Yule Ball

Jackson smiled, trying to imagine everything, a fountain in the middle of the hall, cloth draped on all the tables and chairs, trees inside...
"Um, just something chocolate, please?" He squeezed her hand back.

((Sorry for the short posts))

Vincent just laughed and began walking around the Great Hall. Although everyone seemed to be having a good time he was just hoping it would end soon. He wasn't very excited about all of it. He would just be glad when it was all over. He made his way over to one of the tables and sat down. It was going to be a long night he could tell.

Claudia smiled over at Timothy. "Sure, I would love some punch. Let's go over there now." She was glad that Timothy was being to her. Atleast he wasn't ignoring her like she had expected. She walked oh so carefully over to the table that held all of the food and drinks. Her mom always told her, If you are to wear heels you must walk gracefully and with class. Almost like you are walking on air. She shook her head at the thought and grabbed a glass of punch and sipped lightly. "Do you think you are going to enjoy yourself?" She looked at Timothy hopeing that he would. She didn't want him to be bored the whole time.

Timothy grabbed a cup of punch as well. Claudia didn't appear completely stable in her heels, walking a tiny bit slow, but he figured she must not be used to it. Most everyone wore trainers around school. She shook her head a bit and asked if he expected to enjoy himself. Should he lie? He was really only here because it was expected, but that would sound rude.
"I expect there'll be points of enjoyment." He shrugged.
Why had she shaken her head? Disagreement with herself? Shaking an errant hair out of her face? Impossible to tell.
((If you could post about Claudia's body language, if she crosses her arms or something, I'd v much appreciate it))

Alexandra nodded and dropped Jackson's hand, searching for something chocolate. Grabbing something which looked very chocolatey - which she didn't know the name of - she returned to Jackson and placed it in his hand. "So," she said, rocking back and forth in her shoes. "How are you enjoying yourself?" She wasn't entirely sure of what to say. She had expected more - she had expected Jackson to say more.

(It's fine! :P)

"It's nice so far." Jackson grinned and took a bite of the sweet, finding it to have a different sort of chocolate inside. The inside chocolate had a fluffier texture and sweeter taste than the outside chocolate. "I'm excited for dancing." He said once he'd swallowed. He wondered what sorts of music they'd play. His mum had taught him to dance to slow music, and his neighborhood friends had danced like goofballs with him to all sorts of music when they were kids... They'd tried to teach him some dance moves, but that was about 5 years ago.

"You dance?" Alex blurted, surprise. She immediately regretted what she had just said - it was insensitive, and mentally, she reprimanded herself for being so unfeeling. "I mean," she said, frantically, "well... erm. What kind of dances do you like?" She grimaced, embarrassed by her thoughtlessness. Without waiting for an answer, she dragged Jackson to a table laden with bowls of punch. "How about some punch, or a drink?" she said, grabbing a cup of something and shoving it into Jackson's hand. She knew that she was acting rude and immature, but Alex was really at a loss for what to do.

"Er, thanks." Jackson accepted the cup. "It's okay to be nervous around me. I know you're not used to like, talking to a blind person, but don't worry about saying dumb stuff." He smiled. "I like dancing, but I don't imagine I'm very good. My mum taught me to slow dance, so I'm alright at that, but regular dancing I'm probably rubbish. It's just, um, please warn me before you p-pull me somewhere?" He brushed his bangs into his face more than usual, not wanting his eyes to freak Alex out.

Eirina watched as the students entered on the other side of the room, big and small, foreign and familiar. They all seemed so happy, arriving on dates with friends, new and old, as well as lovers, mostly short term of course. If Eirina could have thought back to the Yule Ball, she honestly wouldn't. It was the view that she had of it now that she prefered, so why think back?

A familiar face approached her, and greeted her. Eirina, of course, recognized her new Deputy Headmistress and gave her a curt smile.

"Hello, Professor Reid, it's nice to see you've come,"

And, although the conversation was in part professional, Eirina was being honest. Her and Madi had their differences and struggles, but it was nice to see her at the event, displaying her support for the children and their. Not to mention that she did look nice, but whether she enjoyed dressing up or not, Eirina didn't ask and didn't know.

Before she could start any conversation, another face had arrived, and she hardly recognized him. The last time that she had interacted with Derek was at the beginning of the school year, where he had been in casual attire. Now, he had on a suit, he was washed and his hair was nice. She was shocked at how well he cleaned up.

"Good evening to you as well. You clean up nicely, it...wasn't what I had expected," She spoke in clear reference to their first encounter, where she received the impression that he didn't dress up, or at least not as much as he was now.

Alex nodded. "Okay, sorry," she mumbled. She turned away from Jackson, grabbing a cup for herself. She wished that she had had a chance to talk to Jackson more before coming to the Yule Ball - it would have been easier, she suspected, to talk to him. So that's what she decided to do - she wanted to make Jackson talk. She wanted him to talk about himself, about what he liked, his hobbies, what he had done in his life. And that's what she asked him to do.

Claudia nodded her head. "It could be fun if you make it out to be." She smiled a little while shifting nervously between her feet. she hugged her elbows closer to her looking around at all the people. Even though everyone was dressed up nicely she felt out of place. Maybe it was just her mind playing tricks on her but she felt Awkward.
(Sorry I will try to add more)

Jackson thought for a moment. "I haven't got many hobbies, I don't think. I like reading. I used to like fantasy before I came to Hogwarts but now it's more like historical fiction. You can tell it's written by muggles. Uh, I like playing outside... I kinda like playing pranks... I don't know if you'd call it a hobby, but I like finding people with odd names..." He didn't consider himself very interesting, really.

Timothy smiled at the optimistic Claudia. "Yes, I suppose." How was he supposed to make the ball fun? Claudia shifted from foot to foot, nervousness or excitement. She held her arms close to herself, discomfort with the situation. "Would you like to go have a seat while we chat and wait for the music to begin?" The hall was slightly claustrophobic, despite having the tables moved out of the way. The extra space was taken up by the students from the other schools, Timothy was not looking forward to the heat from so many dancing bodies. Though it might dissipate up to the vaulted ceilings...

Claudia nodded a very fast nod. She really didn't want to remain standing. She walked over to the nearest table but kept her arms wrapped around her elbows almost hugging herself tightly.

"So would you like to get to know each other since you are my "date" for the night." She hoped that didn't sound rude with the way it came out. She began twisting one of her curls around her finger. She didn't know why she was acting so nervous around him. She didn't remember ever being this nervous before. She hoped it wasn't noticeable.

Vincent caught sight of Miron and couldn't help but let out a chuckle. He made his way over to him and who he assumed to be his date. "I see you actually managed to get someone to come with you." She probably only came with him to have a date. She didn't look like the type to fall for someone like Miron.

(Sorry for the late reply! My internet was really having issues)

He knew they would have to at least get along for their dance, else this all would have been pointless. So, he put on his best behaved smile, and extended his hand, "I'm relieved to hear you say so, miss." He said with a grin, "I'm surprised you don't make any friends with that attitude."

If she would just lighten up a little, there may still be a chance of Miron actually enjoying himself. Maybe a teacher would trip and her skirts would go flying in the chaos- or he, Miron added with a shudder. He couldn't account for the men's fashion sense in this castle. He still knew for a fact that some old people still wore robes to these sorts of things. He shuddered again.

Even the comment about his friend being Champion seemed to roll right off him. Frankly, he did hate the whole situation, but he had the Hogwarts champ, and that's all that mattered to him- that, and she wasn't a dude. Miron didn't really mind Adalrik winning this thing, having gone through school with him, Miron knew his potential. Vincent, on the other hand, couldn't win.

And speaking of the devil, there he was, and Miron was suddenly hit with inspiration. Completely ignoring the chump, and before Eleanie could have taken his hand, he bowed graciously before his date, "It would be my honor to escort you inside, if you would allow it, m'lady." It was theatrical, but he looked up to her, taking a low pause in his bow. It was up to her, whether to humiliate him right here, or to accept the offer- an opportunity Miron did not hand out lightly. He did hope she would appreciate the gesture.

Timothy followed her to the table, she seemed to be surer on her feet, now. She suggested they get to know each other, which was probably a good idea, though it meant more things he'd be expected to remember. She twirled a finger in her hair, anxiety.
"Alright," Timothy smiled, "er, things about myself... my favorite class is potions... I'm rubbish at this, you go." He offered. While he didn't want to have to remember a lot, it would be easier to observe her and others if he didn't really have to think about talking.

Vincent was awaiting even a glace from his cousin but to no avail. He decided to stick around to see what his "date" would reply to him with. He was horrible at coming up with things. It just made him sound stupid sometimes. You would think he would come up with something that sounded better than m' lady. He held in the chuckle that threatened to come out.

Madison offered a curt nod and a smile to Eirina, now assured that she had made the correct decision. She looked out at the students all dressed up and out of their usual robes. Perhaps she could see some sense in all of this, looking through their eyes. To the students, the tournament- as well as the Ball- must have provided a much needed change of pace, as well as excitement. She didn't believe she would last long in this crowded social event though. Once the Champions finished their dance, she planned to take her leave, perhaps take a short a trip to see if the Three Broomsticks was open yet. Her Tuleberry wine was calling her name.

Her gaze shifted to a man as he approached, greeting both Eirina and her. Madison smiled in response to his compliment, and perhaps smiled somewhat more upon Eirina's response to him. Eirina and Madison had a very strict business relationship, and even then, it was often stressed to its limits. Madison wanted to tread as lightly as she could when anything involved Eirina, so she looked around the Great Hall once again, directing her attention elsewhere.

Claudia thought about what she could tell him about herself. "Well, I enjoy dancing, My favorite class is Potions but i do pretty well at charms and Arithmancy. I like reading and learning how to care for animals and magical creatures although i couldn't see myself doing it for a living." She looked down slightly blushing. She knew she was telling him a lot and he probably didn't care much only being nice. She still had a little punch in her glass and drank it rather quickly. He probably took her for a blubbering idiot.

Emma made her way into the ball, by herself, and was instantly amazed by the transformation the Great Hall had taken. As she looked up at one of the big trees in the corner, she couldn't help but wonder if her mom had put up their tree this year. Usually Emma enjoyed going back home for the holidays, but with all the excitement of the tournament, she'd decided not to. Instead, she sent her mom a letter and then dug through her things to find the old dress she was wearing now.

Emma had done little in the way of makeup, but she felt she was decent enough to attend the Yule Ball with no date- it gave her much more time to check out all the food and treats the dance had to offer. As she made her way over to the gourmet sights on the table, she couldn't help but think about the Champions. She should have been supporting Eleanie, since she was the Hogwarts Champion, but the minute she saw the Durmstrang student chosen, she started rooting for him. He had saved her life when he could have left her, he was like a real hero! Much more deserving of the tournament cup than anyone else that had been chosen. Though, maybe if Eleanie won, Emma would finally see a smile on that scary, threatening face of hers.

"Hello Alexandra!" Emma grinned as she saw the Ravenclaw girl with her date. She greeted her like she'd known her for years, when, in reality, they had only met once. She had seemed nice when they talked in the library though, and Emma was always delighted to see familiar faces, so long as they were friendly. She hadn't wanted to barge into Alexandra's conversation with the boy, though, so it was just a simple hello before she began browsing through the sweets laid out on the table.