Ministry Festive Formal ((Main Thread))

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This year for the formal, the Ministry went all-out in decorations. It was to be one of the fancier galas in recent years as a treat to the general public that lacked Ministry connections. All sorts of silver and gold bulbs dangled from the ballroom's ceiling; the Christmas tree that adorned the location towered over everyone and everything. Sitting on top of the pine was a golden star that periodically let out light drizzles of snow. Spread throughout the room were a few tables covered in a tower of champagne glasses. On the stage was an unmanned orchestra playing jazzier versions of classic Christmas carols. It was only moments ago that the gala was kicked off with a momentous speech by the current Minister that welcomed all Ministry personnel domestic and foreign, their families, and every member of the magical community that decided to attend the night's festivities.

So far, it's been rather uneventful with the older Ministry workers talking amongst themselves.

Serena wasn't one for corporate or ministry events. She would much rather be at home in bed with a book right now than have to be schmoozing with these ministry people. But her grandmother insisted on them attending. So here she was, schmoozing away.

Victoire show up to the event in a very boho dress that seemed out of place compared to the sleeker, sparkly dresses other women were wearing. It was very comfortable and very her, and that mattered most! Aloha Bill was around somewhere, but she hadn't caught wind of him yet despite his very distinct looks. Maybe he's in the loo!

Astrid always loved things like this so she was glad when her father had told them that they would be attending. He wanted to get in well with the Ministry here since sometimes his business dealings could be rather shady but if one was in good enough with the law enforcement then things could easily be swept under the rug. The fact that he had made quite a generous donation to both the ministry and Hogwarts didn't hurt either. Astrid just loved being able to dress up and attend these things though, they were always fun. Not in the way that most teens her age would find things fun, they were actually somewhat dull but she rather enjoyed parading around in fancy clothes and having people look at her.

The dress she wore tonight was one that had been specially made for her. She didn't have a whole lot in the way of curves but the way the dress fit gave the illusion that she did have some and such just adored the way she looked in it. She looked around the party, noticing some people from school there but none that she knew well enough to approach at the moment. So instead, she made her way over to the champagne table, grabbing a flute and placing it to her lips after moving away. It wasn't like they would stop her from a drink of champagne at one of these events, right?

Amy had been looking forward to this little get-together since the announcement had been made throughout the ministry that it would be taking place. It was always fun to be able to get together with her co-workers and others to just relax and catch up. She had spent the last weekend searching for the perfect dress and she was pretty sure she found it. The dress was light and airy, matching her normal style but definitely much fancier than her normal high-waisted pencil skirts and pastel dress shirts that she wore to work. But that was the point of the evening, wasn't it?

She glanced around until she saw her brother over by the champagne table talking to Harrison and made a beeline for them. A smile came to her lips as she reached them. "Hello, Indigo, Harrison. Are you two enjoying your evening?" She said with a smile as she reached over and took a flute of champagne from the table before turning back to them.

@Indigo Macmillan @Harrison Jetson

Niklaus was one of the main donors of the evening, he had no need for money so he often liked to flash it around in the form of big donations. He didn't only live on a measly professors salary. His family used to be one of the richest in london, he came from old money. He had on a full black suit and tie and had a glass of scotch in his hand. He sipped on it as he gazed the growing crowd of diplomats and social elitists.

Calista felt like a princess in the dress she had chosen for the night. Sure, she stuck out a little bit with the midnight blue dress that faded to silver but she couldn't think of a more perfect dress to wear for the night. She had fallen in love with it immediately. So, she walked into the even with her head held high. Everything looked beautiful. She just loved the Christmas season! She still didn't know a whole lot of people here. When she had been going to the University she had been too wrapped up in her studies to make friends but it seemed that many of Hogwarts staff had been invited and she thought it might be nice to get out and meet more people so there she was. People were gathered in groups talking but she knew none of them so she didn't try to jump into conversations. She just moved through the crowd in hopes that maybe Skylar or someone she knew might be there. She smiled and nodded at one of the professors she had seen at the school before as she went to walk by.

@Niklaus Lancaster

Klaus watched as a blonde woman smiled at him and tilted his head to the side. He could smell her from there, the sweet scent of her blood pumping through her veins. It made him hungry. But he knew he couldn't. Not here, anyway. He had to be on his best behavior. Instead, he picked up a glass of champagne and walked over to the woman. Nothing that said he couldn't talk to her, "That is quite a dress. You look like a vision of beauty this evening." He then bowed a bit, taking her hand and placing a kiss on her wrist. Luckily, he had excellent self control, "Niklaus Lancaster."

@Calista Felling

Plunkett & Pleasegood was, as usual, one of the sponsors of the gala. William was always pleased to be around all kinds of demographics, especially the various business owners that attended these kinds of functions. He dressed in a sharp, professional suit with a golden tie. It wasn't too different from what he usually wore on the job. It was imperative to always make an impression.

He was sure Dick was somewhere within the room having himself a few drinks. Spotting a young man, he approached him. "Hello, I believe I've seen you at Hogwarts. Are you interested in giving me your thoughts about the catering here?"

@Gawain Ripley

Calista hadn't expected any acknowledgment aside from possibly a nod in return, maybe a smile from the professor she had nodded to in passing. Instead, as she stood there looking around to see if maybe Skylar was around she was surprised when the man approached her. He was definitely attractive even if she got a bit of a bad boy vibe from him. There was just something about the way he carried himself so confidently. She smiled as he bowed to her and kissed her wrist. Well, he was quite a gentleman after all, wasn't he? "Thank you, that is very kind of you to say." She said with a smile. She had hoped to maybe be noticed so she could meet new people and it seemed to be working well enough! "I'm Calista Felling. I've seen you around Hogwarts, haven't I?" She asked, making polite conversation.

@Niklaus Lancaster

"That sounds more or less like I understand it," he agreed, "I have no idea what a talking phase could mean, and I am supposedly of the same generation."

He didn't know, as he had very little experience in dating as a whole. He was under the impression that the right woman just hadn't come along: the sort of woman who could compare to his expectations. Women just seemed so ardently fixated on intercourse and talking common. It was such a turn off to him.

When this tall, slender young man appeared and spoke to Harrison, he found it very irritating to be interrupted. He wasn't completely offensive to the eye, but there was something about his sunken cheeks and pivoting eyes that had him on edge. He stood there, stewing in annoyance, but finding that words were lost on him for the time being.

"Hmm," he growled, seemingly amused. "And you've managed to fool them all, have you?"

His eyes swept to the boy standing with him. He looked delicious, despite his natural scent being doused over with artificial products. It almost made his eyes sting.

His eyes went back to Jetson. "I commend you."

@Harrison Jetson

"Incredible..."

He'd heard about wizards who had extraordinary powers. It was almost vampiric, the ability of being an empath.

"But also a burden at times, I suppose."

He smiled weakly at her. There was a sense of pride he felt from being singled out by her, and somehow he didn't feel worthy to stand next to her. There were plenty of men - human men - who would look better being next to her.

"Are you here with a partner?" he found himself asking, wondering which extraordinary gentleman was accosting her that evening.

@Carina Malfoy

Gawain, with a mouthful of food, was looking up at this bloke who was his Dad's age.

"Hngh?"

He chewed slowly, swallowed, and stared at him.

"Thoughts about the catering? I don't know. It's pretty good for fancy finger food I guess..."

What a weird question!

@William Pleasegood

Carina blushes a bit when he called her incredible, "It can be quite a heavy one at times. For as long as I could remember, I was in charge of regulating Alaynas temper. Keeping her calm. I sort of just... Stopped. Which I guess is why she's gone off the handle a bit lately." She saw her ex best friend across the room and frowned a bit to herself. Then he asked if she had a date and she laughed, "No. I'm here with my father." She wondered if he had some sexy vampiric queen with him tonight, "Are you here with anyone?"

@Dartagnan Lestoat

"Alayna Nott. You know Alayna," Ptolemy sighed, standing with his two brothers.

Parzival was disinterested in the conversation, but Memphis seemed keen to see his brother's girlfriend.

"The last I saw her, she was just a little girl," Memphis commented loftily, sounding as though he was in disbelief that Alayna had grown to an attractive woman.

"She has bad taste if her count has included a mudblood and a cross-dresser..." Parzival muttered, sniggering.

"He wasn't a mudblood. But close to it, I suppose..." Ptolemy replied, ignoring his younger brother's jibe about his morphing ability.

When Alayna came into view amongst the crowd, Ptolemy pointed her out. The three of them were looking in her direction in a contained, stumped sort of silence. She looked positively regal in her gown: even Parzival was considering her underneath a well-structured guise of contempt. Memphis seemed surprised, and impressed. His eyes were drawing in her form from top to bottom, although his expression didn't give away much more than that.

Ptolemy smirked, satisfied.

@Alayna Nott

Alayna saw Ptolemy talking with two other young men and decided it was time to play the trophy girlfriend card. She walked over to him and smiled before kissing his cheek, "Hello love." She then smiled at the other men, "Hello gentlemen." She then looked a little closer and realized some similarities in their and Ptolemys features, "Ptolemy, are these your brothers?" She asked, looking at her boyfriend

@Ptolemy Rowle

When she approached, Ptolemy straightened proudly. Parzival snorted. Memphis remained silent.

"You look sensational," he murmured to her ear, as she kissed him. Placing his hand on her waist, Ptolemy nodded as they faced his other brothers.

"Yes, this is Parzival. You may recognise him by now. He's a fifth year."

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance," he said, putting on debonair grace by elaborately bowing. It was all for the sake of mockery, however, and that was obvious. Ptolemy frowned at him.

"And this is Memphis."

The older brother moved forwards, and unabashedly lifted her hand to kiss it. "The honour is mine," he said, smirking at her in a way Ptolemy always did when he was plotting a particularly vengeful ploy.

"That's enough," Ptolemy said irritably, and Memphis stood back, but was still looking at her.

"They're looking forward to you staying with us," he said, although it seemed he was speaking for himself. Parzival was already glowering off elsewhere, and Memphis seemed to have some kind of ulterior motive cooking up behind his measured gaze.

@Alayna Nott

"That shouldn't be your responsibility," he said, thinking it strange that a human could be so completely selfless. It was endearing that she had done what she had, but it was that human notion: pleasing everyone. He was glad she was now free of the responsibility.

"Oh, yes. I remember him."

Urgh. James Potter had said it: knowing Dads and Grandads was freaky. He recalled much more of her Grandfather, and that wasn't something he should be admitting to.

"Just with my family. Aramis, Athos and Winter are here. You know Aramis. There's also another sibling of ours, Porthos, who isn't here. He's usually very busy at this time of year." It was the first time he'd spoken of his family outside of Aramis to anyone who attended Hogwarts.

@Carina Malfoy

Alayna flourished at his compliment, "You act surprised by this." She vaguely recognized his younger brother and smiled courteously at him, she was a bit taken aback by his other brothers forwardness and recognized the mischievous look on his face. She pursed her lips and looked at Ptolemy, "I'm sure they are. I look forward to it as well." She placed a hand on his arm and smiled up at him, "You haven't seen Atticus anywhere have you?"

@Ptolemy Rowle

"The talking phase entails talking, whatever kids these days mean by talking. Is it some new euphemism? Did first base go extinct?"

Those damn whippersnappers with their slang and new way of doing things. Whatever happened to dating a bird you met at a rave? Or a guy at a local gloryhole? Things were simpler decades ago!

Harrison froze slightly before crossing his arms in response to Lestoat. "Sorry? I'm not following you. I'm not fooling anybody."

@Indigo Macmillan @Aramis Lestoat

"Pretty good for finger food? Is there anything you liked the most? Anything you dislike?"

William pulled out his to-go notepad as he wasn't going to carry around a clipboard the entire time.

"I'm William 'Willy' Pleasegood from Plunkett & Pleasegood."

@Gawain Ripley

Amaryllis sipped at her champagne as she said hello to her brother and Auror Jetson, though it seemed that they hadn't heard her with the conversations they were having. Oh well! She reached out and placed her hand on her brother's arm to draw his attention. "Indie, you don't seem to be enjoying yourself." She said with a bit of a frown as she noticed that her brother was practically pouting as Auror Jetson spoke with some stranger. She offered a smile to the both of them, if they even looked her way that is.

@Indigo Macmillan @Harrison Jetson @Aramis Lestoat

While Astrid had been grabbing her flute of champagne, she had somehow lost sight of her father and brother. It wasn't like she needed them there to hold her hand or anything but she did wonder where they had gotten off to. She was looking around when she spotted Carina and she decided to approach her. "Hello, Carina. Have you seen my brother by chance?" She knew they had been having some sort of little fling or something, or at least that was how she understood things but she hadn't pried into her twin's affairs too much to actually figure it out. She gave a cautious look to the guy Carina was speaking with. He was acting differently than usual when he was constantly harassing her. Little did she know, it wasn't Aramis she was looking at.

@Carina Malfoy @Dartagnan Lestoat

Carina sighed, "I know it shouldn't be but she's my best friend
or she was..." Carina smiled at Astrid when she approached, "Hey Astrid. You look amazing. But no, I haven't seen him anywhere." She got excited knowing Vidar was there, but she didn't know why. "I'm sure he has t gotten far. He's gotta be around here somewhere." She couldn't help the small smile on her lips, "Oh, Astrid. This is Dartagnan. He's alot nicer than his brother."

@Astrid Eriksson @Dartagnan Lestoat

Ministry gatherings weren't her typical haunt, but Darla couldn't resist the opportunity to be the reason why a marriage ended. There was never a shortage of Ministry workers in some sort of unhappy marriage, and she'd be an idiot to not take advantage of that fact. She wore a somewhat tacky silver dress that clung to her curves; she was bound to standout in the crowd. It would take someone exceptionally stupid to mistake the sound of her brother's voice for somebody else. As she crossed towards him, she grabbed a champagne glass and winked at a nearby Ministry employee.

"Oh, brother," Darla stated. "It's only a shame their marriage ended up being broken due to jail and not an affair..."

@Odin Ripley