The Last Horcrux

Valentine's Day

It snowed on Valentine's Day, which Amanda thought was perfect. She spent the morning in the Great Hall with the rest of the decorating committee, getting ready for the ball. Hagrid appeared with snowflakes in his bushy eyebrows to help. He hung the streamers and fairy lights from the ceiling without needing a ladder. George Weasely had responded to Amanda's owl with a box of everlasting fireworks and these were on reserve to be released right before the ball. When they were finished the room sparkled with gold, silver and bronze, with black highlights pulling everything together. The only pink in the room came from the centerpieces on the tables.

"It's perfect," breathed Riot.

Professor McGonagall came to inspect the room. "Very nice," she said stiffly.

They had loads of homework, so Amanda and Riot went to the library, but they were way too excited to focus. They ended up going outside to the fairyland of snow that was falling in fluffy perfect crystals. They joined the intrahouse snowball fight that had started. And then, laughing and red cheeked, they went inside to dress for the ball.

Amanda's dorm was filled with chattering and giggling as everyone got ready. She put on her blue dress robes quickly, then escaped and went to Riot's dorm. He had offered to help her with her hair and makeup. She knew he wouldn't be able to get into her room - centuries old magic prohibited boys from entering the girls' dorms, but luckily it didn't work the other way around.

Riot's dorm was full of fourth year boys that Amanda didn't know well. They were all trying to act like they weren't trying to look hot. Riot gestured her over to a corner where he had a makeup mirror and a tray of cosmetics set up. He was wearing his pink gown and applying mascara to his eyelashes.

"Where did you get all this?" asked Amanda.

Riot shrugged. "I like to wear makeup sometimes. Don't you?"

"I never do," said Amanda.

"Vell tonight you vill," declared Riot, sitting her down before the mirror. He applied eyeshadow, mascara, blush and glitter with a series of little brushes, using his wand to clean up any smears. His tongue was between his teeth, his face tight with concentration. "You look beautiful!" he declared. "Now a little lip gloss" - he applied a dab with another little brush - "And voila! Gorgeous!"

Amanda looked at herself in the mirror. She did look good. She didn't feel quite like herself.

"My dads never help me with this shit," she commented.

"Your dads sound like the straightest gay men ever," said Riot.

That made Amanda giggle. She tried piling her hair above her head in a knot. "What do you think?"

"Nah, leave it down, I think. It is softer. Sexier."

That made Amanda blush.

"It is true!" said Riot and then they were both giggling. Riot grabbed a brush and set to work on Amanda's hair.

"Dudley dressed up as princess last halloween," said Amanda.

"Who's Dudley?"

"My foster brother's boyfriend. My other foster brother's cousin. Both."

"You have a very weird family Amanda."

"Yeah."

"Can I come visit?"

"Sure."

"Good. I am glad that is settled. Zere, vat do you think? " Riot stepped back to admire his work.

Amanda studied herself in the mirror. Riot had made her eyes all long lashed and smoky, her cheeks delicately highlighted, her freckles less pronounced. There was a splash of gold glitter across her cheekbones. Amanda batted her eyes, lowered her chin, then raised it, studying her appearance from different angles.