When The Clock Strikes Thrice

Chapter 3

Fire and Ice

It was fairly cold the first evening. Though hundreds came as expected, and Ron... Ron was slightly bitter. It was one thing to be there alone, quite another when none of your friends had come by themselves. He didn't even have Neville to talk too.... he actually considered talking to Malfoy, but only for a second.... maybe half a second actually.. strike that... about five minutes. Never the less, the evening was in full swing, as he sat at his table in angst. Three times Harry had stopped by and told him to ask certain girls to dance. To be honest, though he would never once admit it aloud, he was a little frightened. At these sorts of things, you never knew who was behind the mask. He looked forward to midnight, where the ball would end, sadly it was only eight.

Ron dazed off towards the doors as the clock struck the time. At that exact moment, he wondered if what he was seeing was part of his daydreaming, he shook his head. Two girls had come in entry way, both going in separate directions, but his eyes was on the one nearest him. Many eyes had turned to look at who's come into the door and let the wind in, but the reason had changed. Some followed the first girl, but not Ron. He watched the girl walk through the crowd, he was speechless. A wide, delicate, sterling mask hid her face, it sparkled in the candle light, but eliminated her slanted moss eyes. Her hair was dark, black or dark brown, it varied from candle to candle. It was wavy and loose, tumbling down her bare shoulders, save for an ice like crown that draped her head. Her gown was corseted, hugging her curves delicately, a silver pattern was near the top, and a V shape at her waist. The gown itself was catching the eyes of many ladies, the white faded to a silver blue at the waist, floor length with silver lace. Ron watched her silver gloved hand tangle with her hair as she moved it from her face. The only color beside her eyes where her lips, fire red, clashing beautifully with her outfit. Ice. For the first time, he actually got up to attempt to ask someone for a dance, as did a hoard of other idiots. He smiled, for once he was glad this was a masquerade.

Pansy took a deep breath as four men came to ask her to dance, she loved the attention it brought. Grateful that she'd came more than ever. She was about to decline a man's offer, when her outstretched hand was taken by someone from behind her, and said person pulled her around. She looked into pale blue eyes, hidden by a gold mask. She glanced the man up and down for a moment, smiling.

"May I have this dance, Ice Princess?" asked the man, his hand staying locked on hers, refusing to allow her to be taken by one of the others.

"Yes," she smiled, her hand placing on his shoulder, and the other locking with his fingers," May I ask?"

"Fire," he chuckled, it was charming, "I was originally supposed to be a phoenix."

"I was supposed to be a dove," he spun her gently. .

"A Princess is more suiting."

"A charmer are we?" asked Pansy, she enjoyed a good flirt.

Pansy didn't even pay attention as the song's changed, they kept dancing. As he talked, there was something familiar about him, his eyes had the same question for her, but she couldn't place that voice. She realized how close they where, but chose not to pull back. She looked at the clock, it was nearly midnight and the ball would be over.

"So are you going to tell me anything so I can guess?" asked her dancing companion.

"Guess what?" asked Pansy, her lips in a flirtatious smirk.

"Who you are..... we're supposed to remove each others masks at midnight," he smiled.

"What...." Pansy's face must have shown her ill amusement, because his eyes seemed to search hers.

She heard the chime, it was midnight. She didn't want to know... not yet. There was something she couldn't place and the evening was far too good to ruin. She gave a fleeting good bye and ran, Astoria gave her a look, and proceeded after her friend. Within no time, they'd made it out of the gates and disaperated home. As they appeared in their home above the bar, both fell into fits of laughter.

"Who'd you run from?" asked Pansy.

"Malfoy," she smiled, "My sister recognized me.... nearly gave me away. You?"

"No idea," snorted Pansy, "I just really didn't want to ruin the evening, so what are we going as tomorrow?"

"No idea, what your going as.... but I think I have an idea," Astoria went to her closet with a dark smile upon her lips.

TBC