Costume, Costume, Costume, BALL!!! ((Ash))

[Lenora Byers]

‘Costume, costume, costume, BALL’ Lenora was so excited. So excited, if you had a machine that could measure excitement she would probably break it she was so excited! Halloween Ball! Halloween, oh Halloween. Ye ‘ol hallows eve. The night of the living dead – kinda like Nearly Headless Nick. It was almost time for the Ball and Lenora was literally singing while she got all of her stuff together to meet Ash. What was she singing? Well it certainly wasn’t Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Oh no, it was the monster mash, a graveyard smash. It was also the one-eyed one horned flying purple people eater. It was every song Lenora could think of that in any way related to Halloween! Grabbing her hairbrush Lenora jumped up on her bed and sang a particularly dramatic chorus of Monster Mash while jumping up and down on the red and gold blankets. As she finished she hopped down and tossed the brush in her gym bag.

Ashley had a date so they wouldn’t be able to spend the whole ball together giggling and dancing and singing; so they were getting ready together! Only problem… Ashley Hufflepuff, Lenora Gryffindor. Meet in an empty classroom and problem solved! Closing the zipper on the bag Lenora pulled a pink hood over her head and skipped down the stairs to the common room. The common room was almost empty because most everyone was off getting ready. Here and there sat groups of girls though all doing each other’s hair. In a few minutes Lenora would be with her best friend too getting ready! Hufflepuffs were in the cellar, Gryffindors were in the seventh floor of the tower, the ball was on the main floor in the Great Hall.

The pair were going to be meeting on the third floor in an unused classroom. They agreed on the room awhile ago so Lenora had been popping in between classes for the whole week getting rid of the dust and everything so that when she went in there just then it was perfect. Lenora had even set up a mirror in there so they could do their makeup and their hair though they would likely have to do it one at a time. As she reached the room Lenora swung open the door with flourish and spun into the room before closing the door quick. She didn’t want anyone finding them in there – it was supposed to be a time just for the two of them.

Lenora did a silence spell on the room so no one outside would hear before turning on her WWW to a seasonal station that had Halloween music on. With a flick of her wand the sheet she brought attached itself to the ceiling for the girls to change behind. After that she started taking out her long white dress with gold around the edges and the gold crown she would be wearing with it. She was going as the most beautiful woman ever – Helen of Troy.

[Ashley Hill]

Could you possibly feel nervous and excited at the same time? Ashley felt both as she stuffed her costume into a blue gym bag. Tonight was the Halloween ball and she had a date! For the first time a guy actually asked her out! This was her very first date...or ball date. At first Ashley thought she was just going with Lenora and a couple friends dancing and giggling the night away. But now she was going to be with a boy named Ryan who she barely knew but really liked. She hadn't even told Elina yet. What would her older sister think? That her little hyper sister who was called a tomboy was growing up and becoming something different.

Taking a plastic hairbrush from her trunk Ashley set it down inside with the rest of her things. A shell headband with real shells from the ocean was on top of her costume with tan slippers that had different colored sequins engraved on them. Her outfit was almost the color of a rainbow. Red, blue, purple, and green! So many colors! Ashley's blue eyes sparkled with excitement. This was going to be the best night ever! Zipping the zipper of the gym bag up Ashley swung it over her shoulder and walked out of the dorm room. Girls were huddled in groups, giggling and trying to get ready. Looking ahead of her Ashley walked out of the common room with a spring in her step.

Lenora and Ashley were supposed to met in an empty classroom to get ready. Ashley hadn't seen her best friend since the train ride to Hogwarts were they danced along in the corridors and ate so much candy from the trolley. Being around Lenora always made Ashley light up more than ever. Maybe it was because they were so much alike. They could maybe even twins and were separated from birth! It could be possible. Ashley had blond hair, Lenora had blond hair. Ashley has blue eyes Lenora has blue eyes. They could pass on as twins! Ashley giggled at her thought as she continued down the corridor.

The blue shoulder bag slumped on Ashley's shoulder as she reached the classroom. Opening the door quietly Ashley walked inside and closed it behind her. The sound of Halloween music filled her ears and there was a white blanket hanging from the ceiling. "Lenora!" Ashley screamed running toward her best friend for a hug. Pulling away Ashley smiled a big smile before looking at the dress Lenora was holding. "What are you going to be?" she asked setting her gym bag on the open table waiting for Lenora's answer. All her nerves seemed to dissapeared at that moment.

[Lenora Byers]

Lenora threw her arms around her best friend as Ashley bound in and gave her a hug. “Ash!!!” Lenora practically squealed. It had been much too long. “I…” Lenora said dramatically spinning away as Ashley asked what she would be, “shall be the most beautiful woman to ever walk the Earth. I shall inspire art and war. Enslaved by evil men, then stolen away by my one true love. Troy will burn at my hands – for I am Helen, princess of Troy.” Lenora ended with a heaving sigh before a curtsey.

Her hairbrush lay on a desk and Lenora picked it up. She pretended it was a microphone as she sand along to Purple People Eater bouncing around the room. Tonight would be great! Lenora stopped as the song ended and rested against a desk – half sitting on it half just leaning. “What are you planning to be this year Ashley?” she asked with a grin.

[Ashley Hill]

Ashley giggled as Lenora dramatically spun around getting more into her character. That was always like her best friend, to make everything like a scene. Lenora was a wonderful actress and Ashley really believed her best friend could be famous on day. So Ashley could tell all those muggles fan that she knew Lenora Byers. Half leaning against the table behind her Ashley giggled as Lenora finished with her grand finale. Clapping Ashley turned around and unfolded her costume in her gym bag. Taking it out from the bag Ashley held it out to Lenora smiling. "I shall be the beauty and wonder of the sea. To seduce all sailors with my undying beauty and grace. The protector of all sea creatures. I shall be a mermaid.” Ashley said holding the dress close to her body twirling around along with the music. She smiled while looking up at Lenora and twirling her best friend to the music.

[Lenora Byers]

“Protector – that I see. But seducer? Sorry Ash I just don’t buy it. Though word through the grapevine is that you have a date. How’s that going? Who is he? Do I like him? Do I approve? If he dares hurt my Ash he will suffer.” Lenora said with a giggle. She was so happy for her best friend – any boy who didn’t fall head over heels for Ashley was certifiably insane but Lenora would honestly put any boy who came after her best friend through the paces.

Lenora walked up to the mirror and picked up a big puffy blush brush. She flipped it and ran the bristles across her hand before putting it down again. “I think I am going to put my dress on before anything else so I don't get makeup on it or wreck my hair”, she said before walking over and picking up her dress. She spun around holding the dress to her before disappearing behind the curtain.