END OF TERM BALL

Caro walked around, clutching her hat tightly to her head, her neon green pimp tuxedo slightly showing out in the crowd. Wondering where all the rum from before had disappeared, she started to get annoyed by now. Rum didn't just disappear like that.

But after a few minutes, she gave up, and sat down by an empty table, sulking as she watched everyone else have fun.

She wanted her rum, and she wanted it now!

Cat eventually stop dancing. Once again her feet hurt like hell. She noticed Caro sulking at a table.

Cat walked over, "Hey Caro. Whatcha sulking over? Your supposed to be having fun. At least I thought thats wat you are supposed to do at dances."

"I'm fine Becca," June said with a smile. It seemed that she was perpetually smiling at the ball. From the corner of her eye, June saw Ame standing in front of... a handsome dark stranger.... She giggled. And there was Stephy... oooo! And Elana had just arrived too! And Streams! June really had missed a lot as she'd talked with Becca and Chris. Walking over to Elana, June said, "Hey Elana!!!! I love your dress! You look great!"

Cat noticed Agatha waving and Cat gestured for her to come over.

Kate was in the bathroom, fixing her makeup. Somehow, and she really had no idea how, she had fallen asleep on the little loveseat by the sinks. Her suspicions that the punch was spiked were now confirmed. She remembered dancing to country music, so she must have been out it.

Pointing her wand at her vintage gown she charmed away the wrinkles. Feeling refreshed again, she ventured outside the bathroom walls. Evidence of a wild night were everywhere, and one look at her friend Agatha told Kate all she needed to know about who was the hardiest partier.

Some people looked worse for the wear after such a eventful evening, and Kate decided now was the time. She marched up to the DJ and asked him to play Thriller by Michael Jackson. The DJ looked at her as if she may have time warped here from another dimension (note to self, Kate thought, maybe request the Time Warp next) but he eventually gave in.

Kate threw her purse on a table, if anyone needed her Clinque moisturizer badly enough to steall, let them. She postitioned herself on the dancefloor and waited for the music to start.

Cat squeaked in joy once she heard Thriller playing. She ran out to the dance floor near Kate. This night was getting more fun by the second. This was even better than the line dancing and the only group dancing better than this song would probably be the Time Warp.

June followed Cat as her friend ran to the dance floor. Thriller was one of her favorite songs... though she hated the music video. Next to Cat was Kate! June smiled at her Ravenclaw friend. "Kate!" she cried. "I didn't see you!"

"Cat! June!" Kate cried, doing her best undead dance moves. She was very happy not be the only one on the dance floor. Both girls looked amazing, and Kate was sure this had to be one of the best dressed balls Hogwarts had ever held.

"'Cause This Is Thriller, Thriller Night
And No One's Gonna Save You From The Beast About
Strike
You Know It's Thriller, Thriller Night
You're Fighting For Your Life Inside A Killer, Thriller
Tonight"

Justin walked back into the Great Hall after trying to round up as many people as possible and notes quite a few more folks. "Mission accomplished", he mutters to himself, with a grin.

He immediately notices the song playing: Thriller by Michael Jackson. He wasn't a huge fan of the King of Pop, but this was a cult classic from the days of yesteryear and a great video. "Hm, this'd be a good song to dance to...", he thought.

Justin made his way to the food table and pours himself a cup of the fine punch and taps his foot, waiting to jump on the dance floor if someone else gets there first.

Dani gazed about the room, there wasn't much going on and her nice new dress was going to waste. She sighed and scaned the crowd for someone she knew she could have an awesome party with. She spotted Becca and squeeled. Rushing over she grabbed her best friend in a hug.

"Becky!" She said using the name that made Becca angery.

Dani laughed, "I'm good, I guess. Hanging in there after some terrible virus that infected my whole puter. But I'm back now for a short while."

She listened to the song that just barely started and saw the few boys that were around the room. She sighed. "So any exciting news while I was away??"

"Ooh, thank you Muff!" Caro said and took the rum. "Lcue would be proud of you.." she added with a wink and stood up. "Come on, let's daaaance!"

Caro didn't wait around for her Muff's answer, and dragged her out on the dancefloor with their bottles of rum.

Kate said hi to Becca, complimenting her on her own outfit. Thriller was just winding down and a new song that she didn't recognize came on. Not wanting to embaress herself (because even if you dance badly it looks okay if you're dancing to Thriller) she edged away from the dance floor.

She watched some poor first year get drenched with rum and hoped he'd stay away from the enchanted floating candles before this became a Carrie like prom scene.

Kate looked around, but her shoes were missing. Luckily her purse was still there, and besides, she'd just had a pedicure and who wanted to waste such a cute french pedicure on a pair of too high heeled shoes? She sunk into one of the chairs at her table and wished for some warm butternut beer. Suddenly it was there before her, next to a large plate of frosted sugar cookies. Kate couldn't see them, but she thanked the skilled house elfs nonetheless.

Chris looked at evryone in the great hall. "This party is cool."

When Thriller was over Cat decided to take another break and left the dance floor. She walked over to Chris and smiled. "Having fun?"

"Yes, actually I'm having a great time." Chris said.

"Thats good," Cat replied. "I thought it was going to be boring, but I was wrong. I am actually enjoying myself."

"Good." Chris said. "Well I need to get something to drink." Chris added.

"What would you like?" Cat asked offering to go get a drink.

"Butterbeer." Chris said.

Jake smiled as he saw the woman he'd met pass out for a moment. Though in that moment he turned and walked off quietly. Deciding not to bother her or anyone else for that matter, he made his way outside of the great hall and glanced around the empty hallway.

Turning to his left he walked to the main entrance way and walked out into the cool night air and sat down on the steps. It was peaceful out here. He could just hear the noise of the people inside having their fun time. resting his elbows on his knees he crossed his arms and leaned forward slightly.

Loneliness was not something unfamiliar to him. He'd always been withdrawn and quiet, even around his own family. It wasn't a lack of emotion or caring, he just never had much to say to anyone. That tended to get the wrong first impression, marking him off as secrative and hateful of everyone. Which was untrue, he cared about many people. It was simply hard for him to really think of much to say.

Tapping his finger on his lip for a moment he suddenly coughed and glanced around blinking. He swore he'd heard a noise other than himself but, that was most likely his imagination getting the better of him. Streatching out he leaned back against the step above him and placed his elbows back on it to support himself while he stared into the night sky.

Cat went to the refreshment table and grabbed two butterbeers. "Here you go," Cat said when she returned, handing Chris one of the drinks.

"Thanks Cat." Chris said. "All that dancing has wiped me out."

Cat chuckled, "It's wiped me out too. I think Thriller took the last of my dancing energy for now."

Chris sat down at a table. "Well." Chris said drinking some of the butterbeer. "Great ball."

Cat sat at the table with him, taking a sip of her butterbeer. "Yeah it is," Cat replied. "I just hope my feet survive it."

Chris laughed a little. "Well, We don't have any more work to do."

Cat chuckled and nodded.

"I hope no one decides to play Time Warp," Cat chuckled. "I would have to get up and dance again."

"Yeah." Chris said. Chris finished up his butterbeer. "Where did Becca go?"

Justin wakes up from another punch-induced coma and finds 'Thriller' over and some other music entertaining the crowd. "Time waits for no man, I suppose.", thinks Justin to himself, feeling a yawn at the edge of his lips.

He shakes himself a bit to keep Hypnos from grabbing him. He scans the Great Hall for a clean table and spots one, making his way for it.

Settling down in a chair, he puts his feet up and produces his copy of Inkspell from out of nowhere. He never leaves home without a book and this is the perfect reason why. Focusing in on the text, he reads more of the story of Mo, Meggie, and Dustfinger.

Cat looked around for Becca but saw no sign of her. "That's a good question," Cat replied. "Well let's just hope she isn't off crucio-ing people." Cat chuckled.

Chris laughed, "Yeah, she says it tickles also."

Cat chuckled and rose an eyebrow confused. "Tickles?" Cat asked chuckling. "Well this is Becca we are talking about. I can't imagine it tickling."

"Same here."

"Hmmm well nothing exactly too exciting for me. But it's always filled with exciting stuff around here," she laughed out in answer to her friend's questions. Becca glanced around the room. "Looks like everyone is having fun." She then thought she heard something about her. "I'll be right back," she smiled and excused herself, making her way over to Chris and Cat.

"Did i hear something about the tickle crucio curse?" She said with a sweet smile.

"I believe you did." Chris laughed.

Chris looked at everyone in the Great Hall. They seeemed to be having fun. He spotted Steph and she looked like she was having fun by just sitting down.

Chris waved at Steph. "Wonder how much fun she is having?" He asked himself.

"Nothing just drinking and dancing." Chris said as Steph walked over. "How about you?"