Nora stared around at the Great Hall as she walked in and was proud of her and her Deputy's fine work. They'd pushed the tables each to the edge of the room against the walls, then smothered them with Christmas delicacies and had the chairs set up next to them. The candles' flames now burned green, red and gold instead of orange and cast a christmas-y glow all around them. Christmas decorations hung around the room, and the trees which her charms professor - Clara - had decorated looked simply stunning with their beautifulness. Nora went up to the teachers table and waited for everyone to arrive as she stood up the front, picking at a bit of pudding she'd put on her plate. It was delightful and she made a note to go and see the elves about their work and compliment them on it. Her dementor had sadly, had to be left behind in her office for this occasion but it certainly didn't seem right to bring him along to such a joyous event.
~
[Nora's Dress]

Alcyone sighed as she stared at the window longingly, picturing herself back at home with Jaz and little, bouncing, happy and excited Ella as she ripped open her christmas presents. That christmas morning had been amazing fun, but she'd had to leave the fun to return to school and oversee that the ball went well. True, she wanted to see how the Great Hall had turned out after her and Nora's hard work, along with Clara's trees, but she'd much rather be at home with her family. Oh, how she missed her family dearly whenever she was at school. She missed the feeling of Jaz's arms around her, holding her close and offering comfort at night. She missed little Ella's company, and the random thoughts that always slipped off her lips and amused Alcyone. She commanded herself to stop wallowing in self-pity as she applied some lip gloss to her lips, then stood in front of a mirror to examine her appearance.

Decent, adequate.

She slipped her black heels on and with her purse in her hand (secretly containing her wand and a dagger) she swept out of her room and into the professor's lounge. She smiled falsely at those who cared to spare a glance at her and continued her path down to the Great Hall. When she stepped inside, her breath was taken away by the pure magnificence around her and she was incredibly proud of her and Nora's work. Clara's trees only made the room outstandingly beautiful, and she felt a true smile grace her lips as she strode over to Nora's side and nibbled on a piece of shortbread. "It looks amazing, and Clara's charm-work is fantastic." Alcyone commented.

---

Alcyone:

Alexis sighed as she stared at her book. The words didn't even make sense in her own head. She slammed the book shut and stood up. She walked over to the mirror and ensured that her dress wasn't too crumpled. She didn't care much for these ridiculous events, and would have loved to show up in some jeans and a tank just to spite the professor's. But she wouldn't, just to be a 'good little girl' like her parents expected. Alexis rolled her eyes as she brushed her hair. She pulled it up into a boring high ponytail, before she slid her feet into black and white striped ballet flats and walked along to the Great Hall.

She was one of the first students there, which meant she could pig out before all the dancing started. She wondered if Halcyon would want to talk to her, or if he was too busy with his other friends. She didn't care either way, she told herself.

-

Dress:

Damien had never been one for going to balls or dances because during the summers all those years ago he was always forced to go with Tabi and he hated it. Nothing like prancing around with someone you had to tell was your fiance when they weren't.

After a lot of whining too his wife he swore he would go to the dance, but she would owe him big time. Getting dressed up in black slacks and black shirt he was ready to go. That was all he was wearing, well he did put on a green tie.

He arrived at the dance and stood over in a corner to watch the other people there.

Olivia looked into the mirror and finish her make up. She looks presentable so she decided to head out.

She walks into the Great Hall and was so impressed with the decorations. She felt nervous with every step she took and just looking around at her surrounding. She decided to have a drink and look at people chatting away.

Olivia's dress

Capper had been a little excited about going to the dance with Tessa, yes they had to be chaperones for the dance but he would at least be with Tessa. Although Capper was still not sure whether or not Tessa was going to feel up to coming, but that would be ok with him he would hang out with Damien, because he knew that he would be coming because that is all he had heard him complain about for the past week.

Capper told Damien it would not kill him to go, in fact he might enjoy himself. Capper was not one for a suit, but he did put on black pants and a blue shirt, with a black tie. He thought about a suit jacket but he didn't want to be too hot.

Walking into the hall he looked around and finally found Damien standing over trying to hid in a corner so he had to walk over. Once he made it over to Damien he could not help but laugh a little.

"You could at least try to pretend you want to be here." Capper laughed a little but then quickly stopped when Damien gave him the death glare that told him to shut up if he knew what was good for him.

Tessa had walked in. She knew that she had to do chaperone. Today she was feeling alright, but she couldn't help but worry about Lily. She knew that Damien and Anne was going to be here tonight. And also her husband, Capper. She was still a little confused about when she was around Anne. But she then smiled as she thought about how far they came.

She smiled as she rubbed her belly. Tessa knew that the twins loved it. She then saw Capper and started to smiled. That is when she walked over to her husband. “ Well it looks like I made it for the ball.” Capper looked good tonight, and she knew that she look good in her dress.

Anne walked into the ball smiling. She looked at the students and hoped that they enjoyed themselves. She had forced Damien to come and shook her head seeing him pouting in the corner. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Can't you pretend that you want to be here?" She asked him jokingly. She smiled at Capper and Tessa. She wondered how Tessa was doing, after all carrying one child was hard, twins would be worse.

She took her husbands hand and lead him to the dance floor. "We're going to dance. After all, you owe me about seven years worth a dances." She said smiling.

Anne's Dress

Meliae keep staring at the mirror and she had dump a whole bunch of water and then she lighten her hair bit she was not satisfaction with what look back at her so she start the tensest task of brushing and combing her hair to create the waves in the front. Then she was still not satisfaction with her hair she went about putting ribbon or brat in her hair that went back.Then she stared down at the dress maybe this dress was too sparkly or for that matter not really such a dress would be good enough for ball.

But then she wait a bit for her hair to dry naturally and she done everything she could think to do improved her hair. When she slid the dress she felt she need something on her arms and then she put on her heart shape pendent she keep it with her she felt safe with her nearby.After looking in the mirror she was still not sure about going to this so called ball.

Maybe the dress was too much maybe she should wear something more not fancy but regular style dress. After the preping and such thing she was resolved to go. But she still did not look liked herself either.A ball they say was mask ball no they said nothing about that. So she did not need a mask. As she step through the door she look some what nervous the first year she made her way to where the ball was being held she step through the door she did her best to look good for the event.

Sergiy Monomyth had been dressed in a fancy suit, his wand was hidden in his right hand side of his sleeve. And he was rather annoyed, after his annoying discussing with the Deputy Head Mistress. He felt annoyed, and more emotional depressed. he would rather be at Where Amber worked, That France school, so they can have sex while at the dance. Though he doubted they had a dance. Shaking his head as the charming young man came into play. He looked rather dead, and grave looking. He was rather annoyed then ill looking. He shook his head, Saw, Nora, Alcy, Anne, Who else did he know. No one else but them. He shook his head and leaned his back on a wall, he had a bottle of vodka which was covered by a paper bag.

Anne scowled when Sergiy came in she could smell the booze and glared at him with pure rage. She really hated this man. She leaned over and whispered in her husband's ear. "remember that guy I told you about the new teacher. Well he brought vodka here and I'm going to take it away." She said kissing him lightly before going over to the asshole himself.

"There are children present." She said when she reached him. She pulled the bottle from his hand and vanished it. "Now If you don't behave, I will make sure that you see your end." She growled going back to her husband and resumed dancing.

Sam sighed as she walked Into the ball, she really wished Casey were with her but she knew he had to work and so far their relationship had been working rather well, Sam smiled and noticed a few people there.

Sam loved the ball it looked amazing Sam walked toward the drinks and sighed as she grabbed a drink, she was absolutely sure no one knew about them but she sighed and watched everyone dance she was glad that everyone was happy but she wasn't happy she shook her head and watched everyone, she noticed Anne had taken a drink away from another Professor Sam smiled she had never met him but she could tell he was a jerk and wondered what was going to happen.

Sam's Dress:

Nora looked over at Alcyone as she approached and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. "It does," Nora repeated with a small smile, that vanished and turned into a scowl as she caught sight of a paper bag that her new employee - Sergiy - was drinking from. "Is he an idiot?" Nora was already walking over there and arrived at the same time as Anne. She was incredibly proud of Anne and smiled warmly at her before she planted herself in front of Sergiy, her eyes black.

"I don't hire fools, Sergiy, because they make me look ridiculous. You better watch your every step." Nora's voice was pleasant, as if they were discussing the weather, but her black eyes portrayed clearly her rage. She turned and stalked back over to Alcyone, her arms now crossed. "I don't like him at all, but i'll give him the benefit of the doubt."

Halcyon loved balls and he was looking forward to this one. He checked that the tux sat right and then he walked out of the Gryffindor common room, walking out and down all the sets of stairs. He reached the hall and smiled widely at the decorations around the room.and the amount of people there. However, most of them were all professors, but he then spotted Alexis and smiled, a bit relieved as he had yet to see another student his own age. He walked over to her with a wide grin.

"Hey you," he said happily, "You look wonderful," he added, smirking slightly.

(OOC: Halcyon's tux:
)

Sophie walked in the ball and shyly made her way over to the drink table. She had no clue why she came but here she was. She had not gone home because both her parents had been working. She sighed and wondered if she would even dance. She smiled at the teachers and saw that two of them now look rather pregnant. Well she didn't take one of the professors classes but she did take Professor Greene's class. She hoped that she didn't go all scary on them.

Sophie's Dress

Meliae took a seat at the table she wave at Sam and the others. She was thinking of leaving not because of the music but because she did not know anyone. Most student thought she was weird because she lived with slytherin boy. She wish her mother was here and that was it she sometime close her eyes and she could see her inside her head. The two talking and laughing it was never her step mother. Her biological mother was witch and other thought she was muggle born no she was not muggle born she was in fact half blood was that worst she guess not.

That they probably did not know about her.She miss her mother and she could not stopped thinking of her and she had put on happy smiled for everyone. She watch children her own age she did not see how she fit within any group. She open the pendent to the picture of her biological mother and she stared down at the smiling picture of her mother and then she close it back up.She ran her hand over her eyes as she thought of her mother. She was good student and everything it had price it would seem her brainy work cased her to not any friends.

Alcyone sighed and sent an irritable glare towards Sergiy, before she felt something burn in her pocket. She saw the message and nudged Nora as she returned to her side. "C'mon, Pyxis said she'd stay behind for the mission to keep everything under control. Get the others, lets move." Alcyone snuck out of the hall and went back up to her room to change into her black, skin-tight body suit. She pulled on her boots, put some razors and daggers in her belt then she went to the fireplace and whooshed away to the meeting place - outside of Durmstrang castle. She grinned as she saw Deva, but her disguise was in place so she did not appear to be Alcyone.

[[OOC: OOTP members must all leave the ball now.]]

Sam looked and Saw Nora gave her the signal and Sam nodded secretly and she walked out of the ball Sam walked up to her room quickly and changed she put on her Leather jump suit that had an emrald belt buckle she sighed and quickly pulled her hair up in a ponytail and she reveled her red ruby chocker and her heart shapped locket.

She smiled and put her boots on, she put her knives and dagger in her boots so no one would see them she walked out of her room and sighed and threw floo powder into her fire place and she whooshed to the meeting place.

Sam smiled when she saw Deva and the other member and she's miles at both of them and she waited for the other members.

Olivia saw her teacher drinking and look away. She saw Sophie standing shyly beside her so she decided to make conversation as she had no friends. "Hi, I'm Olivia"

Pyxis sighed as she stared down at little Noah, peacefully sleeping in his crib. Soon, he'd be taken away from her and there was nothing she could do about it. "I wish I could take care of you, Noah. For Aquila." Pyxis sniffled but refused to cry. She shook her head and grabbed a dress that she'd had for years. She didn't want to go to the Ball, as she could remember her first ball ever. When the German's had invaded. She shuddered, grimaced then sighed again and walked along to the ball.

Once she arrived, she looked around and saw the OOTP members all disappearing. She wanted to talk to Alcyone, but she also wasn't there. Pyxis presumed she must've gone home to be with her family, and Nora being her friend probably would've allowed it. Pyxis couldn't see Parker anywhere, which made her feel even more lonely. And she certainly wasn't going to talk to that weird looking professor, Sergiy. She saw Anne with Damien, and she didn't want to disturb them. "Gah." She grumbled to herself and rested against a wall, just watching.

-
Pyxis' Dress:

Nora nodded her head at Alcyone and sent the secret signal to the others. She then snuck out back to her room as well. Once inside, she slipped on her black bodysuit, put her hair in a tight bun and put a series of weapons on her belt, inside her jacket (which she put on) and slid them into her boots. Ready with her weapons, she tucked her wand into her boot and used the floo network to arrive to the meeting place. She grinned at 'Caitlyn', Deva and Sam. "Girls." She greeted them.

Parker was rummaging through his room, looking for his nice clothes. Where the hell were they?? He groaned as he continued to go through his room, eventually finding one of his few jackets. He had no clue where his slacks had gone though, and his button up shirts had not been washed yet. Well, he'd have to make due with what he had. He sighed, starting to change. He just grabbed his nicest, dark jeans and a black shirt to wear underneath. It was way too casual, but he couldn't do much better. He hoped the headmistress wouldn't mind. She already hated him.

After dressing he made his way out his room, running a hand through his hair, feeling exhausted. He also felt anxious. he remembered the balls that were held when he went here, pretty much none of them going well. Just the idea left him feeling extremely nerve wracked. He knew tensions between nations were still strained, and he didn't want any of the kids to go through anything so traumatic as what he and many others during his years had to.

His hands in his pockets he walked down the entrance hall, stopping just before the Great Hall doors. He took a breath, then walked in, looking around. He smiled a bit sadly at Pyxis, who looked great as always. He knew she was still so destroyed inside from what she'd recently been told about Noah. He wanted to try to do something about it...he didn't know what yet though. He started to aproach her, smiling at a few of the other professors. Though he frowned when his eyes quickly went over that joke of a 'councilor.' He leaned against the wall next to Pyxis, hands still in his pocket. "How're you holding up?"

[[OOC: Parker's outfit
]]

Jamie didn't want to go to the Christmas Ball, but her parents had insisted that her and her twin stay at Hogwarts for christmas, so she'd sighed and put up with it. Jamie now wore a dress that made her smile happily. She felt a bud of excitement as she realised she could spend the night dancing with Rubi, and she knew that would make her happy. She hummed as she walked along to the ball with a new excitement, happier than she'd been in a while. She just hoped that stupid Carey wouldn't ruin her mood.

As she walked into the ball, she felt her face fall as she saw that Rubi wasn't there but she shook her head and began to scold herself. She was tired of her own depressing emotions and decided she'd been friendly tonight - even towards Carey if she must. She smiled at anyone who looked at her and stood by the food table, picking at a very soft cookie as she looked around for someone to talk to.

-

Jamie's Dress:

As Carey had insisted on staying this Christmas break, he was here at the castle and he was planning to go to the ball. It would be a little bit of familiarity, and remind him of the parties he was so used to back home around this time of year especially. After dressing, he confidently made his way up to the Great Hall, walking through the doors. He loved parties. All the people, the dressing up, the whole environment of it.

Narrowing his eyes a bit, he glanced around the room, spotting people he knew easily. Right away he walked over to Meli, standing next to the table she was sitting at alone. "Hey Meliae, sucks you can't see what kind of parties my parents throw for Christmas. But I hear these ones are fun too." He said with a nod. He looked up from her and around at the other people. His sights got caught on Halcyon and his eyes narrowed. Well, he sure looked dressed like an absolute prick. He shook his head and looked away. Now was not the time. Especially at a party like this, an an environment he was so familiar with.

[[OOC: Carey's outfit:]]

Jamie was beginning to get incredibly bored as she realised there was absolutely no one she could talk too. She considered approaching the Slytherin and asking if she knew were Rubi was, but decided against it. For the strangest reason, she was glad when Carey walked in and she decided to make an effort to be nice to him tonight - though it would most likely fail. She would rather fight with him than stand by herself anyway. She wondered what to say, as she doubted 'Hi Carey, how are you?' would make him think she wasn't completely nuts. She remembered her sister's absence once more, and since he was in Rubi's house...

Jamie slowly walked across the hall and over to where Carey stood with the Ravenclaw, Meliae. If worst came to worst, she could always talk to her. She seemed quite nice, it surprised her that a boy like Carey had adopted anyone into his home. Or maybe it was his mother, she was nice. "Hello, Carey," she greeted him rather stiffly, a smile on her face that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Have you seen Rubi?" She asked.