Miss L Weasley-Smith | Fred Weasley

012

012; Dresses and Tuxes

Weeks and days had passed since the whole yule-ball asking spree. It was sort of confusing Sahara's emotions. Cedric had asked her to the ball.. but hasn't spoken to her since? He had spoken to Cho Chang quite a bit. Sahara couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy whenever she saw them together, but she realized that they might just be friends.

On the other hand, Sahara was so excited that Drew and George, and Penelope and Aria were going to the ball together. She thought they all paired up nicely with their partners and she was happy that Aria felt comfortable coming to her for help.

The Yule Ball was now just a little over a week away and the Hogsmeade trip was today. Penelope, Aria, Drew and Sahara all planned to go dress robe shopping, meanwhile, Fred, George and Lee all would go to Zonkos. Apparently they needed more pranking supplies.

The seven all met up with the others in their year to go to Hogsmeade as McGonagall talked with some younger students. The ball was for fourth years and up, but surprisingly some third years were asked to attend the ball by those of age. Some students that hadn't been asked to attend the ball came to Hogsmeade because it was, well Hogsmeade. There weren't many first, second, and third years traveling with them since many went home to family after hearing the news of the age restriction, while others just decided to stay.

"I really hope the selection isn't horrid this time around." Drew whispered to the other six they were with making sure McGonagall was out of earshot. Although nice, McGonagall could also be very strict and just so happened to be good acquaintances with the owner of the shop.

"Oh I doubt it!" Penelope started, "They must know of the upcoming events and it would just be bad for business."

Drew smiled, "Fair point."

"Girls." Fred, George, and Lee sighed in unison.

"Boys." All the girls muttered and after a few moments of awkward silence they all laughed it off and went back to chatting about the things they would do at their time in Hogsmeade.

They decided that in about an hour they would meet at the Three Broomsticks, get some butterbeer. After that they would split up going in preferable groups of two, maybe three since there was an odd amount, and get gifts for one another since Christmas was coming up.

After finally arriving after a short trip that just seemed to be forever the seven split up. Sahara heard Drew squeal and felt her arm being dragged towards the shop. Drew had taken hold of Penelope's free hand since the other was holding Aria's and had grabbed Sahara's left hand. The four girls entered the shop together looking at the beautiful selection of dresses they had.

"Woah." The four girls breathed in unison.

"Welcome!" The shop owner had seen them and gave them a warm smile. "Shopping for Yule Ball dresses?"

"Yes! Do you mind if we look around?" Aria asked.

"Oh go ahead! Have a lovely time." The woman was older, seemed to be in her 60s, but Sahara had never met anyone so kind. Well she had only talked to her for a moment but Sahara had always taken first impressions seriously.

As the girls walked Penelope spoke, "I'm tempted to wear a suit.."

"Do it!" Aria told her. "You'll look great either way."

"Hmm.. maybe I will."

"Good." Drew, Sahara, and Aria told her in unison.

A beautiful dress had caught Sahara's eye. It was a short dress, it ended right above her knees. It had a flowy pink bottom that looked to be silk, with a white top with pink, red, and peach orange flowers sown into it. It had thin strings that would rest nicely on her shoulders and it had an elegant V-neck cut. Sahara adored the dress. She picked it off the rack and tried it on. It fit her perfectly. The area wear the top and bottom were sown together flattered her torso and it the skirt flowed nicely. Sahara walked out of the dressing room to show her friends her dress.

"Look!" She told them excitingly.

"Oh my god! Sahara that's beautiful." Aria told her.

"It really is." Penelope agreed.

"Cedric's going to die!" Drew told her with a smirk. Sahara noticed the dark purple-ish dress that Drew was holding and smiled.

"Thank you guys! Now Drew go try on the dress! I want to see it!"

Drew walked out wearing a dark-berry colored velvet dress. The dress dropped down to her ankles leaving a slit on the side that was elegantly carved. The back of the dress was semi-carved out that started with triangles on the sides of her torso. The top of the dress had a slight V-neck cut that had flowers shaping it. The straps were thick and were just off the shoulders. Drew had paired the dress with some beautiful beige heals that had complemented the dress and her skin perfectly.

"Okay, it's safe to say that you both know how to pick dresses for yourself." Aria told the girls while Penelope nodded her head in agreement.

"Drew, George will love it! And I hope you do to." Sahara told the girl hugging her.

Drew laughed. "I hope he loves it, I sure do." Drew smoothed down the dress with her hands nervously.

"Well, Aria? Penelope?" Sahara asked. "Can we see what your wearing?"

"Well.. I'll go try on the dress." Aria told her.

"I'll try on my tuxedo." Penelope said as she walked into an empty dressing room.

A couple minutes later the girls emerged from the dressing room. Penelope was in a beautiful black tuxedo that had one button that covered some of the elegant white collared-blouse she was wearing underneath. She was wearing skin-tight black bottoms that had fit perfectly. The outfit coordinated perfectly with he small-heeled pointy black heels she paired with the outfit. She looked at Aria and grinned.

Smiling, Aria stood next to Penelope in a dark blue dress. The dress was flowy, but also skin tight. The skirt of the dress had a thick under-layer with some thin flowy layers on top. The top of the dress had V-neck cut that went midway her torso. The thick straps of her dress sat on her shoulders. The dress had fallen all the way down to her feet trailing a bit behind her, covering her heels.

The shop owner had walked into the room after the girls exchanged compliments to each other's outfit choices. "Oh my! Girls! You all look lovely. I'm sure your dates will love seeing what you are wearing. Especially you." The owner gestured into Penelope's direction.

"Actually, her date loves it!" Aria smiled looking at the girl and giving Penelope a small kiss on the cheek.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I bet you will be the best looking couple at the ball though, you all are very gorgeous. Let me ring this all up for you so you can be on your way!"

"You make me feel like a firefly. Trapped in a belljar; starved for love." -Ayushee Ghoshal