he found a few familiar parchments scrawled in various handwriting, but all consisting to the same inquiries. After finishing responses to these letters he rolled (practically) down the stairs to the Ravenclaw common rooms and buttoned the shirt of his pajamas as he approached Cho Chang. Recognizing the volley of "Morning Adam!"s she heard, Cho turned and smiled.
"You look like a mess. When did you get back?" she asked. Adam leaped upward over the couch she was sitting on and landed next to her. He yawned and leaned his head over on her shoulder playfully causing her to giggle.
"About two in the morning I suppose," he replied groggily.
"You had better be able to stay awake tonight at the ball you know? I do feel like having a good time Adam," Cho said with a smile and she pushed him upright. "Your package arrived from Gladrags by the way. Your grandmum attached a message to it. I wanted to see your robes so I took it up to my dormitory. I'll go get them."
Cho moved off the couch and went to retrieve his new robes his grandmum had had rushed from London Gladrags for the Snow Ball tonight. Adam closed his eyes and slowly began to lean to the side before falling head first into the seat cushion.
~ The Present ~
Adam was dressed in his new robes and stood looking at himself in the mirror in his dormitories. Cho's choice of robes had not matched anything of his so his grandmum had taken the liberty of specially ordering an outfit from Gladrags London which she considered the best place for wizarding attire in all Britain. His robes were of a deep, aged-looking blue with a tunic-like top which ran down into a full rob. Underneath was an aged, grayish yellow shirt made of a strange material that seemed to mold to Adam's form. Overall Adam felt it was a rather inelegant outfit for the cost he was sure it would be, but when he saw Cho's corresponding attire, he was quite glad he was going to the ball with the most beautiful of them all.
