ＷＡＲＮＩＮＧ ！

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆, [ 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐒 ], 𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 [ 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 ], 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐔𝐑, 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐑, 𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒.𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧: 

𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠

[  🖤  ] 

⋆·˚ ༘ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐋𝐋. 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐍𝐓 𝐀 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐒 𝐄𝐕𝐄, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐀 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍𝐄

As they stumbled into the hall, they walk through the kitchens and plate their food of choice from the array amount of choices available. Stella hadn't slept well the past few weeks, she hadn't told anyone, but she was very, really tired, and not feeling themselves, she was surprised that no one had noticed, not even their parents, or their sister, not even their girlfriend.

But she pushed the thoughts away, some of many of the thoughts running in circles in their head. She grabbed a plate and put some pancakes and sausage on it, then followed to the end and drowned it the chocolate chip pancakes in whip cream and chocolate sauce , and moved towards the café for a much needed coffee.

Down at the other side of the hallway, entering the great hall was Callie, Lem, Willow, and Giselle. They were all talking about what had happened last night and who had sent the message.

"I think it's a prank, I mean, what else could it be? The doors to the school would be locked if it was serious" Callie suggested

"Yeah but colt literally was knocked out for hours, that's no prank" Willow replied

"Well, then is someone out to get him? Or what would that have to do with the spirits and Christmas ? If they are gone then it's definitely not a joke" Giselle concluded

"That's a fact, but I don't know who would have the power to do that , Voldemort is dead-

"DO NOT SAY HIS NAME!" Xander acted like pretty much everyone in his fathers era

"Xander, he's been dead for like decades, it's fine" Giselle patted his shoulder, pushing him slightly off to join Nick to plate food

"Is there anyone from that time that was a death eater that's still alive that would be powerful enough?" Lem suggested

"I don't know, I think not, Lucius, but he's not powerful, and in jail, or who knows he may be dead-" willow said, Lem laughed, she never knew her grandfather and that's best anyway, her grandmother was enough for her anyway.

"Then we should try and see if we find anything around today, let us know if you guys see anything suspicious" Giselle noted walking into the kitchen with Wyatt, who finally dragged themselves down the staircase.

Stella watched as they all separated and she walked to the end of the table, near the fireplace, she has been awfully cold lately too, with the amount of layers she's wearing she's also sweating but she is also chilly. She drowns her sausage in ketchup and starts eating the chocolate chip pancakes. Lem came out of the kitchen and after she ordered her latte of probably caramel, they walked to where Stella was sitting, but she had a look of confusion on her face when she noticed that Stella wasn't in the spot she usually sat at, but the opposite end of the table, close to the doors.

"Hi, Ella, why are we over here today?" Genuinely Lem was very concerned because it was unlike Stella to change these little things, especially that quickly

"I'm just cold, that's all, wanted the heat of the fire" she said, sounding very bland and not pleasant like she usually is

"You seem, down, what's wrong? Yesterday was fine-"

"Not really, Lem, maybe for you it was" she whispered, but not enough for Lem to hear

"Sorry?"

"I said nothing, yeah, didn't sleep well that's all, don't worry about it"

"Oh, okay, are you s-"

"I said I'm fine, Lem, okay! I don't always need you following me like a damn dog" she snapped, but the 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅  Stella wouldn't ever dare to raise their voice, especially not at Lem. Deep down, in the heart of the real Stella, she regretted their response, but for some reason she couldn't control their mouth, like a puppet she felt like. Maybe that's all she was, a puppet, she felt so different that maybe she isn't themselves, not acting like themselves, she just didn't know what the truth behind it was. Or 𝗐𝗁𝗈  was behind it.

⋆·˚ ༘  𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 , 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑, 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐍.

Julian was sitting in the hospital wing with colt, who had been there since last afternoon, they had played a card game but decided on ditching after three rounds because it was boring. 

"Hey, do you know if you're allowed out for the ball and feast?" Julian asked, playing with his hands 

"I think I am, maybe only for a little while though. They wanna monitor my head injury longer, it's still a bit swollen from the concussion, and the cut need a few stitches, other than that I'm okay" he responds 

"Oh, yeah cool, cool. Who are you going with?"

"I don't know, I usually third wheel Willow and Callie, before they go off somewhere to snog per Callie's request, and then eat some food" colt laughs at a memory when they brought Callie to Paris for a trip and the girls got lost in the streets from romance excitement , they wanted to explore the city in one night. They were in trouble when they didn't return on time

"Oh, well, maybe you and I can go together? I mean, obviously only if you want to- as friends!"

"Maybe more than friends" colt said smiling 

"Oh! Yeah, sure, it's a date, then" Julian smiled 

"sure playboy" 

"Hey don't call me that!" Julian hit his shoulder slightly as they both laughed, both obviously blushing and terrified for the night to come.

𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘱~

Meanwhile in the Great Hall, it was very empty, besides the occasional kids getting food, the parents sat at their old tables.

"What is going on with this message everyone got?" Harry said

"Well the lights yesterday at the water show, the decorations here and in Hogsmeade are blown out, clearly someone doesn't want Christmas" Ron says

"Yeah but like it's more serious than that" fleur mentioned

"Yes, what if someone is trying to hurt someone, or us?" Hermione said

"Yeah, but Voldemort's dead, and who else would that we know is alive want to ruin this time of year, and for what purpose?" Neville asked

"That's a good point, I think we need to assess the situation a bit more to see what we can take from it" Harry suggested 

"So if anyone sees anything unusual or if anyone is acting weird let's tell each other" Hermione said

They all agreed and then proceeded chatting about adult life 

⋆·˚ ༘  𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐊𝐘 𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐗𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐌, 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐄

Illy was extremely nervous for her 'date' with Ambrose. They had been best friends for years, she didn't know what to do, she knew that she liked him more than a friend, but she didn't know if she wanted a relationship. She was scared after the date, their friendship wouldn't be the same.

Wyatt and Giselle were off somewhere else grabbing their dresses from Giselle's parents, while a shockingly tired and tear stained face Lem shows up and knocks on the door slightly 

"Can I come in?" she croaked, she looked terrible, like she'd been through a wreck and back

"Yeah. What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Illy asked putting down her notebook 

"This morning Stella yelled at me, and I don't understand why, she said to stop following them around like a dog, but she also didn't seem much like themselves, they were odd, and cold, and shut out" 

"I'm sorry honey, do you think she meant to say that or do you think maybe she is going through something?"

"Normally she would tell me if she was going through something, so I am unsure, what if she doesn't like me anymore?" Lem said sadly 

"I'm sure she does, you are a catch! But maybe you should ask them to talk with you instead of going to the ball, the hallways will be quiet and the astronomy tower would be a relaxing place to chat, you know dad loved it there" Illy said

" I can't think about going to the astronomy tower without thinking of mom and dad doing the dirty shit" Lem said

Illy laughed, agreed 

"Okay, yeah that is understandable, maybe your dorm them? Or just a corridor that's quiet" 

"That's a good idea, I'll ask after the dinner, thanks Illy" Lem smiled

"Of course, you know you can come here anytime right?" 

"Yeah, I know" Lem said, genuinely she never did, she always didn't want to bother illy in the first two years they were at Hogwarts, they drifted away from each other then, but since then they've reconnected better than ever 

"Now, don't you have a date to go to?" Lem smiled 

"Oh, yeah, about that-"

"You're going no matter what you say, this is your dream guy come on! And besides he's head over heels for you" 

"Where did you get that information?"

"I'm friends with Ambrose, how else do you think that guy doesn't stop talking when he's nervous" she laughs

They sat there in silence for a while. 

"I'm scared" Illy says

"Why?" Lem asks 

"I'm afraid of our friendship changing. I don't know if I want a relationship yet, or if I'm ready, but I know I like him more than a friend, but I'm worried after tonight things will be different" 

"you don't have to get with him yet, I'm sure he'll understand and I'm sure he's probably thinking the same things that you are, he's the one for you, you should see all his potential songs and poems about you" she says, realizing "don't tell him I told you that" she says laughing 

"Poems about me? Really?" Illy says

"It's no joke, like piles on piles on PILES" Lem says

"Damn. I'm an interesting topic I guess" she laughs 

"Well, now we must get you ready, right? Aren't you meeting him at the entrance for the ball / dinner at six?" Lem said

"Yeah, why?"

"Well its almost 5:20PM" 

"Shit! I won't have enough time to get ready! I don't have an outfit or anything!" Illy panicked, breathing heavily 

"I can do hair and makeup, now you just choose like, it doesn't have to be a dress either, but I'm sure he would love to see you in a dress" Lem winked

"Lem shut the heck up you just said you are afraid of the astronomy tower because of our parent's hormones as teenagers now you're saying this? Go get your stuff from your dorm and don't mention that again" she laughs walking to the closet 

They skipped happily and quickly to their dorm to retrieve their bags of makeup and hair supplies.

⋆·˚ ༘ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐓 𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄, 𝐔𝐒𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐍, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄, 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆.

Many students flocked in like an army at six pm and began stuffing their faces full. The first two of the group had included Xander and Nicholas, of course, could never miss the full tables of food, even though it never ran low, its the thought. They walked in with their slick neat suits, they were eyeing each other but whenever they noticed the other looking they pretended they weren't looking at one another. Luckily, Giselle the match maker would fix that tonight. Hopefully she could. She had her own problems even she couldn't figure out how to fix. She remembered what Jasper had said, just tell Wyatt, that's too hard.

When they came down together Giselle forgot she was with Wyatt and what she was wearing. Giselle maybe thought before they got into the great hall she should say something. Wyatt's face light up with the red eyeshadow and the lipstick, surprisingly she wore, usually she hates makeup and dresses, that's Giselle's thing. Wyatt rocked a red silk dress, that was down to her knees.

Giselle was in awe, though she has seen it before. She decided she had to tell Wyatt how she felt, 𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗈𝗋 𝗇𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋, 𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍?  She faced the red head and their eyes went to change. 

'What's up, Elle?" she said concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"Yea, no, no it isn't, actually' she said, she was really nervous , they were literally in the corner of an empty corridor past the entrance to the party.

"What can I do? What happened?" Wyatt asked, hugging her

Giselle pushed them away , not harsh but it may have given off the wrong impression.

Wyatt's face turned to shock, and little tears left their eyes, Giselle needed to say it now or it would things would take a turn that may not be fixable.

"Wyatt, I- ever since I met you, I have been more happy, a lot more happy to be your best friend. It is still funny out of everyone you could have asked that day for help you asked me, though we ay have been friends still otherwise, maybe we wouldn't. Im grateful for you, very much. I love you. But not as a friend, I love you more than a friend, for years now, I didn't want to tell you, I was scared, and I always thought that you were too good for me and that you would never like me ba-" Wyatt interrupted Giselle's rant and hugged her tighter this time. Giselle didn't push them away.

They stood there for a minute before Wyatt pulled away and spoke, "I love you too, since the FIRST day" she laughed. Giselle was squealing, it's her own fairytale, romance book come true! She kept jumping in a circle happy. 

"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Wyatt asked

"DO I? OF COURSE I DO!" she squealed, hugging Wyatt again

The two were beyond happy now. Things felt just as they should. Wyatt gave Giselle a piggyback ride to the table. Now that she has her fairytale, she must help her brother get his now.

𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘱~

They arrived at the table and also sitting there was Jasper, Lola, Colt, Julian, (who, by the way, looking fabulously adorable, and there must be tea) all eating, the parents were at the other end, '𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗉𝖺𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝖻𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌', who knows at this point.... Xander noticed his sisters behavior first.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" he said with bread in his mouth

"Man, let them speak" Nick said with no food in his mouth

"IM LIVING IN A FAIRYTALE!" Giselle squealed

"aren't you always?" Julian asked. Jasper seemed to notice the news as he smiled at Giselle's courage. 𝗁𝗈𝗐'𝗌 𝗁𝖾 𝗀𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖺 𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅 𝗅𝗈𝗅𝖺? 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝗈𝖾𝗌𝗇𝗍 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗁𝗂𝗆, 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌.

"Then what's new?" 

"Oh, you idiots, obviously, they are dating" Jas spoke from the other side, knowing the signals

Xander dropped his fork and it made a noise some kids stared at him as he almost screamed his ass off before Nick had to literally suffocate him to not.

"NO. I DONT BELIEVE IT!!!" he said

"Believe it then, sherlock" Wyatt said smiling

Everyone congratulated them, Giselle realized she may not be able to help Xander tonight, but she would somehow.

"Isn't Ambrose and Illy coming together?" Jas spoke

"Yes, I told him to put on his man pants and own up to asking his true love" Lola said proud. Jas was blushing slightly, 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗌 𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗉𝖾𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗈 𝗁𝗂𝗆?

"They are soulmates right?" Colt asked , everyone basically nodded right away

"They'd have very cute babies" Xander said, not fully realizing what he said

"XANDER?!" Julian shouted as Colt laughed at his reaction of shock

"What? It is just the facts, man! I mean, come on! 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖬𝖺𝗅𝖿𝗈𝗒 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌, 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗀𝗂𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋 𝗁𝖺𝗂𝗋? 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋 𝖾𝗒𝖾𝗌? The Malfoys will be turning into the rich version of the Weasley's with red hair and new robes" he laughed and Ron turned his head hearing something, Draco's face was processing what he thought he may have heard, eyeing Xander. But everyone burst out laughing when he looked away.

"Xander better keep your tone down, man" Nick said patting his shoulder 

"I think Lem and Stella are also coming, but she's been looking off lately." Lola mentioned 

"Yeah, I have noticed that too" Colt spoke, "Does it have anything to do with the curse? Do you think she knows anything?" he asked

"If she did, she would tell us" Willow approached, Callie holding their arm

"There you two are, what were you doing?" Colt asked

"This one wanted to stay in, she couldn't get into her own dress rather than keep trying to undress mi-"

"We were caught up with traffic" Callie spoke, her face went tomato 2.0

"Yeah, okay, girl" Colt said in a girly tone, made everyone laugh.

"Didn't know Hogwarts had cars" Wyatt spoke, the two brunettes were embarrassed to say the least

Harry and Ron, and Draco and Hermione came over, noticing that they thought everyone was there.

"Hey! Wow you look great, sweets!" Ron said to Willow, and Colt also, Harry agreed.

"Have you seen my kids anywhere?" Draco asked, "Blonde, look like me"

"We know what they look like Draco" Hermione laughs

"No, not since this morning. Illy should be here soon, she is going with Ambrose"

Draco's eyes went wide. "Did he not know?" Xander said apologizing

"I know he did, he probably wasn't listening" Hermione assured him

"Great ,both my kids are gone, married, moved out, what's next, 𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗋𝖾𝗇?" he sighed, Xander kept quiet, very quiet.

"Lem said that they are coming down soon" Willow said putting their phone away

The parents went back to the table, comforting Draco saying that his kids aren't married or having kids soon.

⋆·˚ ༘ 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐎𝐑, 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘. 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐗, 𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄. 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐅𝐎𝐘 𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒.

"Lem, we are late! Did you really have to take extra time on my hair to add glitter?" 

"YES that is the best part!" she squealed

"Ugh, what if he doesn't show? I'm late, he probably thought I stood him up"

"You're fine, I am sure he'd wait there hours for you, even if the ball was over" Lem said

"Seriously Lem, this is not a romance novel" Illy argued

"It is pretty damn close if you ask me, we have the gorgeous girl and the handsome man! Hopelessly in love with one another and neither of them can see it!" 

"It isn't like that" she protested 

"It is exactly like that, and you know it" Lem said smirking

"Fine. How does my face look?"

"Like fathers" Lem laughed

"Be realistic please, is there makeup smudges?"

"Oh, yes a ton, no, you are fine" Lem said flattening her dress

"Go get your man" she smiled

"What about you? Aren't you coming?" Illy asked

"No, maybe later. Stella is off somewhere, she has been acting odd and I must find her, good luck, text me if you need anything" she disappeared down the corridor

"𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗍, 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗍, 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗍, 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗍, 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗍, 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖾 𝗂𝗍𝗌 𝗈𝗄𝖺𝗒 𝖨𝗅𝗅𝗒, 𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽, 𝗈𝗁 𝗀𝗈𝖽 𝗂𝗍 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗌𝖾 𝗇𝗈𝗐" she was beyond nervous

But she turned the corner and met his amber eyes, she felt she was floating on clouds. She couldn't help but look at how his hair was slicked back, and how his black suit looked perfect. he didn't realize her staring because he was too busy staring back. Her golden hair was curled, her face had eyeshadow and eyeliner, mascara and glitter lip-gloss, but glitter in her hair too, and it all matched her flower dress.

She nervously smiled as he grabbed her hand and placed it around his arm (idk how people walk in, I'm going off movies- sorry) they began to walk, the sound of their shoes hit the floor, simple heels and dress shoes, made the satisfying noise of clinking against the polished floors.

They almost reached the entrance, but he turned to her, mainly because he was concerned, Illy was usually full of smiles and conversations, this was not her. He knew when she wasn't herself. They stopped behind the doors, he let go of her and grabbed both her hands in his, the feeling felt so right, they both thought. 

He tried looking at her, but she refused to look him in the eyes. So he used his fingers to pull her chin up again, like that night they shared their first kiss, a night they both secretly wanted more of. Now she was looking at him, she didn't smile, she was trembling.

"Are you okay, love?" he asked. 𝗇𝗈, 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝖾𝗅𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀.

"Yeah," she responded "I just-" "𝖭𝖾𝗏𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗌?" he asked, smiling, she already accepted the fact she had died and was in heaven now.

"Maybe?" she was too scared to admit, it was just her best friend, she hung out with him everyday.

"It's okay , I'm nervous too" he chuckled, they still held each others hands in one another's, it was soothing. His hands were bigger than hers, more veins showed and they were more muscly (why are men's hands so much bigger and more veiny, and the same age as me too- like, what)

"You seem more confident than me" she laughed

"No, well, I had a panic attack in my dorm and I called my mum" he said, slightly embarrassed, he was pink, she laughed, and he felt better seeing her smile, his favorite sight

"Why are we like this?" she asked  (IM SORRY I HAD TO DO IT)

"Not sure, but maybe we should go in", he suggested, "We don't have to dance if you don't want to" he said, knowing that she wasn't the one for dances. A smile appeared on her face making her feel better.

As they let go of each other's hands, before they went in, he turned to her and said,

"You are the most beautiful girl I ever laid eyes on" (im cringing)

"and you look gorgeous tonight" he said admiring her (still cringing)

"you look very handsome, the most handsome man I ever laid eyes on" she said back very embarrassed because she was pink, and he was pink too. Safe to say that maybe they will be together by midnight. (cringe alert)

𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘱~

After everyone fangirled over their favorite to be couple, and Draco sobbing over this, they all head to the dance floor while Illy and Ambrose stayed at the tables and watched. 

"Is your dad okay?" he asked

"Oh , yeah, he's an emotional git sometime" she laughed

"Yeah, can tell" he said

The two both sat with glasses of punch half full, while their thoughts wandered off in different directions.

"Where is Lem?" he suddenly asked

"She was looking for Stella, shed been off lately," Illy started. "Maybe its the curse, or whatever this is. But I can't think of them doing that or anything." 

"Maybe someone possessed them" Ambrose said

"Who would want to, for no reason target them, and who would be strong enough to do it?" she said quiet, but he could still hear her, how she went quieter when she was thinking.

On the dance floor they looked up and saw Giselle and Wyatt dancing, 'rewrite the stars' was playing, and it was their theme song the two dancing and singing with one another, it was a sight for sure.

"They seem happy" Ambrose smiled

"Giselle has been telling me for years how much she was in love with Wyatt, I thought they'd get together soon" she smiled

Colt and Julian also were dancing next to them, they had gotten together earlier that day, or at least that's what Xander thinks, they were not together, yet, but they were going as each others dates. They were dancing and having the time of their lives., while Nick and Xander took opportunity of the dances for the food that was still left. 

Lola, Giselle and Jasper came over and their eyes went wide.

"Illy! You look like a princess!" Giselle laughed

"Thank you, Gigi, but you look gorgeous!" 

"Illy, tell me where that dress is from" Lola was inspired 

"I have no idea, it was for some wedding, of, I actually don't know who got married, someone my father works with, it was in Paris last year, quite boring but free trip and food, me and Lem ended up ditching it to go explore the city so we actually changed before we left, so it hasn't been worn until now" she explained, Ambrose was hooked when she talked, he watched her lips move and her facial expressions change, her eyes glow, her smile shine. He was doomed.

"That sounds like something I would do" Jasper said, everyone laughed

"Hey, where is Lem and Stella?"

"That's actually a good question, she said she was looking for Stella." Illy sighed 

"Should we go find them?" Ambrose suggested 

"I think that they're okay, I'll wait till Lem tells me otherwise"

"Well, then, wanna do a like, not very dance like dance?" He chuckles knowing that even though illy is very open hearted and bright, she's not extroverted, she is very much and introverted girl 

"Sure" she smiled taking his hand

They dance for a while to great smash hits 

Eventually, Taylor Swifts '𝖫𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖲𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒' comes on, that's literally the definition of their song, because Draco doesn't want Illy to date though he doesn't hate Ambrose (😂😂😂 sorry)

About near the end, Ambrose begins to look nervous. Illy notices

"Are you okay, bear?" She says. That's always been a nickname for him, bear, because illy used to think his hair looked like a teddy bear.

"Oh, yeah, I'm cool, I'm good" he says oddly strangely, like he's sick or something 

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah! Totally" he says quietly 

They stood there in silence as their song ended, 𝗐𝖾𝗅𝗅, 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾'𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝗇𝖾𝗑𝗍 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾, 𝖠𝗆𝖻𝗋𝗈𝗌𝖾, 𝗈𝗋 𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾?

Ambrose didn't get the chance to tell Illy what he wanted, but that's okay. There's always another moment maybe meant for that.

𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘱 ~

⋆·˚ ༘  𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐌 𝐍𝐎𝐖, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐘 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐑, 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒.

Xander just looked at all them shocked, they look drunk, he felt drunk. 𝖽𝗂𝖽 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗌𝗉𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝗎𝗇𝖼𝗁 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗆𝖺𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐𝗂𝗇𝗀?

 At this point nobody knew. It's happened previous years. Probably some year seven or something. Not abnormal. Jerks.
He and Nicholas decided it was time to hit the sack and be ready for tomorrow also nick fell asleep on his cake, half on his face.

"Nicky!" He said quietly 

No response, snores left nicks lips

"NICK" he shouted 

"PROFESSOR !?" he said like he's been awake the whole time 

"What? No, it's me you dumb ass. We should sleep soon. Christmas is tomorrow. Also, you have a little something on your, well, everywhere" he said pointing to his face

Nick felt his face and his fingers had icing and cake on them, he looked at his plate, cake slice with a dent in it.

"Oh, well" he licked the cake off his fingers, "it's not half bad" he said, licking his fingers

Xander laughed, blushing. He was doomed 

"What are you laughing at, cheeky?" Nick asked

They walked out of the great hall, all would be good tomorrow, if they even found the spirits, no one knew anything, but the festival of lights was less than 24 hours away, which means they only had that long to find them if they wanted Christmas to go on. 

"Nothing, don't worry. We should sleep or Santa won't show!"

"Mate, you know, right?" Nick asked as they walked up the down the stairs to the dungeons.

(I believe in Santa ok kiss my ass if you want )

"What do you mean?"

"Your parents, never told you?" 

"Told me what?" Xander says, confused

Nick knew this would end in hell so he didn't bother answering.

"Have I ever told you I think you're my best friend?" Nick says

"No, I'm honored" Xander says

Nick chuckles, they walk back to the common room.

Xander wishes he could tell Nick how he feels, but nothing is worth risking their friendship.

𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘱, 𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘮 ~

⋆·˚ ༘   𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄, 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐒.

She loved Christmas, but she also didn't understand what she was doing this for. She wasn't themselves, everyone knew that. Most of all, Lem knew that. It was Christmas Eve, their first one in their relationship and she wasn't even spending it with Lem. How ashamed she is, but didn't know she was. She pushed the thought of Lem away, for the millionth time today and did what she was doing, willingly or unwillingly? The truth is, no one knows.

Lem eventually heard the non stop clinking and was suspicious of who'd be out in the snow at this time, after searching an hour and a half for Stella she gave up for a while. She went to Stella's dorm. It was empty. Callie and Stella were sisters, and often times it was quiet. She walked over to Stella's side, very much had pink, she liked pink. It had posters of their favorite movies and shows. Polaroid's of Stella and friends, family, and Lem. And fairy lights above the bed frame, and a bookshelf in the corner. The desk messy with books, and papers. On the nightstand was their phone. It had almost zero battery. 

Lem knew the code, so she opened it and was met with a tulip field sunset photo as the wallpaper. She clicked on messages. Many from their sister, and parents, and Lem herself.

And, 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧. Who was Archer? Stella is lesbian. No, Lem knew she would never.

She read the texts.

But they made no sense. Just letters? 

Now in reality, Lem stood there. Nothing fit, only Stella was there, no person. No Archer. 

"Stella, what the fuck are you doing?"

Stella's eyes only showed chaos and evilness, like they were taken over by something else.

Lem was scared.

"Just having, a little fun." she said tossing an ornament at the wall. The blue pieces of glass went all into the snow. Lem noticed she was wearing a tee shirt and jeans, 𝗂𝗍𝗌 𝖿𝗎𝖼𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗌𝗇𝗈𝗐𝗂𝗇𝗀.

"Why? You love Christmas! And it is snowing why are you wearing a tee shirt?"

Stella walked up to Lem, their faces very close, but not close enough to kiss.

Lem waited what seemed for ages, until finally she said something.

"𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍'𝗌 𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾𝗌 𝗂𝗍. 𝖼𝗈𝗅𝖽. 𝗆𝗂𝗌𝖾𝗋𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾. 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗇𝖺𝗋𝖼𝗂𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝗂𝖼" she smirked so evil like and walked into the woods, nothing but glass surrounded the snow, sinking when snow landed on top, being burried, as it was never there. 

Lem had to tell everyone. And before they lost Christmas. And Stella. 

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥... 𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗬 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦... (𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲)

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.....