Harry Potter: New World

"This is a nightmare!" exclaimed Ron, coming out from behind the screen. Yes, they recently put it near each bed because the guys were suddenly shy of each other. And in the shower, dammit, they're not shy!

"Just awful!" Ron spread his arms apart, and I was able to enjoy the guy's wonderful attire. No, seriously, a gorgeous dark maroon coat from a mid-nineteenth century ballroom tuxedo.

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"What's the matter?" Potter leaned out from behind his screen, surveyed everyone else's disposition, and walked out completely. "I think it's a very... extraordinary costume."

"All those trinkets... bows... I'll cut it off."

"Don't you dare," I said sharply, drawing the attention of the others. "You just don't understand the value of this outfit."

"You don't understand anything at all," Ron replied angrily and resentfully.

"Do you have any more clothes to go with it?"

"I won't wear the rest at all!"

"As you wish," I shrugged. "But a really good costume will only look good when it's fully assembled. And you can upgrade it with special charms, too. Ask the girls. They know for sure."

"Do you know?"

"After all your remarks in my direction to help you? Really? Ask your sister since you're shy with the others."

"Right! That's what I'll do. But these clothes are so ..."

"A historically accurate costume is always valuable. And those who don't understand anything will laugh. Believe me, many will appreciate your costume."

Hiding behind my screen, I opened the bundle on the bed and pulled out my clothes and a couple of accessories boxes. There weren't many - cufflinks, a chronometer on a chain, corners with a chain for my shirt collar. Everything is made of alchemical silver, which makes the jewelry very magically resistant. Oddly enough, these are usually enchanted with various additional effects to clothing, like not being able to crumple it or something like that. It would seem silly but quite practical.

The most interesting accessory I found was a shrunken black cane with a silver detachable handle in the shape of a leaping Grimm. After returning the thing to its original size and examining it properly, I took my second wand out of its sheath and inserted it into the handle with a grin. The magical locking mechanism worked, and the wand was firmly entrenched. This way and that, twisting it in my hands, I was surprised at how comfortably the wand lay in my hand.

"What a... Malfoy," I muttered quietly to myself with a chuckle and inserted the handle into the cane. It was easy and uncomplicated. Took it out, put it back in, no problem. Yes, this wand doesn't suit me very well, but with Rowena's help, I don't feel any effort or discomfort in handling it. Holding the cane, I found a rune under my thumb, and after activating it, I reduced the cane to the size of a wand. Now it could be placed in a special inner pocket of my jacket.

As for the clothes themselves, as Kreacher said, they were darker than the black night. A three-piece suit, just the way I like it, with the same black shirt and tie. Well, except that the latter had faintly visible silver thread patterns. The set also included a robe with thin lines of silver patterns along the edges. Thin, but allow you to outline the contour against the background of everything else. Perfect for a ball, of course.

Quickly dressed, put on my patent leather shoes, checked everything for folds, which, of course, were not there, put on gloves and, picking up a cane, went out from behind the screen. The guys were still here, staring at me in shock. Potter was funny in his clothes, after all. An expensive tailcoat, a fine robe, but as if it were off someone else's shoulder.

"I..." Ron looked with obvious envy. "I'm shocked! Typical eater!"

"Typical eater here is you, especially at the table, Mr. Weasley," copying Snape's manner of speaking, I waved the hem of my robe, turned toward the exit, and walked quickly out of the room.

People were already gathered in the common room, waiting for their couples. No one paid much attention to me - many of them were worried. The twins looked a little surprised when they saw me but ended up just giving me the thumbs up with a smile. The rest of them met their companions and walked out of the common room. Sometimes, however, the ladies went down before the boys, but this was rare. Out of habit, I hid in a dark corner of the common room and, with great burning curiosity and light impatience, awaited Hermione's exit. And Lavender, too - I was just curious. I didn't forget to check the space with my spells for hidden people, but all was clear.

Gradually the common room became empty. Only me and Seamus were waiting for the girls. Parvati left with Potter, all mysterious and radiant in her scarlet national dress. Yes, it was a dress, though some uninitiated might have confused it with a robe for a brief moment. The juniors and the few who weren't going to the ball looked at Seamus and me and waited...