Hufflepuff In The Family

Getting Ready

^^Regina's Yule Ball Outfit

Dear Diary,

The Yule Ball was today! The Great Hall looked so beautiful; I can't even begin to put it into words. There were lights decorating every surface and the walls had been covered from floor to ceiling in fake frost. Small tables were dotted across the hall, each carefully decorated with Christmassy decorations. 

When I woke up, I was ecstatic. I mean, first of all, it was Christmas! Danielle, Kelly and I immediately unwrapped all the presents that were at the end of our beds. Mum had sent a hideous sweater (as per usual); Kelly had gotten me a beautiful copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Danielle had knitted a pair of yellow and black mittens. I thanked them profusely for their presents before turning to my wardrobe to get dressed. For the main part of the day, I figured I'd just wear some comfy black leggings, a white baggy jumper and my favourite boots. I brushed my hair quickly and pulled on my the yellow and black knitted hat that Danielle had gifted me last year and pulled on the gloves from this year.

I bid my friends farewell and grabbed the bag of presents for my other friends. My two best friends and I would be meeting Kelly and Jacob just before we all began to get ready for the Ball but for now, I was going to meet Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Ron had barely spoken to me in the past week but Hermione assured me that they'd all be there in our usual spot, out by the lake. 

Every year, we always met there to exchange gifts. It began as just me and my brother but the following year, he dragged along his two best friends and then last year, Ginny had insisted on going too. 

As I stepped out onto the fresh snow, the cold hit my cheeks and I tugged my coat up against the cold. I glanced over the stretching field and quickly located the group of Gryffindors stood against a tree. They all waved at me when they spotted me and I ran as fast as I could in the snow.

"Merry Christmas!" I cheered as I hugged them all. Harry smiled stiffly at me but at least he was looking at me now and that, my friend, is what I call progress.

Harry and Ron took an excruciatingly long time to open their presents, not understanding that as girls, we took a much longer time to get ready. All of my presents were really lovely. Hermione gave me a book on Helga Hufflepuff; Ginny got me a broom caring kit and Ron got me a photo of us as kids in a beautiful frame. He was giving me a piggyback and I was screeching as he did. I smiled.

Finally, Harry handed over his gift. Ron and Ginny were deep in conversation about something, having lost interest now that they had both opened their present. The gift Harry handed to me was in a small box with a yellow bow on top. A small tag was attached and I turned it over to read it.

Gina

I know I missed my chance to take you to the Yule Ball but I hope you'll still wear this.

I smiled gratefully at him as I removed the lid of the box and gasped.

Inside, there was a beautiful, golden heart shaped pendant. I gently lifted it out of the box, in awe.

"It's beautiful, Harry. Thank you." I pulled him in for a tight hug before putting the necklace back in the box and putting everything into my bag.

I thanked them all for my presents and told them I'd see them tonight before scurrying off to meet the rest of my friends. I was already five minutes late and I told them I'd meet them in the courtyard.

Gift exchanging with Becki and Jacob didn't take too long as we were all desperate to go get ready for the Yule Ball. Being the best at makeup, Kelly had offered to do mine and Danielle's. Becki had gifted Kelly the most beautiful ring to wear for tonight. Jacob sent me disapproving looks whenever he thought I wasn't looking but I'm pretty sure I caught every one.

Eventually, the two Slytherins departed and made their way to their common room as we made our way to ours. The two other Hufflepuffs were already on their beds doing their makeup by the time we made our way up there.

I sat patiently as Kelly did her own makeup before moving onto mine. She had studied each of our outfits carefully to ensure the makeup matched our looks for the evening. When she was satisfied with her work, she pulled out a mirror and began on her own. Being the only one with a little sister, I was by far the best one to ask for help with hair and so I ended up doing Danielle's, Kelly's, Susan's and Hannah's before finally moving on to my own.

Danielle shimmied into her dress, a simple yellow gown that hugged to her body and spread out at the end. She added a simple necklace and she was done. One thing that had always annoyed me about her was that for her, she could go simple and still look stunning. Kelly had done her makeup in the simple style she always seemed to go for with just foundation, blush and a touch of eye makeup. All it had taken for her hair was a bit of curling (I always use magic for hair, it's so much easier). She had opted to leave her glasses in the room for the night. Her clumsiness would take dancing off the table so sight wasn't a big deal for her.

Kelly had opted for a two piece: a lilac slip fitting top that stopped just above her belly button and a matching skirt that flowed elegantly around her. She went for the opposite vibe as Dani and her eye shadow matched the colour of her skirt and the eyeliner wings perfectly accentuating her beautiful green eyes. Her lips were a subtle nude but she had used magic to add a shimmer to her face. She looked stunning. Her hair needed very little, so I only straightened it and swept it over one of her shoulders. As a final touch, she pulled on her ring, admiring it as she did so.

I had refused to show anyone my dress. In order to get my makeup right, I'd told Kelly the colour on the one condition she told no one. I was incredibly dramatic and wanted their honest reaction when they saw it for the first time. My mother had helped pick it out and, after much trial and error, I eventually found the dress of my dreams. Kelly had kept my makeup simple: a subtle eye shadow and a lot of highlighter. To add a bit of pop, I'd allowed her to apply a vivid red lipstick.

My hair had taken much longer than anyone else's. The others were nearly done by the time I was only halfway. I had curled it using my wand and then (with great difficulty) I plaited and pulled and twisted my hair into an elegant bun on the back of my head. I told the girls to turn around as I pulled my dress on. The elaborate skirt made for a challenge but eventually, I was comfortably in it. It was an off the shoulder ball gown that cinched in my waist and then flowed into a wide skirt. The top was beautifully detailed to look like flowers and the top curled around my arms, leaving my shoulders bare. I reached over to my bedside table and opened the box Harry had given me. With a smile I clipped the locket around my neck.

"Okay, you can turn round now," I said. Hannah and Susan had left long ago, wanting to meet their dates before everyone else started arriving. My two best friends turned around and both of their jaws dropped. I blushed taking their silence as a good sign.

"How do I look?" I asked them. Danielle began to squeal and jump up and down so I took that as a good sign. I looked at Kelly and she simply smiled.

"If I wasn't already, I'd be turning gay right about now," she smirked. I made my way over to them and we hugged tightly. Dani suddenly broke away and started fanning her eyes excessively.

"Don't you dare cry Danielle Waters, I spent way too much time on that makeup for you to ruin it now."

"I won't, I won't it's just... we all look so beautiful. I love you guys," she whined before pulling us all back in for a hug. I chuckled.

"Okay shoes and then downstairs. We'll be meeting our dates in..." I checked the clock on the wall. "2 minutes ago. Move, ladies, move!"

I slipped my feet into my bright red heels with the beautiful bows on the front before tugging down my skirt and racing after my two companions who had already left.

I couldn't wait to see how the night would turn out.