Edited 3/2/2022

Chapter Eight, Halloween Ball

The day of the Masquerade Ball had finally arrived and Hogwarts was abuzz with excitement as students whispered and gossiped excitedly. Meals had been taken within their Common Rooms today while the teachers set up the Great Hall and the Entrance Hall for that evening; when the Ball started at seven. Josie, Pandora, Marlene and Alice were all in the girls Gryffindor dormitory getting ready after eating their small lunch, taking turns to use the shower and doing each other's hair and makeup. They didn't know where Lily was and they didn't particularly care at the moment, as she'd stormed out as soon as Pandora had arrived just before lunch and they haven't seen her since.
"I wonder where Lily went?" Alice questioned as Josie did her hair, and Pandora her makeup while Marlene was the last one to take a shower.

"Who cares with how she's been acting!" Marlene scoffed, as she came out of the bathroom in her dressing gown while drying her hair with a towel.
"I don't get it." Alice continued. "How can she suddenly change like that?" She asked.
"I don't know. But, she's probably gone to Snape." Josie said, her voice muffled due to the pins in her mouth.
"True." Dora agreed. "I think half of it is embarrassment for her own behaviour at the start of the year, the rest...I don't know."
"Let's forget about toxic people and have a good time tonight with each other and our boys." Marlene exclaimed, making them all giggle.
"There we go all done." Josie and Dora said at the same time, a few minutes later. "Now, go get in your dress."

A few moments later Alice came out of the bathroom in a beautiful yellow, silk, mermaid style dress that had a sweetheart neckline. She had yellow lace peep toe heels to match but were in a lighter shade. A golden necklace with a rose in the centre that was a gift from Frank. Golden dangly earrings, nude nails with gold glitter on them, red lipstick, nude eyeshadow, mascara and winged eyeliner. Finally, her dark hair was styled in a low twisted bun with some white flower pins in it and she had a golden mask that had roses along the top.
"You look beautiful Alice." The three girls gasped.
"Thank you." Alice said happily hugging her three friends tightly. "Now it's your turn." She cried.

A few hours later, all four girls were finally ready to attend the Masquerade Ball and meet their men downstairs in the Common Room.
Marlene was dressed in a beautiful green, one shouldered mermaid style dress that was made of silk with black peep toe heels. Her hair was styled in a low ponytail with some loose blonde strands curled slightly to frame her face. She had nude coloured nails, silver eyeshadow, mascara, winged eyeliner and pale pink lipgloss. She also had a silver necklace and a silver and green masquerade mask.

Pandora was in a beautiful two tone high neck, A line dress. The bottom of the dress was a royal blue colour and the top was white that dripped down on to the blue looking like ice. She had bronze heels, bronze earrings and a bracelet in a leaf like pattern. Her hair was curled and styled in a side twisted bun, she had bronze nail varnish, silvery pink eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner and pink lipstick, and she had a white and blue lace masquerade mask.

Finally, Josie was in a beautiful red off the shoulder ball gown dress that's tight at the bodice and flowed out at the hips into a tulle skirt. She had gold metallic strappy heels, black nails, and her courtship ring. She had nude eyeshadow that blended into a dark grey at the outside edge, mascara, winged eyeliner and burgundy lipstick. Her hair was curled up into a bun at the back with a plait lacing through it and some strands framing her face, and she also had a black lace masquerade mask that had red roses on it.

Overall, all four girls looked beautiful and were finally ready to head downstairs after adding Preservation Charms to their hair and makeup.
"Ready?" Marlene asked as she adjusted her mask.
"Ready." The three girls answered. Alice who was closest to the door left first followed by Marlene, then Pandora and finally Josie. As each girl came down the stairs their other half couldn't help but gape in awe and wonder, each of them wondering how they got to be so lucky. And they now knew why they were told to get specific suits and masks as they now matched their beloveds. Frank was in a royal blue suit with a white shirt, yellow bow tie, black shoes and a blue mask with a gold pattern under the right eye.

Remus was in a black suit and tie, with a white shirt, green waistcoat, black shoes. and a deep green almost black mask. James had tried to tame his hair and was in a white shirt, black suit, black shoes, with a black bow tie and a silver mask over his glasses. And Sirius had his curls tamed only a little, a white shirt, a royal blue suit, a burgundy tie, black shoes and a blue mask that had a black pattern on it.
"Y-you look beautiful Josie." Sirius stuttered, as he took her hand and kissed the back of it making her blush slightly.
"Thank you Sirius, you don't look too bad yourself." Josie teased, making James, Remus and Frank laugh. "I'm kidding." She whispered before placing a soft kiss to his lips. Only for James to interrupt them by clearing his throat, loudly.
"James." Pandora scolded, slapping his chest and shaking her head at him, although she didn't move from his arms as she shook her head at him.

Josie and Sirius were happy that James and Pandora were getting along so well, they really were good for each other. Remus and Marlene were going strong as well. She accepted him and loved him even though she now knew he was a werewolf, she said she didn't care about that and wanted to become an Animagus along with Pandora so she could help him on the Full Moon as well. They were incredibly happy that Remus had found someone who truly loved him like they do and accepted every part of him. Josie and Sirius were going well too and Josie was recovering from her visions thanks to her sessions with Madam Pomfrey. In the last month she had made amazing progress and her family and friends were so proud of her and told her that every day, especially James and Sirius. Dumbledore had even destroyed another Horcrux thanks to her visions and she had hope that the war would soon be over, hopefully by the end of the year.

She had even gotten Regulus to agree to not joining Voldemort and to talk to Sirius now she just had to get her stubborn boyfriend to agree.
"Let's go." James said, holding his hand out to Pandora as he headed towards the exit.
"You look beautiful Dora, Josie." James said, kissing both girls' cheeks. "As do you Marlene, Alice."
"Thank you, James." The four girls said happily.
As the group made their way down the main staircase they couldn't help but gasp at how amazing the Entrance Hall looked. It was decorated in purple and silver drapes with some fairy lights intertwined with them, the suits of armour were even enchanted to sing some songs from The Weird Sisters, making the group excited to actually see the famous band.

As they entered the Great Hall they were amazed at the transformation it had undergone. There were no floating pumpkins that they had become accustomed to seeing every Halloween, but instead there were silver drapes with fairy lights draped across the ceiling. Instead of the four House tables there were several round tables and a few long tables holding candelabras bringing light to the Hall. Dry ice was flowing across the floor from the stage where the teachers table usually sat, creating a misty effect across the floor. There were purple drapes with fairy lights hanging over the walls creating a mystical effect, the round tables and chairs were covered in a silver tablecloth with bronze crockery, purple napkins and smaller candles around the candelabra.

The few long tables, however, were the opposite; with a purple tablecloth, bronze crockery, silver napkins and small candles around the candelabra. At the back and to the right of the Hall close to the doors, was a long table holding all sorts of food and drink. There were crates of butterbeer, pumpkin juice and Elven Wine (that had an age barrier around it. So, only of age students and staff could access it). The food table held finger foods with plates on one end, the cakes and cookies were decorated with masquerade masks and there was a blue and white cake that sat in the middle of the table.
"Wow!" They gasped, as they looked around them, the teachers and the house-elves had really out done themselves. Alice and Frank bid goodbye to them for now as they went and sat at a different table while the Marauders grabbed a long table with Josie, Pandora and Marlene obviously joining them.

As soon as the last student entered, the Great Hall doors closed and Dumbledore walked up onto the stage, dressed in striped silver and purple robes with a matching mask, which coincidentally matched the decorations.
"Welcome to Hogwarts first ever Masquerade Ball." Dumbledore called out into the microphone. "I know you're all excited, and I do hope so, so I will cut this short. As long as you all behave yourselves but still have fun you will be able to enjoy this Ball until midnight. Help yourselves to the food and drink at the back of the Hall and I'm pleased to announce that once we've all eaten our fill, The Weird Sisters will be joining us with a few songs at nine." Once the cheers had died down Dumbledore started the Ball and everyone went to grab their food.

***

"Ladies and gentleman," Professor Flitwick called, later that evening. "Shh. Shh, ladies and gentleman, your attention please. For the first time ever, to play Live at Hogwarts; is the band that needs no introduction." He was interrupted by everyone's cheers as students rushed towards the stage excited and wanting to get a good view of the band. "Lumos!" Professor Flitwick cried, pointing his wand at the lights that had been installed in the ceiling creating a spotlight on the stage.
"Josie, may I have this dance?" Sirius asked, standing in front of her bowing at the waist and holding his hand out to her.
"You may." Josie agreed happily, placing her hand in his as he led her towards the dance floor, their friends following behind them, just as The Weird Sisters came on stage and the music started.

Josie laughed as Sirius spun her around as they danced, twirling her under his hand, then pulling her back into his arms so her back was to his chest. A wide smile was on his face as he heard Josie giggling and laughing happily, and pressed a kiss to her neck causing her to sigh happily.
"You okay, sweetheart?" Sirius asked her, once he twirled her back into his arms again.
"I'm perfect Siri." Josie said happily, pressing a kiss to the underside of his jaw.
"I love you, Josie." Sirius said, his eyes shining at seeing her so happy. He really did love her and he was so proud and so happy she was getting better. Josie gasped before a wide happy smile came onto her face.
"I love you too Siri." She said, pressing a kiss to his neck again before they started dancing once more.

***

As midnight started to roll around and The Weird Sisters were playing their final song; there were only a few couples left on the dance floor, which was mostly the Marauders, and Fabian and Gideon with their partners. Alice and Frank had retired a little while ago. Although the Marauders were exhausted they had happy smiles on their faces as they danced with their loved ones. Pandora and Josie were back in James's and Sirius's arms swaying to the romantic music, while Marlene was in Remus's. The song just before this one James had danced with his sister much like they did when they were younger, doing silly dance moves with each new verse making their friends and others laugh, but they didn't care they were just happy to be close again. They've all had a wonderful time and they didn't want it to end, but like all things the night was slowly coming to end and all they could do was enjoy each and every last moment of it.