Chapter 21: Georgina’s Turn

By half past eight on Saturday morning, Georgina Goyle had changed her clothes four times, threatened Victoria Crabbe twice, and informed Draconia Malfoy that she would rather face a Hungarian Horntail than endure another minute of preparation. Draconia was unimpressed.

“Stand still, Georgina.”

“I am standing still.”

“You’re pacing.”

“Because you’ve been fussing over me for an hour!”

“Forty-three minutes, actually.”

Victoria, who was sitting cross-legged on her bed, laughed. Georgina turned on her.

“And you can bloody well stop enjoying this!”

Victoria grinned.

“Sorry, Georgie. Can’t help it.”

“You’re supposed to be my friend!”

“I am your friend.”

“Then help me!”

Victoria looked at Draconia. Draconia looked at Victoria. They smiled. Georgina groaned.

“Oh, fuck. You’re enjoying this far too much.”

“Immensely,” Victoria admitted.

The Slytherin girls’ dormitory had been transformed into something resembling a dressmaker’s workshop. Clothes lay across two beds. Shoes were lined up along the wall. A collection of hairbrushes, ribbons, cosmetics, and jewellery occupied Draconia’s dressing table. Georgina stood before the mirror wearing a fitted dark-green jumper and black trousers. She looked rather good. Unfortunately, she didn’t believe it.

“Too tight,” she announced.

Draconia looked up.

“It fits perfectly.”

Georgina tugged at the jumper.

“It shows everything.”

Victoria grinned.

“That’s generally the point of fitted clothes.”

Georgina glared.

“Shut up.”

“Georgie, you’ve got a lovely figure. Why the hell are you trying to hide it?”

“Because I don’t want Adrian staring at my chest all afternoon!”

“Darling, if Adrian Selwyn spends the entire afternoon staring at your chest, you may safely conclude that he is an idiot.”

Victoria nodded.

“And if he does, you can punch him.”

“Victoria.”

“What?”

“We are trying to encourage Georgina to behave like a lady.”

Victoria considered.

“Fine. She can punch him politely.”

Georgina burst out laughing. Draconia stepped back and examined her friend.

“No. The jumper is lovely, but I think we can do better.”

Georgina closed her eyes.

“Oh, Merlin.”

Victoria hopped off the bed.

“Actually, I’ve got an idea.”

Draconia looked at her.

“Oh?”

Victoria opened her wardrobe and pulled out a soft cream-coloured blouse. Georgina stared.

“That’s yours.”

“Well spotted.”

“It’s too small.”

“Not necessarily.”

“Vic, your shoulders are nearly as broad as mine.”

“Exactly.”

Draconia took the blouse and examined it. Then smiled.

“Interesting.”

Georgina looked alarmed.

“What?”

Draconia held it up.

“Try this.”

“Fine.”

Ten minutes later, Georgina stood before the mirror wearing the cream blouse tucked into a dark-green, knee-length skirt. The blouse had a modest neckline and sleeves rolled neatly to her forearms. The skirt was fitted at the waist but allowed her to move comfortably. Dark tights and black ankle boots completed the outfit. Her long brown hair had been brushed until it shone, then arranged in loose waves that fell over her shoulders.

Draconia had applied a little mascara, a touch of warm eyeshadow, and just enough colour to her lips to emphasise their natural shape. Georgina stared at herself. Victoria stood beside her. Draconia folded her arms.

“Well?”

Georgina didn’t answer. She turned slightly. Looked at her reflection from another angle. Then looked down at the blouse.

“Bloody hell.”

“Yeah.”

Georgina looked at Draconia.

“Is that really me?”

Draconia smiled.

“Of course it is.”

Georgina turned back towards the mirror. She had always known she was tall. She’d always known she was strong. She’d always known she could knock most boys in her year off their feet if they annoyed her sufficiently. But beautiful? That was something she’d only recently begun to consider. Now, looking at herself, she could almost believe it. Victoria slipped an arm around her waist.