The Dark Mark | D.M

Dance

XII

    On a snowy December at Hogwarts, a hushed enchantment settled over the castle and its surrounding grounds. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of fresh snow, as delicate flakes danced gracefully from the sky, painting everything in a pristine white.

    The Great Hall, adorned with icy decorations, became a haven of warmth and cheer. Crackling fires roared in the grand fireplaces, casting a cozy glow upon the long tables laden with delectable seasonal treats. Students gathered, their conversations blending with the clinking of cutlery, as they enjoyed hearty meals and indulged in steaming mugs of hot chocolate.

    Inside the classrooms, professors wove lessons with a touch of winter magic. Charms class taught students to conjure frost patterns and create snowflakes that floated gently through the air. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes explored the folklore of snow creatures and how to protect against their enchantments.
    The Astronomy Tower provided a breathtaking vantage point to observe the starlit sky on clear nights. The moon cast an ethereal glow on the snowy landscape, while constellations seemed to shimmer with otherworldly brilliance, captivating students and stirring their imaginations.

    Even the house elves embraced the wintry atmosphere, crafting snow sculptures and creating snow angels on the castle grounds. Their mischievous spirit added an element of playfulness to the enchanting season.

    It has been a little over a month since the arrival of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang on the castle grounds of Hogwarts. In the past month, a lot of things had happened; The first task came to pass, the first two matches for sixth years and below, a quick Quidditch game, a couple of new friendships were made, and more weekend visits to Hogsmeade. And one more thing... Astrid and Draco. No, it is not what you think—you see, in that whole month, their relationship did not escalate, rather it stayed put.

    Right after Astrid's fifteenth birthday, like she promised Draco back when they were in Hogsmeade, Astrid remained her distance from the blonde. Communication is not their forte, and so, Astrid kept her distance until Draco tells her not to—and guess what? She heard nothing from him. Not until...

    "Welcome ladies." McGonagall gently smiled as the girls of Beauxbatons entered the huge room. "Find your seats and we'll proceed at any moment."

    According to Madame Maxine, a preparation for a ball will occur later that afternoon, and since the ladies of Beauxbatons lack the presence of male students, while the other way around with the men of Durmstrang—the headmaster of Hogwarts decided to let both schools join two houses from their own. The Gryffindors and Slytherins. Perfect combination, is it not?

    "Right!" McGonagall clapped her hands as she faced the lot, "The Yule Ball has been a tradition of the... Triwizard Tournament," She paused for a moment as Filch mingle with the huge phonograph, "Since its inception. On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests..." She gestured her hand towards the two foreign schools, "Gather in the Great Hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity. As representatives of the host school, I expect every one of you to put your best foot forward. And I mean this literally," McGonagall warned, directly towards the students in red and green robes, "Because the Yule Ball is, first and foremost... a dance."

    Everyone began chattering to each other excitedly and the ladies of Beauxbatons are no exception.

    "Oh, comme c'est excitant !" [Oh, how exciting!] Amelie gushed over, tightly but gently grabbing onto Astrid's arm.

    As almost girls let out small squeals and shrieks, boys, on the other hand, were mostly groaning and grunting, causing Astrid to let out a small amused giggle.