[JESS]

In night when colors all to black are cast, distinction lost, or gone down with the light;
The eye a watch to inward senses placed, not seeing, yet still having powers of sight.
Gives vain alarums to the inward sense, where fear stirred up with witty tyranny, confounds all powers,
and thorough self-offense, doth forge and raise impossibility:
Such as in thick depriving darknesses, proper reflections of the error be, and images of self-confusednesses,
which hurt imaginations only see;
And from this nothing seen, tells news of devils, which but expressions be of inward evils.

- Lord Brooke Fulke Greville

All Hallow's Eve. The night when the Celts believed the line between the world of the living, and the world of the dead became blurred. Today marked - not only a festive holiday - but the beginning of winter, the season (not only of hot chocolate and presents) but of death and rebirth. The Celts believed that upon this night, the 'Sidhe' or spirit world, opened, and all manners of deceased could gain access to this world through the burial mounds which dotted their landscape. This day was spiritually resonate, and was celebrated - not through costumes or candy, but by bonfires and wards to keep the dead out and keep the living safe. On All Hallow's Eve, malicious spirits wander, and it would take someone very brave (or very foolish) to wander outside where the mere pulse of life can attract all manners of ghosts and goblins. The dead long for the living. The living fear the dead. They covet their existence just as the deceased despise them for it. Tonight, the dead may wander the world they long for, taste the air they have otherwise forgot and bathe in moonlight before they return once again to darkness.

But tonight at Hogwarts, the atmosphere was not that of fear or tribulation. Tonight, there was a ball. There was feasting and candy. There were costumes - a variety of colours encapsulate a landscape that was becoming excessively bare (this year more then most, for who can celebrate when a murderer heads the school, friends are tortured during their classes, and the Ministry has fallen into the hands of the Dark Lord whom they both fear and despise). But certain things can be forgotten, at least for a single night, and a holiday which had once brought fear to the inhabitants of this country side now brought blessed relief to those who were preoccupied by world occurrences. For one night, the students of Hogwarts can disguise themselves in tailored costumes, in dazzling folds and ghoulish masks. Tonight they can fill themselves at the feast which had occurred before the ball - on pumpkin pasties and cookies shaped as fingers, on the pumpkin juice and blood coloured punch that was still lined upon tables pushed to the side of the room to leave room for a massive dance floor. Tonight was not about Voldemort's latest victims, or how long it will be before the muggleborns of Hogwarts become persecuted. Tonight was about candy and decorations, about being foolishly scared, about horror stories told in a circle and about dates and costumes. Tonight was about forgetting - even momentarily - that they were any more then children with the cusp of their lives ahead of them and a horizon limitless with its possibilities.

The hall itself was decorated as extravagantly as it always had been (the change of Headmasters did not mean a change of tradition, and in the way the mass of magical decorations which presented itself was a reassurance - things find a way of working out, even underneath the most unlikely of circumstance.) The vaulted ceiling, held by a pattern of arches, displayed a jet black night sky. In it a few stars twinkled like silver buttons on a inky jacket, and a grey mass of clouds curled ominously, blotting each light from occasional view and passing across the spherical full moon (the actual moon was a quarter, a mere sliver in the night sky, so this was simply for effect) like a hand passes before a torch. Although the ceiling appeared perfectly natural in its illusion, no light radiated out from the yellow moon, and the ambiance was supplied instead by candles which floated aloft above the students’ heads. Old rickety lanterns also hung from the walls, swaying slightly in noisy motion provoked by some unforeseen breeze. The room itself was unusually dark - the lanterns providing only small spotlights of unexpected light and the candles low burning - causing shadows to be cast in junctures, the movement of an arm forming a serpentine column up a far wall, and some of the fourth years and initially amused themselves by making tremendous shadow puppets which frolicked amongst the tables lined with bowls of red punch and clear glasses (each was supplied with a black tablecloth, a ratty lace fringe which trailed onto the floor, supposing that whoever had organized this had paid a particular attention to detail). As might be expected at such an event, jack’o’laterns played center stage. Some pumpkins were minature, as one might expect to find upon a muggle’s doorstep, others were gigantic, brought in by Hagrd from his own personal patch and carved by magic and group co-operation. The faces were ominous, gaping mouths with carved pointed faces, laughing eyes, sadistic grins, triangular noses resembling more a skull then an actual face, and if one payed particular attention to them, one might be able to discern a vague shift in expression - though it was so slow it was impossible to explain, and disconcerting to the average viewer. The dance floor itself was clear, apart from the occasional candle which drifted lazily amongst the bodies of students as if it were held by some invisible audience. Along with the punch, bowls of candy were also provided, and though one must be wary of more then just stomach aches when approaching them (a group of students had already discovered the dangers of licorice snaps) it was still a welcome inclusion, and students who did not feel like dancing gathered around the punch and food in conversational groups.

A particularly chilling breeze passed through the hall, setting the lanterns swaying along with the tendrils of spider webs which dangled from the ceiling and other less likely places. As the light danced upon the far wall, and several candles guttered, the eerie music heightened in volume, a fitting accompaniment to the general ambiance of the hall, and the spectacular game which was Halloween. Shadows which did not belong to any students trailed along the wall, and those who enjoyed their Defense literature would be able to recognize some of the monsters of this wizarding world. A slender, willowy figure was a vampire, a bat, the hunched figure with prickling hair which fell with a suddenness into the shadow of a wolf, and the stooped female with long fingers and shadowy wings which stretched out in oblong shapes before disappearing entirely. Though harmless, these shadows had caught the attention of a few of the younger students, who edged away from the walls as if frightened that they should leap directly from the stone itself.

The halloween ball had begun. And though the only ghosts were the familiar faces of Nearly Headless Nick or the Fat Friar, and the only demons the ones in our own heads, it was a time to scare and be scared. To experience. To live.

[Zane Hammond]

The reminders of mortality were, perhaps, almost startling in way as fingers danced over a still tender scar ringing the flesh of his neck that was not yet ready to call itself age old and fade into the long distant reaches of memory. The scar itself, thanks to the efforts of both friends and the resident mediwitch, was little more than a faint line about his neck, a small band, a line of tender skin slightly off color when compared to the rest of him, and only seen if one already knew to look for it. It was simply one of those things that by now, he figured every bloody bastard in the school had heard of (or perhaps not given the secretive natures of those who'd happened upon him, but in the hospital wing others had seen and the reasons for his symptoms those first few weeks must have seemed damnably obvious. Those few weeks of lost speech, of fear and anger, self-loathing really, where all speech bloomed from the written word and was occasionally spoken aloud by a foreign tongue, when it should have rolled off of his own. He'd been almost hysterical when he'd realized that no, his voice wasn't going to miraculously spring back, per say, but that there would be pain in exchange for its slow return, that it would need to be exercised, like any other injured bit of the human body and before it had returned, he'd slipped into a sort of half-misery, filled with feigned smiles and silent screams whenever he surmised that all had turned their gazes aside....whenever they would leave him alone that was, and it wasn't all that often either. Honestly, a guy accidentally hung himself while experimenting with something and everybody thought he was going to go and bloody off himself after he'd already gone through the trouble of saying or rather writing) a solemn promise to recover to those considered close to him, which largely amounted to Alaric and...well Alaric, since he was in charge of spreading the news, so to speak. Zane hadn't had it in him to trust anyone else.

Now he stood, fully recovered, slipping past the two large doors that stood ajar, admitting all who passed them into the Great Hall filled to the brim with decorations, some of which were more tasteful than others, to say the least. Either way, there was something freeing about stepping into the hall dressed to the nines in full regalia, a commodore of his majesty's royal navy, which consisted of several layers. Uniform issue pants of a century or three ago, reaching to the knees and finding themselves form fitting as the rest of his legs (and feet) which remained hidden beneath white stockings. He'd had much fun wiggling his toes with them on earlier in the day, but now they were stilled and hidden within the confines of black boots which gleamed, apparently having been giving a good polish before he'd emerged from his dorm for the night.

Tucked into his pants or rather, what could have only been defined as breeches, was a shirt, termed in society as a poet's shirt, complete with a ruffle and wide, drooping sleeves that tapered off at the wrists only to bloom again just past them. Atop that lay a vest that, if not for the gold edging, buttons and embroidery seen here and there, might have been considered ordinary in its subtle cream, almost white color. Most of it however, was dwarfed by the sheer splendor of the rich blue frock that made up the main force (so to speak) of the outfit, pulling it smartly together as it hung upon, resting upon his shoulders, dressing his arms, reaching downward past hips to knees, edged and buttoned with shimmering gold and given the necessary marks of rank. it's color was dark, rich, alluring on him, bringing out his eyes in stark contrast, if only for the sheer brightness of them on this fine night, alive and gazing about the room with an unexpected joy and something akin to awe before he recovered himself, hand slipping from the scar, the reminder of one bit of folly that he'd rather have already forgotten and yet which was so fresh that no amount of drink could purge it completely from his mind for more than an hour or two, if that 9not that Abigaile, Alaric, or Hermione for that matter, had been letting him reach his usual stash of drinks and other intoxicating unmentionables since his accident, but that was entirely beside the point at the moment). Now, having procured Abigaile's compliance to join him, or so he believed, for the night, he strode across the room in a confident manner, a certain elegance defining his movements, giving them a long missed feline-esque grace as he made his way over to a table supporting a rather large bowl of punch and his hand slipped from the black neck tie which now severed to covered up his latest memory.

Upon reaching the table in question, his hand stole almost immediately under his jacket and, coming up with nothing at all he frowned before dipping a hand into the deep pockets of his Commodore's frock. Something solid and distinctly chilled pressed against questing fingers, causing a grin to spread slowly across his features, brightening them considerably even as if gave them a certain (expected) air of mischief. 'Jackpot' he mouthed more to himself than to anyone who might have been watching him at that particular moment, and he withdrew a small flask which was quickly uncorked and the contents of which were not so discreetly deposited into the punchbowl. 'And now the party shall really begin' he thought to himself as he let the flask drop back into his pocket and then reached out to clasp the handle of the ladle protruding from the punch bowl, giving the mixture a good stir. He even poured himself a glass for good measure, sipping slowly, letting the flavor run over his tongue, sit there for a moment or two, and then slide slowly down his throat, not quite burning but warming a nice little path down his throat. 'Ah, much better.' he smiled at the goblet that he held in one outstretched hand, before sighing contentedly and taking another small sip. Sometimes liquor still managed to sting his recently injured throat, though for whatever reason that was, he had no knowledge. These were the things which he would rather not know, just as he had never asked, in that first week of utter torment whether he would ever again regain the ability to speak and instead had easily resigned himself to spelling out words with his fingertips, letting them dance across the palms of friends and lovers, and occasionally deferring to the fine graces of ink, quill, and parchment to get his point across.

And now, now all he had to do was find himself a chair and wait, wait for Miss McGinn to arrive, and then..then the fun could really begin. perhaps he'd start the night off by offering to retrieve a glass of punch for her, though not until she'd danced a song or two beforehand. it wouldn't do to have her getting all suspicious before he managed to get her well and plastered. no, it simply wouldn't do, and thus he resolved to bide his time and call upon whatever patience he had left within his person/. he was going to make this Halloween a night to remember, turn it into something that emphasize, not the spirits and the corporeal as one might expect from the holiday, but something physical, tangible, real...something that reminded them all a bit too clearly that they were mortal, that they could be hurt, killed even, something which youthful vigor and enthusiasm often pushed from the mind. Surely they couldn't die yet. His expression contorted into something of a grimace. oh but they could, be it on purpose or otherwise....oh but they could. He sipped his glass of punch as he found himself a seat, dropped himself into the chair in question, and kicked his boots up onto the table. And now the waiting..and, of course, the watching as well, for Abigaile wasn't the only worth catch in the school and he had mind to see what the other ladies (especially those from his own devious little house) had chosen to adorn for the night's festivities.

((yes, craptacular, I know....forgive me i am exhausted both mentally and physically and present and my writings comes and gos these days...it's been a long and spirited week XP I will return in full form....eventually.....))

[Scarlett Alexis Stone]

Scarlett had spent about two hours or so getting ready. She had done her make-up and re-did it again until she was perfectly satisfied with her work. She then slipped on the green fairy dress. Scarlett had not really done anything to special to her hair because well most fairy has had long blonde curls. Scarlett then looked around her shared dorm for her white slips on. Scarlett had no desire to wear heels that night since she had worn them to her classes the day before which caused a huge blister to appear on the heel of her foot. Scarlett was not one of those girls who believed that beauty was pain since she practically just wore whatever was comfortable to her on that day. Once the white slips on were located she sat down on her bed and gingerly put them on her feet as to not disturb the blister. "Ow bitch." she called out as she slid her foot in.

Scarlett then stood up and put on her glittery white wings on her back. She then wiggled her arms a little bit just so that the wings would move. Scarlett then smiled as she started to move her arms faster so in turn the wings would move faster. People had no idea how a little thing like that could entertain Scarlett for hours on end. Scarlett was easily amused and stupid things like moving a pair of fake wings would keep her laughing and smiling. Scarlett then promptly stopped once she realized that she had somewhere to be on this cool October night.

Scarlett then quickly went down the stairs of the girls dorms skipping every few steps. Scarlett knew she should not have been skipping steps since she always seemed to fall whenever she attempted to do it but then again it was just so tempting to do. Scarlett then almost lost her balance at the very last step but she quickly caught herself. That was a close one. Scarlett then skipped through the common room. There were still a few people waiting on their respective dates but Scarlett had made a deal with Neville that she would just meet him there.

It was not as if Scarlett had to be with Neville twenty-four seven just because they were going out. She would not mind it but then again she might feel as though she was a bit smothered. Scarlett liked where her and Neville were in their relationship and that is all that matters. Plus, Scarlett did not need to be walked down to the Great Hall by anybody. She was perfectly capable of doing it herself as she had about a million times before.

Scarlett then looked over at a huge armchair and cringed. That armchair reminded her of Ron and Lavender. Always snogging. ALWAYS. Scarlett thought that Lavender was about a million times better then Kaddie ever would be for Ron and she was glad that he was over her but did they have to act as if they were connected by the mouth? It just grossed Scarlett out for the simple fact that it was Ron of all people. Scarlett would not mind of the snog fest if they had the common curtsy to not full on make-out while other people are in the room. Sometimes Scarlett wondered if they could breathe or not. She was tempted to ask but she just kept it to herself so she would not make a dumb ass out of herself.

Scarlett then took a deep breath and then stepped out of the portrait hole and hurried along the corridors and down that stairs until she got to the great hall. She hoped that some people where there already so that she would not be the only one there. If that were the case she would just go stand in a dark corner or something and wait for some more people to arrive. She would then pop out and surprise all of her friends. It was a great plan indeed.

Scarlett rushed into the Great Hall with the biggest grin on her face. She loved how the Great Hall had been decorated. She was surprised that Snape did not try to suck all the fun out of the dances too. Scarlett blinked as she saw Zane Hammond. The Slytherin was not Scarlett's favorite person so she just gave him a nod and then headed over to a chair. Scarlett then waited for her friends to arrive.

[Lavender Brown]

The festivities of holidays such as these always made Lavender excited for events such as these, especially Halloween. October thirty-first was the day of costumes, candy and carefree scaring as well as conversations of spooky stories. Every year Lavender dressed up and every year Lavender found her costumes getting more and more improved. Her ideas only improved with time, in her opinion. Her costume this year was the female costume of Zorro, a muggle movie Easy had told her about. A sword fighter, interesting enough. Plus, she had watched the movie and thought it was pretty good, so being female Zorro was pretty awesome idea wise. Her tight black pants clung to her thighs, the rest of her costume following suit. Her off shoulder blouse was just roomy enough not to be considered too tight across the chest, but enough to draw attention to such areas, but not enough to be considered risqué. A sword was tucked into her belt on the side of her hip; Lavender wasn’t in the mood to carry the thing around all evening. Her mask was on the upper half of her face and her hat was placed perfectly on top of her brown head as brown locks of glossy curls cascaded down her back. Her pale green eyes were visible as she watched the door in front of her grow closer, but a smile lit her face since she met Ron in the common room. Ron was dressed quite handsomely, Lavender admitted, but she had told him that too when they had met up. Lavender wasn’t sure what to do about this, she knew there were no feelings on her side for Ron, any more at least, so she wasn’t sure if Ron felt something for her or not. It was most likely nothing, but he hadn’t exactly said “lets go ‘as friends’”. {what had happened to Kaddie, hm?} Hm, Lavender found that slightly intriguing, to say the least. Ron was being slightly mysterious to what exactly he had in mind for them and that kept Lavender fully hooked on him, although not in that much of an intimate way. But, you never know where the night will take you. {clicky}

The two walked in and Lavender linked her hand into his, smiling slightly as his warm hand grasped around hers. Looking up immediately, although this really was no surprise to Lavender, she saw the lovely dark sky and moon, as well as the stars. Then there were the several candles floating aimlessly around in the air above all the student’s heads, but as Lavender looked around the room, her eyes floated near the giant, and average sized, pumpkins. Pumpkins were so cute, so fat and squat and they smelled rather spectacular also. The smell of Pumpkin always lifted Lavender’s spirits; it was such a refreshing smell. Along with pine for Christmas it was one of the loveliest smells. She sighed and the couple came to a stop, although Lavender did not notice, she was enjoying the scenery too much. It didn’t matter to her that the boy she loved wasn’t her date to the ball, it didn’t matter that the boy she loved was going with someone else, it didn’t matter that the boy she loved had lied to her; nothing mattered. Holidays were meant to be spent in stress-free harmony, nothing else. No worries. This is how it would be, because Lavender hadn’t thought about David the entire walk down to the great hall, it was a record. Whooo. Dave had always been on her mind; always clogging up her thoughts and making her feel horrible and as if she was worth just about nothing. It all had kind of fallen into place a few days ago, those fateful days ago. David hadn’t told her because he knew she wasn’t worthy of the secret, but then he felt guilty and decided to tell her and kiss her to make her feel better about herself. It was all just a game, cat and mouse, and for once in her life, Lavender was the mouse. Dave was just playing games with Lavenders mind, trying to get her to believe she wasn’t the one to blame when she clearly was. She was the one that didn’t deserve him. She was the one who had apparently ruined their relationship. She was the one that had been lied to and therefore should realize there had been a reason; she wasn’t worthy of Dave’s love. Lavender had never considered anyone or anything out of her league, she had always thought she deserved everything she wanted and therefore should have everything she desired. Spoiled rotten child, yes, but she hadn’t been taught anything different and therefore can not really be blamed by the fake layer of obliviousness that covered her eyes since day one. But that shield had been ripped off violently by the one guy she had given her heart to, the one guy that had made her come to realization of her own selfish impulses. She was so stupid.

Taking her gaze off of the lovely scenery, Lavender saw Scarlett sitting down near the candy table. Her grin had lessened to a smile as she watched Scarlett momentarily and then turned her gaze to Ron. They weren’t in anybody’s way so there was no real sudden need to move, no worries. She turned her body towards him, her fingers still linked with his. Yes, it was true that they had token the term ‘p.d.a’ to a whole new height. They had it coming to them if someone was to suddenly shout out ‘get a room’. Snogging at any chance they got, it was odd but oddly sensational for Lavender. It wasn’t Dave she was kissing, but she had to admit, Ron was a pretty damn good snogger. Her back was almost against one of the four walls of the hall as she un-linked her fingers from his and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning up on her tip toes to start what most people had enough of their activities to last them a lifetime. But, for Lavender, she couldn’t get enough for some odd reason. Maybe it was the pure sensation of getting back at Dave for going out and snogging with Luna, or maybe it was just she was hypnotized by the whole scheme of it; not to mention Ron’s spectacular snogging skills. Pulling his neck closer, un-intentionally, Lavender intensified the session, to the sorrow of anybody within view. Lovely.

[Alaric Martin]

((Chapter [Insert Number Here]: In Which Alaric Does Not Simply Hide in the Library for the Duration of the Ball {and people say Slytherins are never brave... XD}))

Alaric was jittery, nervous, and paler than normal, though one could hardly tell, since he was pale enough to begin with and his outfit covered nearly his entire face, drenching the rest in shadow. He was recognizable enough if one bothered to look, and by no means attempted to hide his identity, but ascertaining his exact emotional state was thus rendered an even more difficult task than usual. (And no, Harry, Scarlett, and the rest of Gryffindor, his exact emotional state is not always "out of my face, world," though in all fairness that's a rather close guess.)

The black cloak, hood, robes and mask bespoke something half ninja, half evil wizard, but was, in Alaric's mind, simply the closest he could get to "generic person you don't want to hang around with." Not that his costume would have mattered in the end, because that was already who he was to Gryffindor in general, and before the night was over, Slytherin would probably think of him in the same black light. Still, he wasn't going to show up as himself, especially since Hermione was going in costume. The least he could do was make an effort. And this wasn't far enough from his normal attire to make him feel utterly ridiculous. One could argue, of course, that Alaric was missing something from his costume. After all, there were several other elements to the generic person you want to stay away from, such as insanity, utter lack of control, and homicidal tendencies. But having one Harry Potter at the ball was going to be bad enough.

He and Hermione had decided to join the ridiculous proceedings together. It would be somewhat amusing but rather pointless to simply meet inside and wind up hounded by people who spouted the recurring question "So...you are only talking still, right?" At least, that was what Alaric had thought. As for Hermione, she had raised no objections and he had never inquired as to her reasons or bothered to mention his. Standing to the side a little away from the doors that led to the Great Hall, he waited for the Gryffindor to show up. It might not have been a particularly "romantic" place to meet, but what else were they going to do? It wasn't as though they could go knocking on each other's Common Room doors. And it wasn't as though either of them were particularly "romantic" to begin with.

Watching the odd person wander through the doors, Alaric considered the matter, and eventually decided he should have gone as Potter after all. Then, if worse came to worst, the idiot might have been struck with a sort of impeding subconscious reluctance to attack himself...

Too late now.

[Ronald Weasley]

The past week had gone by so fast! It felt like months ago since Kaddie's birthday, and their ruined plans. Months ago since he ran into Lavender in the commonroom, and month ago since they decided to go to the ball together. Even though they were not 'together' if anyone saw them, you would have to be blind to think they weren't. Basically they were, they just didn't go around broadcasting that they were with each other, not that they really needed to. At least the entire Gryffindor House had seen them together in their daily, nightly, and morning get-togethers that took place in the commonroom. They held hands in the corridors, and all that. Ron had found that it surprised people, but they were still happy for them regardless. Sure, it would be surprising that Ron and Lavender were suddenly together, just because both of them had had a lot of drama in the relationship department over the summer. Lavender, had - apparently - gotten over Dave, and his death, and Ron had gotten over his whole thing with Kaddie. Well, the thing that people knew of, as how the whole thing was a plan, it was easy for him, as, there was no longer anything to even get over. Now he just had a grudge against her, for standing him up on the night of her birthday. She didn't send him a letter or anything? Ron wasn't about to send a letter asking 'Where were you?'. He had some pride. Needless to say, snogging someone else probably wasn't the right thing to do either, but at the moment, he wasn't thinking about that, he was just thinking about what Kaddie had probably been doing on the night of her birthday, so if she was allowed to go to the dance with someone, why wasn't he? Lavender was great, she was fun, and he knew her well enough, plus it felt nice to not have everything in secret anymore, and having to create lame excuses for Scarlett to explain where he had been all night. Another great thing about the whole ordeal, was that it probably steered everyone who still thought something was going on between him and Kaddie way off.

Sure, Ron felt bad about it. Going behind Kaddie, that is. He was pretty sure she didn't know, she hadn't seen him in the hallways with Lavender, probably due to the fact that he was avoiding her. He hadn't really thought of the Slytherin girl's reaction to the whole thing. He didn't know if she would be mad, or not have a problem with it at all. Part of him secretly wanted her to be jealous, not that he even was sure of it himself. What would she do when she saw them - if she saw them. Would she just ignore them, and think nothing of it? Most likely, after all, thats what she tells him to do when she is with Kisaro. Right. She would be with Kisaro, she isn't even going to give him a second glance. Would she even feel bad about not showing up on her birthday? Probably not. She had probably forgotten all about it by now, and would just find some sort of excuse when Ron asked her about it later. Well, if he asked her. He knew he was going to ask her soon enough, but right now, he could pretend he had a bit more self-confidence. He could just wait, and see what would be in store for him, when Kaddie saw them. What would Lavender think? Was she expecting that she and Ron would be together? The Weasley wasn't sure how many 'Won-wons' he could take, before he snapped. Truely, he had forgotten how severely annoying the name was. Sure, he should be used to it by now, seeing as Scarlett and Selena used it constantly, but, sometimes things just got on people's nerves. And that nikname was one thing of Ron's.

Ron had found himself waiting in the commonroom for Lavender, clad in his quiddich robes, and a plastic crown (some muggle thing Scarlett had provided him). He felt stupid. As he always did when he was dressing up for these costume parties. No matter the occasion - going alone, going with friends, going with Lavender, going with Kaddie..... This costume had been the product of about five minutes of Selena's brainstorming, however, once Ron's costume was decided, she spent nearly two hours deciding between fifty choices for her own costume. His quiddich robes had been worked on, tried to get most of the grass stains out of them, but for some reason, there was a dark splotch on the left arm, that no one was too sure of the substance, but was just left anyway. Lavender came down, and the two headed out of the commonroom, and down the staircases, towards the great hall. Lavender was dressed as 'female zorro', as she said, which Ron had responded with a "you look nice". Ron had no clue what a 'zorro' was, but he didn't question it, as he listened to Lavender babble about people, and their dates on the journey to the ball. Soon enough - however - they arrived, and the Great Hall was decorated to it's usual glory for special events. He felt a small tug on his hand, and he looked down at Lavender, flashing her a grin, before a head of bouncing, blond curls was spotted just a ways over. Ron had opened his mouth, and his arm was in mid-raise to wave to Scarlett, before he felt Lavender free her hand from his, and trace her arms around his neck, and pulling him down to her lips. Kissing Lavender was no longer awkward - as it had been that night in the commonroom - it was amazing how used to it he was by now, even if they had only been 'together' for just a week. She was certainly different then Kaddie. His hands found their place on her waist, as he returned her kiss, which was definitely off the charts for just a 'kiss'. He and Lavender just snogged. So far, there were only a few occupants to the Great Hall so far, within a few minutes, things were sure to get a lot more complicated, then it was right now.

[Laine Parker]

[[ Omg, three different posts in one. -gets psyched up for supreme schizophrenia- ]]

Hermione Granger wrung her hands nervously as she inspected herself in the mirror. This Anne Boleyn costume was no where near as comfortable as she had been hoping. Her headpiece teetered on the edge of her crown, threatening to plummet with any sudden movement. She swore to never purchase another costume in her life. Pushing her side swept bangs a little further to the right, she scanned the costume for any serious malfunctions. There were so many parts and pieces to it that it had almost tired her out. Tights, shoes, head piece, corset, dress, hoop skirt under wiring. Not to mention that after all of that, she had still needed to do her hair, which was a daunting task within itself. When all was said and done, she looked okay, but felt like taking a long nap. Her anxiousness was the only thing keeping her awake. Never really receiving an answer about Alaric's costume, she was left to wonder what he had cooked up. Would he be recognizable? Her answer was decidedly 'most likely not'. Not that Alaric was the cowardly type, but this was rather stupid of them. Had her preparation not taken the better part of two hours, she wouldn't be showing up at all. But alas, it was far too late to cancel on him now. Though the library was tempting, she decided it was best to merely go, and let the cards fall where they may.

After descending the stairs into the common room, Hermione was relieved to find it quite empty. So, everyone had already left? Splendid. Perhaps they wouldn't notice her entering the Great Hall. Though really, the student body had dubbed Hermione Granger absolutely incapable of getting a date to these sort of things, so her friends, enemies, and random people would probably at least raise an eyebrow at this. She imagined Scarlett's joy of thinking the supposedly 'hunky' Viktor Krum had made a reappearance. A laugh almost escaped her lips, but then she realized the rage Scarlett would emit once realizing who Hermione was with, and this quickly ended any sort of joy in Hermione's head. Heading towards the portrait hole - and having a hell of a time getting out of it - she came out of the other side, straightened her dress, and quickly trotted down the staircases towards the Great Hall.

From the third floor, the voices of the student body were easily heard. By the second floor, Hermione could practically listen in on their conversations. By the time she reached the ground level and had walked into the entrance hall, it was almost a dull roar. Tonight would be interesting on many levels, she supposed. Nearly rolling an ankle on her heels, she righted herself out and looked about the hallway. Students were pouring in from all over, making a vast river of bodies Hermione would have to cross. This was obviously easier said than done. By the time she had finished this little journey, she felt battered and bruised by the shoving and sidling that had occurred. Scanning the nearby people once more, she spotted a strange, dark looking individual. Judging by the fact that he was obviously waiting for someone, Hermione took a shot in the dark that it was Alaric. Keeping her composure, Hermione slowly walked over to him and gave a rather dramatic courtesy.

"Are you prepared for the excommunication?" Hermione asked in a joking manner, though the slight anxiousness in her mind came out through her words. Folding her hands much like ye olde English people might, Hermione waited for a moment. There was still time for him to run, should he choose to do so. She didn't intend on taking that opportunity away from him.


-x-x-x-x-x-


Blaire Amburn was not one for dressing up. In fact, she was one for staying in and studying while everyone else wasted their time on affairs such as this. Plus, she had many good reasons not to go. 1) She didn't have a date. 2) She hated dancing. 3) There were still books in the known universe that she hadn't read. But Mandy, her best friend since childhood, insisted that she simply had to go, and Blaire simpled hated disappointing Mandy. Besides that, the two had hardly spoken this year, for Merlin knows what reason. This would be an excellent place to talk, have a few drinks, and maybe have some fun. Maybe. Blaire envisioned herself sitting in her stupid flapper costume at a table, drinking pumpkin juice and wanting nothing more than to go have a smoke. Eying the long, fake smoke stick with disdain, she scanned her dorm room quickly to make sure she was alone. Quite positive that she was, Blaire made a clumsy attempt at doing the Charleston, during which her heels easily tripped her up. Sighing at her klutzy dancing skills, Blaire stared at her extensive hair and makeup before throwing her arms into the air, turning on her heel, and leaving the dorm, slamming the door behind her.

The Ravenclaw common room was actually rather bustling with people preparing for the Ball or simply having better judgment and staying in for the night. Blaire scowled enviously at them before straightening her feather boa and exiting the immediate area so as not to attract any unwanted attention. Though for Blaire, all attention was extremely unwanted. Ha, another reason for her not to go. But no matter how many reasons Blaire could come up with, she found her feet carrying her closer and closer to the Great Hall. Reasoning that since she could hear the noise from a few floors up that it would be unbearably loud when she got there, Blaire reconsidered this entire venture all together. But the thought of Mandy and Noah when they realized she wasn't coming spurred her onward. Avoiding eye contact with a regularly dressed student, she turned the corner to the main staircase and descended into the mass of student bodies. Pulling her arms in towards her body in a futile attempt to not touch anyone, Blaire allowed herself to be moved with the currents of complete strangers until they had all squeezed into the Great Hall. Crinkling her nose at the sensation of suddenly being extremely dirty, Blaire shook out her arms and legs, as if to throw everyone else's filth off of her. Blaire was strange in that way.

Blaire scanned the crowd, hoping that Mandy and Noah would rush out and whisk her away to somewhere else. But, they were apparently preoccupied or not looking for her, so she sidled over to the nearest empty table and took a seat. Glancing up at the ceiling, she watched the stars twinkle merrily and the candles burn brightly. How she loathed the Halloween season.


-x-x-x-x-x-


[[ Another omg for my first Laine postie! <3 ]]

Laine readjusted her large pink and golden hat upon the mass of curls that were stacked upon her head. Very French renaissance. Her face had been dusted with white powder, making her ghostly skin color seem even more apparent. Full red lips paired with large fake eyelashes and a fake beauty mark made for quite the convincing visage. Hair pinned and sprayed into place, save for a few curls that were stylishly hanging loose from the perfect updo, Laine declared herself ready. She double checked that all of the bows, ties, and folds on her [[lollame]] dress were placed correctly before doing a complete turn for the final inspection. Her corset was done up tight, but Laine could still breathe. She was a slave to fashion, but she wasn't going to die by it. Quickly tightening her tie-up tights and fastening her white peep toe pumps, Laine felt as if all was as it should be. Batting her long eyelashes playfully in the mirror, she laughed and picked up her large, billowing skirt to make her way across her dorm, out the door, and into the Common Room. It was still relatively full, as most Slytherins agreed that fashionably late was the way to go. Laine decided she wanted to enjoy as much of the festivities as possible, so she made her way through the dark green adorned room and out into the dungeons.

Climbing the stairs up to the main level was no easy task, but she managed. Listening to the rhythmic clicking of her heels as they echoed about the stone corridor, Laine ignored a group of Ravenclaws as she nearly bowled them over in her large, hoop skirt. No need to stop the parade to make false apologies, non? Pulling up one of her loose sleeves, she finally made it into the entrance hall. Walking at nearly double the pace of everyone in the room, she made an easy entrance out of something that could have taken three times as long. The music was loud, and voices were louder. Tapping her toe to the beat, Laine offered a winning smile at Zane Hammond, as she did to all of her house mates, and made her way over to the drink table to fetch herself some punch. While most girls would be absolutely devastated that they were attending a Ball alone, Laine was quite the opposite. Love was rarely on her mind, as having fun with everyone was better than trying to impress someone constantly, in her opinion. Laine viewed coming alone to a Ball as a free ticket that said 'Go ahead, as whoever you want to dance. You don't have to make awkward conversation. Just have fun.' And that's precisely what she intended on doing.

Grabbing a goblet of some red liquid, Laine sipped it casually and scanned the crowd for someone to talk to. Not surprised to find no one, as most Slytherins were still in the common room, Laine glanced at the plethora of empty tables and took at seat at one nearby. Setting down her glass of punch, Laine glanced back at the door and waited for someone interesting to show up. Tonight would be fun, she just knew it.

[Harry Potter]

Harry shifted in his costume as he and Selena stepped into the Great Hall among the throng of now arriving students. His costume was fine, he had no problem with it really.t was just the hat that Selena had practically pinned to his head so that it wouldn’t fall off. That’s what was bothering him. He rather disliked wearing hats. That’s why peole rarely saw him in one. Oh and the fact that he didn’t own any was a good reason too. Oh well, that was what he got for not caring what his costume was. He had told Scarlett and Selena that as long as it didn’t make him look ridiculous and as long as he didn’t have to waer tights he would be fine with it. Personally, he would have rathered to be the Rhett Butler to Selena’s Scarlet O'Hara instead of Robin Hood. At least he wouldn’t have had to wear a hat then.

“The Hall looks beautifully creepy.” Selena said from her place beside him. He looked down at her with a smile before looking around at the Great Hall again. “Yeah, it does.” There were already people there, most of them younger students who were trying to avoid the walls. An experienced grin came to his face as he took notice before he felt a small tug on his arm. He looked back down at Selena, who was also smiling as she tilted her head toward one of tables, indicating that they should go farther into the hall. At the table, he saw, was Scarlett, sitting there and looking strangely bored. Then and only then did he notice the couple snogging in the corner quite animatedly. Harry blinked in surprise and furrowed his eyerbrow. The ball hadn’t even really started yet and there were Ron and Lavender, already going at it. “Dios mio, already.” Selena said with an exasperated sigh as she spotted them too. She slid her left hand from the crook of his arm and into his right hand subtly as they walked toward Scarlett. Well, it was really Harry who was walking toward Scarlett and pulling Selena along with him. Sure, Selena wanted to go sit with Scarlett and save her from boredom but she didn’t want to sit just yet. Mingling with whoever was there was much more fun than just going in and sitting down. At least to Selena, Harry would have rather sat down and just stayed there. Well, opposites attract, don’t they?
“Hey Scar.” Harry said when they reached the table. He gave the blonde girl a small grin as Selena looked over her friend. “Oh Scar you look great!” She said enthusiastically, letting go of Harry’s hand and dropping the train of her costume to give Scarlett a hug before sitting down. Harry sat down in the seat next to hers, “Yeah, you look very pretty Scarlett.” He said in agreement, not really knowing what else to say. Social situations had never been Harry’s strong points.

[Kaddie Cheshire]

COSTUME~


"Die, die, die motha' fuckaa'" Her war cry sounds as she raises her licorice wand in a threatening manner to cast the unforgivable curse on dear old Finn. She manages it wordlessly with a flick of her wrist and a swish of her black robes that billowed out from behind her as she made a quick turn. Kaddie Cheshire- or should I say, Severus Snape, then stood over her newly murdered friend's corpse with hands triumphantly on her hips, boot dramatically placed on the boy's belly. Horrible, isn't it? One would suppose that posing as both Snape and Dumbledore (especially after such a serious and upsetting event) would be one of the cruelest and insensitive things that you could do. Why, the very idea was absurd. How offensive... and yet, offensive was exactly what both Kaddie and her best mate were going for. The two were usually insensitive about this sort of thing (especially if it didn't involve them whatsoever,) and took this as an opportunity to give the school a good laugh. Everyone was so stuck up and pissy that Dumbledore was dead- and come on. There may not be any proof that Snape was the killer, but you would have to be stupid not to believe that the greasy haired potions master had something to do with the mysterious attack. The two of them had already practised this killing routine- a big game of pretend that had left the mouths of some first years so wide that you could stick a watermelon in them. Whenever the party began to get tense, or a bit boring, Kaddie would raise her wand, shout an insulting comment about Dumbledore himself, and then 'kill him', while Finn made a big scene of cursing the name of Snape and every one of Snape's greasy future offspring (something that Kaddie pointed out was very unrealistic, as the chance of Snape getting laid was the same as Kaddie getting a sex change.)

Stepping off of Finn, Kaddie straightened out her costume. A tight version of Snape's robes- cut short with the buttons done all the way up to the high collared neck, white ruffled shirt only visible as it peaked out from the bottom. On top she wore a long black robe- swishy and black, giving off the impression of billowing smoke behind her as Snape's usually did. There were worn loosely over her shoulders, bunching up at her elbows and slipping back down whenever she lowered her hand (something she did quite often in habit of fixing her hair, which (might I add), lacked the characteristic grease that clung to the Potion Master. That was simply a step that Kaddie would not take- even for authentic purposes. The large nose was something that Kaddie had to pass up- hilariously never interfered with her outer appearance. Clinging to her long hair were black ribbons. Two, in fact, and hanging in no particular order or for no reason whatsoever. Unfortunately, though, the school had put up some sort of dress code. Although she was pleased just as much as everyone would be that Alana wasn't going to show up with her knickers showing, it took a lot of interesting aspects out o0f her own costume. Ah, well. In spirit of this rule, Kaddie wore skin tight black pants underneath the robe, reaching down to her ankles, while black leather, slouchy boots met up with the middle of her calves. Now, it would sound horribly foolish for someone to obey the dress code and yet blatantly ignore a subject that could very much get you expelled- but the two of them had planned everything out. If questioned by a member of staff, Kaddie would simply explain that she was a muggle 'dominatrix', and that Finn was Santa Claus in casual wear. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Kaddie laughs for the third time tonight, because it seems like this joke is never going to get old. Kisaro was probably somewhere behind her (or at least, somewhere within walking distance), talking to someone or perhaps gathering Kaddie come halloween cookies? The boy was so sweet when he dipped into the alcohol (and Kaddie soon found that pre-drinking before the ball was funner then the actual ball itself.) Kaddie herself had managed to finish off three quarters of a firewhiskey, not exactly drunk, but she held enough in her system to be close enough to it. Her hand pressed to her forehead and she brushed hair out of her eyes and waits for Finn to move. They plan on finding Harry Potter and preforming their little skit, though Kaddie catches eye of the wrong trio member at the wrong time. The worst time, actually. With a casual turn of her head the Slytherin's heavily darkened eyes set upon the red head and her gossip rival, and it was as if a time bomb went off prematurely. ADHGJHASDGWUYSKJNKJFHAJ FJKLSJHSDFKFJDH FIUEHNFLKFANSFKJHIU H KFJHSD FIUFHIEUHSF EKJFHIU H RIUH ERKJE;DSLKA;LKF;LAMFHEIUHIWUR FHGSE UYBFUYEGUESGBSUYHSEGBEYUGUFYBSRUYGR EYGFEUFYGFUYGTDJHFGUYGAHF FDUF EHSIEUGSUYGUYAGUAEYGlWIUYG RGYFUGFUEGB SJFSGSFUEYGFUYFEGFUS YFGUFSYGSUS YSGSURGFUYSGU SFYGFSUYSGSUFYGKJHIOHSFI EUIRFHIREHERI RTIHIUREWGHBNFDSKJHRF UERWUGRIBNFDKJBUSFDBB UIFDSHFIOEUHEKJNFDHOIRUHFEWPF OIHGOISFDH[FDSOI IUYIOURWHDAPOIUHOIU EWPOWIHJFPOIWHNFEUIWHPIWE OIPWEHOPGIHIWEUHOIUEHIUEPOJKG[OJE[G EJHEWRIUWERHO WIWRE[RWEJER;E RLUGIOHJPFBJUDOIUDGPASIPG KSDAJFOHFIUHFIUHFI FHFWIUFWHIFWEJWFEBIWUHRIR FHFIRUHREWIUREHNSDFLKHS DFIUFSDHIGFHRORIG WHAT? The girl's face remained stoic (something that was a treasured trait in the Slytherin house: keeping your calm.) throughout the ordeal. Depressing that her wand happened to be edible, or else she might have actually considered permanently stopping the brunette from eating Ron Weasley's face. Kaddie, for a moment, didn't know what to think when she laid eyes on the two blatantly putting the fact that they were.. together(?) out there. It was like a sledgehammer to the crotch- or if you're a girl, a punch in the face really really hard. What seemed like a swift glance before she looked back at Finn felt like much more then that, he image perminantly burned into the back of her head.. and then the question. Why?

[Lance Immacolata]

Realization sank in as he sat there alone on the couch waiting for his date to finish beatifying herself even more, if it was at all possible. This was their first dance together. Not as friends, not even as friendly dates or like last time, two friends who had happened to be single and danced with each other for the majority of the night, but as a couple. He blushed at the thought and his hands, which were normally a jittery quake from being hyper, clasped around his knees in a nervous fashion. Lance knew that he shouldn't be nervous or worried, after all, they were both girlfriend and boyfriend, but he couldn't help feel anxious about tonight's events. Would she like his costume? Would she enjoy tonight's events and would they have fun together? Of course, they would. They were boyfriend and girlfriend and even before that, they had always enjoyed each other's company. They were going to have a fun time. He would absolutely adore her costume and she would love his costume, even if it was made from an unknown muggle tailor, who kept taking measurements that made him comfortable, and not Ivan. It seemed like he hadn't seen him and his sister in a long time. The last time he had managed to sneak away to Hogsmeade was for the meeting in the twins' shop and he, unfortunately, had not had the chance to swing by his sister's shop. Even their summer, which was known for being filled with happy and memorable experiences, seemed to fall short when compared to the others. The summer of his fourth year, his little nephew had been born and this summer, he had spent most of his time with Catherine, either sending letters to her or meeting her at Ashton's shop. He missed the earlier days when he embarked on fun, exciting trips to Hogwarts to see his sister and not attend a meeting to a group that intended to rebel against he-who-must-not-be-named. Oh well, maybe, if he was lucky, he would be able to visit her next week and resupply his stash of candy, which had been empty since that fateful night when he had given most, if not all of it, to Zoey. The first letter that he had sent her had, for some reason, mysteriously disappeared.


WAS THAT C-CATHERINE? As he caught a side glance at the stairs, he immediately jumped up off of the couch to face her. His mouth hung open slightly and though he was tempted to continue to stand there and stare at her in amazement, he realized that they had a dance to go to and held his hand out to her. With an opening of his mouth, he attempted to compliment her. Tell her how beautiful, no, amazing, she looked and how lucky he was to have her as his girlfriend, but was silenced when she slipped her delicate hand into his. He blushed and bit his lip, still trying to think of an appropriate compliment that he believed would suit her, as he led her out of the Hufflepuff common room and down the stairs to the Great Hall. For a peasant, she was anything but too poor to manage her own looks. She looked better then him, the lowly, well, he wasn't quite sure what he is. A squire, he thought, but didn''t squires normally have swords? He didn't and he was going to bring his own wand along to substitute for it, but at the last minute, had decided against it. He would look foolish, he thought back in his dorms, and he had left his wand back in his dorm room on his bed. He turned his attention back to Catherine and still at a loss for words, tightened the grip he has around her hand, widened his smile at her, and quickened his pace towards the doors of the Great Hall before them. "Catherine...." he started as he led her into the dance, as any fine French gentleman would do, and blushed. What was he going to say? That she looked good? Great? Amazing? STUPENDOUS? He bit his lip again, surprised that it wasn't bleeding now, and quickly brushed her cheek with his lips. "You look great!" he finally exclaimed, a bit too loudly considering many behind him were now wincing and rubbing their ears. "I mean! Your costume, it looks really pretty on you", he clarified with a slight blush, unaware of the grumbling students behind him, as he let out a small, nervous laugh. He still had no idea why he was so nervous about the ball. Not because of Catherine, not that the different shades of red she gave him wasn't nerve wrecking, especially when he tried to stop them, but, maybe, he was simply suffering from having too many things floating around his brain. He was accustomed to floating through life without a care in the world; eating candy, visiting his sister on an almost daily basis, and having as much fun as possible at Hogwarts. That was what this dance was for, after all, having fun and spending time with his ah-mah-zing girlfriend!

[occ: -permission from my twinkie to puppet Catherine the stairs-
GAH; BAD POST T_T]

[Alaric Martin]

((Lol, it would have been hilarious if Alaric and Hermione both ditched the whole idea and retreated to the library. "Hey, wait a minute, you're supposed to be at the Ball!" ... "Well, so are you!" And lmao at Kaddie and Finn. XD))

"Are you prepared for the excommunication?"

Err......No.

But even if he wasn't particularly looking forward to the outcome of this untoward adventure, there was really no point in turning back. After all, he had written a rather clear letter to Draco Malfoy explaining that he would be showing up with Hermione - back when he had still thought this a plausible idea - and if he failed to arrive entirely, what exactly was he going to say? 'Oh, well, she still likes me, but it's probably best we go our separate ways - never mind about the chance to see anyone's reaction or the possibility of getting information.'? Of course, there was always the last resort, a rather embarrasing if highly believable 'Potter scares me.'

That wasn't happening any time soon.

Alaric made a sweeping bow in response to Hermione's curtsy. It was well-practised, if all too formal and precise, but the illusion of elegance lasted only until he straightened, shrugged, and laughed softly. "Of course I'm prepared," he replied, as though the very thought of anything else was heresy untold. Are you? he wondered, two more unspoken words doomed to remain that way forever. Was she? Would it help to prolong this with useless conversation until long past midnight and any danger of actually showing up at the ball? Probably not. He extended his hand to lead her through the doors, vaguely unsure of himself but only slightly bothered given that this was about to become the least of his problems.

"Shall we?"

[Hermione Granger]

Hermione watched with an amused look on her face as Alaric responded to her curtsy with a sweeping bow. She bit back her laughter, as their extravagant movements were probably attracting more than enough attention already. Her laughter booming around the stone corridor would probably push the limit.

"Of course I'm prepared." His voice was calm and without the slightest hint of anxiety. Hermione would have given anything to feel that way. Imagining Scarlett's reaction when the realization dawned was enough to send her screaming into the night. But, he seemed so reassured and content that Hermione stayed put. This was all very strange. Hermione had never envisioned herself attending a Halloween Ball with a Slytherin. Especially Alaric Martin. There was an odd sense of foreboding in her mind, as if things were going to be worse than she could have ever possibly imagined. But for only a moment before she snapped back to reality. Looking in front of her with a 'deer in the headlights' expression, she saw that his hand was extended towards her and he was looking expectantly at her.

"Shall we?"

It was at that moment that Hermione Granger, for the first time in her life, completely turned off her brain and ran purely off of instinct.

"We shall."

And with that, she took Alaric Martin by the hand and walked straight into the Great Hall without batting an eye.

That is, until two bodies came soaring past her in a blur of arms, legs, and slurping noises. Gasping slightly, Hermione stared, absolutely flabbergasted, at the intertwined bodies of Ronald Weasley and Lavender Brown. They were snogging - of course - and paying no mind to helpless passerby. If Hermione had been one second ahead of herself, they would have ran her completely over. And probably not even realized it. Grimacing, Hermione rigidly turned away from them and headed in the opposite direction as fast as possible. Soon, they were in a fairly uninhabited area of the Great Hall, candles, cobwebs, and jack-o-lanterns looking out from everyone possible place. Very Halloween-y. Hermione liked it. Turning to Alaric, she folded her hands once more and bit her lip, not really sure what to say.

"So...do you dance or...stand?" This last word was tacked on for lack of a better one. Hermione was actually fine with either, whichever he preferred. Scratching the back of her neck, Hermione looked around and spotted Harry and Selena entering the Great Hall, full clad in the Halloween costumes. Her first instinct was to approach them, but her better half responded quicker and she deftly moved herself and Alaric about 3 paces to the left, so that a group of Hufflepuffs provided a natural barrier.

[[x.x SO BAD. Me sorry.]]

[Ronald Weasley]

((Im sorry this post is terribly short and horrid, because no one has communicated with Ron between my last post, and this one.
D: I tend to be RPing with myself a lot lately))

Both Ron and Lavender were completely oblivious to the disgusted murmurs, and reproachful glares that were being sent their way as people entered the Great Hall. Their limb entwined snog lasted for several minutes, before Ron finally pulled himself away, first pulling back his head, then arms, until he stood apart, but close enough to her. "Should I go get us punch?" he asked her, and with the quick nod of agreement he got from her, he pecked her lips, before turning sharply on his heel, in the direction of the long tables on the side of the dancefloor, which held the bottomless punch bowls of disturbing, blood-red punch. He noted the quick glances from Harry, Selena, and Scarlett as he spotted them on his way to the tables, and then- Kaddie. For a second.... No- she hadn't come as Alaric, had she? He could have sworn she had been staring at him, but by the time he was able to take a second glance, she had turned back to Finn, who was unmistakably Dumbledore. And Kaddie was Snape.... Harry was going to blow a fuse. He flashed a look over his shoulder towards Harry, to see if he had spotted this group costume, but from what he could see, he hadn't. He looked in front of him just in time, to avoid walking straight into the table, and knocking it over. He resisted the urge to glimpse back at Kaddie, as he grabbed two goblets, and started to fill them with the red punch.


Daphne had spent a good 15 minutes in her dorm room, working on getting her make-up just right. Having 'perfect' make up wasn't usually a serious concern of hers. But, it played an important role in her costume, so it needed to be. The pattern around her eyes, and dark lipstick were what completed the look. She never thought that dressing up as someone from a legend would be this difficult. But, once she was certain, and was satisfied with it, she took one last glance in the mirror, before heading out of the girl's dorms, through the commonroom, and up the stairs towards the great hall. She was donned in a particularly layery (made up a word, which means lots of layers) dress, which would have been particularly hard to walk in, had she not fixed it up a bit. Not that she had any interest in walking much (let alone, dancing) tonight, she would probably just hang out with her friends, drink an unsensible amount of punch, and laugh at those who made utter fools of themselves. Of course, the entire Slytherin house had heard of Finn and Kaddie's plans for the dance, so that was sure to be some entertainment. Perhaps later, they could pay Myrtle a visit.

Daphne entered the great hall, and a small smile perked up on her face. She loved it when the Great Hall was decorated in such an extravagant fashion. The Pumpkins floated around on the ceiling, decorations had been conjured to line the walls, and spooky - yet dancible (another word I made up; meaning that it is appropriate for dancing too) music was blaring from across the room for when the dancing started. Of course, not a soul had embarked the floor, since many were still arriving. Already, many Gryffindors had made their quota, Kaddie and Finn were there, dressed up as they had promised, with Kisaro not too far behind them. Draco and his date were also here. She cast a disgusted look, as she saw Lavender and Ron snogging full-out near the entrance, before seeing them (finally) break apart, as the red head trudged towards the punch. Perhaps she would wait a few minutes before quenching her thirst. She stalked over to one end of the ball (where the slytherins had pooled) and waited, looking around the hall, to see if anyone had arrived yet. Alaric was going as 'Someone who you would never talk tp'. Exciting, she knew, so he would be easy enough to find. However, two new students entered the Great Hall. One was unmistakably the bushy-haired head of Hermione Granger, who was dressed up as someone from history. That was more then probable, she couldn't imagine Granger getting anything more exciting then that. But- who was her date? It couldn't be. No was that ALARIC?! Eyes squinted, she looked closer at the black-cloaked figure who was hand in hand with Granger. No, it wasn't Alaric. It couldn't be. It had to be a trick of the light. She decided firmly, although, the small belief still remained inside her, as she watched the two closely. This was going to be an interesting night.

[Kaddie Cheshire]

Kaddie's lips form a thin line, pursed and tight, and her teeth clench from behind them. Eyes casually follow Ron as if disguised for reviewing the scenery- which really was quite nice. Halloween was one of Kaddie's favourite times of the year- free candy, dress up, parties. The whole vibe that she got from the holiday was entertaining. It may sound a little bit odd- for a witch to be celebrating a holiday where muggles pretended to be witches... though their interpretation of witches were quite different. Kaddie always seemed a bit intrigued by the way witches were portrayed in storybooks- green skin, long nails, big noses (which was in fact true in some cases, as you could see it clear as day on Alaric Martin's face), but regardless she still enjoyed participating in the festivities. Perhaps she didn't paint her skin green, but she wore a costume all the same. But for now, although not painted, Kaddie's face should have been as emerald as her Slytherin tie. The girl had never seen such.. such.. well. Kaddie had seen it. Kisaro was the perfect example of the cheating type.. but but... This was totally different! Ron was going out of his way to find a date, and then had the nerve to snog her in the middle of the ball. Kaddie tecnically was cheating on Kisaro, and they sort of formed a bit of an open agreement because of their lifestyles.. but... Ron wasn't in on this agreement. Kaddie's pretty face, became slightly pinched for a moment before she allowed herself to be noticed, and she glanced down at Finn with a smile on her face. "I just saw Weasley go over to get some punch. I'm gonna go get myself something while there's stuff left." She comments as if serious, even displaying her teeth in the motion.

And then she turns from Finn as casually as she can muster, though she doubts that Finn will suspect. Why would anyone suspect Kadirie Cheshire to be jealous, or even talk to Ron Weasley? Other then the whole plan situation, Kaddie never spoke to the boy. They hardly even exchanged glances, and if ever there was a time where some students were bashing the red-head, Kaddie was right along with them. Perhaps not as vocal as she used to be, but her 'hate' for Ron Weasley still remained the same. This was perhaps a good thing in this case, as the humiliation of anyone boy cheating on her would be too much for the Slytherin to handle. Think of her reputation? Adjusting her robes at the top she made her way through the crowds of people toward the Gryffindor, using slow movements that didn't make her look to eager to get there, but fast enough for her to arrive before Ron turned around and ruined everything. She comes to a halt right beside him, graceful movements making her presence there almost unnoticeable until she reaches across to grab one of the plastic cups. From the back, it would appear that Kaddie only waits for the ladle to be passed patiently, but her movement across is much more complicated then that.

Giving the boy a decent amount of time to realize that it was her standing beside him, she presses in to retrieve said cup. In that action, she manages to look up at the boy through heavily darkened lids- the action that is far too thought out to be natural. She does this on purpose, allowing herself to only whisper, "Meet me tonight around ten fifteen." She says, eyes dropping to peer into the bowl before them. She holds back the grimace as she watches the blood-like liquid in the bowl, seeping along the glass and edges of it and pooling in a gruesome portrayal of creativity. She doesn't look at him until she finishes the statement. "At the left wing's staircase, on the second floor." And with that she drags her eyes back to him, flashing him what might appear to be a smirk, though all in all it's an act of seducing (to a certain degree.) You see- Kaddie's not stupid. She doesn't intend to meet up with Ron if she screams at him, or raises her voice. She knows boys better then one would think, finding it to be a hidden talent, and thus she knows how to play with their emotions. Boys want things, and if Kaddie gives off the impression that this is all fine and dandy, and that Kaddie is still willing to snog him like she did in the astronomy tower, Ron will be waiting for her ten minutes early. She pulls away finally as she spills the contents of the punchbowl into her cup, raising it to her lips and sending him a final smile over the rim of it before she walks away. Hopefully, if played right, Ron will walk there, noone will be suspicious.. and Kaddie can give him what he deserves... a punch right in the face.

[Alaric Martin]

((I AM OFFICIALLY DESCRIBING THE CURRENT MUSIC IN MY POST SINCE NO ONE ELSE HAS BEEN SPECIFIC. I LEAVE THIS LONG ALL-CAPS OOC RANT AS AN EXPLANATION AND BEACON OF SORTS, SINCE I HAVE SEEN MUSIC RANDOMLY SWITCH BETWEEN PEOPLE'S POSTS IN OTHER THREADS. THAT IS JUST WEIRD AND SHOULD PROBABLY BE AVOIDED IF POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. edit: And I described it in the most hilariously non-specific, completely contradictory manner, too. XD))

Walking into the Great Hall, Alaric would have been lying had he said he were not elated. Then again, lying about things like this had become habit for him, a way of living that, if only temporary, was certainly etched deeply enough to be considered at least semi-permanent. So, depending on who asked him, he could have been anything from delighted to repulsed, and he told himself he was simply satisfied with the way things were going. He nearly laughed as they took refuge behind a group of Hufflepuffs, but instead broke into a smile hardly discernible behind the cloth scarf that covered his lower face. He wondered briefly if it would be better to ditch the mask, but no. Not yet. Not unless there were a good reason. Let anyone who hadn't figured it out wonder a little longer.

"So...do you dance or...stand?" This was a question he had never been asked, and a situation he had never been in, and with good reason. Not only did he keep as far away from most balls as possible, when on the rare occassion he did show up, he never brought anyone. But he knew how to dance. He had never wanted to learn or thought it a particularly useful skill, but his "family" had deemed it somewhat of a required talent, and when he realized their heckling would cease if he simply complied, he did so. Not the elaborate modern fancy work that was coming into vogue, just the more...classical stuff.

And speaking of "classical," there was a rather good instrumental starting at the moment, slow but not horribly slow, not too complex but hardly simple either, strings and piano intertwined in a delicate harmony - though not so delicate that it seemed about to shatter. It was perfectly good for the purpose, and hell, why not? It was better than spending the rest of the night ducked behind the Hufflepuff group. Well, perhaps not. But there was only one way to tell. And someone was bound to notice the two of them eventually no matter what they did.

"I dance, I suppose," he said eventually, taking her hand once again and leading her to the edge of the open area. Placing his other hand on her waist, he raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. "You do know how to dance, right?" If she did, all was well and good, and they could fall into it easily enough. If not, well, he could...teach her?

And then they would both know the same completely useless skill.