the ultimate turning point;

[Artemis Jackson]

Tonight was the big night. The excitement obviously sizzled in the air and no water can distinguish it. The whispers and murmurs about the Yule Ball were getting heavy as the evening of the event approached. The enthusiasm was even more roused when the Great Hall was finally opened to everyone, displaying such a brilliant decor all over the place. It looked like it was naturally winter in the hall and no spot was left untouched by the decorations. It was a beautiful sight to behold and most just wished it would stay like that forever. There were trees that made the hall appear to be not the Great Hall that everyone was so used to eating in. The ceiling had like a soft and gentle glow to it and was magnificently charmed to make it look like snow was falling. Indeed, everything was in place. Just like the stunning view of the Great Hall, the students were also dressed in garments that made them ditch their ordinary looks in their respective school uniforms. Even with the dressy outfit in place, a certain Slytherin prefect was nervous to the core. Every part of Artemis Jackson's body thrummed with anxious magical energy, even if her younger sister reassured her plenty of times that she looked more than the average okay.

Enthusiastic claps filled the air once Professor Daveshire ended her speech. Artemis, who descended the stairs in a slow yet nervous pace, slipped inside the Great Hall quietly. Formal parties were not her thing at all. She still needed to wait for her [friendly] date just near the entrance. Not everyday did she wait for a boy in a dress like this, and her nerves rattled insanely whilst standing there as she viewed the various dates dance and chatter animatedly. Artemis wished that she had her beloved sister with her, who can manage herself in parties like these even if she was alone. Alliyah had the spirit of socializing more than frequently and Artemis lacked that kind of skill. She did talk to other people, but she thrived more on books and Quidditch. This was her first Yule Ball ever, and everything looked amazing. Magic did create wonders that could never fail to amaze her. What amazed her still, up to this point, is that she agreed to go with a very close friend of hers. It was not that she disliked her decision. In fact, this was new experience was surreal. The night was just about to begin and she reminded herself not to screw it. The good thing that made her smile subtly was that Artemis did know how to dance which was a massive plus for her tonight.
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[Minoas Stratis]

Like a fish out of water. That was exactly how Minoas was feeling about social events like the Yule Ball. He had attended the school's annual ball before and he wasn't really impressed whendancing was completely out of his scope of talents. In addition, a tuxedo was something that Minoas Stratis hadn't really used to. He had wore one in the past and since then, he wasn't looking forward to wear it again. It made him wonder how had he made the decision to be now on his way to the great hall. During the revision sessions with his good friend Artemis, they both mentioned the ball with somewhat negative comments but in the end, they managed in some way to agree and go together. Minoas had actually suggested that when Artemis mentioned she had never attended before the event. He was sure they were going to find something entertaining to do there. Even revision sessions were fine when they were spending time together.

They had planned to meet at the entrance hall, as their common rooms were the farthest apart in the castle and go to the ball as a friend date. It was something really used to among younger students. Last time he had went as well with friends at the ball but with Artemis it felt quite different. There were some newborn feelings inside him about her, he was still trying to figure them out. He was feeling nervous for sure. Anxiety was always drastically raising his body heat, almost as though he's sick, with his ears and hands being the warmer spots. As he was making his way to the lower levels of the castle and saw all those guys waiting in their tuxedos for their dates, he felt slightly better. A smile almost shaped on his face when he thought that they were all, including himself, were looking rediculous in those tuxedos. Like emperor penguins waiting for their mates return from their fishing back to the shore. And then any funny thoughts to make himself relax disappeared when he saw her waiting for him at the entrance hall.

She was standing impressive out of the rest of the crowd with her white dress like an elegant swan. Minoas realized that he had frozen at the bottom of the stairs for a couple of moments, admiring her as people were passing by, greeting each other around him. Recovering from what felt like a stunning spell straight on his chest, he walked over to her. "Hey." he said with a disarming smile.
"You look...stunning." he breathed the word that shot instantly in his mind as his grey eyes couldn't stay away from her. He might was looking confident and all that outside but inside him there was a struggle for his heart not to skip a beat.
"I'm sorry for being late...again" he felt that he had come out with that words numerous times during all those revision sessions they were having.
"Let's go and crash this party!" he joked, not sure how he was supposed to accompany his date into the great hall. For some reason he wanted to grasp her hand and keep it in his all night long. Instead, he started walking by her side whenever she was good to go.

 

[Artemis Jackson]

It did not take long for the prefect to find any face that she knew was from her own house. Instead of standing there and glancing around awkwardly, Artemis had her eyes glued on another student of Slytherin. After showing off a dazzling smirk of a greeting and a faint nod, a startling sound approached her thoughts. The boyish tone of a voice was so familiar that Artemis felt the strong willing urge to quirk an upward curve on her lips. For her whole life in Hogwarts, that voice always shook the walls of her thoughts whether it was about Quidditch, their studies or just the perks of having a social life. Their friendship was of a special kind which proved to be correct because of the very odd self-consciousness Artemis felt whenever she was around him. That him was no other than Minoas Stratis, the Gryffindor boy who Artemis loved liked hanging out with. Artemis turned towards the direction of her friend, who was dressed in a tuxedo that made him look like a grown up but with a tinge of awkwardness. She instantly fell in love with the sight of him, but that was just the sight. Who knew what things he could do to her when it came to the teasing personality?

The compliment sounded so genuine that it melted Artemis' heart. She was never drowned with such words, and hearing one from a person she was close to made it sound like words of gold. Artemis managed to give him a weak smile with a twinkle of nervousness in her bright blue orbs. "Well you look certainly dashing. I... I like it." His choice of clothing was really pleasant to look at. To Artemis, it was a more than pleasant sight to behold. The same excited butterflies swept inside her stomach, suddenly making her happy. Finally, their night was beginning and she knew that after this event, she had a lot of thinking to do about them. His almost signature line whenever they met reached her ears and she chuckled lightly. Artemis was likely to have a good time in this event, albeit the little awkwardness because of her first time in this kind of occasion. She felt affirmation erupt inside herself when she heard the 'crash-this-party' thing, which was quite unusual for the quiet Slytherin. Tonight was an evening to remember in her teenage life and she was going to enjoy and nail the event. "Come on," said Artemis, and briefly looked to the side where the food and drinks were served. There were various sweets that would help them hyper up, just in case they needed it for later.

"To the food? Or do you want to do something else?" Boys, oh boys. If the fact that boys did thrive on a party's food was true then Artemis' decision to visit the area of the eatable things would be a delight. There were many things that could be eaten there and Artemis would love to have a taste of the scones that could be seen from her place. Looking in the grey irises of her friend in a tux was something unusual but... she did like his look this evening. She took a picture of him in her mind for remembrance in the future. Artemis was vaguely aware of the soft music that was playing in the background, to give the atmosphere a little elegance and some smoothness. The music would not stay like that forever, she knew. There had to be some fast music for those who wanted to dance freely whilst the slow, melodious music was still hidden somewhere in the list. Artemis wondered if this guy knew how to dance. She was aware that she had some skill in her, which provided her some bravery to go with the flow of the music if ever they were to dance. Before her thoughts can wander more into the possible future, Artemis pulled herself back to the present and waited for a response from her "date."
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[Minoas Stratis]

The great hall was looking different from last time he had been there for the Yule Ball. It was feeling like a special night for some reason, there was magic in the air. For a moment he focused on the enchanted ceiling of the hall, where a night sky was flying over them. Snow flakes were falling out of nowhere but they were long gone before they were able to reach the floor. He felt his ears getting even warmer when she complimented back his outfit. He could just imagine how red they would have turned by now. He turned his attention at the decorations to shake away his awkwardness. Everything seemed to be under the rule of white and icy colors. Even the glasses piled on the round tables, looked like they were made out of chiseled ice. As they were walking deeper inside the winter themed great hall, the dance floor made its appearance with several people dancing already to the soft music in the background. The dance floor itself resemble a layer of ice.

He hadn't noticed the impressive amount of food loaded on the tables until Artemis asked him whether he would like to have something to eat or do something else he had in mind. The food, probably made by the school's elves, was looking mouth watering but the gryffindor was feeling sick to his stomach. He had never experienced that amount of stress before, not even before his first quidditch game. He could really understand now those people saying about butterflies in the stomach but the truth was he was feeling the whole zoo now that he was next to her. He could help but glance at her several time when she was busy admiring the decorations as well.
He was obviously inexperienced when it came to girls but luckily he knew a couple of things from the one and only female cousin he had. So he knew from Artemis' second question that she wasn't probably much interested on the food. That's all he could make out of her words. It was a mystery what exactly she was thinking or what she wanted to do, let alone what she was expecting from him.
"It's your first Yull Ball so I guess you could make that decision. I'm fine with anything. Really." he stated with a smile. He could even dance if she wanted and that was sheer bravery for someone who was feeling awkward about dancing.

In the end, he made the decision himself. "Be right back." he said and made his way to the drinks' table. He thought it would be better to start with a drink though not something alcoholic. He picked up a bottle of non alcoholic wine and found two wine glasses as well. As he was pouring carefully the rose in the glasses, the perfume of fresh fruits tickled his nostrils. He sprinkled, small cubic bits of apple in the glasses as well, provided in a bowl right next to him and he returned back to his date. "Let's start with a drink." he suggested, showing the two glasses in his hands. "No alcohol in it. Here." he gave one glass to her. "To the much needed vacations." he made a toast about the forthcoming christmas holidays and raised his glass. He took a reluctant sip from his glass, not sure if his choice was a good one. It was definately fruity, more like a sparkling grape juice combined with a flowery touch of blossoms.
"Last time I came here with the expectation of seeing Professor Styx dancing. Either missed it or he was busy torturing students in his office." he chuckled in an attempt to break the ice. He was usually able to start an interesting conversation from zero but in this case he was having trouble. He took another sip from his beverage. Maybe in this way he could prevent the thousand humming birds from fluttering uncontrollably in his stomach.

 

[Artemis Jackson]

It was surprising to hear that it was fine for him to go with her decision. Artemis thought that maybe it was just basic politeness to go along with a lady's choice. For a moment, she thought of what to say in order to keep the awkwardness of the air. The evening was lovely and the beauty of it seemed to be an acceptable topic. Merlin forgive Artemis for not being able to formulate ideas so easily! "So -"Artemis started, but before she can finish the idea of her topic starter, she was interrupted by her date. She was left there alone for a short moment, and she was reluctant to stand there, viewing other people communicating rather lightly. Artemis cocked her head in curiosity as Minoas handed her the drink and mimicked his action to produce a toast. "Cheers," uttered the prefect in agreement to the much needed holidays. Artemis eyed the drink and swirled the liquid in curiosity. It was a good thing that there was no alcohol content in it or else there could be a chance she'd lose her mind later on. Artemis sipped on the drink, relishing its fruity flavor with a hint of sparkle in it. Knowing that Minoas made it by himself, it gave Artemis the impression that he was a good mixer of these stuff... Or he just tried his luck. She smiled at him in thanks for the drink, hoping that he would read the nonverbal message easily.

Artemis laughed softly as she heard his comment about her head of house. She knew that the Gryffindor wasn't pleasantly fond of Professor Styx and nor was she. Her respect for Styx was great though since he was the one who chose her to be one of the Slytherin prefects. Professor Styx was persistent with his rules and if one unwise action was done, Artemis had it nailed in her brain that her badge would be stripped away from her. With an amused smile still hanging, Artemis replied, "Really now? I expect the latter. He doesn't get tired of doing it if he has to anyway." Artemis laughed jokingly. Of course she had no idea what it was in Styx' mind. He was one man of unusual things, always with the cold wall separating him and the students. Artemis wondered how he managed to get a lifelong partner with that mysterious persona. "I'm kidding of course. Who knows what's in his mind," she murmured as an additional statement. Artemis held her drink with both hands, her grip firm but not at all tight. Shifting her weight to her other foot, Artemis thought of Minoas' last sentence and tilted her head in question. Never did she attend the Yule Ball except for this year's. Did he say that he went to an earlier Yule Ball celebration?

"So when was the last time you attended the ball?" There was no hint of jealousy pronounced in her words, but Artemis was sure of feeling heat building up inside. Everything was a different universe inside of her. Artemis perhaps looked so casual in the outside and genuinely interested in what he had to say. Internally, she groaned for actually jumping to conclusions as to who his date was. Artemis hated thinking that she was too possessive and well, she also hated knowing that she felt unusually attached to Minoas. The blonde looked at him with an expression of interest and partial amusement. She never bothered to ask him the question if ever he went to the earlier events. They were nothing of importance to her, until the time when Minoas suggested they should go together. Artemis sipped on her beverage slowly, savoring the fruity taste whilst it was still latched on her tongue.
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