Reserve League, finals, Chaser : it was… utterly revolting

366: delight

Insane Prompt Challenge: Millicent Bulstrode

Word Count: 1018


Daphne hadn't hesitated when Millicent asked her to be a bridesmaid. Millicent is one of her closest friends. How could she have said no?

Truthfully, however, she finds hersel sorely tempted to reconsider as Millicent holds up the bridesmaid dress. It is… utterly revolting.

Daphne waits. Surely her friend will start laughing. How could Daphne believe Millicent would put her and the others in such a monstrous eyesore? Any second now, Millicent will put the hideous dress away, and she will reveal something more sleek and elegant.

Except she doesn't.

Instead, there's a look of pure delight on her face. "Isn't it perfect? Mother says these types of dresses are especially popular in upscale areas."

Daphne wonders if Mrs. Bulstrode perhaps has a grudge against her daughter. No caring mother could ever suggest such a dress in good conscience.

"Daph?" Millicent presses. "Earth to Daphne. Say something."

Daphne can't bring herself to hurt her best friend's feelings. She smiles through it and swallows down the things she would like to say. "It is… You have certainly picked a vibrant dress."

It's the closest she can come to complimenting the dress, but maybe it's enough. At the very least, Millicent looks pleased with this response. She's positively glowing.

"I knew you would approve! You're the fashionista!"

"Come on," Astoria says, pouring tea. "The dress can't be that bad."

Daphne accepts her cup, stirring in milk and sugar. "It can," Daphne assures her.

Her sister snorts, eyes rolling. "What's so bad about it?"Daphne considers for a moment. It's hard to pinpoint just one thing. There's so much about it that makes it a nightmare. "Everything."

"Remember when Hestia got married? I wore that ugly salmon pink dress," Astoria reminds her.

Daphne remembers it clearly. It had been a terrible dress, but at least it wasn't beyond redemption. Astoria's natural beauty had been enough to distract from the dress. Daphne thinks that the most beautiful woman in the world couldn't make this dress work.

"I'm glad Mill has you," Astoria adds, pausing to sip her tea.

"Why's that?"

Her younger sister just grins. "Because you hate the dress, but you love her too much for it to matter."

It's true. Daphne would never let her own thoughts ruin her friend's wedding. The dress might be terrible, but it's just for one night.

Daphne stares at her reflection, still unable to get over the dress. It's a navy skin-tight and off the shoulder number until about halfway done. The bottom flares off into what might be a mermaid tail design in a shocking shade of neon green that is accented with straps are ruffled with so much tulle, and rhinestones line the plunging neckline.

Why the hell would Mrs. Bulstrode tell Millicent that this is upscale fashion? Why couldn't she have found something elegant? Truth be told, Daphne would happily wear a burlap sack instead. of this.

She takes a deep breath, reminding herself that this isn't about her. It's Millicent's special day, and Daphne can smile through it all.

The door opens, and Millicent appears in the doorway, giggling. "I can't believe you're actually wearing it."

"Of course I am. You're the bride."

Millicent hikes up her poofy skirt, making her way closer. "You know I would be a terrible friend if I actually asked you to wear that, right?" She retrieves her wand, muttering a spell that Daphne has never heard before. "Though, really, you're a great friend if you were actually going to wear it. Have a look now."

All the gaudy adornments are gone: the rhinestones, the sequins, the massive layers of tulle. It has become a solid color, and the style is much more fitting.

Daphne admires the new teal, off the shoulder dress with a plunging neckline. This could be considered high fashion. Maybe there are important women in Milan who are dressed similarly.

"So…. Are you going to explain the reason behind that eyesore?"

Millicent snorts. "So you did hate it!"

"I'm kind, Mill. I'm not blind," Daphne says dryly.

Grinning, Millicent shrugs. "At least you're kind. Pansy had some awful things to say about it." She shakes her head, pausing to tuck a stray curl behind her ear after it comes loose. "I don't really have friends, Daphne. Just you. I knew the dress would help me weed out the fake friends."

"Bit dramatic."

Millicent laughs. "Yeah, maybe," she confirms sheepishly. "But it worked. No one stayed but you."

Daphne bites the inside of her cheek. She hates that it is still so hard for Millicent to make and keep friends. More painful, still, is that she knows many who call her a friend are cruel and waiting for her to fall. Not Daphne. Daphne has always made it her policy to love so deeply and completely, and Millicent makes it so easy to do.

"Come on," Daphne says, wrapping an arm around her beloved friend. "Let's get you married."

"I knew you were exaggerating!" Astoria says when she finds Daphne at the reception. "You look hot! Blaise has barely been able to keep his eyes off you."

Daphne lifts her champagne to her lips, sipping as she watches the bride and groom share an awkward first dance. "Millicent is full of surprises," she says.

Her sister snorts and takes a seat, picking up a raspberry pastry and popping it into her mouth. "When I get married, you're wearing an atrocious dress," she says between bites. "We're talking zebra print and feathers. You have to experience the whole terrible dress for the sake of a loved one's happiness at least once."

"I really hope Draco doesn't propose to you any time soon," Daphne teases.

Astoria rolls her eyes and folds her arms over her chest, huffing. Daphne ignores her and leans back. Millicent smiles even as she stumbles, far too clumsy for a waltz. That smile is all Daphne needs to know that it doesn't matter how terrible the little details may seem. In the end, all she cares about is knowing that her loved ones are happy.