A/N: What's Hermione up to now...
Once again tnx to darklotus1211 for beta-ing this for me and for the fantastic description of Hermione's dress!
The link to the dress can be found on my profile ;)
Enjoy!
The next day found Hermione in her office, finalizing the details for the conference. The paperwork kept her busy, but it did not stop her mind from wandering; particularly to last night's dream. One she definitely wasn't supposed to have.
Determined that it meant nothing, Hermione set to bury it somewhere in the depths of her mind.
And it worked…. for a while.
HG/LM HG/LM
Somewhere around four o'clock Marina knocked on her door.
"Miss Granger, an owl brought this for you," she said, handing Hermione a thin, luxurious envelope.
Hermione looked at her watch.
"I wonder who's sending a letter at the end of the work day; and on Friday none the less. Thank you Marina. If you like you can go home; I'm just about done here."
"Thank you, Miss Granger," smiled Marina. "I'll see you on Monday."
Hermione smiled warmly at her and proceeded to inspect the envelope.
On it were rich engravings made from pure gold. Ms. Hermione Granger and the address of her office was handwritten in a beautiful, elegant script.
Not knowing who it was from, Hermione, ever the careful one, cast a few diagnostic spells to determine if there were any dark spells or curses attached to it. Having found none she carefully opened it.
"Dear Ms. Granger,
I am pleased to invite you to a pre-conference ball at Malfoy Manor tomorrow at 8pm.
Formal attire is required.
Yours sincerely,
Lucius Malfoy."
The letter dropped to the floor. Hermione stared at it in shock. The gold lettered writing seemed to mock her and at the same time tempt her.
Malfoy Manor was a part of her worst nightmares. She could still hear her own screams echoing in that forsaken drawing room, induced by Bellatrix Lestrange's sadistic interrogation techniques. Going there now would be impossible. She would surely break down the moment she entered the Manor.
But she was one of the main figures connected to this conference. It was one of her responsibilities to attend.
"Okay girl. Gather the courage to do this. You have to," she told herself. "What's got to be done isn't hard."
She picked up the letter from under the desk, folded it neatly and returned it to its envelope.
Once again, like the day before, she packed her things and headed to the safety of her own home.
During the walk to her flat she called Ginny.
"Hey Gin. How are you?"
"Hey 'Mione. Just fine. And how are you?" Hermione could sense the happiness in her friend's voice.
"Good," said Hermione feeling a bit calmer, now that she was talking to her friend. "Listen, I want to ask you something."
"Sure, fire away."
"I've been invited to a pre-conference ball at Malfoy Manor and I have no formal dresses. Are you free tomorrow to go shopping with me?"
"Malfoy Manor? But Hermione isn't that…" Ginny stopped mid-sentence. "Are you sure you're up to it?"
"Yes Ginny, I am. It's my duty and besides it doesn't do one good to dwell on the past," said Hermione trying to sound strong and confident.
"Well if you're sure about it..." Ginny trailed off. "Can we meet at the Leaky Cauldron at noon tomorrow?"
"That'd be great. See you tomorrow. Bye!"
"Bye 'Mione!"
As soon as the phone call ended Hermione felt even more resolute. She would survive tomorrow night and finally banish that silly old fear.
HG/LM HG/LM
On Saturday a little before noon Hermione was sitting in front of the Leaky Cauldron waiting for Ginny in hope that the sunshine and a hot cup of coffee would calm her nerves about tonight.
About ten minutes later she saw Ginny making her way through the tables and waved her.
"Hey 'Mione," grinned Ginny. "Ready to shop?"
"Sure thing Gin. As ready as I'll ever be," replied Hermione with a too cheery smile.
Sensing her nervousness Ginny told her. "Don't be nervous about tonight, ok? You'll do great. Plus Harry will be there so if you need any help just find him."
"Harry? Oh, I didn't know that." Hermione seem to relax a little at the news. "Thanks for telling me Gin."
Harry and Ginny had been dating since the end of the war. Unlike her and Ron's relationship which had fallen apart quickly after the euphoria of the war died down, because of the substantial differences which existed between them, Harry and Ginny seemed like they were made for each other. Their relationship continued to blossom and eventually they moved in together at Grimmauld Place. Harry now worked as an Auror and Ginny was, for the time being, working in Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.
"How is he anyway?" She asked as they got up to leave and made their way towards the best dress shop in Diagon Alley, Twilfitt and Tatting's.
"Good I guess. He's been a bit tired lately with all that extra work over the security and the conference," said Ginny with a sigh. "I wish he'd take some time off and rest."
"Have you told him that?"
"Um… no actually. But I should. Thanks 'Mione."
"No problem Gin. Anything for you," Hermione hugged her friend.
Opening the door to the shop they were greeted by a friendly old saleswoman.
"How may I help you dearies?"
"Well I'm looking for a formal gown. Something elegant, but not too revealing," explained Hermione.
"I've got just the thing for you," said the saleswoman and beckoned them to follow her.
The shop was huge and decorated with ornate furniture. On the racks to the left and right from where they walked hung beautifully cut dresses and suits. Some looked muggle made and some magic made.
They were led to a small room in the back of the store, where the shopkeeper waved her wand at the huge rack.
"Aha! Here it is," she squeaked, catching the long red strapless gown which flew into her hand.
It was almost a classic mermaid style, but not quite, with a sweetheart neckline. The sheath bodice finished at where the hip and thigh met, and then, in a smooth transition, came the full, loosely gathered and perfectly draped floor length skirt. The silhouette was perfect in Hermione's eyes. Then, as the piece de resistance, it had a dusting of tiny diamonds in a crescent pattern to half way down across the bust line, then left bare red satin, and then a graduated dusting once again down from just above the waist to the hip, thinning to almost bare satin once again just before the skirt began. It accentuated the bust, made the waist appear narrower, and flattered the hips. It was, to Hermione, tasteful elegance itself. She loved it at first sight. She was surprised at herself for being so thrilled over a gown, but the idea of wearing this beautiful piece to the ball increased her confidence immensely.
"Wow. It's beautiful," Hermione gasped. "Where can I try it on?"
"There's a dressing room right there," said the woman pointing to a door on her left. She was wearing a smug smile on her face. One of the told-you-It'd-be-perfect kinds.
When she emerged for the dressing room it was Ginny's turn to gasp. "Oh my god, Hermione. You, you look… gorgeous!"
Hermione blushed. "I do look good in this, don't I?"
"You're absolutely stunning, that's what you are in this!" said Ginny, turning to the saleswoman. "Could you tell us how much it is?"
"It costs 150 galleons, but for you lovely lady," she said turning to Hermione, "it's only a 100."
"I'll take it!" Said Hermione, excitement bubbling in the voice. She was going to stun everyone at the ball tonight.
Once they'd paid with the money Hermione had previously pulled from her account in Gringotts, they ventured their way back to Hermione's apartment.
"So do you need me to help you get ready 'Mione?" Asked Ginny as she walked to the fireplace and picked up a handful of floo powder.
"No thanks Gin. I think I can mange on my own. You go home and spend some time with Harry. Say hi to him from me and tell him I'll definitely see him at the ball."
"Thanks. See you soon. Grimmuald Place," she said and flooed out.
Hermione laid her gown on her bed and sat beside it. The physical part of her preparation was almost done. But she wasn't entirely sure, if she was ready emotionally.
"I just have to stay in the damned ballroom!" She yelled into the empty room. "That's all!"
Little did she know that just in a few hours she would be reliving her worst nightmare.