Firecatcher [A Hogwarts' Tale] - Intro.

"Marina, COME ON! We're going to be late! I need to take a shower!" it was Nati's distress calls from behind the bathroom door.

Marina had been in the bathroom for 45 minutes now, and she wouldn't get out. She kept saying "I'm not going", and "I look pure ridiculous!"

They had around an hour before the party started, and things weren't going all too well; Cho had repeated her make up around ten times, while Luna was having hair trouble. As for Natalia, she was in need ofa shower, and Marina's mental breakdown wasn't helping one bit.

"Marina, if you open the door we might be able to help you!" Luna offered.

"Luna's right! And besides, Jake adores you no matter how you look!" Cho added.

Marina's muffled shouts sounded through the door, "I don't want to screw things up! I have to look perfect and this costume isn’t helping!"

"Rina, how about you come out and let us be the judges of that?!? Seriously, my brother kissed you! It was just a kiss! The beginning of a new road, not the beginning of major self consciousness! I'm going to break this door down if you don't come out…" Nati trailed off with awe.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" Cho whispered with shock.

"You sure know how to dress up, Rina!" Luna commented.

"Seriously, enough staring 'cause you're making me more self conscious!" Marina said tensely.

"I am so not talking to you…" Nati mumbled as she entered the bathroom and lock the door.

"What did I ever do to her?" Marina cocked her eyebrow in confusion.

"You are so daft when it comes to your looks…"Cho commented as she dragged Marina to the dresser, "Now, fix my make up for me. I have to look like a real Elizabeth Swann!"

"And I want you to fix my hair for me!" Luna called as she tried yanking the comb out of her hair.

"Of course, Lady Juliet!" Marina teased.

30 minutes passed and 30 were left. Cho had her make up fixed and Marina and Nati fixed Luna's hair into twists, curls, and braids. Since Nati was going solo, she had the freedom of choosing her costume to her liking. She chose to go as a nutcracker.

Her costumes basically consisted of a short black pleated skirt with a long sleeve top. She wore red gloves, knee length black boots and on top of her blond curls she wore a tall furry hat. She drew a pink circle on each cheek as blush and some mascara for fuller lashes.

By the time Nati finished lining Marina's eyes it was 6 and time to meet their escorts. "Come on, girls, let's charm our men!" Nati called to them.

"I thought you were going solo," Cho said questioningly.

"Not for long. I'll pick someone up on my way to The Great Hall, if I don't find anyone sooner…" She gave her a wink and trotted out of the room.

"Major ego…" Cho commented, and then went on, "Let's go. We wouldn't want them to wait any longer…"

"I think I'll stay here for a while. Just a few minutes…" Marina murmured.

"Ok, but don't be late!" Luna answered her calmly.

Cho and Luna left leaving Marina to her thoughts. She could feel butterflies flutter in her stomach and she was nervous. Five minutes passed when she decided to leave to meet Jake.

Down the stairs she went, and across the common room to the portrait hole. She pushed the portrait hole open and stepped out in her blood red peep-toe pumps, the clanking of her heels on the floor made her prince charming turn his attention to him. "I was starting to think you weren't coming…" he remarked with his hands behind his back.

She smiled as she approached him, not only because he waited for her, but, also, because he chose the right costume. He was Elvis in his black suit rimmed in red and his black dyed hair. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world, but how did you know?" she asked as she stood in front of him. The heels sure gave her a boost.

"I see you're forgetting I have a sister which happens to be your best friend…" he answered slyly.

"Aha…" she answered as her smile widened.

"Now enough chit chatting," he pulled his hands from behind his back and pulled out a deep red rose and handed it to her.

"It's gorgeous! Thank you!" she exclaimed as she took the rose.

Marina looped her arm in his while holding her rose in one hand and her fake cigarette in the other. They headed to The Great Hall, which didn't resemble the great hall anymore. It was more like a barn; right across the entrance was the stage and in front of the stage was the dance floor, the tables were flipped wood baskets where as the chairs were hay stacks. The entire hall was decorated with pumpkins of all sizes and the ceiling was bewitched to a starry night sky; it was really Halloween!