The Ball Begins

"This doesn't look like Mrs. Malkin's custom work, but it looks impressive," a Slytherin student said.

Harry held the clothes against himself, trying them this way and that. The smell of new clothes thrilled him.

"Looks like a perfect fit."

Eli studied Harry. The outfit looked as though it had been made for him.

Mrs. Hall had always remembered Eli's measurements. Later, when Harry came along, she had taken him shopping for plenty of clothes and remembered his measurements too.

She hadn't had a tailor measure them in person, but the fit was exact.

"Eli, there's one for you too. Open it!"

Eli quickly unwrapped his parcel, though it looked considerably larger than Harry's.

"Are there two outfits inside?" Draco Malfoy asked.

Eli opened one of them. It was a long purple dress, like a violet just coming into bloom. Wisps of gauze adorned it like mist scattered with stars.

"Is that for you?" Draco gave Eli a strange look.

Eli shot Draco a wordless sidelong glance, then folded the dress away. There was a letter on the parcel.

After reading it, Eli handed Hermione the parcel containing the dress. "This is yours."

"Mine?" Hermione took the parcel.

Eli handed her the letter as well.

"My mother picked this dress out with Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger has a good eye."

Hermione read the letter, then tucked it away, her face bright red.

Eli took out his own formalwear. It was a suit too, but with several Eastern touches that gave it a restrained, dignified look.

"Ron got a dress too!" came the twins' voices from nearby.

"It's obviously for Ginny!" Ron said.

"Mine definitely isn't that one." Ginny grinned at his misfortune.

"Put it away, quick." Looking thoroughly unwilling, Ron stuffed the clothes back into the parcel.

"I can't believe