Chapter Fourteen

It was time for the Halloween Feast to start, followed by the first annual Hogwart's Masquerade Ball. It had been Hermione's idea, and she had managed to convince the Headmaster to allow the dance. There would be an hour between supper and the ball in order for the students to change into their costumes.

Val occupied her usual seat between Oliver and the potions master at the head table. She conversed with her friend between bites of the delicious food, studiously ignoring the resigned sighs of Snape as he alternated between pushing his food around on his plate and glaring at Dumbledore. Oliver leaned in and whispered in her ear, Don't mind him. He's just put out because we all have to attend and chaperone the ball, and costumes and masks are mandatory. By the way, what did you decide on for your costume?

Val smiled mysteriously. That would ruin the surprise, Oliver. I'll give you a hint though. I'm dressing up as a character from one of my favorite Muggle movies. How about you?

He grinned back at her. Nah, if you're not telling I'm not either, but I'll return the favor. My costume is based on a legendary figure in both Muggle and Wizarding history.

Val glanced down the table at her colleagues. I wonder who everyone else is going to be... Snape's abrupt departure from the table disturbed her musing, and she watched him stalk out the teacher's door on the side of the room. Oliver laughed.

Snape's probably going to come as a giant bat. Not a stretch of the imagination by any means.

Val giggled at the joke before looking serious. That's mean Oliver, but entirely true. She pushed back her own chair and stood up. I'm going to go to my chambers now and get ready. I'll see you in an hour.

Back in her room Val removed her costume from the wardrobe and laid it out carefully over her bed. There was a knock on the door, and she opened it to reveal Hermione and Ginny with their arms full of their own costumes.

Can we get ready here Val? Ginny asked.

Lavender and Parvati are hogging the bathroom in Gryffindor tower, and Malfoy's using ours. Besides, we want to surprise the boys, Hermione added.

Sure, come on in. Val opened her door wider to admit the two girls, and gestured to them to put their things down in a nearby chair.

So who are you going as? Ginny asked curiously as she watched her cousin move to the mirror and use her wand to charm her hair from red to a glossy raven black. She glanced from the frilly dress on the bed to the corset and underthings Val was wearing. Val smiled at her and waved an imaginary fan in front of her face.

Why darling, don't you recognize Scarlett O'Hara? she asked in a dainty Southern accent.

Both girls laughed and Hermione said, The picnic scene at the beginning, right? I always loved that white dress with the little green leaves and the sash.

Val slipped the dress over her head and Ginny moved to fasten the back. She applied a final charm to her lips to make them redder and twirled around. How do I look? she asked her cousin.

Just like the movie, Val. It's amazing.

Having finished dressing, Val helped the two girls get ready. Hermione was dressed as Belle in the ballroom scene of Beauty and the Beast, complete with gown, slippers, and gloves. Ginny had opted to be Glinda from the Wizard of Oz. She wore the pink ballgown and even carried the silver star wand of the good witch.

Are the guys dressed to match you? Val asked as she applied the finishing touches to the girl's costumes and conjured up matching face masks for all of them.

No, we let them off the hook. Ron didn't want to be the Beast and Ginny threatened to make Harry dress up as a Munchkin, but he refused, Hermione answered. This mental picture had all of the girls rolling with laughter.

That would be like Draco dressing up as a ferret, Ginny gasped as she straightened her crown. Once the girls had finally calmed down they donned their masks and linked arms on their way to the Great Hall. It was time for the Masquerade to begin.