#I experimented a bit with rakepick's outfit

[carewyncromwell]

“All those decisions that I made back then  That shaped who I once was... I've turned my back and grown away from them  To be who I am now! 'And are you fine with that?’ Yes, I'm fine with that. Diving down with arms outstretched, further from land, Deep into the sea of dreams, lost --  Destroyed by my own hands -- And you...oh, you...bright and innocent youth... Please stay that way in forgotten days...”

~“Sea of Dreams (cover)” by RafScrap

x~x~x~x

Okay, this drawing didn’t exactly turn out the way I wanted, but since it’s taken me this long to finish, I figured I’d just go ahead and post it! 

So a while back, I was chatting with fellow Rakepick fan and rewriter @dat-silvers-girl​ and I shared this song with her since I both really liked it and really thought it had Rakepick vibes. Listening to the lyrics, I couldn’t help but imagine Rakepick looking back on her past mistakes in a Pensieve...so what I wanted to try to capture was the sort of inky aesthetic that we see for Pensieve memories in the film adaptations of HBP and Deathly Hallows -- 

As I said, didn’t exactly turn out like I hoped, but there you go!

One huge unanswered question I’ve had about Dumbledore in the game for a long while is why he decided to trust Patricia Rakepick in the first place. Just about everyone looked at Rakepick with suspicion, and yet Dumbledore both actively sought out her help and expressed no distrust of her, even though her Occlumency was strong enough to keep Snape out of her mind and likely Dumbledore as well. It’s well-established that Dumbledore isn’t the sort to trust blindly and is a chess-master who always plans five steps ahead too -- so why trust someone like Rakepick and let her into your school? Well, from a meta point of view, Dumbledore’s strange trust in Rakepick clearly parallels his trust in Severus Snape, which is likewise questioned by plenty of other characters and seemingly seems unjustified when Snape “turns” on Dumbledore. But we ultimately learn that Dumbledore trusted Snape because of his love for Lily Potter -- and so, at least in my headcanon that diverges completely from the game as of the end of year 6, Dumbledore ultimately decides to trust Rakepick for a very similar reason.

You see, when Dumbledore sought Rakepick out in Egypt, he initially was a lot more suspicious. He knew Rakepick had always been interested in the Cursed Vaults, and he did find it more than a little suspicious that she was suddenly so reluctant to return to Hogwarts to help him with them, as well as that right after school, Rakepick climbed the ranks at Gringotts so unbelievably quickly with seemingly no connections from public social groups like the Slug Club. Dumbledore had also caught wind of rumors -- forwarded to him by Mundungus Fletcher -- that Rakepick had made contact with Jacob Cromwell right after he’d been expelled from Hogwarts, and therefore may have been one of the last people to see him before his mysterious disappearance. Yet when he brought up Jacob and his family to Rakepick, she was dismissive.

“I’ve heard of them, certainly -- the Daily Prophet does travel, even this far out...”

“I don’t recall the Prophet discussing Jacob’s sister,” Dumbledore said, raising his eyebrows. “Yet you seem to know her, all the same.”

Rakepick crossed her arms, turning away with a slight huff. “Hardly. I only ever saw the girl in passing...I’ve never even spoken to her.”

And so when Dumbledore finally did leave Hogwarts to meet Rakepick, he approached her far more critically. He broached the subject largely by talking about the young student who’d already stumbled upon the corridor outside the Ice Vault, a girl called Carewyn, and although Rakepick’s mental shield was strong, Dumbledore got the sense that Rakepick had known Carewyn and her connection to Jacob long before he first brought up her name. He visited Rakepick a few more times, both trying to convince her to come deal with the Vaults as the professional she was and to gather more information about her connection with Jacob, when Rakepick finally and abruptly agreed to return to Hogwarts to deal with the Vaults. Dumbledore, however, had one condition for allowing Rakepick unfettered access to his school.

“You must give me something first, Patricia,” he said gravely. “A memory. Specifically, the memory you have of Carewyn Cromwell.”

Something in Rakepick’s expression flickered. 

“I told you I’ve never met her,” she said lowly. 

“You said you never spoke to her,” Dumbledore challenged her, “but that you saw her in passing, nonetheless. I require that memory, before I make my decision.”

Rakepick was a bit reluctant, but finally agreed to place the memory in Dumbledore’s Pensieve so that both he and she could view it. 

Dumbledore noticed immediately how incredibly dark the recollection was, with many faces and locations oddly blurred. He wasn’t sure whether it was Rakepick placing little value on these things or the work of active tampering...but one thing was crystal clear, and that was the tiny girl dancing down the street all by herself, singing Don McLean’s American Pie:

“Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye,

Singing ‘this’ll be the day that I...die! This’ll be the day that I die!”

The details of the memory were vague enough to be compared to shadows -- even Rakepick’s reasons for being there, or even much of what happened after Carewyn ran by, were seemingly selectively dodged...and yet this little girl, in all of her blazing innocence and charm, was as clear as if she was really running right past Dumbledore at that very moment. And as she darted past Rakepick, completely unaware that anyone was watching her, Dumbledore saw a strange melancholy pass over the much younger woman’s face -- a melancholy he knew all too well, after all of the pain he’d caused his brother and sister...

And so it was Rakepick’s storge for Carewyn -- that love usually found among parents for their children, stained by remorse and regret -- that persuaded Dumbledore that the well-regarded Cursebreaker was someone worthy of his faith and trust. 

[caustic-curses]

HPHM Profile: Corbyn Reyes

Thanks to @hogwartsmysterystory for this new profile template!

IDENTITY

Name: Corbyn Samil Reyes

Gender: Cisgender Male

Age:  16

Birth Date: 11/15/1972

Species: Valravaan

Blood Status: Half-Blood

Sexuality: Asexual

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Ethnicity: Slavic

Nationality: Serbian

Residence: Bristol, UK

Myer Briggs Personality Type: ISTJ

THE MAGE

1st Wand: Pine | Dragon heartstring core | 12 ¾" in length | Rigid flexibility

The straight-grained pine wand always chooses an independent, individual master who may be perceived as a loner, intriguing and perhaps mysterious. Pine wands enjoy being used creatively, and unlike some others, will adapt without protest to new methods and spells. Many wandmakers insist that pine wands are able to detect and perform best for owners who are destined for long lives, and I can confirm this in as much as I have never personally known the master of a pine wand to die young. The pine wand is one of those that is most sensitive to non-verbal magic.

As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.

2nd Wand:  Ebony| Dragon heartstring core.| 11 ¼ “| Unyielding

This jet-black wand wood has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration. Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider, ebony wand owners have been found both among the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix and among the Death Eaters. In my experience, the ebony wand’s perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose.

Animagus: White Cat

Misc Magical Abilities: Parselmouth (currently unaware)

Boggart Form: Being  in a hospital gown gaunt and ignored

Riddikulus Form: Dog in an outfit prancing around

Amortentia: The scent of patchouli, rose and teak wood tease the senses while the note of vanilla adds excitement (spicy, the thrill of late summer, mountain flowers)

Amortentia: the earthy scent of a meadow,  lavender & coral rose, and the faded  scent of butterbeer (Tulip)

Patronus:  Cat

Patronus Memory: Camping late at night with Jakov and creating images from the stars

Mirror of Erised: Seeing his mother there, holding him close with a delighted smile of approval and acceptance.

Specialized/Favourite Spells: Caterwauling charm, Confundo, and Diffindo. His favorite is the disillusionment charm.

APPEARANCE

Faceclaim: Ivan Vuckovic

Game Appearance:

Height: 5’4

Weight: 135

Physique: Average

Eye Colour: dark forest green (D20 on the 1998 eye chart) Left eye is 3s lighter as he is becoming blind in that eye from a spell gone wrong

Hair Colour: deep brown with natural mahogany highlights (noticeable in direct sunlight) styled via French crop with a gradual fade.

Skin Tone: warm ivory

Inventory: He wears a dragon-shaped pendant and a dark brown wooden wrist cuff given to him by Jakov, his wand, and a pair of glasses

ALLEGIANCES 

Hogwarts House: Slytherin

Affiliations/Organizations: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Professions: Aurologist and Herbalist 

HOGWARTS INFORMATION

Class Proficiencies:

Astronomy: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Charms: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

DADA: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Flying:  ★★★★★★★★★☆

Herbology: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

History of Magic: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Potions: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Transfiguration: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Electives:

Care Of Magical Creatures: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Divination: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Quidditch: Chaser

Extra-Curricular: Gardening Club

Favorite Professors: 

Professor McGonagall -She takes on the role of a mother figure in Corbyn’s eyes. She is stern but only out of a desire to see him succeed. Her admiration for his accomplishments is thus hard-won and genuine. 

Professor Sprout - Her gentle nature and willingness to encourage his interest in herbology quickly made her one of his favorite teachers. She is patient and kind, he can always count on her class to be his favorite.

Least Favourite Professors:

Professor Snape - No matter what he does, it’s never good enough. No matter how hard he studies he continually feels inferior. He came to school hoping to escape that type of nonsense.

Professor Rakepick- She’s suspicious. Her methods of teaching don’t sit well with him and it seems as if there are more at stake than just a few house points.

RELATIONSHIPS

Brother: Jakov Callum Reyes | (21yo) 11/271967- Sagittarius

Seer although he never told his family (mother had suspicions)

Woodcarver-aspires to be a wand designer

Is aware that Corbyn is his half-brother

Biological Father: Haedon Knezevic | (35 yo)  4/17/1951 -Aries

Full-blooded Valravan -began life as a raven

Magic is gathered from outside sources rather than from within like wizards

He was locked away under the watchful eye of the Legacies which prevented him from being a part of Corbyn’s early childhood.

Father: Ezekial Reyes |  (41yo) 5/9/1947 -Taurus

He married Lilith despite her indiscretions when in his late twenties.

Despite not being his true father, Ezekiel took on the role without question to become the parental figure Corbyn adores. As a role model, he endeavored to teach Corbyn virtues. He can only pray that they stuck with him at Hogwarts.

He was gone often and for long periods of time due to his work. This field of work has caused him to become sick but he keeps this as a secret.

Mother: Lilith Reyes | (38yo)  2/25/1948 - Pisces

Cheated on Ezekiel with Haedon becoming pregnant with Corbyn. He functions as a bitter reminder of everything she lost and of what she could have had.

Lilith is an Ilvermorny Alumni

When Jakov disappeared, Lilith’s smile went with him. A bit of her spirit broke and Corbyn was left with the aftermath of distance and anger.

Love Interest: Tulip Karasu

Best Friends: Barnaby Lee, Tulip Karasu & Chiara Loboscu

Rival: Merula Snyde & Diego Caplan

Enemy: Frith Fuilteach & Seth Drystan

Dormmates: Rowan Khanna & Laurent King

Pets: Midi- Tawny owl

Closest Canon Friends: Penny Haywood, Rowan Khanna, Barnaby Lee, Charlie Weasley

Closest MC Friends: 

Laurent King (@slytherin-puffskein)

Dahlia Goldman (@a-bear-at-hogwarts) 

Samuel Gabehart (@hphm-ravenclaw-writings)

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

While Ezekiel was away on business trips, Jakov often took over the role of parent. As an older sibling, he was expected to make Corbyn mind the rules while also helping his mother. The more often that this occurred, the more that Jakov began to resent his half-brother. The games they played became rougher and bordered on dangerous. Jakov was a teen pushed too early into adulthood and Corbyn was the scapegoat.

Despite this, Corbyn admired Jakov and looked up to him. To him, there were tense times but that did not diminish the genuine fun that they had. He loved Jakov as did their mother. So when news began to circulate about him opening the vaults, their mother was worried something might happen. This was proven correct when they received that fated letter. She was heartbroken. Jakov left and took her maternal love. Corbyn was left with bitterness, resentment, and emotional manipulation. It was here that he realized vulnerability is deadly. 

The Reyes had only recently moved to Bristol, UK when they received the news. Corbyn was 9 years old when he realized his brother would not be coming home. Rumors regarding Jakov joining You-Know-Who or his possible death were hard to hear but he continued to defend his brother to the point of coming home bruised and bloodied.

It was debated but Corbyn was allowed to go to Hogwarts in 1984. It wasn’t because his mother was scared of losing him. It was because she was sure he was a squib because he had only a few magical mishaps. She did not want to be further embarrassed by him.

During the first few years at Hogwarts, he befriended several students who demonstrated that vulnerability can be okay and it is sometimes needed. Not only did he learn some interesting spells but he learned of secrets and rumors that caused him to seek out the truth and eventually befriend Chiara.

PERSONALITY

Loyal: This is to a certain extent. Even if you are friends, he might not be loyal until you’ve proven yourself to be worthy of that loyalty. Sure, it is a bit of a test but once that loyalty is won, it is golden.

Self-sufficient: Due to the nature of how he was raised, Corbyn learned early on that the one person he can rely on is himself. Thus, he has a hard time asking for help in any matter. He prefers to solve the problem himself rather than be indebted to anyone.

Clever: Witty. Sarcastic. Corbyn uses words to cut down others or to trick them for profit. He does this because it's one way to look out for himself. If he can trick you, he will continue to do so for as long as possible.

Vindictive: Being a jealous individual isn’t a good look but he hasn’t been able to change. When someone crosses him or especially someone he has befriended (see loyal), then he’s out to assure that this never happens again. He will find your weaknesses and force you to endure them.

Obstinate: While this can sometimes be seen as negative, he is stubborn in the sense that he knows what he stands for and what he wants out of life. He is headstrong so it makes convincing him otherwise to be a headache.

MISC

Likes: intense spices, herbology, pranking his friends, the idea of courting

Dislikes: bananas, excessively sweet things, The Black Lake, not knowing how to swim

Hobbies: working with magical creatures, cooking/grilling, gambling

[alice-beaumont-ravenclaw]

You’ve Got a Friend in Me

A/N #1: 3000 words!!! I’m so sorry for the long fic. I tried to see if I could cut it into parts but to no avail. Anyway, enjoy, and thanks for taking the time to read this fic.

It was the end of October. Students were eating breakfast, excitedly talking about their plans for the weekend that was starting. Most were planning visits to Hogsmeade. Tonks and Tulip were making a list of what to buy at Zonko’s, while Penny was making a list of ingredients she needed for her latest potion idea. Charlie was trying to explain to Andre his idea of including dragons in Quidditch, leaving the latter perplexed. As for Alice, she was busy reading some curse-breaking books Rakepick had lent her, supposedly to help her prepare for the next vault.

Alice had other thoughts in mind, worried about Beatrice Haywood stuck in a painting, Penny’s understandable obsession with getting her sister out of there, and Rakepick. Patricia Rakepick was a woman Alice still had a hard time figuring out. The young Ravenclaw still didn’t feel like she could trust the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, even if Bill saw her as his mentor and Merula saw her as a role model. Lost in those thoughts, Alice heard the Headmaster clearing his throat.

“Good morning,” started the Headmaster. “I have an announcement to make on this lovely day. As you know, the school has gone through quite a few ordeals in the last five years, even facing a ‘portrait curse’ as we speak. This is why I have decided to organize a special event to lighten the mood and allow you to think of something other than the Cursed Vaults.”

He said those last words looking straight at Alice.

“The event in question is the Celestial Ball, which will take place on the last night before you all leave for the Christmas holiday, and will be open to students in Year 3 through 7. Your Heads of House will put up a parchment in your common room with all the information you need to know later today. That is all. Have a nice day!” finished the Headmaster, a twinkle in his eye as he sat back down in his seat.

The students were silent for a moment, processing what their Headmaster had just said until some girls let out shrieks as they bolted out of their seat and ran out of the Great Hall. Other girls soon followed suit, including Alice, who was doing her best to gather all the books she had brought to breakfast.

“Rowan! Help me,” pleaded Alice, looking at her bespectacled friend.

“Why?”

“Because I need to get to Gladrags to get a dress!”

“First, you have plenty of time to get a dress. The ball is in December. Second, why even bother with the ball? We have to study for our O.W.L.s,” pointed out Rowan.

“Wait, you’re not interested in the ball?” asked Alice as she slowly sat back down, concerned.

“Why would I be?  Social events make me sweat,” explained Rowan.

“But... I thought it would be fun to experience this with all our friends. It’s not like we’ve had many opportunities to just hang out and not worry about the vaults,” said Alice.

“Do I look like someone who would thrive at a ball? I’ll get so much studying done when everyone’s at the ball!” said Rowan, raising an eyebrow.

“But who will I chat with at the ball if you’re not there?”

“All of our other friends? Alice, it’s not like you actually need me at the ball. You’ll probably be busy with your date anyway,” said Rowan.

“Date? Who said anything about a date?”

“Come on, Alice. I’m pretty sure guys will be lining up to ask you out,” replied Rowan.

“I don’t see anyone lining up,” said Alice as she looked behind her at the now nearly empty Great Hall.

“Lining up for what?” asked Ben, standing behind Rowan.

“Where did you...? Never mind. Lining up for nothing, really. So, excited for the ball?” asked Alice.

“I’m not going,” replied Ben.

“What? Not you too,” said Alice, looking between him and Rowan.

“I have a fear of dancing and party refreshments,” explained Ben.

“Fear of... How can... Never mind. There’s got to be a way for you to get over those fears,” said Alice, staring at Ben.

“Don’t think so. Anyway, I don’t have the proper footwear,” replied Ben.

“Now you’re just making excuses.”

“Anyway, who would ask us to the ball? It’s not like we’re the most popular kids at school,” pointed out Rowan.

“Why are you so obsessed with dates? We can just go with our friends,” said Alice, desperately trying to convince her two oldest friends.

“Why are you so adamant that we go? Neither of us is social enough or stylish enough,” asked Rowan, looking at her friend suspiciously.

“Because you might miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Honestly, all you lack is the confidence to see yourselves the way I do. But I think I can change that...” said Alice, scratching her chin, deep in thoughts.

“Not sure it would change anything,” said Ben.

“Indeed. Alice, I know that look of yours. Don’t go cooking up any grand...” started saying Rowan before Alice suddenly got up and walked away, leaving her books and her two friends behind, ”scheme.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Alice barged into the Ravenclaw common room, a look of determination in her eyes. She looked around the spacious room until she found what she was looking for, or, more accurately, who she was looking for.

“Andre!”

“Well, well, if it isn’t our local Curse-Breaker,” replied the always fashionable Keeper of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. “What can I do for you?”

“I need you to give Rowan and Ben the confidence they need so that they’ll go to the ball,” replied Alice.

“What you want is a miracle. Really not sure how I can help,”

“What always makes you feel better when you’re down?” asked Alice.

“Play Quidditch?”

“Other than that,”

“A great outfit?”

“Exactly! If you could come up with a great outfit for Ben and Rowan, I’m sure it would give their confidence a boost.”

“Alice, you are aware that I have to figure out my own outfit for the ball,” said Andre.

“Andre, knowing you, you just have to select one of the outfits you have already planned in case such an occasion came up,” replied Alice, a sly smile appearing on her lips.

“Ugh, alright then, but you’ll owe me one,” said Andre, glancing at the Curse-Breaker, who had a big smile plastered on her face. “What?”

“You think you could be done with those outfits by the end of today?”

“Sure, if you leave now and let me think. That grin of yours is disturbing.”

“Thanks, Andre! You are the best,” she exclaimed as she left the common room.

“I know,” mumbled Andre to himself, smirking.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Bill!”

The eldest Weasley jumped in the plush armchair he was seated in as someone shouted his name in the Gryffindor common room. As he looked around, he saw the young Ravenclaw, standing behind the armchair.

“Alice, what are you doing here? Who let you in?”

“Charlie.”

“How you two became Prefect is beyond...”

“Shush. Nobody cares about that,” interrupted Alice. “I need a favour, but first, are you going to the ball with anyone?”

“What? No. Dumbledore just announced the ball. Wait... Are you asking me to...” started saying Bill.

“Perfect! I want you to ask Rowan to the ball!”

“What?!”

“Ben and she don’t want to go because, long story short, they lack self-esteem. Andre is gonna make them outfits for the ball to boost said self-esteem, but I might need a finishing touch, and that is where you come in. You see her in her ball outfit when Andre makes them try it on, you go ‘Wow’ or something, and then you invite her to the ball,” explained Alice.

“That might be a double-edged sword. What if she finds out I asked her out because you asked me to? It would crush her, and she might resent you for it."

“Oh... You do have a point,” said Alice, bitting her thumb, thinking. “Fine, scratch the asking her out. On that front, you do what you want. Just come in and say something nice. What you do or don’t do after is up to you.”

“Good, I’ll be happy to do that. Rowan is better than she thinks she is,” said Bill, smiling. “But what about Ben?”

“Well, if you swing that way...” said Alice, staring at Bill with a raised eyebrow.

“No, that’s not what I meant. Just that it might take more than someone asking him out to...”

“Oh, I know that, but I am still trying to figure out what else could help his confidence.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” said Bill, looking up at the young Ravenclaw he had known for so long with kindness in his eyes.

“Thanks, Bill. Means a lot,” replied Alice, smiling at him.

“Now, where and when will I give Rowan a dose of confidence?”

“I’ll let you know when Andre tells me but should be by the end of the day. Just make sure you’re easy to find so that I don’t run everywhere looking for you.”

“You can count on me,” said Bill, giving her a small salute.

“Thanks, Bill,” said Alice, smiling, as she left the Gryffindor common room.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

Alice was now in the library, piles of various spell books surrounding her, frenetically looking through the English-Latin dictionary Rowan had given her last Christmas. She was trying to come up with a spell that would help Ben’s confidence. As she was about to give up, holding her head between her hands, she heard a soft voice beside her.

“What are you doing with all those books, Alice?”

“Oh! Badeea! Hi. I’m trying to find a spell to help Ben’s self-esteem so that he’ll go the ball,” replied Alice, looking up at her fellow Ravenclaw.

“I see... Does it need to actually work, or does he just need to think it works?” asked Badeea, sitting next to Alice.

“What do you mean?” asked Alice, puzzled.

“Well, in the Muggle world, there is something known as the placebo effect. It’s when you give patients an inert treatment to help them with their illness. Patients expect that it will help, and their positive thinking usually helps fight said illness. You could try the same thing with Ben.”

“You mean, fake a spell, and hope he thinks it’s real so that his confidence will go up by itself?”

“Precisely!”

“It just might work... What do you think of Maximus Confidentia? Maximus means ‘greatest’ in Latin and confidentia is one way to say ‘confidence’ in Latin.”

“You’re sure it’s not a real spell?”

“If it is, it doesn’t do much. I tried it on myself to see if it would increase my confidence in helping Beatrice get out before Christmas, and it didn’t.”

“Well then, I guess you have found your placebo. Now, may I borrow that spellbook over there that you have? It may have a spell I need to improve my painting,” asked Badeea, pointing to one of the books surrounding Alice.

“Sure, I don’t need them anymore. I’ll put the others back on the shelves,” replied Alice just as Charlie entered the library.

“Alice!” he shouted, which was followed by one of Madam Pince’s infamous shushing.

“Sorry,” he whispered, making his way toward the two Ravenclaws. “Andre’s looking for you. He said the outfits are ready.”

“Oh! That’s great!” murmured Alice. “Do you know where Ben and Bill are?”

“Hum... Ben is in the common room, I think. As for Bill, I saw him in the Great Hall with Rowan,” answered Charlie.

“What? Oh, Merlin. You go fetch Ben and bring him to where Andre is which is in... Where is Andre?”

“The Transfiguration classroom.”

“Ok, so bring Ben there, and I’ll go and fetch Rowan,” said Alice as she followed Charlie out of the library.

Once outside the library, Charlie went toward the Gryffindor common room, while Alice ran toward the Great Hall. As she entered the Great Hall, she saw Bill talking to Rowan. She briskly walked toward them.

“Rowan! Bill! Hi! What are you talking about?” she said, a pasted-on smile on her face and her eyes looking straight at them, barely blinking.

“The ball. I feel you had a hand in this Alice. I told you I didn’t want any grand scheme to convince me to go to the ball. Next thing I know, Bill shows up and tries to convince about how much fun I’ll be having,” said Rowan, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Alice.

“Well, you caught me, Rowan. What can I say, I really want all my friends to be at the ball with me. Speaking of ‘Grand Scheme’, I need you to go to the Transfiguration classroom. Part two of my scheme awaits you there.”

“You’re not coming?” asked Rowan, crossing her arms.

“Yes, I’ll be there in a second. Just go on ahead, and I’ll catch up with you.”

Rowan shrugged before getting up and leaving Bill and Alice behind. Alice let out a sigh of relief once Rowan was out of sight and turned to Bill.

“Thanks, Bill. Talking to her like that was even better than my initial plan. Wisdom really does come with age,” said Alice, smirking as she glanced at Bill.

“Are you calling me old? Strange way to thank me, Beaumont.”

“Well, you are older than me, Weasley. Anyway, have to make sure Rowan goes to see Andre. Thanks again, Bill,” said Alice, waving as she ran out of the Great Hall.

She quickly caught up with Rowan, who was dragging her feet and looking at the ground.

“Hey, I thought Bill had convinced you that going to the ball would be fun,” said Alice as she walked beside her friend.

“He did, but it means that now I have to find an outfit, and I’m not sure I’ll be any good at that. Not to mention that I’m a bit apprehensive regarding the second part of this grand scheme of yours,” said Rowan, her head held low, glancing at Alice.

“That’s all? Oh, Rowan. You’ll be happy to know that part two of my scheme is giving you an outfit for the ball,” replied Alice, beaming as she pushed the door of the classroom, revealing Andre and Ben who were waiting for them.

“There you are! Ok, Alice, wait outside while I take care of these two,” said Andre, rubbing his hands together.

“Andre? Alice, I’m not so sure anymore...” started saying Rowan before Alice pushed her inside, closing the door behind her.

“There. Let’s just hope it works,” mumbled Alice, leaning against the wall next to the door in the corridor, waiting for Andre to finish the makeover.

About 30 minutes later, the door of the classroom opened, and Andre peaked out into the corridor. There was Alice, sitting on the floor as she patiently waited for the grand reveal.

“Alice. They’re ready,” said Andre, moving aside to let her in.

As Alice walked in, what she saw left her speechless. Rowan was wearing a lovely periwinkle dress, that perfectly suited her figure, with flower details at the top. Her necklace was a pendant in the shape of a tree, a reminder of her family’s tree farm. Her hair was styled in a loose braid that perfectly completed her outfit. Ben was wearing a long black coat with a matching waistcoat, under which he wore a yellow shirt with a red bow tie. His pants were red and rolled up a little bit to reveal red and yellow argyle socks. His look was completed with a pair of black patent leather shoes and a black hat.

“Wow!” she said after a few seconds, “you both look amazing. Andre, you really are a Style Wizard.”

“Thanks. It was a fun challenge to do,” said Andre, looking proudly at his creations.

“I’m really excited about going to the ball now,” said Rowan, as she twisted and turned to have a better look at her dress.

“This is a first. I’m so accustomed to dressing badly, but now I feel really stylish! If only I felt more confident about going to the ball,” said Ben, looking down at his shiny shoes.

“I think Alice has a solution for that,” said Rowan, glancing at Alice.

“I do? Oh! Right! I do! It’s a spell to raise your self-esteem. Hum... Flitwick recommended it to me!” said Alice, trying her best to make her fake spell sound legitimate.

“Yes, and I was there when he showed it to her,” added Rowan, discreetly winking at Alice.

“Ok, then, might as well give it a shot,” replied Ben, shrugging as he closed his eyes.

“Here goes nothing,” mumbled Alice before shouting, “Maximus Confidentia!”

Ben slowly opened his eyes, looking at his three friends.

“How... do you feel?” asked Alice, worried.

“I feel... great! I feel ready to dance! Merlin, I feel like I might even be the best dancer in our class,” answered Ben, beaming.

“That spell works wonders. Flitwick taught it to you, now, did he?” said Andre, eyeing his fellow Ravenclaws suspiciously.

“Yup,” replied Alice and Rowan in unison.

“I’m so happy that you are both coming to the ball now. We can all go together as friends,” said Alice, smiling at her friends.

“Well, we can hang out at the ball, but you’ll be going with your date,” said Rowan.

“I don’t need a date,” replied Alice, rolling her eyes.

“Haven’t you seen the parchment Flitwick put up in the common room?” asked Andre.

“What parchment? I’ve been busy scheming to get these two to go to the ball,” replied Alice, unsure she wanted to know what was on said parchment.

“Prefects will open the first dance of the ball, which means you’ll need someone to dance with. Therefore, you’ll need a date,” explained Rowan.

“Crap,” said Alice, looking in bewilderment at the three people in front of her.

A/N #2: As you can see, this story will have a sequel. Also, this was based on prompt #6 of @hphm-fictober Fictober 2019 prompts. I hope you enjoyed it, and if so, feel free to leave a comment (or even reblog it).