Chapter 15- Shopping
A/N: I own nothing. Thanks for all the reviews to. And to FairiesandDragons911, I know people read it. I check the stats and this story has over 6500 hits.
Before anyone knew it, there was only a week left before the dance on Christmas.
Almost everyone who was fourth year and above who was planning on attending the Christmas day Dance already had found their dates and were anxiously awaiting Christmas.
The girls who didn't have dates, were frantically trying to find one. Those who had gotten a date, were panicking about what they would wear and what to do with their hair. Some girls were even sent to the Hospital Wing to recieve a calming draught.
It seemed that the dance was the only thing anyone at the school was talking about these days. You'd walk down the corridor to class and hear one group of girls talking about the dance and about 5 minutes later walk by another group saying a different variation of the same thing.
With only a few days left in the term, it was becoming difficult for students to pay attention during lessons. Because if this, there was a dramatic increase in the number of students sent to detention for either talking or playing games in class.
Finally, to everyones relief, the end of term arrived, along with a fresh layer of snow that covered the grounds. With a few days to spare before the Saturday Hogsmeade visit, most students spent the time either sitting in the common room playing wizards chess or exploding snap, or out on the grounds having snow ball fights, laughing with their friends and enjoying the break from lessons.
Because of the dance, the common rooms were not much emptier than during term, since the only ones who seemed to have gone home were the first, second, and third years who had been unable to snag a date to the dance. There were however, a few third years who chose to stay behind for a few days so they could go on the Hogsmeade trip and then travel home by floo powder.
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Finally, the day of the last Hogsmeade trip before the end of term arrived and every Hogwarts student fourth year and above(and a few select third years) poured into the village.
"So where should we go?" Megan asked as the three girls walked down the street, watching girls run to different dress shops in search of the perfect gown. The three girls had already decided to use this visit to look for dresses for the dance.
It appeared that they were not alone.
"I don't know. How about Madam Marlas?" Lily asked as she saw a group of sixth year Hufflepuffs sprint to the Dress Boutique.
"Sounds good. I don't think I've seen anyone go in there yet" Megan agreed.
Together the three girls walked down the street towards the little shop. The three entered with a gust of wind and saw that they were, in fact, the only Hogwarts students in the store. The three pulled off their gloves and began looking at the racks of dresses.
"May I help you?" a small voice asked behind them. The three spun around and saw that Madam Marla, Madam Malkins daughter, was standing behind them smiling.
"We're looking for dresses for the dance at Hogwarts" Megan told the young woman.
"Okay. I suggest you look over in that section for formal wear." Madam Marla told the three.
"Thanks" Megan answered as Marla smiled and led them over to the section filled with formal dresses and skirts. Each girl started grabbing dresses and holding them up against themselves.
In one corner, Lily stood looking at a variety of floor length strapless dresses.
"How do you like this one?" Lily asked holding up a pale purple dress.
Madam Marla shook her head as Lilys friends continued pulling different dresses off the racks.
"I dont think that's your color." Madam Marla told the 17 year old.
"Oh." Lily put the dress back on the rack looking slightly crestfallen.
"May I make a suggestion?" Madam Marla asked.
"Sure" Lily replied.
"How about you go with a skirt suit. You'll look gorgeous and sophisticated. And you wont have to worry about colors clashing with your hair." Marla told Lily, leading her over to the section with suits and pulling a white one off the rack and holding it out for Lily.
Lily shook her head. "I'd rather wear a dress."
Marla returned the suit to it's previous spot, "If you insist. Then I suggest something in this color"
Marla led Lily back over to the section she was looking at and pulled out a light, sky blue strapless dress. The top was silk and at the neckline, there was a thin layer of lace. At the waistline, the dress flowed outward in the same silky fabric, but was covered completely with the lacey material that had decorated the top of the dress. Also, at certain points of the bottom were small seqins that made the dress shimmer and sparkle.
Lily took the dress out of Marlas hand and ran her hands through the smooth material. It was perfect.
Before she could stop herself, Lily shook her head. "I dont think this dress will look good on me. It's for someone with a good figure. And I dont have one."
Lily was about to put the dress back on the rack when Madam Marla stopped her.
"Why dont you try it on anyway." she encouraged.
Lily shook her head for the third time.
"I think you should." Madam Marla pushed.
Megan and Jordan had just come over, each carrying a dress.
"Find something Lily?" Jordan asked.
"No." Lily said, putting the dress back on it's rack. Madam Marla, however, wasn't giving up.
"Just try it on." she said, thrusting the dress back into Lily's hands.
"Yeah Lily try it on," Jordan said "it's beautiful"
"Go on Lily" Megan nodded.
Lily sighed, "Fine." and she stepped into the dressing room and carefully put on the dress, closing her eyes, willing herself not to look in the mirror. Once she had it on, she left the dressing room, where Jordan, Megan, and Madam Marla stood. As Lily appeared, the threes mouths dropped.
"Lily you look gorgeous!" Jordan squealed.
"Totally!" Megan agreed.
"It's beautiful darling" Madam Marla told her.
"Really?" Lily asked uncertainly.
"Take a look" Jordan said leading her friend over to a mirror.
Lily stepped in front of the mirror and stared at the reflection. The dress hugged her every curve that she didn't even know she had, and hid the places that needed hiding.
"I can't believe that's me" Lily said.
"Well believe it. You're gorgeous" Megan told her.
"I agree" Jordan said.
"You know what would look great with that dress?" Madam Marla asked.
"What?" Lily asked.
Madam Marla disappeared and returned with a pair of white, elbow length gloves and a pair of blue ballet flats that were the exact same shade of blue as the dress.
"Put them on" Madam Marla requested.
Lily did as she was told and put on the shoes and gloves.
"Perfect fit" Madam Marla smiled.
"You cant see the shoes though" Lily pointed out.
"True. But they're a perfect match and they'll be more comfortable then heels. And they're cute. Plus, the gloves add a sophisticated look." Madam Marla explained.
"Totally" Jordan said.
"So are you going to get it?" Madam Marla asked.
"Of course" Lily said, reentering her dressing room and putting on her clothes. Shortly after, she emerged and she followed Madam Marla over to the register to pay for the dress.
"That's 30 galleons" Madam Marla told her.
Lily gave her the money, and in return, was given the bag with her dress. Lily thanked Marla for all her help and followed her friends out onto the snowy street, carrying their purchases.
"What now?" Jordan asked.
"Let's go get a butterbeer." Megan suggested.
So the three girls walked back down the street towards the pub and entered. The three found a table, put their purchases on the ground, and Lily went up and got three butterbeers.
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Later that evening, Lily, Jordan, and Megan sat in the common room talking about the dance.
"I can't believe the dance is only a week away" Jordan said as she read the front page of the Evening Prophet.
"I know." Lily and Megan agreed.
"Lily, who are you going with?" Jordan asked.
Lily blushed and mumbled something.
"Huh?" Jordan asked.
"No one asked me" Lily said, a slight edge in her voice.
"Aww I'm sorry." Megan consoled.
"Me too. If you want you can hang out with me and Mitch" Jordan said.
"Yeah and you can hang out with me and Remus if you want" Megan added.
"Thanks. I'll think about it." Lily said blushing more.
The truth was that a few guys had asked Lily to the dance. She had just turned them down in hopes that someone else would ask her. But, with a week left until the dance, time was running out and she still didnt have a date.
"So, did you hear who James is taking?" Jordan asked.
Megan and Lily shook their heads. No one noticed Lily's eyes bulge, or see her stomach tie up in knots.
"Lauren Smith. That 6th year." Jordan informed her friends.
"That slut?" Megan gasped.
"Yup. That's the one" Jordan said. "I couldn't believe it either. And Sirius is taking that fifth year, Miley Cruz."
"Why? That girl thinks she's so cool as it is. Now she's going to think she's the coolest person on the planet because she went to the dance with Sirius Black." Megan said.
"Yeah. I never really liked her. But I can't deny that she is gorgeous." Jordan said.
"I know." Megan agreed.
The two girls turned to look at Lily, who had been silent throughout the whole conversation.
"Lily what's wrong?" Jordan asked, as she stared at her friend, who's face was pale.
"No-nothing" Lily told her.
"Are you sure? You look pale" Jordan said.
Lily nodded. "I'm tired. I think I'm going to go to bed."
"Ok. Good night" Jordan replied.
"Night" Lily said, standing up and walking up the spiral staircase to the girls dormitories.
I have one week to change Laurens mind about going to the dance with James. Lily thought as she collapsed onto her bed.
A/N: Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it. Sorry it took so long to update. I've been super busy with volleyball this past week. Tomorrow I probably wont be able to update because I have to register for school(ughhh), talk to my counsler about a teacher, and I have a volleyball scrimmage. I'm going to try to finish this story within the next 2 weeks so I can have it done before I go back to school. I think there are 3 chapters left after this one. Please read and review. If you liked it but have nothing to say just "1234" please. :) Click the little blue button.
Also, I have no idea how wizard money works. I dont know if 30 galleons would be too expensive or cheap.
ooo00oo
Emma