Chapter 12:

It was the night that they'd been all dreading to go.

Ball.

It was a four-letter word that either means the happiest time of your life or the worst.

It was six in the evening and the Gryffindor girls were busy preparing for the ball.

''Gah! Stupid dress!'' Sky huffed in anger.

''Sam, could you help me with the zipper?'' Hermione asked.

''Just a- Shoot!'' Sam exclaimed.

''What happened?'' Both Sky and Hermione exclaimed as they ran to where Sam was changing.

Sam revealed herself wearing a strapless black and blue dress that just went above her knees. The upper part was covered with sequins. In the middle was a thin strip of cloth that acted as a belt. The skirt part was all black with blue flower patterns on the edges and some blue beads above it. In her hand was just a simple sequined blue mask that complemented her dress. Both girls gasped.

''Ugh, is this even a dress?'' Sam asked, annoyed.

''Oh my Gosh, Sam! You look absolutely stunning!'' Hermione said in glee.

Sam gave her a questioned look and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

''I do?'' Sam asked as Hermione nodded with much enthusiasm. ''It doesn't show anything?''

''Actually, it suites you very well.'' Sky said. ''And that's me saying something.''

Sam shrugged and smiled. She then went over to Hermione and zipped the back of her dress. When she was done, she noticed what both girls were wearing.

''I like it.'' Sam said after a good minute or two.

''Huh?''

''Come again?'' Hermione asked in bewilderment.

''The dresses that you two chose, it suites both of you.'' She explained.

Hermione smiled and looked at her dress. It was just a simple green dress with a frilly lining on the top. It hugged her figure quite pretty well. She also has a green mask with sequins and green feathers on top of it with strings poking out of it. It looked like a festival mask but it did match her outfit.

Sky's outfit, on the other hand, was a little different. It was a zebra purple and black dress with a 'V' collar and a light colored lace surrounding it, showing just enough cleavage. It has a wide black cloth on the middle that acted as a belt. The color matched her eyes and highlights very well. Her mask was plain black with a purple feather on the left and a single white gem just above the mask, between the eyes. It made her purple orbs stand out.

''Really?'' Hermione asked.

''Yup.'' Sam nodded.

''So, are we going or not?'' Sky asked.

Sam rolled her eyes and proceeded to walk towards the door, with the two girls behind her.

When they arrived at the ball, it was beyond magical. The dance floor had lights that changed every few seconds, a disco ball that was hovering up above and the ceiling, which was bewitched, was showing a perfect star filled night sky.

''Our school doesn't have these in a ball!'' Sky said in awe.

''I know right?'' Sam pointed out. ''It really is magical.''

Hermione frowned and mumbled. ''I've never went to a ball before.''

''What was that Hermione?''

Hermione looked up and saw a guy with a black tux and gold undershirt. His mask was half black and half gold and there was a pair of glasses hiding inside the mask.

''Harry?'' Hermione asked.

''Hello.'' Harry smiled.

''Oh my! It is you!'' She exclaimed as she then hugged him. ''Wow. You look great.''

Harry smiled. ''And you look wonderful.''

She grinned. ''Thank you.''

''Hey Harry!''

''Sup Harry!''

It was Sky and Sam, of course.

''How'd you know it's me?'' He asked.

''Glasses.'' Both of them said at the same time.

''Ah,'' He laughed. ''Well, that is a downer.''

Sam scoffed. ''You got that right.''

''Right.'' He pointed out. ''And do I know you two?''

Hermione sighed. ''Harry, its Sky and Sam.''

''Oh, blimey!'' He said as he slapped his forehead. ''Didn't recognize you two.''

''It is a masquerade ball, right?'' Sky pointed out. ''Not like we have signs in our heads that said Hey! It's Saige and Sam over here!''

''You have a point there.'' He said.

''Hello!'' Someone said.

The four of them craned their necks to see a girl in pink and a girl in yellow.

''Saige?''

''Allie?'' Sky asked.

''You know I hate that nickname.'' Alamela whined.

''I'm sorry, do I know you?'' Sam asked.

''It's me, Alamela!'' Alamela grinned.

''Ah,'' Sam said. ''No wonder the yellow highlights looked familiar."

Alamela was wearing a simple yellow flowing dress with layers and a black belt. She was also wearing a yellow mask with a butterfly on the upper left corner. The dress matched her highlights perfectly and the mask made her green coated eyes glitter.

''I'm sorry,'' It was Hermione. ''I didn't catch your name.''

''Oh, Intro!'' Both Sky and Alamela said.

''That's Harry, Hermione, Sam and my cousin, Saige.'' Alamela said, speaking to the girl in pink. ''They're Gryffindors.''

''And this is Alamela, my cousin, and her friend Carly, is it?'' Sky asked, pointing to Carly. ''They're both Huffly-Pufflies.''

''Yes, it's Carly.'' Carly said sweetly. ''Nice to meet you all.''

Carly was wearing a pink polka dot dress with a black ribbon belt and black frilly laces just on the edge of her skirt. She was also wearing a pink mask with a pink feather at the left corner.

''Nice to meet you too.'' Hermione and Harry responded while Sam just smiled and nodded.

''Oh, I have to find someone.'' Carly said. ''You'll be okay here Alamela or do you wanna come with?''

''Nah, I'm good here.'' She responded as Carly walked away.

''I have to go find Ron and Freddie.'' Harry said.

''I'll come with you.'' Hermione said as they vanished into the crowd.

''It's just the three of us now.'' Alamela said glumly, playing with the tips of her belt.

''I don't know about you two but I'm going to eat.'' She said as she headed for the snack area.

Sky and Alamela just shrugged and followed suit.

''Hey Saige, look over there.'' Alamela pointed to a guy.

''What about him?'' She asked as she grabbed a plate and proceeded to pick the food.

''I think that's Gibby.'' She said, unsurely.

Sky looked at a guy who was wearing a white vest with a pink undershirt.

''I dunno who Gibby is.'' Sky responded, shrugging.

''That chubby guy? Um, Charles Gibson!'' Alamela exclaimed as Sky nodded in understanding.

''Oh, that dweeb.'' She said as she then proceeded to a table where Alamela followed her, not stopping to talk.

''Ugh, what a lame ball.'' Sam grumbled as she rolled her eyes and ate another helping.

She was just currently standing near the snack table, looking at masked people who were everywhere. She didn't want to sit for she was not tired and she knew Alamela wouldn't stop talking.

''Get out of the way!'' A guy wearing a gray tuxedo and mask with a blond hair exclaimed and pushed Sam out of the way.

''Watch it, nub!'' She yelled.

She heard him scoff. ''Please.''

''What's your problem, huh?'' She exclaimed in anger. ''Why be so rude?''

''My problem is you getting in my way. And would you mind to use correct grammar?'' He said in a British accent, pointing towards her.

''Oh, Please. I was minding my own business until you ruined it. In addition, yes, I do mind. I can talk in perfect grammar or not so butt off!'' She said.

The blonde jerk just remained silent and scooped him some punch.

''Here,'' He then gave Sam a cup full of punch. She looked at him then towards the punch and reluctantly took it.

''Thanks.'' She muttered as she took a sip.

After a couple of minutes, she heard the guy sigh.

"Sorry,'' He muttered. ''I didn't mean to make you angry.''

She looked at him and noticed he was standing next to her, his back leaning against the table.

''I'm just having a bad night.'' He said as he sipped his cup.

''Yeah, what is up with this ball and making people lose their temper?'' She asked.

''Maybe it's the fact that we had to wear a formal attire.'' He laughed.

''Maybe,'' Sam chuckled. ''Or maybe the atmosphere had been bewitched?''

He laughed and shook his head. ''Or maybe the punch we're drinking is poison.''

Sam then coughed, making the guy laugh. ''W-What?''

The guy caught his breath and breathed in. ''I'm just kidding.''

She pushed him, and chuckle. ''You're alright,'' She said. ''For a blonde.''

He chuckled. ''And you're okay too, for a blonde.''

After a couple of hours, it was almost midnight and Sam and the guy was still laughing and talking.

''Okay, okay,'' the blonde said. ''And then what?''

''Then the dude gave it to me and in no time, I was heading for the door in a marathon chase.'' Sam finished.

The guy laughed as he sipped his cup. ''That is insane! Did he catch you?''

''Hell no!'' Sam said. ''I maybe a girl but I can outrun anyone, especially old hags.''

He smiled and set his cup down. ''I never knew any girl with much bad doings as I did.''

''And I've never met a dude who actually played pranks using magic.'' She added.

''Oh, please. Magic pranking is in my nature. Watch this.'' He said as he gestured Sam to look behind her.

He aimed his wand at a cup filled with punch.

''Wingardium Leviosa!''

The cup filled with punch hovered just above a guy's head. And with a flick of his wand, the cup landed with a thud and the contents landed all over his head. They were laughing like a maniac when it happened.

''Oh my God,'' Sam said. ''That was hilarious!''

Just then, a slow song started to play.

''Ugh, I despise those songs.'' Sam grumbled.

''I think it's kind of soothing.'' He said, looking at her.

''It sometimes makes me want to sleep.''

''It's not that bad,'' He said as he stood up and reached his hand for her to take. ''Come on.''

''I don't think it will work.'' She said but she took his hand anyways.

He led her towards the dance floor. He guided my hands and placed them on his shoulders while his was on her waist. As they swayed, the song then changed into a much more upbeat one but still a love song.

Sam smiled as she felt relief washed over her.

''You're happy that the song changed, aren't you?'' The blonde in front of him smirked.

''Yup.'' She grinned as he then twirled her.

She giggled as she returned to her previous spot.

''What did you do that for?'' She laughed.

''I don't know. Spur of the moment, maybe?'' He smirked as he twirled her again.

We've got to take it slow
You can't be sure of who you've met
You just don't know what you might get
Cause in these crazy times were living
Love can turn into regret

But you, could be the one to change my point of view
It's all up to you...

Give you love without the pain
Show you light beyond the rain
Gonna make you happy
Gonna make you happy now
There'll be days when things go wrong
I'll be there to make you strong
Gonna make you happy
Gonna make you happy

They were now just having fun, not bothering to stop. It was just them, dancing to the music. Both haven't experienced this kind of fun with the opposite gender, ever.

''You dance pretty well.'' He said as they still kept grooving to the music.

''I know,'' She laughed. ''You're not so bad yourself.''

I'll give you love without the pain
Show you light beyond the rain
Gonna make you happy
Gonna make you happy now
There'll be days when things go wrong
I'll be there to keep you strong
Gonna make you happy, make you happy now
Some days the sun don't wanna shine
And I'll be yours and you'll be mine
Gonna make you happy, make you happy now
I ain't the kind to be untrue
Wanna spend my life with you...
Gonna make you happy yeah
Make you happy yeah
Be your love I wanna be your love
Show you light beyond the rain
So what ya gonna do
I give you love without the pain
Show you light beyond the rain

As the song ended, the clock stroked twelve and the ceiling lights were roaming like a wild beast, in search for something, or someone.

''What's going on?'' Sam asked in bewilderment.

''I don't know.'' He said as he hugged Sam.

She buried her head in his chest for the lights made her dizzy. Just then, one of the lights stopped and shone on them. Sam scrunched her eyes and looked around her. The crowd made a circle, revealing four other pairs that the light had landed on to. Just as she was about to run off, they we're being lifted up and were hovering towards the stage.

''What's going on?'' Sam exclaimed as she buried in her partner's chest once again, out of fright.

''It's going to be okay,'' He tried to soothe her. ''Professor Dumbledore's doing the enchantment.''

''Really?'' She asked, still buried in his chest. ''Why?''

''That will be answered in a couple of seconds.'' He said.

When they were safely standing on stage, Professor Dumbledore began to speak.

''The clock just stoke twelve and as what I have said, it will be now the crowning of the King and Queens of the night! The winners were chosen randomly by the spotlights that were roaming just a minute ago.'' He explained. ''Now may I present to all of you, your Kings and Queens of the night!''

The audience applauded as Professor Dumbledore went from pair to pair and put the crowns on them as well as the sashes.

''I think we now know the reason.'' The guy whispered at Sam.

''And who could that be?'' Alamela asked.

''Millicent Bulstrode, Slytherin.'' Sky replied nonchalantly.

They've been at this for a while now. They take turns asking who's who and figure out their identity. It was really a normal thing to do. They've done it once or twice in their own hometown.

Alamela then pointed to the stage. ''That's Draco!''

''Malfoy?'' Sky asked as she took a sip of her punch.

''Yes! On stage with Sam.'' And with that, Sky did a spit take.

''WHAT?'' Sky stood up. ''Oh my God!''

''Why?'' Alamela asked.

''We're going to take the masks off when Dumbledore finishes putting all the crowns and tiaras. And when Sam finds out that all night she was spending time with Malfoy, who KNOWS what will happen!'' She explained.

''Ooh, drama! That's going to be fun!'' Alamela said in glee as Sky gave her a questioned look.

''Now that all of the crowns and tiaras are placed in each and every one of your heads, let us all take off our masks!'' Professor Dumbledore exclaimed as everyone started to take their masks off.

Sam took of hers and rubbed her eyes. ''Ouch, I think I poked my eye.''

''Well, that's intriguing.'' The guys laughed as he was removing his.

Sam's blue orbs went wide as she saw who they guys was.

''MALFOY?'' She screeched.

Draco raised his head to meet hers and was shock out of belief. ''PUCKETT?''

''Ugh, why did they have to let us force to wear a mask when in the end it will just be removed?'' Hermione whined as she took hers off.

''I know! Its like-''

''RON?'' Hermione exclaimed.

''HERMIONE?'' Ron shouted in shock.

Carly took her mask in a matter of minutes, excited to see who had asked her to dance. They didn't talk much they just danced. However, when it comes to boys, she is always excited to meet them. She then looked at her dancing partner and was astounded.

''Freddie?'' She asked as her eyes bulged out of their sockets.

''Hey Carly.'' He smiled sheepishly.

Gibby took his plain white mask off of his face and looked at the one he danced with.

''Hey,'' He grinned.

''Hello.'' The girl smiled.

''I'm Gibby.'' He said nonchalantly as he extended his hand.

''Mandy.'' She giggled as she took his in hers and shook it.

''Nice name.'' He smiled.

Lavender quickly took off her mask rapidly and faced her dancing partner, hoping it was the man of her dreams.

''Crabbe?'' She exclaimed in disgust.

''Brown?'' Crabbe said in utter repulse.

Alamela giggled as she took off her mask. She then looked at her cousin who was rubbing her eye.

''Stop! You're going to make those red!'' She said as she slapped her hand.

''Ugh! Sometimes I forget about your motherly instincts.'' Sky said begrudgingly.

''Ooh, they already took their masks off!'' Alamela called out as she pointed towards the stage.

Both Sky and Alamela ran towards the middle of the crowd to get a better view. They stood on the stage, Mandy and Neville, Carly and Freddie, Sam and Draco, Ron and Hermione and last but not the least Lavender and Crabbe, all with pure shock and horror plastered on their faces.

A/N:

PolarPurple: I is PolarPurple and I is want saying hi. Lol jk, I don't have that bad grammar. That's just a shame to the fanfiction writing world -_-. I hope you liked this chapter, Sky mostly did it; I only edited some grammar mistakes and added few details (aka one full stop).

SkyLeinz: Gonna make this short… THE END! Okay.. that was it. xD THANKS FOR ALL THE FREAKY PEOPLE WHO REVIEWED! YOU GUYS ROCK HARD AS ICE! BIGFOOT ROCKS! FLUBBER NUGGETS! FISH SQUEAKS! LILLY PAD THORNS! Okay, what was that? O.o NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE WRITTEN BY THE PURPLE POLAR BEAR! Oh, and the MASQUERADE PICS are on MY PROFILE! :D PEACE! \m/

[SkyLeinz] && {PolarPurple}