Ruth is the youngest of the Ash triplets. Born only three minutes after her sisters, Ruth has always been the odd one out.
She's been invisible all her life.
She's been stuck in the shadows of her sisters throughout her five years at Hogwarts. She...
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The excitement the first task conjured lasted for one whole week. As the buzz died down and December rolled around, each person was occupied with their own personal task.
The Yule Ball.
The students were given an extra Saturday at Hogsmede to prepare for the occasion. Ruth travelled to the little village with Casper, and the two sat in the Three Broomsticks.
"This is madness," Casper commented, as yet another group of girls entered the pub with millions of bags. "Is this ball really this big of a deal?"
Ruth shrugged, finishing off her mug of Butterbeer. "For some people it is, Hogwarts never has events like this."
"Do you think it's a big deal?"
Ruth felt awkward under Casper's judging stare. When she didn't reply, the brunette boy groaned. "Not you too!"
"I think it will be fun," Ruth defended. "I'm worried about not finding a dress though."
"Do you need me to come with you?" Casper asked. "I need to stock up on Honeydukes fudge."
Ruth rolled her eyes playfully. "Only if you buy me some liquorice, you don't have to come with me."
Casper scrunched up his nose. "I don't know how you eat that stuff."
Ruth pushed her empty mug away from her and prepared herself to leave. "Because I know you won't steal any of it."
Casper chuckled as they both left the pub and went their separate ways, Casper to HoneyDukes and Ruth to wherever she saw a bunch of teenage girls.
The first shop Ruth entered was big and luxurious, but also way to expensive for Ruth's taste. She left that shop just as a girl was caught stealing some pearl earrings.
Ruth went from shop to shop, being unsuccessful in each one. She entered the last dress shop she knew of, her fingers and toes crossed tightly.
"Ruth!" Poppy exclaimed as soon as her sister entered the shop. "Are you buying a dress?"
"I'm trying to," Ruth said, surprised by the warm welcome. "I can't find any."
"Katrina's trying one on right now," Poppy explained. "This is a good shop, we're bound to find something."
The word 'we' left Ruth with a tiny smile on her face. Poppy seemed to be trying to involve Ruth, for once.
Ruth followed her sister over to a rail of clothes, unable to stop herself from running her hand along the variety of fabrics. They began searching through the dresses.
"This ones ugly," came Katrina's voice. "Oh, hi Ruth," she said once she saw her sister.
Ruth smiled back, almost shyly. It was no lie that Katrina was the most popular sister, with the girls and boys of Hogwarts.
"Try this one, Kat," Poppy said, shoving a pink dress into her arms. "And this one." A purple dresses was handed to Katrina.
"Let me try find one for you, Ruth," Katrina said. Katrina's voice was slow and drawn out, which made Ruth feel slightly uneasy.
Soon, the three sisters were in the dressing rooms trying on dresses. Every few minutes, Ruth would hear her sisters discussing the dresses they both were wearing. Ruth tried on many of the dresses, but she hated how each of them looked.
"Ruth!" Poppy called. "Show us the dresses you're trying on!"
"None look nice on me!" Ruth, who was halfway out of a mermaid-style dress, groaned.
"Come out wearing the next one," Katrina ordered. "No matter what it looks like."
Ruth sighed and pulled on a dress of red sparkle. Without even looking in the mirror, she threw open the curtains.
She came face to face with her sisters, each looking stunning in their ball gowns. Poppy's was a light blue one, with white lace covering the bodice. Katrina wore a dress of pink fabric, that had no straps, but the girls full chest and small waist kept it up.
"Ruth," Poppy began, looking her sister up and down. Ruth started to fiddle with her fingers out of embarrassment. "That dress is amazing!"
Ruth raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
Katrina nodded. She guided Ruth to turn around and look in the mirror. "It looks really nice on you."
Ruth took in her reflection. The gown was a deep red colour and was covered in sparkles. The sleeves were long, and the neckline came down pretty low, which Ruth wasn't sure about. But as she noticed her sister's smiling faces in the mirror, she decided that this was her dress.
"I think we've all found our dresses," Poppy grinned.
Katrina moved to look in her own mirror again, ray hung her hands against her dress. "I think we have."
The triplets bought their dresses and left the shop, deciding to head back to the castle. They chatted with ease, and for once Ruth didn't feel like an outsider.
