The Champions Enter

[Moko Craven]

Moko waited outside the doors of the Great Hall nervous yet expectant. It had been a while since she had worn anything even remotely so dressy and frilly. She hoped that she didn't appear like some meringue as other girls did when they tried to pull off a similar outfit but her height and slender frame and dark colouring aided in her looking breathtaking instead of as foolish as she considered herself. Soon she would be meeting the other champions here and of course Gaston. Her insides were quirvering at the very thought of him as she stood in her place before the doors.

She mused about what the decorations would look like inside and then found herself wondering if she should have tied her hair up or had been better with leaving it down. All these frivolous thoughts circulating made her blanch. This was not her, she never worried about this sort of stuff but it seemed every time she was to meet up with Gaston, she became a flustered fool.

 

[Maximus Strauss]

Maximus has asked Aubrey to attend the Yule Ball with him, they were good enough friends after all so it stood to reason that they should go together. He was dating Zoe-Hope and seriously didn't want any emotional ties but he seriously thought that by attending with Aubrey he'd have a great time. Relax and enjoy himself a bit. As he approached the door to the Grand Salle he spotted Moko waiting there and smiled as he approached.
"Hey, how's it going?" hands in his pockets he came to stand along side of her, "No Gaston yet then?"

It was now common knowledge about the school that the two of them were inseparable and he could remember distinctly Gaston cheering for Moko at the last task as well.

 

[Moko Craven]

Turning at the sound of the other voice she smiled when she saw Maximus.
"Why aren't you inside with the others?" she had met Max by accident the year before when she had entered a book store he worked in and they had gotten along fairly well. He was easy to talk with and a font of information but there was no attraction there on either side, thank Merlin.

"No Gaston yet... perhaps I am just early. I don't like being late for anything and getting ready aboard a ship is not as exciting as it sounds. Don't laugh but I think I get sea sick, I've been to your nurse here every day practically and she seems to think the same thing too" she allowed herself a small chuckle on relaying this piece of secret information about herself.

 

[Gaston Dubois]

No siggy Just not enough pics of him in a suit…also, ignore the girl

---

Gaston couldn’t believe he was actually getting ready for the Yule Ball. He had never went to school own version of the Yule-time dance in his past seven years at Beauxbatons and seeing as it was his last year he was glad that he was going. The fact that he was going with Moko to the Ball was an added bonus, one that at times he felt he wasn’t worthy to have. Moko was the absolute girl of his dreams and to have found her was literally a dream come true. The past few months that the TriWizard Tournament had been on had been the best few months of his life having spent a fair bit of it with Moko. He knew that it would soon have to come to an end when she returned to Durmstrang but he didn’t want to think about that, not tonight, tonight was going to be a night to relax and not worry about NEWTs or tasks or anything that could bring stress to them.

Making his way down to the Great Hall he saw people already making their way into the Hall and by the sounds of it there was already a lot there. Descending the staircase he saw Moko talking to one of his fellow 7th years. With a smile gracing his lips he made his way towards her. She was a vision. “Moko, you look stunning!” she said giving her a quick kiss on her cheek. Linking his arm in one of hers he turned to face the HeadBoy. “Hello Maximus. Shouldn’t you be with everyone else?” he asked curiously, as HeadBoy, Gaston thought he would be one of the first in the Hall with everyone else.

 

[Maximus Strauss]

"You travelled here by boat and you're only now discovering you are prone to sea sickness. Moko that is just hilarious" he assured her turning around as Gaston finally came. He smiled at his fellow 7th year as he took one hand from his pocket and glanced at his watch.
"Actually I was inside earlier before it got overly crowded, just making sure the head girl and prefects kept an eye before I got back again. I asked Aubrey to attend with me and luckily enough she accepted" he beamed at them, wondering when the Hogwarts champion would show up. He wasn't having an easy time of the tasks at all and must feel just a tad embarrassed that two girls were beating him each and every time. Of course the two girls in question were simply awesome and would be tough acts to follow in any normal circumstance not to mention a triwizard task.

 

[Moko Craven]

She did not get to explain further that living on a boat that gently rocked constantly was no way to live. She was a land girl and needed a firm ground end of story. Even if they had charmed the huge ship to stay still while it was docked would have been a huge help and she decided to speak with the headmistress about it. Turning to see Gaston she could not help the huge smile that graced her features.
"You look handsome" she replied as he linked his arm to hers. Seeing him in his school uniform and civvies was one thing but he was positively breathtaking in his suit. She knew she would be the envy of every girl in there tonight when they got a look at him, or so she thought at any rate. How he had never been snapped up before hand was still a mystery to her.

 

[Aubrey Derlinch]

Aubrey swept into the entrance hall on light feet, her floor length black dress gracing the marble beneath her. She usually wore more colourful apparel, but the moment that she saw the dress she simply had to wear it. Aubrey could admit that the black lace coupled with her straight dark hair made her moonlight pale, but it was just the look for the evening. Anyone who knew her would know that she changed clothing styles like she ... well, changed clothing. One day it might be punk rock, the next bohemian and the day after that it might be Asian schoolgirl. Feeling vampiric and quite beautiful, she approached the small group of people that contained her date, Maximus Strauss, and announced her presence with a large smile. "Good evening!" Recognising her opponent in the Tournament, she beamed and added "Moko, you look lovely!", and it was quite true. This was sure to be a fine night.

She leaned in to Maximus and gave him an extravagant and friendly kiss on the cheek. Being physical was just her way of things, and she knew he'd understand that it didn't mean anything more than it was. "Well hello, handsome!" laughed Aubrey. "You look like a penguin." She teased, giving him a wink. "Really, though. You look rather fine." It was then that she noticed Gaston and her look turned relaxed and less boisterous. She didn't know him as well but they took a few classes together, and resolved to tone down her manner in order to match her dress, which was too elegant for her to be so outspoken. She smiled at him with a "How goes it, Gaston?" before saying "Shall we go inside, or has Mr. Goulding not arrived yet?".

 

[Gaston Dubois]

Gaston muttered a soft 'thank you' into Moko's ear as he placed another kiss on her soft cheek. Tonight was going to be perfect, he was sure of it. When Maximus said he had asked none other than the Beaxbatons Champion herself Gaston smiled. Tonight was going to be a good night for all but especially the 7th Years. This was their last year in Beauxbatons and even though Gaston wouldn't call any of them best friends he was appreciative that he could be here tonight and have fun with them.

When Aubrey showed up Gaston smiled softly at her. "Hello Aubrey. All's good thank you. And yourself?" he asked back politely. When Aubrey asked about the Hogwarts New Zealand Champion Gaston frowned lightly. The boy had been having a tough time of it in the Tasks and he was late for his own Yule Ball. "I think we should wait but he better hurry, Monsieur Didier will surely be calling the Champions in for the first dance." he said, knowing a bit about the TwiWizard traditions.

 

[Maximus Strauss]

Maximus turned at the sonorous tones of his date and had to smile at her. Returning her kiss and holding an arm up for her to take he offered a wink in return.
"You look devastating as always Ms Derlinch" he told her. She was one of many beautiful girls that attended the school but Aubrey's beauty was not in the fair hair as many others or the honey toned complexions that they seemed to have but in the almost celtic beauty she omitted. The dark raven hair and the pale skin. She was breathtaking and Maximus knew he would have some job to control himself as a normal 17 year old tonight with her looking as amazing as she did in that dress. They were friends and he was dating, they were friends and he was dating. He repeated the chant over and over again in the hopes that it would stay there.

"I'm sure he'll be along unless we should go to the tent to check for more red sparks shooting out just incase?" he grinned. Maximus was not known for being mean like Alexius was so everyone simply knew to take it in the light hearted spirit it was given in.

 

[Moko Craven]

She turned at the sound of the other girl and smiled brightly at her. They had started to speak to each other before and after the tasks now and Moko had been surprised to find that Aubrey was alright. She had been far too presumptious in thinking all the Beauxbatons students would be air heads all consumed with their looks instead of their magic skill but then she had met Maximus and that idea had wavered. When she had met Gaston, it had practically dispeled completely and finally when she had gotten to speak with Aubrey, the girl had shattered the illusion. Of course she did see plenty of girls and boys who obviously had veela blood in them and who had nothing more trying than the worry of their looks but she spent no time with these and could careless about them.

"You're looking magnificent as well" she told her opponent truthfully with a warm smile. She too had wondered what had become of the Hogwarts Champion and laughed with delighted surprise at Max's comment. Turning to Gaston she slipped her hand into his, smiling brightly up at him and considering herself the luckiest girl there. A loud noise came from the doors before them as they began to open very slowly. Obviously the champions were to enter. Turning to the others and taking a deep breath, Moko on hearing her name smiled once more at her escort as they made their way into the Grand Salle.

---

we'll just have to hope that Mike joins us eventually, we can always 'believe' he actually made it
but if we don't start moving in along, we mightened even get a chance to have a dance

 

[Mike Gray]

Stopping just outside the doors, he saw the other Moko and Aubrey, the two other competitors. He hadn't really spoken to either of them to be honest, during his time at Beauxbatons, but tonight that could all change Mike mused to himself, remembering that the champions were supposed to be opening the dance. Mike was waiting upon Aaliyah, whom would accompany Mike to the dance. In total honesty, Mike would of liked someone from HNZ, such as Zuka, but he had not seen her to ask. He settled for Aaliyah who had caught his eye at the end of the first task, and had asked her out in which thankfully she replied yes. Mike's thoughts travelled to Bella, who he was starting to think about the letter they had exchanged, and how they were both back on talking terms. Mike wanted to speak to her face to face, but knew that she wouldn't be allowed down here to see him or vice versa. Sighing, he waited for Aaliyah to arrive so they could enter, and it could get underway. Mike would have to enjoy himself tonight. He didn't want to dwindle on what could happen. His mind was set to the present. He dreaded showing off his unconventional dancing skills in front of hundreds of uknown people. Great

 

[Aaliyah Olaf]

Aaliyah came into view wearing a dark red dress, which swept almost to the floor. Her blonde hair was loose, and just past her shoulders. She smiled at Moko, her fellow durmstrang, as her eyes began to search for Mike. She saw the three other beauxbatons students, but she only recognised Aubrey. She gave a smile to the other, hoping that later on in the evening she would get a chance to be introduced to the other students.
"Hi." she said to Mike, appearing at his side. After he'd asked her to join him, she couldn't have possibly have refused. "How are you feeling?" she asked, a little nervous herself about being one of the first to dance in front of everyone else. She just hoped it wouldn't be too long before other's joined in.

 

[Mike Gray]

"Wow. You look stunning" Mike said, looking at her perfect figure which was complimented by her red dress. "Well yes to be brutally honest. I absolutely despise dancing. Can't dance to save my life. What about you?" Mike asked, "Shall we join them?" Mike asked her looking at them. It seems they were waiting for something or someone Mike mused. "I think we're a bit late" Mike said looking at his watch. He extended his hand. "Ready to hit the dancefloor?"


(Sorry it's so short)

 

[Aubrey Derlinch]

Aubrey gave a very unladylike snort at Max's comment but refused to add one of her own for civility's sake. After all, Mike probably knew as much as all of them how much responsibility was on his shoulders. Tonight was a big night and they all had to make the right impressions. He was probably just waiting on his date. Just as Aubrey thought it, so it was. She turned her head for half a moment and caught sight of Mike Goulding waiting for his partner by the entrance hall's doors. Being over the other side of the room where the doors to the Great Hall stood, she hesitated to call out and instead tried to catch his attention by waving as politely as she could. She waited for a moment, and watched a blonde girl approached him with a smile. She gave the same smile to Moko and then Aubrey; she recognised the blonde girl now. "Aaliyah," said Aubrey said out loud to herself and with quiet happiness. She turned to Max and grinned, pointing discreetly to the pair. Now the rest of the champions could enter as they were all assembled.

Aubrey took the arm she was offered and visibly stood herself taller, gliding around to face the doors. "Shall we?". Not waiting for an answer, she scooted them both forward and in through the doors, assuming that the other champions would follow in due course. "Oooh, Mary!" she called, waving to one of her friends. In the same movement she moved close to Max's ear and whispered into it. "See anything you like out in the ocean of orange faces? Or does your sweetheart still have you wrapped around her little finger?" Aubrey purred into it with a grin.

 

[Moko Craven]

Finally Mike appeared and Moko smiled at him shaking her head slightly at his timing. The doors finally opened and the champions finally entered. She turned her head around and winked at Aaliyah who had failed to mention back at the boat that she was attending with Mike. Hand on Gaston's arm they entered and enjoyed the stares and awe written all over the sea of faces before them.

It felt like forever but eventually they reached the dancefloor as the first strains of the starting song began. Turning to her date and the boy she considered her boyfriend now, if that wasn't too presumptuous on her part; Moko smiled and curtsied as they had been taught. Then taking his hand once more as her other gently held his shoulder they began to move to the melodious strains of the classical music.

"I've been more nervous about tonight than what I've been about either of the two tasks" she told him solemnly, "how crazy is that?"

 

[Gaston Dubois]

As the small group of people stood and talked Gaston began to relax a bit more. He had never really been good with company but he was finding the rather easy and was grateful of this fact. Greeting the final Champion and his escort he smiled at Moko once more as their fingers entwined momentarily. The friends were all having a few laughs when Gaston heard the doors open. Taking a deep sigh he figured now was the time to go confirm the schools murmurs of his and Moko's relationship. He wasn't quite sure what the relationship was but it was definitely more than 'just friends.' This surprising wasn't what he was nervous about, he couldn't give two rats tails what people said about him and Moko.

Taking Moko's arm he walked into the Grande Salle with her and the other Champions plus their escorts. It was kind of unnerving having the whole school and the guests watching them as they walked in but Gaston kept an eye on Moko and with her there he was able to drown out everyone else. When he was with her it was like they were the only two people on the Earth. Taking position on the dance floor he couldn't help but smile lovingly at her as the music started and they began to dance. Gaston was at the best of times an awful dancer and he figured he should have told this to Moko before now as he didn't want to embarrass her but as they got into the dance Gaston, surprisingly, felt fine. Moko seemed to be full of surprises. Gaston cast his gaze on her as she began to talk, he chuckled lightly at her words. "It's not crazy at all. When you're out there doing the tasks you have your magic to help you but out here on the dance floor you have nothing. To be honest I've been dreading this...I normally am an awful dancer." he confessed. "But once again you've out done yourself.!" he said with a beaming smile.

 

[Aaliyah Olaf]

Li smiled as Mike complimented her, and slipped her own arm through his. She caught sight of Moko's wink and mouthed back a "good luck". Turning back to Mike, Li found herself much more nervous than she had been in the last few minutes. They were just about to enter the Grande Salle. Li didn't know Mike all that well, but she hoped she would be able to get to know him better this evening. After recent events it was good to be able to get away from it all tonight.

As they followed the other Champions and escorts into the Grande Salle, Li found everyone watching them a little off-putting, but kept in the back of her mind that in a few minutes everyone would be dancing and the attention would no longer be all on them. As they took their places Li smiled "I'm ready as i'll ever be" she took his hand and began to dane in time to the ballroom music.