A/N: If there are any artists out there who would like to draw the dresses, I wouldn't mind in the least. I have this condition called, Suckiest Sketcher Ever and so I cannot offer any visual other than my words. I wouldn't mind seeing these come to life as I have a pretty good idea what they look like in my brain. You can PM to get my e-mail to chat.

But, enough of that! On to Calesta dressed up like a girl!

Happy reading!

Henny, that lucky Penny!

I am a Girl!

I think what really made the fact that I was going into completely uncharted territory real was the image of Ginny, Lily and I standing in front of Ginny's full length mirror fully dressed. The vision that was us three ladies was a sight to behold. Ginny had stuck with her Gryffindor roots and was wrapped in a crimson red, floor length gown. The rouching at the bodice hugged her torso and created a soft sillhouete against her curves. Capped sleeves showed off her toned arms from Quidditch. Twinkling stones trickled down from her waist and gathered on one side of her hem. The resemblance to a waterfall was strong. Crimson pumps peeked out from the hem when she walked with her strong stide. Her long, red tresses were wavy and pulled to the side with a delicately, swirling hair pin. Her make-up was simple and light. She made models in those trashy magazines that the other girls read look plain.

Lily was swathed in a plum gown with three quarter sleeves. The satin fabric laid gently on her body, modestly covering her preteen body. The hem of her dress swirled around her knees and swayed gently when she moved. A gold sash tied off at her waist and was held by a jeweled mistletoe brooch. Lily's loose curls were piled on the side of her head and held with gold bobby pins. Gold ballet flats covered her tiny feet. Tinted lip gloss helped brighten her naked face, adding to the innocent look.

I hardly believed that I was standing beside that beautiful woman and her gorgeous daughter. I was so out of my element that I feared I was peering into the face of a girl who looked like me, but prettier. The gown that Ginny manipulated me into letting her buy me was a sky blue, chiffon dress. The hem kissed the floor in a sweeping hem. The bodice was fitted and had swirls of shiny overlay that reflected in direct light. The skirt floated down my legs in a loose fit. My arms were covered in sleeves that came down in points over my middle knuckles. Ginny transfigured a pair of my Mary-Jane's into light blue ballet flats since I had refused to wear heels. While I had been apprehensive before, Ginny only smudged the corners of my eyes with black liner and covered my lashes in mascara. Pink gloss completed my understated make-up.

If I was not so stunned, I would have been smiling like a loon.

"Ready to knock them dead?" Ginny asked as she put an arm around Lily.

"No." I whispered, not believing that I could ever look like this. I was not a girly girl and I avoided school dances like the plague. When I had said I liked dancing, I meant in my room with the lights off so no one could see me.

"Well, it's too late, now isn't it?" Ginny teased me as she grabbed her wand and slid it into a secret pocket. A war time habit, hiding your wand in secret places, I expect.

I followed the red heads out of the room and trailed them down stairs. I heard noises of approval from male voices as the two beauties entered the family den. I felt my stomach clench in anticipation. I could feel my blood cool with nervous chills. And as if he could sense my crumbling courage, Albus rounded into the hall. He was clothed in dress robes. His Slytherin green tie played nice with his charcol grey jacket and trousers. His white shirt was pressed and smooth. And the only sign that Albus gave to being thunderstruck by my appearance, was a slight widening of his hazel eyes. I shifted nervously.

"I thought I was coming to get Calesta Manslayer. Who are you?" he teased me lightly. I could not help the embarrassed smile that curved my lips.

"Some weirdo your mother let in the house. I was getting dreadfully cold out in the streets." I replied as he stepped over to grasp my chin between his thumb and forefinger.

Albus gently turned my face from side to side as he inspected my hair and make-up. He was actually buying me time to still my already racing heart and cleanse my blood with fresh air. His body warmth washed over my own form and helped calm my nervous fingers. As my body quelled the anxious thrumming, I found his hazel orbs boring into my ice blues. His sparkled in appreciation of what he saw. That helped boost my confidence a little.

"Still a soft voice." he whispered, "But today, you are gorgeous, not just pretty." I felt the slight blush warm my cheeks. Albus brought my face foreward and he placed a soft kiss on the crown on my forehead.

"Thank you." I murmured and he smirked at me.

"Albus! Calesta! Are you two ready?" Ginny's voice floated out the den.

One more encouraging kiss on my forehead from Albus and he grasped one my hands. With a mischievous smirk, he placed my hand on his forarm and escorted me into the den. Harry sent me a quick wink and a small smile. I dipped my head in respect and then I turned to James. Harry and James had opted to wear black dress robes. They both sported Gryffindor red ties and white starched dress shirts. James emitted a low whistle after a quick appraisal of my gown.

"Calesta's a girl!" he exclaimed and my cheeks went hot with embarrassment.

After a sharp crack from Ginny's hand connecting with the back of James' head, I got my proof that Molly learnt her preferred form of punishment from Ginerva Potter.

I have decided that grand balls are boring affairs. They involve mingling and a lot of talking. The smell of the food churned my stomach because it was clench in anxiety. I tried, almost ten times, to calm my gut. Albus, the one ever watching me, already had to pull me to the side twice to tell me sternly that I had nothing to worry about. I really tried to believe him, I really did. But the sight of some many elegantly dressed raised my blood pressure. I fretted that I would trip over my own two feet and start a domino effect of other people falling or food and drink toppling over to the floor. My hands were never still. I had worried my hair to stick up on the sides and he had to smooth it down three times.

I was a mess.

Never mind the daunting thought that I would have to dance in front of these people. I had little experience dancing in a formal setting. My father would sometimes twirl me around the living room, swaying to the rhythm of melodic symphonies during random times after dinner. I knew the general steps to a waltz and realized why the Potter siblings detested dancing. They had to do it at these things because their family was important to the Wizarding World. My sudden understanding had me feeling slightly sorry for them. They were made to get over their fears and show off their clumsier side for all the people to see.

That was going to be me too.

I had not seen Scorpius yet. He was still at the side of his parents, welcoming and chatting with the guests. Albus rarely left my side because he sensed I feared making an utter fool of myself. I think he might have already planned on keeping me close because he knew a room full of adults would set me on the edge of terror and passing out. His cousin were not helping one bit either.

Fred sent me a leering grin when he caught sight of me. Rose and Roxanne grinned smugly at me when they saw Albus escorting me around. Molly tried to look comforting towards me, but she ended up grinning like a loon at Albus' protective arm. Hugo was the only one who seemed as terrified as I was. His blue eyes were wide as he glanced around, seeking the comfort of a friendly face. When he spotted me, I could see relief wash over his body as he quickly made his way over to Albus and I.

"Having fun yet?" he asked with a shaky voice. I was over come with sympathy for the poor boy and wondered where Rose was. Even Lily would be good for the terrorized boy if she were around.

"A blast. You look dashing." I replied lightly. I was trying to get the semi-permanent fearful expression to slip off his face. It tugged at my heartstrings to see him looking so small.

"Thank you." he finally looked directly at me and his eyes focused, "Aunt Ginny was right. It is like that dress was made for you." I narrowed my eyes.

"Is that a compliment?" I inquired with a slight edge.

"If I added on that you look stunning, would it be a better one?" he parlayed back. I could not help the grin that spread across my face.

"I suppose." I replied. He finally cracked a smile and I felt my chest loosen. If he could smile at all tonight, he would be all right.

"That was awful!" a voice to the right of my exclaimed. I swiveled my head and caught Scorpius standing near the three of us. I smiled and took in his appearance.

He had also decided upon black dress robes and a Slytherin green tie. His hair had been parted and gelled to stay flat. I think I preferred his hair hanging into his eyes. His blue eyes already look exhausted, but his hint of a smile was warm and inviting.

"Greeting all of Britain must be dreadfully boring." Albus observed as he shook hands with the young Malfoy. Scorpius leant down and kissed my temple. When he pulled away, I caught a wiff of his cologne. It was surprisingly light and masculine at the same time.

"Well, when your parents host a gathering..." he trailed off.

"What are you getting into now?" I asked him. I expected him to be running off with James soon. I did not know if it was true that they had knicked a bottle of firewhiskey, but I did not doubt the truth behind the rumor. They always seemed to get their hands on some kind of alcohol and I just expected them to get into mischief with the potent beverage.

"I spotted this stunning young lady across the room and was on my way to ask her for a dance. It has come to my attention that she has a date though. So, I was about to ask his permission to escort her to the dance floor and show her off to the other witches and wizards in the room." Scorpius answered eloquently. I saw Albus smirk and felt like I was missing something.

"Well, considering I am just here as her friend, I am perfectly fine with you dancing with her." Albus replied as he ran a hand along the side of my head to smooth my stray hairs down. It took a moment to realize just who they were talking about.

"Oh, now she gets it." Scorpius murmured as my eyes went wide.

"We might actually get a full blown panic attack this time." Albus murmured back with an underlaying tone of annoyance.

"She hasn't had one already?" Scorpius glanced in his direction with shock in his blue eyes.

"I am right here!" I hissed. I was trying to take my mind off the prospects of stumbling over my own two feet and end up in the Daily Prophet.

Yes, I am that clumsy.

"Come on, Miss Manslayer! We are dancing!" and with those words, Scorpius took hold of my hand firmly and dragged me to the dance floor.

My first thought as I ungracefully entered the foray of moving bodies was to look for an escape route. When Scorpius' firm arm pulled me to his hard body, I knew my goose was cooked. His calloused hand was much gentler when it brought my own up to lead my around the tiled floor. My second thought was that my free hand could not just dangle limply off to the side. With a reluctant slowness, I laid my hand lightly on his shoulder and with a smug smile, he began to spin me around with the other couples.

I took a moment to watch his feet and analyze his pattern. I was pleased to note that it was farely similar to what my father did in the living room. After counting the paces in my head, I had a game plan as how to get through this dance with most of my dignity. And before I knew it, he and I were moving smoothly and gracefully across the floor. With his expert leadership, I was able to count beats in my head and hold pace with him. It took a few tries, but I picked up on the subtle cues he would present when he felt like spinning me out. I soon felt an accomplished smile grace my lips.

And then the song ended and he bowed while I curtsied. I can act like a lady if prompted to do so.

But before he could escort me off, a hand appeared on his shoulder.

"May I cut in?" Albus' voice cut through the general hum of the other guests. Scorpius smirked and bowed out of the way, holding my hand out for Albus to take softly.

"I thought you hated dancing?" I whispered as he pulled me close to set our positions.

"Well, I thought I did, until I saw you twirling in Scorpius' arms. Then I realized that it could be enjoyable." he whispered back as the next song started.

I felt a blush creep up my neck and Albus pulled me along to the cant of the song. I found him to be stiffer than Scorpius, but he was very good. His steps were heavier, but he never faultered. I was beginning to suspect he lied about having two left feet. Because he lead me around smoothly and confidently. It may not have been as greatly practiced as Scorpius, but it was a step better than fooling around in the living room of one's home. I could not help the slow grin morph my features into pure joy after the song ended and we both dipped our heads to signal the end of our dancing. I had more fun than I thought I would tonight.

Maybe I really did like dancing.