Halloween Masquerade Ball

Ted casually made his way to the dim lighted Great Hall, letting out a low whistle at the sight of the transfigured room. It really looked nothing like the room in which he ate three meals per day, every day of the week. It was completely different, as though he had stepped in a room he didn't know the castle posessed. There was a small amount of smoke in the room, not enough to cause any discomfort, but it still gave the place a rather spooky appearance along with the carved pumpkins that floated in the air. He shrugged lightly and stepped inside, looking around curiously, trying to figure if there are any student he knows among the small costumed crowd.

Of course, his eyes look for one person in particular, but she does not seem to be here yet. When Ted found out about this masquerade ball, he decided it would be the perfect occasion to approach her. His hair carefully hidden by the red scarf, a short, still rough-feeling beard growing on his face - caused by a spell his friend taught him - and the eye patch covering one of his eyes, he knows he doesn't look like himself and even someone who knows him would have troubles recognizing him. Considering the fact that the girl who he has been longing to meet for so long now never even looked at her, he figured his chances would be pretty good to go near her without being instantly rejected. He knows she wouldn't reject him because of his bloodline - or at least he hopes. But her sisters are another matter, and he fears that the young girl might be longing for her sisters' approval, which would cut short any meeting between them. Tonight, however, he was determined that it would change.

Seeing that she wasn't there yet, Ted made his way to one of the round tables that were aligned near the walls of the room, taking a seat and leaning back, listening to the soft beat of the music as his eyes were fixed on the door, waiting for her to come in.

Marlene sighed lightly as she made her way to the Great Hall, adjusting the small mask on her face with a light frown. The mask didn't feel all that comfortable and she had only put it on to play along - the professors had asked the students to wear masks, or at least something to cover a part of their face, as a masquarade tradition. But she could feel that she would take it off before the end of the evening... and she had her hopes up as to how it would be tossed aside, though she would probably die before admitting them and the simple thought made her cheeks turn red. She shook her head, lightly tossing her brown curls - Dora had insisted on curling her hair, despite her slight fright of the curling iron which to her looked like a tool used for torture only - and lightly tugging at the sleeves of her top. Her costume wasn't too revealing - though if she bent down, cleavage was no longer strong enough of a word - but the top was very fitting and left little to the imagination as to her body curves. When she had noticed how tight it was she had almost changed her mind, but Dora had forced her to keep it on, Remus' name coming up somewhere along the conversation, causing Marlene to blush deeply at the rememberance.

She pushed the thought away and finally stepped into the room, her eyes widening slightly as she looked around the Great Hall. She had seen it looking different before for other kind of events, but never as good as this. It looked simply amazing. She stepped inside the room, feeling slightly uncomfortable - Dora had told her to go ahead while she was still putting the finishing touch on her own costume, probably to impress Sirius, Marlene thought with a small smile. As Sirius' name crossed her head, it brought another name to her mind and she looked around the room, trying to find Remus among the crowd. She didn't know if he was there yet, but it didn't seem like it. After all, she was a bit early - there weren't much students gathered in the Hall yet, only maybe twenty of them, which considering the amount of students in the school was not very much. She walked over to a corner of the room, not feeling like sitting but not wanting to stand in the way either. Sighing lightly, she bit her bottom lip softly, almost feeling nervous though she couldn't quite figure out why.

Hestia lingered into the Great Hall. She was wearing a jester costume that was black with mardi gras colors. It had taken Hestia forever to decide what she wanted to wear, but she had finally settled on this, a sexy jester outfit. It even came with the mask so she didn't need to search high and low for one like others did.

As she walked in she looked around. There weren’t many students there yet, but out of the ones there she didn’t recognize any of them. Suddenly she felt a bit nervous. What would she do? Just randomly tap people on the shoulders and ask who they were until she found someone she knew? That would solve the problem, but that would be highly embarrassing.

She tried to remember what some people were wearing in the Ravenclaw common room so she might somewhat realize who someone was and hopefully none of them had matching costumes. She thought back to before she left the common room. She remembered how the girls were more into the whole costumes thing more than the guys. There were even some girls ordering their boyfriends to go back to their dorm room and put on their costume.

After a while she gave up. She didn’t much pay attention to who was who and obviously she was bad at remembering things. Hopefully someone would recognize her and her worry of being alone would end. She made her way over to a buffet table that was covered in an array of delectable foods. She put a finger to her lip in thought. She couldn’t decide what to try first. The brownies and cookies all looked good, but what really caught hr eyes was a scrumptious looking cherry cheesecake that practically made her mouth water.

She cut herself a slice and placed it on her plate. She took a bite and sighed with delight. She then walked over to the wall near the table and leaned against it, enjoying her yummy slice of cheesecake.

Approaching the massive doors that would lead him into the Great Hall, Sirius would pause for a moment before entering the grand area where the Halloween Ball was taking place. Of course he had to make a spectacular entrance, but it was a shame no one would know who was behind it. Then again they might given his past deeds. But he couldn't be upset over the whole mask thing, it would make pulling something off so much easier and no one would know who the culprit was. It was the perfect night to engage in one of his famous hijinks. Deciding to not waste anymore time Sirius with wand in hand pushed the heavy wooden doors open and with a loud boom confetti and streams of colored paper would float from the charmed cieling down and around his body. A proud form would be standing in the entrance for all to see, and the night had just began. After getting a few displeased looks from a few professors Sirius decided to not push his luck and allow things to cool down a bit before setting his plan in motion. Raking a hand through his thick black hair he made his way on in and immersed himself in the ocean of costumed students that had already arrived, and boy were there some mighty fine lasses strutting about. Of course he had asked Dory to be his date but that didn't mean he couldn't take the pleasure of having a dance or two with a few ladies as he awaited her arrival. There were pirate vixens, and goddesses, and some things he had no idea what were but looked quite lovely nonetheless. As he made his way through the crowd over toward the refreshment table he made sure to take in each professors patrol route, especially that old bat McGonnagall, she was responsible for many of his detentions and he didn't really want to spend another one with her. For some reason the smell she gave off irritated him something fierce, and a small laugh escaped him at the thought of that.


Being so immersed in his learning the professor's routes Sirius ran smack dab into a very angelic figure. "Pardon me love." He began to speak in that Sirius charming way. "I didn't see you, must have been your glow, that obstucted my view." Now his grin growing even wider, it was concealed however by his mask and with a kiss to the back of her hand he was off, continuing his way towards the table. Finally reaching his destination he would pour himself a glass of pumpkin juice and lean a shoulder against the wall taking in the scene around him. Grey eyes scanning every inch of the Great Hall as he looked around seeing if Dory had arrived yet, but how would he know who she was? A shrug of his shoulders would follow as he shoved his hand inside his pocket and drained the rest of his drink.

Ted sat still as he looked around the Great Hall, lifting his chin lightly and tilting his head every time someone would enter the room. He was looking for her - somehow he just knew he'd recognize her even though she'd be wearing a mask. He could almost feel her presence whenever she was close, he didn't even need to see her. Sighing lightly, he got back to his feet and headed over to the refreshment table, grabbing himself a butterbeer with a small nod at Professor McGonagall, who curtly returned the nod, before making his way back to the table he was sitting at, leaning back on the chair and taking a sip of his butterbeer, watching as more people made their appearance - a bohemian looking girl, a goddess, a cowgirl - or at least he thought that's what she was - a punk goth fairy, a jester girl, the phantom of the opera... as the next girl entered the room, he felt a shiver run down his spine. This girl too he could recognize, though in her case it was definitely not a good feeling. Bellatrix Black... he shook his head slightly, drinking some more of his butterbeer as he kept watching people entering the room. A masked man, - he couldn't quite make out the costume itself - a princess, - once again, only guessing. Once again, a shudder ran through his body as the other Black sister entered the room, along with Lucius Malfoy. Matching costumes, how charming. Vampires. He let out a snort, unable to restrain himself. At least he was sure they wouldn't drink his blood - they'd most likely throw it up anyway.

The next girl entering the room was a fairy, followed by a little more people. Then he saw her entering the room. His breath got caught in his throat for a few second as his eyes widened slightly. She looked gorgeous. Of course, she always did, but the costume she was wearing was definitely flattering her body. He figured it wasn't really the kind of clothes she'd usually wear. He knew she was a rather shy girl, not one to wear costumes that were too revealing. However, it definitely fitted her as she looked simply amazing. He just couldn't tear his eyes away from her... not that he ever could anyway. He was one year older than her, and so he had been in his second year when she had joined Hogwarts. At the Sorting Ceremony, the name Black had caught his attention and he had looked up, expecting to see the same kind of girl he had seen the year before - beautiful, yes, each it their own way, but conceited and pretty much evil looking, which he now knew they were. Their attraction to the evil side was rather appearant. However, when he had caught sight of the young, sweet, dark haired girl shyly making her way to the front stool, he had been surprised. Actually, he had been shocked. He knew better than to judge people according to their looks. But in her case, he just knew she was what she looked like - smart, kind, and especially different from her sisters. As the years had passed her had just felt his attraction to her grow even more, though never daring to approach her.

He finally got his senses back and noticed her costume as what it was - she was dressed as a pirate, just like him. He couldn't help but smile at the fact that they were, without even knowing each other - at least on her side - matching. He watched her as she walked through the hall and sat at a table nearby, taking a deep breath and getting back to his feet. It was now or never. Slowly, he made his way to her and stood beside her, bowing lightly as he smiled lightly.

"I believe we must have a similar way of thinking as we both chose the same kind of costume," he said with a light grin. "I must say though, you look much more beautiful in it," he said, taking her hand in his and kissing it.

Sirius stood there, leaning against the wall, it was beginning to get more crowded as more and more of the students had arrived. Each in their own mask and costume, mingling and talking to one another not knowing who it was they were speaking with. It occured to him that he should have told Dory which costume he was going to be wearing but never really thought of it, it was Halloween and he had been planning another prank on his best friend Prongs. He knew Dory was going to be wearing a tiara, but that was half of the girls in the place, and with the masks it was difficult for him to tell. Though if one were observant enough they could tell who was who, the color of the others hair the voice, but Sirius had been with so many different girls he never took the time to pay much attention to little details such as that. Hell, he couldn't remember their names half of the time. A few slaps have been given to him because of that little mistake he's made, and with that thought he would place a hand on his cheek and grin as he shook his head in amusement. Deciding it was time to liven up the place a bit Sirius finished off the final swig of his drink and pushed himself from the wall. Prongs was gonna kill him but he could no longer resist the temptation. Sitting his glass down he began to nonchalantly stroll through the crowded room, making sure to keep a keen eye out for any nosy bystanders and proffesors.

He would be making his way to a decoration, a statue of some kind of ancient warrior holding a spear high above the Great Hall, loin cloth and all. It was an absurd looking thing to say the least, and to Sirius, it had nothing to do with Halloween whatsoever. But it was the perfect place and object to use for what he had in mind. Once he had got close enough to the statue Sirius gave a quick glance around room one last time to make sure he wasn't being watched, and to his suprise no one was paying the slightest bit of attention to him. Retrieving his wand Sirius pulled out a pair of James' underwear that he stole before coming down to the Ball. Not just any pair either, but his Merlin the action figure ones, it was beautiful, the knickers had a animated Merlin with full on army fatigues and a wand that looked like it was made of a tree stump. Sirius had to stifle a laugh at the sight of them. Pointing his wand at the garment Sirius muttered a spell and guided the underwear up until they had been hanging nicely on the tip of the statue's spear, once that was taken care of Sirius put the tip of his wand to his neck and amplified his voice, "James Potter, please remove your under garments from everyone's view, that is absolutely unnecessary sir!" His voice would boom through the crowded room as Sirius hurriedly moved from the statue holding back his laughter, Prongs was going to kill him.

Marlene kept on looking around for a while, biting her bottom lip nervously. Where was Dora? She didn't want to spend the evening alone, and she couldn't recognize Remus anywhere. Maybe he wasn't feeling well enough to come? She sighed lighty and readjusted her mask - it was feeling really itchy and she had the feeling her skin would be red before the end of the evening. She had a very sensitive skin and sometimes it was nothing to help. She folded her arms across her stomach and sighed once more, looking down slightly and causing a strand of hair to fall over her face as she tugged at the bottom of her shirt lightly and ran her hands over her skirt. She really did wish sometimes she wasn't as shy as she was, that she could borrow a bit of her friend's personality. She didn't see to have any problem at all with her looks or the way she dressed - she was carefree and happy, and Marlene wished she could be just like her. Of course, the last few days had helped on the matter of happiness, though she couldn't help but worry about Remus most of the time - he did look tired often, and she had started to notice the small scars that covered his skin though they were barely noticeable. She had figured he probably had some kind of secret he wasn't ready to share with her and she was fine with it - after all, was she not keeping something from him, and everybody else, as well? But it still was nothing to help her worry.

She shook her head lightly and looked up again just in time to see Dora entering the room and a smile of relief spread on her lips as her friend made her way to her, looking beautiful in her costume, the dress fitting her perfectly and the hair... well, Marlene was surprised she had managed to keep her friend sitting still long enough to get such a good result. She smiled at her friend as she pushed away the strand of hair that had fallen over her face. "Finally you are here, I was starting to think I would spend the evening all by myself," she said. "You look great too Dora, that dress looks at though it was made for you," she added, smiling softly. "And I haven't seen either Remus or Sirius yet," she sighed. "But I'm sure we'll recognize them, or they'll recognize us, hopefully anyway. I'm starting to think this mask idea wasn't all that good - it's silly to have us standing alone in our corners because we can't figure out who is who," she said with a light frown.

She was about to say something else when a male voice resoned in the Great Hall, something about James Potter's under garments... and the voice was rather easy to recognize as well. She couldn't help but giggle lightly and she looked at Dora, raising an eyebrow lightly and tilting her head. "Well I guess you have found your date for the night," she said in a teasing manner. "Though I'd tell you to hurry and spend a bit of time with him before the victim of his prank sends him in the Hospital Wing," she said, laughing a little. Then she smiled at her friend. "And don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Remus should be here soon anyway," she said, only adding 'hopefully' in her thoughts.

Ted couldn't help but look at Andromeda admiringly as blood rushed to her cheeks, coloring them with a light red color which made her look adorable. He listened to her with a smile as she spoke up, her voice like music to his ears. "It is true that most people say that," he agreed. "Or maybe it's simply fate," he added with a light grin, his eye looking into hers. He wished he had put on a real mask instead of this stupid eye patch which kept him from seeing her well. However, he did not need to see her to know how beautiful she was. The simple fact that he was talking to her for the first time in six long years was making him feel as though he was living a dream. How many times had he wanted to go near her, just like he was now, and be able to hear her voice? All those times had been impossible however, knowing that his identity was known of her sisters, as was his blood line. Ted had never felt ashamed of his family heirdom. His parents were good people, his mother as sweet as a mother could be and his father smart and protective, a man who'd do anything for his family. So what if they were muggles? They were still as good and worthy as any pureblood wizard he knew, and having muggles for parent didn't make him any worse than those who judged other people according to their blood status. Lily Evans was the best example that could ever be used in the school - Head Girl, one of the smartest girl of her year, her parents were both muggles as well and yet he knew she'd go far in her life. As for him, his only true ambition now sat before his very eyes - or eye, at the moment. And he was able to talk to her without her sisters coming to him and hexing him.

When she asked his name, the happiness he had been feeling left him to be replaced by one of worry. What should he say now? He knew she probably wouldn't recognize her even if he told her his name, but if her sisters came and asked to know his identity, it would be another story. As she spoke up again, relief flooded through him and a charming grin appeared on his face as he looked down at her. "Well, after all, the point of these masks is so that our identities remain unknown, isn't it?" he said with a smile. He knew he was being an hypocrit in some way, considering the fact that he very well knew who she was, but it wasn't exactly the same thing... so he convinced himself anyway. "Would you care for something to eat?" he asked, noticing there already was a bottle of butterbeer set on the table in front of her.

Once he thought he was at a safe enough distance from the statue Sirius turned to gaze upon his glory. It was a masterpiece, and one that he would be sure to throw back at James every chance he got. The evening was beginning to look up, there was butterbeer, a plethora of girls to flirt with, of course Dory had to be around somewhere, and the crowning achievement of the evening, Prongs' Action Hero Merlin undergarments hanging above for all to see. Yes it was a splendid night indeed. The costume he had chosen to wear started to chafe him a bit, it was hot and itchy and the crowded room didn't help matters much, he would tug and pull at a few pieces of his clothing trying to loosen them up. His hand moved up and unbuttoned a few buttons of his shirt and he loosened his tie, and an immediate relief rushed over him. He wasn't about to let his fun be stopped by some nagging piece of material nor was he planning on stopping with just the underwear thing. His mischievious mind was running rampant full of ideas.

Just as he was scanning around, looking for his next endeavor a familiar voice rang out, and it was none other than Dorcas Meadowes. Turning around the grin slapped on his lips was evident and his stone grey gaze took in the lovely figured woman standing before him. He would reach out and take her hand, bringing the back of it to his lips where he would place a gentle kiss to it before speaking, "Why thank you my little tart, and I dare say, you are the lovliest girl I have seen here." His grin now turned to a smile as he looked in her eyes through her mask. He would flash a quick wink at her just before he noticed a lingering form standing just a few feet away, the student appeared to be a vampire but to Sirius it looked more like a mangy Hogs Head patron. He kinda smelled funny too, but it was not his business and seeing has he wasn't sure who it was he waved the guy over. "So pal, how fairs your evening?" He began asking in the usual slightly cocky tone, "Nice crop of females strutting about." He finished as he scanned the area full of eager and strange costumed students.