SO. I am back. officially. which means these SHOULD be regular-ish updates, especially since I'm almsot done writing the story. This has a bit more plot, so... enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of JK Rowling's wonderful world or characters.
The Moonlight Glares
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Revelation
After many weeks had passed, Elizabeth deemed it alright for a "few, select friends" to come visit; which in social terms meant a long overdue dinner party hosted by the Lanes. Hermione was innocently reading Infallible and Inadmissible Witches on her bed when Mena pranced in one day.
"Vhat are you doing? Get up! Get up! Ve have vork to do!"
Hermione quietly closed her book and got up, "Mena, what work do we need to do? You finished all my gowns at the beginning of the season?"
Mena pursed her lips, "Vell darling, according to your mother you have lost a bit of weight au cause of your accident. Ve must refit your outfits and perhaps make some new ones. Now up! Get in your under robes!"
Hermione scattered to her closet and Mena smiled, snapping her fingers to signal a crew of witches to come in with several racks of dresses, sewing equipment and a three-panel mirror and podium.
Hermione came back out in her underrobes as a girl set up the podium. Mena was frantically looking through racks until she pulled out an auburn dress with slits up the sides and a halter top, and held out her manicured hand towards Hermione. "Put it on," she said, and then continued looking through the racks.
Hermione slipped on the auburn dress and found it was far too big. How could she have lost that much weight during these last few weeks? Hadn't she just been sleeping? Then she remembered a page in her research.
The resulting wild magic not only leaves the girl in a comatose state but will often inflict secondary conditions such as the weakening of muscles or loss of weight.
She supposed it was better to have lost some weight than to have lost the ability to walk, but still. She had to be ten pounds lighter for it to be that noticeable. And yet it was, she was swimming in the auburn fabric. Mena got up and tutted as Hermione turned around for her.
Mena whipped her wand and a few pins whizzed over to the fabric, pinning it to exactly the right place. Hermione pulled it off and handed it to the waiting seamstress, who began to work on it immediately. Mena handed her another dress, this one turquoise with a strapless top of ribbon and a toul bottom which fanned out around her.
Mena pinned this one as well and handed it to a seamstress before handing Hermione a sleek silk lavender one with matching long gloves. This process continued all morning and by the end Hermione had gone through all three racks of gowns and robes. They had been in every color imaginable.
Hermione, who had not yet seen most of these gowns, was aghast. Why would someone ever spend this much money on these clothes? Each gown gotten worn a total of once, or perhaps twice if it was of significance. And every one of them was so beautiful she would wear it every night if she could.
The gown Hermione was to wear for the small dinner party was pure white silk. The skirt was about her knees, and help out by a slight wire. If it wasn't for the black ribbon sash at her waste, she would have felt very much like an upside-down cupcake. Her hair was down and curly – but not frizzy.
As hostess' daughter, it was Hermione's job to ensure everyone was greeted correctly. Of course, she would have to get down to the welcoming parlor before she could start that.
Hermione slowly made her way down the back servant's stair to the kitchen. When she arrived there were at least fifteen servants running about trying to fix all sorts of food before the guests arrived in an hour.
Hermione made her way through them over to the table where a familiar face was sitting. He was talking to Elizabeth, with his back to her, and Elizabeth smiled as she approached.
"Hi dear," said Elizabeth.
Draco turned around to be smothered by his girlfriend in a massive hug and a few tears. Draco awkwardly put his arm around her and patted her back. Hermione stood up again, smiling.
"You survived the bus!" Hermione said, sitting as Elizabeth quietly ducked out.
Draco smirked, "Of course I did." Hermione's tears began to fall again and Draco took her face in her hands, whipping the tears with his thumbs. He looked at her for a moment. "Are you okay?"
Hermione sniffled and then gave a small smile, "No permanent damage. Besides, the last several weeks I've spent studying."
Draco grinned and sat back, "Oh really? The bushy-haired bookworm curled up in a library? I never would've guessed..."
Hermione lightly punched him in the arm, "You spend as much time reading as I do, Mr. High-and-Mighty."
Draco sent a sly look Hermione's way, "Or do I?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned her chair into the table, reaching for the water. "So have you done the potions essay yet?"
Their conversation turned academic and continued until seven o'clock when they found themselves posted in the welcoming parlor to greet the esteemed guests of the Lanes.
Hermione noticed that no one below fourth tier was here unless accompanied by someone of higher stature. Everyone she greeted was overly polite with the exception of one girl in particular. Hermione hadn't seen the short girl until she was smothered in a curly black hair as Chels suffocated her in a hug.
"Hermione!" Chels near screeched, "You're alright! I haven't seen you in weeks! What have you been doing with your time? Have you fully recovered? You know that they caught that asshole and put him away, right? Oh, and I need to get you caught up on society gossip, so much has happened!" she paused to take a breath and Hermione was able to cut it.
"Chels, why don't we talk later, k? I've got to greet people right now."
Chels scowled. "Well, alright. But you owe me a long talk. I'm going to go find my dear annoying sister and her fiancée."
Chels turned and skipped off in what Hermione now noticed was a navy silk bell-shaped dress, which appeared the velvet of a starless night. Hermione puzzled at the fabric for a moment, but her attention was pulled away by more guests.
After nearly an hour of greeting, the guests were excused in to the grand dining room. Multiple round tables were set throughout the room in lieu of one large table. The place settings were in silver and blue, and everyone was set at the tables according to rank and acquaintances. Hermione found herself seated among several elderly people.
She was a bit nervous as they did not appear the friendliest, but Draco smiled at her from across the room and she relaxed a little. Then Hermione saw Madame Parrol sit down next to her and lost any sense of relaxation she had had. She hadn't yet spoken directly to Madame Parrol, with the exception of having greeted her at events. She got the impression this Head of Ceremonies wasn't very prone to smile.
"Good Evening, Madame," Hermione said politely, standing to curtsey briefly.
"I hope it is, Miss Granger," Madame Parrol replied, before turning to the other elderly persons around her.
Hermione dejectedly sat down and attempted to pass the time looking exceedingly interested in the conversation going around the table. Her eyes and ears wandered however, as social order didn't interest her much. That was until she heard the name Maeve. Her mind immediately connected back to her reading and Hermione started listening into the conversation.
"Yes, the newborn girl of the O'Connor line was given the name Maeve. Rumor has it a Seer provided them with the name. Not one girl has been given that name without tragedy in the last two hundred years, but her parents insisted on it." at this point an elderly lady cut in from across the table.
"Oh yes, the most recent Maeve, I believe it was Maeve Ciscilla of the Krieger line, was betrothed to a very handsome man and ruined it all for herself and her family proclaiming something like 'patriarchy of the system' and running away to some half-blood scum relatives. Cost the line three ranks."
"And don't you remember the story of the disgrace of the Bleche family two hundred years ago? The whole line was blotted out by a girl who's second name was Maeve, she did the unthinkable and joined the muggle world entirely, got killed not a year later in some dreadful attempt at democracy out in the western countries."
Hermione found a frown on her face. Wasn't that a reference to the American Revolution? Was it really so horrible for someone to fight for democracy, or equality within the system? Hermione mused as the conversation went on around her.
"Oh, but the Seer produced a prophecy that said the girl would 'rise to greatness in conjunction with one of high rank if blessed with the name of the Teacher-Ancestor.' I suppose they believed it to be Maeve."
"Well, I hear they are in an attempt to arrange a betrothal with her and the youngest child in the Parrol line. How is that going, dear?" the ladies and gentlemen turned to the Head of Ceremonies awaiting a reply.
The Head of Ceremonies plastered a smile on her face, "Oh wonderfully. I believe the wedding will occur when she comes of age. My grand-nephew is sure his son will be happy with the match."
Hermione was a bit startled at the talk of early arranged marriages. Weren't you supposed to have some choice in life? Then again, different cultures had distinct traditions, none of which were necessarily bad. She had an Indian friend back in the muggle world who was the sweetest girl but had never dreamed of dating, he parents would find a nice boy for her when she was about twenty.
Then again, in that system, at least she knew her friend would have plenty of time to get to know the boy, and if they clashed the families would rearrange it. It was a bit more... flexible.
"But did you hear of the crazy thing the little Copalia girl did? She pretended she was Minister of Magic the other day, and was very serious when she told her mother she would become the minister! As if she would sustain a job!" The table laughed.
That was when Hermione began to put the pieces together which revealed this mystical and beautiful society for what it was.
Just as an end note, I want to again thank Flo for beta-ing, and thank everyone who reviewed last chapter! See you in ch 28!
