Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Fifty-Five

Allison's point of view. 

"You guys go ahead," I tell Ginny, Alice, Jasper, Rose, Emmett, and my biological parents softly. "Hermione and I have to wait behind with Cedric and Viktor." Alice gasps dramatically. "Ooooh, dramatic entrance. I approve."

"Alice," Jasper sighs, though there's amusement in his voice. Esme smiles warmly at Hermione and me. "You girls look beautiful." 

"Seriously," Emmett agrees. "Every guy in that hall is about to forget how to breathe." I roll my eyes while Ginny giggles beside me.

Carlisle steps closer and smiles softly down at me. "Enjoy yourself tonight, sweetheart."

"I will," I promise him. One by one, they begin walking down the staircase toward the Great Hall, leaving Hermione and me alone at the top landing. The second they disappear, Hermione lets out a nervous breath.

I look over at her in disbelief. "Why are you nervous? It's not like you're getting married." Hermione shoots me a narrowed glare. "Very funny."

I laugh softly before walking toward her. "Look," I tell her gently. "You look beautiful. Seriously beautiful. Don't worry about what Ron thinks." Hermione looks down uncertainly, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her dress.

"As soon as he sees you," I continue, "let alone who you're going with, he's going to realise exactly what he missed out on." That earns a smile from her. "The same thing goes for Harry," she points out quietly.

My smile falters slightly before I nod. "Maybe." Hermione links her arm through mine. "Come on," she says softly. "Let's head down." I nod once. "Yeah. Let's go."

Third Person's Point of View:

The Entrance Hall was far quieter than the Great Hall beyond the doors. Only the champions and their dates remained behind waiting for the procession to begin.

Cedric stood near the staircase, looking unusually nervous despite trying to hide it. Viktor Krum remained stiff and awkward, while Fleur spoke quietly with Roger Davies.

Harry stood beside Parvati, though his attention kept drifting toward the staircase every few seconds. Parvati noticed almost immediately.

"You're looking for Allison, aren't you?" she asks knowingly. Harry opens his mouth to deny it,  but before he can answer, the sound of heels clicking softly against stone echoes down the staircase.

Everyone in the Entrance Hall turns. Parvati's eyes widen instantly. "They look beautiful," she whispers breathlessly. Harry turns around and completely forgets how to breathe.

Hermione and Allison descend the staircase arm in arm. Hermione looks elegant and completely transformed, but it's Allison who steals every ounce of attention the second she appears.

The royal blue dress flows around her gracefully with every step she takes. The jewelled detailing across the bodice catches the candlelight beautifully, making the deep sapphire fabric shimmer. 

Her braided updo frames her face perfectly, while the delicate golden hair comb woven into the curls glimmers softly beneath the enchanted ceiling.

For a moment, nobody speaks. Cedric visibly forgets what he was saying halfway through a sentence. Viktor stares openly at Hermione in shock. Even Fleur pauses mid-conversation to admire Allison's dress.

Harry can't look away. For one horrible moment, he becomes painfully aware that Allison doesn't look at him first. She looks at Cedric.

And the smile she gives him makes Harry's stomach twist painfully. Cedric immediately steps forward toward her, his entire expression softening. "You look incredible," Cedric tells her honestly.