The sound of excitement filled the air as the symbols of the different houses of Hogwarts glowed, shrouded in an orange light. Giant pumpkins made out of what seemed to be a million shimmering lights hovered over the tables, illuminating tables filled with candy and treats. Corners seemed to be crawling with real spiders and covered in cobwebs, but the spiders weren't real and the cobwebs were made out of candy floss. The feast had been even larger than last year, full of roasted squash and a dozen different dishes. Goblets glittered with sweet pumpkin juice on ever table and everywhere people were enjoying themselves.

Halloween was always a huge affair at Hogwarts, and this year was extra special for Ana. Together with the house ghosts, the dance team had come up with a performance to wow at the end of the feast. About half way through the festivities, the young gypsy had disappeared, along with a few of her friends from all of the houses. They had worked for weeks on the choreography and magic. Woven together, Ana was more than excited to show the whole school what they could do.

The music that had echoed through the hall came to a low rumble, and all of the students took notice. The rumble continued and with the crash of cymbals, golden lines appeared on the floor, swirling and swooping down the aisles and along the front of the room. The dancers swirled in, six on each side and bedecked in black dresses and glittering with what seemed to be diamonds. Their skirts swirled around their ankles as the beat began and the girls converged in the front of the room. As the girls danced, their bodies in time perfectly, the ghosts emerged from the upper parts of the room, their movements mirroring their lively counterparts. Ana’s dark hair shone as she twirled and swirled, most of the fellow students murmuring at the group’s talent. Just as the song seemed about to finish, the girls and ghost began to spin. Their bodies were moving faster than most would think possible and when it seemed they would slow, the diamonds from their dresses began to fly off. Each sparkling diamond would shoot into the air and hung their like the stars in the night sky. As the music came to an end, the dancers stopped their spinning one at a time down the line. The ghosts followed suit, and as the girls raised their hands towards the shinning diamonds, they exploded like a thousand shards of light. The entire room was illuminated in their glow and beauty, and as they died out, the dance was ended. Ana stood there, chest heaving and out of breath as a long pause stretched at the end of the finale. Her dark hair was curled in tight ringlets, the dress showed one tan shoulder as it swooped across her chest to one full sleeve. It took a full moment for their dresses to stop their airy flight after the dance ended.

The thunderous applause was deafening, and Ana couldn’t keep the smile from her lips. They had done it, and been successful. It had been such a fun experience bringing magic into dance, and with how well this had gone, Ana knew there would be more functions to perform at. As her classmates rushed to congratulate them, Ana’s humble demeanor made her blush brighter than the candy apples on the table.

It had taken weeks to convince the ghosts to let the troupe of girls join in their spotlight. Every year they were the center of attention at the party, but seeing how hard the team worked, and how big of a role they would have in it, the ghosts knew it was the right thing to do. The idea alone had kept Ana awake many a night, dancing was in her blood, it was something she had learned at a young age. The music of her homeland was very different, but the moves she knew could be used with any song, so Ana taught the girls. Twins on the team, Amabella and Ophelia were part Veela, and Ana was glad for it. The three of them stayed up many nights in the Hufflepuff common room planning and prancing, putting together their set. Only once they had managed to recruit more girls and perfect the routine did they bring it to the faculty. Many of them had probably seen the girls out on the lawn on sunny days dancing around like fools.

But weeks of acting like fools paid off, and Ana couldn’t believe how good she felt having accomplished this feat.

A jovial atmosphere hung over the great hall. To a muggle, if they were to witness this by chance, special effects would have been their go to. With the numerous illuminating pumpkins, spiders spinning their webs high above, and various other decor, it was all quite overwhelming. However, special effects was hardly the explanation. Magic. To those who were privileged to have magic run in their family, it was through magic that a great many of these things could happen. However, even within the boon of magic, filthy blood still existed.

Detric sat at the Slytherin House table. He picked haphazardly at a piece of half-eaten pumpkin pie. The elves had done an adequate job at preparing the dish, but something didn’t strike him correct. There was a peculiar aftertaste. It left him in a sour mood.

He stared to his right as Stefan, his close friend, recounted the last Quidditch match between Syltherin and Ravenclaw. “That pretty little Ravenclaw took the bludger hard,” Stefan said. He was one of the Beaters on the team. While the nature of the position was indeed adversarial, Stefan’s vigor as a beater was borderline mad. “Broke the tie then. Shouldn’t have happened against the filthy mudbloods. Keeper held them off. But Detric here kept our winning streak going. Took the snitch right out of the Ravenclaw’s nose. Spectacular.”

Detric nodded to the group of listeners. “I fear Stefan may be exaggerating things a tad” he said. “The seeker certainly had skill. However, it seems I held the upper hand. By the way Stefan, the Captain mentioned extra practice for the beaters. How goes it?”

“Ulric took the bludger to his head. Went straight to the infirmary,” Stefan said. He took a sip from his goblet. “After we got him awake, we continued. Next game is against Gryffindor. We’ll knock ’em down. You just focus on that snitch.”

Before Detric had the chance to respond, the room grew hushed as the grand hall’s door swung open. Emerging from the doors were several dancers dressed in beautiful black dresses. The girl’s swirled in circle’s as the dresses followed their motion. Tiny diamond-like things embroidered into them shimmered from the candle’s light sending a thousand tiny flickers in each direction.

Coming from an affluent pure blood family, dancing was no foreign task to Detric. In fact, each month, a ball including close family friends and strangers alike was thrown. Detric often entertained a dance or two with ladies who showed interest in him. Gathering happenings within his community was also a favorite activity of his. He would converse with Lady Comstock about her dealings with the new and improved Ministry of Magic, Sir Wilhelm Laughlin and his close acquaintances in the reformed Auror program — even Luke Watkins with his booming business in Diagon Alley.

As the sudden dance neared its climax, the dancers suddenly stopped. Detric watched as the diamonds on their dresses floated up towards the ceiling. Each hung there in brilliant light. Spectacular. When the song ended, the whole room was engulfed in ethereal light. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his fellow Slytherin’s shield their eyes from the light. However, he kept looking on, engulfed in all its majesty. Soon his eyes shifted to a girl in particular. A dancer with lush, black hair.

Breaking the tranquility, Stefan scoffed indignantly. “Trying to blind us with their stupid light tricks, are they?” he said. Several others from the table agreed as crude remarks were given. “Heard that some of those Hufflepuff girls — the ones dancing — are filthy, blood tainted mudbloods. Defiling this school with their steps. Disgusting. My family wouldn’t stand for this. You listening, Detric?”

“Stefan,” he said quietly. “You’re ruining the moment.”

“What? You actually enjoyed this? I can deal with the ghosts. But this …”

“Stefan,” Detric said again. “Be silent. You’re ruining the moment.”

The Slytherin took his cue though it was clear there was still more he wanted to say. Instead, he began to pick at his plate with the aura of a whipped dog. Even with all his bravado, Detric could manipulate him so. Just with some vocal inflections and stares.

As the night continued, his mind only remembered one thing. Who was that raven haired girl? Memories itched at the boundaries of his mind, but nothing surfaced. Intrigued, he made a note to find out later.

As the night continued, Ana found herself pursued by quite a few guys, most of the girls on the team did. She brushed them off, she barely had time to read let alone keep up with the drama a boyfriend required. By the end of the night, Ana found herself walking barefoot through the halls of the school. It was moments like this she SO desperately wished her muggle electronics worked in Wizarding places. Music had always been important to the young gypsy, and she sorely missed muggle music when she was away. Hopefully, she could learn something in Charms to help her make something play her music while she was in magical places. Barefeet padded down the stone hall as she made her way to the den that was her common room.

One of the many reasons Analetta loved being a Hufflepuff was the hominess of the common room. Never was the place cold or empty feeling, and on some nights, when she was so far away from the world she knew, it was the only thing that comforted her. Though there were many other students who were in her situation, that thought alone wasn't enough to make the young girl feel better. Right now though, thoughts of another dance swirled in her head along with worries about O.W.L.'s. A cold wind gusted through an open archway above, sending cool autumn air towards the gypsy. This winter was going to be cold. A shudder ran through her, and a hint of foreboding hit her. Ana stopped in her tracks, her weight balanced on the balls of her feet. But as soon as she stopped, the feeling was gone. She couldn't have even named the feeling if she tried, but as soon as it had come, it was gone. Quickly, Ana resumed her prance back to her common room and to the promise of warmth.

That night her sleep was restless, and when she woke to a blustery Saturday, she knew she didn't want to get out of bed. She lounged, watching as Ama and Ophia fought over whose hair looked more like their mother's. It was always a contest on who looked more beautiful. By late morning Ana had finally fallen back asleep only to be jostled awake by the twins. "C'mon, or we're going to let you sleep all day while half of Gryffindor quidditch team takes us out for lunch..." Ophelia took hold of Analetta's shoulders and shook her friend awake.

"Wa...?" Groaned the girl, but not twenty minutes later the three were rushing to the steps to meet up with four of the qudditch team. Ana couldn't believe the twins, or the boys who were sort of falling over themselves to make conversation with the girls. Ana managed to ditch an unwanted 'private' invitation from the co-captain, Ivon, but still stayed with the group as they made their way to the Three Broomsticks. Another boy, Travis was talking to Ophelia in a soft tone, and within moments had put an arm around the Veela girl. As they moved down the lane, the young gypsy found herself stuck at the window of Dominic Maestro's. The display was filled with instruments, many of which she'd never seen, charmed to play by themselves.

Even as she smiled at the sound of the tune coming from Cello's and a large harp, she could see the little chattering group of her friends getting further away. For a moment she thought of running to meet them, but changed her mind. Free from her school clothing, Ana wore a long skirt, long, warm leggings on underneath kept her teeth from chattering. Warm boots and a vest with a long sleeve shirt underneath completed her clothing. A patchwork purse hung over her shoulder and was slung haphazardly across her body. Her hair still held some of it's curl and luster of the night before, the curls relaxing into waves in her raven hair.

A moment longer she lingered before the window before smiling widely and ducking into the shop. The warmth inside was much more than she had expected and a welcomed change. The music was louder inside and she felt her head moving along with the lulling tune as she browsed through the rows of instruments, her fingers longingly running along some of the more exotic looking instruments.