| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter fifty-four

THE YULE BALL

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The clock struck five. Verena skipped her way up to Ravenclaw Tower, feeling much more energetic than she had been earlier that day. After conversing with Daphne, who talked about all the rumours surrounding the ball, Verena grew curious which filled her with excitement.

Verena ran up to her dorm room to get ready. She knew it was early, but she couldn't help but get started on her hair and makeup. She was getting nervous – the good nervous, and she couldn't wait for the magical ball.

"You seem quite chipper," Padma spoke after seeing her in the dorm. "Will you be dancing with the Chosen One tonight?"

"Maybe say that a little quieter?" Verena responded, glaring at Padma.

"You know, I'm sure people would understand," Padma said as she began pulling out her own makeup supplies.

"They wouldn't," Verena said. "I'd be considered a traitor and my family did not create a reputation for it to just fall apart. Besides, I wouldn't want to give the Dumans another reason to hate us."

"Fine, I don't understand," said Padma with a sigh. "But you still didn't answer my question. Are you trying to impress him?"

"What? No, I'm not," Verena said quickly, but Padma looked unconvinced. "I'm not. This... this is for me. I'm wearing my mother's dress, so I should wear it as elegantly as my mother did."

After half an hour of struggling to do her eye makeup, she requested the help of Cho. As Cho was helping her, Verena learned that Cho was a makeup artist. Never again would she take so long on her eyes when she had a master artist next door. Once she touched up her lips with a cherry pink gloss, she styled her hair into a neat, twisted bun, and with the gift she received that morning, she used it to keep her hair up.

Then, Verena changed into silver heels and the dress. She carefully slipped into it, careful not to tear any part of the gown. Once she got the back zipped up, she looked at herself in the mirror. The dress fit her almost perfectly. The only thing was that the thin sleeves were loose around her shoulders, but with a little bit of readjustment and magic, she was able to fix it.

Just ten minutes before the clock struck eight, she was ready. She walked out to the common room with the rest of the girls in her dorm. She was immediately surprised by how packed it was. She had never seen so many people together all at once. Usually, there would be groups of people in different corners of the room, chatting in whispers so as to not disturb the others. This time, however, everyone was chatting loudly, complimenting each other on their looks and sharing how excited they were.

"Verena! Over here!" Cho called, and Verena had to take a few seconds to scan the crowd for the source.

Then, a hand touched her shoulder from behind, and Verena turned around. Her jaw dropped to the floor upon seeing her. Her dress robes were silvery-white with small prints of flowers sewn into the smooth fabric. Her hair was tied up in a cute updo, and Verena knew that her bright smile would have made everyone fall for her.

"Cho! You look amazing!" Verena said with a warm smile. "Wait until Cedric sees you! He'll never let you out of his sight!"

"You look gorgeous yourself!" Cho responded, taking a long look at Verena.

"Lots of it was your help," Verena said with a smile.

"This dress looks so good on you!" Cho added.

"Thanks," Verena replied. "It was my mother's dress."