("At ten o'clock—he will be here. I can see him already—with vine-leaves in his hair—flushed and fearless—")
.
He can picture it:
Lily flashing around the Great Hall as she spins, an aqua silk whirlwind, a flutter of red hair. She isn't wearing makeup and the only jewelry are earrings, but the feeling of prettiness helps her float.
And Rose, teal taffeta. A friend will hold her still an hour earlier as another twists her hair up and applies lipstick. Then she will cautiously glide her way through the front doors on Scorpius's arm, all the boys in her year (and some older) glancing over their date's shoulder, wondering if that is really Rose Weasley?
But Roxanne would still stand out between little flower Lily and just bloomed Rose; she wouldn't even glow, she sparkles when the light captures her dark skin, those gleaming eyes and shining hair. And Roxanne will be in his arms—
"I'll be your date to the ball, Roxanne."
And she turns, just as dream-Roxanne does in her dance and she is back in his arms—she is actually hugging him!
"Oh, thank you 'Sander! I'll send up a piece of the material that I gave Keith so you can coordinate your outfit to match…walk down with me at a quarter to eight?"
