() "Why wouldn't I agree to a study group like that MG, you know I always love to learn more and I also love a chat once in a while, so it sounds like a great plan to me. With the other Gryffs joining us, I'm sure that it will be a lot of fun" she says with a smile. "And you might be right about that request. I might go over and ask for something".

"If you need help planning, you can always ask me Judy (). You know I have it all organized and everything. I keep a list of all the assignments we have to do and the deadlines for entering" she says, pointing out the very obvious, as every Gryff knows that she has all those plans placed on the walls of the common room. "Thank you for the compliment" she continues. "I'm sure that with some more people in the study group it will be even better".

Rox then turns towards Mae () to continue about the Quidditch game. "It was amazing to be there. I know the opening ceremony was a mess, I wasn't around when that happened as we were late, but other than that it was an amazing experience".

She then turns towards the stage again, she was going to see if they could play "Magic Works".

"He...made friends with the Goblins?" Thana repeated, shocked. Her parents, she knew, would distrust if not openly disapprove of anyone who could form a genuine friendship with non-humans. "Wow.." Even though my Aunt says no being is more or less worthy of respect than any other, she thought, wondering why she had never heard of such an interesting family before.

"Turo, where do you-..." Thana began, intending to ask where lived. "Where...uh.."

The headpiece, she observed, distracted by subtle movement on Turo's head, It's...is it alive?

"Is, um, is that normal- for your hair?" she asked after a moment of silent, wide-eyed staring. Not wishing to offend her new friend, she determinedly ignored the urge to laugh. Then more little pumpkins appeared to be sprouting, and Thana struggled to keep her composure. "Hhh-" she said, holding back giggles through gritted teeth, "How can I help?.."

Vin smiled back, responding with "It's probably been pure luck so far that I haven't made that much of a fool of myself yet. I've heard a few of these songs before, but I've never really tried dancing to them. There's a first time for everything, huh?" Vin eventually slowed to a stop, wiping a drop of sweat off the side of his forehead. "I think I'm done dancing for tonight. I've worked up a bit of an appetite. I hope you don't mind me leaving for the food tables." He said, only a slight smile on his face as he began to head towards the food area.

"I believe you , did you take pictures? Oh, is all your family magical? Beside my parents and my sister everyone else is muggle."

Rox returns quickly from the stage again, she has asked them to play the requested song. She's not sure they will do so, but at least she got up and asked them about it.

"Yes, my entire family is magical, my mum and dad both were part of Gryffindor here at Hogwarts, as well as lots of my other family members. I did take pictures at the Cup, it was amazing and I'm glad that I have the pictures to show that". ()

"The family reunions must be animated. I would love to see the pictures after the ball if you have them here."

"Yeah they are and they're all very competetive too haha, so it's great when they family comes together. Of course you can see the pictures. I don't have them here now, but after the school break I can take them with me so you can have a look". ()

"It would be lovely , thank you!"

"Oh no..." Turo' moaned "I must have mixed up the instructions for my ma's potions. I normally keep most of my hair shaved off, but I wanted to grow it out for the ball. Her hair tonic would have done the trick if I'd gotten it right. Crazy thing, Ma can't levitate a feather, and a wand to her is just a stick, but she can make the best potions." She sighed gloomily "Ma always hated my hair cut, boy would she get a laugh outta this" Looking up she saw in the dim purple light that Thana was struggling not to laugh. Well the situation WAS pretty comical she thought, and burst out laughing at herself, as she plucked a tiny ripe pumpkin from her hair.
"Seriously though, goblins look different from us, and they think different from most other folk, but if you can earn their trust, you've got a friend for life. Too many wizards and witches have a funny idea that they're better than other magic folk. Even back in the states it's that way. 's why my pop was the only wizard the bank could send." Just then their butterbeers arrived, borne by a petite house elf who scowled at the un-lit globes. She blushed and scurried away when Turokai thanked her and complimented the quality of the drinks. "Ever notice they don't like to be thanked?" Turo mused half to herself as the elf hurriedly retreated.

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/band.png[/img]"Last call for any requests!" the band's lead singer said into the microphone after a song. "We'll only be doing a couple more songs before wrapping up, so if there's anything you'd like to hear, now is the time to ask!"

A line dance sounds a lot of fun. Count me in.

Thana was relieved to see laughing, and creased into a fit of giggles. "I- I'm so sorry," she said with a slightly apologetic smile, still eyeing up the small jiggling pumpkins adorning Turo's hair, "Still..I can't remember the last time I laughed like that!"

As the conversation moved on, Thana was grateful that her companion was open-minded. She felt far more comfortable speaking to someone without the old prejudices that lingered under the guise of 'tradition'. America? she noted, finally understanding. That explains the accent!

Gently grasping her own glass, Thana nodded to Turo's question. "Yes, they are very..humble. At least, I once told Wilk his stitching was neat, and he said I'd embarrassed him so much he had to take a whole 10 minute break from work that day!" she wrinkled her nose, thinking back to the strange event. My parents would be angry if they knew I'd been talking to the elves.. she thought, but couldn't help but smile as she recalled the rest of the conversation. "I didn't understand why until Mofty said it's like being stood in front of people you really, really want to respect you, when suddenly all of your clothes fall right off-" Thana halted, quickly taking a sip of her butterbeer.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/tfQAapd.png?1[/img]Beth walked towards . "How are you liking the band?" she asked her.

(OOC: Pretty much missed the whole ball. :()

"Thanks everyone! You look perfect for autumn Tate and I'm obsessed with your makeup Serena," replied Poppy. "I almost didn't recognize you back there Beth. Those stars are to die for."

Poppy was tired by the end of the evening's festivities but she was happy to have spent time dancing, dining, and discussing everything with her friends and schoolmates in such a pretty setting.

(OOC Note: I wish I had been able to RP a lot more but my irl responsibilities are really getting in the way lately.)

Vin looked left, and then looked right to see that no one else had suggested a song. From the food bar, the young wizard decided to shout over the ball-goers to Aurora () "What about Anastasia by Voltaire?". He wasn't so sure it was the best for a formal ball, but then again, neither were the other rock and jazz songs. When Vin wasn't practicing, he would often listen to Voltaire to soothe his mind for the night or day.

"That makes a lot of sense." Turokai nodded. "Did Wilk sew your dress? It's gorgeous by the way. I love how the star changes. I couldn't see myself in a dress, ever, but you look great." Turokai sipped her butterbeer and realized she'd been monopolizing the conversation. Hopefully she could find something Thana would like to talk about. "Yeah, I'm from America, don't even know the names of all the Quidditch teams here yet. Where do you hail from?"

Hey guys! Thanks so much for representing Slytherin for the RP portion of the First Term Ball. Even though this is now over the dress robe HA contest is still running until this Saturday, October 17th at 11:59 P.M.

Don't forget to post your outfits here - Wizarding [CONTEST] Show us your dress robes!

Enjoy your day off from school or work if you have one today for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day. c:

"Better not push your luck." she teased as Vin took a break. Goldy took a few moments to catch her breath, she didn't feel like finishing the song by herself, but wasn't sure if she wanted to leave the dance floor. It was easier to be on the floor and moving rather than trying to make conversation with the other students.

[img align=left]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd186/boldaslove11/appolina_1.png[/img]As the band starts to gather their things together after finishing their set, Professor Persnickety climbs onto the stage and waves for quiet.

"Thank you all for joining us this evening in our first ball's celebration. We hope you will all join us again next term, as we hope to make this a recurring event. I'd like to thank the Wildfire Whiz-Bangs for their wonderful music and to our staff for the wonderful decorations! For those of you visiting from other schools, the carriages are now waiting to take you to Hogsmeade. Students should start making their way up to their dormitories. Again, thank you all! This has been a wonderful experience."

( could you please lock this up?)