Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Thirty-Three: Gladrags Wizards Wear

Poppy pushed open the door to Gladrags, flinging me inside of it and snapping it shut behind her.

"Well hello there!" Augustus Hill called from behind the counter, his usual cup of tea clanking on the saucer as he put it down. "Long time since I've see you two!"

"Hello, Mr. Hill," I smiled warmly at him, my mind still on Sebastian.

"We need dresses," Poppy said practically skipping over to the counter and leaning over it.

"Ah, yes! I heard the Yule Ball is being held this year," he smiled coming out from around the counter, his wand twirling, magical tape measure floating along excitedly behind him. "Who first?"

"Poppy," I said, rather quickly. Augustus quirked a brow at me, a hint of offense on his face and I looked away sheepishly. "She insisted we come, I think she should have the honors."

"Alright, then, Poppy, come with me."

Poppy ushered me over to a dress rack near the alteration area as she stepped up onto the platform. Her look plainly told me to look at the dresses and stop worrying about Sebastian. I glared at her once before letting my lips fall into a soft smile. Poppy always seemed to know how to ease my emotions, and for the first time since the catacomb, I felt lighter.

Here, I could flick through racks of pretty gowns and laugh with my best friend. Here, I could turn off the constant tugging of my magic. Here, I could simply exist. The idea made me truly happy.

Poppy and Augustus were lost in conversation over her gown design while I flicked through rack after rack of fabulous designs. Some gowns had shimmering gems that trailed along as the fabric swished, others covered in brilliant gold embellishments, but my hands stopped rifling through the countless dresses as the texture of velvet hit my fingertips.

Pulling the dress from the hanger, I felt my jaw fall open. In my hands was the most gorgeous gown I had ever seen in my life. Made of crushed emerald green velvet, with a plunging v-shaped open back with a high neckline, the bodice shifted to a beautifully full skirt, the fabric shimmering anytime I moved it. What struck me, was the sleeves. The gown had long sleeves, the crushed green velvet soft to the touch, and hanging off of the back of the shoulders there was a veil of green tulle that seemed to create a cape, the shimmering fabric flowing out well past the skirt to create a train. Embellished along these additions were silver and gold constellations, which magically shimmered and danced along the tulle, giving the illusion of the night sky.

I clutched the dress in my hands, turning to see Poppy smiling broadly at me as she was now wearing a simple yet beautiful dress made of black silk, a small silver serpent making the straps of her dress. It hugged her body beautifully, showing her curves rather than hiding them under a bulky skirt, and I knew precisely why she'd chosen it.

"Ominis will appreciate the simplicity," I said, warmth filling my heart. "And I think the snakes are a nice touch."

She blushed, hands resting on her hips as she ran them along the silk and glanced down at the serpents. "I know he doesn't take much store in being a Slytherin, much less a Gaunt. But I thought it would be nice to show him that those things don't bother me."

"I think you're right. Get the dress," I nodded, appreciating the oddly sweet pairing of Ominis and Poppy.

Augustus Hill conjured a second pedestal, gesturing to me to climb up. "You stay right there, Poppy. I'll finish your pins once I get Abbi started."

I handed him the gown I'd found, which he took gingerly. "I hope this one looks as beautiful on as it does on the hanger."

He laughed as I shrugged out of my cloak, and waved his wand. At once, his measuring tape moved its way around me, and then the dress. I stared in amazement as the garment fell into place perfectly along my frame, the green the perfect dark shade of jade, each point of the gown fitting me as though it had been made for me originally.