ANCHORED || ADDAM

[Deleted]

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Ellie originally wasn't going to attend the Valentine's Day Ball that was being held by one of the Hogwarts students, but after considering it, she thought why not. She purchased a dress to match the magical identity mask that was included and figured out what she was going to do with her hair and makeup.

It took a few days to figure everything out, and finally, when the day came, she was fully prepared. And with that, her hair, makeup, dress, and mask were put on, and she was heading to the location of the ball. Entering, she could tell that she was out of place, and remained close to the doors for some time. Sighing, she shook her head and made her way towards the refreshments.

@addam •• OUTFIT

[Deleted]

He knew he wasn't dressed as formal as he would have liked, he wasn't used to balls like this nor was the customs of Hogwarts a thing he understood just yet. So he stuck out like a sore thumb at this ball, where you were supposed to wear masks and formal wear. Yet here he was in a loosely yet fitted navy blue long sleeve over torn jeans. Glasses pressed up against his face before he slowly nabbed a mask that had been provided. But if it had not been provided, well... somebody seemingly lucked out on a mask tonight. At least he knew what the purpose of this ball was, Valentine's day. Where a boy or girl professed their love, where couples made their way to closed spaces and mashed their lips together. Tasted the sweethearts that they probably stuffed their faces with upon their tongues. But not Addam, if anything Addam really just wanted to focus on getting ahead. Considering in eight months and sixteen days from this month if it had thirty-one days he'd be eighteen, finding it slightly embarrassing but at least it wasn't uncommon.

Clicking his tongue against the back of his teeth, he plucked his glasses off the bridge of his nose. Having gotten done reading his book assignment for Herbology, determined to take notes about the properties Mandrake's possessed later. He kept repeating the ingredients in the back of his mind as he made his way toward the condiment stand. Before his stormy ocean blue eyes caught sight of a girl in red, she looked far better than he did. That was for damn sure, but he tore his gaze away. Shaking his head as he mentally cursed himself. She was just a pretty girl at the condiment table, wait. Why was a pretty girl alone at the condiment table? The thought resonated the words to tumble out of his mouth. "You know, it should be a crime for a pretty girl to be alone at a dance." His lips slowly pulled upward into a grin as he reached for the ladle that resided in the punch bowl as he grabbed himself a cup and slowly held it out to her.

@ellie || outfit

[Deleted]

Ellie had never been to this type of event before, mostly because Ilvermorny wasn't for the whole Ball thing. She knew that Hogwarts enjoyed throwing them, having recently had that Yule Ball thing for the Tournament that was held here before the great tragedy. A tragedy that almost scared her parents into keeping her home and away from the magical community after the destruction of Ilvermorny. Thankfully, Finn was there to save the day and stop Ellie from begging each step of the way. She wondered if the Yule Ball was much like this one was if there were notable differences besides the theme.

Sadly, she would never get to see this Yule Ball. She had come to Hogwarts at the wrong time and likely would never see the Tournament in her lifetime or school career. And after what happened, she doubts it would come about again. So much death and destruction...She shook her head, getting her head out of the mass destruction that blood status was supposedly causing and went back to looking at her options.

'You know, it should be a crime for a pretty girl to be alone at a dance.' Her attention snapped from what was before her to look at him, he was not dressed for a party, but instead in what looked to be regular clothes? Who came to a party and didn't dress up? She swallowed, slowly taking the glass that he held towards her, and smiled, her eyes meeting his own. He likely didn't know who she was because of the magical mask that concealed her identity. She cleared her throat, "Uh-thanks for the drink..." she breathed out, unsure how to truly respond. Nice job, Ellie...

@addam •• OUTFIT

[Deleted]

He watched the confusion that played upon her features at his attire before he slowly looked down at himself before his shoulders rolled into a shrug as his blue eyes slowly met hers with a tilt of his head. "I know, not really dressed for the part. I wasn't... exactly prepared. Never been to a ball before." He stated matter of factly as he let his eyes wander around the ballroom. Taking in the decorations with consideration before he wagged his index finger toward the illusion magic that hung overhead of them of hearts and valentine related symbols. "The decorations here aren't as well done in the muggle world..... well anywhere outside of school. Just something about magic that can't really mimic a sentimental gesture of your own creation." He shrugged at his words as he let his fingers clasp around the ladle, getting himself a cup in return as she spoke.

"Uh-thanks for the drink..."

"You're welcome, of course, you could have gotten it yourself. I would have let you, but... well I got distracted." And he wasn't wrong, the moment he stated that he had gotten distracted his stormy grey eyes had wandered upon that red dress of hers before he slowly cleared his throat and looked down at the punch that was slowly filling his cup. Before he slowly drew the glass up to his mouth, taking a big gulp. He was better at talking than this, she was just a girl after all. Then again he was in a different school and people had different methods so, in some retrospect, he was probably doing something wrong. Did he care at that moment? Not in particular, it wasn't something that he paid much thought to. Seeing he often spoke what he thought, it was usually how he got in scuffs with other classmates. Because his thoughts left his mouth in the same motion, he couldn't help it. "I'd ask you to dance, but I don't know how to waltz..."

@ellie || outfit

[Deleted]

'I know, not really dressed for the part. I wasn't...exactly prepared. Never been to a ball before.' Ellie laughed, nodding her head in agreement. "Neither have I; this is a whole new experience for me. I don't even remember if Ilvermorny had balls...but I can say one thing, this mask? So itchy," she breathed out, taking the mask off her face and brushing the strands of hair that escaped with it back. It was then that she looked at him, smiling lightly. "This isn't really my scene...but I'm always up for new experiences," she giggled.

He began speaking of the decorations, and she agreed. Coming from a no-maj family, things like this were different from what she was used to. "I agree. These aren't half bad, but the Halloween thing was a little...eh," she said truthfully, referring to the Halloween funhouse that the school had thrown. It had been filled with muggle type inventions that they wanted to try out on the school.

She swallowed as he mentioned getting distracted, and a small blush appeared on her face. He began taking a drink of the punch, and she raised it to her lips, frowning deeply at the taste of it. "Uh...you don't think it's spiked yet...do you?" she questioned, a little worried. She had only taken a small sip, but it still tasted funny to her.

'I'd ask you to dance, but I don't know how to waltz...' Ellie frowned, looking back at the dancefloor to see that everyone was waltzing or something like it, and she laughed as she looked back at him. "If I'm honest, I have two left feet...even if you did, I would be the worst partner."

@addam •• OUTFIT

[Deleted]

"Neither have I; this is a whole new experience for me. I don't even remember if Ilvermorny had balls...but I can say one thing, this mask? So itchy," He chuckled, watching her peel off her mask. Blue eyes watching the nose wrinkle as she stared down at her mask before having brushed her hair away from her heart-shaped face. It was then that she looked up and their eyes met, causing a crooked smile to play along with his own. Before he cleared his throat as he scuffed his shoe against the floor as he tapped his fingers upon his plastic cup. His eyes returning to the decorations as she agreed with him, his shoulders lifting into a shrug as his mouth parted. Pushing out words that were at first thoughts, whatever came to mind. "Not really, they were called dances and the most formal we'd wear was tuxedos.. or nice casual clothing. Like this." He gestured toward his attire before pursing his lips together, obviously, it had been the wrong choice if he stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the other students.

"This isn't really my scene...but I'm always up for new experiences," He heard her giggle, which caused a smirk play along his lips as he shrugged, clicking his tongue against the back of his teeth. "Not particularly my scene either, I was trying to get caught up with my school work before this became mandatory... well either it was mandatory or I got curious. I don't remember, Hogwarts has this completely different way of doing things and I'm just trying to get used to it all" He admitted honestly before looking down at his cup and wrinkled his nose at the taste before she confirmed it wasn't just him.

"Hopefully not, because I'll find the asshat that decided to spike it and turn them into a weasel for twenty-four hours." He stated simply, though he was always a bit off with his transfiguration. So in possibility, this person could very well walk around with the tail of a weasel or the face of one. It all depending on the way Addam flicked his wand. Though as he set his glass down, not really wanting to drink anymore of the bitter drink his eyes followed hers toward the dance floor. Smirking at her laugh as she began to speak. "If I'm honest, I have two left feet...even if you did, I would be the worst partner."

"That's why you just wrap your arms around my neck and sway. Don't really have to go all Footloose in order to dance with someone." He chuckled, giving her a playful wink as he folded his arms against his chest. Before drawing his right hand up and taking off the mask he had randomly grabbed, setting it on the table near the punch and slowly unfolded his glasses from them being hooked around his collar. Pushing them back up on his face. "I'm Addam, by the way." He introduced, slowly outstretching his hand toward her.

@ellie || outfit

[Deleted]

The moment their eyes met once the mask was removed, she felt her stomach flutter. Or maybe that was just a growl? She didn't know what it was, but she felt something. She blushed, looking down at the mask in her hand to break the contact that their eyes brought. His eyes were piercing, and a part of her feared that they went through to her soul.

"Right...dances. I never really went to those," she said with a soft laugh, slowly looking up at him once more. "I always skipped. Unless Zen or Kay forced me to go," she added with a laugh. He probably didn't even know who they were, hell - she didn't even know who he was. Other than the fact that he spoke with an America accent, all she knew about him was being at Ilvermorny. He had been part of the sorting ceremony this year with the rest of them.

'Hopefully not, because I'll find the asshat that decided to spike it, and turn them into a weasel for twenty-four hours.' Her eyes widened, and she shook her head, "You'd get in trouble for that. It's not worth it," she breathed out, deciding that she would no longer drink whatever was in that cup. Maybe she could find some water around to soothe her dry throat later.

'That's why you just wrap your arms around my neck and sway. Don't really have to go all Footloose in order to dance with someone.' She laughed, shaking her head, "Is that your way of asking me to dance?" she questioned, a small smile playing on her lips. Seconds later, he was introducing himself, outstretching his hand in her direction. She took it, giving it a firm shake before revealing her name, "Ellie."

@addam

[Deleted]

Stormy blue eyes cast his gaze amongst their peers as they stood there by the condiments. Clearly, they were both really... not part of this whole scene, but that was okay. Addam was just happy he didn't have to stick to this charade alone, not that he minded. He was used to being a loner, but ever so often it was nice to at least have someone to talk to. Considering there was a reputation that Slytherin's seemingly had, not by choice, however.

"Right...dances. I never really went to those," Her soft laughter made him chuckle in response, his gaze slowly falling back to her as she downcast hers briefly before they met again. "I always skipped. Unless Zen or Kay forced me to go," "And were you forced tonight?"

Hopefully, not regretting it. I'm certainly not. He had thought to himself, though he didn't know who Zen or Kay was. He was pretty sure if they did force her tonight, then they'd be somewhere amongst the other witches and wizards in this sham of a dance called a masquerade.

Though as he had mentioned about finding the person who had spiked the punch and turn them into a weasel for twenty-four hours she reprimanded him that he'd be in trouble. That it wasn't worth it, causing him to shift his weight to the side. A coy smirk playing amongst his lips. "Now where is your sense of adventure? Don't tell me you're a good girl all the time... clearly, spiked punches are a troubling offense too. What if you and I are emaciated? What then would the professors think?" He chuckled, a teasing tone in his voice as he set his cup near the punch bowl near his mask. Returning his glasses to his face. "Is that your way of asking me to dance?"

"Depends, gorgeous. Would you like to?" He asked curiously before he grinned as she took his hand in hers, introducing herself as well. Shaking it firmly. "Ellie." A grin played along his lips before he drew her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Pleasure."

@ellie || outfit

[Deleted]

Ellie was quite the wallflower, though she usually was a brave soul. Maybe she enjoyed watching people dance and party, more than she wanted to do it herself. Though, if someone had come up to her and asked her to dance, she would have - that was before she disappeared with Zen and Kaylee and left the dances behind. Those two were usually the only reason that she would attend such a function, but often, she'd stick close to the door for an easy getaway.

'And were you forced tonight?' She looked up at him, getting lost in his eyes for a few seconds and shook her head, a small blush rising upon her pale cheeks. "Not really...I came to - check it out I guess?" she said, in more of a questioning tone, and shrugging her shoulders. "I mostly came for the food, if I'm honest. And some punch...which is sadly spiked," she added with a soft laugh.

Her attention moved from him to look at the room around them, listening to the loud music and laughing dance partners as they twirled around the room. Her attention snapped towards him at his next question as if he had stepped on an animal. "I-I do have a sense of adventure. But not when it comes to alcoholic beverages. Sure, the age in the UK is younger than that of the States...but...I oh god I sound like such a goody-two-shoes." she cried, looking at him before pulling her hair and hiding behind it as if trying to hide the shame she held in her face behind her long hair.

However, she took notice that he set his cup down, looking at her and asking if she would like to and she rolled her eyes, "I guess if you're asking...it would be rude of me to say no, Addam," she said with a smile. However, that smile turned to a giggle and a blush as he brought her hand to his lips and planted a kiss to it.

@addam

[Deleted]

His pale stormy blue eyes held her blue eyes for a moment, a brow quirking before a soft grin forming at the sight of her blush. As she thought about his inquiry of if she had been forced here. "Not really...I came to - check it out I guess?" She answered in a questioning tone, lifting her shoulders into a shrug before letting them fall. Prompting Addam to cast a gaze around the ballroom. Rocking on the balls of his feet.

"I mostly came for the food, if I'm honest. And some punch...which is sadly spiked," He bobbed his head in agreement, running his tongue along his bottom lip before taking the flesh between his lips. "Yeah well... I did too... but I don't think some people around here," he paused. Wiggling his finger around the establishment. Following her gaze to everyone having a good time in the ballroom. Dancing, giggling, more than likely flirting due to the theme. "Don't really listen to some of the rules. But eh." He shrugged then, tucking his hands within the pockets of his blue jeans. He was very much aware he was underdressed, but... apparently that was okay. Seeing he wasn't used to this kind of thing, he'd be better prepared for events like this later... maybe. If he got invited to these sorts of things. He decided to playfully joke with her about her lacking a sense of adventure, trying to take a leap of faith only to watch her stare at him wide-eyed. Oh merlin, he did it now.

"I-I do have a sense of adventure. But not when it comes to alcoholic beverages. Sure, the age in the UK is younger than that of the States...but...I oh god I sound like such a goody-two-shoes." He flushed then, clearing his throat as he watched her tug at her hair. Hiding behind the strands before he softly shook his head, downcasting his gaze. Setting his cup to the side, he picked at his fingers. Hinting that perhaps he was wanting to have a dance with her, expecting her to say no or deny him he stood there. Rather awkwardly, of course. But he stood there, waiting as he listened to the hum of cheer around them. Gosh, the silence was a dreadful sound. Why did he even come? But as he held out his hand, the other pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Smiling softly as she took his hand in hers, drawing her knuckles up to his lips. He pressed his lips to them softly as he held her gaze. Watching her blush and giggle, trying to avoid his gaze.

"I guess if you're asking...it would be rude of me to say no, Addam,"

"It would be terribly, you're right. Best not be rude then and dance with me." He grinned playfully, gesturing toward the dance floor as he held her hand loosely but still entwined within the petite fingers of her own.

@ellie || sorry for the wait!!! D:

[Deleted]

I can taste the danger but I don't wanna run
So pull me to the ground and I won't put up a
fight I'm a caution taker, but baby you're a
force of nature Baby you're a force of nature

When questioned about if she was forced to come to this Gala-type thing, a blush stained her cheeks. She stuttered through her response, coming out more like a question than an actual answer. His attention seemed to sway away from her when she added that she came for the food and punch, which resulted in his attention returning as he agreed. She smiled at him, "I think it's that and a way to forget worries. With everything that has been happening, I think a lot of people want to forget."

She watched as he tucked his hands away into his jeans, and then, he mentioned her lacking a sense of adventure. She instantly got defensive about it, before she realized just how much of a good-two-shoes she sounded. Awkwardness befell them, at least, until he kissed her knuckles and invited her to dance. She laughed as he grinned at her, "Lead the way," she breathed out, taking notice that their hands were still intertwined.

@addam

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

If you had told Addam that he was going to dance with a cute girl during a Valentine's Ball orchestrated by one of his peers. He'd probably have laughed at you and then cooped himself up within the dorm room to avoid such an anxiety-filled night because that would have been all he had been expecting. But... he didn't regret just taking a leap of faith though, to not study for one night and just. Well, have fun. It was the least he could honestly do after what he had gone through with his fellow Ilvermorny students.

Lead the way," Ellie had breathed out, causing a lopsided grin to pull at his lips before he nodded. "Sure thing," he complied. Drawing her close to him with the hand that was entwined with hers. Drawing his stormy gray eyes upward toward the tacky designs that were ripped off by the mortals with falling hearts drifting everywhere. Before his attention returned to her as he twirled her around and pulled her back toward him.

"I warn you, I'm not a very good dancer... maybe a swayer... but uh... I er... never..." And before he could say anything, he accidentally stepped on her foot. Not hard by any means, but enough to probably lightly scuff her shoes. "Waltz, ah... crap. I'm sorry! I honestly didn't mean to uh... do that." His brows furrowed before he let his gaze lifted, practically already wincing on what could be a scolding of some sort. Great, dance with a pretty girl. Dance like an imbecile, way to go Graves. He thought as he pressed his lips together.

@ellie

[Deleted]

I can taste the danger but I don't wanna run
So pull me to the ground and I won't put up a
fight I'm a caution taker, but baby you're a
force of nature Baby you're a force of nature

Ellie wasn't much of a dancer; if anything, she likely had two left feet. And now, here she was, agreeing to dance with a member of the opposite gender. She was evidently in for a night of embarrassment; she swallowed deeply at the thought. She prayed to whatever God that was out there that she didn't step on his feet too bad. The second that he agreed to lead the way, drawing her in close, her body practically crushed against his own; it's like the doubt melted away.

Before she even had a chance to warn him, he twirled her around; a gasp turned giggle, leaving her lips. She was pulled back towards him, and then he was the one warning her that he wasn't a good dancer. However, he was cut short by stepping on her foot, a slight his leaving her lips before she found herself laughing. She let out a laugh, one that had a snort attached to it. And once that came out, her eyes widened, and she wrinkled her nose.

She shook her head, "I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm just glad you stepped on my foot before I stepped on yours," she said, after a few seconds of gaining her composure once more. Great, now she was even more embarrassed because she snorted. Maybe, if she acted like it didn't happen, he wouldn't comment on it.

@addam

MADE BY VEL OF GS