May 26th, 1894 — A Classroom, Hogwarts

The Hogwarts debutantes of 1894 waited in the classroom, the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw matrons just outside, waiting for word that it was time to unleash the girls upon society. The Hogwarts Coming Out Ball was an annual tradition—rather egalitarian, if one thought about it—designed to present each of the seventh year ladies, regardless of station, to magical society. That wasn't to say they all looked equal—there was an ocean between Genia's white gown and that of Miss Tupperwent, a farmer's daughter who had managed to scrape through seven years of schooling on scholarship. It was, however, an occasion nonetheless, and the almost-debutantes waited for their Moment with varying degrees of patience.

For Iphigenia Adebayo, that was "a fair bit" if one were to look at her, though it was only the gloves upon her hands that prevented the Slytherin from picking at her cuticles from impatient. As a prefect, she would be the fourth girl out—woefully behind, but vastly superior to, Matilda Farris—and had exchanged her prefect's badge for a small silver tiara, an emerald at its centre, that would be returned to the school before she departed in the boats that evening.

So long as she did not trip or spill anything upon herself, tonight could be seen as little more than a dress rehearsal for the more lavish affair her father and Iya would be throwing her in a week or so. Still the seventh year had long been a perfectionist, and her eye for detail prompted her to inform one of the other girls, "Your bow is lop-sided."

Invitational to any of:
Alcyone Slughorn Sisse Thompsett Calla Potts Matilda Farris Jessamine Parkinson
2 posts/2 days rule!

The following 2 users Like Iphigenia Adebayo's post:2 users Like Iphigenia Adebayo's post
   Jessamine Parkinson, Matilda Farris

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— mj makes pretty things ✨ —

It was almost surreal standing here with the other girls. They'd grown up together. She could turn and look at each one and remember laughing with them, helping them with charms, laughing when something happened. And yet here they were on the edge of something new. Held in this one moment before it all changed. This very last moment of their childhood.

Sisse looked over her friends, her eyes running over the seams and lines of each dress, realizing with a small moment of pride that she had created these gowns, had breathed life into each one. In each one she could see an element of her friend, a design uniquely their's, full of their personalities, hopes, and loves. In that moment even a bit of Sloane was there with them.

Her attention was turned to Miss Adebayo's words and she looked at Miss Erstwhile's tilted bow. Personally with Miss Erstwhile's straight hair she would have opted for a more elaborate style, but she was fairly certain Miss Erstwhile was just grateful to even have a gown that the bow had merely been an afterthought. Sisse swiftly moved forward, "Here, let me help." She gestured for the girl to turn and allow Sisse to help her. "There." She told her after a moment of careful manuevering. "You look perfect." She assured the other girl and then turned and smiled at Miss Adebayo. "Are you ready?" She asked kindly.

The following 1 user Likes Sisse Thompsett's post:1 user Likes Sisse Thompsett's post
   Jessamine Parkinson

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Jessamine had always been vain, confident, and an absolute snob at any given moment, but tonight she felt like if she didn't keep herself focused, she was going to faint. She couldn't believe that she had made it to the end of her seventh year; her final exams were done, her NEWTs were being graded, she was out of her mourning period, and tonight was the night she became a woman in the eyes of society. Minnie was indeed, excited, of course, she had long since dreamed of what life as a debutante would be like - she would handle it far better than her elder sister, Heather did, perhaps something more akin to her late sister Wisteria. While Miss Thompsett fussed with one of their classmate's bows, and Miss Adebayo looked over them, Minnie smoothed her elegant, baby blue gown and adjusted the gorgeous sapphire and silver Ravenclaw brooch given to her by her sister-in-law Angelique to wear.

“I'm ready,” Jessamine hummed with perhaps far more certainty than she actually felt. She had spent hours doing her hair, her dress was tailored to perfection, her father spent so much money on making sure her debut went perfectly so that it might overshadow all the issues with the other children, and Minnie felt if she wasn't ready now, she never would be, “You all look beautiful.” Whether she was being entirely genuine or not, especially toward Miss Potts and Miss Adebayo, that was up for debate.

The following 2 users Like Jessamine Parkinson's post:2 users Like Jessamine Parkinson's post
   Aldous Crouch, Matilda Farris

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Gown Inspiration - Right

Truly, Desdemona felt lucky that her father had indulged her choices with her debut gown, as she adjusted the baby pink sash that ran from her left shoulder down to the hem of her gown. Little satin roses, charmed to smell like their living sisters, rested at the top of the sash and attaching it to the gown at the dropped waist, as well as decorating the left side of her skirt. Part of her was eager for the night to be over — the end of the night meant the chance to see her puppy, Artemis. She glanced over at Miss Erstwhile, smiling kindly, before her eyes met Miss Parkinson's.

She admired Miss Parkinson's bravery to insist on wearing color. The most Desdemona felt she could get away with was the sash and roses, especially given her own insistence on a bodice style from five years ago. But she despised the modern tendency toward overly poofy sleeves, and wanted something more classic. More sleek, even with the sash embellishment. Her skirt was, however, a modern silhouette, as she had asked the modiste to follow the original pattern with that singular caveat.

"Whatever happens tonight," Desdemona said, looking between each of her peers, "this is the first night of the rest of our lives. With luck, it'll be a night we never forget." One hand adjusted the light pink sapphire and silver bracelet on the opposite wrist, ensuring the double-rowed cuff lay just so. She did not wear a tiara, instead favoring more satin roses in her hair to compliment the set of earrings and choker necklace that matched her bracelet. "Good luck, ladies."

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The following 1 user Likes Desdemona Ravenswood's post:1 user Likes Desdemona Ravenswood's post
   Jessamine Parkinson

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She felt the flutters of nervousness and excitement in the room, but Mattie, for her part, felt rather blasé about the whole affair. At least towards this evening in itself: she knew it was their gateway, the all-important first impression, but her self-confidence hadn’t faded yet. So she didn’t expect to put a foot wrong, not unless Miss Adebayo – who would be looming directly behind her on the stairs, breathing down her neck – forced her into it.

Beyond that, she was sure this evening would be perfectly fine, but only the first little dip into the season’s waters; with any luck things would get more interesting when they were fully submerged. Well, unless you were Miss Thompsett. Mattie presumed she would be the first to be inundated by offers of courtship; the Head Girl seemed all but primed to be a perfect wife. (Really, Mattie ought to be battling with her going forwards more than her Slytherin nemesis, who would no doubt be searching for different husbands – purebloods, garish new wealth to match hers – but Mattie was not much inclined to settling down at once, and Miss Thompsett had never come across as the competitive sort anyway.)

“So do you, Minnie,” Mattie replied breezily, about looking beautiful – picture perfect porcelain doll-like in Minnie’s case, with not a hair out of place. “And I don’t know that luck will have anything to do with it,” she observed, of Miss Ravenswood’s well wishes. Their futures were largely in their hands now – or, well, as much as they would ever be, as young women. She grinned. “But I expect this is just the start of all our fun.” They had a whole season of socialising ahead of them, and no homework at all!

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   Desdemona Ravenswood, Jessamine Parkinson

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For the first time in her life, she felt a bit out of place amongst the girls she'd grown up with. Except for Maddy... all these girls (including Sissy and Alycone) were going out there tonight and it was truly the first night of the rest of their lives. They would go out there looking for invitations and husbands. While on the other hand, Calla still felt a bit like a little girl playing dress-up. She wasn't going out tonight to become a debutante. Frankly she really hadn't decided what she was going to do. She was just... here because she wanted to support her friends and it was what you did at the end of your seventh year. But her dress was pretty and she was here with her friends so she forced a smile on her face and nodded.

"I think this next year is what we make of it - maybe luck plays a part in it or maybe it doesn't. But I think you all will look wonderful tonight and I hope you all have a lot of fun. There will always be other balls. There isn't going to be another night of all of us together like this. We go home after this for the last time. So, I guess I just hope everyone enjoys it. Don't worry too much, okay?"

  

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look at the pretties mj made me!!!

Trust Miss Thompsett to swoop in and save the day, Genia thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, just as she swooped in to take Head Girl. Even as she thought it, looming nostalgia (coupled with the fact that the Gryffindor was quite genuinely kind) stopped her from feeling any genuine ill-will. That she would save for the likes of Farris and Parkinson.

"It matters little enough if we are ready or not," she answered Miss Thompsett wryly, though her comment was intended for the assemblage, "for we must appear as such if we are to make good first impressions."

For some, this would be the only impression they would have an opportunity to make.

She paused for a moment, took stock of her fellow seventh years. Miss Bell was fidgeting already, not an ideal sign. Miss Erstwhile had been swallowed by her gown and even Miss Thompsett's efforts to put it to rights hadn't been able to help that. But the others? Misses Farris and Parkinson would do well if they didn't let their tongues get the better of them (not that she would ever admit as much). Miss Thompsett was the picture of grace. Desdemona may have lacked a mother but, like Genia, she had other relations to step in and help shepherd her through the season. Even Miss Potts seemed relatively ready for what lay on the horizon, even though her sister's scandalous marriage would preclude her from consideration by anyone who mattered.

It would be wonderful not to see some of these faces every day, or indeed, ever again.

Some, though, Genia might well miss.

  

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— mj makes pretty things ✨ —

As a Slughorn that was also not a prefect, Alcyone would be near the last of the procession. She made sure her dress wasn't askew and none of her hair strands were out of place. The dress Sisse had designed for her looked lovely on her and she adored every inch of it.

Noticing her cousins fidgeting, Alcyone pressed a hand against the back of Maddys to try and still the others fidgeting. She then turned to listen as Calla spoke, smiling at her friends words. It was hard not to worry.

  

Calla's words were ever that of the peacekeeper and Sisse shot her a grateful smile. She nodded at Miss Adebayo a soft smile. The Slytherin was right of course. "With all our lessons with Ms. [Etiquette], I don't think we will need too much help. But I do think we'll all do wonderfully appearing ready." She tried to reassure the rustling room of soon to be debutantes. She certainly didn't feel ready, but she was fairly certain she never would. She'd at least have to appear ready as Miss Adebayo had suggested.

  

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Tragic, the worst person you know makes a good point! Minnie seemed to give a short nod in agreement to what Miss Adebayo said about it mattering very little if they were ready. Tonight was the night, they were all gathered in the classroom awaiting for the cue to descend down the stairs to greet their friends, families, and potential suitors. Girlhood was over and there was nothing any of them could do or say to prevent that from being the case. She did, however, give a small smile to Miss Ravenswood; she may have found the girl a bit pathetic, but she never disliked her and she did genuinely sound like she was trying to be sweet. Most of her attention, however, seemed to be on Chessie and Mattie, who were her actual friends and Minnie really did hope that they both enjoyed themselves tonight, “Thank you. I know I'm looking forward to our first Season and all of the events for us to attend.”

Her excitement could be heard in her voice, and though Jessamine was trying to keep positive and not do anything that would make her sound improper, sometimes she just couldn't help herself, and they were still in the classroom anyway, so it hardly mattered, right? Her bright eyes flickered to Miss Potts, then at Miss Thompsett who tried to be a mediator. “There will be other balls... for some of us, that is. Some of us, already have made an impression and need all the luck they can get.” She still had no idea why Miss Potts was even bothering with tonight. Though her comment about this being their last time all together hit hard enough for a brief moment Jessamine was almost sorry she was so catty.

The following 1 user Likes Jessamine Parkinson's post:1 user Likes Jessamine Parkinson's post
   Aldous Crouch

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Shifting her weight she drifted to Maddy and Alycone, offering a bright smile and leaning against Alycone lightly (a task made only slightly awkward by their height difference) as she rested her hands against Maddy. Content she let her eyes drift around the room, taking in her classmates. She was sure they would all do well the next few months. She hoped they did. Even the poor-tempered Miss Parkinson. She'd find someone who could tolerate her pricklyness and maybe the love would serve to soften the other girl.

And speaking of Miss. Parkinson... Calla might spend most of her time with her head in the clouds but she wasn't oblivious to someone trying to pick a fight with or insult her (though she wasn't entirely sure which in this case) - especially when she'd pretty much grown up with the other girl the past seven years. She'd always known Minnie didn't think well of her. Calla wasn't exactly the least controversial woman in the room with her hobbies but it was the fact that she knew Minnie's words were a dig at her sister that caused her to bristle, not the implied insult to herself. "Like I said... luck may or may not have a part of it, but surely it will be our personalities and how we speak of others that speak the most highly of ourselves to society, don't you think Miss Parkinson?" Call questioned, blinking demurely like this wasn't the second time she'd called Minnie out this year for speaking poorly to others.

  

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look at the pretties mj made me!!!

Alcyone smiled up at her Hufflepuff friend as Calla leaned against her. Short as she was, she was quite used to her taller friends doing so now and then. She stayed silent as Calla spoke, her eyes drifting between her friend and the Ravenclaw, wondering how and if Miss Parkinson was going to respond.

  

Mattie’s gaze slid from Minnie to Miss Potts, her eyes alight and her smile tightly-suppressed at the threat of drama so early in the evening.

She was perfectly ready to hang up her Prefect badge for good and just enjoy the fallout, though she suspected Miss Thompsett would not give up her obligations so easily and thus would ruin the fun before it began.

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The young ladies were halted from making any additional commentary by the opening of the door, the matrons' direction for the young ladies to line up for thier profession. This was it, Genia thought as she took her place behind Miss Farris, resisting the urge to step on the Ravenclaw's skirts.

The beginning.

  

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— mj makes pretty things ✨ —