The Ice Queen [s.b.]

↠spin me 'round and 'round, 1.5

August 4th.

"So," Lily prompts from the other side of the mirror, "what are you thinking?"

Anna rolls her eyes, "I'm thinking about whether I should run away from this stupid ball by floo or broom." Thoughtfully, she adds, "Maybe I'll even try apparition."

Lily glares through the small compact, "Aren't Regulus and Dorothy going to be there? And Avery, Mulciber, and the Black sisters?"

"Ooh, yeah! Andy'll be there, so at least I won't be alone. Ugh, but he'll be there, too. Help me, Lily!" Anna groans and flops onto her huge bed.

"You're being dramatic."

"You've never been to a pureblood ball. Much less one at Malfoy Manor. You're the luckiest person I've ever been friends with, Lils," Anna says dramatically. As Lily cringes when a shrill voice says, "Lily!", Anna reconsiders her statement: "I need better friends."

"Seconded," Lily says. "Whenever you're ready, you have a friend in Marlene, Alice, and Dorcas. I know they'll love you."

Anna quiets, not knowing what to say to that. From downstairs, Aubrey Fawley calls, "Anna! Who's that you're talking to?"

"Just testing out a theory for a self-dictating quill, mother! Thank you for the concern!" Anna responds.

Lily giggles, and Anna adds in a whisper, "Got to go to this stupid ball. Talk to you later, okay?"

"Bye, Anna," she whispers back.

Anna closes the mirror and heads into her closet. After much debating, she lands on a silver evening gown with nude-colored shoes.

(Dress and hair style shown above)

She walks down the stairs sturdily and, upon sighting her, Aubrey smiles.

"You look beautiful," she says.

Anna fights the urge to roll her eyes, "Thank you, mother. Shall we apparate?"