hogwartsexpressed | You Are Cordially Invited to the Yule Ball!

The Yule Ball

How to play
① Tag in
② Go to RNG and roll 1-10. That's your scenario!
③ Tag around!
④ Have fun. :)

Cross-canon/canon/oc's are all welcome! Just note how your character has been invited to the ball or if they're a student! We welcome it all. ♥

Scenarios
① Ask Your Date to the Yule Ball - Invite that special someone or ask your best friend. There is nothing wrong with going as friends!
② Dress Shopping/Dress Robe Shopping - It's time to find that perfect outfit! Or have one mailed to you and ask someone to alter it for you if need be.
③ Getting Ready - It's time to get ready for the ball, do you feel that nervous flutter?
④ Picking Up Your Date - Go and pick up your date, the ball is about to start!
⑤ The First Dance - It's time for the first dance. Are you ready?
⑥ Refreshment Table - Let's hope ~~someone~~ no one spiked the punch! We're looking at you Marauders. We see that flask, Sirius...
⑦ The Courtyard - Need a break from dancing and people? We get that. Go into the courtyard and get a breath of fresh air. Just be sure no teacher catches you making out with your date.
⑧ Wardrobe Malfunction - The absolute worst timing, a wardrobe malfunction! What do you do?
⑨ Chaperone - Are you a chaperone for the evening? How'd you get stuck with that gig? Better make sure the Marauders aren't creating havoc or spiking the punch!
⑩ Free Choice - You know what, you do your thing!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[i am VERY MUCH voice testing so i will tag anything]

It had been a surprise to Cassie when she'd received the invitation a few months prior inviting her (and all still living previous champions) to the Yule Ball. It was supposed to mark some kind of anniversary since the last Tournament and a time when everyone can honor those who didn't make it or otherwise couldn't be with them.

It was the first time something like this was offered and while Cassie can appreciate that they wanted to honor the fallen, she loathed to go. Unlike many... 99% of the rest of the participants, it wasn't something she had chosen herself to participate in. To go back, metaphorically speaking, and remember that nightmare of an experience hadn't been in her long-term plans. In fact, it was still something she was working through with her mind healer but that wasn't here nor there.

She had agreed though because, in the end, she still felt some sort of obligation to go and make an appearance. In the spur of the moment, she'd reached out to Fleur to see if she wanted to attend with her. She was thrilled when she accepted.

Standing there in the Grand Hall wearing a deep green dress and her hair all made up, she took a look around her and exhaled a breath. Turning to look at Fleur who was beautiful as ever, she confessed. "I still really don't want to be here."

Honestly, Fleur had all but incinerated the letter when it came with the invitation. It had been one thing to go through the Tournament, nearly lose Gabrielle, nearly lose her own life, and watch Cassie bring Cedric Diggory's body back cold. Those were nightmares that lingered - and with the war that broke out soon after, she can't help but think that maybe revisiting the Tournament was something none of the Champions wanted to do.

But it is not for you. It is for the three schools to come back together, and celebrate having survived not just the Tournament but also the defeat of Voldemort.

She doesn't plan to go.

In fact, she doesn't want to, until Cassie reaches out with an invitation. Then she imagines the young woman, alone in front of the press and the survivors and the expectant crowd, waiting for her to stumble, and there is a slow little fire that builds inside Fleur - in the end, she skips her Advanced Curse Breaking class and sends Cassie a letter accepting.

And here she is, the night of the ball. At that little confessions, Fleur takes one look at Cassie, her stern expression softening, and sighs.

"Ah, putain. Let's just do a single round, and then hide away somewhere."

There had been no doubt in her mind that this would be a complete and utter disaster. Who truly in their right mind thought anyone would want to come and celebrate anything that played a part in resurrecting Voldemort. She was sure that this was the last place any of the former champions wanted to be and yet... here they were.

She glanced at Fleur and allowed herself a smile. "Yeah, that sounds good. Really good. Thanks again for attending with me, Fleur." She could have asked others, she knew that but attending with someone else who understood what it was like during that tournament was nice. Who understood that feeling of wanting to be anywhere else than right there.

Fleur gives Cassie a smile, earnest and unpracticed, and nods. "It's my pleasure. At the very least, we stick together now, no?" She hooks her arm through Cassie's with determination, and gives her a nod.

"How would you Brits put it? Let's mingle their socks off."

Cassie smiled, earnestly and looped her arm through Fleur's. Let the rest of the room say something about it. "And then we can escape somewhere with a flask and cigarettes for a little bit, hm," she said with a little grin before they started with the Minister for Magic.

As much as she wanted to, she wouldn't be able to stay away for long.

She'd been told a few days prior that they'd like for her (and other champions if they so chose) to say a few words as part of the evening's program. Truth be told, she had half a mind to give everyone in that room a piece of her mind. Especially those who were there as a means to be seen. But, as much as she wanted to do that (and truly, she did), she'd learned over the years during Auror training to have some finesse in what she said and did. There would always be another time and place, no doubt.

Fleur got the letter as well, though she was allowed to decline - and has, in fact, done so - but it would still send her into a fit to know that Cassie was not given the same chance. At the moment, they mingle and charm the guests, and stay close to one another until it's time for the speeches.

Apparently, before anyone is allowed merriment of any kind, there must be speeches that glorify and underline how morbid the ball actually is.

Fleur will be there, at the end of the speech, waiting for Cassie with a bottle of champagne in her hand, open, a determined look of don't fuck with me on her face, and her hand out for the younger woman.

"Let's go outside."

It was an unfortunate side effect of being The Girl Who Lived (Died and then Lived again) that people expected certain things from her such as speeches. It had become normal and she grew used to it. So it would surprise her, even if just a little, that Fleur would be upset on her behalf.

When the speech was over and she stepped off the stage, she grinned at the bottle of champagne in the other woman's hand. "Yes, definitely," she agreed and took her hand. She only gave the Minister a small nod before they completely left the Ballroom and headed outdoors.

"No matter how many times I've done something like this and how used to it I am, there are times when I would rather be doing just about anything else."

"You should not have to be paraded about like a trophy for them," Fleur mutters unkindly, with a rude hand gesture towards the ballroom they've left behind. "You've already done more than you should've ever needed to, Cassie, they should allow you to just...rest. Yes, definitely they should."

Cassie's mouth curled up as she walked with the other woman. It had been a while since anyone came to her defense like that. Hermione had throughout the years but they were both adults and had other responsibilities these days.

She was quiet for a moment. "I haven't experienced it in other countries but those here in Britain... many of them believe I still have some sort of duty or obligation to them. Whether that's a fair assessment or not, I'm not sure but I've learned to pick and choose my battles. Some I can't seem to get away from. Like tonight."

"Well, it is still a pile of steaming excrement," she mutters unkindly, then fishes out the cigarette holder from her pocket, and enlarges it back to its normal side. "Do you mind if I smoke?" And after a pause adds: "Actually, do you want one?"

Cassie laughed and nodded in agreement. "You're not wrong," she agreed and watched her with an amused smile before nodding. "I don't mind in the least and I would love one," she said before reaching for the open champagne bottle the woman held and brought it up to her mouth. Because truly, who needed glasses.

They were a good distance away from the castle now and Cassie looked for a place they could sit. "This is much better than being in there." She wouldn't admit it but even before the speeches, she'd started to feel over crowded.

You Are Cordially Invited to the Yule Ball!

fleur delacour

10 because we do what we want.

yes we do

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