Edge of Reality // Oliver Wood

✧˖* 8 *˖✧

I stare at my reflection in the mirror in awe, finally satisfied with the way I look. A silk, burgundy dress hugs my body tightly. Ruche detailing makes my waist appear way thinner than it actually is, and the golden heals I'm wearing, elongate my legs perfectly. Dangly, golden earrings frame my face and a beautiful gold necklace with the letter L hangs around my neck. I got the necklace last week as a Christmas present from Dani and Nova.

Hannah gave me a Marimo. It's a tiny moss ball that is actually alive. It can grow older than 200 years and grows by about five millimetres per year. Apparently, they were often given as a sign of love and they bring happiness. But there's also this romantic Japanese legend about forbidden love. Hannah told it to me, but I was so in awe about the tiny green ball, that I've forgotten it by now.

I'm a sucker for gifts myself: I love receiving them, but I love it even more to give my closest friends and family presents. I just adore the way their eyes light up when they unwrap the cutely wrapped gifts I picked out for them. Nova, for instance, was so happy when she opened the little box I gave her. In it was a gorgeous silver ring in the form of a snake. For Dani, I got a new book about astrology that's really hard to find. It took my weeks to track down and after some negotiating, it finally became mine. She was thrilled to just be able to hold it in her hands, let alone own the book! Thinking of a gift for Hannah was challenging, but after a while, I thought of something marvellous: an enchanted plant that blooms a different flower every week. This week these beautiful Gerbera daisies are in full bloom and they really brighten up the room.

For just one last time, I scan over my appearance. My eyeshadow consists of a brown smokey eye with a golden shimmer on my lid. It took me a literal hour to do my make-up, but it was worth it in the end. My cheekbones have never looked this defined. What a bit of highlighter and contour can't do, huh. My light blonde hair drapes down softly curling along the ends. I have pinned the two front strands to the back to create a half-up half-down kind of look with some sparkly golden pins.

I look good tonight, I think to myself as I finally leave my room to meet up with the others in the hallway. We agreed to all go together to make our big entrance. I don't feel all too bad to be going alone, since Nova is also going on her own. Thank the heavens for that, I really wasn't looking forward to walking down those big stairs all by myself. Although I do feel sorry for her that she's still fighting with Draco. He knew how special this night was for her.

Hannah whistles at me when I finally enter their eyesight. A blush creeps onto my cheeks as all the others turn around to look at me. I give Hannah a big hug before I look her up and down. She's wearing a blue dress that has flowers embroidered in all kinds of colours on the bodice and a dazzling tulle skirt. I say hello to Neville as well who looks dashing in his black suit.

My eyes then fall on Dani and George. This is the first time I've seen them in such a romantic setting. I must admit, they look perfect together. George decided to match Dani's dress by wearing a dark blue suit and Dani looks absolutely stunning as well. When we went dress shopping, she saw this dress and knew this was the one. It's a beautiful midnight blue colour with stars and moons embroidered all over the dress. Knowing Dani and how into astrology she is, she immediately fell in love with the dress. To top it all off, she's wearing gold celestial jewellery: starry earrings dangle from her ears and moon hairpins hold her hair in place.

Even though I know Nova isn't feeling the best right now, she still has a smile spread on her face when she greets me. I think she put extra thought into her outfit tonight, just to spite Draco. And she did an outstanding job because she looks exquisite. Her hair is dyed orange now and it matches perfectly with the emerald green dress she's wearing. It reaches till her ankles and from underneath it peak her high, silver heels. Silver jewellery lines both of her ears and the necklace she's wearing guides the eye subtly to her cleavage. The tiny snake ring I got for her is wrapped around her index finger, showing her pride for her house.