"Professor," Tate raised a hand to wave at Lexi as she arrived. "How are you this evening? You look very lovely. Don't fight with Lily over who looks nicer. I think it's an even draw."

"THANK you," Tate snapped the ends of the tie playfully and then leaned forward to let her snap them too. You know... if she wanted.

"I think bowties are best."


***

"It looks great too," Copernicus Kettleburn didn't often manage to sneak up on Celandine, but she was like a small child, so eager to take everything in and to see and be seen, that he was almost upon her and she hadn't even spotted him yet.

He skipped the professor part of the line... didn't know them. And so he paused in front of the Head Girl and bowed. "Miss Toussaint. You look like a shiny."

From her spot somewhere in the midst of the crowd, Lily spotted Lexi, and waved at the woman. Tilting her head, she turned her attention to Casey, and laughed, "How quick you are to change your mind." She teased, all in good humor.

BUT. "You do look lovely." She added to her friend. "Of course, I am not surprised." Of course not!

And there went the one person in the entire world who managed to make Celandine blush on a regular basis. She coloured a bit now and lowered her lashes, peeking up at him as he bowed.

She glanced left, then right and then threw propriety out the window in favour of launching herself at Copernicus, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him soundly before pulling away.

"Sorry Professors. Headmaster." Cela peeked at them apologetically but then she was done looking at anyone except Copey. She eyed his ensemble approvingly and reached out a finger tip to run down the purple of his tie, expression mischevious.

"You look breathtaking." She took a breath, a big gaspy one, eyes wide to illustrate the point.

Trixie walked down the Recieving line to introduce herself and just to see people. And the first thing she spotted was that curly mop of hair. Oliver. Cue instant evil smirk. "Heya Olliwolliver" she giggled as she approached him. "Having fun there?" she asked an eyebrow raised slightly. "My my, someone has scrubbed up nicely. Who you out to impress then?" she asked teasingly.

She looked at the other people. "Nancy" she softly smiled as she spotted her favourite prefect. She noticed the other Slytherin Prefect and so decided to make herself known. "Hello. I'm Trixie" she smiled outstretching a hand. "You and Nancy are doing a wonderful job at keeping us Slytherins under control, especially with all the detentions they've had" she laughed.

She also noticed the Hufflepuff prefect, Sara in which she had first met in a strange encounter in the Kitchens. Hmm..."Hey Sarah. You look wonderful today" she grinned.

She grinned at each of the individual professors and saw the nurse there as well. "Hello healer Moretti" she smiled softly. Well she was very grateful to this woman after her little hexing incident so it would be rude not to acknowledge her.

She also noticed the Herbology professor, the one who had helped her with her homework. "Hello Professor Dodson" she grinned. "Thank you once again for helping me with History of Magic. You look very handsome today" she complimented him.

So if Lily was around, Lexi surely didn't see her amongst the crowds and crowds of people in the receiving line. With the number of people hanging out here, Lexi had to wonder if anyone at all was eating the food or testing out the dance floor.

Lexi was just about to edge away when she heard the sort-of familiar voice of the headmaster call out to her. She smiled and gently made her way through the crowd and toward Tate. "Oh, well aren't you just the prefect gentlemen tonight? You look nice yourself, and don't worry, no fights between Lily and I---not tonight, at least," she playfully replied.

...and on that note, Lily finally decided to make her appearance---at least to Lexi, that is. With all the people crowded around, Lexi had no idea how long her friend had been in the area. She caught the teasing line Lily gave Tate, and in reply, Lexi playfully raised her eyebrows a time or two.

"Well, thank you," she said, turning her attention fully on Lily. "You look great, yourself. I do love that dress."

"You're very welcome," Sage responded with a small bow, when Trixie thanked him for the homework help again. "I was glad to help." And more compliments? That meant more ear burnage. Unsure what to do or say, Professor Dodson just smiled.. awkwardly.

Women are very difficult to understand, Tate decided. If he suggested one or the other of them looked better, he'd be murdered in his sleep. But leave the two of them to it, and they'd cackle like mad hens all night long.

"Well. You both owe me a dance. Later. If your dates don't protest." And now it was time to pay attention to the students again and not the crazy women on staff.


"You do know how to say hello with pizazz, Shiny," Copernicus covered her hand on his tie and gave it a quick squeeze before letting go. She looked stunning, but then Copernicus was well used to the fact that Celandine ALWAYS looked stunning. She could wear burlap and forget to wash for a week and she'd somehow create a new burlap sensation. Such was her gift.

"How long do you have to do the Head Girl gig? I need to plan out my evening so I don't spend too much time alone and lurky in the corner. Creeps people out, you know?"

Miranda was now fighting the urge to NOT chew her thumb nail, twisting her hands together and totally letting Sarah do whatever it was she was doing. It was actually quite comforting, as if she was there to protect her from anything...strange. Like herself in a short dress. Heh.
Believe her? "No." A serious face, but soon a smile spread her lips. She knew Sarah wouldn't lie, but Miranda was still not sure about this. It was...odd. And the Prefect's dress? Awesome. "Ah, yeah...pale yellow...Badgertastic, but this is much better. Yes. You should be a fashion...person or something." Nod nod. She knew abou this stuff.

Haha. Miranda laughed with her. "Yeah, that's good, yeah? Hopefully everything will stay this calm. I mean...we could get in there and break up a fight, but this dress might slow me down... Hehe."


Oh! Tate speaking. Miranda turned to him, one eyebrow raised. She smiled a little at his kind words and then nodded as he told them they were free to go...as soon as people stopped ENTERING. Hehe. Cool. "Yes, sir, thankyou." Nod. "I'll have the Beater's bat ready if needed." With another serious nod, she turned to her friends again. Hehe. As if she'd risk getting her equipment hurt...pfffffft. Hehe.

Giggling, she watched as he snapped his tie, and cause she just couldn't resist, she snapped it as well when he leaned forward. "They are," She agreed. "Very classy."

Arya had turned her attention back to Cela when she heard another not so familiar voice. She hadn't seen where he had come from, but watched with a grin as he bowed to her. So this was her date. He looked nice in his suit as well, she liked the tie best even if purple wasn't her color.

She was juuust about to complement to guy, oblivious to Cela's blushing when the Head Girl kissed him. Annnnd she was getting all mushy with the complements. The face she might have made before was apparent as she stared at the two. Ew. Time to leave? "Um...I'll see ya later Cela." Turning her eyes on the guy, she tried to hide her obvious discomfort. "Nice to meet you...nice tie too." She was sooo outta here!

Preston had been scanning the arriving crowds, not really speaking much. Very few returning alumni were from his class - and even if they were, he doubted they'd want to speak with him - and he had no former students to greet.

He did, however, have the misfortune of his gaze landing on Miss Toussaint at the moment she launched herself at a young man whom he could only hope was a significant other. If not, Merlin...

He coughed a bit, surprised, before murmuring to himself and making no acknowledgment of her apology.

Turning to another professor in the line, he smiled, not having greeted everyone quite yet. "Ah, Professor Carlton," he said lightly. "Are you expecting any former classmates of yours?"

"Hello there Trixie." Lily waved to the girl, "You look very lovely have a good time." And please do not hurt yourself. Sigh. Poor girl.

"Fights?" Oh silly. "Of course not. Ladies do not fight." She batted her eyelashes, to prove that she was, indeed, a lady.

Hehe. "Thank you dear." Lily added with a grin, only barely holding back from calling Lexi "charming". It was a CHEESY joke, and Lily needed to REMEMBER that.

Oh Sage.

Already, the man looked terribly uncomfortable. Briefly, Lily wondered if she would need to make a trip down to the hospital to fetch a calming draught for the Herbology Professor.

"Hello Sage." She called to him, with a wave and a smile.

...Hm. Well, Lily couldn't very well get away with not dancing.. at a ball, now could she? "Yes sir." She replied, a mock salute and a grin on her lips. She doubted that Sage would protest, especially the Headmaster, and she didn't have a date, so, looked like he was in the clear.

"I think I can..." Cela trailed off. She could escape yes? Maybe? Sigh. Probably not. "Maybe meet me inside in just a few minutes?"

That would be sufficient, right? She wanted to speak with a few more people and there were more expected arrivals that Celandine was looking forward to seeing again.

"Oh and its a good thing you didn't wear a dress after all. Torin totally was before."

Wouldn't want to be the same after all.


"Okay Arya." Celandine hid a smile and peeked at Copernicus, observing in an I'm-so-grown-up-now voice, "I used to make that face too."

Usually accompanied by the word 'ew'.

Speaking of creeping people out though, Celandine bit her lip noticing Professor Kingsley's... reaction to her kissing Copernicus. She blushed again and turned back to Copernicus. Oh well. It could have been worse.

Really it was only a brief snog.

Thorough, but brief.

Stepping up to greet those in line, JD looks to Ellie, he hadn't been there much longer then she had, but knew a few of the people in the line. He wondered if she knew any that were from previous years.

Smiling over at Nia, who seemed a little nervous he tries to avoid Cela's glance.

Eyes shining, Liz walks up to the receiving line. She couldn't resist coming back, even just for an evening. She would have graduated here last term, if she hadn't gone abroad.

Vindictus is still here... she thought silently. Seeing a few others like Cela, she smiles at her. Seeing she made Head Girl, she wasn't surprised, she had been a very bright girl.

Walking over to Vindictus, she wonders if he remembered her. That ice skating rink they'd done a few years back on the third floor was a ton of fun...

Nia rubbed her lips together, and then nibbled at the inside of her bottom lip a bit. Had she now presented herself to the Slythie prefect as an idiot? Probably. But he hadn't run away yet, so that was a good sign. Most likely. Maybe it was just the shock of the dress. And not Quidditch stuff. Nia wasn't exactly known for her sense of style. Except maybe her braided hair on the pitch. Other than that, she was just fairly normal - nothing to make her stand out much other than her athletic build usually hidden under robes, or Quidditch protective gear. Hmm.

She couldn't help but smile as he tugged on his tie. "You're welcome," she said with a slight shrug. "And I'm sure you'll get used to it." She glanced down. "I mean, I felt awkward til I saw everyone else all glammed up too." And admittedly, there probably still was an element of awkwardness about her. Quidditch and study and reading and that she could do. Socialising out of her comfort zone? Ahem, she wasn't a natural. She did swish her ruffles around a bit though. Because it felt good to do that.

She looked back up to him to, and at his tie. "And it's definitely worth it. You in all your finery. Snazzy tie and all." Oh yes, she was loving the tie. The chain was more confusing, but hey...he'd done well good otherwise.

Nia leaned out of the line a moment, to take a proper look at the Headmaster. It everyone looked so nice but different all dressed up. "You're welcome, Headmaster." She replied with a smile. "And thank-you."

Though she didn't know what she'd really do if and when the line thinned out. She was in good company at the moment. But she really wasn't sure if Elan was coming. He'd been in the Huffie Common Room a lot recently. And they hadn't spoken much else with all the Quidditch practice and tactics fitted round lessons.

And she really didn't want the dance lesson scenario again. The wallflower, and then awkwardly try and converse with one of your Quidditch teamies whilst trying to pretend either of you knew how to dance. Hmm. Maybe someone else out there would offer the Captain a dance?

Nia glanced at Raiden, before smiling at the girl offering her compliments. "Thanks," she said with a smile. Now she was getting used to it, her shoulders relaxed slightly. "I'm loving those silver sequins on your dress, twinkling in the light...and such a pretty colour fabric too." Aha, this whole thing was getting easier. She caught the look toward the hall and music. "You should go in and start enjoying," Nia added with a smile. "It's sounding pretty good..."

"I love it when an outfit just stands out," Nia said. "Almost itself wanting to be worn." Not that it happened to her often. But it was nice when you were getting ready for something special and it did. "It shows too. That you love wearing it as well it looking amazing. It gives that extra something." More than just sparkle and charm. A kind of happy warmth in the atmosphere too.

And with that Copernicus arrived. And Nia left them both to it.

She glanced round and a familiar face caught her eye. Well two, if she counted Ellie nearby too. It was his expression that caught her attention. He was looking shifty for some reason. She eyed him carefully, trying to work out what he was upto...

OH.

Sage jumped and peered around for the sound of the voice. Lily was waving at him... at least, he thought it was him she was smiling it. He looked behind him just incase. EEP.

"Hi Lily," he smiled timidly back. Was he meant to comment on her dress too? Was that like.. the done thing here? "Your dress ... is - is very pretty." BREATHE.

Daphne made her way to the receiving line. She saw a lot of familiar faces; some were former Ravenclaw Quidditch teammates, others were professors. She opened up her small purse and dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief.

Then she proceeded down the line. She couldn't believe Vindictus was around. "Hello, didn't think you'd still be around. How've things been since I graduated?" she inquired. Vindictus was a familiar face from her Quidditch days. She hoped to catch up with a number of her former teammates.

Looking back at Nia he notices she's now eyeing him. His eyes widening, he looks back at her sheepishly. Glancing at Cela and seeing her back was turned he darts closer to Nia.

Still holding Ellie's hand, with those finger nails still digging in, he comments quietly "You look very nice Nia."

Trixie grinned. "Well I'm glad that you were. Because I don't think I could have done it otherwise" she smiled softly. She was fairly glad that she got along well with the professors in this school, and Dodson seemed to be one of her favourites.

Trixie smiled. "Thank you" she blushed slightly. "And so do you" she complimented the healer. "I will thank you. And I will try not to get myself hurt this time" she giggled slightly. Avoid anyone who looked slightly shifty or they were about to hex her.

Nia caught that sheepish look. And then let out a chuckle as he headed right for her. What was the boy upto?

And then she saw it. Well at least, it was the most probable reason that JD looked like a bit of a dodgey spy trying to not be obvious. His hair. Was rebelliously untamed. Had he not had a shower since the last Quidditch training session? Ewwww. Actually, he must have done, else surely Ellie wouldn't still be holding his hand.

And now she had a choice. Did she go all motherly and fix herself? Or casually let it go? Oooor, wait for Cela to notice and deal with it? Hmm... Choices. In the meantime, more conversation.

"Thank-you," she said with a smile. "Thought I'd make a bit of an effort," and with that she gave a quick wink. "Your suit's nice," she added. "It's odd but lovely seeing everyone so dressy and looking all grown up." Especially the Quidditch lot, who she was used to seeing at their sweatiest after a wet windy session in the air.

Pulling at his collar, he nods "I enjoy seeing all of us like this. Though wearing this is a bit much..." he adds pretending to choke with his collar.

Looking over at Ellie, he smiles, "Though I wouldn't mind seeing you girls dressed up this nicely more often."

Lexi raised her eyebrows just once and gave Tate an amused look. "Compliments and offers to dance? Well I surely can't pass you up on that, now can I?" she replied. Lexi only had time to smile and nod before the headmaster was deep in conversation with a few of the surrounding students. Speaking of which, she, too, needed to make the rounds and tell all the children hello, too.

Professor Carlton, hmm? In the short amount of time Lexi had been colleagues with Preston Kingsley, she'd learned that he rarely ever---if at all---referred to a fellow staffer by his of her first name in the presence of students. While Lexi was a little more laid back, she respected Preston's beliefs and always referred to him in the same manner he referred to her.

"Professor Kingsley," she said, greeting him with a smile. She looked thoughtful for a few minutes while she thought about which of her friends might show up. "I'm not sure. It's been a while since I've really talked to a lot of them. In between moving to America and back again, it's been nearly a year since I've had the chance to catch up with all but a small group of them." She was pretty sure most of them would show up, though. They seemed to be a lively bunch that would enjoy an event like this one.

Lexi just laughed lightly and playfully shook her head. Of course she and Lily wouldn't fight one another, but that didn't mean it wasn't fun to joke about it. Just to play along, though, Lexi glanced over at Lily and batted her eyelashes, as well.

When the moment had passed, Lexi turned back to the crowd of people and watched as student after student filed in. "Lil, I think I'm going to step away for a bit. I'll make my way back around sooner or later," she said. With that, she edged her way out the crowd and toward the seating area.

"See you around, Professor Kingsley," she said, calling out over her shoulder as she walked away.

"I seriously doubt you'll have need of that," Tate's eyes went comically large. WUT WAS SHE GOING TO DO WITH THE BAT? Let's not smash any heads today.

"Very," he agreed. "You have excellent taste." And then the smoochie-faced Head Girl scared the poor child off.

Well. Well.

"Thank you for that... exhibition, Miss Toussaint. I have to assume that this gentleman is... someone you know. And that you don't randomly kiss any old guest, because if you did... I'd have to move you to the end of the line." So she didn't slow it down, see?

"If you don't want to, then just say so," Tate turned back to face those entering the Great Hall, but he was standing close enough to Healer Moretti to let those quiet words fall to just her ears. Merlin. Way to hurt a man's ego.





"Boyfriend," Copernicus informed the new Head man with a nod. And he assumed that his Shiny was not randomly kissing other guests, although he gave her a little look to check.

Just kissing us, yes?

"I told you that you look better in the dresses than I would, silly. I'll meet you inside." He patted his heart... or pocket... but pointed at his heart with a smile before heading for the doors.

Raiden had grown to appreciate ruffles. He really had. Nia's ruffle swishing caught his attention, though he made a point of looking as if he wasn't paying any mind to it at all. She was perfectly allowed to swish her ruffles all she wanted.

"'s very shiny, isn't it," he murmured in response to her comment about his tie. That was why he'd picked it. Magpie!Raiden. Hehe. "Your dress is... interesting. I don't think I've often seen you off the Quidditch pitch, so it's... different."

The shiny parts were distracting. But not quite distracting enough to make him miss the fact that Cela was face!nomming Cope. Glancing at his friend as Nia turned to talk to someone else, he quickly averted his eyes and tried not to laugh. Overzealous, Cela could be. She was excited enough to have made little Arya uncomfortable. Raiden bit his lip and did his best to hide the grin of amusement, but it just wasn't happening. At least they wouldn't have to be out here much longer, according to Headmaster Tate.

Not that... he really had much to do in the actual ball anyway.

Blink.
"Oh, yes, no ofcourse not sir." Pffft. They said chocolate wasn't needed but she still had buttload of it with her in her purse. And WHO said it wasn't needed, she didn't know...but it made her point...whatever her point was. "I'll be ready, sir." For...something. Yeah. "You just say the woooooooord and the taskforce will be in place, like that." She snapped her fingers together, giving the Headmaster a nod and a overly confident look.


She really wanted to stuff her face with chocolate.
"Sir, is there any chocolate cake?" WAS THERE!?

Celandine waved her fingers at Liz, recognising the older girl and offering a little smile to go with the wave. She noticed JD and his terrible hair too, but she was, for the time being, distracted enough to let it slide.

For now.

"Definitely." Celandine murmured, she totally agreed but only half of her brain was present right now, she was just that entranced and pleased to see Copernicus.

She was also quite aware though, that Raiden was kind of making googly eyes in Nia's direction.

Honestly Raiden should have more faith in Cela's ability to have pretty friends.

She hoped he'd ask her to dance later.

Glancing at JD again, Cela shook her head sadly. Obviously a lost cause. But maybe she could offer 5 points to the person who managed to tame his hair? It was letting Ravenclaw down with all its untamed and slightly horrific glory!

See the thing was, certain people could get away with crazy hair, like the Slytherin Quidditch Captain, who totally pulled it off in that way that sorta made you want to run your fingers through his hair.

JD was failing though.

Fail, JD. Fail.

"At least." Celandine agreed, suddenly feeling like boyfriend wasn't really enough to explain stuff. Not considering how some Hogwarts kids dropped and switched boyfriends and girlfriends as often as they changed their robes.

"And just this one sir." Pause. "A lot and as often as I can." Pause again. "Because I'm good at it."

She turned to Copernicus again and smiled affectionately. "See you inside." She echoed and watched him go.