12/22/2001

 

Ravenclaw Common Room

 

The Ravenclaw common room is a very inviting and cozy room; even the nostalgic student would feel more at home upon entering this room.

 

The walls are painted a deep blue, trimmed with shimmering bronze paint, representing the colors of the Ravenclaw house.  The room is square, with stairs and halls leading off to the dorms.  A few tall windows are placed around the room, iridescent bronze-colored curtains letting the sunlight filter in.  The 'mascot' of Ravenclaw, a beautiful grey eagle, has been portrayed in a banner, which is draped high above the stone floor.  An inviting fireplace has been installed in the western most part of the room, and comfy bright blue armchairs have been placed in a circle around the room where the students of Ravenclaw may mingle.

 

Two open doorways lead to staircases which lead up and down to two other rooms attached to the common room, which are the boys and girls dorm rooms.  The third door in the room leads you back out to the hallway.

 

 

Eriol is looking into a mirror, getting his dress robes ready for the Yule ball... Fidgeting like a newborn calf... He's nervous like you WOULDN'T believe...

 

Cho comes down from the Girl's Dorms, wearing a brilliant blue dress robe with her hair done up in an elaborate style. She pauses to look back and smile at one of her friends, but unlike the excited whispers of her usual friends, she looks rather... indifferent. And reluctant.

 

Eriol smiles and turns as the current Keeper for your Quidditch team turns a nervious eye to you, "Cho-chan.... How... Do I look?" his hands are shaking.. Gods its so cute... Of all the things he's tackled in his life... A DATE seems to be what would defeat him...

 

Cho stops as her name is called out and smiles at the fellow Quidditch player. Even if it is a rather distant smile. She, unfortunately, is not looking forward to tonight. She'd skip it if she could. "You look fine. The dress robes suit you."

 

Eriol says, "Ne... Are you alright, Cho-chan?" he asks... Suddenly his rush to get dressed is forgotten as he sighs and looks at you... A housemate in distress is something he can't deny, "Listen... If.. You need someone to talk to... I'm a good listener..." he smiles that 'I do care' smile at you.

 

Cho shakes her head a bit. If only she had a Sickle for every time she heard that question, she'd have a Firebolt by now. "I'm fine. Just... tired." She is tired, but that has nothing to do with her distress. "Thank you though." She knows people care, but right now she just wants to get through tonight.

 

Stella plays with her hair nervously.

 

Eriol nods slightly to Cho and shakes his head, "If you need to run away..." he adds.. I'll help you... I know how going to balls like this is... And.. You're a housemate and my friend... And the best darn seeker in the Hogwarts league... If anything happened to you or any of my new friends here... Even if it was caused by another student... I would come to their aid.. Just so you know, Cho-chan..." gods.. He DOES care..."

 

Cho raises her eyebrows at all of what Eriol says, then her first genuine smile of the night surfaces. He does care, probably too much for his own good. "That's very nice of you." She is /hardly/ the best Seeker though. Might be if she had a better broom than her Comet, but as it is she just can't meet the speed of Gryffindor or Slytherin, and for Seekers, speed can win the entire match. She glances over at Stella, "Good evening, Stella." The distant look is back almost immediately, though the smile is still there.

 

Stella jerks out of her dreamy reverie and smiles. "Hi Cho!"

 

Eriol looks over at Stella and is kinda irked that it seemed he was getting to Cho for a moment... But.. Its better this way he thinks... If she needs him, she will come get him.. At least he HOPES that is the case...

 

Stella looks a bit chagrined. "So, plans for tonight, everyone?"

 

Cho moves to sit down on one of the free arm chairs, "I plan to go, have fun, come back here, and sleep." That's her big plan for the night. Though she left out the fact that she's supposed to be meeting someone at the dance. If not someone that most people will suspect. Though there may have been whispers about it yesterday. Something about her going over to the Slytherin table for a few minutes after breakfast.

 

Eriol nods, "We're going to the Yule Ball I'd assume.." he looks up, fixing his dress robes, "Tomoyo-chan said she was making some new form of dress robes for the occasion... I must say I am in anticipation..."

 

Stella shakes the bun out of her hair.

 

Cho pauses, looking over at Eriol, "Tomoyo? Is she the girl you're going with?" One of the side effects of not looking forward to this event is she's managed to avoid some of the gossip. She has no idea who is going with who. She wasn't even planning to go at all until just a few days ago.

 

Stella says, "I wish I didn't -have- to go. I think my date from last year is going with a certain someone who finally managed to charm the acne off her face."

 

Eriol nods, "Daidouji Tomoyo.." he smiles, "A new first year from Hufflepuff house.." he blushes and smiles, "She is like the angels singing on a war day in spring..." he blushes softly.

 

Cho refrains from commenting on the state of her date from last year. For a moment her eyes tighten, and her smile fades, but then Eriol breaks into poetry and she looks over and smiles again. "I'm sure she says the same thing about you."

 

Eriol says, "If only that were the case...." he sighs softly.

 

Stella chuckles gently at Eriol's conceit then suddenly turns scarlet, then plum. "I'm sorry Cho, I'm going on and on about last...year. Don't know what I was thinking about."

 

Cho shakes her head and tries to reassure Eriol. "Give her time. She's only a first year. It may take her a while." And Stella gets a forgiving look, "It's all right." She pushes herself up. "When do you think we should head out?" She's getting into one of those 'I want to get there and get it over with' moods now.

 

Stella touches her cheek absently, perhaps in an attempt to get the color out of it. "I just need to get dressed..." She offers Cho a sincere smile of apology, then wanders off to make good on her promise.

 

Eriol reaches into his robes and pulls out a pocket watch in TRUE englisman fashion and blinks, "Dear lord.. its less than 25 minutes away!" Eriol's stomach RE-KNOTS back up...

 

Cho smiles back at Stella, and lets her hurry off to get dressed. At the announcement of less than 25 minutes, she actually sighs. 25 more minutes until it starts. Again, she's in one of those 'sooner it starts, sooner its over' moods. And it's over the second she gets what she's going for. "Don't worry, Eriol. Just... take deep breaths."

 

Eriol does as Cho suggests, closing his eyes and trying to clear his mind... Starting to mutter a matra in Japanese.... Which will probably make Cho feel more... Relaxed around the newest keeper of Ravenclaw...

 

Cho had just started to pace when the mantra hits her ears. She stops and looks at the young man, and somehow... she does feel more relaxed. It at least makes the wait bearable for a while longer.

 

Eriol smiles and wonders if he ever fully introduced himself to Cho... "You seem surprised that I speak Japanese?" he asks, though he seems to speak English too proper for a Japanese boy, "Well, my father may have been a English nobleman but my mother IS a Shinto shrine maiden..." Eriol smiles, "Not many here know that.." he entrusts to Cho.

 

Cho shakes her head, "Not exactly surprised, but you do speak English very well." She continues to smile, then starts to get agitated again. She peeks around Eriol to check her hair in the mirror, though it's practically magiced into place, so there's no real need to worry about it. She smiles that he seems to have entrusted her, "Well, now one more person does at least."

 

Eriol smiles, "If you can't trust your own housemates, "Who can you trust indeed?" he smiles that deep, warm smile that he gives all his friends, "I hope this goes well... With the latest news about Azkaban, I hope this stays relitivly Dementor free."

 

Stella re-enters the common room proper, now dressed for the Ball. She looks rather pleased with herself, having used several magical shortcuts in getting her hair perfect. "Ready as I'll ever be," she says, mostly to herself.

 

Cho nods. She'd heard about that. Dementors showing up would certainly not be her idea of a good time. "I'm hoping for event free myself." The Ball itself is heartbreaking enough for this girl. No need to compound it more. She glances to look at Stella and smiles (though it's still distant), "You look wonderful."

 

Stella nods graciously. "Thank you, Cho."

 

Eriol says, "We should get going... Or we will be late."

 

Cho nods. "Let's go." Hopefully a certain person will be there early and she can leave before the dancing and everything starts up.

 

 

Great Hall

 

The Great Hall certainly seems to be the heart of Hogwarts, as every day the four houses of Hogwarts and professors alike join together in this magnificent corridor.  Even the elitist wizard or witch would be bedazzled by the sheer brilliance of this hall.

 

The room seems to be lit by an endless number of candles floating atop the five tables set up here.  Four of the tables are evenly placed beside each other, measuring at least a hundred meters each.  These polished tables seem to possess an endless number of golden goblets and platters, which are empty at the moment, but rest assured; any decent magical institution would fill them with many eats as breakfast, lunch, and dinner each roll around.  The walls adjacent with the four tables are decorated with elaborately ornamented flags of the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.  Of course, seated at these four tables would be the students of these houses.

 

At the front of the room is another table, identical to the other tables in the room except for the fact that the professors at Hogwarts dine there.  Above that table is the crest of Hogwarts, proudly displayed in all its glory.  The occasional suit of armor is placed around the room, as well as a few framed pictures, but it's not like the room really needs to be decorated by things such as those.

 

Above the tabletops is a magnificent ceiling, if it's a ceiling at all.  It seems to be the starry sky itself; the ceiling stretches upward so high, it certainly is hard to tell if there's a rooftop covering the room or not.  Although someone who has been reading his or her books about Hogwarts would tell you it's bewitched to look like the sky outside.  Nevertheless, the room as a whole certainly is a breath-taking place.

 

 

Eriol awaits calmly at the entrance... blushing softly as he stands with his housemates.

 

Cho stands with the Ravenclaw crowd, taking slow, deep breaths and trying not to look as bad as she feels. And pulling it off rather well. Except for having a tightness around the eyes and a thin smile that makes her lips pale. Her dress robes are a brilliant blue, and her hair is done elaborately. She glances around every so often, as if looking for someone, who she doesn't seem to find.

 

Stella nudges Eriol gently and indicates Tomoyo with a subtle tilt of her head. "Is she the one you've been talking about? She's -very- cute." Stella smiles mischievously. "Maybe I can help out somehow? I know -plenty- of Hufflepuffs."

 

Eriol adjusts his retrimmed robes as he is sans the large boat hat tonight... Also forgoing the shawl of his outfit and wearing the formal blue robes of his house proudly, he strides into the hall with his house proudly and looks around, trying to find his date... Till Stella unsubtly nudges him and he blushes brightly, "Hai.. that’s her..." he blushes brighter, "Is she not a vision?" he asks as he produces a purple flower corsage that he has in a box in his hands, apparently stored inside his robes, and starts to advance on Tomoyo, holding the box towards her as he arrives.

 

Cho glances to get a look at Tomoyo, and then nods lightly. "Good luck," she wishes her fellow team member before he's too far away. At least he's sweet. That's a good trait in boys. She looks around again. Still, her dark hazel eyes don't seem to find whoever it is she is looking for.

 

Tomoyo walks in rather timidly, remembering back to the great excitement over her house sorting. o_o She looks around, hoping to see someone she knows..until she spots Eriol walking over. She smiles and waves. "Good evening, Eriol-kun!" Her cute upswept hair bounces slightly. Aww.

 

Dumbledore stands before the school's students, clearing his throat in order to speak to everyone.  He raises his arms from his sides, hoping to get everyone's attention.  "This evening of yet another Yule Ball is one of celebration, and not of long winded speeches.   So, without further adieu, this old man will speak no more."  He gestures to the hired orchestra.  "Let the music and revelry begin!"

 

Minerva sits rigidly next to him. Her eyes are also scanning the room, as she is preoccupied.  Her fingers tap lightly on the table as she resides in silence.

 

Sakura enters the hall with Yukito-san, blushing greatly as she walks nervously beside him.  She's really excited, but she's never really danced with anyone before!!    Oooh, she should've asked Tomoyo-chan about things like this. '.'

 

Half wondering what he is doing here, Lee Jordan scans the room for Gryffindor students but doesn't see many he's so comfortable with that he'd be able to have a good conversation with. So he is content on leaning against the walls, staring at the odd swaying of the crowd. He too seems to be looking for someone but, after realizing their presence is not there, he stays put and waits for either Fred or George to come down in their usual noisy yet funny entrance. It's almost odd having his dreadlocks out of clasp, yet it's easily dismissed. Lee spots the familar face of the Japanese Hufflepuffs and smiles towards Eriol's advancing. He messes absent mindedly with the hem of his dark, red dress robe's sleeve. He notices Cho looking distantly into the crowd, saddened almost, a finds himself frowning himself. Poor Cho.

 

Yukito nervously enters the hall with Sakura-chan. What a beautiful sight to behold! He turns to Sakura and bows. "Care to have this dance, Sakura-chan?" he asks, extending his arm to her.

 

Stella closes her eyes and lets the music calm her nerves. She is triply embarrassed: by her own insensitivity, her natural awkwardness and lack of a date, in that order.

 

Minerva is relieved to finally see young Mr. Potter make an appearance.  Instinctively she rises and goes over to speak to him. "Excuse us, Weasley," she says. "Potter, if you can, here's your opportunity to speak to Dumbledore."

 

Eriol smiles and bows to Tomoyo, "Shall we?" he offers in a gentlemanly manner bowing deeply inviting his young camera mistress to a dance.

 

Sakura nodnods excitedly to Yukito-san, "H-hai!"  she answers, forcing the answer out from her lips and taking Yukito's hand gently.   Bright red faced, she wavies to Eriol-kun with her free hand.  "Hi hi, you look very nice, Eriol-kun!"

 

Al says, "Yule ball... Yule ball... hmm... what's a yule?" Al wonders to himself as he enters the room shivering. Yes, the cold weather has taken its toll on the boy. He pauses briefly to renew the heat charm he casts beneath his cloak. "..." He looks around.

 

Cho continues to cast eyes around, getting up on her toes every so often in order to attempt looking over some taller people. Of course, nearly everyone who isn't a 1st year is taller than Cho, so this happens quite a few times. Whatever it is she's looking for, she still doesn't seem to find it. Still, despite the obvious strain she must be under, she looks rather nice in her blue dress robes, and hair done up with gem encrested combs stuck in to hold it in place.

 

Ron enters slowly in front of Harry, looking awkward but slightly.. proud? in his dress robes. They look improved from last year, to say the least. He scans the hall and mutters to Harry, "They aren't here.." Where -are- those girls. I mean, yes, they had to deal with the twins taking forever to get ready last year, but this is ridiculous. He wants to suggest they just go back up to the common room to wait.. but Professor McGonagall steps in. Giving half a nod, since he knows it doesn't really matter if he 'approves' or not, he sighs and starts to head for the nearest corner to stuff himself in. This is not going at all as planned.

 

Tomoyo smiles and nods. "Hai, Eriol-kun!" She looks over towards the doors before taking Eriol's hand and grins towards Sakura and Tsukishirou. 'Oh how cute they both look, I must get some footage later!' She adjusts her robes and takes his hand. "Ready?"

 

Yukito takes Sakura to the dance area and glides her gracefully across the floor. He smiles and notices Sakura's hair. "Ah, I notice you're wearing the barrettes I gave you! They look very nice in your hair, Sakura-chan," he says, smiling his best Yukito smile.

 

Harry has no clue where the girls are at. Do you reckon we've done something to put them off and they might be snubbing us? Hopefully they're just tied up in fixing their hair. As McGonagall approaches and speaks to him, he blinks, "Err.." He was going to wait until afterwards. This is hardly the time or place. I mean, it's a smart party n'all. But he really can't mouth off at McGonagall.

 

Eriol nods and smiles, "Hai.." he nods and takes her hand in turn and gently tries to guide her out to the floor..

 

Stella looks toward Cho. Summarily ignoring her own discomfort toward the moment she walks over to Cho. "Who're you looking for?" she asks quietly.

 

Minerva meant to say that he should approach Dumbledore later or afterwards, whenever he could get a chance. "I'm sorry," she says, realizing this must be the third time she's apologized to young Mr. Potter today. She's still rather preoccupied. "Have you heard from Granger?" she added in a half-whisper.

 

Lee, despite setting that he'd wait for the twins, was implied by the boredom of waiting for the two fiery redheads. Letting go of the cold wall, he walked past a few random Slytherins laughing in their usual cocky tone and towards Cho, trying his best to offer a smile to the sad girl looking girl, dressed in the blue that might as well have conveyed her feelings rather than her house. "Hello, Cho! You look grand this evening," Lee spoke in his cheery tone, seeing if he could manage a true smile from the set forced one of the Ravenclaw seeker.

 

Sakura blushes profusely!  "Hai!   Thank you, Yukito-san!"   She follows him across the dance floor, concentrating very hard on not tripping over her own feet.  "You look really handsome tonight."  she says to him, looking away as she does so.

 

Dumbledore has himself a seat behind the lone table that remains in the Great Hall.  He is a bit too old to be dancing along with everyone else, but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy the music and take part in the celebration by watching the students enjoy their evening.  Besides, he can't stay all evening, so he means to take in as much as possible while he is.

 

Cho blinks, eyes moving to Stella as she settles down on her heels. "No one. Just.. seeing who all is here." Yes, that's it. Too bad she's a horrible liar. There's no telling who she's looking for, but whoever it is she hasn't seen them yet. And she's saved from elaborating by everyone's favorite announcer. "Hello, Lee. Thank you." Her smile becomes less tight, but she's still distant-eyed. "You look nice."

 

Yukito smiles and nods. "Arigatou, Sakura-chan! You look wonderful. Did Tomoyo-chan make that robe for you? It looks very..Tomoyo-esque," he says with a laugh, as he dances a bit more with the young girl.

 

Ron grabs a goblet of punch on the way to the furthest corner table he can find and then promptly seats himself there, nursing the fruity liquid somberly. Not much else to say. Though he does seem to be rolling something between his fingers, like a small ball of some kind. And he just waits.

 

Tomoyo smiles. "I'm so nervous...I haven't really danced before Eriol-kun." She laughs a bit, and shakes her head. "I'm sure I'll be all right though. You look...very nice tonight Eriol-kun." She smiles and brushes a strand of hair from her face.

 

Harry shakes his head at the Professor, "No m'am. I haven't." Would it be rude to start edging away from one's own head of house? He does dart glances around the room every now and then, trying to see if Hermione and Ginny have arrived. He does spot Cho, and his eyes widen a bit in surprise. o O ( I didn't think that she'd be here.. ) He glances towards Ron, err, professor, can he go schmooze now? Pretty please?

 

Sakura nodnods to Yukito-san, looking up at his face when she does.   It's hard to dance with Yukito-san!  He's so much bigger than she is!   So she's concentrating a lot, (probably too much) on her steps.  She catches a glimpse of Cho and company nearby in the hall, and wavies fast in midstep.

 

Eriol smiles and bows softly, "That’s alright, Tomoyo-chan.. I don't know much about dancing either... But I'll endure if you step on my feet.." he smiles with a DEEP blush and tries to tap into the dance that the band is playing, When Tomoyo is ready to begin.

 

Minerva sighs. "Very well, Potter, but this won't be the last time I come speak to you." She is slightly worried that Professor Major and a majority of the other professors are missing and heads back over to the high table to sit down.

 

Al takes a glass and eyes the fruit punch. Rubbing his hands together in what could look like an attempt to warm them up he concentrates. "..aquam vium..." he mutters. A small stream of punch flies from the bowl and into his cup. He blinks in surprise. "Hey... it works." A smile crosses his face.

 

Tomoyo breathes a sigh of relief. "I had the nightmare you were you probably a wonderful dancer, but I don't feel so alone now!" She smiles and nods at Eriol. "Let's begin, whether we'll be good or bad," she says with a giggle.

 

Lee simply grins in response to Cho's compliment. "You wouldn't believe that these are about 40,000-odd years old, hm? I suppose if you wear them only once a life time, they don't age. This one actually got worn twice by this Jordan, so it feels so special." He still sports his finest smile, to see if it can coax out Cho's. At least her smile loosened a bit, that was a start, thought Lee as he swished around the pumkin juice in his glass. Glancing over at the very averent Hufflepuffs, he commented. "I suppose Japanese people like to get right to the dancing. I suppose that's better then us, standing around. Care to dance then?" Lee smiled again, as if had dropped, "I promise. No strings attached, m'lady!" Most likely she'd say no, Lee accepted, but hey, they wasn't so bad if she'd laugh.

 

Stella nods, though a slight twist in her mouth indicates her skepticism. She looks suddenly solemn. "Please take it easy, Cho." she says, retreating. She looks as if she wants to say something more, but refrains, instead heading for the table of refreshments.

 

Yukito poses a curious look on his face to see who Sakura is waving to. He turns his head and sees Potter-kun and Weasley-kun. He waves to them and smiles. He turns his attention back to Sakura and notices her nervousness. "Ah, gomen ne, Sakura-chan..I kind of forgot I'm quite taller than you," he says, sweatdropping. "Ah..but..do loosen up, Sakura-chan! I don't want you to be more nervous than I am!"

 

Seeing the girl she met during the impromptu practice the other day, Cho returns the wave in a friendly fashion, but still, the mood isn't raised for this girl. She gets up on her heels and looks around again. She sees Harry, who earns the same slight smile, but she looks on before she settles down. Lee though... earns only raised eyebrows (Sorry Lee). "I..." It seems for a moment as if she actually has no idea what to say... This doesn't happen to her often. And then Stella goes and leaves. It looks as if Cho might try to stop her, but she refrains after a moment. "Lee.. thank you, but.." She looks away, takes a breath. When she looks back she says, "All right." Once dance can't hurt anything, can it?

 

Al says, "Uh-oh..." Al puts down another cup. He's filled three already, and his spell isn't stopping! Once more he puts another punch cup beneath the stream of punch. "...why won't it stop?" he watches the cup fill and quickly swaps in another cup. Four cups. Five cups. He looks mildly panicked as he swaps in another cup. "Ergh..."

 

Ron has drained his cup of punch and is staring at whatever small object is in his hand..

 

Harry errrs at Professor McGonagall and nods. He just can't avoid trouble can he? Heaving a sigh, he crosses over towards Ron's table, stealing glances towards Cho as he does. Aah! She smiled! o O ( Should I go ask her to dance..? Naah.. she'd just say no. 'Sides, I feel like a prat enough as it is..) And to add to that, Lee's talking to Cho. Must resist urge to kick things. He plops himself down at Ron's table and mutters, "Sorry 'bout that."

 

Eriol smiles and nods, kicking his left foot to get in sync with the music as he tries to get in rhythm with the music... He's better than he let on but he isn't Fred Astare... But he's easy to lead and very forgiving in his hold... But most off.. He just smiles and looks down at you. Trying to lock his eyes... Filled with emotion on Tomoyo's...

 

Sakura smiles cheerfully up at Yukito-san.  "Hai, I'm sorry.  I've just..  I'm..  I'll try, ne?"  she finally manages to say, blushing something fierce.  "And it's ok.  About the tall thing."  she says, falling in a bit closer to her dance partner.

 

Stella glances amusedly at a young man who seems to be having trouble with the punch bowl, and eager to test one of her homemade charms digs her wand out of its pocket and mutters a few words sharply under her breath, anxious to see if it works.

 

Yukito smiles warmly at Sakura. "You're a very good dancer, Sakura-chan!" he says to his surprisingly wonderful dance partner. "Sakura-chan, if you want some punch or something, just let me know, all right?" They both turn to look at the punch bowl and notice it's little..fiasco. "On second-thought, Sakura-chan, perhaps punch can wait a moment?"

 

Tomoyo smiles. "Sugoi! Dancing like this is a lot easier than I thought!" She laughs merrily and continues onward. "Wow Eriol-kun..you're an excellent dancer.." Tomoyo blushes and hopes she doesn't step on anyone's toes. She looks around and notices that a lot of the others are standing around... "Anou.. Eriol.." she looks at him and blushes again. "Hardly anyone is dancing, but that's all right." At least Sakura and Yukito are!

 

Ron glances up as Harry joins him and shrugs, "It's okay.." Rolling the small.. bead?..between his finger and thumb he asks, "What do you need to see Dumbledore about?" He's curious, yes.. even if the interest in his voice has been lowered to a monotone.

 

Eriol is trying his BEST to not feel awkward and HOPEFULLY set an example for the others here... Wondering himself what is wrong... He nods slowly to Tomoyo, "Yes.. But Sakura-san and Yukito-san seem to be enjoying themselves..." he smiles softly, and tries his best to work around your feet... Leading is easier in this situation and he starts to up the pace, seeing as you seem to be taking to this like a duck to water, trying to add some flare and bounce to the maneuvers.

 

Harry tries to get a glance of the bead, "What's that? Oh.. Professor McGonagall wants me to see him about my headaches." He props his head in his hand, and looks around the room, still no sign of the two Gryffindor girls. He leans over to whisper to the red headed boy..

 

It wasn't attraction that made Lee ask, though Cho was pretty in her own way. It was simply something inside of him hated to see that awful smile.. so forced and so sad under the subtext. Sadness was the last thing the world truly needed added to its already heavy burden. "Right, then," his tone was still cheery and hummy as he led her towards the dance floor. He knew that ever getting Cho to leave that sadness was impossible.. He knew the feeling deep down.. but that was a long time ago, he said, berating himself and took Cho's hand as they did a rather simple four step dance.

 

Sakura waiis!  *n.n* Praise from Yukito-san always makes her feel warm inside.  She blinkblinks at the punch bowl happenings.  "Eep, what's happening over there?"  o.o  She slows and stops her step to see if she can get a better look, but she's much too short to get a good view!

 

Tomoyo nods and looks towards the two. "They look so cute together!" She dances with Eriol, following his steps, and eventually gets the hang of it. "Ahh, this is lovely, Eriol-kun." She  people, more room to dance, I suppose!

 

Cho wants nothing more than to not have to force the smile. But unfortunately this is not a place where that is likely going to happen. Get her down to the Quidditch Pitch and maybe! She takes slow breaths as she moves out onto the dance floor with the slightly older announcer. She settles into the dance carefully, the same smile still there. She glances towards the doors every so often; still not seeing whoever it is she is looking for. Her eyes return to Lee. She tries to think of something to say, finally she asks, "So what do you think of the recent changes to the house teams?"

 

Tomoyo nods and looks towards the two. "They look so cute together!" She dances with Eriol, following his steps, and eventually gets the hang of it. "Ahh, this is lovely, Eriol-kun." She smiles and continues onward, following the light dance. Less people, more room to dance I suppose!

 

Yukito notices Sakura's stop in dancing, and her trying to look. "Here, Sakura-chan," he says, lifting her up a bit. "I believe they're trying to fix.. a small problem with the punch filling the cups," he says, laughing.

 

Eriol blinks as he suddenly notices Sakura and Yukito stopping and pauses himself, looking over at the pair as he quickly looks down at his date.. TRYING to fight back that blush, "Something must be amiss..."

 

"Interesting, actually," Lee says with a still sweet smile. "But a lot more work for me.. New people on the teams means new moves and new moves means a whole lot more memorization for me. I'm a walking Quidditch Moves book." It wasn't hard to dance with the one year younger girl, since she seemed just graceful on the dance floor as on the Pitch.. Which was good news for Lee. He remembered thoughtfully about a girl whom he had danced with last Yule that left him with very sore feet from her sharp, wooden heels. He half glanced at the interesting flurry or red and blue their robes made then struck up a different topic, perhaps a bit more touchy but it could feel better for her to open up, that is, if she was willing...Which again he was suspected was no. But that was alright.  "I didn't think you would've come, Cho."

 

Al notices the punch thicken as he puts down his seventh cup. Pretty soon the eighth cup's punch has the consistency of glue. "Well at least it's slowed..." he blinks, sensing the presence of a charm other then his. "Who... did that?" he looks around.

 

Tomoyo notices Eriol look over to Sakura and Yukito, and then to the punch bowl. "Anou, Eriol-kun...what's going on over there? And why does that young man look so confused, yet startled?" Tomoyo hardly realizes that their dancing has almost halted to watch the scene unfold.

 

Stella rests her wand in her hand and bites her lip, trying to decide whether or not to take credit for her partially successful evaporation charm. It occurs to her in hindsight that the same charm that dried her hair so nicely wouldn't work quite the same on fruit punch.

 

Sakura eeps softly as she is lifted up above the crowd to see. "Oh, something is wrong with the punch..."  Guess she won't be having any tonight!"  she glances quickly at Eriol-kun, her gaze narrowing a little, as if she just remembered something.  o.o"

 

Yukito nods and sets Sakura back. "Ah, well, that was entertaining! ...Are you tired of dancing yet, Sakura? Would you like to sit down?" he asks in his oh-so-charming manner.

 

Al fills a ninth cup with punch that's more like gulp then something liquid. He glances over at the table and realizes he's running out of cups! "Someone... ah... help?" He yelps.

 

Cho nods to Lee's words, "And you seem quite good at it." He certainly whips out those comments quickly. Even if he sometimes gets a little carried away. She glances towards the doors again, but is able to keep her feet from stepping all over Lee's toes. At the question, she looks back at him. Her answer comes reluctantly, "I wasn't planning to, honestly." She only decided to come a few days ago. "But.." She shrugs her shoulders and puts on a slightly better smile. "Did you have someone to come with?" She finds it hard to believe he would come without someone. She has reasons of her own for being alone.

 

Eriol suddenly feels for some strange reason the sword of damoclese is hanging over his head as Sakura stares at him... But he happily shrugs and looks to Tomoyo, "Shall we continue.. I'm sure the problem will be resolved shortly.." he blushes BRIGHTLY.

 

Minerva is sitting at the staff table, watching the young students dancing and seemingly enjoying each other. She takes a sip of her own glass of pumpkin juice and survey's the room, and then shocked at what she sees by the punch bowl rushes over.

 

Fuu slips into the great hall, sticking close to the wall as she moves around the edge of the room ... hoping she doesn't earn demerits for being late, but nobody reminded her about the Yule ball until after it had started ... and then she had to get something which would pass for formal robes.

 

Sakura pulls her stare off Eriol-kun, and takes a moment to catch her breath, finally looking back to Yukito-san.  ".. h-hai!   Hai, my feet are tired!"  she nodnods.  "Can we rest a little bit?"  She is tired.  Yukito-san is very tall. @_@  Hoeee.

 

Ron stares at Harry a moment, the bead left unattended to in his hand so that Harry could easily see that it's a seed. Smooth, dark, and round. Why he has it, is a whole nother question. And no questions concerning the object in his hand are answered by the red head as he narrows his eyes, about to ask something - but Harry beats him to it. Listening intently to the other boy whisper he frowns, and leans across to talk quietly.

 

Tomoyo turns her head back to Eriol and nods. "Aa, hai hai Eriol-kun.." she can't help but wonder what exactly *was* going on over there. She begins dancing with Eriol again, and notices Yukito and Sakura leaving the floor. Wow, Yukito is a lot taller than Sakura! "The music is so nice, isn't it Eriol-kun?"

 

Harry glances over at Lee and Cho, and promptly looks away lest he accidentally kick Ron or something. He shakes his head, raking a hand through his hair. It doesn't matter that his hair is more tousled now as he made no attempt to flatten it before coming downstairs. He whispers back to Ron..

 

Stella looks very serious then raises her wand again, and aims it directly at the flowing punch. "Finite Incantatum!" she says firmly. A spell with which she has heard, if not performed before. She looks expectantly at the punch bowl.

 

Minerva mutters 'finite incantum' under her breath, stopping the flowing of the liquid. She then whirls around to. "Five points from whoever started this." she fumed. It wasn't that she had wanted to take points away, but after going a few weeks without doing so really didn't fit with her.

 

Yukito nods and leads Sakura to nearby chairs. "I'm sorry your feet are hurting, Sakura-chan! I feel so bad!" he exclaims. He's just trying to be a good date for little Sakura. And now her feet hurt! Ack.

 

Lee, also quietly keeping step-to the dance, simple as it was, looked at Cho intently for a moment, but decided it might be better to pursue such a tender subject. In the silence for that brief moment, he reasserts his smile, though it seems itself more feeble now then it's former bold self as the two dance across the floor. At the mention of date, the smile might have faltered more, but he tried to maintain it, knowing it was weak as is. "No, actually." After the previous night’s events, he found himself being put off by the object of a 'date.' Poor Natalie.. No, not poor Natalie. She didn't want his sympathy. He had more reasons to be upset then her. Lee frowned the second time this night. He let his eyes flash across the teacher's table.. still, no sign.

 

Eriol nods and smiles as he feels Tomoyo's attention wander again to her obsession, Sakura... With a sigh from his lips he smiles, "Would you like to take a break or carry on?" he asks his date.. Whom try as he might.. It seems winning the full heart of.. Is next to impossible...

 

Al's charm terminates at the very last cup. There's still punch left, but not much. Most of it is in the cups which Al filled... except maybe for the three last which looks more like fruit syrup then juice. He looks at Stella... then at Minerva and then hangs his head. "I did this... sorry..." he sighs.

 

Ron catches Harry's previous look and glancing about finds the source of it. He frowns vaguely at the dark headed boy for more than one reason, now. Well this is a fine celebration. -.- "I don't blame you.." he murmurs, looking disgruntly at his empty cup. "Tell me, ya know.. if it gets worse." Not that he can -do- anything, but.. least he can listen. He spins the small seed on the table and sighs, "You want some pumpkin juice?" Ron needs a refill.. though, actually, "Wish they had some good butter beer at this thing.." And wish they had some good DATES at this thing. He's gonna kill his sister and then Hermione. Blood before beauty. Not.. that.. Hermione's a beauty.. or.. anything. Ugh. Butter beer, where are you..

 

Tomoyo shakes her head. "No, it's all right! I enjoy dancing with you a lot, Eriol-kun. The music is so relaxing." She smiles and continues dancing, making sure that Sakura gets all the time she can with Yukito. 'I wonder if I'm a horrible dancer...'

 

Cho is glad to see she's not the only one looking for someone tonight. She catches Lee's eyes casting towards the teachers table and follows them for a moment. Hmm. She sees someone missing as well, but this is a happy missing. She doesn't know if she could handle the sight of a certain Assistant Professor causing a haunting mental replay right now. She's having enough trouble keeping her smile one as it is. Even if she's only looking for something to say at this moment, she asks, "Who are you looking for?" And the bit about being dateless surprises her, but she'll stay off the subject. She certainly doesn't have one either. Of course, she said no to anyone who asked her.

 

Sakura sits, stretching and kicking her legs a little.  "Wai wai, thanks Yukito-san."  she leans and tilts her head to try and get a view of the punch bowl.  She's curious what's going on!

 

Stella notices the punch stop, then looks over her shoulder to Professor McGonagall. She quickly tucks her wand away and wonders whether she should expect a point deduction as well. Well...she was only trying to help.

 

Harry nods to Ron, "Sure thing.. you'll probably be the first to know if it does get worse." He fusses with the clasp on his robes and nods, "Sure, I could use a drink." Yeah, why don't we have butterbeer here? Amen about the date business too.

 

Minerva looks towards the voice. "Next time, don't start spells that you aren't familiar with.  Don't you know how to end them?" Throwing her hands up into the air more annoyed with herself if anything she storms back to the staff table. Where are all the Gryffindor students? she thinks,  still  slightly upset and she sits back in her place next to Dumbledore, taking a sip of her drink.

 

Yukito smiles. "You're very welcome, Sakura-chan." Well, maybe he's not doing so bad after all! He spies over at the punch bowl. "Ah, Sakura-chan, it seems the problem has been fixed," he says, giving a thumbs up to Sakura. He then looks at the floor nervously, hoping Sakura is having fun.

 

Lee, broken from the concentration of scanning the teachers table, falters at the quick question he hadn't expect. "Hmm? Oh.. Just.. nevermind, it's nothing," he says dismissively. Need he delve right now into his relationship with a certain teacher whould cause Cho to probably gasp and look oddly at him. Not to mention the length of the story, it being hideously long, and well.. fine, she most likely knew anyhow. "Professor Snape, actually." His voice doesn't break, he's a bit used to this by now, "I'm sure that you're heard the story by now."

 

Al isn't, unfortunately. "...at this rate, I'll never master the magic..." he sighs defeatedly, tucking his hands into his pockets and looking down at his feet.

 

Stella looks toward Al. "All-in-all I say you got out of that pretty well. Five points?" Stella thinks of all the messes she's gotten into in the past years. "Could've done much worse."

 

Cho raises her eyebrows at the mention of the Potions Professor. Not quite a coincidence, but almost one. Snape and Lee? She wracks her mind, and is able to call up some vague rumors. Not enough to know really, but she nods. She won't pry into the story, since he seems as reluctant to talk about it as she would be to talk about the person she happens to be scanning the crowd for. She glances towards the rows of tables and asks after a moment, "Would you mind if I go sit down? Thank you for the dance, but.." She'd rather like to sit down.

 

Al turns to look at the girl talking to him. "R-really?" he says. He manages a small smile. "All I wanted to do was to practice fluid aproportion..." he pauses. "Wait a minute... you were trying to help me back there, weren't you?"

 

Ron is so very tempted to hit the twin's stash upstairs. Make -something- good of this night. But he just nods to Harry and stands, seed in hand, to go get some drinks. Though he does pocket the seed for safe keeping. Approaching the refreshment table he looks between the students there and leans past the ton of filled fruit drink cups to reach the pumpkin juice. He pours two cups slowly, eyeing Al's lament. Ahh, hasn't Ron felt that way many a time. Scooting past the two he nods in a friendly manner and returns to Harry, setting his cup down in front of him, "I hate these things more than ever, now. I swear, if those two don't show up soon, I'm going to bed." Sounds like a pretty loose threat, though. You bet he'd stay all night in the hopes she might come.

 

Stella shrugs and smiles. "If you can call it that." she says, "Didn't work really, did it? Maybe I should have tried a drought charm...of course it would help if I knew the Finite Incantatum better. That would have saved a -lot- of trouble." She nods back to Ron with a quick smile then squints suddenly. "I don't think I know your name...?"

 

Lee was himself about to ask the same question. He now felt slightly awkward. "Oh, sure. It was a pleasure, Cho," Lee says, trying to regain his note of cheeriness though it seems to have dried out, if possible. Dropping her hands softly, he gives her a quick waves before folding his arms across his chest and walking towards the two rather upset looking boys gorging down cups of punch.. or rather, that was only Ron. n.n; "Hey, Ron.. Hasn't Hermione come yet," he asks slightly amused but with a dash of sympathy.

 

Harry was about to get up and tag along after Ron, but doesn't get a chance to follow. He picks up the cup of juice, taking a drink, "That sounds like a good idea." As if he'd go upstairs on the off chance Ginny shows up, he's not here, she gets upset, then her brothers get upset and knock him upside the head. He was about to ask Ron about that beadlike seed when Lee heads up, "Hey Lee."

 

"Thank you," Cho says with the most genuine smile she's had down in this hall today (though still not as genuine as it could be away from this event), speaking of both the dance and the fact that it's ending. Once he's moving away, she walks over to a empty area of a table and sits down, laying her hands on the table in front of them and looking at them. She takes deep breaths as if she's trying to compose herself again.

 

Al says, "It's Alty... of House Gryffindor. I... well... thanks for helping me. I'm really bad at those water incantations." He pauses, "And you are?"

 

Yukito watches all the lovely people dance about and in all just look cute. He looks at his watch. And then promptly yawns. Poor Yuki. No matter how much he sleeps, he's always tired..

 

Minerva simply shakes her head as she watches the students.  She is feeling entirely bored, wanting even more for this evening to be over and done with. But no, someone has to keep an eye on the students.  Not only that, but her mind's gone numb. She just took points away from her own house?  Well, it was expected at any rate.  No Nelville, no Hermoine, and even the Weasley twins were missing. She'd even want to deal with THEM about now.

 

Stella smiles, blushing slightly. "Don't mention it, really. No one's perfect. I'm Stella Fawcett, of Ravenclaw. How do you do?"

 

Eriol sees THAT and his eyes narrow... Yukito Sooner or later... It will come to that something MUST be done.. But for now...Sensing Tomoyo's tiredness helps her to sit down for now.

 

Lee laughs in his tender tone and pats Ron on the back sympathetically. "I'm sure she's just late or what not," Lee pauses to look around and then at Harry. "Ginny isn't here either?" He then ends this comment with a frustrated sigh before pushing more a wire dreads from his eyes. "If I don' find that clasp soon.." he says in a warning tone to particularly non one, he half grins as he sits in a chair next to Ron. "We have tough breaks, mates. At least your only choice wasn't a second year or a girl who seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth."

 

Harry shakes his head at Lee. That's a definite no sir. He just sits there, not saying much and drinking his punch, stealing an occasional glance in Cho's direction.

 

Tomoyo smiles at Eriol. "Aa, arigatou Eriol-kun." She can't help but notice he seems a bit ...distant. "Are you ok Eriol-kun?" She certainly hopes he is. "I hope you are having as much fun as I am." She smiles again.

 

Al smiles. "Feeling much better now, Stella." he picks up a cup of fruit syrup that was punch. "Drink? Err... I mean..." he fumbles for a more watery cup.

 

Minerva tiredly glances towards the doorway from her position at the staff table. Why - it's Hermoine Granger..? So she decided to come after all. She glanced at Harry.

 

Eriol nods and smiles down at Tomoyo gently and nods, "Hai! I'm having alot of fun... Just..." he sighs, "There seems to be something wrong with Yukito-kun..." he knows JUST whats wrong..

 

Ron stares as Stella and Al continue the conversation as if he hadn't just said his name - thus, making it more of a.. Ron talked to no one kind of situation. Oh, his favorite kind, really. He cringes and turns back around, laying his forehead on the table. This just isn't his night. He takes his seed out for condolence, holding the tiny thing as he mumbles, "Yeah, well.. we're all losers, then." A table of losers. He frowns at his seed.. such big plans for you, little one. But you may never see them ._.

 

Harry glances over at Ron, "Oi.. sit up there.. Least you can look like a loser sitting up straight and proud about it like the rest of us." Okay, now he's getting REALLY curious, "Ron, what is that thing anyway?"

 

Cho sits at a table, pretty much by herself at the moment. After a bit, she looks up from her hands and somehow has composed herself again. The tightness is still there in her eyes, but her smile is less thin, though still forced. She scans the area she can see again.

 

Stella flinches as Al goes for a cup of super-concentrated punch. "I think we should stick with the pumpkin juice for the rest of the night," she says, absently tapping her foot in time with the music. "That way there's no more opportunity for mishap, right?"

 

Sakura glomps onto Yukito-san's arm, "Hai, it does!    I'm glad you came with me, Yukito-san!"  she blinks.  "Ne, Yukito-san, daijobu?"  she asks, concerned when he seems to doze off.  "Yu-ki-to-san!"  o.o

 

Tomoyo looks at Eriol's face and glances over casually at Yukito. "Will he be ok, Eriol-kun?" She hopes that Yukito will be all right, she wouldn't want him to miss anymore of the ball. "Mou, Eriol-kun, I'm getting a bit tired.." she says, blushing though. "I don't exactly want to go just yet."

 

Fuu continues to lurk quietly near the door, sipping a glass of pumpkin juice - she hasn't gone near the punch yet - and looking for familiar faces which she can engage in conversation ... unfortunately, the two most-familiar faces to her aren't here, and nobody else she knows has wandered into conversational range yet ...

 

Al says, "Yeah. You're right." he puts down the cup and walks over to get Stella a glass of pumpkin juice. "So umm... how long have you been here? I'm kinda new myself... this is my first..." what was that word? "...winter... here at Hogwarts."

 

Yukito looks tiredly at Sakura. "I'm fine, Sakura-chan, really!" he says, trying to obtain a perfect smile. He feels like someone is staring at him. He looks around, and notices a dark haired boy with glasses. He smiles at Eriol, although sleepily.

 

Eriol smiles, "I don't want tonight to end either..." he blushes softly and gently reaches up to run a hand through the young camera girl's hair gently, "Perhaps a rest near the punch bowl will return your energy?" he's worried for both of Yukito AND Tomoyo...

 

"Oh, thanks, Ron. Now don't we all feel special," Lee murmurs before standing up from the table, giving another of his half waves. "I dunno guys, I don't feel like being a loser for too long. I might leave soon." He didn't feel so peachy, anyhow. The events in the dungeons rather zapped his energy. Turning from the two sulking boys, Lee walks slowly towards the door; looking like he'd rather not leave but also he'd love to. He finally contradicts both a settles for sitting back at an empty table nicer placed towards the door. Oh well, if there was a sudden attack of titanic sized, flesh eating slugs with purple poka-dots, at least he'd be the first to get out.

 

Tomoyo blushes. "Anou...the punch bowl seems a bit.. occupied. Let's go get some pumpkin juice, ne?" The excitement of tonight has seemed to wear down Tomoyo a bit, but she wants to be able to stay a bit. She gets up and begins to walk to the juice.

 

Stella looks slightly disappointed but smiles anyway. "This is my fifth year. Hard to believe I'm still botching spells isn't it? And we Ravenclaws are supposed to be so clever. Your first winter, huh? Well, here's hoping it only gets better." She grins.

 

Ron sighs as Lee leaves the table. He waves, but he's looking bad about it. Great, now he's run off one of the losers. Ron's an uber loser. He does sit up now, though, at Harry's suggestion. "You're right, Harry. I should be proud that I've been stood up." He glances down at his little seed and smiles, though a faint blush is appearing, "Well.. I had planned to..." He meets his friend’s eyes and shrugs, "It's what I wasn't going to tell you before. But I guess it doesn't matter anymore.." He doesn't explain fully, yet, though.

 

And speaking of things entering and leaving the hall, here comes Hermione, looking like she's torn between being excited about the ball and kicking herself for being late.  Well, it's not her fault her train came in late!  She's dressed in some nice looking silvery-blue dress robes, and her wavy hair is under control. The witch scans the hall for any sign of Ron, biting her lip nervously... oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

 

Fuu blinks as someone enters the great hall after her own fashionably late arrival ... and someone she recognizes, as well. "Granger-sempai ... ?"

 

Al says, "Well after being used as a kickball by some of the Slytherin boys, I guess it only can." he chuckles uneasily. "What kind of magic do you like to do?"

 

Harry snerks, "Heck, both of us." He's surprised about this turn in events really, it might have been expected with other people than Hermione and Ginny.. "eh? What? Go on and tell me, I'm not going to laugh." He glances around the room again then nudges Ron, "Or better yet, just tell me later. Look who just came in." Go get her tiger.

 

Sakura nodnods to Yukito-san, and then points towards Tomoyo-chan.  "Ne ne, maybe if I get you some pumpkin juice, you'll feel a bit more awake, ne?"  she patpats him on the shoulder.

 

Minerva rises up from the staff table after noticing the two girls enter.  Well, here was Miss Granger all  looking better than when she had last seen her, and  the girl she was speaking with the other day. It would certainly be better than sitting around the table. Casting another glance towards Harry she walked over.

 

Eriol nods and walks over to the pumpkin punch bowl with Tomoyo, smiling brightly as he smiles and like the TRUE gentleman he is fills a cup for her FIRST then him second... In the back of his mind her wonders.. Is she really with the person she wants to come to this dance with... Try as he might.. It seems Tomoyo's heart is distracted... BUT.. He will not be discouraged.

 

Stella gives Al a sympathetic glance. "Ah, Slytherin," she lowers her voice, "Bunch of disrespectful gets in my opinion. As for what sort of magic I do...all sorts I suppose. They give us quite a well-rounded education here." she laughs knowingly. "I like charms the best though."

 

Cho seems to be perfectly fine sitting alone at a table. But then the only reason she's here... well... nothing to do with dates or anything, so it's not like she's being stood up. She'd just like it if she could leave. Her reasons for staying are enough to keep her content.

 

Yukito shakes his head. "No thanks, Sakura-chan..I'll be okay," he says yawning. All right, so he lied. He slowly gets up from his chair and locates Eriol. He makes some hand motions as to tell him he's going to go sleep. He then waves to Tomoyo and Eriol, and then turns to Sakura. "Sakura-chan, I've had a lovely time! I think, however, that I'm going to turn in for tonight. I'll see you later. Oyasumi, Sakura-chan," he says, kissing her hand.

 

Ron's rubbing his forehead, eyeing the small object as he tries to explain to Harry what he was planning for it, "Well, you see.. tonight.. I was going to-" But his friend cuts him off. Looking up briefly he sees no reason for him to not tell Harry now.. so he glances back to the boy before doing a double take. There she is again. Looking nothing like herself, yet everything she really is. Ron gulps, falling to the side a bit with Harry's nudge. "Oh..." He stands slowly, since that must be what he should do.. and heads towards his date. Though, he can tell he's not the only one as he catches McGonagall out of the corner of his eye and Fuu approaching her. Okay, uh, now what.. He decides to just continue forward, clasping the seed in his hand and shaking off the jitters.

 

Tomoyo smiles. "Arigatou Eriol-kun!" She takes the cup and sips it slowly. She blinks a bit, and rubs at her eyes. "Gomen nasai Eriol-kun, I'm awfully tired. ...and Tsukishirou-kun is making weird hand gestures at you." o_O "I think I'll retire for the night...I had a lot of fun dancing though.." she kind of trails off, wondering what to say next.

 

Eriol nods and smiles, "Then allow me to escort you to your room then?" Eriol offers his arm.

 

Al says, "Charms... I'm decent in those.. it's those stupid potions I'm not good at. I really don't know how I passed the Potions midterms really... maybe only by Professor Valeth's pity." he chuckles. "I... umm..." he says. "C-could I ask you something?" he blushes.

 

Harry just shakes his head as Ron takes off. He sits by himself for a few moments before summoning up his courage and getting out of his seat, heading for Cho's table. Approaching the table, he stands there a bit nervously, ".. Hey.." He was about to say he was surprised she came, but that might be the wrong thing to say, so, he goes with, "Can I uh, get anything for you?"

 

Tomoyo smiles and nods. "Ariagtou!" She takes his arm and walks towards the door.

 

Lee seems to share a lot of similarities with Cho tonight. He barely blinks as a ghost whooshes through the wall beside him, though he feels his skin prickle for the sudden cold. Lee had sort of gotten over the shock of people coming from the walls or the nasty chill that came with them. Leaning back in the chair, he watched the door of the Great hall with interest.

 

Eriol turns to everyone and bows out, "Take care, my friends.. and enjoy the party.." He nods to them and smiles softly, escorting Tomoyo to her room.

 

Stella nods sympathetically. "I had to study for ages to get decent in potions. I still wish I were better at them. Really useful, if time-consuming." She seems to mentally shift gears to address the second part of Al's question. "Please do," she says, looking anxious despite herself.

 

Hermione spots on, her eyes lighting up a bit as she prepares to rush over and apologize a thousand times, but... ack.  She stops to greet the two, smiling anxiously. "Oh, h-hello Fuu, Professor McGonagall!  Uhm... how are you doing?"  The witch rocks slightly on her heels, hoping she'll get the chance to leave in a few moments.  Let's keep talking to a minimum, please? x.x Please please?

 

Oh, if he only knew the reason she came to the Ball tonight... Cho glances over at the voice, "Oh, Harry. Good evening." Her smile is there, but still, rather thin, "I guess a drink would be nice, if it's not too much of a problem." Her throat is rather dry and tight. She reaches up to tighten one of the combs in her hair.

 

Al says, "If it's okay with you... I mean... but if you're here with someone else... I understand..." he speaks quite fast; perhaps his nervousness has caused his brain to delete the question he was going to ask.

 

Minerva has a concerned expression. "Really, Miss Granger, I was quite worried about you." She notices the girl's hurry. "Are you all right?"  Oh goodie. More students to look after. At least the others were leaving.. wait, no, that wasn't how she felt at all. Hopefully they were in good spirits.

 

Stella shakes her head quickly. "I'm not." her voice is calm enough, but her blue eyes look ready to bug out of her head. She starts to say something unflattering about a certain Hufflepuff, but stops herself.

 

Fuu bows politely to McGonagall-sensei as well, hoping - again - she won't be penalized for lateness to the ball. "I'm doing well ... although," she glances around, "I'm somewhat feeling my status as an outsider ... I've hardly had the chance to meet so many of the people here. And nobody I would have asked on a date ..." Well, there's one person she would have gladly come to the ball with, but the last time she saw him was literally in another world.

 

Ron stops halfway to Hermione and the stupid boy program loads into his little mind. What is -he- doing rushing towards her? She's the one that's late. She's the one that left him worrying and doubting and at the self-proclaimed loser table. He has half a mind to just turn around and stalk back to his table and make -her- do the running. But, glancing back to the lost table, he finds it empty. Besides, his seed does need a chance.. (all of the sick minds in the house, please shut up :p) Frowning he just waits where he is, leaning against the wall.

 

Harry nods to Cho and tries to not look too eager about being able to do something so little for the elder girl. He crosses back over to the refreshment table, getting a glass of pumpkin juice for Cho and another one for him. He then returns to Cho's table, handing one of the glasses to her, "...Here you go... Uhm, enjoying yourself?"

 

Hermione nods to Fuu and the professor, and for a moment, chances a glance over at Ron, who's looking a bit sour there, leaning against the wall.  Oh dear oh dear oh dear.  She turns her attention back to the two ladies, and forces a smile, "I'm sorry, Professor, I was spending some time with my parents in London... and my train just arrived today, it was a little off schedule."  The girl smiles sympathetically at Fuu, and this time it's a genuine smile. "Oh, don't feel bad, Fuu.  The ball is perfect for everyone to get to know each other... you'll have loads of fun!  Now, erm... do you think you two could excuse me?  I mean, I've just got to... go meet... well..."  She trails off, her cheeks going a bit pink.

 

Fuu nods quietly, "I imagine your date is probably wondering what held you ... enjoy the ball, Granger-sempai." n.n

 

Cho does not seem to notice if Harry is overeager or not. Once he returns, she accepts the drink and sips on it a total of three times before she responds, "It certainly is nice. Lovely decorations, everyone looks good in their dress robes." Is that the best she can come up with? Well, it's good enough, isn't it. She glances towards the doors and then around the room, muttering something unintelligible under her breath before she takes another sip. After a moment she asks, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

 

Minerva turns her head quickly, to notice the very sullen looking Mr.  Weasley. Weasley? Surprised, she turns back around, slightly flabbergasted. "Well, well, all right." She says, sounding disappointed.

 

Al says, "Oh! In that case umm... w-would you like to dance?"

 

Ron refuses to meet Hermione's eyes as he waits, instead memorizing the pattern of stars up above.. though, since it is the night sky he realizes it's not a pattern and ventures instead to check up on his best friend. Talking with Cho? That's a good start, Harry... he smiles faintly. He hopes this will help the scarred boy accept that he's not to blame for... events. Chasing the thought away he manages to look at Hermione and find her - blushing? At that he blinks.. and finds she looks even prettier that way.. Argh, shake it off, Weasley. Shake it off.

 

Stella says, "I certainly would."

 

Harry nods... "Yeah..." Well the decorations are always nice here at Hogwarts, and he hasn't really paid too much attention to everyone's dress robes. "May I have a seat?" He may be a clueless boy most of the time, but he's polite. "I suppose I am..." That'll have to suffice for an answer on that he guesses.

 

Stella swings her arms, waiting for Al to take the lead, her face belying her extreme happiness at this turn of events.

 

Cho motions towards the seat beside her with a thin smile "Go right ahead. I should have offered, sorry." She's not really in her right mind tonight, understandably. She's trying though. And perhaps company isn't too undesirable after all. It might help take her mind off things. "You're planning to stay during the vacation, aren't you?" she starts with some small talk.

 

Hermione breathes a sigh of relief.  Not that she doesn't want to spend time with her favorite Professor and the new student which she's taken a liking too, it's just... well, right on the nose there, Fuu. n.n;; "Thank you... have a good night!  I'll talk to you soon!"  She then turns on her heel and begins to walk over to Ron, her stomach doing flips.  Please don't be mad. ._.  Feeling rather nervous, Hermione stops a few good feet away from Ron, and speaks, jumping right into an explanation. "R-Ron?  I'm... I'm really, really sorry... my train came in late, and I only got here a few hours ago... and that was at Hogsmeade... I'm so sorry, Ron, I didn't mean to be late..."  She drops her head to the ground, almost in tears. ._.

 

Minerva turns towards Fuu. "I was speaking to you the other day," she begins, allowing Hermione to escape from the conversation. "Are you still curious?"

 

Fuu nods to McGonagall-sensei. "Yes, I am ... I'm sorry that we were interrupted, Sensei. But ..." She hesitates briefly, looking around as much of the hall as she can see for *any* sign of her two closest friends on Earth. "... I think it's important that I learn what I can in this area," she continues quietly, choosing her words carefully; she doesn't want to spook any of the other students.

 

Minerva nods. "This isn't the time or place. But you do seem a little distanced." She nearly bit back on that last part. Concern was concern, after all, but she was supposed to represent strictness.  Out of all of the Yule Balls she had been too, this one was different; she frowned, glancing around the near empty all, feeling immensely weary.

 

Ron listens intently as Hermione speaks, his eyes brightening as she does. Hell, they brightened when she walked in the room. A faint smirk begins to grow at her heightening fumbling and apologetic nature. He's never seen her like this, and he doesn't like it - because she's becoming upset. He gently places his hand over hers and says, "No worries, Hermione.." He turns her hand palm-side up and sets the seed he's been carrying all night (and the past two weeks) in the center of it. Then he says quietly, but with the upmost attention to the inflection of his words because he knows he only has one chance to surprise and impress her, "Paliurus cresco." To his great relief the tiny seed trembles and then rocks before cracking open and releasing a few green stems. They grow eagerly in Hermione's hand, curling upwards until a stem sprouts leaves and finally a bud. The bud quivers a moment and then it begins to bloom, resulting in a lovely violet iris. Ron is blushing furiously - part from the chance is taking and partly from excitement that it actually worked. He grins goofily and says, "Whadya know... I did it." So THAT's what the dolt's been stressing about.

 

Al says, "R-really? Okay!" he smiles and offers his hand, bowing slightly in a very refined and courtly manner.

 

Harry eases into the offered seat, "No need to apologize." Don't feel alone in not being in the right mind. He nods in response to Cho's question, "I always stay during the holidays. I wouldn't dream of disrupting my aunt and uncle's Christmas holiday with my presence."  And since he's so busy trying to not sound like a dork while making a tiptoe conversation with Cho, he misses Ron's little display.

 

Fuu raises her eyebrows slightly as she spots Ron's little bit of magic ... sugoi desu wa ... ^_^

 

Stella takes Al's hand and blushes furiously to the tips of her ears.

 

The fact the dor wasn't moving made it even MORE boring and Lee was tempted to fall asleep right in his chair. But that was boring too! Darn it, there simply wasn't a way out of this. Lee sighed; taking a bag of chocolate frogs (as he seems to always have an endless supply SOMEWHERE in a pocket) from his robes and basically lets them wriggle right out of their packages. Okay, that's a teeny bit more interesting. A large herd of chocolate frogs now seem to be jumping down from the table and hopping under tables and.. if convenient, robes. Whoa. o.o;

 

Minerva turns around to see what has been distracting Miss Fuu and blinks at Ron's little display. Shrugging slightly, she turned back around. "Things like that, for instance, are out of the ordinary, and I'd normally say something, but I'm just too weary." She turns back towards the High Table, which is practically empty and frowns. Spotting Harry across the room, she excuses herself from Fuu and walks over to whisper to Harry not to forget to speak with the headmaster. She's so tired that she nearly tripped over her robes.

 

Fuu follows the Transfiguration professor's path with her gaze for a moment, and - finally - she sees someone she recognizes ... and never mind, he's talking to a girl. And she doesn't want to interrupt. . o O ( At least if Hikaru-san and Umi-san were here I'd be able to talk to *them* ... )

 

Cho tilts her head at the mention of his family. She doesn't ask though just saying, "I'm staying this year myself. Maybe we'll be able to get a couple more practices in." She has a thought, but the arrival of Professor McGonagall delays it, and she is given a polite smile.

 

Al leads Stella to the dance floor. Taking her by the hand he begins to dance a waltz in a very elegant manner, like something out of the renaissance. Of course, the dance steps are completely unfamiliar. He doesn't notice the frogs. Yet.

 

Hermione raises an eyebrow curiously at Ron's actions, her cheeks growing more pink as he puts the seed into her hand. "Ron, what--" But Hermione's questions are answered as she watches that bit of magic, the pretty flower now resting her hands.  And, needless to say, Hermione looks very pleased. *n.n* Uhm... pleased that Ron managed to work a spell like that.  Yes, that's it. "Oh... really Ron, you didn't have to, I mean... that was a good bit of magic, you know, I've heard of that spell but I've never actually tried it before, it's an advanced bit of magic... what I mean is... thank you."  Hermione gingerly picks up the flower from her palm, still smiling. "It's just lovely."

 

Lee now looks on rather wide eyed as more frogs appear from now where out of the ten or so frogs. Can.. can chocolate frog MULTIPLY? "All right!" He grins as the floor suddenly is flooded with more then just ten.. now it's twenty.. and thirty? Oh, this is GRAND!!! Lee watches from his seat at the table as they beginning hopping everywhere. Some seem to be now swimming in the punch while others are hoping over the table and on girl, some of which are shrieking, thinking them real frogs.

 

Minerva shakes her head, and returns to the doors. "I can't leave this place unsupervised," she thought to herself, even though knowing full well that Dumbledore would make her leave herself. As long as he was still here and the children were behaving..  she heads towards the doors but not before shouting to Lee that he lost them 10 points. Minerva fumes. On second thought... "Make that 20!"

 

Stella picks up the rhythm of the waltz and settles into the dance, a blissful smile on her face, until she steps on something that squashes under her heel, and something else. She starts to trip...

 

Fuu blinks as something begins hopping up her legs ... her first thought: Peeves. Which is impossible, he would make a nuisance of himself. Fortunately whatever it is hasn't gotten past her knees before she reaches down, using the side of her cloak to keep her legs covered, and plucks the ... mobile sweet ... off of her boot. o.o "Kore wa, nan desu ka ... ?"

 

Ron nods tauntly, folding his arms over his chest, "Yeah, I worked on it for a bit." Night and day for three weeks straight. "Just thought, ya know, might want flowers or whatever... Mmn, it doesn't normally last long, since it didn't grow from dirt or have water.. but, it's charmed to last at least a week." Thanks to Professor Sprout. He's not sure if he'll ever let you know what all went into this little token, but he's certainly glad you like it. That smile and blush made all the work worth it. If only you could get him to work that hard for tests! "I'm...I'm glad you made it, Hermione. I was -" But whatever he was going to say is cut off my a chocolate frog leaping up his robes (which look brand new by the way - same style as last year, but.. improved? Darker, hemmed..) and he acks! stumbling a bit to grab the creature and laugh.

 

Harry is getting to where he's a bit blase where his aunt and uncle are concerned now that he's in his fifth year at Hogwarts. "You're on. I'll be glad to get in some more quidditch practice with you.." wha.. what's with the polite smile.. eh? He looks up and notices Professor McGonagall's approach, then her walking back off.. and...an audible groan escapes.. Gryffindor is NEVER going to win the cup this year. Should he just hang up his firebolt and say to heck with trying to win?

 

Al says, "You're really good at this." He smiles and then notices Stella stumbling forward. "H-hey!" The boy moves to catch Stella before she can fall onto the floor.

 

Lee just sits in his chair when the Professor, grinning brightly and shout after her, "C'mn, Professor! We needed some spicing up!" The frog, meanwhile, are creating pleasant havoc in the refreshments and Ron's robes, as it appears.. there are six or so crawling up them.

 

Cho hears the groan, and happens to see the cause. Her very own dance partner from before making trouble. And for some reason that little bit of trouble makes her smile just a little bit more. She takes another drink and then starts to stand up, "Do you want to dance?" She's asking him to dance? Well, yes. The way she figures it'll keep her mind off some things and hopefully make the time pass by quicker. Now if only she knew a few quick fast-forwarding spells... And hopefully this dancing partner won't go and lose Gryffindor twenty more points less than an hour later. Speaking of losing points, she notices the trouble that Stella happens to be having and adds, "That is if we can with all those frogs jumping around."

 

Fuu continues to eye the struggling candy between her fingers .... and she recognizes it after a moment, a choco-kaeru. (That's the Japanese equivalent of 'chocolate frog,' yes.) The question on her mind is whether, having hopped across the floor from wherever, it's still edible ... and after another moment, she spots the grinning boy with the dreadlocks. . o O ( Ah. ) She starts walking between the tables towards Lee ... her expression not entirely legible: amused, at least, but what else?

 

Stella braces for impact by putting her arms out but is relieved not to make contact with the flood of frogs crossing the floor. "Thanks," she says to Al, standing quickly. She would love, just love, to find the responsible party and get a bit of revenge.

 

Al looks down at the floor. "What the heck... slime toads!" instinctively responding to what he perceives to be danger, he flicks his wrist and sends a bolt of flame into a couple of nearby toads, which vaporize into clouds of fragrant milk chocolate. "Are we being attacked?" Sniff. Sniff. "Doesn't smell like it..."

 

Ah, but the responsible party is a little to humored to bother with revenge as he attempts to count the number now. A hundred and fifty! Lee scoops one of the frogs from the table and grins at it through his dreads. Ah, this was interesting! They multiply! "Man, uber-cool! Who knew!"

 

Fuu holds her captured choco-kaeru in front of Lee. "Please forgive me if I'm interrupting anything," she smiles pleasantly, "but I was wondering if this wandering candy was something of which you had prior knowledge ... ?" ^_^ "I've never seen choco-kaeru show quite this much activity ..." She blinks, looking down, and murmurs a short phrase of Japanese, creating a strong breeze at floor level ... just enough, concentrated around her feet, to sweep away another couple of choco-kaeru.

 

Hermione was just about to say that she likes your new robes, Ron, but it looks like the lot of chocolate frogs has taken her attention. "Oh, honestly..."  She bites her lip for a moment, but, oddly enough, begins to laugh a moment later. "Really!  Ron, you'd better watch out, they're crawling... crawling up your robes..." n.n;;  Hermione pulls a ribbon out of her hair (yes, she put ribbons in her hair, isn't she cute?), and pulls out her wand, muttering something, and the ribbon fastens itself around the delicate flower and straps it around her wrist.  Wizard's corsage!  Just so the frogs won't get at it.

 

Stella lifts the hem of her dress and frowns. Chocolate has melted onto her dress robes. "Oh-oh. These were a gift from my mother," she laments, drawing out her wand. "Ablutio!" she says, and the chocolate stains disappear instantly. "That's one charm that works most of the time," she says to Al, smiling weakly.

 

Ron doesn't seem a bit bothered, which is odd since he gets horribly bent out of shape about his new school robes. You wouldn't be able to tell perhaps, but these are last years dress robes - after some charm experimenting by himself and Harry. He chuckles, handing Hermione a chocolate frog that's lost its kick, "Care for one?" Ten more are climbing up him as he speaks.. or tries to speak through laughter. Not at all the night had he planned, but he kind of likes this one better.

 

Harry rubs at his forehead, sighing. "Like we need to lose more poi.. eh?" Thanks Cho, he just blew a circuit. Wha? You can see the dos prompt flashing a failure to run autoexec.bat or something similar. "... S..sure.." As long as you lead, he can't dance period. Frogs? What frogs? Uh... pardon him as his mind is still reeling and trying to recover. He's able to get his mind working enough to get him to stand up at any rate o.O;

 

Lee looks at Fuu with his golden-brown eyes, sparkling with semi-delight. "Yes, I was, Lady Fuu," the older boy grins in his Lee-like manner, taking the frogs (wasn't it just on frog before? ;D)from Fuu and placing them in their packages. "I just thought it was etting drull in here! Who knew!" Whipping his hand out, he snatches a few as the try to skip across the table and hands one to Fuu, grinning. "They're good, if you can catch them."

 

Al says, "Yeah... sorry I had to make you use it." he says. "I thought those things were... slime toads..." he looks out on the dance floor and around the hall where the hopping things are moving around. "Who's doing this? It isn't very nice you know!" he calls out.

 

Fuu says, "I didn't want to try eating one which had just hopped across the floor ... but I believe they're interfering with some of the dancers," she observes, adjusting her glasses briefly as she looks at said dancers. She does accept the offered frog, and slips it into her mouth ... and a couple of crunches later, it stops moving; fortunately she knew that it was a magically-animated confection rather than an animal. "And would you have been less bored if you had a companion for the Yule Ball ... ? I believe 'date' is the proper term?" ^_^ She'd still rather that Ferio were here ... and just the thought of the bishounen swordsman causes her to melt a little bit before her control reasserts itself ... but in the meantime, Lee Jordan seems to be an interesting and good-natured person. She just hopes that this won't encourage him to perform more pranks the next time there's a formal occasion.

 

Cho seems to have that effect on Harry, doesn't she? She can't help but smile at his reaction (which probably doesn't help much), then she reaches over and takes his hands, leading out towards the dance floor. She looks around to find an area fairly free of frogs before she helps him position his hands properly. It's fairly obvious that he's nervous, but she either is good at ignoring it, or really doesn't mind. It's a distraction at least! One of the frogs nears her feet, but she sees it and lightly nudges it with the toe of her shoe so it slides away across the floor, "The frogs certainly added a little excitement. I'm sure you'll earn the points back," she says once they're ready to start dancing.

 

Hermione smiles, shaking her head. "No thanks.  Err... Ron, maybe you should get those off, they seem to be... multiplying..."  She giggles a bit, her eyes sweeping towards the dance floor for a moment, and in turn, Harry and Cho. "Oh, there's Harry!  Isn't he dancing with the Ravenclaw seeker?  Did Ginny not come?  Oh..."  Harry, did you dump Ginny for Cho?  And even worse, Ron, were you going to do the same if she didn't show up?  But never mind that, it didn't happen so there's no need to fuss. n.n;;

 

Not that Lee isn't good natured, etc, etc.. But he's one of those whould prefer not to be someone's second choice. Of course, these thoughts won't be conveyed until the subject it, and for now he tends to at least getting the frog population down. He swishes his wrist a little, 'Accio chocolate frogs!' said broadly. What's even more interesting then chocolate frogs flooding the Yule Ball? When all those frogs are fly! The frogs pop from underneath robes, dress, tablecloth, and the punch bowl flying towards Lee's open bag that seems more and more to have no bottom to it as all the frogs seem to neatly fit in the bag. Lee places the dark bag back into the pocket whence it came from, leans back, and looks as if nothing had ever happened, content with smiling.

 

Stella inspects herself, and then, satisfied, turns her attention back to Al. "Slime toads?" she asks, raising her eyebrows. "What're those?" She looks around, looking for the perpetrator as well as anymore misguided pranksters. There were times for pranking, like during boring potions and then there was -Yule Ball-.

 

Fuu ducks away from the storm of chocolate frogs, letting Lee take care of catching them ... in a bag of holding. Quite interesting. o.o "Are you certain that your ancestry doesn't include a few kitsune?" she smiles, her question partly joking.

 

Ron grins, standing up and eyeing the frogs curiously, "Yeah, I guess you're right.." He goes to munch on the frog in his hand, but - whoop! - There it goes with the others, flying back to Lee. He watches it sadly, since it is his favorite treat, but Fuu was probably correct in thinking it not smart to eat frogs that had hopped around the ground. Save for a few chocolate smudges Ron seems to be in order as he licks his fingers and follows Hermione's gesture. Whoa o.o Didn't expect that! He didn't think Harry would have the guts to ask Cho to dance.. Ron had no trouble in believing Harry could handle Voldemort, but asking a girl he liked to dance? That's a brave boy. In fact, Ron watches him a bit enviously, "Yeah.. Cho Chang.." he murmurs before glancing back to Hermione, "Mmn? No.. she never did. I really wonder what's up with her. I thought Ginny'd never miss a night like this." He's sure she's been dreaming about it for ages. x.x;

 

No, smiling at Harry didn't help, nor did taking his hands o.o; He just dumbly lets himself get led out onto the floor by Cho, not that he's going to complain one bit. He doesn't mind this at all... nope. ACK! He didn't dump Ginny! She didn't show up! AUGH! "Sure..." frogs.. points.. yeah.. Huh? ".. we've kinda.. lost a lot of points." Kinda all Malfoy's fault really..

 

And this isn't a dumping matter either! It's just a dance! Cho isn't with anyone here. Really. She was dancing with Lee earlier! (ahem, anyway) She continues to lead him in the dance as best she can. She's not used to leading, so this is odd, but it certainly seems as if the dance would go nowhere if she /didn't/ lead. "There's still a lot of time left to make them up." She spares a second to glance towards the door and around the room.

 

Al says, "Nasty creatures that like to jump on warm things. The small ones will make you itch like crazy if they jump onto you. The big ones can kill you with poison then eat you. Thank goodness I was wrong." he looks around. "Where do you think these... chocolate frogs are coming from?"

 

Stella inclines her head and brushes a few stray hairs behind her ear. The evening is beginning to wear on her; nonetheless, she tries to look fetching. "I see...shall we try again?" she asks, as a storm of frogs fly by, no doubt returning to their source who happens to be...Lee Jordan. She cuts her eyes at him but forgoes any revenge for a later date. For now, she just wants to try to enjoy herself. Is that so awful? "Someone who ought to know better," she says in response to Al's query, shaking her head.

 

Fuu ducks away from the storm of chocolate frogs, letting Lee take care of catching them ... in a bag of holding. Quite interesting. o.o "Are you certain that your ancestry doesn't include a few kitsune?" she smiles, her question partly joking as she looks at Lee. Oh, she recognizes that he's entirely human, if neither European or Japanese in descent, but he's got a tricksterish streak which she can't place.

 

Lee smiles at Fuu as he stands up, his eyes still sparkling over the interesting frog event. "Nah, I'm pretty sure I'm full-blood Jamacian. But you'll have to excuse me, my lady. The bed calls and it is very overpowering." Lee smiles , pushing open the door and head quietly up to the boys dorm. Really, that was interesting.. At least he was in a better mood then when he stepped in.

 

Al says, "Should we go talk to him?" He looks just as annoyed as Stella is. It IS his first dance in Hogwarts after all, and for it to be ruined by chocolate frogs...

 

Fuu sighs quietly as Lee makes good his retreat. "Sleep well, then ..." She shakes her head a little, her smile gone as she looks around the great hall again, once more completely on her own. Perhaps she should see about retiring for the night as well ... all of the friends she has who are actually *here* are engrossed in their own conversations, most of them with dates.

 

Even though the chocolate frogs were fun, Hermione seems to be a bit relieved that they're off the dance floor. "That certainly was an interesting twist."  She watches Harry and Cho for a moment, and then turns to Ron, smiling with slightly blushed cheeks. "Well... would you like to dance?"

 

Stella shakes her head. "I'm not going to..." she pauses, unable to come up with a clear explanation. "It could've been worse. They could have been those...Slime Frogs you were talking about, right?"

 

Ron watches after Lee with a bright grin. Now there goes a guy who can make a party interesting! He's so busy snickering at the couple getting miffed about the frogs that he's not quite sure he heard Hermione right. "Heheh.... pardon?" >.> He catches her eyes with his own and coughs, a faint tint growing on his own cheeks, "Mmn.. yeah.. sure." Oh he's so glad you asked, because he was wondering how we'd get to this part. After an awkward pause he offers his arm to one of his best friends before leading her to the dance floor. Well, just following along, really.

 

Harry glances down, making sure not to trod upon Cho's foot. Sorry he doesn't lead.. there's been no reason for him to try dancing. Maybe it's time he learned? Erhm. "Maybe so. I'm definitely going to try and do what I can to regain the points." Since he's lost 100 easily for Gryffindor? Heheehe.

 

Al says, "I'll do it maybe... later." He snaps his fingers and looks up at the great hall and gets an idea. He smiles. "Quick, Stella! What's your favorite color?"

 

Stella looks a bit startled by the question but answers on reflex, "Ah-ah, blue? Lots of people's favorites actually. My mum got me these robes in gray because she said it's a good color for my eyes. My house's colors..." she pauses and looks at Al oddly, "Why do you ask?"

 

Fuu sighs faintly; settling in at a table near the dance floor and watching the couples make their way around. She's this far from the door, anyway; she might as well stay and enjoy the view, even though her smile's much fainter now - if indeed it's still there - than it was a moment ago.

 

Al smiles and reaches into his robes and quickly pulls something out, a bolt of white light shoots up from his robes high into the ceiling and bursts into a fire flower of blue light... no damage folks, just fireworks.

 

Cho continues to smile, though she follows his eyes downward to look at their. So thoughtful to think of her vulnerable toes, Potter. She isn't worried about stepping on his, she's quite a good dancer, as he probably had noticed last year, from watching her. Her eyes flicker towards the doors again, before returning to the Gryffindor Seeker.

 

Stella grins despite herself. "That's lovely," she dips her head to hide a blush, "Let me in on that spell sometime, all right?" Stella brushes more hair behind her ears. "I really should head off now..." She neglects to mention that her intricate hairstyle is charmed and the charm is rapidly losing steam.

 

Al says, "Sure." he smiles and watches her. She was nice...

 

Hermione takes Ron's arm, being careful not to wreck her flower, and follows him out to the dance floor, flashing a smile at Harry and Cho.  And being the lady she is (since she's feeling quite ladylike tonight), she waits for Ron to lead her into the dance.  Oh, uhm, small talk, right.  Hermione glances up at the ceiling everyone is under, her smile not quite fading. "Oh, it's so nice out tonight..."

 

Ron stops once there at the appropriate dance floor area and stands nervously for a moment. Noticing Hermione's expectant look he 'oh's quietly and takes one of her hands in his and slips his free hand on her waist shakily. Clearing his throat he begins a simple step, pulling Hermione gently along with him. Now Mrs. Weasley had taught all of her sons a general dance step for such ocassions. She keeps just a little tipsy at holidays and turns into a ballroom dancer sometimes. Thus, he knows how to steer correctly, but it's hard for him to do so for some reason. Probably because he's never had to steer Hermione. Clearing his throat he smiles and nods, "Sure is.." Right, small talk.. ugh. He hates small talk. Glancing down at his dance partners robes he manages to comment, though, "You...yalooknice." Gulp. Blush. Look away.

 

Al throws up some more fireworks in the great hall's endless celing. Red.... yellow.... green... fire flowers of various colors appear in the sky only to vanish after a few seconds of showing their radiant beauty.

 

Harry did notice that Cho's a good dancer.. He feels kinda useless just letting her steer. But he's not going to dwell on that as well, he's dancing with Cho! Starting to feel fairly confident that he's not going to step on her toes, he looks back up at Cho, just noticing her glancing towards the doors. ".. If you're tired or something, we can stop?" Noooooooo.. ;.;

 

Fuu looks up at the flashes of color, quietly admiring the fireworks ... it's not like she has anything else to do at this point. Nobody to talk to ...

 

Cho shakes her head. "I was just supposed to get something from someone, but he hasn't shown up yet." Or if he has she's missed him. He had said he might be showing up late though, so... But that's more than she's said about why she keeps looking around all night, so there's something. "I can get it later if he doesn't show up."

 

Al says, "At least that magic... I'm good at!" he smiles confidently and then notices someone looking at him. "Miss Fuu..." he notices the other student and walks to her. "Hello! How've you been?"

 

Fuu says, "I've been well ... I wish there were more people here whom I could talk to, though," she admits, looking around yet again. "Most of the people I know who are here seem to have companions for the evening."

 

Hermione follows Ron's lead, although she doesn't seem to be quite as nervous as Ron is.  But she's still got a few butterflies.  She returns her gaze back down to Earth, and her dance partner, smiling.  "Oh... thank you, Ron," and here comes that blush. "I got them while I was in London visiting with my family... you look nice, too, I like your new robes." n.n

 

Ron ahhs.. and grins proudly, leaning back a bit to show them off, "Not new, just fixed up! Harry helped me." He smiles at your blush, but.. the more you dance and the more you talk the easier it becomes. This is Hermione, one of his best friends in the world. Sure, she's beautiful right now, but beneath the straight hair and new robes it's the same friend he's had for over four years. Turning with her and holding her a little closer, but with no tension in his hands as they dance he asks casually, "How was London? And your parents?" He catches Harry out of the corner of his eye, finally.. and smiles at his other best friend. Pleased he got a chance with Cho.

 

Al says, "I don't have one either. I... just wanted to meet more people that's all." he shrugs and shivers. "Brrr... I don't like this weather... it's too cold." he makes a gesture with his hands to renew the charm.

 

Harry ohs! Err, he didn't sound too relieved there did he? Because you know, he's more than happy to continue dancing for as long as Cho wants. Not that he's big on dancing mind you, because he's not! "Okay then." He's a bit curious about who this 'he' person is, but he won't pry. Over Cho's shoulder, he flashes a wiiide grin at Ron and Hermione.

 

Fuu says, "Well ... perhaps you and I can talk, or maybe even dance ... ?" n.n

 

Cho certainly doesn't mind the distraction of the night. It helps her forget some things, and continually making sure he's moving in the right direction adds to it. She tries to continue with the small talk as well, to add to the distraction. She notices him glancing towards his friends, "How did you do on your exams?" Asking something non-Quidditch related for a change.

 

Hermione grins back at Harry, and would wave her hand but it likes being on Ron.  Eheh. n.n;;  "London was wonderful... everyone is fine, I got to visit with a lot of people, and it was quite nice, but I just couldn't leave Hogwarts for Christmas.  How has everything been with you?"  She raises an eyebrow, now smirking a bit, "I -hope- you and Harry didn't get into too much trouble..."

 

Al says, "Which would you prefer, Miss Fuu?"

 

Fuu asks, "I saw that you were dancing up until a little while ago ... perhaps sitting and talking, for the time being?"

 

Ron rolls his eyes at Harry's grin, but can't help but mirror it. His attention is really on Hermione, though. He listens quietly, turning her correctly and keeping her gently in place, his hand shifting a bit so that his arm almost supports her. He laughs at her question, shrugging lightly, "Nope.. nothing really happened while you were gone." It really wasn't that long, though it felt like ages to Ron. Well, Harry's had some new.. news.. but he doesn't want to bring that up right now. Nothing can be done about it at a dance. "Maybe a few snowball fights, I slipped some hair growing tonic in Fred's soap, and I beat Harry at chess again. Nothing out of the ordinary." n.- He's upset Fred hasn't shown up.. but hopes it's because he looks like a red Big Foot.

 

Al nods and leads you away from the floor to one of the tables. "So, have you seen that furred, foul-mouthed boy who we met in the forest again?"

 

Fuu was already sitting at a table by the dance floor, although if Al had staked out a table at more of a remove from the dancing, she's quite willing to follow him. "Unfortunately, I haven't had that opportunity ... I wonder if he's still in the forest, and all right."

 

Harry grins at Cho, "I did alright. Not sure I want to even look at what I got in Potions. I probably was failed for it." Unless someone intervened and actually graded him based on his classwork. "What about you? I'm sure you've passed your exams without a problem." Like a teacher with a vendetta against you that started only because your father happened to be the nemesis of said teacher.

 

Cho pauses for a moment, "I did well enough." Though probably not as good as the year before, just because of the added stress. She isn't about to tell him that though, no need to make him get worried or anything. "Potions is actually one of my better classes, as it involves remedies a lot." Herbology and Potions are the ones she's best in. Of course, she's not the daughter of Snape's nemesis from the past, so that probably helps too! "Though I still had to seek some... outside help in a project I was working on."

 

Al says, "I wouldn't know... I mean... it IS the forbidden forest." He pauses, passing by the pumpkin juice table to get a drink for both himself and Fuu. He looks somewhat distracted. "Have you ever been in the lower levels of Hogwarts?" he asks. "I hear there's supposed to be a great magical repository somewhere there."

 

Fuu bows slightly in appreciation of the glass which Al hands to her. "I haven't had the opportunity to go exploring the depths of the castle," she responds. "I'm sure that any such 'repository' would be well-protected, however ... and it would probably mean many points lost and detention for the remainder of the term, or worse, if any student was able to find that treasury, much less enter it by some means ..."

 

Al says, "...yeah but... I heard there's a spell there which will allow you to contact other dimensions..."

 

Hermione smiles approvingly, and nods, still revolving around on the dance floor with her friend. "That's good to hear.  Well, maybe not the soap... I imagine Fred won't be too pleased, will he?  But I suppose you have to get back at him for the... err... glue."  Boys.  She does notice Ron's care in dancing properly with her, though, and decides to comment on it. "You know, you're a good dancer, Ron." n.n

 

Fuu stops and blinks, looking at Al. "Other dimensions ..." She pauses, turning that over in her head as she sips her pumpkin juice. "I wasn't aware," she almost-but-not-quite-lies, "that magic existed which made it possible to establish any kind of contact with 'other' dimensions than our own. And if such magic exists, I'm sure it would be considered very dangerous indeed ..."

 

Ron chuckles darkly and nods, "I certainly do.." 18 hours glued to these floors is not quickly forgotten. Uh huh, Hermione.. don't mention the good dancing, for then he will falter. Stumbling a bit to avoid stepping on your toe he blinks, "Really?" He knows you mean besides that little foul up, but still he flushes with a shrug, "Mum taught us.." And it is just a simple step. Four pivot waltz. No big deal. Besides, you fit pretty well in his hold, which always makes it easier. And apparently he is concentrating to keep it up. He swings you back into the rhythm, "Your only as good as your partner, she always says." Hoping that comes out as a compliment.

 

Al nods. "But..." he weighs things over. She is a good fighter that he's seen. Maybe he can trust her? But what would he tell her? That he's from another dimension himself? She'd never believe him. He sighs, homesickness is taking it's toll. "I guess you're right..."

 

Fuu peers at Al for a moment. "Ano ... you're not thinking of trying to find that repository yourself, are you ... ?"

 

When Harry's not procrastinating with a few diversions (few??) he does throw himself into his class work. Yes Hermione, he actually does study and do his homework. (At the last minute, but hey.) But it's actually good to have something to concentrate and focus on. "That's good.. There's nothing wrong in seeking outside help. Depending on the assignment I work better with help." Like, oh say, Divination. Thankfully, he's not hearing Fuu and Al's conversation, because he'd be forced to tell them that hidden chambers within Hogwarts are pretty overrated. No, really, they are.

 

Al says, "I... am. I... there's someone who I want to talk to..."

 

Fuu blinks quietly at Al. "Someone ... in another dimension ... whom you wish to talk to?" She raises her eyebrow slightly. "I see ..."

 

Al says, "Yeah..." he pauses. "I... kinda miss him."

 

Cho has no patience for Divination. She only took the class because she likes Astronomy and was hoping that Astrology would be fun, but... No. Plus, the present is bad enough without having a teacher that reads dark omens everywhere mucking up the day. That's the reason she doesn't take that class anymore. And Mrs. Weasley teaches the kids how to dance? Could she teach Harry? (Kidding, kidding.) "I think I'm going to step outside and get some air for a little while. Perhaps we can dance again when I get back?" It /is/ a welcome distraction, since a certain someone hasn't made an appearance yet, but she really needs a few moments to compose herself again, before it slips too much.

 

Harry doesn't even know why he continued taking Divination, other than it's.. kind of fun, making up all sorts of tragedies, not like he needs any help plotting things for his doomed future o.O; At Cho's request, he nods, "Alright.. I'd like that." It's not obvious is it? ".. You look nice.. by the way." Augh! Where'd that come from?

 

Cho starts to pull away, and then stops as she's complimented. Her smile brightens for a second and she says, "You look nice too, Harry." It's her way of returning the compliment and saying thank you at the same time. And she didn't giggle! Bonus. She turns and starts towards the door to get that bit of fresh air.