The Ministry Officials Summer Ball (All Ministry Personnel & Partners/Family Welcome!)

Summer had come around the corner and Jake had received his invitation for the Ministry Ball. It was a standard Ball held each year, giving each of them a very good reason to get drunk beyond caring. A job at the Ministry was no easy feat, so, of course, these nights were never quiet.

Dressing up in a tux for the evening, Jake had checked his mum had everything she would need to look after Ivan, and had gone to check on Veronika and how she was getting on that evening. She did, of course, look exquisite, though he had expected nothing less. Jake had waited only a little while longer before apparating them off to the venue for the evening.

Jake couldn't help but marvel at the venue, he might be marrying a Pureblood, and they might have brought a lavish home, but he simply couldn't get used to the grandeur of some Wizarding events. The Minister of Magic was there, Jake noted in an instant, and a number of his colleagues, but he stayed close to Veronika, looking around for Victoria and Zander, who he was sure were going to be there too.

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Guest

Adrian had contemplated the invitation to the Ball for sometime. It said he could bring someone with him, but quite honestly, Adrian didn't have anyone he wanted to bring with him. So, he was faced with the prospect of turning up to the event on his own. This was, of course, not an ideal situation. It would leave him open to drunken women (he'd heard this was a messy night) who only wanted one thing.

And Adrian... Adrian wasn't that kind of man.

It wasn't until the last moment that Adrian had opted to go. After all, it would be good to let his hair down (figuratively) for an evening, and forget about his work. He might even make some new friends, meet the woman of his dreams. Adrian smiled to himself at that stupid thought, and pulled on his tuxedo, checking himself over in the mirror and telling himself this was a good opportunity.

Apparating in to the party, Adrian took a moment to steady himself before heading to the bar. If everyone else was here to have a good time, why in Merlin's name could he not do so too? Ordering himself a scotch, Adrian stood leaning against the bar, watching the others mingle with the crowd with little and less knowledge of who any of them were. He knew he should try to mingle, but Adrian couldn't bring himself to find the energy.

No, he would wait until the dutch courage hit, and then go from there.

Guest

Since the day Victoria invited her to the Summer Ball, Summer had been busy getting her ball gown and camera ready. The camera was even more important—if she manages to take excellent quality photos of the party, she might be able to land an internship in The Quibbler. In her dark shimmering ballgown, Summer apparated into the ballroom ready to capture the revelry of the night.

Looking around, she saw a sea of strangers, and wondered if she would know anyone aside from Victoria. Serafina, being an Auror trainee, would probably be in the party, but she figured she'd stick with her pureblood crowd in a gathering like this. Not wanting to look like a wallflower gatecrasher, Summer took a glass of martini from a waiter who was passing by. She politely smiled at some of the men who complimented her as she walked around looking for Victoria.

Summer was far from being shy and asocial. As an extrovert former Gryffindor, Summer lived to experience people. The party, however, was rather intimidating even for her—everyone was dressed to kill in what looked like designer clothing, and from the way they held themselves, Summer could tell that these people were well-respected in their fields. She couldn't help but feel a bit awkward, being a university student who wasn't even an Auror trainee.

Ah, well, she could always get herself a bit tipsy in order to feel more at ease in the party. As soon as she finished her first glass of martini, she took a second one from another waiter and kept walking around. She'd find Victoria, eventually. For now, maybe she'll try and see if she could be brave and make new friends.

Guest

The time rolled around for the summer ball, and Scarlett was excited for a night out with her colleagues. The invitation had stated that she could bring someone along, but she didn't have anyone to come along. But she had no issue in coming alone, she was used to it.

She dolled herself up, pulling her hair into an elegant updo, making sure her makeup was perfect, and donning a stunning white gown to top it off. She felt wonderful, eager for a night to just let loose.

After getting ready, she apparated to the venue and walked in. As per usual, the place was magnificent, grandeur. One of the things Scar loved about the wizarding world was the effort that they put into events. Every one she had been to had most certainly been impressive. Glancing around, she headed towards the bar to get herself a glass of wine. She had friends and she was friendly, but alcohol made social events like this run much smoother for herself, it loosened her inhibitions and, frankly, made it far easier for her to talk to those that she didn't know.

Guest

Zander had officially recieved his first invitation to a Ministry event but unfortunately for him, that event was a summer ball. He decided to not mention it to Victoria, mostly because he didn't dance but instead, she mentioned it to him - likely after hearing about it from Jake. Much to his dismay and dismissal of the ball, she insisted and even told him she had already purchased a ball gown and so it was decided - he would be going.

The night of the ball showed it's face and Zander fought with the tie to his tuxedo for several minutes before eventually, he decided to tie it using magic. Looking at himself in the mirror, he frowned and combed back his hair and buttoned up his coat before arriving to gather his girlfriend. She looked wonderful, as always and looping his arms through hers, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before asking if she was ready and taking the opportunity to get them to the venue.

Of course he knew the Ball was bound to be fancy, after all it was a Ministry event but his mouth still gaped a bit as they made their entrance. Several other workers and what not were there and of course, Zander only knew Jake. Quite frankly, he was shocked he'd even received an invitation as he had only just graduated University.

Jake had been the one to mention the Summer Ball at the Ministry - well, for the Ministry, not at the Ministry - when she was over to see Ivan. He'd assumed that she would be going with Zander, but her boyfriend had not mentioned it. When Jake had told her that Zander would definitely have an invite, Victoria assured him that she would be going.

Which meant dress shopping!

Victoria had pulled Summer along with her to find a dress, and after a number of attempts, they had finally found what Victoria was sure was the perfect dress. From there, Victoria only had to worry about her hair (which she opted to leave down, and straightened) and some jewellery (she had opted for a delicate necklace, and the ring Zander had brought her over a year ago). She looked beautiful, but Victoria was more interested in Zander, this was his night, and she wanted him to enjoy it.

Taking Zander's hand when the time came, Victoria gave it a light squeeze before he apparated them to the party, and after a moment of simply holding on to him to regain her composure, Victoria smiled up at her boyfriend. "You look wonderful tonight, by the way." She told him, hoping he would relax a little. "We need to find Summer though - I invited her - otherwise she's going to spend the whole evening alone." Victoria explained, standing up on her tip toes to try and see the room better. It took a few minutes before Victoria spotted her best friend, and when she did, Victoria waved at her and beckoned her over.

"Summer! Have you met Zander yet? Zander this is Summer, she's the most wonderful photographer I've met. She's going to be so successful in her field. And, Summer, you know all about Zander." Victoria added, grinning at her best friend.

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Guest

Lux inspected herself in the mirror. It had taken her ages to find a dress that suited her. Lux wanted to go dress shopping by herself but there was no stopping Clarinet from coming along. It was a nuisance having her along but since Lux had no choice, she tolerated the woman. Of course, her first choice had been rejected as inappropriate and Lux was forced to look for another which was also rejected. All the accepted and appropriate dresses were just too sickly sweet and worthy of dog's vomit. It was hours until she found the current one she was wearing. It had raven feathers which she thought was a nice touch. She'd completed the outfit with a necklace, earrings, and black boots.

Another annoying thing was the deal she had to make with The Couple if she wanted to attend the ball. No pranks or trickery of any sort, no tearing people apart with her words, no backstabbing of The Couple and plenty of other things that would make the ball a whole lot more fun. Although Lux wasn't fond of these kinds of events, she was curious about it. Being the daughter - urgh - of the minister of magic was interesting and she couldn't wait to rub that in people's faces. It gave her a higher standing than the rest and that suited her just fine.

Arriving at the venue, she took a moment to survey the splendor before striding in with confidence, her head held high and her back straight. All the other females she passed were so predictable with their dresses. It was all sweet and sophisticated, nothing edgy like hers. Spotting a group of younger people, she walked up to them in time to hear an introduction. From the words the girl spoke, she deduced one of the was Summer and the male, Zander.

"Hi there," she greeted them. "I'm Lux." She waited for the name to sink in, not knowing if they would recognise it belonging to minister of magic's adopted daughter.

Guest

The ball, like most of Nero's fancy pureblood parties, was a complete and utter waste of time. Attending a ball meant that Eun Soo would have to worry about finding the perfect outfit, and Eun Soo would rather worry about the suspects purported to have created the anti-magic virus. To make things worse, Eun Soo did not have her hanyeo with her in England, and so she couldn't really ask anyone to shop for her so that she could focus on her work.

She sighed as she put on her black leather gloves. Checking her reflection in the mirror one last time, she straightened her angel wings choker and checked to see if her dark burgundy lipstick had stained her teeth. Eun Soo smiled at her reflection and turned around to see how her back looked—her backless black dress left little to the imagination, and it would probably give her poor mother a heart attack, but she knew it was bound to catch Nero's eye, especially since she had gotten even more toned over the summer.

As soon as she apparated into the venue and entered the ballroom, she immediately looked around to see if there was anyone she knew. A girl in a black lace dress caught her eye, and Eun Soo recognised her as the girl from Rock Blood. She was with a bunch of people Eun Soo didn't recognise, but she supposed they were university students. Eun Soo took a champagne flute from a passing waiter as she approached them. 'Well hello, it's nice to see you again,' she said, greeting the Rock Blood goth girl before she smiled at everyone in the group. 'I'm Eun Soo.'

Guest

Ever since Summer and Victoria became best friends, Summer had always thought she could never be surprised by Victoria any longer. Victoria radiated enough warmth and sunshine to give light to twenty solar systems, and it was something she always appreciated about her friend. Seeing her with Zander, however, was a completely new story—this was Victoria as a supernova, her glow blinding due to how much she was bursting with love and happiness for Zander.

It made Summer smile, but it also ignited feelings Summer thought she could never feel around Victoria—jealousy, and envy.

Jealousy, because in that moment, she was clearly the third wheel, the audience to the fairy tale romance that was Victoria's and Zander's. Sure, she was happy for her best friend. Victoria was a wonderful person, and she deserved to have the best love story in the world. On the other hand, being around Zander meant that Summer would be stuck laughing awkwardly at their inside jokes and looking away whenever Victoria looked up at Zander with eyes full of love and admiration.

That scenario, of course, brought Summer to envy, which was strange considering how she had never felt insecure about not having a boyfriend. Whenever Victoria talked about Zander, Summer felt giddy with her best friend, and sometimes she would even initiate conversations about Victoria's wedding dreams and the sort of house she wanted to live in with Zander. But now that she was all dressed up and stuck in the role of Victoria's best friend, Summer began to regret attending the party, and she wondered if she would've been better off drinking by her lonesome at The Leaky Cauldron.

It was not like she had a right to complain, anyway. The last time she had liked someone, she boarded the airplane anyway and never saw him again. Though she justified her leaving by thinking about how it wouldn't have worked out (she was a witch, he was a muggle; it sounded too much like that one Avril Lavigne song), she would be lying if she said she had completely forgotten about him. About those walks they took together, snapping photos of Barcelona.

About that kiss, which forever lingered on her lips.

Fighting the urge to bite her lip and walk away, Summer smiled at Zander and shook his hand. 'Nice to meet you, Zander. I've heard so much about you.' She knew she should technically feel more self-assured—as Victoria's best friend, she had every right to scrutinise Zander and see if he was deserving of her best friend, but all she wanted to do in that moment was to get another glass of martini.

She was signalling for another glass when a girl came up to their small group, who was soon followed by a woman who Summer guessed was just a bit older than her and Victoria. The younger girl, whose look was a bit too dark and creepy for Summer's taste, introduced herself as Lux, and the older woman, whose incredibly sexy dress made Summer feel self-conscious about her own, greeted Lux before introducing herself as Eun Soo. Summer smiled weakly at them as she took her third glass from the waiter. 'Summer,' she replied. 'Nice to meet you two.'

Without waiting for anyone to toast with, she took a sip of her martini, hoping the alcohol would hit her soon.

As Summer greeted Zander, Victoria took in the girl heading their way that was dressed up in a very unusual choice of clothing. It wouldn't be to Victoria's taste, as Victoria preferred more colourful outfits. But, this didn't mean that the other girl was any less beautiful for her choices.

The introduction that came was not one that Victoria could place.

"Hi Lux, I'm Victoria, and this is my friend Summer, and my boyfriend, Zander. Summer is a photographer, here on my invite. And Zander has just joined the Ministry as an Auror." Victoria explained, not in a manner that would be deemed patronising, simply informative. "I'm currently doing my Law Degree, so I hope to be aiding the Ministry in the future, too. Are you here with your parents?" Victoria asked, though she wasn't one hundred percent sure that this was the right age for the girl before her. She wasn't an adult, though, Victoria was quite sure of that.

As another girl joined the group, Victoria couldn't help but smile - new friends were always great to her. "Hi!" Victoria greeted happily. "I'm Victoria, it's nice to meet you!" She added a moment later, before remembering. "You both look amazing, by the way, I really wish I could pull off black dresses as well as you two do!" Victoria added, genuinely meaning that.

"Please excuse me a moment, I need to get a drink." Victoria interjected, excusing herself from the group and moving to the bar. Whilst she stood waiting, Victoria smiled to the man beside her.

"Hi." She said softly when he met her eye - it seemed he had been looking over at the group she'd come from.

"Hi." The man responded, his smile warm, and his accent different. Perhaps Spanish. "The girl you were talking with first, what's her name?" He enquired, before catching himself. "I'm Adrian, I know it's weird... but I think she's someone I have met before..."

"The one in the shimmery dress? That's Summer Wilhern, she's a photographer. We go to University together." Victoria explained, before the bar tender came to her - she missed the look in the man's eyes as she order a Firewhiskey for Zander, and got herself a very colourful (low in alcohol) cocktail. "Oh, and I'm Victoria. My brother is Jake Newbury - he's in the Auror department. You should come and join us!"

But Adrian shook his head.

"Okay, maybe later, then." Victoria replied, lifting up the two glasses after paying and moving back to her group, situating herself between Zander and Summer. "I thought you might like this, for coming out tonight." Victoria told Zander, before turning her attention to Summer.

"There's a man at the bar, he was asking after you. He's cute. Oh, and he has a real nice accent too, his name is Adrian, I think he said. You should go over." Victoria insisted to her best friend, tucking her arm in Zander's for a little bit of comfort, whilst beaming at Summer. Victoria, of course, wanted Summer to be happy - and in Victoria's head, that was only aided by spending time with people who loved you, deeply.

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