Beginners: book 1, Goblet of Fire

Sirius' letter

Three days before Christmas, a large package drops from a screech owl at breakfast. I catch it before it smashes my bowl of corn flakes, and feel the squishy texture. Hermione has a very hopeful look on her face.

"Is it...?"

"I think so!" Squealing, I pass it to her, my dress. Hers arrived just yesterday, a beautiful dusty pink with a layered toile skirt and square neckline. She still won't tell me who she's going with, but said warmer colours would go well. "Do you think I've got time to try it on?"

"Erm," she says, looking up at the clock. We need to be in class in twenty minutes. "Yeah! Let's go!" We jump up, ignoring our dinner.

"Uh, what's going on?" Ron asks from across the table.

"Oh, nothing, just tell Hagrid we got caught up in something if we're late, please." I've tried to patch things up between Ron and Hermione. I forgave him quickly, how would he know any better, I hadn't told him yet. But she still seems to be angry at him. And she shows it in the way she knows best; by being oddly polite and formal with him.

"Alright," he says as we sprint away.

"Oh, I hope it fits," I say as we run up the stairs.

"It will, and I've learned some pretty handy adjustment charms, so I can tighten it up if need be."

Very out of breath, we stumble through the portrait hole, knocking first years who are trying to get to breakfast out of the way.

Our dorm is empty, but at the foot of everyone's beds hangs a dress, all except mine.

"Oh put it on!" She says as I drop the package onto my bed and open it.

"I'm going as fast as I can, calm down." I rip open the paper to reveal periwinkle blue satin. I run my hand over it, cool to the touch, it almost feels like water.

"Come on," Hermione says, peering over my shoulder.

"Alright, alright." I pick it up and untangle the straps, she helps me lift it over my head, letting it fall down my body. "Can you tighten it?" I say, turning around and feeling the bodice tighten around me with the swish of her wand.

"Oh, wow." She says as I turn back around. I feel heat rise to my cheeks, a little self-conscious. She steps aside so I can go up to the mirror.

My reflection is there, but it can't be me. The flowing skirt just brushes the floor. Its silky fabric held up by a small built-in petticoat. Vines trail down from the bodice, embroidered in. The bodice is covered in these flowers and vines, hidden beads make it shimmer in the light. Spaghetti straps lead from the square neckline and criss-cross down my back.

"Oh. My. God." I say, staring at myself. "Is this a dream? This is a dream right?"

She smiles and hugs me. "It's perfect!" she squeals.

I hug her back and we jump up and down, laughing. "We are going to look like such bad bitches, I can't wait!"

She blushes, then there's the distant toll of the five-minute-bell. Faster than the speed of light, we get the dress off and hang it up in its bag, ready for Christmas night, and sprint down to Hagrid's hut.

"Sorry," I pant out, "We, uh, got caught up in something."

"Alrigh', les get started then." He says, turning us towards the shaking cage of sqrewts.

The whole day, all I can think about is the dress. Even through Malfoys taunts and jeers, I can't shake the happy feeling from my stomach. It seems the rest of the school feels the same way, even with all the work we are getting, most classes are spent daydreaming about the upcoming ball. The common room was just as crowded once term ended, nearly everyone staying back for the ball. With all the extra people, and no one doing their work, the common room was also quite rowdy. Fred and George were determined to turn everyone into a bird by feeding them a Canary Cream, which made them burst into feathers.