Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2013 0:04:20 GMT -8
There was a layer of clammy sweat on the palms of the Gryffindor girl’s hands. Every one of her limbs was shaking. The room was a sea of convoluted encounters dressed in frills and lace. There was music playing. Though her ears mostly tuned it out, she could tell by the way the figures of the once familiar faces, shyly danced, trying to break the ice with a shimmy and a fake smile. They were all painted up like pretty little dolls now. Their hair just right; their clothes pressed and neat. Even Alice had taken the extra hour and a half to make sure she looked absolutely perfect. This night was about more than seeing her family. Her name was in that cup. Why? Today she was questioning exactly that. Of course she wanted to be chosen. Part of her had to want this; but most of her was terrified. As the darkness of the evening crept closer the night before, Alice had been lying in bed. Her eyes took mostly to the ceiling, but every once in a while, Alice’s gaze would trickle down to Marly’s bed. Her friend was snoozing away. How? Alice had no idea, being a bunch of nerves herself was keeping Alice awake. But Marlene was sure to get chosen. It seemed silly to worry over it. Marly would go in and Alice would take her proper place there behind her best friend, helping her cram information into her brain. Just like they’d planned.
So why was she so nervous now? She wanted it. A quiet voice in the back of her mind was itching to go into this. To dazzle everyone, and be the center of attention for once. The shining star. Prove she wasn’t just the quiet girl who called the Library her home. The rest of her brain was trying to beat that feeling out of her. Why on earth would she want to be in such a psychotic tournament? There was a good chance she’d be killed. And an even better chance that she’d lose. The humility was washing over her already as she stood there in the dressed up Great Hall, her clammy hand had a death grip on the one next to her. It was Kasch’s hand. His gentle thumb strokes on the back of her knuckles was the only think keeping her from panicking at that moment. “There’s no way they picked me. I can’t do this…” With fear in her eyes that spoke every word of her inner conflict, Alice looked to the boy standing with her. He looked so handsome. How had she ever managed a date like him? Oh right. She hadn’t. Kasch had gone against the rules of Sadie Hawkins, and asked her himself. It had been a relief really. Alice wasn’t worried about rejection when she wasn't asking anyone. Honestly though, he would have been her first choice.
Kasch almost laughed, “Alice, What do you mean you can’t do this? You can do anything when you set out to do it.” The look on the boy’s face was genuine and reassuring as he stroked his hands over her bare shoulders. The touch made her skin felt like pins and needles as she shook her head looking at him.
“Kasch… I told off Riddle during my interview. I mouthed off on the very first question and then choked on the second one. I don’t even know what I said! I think I made most of it up. What if I get in trouble? What if they don’t pick me and they take it out on Marly??? Riddle hates me he has to I just know it and-"
“Alice….” He pulled her face to look at him with his well-worn hands. It was as forceful as he’d ever be with her. Kasch had the idea that Alice was delicate, and he might hurt her with just one touch. But the girl was not made of glass. Still, his gentle nature was enough to make a girl swoon. “Don’t worry about it until they call the names. We’ll figure it out then." With a swallow, Alice took his hand in hers and squeezed it tightly once more.
“Okay… okay..”
She could feel her parents over her shoulder, whispering to each other. They looked just as frightened and worried as Alice felt. Marly was not far away with her own parents. Her bright smile beaming widely. The girl was excited. Alice felt like this was a death sentence, a curse. And there was Marly her usual happy self. Taking nothing on without a strong head and an attitude that could kill. Looking to her right passed Kasch, Alice’s eyes fell upon Joram Mortelle sitting alone. She tried to give him a smile, but couldn't muster it. His hand raised slowly and waved to her. Their wordless conversation would mean more to her than she could ever understand. Joram tipped his head at her date with a questioning look. Thinking of Kasch made her smile. Jorrie just winked at her and gave her a thumbs up before being hugged half to death by his grandmother. The woman looked so pretty in her floor length purple gown. As she smothered the Hufflepuff boy with kisses, Alice felt some of her heart lighten for him. He deserved to be happy.
“Hey… Look.. They are going to make the announcements.” Kasch had tugged on her arm just a bit and it pulled her attention back to her inner turmoil. For a moment it hadn’t seemed so important. Now that she was watching Dumbledore address them, Alice was wishing she could just stop time entirely and make it all go away. The words he spoke were wasted on her as she mostly ignored it. Until her name pierced her ears. The clenching feeling one experienced when receiving shocking news throttled her nerves. The next names were inaudible to her. Was she deaf? The shock had rendered her handicapped! This was it! Now she couldn’t compete!! But… She wanted to.
Her face turned to Kasch. “He said my name.” His smile was huge. Ear to ear. The pride that seeped off him was tangible.
“He said your name!!!” Kasch's arms wrapped around her as he picked Alice up spinning her around. The joy and happiness she felt was a bit of a surprise, but she couldn’t bring herself to dismiss it. Alice could hear her mother sob into her father’s shoulder, and she didn’t even care.
“I did it. I can’t believe it.”
“I can.” The way his eyes danced was magic in itself. Their whole world was enlaced entirely with witchcraft, but this was the purest form of enchantment she had ever seen. As his hands cupped the sides of her sweet round face, Alice felt her heart leap into her throat, almost choking on it. And the next thing she knew Kasch’s lips were pressed to hers in the most delicate way. It was paralyzing. As though his passion had rendered her motionless.
They parted for a moment and she watched him evaluate her face for a long second. “Kasch…” With a swallow and another split second, Alice had decided that his embrace was so much more than she’d ever experienced, and yet still so simple. With a soft, shaking hand, she grazed his face and smiled, leaning her lips back to his. Alice could not have envisioned the night going any better. All she wanted was to bask in this moment. This was just the start of a very stressful year. But Alice was seeing through different eyes now.
“You going to be okay with this, Alice?”
Licking her lips, Alice looked around her and had, from that moment, made up her mind. “Bring it on.”
((Disclaimer: I have received permission from all other characters involved to use them as I needed for this post.
