On the day of Slughorn's Party, which was also Halloween morning, Harry was finishing up her charms homework in Hufflepuff common room when Marcus came in.
"My sister just owled this for you." He said, while handing the package containing dress for the evening party to Harry. He seemed really excited about this.
Harry had spoken to Sirius about this party last evening. He was surprised, when learnt that she will be taking Marcus as her date. He also told her that almost all Slytherin above third year got invitation for this party, which caused Harry to rethink about going as Riddle will be there. But Marcus's excitement for this evening, made Harry to go as per her earlier plan. Come to think of it, Riddle might have forgotten all about their earlier meeting.
Harry looked at the package, she had no idea how to get ready for the evening, and knew that her dorm-mates won't help her anyway. Then suddenly, she remembered someone who might help her.
Getting excited she ran straight to her house's head Herbert Beery to get permission to use his floo network.
Amanda Lawson was putting new beauty products for display, when she heard someone calling her name.
She turned to floo network, and found that it was none other than that teen witch, who came to her parlour along with her brother earlier that summer. Her face split into a smile, "Harry, look at you. You have grown. And those hair look perfect. How are you sweetie?"
"I am fine Ms Lawson. But I need your help. Can I come through?"
"Sure sweetie. I told you that you can come to me anytime without asking."
Harry started telling her about party and her date. She then showed her the package that Marcus gave her.
"Let's see what he got you." Amanda opened up the package and found a frilly pink evening gown in it. Harry gaped, she won't wear pink. She hated that colour, it could be any colour but pink for her.
"Hmm...it's uhhh...okay ...but this colour and design won't work. I won't let you wear something like this. Let me think." Amanda said.
Harry felt relaxed, atleast she agreed with her on this.
Amanda started looking at Harry, as if trying to imagine what would look best on her.
Suddenly, she jumped up in excitement. "Oh I have a perfect evening dress for you. It belonged to my younger sister once, but she is all grown up now. I think it will fit you perfectly. Just wait here. I'll be back in a minute."
Harry just looked at her confused, as she left room. She didnt know why, but she started feeling slightly queasy with a thought of wearing an evening gown, since she saw Marcus's package with a pink surprise in it.
She looked up as Amanda came back carrying a package with her. "Just try this sweetie." Amanda showed her the room where she could change.
After few minutes, Harry came out wearing the gown Amanda gave her. It was bottle green coloured, thin strap silk gown. It fit perfectly on her. Harry also liked it, as it was not pink, for her any colour or design was better than that nightmare gown which Marcus gave her.
"Oh my.. That looks perfect on you. Let me just do something with your hair, and put some light makeup on your face. Oh and also let's change those shoes, you need to wear proper footwear with that gown."
After half an hour, grinning Amanda moved back to look at her, "You look gorgeous."
She moved Harry in front of mirror.
Harry was shocked when she looked at her reflection. She couldn't identify the girl in that mirror. She looked beautiful.
"Your date won't be able to take his eyes off you."
Harry just rolled eyes and said , "But Amanda, I don't want him to look at me. We are going as friends. "
Amanda just smiled and shook her head.
"What time are you supposed to meet your date sweetie?"
"At seven..oh its already quarter to seven. I must leave. Thanks Amanda, I can't tell how grateful I am to you. I'll return this gown by next week."
"Oh sweetie..you keep it, my sister doesn't need it anymore and it looks perfect on you. And you can come anytime if you need any other help."
Harry hugged Amanda, thanking her again, then left through floo network.
Marcus was waiting for Harry at Hufflepuff common room's entrance dorm, when she came in. He looked towards her and his jaw dropped. He could not form any words.
Harry just stood in front of him, looking at him concerned. "Marc, are you okay? You are opening and closing your mouth again and again."
"Yyyou look nice.. No no no..not nice.." He shook his head
"Okay I don't look nice. Can we go now?" Harry frowned at him.
"What I mean Harry is that you don't look nice but amazing ... sorry ...not amazing but beautiful." He then nodded his head as if finally able to say what he wanted. "Yes you look beautiful". He finished with a grin.
Harry just raised her eyebrows then shook her head. "Thanks Marc. You also look great today." She said while looking at his pale blue robe."Sorry I didn't wear the gown your sister sent. As per Ms Lawson this looks better."
"It's okay Harry. You look great in this."
"Thanks again Marc. Can we go now?"
Tom was standing with few of his fellow Slytherins, listening to them as they passed on comments about various students and guests.
"She looks as if she ate her lipstick instead of applying it." Lestrange commented about one ginger haired witch who just passed by them.
Crabbe snickered and added, "She was Nott's date last time. "
"It was not her but her twin sister. My date was prettier." Nott said defensively.
"They are twins. How can you compare? They look exactly the same." Malfoy added.
"You haven't seen her " Nott argued.
"We just saw her twin. We don't need to see her." Crabbe said while gesturing towards the witch, who was now talking to some other guest.
Tom looked towards the girl they were talking about. How could they date her or her twin? She was all red, with red hair, red dress, and red shoes. He hated red colour as it was Griffindor colour and he hated anything related to Griffindor.
He liked green, as it was Slytherin colour and the colour of her eyes. Her eyes looked really attractive with her spark of anger. Oh that reminded him of the way she touched his lips.. her hands through his hair... Oh Merlin..not again..he again started thinking about her. She is driving him mad. He sighed and shook his head. Whats wrong with him? He ran his hand through his hair when he heard Lestrange say - "Isn't that Sirius's sister ?"
Tom immediatly looked towards the door, and found the witch who was haunting his thoughts and dreams these days. He could not take his eyes off her. He really liked that she was wearing his green. He smirked with a thought of her wearing his colours. He tilted his head slightly, and observed her. He neck and shoulders looked completely delectable, and those eyes today looked mesmerising. He sighed again, then noticed somebody standing next to her. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at her date for the evening, that stupid Puff Prefect Marcus Barnes.
"She looks yummy." Nott said.
Tom moved his eyes towards Nott. How dare he? He felt a volcano of rage burst within him. How dare he think that way about her?
"Yeah I get what you mean." Lestrange nodded to Nott, then added. "Look at her body. Oh, how I would..."
"You guys should not talk this way about her." Abraxas cut in immediately. He saw how Tom started looking towards Nott and Lestrange, when they commented about that Evans girl. He didn't want them to face any severe punishment later, that's why stopped them before they could continue.
"Why? Is she your girlfriend? " Nott asked.
"Not mine. But she is a sister of one of our dorm mates. So we should respect her." Abraxas tried to explain.
Lestrange just laughed and said, "Oh I don't care. I can take her..."
"If you finish that sentence, then I will kill you right here." Tom hissed in anger.
He glared at Nott, who gulped. "Now listen. You can do and say whatever you want about any other witch, but, if I ever heard any of you talk in any inappropriate way about Harry I will punish you in such a way, that you will wish you were never born. "
Tom looked at Lestrange, who was now trembling slightly with fear. "She is mine. You lay off. " He then turned and left.