And we've made it! I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. It's got more Malfoy interaction, along with a little Blaise for those who've been asking about him.

Review and let me know what you think!

kayanat saif: I have noticed that there are some similarities to New Blood, which is an incredible story and anyone who hasn't read it should definitely go and read it now. I had the first few chapters of this written years ago, and I only recently realized that I had them. Anything that may seem similar was not intentional (and yes, even Jade's name, which is kind of crazy that a character I created 3 years ago can have the same name as a similar character in a similar story). But that's another topic for another time.

alix33: The shampoo was simply a potion that changes hair color, so that Hermione couldn't be recognized easily at the Malfoy Yule Ball.

One more note: I recently created a tumblr for this story. It can be found on my profile and will have pictures of the dresses (with more fun stuff to come!). You can also ask me questions, which I will do my best to answer.

The clock had just chimed 5 when Hermione, Daphne, Astoria, Jade, Rhea and Julianne gathered in Hermione's grandmother's cottage.

"Okay, report," Jade ordered immediately.

"The decorations are all up, and the gazebo is decorated as well," Julianne said.

"We added the flower baskets," Astoria chimed in.

"And everyone is dressed and ready with an hour to spare," Jade said triumphantly. Hermione looked around at her friends. Jade was right. The three Greengrasses were dressed in various shades of blue, with Julianne and Rhea wearing red and pink, respectively. She herself was dressed in the purple dress, the layers twirling whenever she spun around. Rhea had both straightened and curled her hair, the end result being loose curls flowing down her back. Hermione grinned inwardly as she remembered the salon trip - Astoria had scared two of the employees with her shrieking. Once she had calmed down, however, all six girls had gotten makeup that looked natural and simply enhanced their features. Of course, the older girls had promptly bought half of the shop's products, and Daphne and Hermione pretended they had no idea about makeup either.

"Time to go outside," Rhea said gently. Hermione blinked. Had she really been daydreaming for forty-five minutes?

~ Slytherin ~

The beach itself hadn't changed much. Julianne had set up these gorgeous floating lanterns, and they hovered above the girls as they eagerly scrambled to the boardwalk. Flower-decorated streamers were twisted over the railings, leading to a large gazebo. Julianne had charmed everything to be dirt-resistant, and so the gazebo was sparkling clean without a crumb of sand in sight. Streamers and flowers adorned the sides and ceiling, and wicker baskets of elaborately arranged flowers were hung from metal hooks. Small tables holding drinks and appetizers were clustered in the middle.

"This is gorgeous," Hermione breathed.

"Hermione, this is lovely," Charlotte exclaimed, rushing towards the younger girl. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to help, but it seems you girls had it all covered."

"We sure did," Jade said smugly. "Hermione, I'm going to go start greeting guests. You can either stay or come with me."

"I'll go," Hermione answered.

As they walked across the boardwalk, Jade explained how the guests would arrive. "We hooked up a small shack with a portable floo. People can arrive there and walk to the gazebo, or just hang out on the boardwalk."

Hermione nodded, noticing the waiters who were walking around, carrying appetizers. "Everything looks great. Thank you so much," she said earnestly.

"Hermione," Jade said seriously, stopping her. "You are going to do great things one day. And this? This is just the beginning."

"You really think so?" Hermione asked, biting her lip.

"I know so," Jade corrected. "You've been interested in a certain book I lent you, right?" Hermione nodded. "Going on the assumption that you've been doing some research of your own, do you understand- Ahh, Lord and Lady Malfoy!"

Hermione looked around, puzzled for a second before she realized that the Malfoys were approaching her. "Welcome," she offered. "Thank you for coming."

"The pleasure was all ours," Lucius Malfoy said smoothly, dipping his head a little. "Miss Greengrass."

"Lord Malfoy," Jade said promptly. "Might I formally introduce you to Miss Hermione Granger?"

"Lovely to meet you," Narcissa smiled slightly. "Have you met my son Draco?"

Hermione nodded, realizing what Narcissa hadn't said. By mentioning that Draco was her son, she had associated "Draco" with "Malfoy" and "power". And asking if the pair had met allowed Hermione to feel as if she was giving out information, when in reality Narcissa likely knew every detail of Draco and Hermione's conversations. "We've spoken occasionally," she answered.

"Thank you for inviting us, Granger," Draco said, giving her a small bow as was appropriate.

Hermione curtseyed back. "Please, call me Hermione."

"Are your parents here tonight?" Narcissa asked innocently. "I would love to meet them."

"Unfortunately, they are not," Hermione said apologetically. "They had an important meeting that couldn't be missed."

"I would love to meet them sometime," Narcissa pressed.

Hermione gave her a fake smile. "Of course. When they get back from America, I'll have to arrange something." She paused and tilted her head to the side. "They're very busy, though, so it might have to wait until the holidays. Perhaps a shopping expedition in Paris? We typically fly there for spring break."

"I look forwards to it," Narcissa said with a tight-lipped smile.

Hermione turned to Jade as the Malfoys left. "Did that go well?" she asked nervously.

"Oh, great," Jade said casually. "Except for the part where you promised to have Narcissa Malfoy meet your muggle parents."

Hermione winced. "I'll worry about that later," she said, waving her hand in the air. "Come on, we're at a party! Let's have fun!"

Jade sighed. "You have a lot to learn, young Hermione," she said, but allowed Hermione to go and join the kids her age, who were hanging by the food tables.

~ Slytherin ~

"Hermione!" Tracey squealed. "This party is awesome!"

"Thank you," Hermione grinned back.

"Nice going, Granger," Blaise nodded at her.

"It's nothing compared to what mine will be, of course," Pansy said haughtily.

"Lighten up, Parkinson," Blaise said easily. "Come on, Hermione, let's dance."

Hermione blushed. "Sure."

Hermione let Blaise pull her out to the boardwalk, where music was playing from invisible speakers. Blaise led her to where the wooden floor opened up, and spun her around a few times.

"This is so much cooler than being stuck at home!" Daphne whispered to her when the girls were next to each other. Hermione only had time to smile back before Theo Nott, who Daphne was dancing with, twirled her away.

Hermione turned back to Blaise and pulled him a little closer, enjoying dancing with her handsome Italian friend. Around her were Daphne and Tracey, who had quickly become two of her closest friends, along with many of her Hogwarts classmates. Jade and Rhea were dancing with twin boys Hermione knew were in their seventh year, while Julianne was talking quietly with a fairly cute Ravenclaw. Everyone who had welcomed her to the Wizarding world was with her now, and Hermione beamed happily, wishing that every night could be as magical as this one was.