A/N: Umm... yeah... so firstly MASSIVE apologies to you all for the insanely long wait. Seriously, it's been over 2 1/2 years... I could try and excuse myself by telling you about the insane writers block I had with getting this chapter done, and then the fact that I've been at uni for the past 2 1/2 years (and will be for another four months - eeek!) but instead I'm just going to apologise like crazy because I've had some incredibly lovely reviews on this story and so many messages asking when I'm going to update and I just haven't had time to do anything to do with fanfiction for a long time, apart from the Regulus Black song-inspired fic I wrote a little over a year ago which you can go and read if you fancy!
Still after a cover art for this if anyone feels like they want to do some photoshopping, though I have the software again now so I may give it a go... I am currently procrastinating from dissertation writing after all...
But enough of all that, because before you read this update I just want to let you all know that there won't be such a long wait again because I have finished it all! Yes, A Cinderella Story is finally complete! I sat down today and felt the bug, and have written around 8000 words. If only I could get that writing craze for my dissertation, I'd have the 10000 words done in no time! But it is done! D - O - N - E! So I can now PROMISE you will get a weekly update. I will attempt for the update to be on either a Sunday or a Monday as both are days I have off.
So once again, huge apologise for being such a bad author, and I hope there's still some of you around to read and enjoy these last few chapters!
The weeks in the lead up to the ball were rather normal, at least by the standards Hermione had come to have since being at Hogwarts. Harry was still insistent that Malfoy was up to no good, though he was more sparing in his use of the title 'Death Eater' now after he realised all he would get from Ron and Hermione in response were rolling eyes.
Patrols with Malfoy continued in the same way as always, with a not completely uncomfortable silence reigning between them as they walked around the school.
Ginny was taking any moment she could to discuss 'Slytherin Boy', though Hermione was grateful for her friend's tact in not mentioning him or the masquerade dance in front of anyone else, especially Harry and Ron. Though the youngest Weasley had been surprisingly accepting, even encouraging, of her blossoming relationship, if one could even call it a relationship when neither truly knew the other's identity, she knew that neither of her two best friends would be anywhere near as understanding.
It was the week before the dance and all eligible students were making their way down to Hogwarts. The girls could all be heard excitedly discussing the masks and dresses they were going to buy, whilst all of the boys rolled their eyes and were making plans to find masks quickly so they could enjoy visiting Zonko's and Honeydukes.
Hermione had passed up the offer to go to the village with Harry and Ron, telling them she was going to help Ginny choose a dress. Neither yet knew she was planning to attend, and she had told them it was their fault for spoiling the Yule Ball for her with their petty hostility towards "the enemy", as Ron had called Viktor Krum. It was a weak cover, but somehow both boys believed her. She had, however, managed to persuade them to attend on account for them having not had a good time at the last dance. It had taken a while, but eventually both had agreed, if only to stop Hermione's incessant nagging.
As expected, everyone made their way to Gladrags first of all, though the boys were only there for a few minutes, if that, as they selected the first masks they saw, most of which were classic plain black ones. Then it was just the girls left inside the store, 'ooh-ing' and 'aah-ing' as they tried on dresses with their friends and arguing with others over who had grabbed a particular dress first.
"Ginny…" Hermione said, looking around at all the drama. "I don't think this is such a good idea."
"This is dress shopping, Hermione!" Ginny shook her head. "Everyone wants to look amazing, and Gladrags is the best place to shop!"
"It's just so busy!" Hermione sighed. "What if someone sees me and tells Harry and Ron that I am going to the dance? Or worse, if they recognise the dress I'm wearing and tell him?"
"Ok fine." Ginny relented. "Just help me find a dress first, and maybe by then it will have quietened down."
It was sometime later that Ginny finally stepped out in a dress even Hermione deemed to be perfect on the younger girl. The satin a-line dress fitted in all the right places on the bodice before falling elegantly to the ground from the waist. A delicate chiffon top layer wrapped around the back and sides of the dress before meeting in the middle at the chest. As Ginny walked, it fluttered slightly in the breeze, giving an almost mystical quality. The dark blue of the material served to make Ginny's red hair even more striking than it already was.
"You look amazing!" Hermione said honestly, and Ginny grinned.
"I love it!"
Changing back into her own clothes, Ginny carried the dress carefully as the girls went to look at the masks. Almost immediately, a dark blue venetian style mask caught Ginny's eye. The blue was almost a perfect match for the dress, with accents of silver setting it off.
Whilst Ginny asked to see the mask, another caught Hermione's eye. Also in venetian style, the silver mask was simple yet beautiful, with elegant lines of silver glitter making it all the more striking.
"Oh wow!" Ginny breathed, coming to Hermione's side after making her purchases. "You have to get it Hermione!"
Still in awe of the beautiful mask, Hermione asked the shopkeeper to see it, not noticing as Ginny disappeared, only to return a few moments later with a dark red dress in hand and all but pushing Hermione into the changing room.
The strapless chiffon dress was a perfect fit. It fitted snugly on top before falling from the waist into a pleated a-line skirt which would be just a few inches off the ground once Hermione had a pair of heels on. Hermione put the mask on before leaving the changing room to show her friend, who was, for once, rendered speechless.
When the girls arrived back in the Gryffindor common room that evening, they headed upstairs to Ginny's room. The younger girl promised to keep the dress and mask, owing to Hermione not wanting Lavender and Parvati to know she was planning to go, much less be able to identify her when she was there, and the two girls were not unlikely to snoop if they had so much as a suspicion that Hermione was planning to go.
After thanking Ginny for her help, Hermione went back to her own room where her roommates were eagerly discussing the dresses they had bought. They paid little attention to Hermione as she crossed the room to her own bed, pulling the curtains closed around her before grabbing the diary and opening it up. To her surprise, a message was already there.
Hey.
Hey. She wrote. Sorry, I only just got back from Hogsmeade.
She briefly wondered whether he had closed his diary, for she didn't know how long ago the message had been sent, but it wasn't long before a reply appeared.
Not to worry. How was your day?
It was good. I found a dress.
I bet you look beautiful in it.
Hermione blushed slightly upon reading that, surprising herself.
You don't even know what I look like.
That doesn't matter.
She smiled.
They continued to write for a while longer, but the long day in Hogmseade had tired Hermione out and it was not too long before she bid him goodnight, setting the diary aside and falling asleep with a smile on her face.