A Night to Remember (Zelphar/Alec)

[violethorses]

Yes, Azzurra had gotten invited to the older years ball, by no less than a seventh year guy. The thing was, Alec was really sweet too, and Azzurra had found herself often wondering why he had chosen her when he probably had a bunch of other girls swooning over him. It didn't matter, she was the one with the invite, and she was here.

Azzurra hovered outside the room, not wanting to go in alone since she wasn't in the right age group. Alec would lead her in or something, she was sure he would be later than her, she was five minutes ahead of their scheduled time, a first for her. Footsteps sounded someone else's arrival and Azzurra looked up to see...

[squiggle]

Zelphar, reluctantly in dress robes and a black mask. He didn't know why he was going to the ball, he didn't have a date. Perhaps some of his dateless friends would be there and they could put hexes on the food or something. He had wanted to ask Azzurra, but Zelphar, as usual, had not been able to get the words out. However, he had not been expecting to see her lingering near the ball entrance. "Hey Az," said Zelphar, making his way over to her. "What are you doing here?" He was fairly curious, the younger years ball had ended about fifteen minutes ago.

[violethorses]

Azzurra grinned at her long-standing best friend. It seemed like yesterday when she had met him, but it really had been quite some time ago. And they were still friends. Yet she hadn't expected to see him here either. "I got asked to the ball by a seventh year," she replied with another smile. She adjusted her mask a bit.

[squiggle]

Immediately, Zelphar felt a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. What would a seventh year guy want with a fourth year girl. He instantly felt protective, he would probably put a Disillusionment Charm on himself and follow them around all night so he knew they wouldn't get into any trouble. "Really?" said Zelphar. "Who?" Of all people, hopefully it was someone who would treat Azzurra right, after all, they might have some things on their minds that his friend was not planning on.

[violethorses]

Though he hid it well, Azzurra could always tell when Zelphar was skeptical about something. And clearly he was skeptical about the idea of her dating a seventh year. "His name's Alec Reese," she told Zelphar, hoping this would reassure him a bit. Alec was in Zelphar's house. "He's very nice."

[squiggle]

Zelphar immediately had to bite his tongue and hold back a wince. Anybody but Alec. He had a bad reputation amongst the Gryffindors, apparently it had not spread to people of other houses, as Azzurra would never agree to go anywhere with him if she knew the things that he did. And apparently all the girls he knew that had gone out with him before had nothing but negative comments to say about him. Alec was just a charming little snake, and in Zelphar's opinion, should not have anything to do with his best friend. "The thing with Alec is-" Zelphar began, then found himself unable to complete the sentence. "Just be careful, all right?"

[violethorses]

Azzurra looked at him quizzically. Be careful, what was that supposed to mean? And who was he to tell her to be careful with a guy she had just met? "Be careful?" she said, raising her eyebrows. "Zelphar, what's that supposed to mean?" He didn't have time to reply however, because just then...

[urdabomb]

Alec swept into the entrance hallway, interrupting some conversation between his latest girlfriend and some other guy. Clearly they were friends. "Hello Azzurra, my dear," he said, taking her hand easily. He then turned to the boy, a Gryffindor fifth year, how interesting. "Hello, I'm Alec," he said, extending his other hand to the boy.

[squiggle]

"Zelphar," he said, accepting Alec's hand and trying to keep a cool tone out of his voice. He did not trust Alec near his friend. Not one bit. "Well, have fun Az," said Zelphar with a forced smile, then ducked into the hall. He was going to literally disappear into the crowd and follow them the whole night. Zelphar bit his lip. He was already feeling nervous about the events that would come from this evening.

[violethorses]

"You too, Zelphar," Azzurra replied with a smile, but he had already entered the massive crowd in the Great Hall. Huh, Zelphar was acting really strangely. Oh well. Azzurra turned back to Alec. "Shall we?" she asked, still holding his hand.

[squiggle]

Zelphar wound his way through the crowd to where the refreshments were, and when he was sure no one was looking, ducked under the table, allowing the cloth to conceal him. Zelphar put the charm on himself and watched as he disappeared, more like took on the appearance of the surrounding area. He exited in the back and scanned the hall for Azzurra and Alec. He would have to be careful...

[violethorses]

Alec led Azzurra into the hall and they stepped onto the dance floor. Azzurra was a bit nervous about this, but Alec probably wouldn't care if she was a good dancer or not. Plus Azzurra wasn't bad at dancing, she just preferred to dance by herself. This would be alright though. She glanced around briefly. Where had Zelphar gone?

[squiggle]

Zelphar flattened himself against the wall behind the refreshment table, just to make sure no one would get too close and bump up against him. But the table was pretty close to the wall... Hopefully nobody would decide to walk behind the table. He then easily spotted Alec and Azzurra as the entered. Zelphar tensed a bit. He did not like the idea of his friend going out with Alec.