Authors Note: This is written in Hermione's point of view, sorry for any confusion! Yes this might be my first fiction but don't be gentle I need the criticism and the ideas! Hehe, anyway, I was lying in bed and doing homework and bored out of my mind and this idea for this story popped into my head so I wrote it down… and now it's a story! Yay! Still very much a work in progress though haha. Like I said I'll take any ideas anyone has so that I can get this thing moving! Enjoy! :)

She walked into the hotel and stared in amazement. The entire place was decorated like a palace! She couldn't believe that only a few months ago she had gotten an invitation to an extravagant ball that a slew of foreign dignitaries, royals, and wealthy important wizarding folk were going to be attending. And yet, it was curious, she didn't even know who could get her an invitation, let alone who had sent it as it was such an exclusive event. The only clue she had to who invited her was a delicate, velvety black rose with a bright green stem. But even her brilliant mind couldn't figure out who would spend that much money to get her an invitation and send her a beautiful rose, PLUS pay for her hotel, AND the flight to the beautiful Spanish countryside. Her mystery invitee had also included money to buy an entire outfit for the evening, accessories and all. Even the small reward she was given after the war wouldn't have been able to cover everything. It would have to be one of those rich wizarding families that basically controls the wizarding world, she concluded. Thing was, there was only one old Wizarding family that had money still... But no... It couldn't be... Could it?

She shook the thought from her head as she walked up to the desk and said hello to the lady behind the check-in counter. As they chatted back and forth, the lady handed her an envelope sealed with a wax seal that had that damned rose she had been pondering for so long on it. She sighed and decided it was time to take her things up to her room. Hermione turned around and to her alarm, all of her luggage had disappeared to include her purse. She turned around to ask the lady who had taken her stuff when she said, "Oh dear I forgot to tell you about that! Once you check in, you only have to wish it and whatever you wish will go *POOF* and be magically transported to your room, except people of course! It works with all the shops within a 10 kilometer radius, even the entertainment shops" she finished with a suggestive giggle. Hermione blushed slightly but gave a great sigh, relieved to know no one had stolen her luggage, and ran a hand through her mousy brown hair, which promptly entangled her ring in her hair. She frowned as she walked over to the elevator, still trying in vain to get her ring unstuck, and pressed the call button with her free hand. Finally getting her hand free, she examined the key that the lady at the check in counter had given to her. It looked like one of those flat muggle hotel keys that look like credit cards. Before she had the proper time to examine it to find the finite differences she knew would be there somewhere, the door opened and a disembodied voice asked her to insert her key into the slot. She stepped into the elevator and inserted the key card into the blinking slot as the doors closed. It zoomed up quickly, but going farther and farther than she had imagined. Finally the elevator slowed and dinged and the doors swooshed opened into a room filled with sunlight so bright it blinded her for a moment. But of course her sponsor wouldn't skimp on this as well; they had gotten her the grand penthouse suite, with skylights for a ceiling and every kind of luxury imaginable. She slowly walked into what appeared to be one of three gigantic rooms, which turned out to be the bedroom. Her mouth dropped to the floor, taking in the size and grandeur of the massive bedroom. All told, this lone room could probably hold all of her apartment, and some! She sat down on what appeared to be a very comfortable bed and, knowing the amount of money that was being spent, it was probably one of the beds that corrected itself magically to what the person lying in bed needed. She took a deep breath and tried to take it all in, it was a little much to see all the money that was in front of her. She finally remembered the letter in her pocket and took it out and opened it up, being very careful not to rip the wax seal. A black rose petal fell out as she opened the letter and it had the same velvety feel as the whole rose that she had received a few months before. The letter read:

My dearest Hermione,

I know this is all very irritating for you, not knowing who I am and such. But soon enough you will know, just be patient, even though I know it's not your forte.

In your bathroom you will find a gown I picked out for you this evening to wear to dinner, if you deem me worthy to join. I, unfortunately will be wearing a mask to keep my identity hidden. I will more than likely keep it hidden until the ball, when I promise to reveal all to you. You will join me as my guest and… Well, I'm getting ahead of myself here. I will owl you a letter for concerning the ball when the time gets closer.

I hope you find yourself comfortable and I sincerely hope to see you tonight.

Best regards, your black rose

P.S. - I filled the closets with clothes I think you might like. If you don't, feel free to visit the tailor down the street and exchange them for something else.

She read the letter in disbelief. Obviously this man knew her very well, but how? The big question that was running through her mind was, did she know him?

So do you like it so far? PLEASEEEEE leave comments, questions, suggestions, or if there's a grammar mistake or something, PM me that please :) Hope to see you soon!

Hugs to all the people who are giving this a try! :)

Ashley

EDIT: I have added a little more detail to this chapter and corrected some grammar mistakes I didn't catch all those years ago lol :)