When The Clock Strikes Thrice
Chapter 2
Preparations
The Ball was tomorrow evening, and so far Astoria had all three of her costumes, and Pansy was still stuck on finding one. Pansy looked at all the costumes they had purchased and the mixes of all the stuff they'd already owned. They we're all tossed on the floor in various places. Pansy was happy for Astoria, but miffed at how it didn't help her.
"Pansy, what do you think?" asked Astoria, stepping out in the first of her three costumes.
Astoria's brown hair was held up with silk gold ribbons, and gold bands with snaked on them, a perfect touch for a Slytherin, she was going as a gorgon. Her roman gown was silver, with gold and green wrapped around her like a shall off one shoulder. Pansy was glad she's shredded the bottom and the sides up her legs. The heal sandals we're criss crossed with gold and silver, a scale touch made it look like snakes. Her outfit was complete with a serpent shaped mask that covered her eyes.
"Save a couple guys for me," smiled Pansy.
"I'll try.... do you think I should wear green lipstick or black?" asked Astoria, fiddling with her clip on fangs.
"Green, it goes better with the theme," sighed Pansy.
"You still don't have one?" asked Astoria, hands on her hips, and looking annoyed.
"I have no idea, Astoria... you know I lack creativity.. but fashion.... I can't believe this," Pansy fell on Astoria's bed dramaticly.
"I have it!" yelled Astoria, picking up a few things off the ground, and yanking Pansy off the bed.
"I'm scared," Pansy looked at the hyper 'gorgon' beside her, pondering what she might be planning.
Meanwhile far away at Hogwarts, the ball was being set for the occasion. The gates held thousands of fairy lights that lit the way up the path. The castle stair ways had been blocked off, leaving the hall and the outside wide and decorated. A band was set to play on all three nights, all different melodies for each generation of guests. The Great Hall had been decorated with crystal and gold, it barely seemed like it was even remotely related to great hall of hogwarts.
"Ron, will you stop moping. You said you'd help," said Harry, as he looked over the list, "You know I hate planning this stuff."
"I'm not going," muttered Ron, slumped at a table.
"WHAT!?" Harry dropped his scroll.
"Harry, I hate not having a date to these things. For the passed couple of times I went with Hermione, even after we broke up. Now that she's got a date.... it's gonna be the Yule Ball all over again. I'll be sitting by myself... right here.... maybe over there, but somewhere by myself."
"That's why you have to go," said Harry, sitting down next to him, "It's a costume ball, you don't need to feel self conscious and you can meet someone... instead of loafing around my house and scarfing our food all the time."
"I guess...." mumbled Ron.
"What's your costume?" asked Harry, looking around as he checked his list.
"...."
"You don't have one?" asked Harry, his face blank.
"No.... I was kind of hoping you wouldn't make me come..." said Ron.
"..... Come on," sighed Harry, yanking Ron by the arm.
"Where are we going?" asked Ron.
"Getting Neville, and going shopping," said Harry as they headed out of Hogwarts.
Five hours later and Ron stood in front of a mirror at the Potter house. He was wearing a gold wizarding robe, with touches of red on the chest and sleeves. Black pants, boots, and finger-less gloves. His mask was metal and golden and pointed across his nose and the sides looked like metal feathers, it looked pretty damn good to him, but her had to ask.
"What am I?" asked Ron.
"Annoying," retaliated Harry.
"You left yourself open for that one," snickered Neville.
"A phoenix," shrugged Harry.
"Making crap up?" asked Ron.
"I think you look like a pheonix...." shrugged Neville.
"I will spike your hair if your not careful.... perhaps give you a tail...." snickered Harry.
"Putting cars in trees, blowing up dust bins.... you've lost a few marbles since the war...." smiled Ron.
"Fine... be fire," said Harry.
"That can work I guess," smiled Ron.
"Then we have to come up with two more costumes.." said Neville.
"What!? Wait, Harry only has one." said Ron.
"I'm the host. I wear smart robes, give a greeting each night, and shove on a mask..... I don't have to be in a costume," smiled Harry as he walked off down the hall, "I'm hungry. Come flamer, come Neville."
"Call me that at the party and I will punch you out!" yelled Ron, Neville and Harry laughed.
TBC