Saturday had finally arrived and Georgiana had left early that morning, not wanting to speak with anyone. She had foregone her classes the previous day, spent her time alone within her room, crying and refusing to speak to anyone. She couldn't help but wonder what people were speculating, particularly Draco...but she couldn't seem to gather the strength to discuss anything, when her heart was breaking for the loss of her friendship with Ronald. Perhaps in time, things would get better but for now, it was likely that she and Ron would not be speaking for a while.
Draco had been nothing but patient. He'd left her alone, for the most part. He'd sent a single red carnation Friday afternoon, with a note that he had missed her companionship that week and he wanted her to know that when she was ready, he would be there for her. It was sweet and thoughtful and made Georgiana's heart feel a bit better...a bit lighter after everything that had happened.
As far as Georgiana was aware, Draco didn't know she was planning on attending the gala tonight, and she was hoping it would stay a surprise. As protocol would dictate, she and her Father would be the last to arrive, and would be formally introduced at that time before the rest of the peerage. If Draco and Narcissa were truly planning on attending, Draco would learn of her attendance along with the rest of the guests and she could only hope that he'd be pleased with seeing her there.
Making her way through the floo and into the sitting room at Kensington Palace, Georgiana sighed in relief at being home. She'd missed her parents, her brother and her grandparents immensely these past couple months. It was hard to wrap her mind around the fact that she wasn't just Hermione anymore...but actually Georgiana...and somedays it was overwhelming and other days, it felt like her life had always been this way.
Georgiana had been honest with Ronald when she'd told him if things with Draco didn't work, she'd be leaving the Magical World behind for good. She wouldn't be able to go back and try to live a double life...not when everything her heart had craved for so long, was no longer an option for her. It would all come down to whether or not Draco could accept his place in the Muggle World by her side, and if he could actually set aside his innate prejudices in the process. Georgiana knew it was a lot to ask of someone who'd grown up hating everything Muggles represented...Draco had grown up hating her...not the 'real' her, but her persona as Hermione was an integral part of whom she fundamentally was...just a bit freer and a lot bossier...but the desire to be the best and help others was at the core of Georgiana Kensington.
Heading up to her suite of rooms, Georgiana couldn't help but feel anxious about the evenings festivities. She would only admit it to herself, that she desperately wanted tonight to be perfect...anything less would feel like a disappointment...
When she got to her room, she smiled at the dress that was lying on her bed...obviously something her mother had picked out for the evening. It was simple in its elegance and completely appropriate for the gala tonight. The dress was a deep plum color and fitted from shoulders to the floor. The top of the dress had a simple V neck and flared out to the floor in a elegant fish-tail style that was minimalistic without being showy. The material sparked slightly, and was a soft chiffon with a shimmering metallic overlay. It was a truly an elegant dress, and as Georgiana stared at it, she could only hope that she could do it justice.
Looking at the time, and realizing that breakfast would be served soon, Georgiana knew that she wasn't particularly hungry, so she stripped off her clothes and curled up under her comforter, falling asleep quickly...
It was several hours later when Georgiana awoke to a soft knocking at her door. Yawning and stretching out her tired limbs, she muttered out a 'come in.'
When the door opened, her mother peeked inside and smiled widely at her daughter, who still looked quite sleepy.
"Should I come back later?"
Shaking her head in the negative, Georgiana sat up a bit and gestured for her mother to enter. "No, it's okay mum. I'm just waking up. I didn't realize how exhausted I was...I haven't been sleeping well this week at all."
Eloise walked in and sat down at the end of her daughter's bed, concern radiating from her eyes. "I haven't heard from you at all this week and I was beginning to worry."
"I know mum, I've had a lot on my mind."
"Did you speak with Mr. Weasley?"
Georgiana sighed and nodded sadly. "Yes, yesterday."
"And how did that go, dearest?"
"About how I expected it to go. Ronald was devastated, but not for the exact reasons I'd thought he'd be. He told me he couldn't continue to court me and see me do the same with Draco. Apparently his innate prejudices were too much for him to get past. Does it make me a bad person mum, that I felt more relieved than anything?"
Eloise shook her head and moved next to her daughter, giving her a comforting hug before answering her question.
"No, it doesn't make you a bad person little dove. You have every right to how you feel, and you should follow those feelings to whatever end it leads you. If Lord Malfoy is where your heart is guiding you, then you need to trust in your instincts, which have always been spot on. You wish to court Lord Malfoy, yes?"
Georgiana nodded. "I do. I want to try and see if Draco and I can make a real go of it."
"Then that's what you need to do." Eloise smiled in reassurance at her daughter. "I think that Lord Malfoy will surprise you tonight and hopefully if I'm correct, he will exceed even your Father's expectations."
"You think so?"
Eloise winked conspiratorially. "I do indeed."
Georgiana's eyes narrowed at her mum. "What are you up to mum?"
Eloise's laughter floated through the air like music as her sapphire eyes glinted with mischief. "What makes you think I'm up to something? Between you and your Father, I have to wonder why you both ascribe to the notion that I'm always plotting."
"Because you do most of the time."
Eloise shrugged. "I do what I must to make sure my children are happy and taken care of."
"Mum, am I going to be unhappy with whatever Machiavellian scheme you've got cooking?"
"I don't know what you could possibly be referring to, little dove. Now, lunch time is in a half-hour. Get up and come down and have lunch with your Father and I, and try to put these ludicrous thoughts from your mind and enjoy tonight."
Georgiana gave her mother a look of disbelief, but wisely chose not to comment further. If her mother was hatching some sort of plot, it was unlikely that she would confess it. Shaking her head in exasperation, Georgiana made her way into her ensuite to get ready for lunch. This evening would be here soon enough, and perhaps the time for worrying would soon be at an end.
