Scorrose

nine - edit

The Great Hall looked so unlike itself that Rose held her breath as she entered, eyes wide as she took in the blue walls and the frost-dusted Christmas trees. Silver candles with blue-green flames floated along the high ceiling. The tables had vanished in lieu of a stage with live music and a dance floor, crowded with bodies Rose almost didn't recognize. Her classmates had all cleaned up very nicely— some looked so different she did a double take.

"Wow," Siobhan breathed in awe, voicing Rose's amazement.

Rose glanced around the room at the other students; some were dancing, and other groups were congregated with their friends, talking and laughing. Now that she was here, she didn't quite know what to do with herself. She steered away from the dance floor, feeling oddly anxious.

"Should we take a look over there first?" She asked, pointing to the long table of refreshments.

Siobhan nodded. Rose poured herself a drink, while Siobhan sampled the many dessert items. She scanned the crowd over her cup, not knowing what she was searching for until she spotted it— that flash of white-blond hair. She quickly turned away, internally chastising herself. She had just seen him a minute ago.

They milled around the refreshments for the duration of another song before Siobhan suggested they go dance. Rose nodded, somewhat hesitantly, and they headed to the dance floor.

Rose didn't usually like dancing, but the lights were low enough and the room was loud enough that she didn't feel too uncomfortable. Siobhan was already starting to yell and jump around with the rest of the crowd. "C'mon, Rose," Siobhan said loudly, grinning. "Loosen up! Close your eyes."

"I am loosened up," she said, but closed her eyes anyway. She could still see the pulsating lights past her eyelids, but gradually her body began to move with more ease. Three songs in and the two of them had started to spin each other around, laughing, when the song made a drastic change from the upbeat dance music back to the waltz.

Siobhan groaned.

"Must they really play the waltz in the middle of the dance? We don't have partners."

"We can still dance," Rose said. "They did teach us this dance in class. Did you go to it?"

"I went," Siobhan said glumly. "But I've only practiced the girl part."

"Oh. Me too."

She sighed, and the two of them headed to a round table littered with empty cups and heels. "My feet are tired, anyway," Rose said. "I need a break."

She sat down and began taking off her shoe when she noticed someone approach. Her heart sped as she quickly looked up but was strangely disappointed to see it was just a Hufflepuff boy from one of her classes.

"Hi," he said to Siobhan.

She blinked at him in surprise. "Oh— hello."

"I saw you standing here, and, erm, wondered if you wanted to...?" He gestured to the floor where all the couples were waltzing, and though it was hard to tell in this lighting, Rose could tell he was blushing.

"Oh!" Siobhan did little to mask her shock, her eyes rising up her forehead. She looked over at Rose questioningly.

Rose waved her approval with a flick of her hands and a small smile. "Go for it."

Grinning, Siobhan took the boy's outstretched hand and said, "I'd love to join you. I'll be right back, Rose."

"Take your time," Rose said.

As they left, she continued to take off her shoes, sighing in relief when her feet were free from the restraints. It didn't truly occur to her until she sat up that she was completely alone now.