Oliver chuckled as Cameron poked his cheek. So she was picking up bad habits from the annoying Snake already? Not good. 'His eyes was glazing over?' He laughed embarrassedly – if she didn't like the gormless expression, she shouldn't have shown up looking so fine. “Sorry. You just look so different.” He murmured. “Like, good, different.” He added quickly because girls usually thought different meant 'bad'. Silly mares. hehe.

She looked so confused as he took her hand – Oliver wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or not. She reminded him of a rabbit in the headlights and was worried she may bolt at any minute. He shook his head, his eyes filling with amusement when she admitted she didn't get what he said. “Ah nothing.” He replied waving his free hand dismissively. “Ignore me. It was just a stupid joke. 'S not even worth explaining.” Like most of his weird 'jokes'.

But that feeling was quashed the moment Cameron returned his compliment and said he looked 'dapper'. He beamed at her. He liked that word.

'We're both dreaming?' What? He was unsure if Cameron actually took that seriously or not. “No.. I jus' meant –nevermind.” Ooof.. was it getting hot in here? If he'd been wearing a tie, he would have been tugging at it uncomfortably round about now. He was beginning to realise that opening his mouth was a bah-haad idea. The words that were coming out, although it made perfect sense to him, were obviously nothing but a load of gobbledegook to Cameron. It was her fault really – she was making his brain all funny by looking... and smelling so good. Her perfume was acting like a Confundus Charm. Seriously.

“I don't think you're insane.” He said not able to keep his mouth shut because, lets face it, a camel was more likely to travel through the eye of a needle than Oliver keeping quiet for more than five minutes. “You have a different take on life to most but that's a good thing.” He smiled. “You wouldn't be Cameron if you weren't so random and feisty and yet oh so insecure. And I certainly wouldn't be here with you now if you were like all the rest.” He gestured at the people in the entrance hall.

She wasn't going to dance with him? Maan. And so the face pulling started. “One dance.” He said holding up one finger up. "You've got to at least give me one dance. We'll make it a slow one.” He assured her. “Besides, Quidditch is over with for a while now – my feet wont mind being trodden on.” He laughed cheekily and squeezed her hand, especially when she called him 'love'. He'd promised a few dances, but really, he didn't want to dance with anyone except Cameron. “Come on. I could do with a drink.” A cold one to, ya know, cool down a wee bit?

Jack stood waiting beside the door leading into the ball. He looked around to see if Diana had arrived.

Desmond stood beside the door watching his little cousin. Sure he teased him about going to the ball but he couldn't help but feel protective of him. He decided to wait until his date showed up. He looked around to see if he remembered anyone from his time at Hogwarts.

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Originally Posted by individual

Smiling as Josh agreed that Patroclus could come along, Evelyn looked at both Gryffindors for a moment before glancing around once more. Returning students? Oh jeez...hopefully that one guy didn't come. Whatever the Gryffindor's name was...

Whatever though. If he did, then she was ready to get out of any situation he put forth. Oh, oh Merlin. What if...what if Bunz came!? "I think we should." she said, rapidly turning the scowl on her face to a sweet smile before moving in the middle between Josh and Patroclus. Best forget about any particular people showing up at the Ball and just have some fun right? Hooking her right arm with Josh's first, she glanced at him in the eyes for a moment before looking over to Patroclus and hooking her left arm with his.

"Let us...gooooo inside." And make sure no one destroys all their hard work! Hehe.

Patroclus watched on as Evelyn slid her arm into Josh’s. He felt awkward and turned to look away, however was shocked as she also joined arms with him. He smiled, and then turned away to make sure his now bright red face wasn’t showing. He didn’t know why it was red, but he knew it would clash with his suit.
Calming his nervous and fluttering pulse, he smiled at Evelyn and Josh, “Here We Go!”

Breathing in, Patroclus started towards the Ballroom.

Kevin entered the entrance hall finally convincing himself to attend the ball and he looked about for somebody to chat to and well he hated the fact that he didnt have a date for the ball

Vanessa grinned a little as she listened to Evangeline. That was part of the reason why Vannie had left St Mungos in the first place. She'd wanted a rest, and break from the hustle and bustle, not that she really got that frrom where she worked now, probably got more noise from the owls now. But she loved working in Eeylops, it was her life now. hehe. "But I know you still love it." She smiled at her friend. She knew Evangeline far too well, and she knew that the girl loved healing with some passion, more than Vannie did herself, because well Vannie had left. Oh well. She loved her new job, and that was where her life was now. hehe.

She heard someone else speak, and Vannie giggled with a grin. She knew exactly who it was. Cliffffie. Hehe. She watched Clifford and Evie interact with each other, and she smiled. They were cute. They reminded her of Miles and herself, which then again made it a little painful to see them happy, but she didn't care. She was over Miles now, she was sure of it. Oh....was Clifford still calling her snot girl. That amused her. "You know Clifford...Im sure you can call me by my actual name now?"

Hehe! Of course the band would come up! Chris just shrugged with a smile. "The bands doing good. As I told Em we are out of New York and in L.A I don't like it as much there but we are playing shows almost every night. Also we just got off a small tour as an opening act soooo." He said with a small chuckle.

He waved it off. "Marco, do you really think after all this time I wouldn't have learned how to not get caught?" He smirked. Merlin this boy was gullible. Ah well, may as well let it go. "Goodness, Marco... I may hold grudges, but not over something as petty as this," he said with a chuckle. "I'm only messing with you. I have better things to worry about again. Family, career... I'm not going to waste my time hunting you down when I could be planning the nursery."

Amelia had been a bit reluctant to attend the Alumni Ball. It had - after all - been nearly six years since she'd walked through those doors. Of course the moment she and Tancred received the invitation to the ball she had been squealing with delight. Yet her reluctance came last night when the babies came down with a bad cold. She was intending on just staying home, when Tancred stepped in - the sweet dear he was - and told her to go on. He would stay home with the babies. So the redhead went on by herself, her heart home with Tancred and the babies though.

Her reluctance to attend alone disappeared in the moments she entered the entrance hall and took in the breathtaking decorations. It was just as majestic as when she left. And then - she saw one of the girls she'd been hoping to see. Vanessa Corbette. My had that girl 'grown'; at least in spirit.

Thankful for the ballet flats she chose to wear to match her dress, simply because they made little sound on the hard floor, Mia approached the younger/shorter girl quietly from behind. With the fast instincts she'd been born with, she wrapped her arms over the girl, enveloping her in a tackle!hug. "Guessssssssssswhhhhhhhhooooooo!?" she exclaimed into the girl's ear.

Emalyn calmed herself. It wasn't THAT big a deal. Plus it was Hogwarts, she shoulda been expecting a grand party like this.
She spotted a lonely looking boy about her age also enter the entrance hall and sidled over to him.
"Whaddaya think of it?" she asked, gesturing to the decorations and just...the grandness of it all. "It's the fanciest party I've ever seen."

Eegads!

Vanessa never had really done well with surprise, which was a bad idea seeing as she did like have a baby, and was probably bound to get a lot of surprises. So when she felt someones arms around her she squealed a little, but thankfully she didn't actually scream, because that would be highly embrassing, and she was a a lady now, and ladies did not scream. Not at all.
But that voice. She recognised that voice. She really could not remember it though. Which was really bad. She glanced across at Evie....before turning around in the clearly feminine arms.....

And then she squeaed again. "Oh. My. God." She giggled, throwing her own arms around the older woman. "Miaaa!" By god has she missed this woman so so so much. But oddly it hadn't crossed her mind that she might have actually seen her here. Oh well.

Marco breathed a sigh of relief. This man wasn't going to set fire to Marco's perfect hair. He frowned, "A nursery Sir? Do you have a kid?" What about Natasha??? How could you forget about her? He didn't like the idea of Erikson moving on. Poor Blay. He still remembered her.

It didn't cross Mia's mind that the girl wouldn't remember her or even be startled to see her here. After all, who wouldn't remember her? A moment later though, she felt the body she was enveloping turn and HUG her back! YAY!

"Nesssssaaaaaaaaaa! I've missed you!" Grinning, she pulled back slightly but kept her hands on the girls' shoulders, lest she try to run away. Eying her up and down, she narrowed her eyebrows slightly. "You look awesome. Different though. But awesome. What have you been up to?" She did of course worry about all her Hufflepuffs when she graduated, but somehow had faith that they would come out okay. Simply because she knew she had given them a strong [Hufflepuff] foundation when she was there. She and Savannah... Speaking of which ...

"Oh. My!" Her green eyes opened wide. "Savannah! Alexis! Curt! They're all here, right?! Right?" Hopefully, because if she left her sick babies and husband home, then she better at least be reunited with some old friends.

...

EEP! Was that Professor Erikson Carracio?! And ... ooh! Oh noes! That was Marco Denver talking to him. She would recognize him from a mile away; who was one old friend she wasn't anxious to see. Sighing, she quickly glanced away in the other direction . . .

As the nineteen year old ex Ravenclaw stepped into the Entrance Hall, a delighted shiver ran through her. It had been completely restored and bore no marks of the evils that had been here last term.

Excellent.

Grinning broadly, Rachel checked her dress was in order before beginning to make her way through the throngs of people. An Alumni Ball was EXACTLY what she needed at the moment. Her Healer had permitted to let her come on the condition that she stayed away from trouble and took regular water breaks between dancing.

Point was - she'd been allowed to come and Rachel was not about to waste this little window of freedom from her real life and the state it was in at the moment. Of course, HE could show up and then her real life would be in here too but for now, it was just her and Hogwarts.

Smiling at everyone, Rachel waved happily to the people she recognised and hadn't seen in what seemed like an age before walking into the Great Hall, her low heels making a lovely click-clacking noise on the stones. Ahhh, Hogwarts. How she'd missed it! Hehe.

Now, where was the food? She'd had enough hospital muck to last her a lifetime!

Cameron felt that familiar warmth fill her cheeks at his comment. Different?
Didn't she get that enough without having to be different tonight. She'd gone to so much effort..
'Good different?' Yeah.. "Oh.. thanks," She mumbled and pulled out a fake smile. Different it was then. She didn't like this dream so much anymore. Nothing was going to plan.

He was.. holding her hand. Bad dream quickly turned to euphoric hallucination at this thought and Cam frowned when he waved her off. But she wanted to know! "Buhht.. I like your jokes.. I like them more when I get them.|

And then being the mean girl she was, she pouted for extra effect.

Luckily, her humiliation went unnoticed by Oliver who seemed to find her slip of the tongue endearing. Trust.

"It is a dream isn't it?" That was a real shame because she was enjoying this.
She cut off as he spoke. Er.. o_______0 "You don't?" Aww. She smiled and looked at the ground, embarassed.
Insecure? "Aw.. I am?" Heh. The whole 'There's no way that Oliver would like me.." kinda put that into perspective."Right.. well that's .. cool." She didn't really know what to say.
Aww. "So, you don't care that I'm ... weird?" She smirked when he motion to the people around, "Yeah.. average is so passe' these days." Heh.. she wished.
"Thanks Capt'n" She mumbled trying, through her humble happiness, to find the humour.

Despite her burning cheeks, the Gryffindor giggled at his face-pulling. He would have to get down on his knee's and beg if she were going to dance.
Yeah.. she kinda caved when he opened his mouth. He hadn't of even needed to do that he could've just stood there and she would've caved. Her will power was zilch.
"I suppose, considering I need to give you one dance, I could possibly squeeze one in."
Punching him (lightly!) she laughed, "Shush you. I seem to remember your massive, showy dance-thing didn't work out so well." Eh.. he'd know what she was talking about.
Smiling as he squeezed her hand, she moved a little closer to him and nodded, "Something cold sounds guuuud."

Kevin saw an older Hufflepuff girl talk to him and said "Yeah it is pretty impressive, I am Kevin and you are?" Kevin was glad to be meeting new people

Vanessa beamed as she looked up at her friend. Possibly one of her oldest friend, and her first ever hufflepuff friend. Just looking at one of her many role models made her remember the mini mias, and all those memories. Oh seeing Mia was amazing. Although what the woman called her, made her think of Erik, and how sophisticated the name Nessa made her seem, not at all like the midget hufflepuff she had been mere 3 years ago. "Nessa?" She grinned at her friend, made everyone would start calling her that now. "I like it." More grown up than Vannie she was sure. "Different? Oh yes. I've had a Lyra make over." She giggled, imagining her best friends face when she saw her. Oh yes. She loved her Lyra make up, but she other thing she loved was that she hadn't lost her Vannieness, she was still the cute little midget that she had always been, she just dressed a little. "Well....I did the healing course yeah? But then I got a little bored." Which was really beyond her, because she had loved healing. "So I work at Eeyelops now." Because she loved her shop, it was so her.

Oooh. Vannah and Curt! "Oh my! I hope they're here. I haven't seen them since they graduated!" She brunette pouted a little. They had better be there. She missed them. "Man I've hardly seen anyone since I graduated!" which made her feel bad, and sad. She wanted to see her old friends!

Tori entered the ballroom, looking around at the decorations. She wore a little black dress and silver shoes to match her silver hair accessories. Skirting the room she leaned against the wall looking around at everyone else mingle, something she had given up doing, even on a daily basis. The smiles, the dresses, the decorations, she couldn't help but smile a little as the atmosphere demanded it.

Dacs stood by the door as she watched everyone enter. All the young faces, teenagers. She remembered her years at hogwarts. She wondered if she would see her best friend from Hogwarts show up. Standing and looking through the crowd she could see some people she knew.

Sarah had that tendency to cling to him. Which Sheldon loved. LOVED. Like her eyes, and hands, and lips, and... okay. Bottom line? He loved her. Completely. Totally.

Even a bit madly because, you know, he hadn't actually grown up. Or maybe he had just grown up to be tall and handsome and with a penchant for cracking jokes all the time, all over again.

"Have I told you I love you?" He asked, tones rather quiet for someone who was... well, Shel, as he stepped into the Entrance Hall, with his wife. Wife. Good Lord, they were married. The fact had yet to sink in. Shel felt like it would be just as amazing, twenty years from now.

Then again, he did love her.

Hermy was feeling incredibly awkward. She still didn't quite know why she was here - a whole six years on - and she definitely had mixed memories of her time at Hogwarts. Of the people she met, and the things she experienced.

She took a deep breath, and fiddled with her dress. Again. She'd been screwing it up in her hands nervously the whole way here. And it wasn't the best of fabrics for creasing. Meh.

She'd been persuaded to wear said dress, but she definitely didn't feel comfortable in it. Far from it. And considering Hermy was all about comfort and being herself, she was feeling very conspicuous in such a high impact number. On her own. No partner. Sure, she'd designed the fabric. And it had been styled into an amazing dress by a top designer, but why had she been chosen to model it herself at this particular event? Gah. Silly idea on the part of her studio partner.

And so, she stood there, trying to relax before heading into the actual ballroom and dance floor. With all the watching eyes. Maybe she'd see a friendly face or two first.

Sarah Ambrose.

Mrs. Ambrose.

Despite the whole pre-wedding scare. The epic freak out and the more epic elopement in the end - Sarah didn't even try to conceal the beam that shone across her face, knowing that she was not Miss Corner but Mrs Ambrose.

And Sarah sure had a funny way of showing it off, her arm was linked with Sheldon's - with her hand (the one with her wedding ring on) carefully placed at his side. YES SHE WAS CLINGING. Because, guess what - she totally could. Sarah now had a 'legal' claim at the blond, handsome guy next to her.

His words brought her back on earth. Her cheeks reddened just like the times before - just like the first time he had kissed her and just like the many times .. here at hogwarts. "Yes, you have" she whispered, quietly back.

Chuckling lightly, her eyes moved onto the entrance hall again. Wow. They were back here. Oh my. "Shel ... we are here again. Gosh, I am so excited"

"Actually, we're expecting three." He looked rather nonchalant about it, though internally it was somewhat embarrassing to have moved so fast... again. "Two boys and a girl, it looks like." He pulled a hologram crystal from his pocket and activated it... revealing a young woman who had long, wavy black hair and light blue eyes, and looked rather heavily pregnant. And anyone who had seen an image of Slade could easily see the similarities. She would probably dislike that he was showing images of her in such a condition, though he was personally loving it.

Quietly, and a little sadly, he continued, "A new start... a second chance to have a family and protect them. A new lease on life." He shut off the hologram, glancing back up to Marco as though he knew exactly what the man was thinking. "Surely, after losing everything and everyone I'd loved and cared for, I'm entitled to that... A little happiness and a little less loneliness? At last, being loved by at least someone once again?"

Chris didn't like L.A.? Huh. That was a new one. Lena, for one, loved it there with the beach and sun. That's good, she said with a small smile, unsure of what else to say. Hmmmmm.... Your family okay? she asked, grasping at straws and trying to pass over the awkwardness approaching at remembrance of their last meeting.

Oh.

Oliver's words, which were supposed to be a compliment, hadn't gone down quite the way he expected. Maan, this girl stuff was suuu difficult. Time to backtrack.. or use his that Slytherin silver tongue he had been blessed with. “I don't mean you look 'different' - 'weird'.” He explained complete with air-quotes. “I mean you look different to how you usually look. I'm not used to seeing you all dolled up like this.” He waved his hand in front of her face indicating her hair and make-up. “You look....” What? Cue the tomato face. “...Really beautiful.” Like a young woman and not that girl in her Gryffindor robes he saw everyday.

He raised an eyebrow and eyed her, ignoring the hotness around the collarage area. “No you don't.” He said deadpan. “When I went to the effort of feigning a heart attack purely to entertain you, you looked at me like I was insane.” Which was probably true but still – takes one to know one and all that jazz. “'Sides.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It's was too subtle – I doubt you would get it.”

Smirrrrrrrrrk.

So the lad was starting to relax. Poor Hammy – what had she got herself into? Hehe.

He noted the pout. “Not gonna work, missy.” Although if she added puppy dog eyes to the mix, Oliver would most certainly cave. She had such pretty eyes and he was but a weak-willed teenage boy.

Was she being serious about the dream thing? Yeah, she was weird, but this dream thing was, like, reh-heally weird... yet kinda cute at the same time. “No.” He replied sincerely – he didn't think she was insane – 'weird' and 'insane' are both very different things after all. Then, “Yes.” Nod, nod.. to the insecure thing. Like when she hid in the Gryffie common room lest she bump into any Ravenclaws with their 'book dust'. N'awwww.

“I like that you're weird.” He elbowed her playfully. “There's never a dull moment with you Cam, seriously.” And to hold Oliver's attention for more than five minutes was quite a feat. Kudos to HCammy.

His eyes snapped up to meet hers and he smiled when she laughed at him. “Good.” He said squeezing her hand. “Cos what's it going to look like if the Captain doesn't dance with his date?” Mwhahahaha! He knew he had her now! He mock winced when she punched him. “Strong swing like that.. why aren't you on the Gryffie team with a bat in your hand?” He pulled another face at her and reached up to flick her forehead lightly. “It would have worked perfectly if you hadn't got in the way.” He retorted with smirk in place.. but he let it falter. “The fact that I was trying to impress you is but a minor detail” Wink. Hehe.

He felt her move closer.. Cold sounded great to him, especially now there was very little space between he and this very pretty young woman. Maan.. it WAS hot in here, wasn't it? “Alright.” he said softly and started towards the Great Hall opening up that gap once again. Phew!

That was true. Vannie was absolutely right when she said Evangeline loved healing. It was a part of who she was, she supposed. It was hectic, and gory and exhausting but very rewarding as well. Sometimes. You know, when things were right. "It has its perks." She replied with a grin. "I do miss having you around, though." They used to have a blast in that hospital. Hehe. "How is Eeylop's doing? And what have you been doing apart from that?" Evangeline felt like she barely even knew what Vannie was up to these days!

And well, she supposed she didnt know. They so needed to get together more.

Varius Tipps wanted to make some grand entrance (as was always the case with the young ex-Huffle), however a rather blunt letter to the school board requesting a flying, hippogriff driven carriage with plentiful fireworks sparking upon his arrival spelling out 'VARIUS TIPPS: HOGWARTS FINEST' was refused. He couldn't work out what had been so wrong with this request, but behaved according to the school boards wishes.

He entered the entrance hall, in his rather spiffy suit. His top hat was extremely tall, his trousers slightly too small for him and a cane was present, swinging in circles at his side as he made his way through the school he had left about two years ago. His mother took some convincing to allow his attendance at this ball, but once she was assured that no werewolves existed within the walls anymore she gave him the okay. He currently got home schooled by one of the many tutors at the Botts mansion where he and his mother now lived. His mother and father seemed to be making a fresh start of things, much to his delight. However, having to spend a lot more time with his cousin, Neptune Bott, was more torture than anything.

"IM HERE, WITCHES!" he bellowed, a huge grin plastered over his face. It felt really good to be back. He rubbed the heads of a few people nearby (all of whom he had no recollection of) and sauntered deeper into the hall. Surely there was a familiar face SOMEWHERE around here? "Is someone going to take my robe or what? Where is the serviceeeeeeeee?"