maple syrup | remus lupin [1]

16. truth or dare?

CLAUDIA DIDN'T HAVE much history with parties. Sure, her life at home pretty much consisted of Pureblood Balls and gatherings, and she had been at one Slytherin party, a decision she intently regretted.

But to go to a party she actually wanted to attend, that was a whole new thing.

Claudia felt... nervous?

Indeed, she felt nervous. It was just pure jitters, her mind wondering how things would be and if something exciting was going to happen. All she had planned was to hang out with Inez, but that still didn't mean that she didn't feel nervous about doing something both risky and exciting.

Betty and Inez also seemed to be feeling exactly the same thing, since the three girls had been practically attached to the hip for so long, which meant that none of them really went to parties. Well, with the exception of that one dreadful Slytherin party in fourth year.

So, as they stood and got ready they were pretty much all over the place. Pandora was nowhere to be found, due to Xenophilius. Betty was curling her hair with magic, and fake-crying since it didn't look good enough according to her. Inez was trying a new makeup look, and Claudia was rummaging through her friends' clothes.

It wasn't that Claudia didn't have a sense of style. She did, she really did. She adored the trends that had appeared in the muggle world. The 70's style was for sure a perfect suit for the girl. Flared jeans, blouses and colours.

But, she couldn't wear that. Not at home, at least. Her stepmother Louisa was responsible for how her closet looked at home, which meant that she was responsible for how her closet looked at Hogwarts. But that didn't stop Claudia from sneaking little things that her friends gave her and allowed her to borrow. But, it was of course in moderation so her brothers wouldn't take note of it.

Betty and Inez did that a lot for the girl. Allowing her to take makeup, clothes and play her favourite records on their behalf. They knew she needed that, deep inside.

Claudia ended up going for Betty's orange floral dress, that was very 70's and quite relaxed but also cool. She also got some jewellery and some black boots from Inez. Her hair was in a casual ponytail and she more the same makeup she used to. Still, she felt... pretty.

Claudia was a beautiful girl. That wasn't something she wasn't aware of. Her mother was beautiful, so why wouldn't she be? But the thing was that Claudia never felt beautiful. There was a big difference between being beautiful and feeling beautiful. And Claudia never felt it. She had long light-brown hair, emerald eyes and she was quite tall, but she never felt beautiful despite it.

"Is it too much?" She asked her friends insecurely as she straightened down the dress with her hands.

"You look perfect!" Betty squealed, Inez humming in confirmation.

"You guys too", Claudia smiled as she linked arms with them. "Let's go ladies!" She said in a low tone as they left the dormitory.

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