The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

24. Un(happy) news

"What do you think of this one?" Poppy asked as she twirled on one feet, in the middle of Gladrags Wizardwear's shop.

"It is lovely!" Mr. Hill exclaimed as he got closer and gently patted the lilac silk fabric on Poppy's dress. "It suits you very well, miss Sweeting!"

"What do you think, Maude?" Poppy tried to get my attention.

I turned to her and look at her from top to bottom. The cute butterfly sleeves were beautifully going along with the sweetheart's shaped neckline. The long tule skirt of the dress was fitting was ending perfectly at the floor. 

"Oh, sorry. Yes, it looks amazing, like it was made for you!" I cheered.

"Should I wrap it up for you to go?" Augustus Hill asked Poppy.

"Yes please!" Poppy went back behind the privacy divider. "Now your turn, Maude!" Poppy shouted as she came back again, handing the dress to mr. Hill.

"Alright, alright!" I replied.

"What kind of dress were you thinking of?" Mr. Hill asked.

"Well, a ball gown I guess?" I awkwardly let out. "I've never attended that type of event, I'm not sure what I want..."

"What's your favorite color you like to wear?" Mr. Hill asked.

"Ouh! A dark blue is absolutely her color!" Poppy exclaimed.

Mr. Hill turned away and left to search for something.

"For a second I was afraid you were gonna suggest whatever shades of green you could think of!" I voiced.

"Oh not at all, I know my best friend!" Poppy declared. "Besides, that would be so cliché. Basic choices are for basic bit..."

"I found just the thing for you miss Ainsley!" Augustus Hill announced as he came back, holding a long midnight blue dress in its arms, handing it to me.

Poppy grabbed my shoulder bag and held it while I vanished behind the privacy dividers with the gown.

I don't usually get hyped over clothes, even tho I like feeling cute or sexy from time to time, but that dress...

"Merlin's beard! You look marvelous!" Poppy exclaimed, jaw-dropped. Please, twirl for me!"

I turn around swiftly, looking at the silk fabric of the skirt moving like soft waves. The off-shoulders neckline was definitely highlighting my well developed breast. Not too much for it to be inappropriate, but still, I felt pretty and hot.

The top of the dress was also on silk, but covered with a patterned lace fabric. A bright and glowing silver-grey belt was separating the top from the skirt of the dress. The skirt was more like a long flare cut, which preferred over a more bouffant gown. I liked the way it was falling on my hips.

"It's even prettier when you move around, it's like the skirt is glowing!" Poppy cheered. "This is the one! Don't you dare try another."

She was right, it was the one.

"Well, I guess I'll take it then! You never cease to amaze me Mr. Hill!" I spoke, my hands on my hips, admiring the dress on the mirror I was standing in front of.

After Mr. Hill carefully put the dresses in separate bags, I insisted on paying for them both. Poppy refused at first, but I told her she could repay me by helping my find new homes for all my creatures.

The truth is that with every quests and exploring I did last year, I gathered an awful amount of galleons. Also, I inherited from professor Fig. He and Miriam never had children, and after finding out about my ancient magic, he believed that somehow, Miriam sent me on his path. In fact, that is the one thing I never told anyone, not even Sebastian.