Dangerous Seekers AU

Chapter 34: One Night Before the Ball

Today is the last day of the dance rehearsal and it is also Christmas Eve-a New School year. Professor Alice was excited for the big day tomorrow that she had counted each dance step and turning routine of the fifth year. She didn't dance with Gusion anymore since he already improved his dance steps, which made her proud as a teacher. They already mastered the final dance step so they proceeded to the top with music beginning to flow. The "Room of Requirement" was still their assigned place to rehearse.

"And 1,2,3! 1,2,3! 1,2,3! 1,2,3!" Alice counted as the fifth year students did the diamond pattern. "And 1, 2, 3! 1,2,3! 1,2,3! 1, 2, 3!"

"Nice moves, Granger." Lesley praised as she danced with Claude Bullet from Slytherin, who was her partner for now.

"Thanks. I did my best though." Granger humbly said. He lets Kimmy Splat from Hufflepuff twirl in front of him, holding her hand with his.

Professor Alice had also informed that if someone from the boys found a partner, he could practice with her on the last day of rehearsals. Nonetheless, she allowed other boys to ask later after practice for the partner for tomorrow. Granger already asked Kimmy yesterday to be his partner, the time where Lesley and Gusion were still in Honeydukes, which is the reason why she was dancing with him right now. However, Lesley didn't have a partner; same goes for Claude.

They proceed to the next step, Professor Alice clapping her hands in a beat as the fifth years place their hands on each other. Boys placed their right hand into girls' right hand and they twirled four steps clockwise. Then left hand and twirled counterclockwise, they had to twirl gently but elegantly the reason why Alice clapped her hands. Guinevere did this step successfully with her partner, Gusion Paxley. Gusion thought that her fianceé would be her partner over Lesley since she was dancing with him. He remembered what Lesley said to the Honeydukes that it doesn't matter if she or Guinevere would be his partner, as long as their relationship is safe from his fianceé. On the other hand, Guinevere smiled sweetly at him, being proud of her future husband.

"You have improved your dance steps, Gusion~" Guinevere flirtatiously remarked.

"Thanks." he replied as they proceeded to the next step. "I practiced a lot in the common room."

"Well, make sure to still remember this in our Wedding Ceremony hmm~!" She exclaimed.

Until now, Gusion felt unnerved and sick every time he heard about their fixed marriage. He can't express himself in front of her because she is Guinevere, who was sure as hell to be into the idea of this marriage thing.

The fifth-year students finally reached the last step. The music intensified, which made them feel excited, as if the Noel Wizarding Ball was happening right now. The boys placed their right hand to the girls' left shoulder along with their left hand to the right waist. The girls returned the gesture. They swayed left and right as they changed their original positions by rotating clockwise. Then the boys stretched their right hand, holding the girls' left hand, letting them twirl close to them. Once they reached their partners, the girls bent their backs with their right hand raised upward while the boys supported the girls' body. They finally ended their dance for the ball which made Alice feel very proud for them from day one. She observed how the girls and boys danced charmingly in sync. The music ended exactly at their last step. The headmistress smiled and gave applause to them and she went beside the phonograph record since she had an announcement.

"Fifth years.'' she said, her voice clear with utmost pride. "First of all, I appreciate all your efforts during practice since day one. I have no doubt that it paid off; you all were wonderful! Although, tomorrow, I expect that all of you will dance more gracefully, especially since you all would be in such extravagant attire. You are all now dismissed and Advanced Happy Christmas. And boys, don't forget to find your partner for the big day tomorrow."