The Christmas Ball

Guest

The humour in Madison's tone was enough to make Finley smile a little, his cheeks still red. She knew exactly what he'd rather be doing, and Finley wasn't entirely sure if that should be deemed a good thing, or alarming. Perhaps she cares, a voice whispered to him, and Finley took that to mean that it was only a good thing that Madison knew what he would be doing if he wasn't here.

"What, this?" She shook her head. "No, I'm not half as beautiful as some of the others in the room."

Finley's mouth opened to tell her that this wasn't true. But, Finley was a man that liked to know that what he was saying had truth, and evidence behind it. So, the Ravenclaw looked around the hall first, trying to see if anyone else looked better (to him) than Madison did. But, upon seeing as many of the girls as he could in the room, Finley shook his head, looking back to Madison. "That's n-not true." Finley told her softly, he was, in truth, not overly comfortable with disagreeing with Madison, but he had because he wanted to be honest.

The trouble was, Finley didn't quite realise that he was opening himself and his feelings up to her with those words, or in fact that she'd been fishing for him to express himself more clearly in that moment, it had simply happened, and Finley was none the wiser.

With the prompt of food being Madison's next point of call, Finley jumped in to action. "Uh, y-yeah." He responded, pausing for a moment before he moved before doing something he thought was right. Well, everyone else in the room - the guys, anyway - seemed to be holding the hand of the person they were with, or had their arm around their waist.

The latter was much too much contact for Finley to deal with - especially with Madison because she made him feel too many things at the same time, and with her beautiful dress... No, Finley offered her his hand, ready to lead her through the people to the food table and help her collect a plate of everything she wanted. As he'd been prompted to.

Because no matter how much Finley didn't want to be here, and no matter how nervous he felt, Madison had a way of making him do anything with only the smallest prompt. And Finley didn't know how, or why, this happened, but he let it happen anyway.

Guest

"That's n-not true."

The words surprised her. Not because she didn't think she was beautiful - she knew she was - but simply because it came from Finley. The boy never spoke anything he knew wasn't truth, and if he had said those words, that meant he believe it fully. That meant...

Merlin's beard.

He truly, and wholeheartedly, believed she was...

Shit.

"You flatter me." The words came out easily enough in the same soft tone as before, and she never once faltered in her facial expressions. Practice made perfect, and Madison had mastered hiding - and faking - emotions of any kind. She just never imagined she'd have to do that against... Whatever the hell she was feeling.

To hear that Finley honestly thought she was the most beautiful person in the hall did something that she wasn't quite sure of. Invading and obtrusive, the warm ...thing... pierced her insides, originating from a place unknown. It tried to spread, but she forced a mental block against the parasite and switched her focus onto the here and now. There would be time to analyse things later.

But one thing did occur to her - if Finley believed she was beautiful, and even more beautiful than some of the older females here, that meant on some level, he liked her. That thought was odd, and she couldn't quite comprehend it, but it was a fact she couldn't quite ignore, either, because it meant that her plans were working. She was working Finley with ease.

For a split second, she lost composure at the hand being offered, but by the time she had blinked, she had readjusted herself. A gentleman. Momentarily, her mind flashed back to when she first started her project. It had evolved to so much more since then, but she didn't quite acknowledge that, instead trying to convince her mind that her heart had not skipped a beat at the sight of the male before her.

This Finley was more confident, more sure of himself, and he was grown. Yes, he still had the occasional stutter, but it was improving, and so was his magic. He wasn't as afraid of things as before, and could hold a decent conversation with her, as well as some others.

He had come a long way, and she didn't know it, but so had she.

She took the hand and let him lead her.

Guest

Finley was honestly not sure what to say when Madison insisted that he flattered her. Was he playing the flatterer? No, Finley had been honest, and as much as he might want to tell her that, Finley found the words were lost somewhere, because he simply didn't know how to express what he meant in the right manner.

That, and, well, Madison seemed to make it difficult for him to talk in extended sentences anyway.

But, Finley didn't have to worry about his lack of argument, for the Slytherin took his hand - she had very soft hands, Finley noted, hands that were much smaller than his own, but not in a bad way. With her accepting, Finley could feel his heart beating a little faster, and really hoped Madison wouldn't know the difference as he led her towards the food table. It was only a buffet, so it made it quite easy, really. When they'd gotten to the food, Finley picked up two plates, indicating that Madison should fill them, and he would hold them for her.

One, so that she didn't ruin her dress if there was an accident, but also because he knew that it was his place. Or, he at least thought it was. "I'll h-have whatever." Finley added, he wasn't fussy so whatever Madison was eating he would eat too, to make their lives easier.

Guest

She couldn't help it - she bit the inside corners of her mouth to stop her from frowning as she felt Finley's hand envelope her own. The frown that threatened to show was not caused by a sense of displeasure, or because she didn't like it. Rather, it was because she did, and enjoying something simply because they were was not something she was used to.

Normally, she found pleasure in being right. In manipulation gone her way. In a game well played, or a round won. She never ever found herself being happy at the mere act of holding a hand, or of physical contact. And yet, here she was.

She tried to tell herself it was because she had manipulated the boy into doing so, but she knew that wasn't true; all she had done was got him to accompany her to the buffet table, and possibly the rest of the night. She hadn't expected him to ask for her hand, or for her to accept. That was not part of the plan; that was not what she had in mind.

And she... liked it.

He took a plate for her as well, and finally, things were back in schedule. "Thank you," she murmured, beginning to place food items on both their plates, careful to choose what she knew Finley liked. When she was done, she took her plate from him. "Shall we find a quiet corner?" she asked, already having spotted one earlier.

She could only hope her presence was enough to deter anyone else from joining them; Merlin knew her own people, and those that knew her, would not dare sit themselves with her if she hadn't specifically invited them. But the others would be something else. She would take care, though, of each problem as it arose.

Guest

No problems arose as Madison filled his plate with a good selection of food. The house elves, as always, had done a magnificent job with the food, and truth be told, Finley couldn't wait to tuck in to it all. As Madison took her plate, Finley grabbed them a knife and fork each and followed her across the room, careful where he was placing his feet so that he didn't stand on her, or anyone else's, dress.

That was a disaster Finley definitely wanted to avoid at all costs.

Once they'd been seated, Finley passed her the cutlery and tucked in to his food only a moment later. Polite as it might be to wait, Finley was hungry and he knew Madison wouldn't mind if he got on with the food. Or perhaps he hoped she wouldn't, the Ravenclaw could not be sure.

"S-so..." Finley started, before swallowing his mouthful of sausage roll. "No-one a-asked you to the b-ball?" Finley asked, because Madison had arrived on her own, and it didn't seem like she was in any rush to go off to see someone else. The question was a little hopeful, Finley rather wanting to know that there was not a random guy waiting for her. Because that would be very complicated, and Finley did not wish to deal with that.

But, also, he didn't want there to have been someone else, because that would have meant someone had thought about this harder than Finley and actually thought about asking Madison. Which, in hindsight, he probably should have done, but he hadn't. After all, what was the likelihood Madison would have said yes if he'd have worked up the courage to ask?

She's sat with you now, a voice offered helpfully, but Finley wasn't sure whether that really meant anything in the long run.

Guest

Calling him a little wolf wasn't meant to offend TJ. She was comfortable with him being a werewolf, and she wanted to show him that. That she wasn't scared of being near him, with him and that she didn't want to hide him in any way. He was her powerful wolf. Hers. And she wouldn't change that.

Though she didn't speak another work, afraid of giving him a bad impression. She was going to play safe, since she still didn't know how well he was taking things like these. Compliments and whatnot.

"Come on, let's get a table, then... we could dance?"

Amethyst nodded happily and took his hand, walking along with him. A big smile was touching her lips and her eyes wouldn't leave his face. He was so handsome..

She still wasn't sure how she had gotten him to fall for her, or well, she still wasn't sure whether he had fallen for her at all.
But she knew she loved him. And she was sure about that.

Guest

The problem with being single and uninterested was that it did not make sense for her at all to be at the Christmas Ball. While everyone danced, laughed, and flirted away, Gabrielle stood by the refreshments table, wondering why she had even bothered to get dressed and join the festivities in the first place. It didn't help that most of her friends had dates, and that when they tried to set Gabrielle up with some Slytherin bloke, they did not get on immediately. At the moment, her date was on the dance floor with some blonde girl, and Gabrielle could care less.

She could care less about any of this, anyway. She started to regret not having brought a book with her, but her roommates told her that it would be rude to bring out a book in the middle of dancing or conversation with her date. That would've been preferable, though, over standing by the refreshments and stuffing herself with food. With a poker, almost bored expression on her face, she scanned the Great Hall for a friendly face, hoping to see someone who wasn't busy looking for some after-party snogging.

She had actually tried kissing someone the summer before her sixth year in Hogwarts. By then, most of her fellow students already had some experiences in the romance field, and her lack of interest in anyone worried her. The kiss was an attempt to both console herself and be more like her peers, but it ended up confusing her even more. As she kissed the muggle from her summer job, she felt... nothing. Not the warm sensation her friends talked about or the butterflies fluttering in one's stomach that she always read about. He's eating my face, she remembered thinking. They never kissed again afterwards, and Gabrielle was perfectly alright with that.

And yet, she did find herself longing for a connection. Not a romantic connection, but a connection nevertheless. People were so dull, predictable and boring, and no one ever lived up to her standards and challenged her. She had thought being sorted into Ravenclaw would mean that she would meet like-minded individuals, but instead even her few Ravenclaw friends were the sort to trust more in memorised data than in actual intellectual explorations, such as making scientific hypotheses or theories and testing them. Well, whatever, live and let die, to quote that James Bond song her father loved so much. If most of humanity (especially the wizarding world) wanted to remain idiotic, that was not her problem.

With a self-satisfied look on her face that wasn't quite a smile, but not a smirk either, she walked to the dance floor and joined the students dancing without partners. She wasn't going to find someone she could mentally spar with here, so she might as well have a little bit of mindless fun. She glanced at the guy to her right and winked, knowing that it was all he would ever get.

Guest

Dear Ellie,

My dearest, darling, eldest daughter. How I love thee, let me count the ways... It's a lotta ways. I write with the intent to inform you that your littlest sister is fairing well with the new home. I know you've only been gone four months, and you're bound to return for the holidays, but I've want to tell you of how little Katherina goes purely because I am in a wonderful mood. Momma's been reading some Shakespeare, that she has. Anyway, Katherina's been subjected to all the baby pictures of you and Philly and Cayly and gosh I just started to miss you all so much.

Also, heard you have a dance tonight and Cay told me you didn't plan on going since you didn't want to buy a dress and all the other commodities so your father's money and I took the liberty of gifting you with a pretty dress.

Love,
Momma-Kins

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Ellie groaned as she read the letter and looked at the package with total disdain. She abhorred it when her mother shopped for her. Her mother liked to dress her up like a little doll to be parade about and to be prodded and to be awed over. She loved it as much as she hated it. She loved it because she enjoyed the attention, all young people did because it's just a natural thing, but she hated it because she received questions and unwarranted groping and advances. She preferred that kind of company be filtered out and away from her.

At least at this dance, she needn't worry about it considering she'd have at least a brother to watch over her. She penned out a quick letter, gave it to some first year with specific directions on who to give it to, likely tucked away in a corner of the library. She received a reply within an hour as she was finishing her report for History of Magic class. She smiled at the girl, gave her five galleons and shooed her away.

There was a Ravenclaw fifth-year that had showed some interest in her, quaint as he was, she found him dull. However, he was sensible. A sensible half-blood, her stomach churned at the idea of going with someone not a pureblood, was to escort her tonight. His name was Alexander, and he was attractive. If she hadn't been exposed to a life of luxury, if she wasn't from luxury herself, perhaps he'd be of more interest to her. As it was, the fifth year Alexander would suit her just nicely for a single night of innocent dancing. He sounded exciting to be escorting her, after all, so maybe the night wasn't bound to be a total bust.

"Sylvie," she called out to the bubbly, but useful fourth year, the redhead turned immediately, "can you do my hair please? Something to match this dress." She quickly unwrapped the package. The dress was modest, if a bit tight, and the shoes looked atrocious, but she suspected that was her mother's intent.

"Of course!" Came the thrilled reply, Ellie cringed, and set to doing her make-up.

.

Ellie's Dress
Ellie's Accessories
Alexander Devroushim

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Later in the evening, post Sylvie's quick curling of her hair, and the dressing up of herself, she stood outside of the portrait to see Alexander and his group of friends with their notably Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff dates waiting for her.

"Wow, you look stunning; like you stepped out of a portrait of Aphrodite herself. Absolutely breathtaking." He cooed, smiling widely. She scanned over him and gave him a shy smile, with a light biting of her lower lip to add emphasis of attraction.

"Thank you, Alex," she answered, "you're very kind for taking me up on a date so last minute. And you look quite dashing yourself Lucky, lucky me." He flushed and offered her his arm.

"How could I deny someone as beautiful as you?" He asked teasingly. She grinned wider, liking the fawning.

"Don't make me blush," she joked, and they continued some menial conversation just a few steps ahead of the group as they headed toward the Great Hall.

Once they arrived they danced for hours on hand, some were slow, some were all in a group with their heads tossed back as laughed echoed through their bodies at something silly. Overall, she was having quite a lot of fun even if it did feel totally menial. After sometime she excused herself to stand outside.

She took in a deep breath and enjoyed the quiet night air, loving the way it cooled her heated skin. When she heard footsteps approaching, she was in a splendid mood to reciprocate to any form of conversation.

Guest

As they took their seat, Madison glanced around the hall, only now fully taking it in. The decorations were nice, and suited very well for a Christmas ball. All around her were couples. Some kissing, some dancing, some whispering to each other, some hurrying off to Merlin-knew-where to do Merlin-knew-what. It was fascinating to watch and gather intel about people, but frankly, that was not what was on Maddie's mind.

Instead, as she blinked herself back to the current time and place, she smiled softly and accepted the cutlery passed her way. Watching him for a few seconds, she wondered briefly what he would've done had she not showed up; it was a possibility he wouldn't have eaten at all, despite being obviously hungry. It was only then that she, too, began to eat, taking small bites and chewing neatly.

"No-one a-asked you to the b-ball?"

She blinked. Finley making small talk was still not something that she was quite used to, as much as it showed her she was winning. She took her time chewing the bite of salad, mulling over what she wanted to say. By the time she swallowed, Maddie knew her next move.

Smiling at the Ravenclaw, she casually said, "Many people asked, but I turned them all down." She picked up her fork, brought the food halfway to her mouth, then hesitated for a moment. "The one person I wanted to go with, you see, didn't ask," she concluded.

She put down her fork again and shrugged. "What about you"

Guest

Finley would not have been able to lie his way through the current situation. The situation in which Madison told him she had been asked to the ball by many other people. A squirming on his insides happened that was most unpleasant. One he didn't quite know the origin of but could have had a very good guess at.

He wanted to ask who - though the reasoning for that would have been (quite simply) because he wanted to tell himself again and again, by comparison to those who had asked, why he was not good enough for... well, Madison. Because Finley did have feelings for the Slytherin, as complicated as they might be, he did like the witch. But he was very, very scared of saying that, because she would most likely have just laughed at him.

"The one person I wanted to go with, you see, didn't ask,"

"Oh..." Finley replied softly, feeling his insides tighten just a little more than before. Madison liked someone, or at least wanted to go to the ball with someone. Finley did not, for a single second, think that she was talking about him. And he idly wondered who it might have been. There were plenty of guys out there who would have probably been exactly what Madison wanted. "I'm s-sorry he... he d-didn't ask." Finley responded softly, meaning those words in that moment, because he would have liked for Madison to be happy.

When the question turned to him, Finley gave a small shrug. "I'm only h-here because I'm a p-prefect." He told her. If he hadn't been forced in to helping with the evening, he definitely would not have been here. So, he really hadn't thought about asking anyone. Truthfully. Though, as he looked across at Madison, he knew there would only have been two options. One: ask Naomi to go, as friends, so long as she wasn't going with one of the Brennham brothers (Finley always confused the two of them). Or, two: ask Madison and die of embarrassment when she said no.

» The Clement Christmas Ball (Open to All)
» The Clement Christmas Ball (Purebloods (of Status) Only)
» The Main Ball
» Cammie Genevieve Danvers-Smith
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