The Main Hall & Ballroom

Guest

There had been a small cue at the punch bowl, so Finley had stood in line, waiting patiently and casting a glance back at Naomi and Madison every few moments. They looked to be talking, which was good, because Finley wanted them to get on with each other. After all, they were both his friends, so they could have some small group, or something.

Finley was given a small nudge in the back, and realising he'd forgotten what he was doing, he hurried forward and collected two glasses of punch from the bowl. He'd made sure not to fill them too high, because his shaky hands would probably not be kind to him, and he didn't want to ruin his costume.

It was a steady pace, and as Finley came back to the sides of the two girls he'd left a few moments later, he passed one cup to Madison and offered the second to Naomi. She hadn't asked for a drink, but Finley thought it would be nice to bring her one anyway. "I t-thought you might l-like one too." He explained, hoping he hadn't been wrong because he didn't want the drink himself.

There was a pause, Finley trying to find something to say and looking between the two girls with a somewhat awkward smile. If it had just been Naomi he probably would have done better with conversation, but he was feeling a little bit nervous again. "S-so... d-do you like t-the Ball?" The question was so forced it was terrible, but Finley was not renowned for his conversation skills.

Guest

Naomi was relieved that Madison actually didn't seem to think anything of it. Although that was strange in a more close-minded world, she was glad that somebody was open to the idea of platonic friendships between girls and boys. For Merlin's sake, Finley was barely a teenager and she was only 12!

Shrugging, Naomi let it be. As she had just though to herself, they were all young and it was perfectly fine for boys and girls to be just friends. Madison's reactions pointed just subtly towards something more, but Naomi was content to let it be. People often forgot how much the quiet kids observed, and body language was something Naomi was used to reading. After all, sign language like she used to communicate with her Nana was half signs, half expressions and body language.

Naomi was just casting around for another topic of conversation when Finley got back. She took the drink he offered with a smile. "Thanks, Finley." It was very good punch, she discovered after a sip, so she was happy Finley had grabbed her a cup. "I think it's great so far," she told Finley quietly before turning to Madison. "What about you? And, by the way, your costume is beautiful."

Guest

It was then that Finley came back with drinks, and she smiled at him, accepting hers with two hands as was only polite. "Thank you." She sipped at it, although she wasn't actually thirsty.

When Finley asked the question, she glanced around the hall for the first time; she had been so locked on him that she had not actually taken the time to admire the decoration. It was surprisingly nice, not at all what she expected, and a part of her wished that Melody could be there to enjoy it with her. But of course, they had decided this was the best route to go, with two schools and whatnot.

Hearing Naomi answer and return a question, she looked back at them with a wide smile. "Oh, it's amazing! I absolutely love it!" she said, only half meaning it. So far, it was boring. Nothing interesting was happening, but she had an idea of how to make things fun.

At the compliment, she forced a surprised look onto her face, although the statement was something she already knew - she wouldn't have worn anything that wasn't beautiful. "Oh this? Thanks! It took me ages to put together," she said, faking a tone of modesty. "You look amazing, too, Naomi. And you, Finley! I almost didn't recognize you! Wonderful costumes."

She let a few moments pass, and then smiled at Finley. "I'm bored. Want to dance?" she asked, then, without waiting for an answer, put down her drink on a nearby table and slipped her arm into the Ravenclaw's. "Come on, it'll be fun," she told him, leading him towards the dance floor.

Over her shoulder, she added, "Don't worry, Naomi. I'll have him back soon."

Guest

Finley responded to the 'thank you's with a small smile towards each of the girls. They were welcome, of course, his parents had taught him to make sure girls were treated nicely, and so he made sure to look after them. But not in a suffocating manner. If they asked him for something, he would help.

Knowing both of them were happy brought a genuine smile to Finley's lips. He was glad they were enjoying the ball. But as the attention turned towards how beautiful Madison looked, Finley truly looked for the first time, and couldn't deny that his best friend was right. Finley's cheeks were already growing warmer as he looked towards Madison, and as soon as she addressed him to tell him his costume looked good, Finley quickly looked away, muttering a stuttered thank you as he tried to focus on something else.

"I'm bored. Want to dance?"

Finley was almost ready to say no to Madison when her arm linked with his. With a hopeful look towards Naomi to ask her to help him, Finley was pulled off towards the dance floor. He barely heard Madison call back to Naomi, but he felt bad for leaving his best friend.

Once they'd stopped in a space on the dance floor, Finley turned to Madison a little sheepishly. "I c-can't dance." He told her above the music, hoping that she would let him go back to Naomi. Lots of people were watching the dance floor. What if he made a mistake? What if they laughed at him? Finley was growing a little tense as the thoughts flitted through his mind, but he didn't voice them, instead waiting for Madison to lead the situation, as she often did.

Guest

"I c-can't dance."

She sent him an encouraging smile. "Don't worry about any of that, Finn." Glancing around, she pointed to someone in the distance. "That guy over there can't dance, and yet he's going at it - alone, what's more! Quite brave of him, I say." In truth, if she had not been with Finley, she would have already started pointing fingers and laughing along with a few of her girls.

Instead, she smiled again at Finley. "Don't worry so much. It's not too hard, honestly. Just follow my lead," she said, gently taking his right hand into hers. Giving him a few seconds to adjust to this new position, she was just about to pull him into a dance when the band - The Butterbeer Experience - started a new song.

To both her delight and her horror, it was a slower song. Not exactly something romantic, but slow enough that a few of those who had been on the dance floor left, and couples took their place.

'The Peverell Story', she knew, for it was one of the songs she actually listened to. She debated momentarily if she should lead Finley back, but then, an idea struck her, and she grinned inwardly. Not letting go of his hand, she instead moved it towards her body, placing it at her waist.

"Like this," she murmured, releasing his hand and moving hers to place on his shoulder. "Follow my lead, that's all," she added, under her breath, and took a step back, waiting for Finley to follow.

Back and front, side by side she led him, slowly, not once taking her eyes off his. This was much better than she ever could have expected, even though it wasn't exactly a happy song.

And I let the young brother go free,

From behind her, someone brushed her wings, and another idea hit her. "Trust me," she whispered, pulling Finley closer, and then, concentrating as hard as she could, flapped her wings hard, aiming for flight. Slowly, she felt them lift off, and she kept her grip on her dance partner tight but not so tight that it would hurt him.

For about five or so seconds they hovered a few feet off the ground. With no floor beneath them, it was easy to move, and she positioned her feet beneath that of Finley's so that he would be balanced on her.

Slowly, she lowered themselves when she felt her brain getting tired, just in time for the ending of the song.

Guest

When Madison told him not to worry, it didn't settle Finley very much. He worried about a lot of things, and right now he was worrying about the fact he was more than likely going to trod of her feet, and he knew he wasn't very light. But as she pointed out someone else, another boy dancing, Finley couldn't help but smile. He was sure he could do something vaguely in time with the music.... Maybe.

Finley didn't reply though, instead watching their hands move together. He wasn't overly fond of contact, in fact he dislike it, a lot. But he wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but it felt much more awkward with Madison. Perhaps that was him, Finley simply looked away from their hands to avoid further embarrassment.

He was glad when the music changed to a slower song. Perhaps this would mean that Madison would lead them back to Naomi and he wouldn't have to look silly? Casting a glance back at his best friend with a small smile, Finley's eyes only just made it back to Madison as she placed his hand on her waist. His eyes were a little wider than they should have been in that moment, and as he swallowed, Finley could feel himself growing with more discomfort.

But with each word that left Madison's lips, it grew clearer that he wasn't getting out of this situation. Looking down at their feet as Madison explained he needed to follow, Finley made sure not to step on the younger witch's toes, slowly getting better, but by no means graceful. The song wasn't one he knew, but the beat was steady enough for Finley to get to grips with it.

"T-trust y-" Finley started, but before she could explain, Finley found himself pressed up very close to the witch... And a moment later, up in the air. Not high - not that heights bothered him - but high enough for him to wonder just how Madison had performed such a feat. Though, he didn't really want to know because that would probably mean trouble, or that the younger Slytherin was better at magic than him.

That's not hard. A voice chimed in the back of his mind, as they landed back on the dance floor in time for the end of the song. Smiling awkwardly as Finley quickly took a step back away from Madison to put a little more of a comfortable distance between them, the boy looked to the side of the dance floor in a silent question of them leaving the dance floor now.

He didn't think he could talk without squeaking, if he was honest, a little too overcome with insecurities, feelings... and other things Finley didn't want to think about. Shoving his hands in to his pockets, Finley waited for her answer to his silent question.

Subject: Re: The Main Hall & Ballroom Mon Jun 01, 2015 5:42 pm

The ball has now finished!

Thank you to everyone who participated! Hopefully you have enjoyed the event! We will look to put more on in the future, so any suggestions will always be welcome!

School will now resume as normal! So, hurry along to classes, and get earning points for your respected houses!

Winners of Prizes:

Best Dressed Individual: Madison Bishop

Most Elaborately Dressed: Hailey Cavanaugh

Best Couple: Unfortunately it seemed the couples were hiding during the event - but perhaps there were some lurking in the corners?

The winners have been awarded with a hamper from Honeydukes for their efforts (please don't eat all the sweets at once!), as well as earning ten points each for their respected houses!

Once again, thank you to all for the support, and we'll bring more fun your way soon!

~HaB Admins

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