#direvent3

Isabelle stood at the edge of the room, sipping from a glass of champagne. She surveyed the room from behind her mask, seeing if she could recognise anyone as she stood waiting for someone to approach her. She never had need to start a conversation at these sort of events, it was always other people who came up to her. She flicked her hair back and took another sip from her glass.

For once in his life, Daniel was late to an event. Partially because he couldn't find any decent clothes in his flat to wear, but mainly because the Minister had given him a stack of silly chores to do whilst he got to attend his party. It didn't matter of course, as the moment he stepped through the doors he was off the clock and allowed to enjoy himself. As usual, the room was grand and beautiful, magical charms keeping the place gleaming, and the bar was stocked with every drink imaginable. He walked over and scanned through,trying to pick which drink to have first. "I'll have a brandy please," he said to the barman, fixing his tie and his mask. "This thing is so itchy..." he murmured to himself.

Finally satisfied that she was dressed to the nines in a fitted, full length silver dress with a mask to match, Emma apparated to the ministry ball. She loved any function in which she could dress up and socialise, and Masquerade Balls were a particular favourite of hers. One perk of being a pureblood, even if her family wasn't invited to all the higher up family's events, was that there was never a shortage of formal events. Making her way over to the refreshments table, Emma grabbed a glass of champagne and tried to find someone she knew in the sea of masked people.

"I've eaten so much today I won't be able to eat for another week."

"Why do these events always require us to look as ridiculous as possible?"