CHAPTER TWELVE
That seemed to be the question on many girls' lips through out the Great Hall. For once Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin girls stood united. Nobody had been warned and absolutely none of them had something just right to wear.
"Well," Emma-Leigh said, "I might make a fool of myself but I'm a drama nerd so here it goes." Michelle, Hermione and Ginny looked at Emma-Leigh as if she was insane. Emma-Leigh stood up on the table.
"Women of Hogwarts!" she yelled. Heads whipped around, and the teachers looked at her inquisitively. "I will only take a moment of your time," she took a deep breath, "Professor Dumbledore has just announced that we will be having a Muggle style dance. Now the first thing I thought of was "What the hell am I going to wear?" And judging by the look on many of your faces you were thinking the same thing. Soo to wrap this up I propose that the ladies of the houses get together bringing all their Muggle cloths and share… because I know I have a skirt that would look absolutely divine on you Pansy… and Mich has a top that would bring out the colour in your eyes Hannah. So… Who's with me?" she asked. The Hall was silent, "shit" Emma-Leigh thought. Then Michelle stood up and started to clap. Once Michelle had set the trend Ginny and Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindors stood up. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw followed suit, the Slytherins of course remained seated. Pansy was still shocked that Emma-Leigh had addressed her like that. Ick… A Gryffindor. She started to bitch at her friends about how stupid Emma-Leigh was for doing that. When all the girls had finally settled down and Emma-Leigh was off the table they started to eat. Harry sat there with the "yup that's my girlfriend" look on his face.
"Wow Emma-Leigh that was really brave. I never could have stood up in front of everyone like that." Parvati said in awe.
"It was nice of you to extend your invitation to the Slytherins, but I doubt many of them will show up." Hermione pointed out.
"I know," Emma-Leigh sighed "but at least I tried. Did you see the look on Pansy's face when I said that thing about the skirt? What a bitch! Whatever I made my point… for the most part"
Professor McGonagall gave up her classroom for Emma-Leigh's department store posters went up all over the school. 'Come to Emmelz Snow Ball Shopping Extravaganza.' Clothes started to pile in. Emma-Leigh, Hermione and Michelle put name charms on all the clothes… just a way of making sure that all items of clothing returned to their owners. They had the store completely set up three days before Christmas. Emma-Leigh once again took her place atop the Gryffindor table.
"Ladies, Emmelz Snow Ball Department Store Will Be Open For Business From 1 to 5 This Evening Only!" the girls from all tables started to talk excitedly.
Hermione, Michelle, and Emma-Leigh went to McGonagall's newly transformed classroom.
"I think we done good." Michelle said.
"I think that was the worst English sentence I've ever heard!" Emma-Leigh said. They put out the last few items in their appropriate places, tidied up a bit, and put on the dumb elevator/department store music on.
"I hate this crap. Seriously man so dumb." Emma-Leigh complained. "Yoink." She said as she grabbed Michelle's I-pod and hooked it up. "I'm so glad we have the same taste in music." Emma-Leigh said as she started to sing along with Wonderwall.
It was nearing 1 o-clock and the girls were already waiting outside. Emma-Leigh stepped out of the classroom.
"Hello all. I know we are all very excited but I must ask you to be nice during this. No Fighting will be tolerated! LETS SHOP!" The girls of Hogwarts crowded into the "store" and looked around in surprise.
"You really pulled it off Emmelz." Hannah said an hour later as she looked at a black halter-top. Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs alike were all together, complimenting and helping each other out.
"Talk about interhouse unity." Said Hermione.
" 'cept Slytherin" Michelle said rather blandly.
"Well, beggars can't be choosers. At least I tried" Emma-Leigh said happily.
"Umm…" said a voice from behind them. They all turned around and looked at a girl in Green robes.
"Millicent, Hey. Welcome to The Emmelz Department store. Over there we have pants of all colours, there skirts of various lengths, over there halters, tanks, and tees, and dresses over in that corner. Everything else is all around. Have fun shopping," Emma-Leigh said because she was the first to recover from seeing a Slytherin doing something a Gryffindor started.
"Are you sure? I only stopped by… maybe I should just… never mind forget I was here…" Millicent said as she turned and started to walk away as red as a Weasley.
"Where do you think you're going? I thought you were here to shop." Emma-Leigh grabbed Millicent "Come here. I saw this top that would look exquisite on you!" Millicent smiled and allowed herself to be dragged in by Emma-Leigh.
"What an odd turn of events." Hermione said as she watched everyone praise the outfit Emma-Leigh helped Millicent pick out.
"Indeed." Michelle agreed.
"Last hour Girls!" Ginny called out. Most of them had outfits, but were still browsing just for the sake of shopping. Parvati had the most obscure getup on and was on the floor laughing hysterically.
"Well, I believe this was a success. We all have great clothes for the dance and at least one person from each house came. It's a start." Emma-Leigh said.
"Yup, and Pansy shows up in a crap outfit we will look even more Fantastic!… and Draco will be mine." Michelle said the last part under her breath.
Back in the Gryffindor Common room, they were all sitting in their favourite chares telling the boys of the day's events.
"Yah we all have perfect outfits, now all we have to worry about is hair and make up." Said Michelle in a happy but very sarcastic voice. It was then time for dinner. They took their regular seats and Professor Dumbledore stood up to say a few words.
"I heard that Emma-Leigh's little project worked out extremely well. Good Job." All the girls started to applaud Emma-Leigh, being Emma-Leigh stood up and took a bow. "Yes, yes. Now lets eat." The food appeared and they all settled and started to eat. Emma-Leigh looked at the Slytherin table.
"Hey you guys," she said, "look at Millicent…" she was sitting alone and it looked like Pansy was saying mean things about her.
"Great Pansy's being a bitch.. what else is new? Poor Millicent." Michelle commented. Millicent stood up with out eating much and left the Hall.
"I've.. got home work to do. See yah." Emma-Leigh said as she ran off.
"Home work! We have Homework?" Hermione said with her voice going all squeaky.
"Calm down 'Mione. She's going to talk to Millicent." Ron said with out looking up from his food. They all looked at him. "What it's true."
"Millicent!" Emma-Leigh called.
"What do you want?" she said in a very Slytherin type voice.
"Are you alright? You look upset." Emma-Leigh said.
"Yah well Pansy is a Cow what can I say? She is mad at me because I got that kick ass outfit from you whatever just because she is so stupid to buy into that whole pure blood thing doesn't mean I have to look like a dork at the dance" she said all in one breath. "Anyways I've got my eye on some one and I have to try to impress him." Turns out Millicent likes a Ravenclaw fifth year called Billy Makarios.
"Well in that outfit you have, he will be all over you." Emma-Leigh said.
"I sure hope so he is hot! Of course I will be shunned by the Slytherins but "F" them." She said.
"That's what I'm talking about! Good for you Milli!" Emma-Leigh said excitedly.
"Milli?" Millicent said with her eyebrows raised.
"Oh. I give all my friends nicknames. I hope that's alright." Emma-Leigh said looking worried.
" 'Sall good. As long as I can call you Emmelz."
"Deal!" and they shook hands. A Gryffindor and a Slytherin shook hands with out trying to break