Chapter 19 - Part 1



Song: thank u, next by Vitamin String Quartet



"Urgh!"

I toss another dress onto my bed in utter frustration.

My dresses are either too small, too spring or summery, or are out of style. I've never needed a winter/Christmas dress before, but I don't understand why I don't have anything that could work!

I don't even have a simple black dress, as, quite frankly, I've never really needed one before.

I dig further into my closet, but, to my dismay, I only see my old summer clothes and old school uniforms.

"I can't believe I have nothing to wear to this—this damned ball!" I curse out, slumping down to the floor with a huff. Crossing my arms, I scan the mass scattered clothes on the floor, dresser, and bed with a frown.

"Libby? Are you alright?" I hear my mother say outside my closed door. I don't say anything as she opens the door slightly, poking her head in with a concerned look.

"Oh dear..."

"I have nothing to wear," I state leaning my back on the side of my bed while looking up towards the ceiling.

She walks in, closing the door behind her while crossing her arms.

"I wouldn't say nothing. Look at the mess of clothes you have."

Giving her a flat look, I correct myself by saying, "I don't have any appropriate dresses to wear for the ball, I mean."

She combs through a couple of my dresses which are laid out on my bed in a chaotic heap.

"Shall we take a peek at Dora's closet?" My mum asks, holding out her hand for me to take.

I nod as I grab her hand, using her assistance to help me off the floor.

"I think she has a couple dresses that she's never worn somewhere in there."

We walk out of my room and into the room next to mine: Nymphi's old bedroom. Her room is slightly bigger than mine as well as her closet, but it's quite bare considering many of her things she has with her are at her new place.

I watch as my mother opens up her closet door, revealing old clothes of hers. I spot her old school uniform, particles of dust already collecting on it.

My mother looks through the hanging clothes until she spots a couple of Nymphi's dresses: one is a frilly magenta dress, which I know for a fact Nymphi would never ever wear... and neither would I.

The other is a simple, satin, black dress which looks like it would have been a little too short on Nymphi who is a bit taller than me. The dress looks like it would be ideal length for me—not too short where my bottom would peek out and not too long where I would be tripping over it. It would hit just slightly above my knees.

"I think the black dress would be perfect," I say, gently taking the dress from her. She nods along with a smile.

"I agree...although I prefer you in warmer colors, black is essential in every closet," she agrees, beginning to put the pink dress back into the closet.

Just then my father's voice resounds, and I glance over to see him standing in the doorway . "I think you should wear that pink one. It's very pretty!"

I grimace, shaking my head while looking back at the pink mass of fabric still in my mom's hand. "It's not my—um—style."

"It's definitely more your style than that black one...which I think looks a bit too revealing, if you ask me," he huffs out, causing my mom to let out a laugh.

Her crystal blue eyes, which I acquired from her, shine brightly as she shakes her head at him.

"Libby is a young lady now, Honey. This dress is more graceful than the pink one." She places the ghastly mass of frilly fabric back into the closet, closing it with finality.

I look back over towards the door frame where my father is bearing a small frown.

"Stop growing up, will you? First your sister, and now you."

I smile softly at my dad, walking over and giving him a hug. "That's what happens, dad. I would love to stay young, trust me." He hugs me back, letting out a grumble.

"Mhm...it's making me feel like an old man."

My mother walks towards us, giving my father a kiss on the cheek as she says, "you're my old man, Honey." He lets out a huff at that before smiling and grabbing my mom's hand, giving it a quick peck.

I've been blessed with having two parents who love each other unconditionally, always showcasing their love for one another and towards us. I've never known anything other than this.

"Alright, I'm going to go get ready...Susie and her parents should be here soon!" I say with a smile as I walk away from my parents and towards my bedroom.

"Do you need any help with your hair, dear?" My mother asks me to which I shake my head 'no.'

"I'm just going to pull some of it back and leave it long, but thank you mum," I say before closing the door of my bedroom. I lay the dress on my bed and begin to strip off my clothes. Once I slip the dress on, I walk over towards my mirror which is hanging on my wall closest to the closet. I turn from side to side, posing a bit as I do so.

The dress hugs my figure nicely, but still leaves plenty for the imagination. The satin fabric feels cool and sleek, and my usual golden hued skin looks more marbleized and pale; almost like Draco's.

I furrow my eyebrows at the thought. Why do I keep thinking of him?

Maybe it's because you'll be going to his house within the next hour, my sassy inner voice tells me.

Ignoring that, I grab my long, wavy hair, and begin to pull back a couple strands near the front of my head towards the back, clipping it there with a simple black hair-clip. I'm unable to do too much with my hair as it doesn't take to a curling iron well, and whenever I put it up, it falls right back out. Usually when I put it in a ponytail for Quidditch, by the end of the match it's practically a sloppy-mess of hair; which is not fun to brush out later.

After doing my makeup, going a bit more dramatic than I do for school since it's a special event, I twirl around in front of my mirror, checking myself out one last time before placing my heels on and my plain black shawl.

I give myself a solid eight out of ten; always room for improvement...right?

As I make my way down the hall towards our quaint living space, I spy both my parents lounging on the sofa. My mother is reading The Daily Prophet while my dad is skimming through an old book on the different types of healing potions. The record player in the corner of the room is playing some lighter and bouncier classical music, while the flames within the fireplace seem to dance to it.

My mother is the first to notice as she glances up from the newspaper and lets out an audible gasp. "You look beautiful, dear!"

Upon hearing her exclamation, my father picks his head up from his book, a warm smile also present on his face. "Absolutely gorgeous." His face turns a bit serious as he says, "you stay close to Susie and her family. No running off with any boys--"

My mum smacks his arm playfully. "Honey, she is a bright young witch! She knows how to behave."

"Dromeda, it's not her I don't trust...it's all those young boys with raging hormones. And I have heard terrible things about Malfoy's son. I can only imagine what runs through his foul little mind--"

I just let out a laugh, "Dad...I'm going with Susie to keep her company. Trust me, I'll be staying far away from Draco and any other boys for that matter." Even though I plan on keeping my distance from Draco, I don't doubt that we will cross paths as it is his home.

I'm not going to lie, thinking about seeing him all dressed up causes butterflies to swarm within my stomach. Although he usually is always dressed nicely when not in his school uniform, I haven't seen him completely dressed up since the Yule Ball last year, and he looked really good--like jaw-dropping good.

As I'm picturing Draco, a knock on our front door resounds. "I'll get it!" I exclaim, rushing towards our front door. Upon opening it, I see my best friend dressed in a beautiful emerald green dress that makes her red hair stand out even more. Her parents come up behind her, bearing wide grins.

"Libby!! You look stunning!" Susie speaks first as she flings her arms around my frame.

I wrap my arms around her, saying, "you as well! I love that color on you!"

As we pull away from each other, Mrs. Bones says, "Susie will finally be off our backs this evening. Every year at this event, she's always following us around since none of the others there her age are very--er how do I put this?--friendly."

Mr. Bones lets out a hearty laugh, which makes his big belly jiggle slightly as he says, "we're just happy your folks are letting you come with us."

Just then my parents come up behind me, greeting the Bones family with warm smiles.

"Barabra, Bob...thank you again for letting Libby join you all. I trust she'll stay out of trouble," my mother gives me a playful side glance as she says this.

I roll my eyes playfully as Mrs. Bones says, "the pleasure is all ours. We're happy Susie has such a great friend!" Just then, Mr. Bones looks at his watch and taps his wife's shoulders; I know where Susie gets her need to always be early and never late to things. "We must get going now...are you okay with her staying the night as well? I'm unsure of how late it will be."

"Of course. Have fun!" My mother quickly states before my father can decline. He's been a bit wary letting me stay over anywhere else besides home and school due to the possible uprising of You-Know-Who. Nymphi tells us of things happening all across the wizarding world, and he's been highly cautious because of it.

The Bones begin to walk away with a wave as I turn around to give my parents one last hug.

My father whispers in my ear, "don't trust anyone there besides the Bones family. A lot of people at this ball are speculated to be connected to You-Know-Who, especially the Malfoys." My father's voice is low and very serious. I swallow the hard lump in my throat as I nod along, feeling a sense of fear wash over me. He notices my expression as he adds, "I'm sure it will be fun though. Just promise to stay close to Susie and her parents."

I nod once more before giving my father a kiss on the cheek and running towards Susie and her parents, my heels clicking excitedly as I approach them. Mr. Bones holds out his hand for all of us to take, and that's when I realize we will be apparating there; something I've never experienced before. I've only ever used the trains and Floo Network as means of transportation.

"Hang on to my hand tightly," Mr. Bones says right before a whirlwind overcomes us as we all grab onto his larger hand. Just as quickly as we leave the front of my house, we are in front of large, blackened steel gates--what I presume to be the entrance to the Malfoy Manor. I look past the gates to the ginormous mansion; it's darkly regal as the moonlight peaks out from behind the rooftop. It's gorgeous but also quite intimidating. The Manor has to be at least ten times the size of my home.

"It's so grand!" I exclaim quietly, to which Susie nods wistfully before she turns her head towards me with a teasing grin.

"So, excited to see--" she glances up towards the opening gate where her parents are talking to the supposed security before bringing her gaze back to mine, "--Malfoy?"

I shrug my shoulders, trying to act nonchalant, but my pink-tinged cheeks give away the fact that I am. Her parents wave us to follow them down the dimly lit path with tall hedges on either side towards the mansion. We trail behind them a few meters back as Susie speaks up again.

She giggles before saying, "I knew you fancied him. He hardly ever makes his presence known at these events, only saying hello when his mother tells him too, but I bet he'll stay out longer since you'll be here." She's, now, giving me a cheeky smile to which I playfully shove her, both of us giggling.

"I promised my dad to stick with you and keep my distance from him...and every other boy," I roll my eyes at the last part which causes her to snicker more.

"My father is the same way. He told me no dating until I'm at least seventeen." She lets out a groan.

"What are you going to do about Ernie then?" I ask teasingly, to which her cheeks redden as she brings a finger up to her lips, shushing me.

"Shhh! He's just a really good friend." I raise my eyebrows at that, not believing her in the slightest. They're practically a couple with how they act.

"Mhmm," I only say as we are already at the large front doors. Mr. Bones gives us a hesitant smile before grabbing onto the snake-head door knocker--a proud indication of their loyalty to being Slytherins I'm sure—and knocking three times loudly.

There's a pause before the door opens, and the sounds of classical music pours out from within.

...

*unedited*

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