Is failure even an option?!;; Hogsmeade.

[emma]

Sometimes always having to watch your reputation bugged people. Not if they were just natural around everyone. But when you were in Slytherin, sometimes there was people you could be natural around and some that you couldn't.

Miles tried to make it so that he could be natural around his friends and not worry about it. Afterall, they should like him for who he was right? Not to mention that if he tried to keep too much away it'd probably blow up in his face.

Now that this ball thing came up though, it was easy to tell that there was something much worse on his mind keeping him up for hours at a time. Miles was smooth and could be smooth if he wanted to. Asking girls out wasn't his thing though. Of course he'd had a few relationships before but relationships wasn't his thing either. It always came down to "You don't care enough." "Do I?" "You're afraid of commitment!" "You don't know that." "I'm sure of it, Miles Ebony." "Well you can't be unless you can read my mind."

Most often times you'd want to either start a relationship with the person you asked or you'd want to nurture one after the ball. This meant big problems. The ball though was going to be a big event for the Death Eaters such as himself, and making an appearance there was not under any circumstances, a choice. He wanted to be there as well for the sake of at least his friends if not to help.

Being a Head Boy there was also a great thing to have on the Death Eaters side. It had to be used with care so that it wasn't withdrawn but anything wrong at all that he witnessed a Gryffindor do he could take points for. Making Gryffindors lose confidence was confidence-boosting to watch but also made it easier so that they wouldn't rebel back as much. Having control over people that weren't as good as you was a great feeling.

After climbing over one last smallish hill Miles was at the end of Hogsmeade, the wizarding village near Hogwarts. He had a bag of wizarding money kept in the pocket of his casual jeans along with his wand.

Today was the day everyone seemed to be planning to ask whomever they wanted to go to that ruddy ball with. Not like this was really his attempt to 'fit in', because Miles wasn't one to try to go with the ebbing flow of the crowd. This was really his chance to ask the girl he'd originally wanted to ask but doubt was the overcast that he'd been ill to for the past few days. If he asked Kianthra, who knew what Scorpius would do. Miles appreciated the friendship that he had with Scorpius and wouldn't want to ruin it over Kianthra who pretty much already had a relationship with him anyway. Why get in between them? Miles could ask any of his other friends to go with him (the girl ones) but he had a feeling that even though he knew something big was probably going to break out at that ball, being with someone else wouldn't quite be the same as if it could have been if he'd gotten to go with Kianthra.

Oh well. This was his time to try to figure it all out. Miles had stopped in thought there at the end of the village but now continued forward. He hoped to see a few friends there as well so that he wasn't quite as alone as his mind's company made him feel.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

Kianthra walked slowly up the street, her hands in the pockets of her emerald green hoody. She had already visited Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and stocked up on supplies of fireworks and the like. So was she carrying all her purchases in little paper bags? Of course not, she had got a forth year to take them back to the castle for her, along with her new quill, pot of emerald coloured ink and various sweets. The pocket filled with galleons was unnoticablely lighted, after all she had just received some from home that morning.

Her bright blond hair was down and styled in the usual loose curls which framed her face. The brown eyes taking in every detail of the people who passed her, none of whom crossed her path and some evn changed direction when they had caught sight of her. Surprisingly, Kianthra was in a good mood, apart from the fact that she didn't have anyone to go to the ball with yet. Yes, she'd had plenty of offers, but they just didn't seem right. Of course Narcissa had already planned her dress for her and it was being hand made along with her mask. Of course, she had already picked out the jewelery to match, she would look stunning, well if she had a stunning partner as well.

As she continued up the street, she heard a shout. "KIANTHRA!" she turned and caught sight of Scorpius. She smiled and replied, "Yes?". The response that returned was, "Do you want to meet me in the Three Broomsticks in 15 minutes? There's something I need to tell you." She nodded and then said, "of course I will, see you then" Kianthra smiled to herself as she headed up the street, maybe he's going to ask me to the ball?.

It was then that she spotted a small figure in the distance. I wonder who that is? She ran slightly to see if she could figure out the identity of the person. I think it's Miles... "MILES?"

[emma]

Miles walked further until he reached the actual end of the cobblestoned street. He'd not been watching people in front of him, and instead down at where his feet stepped until he heard his name. Just the voice he'd been wanting to hear. Literally. But Scorpius had just asked her to meet him in the Three Broomsticks. Maybe he should let them go to the ball together... He pulled himself together and forced a charming grin out onto his features as he looked up.

Even in plain lounging clothes Kianthra was beautiful. But apparently she was like that to the eyes of any guy. Downcasting, he knew, but he had to step up and get over this somehow.. especially before someone found out about his fancy. There was chances that people already knew but he'd never mentioned anything. Slytherins could be sly if they wanted to. Very sneaky and secretive. Life without it would have been boring though, like that of the Gryffindor which pretends to be better than he really is.

Thinking of this made Miles think of Zane and he openly snickered. This thought brought his mood up, helping him get over the depressing thoughts he'd been thinking of before.

"Hey," he greeted as he walked up to her. He pointed towards the direction she'd just come from.

"I see you have a date to get to." he grinned again as he joked.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

Kianthra smiled as Miles approached, "I wouldn't call it a date as such, just a meeting between two friends over butterbeer. You're welcome to join me, in fact you have to join me, I hate walking around on my own, speaking of which, why were you up there all by yourself? You haven't suddenly fallen out with your fellow DE members have you?" she asked with a smile on her face as she caught sight of the Quidditch Supply shop. "Miles, look!"

She ran over to stare in the window of the Quidditch shop. "They told me it wasn't out yet!". There hovering above a scarlet cushion was the Firebolt II. The same look as the original yet faster and available in different woods. She turned to see that Miles hadn't moved from where she had left him. "Miles, come and look at it," she said whilst holding his hand and pulling him towards the shop window. "It's so beautiful. Maybe they would make it in Ebony, you would just have to buy one then Miles." It was then that she caught sight of the little card seated on the scarlet cushion. Wow, that was expensive. "Even I can't afford that, well I guess it's for professional players with a professional price tag to match, so what do you want to do now. We've got ten minutes before the Three Broomsticks."

[emma]

"I haven't fallen out." Rest assured, Miles was not about to make that mistake. He wanted to stay in the DE and he wasn't about to quit. Even if he wanted to he wouldn't ever in hell get away with it. If he tried he'd had been hexed and killed. Why waste your time trying? Severus Snape had deserved what he'd gotten when he betrayed them back in Harry's time. He should have gotten much worse.

Only minutes of being together and Kianthra had already asked what seemed like dozens of questions with no room for answer. Kianthra was nice (to people who she thought deserved to bask in her presence) when she wanted to but sometimes she raced a little too fast pace. Miles grinned slightly at his thoughts of her. Only minutes had past and she already had his hand in hers dragging him to what Miles thought was the best store in Hogsmeade. The Quidditch supply shop. Better convenience here.. not that Miles's parents really had time to go out and buy things for him now, hell they may as well just send him the money. But if they had, he'd have rathered going out and buying Quidditch stuff for himself than them going out and getting it for him.

If the second generation of Firebolts came in Ebony Miles would have gotten it anyway. Ebony was a nice wood. Although, he did recognize the joke in Kianthra's voice but he thought the Firebolt would have been perfect in Ebony, that is, if they even sold it in Ebony.

"Gone to the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes yet?" Miles asked. He had a feeling some of the trickery products there could come into some use. Not like Miles would ever be caught with these products in school (his head position would be taken away) but he could always give them to Charlotte or Corliss or Scorpius to use on the Gryffindors. Few professors preferred Slytherins to Gryffindors, but there were still a few who did.

The only reason why Miles had to ask was because there were chances that Kianthra had already been here and had already bought her items. She could have bewitched her pocket to hold more than it would and stuffed everything in there or give someone her packages to take back.

Going to the Three Broomsticks with Kianthra to meet Scorpius could be potentially pain-staking to bear. If Scorpius was going to ask Kianthra to the ball it would have been a good idea to ask her now before he had the chance. Then again, it could have been worse just to ask then. They had ten minutes afterall. He could procrastinate a little longer and ask casually whether she had a date yet later before they entered the Three Broomsticks.

There were few Gryffindors that Miles talked to and although he despised the 'golden trio' who thought they were the most amazing wizards (and witch) alive, Fred and George Weasley had been the most creative he'd ever seen. The Weasleys that went to school at Hogwarts during that day were none of Fred or George's (one died, but Miles never had really cared to know which of the twins had died) but Miles respected them at least a little for the pranking items they sold openly to Slytherins to use on their petty Gryffindor friends. It was priceless to get that kind of luck from someone like them. If there was any reason why Miles hated them it had been because they had sided with the 'Golden trio'. But now that those days had been over and whoever was still alive (Fred or George) didn't seem to realize the trouble coming to Hogwarts.

Mile pulled out the small bag of coins he had. The bag looked smaller and less full than it really was because all the coins in it were big change. Miles had planned to see if there was a clothes shop here in Hogsmeade-- he'd never cared for his parents to send a tuxedo or two to school with him, and see if he could get something hand made. Not like he really had a date yet but whether he had a date or not he planned to be at that ball whether it was his choice to decide against the rules or not.

"I think some of the things they sell there could be useful and I haven't been over there yet today. I just got here."

He was going to have to get one of those firebolts for himself too while he was at it. Not sure he had enough money on him for that yet though, Miles would just have to send a letter to his parents asking for money. He'd get the firebolt sooner or later though. This time he could get his name and family crest put on the firebolt though, which would be nice.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

"Well I'm glad to hear that, we need to stick together," After all, wasn't that what Charlotte had said at the last meeting? Together we stand, divided we fail, or something like that anyway. It was true, the pack mentality was working really well. Well it had been until those stupid NO members cottoned onto the idea and started walking around in twos and threes. All except one, her brother who couldn't resist walking down to the Quidditch Pitch at two in the morning. Even after the little "accident" that had occured which resulted in him spending a night in the hospital wing drinking skelegro. Of course this "accident" had nothing to do with the fact that herself and other Death Eater members had been hidden in the stands, or that Zane walked right into a trap. Sadly the plan to eliminate her brother was foiled by that stupid professor heading down to give Zane detention for being up in the middle of the night. Escorted off to the Hospital Wing before we had the chance to strike again. Surely that would have stopped him from late night wanderings alone? No of course not.

She stared through the Quidditch Supplies window before answering his question, "Yes I've been there already, Bole took the packages back to the castle. I'll accompany you if you want to buy anything from there." she said, the main focus of her attention still on the Firebolt II, hovering in the window. She sighed before saying, "Yes, I'll go with you, but just wait here a minute," she let go of Miles' hand and disappeared into the Quidditch Supplies Shop.

The shop floor was heaving with first years, so much so it was difficult for her to find space to walk through. The first years' attention seemed fully occupied with broom repair kits, Quidditch Robes and of course the Firebolt II, stored safely in the glass fronted shop window. Kianthra made her way towards the shop till where Mr Ainsbury was shooing some first years away from a display case filled with miniture models of firebolts and famous Quidditch players. He looked up and nodded whilst clearing the area surrounding the counter so she could pass. Kianthra returned a smile. Ainsbury was one of the people who had earned her respect, after all these years of visiting this particular shop, always prepared to give her a small discount here and there. This was mainly due to the fact that he had been well acquainted with her parents.

"Good morning Miss Lestrange," at this the whole shop floor went silent and heads turned towards Kianthra, "I'm assuming you are here to inspect the new Firebolt II?" Suddenly there was panic spread amongst the first years, for Kianthra was well known to curse first years who got in her way. The shop door was flung open with first years fighting to be the first ones to leave the shop and crashing into shoppers walking down the street. Mass chaos. Kianthra turned back to Ainsbury when all the first years had fled. "Yes, I was wondering whether the new Firebolt comes in different woods," she said quietly as Mr Ainsbury opened the glass case containing the Firebolt II.

"You'll be pleased to know that it also comes in, Mahogany, Oak, Cedar, Maple, Birch and your particular favourite, Ebony." At this Kianthra's face lit up with excitement as she waved to Miles through the window and motioned for him to join her. "Could you possibly have some small engravings done?" she asked politely, mainly due to the fact that Ainsbury was regularly in contact with Narcissa and Lucius. Any bad manners and they would know within the day. Ainsbury took the Firebolt II out of the window, much to the horror of the first years who were goggling at it from the safety of outside the shop, and handed it to Kianthra. "It's beautiful" she whispered whilst testing the balance and weight of the broom.

"Why of course, would you expect anything less? This model has nearly twice the acceleration of the old model. Which I'm sure you'll know was pretty fast. It is the lightest broom made so far in this range and I well informed that Bulgaria and Ireland, as well as all the other teams that compete in the Quidditch World Cup have already ordered all their teams some. Yes of course, we can engrave it for you. And I'm sure your next question will be, can I have a discount on the price? Of course, you know that I always give you a discount. I'm assuming you want two, one for yourself and one for your friend? Seeing as though you cleared those troublesome first years from my shop who do nothing but destroy the displays, shall we say, 20 % off the shop price?"

[emma]

Miles walked in glaring but yet curiously to the first years who seemed but all in smiles to destroy some good property owned by the store. And the store owner.

Miles had come to this shop nearly every time that he'd been to Hogsmeade. Buying new broom supplies was a habit because he wanted to look at least decent if a photographer managed to take a picture of him while he was playing, although that had only really happened once. Despite the fact that he'd been here so much he'd not managed to acquire such respect from the store owner that Kianthra had, and neither had he managed to acquire such a large discount in this store. Ever.

He was surprised to figure out that not only did the beautiful broomstick come in the wood that had the same name as his last name, but he could get a discount and his name engraved. Unbelievable. He'd owe a big one to Kianthra. Maybe asking her wasn't such a bad idea.. Miles shot a grin her way and then looked back at the store owner.

"Much will it cost?" If Miles didn't have enough money now he could get some more money from his parents later. But he really needed to get that outfit for that damned ball and preferably sooner than later. Oh well. At this time the broomstick was much more important than that stupid ball. If he asked Kianthra though, that ball would be more important on so many more levels. Not like it wasn't important already and an event that making an appearance wasn't an option, but the idea of it made him more restless than excited.

He shouldn't have been worried about how much money he had anyway. The bag looked small, but actually to fit in all of the change Miles had to put an expanding charm on the bag, which basically meant he expanded the inside so that he could force more money in it without making it any more harder to carry along. Surely he had enough for the broomstick that would improve his flying more than probably fifty percent (it wasn't his flying, it was his current broom but his current broom was still better than most) and his outfit. Miles wasn't poor. At all. His father was fairly wealthy and buying this broomstick wouldn't impose a threat onto either Miles's nor his father's stacks of money in Gringotts. In reality Miles had nothing whatsoever to be worried about. On the other hand, Kianthra wasn't a person he really wanted to be too show offish around. The likes of him losing his already steady friendship with her were very slim. Hogwarts was a place where out of the ordinary things occured though, so not losing his friendship with Kianthra wasn't always set in stone, even though Miles hadn't done anything to cause such experience.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

Kianthra smiled at Miles, wow Ainsbury must be really greatful. Twenty percent discount, the most she'd ever received was ten percent. Double that, wow. They, Miles Ebony and Kianthra Lestrange would be the first students to own a Firebolt II. They would totally thrash the pathetical Gryffindor Quidditch Team on their cleansweep sevens. They had no hope in hell of winning. Even Zane on the original Firebolt would be no match for the II. "Thank you so much Mr Ainsbury," she smiled as she said this, hoping that he would report good things back to Lucius. "So twenty percent off the shop price would be," she paused for a few seconds, calculating the new cost of the Firebolt. "479 Galleons?".

Mr Ainsbury nodded. "I'm assuming you want them engraved now? Why did I even bother asking? I'll get you some parchment so you can write down the things you want engraved onto the broom." He disappeared behind the shop counter and returned with two rolls of parchment and a catalogue. "Just write down which wood and extras you would like. If you hurry I can probably get them to you within an hour...". He handed both Miles and Kianthra some parchment along with a quill to write with.

Kianthra took the catalogue over to the table and sat down in the armchair next to it. She flicked through the catalogue until she reached the pages for the Firebolt II. The page looked as if it had been never touched, it lay crease-free amongst a brand new catalogue. She glanced at Miles and then read down the list of options:

Woods
Beech, Mahogany, Cedar, Oak, Maple, Birch and Ebony.
Trimmings
Gold, Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby, Onyx, Quartz, Amythyst and Silver
Engraving Colour
Blue, Yellow, Green, Red, Black, White, Purple, Pink, Orange, Silver and Gold.

She quickly scanned the list of options before writing down her choices. Ebony for the wood, Silver for the trimmings and Silver for the engraving colour. Perfect. Now, the decision, what to have engraved onto her new broom? So many choices. Her brother simply had his first name engraved onto his Firebolt. She just couldn't decide so she asked Miles for his advice, "What do you think I should have engraved on it? I really have no idea." She paused, twisting the quill between her fingers as she pondered.

[/center]

[emma]

It was obvious that Mister Ainsbury was very fond of Kianthra. Twenty percent discount was impossible to get from any shop owner. When you had Kianthra around though, pleasing her was almost a must. For some people at least. Miles followed Kianthra to the chair and watched over her shoulder to look into the catalog as she read the choices aloud.

"What do you think I should have engraved on it? I really have no idea."

Miles pondered for a moment about what he should suggest. Something that was special. Something that she wouldn't regret no matter what action was taken.

"Perhaps the name of someone you like? Or something about Slytherin? I planned on just putting Ebony on mine." Miles grinned. Ebony engraved on Ebony. "But that's a little plain, I know." Miles wasn't sure if he had very good suggestions for her. A Slytherin saying would be something good to put on it. As far as that went though, Miles was completely brain dead.

He grabbed one of the pieces of parchment and wrote down in his semi-neat handwriting:
"Wood- Ebony. Trimming- Gold. Engraving- Gold." Miles wasn't quite sure if his choice of his engraved word of choice was smart enough. Maybe he could put his initials? Or first name? As far as he was aware, there was no other Miles at Hogwarts. Ebony was a smart idea because the wood was to be Ebony. Anyone who wasn't into brooms or wood wouldn't know though. Ah well, he could just save the joke for himself and Kianthra.

This was more than just exciting. Not only would Miles and Kianthra get the first Firebolt II's, they would get theirs together and with discounts. He knew he shouldn't have worried because he had five hundred galleons. Maybe he could score himself an impressive discount at a tailoring store. Maybe they could provide him with a stunning outfit. Who knew.

"Sorry," Miles commented. "Are you sure my judgement is decent enough for your new Firebolt?" he joked with a grin.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

"That's a really good idea, Ebony on Ebony," she laughed as she said this, "it's not plain, it's perfect." She started to draw small spirals onto the parchment whilst mulling over what to have engraved onto her new Firebolt. A Firebolt II! It was like a dream, no one would own one yet, well definitely not in Hogwarts. No doubt Scorpius and Charlotte would order one each as soon as they saw them. Sadly they wouldn't get the same discount, well Scorpius might and Charlotte could probably persuade Ainsbury, but they'd never get as high as twenty percent. So many options, just her initials, just Lestrange, just Kianthra, both Lestrange and Kianthra, a mixture of the two, the Slytherin motto... she wrote them down on the parchment, crossing some out and adding more every few seconds.

"So what are you going for?" she asked as she swiveled Miles' parchment around. "Hmm, very nice. Our brooms will be so pretty, I can't wait!" she turned the parchment back round to face Miles. "Of course your judgement is decent enough, but I think I've found the solution," in her neat loopy handwriting she wrote down:

Lestrange

She smiled and then said, "Now we have matching brooms, the simpler the engraving the more effective it will be". Kianthra glanced out of the window, trying to ignore the hords of first years goggling at them, to see several seventh years walk past with bags from the Tailoring Store. She turned back round to Miles, "Want to visit the tailoring store? Looks like all the clothes are disappearing fast, from the amount of people carrying around those bags." The ball was less than a week away and she still hadn't finished her outfit, the only thing remaining was in fact, her whole outfit, still being handmade and shipped up to Hogwarts in time for the ball. Well, hopefully.

As Mr Ainsbury approached the table, Kianthra handed him the parchment and said, "Thank you," two words that were never often used, except for her closest friends and those who see respected. "We'll be back in an hour, if that's convenient?" Mr Ainsbury simply nodded, knowing that it simply had to be convenient or he would lose his most favoured customer.

[emma]

Matching brooms. So maybe there was chances she'd say yes afterall. This excited Miles a little, in the fact that maybe a relationship could work out. Then again, this was just asking her to the ball. Who ever said that this meant they were an item once he asked? HE still thought about it for a few seconds later until they began to exit.

"Thanks," he said to the store owner before they left.

"I haven't gotten my outfit yet. Those bags are starting to get me a little worried. But, on the otherhand, the tailor knows my parents well and maybe she could get me a discount on an outfit. I suppose you've already gotten yours though." He grinned over to her. He debated throwing out that he didn't have a partner yet but decided against it and as he walked with her in the direction of the tailoring store he watched the groups of people walking back from stores down the street.

"Do you have a partner for the ball yet? If not I bet that's what Scorpius's question is all about," His brown eyes slid over to look at Kianthra's expression as he mentioned this. It was easy to bring the ball up but not quite as easy to make it general talk than leading into something. For now, Miles planned on simply experimenting to see if she had a partner yet. Then if she didn't, he at least had the chance to ask. Maybe she wasn't aware that there was chances Scorpius was really going to ask her and that's why she was going to bring Miles. That or she was aware and wanted to bring Miles for leverage. Either way, any thoughts that she was willing to share with him, Miles would definately listen.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

"Well let's go there now, we can't have you going to the ball without looking presentable now, can we?" Kianthra smiled as she said this. "This is becoming a discount challenge..." The street was filled with Hogwarts students all rushing around trying to buy everything they needed, meet friends, sort out their outfit and get some butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks. Well, this really was the last chance to buy anything you needed for the ball, the next Hogsmede visit wasn't for another month at least. "Yes I've got mine, I'm worried that it won't arrive in time. Well Narcissa promised it would arrive either today or tomorrow, so fingers crossed I will actually have an outfit for the ball."

She had to quickly dodge a group of fifth year girls running up the street who appeared to be running away from a boy, who must have just asked one of them to the ball. So childish, honestly, you wouldn't believe they were only two years younger. "No actually I don't. No, Scorpius isn't going to ask me to the ball, he's only got eyes for Charlotte, we're just good friends. He'll probably ask me how he should ask Charlotte to the Summer Ball..." She hadn't thought about it much, yes she'd had offers but they weren't "right". Some fellow members of the Quidditch Team had asked her and several people from her Charms and Transfiguration Classes. It had been decided long ago that if she didn't find someone, she wouldn't go. The shame of attending the ball alone, she prayed that it would never happen.

"Same question to Mr Miles Ebony," she paused as they reached the window of the tailoring shop and looked into his eyes, searching them, for what you may ask. I don't think even Kianthra knew. A small inaudible sigh and then her mood brightened with the prospect of chosing Miles' outfit for him. She smiled at him before pushing open the shop door, which resulted in the bell above the door ringing quietly throughout the shop.

[emma]

"Getting pushy here, are we?" Miles grinned as he walked in behind her. "And if you must know, no. I do not have a date yet. But, I figure, if anything with the NO happens I want to be there to stop them right in their tracks. Finding a date isn't really an option for me."

It was surprising to Miles that she didn't have a partner yet. Surely there had to have been quite a large group of rejects that were already growing from the amount who'd have asked. Wasn't there a good possibility that she'd already said yes to one? Miles knew that Scorpius probably would stab at the chance if he could to take Kianthra with him and that Charlotte was either the second option or maybe the first if Kianthra had really spoken to him a lot about this.

Maybe Miles could wait until after Kianthra had decided to force him into a few of the worst looking outfits there just to entertain herself to ask her. Or maybe he could push his limit and see what Scorpius was really all about with Kianthra, although Miles wasn't too keen on the possibility of being witness when Scorpius asked Kianthra to the ball himself. Miles had to make his decision soon. It wasn't like Kianthra was really going to do the work for him and ask him herself. No, Miles had to make up his mind before it was too late. He decided that if he was going to ask her it would be either while they were in this store or rght after exiting it.

The racks of assorted tuxedos and dress robes were arranged by size on a couple of different racks on one side of the room. Dresses were assorted by size on the other side. Despite the fact that some of them actually looked quite nice, Miles wanted to go custom with his outfit. The tailor, Madam Wakefield, wasn't in the show room at the moment. Instead of going back into the back room, he rang the little desk bell on the front desk. She came out in a hurry, and grinned to see him.

"Miles," she said affectionately with a curious but still appreciative glance to Kianthra.

"I was hoping I'd see you here sometime soon. You know your mother and father would be pleased if you decided to go to that ball. Who's your friend?" Miles looked towards Kianthra in turn.

"This is Kianthra." Miles hoped that Madam Wakefield didn't do anything silly with assuming that Kianthra was his girlfriend or his partner to the ball. Almost as if Madam Wakefield had read his mind, she only smiled with the answer to his question.

"Good day, Kianthra. Anything you two are specifically looking for?" There was something specific Miles was looking for but of course he didn't know if Kianthra was going to look for a hand bag or jewelry or shoes for her ensemble so he didn't answer for her.

"I was hoping that you weren't too busy to take measurements for something nice for the ball." Miles replied. He knew she kept a book of different styles and materials somewhere for custom designs.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

"I agree, we simply have to be there, after all the plan wouldn't work without us" she smiled as she mulled over what he had said. So he doesn't have a partner? I thought he would have been booked the day the ball was announced two months ago. Did he really think there was a chance of Scorpius asking her? I'm torn between them, Miles and Scorpius. I guess I'll just have to make that decision if the time comes...

So many tuxedoes, dress robes, dresses and the like all piled ontop of each other, some neatly stacked, as if a whirlwind had swept through and shuffled all the clothes around, without unfolding them. The best example of this would have to be a dress, covering some mens shoes, standing on a tuxedo jacket. Well at least the shop was relatively quiet now. Hopefully all the other students had already bought their outfits and would not return. It was always so much easier to shop without the noise, hustle and bustle of the younger years. Kianthra simply nodded politely to Madam Wakefield before walking over to one of the many rows of dresses. These dresses in particular were a dark emerald in colour, nearly identical to the one she was having made.

To her relief, none of the dresses were identical to hers, or in anyway similar. She definitely didn't want to be seen as wearing the same dress as someone else. Content in the fact that her dress was unique, she returned to Miles' side.

[emma]

"Yes, the book with everything in it is over here somewhere. You all can take a look if you want but I think if Kianthra's got parents like yours, Miles, then she's probably getting something special done already?" Madam Wakefield sent a small smile Kianthra's way as she shuffled through a few drawers on the other side of the front desk. Apparently things had got messy that day and it would take a little while. This worried Miles a bit, for he needed this a lot more than other people may expect. It was his fault for coming in so late and last minute to ask for something.

"Here we are." Madam Wakefield pulled out a volume sized catalog that still, after what looked like a few years of wear and tear, had it's glossy front cover and pages. "The nicest designs and color choosings are on pages three-fourty-five through four hundred. And I assume your parents will want to pay for this, so I'll send them a letter just telling them you wanted them paying for it. I don't think a young boy your age should have to be paying for something like this." She winked at him and then bustled out into her back room where, no doubt, her measurements were taken and where she put things together.

"All right then." Miles started. He flipped the catalog to the pages that Madam Wakefield recommended. There were only really three or four designs. He almost chuckled at seeing the sight of them in a restless attitude. Girls had it so easy with all of their choices. They could wear full-length ball gownds, they could wear thinner but slimmer, they could wear a nice shirt and a nice skirt, or they could go corset. Every guy had to wear pretty much the same thing. That's why going custom was Miles's best bet. He finally decided that he should take the design where the jacket was a bit longer but didn't have cuffs on the ends, and chose his color to be completely black, except for the inward side of the jacket which was to be black smooth satin. He almost wanted to ask to have a tie instead of a bowtie so he could joke that he was a secret agent but bit his tongue and decided not to ask.

"Find what you wanted?" Madam Wakefield asked as she came back out to the show room to her front desk. Miles explained what he wanted (minus the tie part) and she nodded as if agreeing that his choice was best for him.

"All right then. Feel free to look around while we're doing measurements." Madam Wakefield told Kianthra before taking Miles into the back room with her to get his measurements completed.