The hall was filled with Slytherin students. Amara sat on the benches, Theo telling about the girl he fancied sitting just across from them. Snape was in there, waiting for everyone to arrive before he fully explained why they had all been dragged in. Filch was in there as well standing next to a record player as he attempted to adjust something on it looking rather confused as he did so.
"The Yule Ball is approaching—a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament." Snape had started, "An opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above—although you may invite a younger student if you wish to do so."
Amara cleared her throat as some of the fourth years giggled at being included. She nudged Theo's arm, watching from the corner of her eye as she noticed his eyes snapping to the fifth year girl he was keen on. "Dress robes will be worn," Snape paced, arms together behind his back, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then—"
He hadn't bothered looking at the students who were chatting over him, pointing his wand to them as they were pushed back slightly, a squeal leaving them as he did so. "The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to... let out hair down as you would put it," he continued.
"But that does NOT," he turned back to a group sharply catching the students off guard in fear, "Mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be seriously displeased if a Slytherin student embarrasses the school in any way."
"Now," he pulled off of his cloak over his chest reaching for the other end to do the same. "Pick a partner, I will not allow Hogwarts to look foolish when it comes to the dancing."
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Amara had caught Thomas off guard in the courtyard. He had disappeared some time before and was talking to somebody from Durmstrang. She gave him a smile at his shocked expression. "When you head back to the common room, can you bring my self inking quill to the library?" She asked him for. He nodded his head, turning back to the boy in front of him. She took it as her sign to leave, only making it a couple steps away before he was pulling her back.
"Just curious," he gripped the end of the sleeve of her cloak, "We would be going together, right?"
"Elaborate?" She asked him. He sighed, rolling his eyes absentmindedly, "To the Yule Ball. Will be going together? As... friends of course."
"I suppose so," she answered with a simple shrug of her shoulders, "I doubt anybody would ask me. But are you sure you wouldn't prefer to go with one of the many girls who seemed to be swooning over you in potions the other day?" He sensed her teasing tone, scoffing as he looked away, "I could say the same for you. That Diggory sure seems to be keen on you just considering the fact he spends his time in class eyeing you like a bird with its prey. Or a badger in this case."
