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dancing is a dangerous game
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It was a masquerade.
When the news broke out over the school, the graduating year was in a frenzy. People were desperate to get their hands on the best looking attire - from shoes to gloves, and bowties to socks. Hogsmeade was flooded day after day, so Celeste and her friends were confined to the castle grounds.
"Don't you all need to get things from Hogsmeade?"
The eight of them lounged around a cool spot of shade beneath a willow tree by the black lake, passing around a bottle of iced butterbeer.
Alice grinned. "Oh, don't worry. We've gotten our dresses already. Everything else we're taking from Celeste."
Celeste sat up, bewildered. "Sorry?"
Marlene said while laughing, "That's right, we're taking the liberty of raiding through your very expensive collection."
"As long as you don't lose anything," Celeste warily mumbled, not forgetting the last time Marlene had misplaced her favorite gloves.
She leaned against the base of the tree beside Sirius, the closest they could be without drawing suspicion from their friends.
"I was thinking," Sirius said, grinning, "that we could wear matching outfits."
Remus raised a brow. "Most of us have already gotten our things already."
Lily considered the idea. "Having some sort of matching aspect could be fun. Even if it's little."
"Like what?" Peter frowned. "Matching socks?"
Alice shook her head. "We're wearing heels. Can't have socks."
"Oh! What about rings?" Marlene suggested excitedly.
Celeste hesitated. "I can't. I have a ring my... mother wants me to wear."
The mood deflated. Celeste had confessed of her situation to them all not long ago. Lily and James had been absolutely furious for her, while the others had sat in silent pity.
But Celeste wasn't looking for any pity. She refused to be viewed that way. She smoothly sent the conversation going again. "But jewelry is a good direction. How about bracelets? I can get them for us before the ball."
James grinned. "Perfect."
When the group dispersed, Celeste was slipping through a crowded hallway to get to the library to finish a herbology assignment when a firm hand grabbed her arm.
