Wonderland Waltz 2026 Spring Ball

Gideon
Colin watched with mild interest as the drama between Gideon Athanatos and the younger boy, Paul Something, unfold. He had learned that Gideon was a boy not to be trusted. If Colin was sus, Gideon was --- calculatingly sus. Perhaps maliciously so. Colin revelled in natural chaos. Gideon seemed to be the kind of boy would plan and execute some little machination for his own entertainment. He had done something to Emily last year. And he'd been involved in the whole Darkest Night thing.

He was actually pretty interesting to watch. Gideon. There was no doubt he had the look. Obvious Pureblood posture and gaze. Pride oozed from him like that leaky faucet in the boys toilet on the fourth floor. Colin smirked. It made Gideon look like a damp handkerchief. Colin would be the first to admit he lacked all the fanciness and finery of the Pureblood aesthetic. But he reckoned he made up for that with what Gideon seemed to lack. The nobility of heart that rightly goes with the blood.

Colin could barely contain his laughter when Paul had hung his wet coat on Gideon's slightly extended hand. It was like Gideon was designed and built for this very moment. "A story where you embarrassed the unpleasant older boy and won a dance with the pretty girl afterward," said Gideon. Colin couldn't hold back his mirth. "That's a very comforting interpretation."

"Giddykins! The laddie absolutely owned ye, so ten points to Gryffindor! Get off yer high erumpent!"

Gideon kept at it. He wondered if Gideon fancied the blonde girl. She was cute, no doubt. Princess indeed! That's how Paul had addressed her. Maybe Giddykins felt the sting of being beaten. Clearly the blonde girl didn't just run to Athanatos when he showed up. Colin rolled his eyes. "Clearly, spilling yer drink all over another boy isn't the way to a girl's heart, now is it?" he purred.

And just like that, Athanatos turned to leave. He threw Paul's jacket to the ground and stormed off in a tizzy. Colin's brows knit as Gideon passed by. He caught the scent of fresh blood. What the haitch ee double lacrosse sticks was that about? "Not even a snog for Giddykissikins?" he called after the boy headed away from the scene.

* * *

Let it Rain!
Spells were cast in every direction! On all sides he heard calls of extinguo and even an aqua eructo. His focus had been on the one small voice who sought to douse all the fires. Unlike Gideon and his sadistic little mind games, Aamon Athanatos was the more sensible of the family. At least as far as Colin was concerned. He knew Vladimir only a little. He seemed to be the really intense one. Super Pureblood Uber Alles kind of intense. He'd heard a lot about their father, of course. Always in the Prophet. Colin didn't really get politics. He'd heard rumours that Mr Athanatos wanted to Magic Minister and that he disliked anyone not of Pureblood. And of course Matthias, a year older than him and in the same House. He was okay. He seemed to have himself figured out, and Colin actually admired that he had already gotten married!

If only Emmi could as convinced as Winnie! Colin sighed at the thought.

His own addition the chaos of the evening was to strengthen Aamon's weather spell. And strengthen it he did! As the various water spells did their work, Colin turned to his friends and saw that Olivia had tripped and fallen as she was trying to help! "Oi! Livia!" he called to her. He bent down and hauled her back to her feet. "Wooo! We can't fight fires and nap at the same time!!" he shouted excitedly.

Colin's weather modifying charm was a brilliant success! Aamon's thunder storm was turned into a downpour! Colin took his friends by their hands and began to dance excitedly! He spun and twirled both girls around as the rain poured down!

The trio ended up near where the blonde girl was now standing alone. Clearly Paul had moved on from his first crush already! Colin gave the girl a bright smile as shook out his messy hair right in front of her! "OWOOOOOO! Doesn't the rain make this the BEST BALL EVER LASS!!?? Nothing better than dancing in the rain!" He shook his head again, sending out a spray of horizontal droplets to compliment the vertical!

Colin leaned back his head and stuck his tongue out, trying to catch the rain drops. There was some kind of commotion from over near the gazebo. The man was going on about the Spring Royalty again, or something. Aly and Dealla own something or other. Colin paid all that no mind, except to cup his hands around his mouth and shout: "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS SAYS THE QUEEN OF HEARTS!!" Colin laughed and called out again: "WOOOOOO CASSIE AND ALYYYYYY!" And that was enough of the official shenanigans for Colin.

Aamon
As much as Colin favoured fire, he felt equally at home in water! He skipped back over to Emily and Olivia, draping his long arms around his friends' shoulders. His heart raced with the excitement! He caught sight of Aamon heading over towards them. "Isn't this the best, lassies?" he asked. "Dancing in the rain! Who would have thought that rain would make a ball super awesomé!"

"Oh," Aamon said as he stepped over towards them. "You helped." He stuck out his hand, the water dripping off his fingers like streamers. "You... um. Thank you." He paused. "That sounded less awkward in my head."

Colin considered Aamon for a moment. His brows knit briefly. Aamon was a bit of an awkward lad, sure, but he didn't sound particularly awkward, so Colin wasn't certain what he was referring to. Colin shrugged and smiled at Aamon. "Pfft! Twas a good choice lad! My charm only works when there's weather about. Wouldn't have done anything if ye hadn't made it rain, right? And all these first years would have been burnt to a crisp!"

"It worked," Aamon added. "Excessively, perhaps, but effectively. Which I suppose is preferable to… fire."

Colin smiled and ruffled Aamon's soaked hair.

Actions: Colin calls for instant regicide!
Stats: Stamina: 7 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 4 | Wisdom: 16 | Arcane Power: 9 | Accuracy: 13
Trunk: OwooOOo! || Spellbook: Incendio Tria!

Interacting: @Emily Shephard | @Olivia Williams | @Paul Turner | @Aamon Athanatos
Mentions: @Taylor Athanatos

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Interacting With: @Kaitlyn Connor	Date: 19/04/2026
Time: Day | 7 pm	WC: 502

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Emiline's eyes fell upon Kaitlyn's stunning outfit as she approached. The deep green A-line skirt with a floral pattern layered on a white corset, made her mouth open in awe. Kait had put together many amazing accessories like wonderland themed earrings of the ace of spades and the ace of hearts. "Hiya Kaitlyn!" She replied with a upbeat tone. Her cheeks flushed a bit at the compliment, she knew she would say one back, but echoing the same 'I love your dress' compliment felt unjust so Emiline subtly and quickly scanned the rest of Kait's outfit and landed on her layered rose-gold, silver and gold bracelet. Slickly, she gently pulled Kait's hand towards her. "I love this bracelet" As the bracelet was now closer, Emiline saw that it was engraved with wonderland themed writing. Her heart was jumping. She had initiated her move by pulling Kait's hand closer. It was a particularly bold move, not sure whether it was too soon or not. She would just need to do it before she backed down. Emiline smiled and brought the prefect's hand to her lips, a gentle kiss. Straightening up, she accepted the pink rose corsage as if nothing had happened. Inside, she was screaming with accomplishment and the butterflies inside her stomach were going crazy with excitement. Then the music gradually faded, bringing everyone's attention to the gazebo, no doubt for the welcoming speech. Not even a minute into the staff member talking, a loud crack echoed through the area. The crack reminded her of the sound of the chair being thrown at her last summer, a sound she just couldn't shake, putting her on edge. The chandeliers started swinging as if in their own earthquake. Then they fell. Suddenly. As Emiline was near, she flinched down but they hovered. Not quiet falling. Not yet anyways. Then heat erupted around them. Fire, no doubt from the magical chandeliers. But they seemed strangely contained to nearish the gazebo, the swing, beside the table of Red Hearts, and the Black Clubs, and the other one was at the entrance. The one closest to them. Even though Kait probably knew more spells than her, Emiline shifted in front of her as if to shield her from any flames. "Kait?! What the hell is going on? Why do the balls at Hogwarts always seem to go wrong?" The hufflepuff's tone was upset at a ruined moment and fearful for a whole fire happening. This was very different to the laced drinks from last year's Magical Masquerade Ball, it was more dangerous. More risk of it becoming out of hand. Now she was more than slightly panicking, yes the professors and older students probably knew enough spells to put out the fires, but that still didn't seem to calm her. She turns to Kait. "K-kait..." Her tone was shaky and fearful, and on the edge of a panic attack. The memories of her father and the dangerous fire not mixing well together for this third year.

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Coded by: Avery Gray

Date: April 19th 2026

It was no coincidence that Matthew Campbell was late to the spring ball. In fact his attendance was not even of the question until about five minutes prior to him walking into the weather stained courtyard. Disaster followed these events like it was fated and the very last thing Matthew needed was more disasters. The boy was quite content to stay locked down in the dungeons with a hot mug of cocoa, nestled under a blanket with a book. Still as per usual, life had other plans for the boy and much to his dismay those machinations had led him here.

After all there was only so long he could avoid the inevitable, and knowing that the Athanatos brood were undoubtedly going to be in attendance, a point further proven by his dormmate's presence being missing from their dorm, it was time. Matthew had been back over half a month and while he knew that it was no coincidence that @Gideon Athanatos had not yet demanded explanation for his absence, it was a looming storm. Gideon wasn't the kind to ask, not when he knew the answer would bring itself to him. Avoiding him made the young snake feel like a coward but it had been so long since their attachment with nothing spoken that he wasn't sure where they stood. Gideon was a conundrum and Matthew needed stability, but like a fool he answered his hearts moronic call and found himself dressed and present.

Decked out in a simple dark suit he did not exactly match the balls theme but given the torrential downpour someone had summoned, it hardly seemed important. It seemed as usual that the ball was up to its shenanigans causing chaos, but thankfully no one had yet seemed to have died. Entering the courtyard he drew his wand and cast "Pluvia Velo" summoning a translucent umbrella that repelled the rain big enough for two. His golden flecked maroon eyes were not subtle in their scanning of the room but to his disappointment they did not spot the golden haired devil he had sought. Perhaps a blessing, though if the embarrassed flush of his cheeks were correct, he did not find it as such.

Still he had attended now, whatever devious ploys and disastrous consequences would come of it were already in motion and he would not escape them. Meandering over to one side he watched as many elegantly dressed individuals paraded their way about the courtyard. From his wallflower position he was able to look favourably over the setting despite its ill tempered weather. Having reclused himself from Hogwarts society these last months he was not sure who to speak with. His roommate @Aamon Athanatos would surely acquiesce him if asked but given his proximity to @Nabi Park Matthew wasn't sure he wished to bother him. Nabi was yet another "friend" he had left go unnurtured. She had surely seen him about the common room this last month but silence had lingered between them for a while now and he wasn't sure how to break it.

It was one of Matthew's many problems. Holding everyone at arms length so as not to hurt them was something he had learned from childhood, but it had worsened this past year. With the deal he made to save @Aamon Athantos and the reckless pain he had inflicted on his friend @Siobhan McCarty people couldn't afford to be close to him. Matthew Campbell was a curse, and the latest victim was his most important. Sinking into dark thoughts of blame for his fathers illness he found himself twisting off the lid of his flask and letting the hot whisky burn his throat cathartically as it entered. He was a mess, he shouldn't have come, but he was here anyways. For despite the knowledge that his actions caused pain, he would always fly like the moth to the flame. Again and again.

What the night held for him he was unsure, would he find himself caught in the webs of danger with Gideon once again? Would he drink himself daft and wander to the forest that had been tempting him to return since the moment he drew near? Or would he continue to be nothing more than a wallflower, invisible and of no importance to anyone? Only time would tell, but for now the whisky greeted him as an old friend and his thoughts burned away with its heat.

Olivia heard Colin call out to her and felt him help her up from the ground. She couldn't resist either when Colin started dancing with her excitedly. He spun both Olivia and Emily. But Olivia couldn't quite share his joy. Her every instinct told her to leave the ball and all she was waiting for was a moment when no one really noticed her.

A moment came almost immediately when Spring Royalty was announced. Olivia was very close to making it out of there when she felt Colin's arm around her shoulders. Damn it. But it wasn't long before a guy came up and started exchanging words with Colin.

That was her chance. She pulled herself out of Colin's grasp and started backing towards the exit again. "I'm just going to get something to drink!" she said in case anyone was listening. Then she turned quickly and started walking towards the exit.

Never again. Never ever again would she go to a ball. It would have been a disaster. Disaster. Her dress was drenched in dung, her palms were burning, and she hadn't even started talking about her hair.

But halfway to the exit she caught sight of a lone figure. A guy, maybe a year or two older than her, wearing a dark suit, standing by the wall. He had used his wand to conjure up an umbrella. Smart.

Without really thinking, Olivia changed direction. After just a few steps, she was at him. "Hello," Olivia said, a little louder than she had intended. She blushed a little, not tomato red, thank goodness. Then she cleared her throat. "Is there any chance I could share an umbrella with you? I'm not very good at that spell, which is rather inappropriate."

She waited for his answer, hoping she wasn't being too forward. "My name is Olivia," she said, then with a small smile to seem a little friendlier. “I could be completely wrong now but it feels like we’re thinking similar thoughts right now. Personally, I think this ball was a pretty big mistake to go to.”

Olivia half-thought she would be rejected. In that case, she would just walk straight out of the ball and back to Gryffindor Tower and spend the whole night regretting her stupid decision to go to the ball. If not, maybe she could have a nice conversation that could possibly turn into a dance with a little luck? Both options sounded good in Olivia’s mind.

Wc: 411
@Colin McCoire @Emily Shephard @Matthew Campbell
Notes: Matthew and I agreed over owls to interact

Code by Fawkes Chaos

Banner & Signature by Tes Cadell

WC: 200/200 Interactions: Date: Spring Ball Time: 17:00

Relief coursed through Jada as she slumped against the (now very charred) table. Thank god that was over. She looked around her, taking in the damage that had been done. Glass, everywhere. The crystal chandelier that had once hung so majestically above them lay shattered in the middle of the courtyard. Black soot floated in the air before joining its kin on the floor, the tables or extravagant ballgowns and smart suits. She looked down at herself, she'd missed the worst of the fire, only having gotten as close as necessary to cast the spell, but that didn't stop the ashy flakes from covering her like a blanket.

Her eyes jumped to the stage, unaffected by the fire, upon which someone dressed as the Mad Hatter had climbed. “Let’s try to cheer up! Aren’t you excited for the Spring Royalty results?” The Pageant, she'd completely forgotten about it. She couldn't help feel at least a little excitement and her heart beat a little faster as she stepped closer in anticipation. There was still that little twinge of guilt that followed, a reminder of what had happened just moments ago.

The winners for the senior court were announced first, Dealla Prince and Aly Salinger, before they moved onto the Junior Court. The first winner was Cassie Jiang. Honestly it didn't come as a surprise to her. That girl had performed a multiple act ballet in front of everyone without it getting boring. Who wouldn't have won after that? It was the second winner that threw her off. Liliya Starkova? Really? Had she even performed on the open day? If she had, it clearly hadn't been good enough to remember.

It wasn’t fair! She done better than the other girl just to end up with less. If that itself wasn’t enough, she was getting completely drenched by the clouds that had put out the fire. She headed towards what was remaining of the food and drinks, her face clouded by a mask of badly-hidden frustration, before grabbing a little cake. She munched on it angrily, watching as the others in the aftermath of the disaster.

Outfit: Reducio

Signature:

Mentions: Reducio n/a

Date: April 19th, 2026

Word Count~335

The unthinkable seemed to happened. He pulled her closer. Not away, closer to him after she grabbed his hand. The world erupts in fire, the deathly flames seemed to devour what was in their way. The flames seemed to bring out a terror in her that she never knew existed. As the smoke fills her lungs with every breath, she faints. The disaster and chaos blazes on as she falls. Axel manages to catch her in his arms and hold her up as he attempts to put out the flames by them. Hazel would've made a joke about him failing saying something like, "Forgot how to do that one?" with one of her signature smiles. Instead silence befalls them without her to say anything. Two older years rush over to them to help. One offered her date a revive potion the other ready to carry her. Although, Hazel was indeed carried to a safe place, but thanks to a young first year.

Once laid down on a much much safer spot on the ground, she starts stirring slightly. After a few minutes past, she sits up suddenly. Blinking her eyes, she reaches for a hand that's not there out of instinct. Suddenly the panic begins to fill her again as her senses and everything else slowly comes back to her. The fire, the chandelier falling and then.... nothing. Blackness. Something wet slides down her cheeks. Reaching up she wipes them confused for a second on why she would be crying. A drop of water splashes her once more and she looks up. It's raining. She starts feeling it dropping down on her, soaking through her dress.

The smell of put out fire causes her to wrinkle her nose. Standing she looks around to find Axel. Failing, worry and panic floods her. Turning she looks for him once more. Biting her lips his name falls from her lips in something more then just a whisper. Louder than last she calls out his name one more time.

Ooc Notes/Action All godmodding approved by writer Looking for Axel

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Interactions/Mentions: @Axel Brooks and @Lily Clarke