I. social casualty | blaise zabini ✔️

DRESSES AND CHAINS

Chapter 13

DRESSES AND CHAINS

It was late afternoon when Lyra had left home to go to the boutique. Sirius, who had turned back into a dog, and her dad walked her to the store before walking off, promising to get her a cup of frozen yoghurt. 

When Lyra walked in the bell on the door chimed throughout the room. The area was covered in beautiful dresses and clothes. Satin, silk, chiffon, and other materials decorated the room with glitter, pearls, and lace designs.

"Hello dear, my name's Lule, can I help you with something?" A lady emerged from the fabrics, she was tall and thin with dark skin and her hair was very curly, almost full on coils and in a messy bun atop her head.

"Hi. I have a ball at my school coming up and I need to find a dress."

"Oh, no problem. Is there anything your looking for in particular?"

"Umm, not really. I don't know, I don't normally buy gowns."

Lule looked at her with a reassuring smile, "Not to worry, dear. We'll pick out a few dresses for you to try on and see what you like. Why don't you go stand on that platform."

Lyra nodded and stepped towards the round platform in front of a mirror. Lule went to what she guessed was the front desk and grabbed a measuring tape. She came back and quickly measured her waist, chest, and height. Then disappeared between the fabrics again. 

"Anyone here with you. A mom or friend?"

"Uhh, no. My dad is somewhere in town, waiting, but it's just me." The thought made her a bit sad, that she wouldn't have a mom to gush about the dresses with. 

"That's fine, we'll still find lovely for you."

Lyra waited on the stand, her leg jittery as she waited for the dressmaker to grab gowns from the racks. She stared at the chair a few feet away from where she stood. A chair for a mom, or friend, or someone.

When Lule came back she was practically drowning in the material of five dresses she had picked.

"Alright, lets start with this one." She held up a bright red dress and surrounded her in a think white curtain so she could change.

When she was done she pulled the curtain back so she could see herself again in the mirror.

It was a long peplum dress that flared at the waist, was tight against the legs and flared at the ankles again, with a sweetheart neckline. 

"Oh, that looks lovely on you, dear. What do you think?"

Lyra turns to both sides, the thought of a missing mother gone as she looked at her reflection, "It's great! But a bit tight around the legs. I don't think I can dance in this.

Lule nodded, "That's fine. Lets try this one." She handed her a dark blue dress and Lyra quickly changed and pulled the curtain back again. 

The dress was so dark that it looked black. It was spaghetti strapped, and had a floaty skirt. 

"Wow," Lyra finds herself a bit dumbstruck, the dress almost looks like black smoke on her pale skin.