CHAPTER 16: BEHIND THE MASKS

The two sisters had watched many other girls run up the stairs to start getting ready for the ball that evening. Working in a secluded corner, they prepared for the evening in a different way.

"Well, we better head to the kitchens for dinner." Analese told the guys.

"Enjoy the ball, boys." Ella smirked, following her sister out the portrait hole. As soon as the guys were out of sight behind the Fat Lady, the girls broke out laughing.

The sisters changed directions and headed for the Room of Requirement. The older girl had suggested they get ready alone so that nobody but Dumbledore and themselves would know who was behind they're masks. To insure that no one else knew who they were after the ball either, the girls had agreed to leave five minutes before midnight, making sure to be out of sight when their masks disappeared.

While Ella magicked her makeup, Analese charmed her hair to a simple, yet elegant, style. The compromise was reversed for the older girl. While Analese charmed her red hair, Ella magicked her makeup. Both girls then slipped into their gowns, zipping the other up. Next came the jewelry, the Gryffindor put on her earrings before turning to her sister. As Ella put on her bracelet, the fifth year clasped her necklace. Finally, Analese and Ella put on their shoes and masks, ready to go.

It had been half an hour until the ball when the girls left to get ready and they now had five minutes to get down seven flights of stairs.

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The crowd of masked students filled the Entrance Hall. About a minute before eight, two girls arrived, grabbing the room's attention. They paused momentarily at the top of the marble staircase. All eyes were on the newest arrivals. Many guys' jaws dropped to the floor at the gorgeous sight.

The brunette wore a mask of red and black, a beautiful design to match her outfit. Her ocean blue eyes glittered with emotion. Her stunning copper brown locks cascaded off her shoulders and down her back in soft curls.

As she moved her head slightly, the light caught on her jewelry. The diamonds and rubies shined intensely, as did the jewels on the hair comb resting above her right ear.

Her dress looked as if it had been made for her, it was gorgeous, just like its owner. The bodice was strapless and had a corset-like design. There was a black flower design on the top and bottom of the bodice, complimented by black beads. The two separate detailing were connected by twelve bold black lines, dividing the red silk satin into panels. All of the designs accentuated her subtle curves.

The skirt was black with a red contrast trim that peeked out of the front slit that rose to her mid-thigh. The skirt reached the marble floor in a classic small sweep train.

Her companion, the blonde, had sapphire blue eyes visible through the blue mask with black detailing that she wore. Her honey-blonde hair was styled similarly to the brunette, but instead of a left part, hers was on the right. Her hair comb was very simple, a solitary cream pearl surrounded by a sterling silver design.

The only jewelry she had adorned was a pair of lovely earrings. A simple pair, just three stones set in sterling silver as well. The stud was a blue topaz, followed by a round cream-white pearl, and lastly came a teardrop moonstone finished off the earrings.

Her dress was silk satin and lush chiffon. It was a one-shoulder style with a chiffon knot hanging at the strap. The dress was shirred at the left side of her waist with a hanging, ruffled high-to-low cut and a fishtail hemline at the back, giving the gown a small train. The chiffon trimming on the dress was all black, but the silk satin was a beautiful sky blue hue that matched the topaz of her earrings perfectly.

After a few moments that felt like an eternity to the two girls, they were able to make their way down the stairs. As the girls took the first step, their shoes became visible.

BLUE's shoes were sleek black heels, two and a half inches tall, and open-toe. It was a simple lace-up design that wrapped around her ankle twice before tying neatly at the back of her lower calf.

RED's heels were also black, but were three and a half inches in height and closed-toe. The shoes also had a thin ankle strap. There was a small rhinestone buckle-like accent as well, giving the heels a very classy look.

The grace in which both girls walked on the heels made it seem as though they had been born in them. The mysterious girls were, by far, the most beautiful of the evening.

The doors to the Great Hall were opened and the students filed in.