Fly Away--Corny

[OLIVIA AUBREY]

The Great Hall had been decorated beautifully for the ball, the one and only place where Olivia felt like she wasn't the only one hiding. As the girl walked through the hall, hearing the clicking sound of her gold colored shoes against the floor she smiled while pulling at her gown so not to trip over the floor length cloths. It was a gorgeous gown, a light gold that shimmered and had long sleeves that draped down to her waist when she might hold her arms up. It had a full skirt, one that poofed out a bit too. She felt stunning in it, plus the dip at the neck to her chest wasn't too bad and didn't show much cleavage. She figured that Corny wouldn't want to see too much cleavage and Olivia wasn't one to show off. She was excited for tonight and hadn't ever done something like this, it was a new thing. Maybe they'd do one at the end of the year since this felt like a celebration for Halloween and since the new year had begun. It was already the end of October and tomorrow would be Halloween. The whole Masquerade theme seemed like it was as if they were dressing up, and the students were. Rather nicely too so to say.

Olivia cast a long gaze behind her before pushing open one of the doors and pulling down her mask. One of her friends from Hufflepuff had tied up Olivia's hair into a bun, tying the long black ribbon from her mask into it magically. The mask was glittery and also gold with black accents to it, not an animal themed one like some students might have. She took a deep breath while closing her eyes as she carefully tugged the mask over her own eyes, letting her take in the smell of the Great Hall already. She just imagined what it would look like, already hearing the chatter of about two thirds of Hogwarts' students. It was loud and gorgeous Olivia discovered as she opened her eyes, looking all over in appreciation of the gorgeous scene really. It seemed surreal, almost like the kiss she and Corny had shared that night ago in the greenhouse, now everything seemed happy and perfect.

The fifteen year old took a deep breath as she walked into the ball, trying to see if she could find Corny. Olivia wasn't sure how tough exactly it would be to find the boy now, everyone was wearing a different mask. Some girls had long dresses like her own but many had short dresses. Olivia tried not to feel overdressed but she still felt a little embarrassed at the fact that she had worn such a fancy gown. She tried to calm herself before breaking down and letting her worries show, she couldn't let that happen in front of everyone. All Olivia would fell then was weak. She needed to still remain strong.

Walking past everything and staring at every mask in awe Olivia tried to find someone she knew. Maybe Rhys was here with that girl he liked, maybe he was dating her. Olivia didn't really care, she just wanted Corny. While walking she took a quick breath in, feeling as if people were watching her. Olivia turned around, her back to the commotion as she twisted her hands nervously and tried to block it all out. This was supposed to be a perfect night, a perfect night for her and Corny. Maybe it still would be, but now with her back turned to the commotion Olivia wasn't sure what to do.

[stephen alexander cornfoot]

He felt foolish, and his cheeks burned red as he looked at the ruffles on his outfit. Green sparkles danced up to light his eyes as he tried to flatten out his collar. He had never gone to something this fancy in his life. Sure there had been several other dances, mostly he'd gone by himself and never danced. Tonight was going to be different. Tonight was going to be special. Tonight was his first actual date with Liv, the girl he had loved since he set eyes on her. His breath came up short as he tried to manage his normally boring hair. He did smile when he lifted his mask. It was in the form of leaves that shaped a glorious green face out of walnuts and folliage. Green sparkles mixed in with the leaves, and when he placed it on his face it transformed the whole outfit and took his breath away. He nodded, and wondered if Olivia would even recognize him. He wasn't sure, but he smiled nonetheless in anticipation of seeing his love.

If he thought his own outfit was well done, he was in complete awe the moment he walked into the Great Hall. Several couples moved on the dance floor, and glimmering orange and dark red sprikles danced down from the enchanted cieling to disappear before hitting the dancers. Light music played from a band in the corner, and a long table had been set aside for drinks, and all sorts of decorated cakes and candies. Corny smiled in delight as his eyes traced the wall to take in as much as he could. There would be no way he would ever find her in all this crowd. His heart sank slightly as he began to make his way around the edge of the wall, his eyes on the center of the room as he watched for her. He had no idea what she might wear.

Then, just when he was about to give up hope, he saw a small form with her back to the crowd. He raised his eyebrows under his fancy mask and slowly made his way to the girl. He declined several offers to join in the dancing, he could only imagine that he was even asked because no one knew who he was. He turned his attention to the girl facing the wall, and knew for certain who it could be. After years of watching her, sending her secret owls, and loving her there was no way Corny couldn't know Olivia when he saw her. But, something was wrong and his heart broke for her. He had no idea what had happened, or what could be the matter, nor did he know exactly what to do. He moved forward, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered in her ear. "It is alright, Liv. I'll keep you safe. That's what boyfriends do, you know." He brushed his lips on her ear and laid his head on her back.

It just felt like the right thing to do.

[OLIVIA AUBREY]

Olivia had always been a little self conscious and if she ever told someone they'd always raise an eyebrow and scoff. She was rather talkative and had high self esteem but she just needed to be more comfortable with her physical appearance. She wasn't as graceful like some girls might be but she wasn't clumsy either. Olivia just went unnoticed in the crowd most of the time, she sort of blended in with her stride. She had taken ballet as a young child up until her Hogwarts years but she didn't remember many things now. Sure she had been rather good but it didn't mean she still knew how to dance as well. Maybe that was why the idea of a dance gave her stomach butterflies, she didn't want to look foolish compared to everyone else. Maybe she'd trip and fall over her gown and into a bowl of something someone might be drinking. Or when she tripped she hit someone else on accident, someone like Corny or Rhys if either of them showed up. She hadn't seen them tonight but of course most of the time so far had been spent as being a wallflower, like other times too. Yes, she talked a lot some days but she liked to watch and examine too, like a scientist beginning to dissect a frog or something that required great patience and examination skills.

Just as she thought about countering her thoughts, turning around and leaving she thought to stay too. Turning her foot as if she would begin to turn around Olivia was suddenly stopped, someone had wrapped their arms around her. The girl froze, the only person allowed to do that would be her boyfriend, who would supposedly be Corny. She tried to remind herself that it was a masquerade ball so no one knew who you really were until they might see your eyes or hear your voice. She froze until he spoke, the persons voice was angelic to Olivia and calmed all her regrets about coming. It was Corny, her love since second year. He had come to rescue her, her knight in shining armor was here at least. Letting out a deep sigh in her mind Olivia let a small smile creep up on her lips as she craned her neck around somewhat gracefully to look at the boy who leaned lightly against her, his head pressed on her small back. They might look like swans or perhaps they looked odd, Olivia hoped they looked like delicate masked swans underneath all the emotion and action around them.

"Yes, I suppose so," she whispered and smiled while kissing his head from where she had her neck turned around. The stretch hadn't been that much since Corny's head wasn't all that far down. He was taller than her, like most people were. Olivia delicately placed one of her hands on his around her waist while she felt her cheeks blush a bit, she looked back towards the wall. Maybe Corny would like to dance tonight, maybe he wouldn't. She could ask now but would let them soak it all for a few minutes maybe. Olivia thought a lot of things and her thoughts ran fast through her mind. "Shall we dance then?" She asked softly while looking down at their hands as she intertwined her fingers with his.