The Christmas Ball

Subject: Re: The Christmas Ball Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:33 pm

The Christmas Ball had come around much sooner than Jacques had anticipated. He had contemplated going time and time again - weighing it up with going back to France for the holidays to get away from the monotonous English people. However, Elenore had pleaded with him again and again not to force all of them to go home, and he had a sneaking suspicion that her and Caramarienne had plans.

It would have been fun to squash their fun, truth be told.

But Jacques had decided against it.

Jacques had asked a Pureblood Slytherin in his year, Eloise, to join him at the ball. She was, of course, beautiful, but Jacques was not interested in any way. Jacques had pulled on his suit only just in time for the ball, and pulled his fingers through his hair until it looked just how he wanted.

He'd made his way to the common room just in time to see Eloise appear from her room, and she looked - to any other man - divine. Jacques moved to her side, paying her compliments that he did not mean before leading her up to the ball. It was not to Jacques taste, tacky as anything not done by the Clement staff would be.

He eyed his sister with a large group of first years, dancing with girls and boys with indifference, a warm smile on her face. Caramarienne was close by, with an older student Jacques wasn't sure he knew, but he didn't have time to question it before he was pulled back to the person beside him.

The ate, and they got a drink and Jacques was scanning the room when Eloise asked for a dance. Jacques grimaced before accepting and moved to the floor to dance with the girl he'd asked to the dance. They danced only once, before Jacques excused himself, leaving the blonde in the arms of another who wanted to dance. He mulled around the edge of the dance floor before he noticed it.

Ellie Brennham, dancing.

He paused in his movements, eyes on her completely. She looked happy in that moment, and... loathe as he might be to admit it, very pretty in the outfit she wore. However, Jacques eyes moved to the boy she was with, and in an instant he felt disgust. The boy was not a Pureblood, of that much Jacques was certain. He had half a mind to interrupt the dance, but just as he was about to step across the dance floor, Elenore stood in front of him.

"Dance with me?" She asked him, and Jacques eyes fell to her face. Giving a single nod, Jacques bowed to his sister's wishes, leading her in a dance. "You'll get wrinkles early if you don't stop frowning." Elenore teased softly as he span her round, a soft giggle leaving her lips as she did so.

"I'm fine." Jacques responded, his eyes flickering to Ellie once more. Though, he wasn't sure in that moment.

Elenore kept hold of him for a few more songs, Jacques watched Ellie leave the dance floor, out in to the cool winter air, and he excused himself from the dance when it finished, hurrying after the Gryffindor.

"I would have thought you'd of chose someone better to come to the ball with, Brennham." Jacques insisted to the witch as he moved to stand before her, his eyes on hers in an instant. "What is he - a halfblood?" Jacques asked, a faint trace of disgust on his features in that moment. How could she have accepted a halfblood's invite to the ball? Really.

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~ Clement Heir ~ 24 ~ Athletic ~ 5'11" ~ French Accent ~

Thanks to .V0ldiemort @ TDA for my signature!

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He said... Nothing. He didn't comment, he didn't ask who, and he didn't so much as make a general noise of acknowledgement. But then again, she was pretty sure that he would not known what to say if he had been capable of speaking, something Maddie was quite certain he could not. Not in that moment, at the very least.

And that told her two things, both of which were opposites. First was that he frankly just did not care, and, therefore, had nothing to say about it. The second - and this was the option that confused her the most - was that Finley was jealous. That he wished he had gone with Madison, or that he had asked her.

Which it was, though, she didn't dare try and guess, although a part of her - the part she hid from everyone, including herself - hoped it was the second. And that in itself was enough confusion: hope was not something Madison did. Logic and planning got things done, and hope was for those that couldn't manipulate situations to suit them. So why was she doing just that, when she knew with time she could make it so that Finley wanted her?

Because it wouldn't be the same, the same part of her whispered, and at once she blocked off all those thoughts. It wasn't something she needed.

"I'm s-sorry he... he d-didn't ask."

Maddie shrugged. "I am, too. I would have loved to go with him." She paused, debated dropping another hint, then added, "But I also know he wasn't planning on coming to the ball at all, so it's a no-brainer that he didn't ask."

At his next statement, she nodded. "But you're here, right?" she asked, a light smile touching her features. "So you might as well enjoy yourself. Besides - who else will keep me company?" she added, wondering if he had picked up on any of her clues. Probably not, she decided. For a Ravenclaw, he was quite slow on verbal hints. Turning her attention back to the food, she wondered how she would play out the rest of the night.

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Lux's Outfit:

Lux fixed on her bat earrings then stood back and surveyed herself in the mirror, turning one slow round. When she was done with her inspection, her lips curled into a satisfied smirk. It had taken her ages to find a dress she deemed worthy enough for the Christmas ball. Knowing most of the girls would show up in flow length sweet gowns, she'd made sure to go for a short dress that had strategic see through areas.

Unsurprisingly, no one had asked her to the dance and she was grateful for that. Having to hang on to the arm of a guy was no way to spend the night. Oh no. She'd flown solo her entire life and she wasn't about to change that anytime soon. Lux had considered not attending the dance but after the amount of work she'd put in - as a prefect - to decorate the hall, she decided she had to admire the fruits of her labour.

Huh. Prefect. What a hoot! It was more of a shock than anything when she found out she'd been selected to be a prefect. The one who took every opportunity to break the rules now had to enforce them. She snorted. Well, it gave her the opportunity to bully the younger years that was for sure and she'd make the most of that.

She applied a coat of lipstick to match the colour of her dress and doubled checked her eye-make up. She'd gone for a dark almost gothic look. It was Christmas after all and she had to do everything in her power to contradict the season. She pulled on her ankle boots and set off for the great hall, her heels clicking softly on the floor.

Her eyes took in the decorations and she nodded once, a small grin playing on her lips. She made her way to the buffet table, and poured herself a drink before letting her gaze wander around the hall. To her utmost surprise, she spotted Finley with another girl. Looks like the loser is smitten her lips turned in disgust.

Lux took a few steps closer, making sure she wouldn't be seen by them. As she drew near, her eyebrows nearly flew off her head as she recognised the girl he was with. Madison. That girl was a bitch. No kidding. Lux shook her head. What was she doing with him? She'd heard of some of the girl's exploits and couldn't deny that she was impressed. Lux heard that she even had some of the older years wrapped around her dainty little finger.

True, Lux didn't have her own posse of followers but she did have students scared out of their wits and willing to do whatever she told them to. Taking a sip of her drink, she remained in the shadows and observed the couple. This night might prove interesting after all.

Guest

Earlier in the evening before Ellie and Alexander begun dancing, at she ate with his friends she was subjected to many a question. Some found it odd that she was a Gryffindor when she clearly sported no outwardly, overtly brave characteristics (she definitely did not fit the stereotype of being loud, boisterous, or obnoxious) and others found her to be more Ravenclaw than Gryffindor. It was the stupidest idea she'd ever heard, but she hid that part of her opinion knowing it was better to not say that out loud. She merely laughed and acted humbled and embarrassed by what they were saying.

Dancing with Alex was good at first, after the first one that was medium paced and elegant there were a few more slow ones. She blessed her lucky stars that one of Alex's friends offered her a blister-away potion and a healing potion for her feet, post the dance there was bound to be some blood and pain. However... It was proving to be enjoyable. Alexander was a gentleman, surprising considering his ailment of blood, and never moved his hands lower than was necessary and got her drinks when she needed it.

His company was decent too, he was a bit dull; a puzzle easily solved. The second of two children, a late bloomer, gentle and still finding himself, and he was definitely a boy unexposed to the horrors of manipulative, deceitful women. Easily handled, she also thought as she smiled a wan smile at him to which he flushed and promptly looked away. She catalogued that detail too.

Standing outside felt good; it felt better than seeing her brothers dance with people they genuinely adored and experiencing Alex trying to stumble his way through a conversation with a professor while playing arm-candy. She played with one of the bangles on her wrist as she let the air cool her heated skin. At the familiar sound of a certain someone's voice, she flushed, ready to tell him to shove off.

Except there is something utterly disarming about a handsome boy. Her face contorted from one of anger to one of quick confusion, she shook her head a bit, telling herself that the evening was far too nice to let him ruin it. Then he went and opened his mouth to continue talking, and she was disgusted and frustrated more.

"Oh look it's the little Clement boy," she spat out with a roll of her eyes, "must you antagonize the good of heart so often? You must hate puppies." Ellie's jaw clenched. "An act of charity," she mumbled half-heartedly. "And your own date? What's her name again? Eileen? Ellen? Answer me this at least, is she as vapid as she looks?" She asked crossing her arms, ignoring the race of heart, and smirking just a little bit.

Guest

The comment of how Madison would have loved to go with the person made Finley's insides hurt rather painfully. Who? This was the prominent question that was only just staying off of his lips. Who did Madison want to come to the ball with, and why - with the level of confidence the Slytherin witch had - had she not asked him?

Finley wasn't at all sure, and his body was making weird movements internally at these questions. It didn't like the idea of Madison with someone else...

"But I also know he wasn't planning on coming to the ball at all, so it's a no-brainer that he didn't ask."

A frown touched Finley's features, and he looked at Madison sideways. That story was so... him. But, Madison couldn't mean him, could she? Why would Madison Bishop have wanted to go with him? He didn't have anything to offer. He couldn't dance. He certainly wasn't very good company. Many people thought he was boring.

And yet, it seemed Madison was hinting...

"So you might as well enjoy yourself. Besides - who else will keep me company?"

"A-aren't all of your friends h-here?" Finley asked, not trying to cause offence, or push her away. But Madison Bishop was popular, and Finley was not. He was easily overlooked, and forgotten even easier. The notion of enjoying himself wasn't one that Finley thought he could find in this room, but, as he stole another glance at Madison, and how beautiful she looked that evening, he knew that... maybe for once in his life, he'd found something more beautiful than a novel.

That thought turned Finley's cheeks pink without him realising, his eyes averting from the Slytherin and back to his food. Feelings, Finley decided, were not easy to deal with.

Subject: Re: The Christmas Ball Sat Feb 13, 2016 12:19 pm

Jacques ignored the comment on him being a little boy. Ellie could be spiteful, he had learned that much very quickly of the Gryffindor, but her spite was nothing more than amusing to the Clement heir. Who she thought she was upsetting with her words, Jacques would never know, only that it was most certainly not him.

"must you antagonize the good of heart so often? You must hate puppies."

"Depends on the breed." Jacques responded dryly, if she really wanted to be rude, he would at least throw something back in her direction to make her think. The truth of the statement was neither her nor there, but the French boy didn't care in that moment.

Her next comment was the one that made Jacques smirk. "Charity? His charity, or your own?" He asked, intentionally playing wit her because he wondered if the boy had been a last resort for Ellie, seeing as no one else had asked her to the dance. How... unfortunate it would be to be in that situation - though, had it of been Jacques, he would have turned up alone rather than come with a halfblood.

"Oh, she is more vapid than she looks, believe me. But, she is at least of our blood. So, if you're trying to tell me your date is in anyway better, I can assure you he's not." Jacques mused. "You haven't look at all interested in him the whole evening, and being out here alone... well, I would imagine that's the proof anyone else would need to know you're not happy with him." Jacques continued, letting out a small, sympathetic laugh.

Sometimes, to Jacques, Ellie tried too hard, he often wondered why, but he never voiced this. Only observed her - for what reason, he hadn't yet identified.

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~ Profile ~
~ Clement Heir ~ 24 ~ Athletic ~ 5'11" ~ French Accent ~

Thanks to .V0ldiemort @ TDA for my signature!

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His expression changed slightly, and for a moment, Madison hoped that he had picked up on her hints. Surely she had given more than enough for him to put the pieces together and figure out she was talking about him? But he said nothing, and she could not read minds, so she had no idea what he was thinking.

For a moment, she considered asking him directly, but that would be boring, and a move only someone desperate would do - and Madison lived neither for boredom or desperation.

"A-aren't all of your friends h-here?"

"Some," she agreed, wondering for just a second where he was going with it, but a moment later, it registered. He was wondering why she wasn't with them. Because I'd rather be here with you, she thought in reply, but said nothing out loud. No, it was not something she wanted to verbalise, not just yet; if anyone overheard, there would be no worming her way out of it. It would be an admitting of feelings, pure and simple, and while she wanted nothing more than for him to know, she also had a reputation to maintain.

And power would always be worth more to her than anything else in the world, except for, perhaps, family.

There was a lull in the conversation, and Madison glanced up at Finley to notice the slight blush on his face. Raising an internal eyebrow, she decided not to mention it, and instead, hiding a smirk, played her next card, one that she was sure would definitely make him blush.

Reaching into her purse, she slipped out a tiny box, wrapped with a small bow on top, and slid it across the table towards Finley. "Before I forget, Finn," she said, waiting for him to look up before continuing, "Happy birthday!" She paused, and then added, "Oh, and Merry Christmas too. I wasn't sure what to get you, but I hope you like it." And indeed, Maddie had put more thought into this gift than she had for any other person, not that she would ever admit it.

Keeping a small smile on her face, she hid the anxiousness she actually felt at what he thought about his gift.

Guest

The short answer to his question made Finley nod a little trying to work out what to say to that. The only trouble was that he didn't really know what to say to that. Asking why Madison wasn't with them would likely have been deemed rude, and Finley didn't wish to be rude... And yet, he was curious, as any Ravenclaw would be.

But the boy remained quiet, knowing that was the best option.

Finley looked up when Madison spoke again, shortening his name in a manner he wouldn't have accepted from anyone else. His features were quizzical for only a moment before she said Happy Birthday to him. The Ravenclaw flushed at those words once again, looking around to make sure no one else had heard that it was his birthday. Fuss was not something Finley wanted, but it was okay, it was only him and Madison who were interested in this conversation.

"H-how did you know?" Finley asked as she passed him a box, his eyes taking in the box with excitement and intrigue. What could Madison have gotten for him? He ruled out a book, because the box didn't look like any book he knew. Though, perhaps that was the mystery? Deciding not to wait any longer, Finley carefully undid the wrapping paper to find himself faced with the latest phone from Apple. His eyebrows rose - anyone with half a brain knew these phones were beyond expensive.

"I..." The Ravenclaw started, hesitating as he took in the present once more. "T-thank you." Finley said a moment later, giving her a small smile. A phone might be useful to anyone else, but Finley was falling short on why he would need one. No one really spoke to him... The confusion likely showed on his features as he looked at the box. He wasn't ungrateful, not in the slightest.

"I don't h-have anyone I can t-talk to with this..." Finley admitted softly, glancing at the witch in a manner that showed he was sorry to say as much. For, despite being a clever individual, the brutally obvious answer was not showing despite it sitting right before him.

Guest

As the birthday wish passed her lips, Maddie couldn't help but hold back a laugh at the Ravenclaw's reaction. Really, it was as if she was announcing his zipper was down or he had food stuck in his teeth or something actually semi-embarrassing instead of wishing him happy birthday. It was almost endearing how he blushed, glancing around them, as though looking for anyone who might have overheard.

The question was what made her lose control for a second, and a genuine laugh - gentle and not mocking - escaped her. It was a foolish question to ask, and even more so since he was a Ravenclaw, the supposed smart ones of the school.

And yet, he couldn't figure this one thing out?

"Because you're my friend, duh," she answered, making sure to double the teasing tone to ensure Finley knew she was teasing him and not actually insulting him. "Why wouldn't I know?" What she did not add, however, was that his was one of the few people whose birthday she genuinely remembered, and didn't have to refer to her book for.

Because, obviously, Madison was very good at the whole manipulation act, and if there was one thing she found got people to remain loyal to her, it was recollecting their birthdays. So, she had a book, and every morning before she left her dorm, she would check it, making sure none of those in her posse had one coming up. She also had notes beside each name on the type of presents they would like, from sweet preferences to favourite clothing stores.

But for Finley? No, she had known ages in advance, and spent the better half of three months trying to figure out what she could get him that was not awkward, but also not something simple like a book. Even then, she wasn't quite sure she had made the right choice.

And, for a moment, it seemed like she hadn't, and a part of her she hadn't known existed felt a pang of hurt.

I can exchange it if you don't like it, she thought of saying, but instead simply returned his smile with a soft, "You're welcome." Why didn't he like it, though? The phone was the latest model, capable of taking amazing pictures, with a memory space that meant he could have hundreds of books on the device, and she had even downloaded apps that she thought he would like.

Her worries stopped suddenly and abruptly at his next sentence, though, and at once she realized his worry. Raising an eyebrow, she smiled at him, glancing down at his phone. "Am I not a person?" she inquired lightly. Not elaborating, she went on. "It's not just for calling or texting, Finn. You can watch shows, read books, listen to music, play games, take pictures or notes, and lots of other neat things." Pausing for a moment, she shrugged. "I've got the same model. I can teach you, if you want."

Guest

"Because you're my friend, duh,"

Those words, to anyone else, might have been easy to take on board, possibly not even something they might take a second thought on. But for Finley, those words were nicer than anything else Madison had said all evening, nicer than the present she'd given him. Because, for Finley, making friends had never been the easiest thing in the world, in fact, it was quite hard. With his stutter, and nerves and unsociable nature, many kids had given up on being his friend, or steered clear the moment he spoke.

So knowing Madison considered him a friend, hearing her say those words made Finley smile and feel warm inside.

He murmured a very soft sorry when she asked why she wouldn't know his birthday, not wanting her to think he was insulting her. This simply meant he was going to have to work very hard to find out when Madison's birthday was, though he had no idea how he was going to manage to get her something as nice as what she'd given him.

The question of Madison not being a person made Finley laugh softly. "Y-you are." He responded, his features turning apologetic in that moment. He had over looked the obvious in that moment and he knew that now. As her explanation grew to what he could use it for, though, Finley's expression changed to one of wonder (until she got to the books bit).

"W-why would anyone u-use a phone for that?" Finley asked, not understanding the logic at all. "B-books are better." He affirmed, though he opened the box to look at the phone, taking it out and turning it on. He wasn't completely immune to technology, he just hadn't had his own phone before, his parents hadn't seen a use for one.

The two of them spent the rest of the evening (or a vast majority of it, anyway) going through the phone, working out the new apps and playing games. Finley was glad Hogwarts had lifted the spells that tampered with Muggle technology that he'd read about in Hogwarts; A History, because that certainly wouldn't of helped him with this.

As the battery began to give warning, Finley put it away in the box, happy with his present and now knowing how to use all of the functionality - SnapChat he was still a little dubious of, but he didn't mind looking at the funny faces it created.

"I t-think I'm going to head t-to bed now." Finley announced as the clock hit midnight. "I have t-to help with the c-clean up in the morning." He added in explanation, pausing for a moment before he added the last part. "W-would you like me... t-to walk you back to y-your common room?" He offered politely, giving her a small hopeful smile. That was the right thing to do, right?

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