Charlotte Weasley

Chapter 26 - The Masquerade Ball

I had returned to Hogwarts after George's brief stint in St. Mungo's. When I arrived, about two days later, Britt had sprinted towards me from the entrance hall (it was in the middle of Transfiguration and I was astonished that Britt was missing class). 

"Oh Charlotte!" She cried happily, "They didn't say where you had gone, we were all worried out of our wits!" 

"George had an accident in Knockturn Alley, he was stunned severely but he's okay now, " upon hearing that he would make it, Britt took in a huge sigh of relief, "He just has to rest for a week or so." 

"That is wonderful, not the accident obviously, " she wrinkled her nose, "But he will be okay! And you arrived just in time for the feast! It's starting in just half an hour!" 

Britt's merry disposition soon rubbed off on me and we skipped up to the common room to drop off my trunk and went back down to the Great Hall. 

Halloween, growing up wasn't a huge affair, of course it was always very sad, mainly for Harry. It was the anniversary of his parent's death. He along with Ron and Hermione would walk out to the tombstone and then afterwards return to his house where we would have our celebrations. 

At Hogwarts, however, it was quite the opposite. Huge jack o' lanterns floated from the ceiling and cast a warm gold glow over everything. Candy and sweets littered the halls and the tables in the Great Hall were coated. 

Britt and I sat down next to Valery, Lacey who both smiled when they saw I had come back. 

Proffessor McGonnagal clinked her glass and the hall became silent within seconds. 

"Glad to see you are all enjoying the feast!" She gave one rare smile, "This is of course Halloween night and feel free to eat as much as you please! For years five to seven the Halloween night Masquerade ball will still be on, please arrive no earlier than eight o'clock here. And for younger students, no sneaking in. You will have your chance later when you are older!" Proffessor McGonnagall sat down and began to eat. The rest of the hall followed her lead and piled their plates full of delicasies. 

"Hmm I wonder what the ball will be like! I wish we could go!" Valery smiled while spooning pudding onto her golden plate. 

"Did you hear that Chelsea got asked out by Ted Thomas! And she just broke it off with Dirk! Poor boy!" Lacey said.

"Yeah, poor Dirk but he is going with Alicia Prewett," Britt chimed in. 

Out of their quidditch team, Dirk, Cornelia, and Fabian would be the only ones going to the dance. 

"Cornelia mentioned at practice a few days ago that Max Boot asked her!" I mentioned.

We gossiped for a while but soon retired to the common room. The fifth, sixth, and seventh years were all up in their dormitories, curling their hair, slipping on gowns, and in the guy's case, slicking back hair and putting on dress robes. 

We sat on the carpet next the fireplace, and Valery pulled out a deck of exploding snap. The boys joined us for a while but then slipped away to who knows where. The older kids also left so that the common room was much more quiet than usual. 

I got up off the floor and glanced around, most people were up in their dormitories. 

I kneeled down next to the others and muttered so no one else could hear, "Do you guys want to go sneak downstairs and peek inside the hall?" 

Britt looked exasperated, "Charlotte! Professor McGonnagal told us expressly not to go down there!" 

Lacey and Valery however looked excited.