The Yule Ball was in two hours, but Rose wanted time to get ready.
She bade goodbye to Al, James, and Hagrid, then headed up the frozen lawn back toward the castle. A million thoughts swirled around her head, most notably what will I do if Dad finds out? and how am I going to do my hair?
So preoccupied was she that she almost bumped into Lily.
"Oh- sorry, Lil," Rose apologized, grabbing her cousin before she fell. "Are you all right?"
"S'okay," Lily smiled, straightening. "Are you getting ready for the ball now?"
"Yep," Rose nodded, attempting to get past Lily before the questions started. "Kind of in a rush- gotta go."
"Ooooh, can I help?" Lily asked eagerly. "Can I do your hair? I've had a lot of practice on my dolls! Please, Rose?"
"All right," Rose sighed. "C'mon, Lil. Let's go. But-"
She wiggled her eyebrows mock-sternly. "I expect a top-notch performance from you, young lady."
Lily giggled. "You're going to be the belle of the ball, Rose!"
. . .
"So," Lily said conversationally as she plied and twisted Rose's thick red hair. Both of them were seated on Rose's bed, though Lily had to kneel to reach her cousin's head. "Who're you going with?"
Rose sighed. She knew the question was going to come, but she didn't have a ready response.
"It's a secret, Lil," she finally managed.
"Aw, come on!" her cousin complained. "I won't be able to see who it is because I can't go! Come on, Rose, I won't tell anyone."
She giggled conspiratorially. Rose had to laugh. "I love you, Lil. You know that?"
"Yeah," her cousin smiled. "Hey- where's the rose from?"
"What?" Rose twisted, jerking painfully at her hair, but Lily was already picking up the rose with the silver ribbon and the note.
"Lil, put that down," she ordered. "Now."
"Who's SM?" Lily asked. "Do I know him? Ooooh! Is he cute?"
"Lil!" Rose tried to take the note back, but her hair twisted painfully again. Lily handed her the note, a knowing smile in her eyes.
"I think I can guess," she said, grinning. "What did your mum and dad say?"
"I didn't tell them," Rose gritted out through clenched teeth. "And Lil, if you tell a soul-"
"I would never do that!" Lily insisted passionately, her face completely free of guile. "Never! And your hair's all done. What do you think?"
Rose took the mirror Lily handed her, and examined her own reflection. Her hair had been expertly twisted up into an elegant chignon, with one long coil of hair down one side of her face. Lily had even sprinkled in a bit of glittery gold dust, which twinkled in the light when Rose turned her head.
"Wow," she finally said, turning and beaming at her cousin. "It looks amazing, Lil."
Lily beamed. "My friend Rishonda showed me how to do the glitter-dust spell. It looks gorgeous in your hair! Can I see your dress?"
Rose smiled at her cousin. "Sure."
