"Listen up everybody!" James shouted. The Gryffindor Prefect was trying to catch everyone's attention unsuccessfully. A wave of sparks exploded in the air in the Gryffindor Commons and everyone shrieked and screamed to the sudden display.

"Listen up, will you!" James repeated. "This winter, we will be hosting the Snow Masquerade Ball in honor of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, the previous headmaster of Hogwarts before Headmistress McGonagall. As we all know, the Battle of Hogwarts marks the end of great terror and darkness but also the beginning of mourn for the greatest wizards of all time. We will host this event a week before the winter break. Boys are to wear your uniforms and girls are to wear dresses. If you have any questions, please ask the Gryffindor Prefects." After the speech, James approached Hope.

"Hope, may I talk to you for a minute? In private?" Hope nodded and they proceeded out the commons and away from the cheering crowd. Albus saw James and Hope leave the room and it felt as if someone had taken a hold of his heart and squeezed.

What are they up to? Albus thought.

Outside, where things were much quieter, James finally spoke up, "Hope, McGonagall told me to pass this message to you." James took a note from his pocket and handed it to her.

Hope already knew what it was. She dreaded this moment but the fact that she knew helped with the disappointment. It was from her mother. As if being a half-blood wasn't hard enough, her mother constantly scolded her and tried countless times to prevent Hope from coming to Hogwarts. Her father had died in the Battle of Hogwarts and Hope was left with her step-mother (a very evil muggle, I have to say). Her two sisters, also muggles, often teased her and make fun of her for wearing those silly cloths and waving a pathetic wand around. Hope ignored them and was determined to follow in her father's footsteps of becoming a wizard.

Hope took a deep breath and opened the letter.

Hope,

The school has informed all parents and guardians about the Snow Ball. I have told Headmistress McGonagall not to allow you to go. For the weekend the ball is held, you will be at home with us. You must understand this is not the right path for you.

Mother

Hope sighed. "I'm sorry, father." She said aloud. "This isn't what mother wants but I'm sure that this is what you want." After folding the letter back into place, Hope mumbled the password to the portrait and sulked into the commons area where everyone was still celebrating.

The next morning, during breakfast, Hope filled Ivy in about the letter.

"But you must go! This is for Dumbledore! Your mother knows that right? Dumbledore is the most famous wizard of all time and she's holding you back from that too? No, I won't allow it! Hope, you must go to the ball!" Ivy insisted.

"I'm sorry. She wants me to go home during the Snow Ball. And we all know the Snow Ball is on a weekend. I'm sorry, Ivy." Hope apologized.

"Your apology is NOT accepted! Don't worry; I'll come up with a plan! You'll see!" Ivy seemed pretty determined so Hope gave up on arguing with her.

In the middle of Herbology class, Ivy suddenly sat up straight and inhaled a sharp breath. She looked at Hope with an excited, wide open, smile and gave her two thumbs up.

"Miss Turner, do you have a problem?" Professor Longbottom asked.

"No, sir." Ivy smiled innocently.

"Good. Now, let's continue." For the rest of class, Ivy twitched and smiled like she had ants in her pants and was trying hard to hide it.

"I've got it!" Ivy exclaimed as they left the class.

"Got what? Ants? You were squirming an awful lot in class." Hope replied.

"Yes. I've got ants, Hope." Ivy said sarcastically. "I was talking about the Snow Ball! You know my mother is a muggle as well, right? Well, we could get her into the plan as well."

"What plan?" Hope asked, intrigued.

"Well…"

"Go on…"

"We could tell your mother, you're spending the night at my house during the Snow Ball, while really, we are going to the dance."

"And what does your mother have to do with this?" Hope asked.

"I know your mother, Hope. She'll probably call in to check up on you and such and such. Once she does, we'll have my mother tell your mother you're doing just fine. My mother is good at making excuses so don't worry." Ivy smiled.

Hope admitted that that was a good plan, but there was just something about it that wasn't covered. "Are you sure it will work?"

"I'm positive."

Days passed. Weeks passed. Finally, the time of the Snow Ball came. All the students were excited and ready. Many had dates and were paired to go. Ivy and Hope on the other hand planned to go with each other to avoid the loneliness.

As they planned, Ivy had sent a message to her mother, informing her about the plan. Hope, on the other hand, had left earlier that morning. Hope's mother was told that she will be staying at Ivy's place. So far, the plan was working out perfectly. Hope's mother dropped her off, waved good-bye and ran into the house as fast as possible. The broom was prepared and was left on Ivy's bed while Ivy's mother waved a final good-bye to Mrs. Kingsley.

"Are you alright, Hope?" Mrs. Turner asked. Her sparkling green eyes, much like Ivy's, was full of concern.

"I'm fine. Please don't worry about me." Hope answered. She felt sick and had a feeling like the plan will crash, but so far, so good. Hope climbed onto the window sill, grabbed the broom, and moments later, she was on her way back to Hogwarts.

Two hours had passed and the Snow Ball was nearing. Ivy sat on her bed, worried and anxious.

"She should be here by now." Ivy mumbled to herself. Suddenly, a light tap on the window indicated that Hope had arrived.

"Quick! Get into your dress! We only have an hour!" Ivy ushered her in, grabbed the broom and shoved the dress into Hope's hands. Ivy was already dressed and made up; all that was left was Hope.

Thirty minutes later, Hope and Ivy looked over each other to see if there was anything to fix. Ivy twirled in her green dress and smiled shyly. The top wrapped around her neck and left her back bare. Her auburn locks barely brushed the small of her back. The intricate grass and flower designs covered the front of her dress and reached just a little past the waist. The light colored designs contrasted with the forest green of the dress and brought out Ivy's eyes, the same bright green as her mothers.

"You look absolutely amazing Ivy." Even Hope was left breathless. Ivy had on soft brown eye shadow and eyeliner as to not steal the attention of the dress.

"Don't compliment me, look at yourself!" Ivy twirled Hope around, making her see her own reflection in the mirror. The white dress fitted perfectly on Hope. Small snowflakes covered the corset part of the gown. The dress flowed behind Hope, almost as if it was mist was wrapped around her body. Hope wore no makeup and her dark brown hair cascaded down her shoulders in princess curls.

For a moment, Hope couldn't recognize herself. Then, everything came to her and she realized, yes, this is me.

Will he be there? Hope thought to herself. Then she mentally slapped herself for asking such a stupid question. Obviously he'll be there with Heather. They probably made up or something. Maybe he's even expecting something tonight. Hope smiled to herself, trying to block out all thoughts involving Albus. He wasn't worth it.

Ivy grabbed her mask and put it on and tried to help Hope on with hers as well. "Are you ready?"

Hope took a deep breath to calm herself and nodded. "Let's go."