Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Today marks the Valentine's dance, that day classes were canceled, and Josie's only company is her close friends. Pandora has just arrived, and they are preparing for the event together.
"Can we see each others dresses?" Pandora's eyes sparkle with excitement.
They decide to let Dorcas go first, so she disappears into the bathroom to change. Moments later, she emerges in a stunning, bright red dress. "Oh, Merlin, you look absolutely enchanting!"
Josie can't contain her excitement and spins Dorcas around. "You're beautiful," she compliments.
Pandora is next in line, and she swiftly changes into a beautiful light pink dress that perfectly complements her. "You look absolutely gorgeous," Josie kisses her cheek, and Pandora chuckles before ushering Josephine to go into the bathroom to change.
Josie, now alone, stares at herself in the mirror. Her black lace-adorned dress, with its intricate vine-like patterns, embraces her figure and flares out gracefully. The dark red shade suits her well, despite its contrast with the typical Valentine's Day colors.
She recites an internal mantra: "You're confident," though it feels like a lie. Gathering her resolve, she leaves the bathroom with a forced smile.
"Oh, Merlin, you look stunning!" Pandora exclaims as she rushes over.
"Absolutely breathtaking," Dorcas adds.
Josephine chuckles, feeling a bit more at ease. The trio then focuses on their makeup, with Josie meticulously working on her eyeliner. Looking at herself in the mirror, she realizes she resembles a vampire, which amuses her.
Josie adjusts her hair and notices that Pandora has already finished her makeup and is putting on her shoes, while Dorcas is nearly done. Josie, too, stands up, slips into a pair of black heels with a comfortable heel height, and thinks about giving Regulus his gift later, or perhaps the next day since they can't exchange gifts during the dance.
It saddens her that many couples, including Barty and Evan, herself and Regulus, and Pandora and Xenophilius, can't dance together at the event. However, she takes solace in the fact that Dorcas and Marlene will be there for each other, well she hopes they will, Dorcas said they were going together so maybe they were alright with dancing in public.
"Are you ready to go?" Pandora's question snaps her out of her thoughts.
"Mhm."
Navigating the crowded hallway with many girls proves to be challenging. Pandora sighs when the girls refuse to budge.
"Move," Josie pushes a girl aside, taking Pandora and Dorcas's hands to lead them through.
Their laughter echoes as they reach the common room. It's teeming with Ravenclaw students. Josie once again leads the way, weaving through the crowd until they make it out.
