The Grand New Years Ball

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The Minister for Magic sighed, festivities such as balls were entertaining but not when filled with baffling children. Yet some important business had called Albus away and Niklaus had been stuck with the responsibility of hosting the New Years Dance so he had decided to make the most of it. Perhaps one of the older and mature students, or a Professor would oblige him to a dance or two. If not, he would resort to asking Alliss who seemed to be awkwardly avoiding him. He smirked, he could tell her loyalty to Hogwarts was growing.

Glancing around the scene, he noticed flocks of students entering and the music dimming to a humble background sound. This was his time for the speech. What to say? Words were dubious syllables which need to be carefully placed in order to have the desired effect. Though this wasn't his usual political speech, he still needed to come across in a likable fashion to increase his chances of loyalty from the students.

Scanning the sea of shapes below him, as he stood on the stage, his eyes fixated upon his daughter. Aurora Scrimgeour. He gave a delicate side-smile as if letting her into a private joke that only they knew of. It was, after all, all this. It was all a private joke and only few knew it, only few knew what was to come.

Close to his daughter, but not too close, stood his nephew. Aurora didn't know of him... yet. Micheal Scrimgeour, her cousin and somewhat like a son to him. He frowned slightly, it was ever harder keeping the boy in line but a slight fondness still emanated between them. When Niklaus' partner had given birth to Aurora, his father, Rufus, had sought to keep her from him. He had been only sixteen and deemed too young to care for a child, it would mar their family name. Instead, Rufus had brought up the child as his own, keeping her from his son, alongside abusing her physically, emotionally and mentally. Niklaus was furious but as a young man, he had nor the courage nor strength to take down his father. Instead, he grew closer to his eldest brother, Eilijah and his son, Micheal. Years passed, and it had only been last year that he had killed Rufus and taken over the Ministry, aswell as reclaiming his daughter.

"Ladies and Gentleman," Niklaus reverted his gaze to the mass crowd as he realised he had let his mind wonder. "I would like to welcome you back from your Christmas holidays, and hope that this ball shall be a night none of us shall ever forget. A momentous occassion to mark that which is sure to be a momentous year. So with those brief words from your Minister for Magic, Niklaus Scrimgeour... Let the New Years Ball begin!"

[Minister's post has been extended in the middle to include some interesting history and now let the ball begin!]

Alliss kept an even gaze fixed on the Minister as he spoke his soft and slythering words. He was charming, if you chose to ignore the cruel intentions hidden beneath his false demeanor. She had trusted him once, two years ago she had been young and foolish enough to. Now, despite missing her days as an Auror, she choose her sides carefully, and by Albus she would stand.

Once Niklaus announced the beginning of the ball, she deliberately averted her gaze, hoping not to catch his eye. She didn't intend to speak with him at this moment in time, it would be awkward and unnecessary. Besides, she thought she might actually attempt to enjoy herself. Riley's disappearance six months ago had hit her hard, and what was worse, was how Kris was back. The Durmstrang she had once loved (though she didn't care to admit it) and dated, only for a short week. Can one fall in love in a week? No. Well, so Alliss had thought but Kris had managed to change everything. Her stubborn attitude to love, it was what had led her to open up to Riley. She sighed as she shot a side glance towards him. Her heart twinged, the feelings were still there, just clouded through pain, hurt and deciet.

Speaking of deciet, beside him stood her brother. Someone she cared to avoid even more. There was a sense of family loyalty there, that and intrigue but she forbade herself to relent to it. He was a deatheater and someone she wouldn't associate herself with. Someone she had fought against being allowed to teach at this school. To her dismay, he had finally succeeded the position of Potions master.

Deciding she would prefer to avoid Niklaus, Kris and Craig, she stepped from the stage into the sea of students and hid between her dancing figures. To her dismay, her fiesty and low cut red dress with a long slit up it's left side, didn't fail to draw attention. She was unsure why she had even decided to wear it, probably because she had coerced herself into thinking this could be fun.

Jane's face was lit up like a picture, framed with auburn curls and a broad toothy grin. She was so excited, her tiny hands were digging into Nana Kasha's wrist harder than intended. She glanced around for Gramps and noticed him with Eli, she shot him a smile and nod of a approval at his outfit choice before turning to her friends.

"Seems like JayJay is pre-occupied," Jane giggled lightly as she whispered the words to Waycca, Molly and Akasha. Not that it turned out as much of a whisper, she was forced to talk rather loud to combat the loud and bouncy music which had filled the room. It was decorated so lovely! Enchanted snow fell from the sky to just above their heads where it faded into a mist.

"I wish it was real snow! Then we could throw snowballs at Gramps' outfit," Jane's laughter rang through the air as she imagined Jayden's hysterical reaction if she were to do just that. He would not be best pleased. Not that she would ever do anything to severely upset Gramps, just enough to tease him lightly and drive him slightly crazy. She pulled a toothy grin.

Todd bit his lip as he drifted toward the refreshments tables. He wasn't really sure why he'd decided to come - or get all dressed up for it. He'd never been entirely comfortable in these huge social situations. Scanning the faces of the crowd for anyone he might know, he grabbed a scone.

He hadn't even been all that excited to go, but his father had already bought him this suit, and he couldn't stand to see it go to waste. Besides, maybe he'd actually find a way to relax tonight. Maybe all this drama would just slide off his shoulders and he and his friends would just have a good time. There hadn't been any complications when they all went to visit Jim over the break, after all, so a small sense of optimism was growing in him.

Rose stuck close to the Vipers, they had all come together after all. Four vicious snakes in a mass of faces. Her own dress was a lacy black and complimented her pale skin and tiny figure. Her face was rather hardened as she scanned around for her brother, wincing slightly when he noticed her with Maggie. So he had brought her after all. She pulled a disapproving face before seeking out someone who would cheer her up no matter the occassion.

Rose's eyes found her, blonde locks and a beautiful figure; Aurora Scrimgeour. For the first time since entering the ball, she smiled and nodded in acknowledgement, hoping she would join the four of them. The others would not mind her addition to their company, after all she was a Slytherin female, so most of them were welcome to join them.

Genevieve stuck close to Serenity, their dresses almost matched, just slightly different colours. Where as Serenity's was a pale blue, her own was a lilac. However, when she saw the refreshments, she decided to head in that direction, she was parched and felt like something to drink. Luckilly, she managed to land her hands on some fruit punch, before noticing a rather attractive male stood beside the drinks also.

"Hello," Genevieve approached him with a friendly smile, he seemed deep in thought and she was cautious, not wanting to disturb him particularly. Nonetheless, her liking for meeting new people overtook her, that and the fact he seemed sad and disjointed, she hoped to help cheer him somehow. "I'm Genevieve, but you can just call me Jenna." She introduced herself politely, before leaning against the table next to him and sipping her punch.

"Balls can be quite awkward things can't they?" Jenna bit her lip, through her friendliness it was almost impossible to notice she felt socially awkward around people. As half-centaur, she wasn't used to such balls where dancing was expected, even with her five years at Hogwarts, she still maintained a sense of awkwardness.

Waycca chuckled at Jane, shaking her head. "I'm pretty sure his brain would break if that happened," she smirked. She'd pinned up her hair for the occasion; if she didn't, she'd get way too hot with it lying on her shoulders all night. She was impressed - even the Minister had shown up, looking uptight and stick-up-his-ass as usual.

The white dress hadn't exactly been her choice, and wasn't a color she'd usually pick for something like this. But Aunt Lauren had talked her into it at the last minute, and Waycca couldn't say she regretted it.

"Damn, you guys look fan-freaking-tastic," she said, shooting the others a grin.

Brieanne solemnly glided around the room, her richly colored royal blue gown flowing around her as she did so. All she wanted to do was stare at the decorations for a while and then leave.. she didn't intend to party much at all. Her mood changed once she had arrived at Hogwarts for no particular reason, and she didn't have the energy to question it.

She sighed uncomfortably as she looked at the Minister, the arrogant man that he was. She was surprised he even decided to come to the event-- it was nothing of too much importance for the Ministry anyhow. Brie decided to look around the sea of faces, looking for anyone she knew, but gave up on it soon after because her bruised neck was hurting her. A parting gift from her father.

(and now I'm going back to sleep to see if I can continue the wonderfulness that was my dream about this whole thing xD)

Julie was with The Vipers as they stood there and watched the crowd. Her nose scrunched up when she saw some of the bubbly girls laughing and having fun. It sickened her. She was glad she was kind of friends with Aileen, Rose, and Vivienne.. Due to they weren't like all of the annoying girls. Plus they all knew of the boundaries they could not use against each other. Cause if they did.. all hell would break loose.

Julie was wearing a long strapless green dress that seemed to show her figure quite nicely.. Though she had two pairs of green dresses, and she would've liked to pick the other one.. But she had heard that the one she was wearing now belonged to her Grandmother. And she liked the dress.. Nothing wrong with that.

Though she was wearing converse underneath the dress, so she wasn't really all that formal. This thought made a smirk appear on her face.

Serenity also stuck close to Genevieve, not wanting to be away from her twin. Though if she would ever lose her, she would search for her dress but in lilac. Due to they were wearing the same kind of dress. Though she looked at the refreshments right as her sister did and decided to walk with her to them. However, her eyes caught the young male who was right by them before she got her punch. This made her smile a little bit.

She looked at her sister when she said hello to the man. And that is when she made her smile noticeable. She then stood a little straighter when Genevieve introduced them.

"Hello." She said calmly, before sipping her punch. Her bright blue eyes still looking at him.

Though when her sister talked again, she could tell she was getting awkward. And since she didn't want her sister to be awkward, she patted her shoulder, helping her relax. She only removed her hand when she wanted to sip her punch once again. But she understood where her sister was coming from..

Since they were half-centaurs they weren't use to such things like a ball. It made them confused on how to act, but they were trying their best. That was all that would count.

"It looks so beautiful in here, and the punch is great." She said softly due to her voice was soft as a swan's feather.

Aurora had waited till her father was done with that dammed speech. She walked in. Seeing Rose nod at her, she saw who were around her. Groupies... She disliked groupies. The vipers was what they were called. How cliche.. She rolled her eyes. Not returning the nod as she walked towards something she could sit on. Her black dress looked simple compared to the others. But she didn't care. She sighed sitting down. Brushing through her blond hair.

Grace entered the room boredly, glancing around at all the over the top dresses, and smirking, knowing that most of them had blown all their money on some cheap dress. Grace had barely worried about her dress, it was an original, even if it was plain, since all of her clothes were designer.

She became slightly irritated at the sight of the minister, bloody halfwit, and walked over to the refreshment table, hoping someone had already spiked the punch. Grace took a sip, nope, it was boring and fruity. Leaning on the table and looking around she spotted Sinbad and Maggie, when would he quit playing with that girl?

Maggie was wearing her light purple gown. She had gone shopping for it with her mother in the holidays.

Now she was standing in the great hall with Sinbad. She had been listening to the speech the minister gave. She turned back to Sinbad, smiling brightly. It was all so nice tonight. The decorations, the music, the company she was in. When Sinbad had asked her as his date she had been over joyed. She had spent the whole day getting ready for the ball.


"Are you having fun Sinbad?" She asked teasingly.

Vanessa floated into the Great Hall, through the wall above the large wooden doors, into the large room ahead. She really had no interest in dances, because, well the reason was simple: she couldn't dance. When she had been alive she had learnt to do all kinds of different dances, the waltz, the salsa, the foxtrot, and others. Although if she had been able to dance now, she'd probably be atrocious at them for she hadn't practiced in so long, and even when she had been alive she had maintained such little interest in them. She regretted that now. Or, rather, she would, if she could still dance at all.

So why was she here, then?

Simple: everyone else was here. She wasn't one to follow the crowd, of course, but since everyone was in the Great Hall, it meant that it got very boring with nobody else around elsewhere. So Vanessa decided to pop in to see what all the fuss was about, and maybe throw something (someone's high-heeled shoe, a plate a food... a first year) at an unsuspecting victim if it got too dull.

(And there was also something about wanting to see if John was about, and if so, if he was dressed up in fancy dress robes. But, Vanessa would never admit that to anyone.)

It felt awkward to be here. People spoke with boisterous words, excited squeals and screeches. The blond's bright, happy blue eyes kept snapping around the room. He wanted to find Alliss... try to get her to dance with him. Like they did when they were teens, when he was that stupid kid that everyone loved because he was a winner. Here? He lost. He lost to some unnamed guy (he only heard stories of his name being Riley...). Lost the only woman he could have ever wanted to love. How could this be so cruel?

He just wished things were different. He wished he wasn't alone making sure Slytherins and Gryffindors alike hadn't smuggled in anything that could intoxicate them... He almost wished the kids had. Maybe then he could drink away this burn in his chest as he watch Alliss purposefully never met his eyes.

But there he stood like a rock among the sea of students making sure things were safe for them to come back to this. The silent, smiling, protector. Even if the smile felt fake.

Lexi entered the hall scanning round the sea of faces. She hadn't brought a date along, after all she was not a one person kind of girl. She felt her small clutch bag for her hip flask and headed over to the refreshments table. This party needed livening up, she thought, glancing round at her fellow students. Hopefully this would help. She carefully withdrew the black hip flask from her bag and hastily poured some into the punch. She kept a close eye on the Minister as she replaced the flask back in her bag. Vodka should help liven things up, she thought smirking and headed over to join Jenna and her fellow gryffindors.

Richard never understood the need to have dress robes. They were disgusting... honestly. He asked Bruce for a suit. A nice muggle one that didn't look completely stupid on him. He got what he asked for, of course, and more. Bruce gave him a flower bracelet thing to... he didn't get it but Bruce looked proud of his adopted son and Richard couldn't help but beam when he received it.

But here he was with Laura on his arm. Dick was, of course, shorter than the really pretty girl. Bruce said he hadn't hit his growth spurt... yet. He felt a little off put by it but he'd grown into himself soon. They did expect him to be 5'10" for max height... he was only 5'4" currently. He had time. But it still made him feel awkward with his really, really beautiful crush on his arm. His cheeks felt warm but he trudged forward on.

"So... uh... Lu... how's everything?" He asked awkwardly, moving around with her. He tried to be as far away from the dance floor as possible. He might have known how to dance formal, ballroom styles... but it didn't mean he liked it.

Lianna stepped casually into the great hall, masking her anxiety with a mildly entertained face expression. She'd never been to a dance of an kind before and was excited. She was wearing a black cocktail dress with a lacy back. She had on dark eyeliner and her hair was straightened and was hanging all the way down her back. Lianna took a sip of punch and tasted a faint after taste of vodka. Perfect. She needed something to calm her nerves.

Laura walked in the room with Dick. She was holding his arm, feeling the need to be close to him right now. She was excited that they were here, but she was also nervous. Even though there was ball every year.. It still made her nervous. Which is why she was really happy that Dick had asked her to go with him. She wanted to be with someone she trusted.

She was wearing a light pink dress that was fairly poofy, something she loved about the dress. She was also wearing the corsage that Dick gave her. Another thing she loved about her whole look tonight. Though she looked for her older brother, and smiled at him when she saw him. Yet she felt bad due to he looked as if he was searching around the room for a certain someone..

Laura looked at Dick when he asked her his question.

"Everything is fine, thanks for asking me to go with you. I'm really excited." She said, before laughing. "How about you?"

Vivienne stood tall and proud with the rest of the Vipers, her peacock feather embellished dress sparkling in the light. It was black and longer in the back than it was in the front, showing off her long, graceful legs (and her treasured Christian Louboutins). She raised an eyebrow as she scanned the room, sneering as she saw a bruised and very alone Brieanne. Taking her gaze off of the girl, she spotted Grace, and gave her a simple but elegant wave with one of her lace gloved hands. It was only fair that she'd keep her friendship with Gracie going.. after all, they had been partners in crime for a long time.

Parting her sumptuous red lips, she looked back at the girls, motioning towards the punch bowl, "I smell vodka.. and it's not the lightweight kind, either. Think somenody beat me to the punch?"

Dean shoved his hands in his pockets, the sports jacket and slacks that he was wearing were formal for him though apparently not for everyone else. He felt drastically underdressed, but it not like he could change it now that he was here and besides, he’d die before he’d wear one of those damn monkey suits they called dress robes.

Chaperoning was proving to be more dull than he had anticipated, there were enough students hovering around the refreshment table to be concerned but he couldn’t see if they were actually doing anything.

Natalie stood awkwardly at the back of the Great Hall, the place was sparkling, from the decorations and most of the girls’ dresses. Even her own dress had a generous amount of sequins sewn into the bodice. But it didn’t help her feel any less like a wallflower.

Most of the girls had either come with dates or were busy flirting trying to secure a dance partner. Natalie couldn’t dance so, even if she made an attempt, it was likely to end in disaster.

She sighed and leaned against the wall, people watching suited her better than mingling did anyway.

Liam tugged angrily at the bow tie that was constricted around his throat. He absolutely hated these things; he hated looking like an overstuffed peacock. He grumbled and stalked towards the refreshment table, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

He didn’t know what the big deal was, it was just the beginning of another semester at school. So why all the hoopla?

Maybe he could spike the punch, that would liven the place up…too bad he didn’t have anything to spike it with. His family’s alcohol supply was drastically depleted after all the parties his parents had attended over the holidays. Although, he paused as he tasted the drink, seemed like someone had beaten him to the punch, so to speak. But whoever it was could have chosen something stronger than vodka.

He sighed and tightened the band that was holding his hair back, annoyed at his lack of amusement.

Julie didn't turn her head when Vivi spoke about the punch. She just smirked a bit more.

"I think so.. Which is a shame, since you always have such a great choice of alcohol." She said with a hint of disgust. "Though.. should we at least try it to see if it's good?" She asked as she stood a little taller as she continued to look around. "I could use some alcohol."

She then finally looked at Vivi with a slight smirk.

Sinbad gave Maggie a smirk. ''Could be better..'' He said honestly. ''But it's okay.'' Smirking at her. He didn't want to be all over her when there were people watching and judging. ''Wanna have some punch?'' He brought her there. Seeing Grace He grinned. ''Hey Grace, Already got something more interesting in the punch or just boring and fruity?'' He asked. Feeding Maggie drunk would be fun. He smirked. He had done that before. So this time wouldn't be too difficult.