Ministry Ball, come one, come all!

[Yoshimar]

August 31st
7 PM

The stars were starting to sparkle on the twilight sky and it seemed that everything was set to go on at the Malfoy Manor. The house looked as handsome as it always had standing on top of a hill side its highly manicured gates stood open to welcome guests. The gates would be the first sight that the port-key users saw followed by horseless carriers. Few people could actually see the ugly creatures that made the carriages move, and Lucius was surely to be grateful for this because it didn't match the splendor of the night.

The carriages, though, did. They were tremendously decorated with golden details and enough room to fit six passengers on the inside comfortably. The carriage would then take the passengers around the gardens and up to the manor. On their way there they could see the many sights around the gardens. Exotic looking plants and flowers, albino peacocks and a few fountains.

When they finally reached the manor open doors received them at the entrance they were dancing faeries a bit of nostalgia to some of the students that had been invited. After the entrance the guests would finally see the insides of the house.

They were portraits on the wall of some of the family members (most of them the ones that were not putting on a good show had quickly been hidden in other locations). Most of the portraits were talking among themselves or showing off their robes. Sometimes even waving at people that they recognized and talking to them.

They were waiting staff around the Manor serving drinks and snacks to the guests as they arrived. So far, however there was no sign of the hosts.

OOC - I rather you stay with your threads here but if you have other threads in other areas you can go ahead as long as you time it and date it. Thanks <3! you can NPC some people or something I'll be making a pst later about when the Malfoys will appear heh

[Yoshimar]

Ron could not believe ever that he would be able to see a house like this in his life. Actually, that wasn't particularly true. He had often had dreams of having a majestic house just like the Malfoy except a lot more … cheery looking. Yes, if he ever had a house like this the dark and ornamented corners would have to go. All though the peacocks were a good idea he supposed.

He stood there awkwardly waiting for his friends to get the wits about them after using the port key. He dropped the old beaten hat to the ground and fixed an odd looking detail around the neck of his robe. He kept calling it a string but his mother told him it wasn't. He fiddled with it making it uneven in the process. As he fixed the cuffs of his dark wine colored robes he was really grateful to Harry for helping him find some robes he could use.

At first Ron had refused of course but after Harry had shoved a package on his arms and his mother showed him the robes she had found for him. The robes his mother had given him were pink had probably once been red and had more lace than the ones he last wore. Ron agreed to the robes Harry had gotten him then.

Of course it didn't mean he felt comfortable in these type of robes. They were stuffy for the end of summer and he would really prefer to wear his jeans under the robes but his mother told him that absolutely not and that he needed to wear dress pants.

What was the big deal anyways? He starred to the ground and saw a peacock come over and start pecking on his shoe.

“Shoo- Shoo!” He said waving his freckled hands and trying to get it to go away. He wasn't being successful but he rather stare at the peacock than to look at Hermione. He ran a hand through his hair and immediately try to straighten it again.

[Trixier]

Pansy found the mode of transportation to the Malfoy Manor tacky, and could not believe at first that they were using port keys. She gave it some thought for a couple of moments though and then realized that the Malfoy's probably did this so people would not be able to find the location of where they resided.

Of course Pansy all ready knew where they resided and as such she did not need to use the tacky mode of transportation provided. Her parents had read the Daily Prophet and as such even though she was accompanied by Theodore she wasn't only with him. They had told one of their other employees to escort her just to keep an eye on her. Pansy wasn't supposed to know this though, and as such she was to pretend she had heard of nothing and pretended she remembered the uncle that had been introduced to her a couple of hours ago.

Theodore had arrived early at her house and immediately her maids and stewards had ushered him off to get dressed. She managed to get dressed without much help, however her mother had insisted that she should put some lavender flowers in her hair to match her dress.

Pansy pretended not to be distressed, and looked at her reflection fearing she looked like a twelve year old. Immediately she remembered the Yule Ball many years ago and feared the worst. She had seen pictures of that dress and decided she looked like a over ornamented pink Christmas tree.

She shook her head from side to side, her dress wasn't frilly it was flowy and it seemed to hug her curves in an acceptable way. Her makeup was simple, making her cheeks red and her dark eyes stand out with lavender eye shadow. Still she knew she would just look so much better without the stupid flowers in her hair.

She sighed but stepped out of her room to meet with Theodore and her fake uncle escorted them to a carriage with a charm that made it look like a muggle car to anyone that wasn't of magical inheritance. As the carriage rocked back and forth Pansy was in a bit of nerves she had opened her purse a couple of times to check her reflection and needed to steady her breathing each time that she realized they were close to the Mannor.

Harry was going to be there, she was sure of it. He was going to be there with all his friends and if she knew what was good for her she would not even approach or glanced at him. Besides it wouldn't be fair to Theodore.

Draco didn't cross her mind until they reach the gates to the majestic manor and she took a deep breath stepping out and clutching onto Theo's arm. Jitters, they were coming.

“I do believe that taking a port key to places is tacky.” She whispered to Theodore. She glanced at the tall boy with red hair and rolled her eyes. "The party has not even begun and Weasley is all ready making a fool of himself."

Yes, mocking was an excuse to glance and look for Potter.

[wintersnow]

Looking around the grounds Harry gazed over the amount of albino peacocks that wandered about. If I had grown up with peacocks as pets, I think I'd be a bit of a whimpy asshole too, Harry thought to himself, and swiftly pushed the peacock offending Ron away with his foot. The bird flapped its wings in protest, feathers flying wildly, as it pecked his own foot. Harry slammed his foot down in front of the bird, which made the bird jump back in fright and quickly shrink away looking over it's shoulder indignantly.

He held a hand out for Ginny to help her steady herself as she climbed inside. He slipped in after her plopping down beside her in the plush carriage. Once Ron and Hermione were inside the winged horses began to pull and they were off - bouncing through the gardens and weaving their way up to the obnoxiously grand house.

Harry inhaled sharply as the carriage hit a pothole in the road. Everything that the Order had done to ensure his safety had him a bit on edge. The barriage of orders, and people fluttering around him telling him what to do, what not to do, who to talk to, who not to talk to, how to stay out of trouble, and on and on and on. By the end of this 10 way lecture by order members, Harry found himself longing for Snape to be there and just say so eloquently to "Stay out of trouble asshole." That would have sufficed.

Apparently he was supposed to be with someone at all times, and Ron, Hermione or Ginny didn't count as adequate protection. Harry didn't think that the Malfoy's, or the death eaters, or Voldemort would be as stupid as to pull a fast one in a house with hundreds of Dumbledore supporters, and ministry workers. Forget the fact that Lucius was the Minister. Even the ministry of magic had their checks and balances. Even then, Harry knew that, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were adequate enough protection anyway. For the order members to deny that was somewhat a slap in the face to Harry. He'd trained them, he'd faced Voldemort's best and worse. To assume that they couldn't hold their own because they just happened to be underage 'annoyed him' and that was putting it lightly.

The grotesque horses that pulled the carriage slowed and the lot of them piled out. They all seemed to just stand there - not really wanting to go inside, delaying the inevitable, "Look how big my cock is!" contest that would undoubtedly happen. This entire party was basically Lucius waving his dick around triumphantly for all to see. Harry Adjusted his tie. He'd given Ron red robes, he however, preferred the classic black.


As he stood by the stairs, Harry spotted a feather still clinging to his pant leg. He bent down and plucked the offending feather away, rising, and drawing it to his face to admire it. He twirled it between his thumb and pointer finger watching the flow of the downy barbs as he spun it through the air. A glance his way. He could feel eyes on him and Harry looked up to see a pretty girl in a Lavender dress with Lavender flowers perched in her hair walk by. He dropped his gaze. That's right - he'd also be getting a lot of stares tonight too. How enthralling.

Ginny and Hermione were dressed beautifully as well. Hermione and Ron seeming to blush every time they even so much glanced at one another. This was something Harry didn't quite understand. You ask someone on a date and just. . .sit there uncomfortably. Why was that the default? Why did he find himself doing that too with Ginny?

Ginny's red hair was the one physical feature that he really admired. He'd had many a dream running his pale fingers through the flames of her hair, so soft and silky. Though these dreams always unnerved him a bit, though. It was rather like dreaming of a sibling. Ginny was Ron's sister and therefore off limits. Besides, he'd probably screw it up with her anyway, which would only fuck any friendship he had with Ron and the rest of the Weasley's. Though it seemed oddly to be what the Weasley's wanted. He hadn't officially asked Ginny to be his date, in all reality it was just. . .sort of thrust upon the both of them. She played a good sport though. Harry was certain any girl who was thrown into a date with him wasn't going to be too happy about it, but Ginny seemed to be taking it in stride.

He took Ginny's hand, dropping the feather to the ground and beginning to asend the steps inside.

Portraits hung over the walls chatting and showing off their robes, waving animatedly to the people in the hallway they recognized, but as he passed them a deafening silence filled the hallway only to be followed by the fierce breeze of whispers. Harry Potter had come. Harry Potter was here.

Grumbling under his breath, feeling tension and nerves begin to creep its way over his body, Harry brushed a hand idly through his hair. It was still messy, still mop like, and still unruly as ever. It didn't like to be combed, and outright refused all of Mrs. Weasley's attempts to tame it. So it hung, as ever, the unruly mess it wanted to be.

Music flowed through the hallway, as they came closer to the ball room, Harry mused that the music would cover those mounting whispers, but in a way it only seemed to make it more confusing to figure out whether the whispers were the music or the music was the whispers. He glanced at Ginny, giving her a half smile. A nervous smile, and he inhaled deeply, and let it out in a single puff, his cheeks rounding lightly. The hair that fell into his face fluttered, and Harry idly pressed his bangs heavily back down over his forehead in attempts to cover his scar. Maybe no one would notice the skinny, geek walking into the ball room.

[Iris2]

Outside of the celebration following her completion of Auror training, Tonks had never attended a real formal event. Before arriving at Number 12, she had made every effort to look wonderful. Of course, when a person could change their appearance at will, it made it a lot easier to look good. She’d traded in her usual bright pink hair for a more subtle shade of auburn. It was not a color she would have naturally chosen, but after having a discussion with Mad Eye, it was decided that the less members of the Order stood out, the better. Her robes, however, still reflected her personality. They were a vibrant violet that could make you squint if you stared at them too long. On anyone else, they would have looked ridiculous, but somehow Tonks seemed to wear them quite well.

The students in her group would be arriving by Port Key, while most of the adults would simply apparate. With a loud pop, Tonks found herself standing at the gates of her Aunt and Uncle’s manor. Even though they were family, it was the first time she’d actually been there. The Malfoy’s weren’t too fond of the fact that her mother, Andromeda, had married a Muggleborn. The grounds were certainly opulent, though she could have done without the peacocks. She straightened out her robes and with a glance to the left, saw Harry and his friends appear with their Port Key.

As it would have been rather conspicuous for a group of Dumbledore-supporting witches and wizards to show up all together, the Order had paired off with some of the group remaining at headquarters. Kingsley had been kind enough to escort Tonks to the ball, but the one she really wanted to be with was stuck back at Grimmauld Place, and it wasn’t because he was a wanted criminal. She didn’t care it Remus was a werewolf. He was also a kind, caring human being and a great wizard. Even if she had been able to pluck up the courage to invite him, she figured he would have declined. Going to a party and having every person there think you were scum wasn’t her idea of a good time, either.

“Wotcher”, she whispered with a wink as she walked past Harry. They looked a bit nervous. She couldn’t tell if it was because of the Death Eaters or the fact that they were essentially on a date. She climbed into a carriage after Kingsley, having no idea what to expect from the evening. She’d be very surprised indeed if the Death Eaters tried to pull something in such at such a public event, but as Mad Eye had reminded them all several times that day, one must have CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

[Usiku]

There was a pop and Usiku appeared by the port key. He looked a little disorientated since he hadn't travelled by port key much and he was sure that apparation would be a far better way to get from one place to another. He hoped that he'd be able to learn that soon, or more to the point be permitted to learn if the opportunity arose. He fiddled with the cuffs of the dress robes lent to him, especially the one on the right sleeve where he wore one of the centre's location cuffs on his wrist, so those in charge of him could keep an eye on his whereabouts and make sure he wouldn't run off.

His disorientation had now passed and now he could stare unashamedly at the gates that were open and the carriages before him waiting for passengers. He knew the Malfoys were rich, but he couldn't imagine anyone living in such splendour...and these were only the gates and carriage he was looking at!! Part of him wanted to forego the carriage and run like an excited child through the grounds, right up to the Malfoy's front door, yet another part of him wanted to slink back to the centre and hide in the familiarity of his 'room'. As he decided, he watched as people walked by him and into the carriages. He didn't recognise many people. There were students he walked by at school, that Potter kid and his friends and that was all really. No-one for him to talk with.

After a few moments he joined the rest of the crowd and stepped into the first carriage he could get to. Taking a seat he found himself sitting opposite a large man and a woman in vibrant violet robes. He felt a slight stinging and he rubbed his eyes, looking embarrassed at having stared at this woman's robes for so long. Red-faced, he tried his best to focus his attention to the scenery outside. Unfortunately the only scenery were the people walking around outside and the gates. Oh well.

[Grey Wind]

Touda arrived at the predetermined location with a loud pop. Port keys were definitely on his list of things to hate. Things would have been much simpler if he could have just apperated. Smoothing out his deep forest green dress robes he made his way to the waiting carriages, keeping an eye out for anyone he might know.

The trip to the manor was quite impressive, the Malfoy's definitely knew how to live in style. It didn't take long however for Touda to reach his final destination, if he had thought the carriage ride was grand, the manor was nothing short of magnificent. He stepped out of the carriage and made his way up the steps giving a curt nod of greeting to the servants and portraits. He made his way to the ball room where the evenings events were to take place, noting that Harry Potter and his friend Ron Weasley had already arrived.

What was Malfoy planning? he couldn't help but wonder. Why would the golden boy be present? Grabbing a drink off a tray as a waiter passed by, a small smirk playing on his face. Perhaps this would turn out to be a very interesting night.

[Yoshimar]

Ron was still uncomfortable. No amount of time seating down, and offering Hermione his hand to steady her after the carriage ride had helped. Nope, not at all. He still looked at her in half glances and maintain the hold on her hand for a while until he felt a stare. He immediately let go of her hand as if it was a hot coal.

Of course, the stare wasn't for him the stare was for Harry. He re-focused his look and heard a girl murmur something and he glanced at her. Oy, this was just the start of it he was sure that Draco Malfoy and the rest of his goons were going to have a good old time making fun of him and his friends today. He glared at the girl and turned to Harry. “No matter how much silk she puts on Malfoy's girl still looks like a scarlet woman.” He snickered and then looked up as he realized that the hall had grown completely silent the moment he had told that to Harry.

Immediately Ron took a step back and threw a protective arm around Hermione. He was going to be on the edge tonight simply because they had pretty much walked into the jaws of the beast. Ron shook his head from side to side as he realized that once more the stares were for his friend and not for him. He rose an eyebrow at all the portraits and walked to one of them.

“What are you looking at? We got an invitation!” He ran a hand through his hair and then marched back to were his group of friends all wearing expressions that clearly asked him whether he had lost his mind or not. He tossed his hair and sighed.

There was music that had started to ring through the air classical music that Ron had no idea how to dance to. He took a deep breath and offered Hermione his hand. He then looked at Harry and smiled a bit loopsy sided.

“You remember that Yule ball...were we didn't know what the hell we were doing?” He took a pause. “I know we still don't know what we're doing but I say we at least have fun this time. It is easier than wondering whether someone is going to kill us or not.” With that he bowed down in a over exaggerated way to Hermione gave a nod to Ginny and Harry as he led his date (he still couldn't get over that name) to the dance floor where music was playing.

Surprisingly for him other people that he never even knew followed suit and for a moment Ron felt rather good about himself. Even if he couldn't keep up the tempo of the music.

[Trixier]

Pansy had opted to watch for the time being there was no need to make a spectacle of herself. Unlike the other students who were gaping at the portraits, and commenting at the surroundings as if they've never seen anything like it Pansy just gazed with a mild expression to her surroundings. She had been used to this place, and as far as she knew, so was Theodore as such she didn't need to act all impressed. She had hid in these hallways playing hide and seek, she had gotten lost and scared, and she had also secretly looked at the heir of the mansion with hopeful eyes at one point.

She shook her head and decided to mingle with the crowd. She noticed Usiku and another Slytherin that she had never really talked to before. She had seen him in the Slytherin common room but asides from that she could only recall his last name. Pansy glanced at Theodore who seemed not at all interested in the social scene and let go of his arm.

“Well we might as well talk to the only people worth talking to.” She commented and walked towards Touda hoping that she didn't look like an over enthusiastic Second year and stood besides him glancing at the crowds and then at his robes. Of course she never seemed obvious about it she was a lady after all.

“Evening Masahiro.” She had a bit of a problem pronouncing his name and her face squinted a little bit at the words. A slight laugh almost came out of her mouth as she remembered in one of her lessons with Potter she could hardly pronounce a certain spell. “It is quite a lovely evening, even if we have to share it with people we rather not see.” She was really using any excuse that she could to glance at the Potter group and she immediately shook her head to stop herself.

This was ridiculous. It completely was she had hoped and wished that Potter and his friends did not showed up. This was not their type of environment they looked stuffed up in their robes and she could not understand why people would go places where they did not feel at ease. She was a different case, of course, she was used to these type of things going on all the time. She knew how to act pleasant and charming even if her heels and hair were killing her. Besides it was an excuse to get out of the stuffy house.

Perhaps that was the only reason why most of them were there.

[Cat_Astrophe]

“Oomph…” You would think that peacocks and the funds for a shindig like this was reason enough for the slime of a Minister to find someone to pave the damn driveway. Kayla had bruises on every inch of her body from the highly unnecessary carriage ride. That was one thing the muggle world could offer: reasonably comfortable transportation. A cushioning spell or anything could’ve improved the ride by leagues…come to think of it…tempted, she began to withdraw her wand from the discrete pocket sewn within her cloak. And then the carriage jolted to the stop. Quickly, Kayla smoothed out her dress as the door opened, and she stepped out to face the music. Not firing squad, thank god, but it might as well had been. The tense events of the summer had left her jaded and wary, and the fudged reports in the news left her untrusting. Especially when a situation like this had demanded her presence, and apparently the presence of every other Hogwarts student. It didn’t seem right. It was off…and yet, before she could mull on it longer…

“Kayla honey, look! Isn’t this posh? John dear, they’ve got those birdy things that you so enjoy! Oh Lord, you brought your little magic trick didn’t you…No honey, give me that right now!”

Yes. She’d brought her parents. And not just any parents. Muggles in their first true brush with the wizarding world. She loved them, she really did, but the Blakes were apparently dim people, easily amused by the magic that surrounded their daughter’s life. Kayla smiled weakly in humiliation, avoiding eye-contact with anyone she might’ve known as she rushed to herd her jabbering caretakers into the mansion, wondering now if it had been a big joke when the invitation had so nicely included them. Something about the summer program and her special situation. What situation! This wasn’t some apology for the whack jobs that took a girl’s life and damaged the lives of a handful of others. This was a bloody cover-up to keep them all happy, her parents included, so they wouldn’t investigate her “insane claims” any longer! And yet her mother had gotten to the owl first…Not her fault, she’d been out that day. And here they were. The Blake family, trailing up the walkway.

She was more than glad when her parents seemed content at standing to one side and socializing, giving her the chance to escape and catch a breather on the opposite side of the main room. Patting down the soft waves that had been put into her hair, Kayla let out a frustrated sigh in the shadows, eyes giving a far away as she thought of the painful last contact she’d had with the wizarding world not so long ago. She’d smile and play along tonight, and she’d get to go home. And her parents would’ve had their fill of peeking into her world. It must’ve been because they were so obviously muggles, and that they’d never expected a young witch into their home, that they couldn’t quite grasp her view of the situation. But she loved them. Looking for them chattering away with a witch and her own husband, Kayla offered a soft smile as she leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. At least they would enjoy themselves…

~

Harry’s hand was warm in hers as he led her into the room, and for a moment, Ginny felt that flutter in her stomach that brought on a silly smile, betraying the mask of cool confidence that she’d worked so hard to maintain. She wasn’t going to argue about being his date, though she had to remind herself it was for his protection. Safety in numbers, and the fact that she had been a convenient option lest Harry decided to change his mind about one of the twins in drag. She hadn’t said a word since they’d left Grimmauld Place, on the basis that this was serious business. And so far, by avoiding direct eye contact, Ginny maintained her hold on herself as they crossed the room.

“Music. Cheer. Happiness…Malfoy is definitely up to something sinister…” Ginny muttered to Harry under her breath, sarcasm dripping from her words. Yet she was deadly serious all the same. This wasn’t what the Malfoys were known for. It was suspicious, but in the way you expected a bunny might burst into flames. It seemed silly, in the tacky but elaborate way they’d planned this event, and it did look nice. Who could expect a thing? Yes, she was paranoid, but it was because she cared. Harry was indeed a likely target if anything fishy was pulled tonight. Because of Harry, she worried.

But really, what could go wrong? It could just be fun? She hadn’t dressed up for anything, letting Mum work her magic on her hair. And she didn’t put on a dress like this for any regular day. Ginny loved the deep, dark green that Mum helped her pick the other day, and fixed to her preferences, but she would never admit aloud that she loved anything as silly as a dress. It had a nice whooshy feel when she spun around, making her feel prettier than a present, all dressed up. The fact that she was accompanying Harry didn’t hurt her motivations too, though she didn’t quite realize it until her nervousness when she first stepped out of her room.

Here. A ball. With Harry. If anyone noticed she was a little more cheerful than her usual self, nobody cared to mention it. She was nervous, but it seemed like even Harry wouldn’t notice. He was doing the hair thing, playing with it like he did when he was tense. Calming slightly, in her level-headed way, Ginny turned him to face her and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Harry…it’ll be fine…are you okay?” Even then, her gaze seemed just a tad bit off to his left, though her smile was genuine. “Don’t be a chicken, that’s Ron’s job. You just have to make your appearance and the night should go by in a hurry. And if Malfoy is up to anything, well…I still haven’t thanked him for his help in school supply shopping all those years ago.” She didn’t have to specify. Either Malfoy, father or son, deserved to have a good hex placed on them at any moment of time. She would’ve comforted him about that, ready to point out that at least he remembered his pants (always a good thing) when a hysterical friend grabbed her arm and dragged her away.

“GINNYYOUHAVETOHELPHECAN’TSEEMEHEREWITH…”

“Lena, am I going to have to smack you? Oh…geez…let go, ow! Lena!” Nothing could calm a girl avoiding her ex-boyfriend…especially not this girl. “Ow….owwww….Stop that! Gah….Harry…hold on….I’ll be right back…” What was wrong with this girl? Dragged away by the frantic blonde, Ginny looked helpless as she stumbled away. If this girl could do that to her, there was no arguing, no excuses. Panicked Lena was a real force to be reckoned with…

[Grey Wind]

<<<occ: I'm a very sorry for not posting in a while guys, my muse has been fleeting at best but hope this is a good reply>>>

Touda couldn't help but chuckle at the spectacle Ron was currently making of himself out on the dance floor before taking a small sip of his drink. Other people it seemed were taking the Gryffindors lead and also heading out to the dance floor. His eyes roamed the crowd, searching for anyone worth talking to when he noticed Usiku, Theodore and Pansy had arrived, and Pansy was currently making her way in his direction. He hadn't really spoken to any of them much and they were he though in a higher year; mind you he never really spoke to anyone much. Now he supposed would be a good time to at least try and be social, she was a fellow Slytherin and all and anything was looking better then being avoided like the plague at the moment.

“Evening Masahiro.”

Touda smirked at the valid attempt at her pronouncing his last name. It was a hard one if you were not familiar with it being of Japanese origin. He dipped into a small bow.

"Touda.....just call me Touda" he said, a hint of his Japanese accent coming through. "And Evening to you Parkinson. Any idea as to what this is all about?"

Subtlety had never been his strong suit but he figured since she was friends with Malfoy she might be able to shed some light on what was going to happen.

[Trixier]

"Touda.....just call me Touda" he said, a hint of his Japanese accent coming through. "And Evening to you Parkinson. Any idea as to what this is all about?"

Pansy raised an eyebrow at his offer of calling him by the first name. "We are not familiar enough for that to take place." She said glancing sideways at Theodore who seemed to be awkwardly shifting from side to side. She tossed her hair over her shoulder trying to get some of the stupid flowers out of her hair but being unable to. Apparently they had been charmed in. God, they were ridiculous.

As for ideas Pansy had plenty of them, most of them involved discussions with someone she was not supposed to be talking to. Of course, she had not talked to him in a long time due to being too scared. In fact she was still trying to figure out whether her maid had made it away safely. She had not been able to write to her in a couple of days.

"I believe they just want to show off their house, and their new painting. Maybe they got new robes." Pansy said shrugging as she turned to Theodore who did not seem to be very social. "How was your summer?" She said attempting to make small talk as she asked Theodore to go get her some punch. "I have not even seen Malfoy at all over the summer." She said casually, without realizing that she had called him by his last name which would probably raise suspicions. Oh well, not much she could do about it.

"As such this is just a social gathering really. Nothing else. Do not look too much into it, should you not be accustomed to these type of things?"

[Grey Wind]

"We are not familiar enough for that to take place."

He shrugged his shoulders at her comment about his name. It honestly didn't matter to Touda what name she chose to call him. A name was just a name after all, nothing more then a label. He listened with feigned interest as Pansy elaborated on why she thought they were all here. As far as he could tell no one was in the know. He raised an eyebrow slightly at her use of 'Malfoy' rather then Draco. Wasn't she supposed to be friends with the guy? He decided against mentioning it and filed it away to be brought up in a later conversation.

"My summer?" His face took on a slightly disgusted appearance. "It was as I expected, mostly ignored by father unless he needed something. So as you can probably imagine I had quite a bit of down time to work on some spells and uh... other things."

He chuckled quietly, yes he had a rather crappy summer as far as summers go. Lots of down time meant lots of tasks for his father to set upon him. Most were slugging through the swamp looking for potions ingredients, more trips to knockturn ally in search of who knows what. And if his father happened to grace Touda with his presence it was either to yell at his failure of a son for something or to make him help with some inane task or another. Yes overall his summer was just great.

He gave a small smile at Pansy's final comment about the event just being a social gathering. He bristled a bit when she mentioned he should be used to these sorts of things. Of course he was used to events such as this. He had attended more dinner parties and masquerades with and without his father then he cared to remember.

"Yes I have attended many events such as this one, though usually I have a small idea as to why my presence was requested. Anyway how was your summer? Looking forward to being back at Hogwarts?"

[Trixier]

"My summer?" His face took on a slightly disgusted appearance. "It was as I expected, mostly ignored by father unless he needed something. So as you can probably imagine I had quite a bit of down time to work on some spells and uh... other things."

Pansy raised both of her eyebrows at she noticed the disgusted look on his face. "Charming." Pansy said, in a monotone voice. "Not very pleasant to talk about your father that way." She said lowering her voice. She was very aware that most Slytherins had these types of issues with their family, but she always thought that problems such as these were to be dealt with in private. Just like in Hogwarts if there was a house problem it was to be dealt with privately...not that she had been following that rule lately. Well she had not been talking ill about anyone on the house just... well it was not worth to discuss it at all.

"Yes I have attended many events such as this one, though usually I have a small idea as to why my presence was requested. Anyway how was your summer? Looking forward to being back at Hogwarts?"


Well she couldn't just talk about what she had been doing over the summer. What type of person would she be? Besides how would Touda react? What if Pansy were to tell him after tossing her hair and giggling that she had acquired a new pen pal by the name of gold star Potter? Even more what if she told him exactly what had happened?

"Interesting, spend some time at grandmother's" Which had been mainly every waking moment since the news article had come out and they identified who the girl in the picture looked like. "One of my maids was let go, still trying to find someone to fill the position." She said and sighed as she glanced around to try and find Theodore. Well he seemed to have disappeared. Probably was hiding behind a curtain. “Not looking forward to going back to Hogwarts. With all the people we have to deal with.” This was a lie, she was looking forward to Hogwarts she needed a break from her family, needed to be free for once.

"Well it seems Nott has disappeared." She said glancing at him as she looked at the dancing people. If Touda was anyone he would know that was a hint to request he asked her to dance. Not that Pansy would ever as someone to dance. She was not a warm blood woman!

[Yoshimar]

Ron was having a great time dancing, even if by most people he looked like a baboon since he didn't quite know what he was doing. After a while though he realized that he was thirsty and he assumed that Hermione must be thirsty too. He stood there oddly for a couple of seconds before putting his hand on Hermione's back (probably higher that it was needed.) and leaning down. "I am going to see if I can get some punch. Hopefully it does not have some sort of weird muggle hating potion in it." He said and managed to avoid stepping on his own robes as he made his way through the crowd.

He pushed his hair out of his eyes as he tried to find the punch bowl. It took him a long time and he even had to ask a couple of paintings for directions. He finally reached the area with the refreshments, but instead of punch there was champagne...or something. The drink seemed to be bubbly and of a bright red color. He had seen this type of drink at one of the shops in Hogsmeade and it was apparently as popular as butterbeer with the younger crowds, just more expensive. He grabbed two glasses and started heading back to find Hermione.

If he had known what was to happen next he would have completely avoided trying to stand in the sidelines. As he was walking around, he managed to somehow step on his robes and trip over himself. It wouldn't have been so bad if the drinks had not fallen out of his hand and the liquid spilled...oh no who was that girl? Hopefully it would be Ginny or Hermione or...

No, he would never have had that much luck. The drinks spilled all over the one and only Pansy Parkinson who seemed to all ready be in a bad mood. Ron just stood there his mouth hanging open and ready to face the wrath of a woman.

[Grey Wind]

Touda shrugged at Pansy's comment about how he spoke of his father. It didn't bother him in the least. As far as he was concerned if his father couldn't show him the light of day then why should the same courtesy be offered. He would never outright slander his fathers name, well at least not if he was within hearing distance, the consequences would be less then desirable. He gave a well place nod here and there to show he was listening to her explanation of her summer. It was odd that she wasn't looking forward to being back at Hogwarts, most students he gathered couldn't wait to be back, himself included.

He couldn't help but offer a sincere smile when Pansy had mentioned that Nott had 'disappeared'. Even a blind fool could pick up on the fact that it was a subtle hint to request a dance, and Touda was not one to disappoint. He summoned all the grace and poise his father had instilled in him and made a small bow. "Miss Parkinson would you honor me with a dance?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth, the disaster struck, covering pansy in red liquid. He moved to pull he wand out with the intention to help clean up the mess when his eyes made contact with that of Pansy's assailant. "Weasely... how typical" he hissed, managing to bite back on any scathing remarks that were currently on the tip of his tongue.

[Trixier]

Pansy was about to take Touda's hand when she gasped as the feeling of the liquid pouring down her. More than anything she was in shock. She stood there for a moment frozen in place not sure of what to do it wasn't until she heard who it had been that she turned around and glared.

"Weasley!" She was trying to remain her composure, after all this was a public setting, and it would make her no good to make a scene. She lowered her voice as she took a deep breath her hands in fists. "Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?" She said in a dangerous whisper. "I am pretty sure it is more than your whole family makes in three months." Some of the concoction had landed on her hair and had made it sticky, and not to mention slightly curly at the ends. Gosh, if Draco saw her like this why he would laugh hysterically probably with the sort of treatment she had been receiving from him lately.

She had a right mind to hex Weasley into oblivion but with so many people around she would not be able to get away with that.

[Yoshimar]

Ron did not know what to do. For a moment he saw everything move in slow motion. It was not until Pansy turned around that he felt like shrinking and disappearing. Usually Slytherins did not get to him this bad, usually they made him angry but he was considering if he could risk Apparating without having proper training. Well no matter how hard he tried he was standing there, in the angry glare of two Slytherins.

His face flushed, and he supposed he could have reached for his wand to try and help clean up but it was not happening. No movements were coming from him at all. All that he could do was stand there, mortified.

He was used to the insults, hell remembering how Ginny once reacted after he accidentally knocked into her and messed up a hair style she had been working hours on he wasn't surprised that the insults came his way. His face grew red and hot and he closed his eyes for a moment bracing himself.

"I am pretty sure it is more than your whole family makes in three months."

This was a comment that made him snap, though. He opened his eyes and glared right back. "Oh I beg your pardon madam; your big nose must have knocked the glasses over." He realized what he said and paused, oh yes he was going to be hexed into oblivion.

[Grey Wind]

Touda bristled when Ron made his less then admirable comment to Pansy. He had successfully managed to cast a small cleansing charm and remove most of the liquid mess that currently covered his fellow Slytherin. He couldn't remove the sticky residue without drawing attention to their small group though, so if Pansy wanted it gone she'd have to take care of the matter herself. With a quick flick of his wrist he hid his wand within the sleeve of his dress robes, no sense in causing trouble when the chance of getting caught was so high. Words would be much more effective in this situation then any hex. He straightened out his robes before turning to give his full attention to the Gryffindor.

"You know Weasley your manners seem to be lacking, a typical trait among Gryffindors ney? All brawn to brains..." He continued to glare at Ron, eyes roving over his questionable attire. A small smile gracing his face. "Surprised they let you out of the Burrow looking like that."

[Usiku]

Usiku kept his eyes firmly glued to the passing scenery as the carriage passed through the gates and travelled up to the manor. When the carriage ride first started, he was looking out the window merely to ignore the other people in the carriage. However as the ride continued he couldn’t stop staring. He was amazed by the sights he saw and this was only the gardens. Man, the rich lived well!!

Despite the sights he was greedily staring at, he was relieved though when the carriage stopped. It was weird being in a carriage full of adults. He waited until they all left before he got out and as the carriage drove away he found himself at the door. It felt strange being here. It definitely wasn’t his scene, he wasn’t friends with Malfoy and it was just weird.

“Kayla honey, look! Isn’t this posh? John dear, they’ve got those birdy things that you so enjoy! Oh Lord, you brought your little magic trick didn’t you…No honey, give me that right now!”

Hearing the enthusiastic gushing, Usiku turned to look as Kayla and her parents walked by him and into the house. He looked them over and shook his head, smirking slightly. Thank God they weren’t HIS parents. The distraction of their entrance was able to help his own nerves and now feeling a little better about being here he went inside.

People were everywhere, some he knew, most he didn’t. He did his best not to stare too much at the portraits and opulence, after all he didn’t want to look like a complete moron. Deciding it’d be wiser to keep moving, he made his way through the mingling crowd and into the ballroom. Once in there he immediately started looking for someone, anyone he knew. After a few minutes he spotted Pansy and Touda, though he didn’t know who Touda was, only that he was a younger student in Slytherin. Yet he hadn’t gone more than a couple of steps when Ron Weasley tripped and spilt his drink over Pansy. He hung back, see what would happen.