Halloween Masquerade Ball

As the three of them stood there Sirius looked over this unknown person'ts costume, now that he had come closer it wasn't all that bad of a costume, but it was a vampire just as he assumed. He still couldn't figure out who the man behind the mask, and decided it wasn't that big of a deal. Dory had question the way he had referred to the other girls around and in his quick thinking came up with a smooth reply. "Well love, it's a guy thing really, I'm sure he understood what I meant by it." He spoke trying to conceal the worried look on his face as he turned his attention back to their guest. "So why haven't you snatched one of these lovely ladies up yet? I mean it's Halloween, we're all having a good time, and some guy decided to put someone's underwear up for display." He held back his laughter has he spoke, it was harder to do everytime he looked up at his handy work. Though he didn't recognize the stranger, he somehow felt that he knew him from somewhere, perhaps he had a class with him, or maybe he was one of the quidditch players he's seen James hang around, whatever the case he felt certain this guy was familiar.

Sirius stood there quiet for a few moments, trying to place where he knew the guy from, but then he caught his gaze drifting over onto Dory a few times. His eyebrows would quirk and his personality seemed to switch into a more defensive one. This guy eyeing his date? Pretty smooth of him to wait until he was invited over before making his move, but the fool failed to realize who he was up against, Sirius Black. Never one to have bad luck with the ladies and certainly not one to lose one to another guy. And with that, the game was on, whoever this guy was, was in for a suprise if he thought something would come in between him and his date. Clearing his throat Sirius would throw his arm around Dory's shoulder and smile at there new friend, "Awful quiet there aren't we?" He would throw out his free arm and give a friendly nudge to the vampire clad student. Then returning his gaze looking back down to Dory smiling at her as he pulled her even closer to him.

Holding onto Narcissa's hand, Lucius Malfoy made his way down towards the Great Hall. He couldn't help the smirk placed on his lips as he looked at her. She had always been beautiful, there was no denying that, but the way she looked in her dress, it accentuated her dangerous curves more than anything he had ever seen her in. He found his thoughts drifting towards places they ought not to be. These thoughts would soon get a bit more interesting as he watched her perform her spell on herself. He hated to admit it, but seeing the fangs she had just condured up on herself made him a little warmer in his heavily costumed body.

He stood still as she then pointed her wand at him, his smirk widening a bit at her comment. He felt his teeth with his tongue after he saw her do so. Severus certainly had a knack for creating the most useful things. He was about to ask her if she was ready to enter the hall but before he had the chance to, he found Narcissa close to him, dangerously close. He watched her as she removed the mask from her face and he braced himself for what was about to come. They had only just admitted their feelings for one another, but ever since, she couldn't seem to keep her hands off of him for long, not that he was complaining by any means.

"You know, I bet kissing like this would be quite an expereince." He nodded at her comment. She was right of coarse and similar thoughts had been running through his head since he saw her dressed the way that she was. He felt her soft, perfect lips on his and he wrapped his arms around her waist, a chill running throughout his body as her perfect fingers found themselves on his neck. He returned her kiss and then smirked once more as she drew away from him. He saw her smirk as well and he had a good idea that her thoughts were exacly where his were.

"I think that this spell may come in quite handy." He told her. He then followed her into the hall. He greeted Melanie and Bellatrix with a nod and looked around the hall, his head held slightly high in his normal superior way. If it wasn't for Narcissa, he would never have come here.

He stood against a nearby wall and let Narcissa chat with her friends. He folded his arms across his chest and looked at his nails. He had only just arrived and he was quite bored already. Scanning the room with his steely gray gaze he looked for Severus. He had talked him into coming, much like Narcissa had talked him into it. At least then he would have someone he associated with to talk to, not that he wouldn't talk to Narcissa, he just knew how she got when she was around her girlfriends. Seeing no sign of Severus he continued his stance against the wall and waited for either someone of importance to talk to him, or for Narcissa to tell him she was ready to leave.

Sirius knew for sure by the guy's body language that he wasn't liking the fact he had draped his arm around Dory's shoulder. And in return she had placed hers around his waist, this swelled Sirius with pride and he knew that he was well on his way to yet another victory. It was only a matter of time before the poor chap realized he had no chance and walk away in shame. Sirius couldn't blame the guy, Dory was very attractive so it wasn't completely the masked strangers fault. But that didn't mean Sirius was going to allow his date to leave with another man. The guys voice became eerily more and more familiar each time he spoke and it was starting to bug him not knowing who he was, he would continue trying to figure it out as he listened intently to what he was saying. "Well my good man, it's not about recognizing anyone you know, I mean it is a Masquerade Ball after all, but it's about making yourself recognizable." A tinge of excitement could now be heard in his voice. "Take those underwear for instance, now I bet my last galleon that Sirius Black concocted that, and we all know he isn't shy in the least." He stood proud as he gazed once again upon his work, Sirius never did understand why some people were so shy, why not just cut loose and be themselves? But nonetheless, he wouldn't criticize the poor guy.

He loosened his hold on Dory now that he was sure the stranger had picked up on them being together and smiled in only that Sirius charming way at him as he heard him ask who the underwear belonged to. A stifled laugh escaped one in which he would quickly change into a fake cough like he had a bit of dust or something in his throat. "Well the clever git that hung them up there also pointed out that they were indeed James Potters knickers, I always knew that man was a bit childish, Action Hero Merlin? That is priceless." A loud hearty laugh would follow the statement, he couldn't have been more proud of himself at that moment. Shifting his stance Sirius gave a quick once over of the room again, it was strange being in this place and not knowing who anyone was, but it was definitely fun, he couldn't deny that. He would bring a hand up and rake it through his hair, but forgot he had slicked it back with some kind of oil that Wormtail had given him, and a frightening thought occured to him. The glossy sheen that it gave off made it look like Snape's greasy hair, and he hoped with all he was no one thought he was that whiny man. Always by himself complaining when James and him poked a bit of fun at him. How he hated that man, and he was sure the feeling was mutual which made even more fun to pick on him.

Deep in that though Sirius was alarmed at their new guests next question. Was he and Dory dating? It took him by suprise as Sirius never thought about it, he just accepted that he was charming enough to have just about any girl he wanted, and not wanting to be rude had to think of a reply. "Well we have been seeing a lot of each other since the new school year had begun, and she is my date for the Ball, so in a sense we are, but it's nothing serious, like I said we've only just began to talk this year." Satisfied with his reply Sirius smiled but wish he thought of something more clever to say. But that was the best he had and there was no need to question it anymore. "So what about you? Any girls you are dating or wanting to get a little closer too?"

Remus footsteps were quieter than usual, due to the soft soles of his boots rather than the hard ones of his dress shoes that he was to wear day after day. Gloved hands reached up to touch the mask, making sure that it was securely placed. He felt a bit odd, as if he were hiding beneath the heavy clothing and mask. The hat upon his head was titled forward to shadow his eyes, the rather ridiculous feather sweeping backward. He didn't know what had posessed him to go as a musketeer, but it had been rather better than the half hearted suggestion he had recieved of going as the big bad wolf by Peter. He hadn't thought it very funny.

Light brown eyes glanced about the great hall, looking over it's inhabitants. It seemed that he wasn't late nor was he early as there seemed to be a good amount of people already there. He was a bit bewildered as to how some of the girls got away with the costumes they had on, but he couldn't help but wonder if Marlene had chosen to wear the same. He gave a shake of his head, it didn't seem much like her. Remus tried to pick her out from the rest, but was having a hard time seeing around everyone and then trying to guess who they were. He let out a sigh, how he hated masquerade balls.

Moving forward, his cape fluttered behind him, and he found himself reaching back to keep hold of it to make it quit. He thought he looked somewhat ridiculous but no one was looking at him and laughing, so he supposed he was dressed accordingly to what was expected.

Marlene was standing in a corner of the room, sighing lightly as she watched Dora with Sirius from where she was. She had assured her she would be fine, but she couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable and out of place. Her fingers kept playing with the front of her skin, pulling lightly at the scratchy purple fabric. Whoever had invented costumes had probably meant it as a mean joke as it seemed to her that everybody was in the same predicament as she was, finding their unusual clothes too big or too tight, too heavy, too warm or plainly scratchy. In her case, it was a mix of all the above. The skirt she was wearing felt strangely heavy and big, definitely not helping when she was moving. Her shirt, however, was too body fitting to her taste - she knew Dora had tried to convince her otherwise but she still felt very self conscious as to its tightness. And the costume as a whole, including her mask, felt scratchy against her skin. She shook her head lightly, her brown curls covering her shoulder as she did so. Social events were not exactly her favorite activities, though she hadn't had most of a choice for this one. She was shy and didn't like much to talk with people she didn't know, and in this case, she couldn't be sure of anyone's identity. At least, she hoped Remus would like her costume.

As the thought crossed her mind, she couldn't help the light blush that covered her cheeks at the rememberance of what had happened in the Prefect's Bathroom where she had tried on her costume with Dora. She hadn't been able to sleep at all the night after it, feeling strangely awkward, embarassed and... she couldn't quite explain it. She had felt different that night, not the same kind of shyness, it had been something else. She had felt a strange warm feeling spreading through her body, making her skin tingle lightly. And the weird thing is that, as her mind had been racing madly, one thought that had crossed her brain was that she was not the one who was wearing too little - he was the one who was wearing too much. Every time she thought of it, her face turned red and she was wondering what it'd be like the next time she'd see him. Maybe he'd act as thought nothing had happened and she'd be most grateful for it. But if he didn't... well, she was about to find out, wasn't she? That is, if he came. And even if he did, she'd have to recognize him, or the other way around.

She looked up at the Great Hall's entrance in time to see a guy dressed as a musketeer entering the room. She tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow curiously. His way of walking was familiar, but practically his whole body was hidden by his costume. She couldn't tell who he was, but for the first time in the evening she wondered if the person she had just seen was Remus. Shyly, she inched closer to him though not too close, in case it wasn't him. As she did, he looked around the room and his eyes met her for the shortest time, but it was enough to make her knees go weak and her heartbeat speed up. A small smile spread on her lips as she tried to stand still. Only one pair of eyes in the whole school had that effect on her. She took a deep breath and made her way to the musketeer, really hoping he was indeed Remus - if he wasn't, she'd most likely feel embarassed. When she arrived to him, she stood behind him and cleared her throat lightly to make her presence known, touching his shoulder in a feather like touch with the tip of her fingers.

"Are you looking for someone, sir?" she asked softly, smiling lightly as she waited for him to turn around and prayed that he was who she thought he was.

As Sirius stood there awaiting a reply from their vampire guest, he couldn't help but let his mind wonder on how Dory would take his explanation of their relationship. He knew that it wasn't exactly what she may have been hoping for, but it was a situation he himself had never been in before. In the past his "relationships" never lasted past a few days, and it was suprising to see himself still with her. He really couldn't explain the situation, simply because it was all so foreign in his mind. But seeing James and Lily frollicking around like they have been, getting closer to one another with each passing day it was a wonder he was able to keep his cool when around the two of them. James had changed so much, and when he was with that Evans woman he was a completely different person. He was still Prongs, but not the same as he was in years past. Perhaps it was the stress of being Head Boy, Sirius wasn't sure, and Evans and her incessant nagging damn sure wasn't helping matters much. These thoughts began to agitate him and his patience started to wear thin, it would be visible to any who looked at him, one hand would be clenched into a fist, and he was sure he looked a bit flushed in the face, and just as he felt he was about to explode he remembered his brilliant prank just moments ago. That seemed to calm him down enough to regain his composure and realize he was in the presence of company. He would turn to Dory trying his best to force a smile but it was more like a distant look, his deep brown eyes would show that his thoughts haven't fully settled yet. But he did his best to conceal his trouble and managed a few words. "Dory." He would begin speaking, looking down at her as compassionate as he could have, "What say you and I go and get a mug of butterbeer, and some food? I'm starving." His stomach had suddenly reminded him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast.

But just before he could say another word his body was thrashed a bit, and he stumbled backwards, someone's drink had splashed all down his costume. This would cause him to laugh heartily as the poor girl seemed to be embarrassed and was frantically blotting his clothes with napkins. She finally realized she could use magic and pulled out her wand using the scourgify spell which made his clothing good as new. Still laughing he would place both hands in the pockets of his black slacks, which by the way he felt completely ridiculous in and watched as Dory spoke her greeting to the girl that seemed to be dressed as some kind of Goddess. It amazed him to see all of the costumes the students chose to wear, and it was obvious that most of them took great pride in making them as realistic looking as possible. Another thing he found funny which helped along his bellowing laughter, here he was standing in a room full of students he is sure he's seen around sometime or another, but not knowing who anybody was because of the great detail and effort they put in to their chosen disguise. Yet he threw his phantom get up together at the last minute as usual, took him all of ten minutes. He really wasn't sure what any of his friends would be coming as, he of course expected them to be around somewhere however, and Moony, no doubt he would feel ridiculous in anything he came up with. Turning his attention back to the clumsy girl Dory had been talking to, he decided to interject himself in the conversation. "Is this a friend of yours Dory? Quite the clumsy one isn't she?" His question would be asked in between his hearty laughing.

He couldn't help but smile as she bit her lip, his eyes soft as he looked at her. Even though he had been hoping to talk to her for so long, he never could have imagined it would simply feel so good. He didn't know how long that good feeling would last - maybe, once she found out he was a muggleborn and so would be frowned upon by her family, she would turn him down, though he knew it wouldn't be because she shared their opinions. But he couldn't help himself but hope she would go against their wishes and be with him. He had admired her from far for too long now - he only wanted to be close to her, to be able to hold her and talk to her like he was doing right now, without being afraid that something, or someone, would come between them, which was likely to happen. But that was tomorrow's problem. He was decided to reveal his true identity to her, later on, but not tonight. Tonight he'd let her decide wether or not she wanted to get to know him without dreading her sisters. He knew that her knowledge of who he was wouldn't only be hard on him.

His smile widened into a grin once more as she spoke up and he nodded, looking around at the other students gathered in the Great Hall. "I must agree with you," he said softly. "A curious mind would probably suffer in this place, not being able to know wether or not the person he is talking to is indeed who he thinks it is. But it has other advantages," he added, turning to look back at her, his eyes staring straight into hers. "Especially for people who are usually unable to approach a person they have been wanting to talk to for so long - it gives them the opportunity to do so as an anonymous admirer."

Upon hearing her she was a bit hungry, he smiled lightly and tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "Is there anything you'd fancy?" he asked. "I'd be glad to go and get you something."

As Sirius Black's voice echoed in the Hall - a voice which was rather well known by everybody in the school - Ted turned his attention from Andromeda momentarilly to look at the object of the Gryffindor boy's prank. He couldn't help but chuckle as well as his eyes fell on the article of clothing. The notorious prankster had pulled out a rather good one this time, not that he usually didn't, but his latest achievement was definitely gonna get him on James Potter's list of future victims. None the less, it was obviously lightening up the mood in the Great Hall, as most student had been until now walking around by themselves, not being able to know who was who.

He turned back to Andromeda with a broad grin as she said Sirius would be killed soon enough. "Well this will definitely be an interesting sight once James Potter walks into the room," he said. "Sirius should be on alert for the next few weeks to say the least."

Ted kept gazing into her eyes, finding himself fascinated by what he could read in them. He had always heard eyes were the window to the soul, but had never quite come across someone for who this was completely true. However, as he found himself in front of her, looking into her eyes, he had the feeling he could see completely who she really was, and she had the most beautiful soul he had even seen, as well as the most beautiful eyes. After what he had just said, she probably knew that he was aware of her identity - unless she thought he was perhaps confusing her with someone else, which he knew he wasn't. He had learned to know her way of walking and moving over the years, so graceful and yet so shy. He wished he could be closer to her, be honnest with her, but he had to take it step by step. This whole thing wouldn't be easy - even if she did agree at some point to get involved with him, it'd probably have to be in secret so that her sisters and family didn't find out, or else she would probably be in trouble and he definitely didn't want that, though he knew it would be unavoidable at one point, that is if their relationship worked... and if they even got into one. There he was, pratically planning their entire future and yet he didn't even know if she liked him, which she maybe didn't, though he really hoped she did.

He smiled at her as she said what she would like to eat and his smile widened into a light grin. "It's my pleasure," he said, nodding lightly at her before heading to the refreshment table and looking around for what she wanted. When he saw the plate on which was the cherry cheesecake she had mentionned, he grabbed a plate and cut a slice, putting it on the plate and bringing it back to her. He handed her the plate with a smile and his heart did a queer flip when his fingers brushed hers as she took the plate.

He sat on the chair beside hers with a smile, watching her as she talked about who he knew was her cousin, even though she was technically not allowed to talk to him - because of her sisters... the fact that Sirius Black was considered as a blood traitor among his family was a known thing, and the way Bellatrix and Narcissa Black treated him only prooved it. However, he had never seen Andromeda being cold toward him, or mean. She rarely even ignored him, except when her sisters were in the room. It was yet another proof of how different she was from them. As she mentionned that Sirius knew better than pulling a prank on her, a small grin appeared on his face and he raised an eyebrow curiously. "Does he now?" he asked.

He turned his attention from her for a few seconds as he noticed that some students were gathered on the middle of the room and had started dancing to the music. He looked back at her, tilting his head slightly. She was still eating her cheesecake so he decided to wait before asking her to dance.

Hurried footsteps could be heard echoing through the corridors as Lily Evans made her way to the Great Hall, late for something for possibly the first time in all her school years. She had had a minor disagreement with her hair, but now everything was fine, and nobody would ever suspect she had been tempted to simply cut it off at least twenty times while getting ready. Even with magic, hairdo were not exactly Lily's area of expertise. She let out a frustrated sigh and brought her hand to the reason of her tardiness, smoothing the top of her hair a little. As she reached the door of the Great Hall, she raised her mask to her face, as she had been holding it all the way there so that she could see clearly while walking, and put it on, adjusting it so that her vision was still alright through the small holes. She really hoped that she wasn't too late, but she knew she was probably one of the last students to arrive. She took a deep breath and nervously ran her hands over her dress to make sure everything was in place before opening the Great Hall door and making her way inside the room, a light gasp escaping her lips as she noticed its appearance. The place looked really amazing and completely different, and for a moment she wondered if she really was in the right school.

Shaking her head lightly, she looked around slowly while biting her bottom lip lightly, wondering if she'd spend the evening alone as she could not recognize one single person at first glance. The masks, no matter how small they were, seemed to serve their purpose just fine. The makeup and costumes probably helped a little as well, for most student's body form disappeared under the large robes, and now this costumed event gave everybody the opportunity to wear clothes that showed every single body curve as though it was a second skin. Of course, it wasn't the case for everybody. There was a girl not too far who wore a light green taffetta dress which, even though it was sleeveless and tight around the waist, reached the floor. There was another one who was dressed as a bohemian, and two or three more who wore big and gorgeous dresses that didn't let most of their skin show, like the things some other girls wore. Lily felt a little self conscious about her dress - it was rather tight. But it was still decent looking and she probably wouldn't draw too much attention to herself.

She noticed a refreshment table not too far from where she was standing and sighed lightly of relief - she was starving, having not eaten since breakfast as she had been too busy during the rest of the day. Of course, there were no meals served here, but as her eyes ran over the table, she figured it definitely wouldn't be too bad in this case. She inched closer to the table, trying to make a choice. Everything looked so good, though, she couldn't make up her mind! Brownies, pies, tarts, cookies, cakes of every kind. The mere sight of them made her mouth water and her hungry stomach whine. After a while of looking, she was getting slightly impatient with herself and was about to decide randomly when a loud voice echoed through the Hall - she recognized this voice as none other than Sirius Black's... she had heard it more than often enough to recognize it every single time the sound reached her ears - claiming... what?! She was sure she had heard him wrong, he wouldn't have... then again, he was Sirius Black. He pranked everybody, and apparently even his best friend, she noticed as she turned around.

Her eyes fell on the piece of clothing, she couldn't quite restrain the light chuckle that escaped her lips. Merlin action figures? Well that was interesting. She had noticed James' childish behavior over the years, though he seemed to have tamed himself during the last few months, but this definitely beat it all. She knew the Masquerade Ball had now officially been turned into a prank war which would continue as soon as James Potter entered the Hall or retaliated, if he was already there. Normally, she would probably have rolled her eyes and muttered about boy's immaturity, but at the moment, she found the prank rather funny - beside, it would simply lighten up the mood of the party, which seemed to be quite low at the moment. Most students were probably shy or hesitant to approach each other. Shaking her head lightly with a soft smile on her lips, Lily was brought back to reality by her groaning stomach. Sighing, she turned back to the refreshment table to once again try and decide what she wanted when her eyes fell on a big, scrumptious looking chocolate cake. She instantly cut herself a slice and put in on a plate, grabbing a fork and digging in, tasting the sweetness of the chocolate in her mouth as she let out a small sigh of satisfaction.