When Helen Came

Third POV:

The Great Hall looked stunning, adorned with floating lanterns casting a warm golden glow across the room. The long tables were perfectly arranged, covered with elegant tablecloths that shimmered faintly under the enchanted light. Helen walked slowly through the hall, a checklist in hand, ticking off every detail one by one. The enchanted music was ready, the magical fireflies would appear at the start of the evening, and the food was set to arrive soon. 

It was all perfect. Almost. 

Helen's pen hovered over the final item on her list when it hit her—she had forgotten the party favors. The small enchanted trinkets that Tom himself had requested as a finishing touch to the evening. Her heart sank as she realized her mistake. How could she have missed something so crucial? She had been so detail-oriented that she completely forgot those important trinkets.

She glanced over her shoulder at Tom. He was at the far end of the hall, talking to one of the professors. His dark eyes swept over the decorations, and even from a distance, Helen could see the faint smirk of satisfaction on his face. He had been expecting everything to go perfectly. 

She chewed her lower lip, her thoughts racing. Should she tell him? Maybe he wouldn't be too upset, but the thought of his sharp gaze narrowing at her in disappointment was enough to make her shake her head. No, it was better to fix this herself. 

Clutching her checklist tightly, Helen quietly slipped out of the Great Hall, her steps as light as possible to avoid catching his attention. She quickened her pace as soon as she passed through the main doors, heading straight for the castle gates and out into the cool air. 

The snow crunched under her boots as she made her way toward Hogsmeade. The biting cold stung her cheeks, but she didn't care. All that mattered was getting those party favors before anyone noticed they were missing. 

As she walked, she mentally planned her explanation if anyone asked where she had gone, but deep down, she hoped she wouldn't have to face Tom's questions at all.

After half an hour, she walked down the cobbled streets, her arms full of little trinkets she had found at the market. Her heart fluttered with excitement, hoping the small treasures would make Tom smile.  As she hummed to herself, a sudden glint of color caught her eye, making her pause mid-step.

It was a dress displayed in the shop window, an unexpected sight that made her heart skip a beat. The color was a rich green, deep enough to be sophisticated but soft enough to feel romantic. The fabric, a luxurious satin, caught the light in a way that made it shimmer subtly.

The neckline was delicate, softly scooped and edged with intricate lace that looked almost hand-stitched, giving it an antique quality. The sleeves were sheer and barely grazed the shoulders, with tiny, pearl-like buttons that ran down the back, trailing like a string of whispers. The waist was cinched with a sash that tied into a neat bow, drawing the eye to the curves in the most flattering way.

But it was the skirt that truly captivated Helen. It flowed with a gentle fullness, sweeping down and then billowing out just enough to create movement, like a soft breeze. The hem grazed the floor, but not too dramatically—just enough to suggest elegance without overpowering the wearer.

She could already picture herself in it, the fabric rustling as she spun across the floor at the Hogwarts welcome-back party. She smiled at herself and stepped closer, determined to make it hers.

~~~~

Helen's footsteps echoed softly as she walked through the corridors, carefully balancing the delicate lavender dress in one hand and the trinkets she'd collected in the other. She made sure to walk steadily, her heart beating a little faster as she imagined the look on her friends' faces when they saw the dress at the party.