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Cordelia was, naturally, a little cautious before she stepped out of her coach and onto the Enchancian green. It had been three decades since the ‘incident,” and most guests at the ball hadn’t seen her sans-wig since that fateful day. In fact, she wasn’t entirely used to seeing herself without a wig. What if they didn’t like her? What if they thought she’d gained weight? What if they thought her hair was (horror) ugly?
“Mummy, what are you waiting for?” Calista pulled at her leg impatiently. She was the guest of honour tonight, much like Cordelia had been on the day of the incident. It was a tradition to give the entrance to a child, so they could feel like this was their special day. It was a sweet tradition, but one that had backfired horribly on Cordelia.
“Alright,” Cordelia laughed, stroking her fingers through Calista’s hair, lingering on the magic-bleached fringe. She’d begged Cordelia to retouch the roots especially for the occasion. “Just let me get my bag.”
***
“ Cordiboo! ” Winifred practically screamed, throwing herself at Cordelia and knocking the sorceress off her feet, “I’m so glad you came! You and Calista, that is. We all thought you were going to be late.”
“I’m never late,” Cordelia pulled herself away, “but how have you and father been? I haven’t seen you in months.”
“We’ve been alright, ” Winifred said, waving her hand, “but it would have been busy if you visited.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh it’s alright,” she grinned and rolled her eyes, “ Cedric visited.”
“That’s… unlike him,” Cordelia admitted. Silently, she cursed her brother. She had always been the golden child, but now that he was ‘turning a new leaf,’ all that had changed. That being said, he was responsible for fixing her hair… so she couldn’t be too mad.
Speaking of Cedric…
“Cordy - Interesting. I still half expected you to wear a wig…” he tried to appear in a puff of smoke, but ended up facing the wrong way.
“Oh, shut up,” she replied, playfully.
“Uncle Ceddy!” Calista exclaimed, running to embrace him. Cordelia always thought it was a little strange how much Calista admired Cedric. Well, it was sweet, but she had met many more competent sorcerers in her life, and none of them seemed to have the same impact. None of them topped Cedric.
“Shall we go to the banquet?” Winifred suggested.
“But don’t I have to get ready for my grand entrance?” Calista asked.
“ That is after the banquet,” Cedric chirped.
***
Cordelia glared at Cedric from across the table, as he returned with yet another plate of meringues. Really, it seemed like men could eat whatever they wanted and never gain any weight. It was an injustice.
“What’s wrong, Cordy? Why are you staring at me?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said, dryly.
“So Calista, honey,” Winifred tried desperately to lighten the mood, “are you going to make your grand entrance alone, or do you want someone to go with you?”
“I didn’t think about that,” Calista paused, pushing her fork around her plate, “wait, I know! I’d like to make my entrance with Mummy and Uncle Ceddy - my two favoritist people in the whole world!”
“That’s-” so nice. Cordelia felt… lifted. It wasn’t often she was ranked along side Cedric in ‘favroitist person’ lists. It was an honour.
“That’s lovely,” Winifred smiled.
“Would you, by any chance, like some colourful smoke to accompany your entrance?” Cedric half-smirked, and glanced at Cordelia.
“Cedric!”
“Can it be red!” Calista’s eyes sparked, “I love the colour red!”
“Of course it can be red! Although, we can only do it if your mother agrees…”
“No, no way!” Cordelia shook her head, “I’m not taking that risk.”
“W-Why not?” Calista almost started to cry. Arg, that little girl knew how to get her way. “the incident was your own fault, anyway, not Uncle Ceddy’s.”
“Calista… that’s a bit rude,” Winifred said, softly.
“But it’s true!”
“No, no, she’s right,” Cordelia took a breath, held it, then let it out, “it… was my fault.” She realised that the whole table was looking at her. “Your uncle is a very talented sorcerer, and I’m sure he won’t do anything stupid like permanently ruining your hair. ”
“Brilliant!” Calista clapped her hands.
Cordelia gave a light laugh, before she realised something and leaned across the table towards Cedric, “ say, you never did get to make a grand entrance, did you?”
“I doubtlessly would have been booed off stage,” he shrugged, “besides, I’m not one for the spotlight…”
“Oh yes you are,” Cordelia snickered, grabbing his wrist, “everyone is; you just don’t know it yet!”
“Hey! Cordy? What are you doing?!”
“It’s makeover time!” the sorceress trilled, dragging her brother away from his plate of meringues, and in the direction of her temporary quarters (where she had personally conjured a three-mirror vanity, a chest of enchanted makeup, and more hair enhancing potions than you could shake a family wand at).
“ Merlin’s Mushrooms…”