The night of the inauguration is unhelpfully hot and humid. I am unable to stop myself fidgeting restlessly as Violet helps me with my hair and makeup. I must look my best. Elegant, well-groomed, serene, and if possible older than my twenty-one years. I feel hopelessly young and insignificant, and not nearly up to the honor which is about to be bestowed upon me. Iago jumps onto my lap and sets up a comforting purr, but even the feel of his silky fur beneath my fingers does little to settle my nerves.

“Easy for you to be so calm,” I tell him. “All you have to do is watch.”

“Will he be allowed in for the ceremony, my lady?” Violet asks as she carefully pins back front sections of my hair. Earlier she washed it and put lemon juice in the rinsing water, so that it is pleasingly glossy now.

“He certainly will. What’s the point of being Head Witch if you can’t decide a few important things?” It is a feeble attempt at a joke, but it lightens the tense moment a little.

“Shall we give him a ribbon to wear?”

“I don’t think he’d tolerate one, would you, Iago?” I scratch behind his ear and the purring increases in speed and volume. I, on the other hand, have no choice in how I am to present myself. I stand up and move to the full-length mirror, turning slowly to take in how I look. It is customary for the nominee at an inauguration to be clad in something simple and plain. I selected a cream linen sleeveless shift that skims what curves I have modestly, stopping just above my ankles. The slim silhouette makes me look even taller than usual. There are two slits in the side seams up to my knees to enable me to walk, and, crucially, to kneel easily. I feel frighteningly exposed, with no corset, no underwear, and so little material between myself and what will be a considerable gathering of people, all with their critical gaze focused upon me. Still, there were small mercies to be considered. A century earlier I would have been required to attend naked. At least I do not have to suffer that humiliation. I will feel vulnerable enough as it is.