Disclaimer: I in no way shape or form own any of the characters in the HPverse. Only the characters that you have yet to meet in the HP books are obvious.

Authoress' Note: I am trying my best to finish typing this story. I know I am not doing a very good job, but try is the operative word. There you go. Now on with the drama.

When Ariel walked into the Great Hall, many eyes were on her as she slung her robes over her shoulder. It was late autumn so it was kind of nippy outside, but not really bad. She thought it was funny that several boys were watching with particular interest. She sat down in between George and Harry and within minutes a guy had come up. He told her his name was Roger Davies and then proceeded to ask her to go to the ball with him. She let him down gently, saying that she wasn't even sure she wanted a date. She added that it wasn't anything against him; it was just that she wanted to go stag to her first Hogwarts ball. Roger looked dispirited, but was pleasant enough about it all. When he left, she turned to George.

"So," she said. "What was with the daggers you guys were shooting Roger?"

They shrugged and Fred said, "We just don't like him. That's all."

She nodded and picked up a piece of toast. After about fifteen minutes Professor Dumbledore stood up and everyone got quiet.

"I know that everyone is excited about the ball tonight. I have one more thing to add to the mix. The ball is to be a masquerade ball. So remember to pick up masks today in Hogsmeade!"

He sat down and resume eating as everybody started to chatter excitedly. No one could believe it was to be a masquerade ball. That made every dance, every everything way more interesting, which meant the girls were even more worried about what they were going to wear. Not long after that, breakfast was over and everyone was going towards Hogsmeade. Since it was nice outside, everyone walked to Hogsmeade. They knew that the carriages would take them back, since everyone was planning on buying quite a bit. The gang all walked together, with Calista, Katie, Angelina, and Alicia, who wanted to shop with Ariel, Ginny, and Hermione. They wanted to do "girl bonding." They were all giggling and talking about all getting ready together, which made the boys crazy.

Everyone separated, the girls heading to Gladrags. Once they got there they realized just how they different they were. After about an hour and what seemed like a million dresses, each girl finally found her "perfect" dress. Ariel's was emerald green with gold silk trim. Alicia's was teal with dark teal satin trim. Hermione's was royal purple with a silvery blue silk trim. Ginny's was baby yellow with a cream lace trim. Angelina's was blood red with gold satin trim. Katie's was baby pink with pink silk trim. Finally, Calista's was baby blue with silver lace trim. It was a lot easier finding masquerade masks than it was to find dress robes. They finally walked out of the store, laden with packages (it turned out that the girls found other clothes they could not live without).

They met with the guys at The Three Broomsticks. Everyone was talking animatedly over butterbeer about anything and everything. Every now and then the boys kept trying to sneak peeks into the bags, but were quickly dispatched. At three o'clock, the girls decided they needed to leave to start getting ready.

"Bloody hell," muttered Fred. "Does it honestly take you lot five hours to get ready?"

The girls giggled. "It does if you want us to be gorgeous," Angelina said as they got up.

Fred blushed and the other guys laughed. The guys decided to go back with the girls. They knew it wouldn't take them that long to get ready, but they could find other things to do. Plus, the girls had drafted them to help with all their bags. None of the boys would say so aloud, but they thoroughly believed that there was no possible way the girls needed this much clothing. They knew how full all of the girls' closets were, not to mention that the clothes they wore didn't cover a whole hell of a lot. Not that the guys were complaining (at least mostly; the twins and Ron were about Ginny). They like it (again mostly). The guys got to the dorms, unloaded the girls' stuff, and said good-bye and that they would meet in the common room at 7:30.

The girls went to the fifth year dorm to get ready. The reason they wanted to get started early was because they had no idea what they wanted to do their hair. They spent the first hour debating styles for everyone. Around that time Skyler, another Gryffindor fifth year came into the room.

"Hi," she said. "I'm so glad you guys are here."

They looked at each other.

"Why, what's wrong Sky?" Ariel asked.

Everyone looked worried. They thought that Cedric, Skyler's boyfriend, had bailed on her.

"Oh no, you guys," she said. "I know what you guys are thinking. It's just that I don't know what to do with my hair and make-up to look right with my dress. You guys always look awesome, so I thought you could give me some pointers."

At this all the girls sighed with relief. "No problem," Angelina said. "Of course we can help you. As a matter of fact, we were discussing hair right before you came in."

Skyler sat down and joined their debate. After about another thirty minutes, everything was decided…. Almost.

"Hey Skyler," Alicia said. "Let me see your dress to make sure this style is gonna look right."

Skyler nodded and went to where she put her shopping bags and pulled out the one from Gladrags. From it she pulled a royal blue velvet set of dress robes with dark royal silk trim. All the girls looked at it and smiled. It was perfect for Skyler and would look wonderful with the style she had chosen.

"Great," Alicia said. "Perfect."

Skyler put it back in the bag, knowing she wouldn't need it until later.

Ginny then decided, "Hey guys, I'm hungry. Why don't we go down to the Great Hall or the kitchens and get some snacks."

Everyone nodded and they left the room. They headed toward the kitchens, knowing that no one would be in the Great Hall except teachers decorating for the ball. When they arrived in the kitchen, they were bombarded by house-elves.

They had gotten their food and were about to leave when Roger Davies walked in. Everyone sort of muttered hi and the girls were about to walk away when Roger said, "Hey Katie can I talk to you for a minute?" Katie looked at the girls and told them she would be right back. About three minutes later, Katie came back flushed and grinning.

"What's up?" Calista asked. "Yea," Angelina said. "What did Davies want?"

"He asked me to the ball!" Katie exclaimed, evidently ecstatic. Everyone smiled and congratulated her. She had secretly liked Roger for a while.

"Well," Alicia said. "It seems like everyone has a date but little Miss Ariel over here." Ariel smiled.

"I know," she said.

"Why don't you have a date?" asked Skyler. "I know guys have asked you. Not to mention most drool over you."

Ariel laughed softly. "No date means as many guys as I can dance with. Plus the only ones who will know exactly what I look like will be you guys. The guys won't even know."

"You won't let the guys know?" Hermione asked. "I thought you were walking down with us. The whole group thing." Ariel looked at Hermione.

"Sorry," she said. "But think about it. The guys will probably recognize me. At least Ron, Fred, and George. Harry will be so wrapped up in Ginny he won't care. I'm sure everyone else can keep his or her dates in line. Oh yea Calista. Be careful around Draco. I know you like him and he says he likes you and everything, but just be careful. I don't want you to get hurt and I'm really not in the mood to kick his little Pureblood ass!"

They laughed and Calista promised to watch out.

"You have to admit though," she said as they walked back up the steps to the dorm. "It is a cute ass, as well as the rest of him."

Angelina threw a pillow at her and Alicia just rolled her eyes. Most of the girls (save the younger ones) knew Calista was going to see that cute ass and the rest of him if things went as planned. They all knew Calista wasn't a slut. They also knew that she had had the hots for Draco since his first year. Plus, Draco had been acting differently towards Calista. He started acting like he was really interested, which was totally pissing off Pansy and the rest of his "fan club." Ariel didn't really have to warn Calista though. Cali knew how to take care of herself and if Draco wanted to act stupid, she could and would knock him back in line. Since it was four o'clock the girls quickly ate their snacks and got to work.

At seven o'clock, the girls were putting the finishing touches on their ensembles. Calista walked out of the bathroom and turned in a slow circle.

"How do I look?" she asked. Her baby blue robes fell softly around her ankles, billowing as she walked.

"Gorgeous," Ariel replied. "Now let me see the hair."

Calista's hair was up in a complicated but beautiful knot with two curls framing her face. Ariel smiled her approval. Calista put on her mask (a light baby blue to match her dress), kissed all the girls, and made her way to the door.

"I wouldn't wait up if I were you," she said slyly. "I don't know when or if I'll be back." She left the dorm to go find Draco.

After much debate they had decided to leave Ariel's hair down since it never was. So Ariel's hair spilled down her back and was sprinkled with what looked like diamonds. She put on her robes and then did exactly what Calista had done.

"How do I look?" she asked.

"Spectacular," said a voice from behind her.

Ariel spun around to see who it was. Standing in the doorway was Oliver, looking sexy as sin and twice as deadly. His forest green robes fit him perfectly and succeeded in being dressy and masculine at the exact same time. Ariel looked at him in awe.

Thankfully for her, Angelina stepped in. "What are you doing here, Oliver?" she asked. Oliver glanced from Angelina back to Ariel. As if he had been in a trance, Oliver shook his head.

"I don't know," he said. "I'm sorry." He turned around and walked away. All the girls were confused, but no one said anything. Ariel waited until the other girls were ready, so she could see how they looked. After that, she quietly left to go to the ball.