The rest of my evening was spent alone, quiet.

I had just pulled on my sleep clothes and brushed my hair when Cho and Kiara entered into the dormitory, both of them bubbling with excitement.

"Anastasia! Guess what?" Cho smiled as they entered into the room. I got off my bed and stood in front of them, smiling with the excitement they both carried. It must be something quite thrilling if they both came into the dorms early.

"There's going to be a masquerade ball next week in the Great Hall!" Kiara said with an electrifying voice. I looked to Cho, then back to Kiara. A ball would be dreaded at this time. It would be miserable to go to a ball without a date.

"Please tell me you'll go!" Kiara smiled, raising her eyebrows. I would love to go, of course, but at this time I don't even know if I can bring myself down to the Great Hall to eat.

I let out a sigh of submission. "Fine, fine I'll go." I announced. They both smiled with pure delight, but my mind was already churning with thought. "But I don't have anything to wear." I said frantically.

"Well, you'll have to find a dress that is nothing like you'd wear usually, since you'll be in disguise." Cho said with a grin. I nodded and followed her information, still unsure how I'd work dress shopping into my schedule.

"When will I have time to go dress shopping? I'm still trying to catch up in all my classes." I said with a frown. Kiara and Cho looked at one another mysteriously, which allowed an invitation into my mind; that perhaps they've already taken it upon themselves to help me with a dress.

"I'll be back in the blink of an eye." Kiara said with a grin. She disappeared into the hallway. I awaited her arrival eagerly.

She came back carrying a beautiful dark red ballgown with roses on the chest and shoulder area. It was stunning- breathtaking. In her other hand she held a matching dark red masquerade mask with black feather detailing on the side.

"Oh my goodness... It's beautiful!" I exclaimed, running my finger quickly down the material of the dress. Kiara placed the items on my bed, then I engulfed her in a tight hug.

"Thank you so much." I whispered with a smile. She stressed how much she enjoyed picking it out to me, which made me feel even happier to have such amazing friends.

"You're going to look untouchable in that dress." Cho said as Kiara and I broke away from our hug. I laughed and nodded with enthusiasm. The dress isn't something I'd usually wear, but they were right, I'd need to disguise myself.

***

It was the day of the Yule ball.

I was incredibly excited, yet nervous at the same time. The dress was absolutely gorgeous, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to pull it off, or stay in character to where people would know it's not me.

I stated at myself in the mirror as the girls in the dormitory ran around while doing their hair and makeup, all of them dressed in strapping gowns.

I had just put on my makeup and curled my hair, but my confidence was beginning to unfold as all the girls around me got ready. They all looked so stunning; how could I ever compare?

I turned as Hermione walked in. She was wearing a light blue dress with white detailing. She had a pearl necklace on and she held a matching light blue masquerade mask with white pearl details.

She looked amazing- ethereal.

"Anastasia, why aren't you dressed yet?" She asked with a light smile, walking toward me. I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror once again, a frown presented on my face.

"I don't even compare to all these other girls. They're all so beautiful." I replied, my tone quiet. Her hands rested on my shoulders as she stared back at me in the mirror, her smile had faded, but she was still vibrant.

"You're right, you don't compare. You're even more beautiful then they are, Ana." She said back, picking up my comb she began brushing out my curls. Though it was only Hermione talking, my cheeks turned a light shade of red. Compliments have always made me blush.

"Now let's get you dressed up, before you miss the fashionably late que." She laughed. I nodded and got up, walking over to my bed. The dress laid on my comforter, waiting to be worn.

I let out a sigh and took off my black tank top and jeans, pulling on the dress. Once I had it on, Hermione stood behind me and laced up the corset at the back.

"I appreciate you helping me. It means a lot." I smiled, though knowing she couldn't see it. All the others girls had left, therefore it was just me and Hermione left. I felt bad she was going to be late, but I appreciate her help.

"Of course." She replied as she laced up the last section. I grabbed my mask and turned toward her. Finally I was ready. "Now let's get to the party!" She smiled, taking my hand.

***
(Play these songs while reading this part:
Reflections by Toshifumi Hinata, or
Experience by Ludovico Einaudi)
***

We had arrived at the doors leading into the Great Hall. My heart was racing at unthinkable speeds. My mask was placed over my nose, therefore my identity was hidden.

Hermione turned toward me, a nervous smile on her face. I nodded, and with that, we walked inside.

Since the theme this year is "Masquerade" there was classical music playing. Violins, pianos. The ceiling was lined with streamers of all colors, and the room was packed with students and teachers wearing all different kinds of gowns and suits.

I inhaled a shaky breath as we walked in. I didn't know who anyone was- only Hermione. Everyone was a stranger at that moment, which is both good and bad.

Hermione slipped onto the dance floor as a beautiful song began playing across the room. I had no intention of dancing, but since I was in character and that seemed the most unthinkable thing to me, I decided to do it anyway.

Most people were dancing together in pairs, but since I had come without a date, I was standing on the side with a few other people, waiting to be pulled onto the dance floor.

I turned to the left to see a boy in a dashing dark grey suit. His mask was simple, grey with black detailing. His tie was black, and tied precisely.

"May I have this dance, m'lady?" He said in a thick British accent. I nodded and took his hand, and from there we slipped onto the dance floor, between many groups of people.

Once we stopped I had a nice look at his eyes. They were a green-blue color, with one more blue than the other. I knew exactly who this was; Zachary. Of course, he had found me.

I was about to back away, back onto the sidelines, but he grabbed my left hand with his right hand, which brought us only a few inches away from one another.

His free hand was placed onto my hip, which would mean my free hand stationed on his shoulder. We danced closely, in synchrony, around the dance floor of countless people.

I stared into his eyes, and he stared back into mine. For once in my life, in his eyes I didn't see anger and desire. This time I saw grief, forgiveness. Perhaps something had happened since the last time I saw him.

I didn't plan on uttering a word to him, but since he spoke, I assumed I had to. "I'm not as cruel as you think I am, Anastasia." He said in an even voice as we spun around the floor of people.

Just as I was about to reply, he took his hand from my hip and used the one in my hand to spin me around in a circle. I couldn't see anything for a few moments, only blur.

After a few spins he grabbed me by my waist again and brought me back, closer, once again. "You are cruel, Zachary. Don't get yourself mixed up." I replied in a harsh tone. He let out a sigh, though the guilt in his eyes didn't change.

"I know you want to leave- runaway- but I cannot let that happen. Tom will find you, and kill you." He said as the violins in the background began to progress.

"The funny thing is he says the same thing about you." I replied with a sarcastic grin. He looked down for a moment as he waltzed around, and when he looked back his eyes were filled with a new understanding.

"None of us want to kill you, Anastasia. The thing that you don't know is you're much more powerful on your own. If we take your power, we only get a little, if you live and prosper, you will be unstoppable." He said as the waltz began to progress quicker and quicker.

"What are you saying?" I asked with knitted brows. I couldn't truly comprehend much at that moment, only that they'd only get a small portion of my power.

"I don't want to kill you, I want you to rule armies by your side, as my Queen." He said with eagerness in his voice. I felt my mouth drop open, but just as it did, the dance changed to a new once, meaning you must change your dance partner.

He drifted away, and a new suitor took my hand. He had dark brown- almost black curly hair. His hand rested on my hip and his clouded blue eyes looked into mine.

"Tom." I whispered as I figured out who he was. His eyes had given it away. I would know those sad yet seductive eyes anywhere. And his bone structure gave it away as well.

He wore a jet black suit with a dark red tie, nearly the same color as my dress. His mask was simple and black.

"I assume Zachary told you about our proposition." He said with an enticing grin. I thought about trying to slip away from him and into the dance floor, but knowing Tom, he would catch up to me.

"I will not die or marry anyone for as long as I am youthful, Tom. I don't want any of this." I replied with a clenched jaw. He let out a heavy stream of air, and since we were so close, I could feel his breath.

"If you had to choose, which would you rather have?" He asked as we waltzed around the dance floor. I studied him for a moment. It was an obvious answer.

"I'd rather keep my life, obviously. But I still wouldn't marry. And if for some reason I had to, I wouldn't marry you." I replied with a firm tone.

Knowing the song was coming to a near end, I knew ending our dance with that would keep him hanging. I parted from him and rolled my eyes as Zachary took my grasp again.

His hand locked into mine, and his other rested on the hip of my dress. My hand sat on his shoulder. We stared at one another as we danced around the room. I could feel Tom's gaze piercing into my back, but I didn't care to look.

"I will forget about the fact that you tried to kill me if you come with me to the Slytherin common room." He whispered into my ear. I shuddered. I had no idea how he found out about the fact Nicholas and I tried to end his life.

Then I remembered the fact that Zachary has access to all my secrets with one touch.

"You bitch." I said through gritted teeth. He shrugged with a half-smile. "You're the one who took my hand." He replied. That much was true, but in my defense, I hadn't the slightest clue it was him.

"But Tom will see us leave, and he'll follow." I said. Zachary averted his eyes to behind me. I followed his gaze to see a girl wearing a black ballgown and a matching mask walking by.

Her eyes were emerald green, which stood out among her dark skin and dress. Her gaze was seductive. She turned and walked over to Tom, who held a small glass of liquid as he stared at us.

The moment she stepped in front of him, his gaze was completely devoted to her. His eyes followed her as she slipped to the drink tables. He followed her with eagerness.

Well that worked better than I had hoped, because now Zachary was about to sneak me into the Slytherin common room.

He took my hand and we slipped out of a back door into one of the many hallways. The halls were dark, empty, eerie. The only sound was my heels walking against the floor, and our breath.