Wonderland Waltz 2026 Spring Ball

With the grounds of Hogwarts abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming Wonderland Waltz, Liliya Starkova was one step away from feeling the shaking in the walls of her wooden cabin. From the bustle of students to their inexplicable giggles, she felt an odd ostracisation in her lodgings with the Clavero boy. Many a wistful glances out of the window and comments on his garments later, however, she too found herself cracking laughs. Both exempt from the informal activities of the afternoon, they talked their way through until an interlaced crimson gold weaved its way onto the sky, teetering just above the horizon. At 18.30 the grounds began to tremor, a quarter hour later, a riot of impatience had been launched.

Rushing through the crowds as they meandered their way to the courtyard, Liliya’s fingers worked furiously around her bun, just one final time before the event began. She was ashamed to admit that she, a girl so supposedly removed from the material world, had spent a stifling eternity on her make up, from the glitter of her eyeshadow to the blush of her cheeks, ending in the red dabbed onto her lips. She checked, for the last time, her reflection in the pocket mirror, and smiled at herself with that same enigmatic curve of the lips reserved for strangers. Perhaps her cabin mate found it irritating that she had hogged the bathroom for as long as she did, but the efforts certainly paid off.

The throngs of people tapered out as they flooded into the venue, a floodgate of teenage dreams broken loose.

The sheltered area of the courtyard was no longer all confined, sharp angles but a different world entirely — the wonderland they had been promised. The lights of the gathering shone on the sides of her cheeks, highlighting the angular bones and rounding softly at the curves that remained from girlhood. The overbearing sun had just dipped over the horizon, yet the illumination of the ball shone brighter than any warmth from their star. A cool breeze of evening settled in, gushing through the folds of her dress, and sending the tingle of thrill up her back.

Eyes lighting up with a child’s excitement, Liliya left the side of her fellow attendee for the enticement of the swings, white wooden planks secured to the branches of an old oak tree. Her hand snagging onto the green ivy, she gripped tightly onto the ropes, and swung once, twice, heels miraculously finding hold in the wood’s grooves. A smirk tugged her lips to the side at the remnants of her childhood memories — a disrupted, distorted childhood, but a childhood nevertheless. She swung forward once, twice, using the weight of her body to push herself back again. On the third swing, she would brace herself and let go, an enthused keenness, chasing a past she never knew her body needed. Her feet hit the ground with a click, and she ventured forward, sparing one glance back at her younger counterpart.

Scattered across four mahogany tables around the venue were foods of all assortments imaginable. From smudges of English, commands in a foreign script, to decadent layers of red velvet, they were meant to be savoured, but such a time could come later. For now, she had little appetite, and a body full of energy. A few glances around revealed glimpses of blearily familiar figures, platinum hair, ostentatious clothes, a smile here and there, one she knew and gone. The larger tables dotted with chairs reminded Liliya that she ought to meet her escort’s other friends, and settle comfortably into their group — yet now, the night was still young, the colours still bright, and where the stage of her performance once stood, was now a platform for new opportunities, and new possibilities.

Clear blue eyes skimmed over the atrocities of gluttony to the clock-base centre of the courtyard, marble-floored and glass-surfaced. Enchanted, Liliya took tentative steps forward, hands lifting up the fabric of her dress as she climbed the former most stairs leading to its face. She turned, and reaching out a hand on the ledge above him, beckoned for her companion to join. Her fingers curled in invitation, a lightness to her steps as she bid for him to join her. A smile graced her lips, the glints of pearl-white teeth showing as they reflected the low-hung lights of the chandeliers. “Can you dance, dear Noel?”

The boy, humbly twelve and barely an adolescent, would receive no lingering gazes as Liliya led him up the steps, merely a platonic, almost sisterly, promise to lose themselves in the classical waltz music. Perhaps they would be grasped by the rhythm of the tune, or forget of their own identities in a mess of stepping on each others feet and cursing their own selves out. She may not have a date, she may not be Spring Queen, but this night was one still brimming with potential.

@Noel Clavero | Banner by Prat Pass

<sub>Looking over at the marvelous designs made by the event hosts it really was beautiful and extravaganza was not even the words to describe how the courtyard was decorated by head to toe or perhaps from the building till the end of the fields, the fountain was filled with lights and looked icy. The juxtaposition of the difference of designs and objects complimented each other and it really looked like a Winter Wonderland or to Angel, a Wonderland. With Wes, who decided to ask her to join him for the Ball it really was magical and everything was going just as plan. As the event started she could hear dresses and heels pounding against the pavement as others hustle and trying to find their acquaintances. Tina Carille, who she can consider her friend pushed her to join the Spring Ball.

Now for Angel it turns out it wasn't such a bad idea at all. With waltz the music was very much sophisticated with classical tunes perfect for dancing. Angel loved fairy tales of princesses and knights when she read them daily, but she did not expect to be experiencing just that right now!

The music washed over the sweet air of blossoms and roses, which added to the atmosphere. Angel soaked everything in. Noticing everyone else was having fun she wanted to follow suit. This was the Winter Wonderland Waltz.</sub>

Banner by Julia Evans

Mentions:	@Julia Evans
Dialogue:	#0c2a46
Date:	19th of April, 2026
Words:	412

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The night had come. He had spent the morning and most of the afternoon in the small hall, participating in the Red Queens Labyrinth and had a blast. Most of the time after had been spent in the dorm talking the ears off each other about what they all experienced. He had agreed with Julia that they would meet up at the ball, so when he felt finished he strolled down the many stairs and out into the courtyard. He didn’t really care much for the dance part of the evening. But the opportunity for good food, and spending an entire evening with his crush sounded great. Thinking of the latter made his stomach flutter just a little.

He had done a bit of an effort with his attire. Most of it had been bought used, transfigured to change color, and sent from home. A creamy white linen shirt that were slightly too big for him were rolled up to his elbows, with the top button open. Over it he had a smart forest green vest with matching brown pants. He didn’t have a pocket watch or anything as smart to put in the pocket, but he had managed to find a sort of chain that looked sort of cool. He had pinned a simple daisy to his chest, and he had a matching one for Julia in his back pocket. A red tie hung loosely around his collar and tied the whole outfit together, with the help of a simple bracelet made of wooden beads that he once got from his sister Drew. He had combed back his hair before he left the dorm, but he had ruined it long before reaching the courtyard. So it was in his face and eyes as usual. But at least it was so far free from dirt and soil.

He stepped outside and paused. Lights and decorations were put up and made the whole space look inviting. His nose and eyes soon sought out the tables of food. It looked promising, at least from a distance. He decided it was better to find a place and wait. He would be sort of miffed if Julia had started to eat without him, and he saw no reason she would think differently. So he found a spot along the wall and leaned against it. He located the flower in his pocket and took it out. Twirling it absentmindedly, he watched as more and more people arrived.

@Novalie Moon

Harvey entered the scene looking the part. Not a hair out of place of course, but his attire much different than the usual dark or earthy tones he was known for. It was a spring ball, was it not? So, he wore a crisp white suit to match the ambiance that surrounded him. Over that he had ordered another dress robe, this time it dripped in light green. To finish the ensemble a yellow rose was pinned to his chest. On the exterior the boy looked like the season. Bright, new and just like spring in the Scottish Highlands, ready for new life. Yet that shine just barely failed to meet his eyes. Harvey of course carried a pleasant, if not reserved smile as the occasion called for, but the spark in his gaze was rather dull.

For the first time since he came to Hogwarts, Harvey was struggling. No, perhaps that was not the right word for it. The boy was still acing his courses and his many friends and acquaintances probably couldn't detect that there was anything wrong. Confident if not a bit cocky, gregarious if not a bit conniving. The usual traits that people had come to know him for, like it or not. Yet there was something within that was worming its way through Harvey's system. A tinge of blue in a boy that rarely ever experienced melancholy. He wasn't ready to talk to anyone about it yet. Or maybe he had just not met the right person in which to do so. Not that he was really equipped to properly communicate such complex emotions. Merlin knows his grandfather wouldn't even discuss such a matter, so how does one even do so?

Harvey blinked it away. With a bit of a sigh he forced those lips back into a smile and made his way further into the ball. The air was tinted with a floral note, warm and pleasant against his face. Winter was behind them now and he was determined to shake off that gray cloud and step into the sun. Harvey straightened his back, adjusted his attire and made ready to interact with his friends and peers. That's right, nothing was going to derail this moment. Or so he thought...

Closed to interaction

Elowin was very excited/nervous for the Wonderland Waltz. She would be going with a friend, called George Calder. She was in her dorm trying to get ready. She hopped and skipped into her pink dress, tugged on her heels, applied a thin layer of makeup and slotted in her earrings and walked out into the corridor before remembering something. ‘My Wig! I forgot it!’ And rushed back into the dorm to plonk on her wig and make sure it was secure. She did a last minute check, grabbed her handbag and tried to casually but coolly make her way out of the dorm. In no time at all it seemed (though it had been seven minutes) Elowin was about to enter the courtyard, where the spring ball/The Wonderland Waltz (which one is it!!) was being held. Elowin positively gasped as she looked around. Rose bushes showed off on the side of the courtyard and made the whole venue sparkle. ‘Oh goodness! It’s so pretty!’ Thought Elowin. The planning committee had outdone themselves! There were some swings as well. Elowin didn’t want to risk it… but y’know! Elowins stomach growled as she spotted the tables of food. There was loads of sofas and chairs. ‘They look very comfy’. ‘Ooh carrot cake!’ There were yummy appetisers and deserts! There was so much food there!. And if you were thirsty, well… there was a massive variety of drinks! Elowin grabbed a strawberry boba and ran to find George.

Banner by Vasilius Nighthawk

Magnus Blackwood!
DURMSTRANG | SECOND | OUTFIT | HEX
Russian/French | 04.19.2026 | WC 498

Date : 19 April 2026
Time : 6:40 P.M.
Outfit :

Reducio

George felt a weird combination of nervousness, excitement, and an adrenaline rush which had caused him to smash his Ravenclaw badge into two. It was the Spring Ball coming, and he had already went through enough at the Labyrinth. So had Elowin. Wait, where did Elowin come from?

He was literally going to the Ball with Elowin Prankhurst, his fellow Ravenclaw first-year. He thought it might look weird to have a girl more than a head shorter than him (he was 5' while she was 3'8") as his partner to the Ball, but, well, it didn't really matter. She was not hot-tempered and she did not believe in pure-blood supremacy. That was all he needed.

George pointed his wand at his trunk and said, "Accio dress!". It soared towards him like a Dementor coming to suck his soul out of his body. He caught it deftly and within ten minutes, had changed into it. He skipped into his dancing shoes and re-checked his watch. Twenty minutes before it started. He went down to the Courtyard and his eyes fell on the mahogany tables. He went up to the drinks table. An image formed in his mind of the bustling streets of Mumbai in India. He'd last been there three years ago, but nevertheless, India deserved some respect in Hogwarts. He poured some lassi and said to nobody in particular, "I miss you, Mumbai." and drank the lassi.

He then began to walk around the Courtyard, humming 'Sapphire' to himself, a Muggle song he was rather fond of. He then spotted a girl with vibrant pink hair with a half-drank galss of strawberry boba running towards the first mahogany table. "Elowin! I'm here!", he said rather loudly and changed course, running towards her.

After their group finished the Red queen Labyrinth challenge, all he could think of was to sleep because he was so tired but there’s still the ball. If it’s just him, he would go directly to bed and sleep but he and his friends previously agreed to attend the ball together and he’s not one to back out of an agreement. He headed straight to the Hufflepuff common room. Thankfully, it didn’t involve climbing a bunch of stairs because he didn’t have the energy for that anymore. He took a quick bath and clean up as fast as he could. His dad sent him a tux for this event with a simple note not to ruin it and to enjoy the party. Since then, he had been careful with it the whole time. He even thought about wearing it during the labyrinth to save time, but in the end, he decided against it. One wrong move in there and it would’ve been ruined. A good call on his part.

The tux fit him nicely, the only problem was the ribbon. He frowned at his reflection as he adjusted it again. It’s twisted regardless of how many times he fixed it. Seriously? He tried one more time, and when he checked it, it shifted again. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he gave up and let it be. It’s not that bad anyway, he’s just trying to look decent so any imperfections have no space in his outfit tonight. He ran a hand through his hair which he cut short after the holidays so it’s easier to manage these days. Checking everything’s okay, he grabbed the small knapsack he prepared days in advance. Inside was something he’s planning on giving to the girls. He and his group agreed to meet near the entrance, so he didn’t waste time wandering. Truth is, he’s not into parties, because they meant crowded places, too much noise, and too many people talking at once, it’s not something he naturally enjoyed.

When he reached the courtyard, it looked completely different than before. The sun was gone, and it was replaced by fairy lights hanging from the trees. There was more to look at. He stopped just inside the entrance, and took a moment to look around. The music was already playing in the background. The gazebo in the middle was the main focus point with flowers hanging down. Off to the sides were tables filled with food, drinks, and even games. Then there was the dance floor. Elegant is what he would call the place. He stayed near the entrance as agreed. People were already starting to arrive, all dressed up. He even saw Max there whom he greeted by raising his hand though he didn’t bother him because he knew the other boy was waiting for his date. It had been the subject of their teasings for the past few days now, especially when he knew who the girl is, another close friend of his, Julia. His gaze moved between the crowd and the decorations. Every now and then, he would glance toward the dance floor, then away again. Guess they’ll see how this goes. For now, he stayed where he was and waited for his group, just taking in everything around him and trying to feel st ease to this unfamiliar event but still worth giving a chance.