Yule Ball

Miron glanced up, surprised that she had taken his hand rather than the chance to humiliate him, but he gave no pause, as he straightened himself up and led her into the Great Hall. He smiled as he heard her low comment towards Vince, and his smile turned into a grin, as they entered the Ball and Miron was surrounded by all the people in the room. It was in this place, Miron was at his best and he knew how to act around a crowd. Heck, he probably even enjoyed it.

When he was reminded that she was not running a charity house, he smirked, before looking to her and whispering in her ear, "Sure thing, sweetie." It was his intention to get under her skin, knowing it would be inappropriate to start an argument in front of all these people. He hoped that would keep her angry on the inside, and not the out.

He stood tall, as he stopped her in the middle of the dance floor, near Adalrik, and... Erika? He grinned at the sight of them, and if he had heard Eleanie's warning, he sure didn't act like it as he greeted his two friends, "Evening Champ, Erika." He gave them both an acknowledging nod, the gesture almost polite, until his smirk resurfaced. "I believe you've met my date," He said to Adalrik, before turning to Erika, "this is Eleanie." He put an arm around Eleanie's waist- his hand stayed on its best behavior.

She didn't hold eye contact, discomfort. Blushing, embarrassment. That was to be expected, no-one liked talking about themselves much; but Timothy had caught a word that he should be able to get her to talk about.
"Arithmancy? I've never quite understood that class, would you be so kind as to tell me about it?" He brushed his hair out of his eyes, indicative of him giving her his full attention, and smiled his Charming Smile, asymmetrical and only showing a little teeth.

"You study the magical properties of numbers, including predicting the future with numbers and numerology." She didn't want to keep eye contact with him so she played with the hem of her dress. She knew it was rude but she couldn't bring herself to do it.  Maybe once the dance really started she would loosen up.

(Sorry, quick post >.<)

Eirina stepped forwards, not reaching the center of the room but enough forwards that she commanded some attention. Raising her wand to her throat, she enhanced the volume of her voice to make sure that all of the students would hear her.

"Everyone, welcome to the Yule Ball. Momentarily we will be starting with our first dance, led by our three champions and their dates. Good luck to our champions in the tasks that lie ahead, and I hope that you all enjoy the festivities."

Stepping back, the music began to play, asking for the champions and their companions to now step forward and dance.

(Please allow the champions to post AT LEAST twice before any bystanders join in and dance! Dates do NOT have to post twice. Just the champions)

As the Headmistress spoke and called for the champions Adarlik was pulled away from the sight of Miron and Eleanie. It was perfect timing, too, or there would have been a fight in the middle of the elegant decorations. He couldn't believe Miron had the nerve to attend with that hag of a girl. It was clearly only to make Adalrik angry. But that he had the gall to do so right after his bout with Erika was enough to make Adalrik's blood boil.

Instead of punching Miron right then and there he pulled Erika into the spotlight of the Great Hall, paying no heed to the many eyes on then. Let them gape and stare at the the champions and their dates like animals at the zoo; Adarlik couldn't care less of their prying eyes and meaningless opinions.

He placed both arms around Erika, feeling her soft curves beneath his hands. Her body was warm to his touch and smoother than he ever imagined. Her eyes flickered in the candles, reflecting them back to the world around her. Adalrik was momentarily dazed as the music began. He had never looked at Erika so closely before.

“Erika...” he began, but the words would not come. I love you screamed in his head, bouncing off the walls of his skull until a physical throbbing pain was felt. The words wailed to be released but Adalriks lips stopped them short as they bashed into his closed mouth.

The two dancing figures, entwined to be nearly one, were both damaged. Their scars showed plainly in their glazed eyes and harsh attitudes. Adarlik could recall the first time he had seen it in her, that shadow that lined her brow and clouded her forced smile. They were both young then and his father was still alive. It had been close to the end of the year, the rare sun shinning down onto the grounds of Durmstrang. He had just received a letter from home; his father had lost his job. He remembered how the light hit Erika's hair as he settled beside her, how her eyes wavered from something unknown to him. He  never learned what was troubling her then, it was not until years later that he began to piece things together. But at that time they sat in the lonely harsh grounds of the school, silent and side by side. It was as if their hearts were forged together that day by something unsaid but forever felt. Their broken pieces would be hid possessively to all others, included each other, but they alone knew of their existence.

Alone and together, that was how Adarlik had always felt near Erika. But now, so close he could feel her light breath on his cheeks, the far edges of the distance between them raced to meet. It was exhilarating and frightening. She knew his flaws and he hers, but to voice his feelings would open up chance of her disgust. He ached to let the words leave his mouth but his fear kept them at bay. She would never love him, not when she knew him so much better than any other.

He had to do something to cover his slip of her name. Adarlik placed his hand behind her head and drew it to his chest, letting it rest there. Now she would not see the look in his eyes he was fighting to hide.

(I added this for a filler for the date)
Vincent heard the Headmistress announce that the Champions and their dates had to step forward for their dance. He stepped away from the wall and looked around for his date. He wanted to just get it over with and not have to think about dancing again.

Timothy listened as Claudia told him about Arithmancy class, she didn't make eye contact, fiddling with the hem of her dress. Still nervous. Naer announced the Champions dance and he leaned back in his seat to watch. If Claudia didn't want to talk, he wasn't going to make her. Too much work, it would probably sour his night even more.

Alex nodded as Jackson spoke. She looked around, wondering when the dancing was going to start - this was the first ball she had ever been to, and she was eager to start dancing. (Sorry for the short post I'm super busy D:)

Jackson heard the Headmistress announce that the first dance was for the school Champions and grinned. Dancing was starting! He took a gulp of his drink, finding it to be fruity and yummy, but more concerned with finishing it before it was time to dance.

((You're fine))

*Light showers of snow fell from the Heavens above, falling lightly on the cobblestone path, and transforming the slopping hills of the Hogwarts’ grounds into a winter wonderland. As she stepped out of the carriage the high winds greeted her, but never touching her. She repealed the wind, the sleet of snow falling from high above, she even repealed the cold. She had her own sway against the elements, especially the cold. They did not call her the Ice Queen for no reason after all.

A merrily smile prickled her lips as she looked up to the great castle above. Even from this distance she could hear the music in full swing that even set the fairies in the bushes abuzz with their own type of laughter. At the sight of Aries, their silver glow faded to the abyss as they shivered not of the cold, but of the aura Aries radiated off. Such a dark aura Aries was shrouded in, like a circlet she wore, but still she was enchanting all the same.

Her beauty was beyond compare. She did not simply walk the cobble paths, but glided like the moon skipping across the night sky. Her supple, pale skin, under her raven hair sparkled more than the pure white snow under the lime light of Hogwarts glow. She was a blur of swirling purple ascending the steps to first the Entrance Hall, than under the enchant ceiling of the Great Hall. Her beauty did not come from her appearance alone, but her magical abilities as well. The air seemed to crackle with the power she wields. It electrified the night.

It was as if she conjured up a storm, just for her own amusement. The high wooden doors to the entrance of the Great Hall slammed open with the might of ten men pushing against it, but Aries didn’t lay a single finger on the hard surface. Her entrance was simple but still held a presence of grandeur. Not once did her gaze transfer neither from the breathtaking scenery nor to the students all dolled up. Her eyes laid on one person and that was the Headmistress of Hogwarts. She held a smile, the smile she held with all her victims before she strikes.*

“Good Evening Headmistress.”

*She bowed, her gracious bow; one of an equal, not of a subject.*

“Sorry I missed the opening ceremony; I was needed at the Ministry for some time now. I hope you can forgive me?”

*All those words were false pleasantries. Aries knew it and so did Eirina, but still she enjoyed her little games, and Emile wasn’t around to witness it or intervene at the precise moment Eirina would turn to her wand and not her words. The silver mist in her eyes reflected amusement, even pleasure watching the fine lines in Eirina’s face become more pronounce and her eyes burn like molting lava at the sight of Aries.

As if the two occupants standing around Eirina apperated in, Aries finally took note of them. Madison, a living Medusa statue, stood stiff in the presence of greatness: Aries and her Headmistress.*

“Ms. Reid, I hope this year is going better than the years before?”

*Her words were to cordial, to precisely worded to not entail hidden meanings behind them. But she gave little time for Madison to unravel it as she turn to the last and final guess to grace Aries’ presence. It came down to four words to describe this man: tall, dark and handsome. Her eyes flashed back to Eirina than back to the man of mystery, all the while holding onto that venomous smile that charmed so many men. Instead of waiting for an introduction, she prompted it by raising her hand, palm side down in order for him to take it.”

“I am Aries Lestrange, Headmistress of Durmstrang. And you are?”

Alex laughed as Jackson slurped down the rest of his drink, and she did the same, throwing the fizzy drink down her throat in one. She was aware that she looked less than ladylike, but seeing as Jackson wouldn't know, Alexandra shrugged it off. She put her cup down and stood beside Jackson, so that their shoulders were up against each other. "I can't wait," she said, smiling. "This is my first ball," she explained. "So I don't know if I can dance well.."

Eirina could practically smell the death as it entered through the door. She hated the woman who entered so obnoxiously, begging for all of the attention to be on her. The blood ran thin through Eirina's veins, and she could feel a bit of fire flowing through her. First Vincent, then Emile, and now they were both gone. This woman could no longer hurt her directly, just piss her off, as she so easily did right now.

Aries approached and gave her fake smile, her fake bow, and her fake excuse. Eirina threw back her very own fake smile, but she wasn't just about to excuse Aries for her behavior.

"Actually, the first dance has only just started, which you have now so rudely interrupted."

She paused to look out at the students, hoping that they were continuing on with their activities, opposed to staring at this scene. Eirina, regardless, would hold her composure and be ever bit respectable as she could be. She'd handle the situation without directly calling Aries as bitch like she had so wanted, and instead of started some cat fight, she handled the situation with a professional level of tone and word choice, though she put Aries in her rightful place.

"Next time, please arrive when asked, because our hospitality does not extend to those who neglect their duties and lack in basic respect."

"Don't worry, we're here to-" Jackson jumped and grabbed Alex's hand as the Great Hall doors slammed open with a bang. "B-b-bloody hell." He breathed, putting his other hand to his heart. "As I wwwas saying, we're here to have fffun. I don't care if you can dance or not." He grinned and squeezed her hand gently. "If it matters to you, I can try to teach you how to slow dance, if you want..."

((Aries, you always find the perfect pics of Pauley! Because of you I associate one of my favorite actresses with being goofy and loving, and also the terrifying Headmistress of Durmstrang.
You go Eirina, four for you for not losing your cool!))

Eleanie Kaden Carr wrote:

At the sight of Sugar Plum and his obvious loathing, seeing his best mate with one of his adversaries in the Triwizard tournament, Eleanie could not be more pleased. Instead of pulling away with disgust as Miron’s arm coiled around her waist, she leaned into him. Her hand rested onto Miron’s chest, as she allowed their bodies to be pressed up against each other. She felt no affection between Miron and herself, there was no warmth being in his arms, no sense of security being so close to him. This was all an illusion, an act for Sugar Plum’s benefit. Fire in his eyes suggested that she, well both Miron and herself, was getting to him, and that was all that mattered. Once he turned his back on the “happy couple” she automatically pulled away, just enough to bring a reasonable amount of distance between them.

The headmistress spoke and the soft melody started to play and still she stalled. She did not move until Miron swept her away. His bulky arms rested on her hips, and his feet, which were surprisingly light for someone so large, moved Eleanie where he wanted her to go. Instead of fighting her instincts which the urge to do was strong, for once she allowed the currents to sweep her away. She was under Miron’s control and the beat of the music, and all she did was follow, wrapping her arms around Miron’s neck.

Maybe Miron wasn't so bad, Eleanie thought to herself as she gazed into his eyes.

Once the music started, Miron took the triumph lead to guide her across the floor. Although he didn't much like dancing, he had other reasons for learning how to. There was no better way to dangle a trophy in the air for all to see than to dance it around. Of course, it would have been much more enjoyable if the girl he danced with now had been stolen from another gent. Getting a girl was for sappy romance novels; stealing a girl, on the other hand...

His gaze flickered to Erika, dancing with Adalrik, and for a short moment, his jaw tightened, until his dance partner reached up and wove her arms around his neck. He looked down at her to see her looking back, and not by the angry look on her face he identified her by. It must have been a rouse, an illusion. He was afraid that if he said the wrong thing she could just as easily turn it around and slap him across the face, in front of all these people. He was becoming painstakingly aware of his hands around her waist, and he couldn't help but wonder when he became Vincent.

Thankfully, Miron was spared further thought, as the Headmistress made her entrance, and Miron slowed Eleanie to a halt. He decided two scary women were too much for him, so, feeling the party was over, he pulled away from Eleanie- not without redeeming himself of course. He looked back to her, taking her hands from his neck, and gave her a slow twirl. He then dipped into another bow, still holding her right, and quietly croaked, "Pleasure doing business with you." He then let his hand slip from hers, and vanished into the crowd.

Madison had few occasions where she'd been in the presence of Aries Lestrange, Headmistress, she corrected. But as the powerful woman barged through the doors and glided across the room, capturing the attention of each and every person in the room, Madison realized that Eirina and her's disagreements paled in comparison to the tension that sparked between these two Headmistresses. Standing beside the two of them was almost overwhelming. The condescending mockery was  unexpected, and therefore, when Aries addressed her, she was shocked into silence. Not only did she degrade Madison by ripping her of her title as Professor, but she also left a confusing comment about her past. She knew better than to take it to heart, especially since she didn't fully understand what the woman meant, but the mere gall she possessed was astonishing.

It was obvious that this was all a silly power game, and, as she looked to Eirina, for once they were in mutual agreement. Though she herself would not want to be in Eirina's position; perhaps that's why she couldn't seem to still her trembling hands. It was true, Madison had been ill prepared, and confused as to what everyone would expect of her, but she had hoped to keep some of her composure during the Yule Ball. She did her best, standing tall in the face of the students, and the powerful figure heads that hovered over her. She couldn't seem to keep her hands still though, so she instead, folded her hands together behind her back. Out of sight, out of mind.

First chance she got, she was leaving- when it was appropriate, of course. For now she was Eirina's silent support, however much or however little that was valued. She faced Aries with a mask of profession, one that did not give way to emotion. It was Eirina who was Aries target, and she would not leave any reason to mock the Headmistress's deputy exposed. Sadly, it was all Madison could do for now.

Alex looked over as the doors slammed, and watched as the headmistress of Durmstrang walked in, then turned back to Jackson, who had grabbed her hand. She smiled as Jackson offered to teach her, and nodded. "Sure, that'd be nice," she answered.

Aurelia walked into the great hall, noticing how it was transformed. She danced, despite the fact that she hated it. Somehow, she stopped herself from looking like a fool. Slowly, Aurelia turned around when she heard the loud bang of the doors and the Durmstrang Headmistress standing there. She went back to dancing, trying very hard not to mess up.

Emma was slowly traveling down the line of snacks and deserts, picking stuff here and there and setting it on her paper plate. Hogwarts food was always good, but she couldn't miss the opportunity to get her hands on this much junk food and sugar. She planned to be bouncing off the walls by the end of the night. If there was one thing she'd accomplish during the evening, that would certainly be it.

As she moved down the table, she grew nearer to the giant heavy doors that led out of the Great Hall. She was entirely oblivious to what everyone else was staring at, but it was like time had frozen on everyone except her. She almost felt that way, until she looked back to see Alexandra and her date still talking. Maybe Emma's imagination was just getting the better of her.

When she got farther down, picking out a particularly interesting looking bowl of pudding with brown sprinkles on top, she couldn't help but notice a face peering in from outside the festivities. Frowning in thought, she had to squint her eyes to see him, but when she did, she gave a shout, "Hey Matt!!! Over here!" She motioned for him to come in, not realizing he wasn't dressed for the occasion, nor did she think he may not want to come in.

She looked around, and yes, a few students nearest her gave her weird looks, but for the most part, the crowd of people hardly took notice in her loud behavior. So he couldn't use that as an excuse, she noted to herself. When he took longer than she really had the patience for, she pranced over his way, fully intending on dragging him in or at least sharing her treats with him.

*The silver mist in her eyes never betrayed the dark thoughts looming just beyond the surface, as she held Derek Noble’s gaze, and shook his hand. How easily Noble would be Aries by one simple kiss. Aphrodite herself bestowed onto Aries her power to manipulate, to control by enchanted lipstick. Aries lips shimmered a light purple with the power of infatuation. They still parted into a smile, as if she received the entire universe as a gift, but those lips were poison to whomever had the misfortune of being sealed with a kiss. The temptation of enchanting Derek, stringing him along under her spells, was great, but Aries subdued the beast, whispering sweet whispers of ‘all in due time.’ The games are just beginning, and it would be no fun if she won automatically at the beginning, so she let Derek hand escape from her clutches.*

“I am sorry the Headmistress duties are never done. Please pardon my miscalculations. Someone of our statues has to aid the public when called upon.”

*Just like Eirina, it was obvious that she too hide her guise of bitchy undertones behind professional level. Aries did not outright state it, but it was evident of her wording that she hinted at Eirina’s subpar standards of carrying the title of the name Headmistress and what that entails.*

“But seeing as this is your School, I will default to your judgment, Headmistress. I am here to serve the greater good.”

(Everyone can dance now!)

Eirina smiled politely, but made her leave out of Aries' presence. The woman urcked her, and caused her to want to explode. Death would have been better than this. As she would away, Eirina rolled her eyes with her back turned to Aries now, waving the woman off in her leave. She was not going to deal with her and her ignorance any longer. She wanted to get away, and that was that. There wasn't anything else to it.

She made her way over to a small, empty table and took a seat. She looked out into the crowd of kids, now more than just the champions dancing, but she didn't see that. All she could see was the devious smirk on Aries' face. She was rotten down to the core, through her heart and anything that possessed good in her body. She couldn't help but think of how irresponsible the woman was, and how the hell she ever came, and stayed, as Durmstrang's Headmistress. She left the students to travel on their own, what kind of a person does that? Eirina simply could not, would not, and honestly didn't wish to ever understand the witch.

Madison watched as Eirina parted from the conversation, bent on putting some distance between her and Aries. Madison still knew her place, however, and even for someone like Aries, she would maintain her manners. That was why, before she indulged on her own desire to leave this place, she turned to Aries, however stifling her presence was and said, "Have a good evening, Headmistress Lestrange." Once that was said and done, Madison felt she had met her obligation in the matter of pleasantries, and so, she headed away from Aries, away from Eirina, and headed outside.

Jackson heard more people around, they must be on the dance floor, the time for just the Champions over. He grinned and let go of Alex's hand, moving to stand in front of her.
"May I have this dance?" He held out his hand and nearly managed to keep himself together, only giggling at the very end.

Alex laughed and put her hand in Jackson's, and they proceeded onto the dance floor. Even though Alex barely knew this boy, she was starting to feel like she could really like him. Jackson giggled, and so did she - thsis was every little girl's fantasy, was it not? To dance at a ball? Alex was grinning from ear to ear, and nothing could spoil her night.