And so, on the morning of the day of the dance party, an unusually large number of students remained at Hogwarts.
We waited until around four o'clock, then hurried off to the makeup room.
"Are you really spending four hours on makeup?"
"It won't take that long, but if we wait until the last minute, it turns into a fight for space in the makeup room."
I answered Theodore Nott, who asked with a surprised look on his face, and headed toward the room. As it turned out, everyone had the same idea, and quite a few seats were already taken.
First, to remove the makeup we had put on that morning, we carefully spread cleansing oil over our faces and gently washed it off with lukewarm water, letting it sink into the skin.
Using a soft towel, we gently blotted away the moisture so as not to damage our skin through friction. Then we thoroughly worked in a magical cosmetic toner to replenish moisture and leave the skin fresh and supple. After that came skincare with magical serums chosen according to preference, for whitening or improving elasticity. Finally, we applied magical emulsion or cream for hydration, and only then was skincare complete.
From there, we steeled ourselves and moved on to party makeup. We evenly applied a makeup base suited to each person's skin type over the entire face, applied foundation, then carefully blended it with sponges and brushes. Next, we dabbed face powder onto a puff, knocked off the excess, and lightly set it onto the skin.
Lastly, we added highlights and shading to shape the contours, applying them to the nose, forehead, around the eyes, the chin, and the mouth area. With that, the base makeup was finished. Afterward, we brushed our teeth and, just to be safe, took some breath freshener.
"By the way, what colors are you all going with?" I asked.
Millicent answered while looking into the mirror.
"I want to hide redness and pimples, so I'm going with yellow tones."
"I'll stick with white. When it really counts, playing it safe is best."
Pansy only ever choosing the safest option when it mattered was very Slytherin of her.
"Since it's a party, I think I'll go gorgeous with pearl tones. I tried them before, and they looked surprisingly good."
"If I tried gold, it would be a bit too much," Daphne added with a wink. Maintaining beauty requires this kind of everyday trial and error.
"Elaina is… pink, as expected," Pansy muttered, looking oddly displeased.
I tilted my head at her expression.
"Well, if I don't use pink tones, I end up looking kind of pale."
"Is that sarcasm? That's sarcasm, right?"
"So jealous of fair skin."
Following Millicent and Daphne, Pansy complained, "Why don't you tan at all even though you're a Quidditch player?" All I could say was that it was a combination of diligent sunscreen use and natural constitution.
Once the base makeup was done, we moved on to eye makeup: eyebrows, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, lips, and blush.
We filled in areas under the brows with eyebrow powder, then used a spoolie brush to shape the hairs and create a natural three-dimensional look.
From the inner to outer corners of the eyes, we softly applied eyeshadow base in a semi-circular shape with a brush, adding a slightly darker shade to the outer corners to sharpen the look.
For eyeliner, we lifted the eyelids and drew a line from inner to outer corners using pencil or gel eyeliner, adjusting the color and application to suit each eye shape. For mascara, we curled our lashes with a curler and then applied it thoroughly.
Finally, we applied lip color with a gradient effect, and most of the makeup was complete.
"Daphne and Elaina, you're done already?"
"Pansy, the trend these days is natural makeup."
"Daphne's right. Going overboard actually ruins good features."
"Elaina, you've been picking fights all along, haven't you?"
And then came the final, essential spell for witches.
"Impervius. Waterproof!"
A waterproofing charm over our perfectly made-up faces. If there is one thing that makes magic convenient from a girl's perspective, it is that as long as you cast a waterproof charm, your makeup will not run even if you eat or start to sweat.
It prevents tragedies like lipstick coming off after eating sauce-covered food or juicy fruit, or makeup around the nose wearing off after sneezing or blowing your nose. It is an incredibly useful spell.
Face makeup is important, of course, but equally important, if not more so, is hairstyling.
We lightly dampened our hair with water, dried it with magically conjured warm air, then used magical hair irons that required no electricity to curl or straighten it. Finally, we adjusted our hairstyles with styling products to suit our preferences.
For example, Pansy had grown her black bob to shoulder length for today, so she used a hair iron to alternate between inward curls and outward flips, creating a glamorous look.
Millicent, on the other hand, straightened her slightly curly, brown medium-short hair, then twisted it and used hairpins to gather it into an updo.
Daphne's naturally loose, wavy medium-long hair needed little adjustment. A bit of curling was enough to give her a simple yet modern look.
As for me, I left my bangs and side hair as they were, braided from slightly behind the ears, and gathered it at the nape into a low ponytail.
"All that's left is perfume and nails, I suppose."
We sprayed perfume on our napes, wrists, and elbows, and since it was a special occasion, we even applied hair fragrance.
"Oh? Daphne, are you using something new?"
"You noticed? It's a prototype from one of our subsidiaries. It got scrapped. Want to smell it?"
I leaned in, and a fresh, fruity scent greeted my nose. The juicy aroma of cherry blossoms and freesia tickled my senses. According to Daphne, over time it shifted into floral notes of lily of the valley and cherry, and finally left a sweet, devilishly playful aftertaste of pomegranate and peach.
"Was this really scrapped? I think it's perfectly fine."
"They said it wouldn't turn a profit because of the cost."
Capitalism at its finest.
"Elaina, are you using your usual one?"
"No, I thought I'd try the one Farley-senpai gave me over the summer."
What I took out was a citrus fragrance imported from France, the home of perfume. Based on the refined scent of bergamot, it carried a gentle sweetness of raspberry and apricot, leaving an elegant yet light aftertaste.
Not only did it refresh the mood with its clean sweetness, but in fleeting moments, it wrapped you in a faintly mysterious and rich aroma, creating an impression that was feminine, sexy, and cool.
"Oh, I was really curious about that one."
"Me too. Elaina, can I borrow it sometime?"
"I don't want to lend it to Pansy. You'll just claim it as your own."
"That's fine. It's not like it'll run out."
"It absolutely will."
In fact, Pansy, who was spraying perfume right in front of us, applied it not only to her wrists and nape, but also liberally to her waist, behind her knees, and her ankles.
Pansy's perfume was a classic floral. The glamorous and elegant scent of classic rose was universally appealing, embodying the timeless charm of traditional style.
"Hey, you three glamorous girls over there."
After a while, Millicent, who had been watching our exchange, lined up several perfumes on the vanity and beckoned us over.
"Which one do you think is best?"
Normally, Millicent favored Green Grass Pharmaceuticals' deodorant "Ocean Mist" as a substitute for perfume, a very sporty-girl habit. But this time, even she seemed determined to go all in on femininity.
"Oh, so you're finally graduating from Ocean Mist, Millicent."
"You've grown so much…"
"Enough already! Both of you, shut it!"
As Pansy and I teased Millicent, Daphne giggled.
"Alright, on three, let's point to what we recommend."
They say three heads are better than one. After checking the colorful selection of perfumes and exchanging glances, we pointed at the same time.
"White floral."
"Jasmine."
"Lilac."
"Well then, what happened to you three wise monkeys?"
We were completely split, though all three choices were safely within the floral family.
"If you're unsure, wouldn't white floral be fine for a clean impression?"
"But then it gives off transparency and purity, doesn't it?"
"Hm? Daphne dear, care to explain what you mean by that?"
After all that, once our makeup was fully done, it was finally time to slip into our dresses.
"Come to think of it, we're all Slytherin, but none of us are wearing green dresses."
After changing and checking one another, Pansy said that.
"I was certain Daphne would go with green."
"Even though you're a Green-grass," Millicent added.
"That's exactly why I didn't want people thinking that, so I chose a different color," Daphne replied with a snort.
Daphne brushed off our questions with a laugh. She was wearing a halter-neck dress based on a glossy rose-violet tone, adorned with black and gold accents in the frills and hem for a dazzling design. The layered skirt was short, boldly revealing smooth white thighs all the way down to her patent leather pumps.
Apparently, her parents had actually sent her a green dress, but she disliked it and bought a new one with her allowance. That kind of spending was very much in line with a young lady of her status.
"Millicent, you're looking pretty mature too."
"There's kind of a prima donna vibe."
"Stop it, you're making me blush!"
Millicent, who didn't seem to dislike the praise, wore an ice-blue one-shoulder dress. The sash belt wrapped around her waist and the slim skirt emphasized her slender silhouette. A corsage matching the dress color adorned her textured brown medium-short hair, adding to the glamorous atmosphere.
"But Pansy's really transformed too."
"Yeah, you can't even sense what she's like on the inside."
"Seriously."
"All three of you are so noisy!"
Pansy was wearing an off-shoulder party dress in vivid magenta pink. Paired with her heavily curled semi-long black bob, black accents appeared in her gloves, ribbons, and frills, giving it a modern take on the gothic style typical of traditional magical families.
We killed the little time we had left with idle chatter, and when we glanced at the clock, it was already 7:30 p.m.
"Shall we get going, then?"
The dance party was about to begin.
◇◆◇
At 7:30 p.m., I, Cedric Diggory, was waiting by the entrance to the Great Hall closest to the Slytherin common room, just off the entrance hall.
Beside me were Draco Malfoy of Slytherin, Anthony Goldstein of Ravenclaw, and Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff.
Malfoy wore a black velvet high-collared robe reminiscent of an Anglican priest, paired with a white shirt and white bow tie. He had also styled his hair differently, slicking it back in a neat side part. Yet today, he seemed restless, silently staring at the wall.
I wore a standard tuxedo with a black bow tie. Anthony's outfit was almost the same, except for a stylish vest, while Ernie wore a tailcoat with a white bow tie.
"Hey, Anthony, is my tie crooked?"
"Ernie, that's the sixth time today. I get how you feel, but try to calm down."
Anthony smiled wryly at the fidgeting Ernie, though his own voice seemed to tremble slightly.
And then.
"Oooh!"
A group of Slytherin girls appeared in the hall all at once, and spontaneous voices of admiration rose from the students present.
At the front was Pansy Parkinson, followed a short distance behind by Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode.
Behind them came Astoria Greengrass in a green long dress made of sheer material, Tracy Davis in a black camisole dress with a slit in the skirt, and Euphemia in a wine-red cocktail dress made of fine silk. The hall felt like it had turned into a fashion show.
"Amazing. They're like an idol group," Ernie Macmillan murmured in admiration.
Draco Malfoy puffed out his chest with an inexplicable boyfriend-like pride.
"Of course. Noble families must dress beautifully in a way befitting their status, or people will look down on them."
"There's also the idea that true nobility shines from within, isn't there?"
"But there are far more chances to see someone's outward appearance than their inner nature. In that case, it makes sense to present yourself beautifully on the outside."
While Malfoy went on about his peculiar aesthetic philosophy, Anthony Goldstein was already busy showering his partner, Greengrass, with praise.
"It suits you really well. You look incredibly stylish."
"Hehe♡ Are you mesmerized?"
"Yeah. Actually, I might be mesmerized right now."
"Eeh, really?"
"You're truly adorable. This might be the best in the world."
"Mmm, say more♡"
Anthony, carried away, praised her with exaggerated enthusiasm, while Miss Greengrass, wearing a triumphant smile at the obvious flattery, began to melt completely. Both of them seemed determined to deliberately enjoy the party to the fullest.
(Is Elaina not here yet?)
I had assumed she would arrive together with Daphne and the others, but there was still no sign of Elaina. As I looked around restlessly, Euphemia Rowle, a fellow prefect, approached with a wry smile.
"Calm down. I just told Elaina to come last, so she'll be here soon."
"Haa… but why does Elaina have to be last?"
"If she came out first, wouldn't it be pitiful for everyone who followed after her?"
Some people might find Euphemia's attentiveness meddlesome, but personally, I really respect her for that kind of thoughtfulness.
And then.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
I recognized the voice instantly.
The crowd of Hogwarts students in their colorful robes and dresses slowly parted, like a receding tide. From that reaction alone, it was easy to imagine who had appeared and what had happened.
(She never disappoints, does she… Elaina.)
A small smile crept onto my lips.
As I turned around, thinking of what I should say.
"…Huh?"
I was left speechless.
What Elaina wore was a royal blue evening dress made of the finest silk. Her ash-gray hair, tied into a ponytail low at the back of her head, gleamed with a lustrous shine, cascading lightly over her delicate shoulders and back exposed by the off-shoulder design.
Her cheeks, faintly flushed pink, stood out beautifully against her fair skin. Her moist, glossy lips looked fresh and supple. Her straight nose was perfectly shaped, her clear, radiant eyes bright and elegant, and within her pure lapis-blue gaze was a charm so deep it felt as though one could be drawn in.
"…"
It felt as if I had been struck by a full-body paralysis spell. I could not move. My breath caught, and I could not close my wide-open eyes or look away. I swallowed hard.
The girl I thought I knew so well looked like someone entirely different.
"Elaina…"
Girls are often compared to flowers, but the one standing before me was truly the blossom among blossoms.
"…Cedric?"
Perhaps because I had been staring for too long, Elaina tilted her head with a puzzled expression. Even that, somehow, was beautiful enough to be a picture.
"Sorry. I was mesmerized."
The honest words slipped out before I could stop them.
"…"
Even Elaina seemed caught off guard by that response, staring blankly for a moment.
"Um… thank you?"
Why was that a question? Well, I suppose my response put her in an awkward spot.
I had planned to prepare several witty compliments, and knowing Elaina, I had even expected to be lightly teased in return. I had thought up playful banter as well.
But the moment I stood in front of her, all of that vanished completely.
Her pensive gaze held countless eyes captive, and her sweet breath could melt even frozen ice. The witch before me possessed an otherworldly mystique, changing the atmosphere simply by being there.
"Cedric."
"Yeah?"
As I found myself staring again, Elaina narrowed her eyes with an unreadable expression and stepped closer. In that instant, a soft, pleasant fragrance brushed my senses, and my heartbeat began racing uncontrollably.
"Um, I think it might be better if you didn't examine your junior like you're licking her with your eyes."
"That's a false accusation. I wasn't looking."
"Please do look. What do you think I dressed up for?"
Utterly unreasonable.
"But it suits you. You're really beautiful."
"The most beautiful in the world?"
She suddenly sounded like an evil queen from a fairy tale.
Yet she said it with such confidence that I found myself oddly convinced. Though she looked like a delicate princess, her true nature was that of a genuine witch who enchanted all who beheld her.
"You're the most beautiful in the world."
When I said it honestly, Elaina's face softened into a delighted smile.
"I think you look handsome too, Cedric."
"Ah, thanks."
I was used to being complimented, yet my whole body felt like it was about to burst into flames. Right now, I felt like I could dash out of Hogwarts and jump straight into the freezing Black Lake. I wouldn't, of course.
Before long, Cho Chang arrived as well, wearing a white mermaid-style dress reminiscent of a cheongsam, adorned with delicate embroidery. Her partner, Harry, raised his eyebrows in surprise when he spotted the girl standing next to Viktor Krum.
"Hermione…!"
She had been polishing her appearance little by little recently, so the shock wasn't enough to make her seem like a completely different person. Still, seeing a familiar friend looking so overtly feminine clearly caught him off guard.
"Good evening, Harry! Good evening, Cho!"
Miss Granger greeted them with a smile. She wore a soft, pale pink V-neck dress with a feminine silhouette, her dyed blonde hair twisted at the back of her head into a chignon gathered to the side.
"W-wait, isn't there an incredibly beautiful girl here?!"
Harry wasn't the only one surprised. The moment Miss Greengrass saw Miss Granger, her eyes sparkled as she rushed over.
"Um… you mean me, right?"
"Hmm, it seems you've finally become aware of how beautiful you are. How delightful."
Elaina immediately teased her, and Miss Granger blushed, lightly swatting her with a soft "Oh, stop it!" She seemed more accustomed now to compliments and dressing up, and while still shy, she didn't look entirely displeased.
"Wow, Hermione, you've become gorgeous! Can I hug you?!"
"Eh, that might be a bit much…"
"Then hug me?"
"That too is a bit…"
"Come now, don't be shy♪"
Miss Greengrass closed the distance without hesitation, while Miss Granger desperately averted her gaze, murmuring, "Um, hey, you're too close…"
Yet none of their partners tried to intervene. Krum simply looked down, his face bright red, and Goldstein even narrowed his eyes, murmuring reverently, "This is precious…"
"…E-Elaina."
At last, a completely flustered Miss Granger called out weakly for help. Elaina gave a small nod, and then.
Click click click!
She took an absurd number of photos.
"Why?!"
"Well, I thought it looked really good on camera."
What Elaina was using was a General Magitics multifunctional double-sided mirror, commonly known as a "Poly-Mirror." It functioned not only as a magical camera but also allowed zooming and video recording, much like an Omniocular.
"Elaina, how did the photos turn out?"
"Let me see too!"
"I'll send them to Millicent and Tracy as well."
Incidentally, the latest Poly-Mirror models could duplicate photos taken with Omniocular functions using the Twin Spell and send them to others via a messenger feature adapted from Transfiguration magic.
"These really pop."
"I want to join too!"
"Sure. Actually, why don't we all take one together as a memory?"
"That sounds nice."
Elaina nodded and immediately went to call over Miss Granger and the others. I took the opportunity to bring my friend Roger and his partner Fleur. Miss Bulstrode and Miss Greengrass dragged along Malfoy and Parkinson, who grumbled, "Why do I have to stand with Potter…," while Cho called over her friend Marietta. Tracy Davis asked Prefect Euphemia to take the photo.
"Here we go."
Euphemia raised the Poly-Mirror, and we all posed with peace signs in our own styles.
"Say cheese."
"Peace!!!"
The shutter clicked, and our student days were etched into a photograph.
May the time we spent with so many friends and wonderful girls never fade, now and forever. With that wish, we offered a small prayer on this holy night.
I hoped that someday, after graduating from Hogwarts, every time Christmas night came around, we would look back on today with fond nostalgia.
＊＊＊
After that, Elaina and the others took countless photos in turns. Whether with close friends or people they barely knew, everyone gladly joined in, eager to leave behind some kind of memory.
"Um… excuse me!"
When I turned around at the sudden voice behind me, there stood a girl with an androgynous face and a black bob haircut. It was Saya from Gryffindor.
"What is it?"
"Um, could you come outside with me for a moment? There's something I'd really like you to see."
I accepted her request immediately with a simple "Sure." As a prefect, I was used to being asked for favors, and events like this often came with their share of trouble.
I told Elaina, "I'll just step away for a bit," and followed Saya. When we reached a quieter area with fewer people, Saya suddenly pulled something from her pocket.
"Oh! I'll give this to you first as a thank-you."
She handed me a small piece of candy.
"Thanks."
It wasn't necessary, I thought, but a candy wasn't exactly expensive, and refusing would have felt awkward. I accepted it and popped it into my mouth.
As I rolled the mint-flavored candy around, it slowly dissolved, and the contents of its two-layer structure spilled out.
That was when I noticed something was wrong.
(Huh…?)
The filling wasn't gum or soft candy. It was liquid, and the moment I realized it was a potion, my vision blurred, and my consciousness faded away.
(End of chapter)
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