Keeping an eye on the ceiling, Adelena was extra careful to avoid the green-white mistletoe bunches hanging above. It was very nearly Christmas, the holiday being decorated thoroughly at Hogwarts. As she passed suits of armor, they sang Christmas hymns at her, most in an off-tune voice. Pine tree scents floated around the school, coming from unknown sources. Bells were put on every door, jingling lightly when she walked pass. She could've also sworn she saw real reindeer walking on school grounds.

It was all rather strange to her. At home, Christmas was a quiet afare. At school, Christmas was more of a relaxing period of time. Here, it was an explosion of excitement.

"I know, I know," said Rose, exasperatedly dodging one of the fairies that flew around. "Hogwarts takes Christmas quite seriously." But the words she said were embedded with pride. Adelena didn't need to guess to know that she was pleased with the way the school had decorated.

As much as the school was excited for the holiday, the Yule Ball was also coming up. Dated for Christmas Day, it was all the gossip inside Beaubaxton carriages. Rumour had it that Hogwart students needed lessons on dancing. While some thought it ridiculous, Adelena guessed that they hadn't had quite as many dances as Beaubaxtons.

Adelena was set to meet Professor Seracoth to decide her gown for the ball. She hadn't protested, however much she wanted too. It was important, she knew, to represent the school.

Accompanying the Yule Ball was the panic of getting a companion. Already, she'd seen the nervous boys burn bright pink with embarrassment as they asked their hopefuls. More often than not, they accepted.

So far, she had received five offers, and each time, she had smiled and politely refused. As long as they weren't from Beaubaxtons, she would accept. It was nothing personal, Adelena wanted something different, that was all.

"Are you excited for the Yule Ball?" asked Adelena, her usual sense of curiosity budding.

Rose nodded excitedly. "Yup. It's the first dance this year. I heard Gospel Village is coming, they're my favorite band. You think I could say hi?"

Adelena shrugged, "I don't see why not."

They walked up a spiral staircase decorated with icicles on the side.

"So," Rose asked casually. "Have you been asked yet?"

"Five times," she said, hoping she hadn't sounded proud.

Rose stopped mid-walk. "Seriously? Who are you going with?"

"No one."

"Why on Earth not?" Rose started to walk again in order to keep pace with the champion.

"I'm waiting."

"For what?"

"For someone that doesn't go to Beaubaxtons," Adelena said, the hard-earned confidence she owned shining through. "What of you?"

"I really don't want to say this." Rose muttered. "But no one's asked me yet."

"I'm sure someone will, soon."

Waving off the response, Rose shrugged. "It's fine. If no one asks me, I'll just go with my friends."

Amusement laced in her tone, Adelena smiled. "Why don't you ask someone?"

"Me?" Rose blushed. "It'd be so awkward. What am I suppose to say?" Her tone became mocking. "Hi. My name is Rose, will you go to the ball with me?"

"I don't see why not."

"I really don't know what you are, Adelena Zenore."

"Watch," Adelena said. "Who do you want to ask you?"

They were in the Great Hall now. Dry, warm snow fell from the ceiling, and twelve large Christmas Trees took up half the space. Clumps of students were scattered around, mingling with each other. The Christmas Spirit was in the atmosphere, and the school rivalries seemed to fade away.

A red flare burning her cheeks, Rose discretely gestured at a group in the far corner. Her voice turned to whispers. "The one in the red robes."

"They're all wearing red robes..."

"The one with the brown hair and brown eyes. His name is Ian."

He was surrounded with a group of other boys. One of them, she recognized, was Albus.

"Stay," Adelena said. "And observe."

Leaving Rose to stare after her, Adelena maneuvered her way around the tables until she was right in front of them.

"Oh," said Albus, surprise on his face. "Hey, Adelena."

The others stared at her with looks of mild interest on their faces. There were four of them, varying in height. Two were taller, two were shorter.

"Hello," she replied, a confident grin worn as her expression. "Which one of you is Ian?"

"I am," said a handsome boy with the features Rose had described. "Why?"

Then he smirked, "Come to ask me to the Ball?"

Albus tried to elbow him, as Adelena narrowed her eyes. "Hardly. What do you think of my friend over there?"

Adelena nodded her head towards Rose, who stared at them. Adelena winked. Her face became the color of a bad sunburn and under that flaming orange hair it had the effect of making her head look like it was on fire. She turned her head to the side to avert her gaze, but the sudden rosiness of her cheeks gave her away.

"What about her?"

"You really are an idiot," said a red-headed boy in their group.

"What?" Ian faked a hurt expression. "I thought you loved me for who I am."

Clearly the joker of the group. "Do you like her?"

"She's pretty, I guess."

"That's my cousin, you idiot."

"She wants to go to the ball with you." Adelena dropped the statement bluntly, the question embedded in her tone.

"Oh?" The smirk on his face grew. "Tell her to come over and ask me herself."

"Will you accept?" She didn't want to make a fool out of Rose.

"Maybe."

They stared at each other, locked in a silent duel, and in her sweetest voice Adelena said, "All right then." The forewarning in her voice was clear to read.

By the time Adelena had returned to Rose, she had managed to assure herself that Ian would most likely say yes. Currently, Rose was talking to a friend from Hogwarts.

Adelena remained silent, as she knew was polite, until Rose spoke to her. "I can't believe you did that."

"Believe it."

"What'd he say?"

"Ask him yourself."

Rose looked torn between confusion and frustration. "What did he say?" she repeated.

"No, I meant it. Ask him yourself, and he'll tell you."

"You mean you don't know?"

Adelena's smile was partly guilty, but only slightly. "Maybe not."

Subsequently, she noticed the other girl, watching them with a look of confusion on her face. "Hello," she said, tactfully letting the girl join in. "I'm Adelena Zenore, but thats a given."

The girl smiled, causing crinkles around her brown eyes. "And I'm Alissa Strout. We haven't really gotten a chance to talk much, but I'm the Hogwarts Champion. It's nice to meet you."

"My pleasure. How was your first task? Mine was fairly overwhelming."

The Naga's loud breath could still be heard above her.

"Mine too, how did you get past the Sphinx?"

"A Spinx, I didn't encounter a Spinx..."

"You got the same clue...you think you're better than everyone, getting a different challenge? I bet it was easier, right? Geez, you Beauxbatons think you're so much better than the rest of us."

What on Earth? She didn't understand, as if her brain had short circuited and needed to be rebooted. Automatically, her hand flew halfway to her chest, as if to deflect the judgement.

"I'm sorry? Easier? What right have you to judge me nor my academy? My challenge was no easier than yours, I fought a legend and survived!" Sudden compunction washed over her. She fought the urge to instantly apologize, but if someone was to judge her, they would not see her as weak. She did not condescend the world.

"I'm not judging your academy, I'm just commenting on the fact that you've been standing here ALONE all night, away from the rest of us! You're so full of your pride that you can't even talk to the rest of us. I guess we're below you."

Alissa, who had seemed so pleasant, defended herself faster than a snake.

The smile Adelena wore was no longer charming. It was mockery, beaming in its own arrogance. "I suppose you're only proof of why I don't speak often."

The girl narrowed her eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm going to assume you didn't mean that the way it sounded..."

"Take it as you will."

Making an excuse to escape the conversation, still keeping the facade of smiling, Adelena exited the large wooden doors.

Oof.

A figure collided with hers.

"What is this negative attraction that draws you to me?" Scorpius asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Excuse me? Attraction?"

"It was a joke. Not a very effective one, I'm assuming," Scorpius said.

Her cheeks blushed a dull pink. "I'm sorry, haven't been having a good day."

"No date for the dance?"

She shook her head. "No-"

"Well now you do."

It was hard to argue with someone when they said everything as if it had already been decided. Incredulously amused, she laughed.

"Did you just ask me to the dance?"

A smile just barely tugged at the corner of his cheek. "I'll wear blue."

Then he was gone, and Adelena was wondering once again about the strange person. It was hardly how she'd imagined being asked to the dance.

* * *

By 7 pm, Adelena Zenore was waiting in front of the carriage of Professor Seracoth. The Yule Ball was to start in an hour, at eight.

A faint voice called, "Come in."

Pushing open the door, the champion stepped inside. The decor had changed since she'd last seen it. The entire room had changed into a wardrobe, complete with mirrors and benches to sit upon. The Headmistress was already dressed in a golden gown decorated at the hem with red flames that flickered when she moved.

"Adelena Zenore. I have chosen the perfect dress for you."

Adelena nodded, observing the dresses out of the corner of her eye. There were hundreds of them, ranging in every shade imaginable, with styles of which she had never seen before.

As the Headmistress went to fetch her dress, Adelena took the chance to brush her finger among the fabric. Never in her life had she seen so many dresses in one area. It was overwhelming, almost.

"Come here, Adelena."

Standing, Adelena made her way between the benches into the door, only to reveal an expansion covered from head to toe with mirrors.

Noticing her reaction, the headmistress explained. "My dear, you must look good in every angle."

Dramatically flourishing a beautiful blue dress, the headmistress revealed the gown with a grand gesture.

The dress was the most magnificent garment she'd ever seen. That was saying something, considering the amount of mandatory dances they held at Beaubaxtons. With a simple wave, the dress had replaced her clothes.

The ensemble was white at the top, slowly fading into a deep marine blue. Ruby red diamonds adorned the neckline and reappeared in a pattern at the waste. The skirt flared out, as if an invisible breeze were constantly blowing behind her. The entire thing was held by only one strap, daringly revealing her back, but leaving the rest to imagination.

"It is not yet complete."

With a fanfare that could only be described as dramatic, the headmistress opened a jeweled chest, and gently took out a swan-like mask. Soon after, a crown-like pin to hold up her hair.

Two more spells was all it took to change her.

The woman in the mirror wasn't her, couldn't possibly be her, because she had never been like this in her life. A woman of such breathtaking beauty, it made everyone she'd seen become strangely dim. A blue glow seemed to emanate from her gown.

"Godstars above...," Adelena whispered.

"You are truly beautiful," said Professor Seracoth. "And as smart as you are pretty."

"More than a pretty face," Adelena smiled, glad to voice the very reason she had put her heart and soul into the tournament.

"Do not follow fashions." Seracoth turned her to the mirror. "Make them. Now, my dear, how well can you dance?"

Her answer put a smile on the professor's face, and brought a lecture of the correct way to greet possible allies, to which she nodded her way through.

Scorpius, dressed in green-blue dress robes, waited for her outside the carriage. His bleach blond hair looked silver in the moon's light. Smiling transformed his face from handsome to divine. When she asked him why he waited, he only replied, "Escorting a date is what people do, correct?"

People were standing around right outside the doors, waiting for their dates or friends. She smiled at them as they turned to stare. The portraits had all disappeared into the next room, so they too could enjoy the festivities.

Walking through the wooden gates of the Great Hall, Adelena simply couldn't help but gasp at the sight. Silver trees so tall they brushed the ceiling, ornaments falling around, live reindeer dropping snow from above, it was a winter wonderland in a single room.

"It's lovely," Adelena said.

"Lovely is a lovely word that people must use more often," Scorpius responded.

The students were dressed in their finest, as if life had turned into a fairytale where they were the main character of their story. There were dresses with full skirts, short skirts, long sleeves, no sleeves, in every shade and pattern imaginable.

As the champions were called onto the stage, lights shined the spotlight upon them. Spotlights that made them stars. Adelena only had a glance at the maroon coloured dress Alissa was wearing, and her date Albus Potter, before turning and smiling at the crowd.

There was no greater pleasure than being envied on a mass scale.

Soon after, they were sent to their seats for the dinner.

The champions were seated next to each other, their dates facing them. The Headmistresses sat at the end of the garland-covered table.

By waiting for the others to order first, she observed how to order the food, and saved herself from the embarrassment of asking another. Only seconds after ordering, the flying reindeer flew out the door, merely to return carrying platters of food.

"Where does the food come from?" Adelena whispered to Scorpius.

"The kitchen, I'll show you later," said Scorpius, picking at his cuffs. "Why do people wear this? It's uncomfortable."

She laughed, not responding. Once everyone had finished dining, Hogwart's band stopped playing the classical music that hung in the background as a sign of respect just as Professor Actriz spoke.

"Welcome to the Yule Ball!"

Claps, cheers, and whistles rang out from everyone in the room except for Scorpius.

"I don't see why they high five themselves for another's accomplishment's," he remarked.

"Let us welcome the champions whilst they start this ball with the first dance."

The champions stood, walking to the dance floor. The band began again, playing a more uplifting song for the opening. The floor itself was charmed to look like the top of an ice lake.

Her hands on his shoulder, his hands on her hips, Adelena and Scorpius danced. Experimenting with a more complicated dance step, he followed every move she made, no matter the difficulty.

"You're good."

"You're not bad," he responded with a smile.

"Do you dance in your free time?" she joked.

"It's a secret hobby of mine."

One by one, the others at the dance joined in, until the room was filled with swirling shapes and laughter. Hundreds of people, not once bumping into each other.

Many dances later, Adelena was sitting by herself with crossed legs. Gospel Village had slowed their songs a bit, more than likely sensing the energy in the room was slowly draining. Hereafter, Scorpius handed her a glass of punch.

Seating himself behind her, he muttered. "Something's wrong."

Instantly, she perked up. Something interesting was to happen. She had smiled so much, she was on the verge of killing a cute animal. "What is it?"

"A reindeer hasn't come."

"Excuse me?"

"Look," he put an arm over his leg to gesture at the door. "Every five minutes, a reindeer comes to replace the punch. It's been ten minutes since it has returned."

"You're saying that something is wrong based on a reindeer?"

"I don't see you finding the ball particularly enjoyable, would you care to accompany me?"

She shrugged, leaving her punch on the empty seat beside her.

Scorpius and Adelena walked out of the ball room, down to the kitchens. Still trying to regain her breath from all the dancing, her steps dragged the smallest bit.

Breaking the companionable silence between them, Scorpius said, "Do you know what happened in December 19, 1843?"

"What happened?"

"It was spontaneous, you know. Every witch and wizard alive raised their wands and shouted to the air, 'Festevius Feriatum'. It's Latin for Happy Holidays. No one expected anything to happen, but all around the world their wands sparked Christmas colors and shot into the air. The simple power of the unified witches and wizards, together in a cause, was able to convert happiness into magic."

"That's amazing." And it was.

"Of course, it was actually the fact that-"

He stopped at her glare. They had arrived.

After entering the secret entrance,

'You have secret entrances here?'

'I found all of them in my first year.'

Heaps of food were classified by dish...and they were all on the floor. Adelena was overwhelmed simply by the sight of it all.

"They can't have possibly finish all this food."

"You underestimate the love of eating."

One thing was remarkably hard to miss. A rabid reindeer flew around the room, a loose rocket flying around. The animal knocked down pans, sending towers of food onto the floor. A few house elves hung desperately to the horns of the creature, while others hurried to clean the mess. The beast was larger than a horse, with matted fur, broken antlers, and a wild look in its eye.

One of the house elves ran up to them. "I am sorry masters," it squeaked, with large eyes and twitching fingers. "We are having a problem with these reindeer. They are not nice, oh no."

A house elf flew off one of the horns, hitting the wall and slowly sliding down.

Scorpius looked almost disappointed as Adelena gaped at the sight. Dodging a saucepan that flew over his head, he waved his wand.

The reindeer froze mid-air.

"There you go, it should stay frozen until another wizard comes by. Just tell the headmasters it had a problem."

"Oh thank you, thank you. Thank you good sir." They immediately stopped whatever they were doing, rushing up to thank Scorpius in various scraps of clothing.

Adelena smiled at them, trying hard to ignore the frozen reindeer that stared at them. "Do you need any help?"

"Oh no. No, miss. You must go, Miss, or you will get in trouble."

That was the end of it.

***

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I didn't even say what for."

"For being your date, I suppose." Scorpius arched an eyebrow as if to confirm.

"And for saving the kitchen."

"The pleasure was all mine, Miss Zenore."