A Perfect Gentleman, Of Course!
Author: Brady
Date: 06-24-03 08:29

Overcome by an initial surprise by Santhea's eagerness to step out onto the dance floor, Brady's incredulous look soon faded and a becoming grin formed on his handsome face. He freed himself from the tight grip Santhea had on his wrist and quickly captured her hand in his, placing his other hand against the small of her back. He pressed her towards him and murmured, "Pick your style, Miss Fennally. Tango, salsa, merengue...or perhaps we should steer away from Latin dance and go with a graceful waltz?"

Brady could read it in her eyes. She wanted excitement.

"Tango it is," he said, winking. Despite the fact that Captain Electron's music didn't have that Latin beat, Brady and Santhea still managed to move across the floor as if the music guided their dance moves.

They glided over to a group of Hufflepuff pairs who were dancing in the traditional "school-dance" style to the music. Brady and Santhea were ever-so-graceful in their moves that the intentional trod on some random Hufflepuff's foot seemed more like a mere accident.

Ignoring the Hufflepuff's shouts of protest, Brady steered Santhea to a group of Ravenclaws. When he got close enough, he swung his leg low to the ground in an elaborate, yet acceptable manner and struck a Ravenclaw girl in the back of her calves, sending her to the floor. She yelped and looked horribly embarrassed, but Brady ignored her too and continued to guide Santhea across the floor.

When he was out of earshot from that particular group of Ravenclaws, Brady joked, "Guess you could say I swept that girl off her feet!"

I Feel Like Dancing
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 06-24-03 08:46

"Well, come on then," Hermione said, seizing Ron by the hand. "You've only danced once with me."

"Isn't that enough?" Ron exclaimed, laughing. "Come on, let's just sit here for a while, Hermione."

Hermione frowned and slid back into her seat, clutching Ron's hand lightly as she gazed out onto the dance floor. Harry and Ginny were there, both smiling radiantly as they cradled each other in their arms. Majandra and Neville were out there, too, laughing and seeming to be having a wonderful time.

Suddenly, Captain Electron and his band struck up a new tune and Ron's eyes immediately lit up. He jumped out of his seat and pulled Hermione onto the dance floor. "I didn't know you like this song, Ron," she said, placing one of her hands on Ron's shoulder. "I didn't know you were a fan of Captain Electron either. We could have gone to that concert in Hogsmeade, if I'd have known..."

Ron shook his head and explained, "It's catchy. Has a nice beat. Nothing wrong with wanting to dance with my best girl anyway, is there?" He grinned.

Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed.

No Worries
Author: Majandra
Date: 06-24-03 09:21

Majandra grins at Neville as he apologizes for the fifth time for stepping on her feet. "It's all right, Neville, really. Don't worry so much."

Neville nods though the sheepish expression remains fixed on his face. Not for the first time Majandra wonders if he's still worried that George will come after him first chance George gets.

As they exit the dance floor to get some punch, Majandra leans towards Neville so he can hear her. "George sends his best and said to have fun."

Tango? No, Tanstop
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 06-24-03 09:31

Isolde and Py watch the handsome Slytherin couple doing the tango. Py turns to Isolde, hand extended, "Shall we join Santhea and Brady, my dear?"

Isolde takes Py's hand and they glide onto the dance floor. Just as Py has his gorgeous girl doing a sensual dip, Professor McGonagall comes hurrying over.

"I thought I made it clear on a previous occasion that forms of dance dripping with sex are unacceptable."

Py flashes a smile at the woman and smoothly says, "Oh, right. We're sorry, Professor McGonagall. We forgot. It won't happen again."

She runs a hand over her hair as if to smooth it. "You've been warned, Miss Farnon, Mr. Fine. If you do it again, points will be taken, you will be removed from the dance, and detention assigned."

Isolde and Py manage to pull their faces into perfect shamed faces while saying in unison, "Yes, Professor McGonagall. We're sorry, ma'am."

The Usual
Author: Mary
Date: 06-24-03 15:51

Mary and Crispin sat hunched in a darkened corner of the Slytherin common room, out of sight and earshot of the waiting Alexis.

"I wonder what she's doing?" Mary muttered.

"No idea, she can't have a date, can she?"

Mary shrugged and turned the conversation back to its original topic. The two first years had been discussing the same thing since Monday.

"I will get her..." Mary said, scowling.

"I know. I saw her do it, too. She thought she got away with it. She was looking very pleased with herself."

"Annie Paul." Mary whispered venomously to no one in particular. She only figured out what her name was in potions the previous day, "It's even a pansy name. Who would name their child Annie Paul?"

Crispin said nothing. He seemed to think Mary was an equally lame name, but wisely kept his mouth shut.

"We should rig her chess set to explode." Mary said finally.

"We could embarrass her."

"How?"

Crispin pondered for a moment, "It is Valentine's Day. We could make her a Valentine from some boy she likes, or a boy in her house. She would think it was from him, and become inspired to talk to him. Then we could tell him at the party tonight that she said awful things about him so he is rude when she talks to him." There was a brief silence in which Mary stared at Crispin with an astonished look on her face.

"That's stupid. There's no pain involved."

"Just because you have no emotions doesn't mean everyone doesn't either."

"So?"

Crispin sighed, "So how do we get a hold of her chess set?"

Dancin' Queen
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 06-24-03 16:18

Emma took Kody's offered hand and let him lead her out onto the dance floor. Her dress robes swirled about her feet in a shaded rainbow of blues, not all of which matched the pink-ish glow on her face.

"You yourself look very nice." She said to him, smiling.

Such...Fun...
Author: Sykra Sawyer
Date: 06-24-03 22:28

Sykra sat alone at a table in the Great Hall. The Ravenclaw wasn't really paying much attention to what was going on around her, instead her thoughts had drifted to Orlando. What a Valentine's Day...

Forgetting her hair was up, Sykra ran a few fingers through her hair. Strands of purple, Ravenclaw blue, and brunette fell around her face. Sykra ignored them and tried to focus on the dance. She watched her fellow students dancing, partially wanting to join them and partially wanting to disappear back to the Ravenclaw common room.

Forcing a smile, Sykra decided to attempt to make herself enjoy this night. Orlando or no Orlando. There was no reason for her not to have fun. Now how am I going to make myself enjoy this...

Missed!
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 06-25-03 14:01

Coco joins the game of pin the tail on the winged pony. When her turn comes, she hands Pea to Professor Sacheverell and waits patiently to be blindfolded. A tail is put in her hand then she is spun round a number of times. Dizzily groping forward, Coco feels the poster on the wall and tries to gage where on the poster the pony currently is. Taking a deep breath, she sticks the tail on the poster then steps back amid all the giggles. Coco peels the blindfold off and joins the laughter as she finds the winged pony glaring at her, a tail firmly affixed to one of its ears and annoyingly dangling down in its face.

Shall We?
Author: H Potter
Date: 06-25-03 14:10

Harry, usually shy about dancing, makes an exaggerated, courtly bow in front of Ginny. "May I have this dance?"

Ginny returns Harry's bow with a curtsy and extends her hand while saying in her best queenly voice, "Why yes, you may have the honor."

They walk side by side to the dance floor where Harry tries not to be self conscious. Instead he focuses on Ginny and trying to make sure she's enjoying herself and also hopes the music slows down really soon. A slow dance would be excellent.

Old Times Sake
Author: Prescott Clearwater
Date: 06-25-03 20:44

Prescott entered the Great Hall alone and somber. He had no date and he was sure not to have any fun. He pretended to just show up and watch the goings on but he longed for someone to talk to him or ask him to dance. Had he had taken the wrong advice? Was his mentor wrong? He thought so, and vowed not to let his ambition stand in the way of the things he enjoyed doing.

He walked over to Ginny Weasley, (his ex-girlfriend) and asked her for a dance for old times sake. She smiled nervously and hesitantly accepted Prescott's offer. It was a slow dance and Prescott got the chance to talk to her. They hadn't been this close to each other for quite a while and it made them both very twitchy.

Prescott began by saying, "Ginny, I just want to say that I'm sorry for the way our relationship ended and that I haven't been happy since we were together. I really miss you and if I didn't know better I would ask you to give me a second chance."

Ginny said, "Oh Prescott...I...I..." as to say I'm sorry but I've moved on with my life.

He understood what she meant, even if she only said a few words. He said sadly, "I understand, it's ok."

The dance ended and with tears in their eyes they hugged each other and Ginny went back to her crowd and Prescott went back to his spot on the wall. Now that he'd had his say, he was able to have some sort of finality.

With that now out of the way, Prescott took off his prefect badge and was ready to party! He then saw Harry Potter and Ginny dance which made him a bit jealous but he just let it go and when he did he saw someone walking towards his direction.

...
Author: Fynn Greenleaf
Date: 06-26-03 01:00

As a rule Fynn didn't like grand dances, full of mirth and laughter. He did enjoy the company of his friends, but today he felt somnolent, taciturn. He threw the smoldering stub on the ground and crushed it, exhaling deeply. He strode into the Great Hall, done up extravagantly, and saw that the room was awash with mirth and light. Cho was no where around- where was she exactly? Either way he was prepared to have his breath taken away, as usual, when she appeared- whether in a tired 'mess' from Quidditch practice, or polished and beautiful, the first lesson in the morning. He stood by a pillar, hidden somewhat in shadow, and waited, bored already.

On the Dance Floor
Author: Isolde
Date: 06-26-03 13:31

Isolde and Pyrrhus continued to dance to the lively beat of Captain Electron's music, and they refrained from using any form of dance inappropriate according to Professor McGongall's standards. They laughed and rolled their eyes at the sight of the uptight headmistress flitting about scolding others; her intended victims included Macnair and Fennally. They seemed somewhat unconcerned with McGonagall's reprimand but appeared to agree not to pursue the scandalous and apparently quite violent style of dancing any further.

"Brady wasn't at the Snow Ball last year, if I remember correctly," Isolde said suddenly, as if having spent the previous few moments of silence deeply in thought on the subject. "Too young, wasn't he? Couldn't have remembered how McGongall went on a rampage last year and even went so far as to remove points for what she considered outrageous forms of dance."

"Though not from us," reminded Pyrrhus with an evilly becoming grin.

"No, not from us," Isolde agreed, smiling. She slipped both arms around her boyfriend's neck and kissed him once. "Anyway, she wouldn't know tasteful dance if it bit her in the––oh look!" Her eyes had fallen upon Alexis standing off to the side of the dance floor with Draco Malfoy. "Alexis is here!"

After Pyrrhus swivelled his head around to look, he and Isolde wove through the crowd of dancers to meet their friend.

Just Wondering
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-26-03 14:17

"Toby," Bronwyn started, having been silent in his arms for quite some time, "what do you think things would be like if..."

"If what, Bronwyn?" Toby encouraged, stroking her back tenderly as they slowly swayed to the music.

She hesitated, not sure why she felt the need to talk about it today -- right now of all times and places. "It's nothing, Toby," she finally lied, slightly shaking her head against his shoulder.

"Are you sure?" Toby reached for Bronwyn's chin and lifted her face to meet his, searching her eyes for the truth. "Something is bothering you, I can read it in your eyes."

"No," Bronwyn said softly, tearing her eyes away from his face. "It's not that something's bothering me, really. We can talk about it later." She met his eyes again and added, "I just don't want to ruin the mood. I don't know why I almost brought it up in the first place."

"Brought what up, Bron? You can't leave me in suspense," Toby said, offering her a small smile.

She sighed and pressed the side of her face to his shoulder again, debating whether or not to satisfy his curiosity or to put her foot down and simply let the matter drop. After a few short moments of deliberation she finally said, "I was just wondering what things would be like if Kendra was still with us."

Toby said nothing for a while, and Bronwyn couldn't tell what he was thinking or feeling. When he finally spoke, he seemed neither upset nor melancholy. "I think things would be as you remember when she was with us -- much the way things are now."

"You're probably right."

"Of course, I'm right."

Toby cupped her chin again and forced her to meet his gaze. "Are you going to be all right?"

Bronwyn nodded. "Yes. I was just...thinking."

"Sometimes you think too much," Toby said. "You're not Hermione Granger, you know!"

"I know," Bronwyn replied, laughing. She kept her mind free of serious thoughts for the remainder of the evening, doing her best to enjoy the most romantic day of the year with the love of her very young life.

Arriving Home
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 06-26-03 15:53

Ethan stepped inside the small cottage in Canterbury and shook the snow from the hem of his robes onto the mat on the floor before the front door. His mother, Maren, having heard the bang of the closing door bustled out of the kitchen wearing a cooking apron over her robes. "Ethan," she breathed, eyes wide with surprise, "what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the school. Is something the matter?"

Perhaps she noticed the weariness in Ethan's facial expression. He looked tired, frustrated and upset. Even his body language -- the dilapidated way he carried himself -- suggested something was the matter.

"What is it, Ethan?" Mrs. Somerset repeated, stopping before him. She held her hands up to his face and felt his cheeks, which had been blasted with freezing cold air during the brief time he was outside between the disapparation in Hogsmeade and the apparation outside the property in Canterbury. "You should have come straight here instead of arriving outside. It's far too cold for you to be taking a stroll when you're in a condition like this. Tell me, what is the matter?"

Ethan sighed and finally spoke, "I've been ordered on holiday. For a week."

"Whose orders?"

"Dumbledore."

Maren looked worried. "Does he suspect...?"

"Yes." Ethan shrugged off his winter cloak and hung it on one of the free pegs on the back of the door. "It's that awful ní Cíaran woman. She came by the other day; she knows me well enough to know something is different."

"It's your duty to conceal––"

"I know," Ethan said, exasperated. "I know, I've failed. How could I have been this careless? It wasn't intentional, mind you. She's just...that good. It's like a sixth sense. Normal people shouldn't possess such a quality. At any rate, she blabbed her feelings to the headmaster and he came to me yesterday and told me to clear out for a week."

"What else did he say?"

"Nothing, really. He didn't say anything to suggest he knows the truth, but I can feel it." Ethan had been staring into space for most of his speech. He finally turned back to his mother and added, "It worries me greatly. I honestly don't think it's safe for me to return to Hogwarts."

Maren said nothing for a moment as she processed everything her son had told her. When she spoke again she asked, "Did you leave all of your possessions at the school?"

"No," Ethan said, suddenly remembering his trunk. He had dropped it outside the front door when he arrived. Turning back to the door, Ethan opened it and summoned his trunk inside. As it settled to the floor next to his feet, Ethan closed the door once more and turned back to face his mother. "Brought only the essentials and destroyed everything that might leave an unwanted paper trail."

He paused as a memory entered his mind, one he wasn't sure he should share with his mother.

"We must discuss this with your father when he returns home," Maren was saying.

Ethan snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. "Yes, and I ought to write to Morgain and Maverick as well as..." He trailed off, that memory pushing itself to the front of his mind again.

"What is it?" Maren asked, sensing his inner turmoil.

"Erm," Ethan started, and when he finally gave in to the memory he said, "I've had the oddest feeling yesterday and today."

"What sort of feeling?"

"I don't know how to explain it," Ethan admitted, but somehow he found a way. "It's like I'm two people." He stopped, studying his mother. She looked slightly alarmed, more so when Ethan had explained that his cover may be blown.

"Come into the kitchen and have some tea," she finally said, seizing him gently by the hand. "When you're finished, you ought to get some rest. I think a good night's sleep will do you some good."

A Goodbye
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-26-03 16:25

For the first time ever, Lysander hated Valentine's Day. It was a bitter reminder of all the wonderful Valentine's of years past, from his very first Valentine's Day with Chyler during their Hogwarts days to their very last the previous year. Everywhere he looked, heightened to extremes today because of the holiday, he was reminded of Chyler. Her beautiful, brunette curls, her dazzling, dark eyes...the scent of her hair, the touch of her skin...the very love they shared -- it pained Lysander to such a level that he could hardly bare it any longer.

He had grown tired of destroying everything in sight. He had grown tired of watching Julian repair and replace all the damage he'd done. He had grown tired of Hogsmeade.

Lysander planned to leave.

He wanted to leave behind the home they had shared together, the store they had run together. He hated the thought of abandoning Julian in Hogsmeade all alone, for he knew that he, too, missed Chyler terribly. Julian had been the brother to Chyler Michael Thomason had never been.

But Julian also had Briar Rose, his fiancée. Lysander also knew that Julian would understand why he wanted to run away.

Desiring not to leave Hogsmeade tonight, no matter how much Valentine's Day upset him, Lysander left the bookstore and jogged down to Nevvyn's Potions and Notions. He opened the door and stepped through the threshold, ignoring the jingle of the bell. It seemed oddly quiet inside the shoppe; perhaps Nevvyn's Toms weren't in the house.

Hearing the welcome bell, Nevvyn came from one of the back rooms and greeted Lysander with a friendly smile. Lysander attempted to return the cheerful greeting, but felt far too miserable to muster up even the slightest of smiles.

Finally finding some words, Lysander said, "Nevvyn, I can't tell you how much it means to me that you came to Chyler's aid that night. She always spoke very highly of you, too. I'm glad she found a friend in you." He paused, exhaling a deep sigh. "I wanted to tell you that I'll be leaving Hogsmeade soon...for good. Should I not see you again before then, I want to bid you the fondest of farewells. I appreciate all that you've done for her, for us all."

Care to Dance?
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 06-26-03 17:05

Draco and Alexis exchanged laughter after McGonagall stopped to speak with Pyrrhus and Isolde regarding their style of dance. The laughter ensued as the Transfiguration professor pushed her way among the other dancers, separating some for "indecent locations of hands" and others for "excessive amounts of gyration". She finally turned to Brady and Santhea, who were deep in a particularly dangerous rendition of the tango. Ceasing all current "inappropriate dancing", McGonagall returned to her place among her fellow staff while Alexis' friends rushed over to say hello.

"Farnon, Fine," Draco acknowledged.

"Are you two enjoying yourselves?" Isolde asked, admiring the black rose in Alexis' hand.

Alexis nodded and engrossed herself in conversation with the others, until Draco suggested, "Want to swap partners for a dance, Pyrrhus?"

Pyrrhus agreed to the temporary exchange and spun Alexis onto the dance floor, while Draco guided Isolde to the gentle tunes of Captain Electron's latest song. When it ended, Draco and Isolde met Pyrrhus and Alexis again and sat down at one of the tables to talk. Somewhere during the course of the conversation, Brady and Santhea had meandered over to retrieve a pair of drinks.

As someone from the floor shouted out a request to Captain Electron and the singer and his group started to play their instruments, Draco asked Alexis if she'd like to join him on the floor for another dance. She politely declined in order to continue a discussion with Isolde over the latest from Azaelia, so Draco turned to Santhea and asked, "How about a dance, Fennally?"

Oh What a Night...
Author: Angelina
Date: 06-26-03 17:38

As I watched the dance floor I saw that Professor McGonagall had her hands full with some of the dancers. I was thinking about being a teen, hormones going into overdrive and wanting to be daring, testing the waters with adults and being a little rebellious.

As I watched from the head table, a 7th Year Hufflepuff boy came up to me and asked for a dance. I took off my shoulder wrap and stood up thanking the young man for asking. We took the floor as Captain Electron began another song. The young man was light on his feet and was a very good dancer. He had told me as a kid his mum had him take ballroom dancing to help him with his balance.

I smiled as we danced then I noticed the floor began to clear away. As we glided around, I felt light as air and in good spirits. Soon the song was over and the students began to applaud as we took our bows and left the floor. I again thanked the young man for the dance and then took my seat as the music began to get fast again. I took a sip of my drink and thought about William and what he was doing tonight. Even though he wasn't here, the young man from Hufflepuff made it a wonderful night.

A Farewell...
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 06-26-03 18:59

I had not been back from the Castle for more than fifteen minutes, when I heard the door chimes jingle. Normally, the shop would be closed at this hour, but I had rushed in and stirred up the fire, even before taking off my heavy cloak. I had just hung the old wooly thing up to dry and set the kettle on the hob, thinking some tea would go good to warm me before bed.

Hurrying to the front of the store to greet my late-evening visitor, I see it is Lysander Stratford. I had heard he was having difficulties, getting over his wife's passing, but he now looks like a ghost of the fellow I had met in the bookstore and then again at his wife's bedside. Hollow cheeks and red-rimmed eyes communicate the depth of his despair. "Welcome, Lysander!" I greet him. "What brings you out on this frosty evening?"

In a few brief words, he tells me that he is leaving Hogsmeade... going where there are not so many reminders of his life with Chyler. I commiserate with him for a few minutes. He thanks me for my friendship to himself and to Chyler, and then turns to leave.

"Is there anything I can help you with? Are you needing a potion or some remedy?" I ask.

"No... No, thank you!" he replies. "All the potions in the world cannot bring her back. I just need to get away and find a new life. I thank you again, for all you have done."

With a quick dab at the corner of his eye, he turns and opens the door. The chimes jingle merrily, and I watch him suppress the urge to yank them off the door. With a wave of his hand, he is off down the street. I watch from the step until he is out of sight, the go back into the shop and close the door. I turn down the lamps, but leave enough light for the Toms to find their way in, then head back for my cup of tea and a biscuit or two.

More than Friends
Author: Annabella Mayberry
Date: 06-26-03 22:20

Gabe and Anna entered the Great Hall to find it full of couples, some chatting with friends while others danced to Captain Electron's music. In all of the excitement Anna grabbed Gabe's hand and they made their way to their group of friends and said a few Hello's before Anna dragged Gabe onto the dance floor.

They spent most of the night dancing away to some of Captain Electron's songs, and would take an occasional break to talk to Hermione and Ron or other friends. Without hesitation Anna could say that this was probably the best day she had all year at Hogwarts and was glad to have Gabe to share it with.

As the dance moved on, Anna noticed the references many made to her and Gabe being a couple. Why was it so hard for people to believe that they were just friends?? But as Gabe slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her to the dance floor once again she understood why. They had this talk before yet she was not sure that Gabriel understood then or now.

It was just their luck that the music turned from fast to slow and they began their first slow dance together. Anna tried to make light conversation with Gabe but soon found herself with her head resting on his shoulder as they moved slowly to the beat of the music. It was hard for Anna to deny that she felt completely comfortable in Gabe's embrace and even felt content to stay there. She lifted her head and looked into his eyes, somehow understanding that Gabe had openly showed her how he felt and that it had been her keeping her feelings reserved not knowing if she could trust him with them. But over the course of several months they had become very good and close friends and there was probably very little that either had kept secret from the other.

When Gabe leaned in to kiss her, Anna did not push him away like last time but instead leaned in to meet his kiss. She felt him pull her closer to him, and their kiss deepened, full of longing as if all this time they had locked their feelings away for each other and were now able to freely release it. When their kiss ended, Anna looked into Gabe's eyes once again, and nothing needed to be said. She wrapped her arms around his neck, while her cheek brushed against his. Anna closed her eyes, and exhaled. In that one brief moment they crossed the fine line of friendship into something that could turn out to be much more than either expected.