The ball night arrived very soon. A few hours before its opening, Hermione saw her younger self having a hard time trying to do something with her hair. She slowly came to her, a smile on her lips.

"Can I help you?" She offered.

"You're a Narnian, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"What's your name?"

"H... Helena. Like the first queen of Narnia. Do you want me to help?"

Young Hermione let out a desperate sigh.

"Yes, please...!"

Her older self had a smile, took a hair potion bottle, and applied it on her hair, thus making them easier to work with. She had a rather good memory of what she had looked like that night, and tried to reproduce it as well as she could. After a full hour of work, she was finally satisfied.

"What do you think?" She asked.

"It's beautiful... you look sad. Are you okay?"

"I... I'm fine, don't worry. I'm just remembering my last ball, and it didn't go too well."

"I see... your turn, now."

And the older Hermione sat on the chair, while her younger version was combing her hair, giving her a beautiful hairdress for her second ball. They then put on their evening dresses, a pale pink for the younger one, as the older one's was deep blue. They then went downstairs, giving each other an arm, to join their dancing partners. Peter, after staring at her for a moment, bowed to the older Hermione and offered her his arm.

"You look ravishing, miss." He said.

And indeed, she was. Radiant, even. She took the arm he was offering her, and accompanied him in the great hall. It was soon time for the ball opening. The champions made their entrance. First was Harry with Padma Patil, then Edmund and Lucy, then Fleur, walking in with a boy named Roger Davis. They were followed by the young Hermione, holding the arm of the very proud Viktor Krum. Finally, Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory were the last to enter. Coincidentally, Peter and Hermione found themselves right next to Ron and Parvati Patil.

"Isn't that... Hermione Granger?! With Viktor Krum!" Parvati exclaimed.

Hermione could see Ron's face closed instantly, and tensed herself. Peter noticed.

"What's going on?" He asked.

She didn't answer, and just squeezed his hand harder. The young king followed her eyes, and understood instantly.

"Forget about it. He's just jealous. Who wouldn't be?"

Soon the music started, and the five champions started waltzing with their partners. After some time, they were joined on the dance floor by the Headmaster, accompanied by professor Sinistra. General Glozelle soon joined the dancers, accompanied by Professor MacGonagall, which caused both Hermiones to giggle. The students shortly joined them. As he was waltzing with his sister, Ed remarked Edmund was dancing with a familiar silhouette.

"Look!" He told Lucy.

"What?"

"It's Luna..."

And a radiant smile lit up Lucy's face.

"That's a sign!" She said. "You're both in love with her."

And Ed suddenly and inexplicably felt lighter. She was right. It was indeed a sign. After a few traditional waltz, Professor Flitwick announced that the rest of the evening would be hosted by a group called the Weird Sisters, who, judging by the non-Narnians reaction, was apparently very popular. All the Narnians gathered around Hermione, waiting for her advice.

"Follow the lyrics!" She said. "Or just do whatever you want!"

The young woman seemed over-excited, and they all decided to let go. Hermione experienced a great evening with Peter, who made her dance until late in the night, and managed to make her forget that Ron was being a total jerk. At the end of the evening, while they were slow-dancing, Ed came closer to them, dancing with Lucy, and leaned discretely toward them.

"Look..." He said.

And they saw, in a distance, two couples kissing. The first one was Caspian and Susan, and the other one was Edmund and Luna. Hermione had a tender smile. That's when, outside the great hall, they heard young Hermione arguing with Ron. Her older safe started going to her, but Peter held her arm.

"Stay!" He said.

Lucy gave her older brother a look, and then glanced at the young woman.

"I'll go." she declared.

And as Ed let her go, she got out of the room to join the hallway. The fight was now over, and the young Hermione was alone, bitterly crying on the stairs, and on the end of her evening. Lucy came to sit with her.

"Are you alright?" She asked. "I've heard you arguing."

The witch wiped her tears away.

"It's nothing." she said. "My friend Ronald is just an idiot."

"My brothers can be idiots, too, believe me. What happened?"

"He's been obnoxious all night, just because I went to the ball with Viktor."

"I see..."

"I know, it's stupid, right?"

"But did you have a good evening?"

"Yes, until now!" She said with a dark laugh.

"You and... Viktor, is that it? You get along quite well, don't you?"

"Yes! He's very kind to me!"

"Then enjoy your happiness. Don't let others ruin it. You're beautiful, when you're happy."

Hermione had a poor smile.

"It's nice to say that. Especially from the fairest of the Pevensies."

"You're wrong. Susan is way more beautiful than me."

"That's not what the person who wrote your story thought."

Lucy slightly blushed, and Hermione had a proper smile.

"Thank you for your advice." She said. "I'm feeling better, now. Good night."

And as the young Hermione left, Lucy went back to the great hall.

"Thank you, Lucy." the older Hermione said. "And thank you, Peter."

"I just wanted you to have a good evening." Peter said.

"I did. Thanks to you. I'll save you a dance for my wedding..." she said with a smile.

"That's a date!" He replied.

And she laughed. Soon the Yule ball ended, and it was time to go to bed.