Bellatrix

Chapter 20

One week later, there was a poster pinned up on the wall next to the doors of the great hall, and practically the whole school was clustered around it.

I saw a redhead friend of mine peaking at the back, trying for a better view, with no luck. She and James had gone on their date- rather successfully.

Prongs walked up to her. "Need some help?"

Lily nodded. "Yes please!"

As James walked into the fray, the entire crowd parted. You could see the expressions on their faces clearly- it was almost as if he was famous. James was smirking, Lily was glancing around at all the other girls, who were glaring at her, and everyone who wasn't glaring was waving, or grinning, or just simply in awe of Gryffindor's Quidditch star.

Then Sirius walked through the gap. He winked at some of the girls, they practically tripped over themselves trying to blow kisses or whatever girls did these days.

The crowd stayed parted for me, and I blew kisses. A couple of runty 4th years stared, and a couple of the guys winked, but I didn't even notice them- James was fooling around with his hair, no doubt trying to impress Lily... I stopped staring as soon as I realized I was.

Remus kept his head down, but smiled and nodded at everyone- he was by far the most likable one of all of us, I'm afraid to say- back then, we were all a bit fond of the attention.

And Peter jumped through just as the opening began to close. Typical.

The poster was brilliantly made, with a photograph of a couple, slow dancing on a dimly-lit dance floor. The six-inch people were wearing delicate, tiny masks. In flowing cursive letters at the top was written: Midnight Masquerade

At the bottom, it gave more information. The masquerade started at 10:00 (contrary to the title) and was only for sixth and seventh years. The fifth year prefects, I knew, were planning a dance for first through fifth years.

I told myself to remember to write my mum for a dress.

Then, almost as if in a nightmare, everything moved slower. James looked down at Lily, who was a full head shorter than him, and asked, "Do you want to go with me?"

Not many people could hear, I knew- I had told him to ask her out without flourishes. He couldn't resist, however, and brought out a single red rose, perfect in every way.

"Oh! Um..." she began, suddenly shy. She turned as red as her hair and the rose being offered to her and said, "Could I sleep on it?"

I would have said yes in a heartbeat.

"Take all the time you need." James smiled, and she smiled back and then pushed out through the crowd.

I became aware of a tapping on my shoulder.

"Hey, Bella?" Peter was standing behind me nervously.

I had prepared for this moment. I knew what I had to do- though I wasn't sure if I was doing it because I was actually nice or because Prongs had told me to.

"Would you... uh, do you want to go to the masquerade ball with me?" He kind of twitched and clasped his hands at his front.

He was my friend and I couldn't hurt him.

"Yeah, sure."

As we walked off, I stayed a distance away from him, and noticed quite a few of the guys glaring at Peter.

Well.

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A few days later, my dress came in the mail. I rushed to the Head's common room. "Lily?"

Lily, luckily, was in there, holding a package. "Marlene isn't going because she refuses to go with any boy except Sirius, Alice is going with Frank but not getting her dress for a few more days, and Mary doesn't want to go, I don't know why. So it's just you and me I guess! Though later, we will have to force all the others to come," she whispered dramatically.

"But of course. Have you unwrapped your dress yet?"

"Not yet." Lily grinned. "You?"

"How dare you insult my honor, Lily Potter!"

"I- wait a moment, you didn't just-"

"I did!" I laughed cheekily. Inside there was a fire burning my entire stomach, it hurt so much.

She hit me playfully on the arm. "Alright, get into your dress!"

She went into her walk-in closet to change, and I went into her room.

The dress that my mother had sent me was the most beautiful I had ever seen.

It was not pure white, but rather a grayish offset, and its wide skirts and bodice were encrusted with thousands of minuscule crystals that reminded me of the surface of the sea. Swirls of silk thread on the bodice made rose-like designs that could have passed for any work of a brilliant painter. It had tiny sleeves of the same color, only not entirely opaque. In the package, she had also sent me a beautiful set of earrings, delicate pearl droplets that perfectly matched the gown. She had sent strands of pearls to be woven into my hair and a gray silk mask. The mask was not modeled after anything, but delicate crystals and pearls lined it.

I knew it would look beautiful on me. But I couldn't make myself put it on- somehow, I knew I didn't want to wear it until the day of.

Lily walked in, draped in a stunning deep red number. "Why aren't you dressed?" She asked.

"I decided I wanted it to be a surprise." I said.

"You twat!" She laughed, and then went out to change out of it.

I laughed silently.

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Finally, finally, finally, it was the day of the masquerade.

I was dreading going with Peter, but I was really excited about it in general. Me, Alice, Marlene, Mary, and Lily decided to all get ready together in the Heads dormitory, so we kicked James out.

We were all in our gowns. We decided to put them on one at a time, and then come out and show all the others.

It was Alice first- she was extremely excited about going with Frank. Her dress was full of folds, and was a deep, rich plum color.

Marlene was next, and, surprising us all, Sirius ended up asking her. (Although he confessed to me later, he didn't like her that much- he just thought she was hot. Oh well. It's better than nothing. They became good friends, later on, anyways.) Her dress was a beautiful navy color with gold thread embroidery.

Mary came out, shyly, next. As she was quite clever- and because Remus didn't have a date- we ended up being able to pair her and Remus up. She looked stunning in her just slightly creamy pink, almost white gown.

Lily went into the changing room next and came out just as beautiful as she had the last time I had seen her in her dress.

It was me last. I put on my gown and looked in the mirror- I really did look amazing. Maybe even better than Lily. I walked out and their eyes all popped.

"God, Bella, that must have cost, like, a million galleons!"

I laughed. "Not quite that many- I'm guessing that comes close, though.

We proceeded to do our hair, makeup, and put on our masks. Finally, we were all ball-ready except for one thing- our dates.