Alcyone and Nora had put their efforts together to transform the entrance hall into something of breath-taking beauty. The ground was layered with snow that sprinkled gently from above but dissolved before it could touch anyone and ruin their outfits. Mistletoe was placed at random points around the room, along with lots of beautiful decorations that were christmas themed. There were even christmas tree's - real ones - located around the rooms with stunning decorations like golden bubbles and such, courtesy of the magnificent Clara O'Keefe.

Alcyone looked at the fountain in the centre of the room, which had a swan spurting water out of it's mouth. She smiled again and looked at the tables, protective charms around them to keep the snow off. The music played softly and she felt pleased with herself, Nora, and Clara's work. She looked up as some people began to arrive and she scanned the immediate area for Nora. "Alright everyone, I want you all to behave very well for our guests," Alcyone muttered 'sonorous' before saying this so all of the Hogwarts students assembled could hear her. Nora seemed to be no where in sight, and she knew she'd most likely be off on a mission.
Alcy's Dress:

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Jamie didn't put that much effort into finding a christmas dress for the ball that they'd been notified of during the holidays when they received a letter from the headmistress. She just didn't care to be honest, because she'd slipped back into that sadness the moment she'd seen the letter. She was reminded that she didn't have any friends, the only person she had was Rubi. She felt her face slip into a frown as she slid the dress on and pulled on her shoes. She felt cheered up slightly by the thought that she might be able to make more friends this year. Hopefully.

She pulled her hair up into a plain, boring high ponytail and waited until all the Hufflepuff's in her dorm had gone before she followed after them, forcing a smile onto her face. Think positive, Jamie, you could probably make lots of friends tonight! She told herself to the point that she felt her smile grow slightly and she walked down to the entrance hall. It looked amazing, and hoped that Durmstrang and Beauxbatons would be impressed. She stepped on the snow and felt that it must've been magically made to feel just like flooring. She scooped some up and sure enough, it was cold and wet like you'd expect, yet when she stepped on it her feet remained above the snow. Amazing.
Jamie's Dress:

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Odette got dressed, a new found excitement bubbling inside her chest. It was odd, because she didn't have many friends. The only ones she had were Olivia, Humphrey, and Ethan. But no matter, that night she would go and have a good time, and meet the other students from the other schools. It comforted her. She pulled on her dress and shoes, did her hair, and walked down to the entrance hall.

Seeing the place really put Odette into perspective at about how much she needed to learn about magic. The snow was amazing, and she had to remind herself that it wasn't real. The trees were stunning as well, and she shuffled in place as she heard someone say behave. She felt that Durmstrang and Beauxbatons would be very impressed. She looked around the hall, seeing if she recognized anyone she knew.

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Olivia was excited to go to the ball. She had made some friends and she hope she'll get more friends. Olivia got dressed and left the Slytherin's common room.

she arrived at the entrance hall and was impressed by the decorations. They were amazing. She had a feeling that it would be a good night. She saw a Hufflepuff girl and she smiled at her. Then she saw Odette and went towards her.

Olivia's dress

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Roxie stepped off the Durmstrang ship and walked up the grounds with her nose in the air. Her shoulders and hands were protected from the cold by a minx shawl, but she decided she may need to take it off later in the night; it wasn't as cold as she'd anticipated. Her students trailed at her heels and gathered around her as they approached the giant doors of Hogwarts.

Saying very little, she told her students that tonight was a night of peace, and Durmstrang would not be the ones to start any quarrels. If, however, Roxie did find out that one of her own had started a quarrel, they would be at her mercy alone; and Merlin, they better hope she was feeling merciful.

Her mind alert and stretching, Roxie led the way into the ball, a regal air splattering about her as she disdainfully took in the surroundings. There was indeed some fine magic, but she knew Durmstrang would always be better to her.

Roxie's Dress, her Hat, and her Shawl.

Alexis delicately pulled her dress on, using caution because she knew her mother had spent a fortune on the dress. She slid the sleeves over her shoulder and carefully placed the shoes on. She fastened the golden heart necklace around her neck, and walked over to her dresser. She sat down and ignored the other Slytherin's as she pulled half of her curly hair up into a ponytail, the rest down. She fastened some mistletoe into her hair and admired it for a moment, before she walked over to the mirror and did a twirl. She smiled and knew her mother would've swooned to see her at that moment. She didn't know if she was overly happy about that, though.

Shrugging her shoulders, she watched as Olivia and Odette left the dorm and followed after them, ascending the dungeon staircases to the entrance hall. She blinked at the transformation and looked at the snow, knowing immediately it was fake. She watched as the snowflakes disappeared into the air before they touched her and smirked in approval. Oh, she was pleased that Hogwarts would look magnificent for Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. She walked straight over to the food table and picked up her favourite treat - a custard tart decorated with a little christmas tree. She picked it up and ate it quickly, looking over as Durmstrang arrived. She raised her eyebrows at the superior air their Highmistress held and immediately disliked her.

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Millie cast a glare at Alexis at the pompous way she looked at herself in the mirror, a smile on her face. She rolled her eyes, humans were ever so up themselves. She put on her simple dress only to fit in, and so that she could show the enemies that Hogwarts was classy. Those were the only reasons, the only ones. Otherwise, she'd be wearing a shirt and jeans. She didn't care for dresses. She reluctantly put the heels on and stared at them in disdain. Her hair hung simply around her shoulders and she shook her head, feeling it shake around her.

She looked at the other girls and let out a heavy sigh, they all did their hair and looked so pleased with themselves in their dresses. Millie sighed, as she knew going crazy at the ball and killing everyone would be silly. Plus, there were going to be some very powerful people and so she'd get caught. Still, seeing these beautiful girls dead on the floor, blood staining their dresses was an entertaining thought. To Millie, at least. She followed after them with her silent footsteps to the entrance hall, and she stared at the snow. She almost sighed, as the visions of beautiful girls with snow stained blood-red around them as they laid there, dead. Honestly, it's as if these professors were teasing her! She grit her teeth and crossed her arms grumpily.

Spoiler:

Danbi apparated to Hogwarts for the ball. She hope that the students won't cause any problems here. It's a night of peace and she wanted to have some fun. She looked at the decorations and it was nice. She saw the Durmstrang Highmistress there looking beautiful with her head held high. She smiled and went towards the drinks section. She enjoy observing people and that was the best place to abserve people without people noticing.

She took a drink and look around her surroundings.

Danbi's dress

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Odette watched as the Highmistress of Durmstrang walked in with her students at her feet. She smirked, she couldn't help it. It was almost like it was a mother and her baby ducklings. But, she also admired the fact that she kept them in line, knowing it would never happen if it were Hogwarts case.

Odette spotted Olivia with Alexis close to her. Waving half heartedly, she followed Alexis for a snack. She grabbed a elegant looking sugar cookie, which was decorated as a Christmas tree. She also grabbed a small glass of punch and made her way back to the crowd.

The ship swayed from side to side as they emerged from the depths of the water, into the Hogwarts grounds. Lola finished twirling the last bit of her hair into place in her half-up, half-down hairdo. She pinned a gold lace bow with mistletoe stems springing out of it into place and admired herself in the mirror.

Her Aunt's voice sounded through the ship and she stepped out of her cabin, along with many other students. They filed to the deck and followed the headmistress off the boat, walking up the green slopes to the Hogwarts castle. Lullaby walked at Aunt Roxie's shoulder, her usual frown crossing her face as she once again walked into the midst of mudbloods.

Lullaby's heels crunched over the fake snow and she scanned the room. It did look quite charming, but she'd never felt much for Christmas and it was boring her. She tugged her elbow-length gloves up higher, waiting for something interesting to happen.

Spoiler:

Brielle wasn't very excited about this party. Hearing all the girls tittering about what they were going to wear, what makeup they would use, who they were going with, made Brielle a little bit sick. She wasn't like the others, and they didn't even look her way. Sighing, she began to get into her dress. She decided to curl her hair, which was a shock for her. Another shock was when she put on the heels her mother sent her. Fastening a mistletoe bow in her hair, she decided it was enough. Maybe I'll look pretty enough for someone to talk to me. See that I'm not mute and ugly. Maybe make a new friend. Hoping Humphrey or Tati were there, the only people she was on speaking terms with, she started walking down the stairs.

Brielle saw the decorations, and she had to admit they were impressive. But, Christmas wasn't her favorite holiday. She watched as the Durmsrang students walked in, and she stayed where she was, in the corner.

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Upon hearing the news of the inter-school ball, a plea for unity and peace he assumed, Luc felt anxious. For the few days before the school's departure he made a point in his evening speeches about how he expected nothing but the absolute best behavior from his students. Though his students weren't his main concern, from what he could tell they were wonderful. He hoped they could show off their good behavior this night without them being pompous but by them being grateful and humble guests. It was the adults he worried about. Late night walking around the castle make him privy to some rather concerning talk, and so the night before they left he made a point to all his professors that no out of the ordinary behavior would be tolerated. At all. Or else.

Climbing out of the carriage, he felt a knot in his gut and knew he worried for himself too. Past experiences with the British only brought up feelings of bitter hatred and he felt extremely uncomfortable in their land. As rational as he wanted to be, a part in the back of his head still blamed any of them for his life being ruined. He was a changed man because of these people. Walking forward from the carriages, he pupped out his umbrella as he always did, then adjusted the high collar of his shirt and his gloves. He turned around to face his students as they exited the carriage, and once they were all out and waiting he told them again how tonight was a night of fun and friends, as well as a time to show of the school's greatness by being grateful and pleasant guests. He expected them to be able to prove that and they'd be let on their ways once they got into the castle. He stared at them in silence for a few moments, hoping his grave demeanor would keep them well behaved, before he turned swiftly on his heal towards the castle.

He glanced back to make sure they were following him in an orderly manner, and heads held high. He faced forward again, taking a breath to reassure himself that he was going to be fine. He had enough experience with larger parties to be able to avoid certain people. None of these people personally harmed him, so he needed to calm down. Walking into the grand hall with his students he looked around at all the charming decorations. He stepped in more, turning and nodding to his students to go off and enjoy themselves. He looked up, smiling a bit to himself as enchanted snow fell from the ceiling. How quaint, he thought as he looked around again trying to find the headmistresses. It was only good manners to formally introduce himself, but with all the people and his senses feeling on overload, he was unable to find them right away.

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Alcyone looked at Millie Watson in particularly with a growing sense of worry at the bloodlust she could feel coming from Millie, something she was only able to pick up through years of honing in her skills for danger. It was with hasty steps that she approached the monstrous girl, and she was yet again reminded of her anger with Nora for allowing a machine into the school. They'd argued a lot about that, but Nora had believed that she could control the darkness in Millie. Well, where the hell was Nora? As headmistress, she should bloody well be here! Alcyone grit her teeth and stopped beside Millie, staring down at the girl with narrowed eyes. She saw Millie's head tilt upwards to look at her, the bloodlust burning in her eyes.

Alcyone delved into Millie's mind for only a moment before her mind was shut off, but she saw images of her fellow housemates pale and dead against the snow, blood splattered across their clothing and the snow. She sighed and placed a hand on Millie's shoulder. "Amelia," she hissed. "One wrong move, one wrong move, and i'll have to alert the M.O.M of your presence. You know exactly what they do to people like you, don't you Amelia?" She saw the flicker of fear in Millie's eyes, and took that as confirmation that she understood that she needed to behave at her best if she wanted to survive any longer in this world.

She looked up and stepped away from Millie as the doors opened to the school, and the ever so regal Highmistress appeared. She growled lightly but knew that as Deputy Headmistress, she would be required to greet Roxie. She would wait, however, until Luc arrived. She scowled as the Durmstrang students walked in, but her expression softened as most of them seemed to mingle among themselves and not cause any problems. Though she sensed a slight aura of disdain radiating from the girl behind the snobbish looking Roxie. It wasn't long before Luc had arrived, and she had no problem with him so she merely smiled and walked over to the Highmistress and the Headmaster. "Luc, Roxie," she greeted them both. "I'm Alcyone Malfoy, Deputy Headmistress. Nora is otherwise occupied at the moment, so i'll be acting in her stead." She failed to mention that she had no idea where the hell Nora was, and kept the shield firmly over her mind as she knew of Roxie's skills.

Spoiler:

Humphrey was running a little bit late, because he had been having a problem with his bow tie. Apparently, it was a lot more difficult than he had first thought, and it took him ten minutes to get it the way he wanted it. Now though, it was finally straight; he was ready to go see Olivia. He knew she would look stunning, and while he walked he tried to guess what color she would be wearing. They hadn't talked about complimentary, or matching colors or anything like that, so it would be a surprise for both of them.

Walking into the great hall was always great, but this was far better than he'd ever seen it look before. Plus, it was filled with everybody dressed up and looking their best. Humphrey started walking around, looking for Olivia, and eventually he spotted her. He really couldn't have imagined how beautiful she would actually look until he saw her. It took his breath away, and after a momentary pause of about a minute, he walked up to her.

"Hello Olivia, you look...so amazing. I knew you would, but...nothing could have prepared me to see how beautiful you are. When I saw you I literally stopped for a minute staring." he admitted, blushing a little bit. "Would you like to dance?"

Lillian was excited to visit Hogwarts and possible make some friends. She held absolutely no part in this war, so she really didn't give a damn that there were going to be Frenchie's, and she lived in Britain so she didn't have a problem with them either! She beamed as she smoothed out her dress and stared around her cabin, feeling the ship sway lightly the way it did when they were sailing out to the secret location which was Durmstrang. Heck, Lillian didn't even know where it was, but she supposed that was the point. They didn't want the students to know either, because students would give away the location.

She wondered if the professors knew were it was, and decided that it was most likely they did. She stood up as she felt the ship came to a halt and walked over to the door, pushing it open to see the other students walking down the halls to meet their Highmistress Krum. She hurried after them, smiling cheerily. She hoped she'd see Nora there, too, as she missed her while she was at school.

"Oops! Sorry!" She exclaimed as she bumped into an older student, who looked down at her in disdain and with a holier-than-thou expression on their face. For a moment, Lillian's cheerful, friendly demeanor slipped. She was sick and tired of the older students treating her like crap. "Oh get OVER yourself!" She exclaimed with a roll of her eyes, pushing past the surprised student and stomping over to the front. She followed Highmistress Krum up to the castle and when they arrived in the entrance hall, she looked around in awe. It was breath-taking! She beamed and looked around, immediately trying to pick out Alexandre in the crowd. Not seeing him, she huffed and looked for anyone else to mingle with. Seeing a lonely Ravenclaw in the corner, she approached her and beamed at Brielle. "Hiya! You look lonely, want some company? I'm Lillian, Lillian Smith, what's your name?" She asked, offering her hand.

Spoiler:

Silvanus talk her mother and father into letting her come to this school. That if they did not let her go to the ball she would complain about how she did not have friends. She had no friends in the entire school that is. She start to enter the ball with nice fancy dress she step through the door to the school and she was rather quiet that is and she look liked a Snape but she did look good but she did have Snape black hair that is and she step through the door and she look around the ball quietly as she took a seat one table watching the people within the ball that is.

She wore a nice fancy dress as she step through the door she start to look around at the people within this place with fancy dress she move around the dress and look around she wore a green dress that is. She had brat that of a snake on her head as she was that is she start to moved around the dancer and such thing as she walk around the area watching everyone.

Nara smoothed out the crinkles on her dress and stepped out of her cabin door. She waited for her sister to join her before they joined the rest of the school on the deck. She couldn't help but smile; she loved balls. She loved the whole dress-up part of it, and the formality, the dancing...

The whole way up to the castle, she stayed by Tricia's side. When they reached the entrance to the magnificent stone school, her eyes widened and her smile grew bigger. It was such a beautiful place! Nara stepped inside and her breath was taken away by the magical snow, which disappeared in the air before it reached her outstretched hand.

She beamed around the floor and, grabbing her sister's hand, dragged her over to where a group of Frenchies were standing. "Hello," she said brightly, in what probably came across to them as a heavy German accent.

Spoiler:

Carey had a good number of nice suits to choose from, as his parents often threw all sorts of parties. This would be the second Christmas party he'd have away from home, and he was sort of wishing he was home. Though thinking about it, not really, he didn't want to have to deal with his damned brother. just the thought of him made him feel sick. In fact, the previous week, Carey hadn't even been sure if he was going to be able to make the party as he fainted for the second time so far that year and had been feeling especially unwell. He didn't know what was going on and he hated it, not just because of feeling sick, but everyone had seemed to be ignoring him. He felt like that weird kid no one wanted anything to do with.

He got ready after everyone else, for the first time not being the first ready to go. He might actually be the last out at this point. Walking down the corridors by himself, whenever he passed by other students he felt like they were saying something about him. He'd heard a few things, people wondering what was wrong with him, why he was hardly in class. As least he couldn't really see who was talking about him. He'd be going to an eye healer soon though, as told by his mother in the last owl she had sent. He couldn't take much more of this.

He walked into the entrance hall, looking around at what he assumed were really great decorations, as Hogwarts always seemed to have. Carey didn't seem so keen to go right over to people or really make any known presence there, which was very unlike him. He was feeling pretty miserable, dizzy and as if he were to throw up. Urg, why didn't he just stay in the hospital wing? Carey pressed on his eyes before going to go sit down at the nearest place he could. He really hoped he wouldn't see Halcyon here, last he needed was that prick making him feel worse then he already did.

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Alexis looked up as the Durmstrang students arrived, and she raised both eyebrows at the superior way the Highmistress held herself, and the girl beside her. Both of them just looked like idiots to her. She rolled her eyes and scratched the back of her neck, looking around for Halcyon. Where was he, anyway? She felt like a loner standing by the food table with no one to talk to.

She shook her head and grimaced as the Beauxbatons students arrived, though she was surprised to see that none of them looked superior in any way shape of form, like they had rumoured to be. Whispers had flitted around the school that they were all snobs, but it didn't appear that way. She shook her head and her gaze swept the hall once more.

And then, it landed on one Carey Matthews. He'd missed a lot of lessons, and their were rumours about him too. Everyone whispered about the boy behind him back, how all of his friends stopped hanging out with him because he was just so weird. She didn't think he was weird, just an out-cast. Like herself, out-cast for not being the perfect Potter, for being the odd one out. She frowned and decided that she'd approach him. Her footsteps lead her over to him, and she didn't smile as she reached his side. "Carey Matthews, right? We're in some classes together, i'm Alexis Potter," she offered her hand.

Bellea stepped out of the carriage and walked to the Hogwarts entrance hall. She was not very excited when she heard about the inter-school ball. Then her mood worsened after hearing it would be at Hogwarts. Nevertheless, she went with Verea just to make the Headmaster happy.

Nodding curtly to the other professors to show some respect, Bellea looked around. The room was packed with Hogwarts students and staff. She shuddered a bit as the memory came back in a flash. She tried to shrug it off and watched as more students came in.

As she continued scanning the room, Bellea noticed that most of the Beauxbatons Educators weren't there. Or maybe there were just a lot of people in the room. Still seemed quite odd that she could barely notice anyone. Except maybe the Beauxbatons Headmaster who was speaking to a lady, probably someone important from the Hogwarts staff.

Her Dress (+bracelet) and shoes

Toni crossed her arms as she stared at herself in the mirror. She hated wearing dresses, she felt so irritated by them all the time. What if someone attacked, how the hell was she supposed to fight back if she lost her wand when she was wearing a freaking dress? But of course, they couldn't look bad in front of Durmstrang and Hogwarts - damn rivalries, damn war - so she had to wear a stupid dress. She sighed heavily and forced her normal bubbly look on her face. It was for that reason, that Toni had chosen a dress that swivelled down to her feet, so she could wear her skin-tight leather pants underneath. The folds in the dress were custom designed so that she could rip off the skirt part of her dress and just wear the top if need be.

She followed after Luc as Beaxubatons walked towards the castle, and she glared at a few students who messed around. As they entered, she admired the work but knew that Beauxbatons would've been breath-taking. She forced a smile on her face as she glanced at Luc before walking off to a corner to watch the students as some woman from Hogwarts spoke with him and the Highmistress of Durmstrang.

Spoiler:

Anne walked down to the ball. She was looking forward to everything. She had been away most of this year to take care of her little girl, but she was back and more excited than ever. Though she had to hope that this ball would turn out better than the others.

She walked up to Alcyone and smiled at her as well as Luc and Roxie. She hoped this would work out well. She didn't need another attack not when she knew dark Ones members taught at the school. She walked up carefully not wanting to be too intrusive. She looked at Roxie and put up her shields. She didn't want her in her mind knowing her secrets. She knew occlumency because she kept many secrets not all of them her own.

"Sorry to intrude." She said walking up to Alycone. "Two of the young girls here can do wandless magic with ease, one has very little control over her magic if upset. She accidentally apperated to hogsmead." She whisper very softly in her ear. "Be careful." She said before walking off to mingle.

Spoiler:

Pyxis yawned from boredom as she stood in the corner of the Entrance Hall, watching over everything that was happening. She rubbed at her eyes tiredly but was glad that all she felt was tired and bored. The constant feeling of being pissed off and angry had left her since the lunch with Parker, which had mostly been filled with glares but they'd managed to smooth things out. A bit. She looked around for him now, but her search stopped halfway as the students began to file in and she looked towards them. She drummed her fingers against her stomach, feeling un-comfortable in her dress.

It was just an old one that had been given to her by her mother, she didn't have the money to buy a new fancy dress. Not that she wanted to either, she had better things to spend her money on than a dress. Like food. She looked to the door as Roxie Krum entered with the Durmstrang students and she scoffed at the self-important way Roxie held herself. She hated people who were oh so high and mighty. With a roll of her eyes, she looked back down at her feet once more and shifted her weight from her left leg to her right, before she heard the doors open again and assumed that Beauxbatons had arrived.

Her gaze swept the room for Nora this time, but the Headmistress and fellow Order member was no where to be seen. It seemed Alcyone was greeting the Head's of the other schools as she should be, and Pyxis felt her boredom creep back up. She didn't even care that she was still slightly pissed at Parker, she just wanted someone to talk to instead of standing there completely bored. With a yawn, Pyxis leant against the wall and crossed her arms.

Spoiler:

Amber followed Luc with her head held high and a powerful aura around her. She almost glowed with her Veela genes and her own beauty. She smiled at everyone she passed. She wanted to show this school that they were the best. They were if they were judging on the décor. She smiled wondering if her old boyfriend was here.

She walked around the hall keeping an eye on all her students.

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Parker originally planned to just sit in his room or his office for the duration of the ball. They were more then miserable experiences for him, ever since he was little. And at least if he were in his office if something did happen he could be able to help easily. Though upon presenting this idea, it was shot down. After all the excuses about not having anything to wear and not not feeling presentable enough, he found himself being dragged out a few days later with a new suit thrust into his arms by Anne. He begged her to not do this and just take it back. He'd never be able to pay her back and he didn't want to be even more of a pain in the ass to her. But she was having none of it.

So there he was sitting on his bed in the nice looking, though very uncomfortable, suit. He sighed, not even wanting to look in the mirror. He figured he'd be one of the last ones out. And while he'd probably get a stern word for not being there to see the guests in, he could live with it. While he'd been feeling a little better having patched things out with Pyxis (barely, but still.), he just wasn't in the mood to be around a lot of other people. The idea of it all made him anxious. He sighed and stood up, glancing in the mirror and smoothing out the jacket of the suit. He felt so fake. But when was that new? He'd always been like that.

Lowering his eyes, he slowly make his way out and down to the entrance hall with his hands in his pockets. He kept his eyes down, a frown settled on his face as he walked in. He did his best to avoid people, weaving between the groups of adults and kids of all schools. He tugged at the collar of his shirt and groaned as he felt his trousers ride up a bit uncomfortably. He just wanted to get to the back of the room, get this night over with already...

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