Disclaimer: I own nothing of HP or J.K Rowling's work

A/N: Damn, I write slow. That last chap dragged on because I kinda lost my mind. Oh well.. Yadda yadda yadda.. This one's almost done. Third book comin up.

Chapter 29: Dress-tacular

Time is the worst thing to live by. You pass day-by-day, not realizing how swiftly the year flew. Classes seemed to dwindle down to a mere two minutes a day, as everything was slowly becoming easier as we neared prom and graduation time. Imagine, our class graduating.. I was only here for two years, but I had grown fond of everything just as much as the next person who had spent all their life here.

Draco attempted to ask Snape to work by his side next year, but Snakey-Snape told him I was already going to. Ever since, Draco hasn't talked to me...So, we're back to normal. Hermione already made it clear that she was going to work with McGonagal, and so many others figured out who they'd work with. Now the irascible Draco was stuck with only one teacher involved in the program: Lockhart. Inside, my laughter erupted when I heard this, but I knew not to giggle near Draco, for I didn't want to die yet. I can just imagine him cursing me if he found out I had almost asked Gilderoy myself.

This was the weekend before Prom. We had this weekend, then all next week to prepare for our last dance. Hermione, Gwen, Victoria, and I decided to buy our dresses together on Sunday, tomorrow, when everyone went to Hogsmeade. I thought about making my dress, but decided I'd make it easier for me. Besides, I can always tweak one that I buy. I'll add frilly things or something. Or not..

Springtime brought flowers, blooming from the stems they grew up on. Kind of like humans..We grow up, through thick and thin, and then finally we go out into the world on our own and bloom.

Ha. I love metaphors.

The library was still my sanctuary, where I could hide away and venture into a new world from reading a book. As a little girl, one of my most remembered dreams was visiting another world. It would be filled with magic and creatures no one could ever imagine... I never really thought about until now, as I sit against the library wall, but this is my dream come true. This is my magical world I had always wanted to enter. I truly was euphoric here, no matter what obstacles I went through. Now, as the year was coming closer and closer to an end, it made me feel sad. What if, after next year, I never return here, to my home at Hogwarts?

Now taking a stroll outside, I stared longingly at the cherry-blossom trees. They were so magnificent...Beautiful...Romantic.. I noticed my sensitivity to everything today, and it scared me a bit. However, it's nice thinking about the small things in life that really matter.

"Maranda!" Hagrid's voice bellowed from a few yards away near his house. He waved, I waved, and soon I jogged over to greet him.

With a sincere smile, I spoke, "Hello, Hagrid. I was just taking a walk around school grounds. Can you believe it's almost time for prom? Nevermind that, but Graduation? I'm kind of scared to leave, but knowledge that I'll be back next year keeps me at bay."

"Yeh sound like a mature woman, Maranda," Hagrid seemed saddened, "I'm proud of you. Yeh've gotten so far in yer two years here. . . Look at me," He chuckled, "Actin' like a buffoon, startin' to tear up.. ..Enough...What're yeh up to today?"

I responded, "Nothing really. Tomorrow Gwen, Hermione, Veronica, and I are going to buy our prom dresses in Hogsmeade. The only problem with this is Veronica.. I don't want to start any fights with her. I know she still hates me, as I do her, but her hanging out with us is going to downright suck."

"At least Hermione and Gwen are going teh be there," Hagrid reminded me comfortably.

"True," I said, nodding my head, "I don't know what I would do without Hermione. Gwen is great, but we never got close until recently this year. She's really funny though. Anyways, What are you going to do today? It only seems fair to listen to you after you hear my ranting out."

"I'm actually going to help Madame Hooch repair the stands in the Quiddich Field for the game on Wednesday."

"Oh, right! I forgot we have one more game this year. Isn't Dumbledore giving us a half-day then?" I asked, feeling a bit forgetful.

Hagrid shook his head, "No, don't yeh remember anythin'? Yer havin' an assembly for graduation in the Great Hall. After that will be the game. The assembly is during last period."

"Oh...Wow, I didn't even think about that. I could have sworn someone told me it was the week after this coming one. Man.." I shook my head, and decided to get a move on with my day. Grinning again, I said, "I should get going, Hagrid. I'm going to write down what's going on this coming week and try to be a little more organized. Not only that, but I should make sure Hermione knows when the assembly is. So, when will I see you next?"

"Probably on Prom Night. I'll be chaperonin' with Snape, Lockhart, and many others. A majority of professors go to it because of the festivities and celebration of you graduatin'. Also, it's required that most teachers and staff go for the annual raffle, the professors' dance, and the contests. Yeh obviously don't know about this stuff, but there is a part of the prom where all the students can ask a professor to dance as a farewell-type-of-thing. There's also a dance contest during a few songs, if I remember correctly. Oh, and if yeh win the raffle, the prize is either an advanced spellbook, if yeh are a student, or a gift certificate, if yeh are a professor or staff member." Hagrid sighed, content with his speech.

"Dang," I mumbled and then stated, "That's really cool. I'll have to tell Hermione that too, but she probably knew. Well, Hagrid, I'll see you on Prom Night, if not before then."

Pulling me into a hug, Hagrid chuckled, "Bye then."

"Goodbye," I seperated myself from Hagrid's grip and began to walk away.

0o0o0o0o

Shopping Sunday...The day to buy a prom dress. Hermione hadn't any wisdom of the information regarding the special events on prom night, so I clearly explained to her what Hagrid told me previously. Gwen and Veronica also heard me state these facts, so they were both even more anxious than ever.

Hogsmeade wasn't exactly busy when we entered bright and early. Of course our peers were around, but a lot of them stayed behind to catch some extra sleep. I didn't blame them, for it was eight a.m.

"Here we are," Gwen exclaimed euphorically as we approached a formal attire store.

A tiny bell jingled as Hermione, Gwen, Veronica, and I entered the shop. A short, grey-haired man was standing behind the counter, angrily mumbling as he counted change for a customer. I straightened my shirt before strolling over to the women's section of the store with my friends... Well, my friends and one 'frenemy,' which is an enemy you pretend to be friends with.

After multiple pastel-colored dresses were tried on, I felt like throwing up. There was no way I would wear a light color to the prom. No way.

"This," I found a beautiful red and black dress, "is nice. I'm going to try it on." No one was really listening, for they were trying things on themselves.

I brought the gorgeous dress into a changing room, examining it before I put it on. It was sleeveless, red on top with glitter, slowly fading into black until it was completely black on the bottom. Around the waist started the tulle section, giving the dress that ballgown appearance. It was seriously breathtakingly beautiful. To me anyways. I took the dress and tried it on, immediately loving how it looked on my body. I had found the perfect dress.

Double Hoorah!

Exiting the changing room with my normal clothes back on, and the dress in my grasp, I found Hermione purchasing a beautiful purple gown. Veronica was behind her, impatiently waiting to buy her ugly blue dress. It was plain, distasteful, and vulgar...and that was just her!

Wow, I have a cruel mind.

Gwen came out of the changing room practically bouncing off of the walls. She yelled to me from across the store that she found her dress at last, and needed a moment to make sure she didn't miss any other ones that could seem better. I walked up to the cash register, waiting behind Veronica as it was her turn. Hermione stood next to me, telling me she would meet me outside. I guess the air in the store got to her, for she seemed irritated.

"Can I help you?" The grumpy, aged man questioned as I realized it was my turn to pay. Veronica walked past me, meeting Hermione and Gwen outside.

My smile was faux, but at least I tried to be nice. Placing the dress on the table, I got my purse ready. The price was more than I imagined, but I badly wanted it. So, I did what any typical shopping-lover would do...I bought it!

Upon exiting the store with my purchased item in a bag, I spotted Hermione talking to Draco. Gwen was jumping up and down, yelling that she had to use the bathroom. I laughed as I went up to my friends. Veronica suggested us all going to the Leaky Cauldron so Gwen could visit the lavatory. Hermione invited Draco, but he said he had some more shopping to do. Thank goodness, for I didn't feel like hanging out with any guys at the moment. Despite Veronica and I secretly hating each other, I would rather stay next to her and the girls for awhile.

We rushed to the Leaky Cauldron, randomly stopping so Gwen could relax a bit. She really had to answer her nature's call. We entered, sat down, and ordered four butterbeers as Gwen sprinted to the girl's bathroom. I've never seen anyone have to go so bad.

After Hermione, Veronica, Gwen, and I finished our butterbeers, we decided to bring our dresses back to Hogwarts. The day was slowly ending, but our fun stayed throughout the night. I was anticipating prom night, but I knew I would have to get through the week first.