BlossomFest Blossom Ball 2018

"Hi! Um... are you OK? You don't seem as if you're having fun..." Asteria turned toward the person who spoke, only to find that it was a best friend Kathleen. "Oh, hi Kathleen," Asteria said with a warm greeting smile. "You look absolutely gorgeous! Well I'm more nervous than anything. I was never a fan of balls, and I wasn't going to come at first." She admitted. A bottomless pit in her gut was telling her to leave because there was no way Emmett would show up. But Asteria liked to believe he'd defy the odds and appear. She'd rather be reading a good book right now however, social gatherings were far from her comfort zone. But maybe she needed to get over all that?

"Dances and things like that aren't my thing, give me a good book and a nice quiet area and I'll be fine but this...." Asteria gestured to the ballroom. "I'm not the best when it comes to social gatherings like this. Plus, the only reason I came is because a friend in my house convinced me to try, and I have this deep seeded fear of my partner not showing and ending up spending the evening with no dance partner." Asteria checked around to see if he had slipped in yet. "It's weird enough I have to dance with a boy," she admitted with a slight blush. "but if he stands me up I won't forgive him!"
The idea of dancing with a boy that was not the dance instructor her grandmother hired for her when she was younger was strange to her. Boys had only ever been two things, the shy ones and the bullies, who liked to tease her and pull on her hair. This was way above her pay grade,  and she wasn't sure if she liked it yet. "Nevermind me," Asteria waved off.  "Where's your date? Is he still getting ready?" The last thing Asteria needs is for her mind to force her to turn around and leave, she'd wait, give him whatever time he needed.

Upon asking her question, Asteria noticed worry in Kathleen's eyes. She hoped she didn't put any ideas in Kathleen's head, that would make Asteria feel dreadful."Um, I suppose so... He should actually be here by now. I wonder where he's gone... My, I hope he doesn't stand me up!" Asteria put a comforting hand on Kathleen's shoulder, "Well..." Asteria began, "If the worst comes to it, and were both stood up...we'll make sure they don't get away with it together." She gave Kathleen a confident smile. "But I doubt he'll stand you up, he's probably talking with his roommates or something."

Asteria's green eyes wandered along the gathering students to see if she spotted either boy, but to no anvil. "So, what did you say who you were going with?" Kathleen asked with a smile. "Whoever he is, I'm sure he'll turn up - he'd be a total git otherwise. But it's still a bit peculiar, usually, us girls are the ones with a reputation of being late, with styling and all... and yet we are here, the guys aren't!" "Oh, his name is Emmett, Emmett Park, he's in my house, a rather odd boy, he is. But he always manages to surprise me." Asteria replied. "I hope he does this time as well," Asteria giggled "Well, boys are really weird, I'll never understand them I swear." she shook her head completely perplexed as she said this.This, to Asteria was an absolute fact of life, boys were the strangest things to walk the planet to her.

"While they are busy with whatever they are doing, we could spend some time together. D'you like the music?" Kathleen inquired "That would be nice!" Asteria responded pleased. "The music is nice, it fits the atmosphere of the room."  She said looking around at the other students. "But what should we do while we wait?" Asteria asked.

Ava put a chunk of hair behind her ear. The hairstyle was beautiful, but it was still way too much. She sighed, and looked around, trying to find anyone she knew. It'd feel much better to have someone she knew near her in this way too big and long dress. The thought of having a friend reminded her of Xaver. Oh, he'll want to hear about the ball for sure! the girl thought, smiling, immediately feeling better.




The young Silver scanned the area again, trying to find anyone. She sighed, looking at her left hand, expecting a watch to be there as usual. Instead, she found a big piece of golden jewelry, covering her whole hand. Well, most of it. The jewelry was another present from Kate, Ava's sister. Another part of it was a golden earpiece that resembled a dragon. The main parts of the outfit were golden, except the necklace - it was green... and gold. The whole thing matched up with the dress perfectly, since the dress was also golden.






As Ava stopped looking at her way too fancy jewelry, some people entered the ballroom. The young 'Silver' - tough here 'Gold' be more appropriate - smiled to herself, seeing that some people she knew entered the ballroom. This won't be that bad after all... she smiled to herself and walked up to the food table to get something to drink

Ooc: no hard feelings, and thanks, i wasn't going for super sexualized, it was the first thing i found and I liked with the lace sleeves. 

Verla sadly watched as Wes went to the prefect and scoffed. Pure jealousy rab through her. She was a bit sad she didn't see Levi shiw up, and a bit sad that Wes hadn't right away noticed her there in the spot where she'd first met him. She wanted to get his attention toward her. She remembered talking to him about who he was going to ask to the dance. She had hoped it was her. But that was just the typical little girl she was. She had noticed his awesome outfit. She curled into a side ball in her spot and laid her head on the seat. She made sure no one could see anything beneath her dress and she alwahs checked when she felt cool air on her chest. Just double checking. She was glad that she had gotten the dress when she did. It was on sale for cheap when she went shopping with her mom back in Scotland. She remember that Queen Mary had once bought the same dress and she felt speciak and proud to wear it.

Edric watched the other students come and go into the ballroom for a bit, his eyes still searching for a fellow Slytherin that wasn't a fifth year or higher. The sixth year prefect had smiled at him earlier when their eyes had met, but Edric definitely wouldn't go and disturb his date with that beautiful girl in a long dress that looked like it was made from molten silver. He knew better than to disturb them... and the girl made a face like a harpy, screeching at everyone who wanted to talk to her date. No, thank you.

He found a familiar face then, and a second immediately after. One a fellow first year Slytherin with short, dark hair in a cute dress with a long, green skirt. She'd been sorted after him. Steele, but he couldn't remember her first name. Something with an S. There was no time to think further about it however, as another person he knew entered his line of sight and came straight towards him once she'd seen him.

"Hello, Marcia," he greeted once she had reached him, a sincere smile on his face. She was one of the most normal people he'd met in Hogwarts so far, and made him feel at ease with her direct approach and friendly tone... maybe he should have become a Hufflepuff after all. He liked normal better than the behavior of some of the other Slytherins.

"I know what you mean," he answered while letting the gaze of his hazel eyes travel over the assembled students. "This is a lot more... fanfare than I expect for a ball, to be honest. Is this normal? I haven't been to a social gathering that big before. It's a bit scary..."

He looked at the girl with a frown and shrugged lightly. Neither of his brothers had mentioned that it would be that pompous an affair.

Some of those dresses were outrageous, and a few of the muggle suits had colors that he'd thought weren't acceptable on any gathering, really. Marcia was one of only a handful of the younger girls who wore a dress that was tactful. There were flowers on it and she had flowers in her hair as well. It fit the motto.

"The flowers in your hair are very pretty. Did you pick them yourself?" he finally asked, pointing with his hand at the wreath of flowers on top of her head. They were small, but the liked their violet color - they reminded him of some of the flowers that grew on the mountains at home.

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The thought pounded through Cel's apprehensively nervous mind as she entered the crowded room, fully aware that she was slightly late-- as usual-- pulling her jacket tighter around her much too skin-showing shoulders. Perhaps she shouldn't have allowed a friend to dress her-- but then, it was better than nothing; she had no other formal wear to attend the ball in. Perhaps if she skipped the ball altogether...? But no, Parker would be so disappointed to hear it.

Especially when, yesterday morning, a small parcel had been dropped in front of her bearing her legal guardian's name. She had opened it wonderingly, as it held no note, to discover two small velvet boxes along with a tiny slip of paper reading for my dearest daughter's ball. Now she wore the single raven ear climber on her left ear, the blue pendant hanging lightly around her thin neck, wide-eyed and curious at the crowds of gathered students and the faces she could not recognize... but Cel could not leave now.

Stepping delicately through the doors, doing her best not to be nudged aside by the trickle of students pouring in gradually through the door. She could see several entering with linked elbows-- dates, she supposed, of which she herself was certain she would never find. For goodness's sake, Cel was eleven, not sixteen; whatever emotion the masses labeled love was not to last so young. It took more to become a Feyre and Rhys, a Jace and Clary, a-- hmm. So she was reading too many romantic novels.

But there were so many people there. Cel could spot a couple of professors, but practically zero familiar faces otherwise; how strange it was that she could feel so apprehensively solitary when she was surrounded by such a crowd. It was true, however; she would never feel less alone as when she was alone... or so she was certain.

Carefully making her way to the food she descried earlier, the girl edged her way between students and weaved around tables, hoping that some time or another she would see someone she was familiar with... which was unlikely, seeing as she was not familiar with many people in the school. Carefully she extended her hand, fingers hovering over a choice of two sweets-- chocolate cauldrons or pumpkin pasties?-- before gently taking one of the semicircle-shaped desserts and wrapping it loosely in a napkin, taking a small nibble. It wasn't that it didn't taste good-- quite the opposite-- but Cel never had much of an appetite; now was not an exception. She could feel the cool metal of the silver roses on her thin braided belt pressing against her waist as she exhaled, the press of the hilt of her knife tucked into the leather sheath her friend had somehow attached to the belt for her settling comfortingly against her side.

The girl finally spotted Professor Barrows, dressed in a camouflage but nevertheless beautiful rosy gown, and carefully meandered over, pulling the navy skirts of her own dress up to avoid getting stepped on with her gloved hands. The soles of her sandals seemed particularly thin, as she could feel every bump on the ground that she stepped on, and her hair comb was heavy in her pleated hair, but she was not about to remove either one-- her friend had wasted the entire day dressing her up, and even if she had been doing homework as the girl had fussed over her braids, she would not waste her dear acquaintance's time.

Spotting another blonde girl--Ravenclaw-- already there and likely about to greet the Divination professor, however, Cel abandoned her effort, beginning to turn away, backing toward the nearest wall to perhaps find a nice corner to sit in and read the light book she held in her free arm. Hopefully, there was one available that would provide enough comfortable space but also enough light; there was no way she would be, the gods forbid, chatting with a stranger or dancing.

God, Rosie felt strange. This was so far out of her comfort zone. She honestly barely recognized herself lately. It was amazing what having a couple friends could do to a person.
She wrung her hands as she walked into the ball. Her nerves were clearly getting the better of her. As she took in the dresses around her she almost turned and ran out. Instead she took a deep breath and kept moving. She didn’t look bad. She wore the white Dress with a lace overlay and embroidered flowers on the neckline that her father had the foresight to pack for her. Even muggles, it seemed, had school dances. Her hair was up in a bun, but curly pieces of hair falling out here and there, especially near her face. Some might think she looked messy, others might say it was charming. Her curly hair was difficult to tame. She had done her best. She looked ok but still felt under dressed. Already, she was regretting coming.
She scanned the crowd for her friends, and briefly spotted Verla. But just as quickly, someone got within her field of vision and she lost her again. Sighing, she made her way to the wall and leaned her back against it. Her mind raced as she considered all of the reasons she needed to run away, yet she didn’t move. Rosie was torn. She was surprised to realize that she actually hoped someone asked her to dance, though she wouldn’t get her hopes up.

Howie entered the Ball Room and was immediately overwhelmed with color. The usual sea of black robes now replaced with vibrant shades of every color under the sun. The chandeliers casting a warm glow over the pink and purple tables, and causing many of the dresses to glitter and sparkle. 

He looked down to his brown suit and felt it may be a bit dull. It was an old suit handed down to him by his father, one he had used in his youth for formal occasions. Oh well. Howie thought to himself, the suit was at least different, something Howie did not mind being. 

Howie made his way through the gathering crowd towards the concession table, free food was free food after all. Helping himself to a few treats and an ice cold glass of pumpkin juice, a new found favorite of his since arriving at Hogwarts, he scanned the room for familiar faces. He did not recognize most of the people in attendance. Gosh! There are a lot of girls here! Are there any other guys that go to this school!

Finishing his snack, he continued to roam the Ball Room, enjoying the music and the laughter from his fellow students, and keeping an eye out for friendly faces. Howie made his way out of the crowd and then he spotted her. Rosie! She was standing against the wall wearing a pretty white dress, her curls pulled up over her head. He beelined in her direction. 

“Hey Rosie!” He called out to her as he approached, wiping his hair out of his face. “You look great.” He took up a spot beside her on the wall. “This is fantastic. Wouldn’t have recognized the place with all these decorations.” He said, his eyes scanning the room again. Turning slightly he looked down at her, his palms suddenly a bit sweaty. “So...um...Rosie. Would you wanna dance with me?” A big grin crossed his face.

𝓘f there was one thing that Katerina Petrov was good at, it was going to events such as this. Having barely bonded with her dormmates thus far caused her to feel a little awkward most of the time, but this was the one time where she should feel at place. If so, then why was her heart beating as though she were nervous? Was it because of the people who were going to be there, or was she anxious over something else? She pushed it to the side, and tucked a piece of her black hair behind her ear, looking into a hand mirror she had brought from home.

𝓝ot long after, she was heading out of the dormitory and to the Ballroom - alone. That's how it would be throughout the whole event, she was sure of it, but that wouldn't stop her from at least trying to have some sort of fun.  She smoothed out the silken skirt of her gown, then pushed on through into the Ballroom. Her heart wouldn't calm down, and she could feel her palms beginning to get clammy. Not often did this happen, and she was honestly curious as to why.

𝓦ith awe, she looked around the beautiful scenery, her lips slightly parted. Her parents never did anything like this before, although there was no way she was going to admit that a wizarding school had upstaged the Petrovs. She brushed back a strand of hair that had strayed away from the bun at the top of her head behind her ear, taking a few steps further into the room. Beautiful flowers decorated the ceiling, and the room was vibrant with colour. It was like the Ballroom itself had turned into the essence of Spring. Whoever did this was absolutely amazing.

 𝓢he didn't exactly know where to go, not really being friends with anyone to begin with. It was times like these that she wished she would just open up out of her shell, but there was no way that that would happen. Not tonight, and not any other time soon. She bit onto her lip, her eyes catching sight of the food table through the crowd. Although she was short, she made sure to make it clear that she was pushing through the crowd with purpose - she wanted those snacks. Hopefully, there would be pastries. Those were her favourites.

𝓤pon approaching the table, she immediately caught sight of what looked like butter tarts, but knowing this school, it could be just about anything. Yet, without hesitation, she peeled the wrapper away from it, biting into the delight and almost dying at the magnificent taste that it had. Who knew something could taste so good?

With Edric smiling beside her Marcia already felt better. "Thank you," she said shy with one hand on one of the flowers in her hair. "Yes, I picked them today. They're all over the Grounds of Hogwarts and I thought, since it's a Blossom Fest, I could wear some of them. Childish, I know."

He seemed equally confused about what was going on and she could see that he preferred to stay out of the gathering as well. Nevertheless, it was ironic that he would ask Marcia if all of this was normal. "What is normal here at Hogwarts? I've never seen something like that before. I've never been to something that … snobbish. My family was never invited to an event such as big as the Blossom Fest. All I witnessed are the town fairs although they're muggle ones. They all were in higher spirits than … well, this."

She turned to the crowd and pointed to no one in particular and imagined them and their dressed with some haggis in their hands, standing in the mud while cheering for the men who threw some logs for funs and giggles. Compared to what she knew this fest felt as if it was another world.
With a sad smile, feeling a little homesick, she turned back to Edric. She couldn't imagine him playing in the mud either. She didn't get to know him better yet, but to her he was a quiet boy who wouldn't jump into a contest of who could lift the most wood.

"Have you ever heard of the Up Helly Aa?" she asked Edric with a heavy Scottish accent. Marcia never tried to hide her heritage, be it her muggle father or her home country. She was proud of who she was and where she came from, but her mother had asked her to speak more clearly in front of other children. Sometimes her accent got the best of her, however.