SHADOWS OF SORROW [S.S]

19 - In the Shadow of Horror

[mentions of blood]

Gladrags Wizardwear was pumped with students attending the clothing store to get their personal gown and suits orders in daily. The air was dense, like every single ounce of oxygen was already breathed once or twice, the urge to open a window like an itching feeling in Amaya's fingers. "I think I'm claustrophobic." Riva laughed, taking her friend's hand, and forcing their way through the various students to the front table where Gladrag seemed rather calm considering there were about 50 people in this small store. The complaints and hisses reached their ears, Riva glaring at them. "I haven't slept for 3 weeks straight just so you can stand here and order a stupid suit Leander so shut up or I'll make sure you're not getting in at all." The Gryffindor's eyes darted to Amaya, in search of whether her words were trustworthy, but Riva was almost never kidding, and she did have some sort of privilege after she's been the pillar this ball has been standing upon. „Yeah, fine." Leander turned around to his friends again, Riva leaning over the counter so that Gladrag could hear her more clearly through the loud noises of every person in here. "Miss Merrill, glad you are here." - "Do you have the gowns I ordered?" The wizard nodded as he made his way to the back of the store, Amaya giving her friend a strange look. "I thought we were to order them now?"

"Well, I was here more times than I could possibly count so I seized the opportunity and asked everyone what they had in mind for their gowns and ordered them, knowing hell would break loose once the Founders Ball neared." The witch crossed her arms in front of her torso, Riva giving her an apologetic smile, knowing she hadn't asked Amaya what she wanted to wear but just chose something instead. "I swear to Merlin and his riddles that you'll love it. No worries." They watched as Gladrag made his way back into the store, various gowns and a gorgeous amount of color and fabric in his arms, mostly corresponding to the house colors of their friend group. "They look breathtaking. Thank you so much." Riva smiled and a flick of her wand made the gowns apparate to whatever location of her choice as she handed the wizard a big pouch. "Here you go. I threw some extra galleons in there." Gladrag smiled as he took his payment, storing it away. "Stop by after the ball and tell me if your friends liked their attire. I'm curious since they didn't get to see it beforehand." Curiosity was something Amaya felt as well as they made their way through the students to the door, in anticipation for some clear, cold air in their lungs. The witch saw the familiar blonde hair and green robe to her right as her hand laid upon the doorknob. As if Ominis felt her gaze upon him, he smiled in her supposed direction, ignoring the glaring stare of his friend next to him. Sebastian was like a cooking cauldron almost each and every day since their Amortentia lesson a few days back. Feeling the short but nice breeze of cold air as the door was opened, he knew they left, rummaging in his pockets.

"Does Garret already have his suit? Are you two matching?" Amaya pulled her robe closer around her, the biting temperature coloring her nose and cheeks in a red color. "Well, not exactly matching but we did talk about pairing them up. You know how the Slytherin house colors are green and silver? Gryffindors house colors are red and gold. So we decided to both dress black with accents of silver on my gown and accents of gold on his suit." A smile formed on Amaya's lips, regretting it almost immediately because her frozen lips were hurting like a snake bite. Short but painful. "How about you and Ominis?" She ripped her eyes open, looking past her hood and scarf at the black-haired Slytherin. "How do you know about that?" - "Oh please. Who do you think keeps that bouquet of Jasmines on your desk alive. You're not necessarily skilled in herbology. I saw the card he wrote you." Amaya nudged her, in disbelief Riva went through her personal stuff but thankful she kept the memory of Ominis present alive.

It was the evening of their potions class together, where the witch admitted to smelling Ominis in her potion whether it was true or not. After a cup of lavender tea and carrot cake since it was Amaya's turn to tickle the pear, each of them sought out their rooms for a good nights rest. One thing about her room was different and the rather big bouquet of jasmines on her desk was hard to overlook. A card with her name on it was buried within the flowers, awaiting her for some time now.