A few hours before we had to be at the ball, all the females in the castle secluded themselves in order to ready themselves. This is the only stage most of them had ever had the opportunity to show off their looks, but some of the noble progenies were a bit more used to it.
It was crunch time for them, whilst all the guys were just wondering why it would even take so long since they should have prepared everything they needed to do a month ago at least.
But since James and I were part of the opening dance, we also decided to get ready in advance.
My style was quite simple overall, if not a bit unusual for wizards. I decided to just sleep back my hair and let it flow down my back, with some framing my face and resting on my shoulders. My dress robe was pretty much divided into two parts. The first was the inner suit's style which was composed a modern white dress shirt, vest and pants, all custom made and fitted. Thank you Kingsman tailor. The second was the robe part, which was basically a hybrid of a tuxedo jacket and a wizard robe, was mostly white as well but with green elven style patterns which would make Tolkien proud. The robe was properly fitted at the top as well and loose at bottom, allowing me to show my athletic physic while still looking mostly like a wizard.
'It is different than usual dress robes, but it fits me perfectly. I just think green isn't really my color, but being with Tory would make it look good.' I thought with one last look at myself.
Being ready for the ball, I decided to go and wait for my lovely lady at her house entrance like we agreed on.
While I was walking through the halls of the castle, I passed a good number of other students going to pick up their dates or moving towards the Great Hall with them. But every time I passed a group, wide-eyes stares could be felt. I think I actually heard some people worry about nosebleeds and a couple of girls who seemed to have fainted.
I reached the Slytherin dungeon and find only a few other guys waiting for their dates. I'm pretty sure this is for a few reasons. First is that not many girls in Slytherin actually try and interact with other houses for a couple reasons like pureblood ideals, pressure from within the house, arrogance and just bad behavior. Second is that there aren't that many girls in the House in general, leaving them as a mostly sausage filled part of the school. And lastly, besides a few like Victoria, Daphne and her little sister Astoria, there aren't many cute or good looking Slytherin girls. So yeah, even with me trying to get all the houses to interact with each other more, not that many are trying to date into Slytherin.
I do patiently wait for about 20 minutes with my eyes closed as I merely meditate a bit. I felt people going out and passing by regularly enough during this time, but I only waited for one presence I knew the best to appear.
The dorm door then opened at the same time as my eyes and I was amazed by her.
Her raven black hair was made to be wavy and softly rested on her left shoulder. Her green mermaid style gown simply made her seem like a temptress sent to take my morality away. Her shoulders were bare, the dress being held by fabric just below them, letting people see her smooth and fair skin, while also emphasizing her bountiful assets. Her figure was in plain view with her dress hugging every curve of her fit and curvaceous body. And a split was made for her long and slender right leg to be free, letting her show off her silver heels as she confidently walked up to me. The emerald green perfectly matched her eyes as every movement attracted the gaze and countless glints of light made it seem like stars were adorned onto her.
"You really did have a dress robe made to go with my style." She said with a smile.
"I couldn't not put any effort in. Especially when you look even more breathtaking then I imagined." I replied with a warm voice.
"Haha! I'm glad you like it. You cleaned up well too." She happily said.
"Then shall we go my lady?" I asked with a smile as I extended my right hand to her.
She gently placed her own and said, "It would be my pleasure."
We then walked towards the Great Hall together, arm in arm, leaving anyone we passed gasping and speechless at how we looked together. This only got magnified when we reached the doors of the hall where many were gathered together, making them whisper to each other.
As it neared the scheduled time for the ball, many students began to arrive.
The majority of the other Slytherin's came from behind myself and Victoria, with a little twit trying to strut around like a peacock. Well until Tory shot him a glare to make him pale, a simple warning for him not to ruin her evening or else.
The Beauxbatons students were next, with Fleur and James in the lead, grabbing the attention of many of the boys as she did a fine job of dressing up, and my friend holding the attention of a good amount of the ladies as well. Fleur had decided on a silver-gray satin dress which let her emphasize the natural grace and beauty she possessed, and her partner deciding to go with a fitted but traditional dress robe. The two of them were speaking to each other amicably as they approached Victoria and myself.
"You looked wonderful Mademoiselle Victoria. Truly you know your charm." Complemented Fleur as she excitedly greeted us.
"And your dress fits you perfectly. You hair goes beautifully with it." Tory complimented back as the two started the odd tradition of women really complementing themselves by praising others.
"You really went all out with your own robes didn't you?" Asked my friend as the girls started chatting about fashion, makeup, shoes and others.
"Well i wanted to give a good expression and be different from every other dress robe out there. Plus, it's a special night and i want to try my best." I answer my friend as a warmly look at Victoria.
"That is true. I just hope I've practiced to dance moves enough to not embarrass myself or step on Fleur's toes." James said as he nervously chuckled.
"No need to worry Jamey boy! You've learned a lot harder stuff than that, so have some courage and show the lady a confident man." A loud voice said from behind us.
We turned to find our wild friend dressed in his own black dress robes, accompanied by a surprisingly well dressed Luna. I mean she still had those Dirigible plum earrings and Butterbeer necklace, but she was wearing a pale blue dress gown which gave her a cute feeling as she looked around energetically.
"He is right James, you just have to confidently guide her or follow her own flow. You've done much deeper levels of teamwork and you've practiced together plenty, so you should be more than capable of matching her rhythm." I said as i encouraged my more passive friend.
"Haha! But look at you mate! You stand out so much i doubt even Maxime will be able to steal your spotlight." Christian said as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"Well, one of us had to try and be fashionable." I respond with a grin as i watch the two girls drag Luna over for girl talk about their dresses and dates.
The three of us just chatted for a bit as Ron and Harry arrived with their dates.
Ron looked a bit off, but otherwise he looked fine with his proper dress robe and escorting Padma in a bright turquoise Indian style dress. The look is probably because Ginny was happily walking next to Harry in a pink dress gown of a slightly older style, but still good.
The girls were forming their own group as the two new ones joined Tory, Fleur and Luna, leaving Ron and Harry to join our little trio.
"What's that weird look Weasley? Can't looked chuffed when you're escorting a lady or you'll ruin any enjoyment." Christian immediately asked as they joined us.
"It's nothing. Just a bad surprise is all." He answered as he gave a guilty looking Harry a look.
"I'm pretty sure I know what the reason is, and if it is what i think then i can give a bit of advice." I say as i get their attention as well as a hopeful look from Harry.
"Oh yeah?" Asked Ron with a raised eyebrow.
"You're feeling the urge to protect your cute and innocent little sister from any boy who looks at her with any interest, so you aren't happy with Harry going to the ball with her." I simply say to the kid.
"NO! i mean yes. I mean probably. I don't know." He confusedly answered.
"Well here's a little bit of help for this dilemma of yours. Would you prefer she likes some random guy or your best friend who you know and trust?" I simply asked the teen.
That got him really torn.
"And I'm sure you just want her to be happy and safe. I get that. But look how happy the girl was. Plus it's only for the night so just let her enjoy herself." I kept on nudging.
"Argh! Fine! But if I hear anything about snogging, I'll tell mum everything." He finally said in resignation towards Harry and loud enough for Ginny to hear as a serious look appeared on her face.
"Then it's alright isn't? We mostly need to open the ball and then just enjoy the music, food, drinks and company. Let's all just cut loose and have some fun." I happily say as I slap the kids shoulder.
As I said this, the doors of the castle welcomed our final champion and his school, meaning Viktor in his red military style formal wear, Karkaroff and Hermione had arrived.
"Champions over here, please!" McGonagall's voice resounded as everyone had gathered.
"Later everyone. Let's go Tory." I said as we hooked our arms together and headed for the deputy headmistress with Harry and Ginny.
We got to the Professor and saw her in a red tartan robe instead of her usual green ones, with a wreath of thistles around her witch hat's brim.
"Nice hat Professor. Very festive." I happily said as I approached, getting a weird look from Harry.
"Thank you Mister Bones. I thought it appropriate." She simply answered with a small smile.
She then told the eight of us to wait outside while all the other were instructed to head into the Great Hall.
I could see Harry and Ginny were stunned to see Hermione with Viktor. Ginny knew she was really dressing up today since they helped each other, but the result was too good.
'There's a glimpse of everyone's favorite actress as she's growing up.' I thought with a smile as I looked at Hermione resembling Emma Watson more and more.
"Well then Viktor, I guess that advice certainly didn't go to waste after all." I said with a hearty laugh when I see the man fidgeting in place due to his happiness, even if his face is still a bit dour.
The growing girl did do a good job at taming her hair that's for sure. Then she finally got her teeth in order after ignoring her parents weird request to fix them as the dentists they are. I mean, it's not like wizards don't have an infinitely easier, cheaper, quicker and less painful methods other than braces or whatever drills they have. Her floaty periwinkle-blue dress fitted her nicely, but she looked quite nervous about the situation.
So I decided to be a good wingman for my new friend.
"You have to reassure the girl and give her a compliment. She's nervous about her new look and to be in front of so many people." I whispered to the man in Bulgarian as he noticed his dates own state.
That makes him turn to take care of Hermione very quickly. And although it wasn't the smoothest execution since English is his second language, I saw the girl relax at least.
Harry was still kinda malfunctioning, but at least Ginny was able to snap him out of it. That's mostly why I personally never had a problem with the Harry x Ginny pairing. Harry is always getting stuck in his own head and thinking the world is trying to only punish him, but Ginny is a very driven and active person who pushes him to step forward and act properly.
Also never had any problems with the Fleur x Bill pairing, but if my friend and her want to get it on then too bad for the guy. And too bad for Luna's supposed to be future husband Rolf Scamander, because his grandparents true successor his gonna swipe her. Still not sure if Hermione and Viktor could actually be a thing, and I really don't know if I should do anything between Remus and Tonks. The last one is mostly because my presence has fundamentally changed how werewolves can live, and lycanthropy has been shown to not be passed down from properly vaccinated parents so far. The guy has also been becoming more confident and relaxed because of his new found duties.
Anyway, I got snapped out of my daze when we were called to finally enter the Great Hall in a line.
We came in with excited applauses, as the eight of us walked through the corridor of students and headed towards the dance floor. Through the students, I could see the wondrous decor of the Great Hall. The walls and ceiling were covered in a sliver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry sky of the hall. All the house tables were gone and near a hundred smaller tables were placed around the dance floor, draped in silvery linen and having small lanterns on each.
I also noticed a weirdly combed Hagrid, a impressively dressed Madame Maxime, a colorful Bagman, a red-head with a twit-like aura representing justice Hitler, mock Moody, unsurprisingly unhappy Karkaroff, and the almost always jovial Dumbledore.
We finally reached the dance floor and the eight of us got into position. I grabbed Tory's left hand and put my right on her back, feeling the familiar soft and smooth skin as she positioned herself as well. We are both noble progenies and even if she had a shit-eater, racist, sexist and deadbeat father, she was still trained in everything needed to be a true noble like dancing. Plus our own practice did help. It's not like we needed much, but it was just nice to spend time together, in such close proximity and just enjoy ourselves.
Then the music began and the ball would officially start.
In that moment I simply let everything go. No magic, no studies, no business, no lordship, no future, no care, no worry and no one else mattered. All I saw at that moment was her. The woman I loved, in my arms and dancing with me as we looked only in each other's eyes with happy smiles.
We moved as if we were one, flowing through the dance floor like we were alone and grabbing the attention of countless as we danced. Our bodies were almost touching completely as we moved in complete synchronicity, this type of close dance could give off an almost primal attraction to our partners and we could see it in each other's eyes as the dance escalated with the music.
We simply lost track of any meaning of time.
Only when the crescendo neared it's conclusion did I decided to make Victoria do a finale twirl and finish with her leaning backwards over my supporting arm, resulting in a photo finish and thunderous applause as people marveled at our performance.
We looked around and found that many people were standing on the dance floor and applauding, so we simply looked at each other, smiled and bowed to the crowd.