Just beyond the lavish buffet tables and seating area lies a large, open space reserved for dancing the night away. The polished marble floor stretches out to the corners of the room leaving plenty of space for the gala's guests to enjoy the night's music. From songs of today to songs of the past, music throughout history is continuously played for dancing and relaxation -- slower ballads to faster tempos, there is something for everyone.

Floating above the spacious dance floor near the ceiling are several large chandeliers. The illuminated crystal beads from the light fixtures bathe the dance floor in sparkling light, creating a classy yet festive ambiance. The atmosphere of the dance floor is nearly irresistible so grab your friends or your date and take a spin to the music. The party's just begun!

Maybe it was the general ambiance or perhaps habit from all the formal dancing but Jasper Mitterbill, with his arm held out for holding, was careful to walk at his wife's pace. He had, of course visited the Museum on occasions before. It was hard not to when your best friend was such a lover of art and artifact.

"You look beautiful, my dove." He said to Heather for what was perhaps the gazbillionth time that night. She knows, Jasper. She knows. Sheesh.

This museum was fascinating! All the exhibits and the artifacts and the SMELLS and SIGHTS of the past. Harmony's aura was pulsating a clear gold metallic color as she took it all in, clearly oozing excitement and energy.

The red head was currently sporting a get up worthy of the late and great Arabella Figg. That particular Order of the Phoenix member had always been near and dear to her heart. The woman was a dealer of cross-bred cats and kneazles, after all. That interest in particular had inspired her outfit, one that pleased her inner creature lover to the fullest extent. She'd CLEARLY be accepting many compliments on her ensemble tonight.

Hearing a particularly catchy tune as she made her way through the growing crowd, the Department Head changed directions and went right to the center of the dance floor. Then turning on the spot, she let the rhythm guide her as she broke out in what were likely to be some moves that the ministry had NEVER seen before.

Ronnie was so very excited for this whole event, and after she had poked about all the very cool exhibits, she made her way to the dance floor. Because Ronnie loved dancing. It was one of her favorite things. When she reached the floor, she looked around herself to see if Jory was there but she didn't see him. Frown. She hadn't seen him anywhere so far tonight.

Not many people were on the floor, but that didn't stop Ronnie from going to the middle, where another person was dancing. She had a very nice outfit, Ronnie had noticed. She on the other hand hadn't put much thought into hers...just a simple dress and all. Eh. Oh well. She was in a rush before coming. Heheh...

"Hello!" she said. "I wanted to say I really like your outfit!" she told her with a smile.

Harmony was in the middle of walking like an Egyptian when someone approached, complimenting her outfit. The red head paused mid move and grinned, clearly pleased that someone had noticed her ensemble and approved.

"Why thank you! It does have a certain something, doesn't it?" She twirled on the spot, displaying the way the dress fanned out around her. "I just love that, don't you?" The twirling, that is. It made her feel free and the dizzying sensation took her back to childhood.

"I'm Harmony Skylark, by the way."

Feeling rather stunning in her fabulous new dress, Mariel walked through the museum, a smile ever present on her face and her hand resting on Jorge's arm. She wasn't sure she could be in a better mood, relishing the chance to dress up in formal wear, and what better way to show off her newly engaged self and her fiance than with a lavish gala. It had been some time since she had visited the museum for leisure reasons, but it please her to see it all decked out for their event - it was quite striking.

Slowing just past the seating area, Mariel look back towards the food then over at the dance floor as a few couples began making their way out there. "Want to dance a bit before we get something to eat?" she asked Jorge as she turned her green eyes towards him. She did enjoy dancing with him and certainly wouldn't mind being close. Stepping a bit closer, she lightly tugged on his shirt collar and grinned a bit before biting her lip. "You look gorgeous, by the way." Not that she didn't think he always did, but she did enjoy very much when he dressed really nice.

He was at a ministry function. If he would have bet his life on this happening a few years ago he would have been dead wrong, but he was here with the most beautiful woman there. He knew this because of course he was looking around. Letting Mariel lead him around, he figured he'd let her take charge for the evening, it was her thing after all. He just took in the sights, never being here before, he had many things to see.

His brown eyes fell on her as she stopped and turned towards him. "Dancing with you." His signature smirk on his face, "You know I like to dance with you. Though dancing always makes me forget about food and think more on you." Leaning in he gave her a small kiss. Not minding to dress up and knowing he looked good his grin just stayed as she said he looked gorgeous. "Well I had to be, couldn't have you looking breath taking and me not trying to at least try to look nice." Chuckling he lead the way towards the dance floor.

Putting his arms around her and pulling her close he began dancing to the slower song that had just began. "Think they have any Salsa? You've gotten pretty good at that." Maybe they'd have to go visit their favorite little Salsa place again soon. It was always fun there.

Mariel's smile grew at his words as she looked into his face. "Dancing with me," she repeated back to him, then chuckled a bit as he continued. She knew that fact all too well. "Your thoughts focused on me.. not something I would mind at all." Her hand at his collar slid around to the back of his neck and she pulled herself in closer, kissing him back as he leaned in. She returned the grin as he repaid the compliment. She knew she looked good but it was always great to hear and she was especially glad that he thought so. "You look nice without even trying," she said with a chuckle as he led her out to the dance floor. "We make a great looking couple."

She put her arms around his neck, moving in closer as he pulled her to him, and began dancing with him. "Salsa?" she slowly grinned as she thought about it. She had to admit that she did enjoy when they went Salsa dancing. "Maybe we'll have to make it a point to request it," she said, her voice low, next to his ear. Where could they do that? Green eyes flickered around a bit but she wasn't exactly sure where the music was coming from, not that it was her primary concern at the moment. "I'm sure I could use some more.. practice, though."

Her thoughts lost for a few moments as they continued dancing, she looked at him with a softer smile. "I'm glad you agreed to come with me." She knew the Ministry wasn't really his thing, but she was rather excited about the gala and really wanted him to go as well.

Well, she was here. In a very tight dress and very high heels, so the party better be a good one. Mae walked across the room slowly, keeping her eye out for her 'date'. Her very last minute date, who had invited her to this thing, like, an hour ago. It was a good thing she had gotten paid that day, or else she wouldn't have bought a dress that expensive. Although, she did get quite a deal on it....

Anyway, where was the blue-eyed bloke she was supposed to be with? She didn't want to look like a loner, all by herself here... Oh, Merlin, was she in the dance floor? Errrrrp. Walk away...

Ronnie beamed, nodding. "Definitely!" she said, eyeing the dress as the woman spun around. She chuckled, wondering for a moment where she had gotten the dress because she actually really did like it herself. Looking up to her face, she nodded. "I do! It's very nice." she replied with a smile.

Oh yeah, Ronnie should have introduced herself long ago hadn't she? "It's nice to meet you, Harmony! I'm Ronnie Hawkins." she introduced herself, shaking Harmony's hand. "So, what do you do in the ministry?" she asked as she swayed a bit to the music playing.

He really couldn’t deny they were a stunning couple and he enjoyed this fact. It was a huge reason he was so attracted to her. She was so confident in herself. Yes, Mariel had always been very different than the flings he had before. Which proved why it was her that got to him and made him commit. “Well I had to try at least this once for you.” He stayed close dancing with her. “We might put all these other couples to shame with our looks.” A chuckled followed even if he was only half joking.

Requesting salsa sounded like a good idea, “Maybe we should.” Then seeing her eyes look around a bit he smirked, “I could find the place.” Obviously he was thinking of other things, but the dancing right now seemed nice. “I can give you all the practice you need, but I think you do a great job.” She was fantastic in everything she did.

As they continued dancing his eyes focused back on her when she spoke again, “Where else would I be?” She was a Department Head and expected to be there, plus as good as she looked if he wasn’t she was sure to be hit on. He was enjoying himself for the most part too. So it was a good evening all the way around. “Do you have duties you have to withhold being here or do I get you all to myself all evening?” Not that he couldn’t have her every day to himself after work at home, but he was having fun dancing and wasn’t sure if she had to do other things. “Will Victoria be here?” The only other person he really knew from the ministry.

There were two things that were on Jamie's mind. Dancing and Athena. Athena was always on his mind. Jamie had a feeling that he would be seeing her at some point tonight but he didn't see her on the dance floor. Jamie just wanted to get his dance on. The healer walked out on to the dance floor, a slow song was playing and he had no date and barely knew anyone here or even at the Ministry. He knew people in his department and he knew Vic but he didn't know where any of those people were.

Jamie watched everyone slow dancing for a moment and then joined in by putting his hands on his invisible dance partners waist and the other at its hand. He danced a bit off key but was spinning his fake partner around and around and then up and down and dips and kicks. Everything he could think of.

Kade was basically wandering, trying his best not to look like a lost puppy. He felt bad for inviting Mae to this thing and then losing her. Even if it was last-minute, she was still his date and she probably didn't know too many people - if any - here. Not that he had any doubt that she wouldn't make her own friends...

But that wasn't necessary. Because Kaden saw the woman exiting the dance floor. He caught her hand and twirled her into him (quite smoothly, if you asked him). "Hey," he said with a smirk, "there you are. You wanna dance?" He backed onto the dance floor without waiting for an answer, not taking the eyes off the woman in front of him. "You can dance with those heels on, can't you?" Wouldn't want her to hurt herself.

Enjoying being in his arms for the moment, Mariel continued dancing closely with Jorge, still smiling as he spoke. "I do appreciate the effort." She really did think he looked good in pretty much anything, but dressing nice really added something, especially when they both looked fantastic together. She laughed a little at his words, not bothering to pull her eyes away from him. "I think you might be right about that. It really isn't fair, is it?" she chuckled, joking, though it wasn't something she thought untrue. She was certain they were the best looking pair there and wouldn't be surprised if everyone's eyes were on them in the middle of the dance floor. She pulled her arms tighter around him as she moved in to kiss his lips.

Lost in her thoughts a bit, she nodded vaguely, agreeing that they should request some salsa music if they could. She did enjoy when they went to that little restaurant and maybe they could have some fun here reminiscent of that place too. Then her eyes snapped to his and she gave him a smirky sort of grin at his words. "Oh could you? I may hold you to that.." She was certain he could, though maybe later.. she was enjoying being right where she was for now. She kissed his cheek as she leaned closer to his ear. "Maybe I just like the practice."

She did offer him a sweet smile as he looked back at her while they danced. Of course he would be with her here, but she was still appreciative of how supportive he was of her and her job. She would have had to make at least an appearance even if he didn't want to go, but she would have a much better time with him here. "I suppose I need to make myself somewhat available for new employees," she said with a light shrug. "But I'm yours as long as I can be. My primary focus this evening is having a good time with you." She knew that the gala was much for mingling with Ministry employees and for something of an orientation for new people, but it was her intent to spend her time with him. It wasn't every day that they got to do something like this. "Oh, I think so.. I mean, I hope she is," she said regarding Vic as she glanced out towards the tables of dining people. "She started dating someone recently, I hope he was able to come with her. She could use a nice night out, I'm sure."

She was doing her best to sneak away before some weirdo tried to ask her for a dance, but she didn't make it. Some weirdo (who she knew was her date) grabbed her hand before she could escape AND twirled her into his side. "Oh. Hi. Wow." Mae patted his chest a couple times. "That was smooth."

And no, she did NOT want to dance, but he was already dragging her back onto the floor. She was about to whine and stomp and complain, but then she saw him eye and question her choice of shoes. "Yes," she answered stubbornly, putting her free hand on Kade's upper forearm. "But you better make this good. No amount of cushioning charms could make these foot traps of death comfortable." Just sayin'.

The twirling had sparked Harmony's desire to dance and so she did it again, this time coming out of the turn a bit wobbly due to her heels. She never understood the idea of heels. The shoes were so constricting on her feet and she felt like every little toe had been jailed and was longing to be free. Maybe once she took a seat she could slip out of them. Yes, that sounded like the best plan.

"Ronnie Hawkins, a pleasure." Harmony beamed at the younger woman and committed her name to memory. She had a positive aura, this one. Bright pink and radiating positive vibes.

As Harmony waved her arms above her head to the music, she smiled at Ronnie's question. "Oh, I'm the Creatures Department Head." She was clearly proud of this fact, something that was reflected in her tone. "And you?"

Kade chuckled, glancing down at the hand on his chest then looking back up at Mae's face. "I thought so." It was more luck than anything that they hadn't tripped and fallen into a heap on the ground... but he wasn't going to say that. Better to let her think he expected it all to go smoothly.

He raised his eyebrows. Make it good? Kade placed a hand on Mae's waist and the other on her shoulderblade. "I'm offended. Of course I'll make it good." As long as she was talking about the dance. He couldn't do anything about her shoes.

So he started dancing, looking around the dance floor before back at the woman in front of him. "So what do you think so far? Of this party thing."

Jasmine decided to take on the floor. She wanted to dance and noticed the music didn't sound too bad. Then she heard the band playing her favorite song. She grinned and was dancing a little bit. Then she noticed a man was dancing with no one there. She grinned and decided to intrude. "Hello there.." she said hoping not to startle him.

Ronnie smiled. Harmony seemed like a really nice person, she was glad to have met her and that she was letting her hang around her on the dance floor. Because Ronnie hadn't quite seen anyone she really knew too well and she didn't want to be alone. She was always wanting to talk and be around people!

"Yeah? That's cool," she said. She had thought of being in that department, actually. It seemed interesting, she'd have to ask Harmony about it later. "Oh I'm the personal assistant in the Environmental Protection department." she answered with a small nod. "So, how long have you been in the ministry?" she then asked. Ronnie was still a bit new to the place, so she didn't know many people. Yet.

The thirty-three year old spun his fake date around twice and then did the dips. Oh so romantic. Jamie heard the music change, well that was out of nowhere, yeah? Jamie blinked a few times and looked over at his invisible partner and shrugged at her. Jamie listened to the song for a little bit and it didn't even seem like a bad song, he could totally dance off beat on it. Jamie heard a voice talking to him as he listened to the song. His eyes searched around around for the voice and then he looked down to see a blonde haired girl. "HEY! Nice music!" He nodded his head long to the much but he was way off beat.

Jasmine chuckled and noticed he was nodding his head off beat. "Yeah...it is nice music.." she wondered if he was doing it purposely or needed someone to dance with. She got the courage to ask him, she was so nervous her fingernails were digging into her palms. "Listen I was gonna dance to the music and I was wondering if you wanted to dance...with me?" she asked. Dang she hated this. She didn't even know if he had a date but judging by the fact he danced alone, the odds were in her favor. Why not dance with a stranger right?

The thirty-three year old stopped his off beat head bopping when he saw the girl. Was that like him? Nope. Jamie smiled at the girl when she agreed that the music was nice. Nice music make people happy and happy people were awesome. Jamie was a happy person and it wasn't that hard to be happy at all. Did she just ask him to dance with her? That was the first time someone had ever asked him to dance. "I would love to." Jamie beamed. This was great, but really bad for his fake dance partner thought, oh well.

Wait....did he just say YES? She thought she heard incorrectly. But she smiled when he smiled. She couldn't believe it worked. She finally got a cute guy to dance with her. "Then let's show these people what we are made of..." she challenged him. She was sort of flirting with him but he probably wasn't even noticing one bit. She took his hand and lead him towards the dance floor. She was soo happy, her heart was soaring.

As she entered the middle of the dance floor with the guy trailing behind her, she kept her distance a little bit and starting dancing. She was even laughing having an amazing time. Now she had to ask some questions..."So what is your name?"

For a minute - possibly more, Cole thought she was going to reject him and say it would be awkward and stuff because of their history. And it did register to him that he was getting disappointed even before she said no. Because you know - he really was hoping for a dance. And yeah.

But then she smiled and said yes! Cole couldn't have grinned wider. Without a word, he offered her his arm and lead her to the dance floor.

It did occur to him that it was not going to be easy dancing in that dress of hers but he didn't care. Gripping her hand in one of his, and placing the other gingerly on her waist, Cole moved. "How long has it been since we did this?" he asked, all smiles.

Well he certainly didn't waste a moment as he took Alex's hand in his and found her waist with his other hand. Placing her other hand on his shoulder, she felt her cheeks growing warm at his question. Such smiles.

"This? Dancing with me in a hoop dress? We've never done this," she laughed, reveling in the challenge, yet enjoying it. She shook her head, reminiscing as she mentally calculated the years... "But general dancing.... It must have been at least fifteen years. I doubt we could've danced like this back then though." They were just kids after all. They had experience now. They were better.