So this is a story I thought up a while back and hopefully you guys enjoy it. Let me know if its even worth continuing to post the next chapters. I love to get reviews so please leave a short comment (if you liked it or not I'd like to know). Happy reading :)
The ceiling in the Great Hall was showing the ever falling snow that was always present during this time of year. The walls were adorned with holly and tinsel making the room shimmer with the vibrant colors of Christmas. There were Christmas trees in each corner of the hall decorated with ornaments, candles and large red bows spaced around the lush green trees. Chatter of the excited students bounced around the room mingled with the wafting smells of a heartily dinner prepared by the house elves. There was the scent of freshly roasted chicken and marinated beef, along with the enticing aroma of creamy mash potatoes and sweet corn. Spaced evenly on the tables were sweets of all kinds; an assortment of pies and cakes with custards and puddings as well. No one seemed to be enjoying the meal more than a ginger haired 7th year who couldn't seem to have enough room on his plate for all his food. Across from him sat a bushy haired girl who grimaced as she saw him scarf down the mountain of food that he did manage to fit on his plate.
"You're going to choke if you don't slow down," said a bespectacled boy with a scar on his forehead.
"Don't even bother, Harry. Mom tried to teach him some table manners but even she couldn't get this git to stop eating like a slob," another red head said. She rolled her eyes when the boy she was speaking of glared at her. "What, it's true."
"yurs nuu wo ttkl," grumbled the red haired boy.
"Oh goodness, Ron, can you not talk with your mouth full please?" the bushy haired girl grunted.
Ron swallowed before answering.
"Sorry, Hermione. Anyway I said that you're not one to talk. Come on you're just as bad as me when it comes to table manners when you're hungry."
"Yes well my less than civil manners when I'm hungry still aren't as disgusting as your regular table manners or should I say a lack there of." She snorted as she pretended to gobble up her food.
"Oh very cute, Ginny." She stuck her tongue out to which he proceeds to do the same. They started to make faces trying to outdo the other. Both Harry and Hermione shook their heads at the siblings' childish antics.
Out of the corner of her eye Hermione saw that Professor McGonagall walk up to the podium. Immediately the entire hall went quiet seeing that the Head Mistress was going to speak.
"Good evening students. In honor of end of war, the staff and I have decided that it would be a good idea to hold another ball, similar to the one that was held during the Triwizard Tournament." At this the students murmured in a tone of excitement. "To make things a bit more interesting," McGonagall said in a firm voice that quieted the students quickly, "it will be a masquerade ball. Each student will be required to wear a mask and to change his or her appearance, such hair color or style. No one is allowed to reveal themselves until midnight. We believe that now more than ever everyone should create bonds that are not restricted to the pretenses of the past." Everyone looked around the room, as if feeling a bit ashamed at the fact that what the new Head Mistress said was true. "The ball should encourage you all to make new friends regardless of house or family, and to connect with people based on the person they are. So with that said we are pleased to announce that this year we will have the first of Hogwarts' Annual Friendship Masquerade Ball. It will be held Christmas Eve and students years 4th and on will be allowed to attend unless invited by an older student. Now tuck in to your desserts before you're off to bed." She sat back on her chair watching as the students started to talk adamantly about the ball. Many of the girls were excited and surprisingly the boys weren't groaning and complaining as they normally would when a ball was announced. Perhaps it was the fact they didn't have to ask anyone this time seeing as no one would know who was who while at the ball. No matter the reason the boys seemed to slightly be looking forward to the event.
Having finished dinner everyone slowly trickled out of the Great Hall towards their dorms to call it a night. Though everyone was tired that didn't stop the girls from discussing what their plans were for the ball. Many were eager to pay a visit to Hogsmeade to look for a new dress. Because the ball had been a somewhat last minute decision by the staff they hadn't included dress robes in the required supplies that the students would need this school year.
What did you think? Reviews always welcomed.