chosen - harry potter

Chapter 8 - The Yule Ball

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

The Gryffindor Tower was much more crowded when the term ended than Cassia was used to. Everyone stayed for the Yule Ball, enjoying the beautifully decorated interior of Hogwarts for the holidays. Though a heap of homework had been assigned for the holidays, Cassia had no intention of getting any kind of a headstart. 

Hermione and Cassia were especially excited about the ball, for, though it was vain, they both got to dance with a champion in front of the whole school. Cassia had gained a great deal of confidence over the course of the term, so she was excited to dress up for everyone to see. Hermione had let Madam Pomfrey shrink her teeth past where they had been originally, so her confidence had skyrocketed as well.

Cassia was walking down a corridor, heading to the Great Hall, when she was stopped by Will. He ran up to her, calling her name breathlessly.

"Cassia!" he breathed, catching up to her. "You didn't say yes to Justin, did you?"

"Ew, no. Of course not."

"Good, good. Who're you going with, then?"

"Harry."

"Oh, figures," he said, nodding his head. "I'm going with Hannah. Anyway."

He darted away again, leaving Cassia alone in the corridor.

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Cassia woke on Christmas morning with a warm feeling in her head. The room was cold, but she was wrapped in her warm blanket, comfortable in her bed. She rolled over, and smiled at Hermione, who was reading in her bed, her hair tied in a ponytail.

"'Morning, Hermione. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Cass!" Hermione beamed at her. "I've been waiting for you to wake up. I got all of our presents from downstairs."

She grabbed armfuls of wrapped gifts and walked to Cassia's bed, sitting across her with her legs crossed. Cassia sat in the same position, taking her presents from the pile. She got her yearly Weasley sweater, which she immediately pulled over her head, and her mother gifted her a beautifully dainty necklace to wear at the Yule Ball. She received a variety of sweets from her friends, as well.

The two girls left the dormitory and met with Harry and Ron, going to the Great Hall for breakfast. The four spent most of the day in the Gryffindor common room, returning to the Great Hall hours later for a beautiful lunch. That afternoon, they went out to the grounds, bundled in scarves and coats to stay warm. Harry and the Weasleys had a snowball fight, and Cassia and Hermione watched from a distance, talking and often erupting into laughs.

At around five o'clock, the two girls went back upstairs to get ready for the ball.

They shared the mirror in the bathroom, doing their makeup together while talking about the tournament. They both wore generally natural makeup, wearing matching sparse, silver glitter on their eyelids. Cassia's freckles were still on display, dusted with a light pink blush. Cassia decided to leave her hair curly, using magic to define her curls and frame her face beautifully. Hermione used Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, smoothing her hair down and tying it into an elegant knot on the back of her head. 

They made a show out of putting on their dresses, making a grand reveal, and posing while the other cheered. Hermione went first, walking out of the bathroom with a beautiful, periwinkle blue, tiered dress. She spun around and laughed as Cassia clapped and cheered for her. 

"Your turn!" Hermione smiled, pushing Cassia into the bathroom.

She pulled on the dress from her mother, admiring the smooth fabric as she pulled it up. She looked in the mirror and smiled; the dress hugged her waist prettily and the dark red complimented her dark hair. She felt prettier than she ever had.