Simple Pleasures

[Sage Ottavi]

Sage had been having a pretty good year, following being paired with the co-editor of the Monthly for prefect patrols, she'd found a friend in the boy. Well, they were a little more complicated than friends, they had a lot of fun. But, she liked him. Sage didn't have a crush, she didn't like him in that way at all, they were just friends. Today was an important day on the Hogwarts social calendar. It was the one time of the year, where even the frumpiest of people made a bit of effort. She even knew that kid who was constantly annoying Professor Styx actually put an effort in for this day. Sage liked the Yuleball, she didn't really ever have a date, but she enjoyed looking at what people were wearing and mocking them. However, this year was different. well, it was a little different. Since she was attending with someone, a friend, and she was very excited for it. They would have fun, she knew it. It wasn't just that they spent a lot of time gossiping, it was that she actually considered him a good friend. Sage had been looking forward to this ever since they'd agreed to go together. She looked forward to the Yuleball anyway. She enjoyed the way the boys looked at her, she enjoyed knowing that she was by far the prettiest girl in the room, even against the cheating veela's. The slytherin teen was smiling happily as she put the finishing touches on to her outfit. She'd gone simple this year. There was no need for extravagance. Her figure spoke for itself.

With the finishing touches done, the girl slipped on her heels, and with a last check in the mirror, she left the room. Sage didn't need much else, she thought she looked good, and was looking forward to see Ferds, it would be a good night. Her mind briefly cast itself to Preston. She wondered if she should go speak to him at some point. After all, she considered him too a friend, and friends spoke to one another at these events. She was sure. It would be easy enough to spot him he was sure. Sage smiled to herself as she made her way to the Yuleball. The slytherin wasn't particularly early, but was early to meet Ferdinand. They'd agreed a time, and she, having to travel less far that him, had opted to be early. She didn't mind that. She was not one of these girls who thrived on being fashionably late, or liked making people wait. The teen also didn't mind waiting herself. She had spent so many years alone, that she didn't fret too much over someone being late. She didn't give them hassle, or bother herself with it. Stepping into the Great Hall, Sage, just let herself take it all in. This would be her second last time ever attending a Yuleball. Her time at Hogwarts was slowly coming to an end. She only had this year and next. She'd miss the Yuleball. With a small smile, Sage, stood, waiting for Ferdinand at the door of the Great Hall.
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This is so awful. Gah, I can't seem to write well today.

 

[Ferdinand Oakley]

The appeal of the Yule ball had always remained a complete mystery to Ferdinand. While he was well aware through the many overheard conversations in the corridors lately that his peers marked the night on their calendars and spent weeks, or even months searching for the perfect attire, he was also well aware how pointless it all seemed. Dressing up, bringing dates and dancing the night away all for the sake of it was entirely lost on a person that attempted to only see the facts and over analyze everything to a fault. He put it up to fake sentiment, assuming that the appeal was masked behind the idea of a love story that numerous teenagers sought after all wrapped in a bow, and handed to them on a silver platter fittingly named a ball. He had always viewed this one night of the year as a waste of time that even the least vain people dressed up for and in the past he could be ambitious enough to say that he hated the idea of the Yule ball. Yet here he was, standing in front of a mirror in the Ravenclaw boy's dormitory, straightening one of his father's silk ties his mother sent to him when he mentioned his semi last minute plans and messing up his hair in the process. Nobody would assume a person so radically against the ball to consider attending, let alone fret over something as insignificant as a tie. But the irony of the situation was apparent in the prefect's mind when he finally neatened his appearance enough to leave the Ravenclaw common room and walk towards what he assumed was an extravagantly decorated great hall.

He walked rather slowly in his newly purchased and uncomfortable shoes but eventually made it to the great hall where he immediately spotted his 'date' and grinned when he approached her side. "Evening." He greeted her in an attempt to sound formal that instead sounded like a mock British accent. They had agreed to go together underneath the promise of judging their fellow students and internally mocking the entire set up of this night, or at least that was Ferdinand's understanding. After all, Sage Ottavi was a lifeline in the form of a good friend that would surely make this night interesting whether they judged others or not. "Nice dress. I see you got the 'wear all black' memo." He joked as he looked her figure up and down before pointing to his white shirt, which was the only one he could find under such short notice that unfortunately didn't make his outfit entirely black. "This was the best I could do." With a chuckle he draped an arm around his friend's back in an attempt to seem like the gentleman he definitely was not thanks to his many stunts during the year. Sage was a firsthand witness of his lack of gentlemanly qualities but believe it or not these qualities were the reasons they had become fast friends during their patrols. "Shall we walk in?" He said before they both walked in the great hall to begin their night. Ferdinand was entirely comfortable because even if they decided not to gossip about their peers in a secluded corner and instead took part in every cliche he assumed the night would hold it would not have been a problem. With her companionship they were able to pull fun out of anything which is what would certainly make this night worth it no matter the circumstances.

bro, you're telling me. ​