The Sisterhood
Harry ran a gloved hand through his ebony hair. He vaguely registered that his attempts to tame it, mildly successful as they were, were being completely destroyed. He glanced at Ron, who was nervously fixing his tie. He saw Harry looking at him.
"Don't even say it. I know look like an idiot in this thing." He sighed. "Why do we have to wear these again?"
Fred appeared.
"Because you want to look like a gentleman for your date." He answered, swatting Ron's hand away from his tie.
"You're worse than Mum." Fred just laughed. Harry grinned slightly and looked at his fellow entrapped gentlemen. Rei and Mina had come to Gryffindor Tower late that afternoon, well after Ginny and the others had left, and issued them each a tuxedo and gloves.
*Flashback*
"You will wear everything I am handing you, even the gloves." Rei had instructed.
"Why?" Fred had inquired incredulously.
"Because you are to be gentlemen of the court." Mina answered. "Didn't Ami go over all of this?"
The men nodded and Rei sighed an agitated sigh.
"Then why are we going over it again?"
Fred and George shrugged. Mina shook her head with a small giggle and began final instructions...
*End Flashback*
Ron, needless to say, was as uncomfortable as Harry. Fred and George were dismayed at the complete lack of trouble they could get into, due to the promise they had given Ginny to stay out of trouble. Sirius and Remus seemed used to these outfits and were chatting in large armchairs by the fire. Percy was tramping about importantly, as always. The Common Room had cleared out about half an hour earlier. The rest of the School was already at the Palace. The gentlemen here, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and the Sisterhood were to arrive 'fashionably late' so to make an interance. Harry noticed Sirius standing up.
"Moony informs me that it is finally time to go and join the ladies." There was collective mummering as various activities and conversations were brought to an end. Sirius called Harry to him.
"You go in front there, Harry."
"What for?"
"So I can catch you when you see Ginny." He grinned a rogueish grin and gave Harry a small push. They filed out of Gryffindor Tower and trapsed to the Enterance Hall. There was a collective gasp from the company. It seemed as if goddesses had gathered at Hogwarts. Setsuna turned. She had donned a strappless garnet colored satin gown for the occasion.
"Hello, gentlemen." She smiled. Harry felt Sirius move from behind him. He decended the last of the stairs and executed a formal bow in front of Setsuna.
"My Lady." He kissed her black-gloved hand. "You look positively exquisite this evening."
"And you, sir, are a shameless flatterer."
"And you love me."
She chuckled. The rest of the men moved down the stairs, finding their respective dates.
(AN: Is it going to kill you if I don't go into detail over their outfits? *dodges random sharp objects being thrown her way*)
Well, except for Charlie and Bill, who were going on their own. It seemed that Haruka and Michiru were going with each other, which had floored everyone but Sirius, Remus, and the Sisterhood.
Harry stood next to Ron and looked for his angel. Not finding her, he looked for Hermione. She wasn't there either.
"Where are they?" Ron whispered to Harry.
"I don't know." He answered back.
Hotaru looked up from Remus, who seemed to be amusing her mildly with a story of the Marauders and fixed her cool gaze upon them. As if she could read minds, she answered Ron's whispered inquiry.
"Hermione and Virginia should be along soon."
"Is there anything wrong?" Harry asked, hoping his voice didn't betray his anxiousness.
Haruka smiled evilly. "A bit eager there, aren't we?"
Harry fumbled for an excuse that would save his life when Hermione saved it yet again.
"Leave poor Harry alone."
Harry smirked as Ron's mouth fell open. Hermione stood there in the doorway. Her hair was no longer bushy, but put into a very elegant hair style. She was wearing dark blue dress robes with silver stars and swirls on it. (AN: See the Slumber Party chapter for more details.) The robes cut moderately low, showing off her lightly tanned skin. She smiled shyly at Ron.
"And where is the guest of honor?" Sirius asked, intwining his hand with Setsuna's.
"Here." Came a small voice from behind Hermione. Hermione smiled wider and stepped out of the way. Harry's knees weakend and his jaw went slack. Virginia Weasley stood there in the sunset looking every inch the princess that she was.
The rays from the sun rested on her hair, setting it on fire. It had been manipulated into a very complicated, but very beautiful, up-do. Her hair had been criss-crossed across the crown of her head and emeralds had been threaded into it. A bit from either side of her face had been braided and wrapped around her head. With her hair pulled away from her face, Harry could plainly see the emerald symbol that gleamed on her alabaster forehead. Her brown eyes had been accented gently with copper eyeshadow, and a honey-colored gloss adorned her lips giving him an inane desire to kiss her.
Her dress had a low, square neckline. It was modest enough, but still left Harry's cheeks an interesting shade of red. The sleeves were common in her dresses. The generous fabric cascaded that down her arms split at the top, leaving her arms almost bare. To keep the sleeves from falling off her arms, the fabric had been joined at intervals by small silver buttons engraved with the symbol of Jupiter. The dress had an empire waist, the top being deep green satin criss-crossed with silver ribbon. The skirt was long and had many layers, also made of green satin. As she began to step across the room to him, the fabric floated around her small sandled feet.
Her awed brothers parted easily for her, and she joined Harry on the stairs. Hermione smiled proudly as she felt the tears begin to fill her eyes, and the look was echoed on Ron's face.
'Well,' Harry thought, slowly overcoming the spell she had woven over him, 'if I'm going to be a gentleman, now's the time to start.'
Mimicking Sirius, he bowed, but instead of kissing the top of Ginny's hand he turned it over and brushed his lips across her palm. He felt a slight shiver go through her. He straightened and lost himself in her eyes for a moment. When a lone tear ran down her cheek, the spell was lost. He sent her a questioning glance, and she gave him a wide smile. He smiled back. They turned to survey the silent crowd that had been observing them. Ron and Hermione looked extremely happy, with their hands joined. The Sisterhood looked very proud (Haruka was between proud and murderous). Sirius had a satisfied fatherly look on his face. Remus looked to be reminicing over something. The twins had indentical scheming looks.
"Ready to go?" He asked her.
"Absolutely."
They left Hogwarts and crossed the grounds to the palace. Everytime Harry stole a glance at Ginny, his breath left his body. Little did he know, she was experiencing the same thing.
'I wonder if the knows how amazingly handsome he is in that...' She thought to herself as they reached the doors. Setsuna and Sirius led the way past the ball room they had used the day before. They found themselves at a much grander set of doors.
"Alright. Stay here untill you hear your names announced." Setsuna instructed them. She dissappeared, probably to inform whoever was annoucing that they were there. Serenity, who had been missing up to this point (though Harry had been too distracted to notice) now showed up on th arm of a man that Harry did not know. She gestured to him.
"Everyone, this is Prince Endymion."
He gave a short bow. Serenity pointed out Ginny.
"Endy, this is Lady Virginia and these people will be her court."
He smiled at Ginny.
"I must beg your forgiveness, My Lady, but I am too enamored with my darling Serena to leave her long enough to convey my greetings properly." Ginny smiled. So this was the charming Endymion that Serena always talked about.
Fred and George snorted with laughter and were elbowed by their dates.
Setsuna returned to Sirius.
"Good to see you again, Endymion. Is everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded the affirmative. From inside they heard:
"Masters Bill and Charlie Weasley."
The two single males entered the ball room. A few moments later:
"Princess Setsuna of Pluto escorted by Mr. Sirius Black."
The grand doors opened and Sirius and Setsuna dissappeared into the light behind them. Harry waited anxiously for his and Ginny's turn. Even though it seemed like forever, the time came when he and Ginny were the only ones left in the hall. She threaded her arm though his and he caug From behind the doors came:
"Lady Virginia of Jupiter escorted by Master Harry Potter."
When the doors opened and they stepped inside, Harry was momentarily blinded by the change of light. When his eyes adjusted he registered that a starcase spread below them. Harry looked about and identified all of the Sisterhood, their dates, Professor Dumbledore, Minister Fudge, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They were both postively shining with pure pride. As they began their journey down the green carpeted stairs, Harry also noted that the whole school was in attendance. Dean Thomas was giving him a thumbs up from behind the back of his date. Ginny caught Harry's hand and gave it a slight sqeeze. He looked at her and she gestured to his right slightly with her head before continuing to smile regally at her guests. He looked discreetly and saw Malfoy, who had recently come back to school after putting his father's affairs in order, staring at Ginny. He seemed to have missed his mouth in his awe of her and was now spilling wine down the front of his dress robes. Harry had a very hard time stifiling his laughter.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, the crowd that had gathered there made a wide circle. A soft piano started to play and was soon joined by the soothing strains of a violin. Harry smiled and bowed to Ginny and she returned a curtsey. He offered his hand and led her out to the floor. They began the waltz he had learned yesterday while everyone looked on.
"You're getting good at this." She whispered to him.
"It helps to have you as a partner." He replied and winked. She turned a very becoming shade of pink.
When the song ended, they bowed and curtsied respectively and left the floor, allowing the rest of the court and Sisterhood to occupy it with their dates. Bill and Charlie had taken girls from Hogwarts and were now attempting to lead them in the dance.
As the night wore on, Ginny danced with all of her brothers, her father, Professor Dumbledore, Remus, Sirius, and to her displeasure, Minister Fudge. She came back and told Harry that, for the Minister, he couldn't dance worth a pile of Berti Botts. Harry found this quite amusing.
"You know something?" He asked her as she refreshed herself with a sip of wine.
"What's that?"
"I've only danced once with you all evening."
It was true. He had danced with Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and most of the Sisterhood, but only once with his own date.
"Really?" She tried to recollect each of her dances. She realized that he was right.
"Yes. It was a seige." He chuckled. "They swooped down on you and took you from me."
Mina appeared behind them.
"Well, that simply won't do." She said. They jumped. She joined their hands and thrust them both out onto the dance floor. She commissioned the rest of the Sisterhood to be sure that Ginny was not taken from Harry's arms for the rest of the eveing. And, to both Harry and Ginny's utter delight, the Sisterhood took their job very seriously.
Author's Note: How long has it been, dear readers? I've had a horrid case of wrighter's block. Couple that with all of the preparation for back to school... Anyway, I am extremely sorry for the disgusting amount of time that it took to write this chapter. It's not very long, and it probably has enough spelling and grammar errors in it to make my English teacher have a coronary. Please forgive me!
Next Chapter: Ginny's Coronation!
Harry ran a gloved hand through his ebony hair. He vaguely registered that his attempts to tame it, mildly successful as they were, were being completely destroyed. He glanced at Ron, who was nervously fixing his tie. He saw Harry looking at him.
"Don't even say it. I know look like an idiot in this thing." He sighed. "Why do we have to wear these again?"
Fred appeared.
"Because you want to look like a gentleman for your date." He answered, swatting Ron's hand away from his tie.
"You're worse than Mum." Fred just laughed. Harry grinned slightly and looked at his fellow entrapped gentlemen. Rei and Mina had come to Gryffindor Tower late that afternoon, well after Ginny and the others had left, and issued them each a tuxedo and gloves.
*Flashback*
"You will wear everything I am handing you, even the gloves." Rei had instructed.
"Why?" Fred had inquired incredulously.
"Because you are to be gentlemen of the court." Mina answered. "Didn't Ami go over all of this?"
The men nodded and Rei sighed an agitated sigh.
"Then why are we going over it again?"
Fred and George shrugged. Mina shook her head with a small giggle and began final instructions...
*End Flashback*
Ron, needless to say, was as uncomfortable as Harry. Fred and George were dismayed at the complete lack of trouble they could get into, due to the promise they had given Ginny to stay out of trouble. Sirius and Remus seemed used to these outfits and were chatting in large armchairs by the fire. Percy was tramping about importantly, as always. The Common Room had cleared out about half an hour earlier. The rest of the School was already at the Palace. The gentlemen here, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and the Sisterhood were to arrive 'fashionably late' so to make an interance. Harry noticed Sirius standing up.
"Moony informs me that it is finally time to go and join the ladies." There was collective mummering as various activities and conversations were brought to an end. Sirius called Harry to him.
"You go in front there, Harry."
"What for?"
"So I can catch you when you see Ginny." He grinned a rogueish grin and gave Harry a small push. They filed out of Gryffindor Tower and trapsed to the Enterance Hall. There was a collective gasp from the company. It seemed as if goddesses had gathered at Hogwarts. Setsuna turned. She had donned a strappless garnet colored satin gown for the occasion.
"Hello, gentlemen." She smiled. Harry felt Sirius move from behind him. He decended the last of the stairs and executed a formal bow in front of Setsuna.
"My Lady." He kissed her black-gloved hand. "You look positively exquisite this evening."
"And you, sir, are a shameless flatterer."
"And you love me."
She chuckled. The rest of the men moved down the stairs, finding their respective dates.
(AN: Is it going to kill you if I don't go into detail over their outfits? *dodges random sharp objects being thrown her way*)
Well, except for Charlie and Bill, who were going on their own. It seemed that Haruka and Michiru were going with each other, which had floored everyone but Sirius, Remus, and the Sisterhood.
Harry stood next to Ron and looked for his angel. Not finding her, he looked for Hermione. She wasn't there either.
"Where are they?" Ron whispered to Harry.
"I don't know." He answered back.
Hotaru looked up from Remus, who seemed to be amusing her mildly with a story of the Marauders and fixed her cool gaze upon them. As if she could read minds, she answered Ron's whispered inquiry.
"Hermione and Virginia should be along soon."
"Is there anything wrong?" Harry asked, hoping his voice didn't betray his anxiousness.
Haruka smiled evilly. "A bit eager there, aren't we?"
Harry fumbled for an excuse that would save his life when Hermione saved it yet again.
"Leave poor Harry alone."
Harry smirked as Ron's mouth fell open. Hermione stood there in the doorway. Her hair was no longer bushy, but put into a very elegant hair style. She was wearing dark blue dress robes with silver stars and swirls on it. (AN: See the Slumber Party chapter for more details.) The robes cut moderately low, showing off her lightly tanned skin. She smiled shyly at Ron.
"And where is the guest of honor?" Sirius asked, intwining his hand with Setsuna's.
"Here." Came a small voice from behind Hermione. Hermione smiled wider and stepped out of the way. Harry's knees weakend and his jaw went slack. Virginia Weasley stood there in the sunset looking every inch the princess that she was.
The rays from the sun rested on her hair, setting it on fire. It had been manipulated into a very complicated, but very beautiful, up-do. Her hair had been criss-crossed across the crown of her head and emeralds had been threaded into it. A bit from either side of her face had been braided and wrapped around her head. With her hair pulled away from her face, Harry could plainly see the emerald symbol that gleamed on her alabaster forehead. Her brown eyes had been accented gently with copper eyeshadow, and a honey-colored gloss adorned her lips giving him an inane desire to kiss her.
Her dress had a low, square neckline. It was modest enough, but still left Harry's cheeks an interesting shade of red. The sleeves were common in her dresses. The generous fabric cascaded that down her arms split at the top, leaving her arms almost bare. To keep the sleeves from falling off her arms, the fabric had been joined at intervals by small silver buttons engraved with the symbol of Jupiter. The dress had an empire waist, the top being deep green satin criss-crossed with silver ribbon. The skirt was long and had many layers, also made of green satin. As she began to step across the room to him, the fabric floated around her small sandled feet.
Her awed brothers parted easily for her, and she joined Harry on the stairs. Hermione smiled proudly as she felt the tears begin to fill her eyes, and the look was echoed on Ron's face.
'Well,' Harry thought, slowly overcoming the spell she had woven over him, 'if I'm going to be a gentleman, now's the time to start.'
Mimicking Sirius, he bowed, but instead of kissing the top of Ginny's hand he turned it over and brushed his lips across her palm. He felt a slight shiver go through her. He straightened and lost himself in her eyes for a moment. When a lone tear ran down her cheek, the spell was lost. He sent her a questioning glance, and she gave him a wide smile. He smiled back. They turned to survey the silent crowd that had been observing them. Ron and Hermione looked extremely happy, with their hands joined. The Sisterhood looked very proud (Haruka was between proud and murderous). Sirius had a satisfied fatherly look on his face. Remus looked to be reminicing over something. The twins had indentical scheming looks.
"Ready to go?" He asked her.
"Absolutely."
They left Hogwarts and crossed the grounds to the palace. Everytime Harry stole a glance at Ginny, his breath left his body. Little did he know, she was experiencing the same thing.
'I wonder if the knows how amazingly handsome he is in that...' She thought to herself as they reached the doors. Setsuna and Sirius led the way past the ball room they had used the day before. They found themselves at a much grander set of doors.
"Alright. Stay here untill you hear your names announced." Setsuna instructed them. She dissappeared, probably to inform whoever was annoucing that they were there. Serenity, who had been missing up to this point (though Harry had been too distracted to notice) now showed up on th arm of a man that Harry did not know. She gestured to him.
"Everyone, this is Prince Endymion."
He gave a short bow. Serenity pointed out Ginny.
"Endy, this is Lady Virginia and these people will be her court."
He smiled at Ginny.
"I must beg your forgiveness, My Lady, but I am too enamored with my darling Serena to leave her long enough to convey my greetings properly." Ginny smiled. So this was the charming Endymion that Serena always talked about.
Fred and George snorted with laughter and were elbowed by their dates.
Setsuna returned to Sirius.
"Good to see you again, Endymion. Is everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded the affirmative. From inside they heard:
"Masters Bill and Charlie Weasley."
The two single males entered the ball room. A few moments later:
"Princess Setsuna of Pluto escorted by Mr. Sirius Black."
The grand doors opened and Sirius and Setsuna dissappeared into the light behind them. Harry waited anxiously for his and Ginny's turn. Even though it seemed like forever, the time came when he and Ginny were the only ones left in the hall. She threaded her arm though his and he caug From behind the doors came:
"Lady Virginia of Jupiter escorted by Master Harry Potter."
When the doors opened and they stepped inside, Harry was momentarily blinded by the change of light. When his eyes adjusted he registered that a starcase spread below them. Harry looked about and identified all of the Sisterhood, their dates, Professor Dumbledore, Minister Fudge, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They were both postively shining with pure pride. As they began their journey down the green carpeted stairs, Harry also noted that the whole school was in attendance. Dean Thomas was giving him a thumbs up from behind the back of his date. Ginny caught Harry's hand and gave it a slight sqeeze. He looked at her and she gestured to his right slightly with her head before continuing to smile regally at her guests. He looked discreetly and saw Malfoy, who had recently come back to school after putting his father's affairs in order, staring at Ginny. He seemed to have missed his mouth in his awe of her and was now spilling wine down the front of his dress robes. Harry had a very hard time stifiling his laughter.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, the crowd that had gathered there made a wide circle. A soft piano started to play and was soon joined by the soothing strains of a violin. Harry smiled and bowed to Ginny and she returned a curtsey. He offered his hand and led her out to the floor. They began the waltz he had learned yesterday while everyone looked on.
"You're getting good at this." She whispered to him.
"It helps to have you as a partner." He replied and winked. She turned a very becoming shade of pink.
When the song ended, they bowed and curtsied respectively and left the floor, allowing the rest of the court and Sisterhood to occupy it with their dates. Bill and Charlie had taken girls from Hogwarts and were now attempting to lead them in the dance.
As the night wore on, Ginny danced with all of her brothers, her father, Professor Dumbledore, Remus, Sirius, and to her displeasure, Minister Fudge. She came back and told Harry that, for the Minister, he couldn't dance worth a pile of Berti Botts. Harry found this quite amusing.
"You know something?" He asked her as she refreshed herself with a sip of wine.
"What's that?"
"I've only danced once with you all evening."
It was true. He had danced with Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and most of the Sisterhood, but only once with his own date.
"Really?" She tried to recollect each of her dances. She realized that he was right.
"Yes. It was a seige." He chuckled. "They swooped down on you and took you from me."
Mina appeared behind them.
"Well, that simply won't do." She said. They jumped. She joined their hands and thrust them both out onto the dance floor. She commissioned the rest of the Sisterhood to be sure that Ginny was not taken from Harry's arms for the rest of the eveing. And, to both Harry and Ginny's utter delight, the Sisterhood took their job very seriously.
Author's Note: How long has it been, dear readers? I've had a horrid case of wrighter's block. Couple that with all of the preparation for back to school... Anyway, I am extremely sorry for the disgusting amount of time that it took to write this chapter. It's not very long, and it probably has enough spelling and grammar errors in it to make my English teacher have a coronary. Please forgive me!
Next Chapter: Ginny's Coronation!
