While You Slept
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 14
Tea at Greengrass Estate was something that Dorea had forgotten, after many years of self-isolation. It was that all of the society of women and daughters were a part of. She even saw Lady Augusta Longbottom in attendance.
Hermione had worn a nice minty green looking dress, with matching lace at her sleeves and bottom of the dress. While Dorea wore her a light grey, not afraid to be shown in it. At least not her act. She owned the color.
Once, they were allowed entry into the eat room. Dorea did her duty to introduce Hermione to the society women. Dorea walked over to Lady Greengrass, giving her a slight bow.
"Hermione, meet Lady Nora Greengrass." The woman nodded in return. "And her daughters, Daphne," a dark, high curly haired beautiful girl. She looked like she could empower the space by looking hard and uncaring.
"And Astoria." She was a beautiful girl, with blonde hair that looked straw color but flowing.
"This is Hermione," Dorea had gone on. Hermione bowed to each one of them. Showing a sign of respect, while they were in their house.
"Thank you for responding to my invitation, Dorea." Nora smiled at her with a knowing smile. "It has been ages since our last get together."
"Yes, it has. I believe it was the Yule Ball of 1978." Dorea fired off the last get together that she had hosted. 'Dear lord, time has truly slipped by.'
It was from there that the high society women had gotten a taste of Hermione Potter and her high intelligence. She showed it in such a way that everyone was either baffled by what they had learned. Or simply requested by her fellow peers to be their study partners. Those that wanted to be her friends were Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, which Dorea could find no issues with them being her friends. It was Pansy Parkinson, who seemed too snooty for her taste. But yet her father could be more troublesome than one would expect.
Augusta was, like always, set in her ways for the likes of change. But then again, she set her own set of rules for society to bend to her will. Which, for that reason, she only smiled at her and spoke softly. "It was time for the men to have a taste of their own medicine. Especially that old headmaster, who had forgotten us lowly people who fought a good fight for him."
Yes, Dorea was within the ranks of her peers again. She knew how to play the game well. She could see that her new granddaughter was playing it well, at least from where she was sitting. Furthermore, she had even managed to get Pansy to smack her mouth closed. It was a game well-earned.
"What are you planning on doing, since you stepped out into society again, Dorea," asked Lady Nott. Who, Dorea, could not remember her first name, for the life of her.
"I am planning many things, you are going to have to be a little more direct," she smiled. As a cup reached her lips.
Nora smiled knowingly. "Are we going to experience one of your Yule Balls this year? I must say, I have missed seeing the grand ballroom that the Potter Manor has."
Dorea smiled, yes, the Potter Manor ballroom was the talk of society. She would always try to outdo herself every year. With different and new ice sculptures that she had managed to create on her own. It was always something that she would do and not allow anyone else to take the credit. Not even hiring someone else to plan or decorate the place. No, it was all her and her wand.
"Ball," asked Hermione from her seat. "You planned balls, grandmother?"
"She doesn't just plan them, child," Petria Parkinson smiled. "She even went as far as doing it herself. She holds the awards for the best decorations in all society." She turned towards her with a thoughtful look. "How many do you hold, Dorea? Was it twelve?"
Dorea shook her head. "No, Petria. I have the longest holding of twenty out of the thirty that I have done. I had a gap year of five, because I was still freshly married at the time. Then a few years, while James was still way too young."
Hermione placed her tea and saucer down on the table. "Do you think you could have another ball this year, grandmother?"
She noticed at the edge of her eyes that she saw Narcissa Malfoy looked a little uncomfortable. Then turned to the blonde woman. "Narcissa, I am happy to see you again. Did you have a ball that is coming up?"
Narcissa nodded her head. "Yes, the Summer Solstice Gala, Aunt Dorea. It is a fundraiser gala for Hogwarts. Since my husband is on the board of governors of the school. They need more funds to keep the school going."
"A noble cause," stated Dorea. She knew all about the funds for the school to keep going. Since, she had hosted an event a time or two. "Do you have the invitations in the mail, yet?"
Narcissa nodded her head. "I have and since I had a feeling that I may be seeing you today. I have brought your invitation with me." She opened up her clutch that she had in her lap. Brought out a letter and handed it over to Dorea. "I look forward to seeing you, your husband and grandchildren, Aunt Dorea."
Dorea opened up the seal of the Malfoy family coat of arms. Only to see a richly cream thick card with light golden letters, indicating that it was indeed a Summer Solstice Gala for funding Hogwarts. She pulled out a small sized card that matched the invitation for an RSVP. She found a quill near her and marked that she would be going with a plus five.
Not only that, but she would be asking Beth and her son to come with her to the ball. Dorea then gave the RSVP to Narcissa, who placed the card back into her bag. Then everyone asked what kind of theme of the gala was going to be.
Narcissa smiled, "The color themed will be lilac and silver. With the hopes of masquerading as flowers and nature as a whole. Along with a bonfire to end the evening with. Burning cards to wish a good coming year."
Petria giggled, "Please, it's an outdoor ball in the gardens, like always, Narcissa." She smiled, "When are you going to allow others to do a gala?"
Narcissa smiled, even though her gray-blue eyes became cold. "I will outdo myself this year. Now that I have my aunt back in society. I will prove that my gala will be something to talk about for days."
Nora piped in, "Let me guess, you have nothing planned, yet?"
The other women giggled softly. But the cold sculptured face hadn't changed on Narcissa. Telling Dorea that she had planned something, something that she had been waiting for a while to do. Causing Dorea to sit back in her seat with a smile.
"Alright, Narcissa. I can't wait to see this gala, if that hint of spark in your eyes has anything to go on." Dorea then turned to the others. "Will we have a contest at the end of the year ball, like we would normally do?"
"There will be," stated Augusta with a knowing smile. "Which will be happening at Longbottom Manor this year."
Dorea looked at each of the other ladies. A smile graced her lips. "Since we are all here. Can you tell me about all the balls that are happening this year?"
"July will be another fundraising gala, at the Greengrass Manor. We are funding the continuation research for the Department of Mysteries," supplied Parkinson. "Inventions will go out after the Summer Solstice. Which my husband would greatly appreciate."
A coy smile graced Parkinson. "We are having a ball at the ministry in mid-August. Where families can bring their children and get to know each other, before school starts in September."
September Lucretia Fawley, Fall Solstice. She wanted an autumn theme night. With yellow, orange and red. "It should be a colorful night," she smiled in wonder.
October Rowle, Halloween Ball for the younger children, who aren't old enough for Hogwarts. Since the Rowle family owned a small tower and not enough for a party. They decided to have it in Viking areas of the UK. Where they will let people know of the location, when the invitations were sent out in September.
In November, Dorea found it open, if she wanted to host a party at that time. Hoping that it would coincide with Burning Day. A Scottish holiday to remember the attempt on King James the First's life was spared, due to the disaster of a gunpowder plot.
December, Yule Ball, which will be held at Hogwarts. Since they had heard from the Daily Prophet that Headmaster Dumbledore wanted to host the event. Allowing children of all ages to enjoy the night until nine. Where everyone had a choice to head home with their families, or wait the next day for the train.
By the end of the day, Hermione made herself a couple of friends. Dorea knew that the Greengrass girls were a safe bet, out of all the kids that were there. But as for Pansy Parkinson, she didn't know if she would be nice to Hermione. Due to her bad attitude.