56 | THE BLACK SWAN

    IF she is being honest with herself when Ben told them at breakfast that all the morning classes had been canceled for grades 10-12 because there was to be an important assembly for them — she should have been expecting something like this.

After breakfast, in which Winter shocked all her friends by scarfing down exactly five chocolate pancakes, 4 pieces of bacon, 2 scoops of scrambled egg whites, and two pieces of french toast (Harry was happier than ever at this), the group had walked together toward one of the many grand halls of the castle.

Lonnie had caught up with them talking Winter's ear off about how Emmett and she had finally got together and were meant to go on their first date later that night. Apparently, they were meant to be going to one of Mushu's restaurants.

It was not his popular Japanese restaurant titled after himself rather it was another that he had graciously named Mulan's Chinese Eatery. This restaurant was a bit further away than Mushu's and it served solely Chinese food.

"Yay, I'm so happy for you, Lonnie," Winter smiled in excitement.

At first, she was surprised that Emmett and Lonnie were interested in each other. Not in a bad way, but Emmett had always been a free spirit and liked to have no ties between himself and women. Not quite as bad as Jonah but he also was not one for relationships.

Lonnie had her head screwed tightly on her shoulders. She knew what she wanted out of life and where she was going. Lonnie planned on going to a good college after school to major in biology. She wanted to do something with science and biology after she graduated.

Emmett planned on traveling, in fact, Winter had heard that he planned to join Jay and Gil this coming summer in their adventure to travel throughout the different lands and kingdoms of Auradon.

Winter supposed opposites simply seemed to attract though, after all, look at her and Harry.

Winter frowned when she realized that she and Harry still did not have a name for whatever they were. They kissed and declared their love for each other sure — they also cuddled and slept by each other the entirety of the night last night. Did that make them dating? Boyfriend and girlfriend?

They had not even been on a proper date yet, she frowned at this but shook herself out of it as they walked through the doors to the grand hall.

Harry was behind her talking with Jay and Jonah — Mal, Ben, and Uma in front speaking about something else.

They all entered with the crowd of students in grades 10-12.

And upon standing around a grand ballroom floor — Winterfell had already had an idea about what this was about. The Fairy Godmother stood in the center with a bright smile, her smile turned softer when she caught Winter's eye.

Winter did not miss the way she eyed her hair but no part of the Fairy godmother looked upset, she looked quite happy about it. When the rest of the requested students arrived, Fairy Godmother silences everyone before calling up four specific people.

Now, Winter stood behind the Fairy Godmother in between both Ben and Audrey with Chad on the other side of Audrey. There are only a few special announcements in which the Fairy Godmother would call the four of them up.

"For this year's Winter Solstice, which will be happening the day after finals and right before everyone leaves for winter break the school is holding..." Fairy Godmother paused for dramatic effect, "... a ball!"

And like that many cheers were heard around the room as everyone began to chatter in excitement already talking about dress shopping and getting their hair, makeup, and nails done. Talks about who will be asking who — some VKs murmuring in both confusion and excitement as balls were never held on the Isle.

Winter even saw Evie squealing with Jane while Mal and Uma murmured to each other. Jonah looked to be filling in Harry, Jonah, and Gil about the fun of Auradon balls.

The last ball that Winter can remember being held was one that the former King Adam and Belle had thrown the summer before Ben's coronation as King. It was before any VKs had been picked from the Isle.

Since the VKs had arrived all that had been held were parties and coronations and cotillions. And while those were fun and extravagant on their own it was nothing like a true ball.

"Alright settle down everyone," Fairy Godmother smiled recatching the attention of everyone, "This is going to be a very stupendous occasion only open to students grades 10-12, students from classes under this may only attend as dates. Many people from around Auradon have been invited to attend ... all the Kings and Queens in the land..." cheers were heard at that and Winterfell wondered if her family was perhaps going to make an appearance: if there was anything other than a Royal Court meeting that would draw them out then it would be a ball, "people of legacy, and of course..." the Headmistress once again paused for effects, "our friends from Dynasty Academy!"

More cheers were heard at that and Winter could see Gil smiling in excitement while Harry patted his back and Uma looked at him happily. That would mean another chance to see his beloved.

Ben nudged her side happily and Winterfell was turning to look at the King. He was smiling brightly.

"Exciting isn't it?" He murmured and Winterfell nodded.

"Yeah, it's been a minute since a proper ball has been held," she explained causing Ben to nod.

"I know exciting isn't it?!" Audrey turned to them both happily, "we get to go dress shopping and change our hair and get our nails done!" She said with a genuine tone of voice.

She was still working to get her reputation back — she had been much kinder than before and much more humble. Winterfell smiled at her knowing that Audrey had gone through a hard time since this summer.

She could not completely blame her for turning all psycho, watching your boyfriend not only publicly announce his love for someone else while still being together with you (some might call that cheating, but of course, Ben had been spelled at the time) then make the girl who spelled him his fiance might drive a teenage girl crazy.

"I know that I, for one, will look the most charming in all the lands," Chad laughed in an almost snotty tone, and Winterfell could not help but roll her eyes at Chadwick Charming Jr.

Audrey clicked her tongue and shook her head at Chad. "Now, now, Chadwick — what did we say about humility..." Audrey asked and Chad sighed with a roll of his eyes.

"Ben you'll look handsome, I guess..." he mumbled and Ben rose a brow at that.

"Thanks, Chad?" He said almost as a question.

"Why do they have us standing up here though?" Winter was slightly confused, but before anyone could answer Fairy Godmother answered for her by catching the attention of everyone once more.

"That being said, the Winter Solstice Ball is a very important occasion and everyone must put their best foot forward. Legends will be there, royalty will be there, and Gods will be there. Ill-mannered behavior, fumbling, bumbling about, and people acting like hooligans will not be tolerated. If you plan to act as such then you may plan on spending that evening elsewhere — am I clear?" Her tone was stern, a clear sign that this was not a joke.

People nodded and murmured in agreement.

Harry was snickering with Jonah and Fairy Godmother threw such a scathing look at the two that they both cringed back.

Winter choked at that and nearly burst out in laughter but controlled herself.

"Everyone is expected to know how to ballroom dance at a minimum, there are other dances that may be expected of you depending on who you are to attend with..." the Headmistress's words were obvious, she meant that if you planned to attend with people of important heritage or royalty then you best know how to dance with them.

Royals were expected to know how to dance properly, this meant special dances that had certain choreography, traditional dances — ballet dances (which Winterfell excelled at). It was no secret that there were certain expectations and skills that royalty was meant to hold: singing and dancing at the top, but then again most people in the land could do that.

Royal people were just held to a higher standard.

"Behind me, I have classmates that some of you no doubt know very well. Prince Chad, Princess Audrey, Princess Winter, and King Ben!" Fairy Godmother announced motioning to them, she was not so formal in choosing to use their nicknames and formal title.

There was no Prince Chadwick Jr. of Charmington and the Summerlands. There was no Princess Audrey of Auriella: East and South Riding. There was no King Benjamin of Auradon. And there was certainly no Princess Winterfell of Ice and the North, a Protector of the Realm.

"Today they will be showcasing different dances that each and every one of you is expected to grasp — especially if you plan to go in attendance with someone of a specific nature..." again everyone understood her words.

If you were someone and planned to go with another of high distinction, you sure as hell better be ready to dance each and every genre necessary.

"With that being said, let our small lesson begin — there will be other specified days for learning, today is simply about watching and understanding. Chad and Audrey," Fairy Godmother turned with a smile, "if you will start us off with ballroom dancing: now children, it is important to note that there is the general ballroom dance that everyone will do. However, every person of royalty status or legend has a specific dance of their own that they will be doing for everyone. First and foremost: Chad and Audrey will start us off with the general ballroom dance," she clapped and scooted back toward Winter and Ben.

Winter and Ben stood on the sidelines along with the Fairy Godmother watching as Chad and Audrey took the center of the ballroom.

"Shall we?" Chad asked with a smile, holding out his arm.

"We shall," Audrey cheered, grabbing his arm the two strutting to the middle of the floor.

They spun gracefully to face each other, Chad grabbing her waist while Audrey grabbed his shoulder, their other hands holding each other. Fairy Godmother waved her magic wand and immediately classical music boomed from all around.

Many of the VKs jumped, their noses scrunched at the boring old-fashioned music. Chad and Audrey started to dance, swaying to the music gracefully. Chad was leading well, their steps flawless as they danced around the floor, Chad picking Audrey up and spinning her before placing her back down and continuing to dance easily.

General ballroom dancing was easy enough to pick up. One partner leads another follows as long as one could remember when the pickups and spins were in the music then truly anyone could do it.

At the end of it, Chad was bowing deeply and Audrey performed a low curtsy before standing back up with smiles on their faces. Fairy Godmother was clapping followed by everyone else — Winter took note that many of the VKs appeared bored and unimpressed.

Harry was among them, she and he made eye contact. The pirate pretended to yawn dramatically causing Winter to roll her eyes and shake her head at him before turning away.

"Now, most people's specific dances do not have words. Audrey's specific dance does — once upon a dream. If you are dancing with someone whose dance does have words, be ready to sing," Fairy Godmother warned before flicking her wand causing background music to start playing.

"I know you, I've walked with you once upon a dream..." Audrey started singing, gliding around Chad whose eyes never left her form.

Her voice was beautiful, much lighter than her mother's. Dances for the princes and princesses were distinguished based on their parents, but for most, it was a type of ballroom dancing. Only a few had different dancing styles.

Winterfell herself had different ballet dances.

When Chad began singing, he did his part perfectly as the male naturally took on a deep pitch when singing.

Overall, the dance was a whispy type of ballroom dance where Audrey was constantly avoiding Chad before they came together at the end and spun around the floor in a flowy manner. To be quite honest it was beautiful; however, it was still much like many of the other dances such as Sonny's or even Ben's.

The thing that made Audrey stick out was that she actually sang. Once Upon A Dream truly was a beautiful song and dance.

At the end everyone was clapping, the VKs now slightly more interested. The Auradon children had been interested from the start, many of the girls chattering about how pretty the prince and princess danced with each other.

"Perfect, thank you two," Fairy Godmother said as Audrey and Chad joined Winter and Ben on the sidelines.

"Now — Mal," Mal had jumped from her spot at the front of the crowd watching, her green eyes wide as she stared back at the Fairy Godmother. She was not prepared for this: of everything she had been learning since Ben and she started dating this sort of dancing was not it, "would you care to join Ben up here for a ballroom dance,"

Mal slowly nodded her head as Evie gave her an encouraging push, the blue-haired girl smiling to her best friend to ease her nerves.

"You got this, M." Evie told her as Mal took a deep breath appreciating the reassuring pat on the back Uma gave her as she stepped out.

Dancing with Ben in crowds at parties was one thing, but to be the only couple — her nerves got the better. She hoped no one expected something magnificent out of her. She is still learning, after all.

Ben walked toward Mal and met her in the middle of the ballroom with a smile.

"You're all right, just follow me — my dance isn't hard, just a sway ballroom style," he murmured in her ear easing her nerves at once.

Good, nothing too hard.

With a wave of her wand, the tune to Tale as Old As Time began to play and Ben quickly led them into a natural sway ballroom dance. He spun her out and back accordingly, Mal smiling and becoming more confident throughout.

Winterfell smiled at her friends dancing — they truly were an adorable couple. You could see the love in their eyes as they stared at each other throughout the dance, the way that Ben eased his fiancé's nerves and grasped her tightly.

They were each other's worlds.

They spun around the ballroom floor never once looking away from each other until the end when Ben dipped Mal back.

Immediately everyone broke out into applause. Their dance was beguiling, simple but the love they had for each other made it hard to look away. You could feel it seeping into the dance.

"Absolutely beautiful!" Fairy Godmother cheered as Ben bowed and kissed Mal's hand before the two separated.

Mal went back to where their friends in the crowd, and Ben came back to the sidelines by the royals and FG.

Winter nudged him when he took his place next to her again.

"Beautiful dancing," she said causing Ben to nod in thanks.

"As you can see most of the dances are easy, simply different types of ballroom style," Fairy Godmother had made her way to the center of the dance floor once more, "however, there are some that are harder. Prince Aziz of Agrabah, for example," murmurs went around about the Prince of Agrabah who attends Dynasty Academy, "will be dancing a traditional middle-eastern dance with whomever he chooses to attend the ball with. Winter," Fairy Godmother motioned to Winter who cringed but was not necessarily surprised.

Doing a more than difficult ballet dance caught more than a few eyes. Admittedly, over the years — the Ice Princess had become the dance that everyone was most eager to watch. Most of the time she would dance on her own (she had never brought a date) but if she ever wanted to do a partner dance with lifts then she would make Soren do it with her.

One year Ben had actually done a partner dance with her: Audrey had not been too happy about it at the time but got over when she saw how the two barely spoke the rest of the night.

"—I don't believe I've ever seen Winter do the same routine..." Fairy Godmother said thoughtfully, turning to look at Winter and she could feel the eyes of the class on her. She made sure to only continue to stare at Fairy Godmother, the eyes of the crowd would only make her nervous.

Ben nudged her side with a playful smile and Winter gave a frazzled one back. She really hoped that this was not going where she thought it was: the Ice Princess is unsure if she could even dance a proper ballet dance at the moment – it had been months since she danced.

Balls were not generally held through Auradon Prep — it was usually through the royalty of the kingdom. But seeing as this one was literally through the school and all her classmate would see her official introduction and dance as the Ice Princess... Winter could not help but shiver at the thought.

She reminded herself to stay calm. What she was doing before by attempting to conceal who she really is was unhealthy.

Murmurs went around the room, many speaking about the beautiful Ice Princess dances.

"Winter does some of the hardest and most intricate ballet dancing. Winter, would you like to elaborate a bit more on dancing that you do at balls?" Fairy Godmother questioned her favorite student with a happy smile.

Like most — Winter's dances were perhaps the dances that Fairy Godmother looked forward to the most. It was always a beautiful story that she was able to portray. Winter had lost count of the number of times Fairy Godmother approached her parents after the ball complimenting their daughter to no end.

Winter swallowed almost shyly nodding at Fairy Godmother and looking to the crowd. She walked to the center where she was motioning for her to come reminding herself internally that speaking with anything but pride was unbecoming for a princess.

Her hands shook by her side and her heart was pounding in her chest but she attempted to shake it off. She just had to pretend as though this were a class presentation — her heart stopped when she saw just how many students were watching her — a presentation with about five times the amount of people.

Her eyes locked with Harry, the pirate standing at the front of the crowd next to Uma watching her expectantly like everyone else. However, when they met eyes Harry was able to tell just how nervous Winter was inside, he could see that petrified look deep within her gaze.

Harry chose to smile reassuringly at her, nodding his head. As though reading his mind, Winter could practically hear Harry's voice telling her, "yer all good, ducklin'."

She held onto those words taking one last moment in looking to his ocean eyes before she gathered all the courage she needed.

"As Fairy Godmother said, many people of legacy or royalty have a dance that they are expected to perform at the beginning of the ball. Many people have traditional ballroom dances that they choose to do, especially when it comes to partner dancing as that is the easiest to perform," she explained to everyone with as bright of a smile as she could muster.

Freshman year of school she was placed in the Proper Princess 101 class, it was a course that only princesses were both allowed and required to take. Winter aced this class, of course.

She remembered the words that were constantly spoken in that class.

Stay present. Stay pleasant. Stay Proud.

"For myself — I, generally like to perform a ballet style dance. However, like Aziz — my family and culture also have traditional dances that I sometimes will perform instead," she explained, turning to Fairy Godmother as she was finished with her short explanation.

"Would you mind showing us a past dance? Oh, I do so love all your dances, especially the most recent one. What was it called again?"

Winter had paled — why did Fairy Godmother need to choose that dance out of all of them? She supposed she should not be shocked though, after all, the Black Swan Coda was probably one of the most impressive and memorable dances she had performed.

She performed it almost two years ago at the last ball, it was also the one in which she danced with Ben. Dance was a stretch, Ben was only really used to lift her as needed and that was very limited, he did not perform the traditional male parts.

The Black Swan Coda was so memorable because of how Winter presented herself at that ball — the Coda was meant to be dark. Winter had always loved the Swan Lake tale growing up, and so she took the original Coda from the ballet and added her own few touches to it.

As Winter was usually the last princess to perform, everyone had been shocked when the usually dressed all-white Ice Princess strutted out in a short dark ballet dress. It had been long-sleeved lace — a direct opposite to her short white strapless dress that she often liked to adorn.

Feathers jutted out for her short skirt, white stockings that had been gemmed, and beautiful black ballet slippers. It was intricate and possibly the hardest costume Winterfell had ever created for herself.

Making white dresses and gowns was easy but creating a magical black dress with such complex designs and those dark slippers ... hours it had taken her, hours.

The makeup was dark as well — everything about it screamed dark and evil. There was a crown of black jewels upon her head that pinned the white strands back. But it was the mask of black feathers that covered everything above her nose that was the true prize of the look.

It was a direct contrast to everything that Auradon stood on, that was why it was such a big deal. Not to mention the dance itself was sharp, it was a dance meant to be attacked with every step.

It was challenging because Winterfell had to produce a wicked seductress out of herself, not a kind princess. However, when she had finished it, ending all 32 fouette turns perfectly, she would never forget the pride she felt.

The roaring clapping, the proud looks on her family's faces, and the looks that everyone of royalty was throwing. She had impressed everyone.

Ben had dressed darkly upon her request as well, the now King having changed from his actual attire that night to a dark button-up and silky trousers meant to lift Winter for her dance.

Thankfully Winterfell was truly a natural with ballet, otherwise, she would have been training like crazy to pull such a dance as that off.

Winter realized that the Fairy Godmother was still staring at her expectantly.

Oh, shit — she had been asked a question that she still did not answer.

"Odile's Coda," she quickly answered the Headmistress who smiled, Winterfell only hoped she had not kept her waiting for too long.

"Yes!" The Fairy Godmother had cheered. "That one! It was beguiling, so daring! Would you perhaps consider performing that?"

Is she insane? Fairy Godmother wants Winter to perform Odile's Coda, a dance that had literally 32 fouette turns placed at the end of it on the spot like it's nothing. For one: Winter was not even warmed up. Two: she was not dressed properly at all. And three: she had not practiced ballet for months for Christ's sake!

Her magic could only stretch so far! Winter was not sure if could do something like that at the moment, she would need to rely heavily on her magic rather than her actual ability to dance.

Her wide brown eyes turned to Fairy Godmother hesitantly, but she could not hide the way she was looking at the exuberant woman as though she was absurd.

"Uhm, Fairy Godmother, perhaps another time? I do not know myself capable of performing such a complex dance at this time — not to mention I am not adorned in the proper clothing at all," she tried to explain but was only waved off by the Fairy Godmother.

She turned to the other royals for help all of them only shrugging. They were all aware of how exuberant she could be. Her next strategy was looking to Jane who gave a similar shrug to her mother's excitement.

Well fuck.

"Pish posh, darling — I know you can do this dance in your sleep," although, Winter had to say she was surprised by the Fairy Godmother's faith in her, "as for the attire — well, that is not a problem at all ... bippidy boppity boo!"

Magic encased Winter, the girl closing her eyes with a sigh. Less than a second later her plaid skirt and sweater had been changed into a short black ballet dress, plain white stockings, and black ballet slippers.

Her hair was pinned back as well.

It was not nearly as intricate and beautiful as the original costume that she had designed years ago, and for a second she considered changing it with her own magic. She had not spent all those hours for nothing, after all.

However, this was fine as well — it did not look bad, just not what she had created.

Fairy Godmother, since the VKs had arrived, kept her wand on hand and was now more open to magic. Of course, she still believed that magic should not be used often, but she did not mind minor feats of it any longer.

"Well," the Fairy Godmother sighed almost in disappointment, "it's not quite like the original, is it?"

Winter was surprised she remembered the details of the dress, but she supposed the dance and look did make quite the impression on everyone. However, all of the students were gasping in wonder and amazement.

The VKs especially were chattering in excitement. Harry was staring at her in wonder and Jonah's mouth was hanging open.

"No, but I'll fix that," Winter said.

Screw it, at this point she might as well go all the way.

Moving her body, she whirled around and allowed her magic to quickly make its way up. The changes were not too dramatic, and she held her arm out as the lace sleeves built their way up her arms.

Gems popped onto the white leggings and the black slippers now appeared even silkier. The crown of black jewels kept her hair back and finally, the feathered mask swirled its way over her face with her magic.

As this look had already been created she was able to use her magic to adorn it in a matter of seconds.

Fairy Godmother clapped with the royals behind while the class of students went silent in pure shock.

Evie already had her notebook out jotting down a simple sketch of Winter in this outfit for inspiration.

Okay, maybe that was too much of a show. Winter cringed realizing that this gave her far too much-unwanted attention, she had a feeling that people would be talking about this for weeks now. Harry was staring at her with a glimmer in his eye — the pirate more amazed and beguiled than ever.

Not hesitating, she turned to Ben.

"Do you happen to remember the lifts?" She said hoping that he did so that she did not need to lift herself by flying.

Ben smiled at her. "Couldn't forget it if I tried."

She nodded, quickly moving to Ben and the both of them stood at the edge of the ballroom floor.

"Make sure to keep the dancing floor clear," Fairy Godmother cheered standing on the sidelines with Audrey and Chad before flicking her wand.

Winterfell swallowed nervously, mentally going over all the steps. She reminded herself about the sharpness of this dance — she had to attack it. She needed to take control and pull the audience to her: she needed to be the black swan.

She and Ben were holding hands as the familiar trumpets began playing. Even if she had not performed Odile's Coda in a long while, she had practiced this far too much in her life to ever forget any part of this dance.

She and Ben quickly prance forward, stopping after a few steps and throwing out the arms that were not holding onto each other. Winter kept her arm tight, lean muscle on full display from how hard she was squeezing.

She drew up everything dark in her, and for a second she was scared by how the darkness seemed to come easily. It was not far under the surface and there was much more darkness than she would ever admit to having present within her.

It was not hard to imagine why. Beleth had done a number on her soul and with Wenlock being back...

She threw herself forward, ripping her arm away from Ben her eyes wide and gleaming with a darkness that was not herself. The Black Swan character seemed to be much easier to portray with everything that had happened in her life since the last ball.

The dark costume was a direct contrast to both her pale skin and snow-like hair. It was mystifying to see. She had already captured the undivided attention of every single person in the room.

Ben grabbed her by the waist, easily lifting her high in the air. Her right arm came up first followed by her left, both stretched to the sides of her body, and the girl leaning as though she were being tugged in both directions.

Ben released her, and as she landed she spun in one direction reaching out lightly as though calling for help. In the next instance, she spun herself in the opposite direction and sharply placed her arm to the side of her as though a wing.

That was one of the many tricks of this dance. Winterfell truly had to imagine herself as a black swan, she had envisioned herself dancing with wings that came to life with every movement.

She and Ben pranced forward in the next second before she spun sharply and Ben lifted her into the air. She was placed down on pointe with Ben holding her waist as he leaned her forward. Her arms were out to her sides sharply before she moved them up and down like the wings of a bird.

She could almost hear the sound of wings flapping — see the dark feathers making their way up her arm.

Ben tossed her in the air and she spun twice almost as though on ice. When she landed it was soft and she was on pointe doing chaînés around the floor — her spin quick and sharp. Her arms were tight, moving with the spin to different positions.

"Experience the story: she is Odile, the dark daughter to Rothbart disguised as Odette. She is manipulating the Prince — taking advantage of his love for Odette by pretending to be her..." she vaguely heard the Fairy Godmother explaining the story to the class.

"Watch how she moves with such passion — the darkness in her sharp movements!"

Winterfell was already out of breath, she was pushing her body to its limit. However, this was a short dance, the end was already coming up.

She could feel the black swan. Feel it within herself.

Her eyes widened from behind the dark mask — her mind flashing.

"Perhaps I should dance the Black Swan for you?" It was the evil doppelganger that continuously seemed to come back in her dreams, except now she kept flashing through her mind.

Almost angrily Winter spun toward Ben who gripped her waist and lifted her over his head as he walked a few feet. She made sure to keep her feet pointed and legs straight. He placed her down and Winter went back on pointe while lifting her leg high behind herself. Her right hand went up gracefully and her left behind her toward her lifted leg.

Winterfell quickly shut the doppelganger out. This was Wenlock messing with her. Her mind flashed once again to a time long ago. He had loved to make her dance for him.

"Dance, Princess," he sneered.

She blinked, coming down from pointe. Allowing the rage to fill her body, she encompassed the full amount of the Black Swan. Winterfell could almost feel her arms erupting in feathers and she set up for the last and most difficult moves.

Breathing deeply she quickly spun around the entire ballet floor, not paying attention as she was whipped by the crowds of students watching her in amazement. She could not hope to see anyone in specific when spinning that fast.

"Dance for me now! Keep going you are not allowed to stop!"

Her anger continued to rise and burn like wildfire. Finally, she stopped perfectly facing Ben who she reached for on pointe before going back to flat feet and hopping backward. Her right leg was outstretched wide behind her, the girl keeping it tight and not allowing it to move so much as an inch.

After two hops on she would go back on pointe reaching for Ben once more who followed only to once again go back to flat feet and hop backward. Stopping in the center, she repositioned herself and faced forward.

She kept her lips drawn in a tight line but behind her mask, her eyes revealed the worry in her eyes along with the anger.

"You will dance, you are my prisoner and you will dance when I order!"

Just 32 fouette turns lefts, she could do it.

And with that small bout of confidence, she winded herself perfectly and spun at amazing speeds, her arms setting out and coming in tightly. The crowd of students blended together the more she spun, the girl focusing on not becoming dizzy.

The crown of jewels remained tight on her head with each turn on pointe. Each time she opened her arms she envisioned those dark wings taking form, the sound that they would make, and the enchanting way they looked.

It only made her dance itself that much more captivating. No one could take their eyes off her, each watching as she spun perfectly. It was also hard to miss the little specks of magic that appeared in the air around her with each turn — so beautiful.

And finally, she stopped perfectly stilling with the end of the music and leaned backward with one leg outstretched and arms reaching up.

Winterfell came back to reality, the beautiful dark wings that her mind created gone. Thundering clapping and roaring cheering met her ears, a sound that had her doing a curtsy with a red face. Upon a look at the crowd of students, she was met with many faces of amazement and large smiles.

Fairy Godmother gifted her with a dazzling smile, Jonah was staring at her in shock along with the rest of their friends, but Harry — well Harry was vigorously clapping and whooping. The other clapping was too loud so she could not hear what he was saying, but based on the way his mouth was moving it was something along the lines of, "that's meh snowie!"

And it was then, despite the horrible memories of Wenlock that it brought up that Winterfell once again remembered just why she loved to perform ballet in front of people.