Fashion had never been Salazar's strong point. In an age of more-is-more, Salazar was often-as-not to be found walking along the streets of the new Wizard Court without a single ruffle to his person. But this, this was definitely a trend he could follow. Salazar pulled the hood over his face, the dark shiny material casting impressive, mysterious shadows over his pointed nose and prominent cheekbones. He turned in profile and took a few steps, smiling at how much more epic walking was going to be with the dark fabric billowing behind his feet. He was so caught up in his own self-image that he failed to hear the footsteps of his friend-cum-minion, Lionel Carrow.
"Why are you wearing that? It makes you look like the Grim Reaper." Lionel said.
Salazar wrapped the black robes around him and smiled disparagingly.
"I hope you're not trying to make a fashion statement because that'll never catch on in the court. At the very least, tell me someone's died and you're in some sort of exaggerated mourning."
"My dear Lio, I will tell you that this is not even my idea. It is, in fact, the court's idea. These are wizard's robes. They will differentiate us from the muggle masses."
"Great idea. Pick something so horrible that even the muggles are smart enough to avoid wearing it. Lovely."
"Your sarcasm is futile, Lionel! These robes are both a sign of differentiation and reconciliation. They are, in fact, based on the dress code of the Order of Merlin."
"Yes, but the Order of Merlin's robes are royal blue and incandescent and amazing. These are just horrible and blob-like."
"Well, excuse me for not having the time to see a tailor. Do they really make me look blob-like?"
Lionel surveyed his friend's bone-thin form. "No. Like I told you, you look like the Grim Reaper. And why do we want to look like the Order of Merlin again?"
"As you know, Merlin was the first wizard to really connect the wizarding world with the muggle court, to legitimize magic back in the days when witches were seen as completely evil, wizards as the type who kidnapped princesses and must be destroyed. He was the first wizard liaison to the Muggle King Arthur."
Lionel sighed and resigned himself to a history lesson.
"Despite the troubles that followed, especially with that most talented witch who was Arthur's Half-Sister, Merlin's legacy allowed many wizards and witches to openly practice magic, and eventually led to the formation of the Wizard Court which exists today. The original purpose of the Order of Merlin, following the great Wizard's footsteps, was to advise the muggle King in all things relating to magic – and maybe cast a few Imperius curses if things were going badly, you know."
Lionel shrugged. "Great. That still doesn't explain why we all should look like a bunch of pompous, overly self-important old men."
"And women."
"Woman," Lionel agreed. Salazar and Lionel both thought of Magdalena Kittrage, the first witch to be inducted into the Order of Merlin. Then they thought about her face and wished they hadn't brought it up. 'Walrus' was a good adjective to describe Magdalena. It might even be a euphemism. "Eugh. So why again do you want to dress like that?"
"It will show Wizard Solidarity."
"It will show Wizard Lack-of-Style."
"They look dashing."
"They look like a wet blackbird."
Salazar snorted loudly and strode out of the room, robes dragging on the floor behind him.
"Go see a tailor!" shouted Lionel after him.
"That's what I'm doing!" Salazar shouted back.