Chapter 1

"There's no way I'm going." Hermione groaned as she mulled over the weeks-old invitation. Its green and silver coloring and silky texture seemed to ooze money. She read the ornate text aloud in a mocking voice "The House of Malfoy request the pleasure of your company to join them in celebration of the New Year. Please join us at the Malfoy Manner on the 31st of December to welcome in the upcoming year. Cocktails will be served in the east wing followed by dancing in the grand ballroom." She rolled her eyes. "Seriously. Grand Ballroom?"

"You have to go!" Exclaimed Harry. He snatched the invitation from her hand and read it over again. "Kingsley won't let me out of it. And you can't make me go alone." It had only been two years since the conclusion of what they were calling the Second Wizarding War and already Kingsley Shacklebolt had brought relief to the country. After graduating, Harry and Ron went straight into the auror office, working closely with the new minister to revitalize the wizarding community. Hermione had gone back to Hogwarts for her final year to finish her N.E.W.T.'s before accepting a job in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

She eyed him carefully. "What about Ginny? Isn't she going?" Hermione knew that Ginny wasn't in the best of moods lately. She was four months pregnant and her moods were ever changing. Harry shrugged and looked back at the invitation. "I don't know Harry. I doubt they really want me there."

"I want you there. Doesn't that count for anything?" He was desperate.

Hermione had her own reasons for not wanting to go to this party. Besides the fact that Draco Malfoy hated her growing up, Ron would be there. Hermione hadn't spoken to Ron since he broke it off with her halfway through her seventh year. She had been crushed. Looking into Harry's eyes, she knew that he really needed her to be there. "Fine. I'll go." Harry looked overjoyed. "But you cannot abandon me! The last thing I need is to be left alone in a room full of people who hate me."

He smiled in the way that only Harry can and said, "Perfect! I'll pick you up at 6." With a clap, he was gone.

Hermione looked at the clock above the fireplace. It was almost 4 o'clock. She walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower. As she washed her hair, she relished in the warm water running down her back. She immediately regretted agreeing to go to this party.

As she wrapped herself in a towel, she analyzed her face in the mirror. Her brown hair had grown long with neglect for haircuts. She looked older somehow. At only 20, her eyes seemed to radiate the appearance of someone who had lived a lifetime. She rubbed her eyes in dread of the upcoming evening. There was one thing for sure. If she was going to see Ron tonight, she would have to look amazing.

She glanced through her closet hopelessly as she surveyed each dress. Nothing was quite right. She noticed the large dress bag in the back and gasped in remembrance. She unzipped the bag and smiled to herself. This was perfect. She sat down at her vanity and used a hot air charm to dry her hair. She pinned it so part of her long hair hung freely down her back while the other half was atop her head, leaving several ringlets framing her face. It brought back memories of the Yule Ball her third year at Hogwarts. That seemed like a million years ago.

Her makeup was simple. Hermione had never cared for wearing a ton of it. She slipped into the curve-hugging dress and heels and looked in the floor length mirror. She looked stunning. The dress was simultaneously delicate and sexy. The open back and v-cut front highlighted her chest and the slit up the side showed off he legs. She'd never worn something so amazing. As she spun in place, the light blue dress flowed like water.

As her eyes roamed over her body, they stopped on the scar across her neck. Bellatrix Lestrange's doing. She momentarily contemplated changing dresses as her hand glazed over the scar. With another clap, Harry apparated into the room. He broke out into a huge smile as he looked at her. "You look brilliant." Hermione smiled. He noticed her hand over the large scar. "Don't worry about that. Nobody could possibly notice it when you look this amazing."

"Thanks." She said and threw on a traveling cloak. "Let's get this over with." She grabbed Harry's hand and they disapparated from the room.

Author's Note: More to come very soon! Let me know what you think in the reviews!