The Grand New Years Ball

"Yey!" Jane smiled contentedly at both Molly and Lexi's responses, instantly pulling both of them into a three-way hug. For the other two, it may have been awkward, but for Jane, it was friendly and comforting. When she eventually released them, a toothy grin was still plastered across her face. Despite her hair being ruffled and the hug dishevelling it slightly, her auburn curls still bounced on her shoulders as naturally as before.

"I don't know if I'd fit in a rucksack," Jane paused, genuinely contemplating the idea, before shrugging it off with a smile. "I trust I am in safe hands anyway and you will both get me back to the Hufflepuff dormitory safely." She nodded with a giggle.

"Now, I have to watch Aunt Waycca doesn't turn into an alcoholic if she has to drink all my drinks before I do," Jane giggled lightly and placed a teasing nudge into Waycca's side.

Waycca chuckled, impressed by Jane's ways of persuasion. She didn't think it would be any big problem, just as long as Jane didn't get wasted - and the rest of them weren't too tipsy themselves. Besides, maybe if she went along to bring Jane back she could swing by a certain somewhere to visit a certain somebody.
Plus, Lexi seemed to be fitting into the group surprisingly well, which seemed to be a good sign.

"Ah, no promises there Janey! I do what I must to protect your taste buds," she replied, playfully sticking her tongue out at the younger girl.

Emily entered the grand hall with big eyes. She had never been on a ball like this... It was like all those beautiful balls her parents read on all those fairytales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the the 12 Dancing Princess.
Her own gown looked like she was a little princess, a gift her gradmother gently gave for her 12th birthday. She walked around quietly, her wand in a well planned spot in all the tule of her dress in case she was inspired for some prank.

"I'm swell, Miss Penelope," Todd replied, smiling warmly. He tried not to inject too much of his relief at seeing her into his voice. After all, she'd just come back, some memories still lost to her, it seemed, and he didn't want to overwhelm her. Plus, she still didn't have any memory of being in a relationship with him, so his own fondness had to seem like it was coming out of the blue sometimes.

"How are you liking the festivities? Pretty snazzy, hm?" He wasn't sure if she remembered having been to any balls before, so this might be a totally new experience for her amnesiac mind.

Alaric smiled at the ravenclaw girl before spotting a young Hufflepuff, emily was her name? If he remembered. He stood up from his chair to greet the young child. Making his way over towards her he smiled at her "Hello their." he said,

Emily was walking around, trying to see her friend's face... She spoted some of her classmates, and waved excited to them... It was so good to see them, and she was glad to be back. One of her usual targets widened his eyes as he spotted her. She only winked at him and giggled to herself as she walked around the room.

''Hi, taller one!'', she greeted with a big smile and tilted her head a bit to the side, ''You're from Hufflepuff too, right??'', she asked with a smile, rememebering him very briefly.

"Right!" he said proudly "You must be emily an i right. The princess of pranks herself." Ric said with a small grin to his face,

[OKAY, I'M FINALLY BACK FROM 6 HOURS OF GRUELING SWEATY COLORGUARD PRACTICE. 8D WOO. Let the excuses for being away commence~]

Brieanne had ventured out of the room for a long amount of time, leaning on the cool wall to get her emotions together. She let some tears fall, knowing that she wasn't feeling like herself at all. How could she feel alright, with a Christmas break as such? Now they expected her to just dance around and be happy for all these people who didn't give two shits? Brie wasn't having it. As much as she tried to cover it up, she was breaking down inside, and she really didn't know how to handle herself. She did give herself time to calm down and not go on a rampage, 'cause she knew she was perfectly capable of it.

Taking a deep, slightly shuddery breath, she went back into the room, letting her royal blue dress flow around her like the night sky with every step she took, determined to not let anyone know how bad she was hurting.. and this wasn't even the start of it.

Emily smiled widely, ''It's good to see I'm respected properly...'', she giggled and bowed slightly at him. It was awesome playing she was a princess, and her gown helped a lot. ''I'm so sorry taller one, but I don't remember your name...'', she said with a small grin.

Aquata smiled at her friend’s over abundance of energy, she sometimes had enough for the both of them.

“You are a lush, Asami dear,” Aquata commented helping herself to a small amount of the punch. The vodka was a little much for her delicate palate and she forced herself to swallow.

“Yes, I truly prefer my bubbly.”

Aquata giggled when Asami mentioned a mosh pit, “Really, we must do something about all your excess energy.”

((Sorry for the long wait..cell phone battery died sadface))

Dean groaned, “I am not listening to you two chat about your love lives,”

He continued twisting his tie, slowly loosening it, he hated wearing the damn things, who ever invented them had apparently perfected the art of living without air.

He glanced around the room, which was overflowing with students, he thought he saw Waycca with a few other Gryffindor students, but he wasn’t sure as the face was quickly lost in the crowd.

[I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T MEAN TO DISAPPEAR. I RAN TO MY MUM'S HOUSE TO GRAB STUFF BECAUSE ELI WANTED ME TO STAY HERE AT MY DADS AND MY BREAKS GAVE OUT SO I TOOK MY DADS CAR AND THEN I WAS LOCKED OUT AND I HAD TO WAIT FOR HER TO GET HOME FOR WORK AND everything's all better now. So I'm back. :3]

When Jane pulled Molly and Lexi into the three way hug, Molly couldn't help but notice how awkward it was. She gave a small smile and gave Jane a half hug, patting her back slightly. When she was released, she straightened up and made sure her dress was straight and not rumpled. Not that she minded the hug.

"Alright, I'm in. Sneaking her past the Fat Lady will be easy and hopefully Professor Rivera is too preoccupied with the staff party to notice. Yes, this should work fantastically," Molly smiled. Molly chuckled at Waycca. "Well, if you get wasted, I'll help take over your position. It's only fair." Moll grinned.

"No problem it's Alaric." he said bowing to the little girl "Wanna lighten up the mood in this so called ball." he grinned wanting to pull a prank on someone, just anyone to lighten up this no dance, just talk poor of a ball they was throwing. Heck he wouldn't mind going up to Vivi right now just to annoy her.

Penelope gave a small laugh. "Well, that's very good Mr. Todd," she copied him. She did quite enjoy the way he spoke. It made her smile. She only wished she remembered when she had loved it. She was glad he was doing okay. She almost considered asking if he had gotten her letter, but decided against spoiling the mood with such things. No, they could discuss that at a later time.

"Oh, I think it's really pretty! They've outdone themselves. I've never been to the balls before, I always stayed in the common room... or at least, what I remember," Penelope gave a small smile. She refused to let her memory get her down tonight. No, she'd enjoy tonight. It was her first night back at Hogwarts and she did have some of her memories. back. "So, are you here with anyone? Friends...? Someone...?" Penelope asked rather casually, giving him a one sided shrug.

Liam sighed and wandered over to a secluded corner, where he could people watch, plan a little mischief....do anything so long as it didn't include him feeling awkward in his suit.

He had untied his bow tie and the black fabric how hung loosely around his neck, his hair had also come loose, though that had been of its own accord. He never really had any control over vibrant hair.

He watched amused as people talked, danced and awkwardly socialized with their dates.

((Well, you've certainly been busy. In other news, I think I'm sick and the only person to blame is Alix because it must be contagious over the internet. Also everyone in my town was sick but they don't roleplay so. ))

"The Fat Lady won't be a problem," Waycca agreed, having picked up Jane's discarded spiked drink and taking a sip. "She'll be too caught up in Jane's cuteness to think twice about what house she's in." At the mention of the staff party, however, she was reminded of Dean and managed to spot him among some adults. And didn't he look particularly strapping tonight in a tie?

She nodded enthusiastically at Molly's proposal to take up the guinea pig post if she got too wasted herself. "Ah, how very kind of you. Self-sacrifices all around! Bravo, bravo. I'm doing some testing of my own right now, and this one is definitely not suitable for consumption." Definitely not suitable, she thought, as she tipped it back in another swig of the punch.

Todd nodded, unable to stop grinning. He pondered for a moment about whether or not to tell her about the Halloween ball - that had been the first he'd ever attended, and if he remembered right it was hers too. Had he come with anyone? That question made some of the complicated things he'd been feeling surge up inside him - guilt among them - but he quickly shoved them back down. No, not tonight. "I met a couple of friends here, but they seem to be in a perpetual state of mushiness, so I gave 'em their space," he replied, starting as he saw Brie enter the ballroom.

"And here's one of my friends now!" he announced, flashing a smile in her direction, and waving her over. He was determined not to ignore her just because of the things that had happened - she had been through enough as it was. It occurred to him, though, that maybe this would be a tad awkward.

Lianna just smiled absentmindedly at Asami's mention of mosh pits, she'd never been in one but she spent enough time alone to sadly, read the dictionary. That is, if her father wasn't home using her.

"Aren't mosh pits for like, concerts?" Lianna asked objectively, staring into her drink.

Penelope couldn't help but notice his smile, which only seemed contagious. She was glad he seemed happy. One of their last discussions hadn't been an all too pleasant one, and seeing him smile so much wasn't normal for her - not that she could remember, at least. She thought it was a nice smile, a very nice smile.

Penelope let out a small giggle. "Haha, yes, I suppose friends can do that sometimes." Not that Penelope knew or anything. She knew that Michael had had a boyfriend, Alex, before they left Hogwarts. They were still dating, just long distance and Pen unfortunately didn't get to see him often (she was rather good friends with him as well). They could be mushy sometimes, and Pen often left them on their own as well.

"Oh?" Penelope looked in the direction Todd was waving. There was a lovely girl and Penelope smiled widely at her as well. It'd be nice to meet new people, especially if they were friends of Todd's. They had to be great people, then. Todd was such a great person, he could only ever attract great friends.

[Bahaha, yes, I gave you my sickness! Now I shall spread it around zhe world! >D]

Molly nodded in agreement. The Fat Lady won't care. As long as the password was said and no one was attacking her... and maybe it they watched her break a glass with her "voice," then she'd pretend as if nothing had happened. Molly quite liked the Fat Lady for this. It made sneaking around rather easy.

"Yes! We are all brave souls!" Molly hoisted her own cup in the air before finishing it with a flourish. She made a small noise, as the liquid ran down her throat, but ended with a huge grin. One drink down, more to come. It was going to be quite the fun night. What a way to bring in the New Year and the new semester at Hogwarts.

[totally short post cause Viv is not my system right now c: ]

Having zoned out from the conversation, Vivienne had no idea what was going on. She noticed Ambrose walking up and seemingly whisking Juliette away, and this didn't bother her much. Jules and herself had a strained type of relationship going, so it didn't matter what she did, as long as it wasn't with someone that Viv herself had her eyes on. She caught sight of Alaric and immediately turned away, hoping he didn't see her. She really didn't need any more smack talk from Aileen, or the rest of the Vipers. What she did with other people was her damn business.. and that was really the only thing that she disliked about being associated with them.

She took another sip of the punch, wrinkling her nose at the taste, deciding she would lay off the hardcore alcohol for most of the night.

[..and i guess not. xD]

It took Brie a while to see Todd waving, but when she did, she immediately threw on her best returning smile. When she saw that he was talking to a girl, she wanted to freeze. She knew exactly who she was, but she knew better than to have an attitude. Nevertheless, she walked over, the curled strands of hair that were loose from her bun framing her face, "Hi there, Todd," she said, smiling brightly at him before turning to Penelope, "I'm Brieanne. Brieanne Devereaux. Nice to meet you. And you are?"

'Penelope, you bitch, PENELOPE!' her mind screamed at her, 'Y'know, his amnesiac GIRLFRIEND? Did you forget that? Oh, wait, yeah, she forgot about him, he's all conflicted, RING A DAMN BELL?' All this turmoil was going on in her mind and she still managed to keep a bright, shiny, gorgeous smile about her.

She just had to be inhuman.

Todd smiled widely, glad to see that she didn't look too unhappy - well, looked was one thing. He'd have to ask her how everything at home was later, though he doubted it'd be anything good.
((This post achieved nothing but to tell you guys goodnight and farewell!))

"Hi Brieanne," Penelope greeted with a huge smile. "It's very nice to meet you as well. My name's Penelope Baudelaire, but you can call me Pen if you want. Are you a Ravenclaw as well?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. She thought it'd be great if she made more Ravenclaw friends. Especially those she roomed with, which she still wondered about. She supposed she'd find out later who she shared a room with; it sort of excited her and made her nervous at the same time. In any case, she really did think it was nice to meet Brieanne and hoped to be friends.

[lame post is lame. D:
AND NIGHT! SWEET DREAMS LOVE!]

((Sorry if replies are crappy. Just a warning in advance. XD))

"That's my dad for ya," Jim said, laughing a little. "He's never been keen on public displays of affection. He saves that kind of stuff for when he and my mom are alone. Or when it's just me in the room." His parents had a quiet way of loving each other while other couples preferred to show it off whenever possible. Jim wasn't sure where he felt. It wasn't like he wanted to make-out with Evaine in front of everybody, but he thought that holding hands or small kisses weren't too bad. Maybe he was changing his mind about PDA, despite hating it during his previous years. "You and your devious tickling," he teased. "It's gonna be the death of me someday."