It was now December 23rd and Kriss and Lucinda were in a robe shop in Hogsmead called 'Maybelle's' trying on endless dress robes.
"What do you think of this one Kriss?" Lucinda asked, turning this way and that, in front of a large mirror.
"It's lovely, it really suits you Luce" Kriss tried to sound enthusiastic, but this was about the twentieth dress her friend had tried on. Claudette and Xanthe had already chosen and left to go to a beauty potion's shop next door 'Madam Caulkins'. Kriss had said she would stay with her friend to help her choose. In the end she opted for a black satin dress, cut low at the front with long sleeves and a tightly fitting bodice. Kriss secretly thought it made Lucinda look like a vampire, with her long dark hair. But knowing Luce, that was probably why she had chosen it.
Kriss had chosen straight away. When she saw the dress she knew it was the one. It was cherry red chiffon, with sleeves that were closely fitted with a slight gather at the top and hanging down long the wrist, the skirt part was four layered, the different layers forming a criss-cross effect on the way down and the bodice was a matching coloured satin corset - with lacing up the front. Kriss noticed that straight away, if that didn't get Snape's attention nothing would. Once her friend had paid for her dress they joined the others in Madame Caulkins, before going back to Hogwarts. Kriss being an expert on potions, always gave her friends exellent advice on what and what not to buy. Refuting any outlandish claims of miracle results, much to Mm'e Caulkins annoyance
Kriss and her friends had all managed to talk their parents into letting them stay at Hogwarts for the holidays. Claudette felt the guiltiest even though her father reassured her he would be fine with his friends. As for their dates – Lucinda and Xanthe were going with Carl and Darren respectively and Claudette with a boy called Adam from the 6th year. Kriss had been terrified of being asked by Caecius but she hadn't. Many boys had asked her from her own house, but she had declined them all.
Kriss had shocked her friends by asking someone outside her own house. She had spotted him in the Great hall one evening, sitting at the Ravenclaw table, furiously scribbling away on a piece of parchment. He was a 6th year, thin and lanky with dark hair and brown eyes. Kriss had tried not to laugh when she approached him, as he had looked terrified.
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you would like to go with me to the ball? That is, unless, you already have a date" She had asked.
The boy had looked up from his work at the girl standing beside him. He had gone bright red, then managed to say "Erm, why are you asking me?"
Kriss had sighed and rolled her eyes, then said " Why not?Well, would you?" She'd just wanted to find someone who wouldn't try anything with her, someone harmless. This boy had looked the part.
"Err, I, err, yes" The poor boy had stammered, looking around at his sniggering classmates and blushing even more. Slytheryn girls had a bit of a scary reputation in the other houses. The boy looked like he thought she would hex him if he declined her offer.
"Oh by the way, what's your name?" asked Kriss
"Gideon Blacksmith" the nervous boy had replied
"Mine's Krisstina Firestone, but everyone calls me Kriss, well I'd better go now, meet me outside the Slytheryn common room on the night!" She had called out as she'd walked away, to gasps of amazement from the Ravenclaw table. Her friends had been amazed at her, she was never normally like this. In fact she had always been quite reticent with boys in the past. Having had only two relationships with in the past two years, of which neither lasted long or was very serious. Her friends and her studies had always seemed more important to Kriss.
Very soon Christmas day arrived and the air was full of excitement. After they had opened their presents, Kriss and her friends had, had a sweet throwing fight, which then turned into a pillow fight, sending feathers everywhere. Then, they spent the rest of the day beautifying themselves, with the various lotions and potions they had bought. Only pausing to go down to Christmas dinner.
The great hall looked magnificent; huge Christmas trees lined the room, decorated with real fairy 'fairy lights', sparkling crystal snowflakes and shimmering glass baubles. There were real icicles hanging in midair over the tables, clinking into one another, every so often. On the tables there were real looking ice sculptures of various different magical creatures, moving around every now and then. It looked beautiful, like an icy wonderland.
The time soon came to put on their dresses and do their hair and makeup. Kriss stared at herself in the mirror, trying to imagine Snapes face when he saw her. She played with the lacing, remembering the night she had lost her nightdress and smiled. It seemed such a long time ago now, but her feelings for Professor had remained the same. "It's now or never, if he doesn't notice me tonight, he never will" She sighed and went to join her friends, who were awkwardly tottering down the spiral staircase from the girls dorm, in their high heels.
Kriss had not realized the attention her dress would bring. She could see girls looking at her and whispering to their friends and boys gaping open- mouthed. Kriss knew why they were staring, like most girls who had a naturally big bust from a young age, Kriss had tried to disguise it and make it less noticeable. She was proud of her figure, but she just wanted not to be stared at quite so much, for it. Tonight though, she was showing it off, the corset bodice enhancing her ample cleavage and slim waist. Claudette, Lucinda and Xanthe all met up with their dates in the common room, Kriss walked out with them.
Gideon was standing outside, looking nervous and shifty. Kriss was looking forward to the moment when he saw her. She didn't like bullying people, but was finding the pure terror she seemed to instill in this boy, good fun.
"Well, shall we go then?" Kriss had said casually. Gideon couldn't seem to speak; well, his jaw had nearly dropped through the floor when he saw her. He looked her up and down pausing at her chest, staring in amazement.
"WELL!" Kriss said trying to get his attention
"Err, yes" said the boy, he couldn't seem to take his eyes off her.
Kriss was slightly annoyed now "By the way, my face is up here!" She said pushing up his chin so that his face was level with hers.
"Sorry, it's just that you look so beautiful" Gideon said blushing furiously and looking away
Everyone made their way down to the great hall, talking and laughing excitedly, it was going to be a memorable night.