Elle followed in and sighed seeing that she was scarily under-dressed. Great another time she didn't fit in. Again and again she always stood out the freak. She shook her head and wiped the tear that had formed in her eye. She didn't want to look like this. She wanted to look liked everyone else.

She sighed as she walked toward the some of the people for hogwarts. She felt odd like her dress was getting heavier, she even felt fabric going over her knees. She looked down and her eyes widened. Her dress had changed. It was now long and beautiful. Her shoes had changed too they were now heels like everyone else. She smiled and kept walking though it was slightly harder. She wished it wasn't. She was slightly less surprised when it felt better.

Before

Spoiler:

After

Spoiler:

Pyxis sighed and leant her head against the wall now, not caring how un-dignified she'd look. She just didn't have the energy to give a damn, though she did see the irritated look that Alcy shot over her shoulder at her. Pyxis frowned back and stood up straight, huffing slightly in her irritation. She looked around once again for Parker, but still he hadn't shown up. Where was that stupid prick when she wanted to talk to him? She frowned and looked over as she saw a student draw their wand. She looked concerned for a moment, before the girl transfigured her outfit and she just looked bewildered.

A student of her age should NOT be able to perform such complicated magic. Heck, she would struggle to change her outfit so completely as that girl did. It just wasn't even possible. You could change the colour, and add certain small aspects, but... she shook her head in surprise and then finally, out the corner of her eye, she saw Parker. Her breath hitched in her throat, because he looked... She couldn't even finish the sentence in her mind. She felt her heart skip a beat and she cursed herself. A moment later, the annoyance bubbled back.

Deciding that she'd rather be annoyed then bored, she made a beeline towards him and weaved in-between the people, not offering a sorry as she bumped into someone and the continued on past them. "Parker!" She called after him as he walked with his head down. Before he could get to far, she reached out for his hand but changed her mind halfway through and grabbed his arm instead, tugging him back gently.

Parker started to feel irritated just walking through the people. He'd hardly bumped anyone and no one had tried talking to him, so why was he so bothered? Usually he was content enough watching people have fun. But maybe things were just getting to that point in his life that he realized just how envious he was of everyone. All so carefree and able to have fun. Dance, drink, and god did it annoy him. Parker groaned, shaking his head slightly, he was already turning into a bitter old man...he hated this. The people, that party, the outfit, the money, war. All of it.

Parker jolted out of his thoughts suddenly when he heard someone call out for him. Well, not someone. He knew right away it was Pyxis. It was never anyone else. She tugged on his arm and he stopped, turning to look at her and he seemed dumbfounded. She looked absolutely wonderful. "Wow..." he said softly. "You look great-" Someone else walking by had bumped him, pushing him forward closer to her. So he'd not bump into her, his arm rested on hers. He looked behind him defensively, then back at Pyxis. "Let's get out of the crowd, yeah?" he asked.

He whole demeanor screamed unsure and uncomfortable as he walked with Pyxis out of a large group and more toward the side. From the corner of his eye, standing near what he assumed were people from Beauxbatons, he thought he saw someone familiar. He shook his head, thinking that it was impossible, someone like her would never would at a blasted school....that was ridiculous.

Amber smiled at everyone. She found it boring but she kept on her mask of indifference. She looked around looking for someone to bully or anything really. She hated being bored. Maybe she could find a nice man to take advantage of. Well speak of the devil. An man from her past was here. She knew that look on his face well. He was angry. She narrowed her eyes when she saw it change slightly. Oh, he was in love.

She shook her head planing to ruin that. She slowly worked her way toward her ex. One of many. She smiled as she got close enough. "Parks" She said rolling the r. She swooped down and placed a kiss on both of his cheeks.

Whatever leftover anger that had built up towards Parker very suddenly disappeared into thin air as he looked dumbfounded when he stared at her, and then told her she looked great. She hated that the butterflies in her stomach went on a rampage and seemed to be more killer butterflies than the ordinary kind, as she let her gaze drop slightly, before she lifted it to his once more and smiled at him. "Thanks." She said softly, before he was bumped forwards and she blinked slightly in surprise, her gaze darkening as she glared after the person. She was in half a mind to storm after the person and grab them, insisting that they apologise to Parker before she changed her mind and nodded her head at Parker.

"Okay. You look... dashing," she grinned at him, glad that there wasn't so much animosity between them. She followed him through the crowd and continued walking until they were away from all the people. She came to a halt and turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "How'd you afford that?" She asked incredulously. The last she knew, he didn't have any more money than she did.

Her gaze switched from Parker to a woman who was of breath-taking beauty in the most magnificent - and expensive looking - dress Pyxis had ever laid eyes on. Said woman was walking straight towards them, her gaze fixed on Parker, and Pyxis felt anger bubble. She frowned as the woman seemed to completely disregard Pyxis' existence and placed a kiss on each of his cheeks. Pyxis crossed her arms and frowned at the woman, before she looked at Parker with confusion clear in her eyes.

Parker couldn't help but smile as she complimented him as well and grinned. He momentarily felt that same happiness as back in school, that indescribable clench in his stomach and lightness on his chest that defined what happiness really was for him. Walking back with her he realized there wasn't any sort of anger felt between them. Which was almost strange after the past year of it. It was nice, and was a dramatic mood booster- if it weren't for this damned uncomfortable suit.

When she mentioned it, he felt it: guilt. Why didn't he demand more strongly that Anne take it back, why didn't he do more to refund it and give it back to Anne? At the same time though, there was that lingering thought: 'why can't I try to be a little happy, take what's given to me in a positive way as well.' Parker lowered his eyes and gave a small shrug, "Uh, well, I didn't. Anne got it, she wouldn't take no for an answer...and I don't think she's going to let me try to pay her back either." he looked at her again, about to ask where on earth she got that dress when that figure from the corner of his eye made her way over.

Realizing it really was her, his head snapped up. He tense,looking obviously uncomfortable as she came closer to him and greeted him. His hands rose slightly between them and he turned and pulled away from her, looking like he was close to shoving her. He ground his teeth at the way she said his name and glared at her. He couldn't even bring himself to speak. Why the hell was she there?? What was she thinking she was doing?? His eyes down, he turned his head away from her, looking almost like a beat animal since that's certainly what he felt like. His eyes moved up slightly meeting Pyxis' and he shook his head.

Amber smiled politely. Seeing that he was not one to like her. Not that he blamed him. No many people liked her. She looked over at the young woman. She saw jealousy on her face. Well her actions wouldn't hurt. "I'm sorry you must be Parks's wife." She said kissing both her cheeks as well.

"I'm sorry to intrude I'll go." She left thinking of what she had done. She knew that she might have just caused a scene that she needed after the thing with Elle.

Vladimir entered the Hogwarts Entrance Hall, following the other Lehrers who were just behind the Highmistress. When they finally got inside, he straightened his tie and scanned the room. It wasn't very interesting, the place. Just the usual Christmas decorations, like Christmas Trees and a bunch of mistletoe. He thought it was just about time that they had this Inter-School Ball, to keep the peace and such between the three schools.

Vlad yawned. There was not much happening around. There were a couple of students from the schools making friends and talking to each other, but the others seemed bored. He walked over to the corner, hoping no one would notice him. His day would turn upside down if he attracted too much attention to himself.

He sniffed the air. Just then, a horrible pain stabbed him in the chest. Oh no. Sniffing wasn't a very good option. As he suddenly staggered forward, he decided to lean on the wall. "Not now, oh please not now..." he thought. His senses were acting. His vampire side was taking over. "Come on, Vladimir.... think of the possibilities. So much blood.... so many people... go on, it won't hurt one bit - for you, not for them. Go on. A bite won't hurt."

Vlad, while preventing his 'Dark Side' from taking over, made his way to a table full of drinks. He grabbed a glass of water and finished it in one gulp. It seemed to calm him down a bit. "I shouldn't be here. I could kill someone. Maybe I could tell Roxie... but - no. It's... all's well. I could hold it off for a while," he thought. Clearly, he was trying to calm himself down. He continued looking around. Vlad won't be sniffing again any time soon.

Spoiler:

Liselotte followed closely after Roxie as they walked up to the castle. She hadn't agreed with going along to this stupid event in the first place, she thought it was a bad idea. However, she hadn't voiced this to anyone and decided to keep it to herself. After the attack on Durmstrang, she wasn't keen to go to a ball which could just be a set up to get them all here so someone could kill them all easily.

She walked in after Roxie, grinning at her friend's regal behaviour. She noticed several dark looks from many, and a lot of raised eyebrows at Roxie's behaviour and she stepped over to Roxie. "Tone it down, Rox, we all know your fab but you're getting a lot of bad looks." She muttered. She gave a smile to Lullaby, before she stepped back.

"Behave, all of you," she said to the Durmstrang students, watching as they all nodded and dispersed. She looked around for someone to talk to, trying hard not to withdraw into her shell - and then she saw Vladimir looking incredibly tense and standing over at the drinks table. She followed after him, intending to offer conversation to her fellow head.

She came and stood beside him, grabbing a glass of water and sipping from it lightly. "Hey, Vladimir," she greeted him softly.

Spoiler:

Olivia blushed when Humphrey complimented her. She saw what Humphrey was wearing and saw that he looks very handsome. "Thanks. You look handsome tonight" she smiled still blushing. When he asked her to dance she was quite shy but she wanted to dance with him. "I would love to dance" she smiled.

Mishka had no idea why she came to the ball. But she was told by Roxie to have a good time. After what she went through she deserved it. And someone was watching Rosalinde for her. This was a time that she was supposed to enjoy her. But she really wasn't feeling it. It was Christmas time and it was time of peace. And she hoped that tonight nothing bad would happen. She then noticed that some of her students looked bored. While other went over and started to talk with different people from the other schools.

She then looked around to see if she knew anybody else. Mishka hadn't really seen Tessa yet and she was sure that Tess wouldn't be coming to a ball at Hogwarts. So she was stuck there standing by herself. But she was looking good while she was doing it. It was a little bit fun just watching everybody else having a good time. But all she could do was think about how she left Rosalinde at home.

Tessa smiled as she walked into the great hall. She loved how all three of the schools was getting together. And she hoped that nothing would happen. This was a time of peace and joy. Looking around she noticed that some of them looked bored. And other was talking away and enjoying themselves. She then noticed that Mishka was there. Tessa then noticed that her husband wasn't there yet. Last year she was pregnant with the twins and didn't enjoy herself that much. And right now she was trying not to think about the attacks that happened last year. She left Lily, Faith, and Tyler with the house elves. Tessa was sure that they would be fine.

She was going to enjoy herself. It was a break from the twins and Lily. Now if only her husband was here everything would be perfect.

Annika was slightly excited for the ball. She was looking forward to meeting people from other schools. Though her sister told her to be careful. She had heard about the attack last year. She really hoped that it didn't happen here. She wanted to have fun.

After they walked in and were left to their own devices she walked over to some of the students finding them to be interesting. She smiled at her sister and made her way outside. She had to admit it was pretty here.

Spoiler:

Zach was not looking forward to this ball it was not going to be fun. Not with Josh whispering to him the whole time. He did not want to be here at all. But here he was being polite. He sighed shaking his head. 'You look like a dork.' Josh muttered to him. Zach knew better than to respond.

He was wearing a simple black trouser with black shoes his blue shirt and striped tie were the most fancy thing he owned.

As he walked into the hall he went straight to a table and sat. He planed to stay there for the whole night.

Spoiler:

Sophie was nott looking forward to going to a stupid dance. No she would much rather stay in her room and read her manga. She should have gone home for Christmas. If she had she could play games to her hearts content.

As she got ready she sighed looking at her plain hair and shaking her head. She couldn't be bothered to do anything to it. She just put on her dress and her flat shoes and went down to the dance,

When she got there she saw that there was a lot of people. WOW! She thought to herself. She slipped in and walked over to a corner table. She would stay there for now.

Spoiler:

Her blush never failed to amaze him, it was just so natural and lovely it took his breath away. "Me?" Humphrey asked incredulously. "Nonsense, I look dull and bland compared with the radiance that is my sun. That's you in case you were wondering." he said seriously.

"There's nothing to worry about, just follow my lead." Humphrey told her, and grabbed her hand. He brought her out onto the floor, and put his right hand on the small of her back. With his left, he grabbed her right, then he started a very simple dance. It was called the Texas Two-Step, and all you had to do was take two steps forward and one back. After a minute or so of that, he raised his left hand and spun her around once. "You're doing great Olivia." he said, smiling warmly at her. "Enjoying yourself yet?"

Luc's eyes were scanning around the room, taking in everything. He took a short breath before moving his gloved hand to scratch the side of his nose. He took in the smell of the new leather of the gloves to distract him from the other smells around him. Even though he had fed, any sort of large event could put one of his kind at ill ease, or even make one completely lose it if not trained well enough. He shook his head slightly to try to clear his head. Now was not the time to focus on that. He had responsibilities that were more important. He could deal with his hunger later, he would have to.

Turning around he then saw that he was right nearby both Highmistress Krum and Deputy Headmistress Malfoy, which he understood was taking over for the night. He nodded in greeting to them both. He cleared his throat, holding a hand out to Alcyone, "Pleasure to meet you." He said in his not quite so French, but still very heavy accent. He knew a bit of English, as when he was younger he was taught the idea: Know Thy Enemy, and he knew learning the ugly sounding language was the best thing he could do for himself. It had been literal ages since he last spoke it though, so it felt really strange to him. After Ms. Malfoy offered her hand, he took it and kissed her hand before turning and greeting Highmistress Krum the same way. Then looking between the two he commented, "Let us all hope the night stays well." When one of the professors came up and was whispering to Ms. Malfoy, he glanced around at a few of his nearby students, seeing that they looked all very well behaved so far as he was carefully listening to what she was whispering. He was about to make a comment but stopped when something started to feel very...off.

He first saw his student, Ms. Cinquents, and her little stunt. He saw the looks she got from those around her and he worried slightly, hoping it wouldn't bring any unwanted attention. He still found her abilities incredible though for as much as she could control it, and he was also filled with a bit of pride that she was a part of his school. His senses seemed to perk up when some of those from Durmstrang began to mingle around a bit more. He watched as one man seem to almost double over in...pain? No... Luc turned to the two ladies and excused himself as he walked away so that he himself would not garner any unwonted attention. From among another group Luc didn't realize he'd been staring as the man staggered off to get a drink and seemingly calm down. He looked nervous...and if Luc's senses weren't on overload right now, he'd probably be able to feel it coming off the man in waves. Luc wouldn't let himself jump to conclusions though...about the idea that there might others like him here. Others much less versed in controlling themselves and putting others at risk. He might need to make a point of going over to him some time during the night...

Olivia blushed again. "Well I think you look handsome" Olivia smiled.

She put her left hand on his shoulder. She followed Humphrey's lead and did the Texas Two-Step and blushed when he spun her around. She never danced before but she liked it and she feels happy dancing with Humphrey. "I am thank you. How about you? Are you having fun?"

He glanced at Amber from the corner of his eye, a scowl formed on his face as she smiled at him. She acted as if nothing was wrong...well, it wasn't like that was any fucking surprising. The short time they had been 'together' if he could even call it that, their 'relationship' was her just bringing him down with any little comment she could think that would get to him. She'd easily been able to tell he was a weak person and preyed upon that, like a fucking mantis. Seeing her just churned his stomach with self-loathing, and he felt like everything she did was to torture him and make him feel sick.

His eyes darted back to Pyxis when Amber looked at her. He wanted Pyxis to just somehow understand this was the woman who wrote him that letter last year, the one he wanted nothing to do with, one that would do anything to get under Pyxis skin because it amused her. Though her comment was one that was completely unexpected, and he felt himself become flustered right away."Eh? What-?" he choked out, and he could practically feel his face heat up in embarrassment, remembering last year what Pyxis has said about what she felt for him... His eyes dropped to the floor, stepping away slightly from the two as Amber took her leave, effectively doing what she wanted and probably going to watch things happen from a distance as she had always seemed to do...

He couldn't even bring himself to look at Pyxis, embarrassed about the comment and also extremely angry at himself for even having anything to do wit Amber. He muttered a soft. "I'm sorry about that- I'll explain everything later..." he started, trailing off, not knowing what there was to explain again, but Pyxis being Pyxis she'd demand to know what the hell just happened.

Pyxis was surprised to say that for the moment, she was happy. That happiness would be replaced with normal, negative emotions very soon, but for now she was elated. He'd given her a compliment, and her cheeks had tinged a light pink. She wondered if he remember now, or if he was still a stupid prick and had forgotten what she said. She was determined not to get too angry at him tonight, though that would prove to be rather difficult. She looked at his suit and frowned in concern when he lowered his eyesand shrugged his shoulder. Pyxis laughed though at his explanation and felt over-whelmed by how adorable he was. Wow, that wasn't something she'd thought of him since sixth year during those holidays. She hugged him tightly, and it was as if the small amount of tenseness in the air disappeared.

"She wouldn't take the money, Parker, and you know it. This is Anne Greene we're talking about, one of the toughest people I know. You should just be grateful and thank her rather than try to give her money back." Pyxis stepped back and grinned up at him. "I'm sure she'd just be upset if you tried to give her the money back," she assured him. She felt that happiness slowly fade away as she stared at the woman approaching them with confusion clear in her eyes. She looked between Parker and her, feeling anger bubble in her. Anger that she knew she shouldn't feel, because Parker wasn't her property. She didn't have any right to be jealous. And yet, she was.

Pyxis felt slightly reassured by the fact that he looked like he might shove her away. She still felt jealous though, how could she not? She'd never considered herself anything nice to look at. She was pretty plain if she was being perfectly honest. She didn't have golden locks of hair, nor pale white like she used to, but rather a dull brown-blonde. The only thing interesting about her was her eyes. And then, this woman was breath-taking and she looked like she knew Parker far too well for Pyxis to feel comfortable. She blinked in surprise and looked horrified as the woman kissed her cheeks and suggested her to be Parker's wife. Wife! Ha! She scowled. She felt her anger reach boiling point, and then in some amazing way, it was just completely gone. "Don't bother," she shrugged. "You're allowed to have past relationships. Besides, I have no right to be angry. It's not like i'm your girlfriend or anything." She said the last part quietly, more to herself than him.

Carey rubbed at his eyes again, willing his throbbing headach to go away. That incompetant healer hadn't been able to do anything for it, claiming that the headache was from him straining his eyes to see and anything he did before corrections would juts make things worse. This wasd such bull. He just wanted to be better, and now. Being shoved aside as a bloody 'outcast' just because he was sick was ridiculous. At the very least, he was able to keep up with his lessons cause his class work was being brought to him.

Damn it, at this rate he'd no where near be able to compete with his brother. He had been adjusting to school poorly unlike perfect Ripley with all the friends he had made and the perfect scores for even a younger year and it was just so unfair that he had to be the one to get sick, to be angry all the time. Why couldn't things just come to him as easily as it did for his brother!? And even though he was moved out, there was also Meliae that his mother cared for...not that he blamed her..she might have been the only person he never blamed anything on. It was his parents fault. It was just them!

He lowered his hands to the table with an exhausted sigh. He then heard before he saw a girl approach him. She was familiar...oh damn it, it was that girl Halcyon hung out with... Carey frowned, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, trying to act like he wasn't about ready to slam his head down on the table to make the inside of his head stop pounding. He looked up at her, squinting his eyes. "Yeah. I know." He said shortly, looking at her held out hand for a moment before putting his out and shaking back. "Shouldn't you be with Mr. Heartthrob Halycon or whatever and not me?" he asked bitterly.

Alexis let out a heavy sigh at the way Carey regarded her, like she was a bother to him. Geese, that's what she got for trying to be friendly! She almost groaned and just snapped at him, but she was able to stay patient. She'd always been proud of her ability not to just snap at people when they annoyed her, but rather regard them with disdain. She bit back a snappish response, because she really wasn't in the mood to be attacked. She was sick and tired of being judged because she was a Slytherin in Potter. Apparently, everyone was a judgemental prick.

She raised both her eyebrows at his curst response and decided not to comment on it. If he was looking for a fight, he was NOT about to get one from her. Why was he squinting at her? Did he need glasses or something? She let his hand drop from hers and rolled her eyes at his way of describing Halcyon. "Oh don't be ridiculous," she said impatiently. "I don't even know where Dumbledore is, and why shouldn't I be friendly with a fellow house member who looks just as lonely as I feel?" She smiled at him, trying to cheer him up a bit. "Besides," she continued in her own sour tone now. "He has plenty of friends that he'd rather hang out with. I only know him because of those bloody events we have with the Weasley's and the Dumbledore's and all of that."

Vlad was still looking around when he heard someone speak to him. Turning around, he saw it was Liselotte, his fellow head. He smiled politely and gave a small wave.

"Hello, Liselotte. Not a very good day for - er - most. Only the students seem to be having fun," he said. He took another glass of water. He was lucky to have enough brain to remember not to murder his fellow lehrer. He could just imagine what would happen to him if people found out what he was. He'd also probably get sacked.

Vlad cleared his throat. "None of the adults seem quite fond about this inter-school ball idea..." he said, although more to himself. He breathed deeply and took another sip of water. Small talk wasn't his thing.

"Hmm, well I know better than to argue with you. So I'll admit to it only because you say so." Humphrey told her. Really, he didn't think he looked that great.

Dancing with Olivia was an amazing experience. Especially since it was a slow dance, he got to hold her hand, put an arm around her waist, life was good. "How could I not be having fun? I'm dancing witht the most amazing girl in the entire world. I'm having the time of my life." he told her sincerely. Then, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Nothing in particular spurred it on, Humphrey just felt like her right cheek needed to be kissed.

Odette, bored of standing around, also felt uncomfortable. It felt like something bad was going to happen, and quite soon, at that. Trying to calm down and clear her head, she saw Humphrey and Olivia dancing and she smiled, walking toward the pair to watch them.

Odette looked around, and noticed the Durmstrang teachers together. Pursing her lips, she felt suspicious.