𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 ✔︎ ━ 𝖱𝖨𝖣𝖣𝖫𝖤

𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍: 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐒𝐄

The rest of my evening was spent alone, quiet.

I had just pulled on my sleep clothes and brushed my hair when Cho and Kiara entered into the dormitory, both of them bubbling with excitement.

"Anastasia! Guess what?" Cho smiled as they entered into the room. I got off my bed and stood in front of them, smiling with the excitement they both carried. It must be something quite thrilling if they both came into the dorms early.

"There's going to be a masquerade ball next week in the Great Hall!" Kiara said with an electrifying voice. I looked to Cho, then back to Kiara. A ball would be dreaded at this time. It would be miserable to go to a ball without a date.

"Please tell me you'll go!" Kiara smiled, raising her eyebrows. I would love to go, of course, but at this time I don't even know if I can bring myself down to the Great Hall to eat.

I let out a sigh of submission. "Fine, fine I'll go." I announced. They both smiled with pure delight, but my mind was already churning with thought. "But I don't have anything to wear." I said frantically.

"Well, you'll have to find a dress that is nothing like you'd wear usually, since you'll be in disguise." Cho said with a grin. I nodded and followed her information, still unsure how I'd work dress shopping into my schedule.

"When will I have time to go dress shopping? I'm still trying to catch up in all my classes." I said with a frown. Kiara and Cho looked at one another mysteriously, which allowed an invitation into my mind; that perhaps they've already taken it upon themselves to help me with a dress.

"I'll be back in the blink of an eye." Kiara said with a grin. She disappeared into the hallway. I awaited her arrival eagerly.

She came back carrying a beautiful dark red ballgown with roses on the chest and shoulder area. It was stunning- breathtaking. In her other hand she held a matching dark red masquerade mask with black feather detailing on the side.

"Oh my goodness... It's beautiful!" I exclaimed, running my finger quickly down the material of the dress. Kiara placed the items on my bed, then I engulfed her in a tight hug.

"Thank you so much." I whispered with a smile. She stressed how much she enjoyed picking it out to me, which made me feel even happier to have such amazing friends.

"You're going to look untouchable in that dress." Cho said as Kiara and I broke away from our hug. I laughed and nodded with enthusiasm. The dress isn't something I'd usually wear, but they were right, I'd need to disguise myself.

***

It was the day of the Yule ball.

I was incredibly excited, yet nervous at the same time. The dress was absolutely gorgeous, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to pull it off, or stay in character to where people would know it's not me.

I stated at myself in the mirror as the girls in the dormitory ran around while doing their hair and makeup, all of them dressed in strapping gowns.

I had just put on my makeup and curled my hair, but my confidence was beginning to unfold as all the girls around me got ready. They all looked so stunning; how could I ever compare?

I turned as Hermione walked in. She was wearing a light blue dress with white detailing. She had a pearl necklace on and she held a matching light blue masquerade mask with white pearl details.

She looked amazing- ethereal.

"Anastasia, why aren't you dressed yet?" She asked with a light smile, walking toward me. I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror once again, a frown presented on my face.