| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter fifty-three

DRESS TO IMPRESS

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Despite the pile of homework that was untouched on Verena's desk, her mind was elsewhere. With the Yule Ball approaching, everyone was running about. People were concerned about the perfect dress robes to wear; each girl trying to top the others, and each man hoping they could look their best to impress.

The Salvador siblings, however, did not worry too much. They had gone through this many times for their Christmas parties. Verena was always taught to look her absolute best by her mother, so she had many dresses that would fit the special occasion. She had sent an owl to her father, asking if he could bring a dress upon his arrival. Damien was relaxed, glad that Viola was his date, and ecstatic that there were no more classes the following morning, meaning he could smuggle in firewhisky and sleep in the next day.

Their friends, on the other hand, were getting anxious. For well over a week, Adrian had been talking non-stop, asking for Damien's advice on what to wear. A few days before Christmas Day, Adrian had tried on his fourth dress robe of that week.

"Those are fine dress robes," Damien assured Adrian. "You're not a girl. Stop fussing over everything."

"I need to look good for my date," Adrian said, smoothing out his robes. "Her parents are expecting pictures, and well, I don't have that long lineage of pure-bloods, so I'm not sure how they're going to take it. And also, apparently Daphne has spoken ill about me so I must make up for it."

Adrian turned to Damien saying, "How is Viola? Your father might not like her."

"Well, my father is fine with you— "

"But Viola is someone you're dating," Adrian reminded him. "You're supposed to be dating pure-bloods so you can eventually marry one. Have you at least asked her how she feels?"

"You sound like you know something," Damien said, raising his eyebrows.

Adrian smiled and said, "Maybe."

"Adrian, if you know something, tell me," he demanded, standing up.

Knowing he'd never let it go, and would eventually find out, Adrian sighed and said, "I heard Viola's getting... cold feet, especially with your father around the castle during the tasks."

"Where'd you hear that from?" Damien asked.

"Can't say," he replied. "But you should talk to her... I mean, you can't be too surprised; it's the same reason she dumped you in the first place. Now, tell me how I look."

"Fat," Damien responded, and he ran out of reach before Adrian could hit him.

"Damien," said the blonde boy who walked inside the dorm room.

"Do these dress robes look all right to you, Malfoy?" Adrian asked him. "Good enough for Daphne's parents?"

"Yes, it looks fine," said Draco half-heartedly, and Adrian left to change.

As good of friends as Adrian and Draco were, Draco had only merely glanced at his robes. Truthfully, he didn't care about him. He cared more about himself and his own date.

"Do you know what Verena's wearing for the ball?" he asked Damien, sitting down on a chair.

"You plan on matching with her?" Damien responded, sighing.

"I don't care for it, but my mother's making a big deal about it," Draco said. "She wants our dress robes to match."

"Well, I have no idea what she's wearing, and I don't care," said Damien, laying back on his bed.