Intertwined

Chapter Four

Elijah's eyes widened as he saw Maggie coming down the stairs. When she approached him looking shyly up from her under her lashes, he couldn't find words to describe her beauty. "I...I- you look wonderful." He said exasperated at himself for not being more articulate.

She took his offered arm, and they proceeded to leave the Hufflepuff common room with their friends. Elijah looked very handsome in his billowing black dress robes, his tawny eyes glowing with affection.

Maggie was feeling very content, but not for long, because the first thing she saw was Carter. His black hair looked wonderful with his evergreen dress robes, and although he was laughing with his friend, he had no one on his arm. She scared herself with the rush of happiness at seeing him alone, and reminded herself she should feel bad.

He unabashedly stared at her, smiling, as if they were old friends. Despite herself, she grinned back. This was weird, she hadn't said more than three words over their entire time in school together. The doors to the Great Hall open and as everyone processed in they gasped in at the same time.

It looked as though everything had been covered in ice or snow (or perhaps diamond?) but it was warm as usual in the great hall. The ceiling showed shimmering stars such as she had never seen before. Although it was below freezing the doors to the gardens were thrown open, and no cold blew in. It seemed as though they had enchanted the gardens into looking and feeling like a mild summer night.

Inside was a gorgeous Winter Wonderland. Icicles hung in spiraling beautiful forms, Christmas trees lined the walls bedecked tastefully with all the castle had to offer. Instead of being lined up like they usually were the house tables were shrunk (do to only the top three classes being permitted to attend) and pushed against the walls to give room for a dance floor that looked like an ice rink. However, it was not slippery. The head table was in it's usual place with a band playing a soft processional as the students walked in.

All of them knew the band would play some classical waltz's and then rock music, from both muggle and wizarding bands, in order to further show the union between the two. Traditionally, there was one formal dance, then the feast, and then the rest of the dancing.

The students filed onto the dance floor ready with their partners. Elijah's arm encircled her waist tightly, her hand on his shoulder and both their hands raised, intertwined. To her displeasure and relief, although she was not his date (Maggie could hear the girl loudly complaining about that fact), Carter was dancing with a skinny blond girl.

As skirts twirled and laughter echoed from mis steps, Maggie found her eyes frequently meeting with Carter's. The stares were undeniably heated. She was so distracted by them she was quite taken by surprise when Elijah leaned down and passionately kissed her. They stopped dancing for a moment, hugging closer.

Somehow this didn't feel quite right. The kiss was like tasting a soup and realizing it needs just one more ingredient, a missing spice. It was still incredibly good soup, just not the best it could be. They broke apart, both blushing, but for different reasons. Headmistress McGonagall had pursed her lips at this display, but said nothing.

The song ended and the band switched to some light background music food the feast as people took their seats. The food appeared in droves, roast chicken, pork and lamb. Potatoes, asparagus, soups, everything you could possibly think of.

Although the spread before her looked and smelled amazing, and those around her were having a good tuck in (high on adrenaline), she found she had little appetite. She nibbled at some chicken and mashed potatoes and told her friends she wanted to eat light so that she could dance without feeling too tired. To avoid saying much else, she nursed her pumpkin juice.