Author's note #1: Due to repeated issues I faced while uploading from my phone, three of the chapters appeared twice. I have since remedied this, and hope the problem will not occur again. For those who were confused, I am very sorry!
Author's note #2: A big thank you and acknowledgement goes out to Katherington, for giving me the idea of Madam Barnatte having a Hogsmeade shop. The idea really gave me PURPOSE for this chapter beyond "first Hogsmeade visit!" It will also play a large role in future chapters. So, thank you again for this creative idea!
The first scheduled trip to Hogsmeade fell on the first Saturday in October. Some of the students speculated as to whether there would be another one on the day of Halloween, but that fell on a Sunday this year, and the outings were always on Saturday. It was unlikely that there would be a second trip before the Christmas holidays.
Dora didn't mind. If anything, she thought it would be a relief not to have to fit in rich food after indulging in sweets throughout the day.
Even though her corseted waist was down to 17 and 5/8ths, she laced herself to 18 and 1/2 that morning. Everyone else had decided to give themselves an inch to an inch and a half of leeway upon dressing.
Yes, everyone. Elizabeth had continued to wear Demelza's spare corset during the day, and had gotten down to 20 and 1/2. Mrs. Tunridge had sent a lovely reply, reminding Dora of her own mum's letters, full of encouragement and agreeing to get her fitted for day corsets-only those, for the time being, but they could reconsider come the summer holidays-upon Elizabeth returning home for Christmas.
Sarah's mother, as Sarah had expected, was far less approving. While there had been no reply for almost two weeks, two mornings prior, Sarah had received an owl with a letter expressing her outright disapproval. While she didn't outright forbid Sarah from lacing, her letter was full of warnings, and made it clear that her mother would do nothing to make it easier for Sarah to obtain her own corset.
"A bunch of nonsense!" Morwenna said emphatically, upon being shown the letter with the other girls. "'Women have fainted, even died, from wearing their corsets too tightly!' Sure, if you lace too tight, you might faint. Doesn't mean lacing itself is harmful. 'Some even had their ribs removed to achieve their eighteen inch waists!' Rubbish, with the way muggles avoided surgery even if their life was at risk. 'You're lovely the way you are, and don't need to mold your body into a tiny size.' Well, you are lovely, but why not try to make yourself look better? Oh, I can't continue with this!"
Sarah tried, yet failed, to laugh. "She'll see sense before long. I hope. Once she realizes that I can still breathe and walk around." She sighed, glancing at the letter once more, and frowned at it. "I just hope I can get a good corset before I turn seventeen."
"You still get pocket money, don't you?" Elizabeth asked.
Sarah nodded. "Four pounds a week when I am home. Isn't that nearly a galleon? And I've saved forty pounds so far."
"Yes, and a good corset is only two galleons, or about eight pounds," Elizabeth answered, putting an arm around her shoulders. "When you go to get new robes, just stop in by Madam Barnatte's."
They agreed to this plan as the eight of them made their way to the edge of the castle grounds.
Hannah, on the other hand, believed that her mother was closer to persuading her father to allowing Hannah the option of sleeping corseted.
"I want to try it," she said, slowly. "Especially with the weather cooling. I rather fancy having the extra warmth around my frame, and I expect it will feel extra nice at night."
"It does feel lovely," Dora agreed. "I just started sleeping with an overbust, and the warmth is worth the minor restriction."
She had felt a bit guilty about this. After all, her mum had gone to all the trouble to get the underbust corsets made for her, and they were now just sitting in her trunk.
On the other hand, her mum would want Dora to be comfortable, and when the weather became warm again, she would likely revert back.
Morwenna laughed. "Told you so!"
Dora stuck out her tongue in a very unladylike manner, while placing her hands on her hips, showing off her narrow waist.
Morwenna imitated her motions, causing a couple of the other girls to laugh and roll their eyes.
Even Sarah.
"Show off!" Polly said, with a laugh.
They made their way onto the carriages with relative ease, and changed the subject to speculation about Hogsmeade.
"I can't wait to see Honeydukes!" Hannah murmured, eyes wide. "My dad says their chocolate is incredible."
"I got some for my birthday last November," Demelza recalled. "Made it last until the Christmas holidays."
"You would!" Hannah laughed. "I'd eat it all in one go. Well," she added, glancing at her frame, "I would have, before."
"I expect it's healthier this way, and better for our pocket money," Demelza noted. "I had a stomachache once, after eating too much dessert." She gave them a knowing nod. "Not something I want to repeat."
"Me neither," Dora agreed, with a slight shudder.
They agreed to visit the sweet shop first, and then stop in at Zonkos. Dora rather liked prank items, as long as everyone knew they were meant well and weren't too severe, but not all of her fellow Hufflepuffs showed the same interest.
There were other shops scattered throughout the village, including ones that sold quills, and a post office with the most adorable owls you could image, but Honeydukes and Zonkos were the main attractions among the students. Especially the third years. Dora pulled her cloak a bit closer around her, and was glad for the Warming charms on her clothes.
Perhaps, there would be another visit to the village scheduled in the spring.
Honeydukes was certainly crowded, since every third year had decided to make that their first stop-and a good deal of older students as well. Dora even thought she caught a glimpse of a couple of her teachers, but they might have been residents who simply looked like them.
She selected a basket and filled it in short order, staying away from the sweets not meant for human consumption, but choosing ample amounts of assorted chocolates, licorice wands, sugar quills, lollipops, and other delicious looking sweets. She kept a running total in her mind as she went, knowing that she would want to make other purchases and not run out of money. The prices were reasonable, and she had brought five galleons and some change, so she ought to have enough.
"Three galleons and two sickles, dear," the cheerful witch told her, upon ringing up her purchases.
Dora smiled as she handed over the exact amount. The witch smiled even more broadly as she saw this, and Dora imagined that if she was several years younger, the witch might have given her head a pat.
There were certainly advantages to getting older.
Outside, Dora performed a Feather Light charm on her purchases as she waited for her friends, grateful for the knowledge, and her bag with an Expansion charm that her mum had loaned her.
The fresh air felt nice after being in the warm shop, and Dora breathed in deeply. She watched as a flurry of witches and wizards walked by, some in a hurry, while others walked in a leisurely manner. Nearly all of them were wrapped in cloaks.
Polly joined her first, carrying a large bag in one hand, followed by Becky and Demelza, chatting together.
"Are we going to Zonkos next, or stopping at Three Broomsticks?" Polly asked, selecting a piece of chocolate from her bag.
"Let's explore a bit. We have several hours. No need to do all of our shopping right away," Hannah suggested. "Besides," she noted, glancing at the crowd of students heading in that direction, "everyone will be there now. I'd like to see some shops that aren't as well known."
"Diamonds in the rough?" Elizabeth asked, and Hannah nodded.
"As long as we don't get lost," Demelza cautioned. "We ought to stay on the main path."
With everyone in agreement, the eight of them began walking at a leisurely pace, as much to keep from getting out of breath as to observe the scenery. With Warming charms and hoods up, it wasn't at all dreary outside. The temperature might be colder than preferable, but there was little in the way of gusts of wind.
Dora walked besides Becky and Hannah, rather in the middle of the group, so when she heard Elizabeth squeal at the front, she had no idea why.
Sarah, who was standing beside her, let out a similar squeal, and they stopped abruptly, nearly sending everyone to the ground.
"What's all that about?" Morwenna grumbled, being with Polly at the end of the group. "Nearly tripped us, you did!"
"Sorry!" Elizabeth and Sarah answered at once, going over to Morwenna and Polly.
"Are you all right?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, we didn't hurt you?" Sarah put in.
The other girls shook their heads.
"But you have me curious. Why the sudden stop?" Morwenna pressed.
"Look!" Elizabeth nearly dragged Morwenna forward, with Sarah doing the same for Polly.
And then, Dora saw what all the fuss was about. Along the line of smaller shops, between a fruit stand and a place for haircuts, was...Madam Barnatte's!
"I thought her shop was in Diagon Alley!" Sarah gasped. "You said that, didn't you?"
"I expect she has two shops," Demelza murmured. "Look, there's the image of a corset on the window."
"Shall we go in?" Dora asked, teasingly.
Rather than nod or voice their agreement, Sarah and Elizabeth both looked as though the wind had disappeared from their sails.
"We don't have very much money..." Sarah trailed off.
"I only have two galleons, myself," Elizabeth added.
"There's no harm in looking, though," Demelza encouraged. "And perhaps she could get your measurements."
"I could loan you some money," Morwenna offered, generously. "Or, it could be your Christmas gift."
Sarah and Elizabeth exchanged glances, then nodded.
"All right," they agreed.
They all made their way inside, and Dora was happy to see that the inside was just as large as Madam Malkin's. Perhaps, this was the main shop, after all?
There were few corsets on display, mostly empty space with curtains and chairs and sofas for sitting down. A desk in the corner was likely where Madam Barnatte collected money, but it was empty at the moment.
"Is she-do you think she's out?" Sarah asked.
But then, there was a pop, and the friendly corsetiere appeared.
"Good morning, girls! How may I assist you today?"
Madam Barnatte wore rich blue robes, fine ones, Dora could tell. While her mum would have found them not dressy enough for a ball or formal dinner, they more than would have met her personal standards for daily wear.
And, of course, they were fitted to emphasize her tiny waist. Dora had learned from her mum that Madam had confided that it was seventeen inches, but had been fifteen before birthing five children, the last of which had turned one last spring. She was still working to get her measurements to sixteen inches, which was what her waist had been before her last pregnancy, but Dora thought that it was beautiful.
Nor was Madam imposing. Quite the opposite, really. Her voice was as gentle and welcoming as Dora had remembered. She supposed someone in that line of work had to be, because they worked with young teenagers and older all the time. (Wizards had generally stopped wearing corsets even before muggle men had, according to her book, unless they had a physical ailment.)
"We-that is, Sarah and I-are muggle born," Elizabeth began, stepping forwards and pulling Sarah along with her. "Our roommates, well, our friends...they have all begun to train their waists. And they've loaned us some of their spare corsets, which work well enough, but I understand that you should have one made especially for you?"
She said the last part as though it was a question.
Madam nodded, and gestured for them all to take a seat.
"I have a shop at Diagon Alley, where I work most days during the summer. However, my Hogsmeade location is always open during the Saturday scheduled trips. It's quite common for girls to need repairs, or a new set of corsets after having become too small-or a larger pair if they find the one they're wearing too small," Madam began, "and, of course, I would never refuse service based on blood. I even fitted muggles who married into magical families and wished to dress accordingly." She smiled. "However, for anyone under seventeen, I require a signed note of permission from their parents or guardian before I can sell."
This time, Sarah really did deflate. "I don't expect to have one for awhile, if ever. My mum thinks that they're harmful."
Elizabeth placed a hand on Sarah's shoulders.
Madam nodded, looking sympathetic. "I understand, my dear. Really, I do." She gave a small sigh. "As it currently stands, in part to a decree by the undersecretary Dolores Umbridge, it goes against wizarding law to sell corsets and other items that alter your body unless you are of age. There are other extensions of this law. Were I were a Healer and you were not satisfied with your teeth, I would be unable to fix them for this reason. The law is unyielding, you see, because such changes can be permanent and might be regretted later on."
"That hardly seems fair!" Becky burst out. "There's no law that prevents parents from making their daughters wear corsets!" She put her hands over her mouth, realizing who she was talking to. "I'm very sorry, ma'am!"
Madam just laughed, and placed a hand on Becky's shoulders. "Not to worry, my dear! And you are quite right in that. There is no law that prevents what you have said. The Ministry, I expect, is of the mind that parents can make such decisions for their children regardless of their wishes."
Even if it means locking charms after lacing them halfway to fainting point, Dora thought, thinking of her mum.
She remembered that her cousin Grace had been given braces two years ago. She hadn't minded, or not much, but was already counting the months until they came off. No doubt, a similar rule in the muggle world applied. Parents could make alterations to their children in the name of health and beauty, but kids could not.
It was rather unfair.
"Here is what I propose," Madam said, speaking over the awkward silence. "I am able to measure you both, and compare your current corsets with a model that I would custom fit for you. If your parents agree in writing, or come with you to Diagon Alley, I will begin the construction. In the meantime, I can send you both home with a pamphlet, of sorts, which negates any false information about corsets and speaks to their benefits. How does this sound?"
"Would you be able to start if we received their signature without having spoken to them? I mean, by a letter?" Sarah asked.
"Yes, but I must warn you not to attempt any forgeries, no matter how tempting it may be," Madam cautioned.
They agreed, and the corsetiere led them away to begin the measuring process.
Dora and the others waited in the main part of the shop. They talked amongst themselves about whether Sarah and Elizabeth's parents would have a change of heart, and hoped that the pamphlets would do some good.
It made Dora feel grateful to her own mother that everything had worked out well on her end. Her mum had neither forced her into waist training, nor had forbidden it. Everything had been at Dora's pace, always aimed at her physical and emotional comfort. And how well it was going! Not only that, the summer holidays had drawn them closer together. Dora had been far closer with her dad until then, but her mum had proven to be a lovely confidante, even (at times) what she imagined an older sister must feel like.
"Did any of you have older sisters who helped you? When you started?" Dora asked, when there was a lull.
"I had hoped that Katie would," Becky spoke up, "but she was too busy studying for OWLs. Perhaps, if my mum hadn't been there...you know, if she'd died or something." She shrugged. "She's always been closer with our brother. Twins and all."
Demelza squeezed Becky's hand before speaking. "I'm half blood, as you all know. My mum's family is magical through and through, but my dad's mum was muggle born, and his father was a half blood. There are three of us-Morgana and Katherine and me-and I'm the eldest. So, they didn't help much, although I expect I will help Morgana in a year or so. Mum was the youngest, so she got plenty of assistance and advice from her older sister, and she passed it onto me."
"I got help from my older sister, Rowena," Morwenna offered. "She's the only one who's older than me. Mind, she finished at Hogwarts last year, and just got engaged, so I knew I wouldn't have a great deal of time to learn from her. With five of us, my mother rather has her hands full, and rather delegated waist training to her, where she could. It's a good thing Rena likes me," she added, with a twinkle in her eyes, "or she could have made me miserable from the start. Now that she isn't living with us, my mother does help me."
She said the last part with a smile, but it made Dora realize that this might have been true for many other girls throughout the ages.
"I'm the only girl," Polly explained, "and Mum had a fourteen inch waist when she married my dad, although she's at sixteen, now. She can get down to fifteen for special occasions, if she sleeps in her day corset and spaces the tightenings out over a week. And even then, I can tell she can barely stand it! Well, I got all my training from her, and for the first month, she pushed me hard." Polly made a face. "But it's easier, now. I managed a nineteen inch waist just before starting school, so she says I can slow down my efforts a bit. I know I won't get down to her fourteen inches. Sixteen, if I'm lucky. Maybe." She paused, then added, "Mum's side of the family is tiny by nature. Dad's side is outright stout! I managed to be somewhere in the middle."
"I'm the oldest," Hannah put in. "And if my dad had has his way, I would wait until I was of age. Of course, he spans Mum's waist every morning." She grinned. "And doesn't miss a chance to lace her up, when she lets him. Pretty sure that's how she was able to convince him to let me begin when I started to change. I wanted to, of course. Mum told me about waist training, in bits, ever since I was old enough to notice that she wore a corset all the time."
Sarah and Elizabeth returned then, fully dressed and in reasonably good moods.
"The corsets you're wearing are quite well-suited for your bodies, for the time being," they witch told them, but loud enough for the other girls to hear. "You'd be more comfortable with a custom fit, but there's no harm in wearing them during the day and training down your waists."
"What if we have to wait until we're seventeen?" Sarah asked.
Madam hesitated. "Your body will certainly change by then. Perhaps, they will be sufficient, but..." At Sarah's look of despair, she added, "Oh, do take heart, my dears! I have crafted corsets for muggle borns for many years. Eventually, their mothers come to understand that there's no harm if it's done correctly, and even health benefits. I believe your parents will come around."
They thanked her, and everyone left the shop.
After some more walking around, they were growing hungry, and decided to stop at Three Broomsticks for lunch. And, of course, butterbeer, which was supposed to be delicious.
The pub wasn't terribly crowded, but it took some scanning before they could find a table for eight. With some luck, they spotted one as a group of older students stood up and left. They raced for the seats before anyone else could get there first.
Menus appeared immediately, and Dora was relieved that nothing cost more than five sickles. Evidently, they had students with limited pocket money (especially after trips to Honeydukes and/or Zonkos) in mind. Dora selected a bowl of vegetable soup, two rolls, and the famous butterbeer as her beverage. Her classmates made similar selections, aware of the reduced room for food in their stomachs.
They could order dessert later if they were still hungry.
"You know," Sarah spoke up, after they had begun to eat, "the trip went rather better than I first thought. It's not as though they would have been ready today even with our parents' permission, and I will just work harder on my mum."
"I'll help!" Elizabeth agreed. "Mind, Sarah can out stubborn anyone. Especially her mum!"
Sarah grinned. "Elizabeth can testify to that. We've spent enough time at each other's houses."
The others laughed, but there was an air of awkwardness. Sarah and Elizabeth hadn't exactly isolated themselves from their fellow Hufflepuffs, but they were certainly closer with each other than the other girls. Now, things were different. Even though Sarah and Elizabeth had mastered self-lacing by the end of the first weekend, they liked the feel of being laced in by one of their roommates, and this created a bond.
All the same, moments like this showed that there had been at least some distance over the first two years, beyond the divisions of close friends held by the six with magical family members, even if no one intended anything ill by it.
Hannah broke the silence. "Perhaps, we can have you over for one of the upcoming holidays."
Everyone nodded, a bit awkwardly, and Demelza changed the subject by suggesting they try the butterbeer.
It was amazing. Warm as hot chocolate, even though it came from a bottle, sweet, almost buttery, and easily one of the best things Dora had ever drank. It took all of Dora's self control not to guzzle down half the bottle in one gulp.
Nor was her response the only one. Any tension quickly eased as every girl's face broke out into a huge grin.
"I never expected to enjoy something more than hot chocolate, but this is it!" Morwenna murmured, licking her lips. "Oh, I wish we had this instead of pumpkin juice at school!"
After their meal, it was time to go to Zonkos. Dora didn't indulge in prank items as much as sweets, but she purchased a couple of biting teacups, and a couple of other odds and ends.
Then, far too soon in everyone's opinion, it was growing dark, and time to return to school.
Author's note:
Since many places have rules regarding "body modification" and ages (for example, you have to be 18 to get a tattoo, and I believe that you need to be with a parent or guardian to get your ears pierced if you are under a certain age), it seems logical to put in a similar rule in the wizarding world.
Don't forget that Hermione did not get her teeth fixed until Crabbe sent the hex at her, which required Madam Pomfrey to return them to normal. Hermione had her go a bit further, likely taking advantage of a loophole. I imagine that Healers are allowed to perform magic to fix injuries, but they can't perform "cosmetic" magic without a parent or guardian's approval.
Corsets, therefore, fall under the lines of body modification and a corsetiere would likely lose his or her license and freedom from prison if they made a set of corsets for an underage witch without either the parent or guardian present, or a tested and verified letter of permission.
As Dora aptly notes, the permission goes only one way. A mother or father can have means of bodily modification performed on an underage witch or wizard, but the reverse can not apply. In our muggle world, parents can subject their kids to braces on their teeth, regardless of the wishes of the child. A child, even with months on hand, could not do the same.
This is not meant to be an essay on the rights of minors, but rather to show that the muggle and wizarding world aren't so different in this way.
Oh, and of course it seems right to blame Umbridge for Sarah and Elizabeth's predicament!
Next up: the school dance! Part one of it, anyway. It's too much to confine to one chapter.