The Simple House of Duffrey

(33) 1001 Wizarding Nights

Thanks to the upcoming event and the month still or more until midterms, the school was provided with some relief. For at least the length of the upcoming festival there was going to be not a single mention of owls or in other cases Newts. Instead hallway chatter was reduced from classes talk to social opinion; including dresses, dates and predicted events. Many were already touting their romantic conquests which in some cases was probably going to spoil the surprise. My group of four however, unsure how to handle everything, was remaining silent for the time being about our plans.

The days before the event I had begun using the golden handled lion brush on my hair. Still a bit wary of my own vanity I kept it braided, to not warrant too much attention. The Mulberry duo had gathered me a box of dresses for Sam to choose as a loan. I showed her in the 'privacy' of the kitchens to which one of the elves had tailored it for her and removed some awful died lace within only fifteen minutes of being offered assistance. The result was a green gown cut in a heavier fabric but still very feminine somehow. The two of us knowingly giggled about readying ourselves for the next day.

When I had dressed it was inevitable that Parker would see me first. The boys had agreed that the one should escort me part way. Most of the other girls were either going together or meeting their dates at the gate leading to Hogsmeade. I was happy to see that my purple hinted gown had not wrinkled in the extended bag where I had hidden it. I dressed in the dorms thinking I was alone finally. After a while there was a tap on the door, of someone returning for something.

"Can I help with your hair?" asked Miranda, the gentler of my two roommates. I let her dress my hair in a popular hairdo. The length of it ran down my back while the rest was rolled into a large set of curls at the back of my head. It was set for some sort of dressing, so as I was left alone again I scuttled into my bag for the elaborate hair comb. When I placed it into my hair it glimmered for a second. Most likely activating the many charms it was said to hold.

The necklace that Stephen had given me I still had never taken off. It was small and fit perfectly onto the cut of canvas which the low collar provided. I had chosen to wear the gauze cap, indeed I looked like some sort of princess as I took in my appearance before daring to leave. If I had any doubts that I wasn't beautiful they were allayed but the look on Parkers face. When I tapped him on the shoulder he jumped up in his ruffle suit and nearly fell back down at the sight of me. He himself looked quite handsome too in a dark burgundy suit coat.

On the way, out of the castle we caught the sight of Kendra waiting for Sam. She was wearing a suit not unlike Parker with her hair combed behind her back and a large yellow flower pinned to her chest. He was nearly bursting with questions as we approached her but as usual her social awkwardness cut to the chase.

"I borrowed this outfit from brother. It seemed efficient given the occasion." Kendra stated outright while Parker covered his mouth trying not to burst into laughter. Kendra looked suspiciously polished in that navy suit, detailed even with Ravenclaw house emblems on the buttons. When Sam came down both Parker and Kendra looked a bit excited. Sam looked ever so much like the muggle popular character Tinkerbelle, in her green dress with short blonde hair. Kendra then took her hand and added a bright yellow flower to it. Which may have been taken from the cave below the lake, I realized after watching her kiss Sam on the hand like a gentleman. As silly as it seemed to others, I thought it was great to let Sam feel like a real girl once and a while.

The three of us, plus one date, headed down with other excited and well-dressed students into the celebration grounds. As it was the festival of lights the small town was illuminated with all kinds of floating orbs, lights and even candles. Through the distance one could see carnival rides too. Like an enchanted Ferris wheel which had no wires or poles, the cabins simply floated, enchanted to circle on their own. At the center of town had been erected a bright gold dance floor along with live music. Out on the grounds were hundreds of booths each a different culture or activity. The area was flooded not only with students but many local witches and wizards who had gathered for the occasion.