I was able to restrain the barrage of tears that threatened to break through, stinging my 'lids, until I could hear the sound of hoof beats from the horses that pulled their carriage fading into the night.
Quietly, so that no one could hear me, I slipped away to my favorite spot in the manor. Or rather, behind the manor… the fountain, where I used to sit with father as a child. I laid my head on the bench, wishing he could be here with me now, allowing the tears to trickle down my cheek in a steady stream, not bothering to wipe them away.
I must have sat like that for an hour, the bottom of my dress soiled from mud, when I looked up. It hadn't seemed like that amount of time had passed, but when I look back on it now, I realized I'd dozed, for, an hour had indeed passed.
Suddenly, something began to glimmer on the horizon, shining like diamonds. I was under the impression that maybe I was dreaming, so I rubbed my eyes vigorously, trying to get my bearings. I stood to run as I realized the glimmering lights were beginning to take form-; human form. I scrambled to my feet, but, alas, I tripped on the hem of my muddy gown and tumbled to the ground, watching in a sort of suspended horror as a solid torso, then head, appeared from no where. I squeezed m eyes shut tight, afraid to watch. My thoughts raced from "must be dreaming" to the old wives tales I'd heard of demons and spirits.
"Don't be afraid, dear." The words, and the musical quality of the voice that uttered them, caught me off guard; I'd been expecting a hiss and a snarl, then a demonic, evil creature to appear.
"Don't be afraid…" The voice repeated, and I found the courage to peel my hands away from my eyes. The owner of the voice was a woman; a woman older than time itself. It shown in every wrinkle of her ancient face, radiated in her very sense of being.
"W-who are you?" I choked, finally finding my voice. It was weak and feeble, but I had spoken the words. That was a great accomplishment in itself.
"I, dear?" She laughed, a laugh that could only be described as the tinkling of small bells. "I, dear, am your fairy Godmother."
"Poppycock." She was crazy. She had to be. Or I was dreaming. Or a mixture of both. "What nonsense you talk…"
"Nonsense, you say? Then how, Lily Evans of Valley Broad, do I know your secret dreams? Your wishes? Your hearts innermost desires? The ball, Lily. You shall go to the ball."
It was too good to be true. I couldn't believe her… could I?
"Yes, you must believe, for it to happen. But, first, you must bring me a pumpkin."
"A pumpkin?" I raised a delicately arched eyebrow high upon my forehead.
"Don't ask questions, we haven't time. Just bring what I ask, and I'll work my magic."
I nodded and hurried to the garden around the side of the manor, picking out a medium sized pumpkin and dragging it towards her.
I watched in amazement as she waved her wand, and the pumpkin began to grow, doubling, and then tripling in size. "Your chariot." She smiled.
A few moments later, I had a footman, a driver, and four beautiful white stallions, all whinnying and anxious to get moving.
"Ah, but you can't go to the ball looking like this… no, it wouldn't do." She waved her wand, and I was dressed in the most beautiful gown I'd ever seen. It was a silky, pearly white, and seemed to shine, as if moonbeams danced across the surface. I put a hand up to my hair, and my crimson locks had been placed in a delicate arrangement atop my head, a silver tiara holding the curls into place.
"As it is a masquerade ball, it is only fair you go in costume… as the angel you are."
I smiled, taking the beaded white mask she handed me, and realized a pair of shiny wings were attached to the back of my dress.
"Well then, my dear, It's off to the ball for you! Wouldn't want you to be late. However, you must leave by the final stroke of midnight, for after midnight, my magic wears off…"