Standing under a magnificent Hogwarts crest, you can find a Receiving Line. Shake hands with some current professors, the Head Girl and Boy, Prefects, and the Quidditch Captains as you enter the school. Take a moment to share a story with them before you disappear into the beautifully decorated Great Hall.

Headmaster Gaellen Tate took his place at the front of the line, letting the other professors and student leaders queue up behind him. And now... he was ready for the guests to arrive.

"Put on your brightest smiles, my friends."

"Headmaster," Preston nodded as he joined the receiving line, casting just the quickest glance back toward where Eleanor stood, scanning photographs for familiar faces.

"The decorations committee certainly did a fabulous job, did they not?"

Preston, for his part, was quite impressed with their ideas.

Max slipped into the line with his 'professional' smile on display. "Everyone comfortable in their monkey suits?" he joked.

"My smile is always bright." Lilyan said, flashing said smile to the men, as she stood near, she had arrived in time to hear Kingsley mention the decorations, and took a look back into the Great Hall behind her, "Did you coordinate the committee?" She asked, impressed.

Indeed, the decorations were lovely.

Antigone held her head high, shoulders back, clutch in hand as she reached the *shudder* receiving line. GOOD MERLIN TATE WAS HAWT!!... If Tiggy wasn't a married woman... Anywho...

Approaching the Headdude she extended her hand and said, "Gaellen, lovely to see you again and under better circumstances. Glad to see you still on board." She gave him a thousand watt smile and peered down the line for any other familiar faces... Hmmm.

Maybe the only thing in the room that could compete with Professor Vindictus' sparkling smile, Celandine tossed her hair and stepped up to the receiving line, bedecked from head to toe in glittering gold. She flashed a smile of her own at her professors and the healer and the headmaster too, and took a spot right by her head of house.

"Hello professors." She greeted demurely, almost purring though her insides were totally screaming LOOKLOOKLOOKATMEIIZAREALLGROWNUP!

She just smiled though, and totally kept all that to herself.

Preston turned to the healer and gave her a smile. "I just arranged space to meet and materials." He clasped his hands behind his back as he turned his gaze back to those entering.

"The credit all goes to the group of students who put it together," he said decisively.

"I'm impressed," Tate agreed quietly, nodding at several people entering through the doors. "I'm particularly fond of the Great Hall decorations. I think they did splendidly."

"I think my tie is slowly strangling me. Cut me loose if I start to die," he quipped.

"Ah, Antigone," Tate raised an eyebrow as he took her hand. "Obviously, I have you to thank for that in large part. I hope you enjoy yourself this evening."

"Lily... an," he glanced at her. "My, the other staff members have a lot to live up to if you're setting the bar so high. You look lovely, of course."

Nymphy walked into the hall. It was magnificent, but before he could oogle he had to shake hands and the well-to-do people waiting at the entrance. "Hello!" he said to each as he past them. He gave a particular nod to the Headmaster, the Charms and Herbology professors, and his Hufflepuff prefects.....

Antigone smiled and nodded, "Yes, I suppose you do. Hm. I am sure I will enjoy myself. Has anyone seen Anastasia Bunbury yet, I do so wish to speak to her." Antigone let a sly little grin spread her lips as she shook the Headmaster's hand and walked away... rather rudely, but she was on a mission.

Her eyes moved away from the hall behind her, and towards the Head Girl, "Hello Celandine." She grinned, "Gold suits you. Very pretty." Well, pretty was for little girls, "Beautiful."

"Giving credit where credit it due, I see." Lilyan replied, grinning at the man. He was a bit funny, but not in a bad way, so she simply went along with it.

Lily an. Apparently that was her name now. She tilted her head towards the man who was addressing her, and offered another smile, "Surely you are too generous with your compliment, Headmaster." HOWEVER, she did agree with him, a bit. Heh. "I rather like the tux, however."

"Thank you." Celandine answered graciously. She totally noticed that between them they were rocking Gryffindor colours. That was a shame but Cela reaaally liked her gold dress. And she did have a bronze clutch as a nod of sorts to Ravenclaw.

Raiden Jae Kururugi had never been to... events. He'd never attended any type of Ball. His family was not of the status that was invited to fundraiser events with important people. He hadn't even owned a suit until last term, and even then it had been Plymouth that had bought it for him. So the idea of a receiving line completely escaped him; what exactly was the point? You stood there, said hello to those coming in, and... then they went on their way? That was how it worked?

If that was how it was supposed to be though, then... well he supposed it wouldn't hurt to go along with it. Casting a glance at Cela, who was so shiny that it should have been illegal, he added himself to the line, the familiar awkwardness he had used to carry with him noticeably missing. He hadn't asked Plymouth if he'd be here tonight... heh. He wondered, if his friend were to show up, if he'd notice that Raiden had finally found use for the suit that Plymouth had bought for him months ago.

He absently straightened the silver tie, eyes wandering to look at the decorations.

Vindictus kept smiling as he looked at Cela. "You look positively radiant tonight, Cela," he said approvingly to the Head Girl and Ravenclaw prefect. "Absolutely sparkling."

"Don't forget to breathe," he whispered to her.

"The students did a wonderful job," Vindictus responded. "I'm sure tonight will be a night no one will ever forget."

"Will do, boss," Vindictus guffawed.

"They're good kids," he said. And then, changing the subject...

"I do believe my sister hopes to see you at some point this evening." Why, he couldn't fathom.

"Of course," he said simply, still looking forward.

"Miss Toussaint," he nodded, taking note of the Head Girl's presence.

His eye was caught by Prefect Kururugi, then, and he raised an eyebrow. Teenaged fashion choices alluded him.

"Good evening, Mister Kururugi."

Celandine flashed a dimpled smile at Raiden.

'Dance with me later' she mouthed, her eyes flicking over his ensemble and of course she nodded her approval and made mental notes.

Lets hope that Miles shows up with halfway decent hair. Cela had no doubts that Nia would show herself well, it was all on Miles to make sure Ravenclaw looked awesome.

"Thank you sir." Sparkling for sure. Sequins everywhere teehee. "You look dashing, sir, but then I can't recall any time where you haven't." She dimpled at her head of house, expression mildly affectionate. She realised she'd totally miss him!

And just to show she was taking his advice, Cela took a deep breath and then winked. She'd done balls before after all.

"Hello Professor Kingsley. I like the ruffles." Celandine told the Transfiguration professor quite sincerely.

Thalia walked with Pat by her side into the Hogwarts Great Hall. LIKE ZOMG!!!!! She couldn't contain herself and was fearing for her life that she was going to trip in another favorite pair of heels. Professors, Headmaster, Prefects... she smiled at them as she walked by and practically ran into the Great Hall. Screw Pat. She was going to PARTAE! Hey maybe she'd see Aiden again.

Patrick walked, slightly uncomfortable, into the Entrance of the Ball. He'd might as well hang out here until his date arrived. He looked to see Thalia already ditch him and he saw one of his favorite Professors. Miss Healer Moretti. Hehe. What a past they had. Why not go great her then eh? Patrick made his way over to her and said, "Hello Miss Moretti. Don't you look lovely tonight," he smiled.

With as many times as the child had been in her hospital (not counting their lovely detention together) Lilyan would know Patrick anywhere, "Why thank you, Patrick. That is very sweet." And, very grownup as well. Lily was glad to see that he was acting like an adult, she approved very much indeed.

"I'll bet the girls will be waiting to dance with you." They should be at least, all of that trouble with them.

"Nice to see you, lad," Tate waved at the boy as he strolled past. "You look very dapper this evening."

"Surely you know you deserve it and secretly agree," Tate glanced at her briefly again. "Glad you approve of the tux, although... if the tie mysteriously disappears, I think we should all pretend we don't know who the culprit is."

"You look dapper, TOO, my boy," Tate offered a hand to the Slytherin prefect. Merlin, these kids cleaned up nicely. He'd probably have to shoo them out of the bushes all night to prevent secret smoochies, but it was worth it to see everyone having a good time.

Well, at least Vindictus would keep him from dying.

That was important. "You plan to dance, old boy?"

"I'm looking forward to seeing her again. Should I ask her to dance, or will you hit me?"

"Thank you sir, I try." he said, straigtening his jacket. "You as well, sir" he added, gesturing toward his fine suit.

Preston's attention returned to the Head Girl. He found the gold a bit.. garish, but what had become increasingly apparent was that he would likely not think much of anything the students chose to wear was in good, proper taste. Honestly, he thought his own sister should put on a wrap. He kept those thoughts to himself, however, and off his face.

"Thank you, Miss Toussaint..." I think.

"I do not hit people, Gaellen," he said, a smirk on his face. "I think she would quite pleased if you were to ask."

But, Preston would be watching.

Quite carefully.

Ellie hung her head as she stepped towards the receiving line. The proud tomgirl was wearing now wearing a gold dress and black high heels. She tugged the hem of the skirt, feeling that it wasn't long enough, despite its knee-length. Her mum had made such a fuss about this thing, she couldn't miss it. That and her family threatened to send a howler if she skipped. She even had a wear her hair down and put on makeup. Thank goodness for the other girls to help her get ready.

She stepped up, careful to not stumble in these alien shoes. She politely shook everyones hand, chit-chatting, making sure her presence was verified at this horrible event.

"And surely you know that your secret is safe with me." She replied, giving his tie a pointed look. "It will do none of us any good to have a dead Headmaster, now would it?" She grinned again, and turned her attention to the students who continued to filter past.

"Thanks, my boy. We old men have to work harder to look good, but I appreciate the compliment," he grinned at the boy. Not so old, was he?

"Then I will. First dance, perhaps. Where is she now?"

"Hello, my dear," Tate called to the girl hurrying past. "You look very nice this evening."