YULE BALL EDITION - 15th JANUARY 1983

Where do I begin? The Yule Ball was definitely less dramatic than All Hallows Eve, but when the entrance fee includes free alcohol drama was bound to unfold. Generally, when it comes to getting drunk on cheap champagne we tend to allow our hearts to drive us. JAMES POTTER was one of the first to let it go to his head. To say that he had an eventful night would be an understatement. It seems like he has overcome his obsession with redheads (to LILY EVANS delight I’m sure) and has diversified his selection pool. Not only was he seen baking biscuits with NARCISSA BLACK the week before, but he was also spotted entering the wizard’s bathroom with EDWARD TONKS with his pants around his ankles. Considering that the two men came out with different trousers on, whatever went on there must have been so steamy that they couldn’t see who’s pants were who’s. Two down, a few to go. James then found his way to EDGAR BONES. Sure, sometimes a kiss means nothing like the kiss that LUCIUS MALFOY and AMELIA BONES shared whilst trapped under enchanted mistletoe. However you could see literal sparks fly as these two allowed their lips to embrace. Obviously Edgar’s kissing skills must be horrid as James was then later seen trying to make out with CLARICE FARIBAULT. Dearest James, I hate to burst your bubble but not everyone wants to kiss that mug of yours hun. 

Speaking of kissing skills, MARLENE MACKINNON thankfully refrained from kissing anyone which has apparently resulted in one less person dying than last time. Even RABASTAN LESTRANGE must have some skill with those lips, how else would he have managed to convince AUGUSTUS ABBOTT to hold his hand and dance with him? This debacle hasn’t seemed to sit well with Augustus’s friends. SAOIRSE MACMILLAN was seen exiting the pavilion in a rush and was shortly followed by Augustus who just couldn’t keep up. Whilst Edward Tonks, had other plans for the party. Not only was he seen arguing with Rabastan, no doubt over Augustus, but he was also spotted cosying up with ANDROMEDA BLACK. The two of them returned from a break outside, suspiciously smelling of smoke and cheap cologne. Although the two would make an adorable couple, I can’t help but wonder if Narcissa knew about that since she also seemed to be getting her fair share of Ted that evening. But “Rita, the Black siblings, pining over someone like Ted? Surely I have my facts wrong?” I tell you beloved readers, I witnessed these events for myself! Either this generation of the Black family have decided to disregard tradition and break free from their parents grip like SIRIUS BLACK had, or there was some serious foul play at work. Perhaps Narcissa was simply distracting Edward whilst her cousin REGULUS BLACK was up to no good or cleaning that ridiculous crown he wore. 

Speaking of the Black sisters, what was even more interesting and out of character was that Bellatrix left the ball without a stolen wand in her hand or in handcuffs. I suppose it’s good to have a change now and again, it keeps us all on our feet. Bellatrix was rumored to have spent the night with a Half-Blood, who I’m guessing was SEVERUS SNAPE. Snape was also blamed for hexing Jame’s pants but if you ask me it was James who just couldn’t keep them on. Bellatrix then left the ball in a hurry and was soon followed by Rabastan who abandoned Augustus at the ball. Poor Gus, breaking all those friendships just to be ditched at the end of the night. Hun, if you ever need someone to take you home, you know how to find me, x. Speaking of being ditched, HARRISON BAGNOLD was seen running from HESTIA JONES and towards the back wings of the pavilion. Merlin only knows what Hestia did to deserve that and someone should tell PATRICIA RAKEPICK that Harrison is trouble before she decides to have another intimate conversation with him. It seems Patricia wasn’t the only Gryffindor alumni making bad choices. ALICE YEN was also seen arguing with Rabastan that evening. Perhaps if these Aurors paid more attention to things, ROSALIE FLINT might have never gone missing. Who knows what happened there but that’s a story for another article. 

All in all, I had a lovely evening and was graced with many beautiful faces including HENRY GRIFFIS who could have taken me home but had his mother’s arm around his instead. I hope that everyone had a good evening and that all my readers got home safely after the event! It seems that the nights are growing colder and our streets darker despite winter coming to an end. As always, my owlery is always open and if anyone has anything they’d like to share or if there’s anything that I missed, I gladly respond to anonymous owls in my daily column. xoxo

Rita Skeeter Daily Prophet Scandal Sheet

@jamspctter || @oh-evans || @blondsblack || @badgepuff || @edgar-bones || @lxciuss || @ameliabcnes || @claricefaribault || @starryeyxdmckinnon || @youngestxlestrange || @augustusmabbott || @inkstainedmac || @andromedhs || @padfoot-chaos || @regulus7 || @half-a-prince || @harrisonbagnold || @hextias || @patrakepick || @alicexyen || @foolgraves || @henrygriffis

A Bouquet of Scandals (Chapter 16) - Scorpius/Rose fic

Her eyes fluttered open then, her head heavy and cloudish, and her heart oddly full. It occurred to her, after a few beats, that the silk sheets from her dream had transferred itself into reality. Which was—weird. Not to mention that sense of being held in that mildly possessive grasp—

A realisation was dawning upon her in slow motion. She felt his quiet breaths against her hair as he stirred faintly against her back, and then he was doting on her once more… open-mouthed kisses pressed now into the curve of her neck. As he tugged her against him, deeper into the cosy hold of his embrace, her befuddled brain begged to fall back asleep. But a mild trepidation had snuck up on her. She was in the Slytherin dormitories. The morning after the Yule Ball. In a strange bed. Flashes of the night before returned to her—too much crying, too much brandy, and…

"Scorpius," she whispered. – Chapter 16 | Read from the start