Just Forget The World ~Zara~

[sirius black]

Sirius felt happier than ever before. Perhaps that was a bit exagerated, but it was pretty far up there on his list of happy moments, and after the fall from joy, being back on top was simply bliss.

He straightened his tie on his dress robes and placed the black mask over his dark eyes. He looked good, but that was only his opinion, it was Zara's that mattered. Zara. She was the light of his life- The only girl he had ever fallen for, been hurt by, and one of the few people that brought out the best in him. One of the few friends he treasured.

They had agreed to meet in the common room so that Sirius could escort her to the ball. He had once made the mistake of announcing their break up to the world, and this was, in a sense, his way of announcing that he was still as in love with her as ever.

He arrived at the common room before her. The place was packed with people in masks and gowns, and Sirius moved to the base of the stairs where the least amount of people were. His eyes turned to the opposite staircase as the most stunning girl emerged from the girls dorms. Zara looked simply stunning, and Sirius broke into a grin as he approached her and bowed as if they were in a fairy tale, "My princess" he said, grinning happily.

[/font][/color][/size]

[Zara Girard]

Zara couldn't believe that she was running late. She had started getting ready for the ball quite some time ago, carefully planned her time so that she wouldn't be late, and yet she could see that she was a little past the time she was supposed to meet Sirius. Sighing, she quickly put on her elegant shoes, and stood before the mirror to make sure she looked just fine one last time before leaving the dorm.

She smoothed her teal, strapless gown, and marvelled at the fact that that was one of the most comfortable gowns she had ever worn. Her hair was tied into an elegant bun, though that hadn't been possible without the help of her wonderful dorm mates. She reached out to her bedside table and grabbed the mask that was of the same colour as her gown, and wore it. She had hunted for a long time for a mask like that - neither too simple nor too extravagant.

Satisfied with what she was wearing, she bid her friends goodbye, telling them that she'd meet them in the Great Hall, and rushed down the steps as fast as she could. As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she was greeted by a huge crowd, all of them looking for their respective partners. Zara blinked, and then stepped forward to find Sirius, but he was already before her within a second, bowing. "My princess." She laughed, and did a small curtsy, playing along. "My prince," she grinned, before allowing her arm to snake through his.

He looked as handsome as ever. It was a wonder how she wasn't a breathless heap of mess on the floor already. Smiling at him, she walked out of the Common Room with him, towards the Great Hall. "You look extremely handsome, Mr Black," she smirked at him, and gave him a small wink.

[sirius black]

Sirius arose with a chuckle and took Zara's arm in his. A few people were already staring and whispering- no one had expected them to go together, yet alone be on such flawless terms- but Sirius wasn't bothered. He was proud to be escorting Zara.

They weaved through the thinning crowd and out of the common room. Zara did look truly beautiful, her teal gown seemed to shimmer in the light as if luminescent itself, and her mask, the same striking blue, was the prime balance between simple and glamorous. Her bright brown eyes shone under it. "You look extremely handsome, Mr Black," she said with a wink, and Sirius grinned. "Well, thank you, Ms.Girard. You look simply breathtaking yourself" he replied.

Sirius couldn't help but grin mischievously as they entered the great hall. There were tables covered in food and feathers everywhere. Now, Zara was of course his first priority tonight, but Sirius black was also a marauder. He would manage some pranks along with James, Remus, and Paige tonight.

He turned his attention back to Zara, who was also looking at the majestically decorated hall, although her expression was slightly different than his own. Dumbledore had intended for there to be a feast before the dance, so Sirius started toward the table where hi friends were seated. "Shall we eat?" he asked Zara with a smile.

Sirius was so glad that he was here with Zara, that he had swallowed his pride and talked things out with her. Her warm smile now seemed to banish all the sadness that had consumed him the last couple weeks. He would never allow things to fall apart that way again.

[/font][/color][/size]

[Zara Girard]

Zara smiled at the compliment that Sirius gave her, fighting to just grin like an idiot and do a happy dance right there in the middle of the corridor they were passing through. So the effort she had put into all these dresses and cosmetics had paid off! She had been pretty unsure at first, hesitantly dabbling at the muggle products. Despite being a half-blood, she hadn't really had too much experience with cosmetics. But hey, that was what friends were for. And she was lucky to have a bunch of handy ones around her, else she'd have emerged from her dorm looking like a scarecrow, really.

As soon as she stepped into the Great Hall, a gasp left her mouth as she looked around at the completely transformed place. Gold and black feathers decorated every nook and corner, while large, round table were set up all around. Right at the end of the hall, a large space was cleared for the band and the dance floor, which was currently empty except for the band that was playing a few songs to entertain the students while they ate.

Slowly, a grin started to spread across her face and she looked at Sirius. "We are going to have a blast," she told him, unable to hide her excitement. She loved the atmosphere - students mingling around, forgetting about exams and the rising darkness outside of the castle walls, happily chatting with their friends and anticipating a night of extravagance and fun. She loved it all.

"Sure!" she said when Sirius asked her about sitting at the table, and followed him. Sitting down at the table, she looked around at the food. It seemed as if they were right on time, the appetizers were just appearing. "Looks like we're punctual," she observed.

[sirius black]

A grin spread across Zara's face at Sirius' compliment, and it made him happy to know that his compliment seemed to mean as much to her as hers had meant to him. The look on his date's beautiful face when she saw the great hall was awestruck, and Sirius felt worried for a moment that Zara would disapprove of his plans of havoc, until he realized how silly that was. This was Zara.

"Were gonna have a blast!" she exclaimed looking at him, excitement and joy clear in her face. Sirius smiled back feeling his own enthusiasm mounting. This night, as she said, would be a blast!

Sirius pulled out a chair for Zara first, and then for himself, then began piling appetizers- which had just appeared- on the plate in front of him, "Eat up before the Maruaders get a hold of them" he whispered to her with a grin. It was only partly a joke, but that wasn't his concern right now. His concern was giving the girl next to him the kind of masquerade ball she deserved.

Sirius looked around the large hall, now filled almost to capacity, at the colorful arrangement of people. He recognized people from different houses had come together, and Hogwarts seemed more united than he had seen it in a long time. He spotted Christoph weaving among people with a very un- Rivers like smile on his face, and wondered what accounted for his mood. The sight of him didn't even bother Sirius on such a happy night.

He turned his attention back to Zara, "I am so glad you agreed to come with me," he told her sincerely, taking her hand in his. Before he had reconciled with her, the ball had been only a minor source of excitement, shadowed with dread of seeing her dancing happily with other boys. He thought again of how stupid he had been.

[/font][/color][/size]

[Zara Girard]

The food prepared at Hogwarts was one of the most delicious one Zara has, so far, ever tasted in her life. Sometimes, it ever surpassed that of her father’s cooking, and that was saying much because the Auror was talented when it came to cooking. However, that night, the house-elves had seemed to break all records. Zara had thought even looking at the variety of appetizers spread around her was mouth-watering, but taking a bite of it, Zara was in absolute bliss.

"Eat up before the Maruaders get a hold of them" she hears him whisper into her ear, and chuckled. “Are you sure they can match up to both of us, or at least you?” she smirked, and took another bite of the delicious food. “This food is a little too good, really,” she commented as soon as she swallowed her food. “Isn’t it?” she turned to ask him, and realised his eyes were fixed on someone.

She followed his eyes, and realised that he was looking at Chris. She sighed. This...issue the two boys had between them, Zara had a feeling it wasn’t going to end soon. She slipped her hand through his, giving it a gentle squeeze and a smile. And then she had to draw her hand back because the table top was almost slipping off. She immediately got hold of, and chuckled before setting it right again.

"I am so glad you agreed to come with me." For the first time in weeks, Zara was smiling sincerely again, when she heard that from Sirius. “And I’m glad you asked, Sirius,” she smiled at him, and acting on instinct, leaned forward to place a peck on his cheek. She’d have gone ahead and kissed him on the lips...but why not save the best for the last?

Soon enough, the appetizers disappeared, and the main course appeared. Half-way through the main-course, it seemed as if the dance was about to start already, since the dance floor finally lit up. The sight of it took her breath away. “Wow...” she gasped, her eyes not being able to leave the beautifully set-up stage that seemed to be glowing.

[sirius black]

The food was truly delicious, and Sirius could eat- a combination for trouble. As a child his mother would punish him for his rebelliousness with lack of food, and unfortunately it took quite i while to find a way around that particular punishment, so when Sirius ate he ate. He toned it down with much difficulty, not wanting to seem like a pig, but the house elves had gone all out.
Sirius chuckled at Zara's comment about the food. "Tell me about it!' he replied.

When he felt her squeeze his hand comfortingly, Sirius looked back at Zara and realized with a pang she had seen his gaze. The situation with Christoph was not what he wanted her dwelling on tonight. "Oh, no" he replied, smiling softly, "I was just wondering what had him so happy, thats all."

Sirius smiled genuinely when Zara said she was glad he asked her. If anyone should be glad it was him- being here with her was more than he ever could have expected. And then she leaned over and pecked his cheek, and everything was right in the world. He grinned at her, happiness lighting his face.

There was much more talking and eating before the time to dance came. From the glowing dance floor Sirius could tell the best of the night was yet to come. "Wow" he heard Zara breath, and a smile appeared on his face. He took her hand in his. "Shall we dance?"

Couples were already flooding the floor, and he happily joined the throng, hand in hand with Zara. He placed one hand gently on the small of her back and took her own hand in the other. Sirius had never really slow danced before, and was unsure of how to, but it seemed right so far. He looked around at the others out of the corner of his eye and saw them swaying and spinning. "Sorry, I'm new at this" he said to Zara, spinning her once experimentally.

[/font][/color][/size]

[Zara Girard]

Zara chuckled when Sirius explained that he was just wondering why Chris was happy. "Well, I wonder that too, but I'm just glad he is..." she smiled as she looked at her best friend, but was quick to turn her attention back to Sirius. She realised that the safest way to handle both Sirius and Chris was not to talk about one in front of the other. Simple and safe.

For now.

When Sirius asked her whether she wanted to dance, she grinned and nodded her head. "Of course!" she said she allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. She had to giggle when Sirius' hand slipped to her back. "You have to place your hand on my waist, silly," she corrected him, chuckling as she placed his hand on her waist and then resting one of her hand on his shoulder as the other found its way to his hand.

"Sorry, I'm new at this" she heard him say as he spinned her hesitantly. She laughed. "Oh please, like I waltz like this on a daily basis. Who cares about how you dance, you look too good for that," she winked at him, before moving closer to him, enjoying his warmth. It felt really good to be held this way, so securely.

"You're not too bad at this though, Sirius," she said softly, her lips brushing against his cheeks. "You must be a natural," she commented, smiling as she twirled again, eagerly going back into his arms. For the first time in a long, long time, she was feeling calm and secure.