Ayla took several deep breaths as she stood outside the tent trying to prepare herself for what she was about to do. Under normal circumstances she would have been thrilled to be going to the Valentine's Day Ball. She would have danced and laughed, hung out with friends, giggled with Winnie about cute boys, taken funny pictures at the photo booth and perhaps even stolen a cherish dance with that special someone. But these were not normal circumstances and for the next few hours Ayla Elizabeth Collins would not be a normal fourteen year old girl. She had a mission tonight and she was very intent on accomplishing it.

She opened her sparkling green gold eyes and pushed aside the curtain stepping into the fantastical world of the Valentine's Day Ball. The place was spectacular and the party already seemed to be in full swing. All for the better she thought. The more people were there the more would witness her transformation. She had enlisted Fir Cuween to give her a make over and for the first time since coming to Hogwarts Ayla looked much older than she actually was. Her raven hair had been tinted red, parted to one side and curled, hanging over her left shoulder. Her beautiful gown of satin and chiffon hugged the generous curves she had inherited from her mother. Accessorized with a heart shaped purse ruby necklace and matching earrings, heels and elbow length gloves Ayla was dressed to kill.

She felt multiple pairs of eyes follow her as she moved over to the nearest refreshment table. Even above all the noise of the Ball she could tell that people were talking about her. How could they not be? Afterall she was the smallest third year with the biggest (albeit worst) reputation. Callum had ruined her and one day she would pay him back for what he had done but for now she had another Knight in her crossairs. Blake had humiliated her, had made her believe he actually cared for her then left her to dangle like it had all been some kind of joke. Well the joke was now on him. If he hadn't been an idiot this could have all been his. Now he'd never have any of it.

Blake sighed and looked down over his outfit and provisions one more time before he made his way inside the tent where the Valentine's Ball was being held. As much as he was still convinced that he had done nothing wrong with the whole Ayla situation, he had done as Baxter suggested and made sure that he came armed with chocolate, flowers and jewelry -- to be sure that he had every avenue covered.

Hopefully, he could find Ayla quickly and figure out the root to the problem. The last thing he wanted was for her to be angry with him, especially when he had no idea what he had done to provoke it. If he didn't fix it -- whatever it was -- then the next four years at school would likely be quite complicated indeed.

His eyes quickly surveyed the throngs of students, searching for the familiar figure of his Hufflepuff classmate and friend. He seemed to go from one end of the tent to the other with no success but that was probably because he was searching for the "normal" Ayla. He was completely unprepared for who his gaze finally settled on. It was a girl who looked like his friend, but it could really be his friend. She was too --

What was she? Was there even an appropriate word that he could use to describe a friend like that? He certainly would never have thought to look at Ayla quite like that before. Looking the way that she looked and wearing what she was wearing.

Blake realized he was staring and if he wasn't careful, Ayla would pick up on it. And then maybe he would feel the sting of her glaring at him soon enough for gawking at her like he often saw some his older housemates do photos in pinup magazines.

The young Ravenclaw swallowed hard before he urged his feet to move in her direction. He hugged her gifts to him and approached with caution. When he was close enough for her to hear him, he awkwardly called out, "Ayla??