Hermione stared at the birthday card she had received from Ginny, signed by the rest of the Weasleys, Harry, Luna, and an indiscernible name that she had received last year. Seven months had passed since then and the Prevalence Ball held in celebration on the anniversary of the defeat of Voldemort was fast approaching.
Hermione disliked the ball, she would rather be at home with a book. Despite the war being won, the light winning over darkness, the Wizarding World suffered heavy losses. The economy had almost collapsed, much like The Great Depression from muggle history after the Muggle World War.
And the same Pureblood families that were being persecuted for their involvement in the war were the same families that had generational wealth locked tightly in Gringotts. Money that could save the economy, and the Pureblood families would have their fun by taking their pick on brides and husbands.
Hermione wasn't interested. Her parents were muggles and worked for muggle money, and even though Britain itself was going through a recession, her parents as Dentists were safe. She was okay with surviving on Muggle money and she knew in time that the Great Depression had recovered, so she had decided she wouldn't marry.
She planned on working her way back into the Ministry as soon as they could afford her and she had so many ideas to stop any political and economic woes from recurring in the future.
Plus, everyone else would pair with the Purebloods and they didn't need her to. She hated the lot of them, and marrying for status did not interest her.
The children of the Pureblood families, the ones Hermione had gone to school with at Hogwarts were all exempt from persecution as long as they kept a straight path from now on. A lot of them moved away to their foreign estates after the war, this contributed to the financial loss as well.
Now, they found themselves again at the top of the world. Without the Pureblood agenda, Hermione had to admit, but the idea that the money was associated with their status made it the same thing to her. Being Pureblood and having money, gloating of either or of those things turned Hermione's stomach into knots. It felt like a step backward.
Molly and Arthur had taken to visiting Hermione's parents almost every weekend since her birthday last year. They enjoyed each other's company, Hermione knew, but she couldn't shake the feeling that their friendship had its reasons. One, while Hermione was the Brightest Witch of her age and part of the team of three that helped kill Voldemort's hocruxes, she was still a mudblood and didn't have money. Molly and Arthur always played the match maker with Ron and her, sometimes bringing him with them when they would visit.
Ron and Hermione would sit in awkward silence, too afraid to tell their parents how badly they had broken up, and even though they had long forgiven each other, they both knew they were irreconcilable. She wondered sometimes why he didn't try harder to say no to the visits, but then she remembered the desperation for pairing and it was sometimes easier to say 'okay' than fight with your parents.
Two, Hermione knew her parents were starved for Wizarding World information, and Arthur and Molly Weasley were the perfect source on what was going on. Hermione knew that was why they were all of a sudden trying to find her a match and they had grown increasingly less subtle in their attempts.
It was Molly who had excitedly told Hermione's mother about Blaise Zabini renting the penthouse at the Vie, the most expensive Wizarding hotel in the heart of London. The Vie had survived the fall of the economy because they were owned, of course, by a Pureblood family. Hermione couldn't remember which.
She listened with her eyes glued to the pages of the book in her hand. They had all moved to the living room so Arthur could marvel at the television. It was the thing that held his fascination more than the conversation between the older ladies. Hermione's father was explaining the rules of football to Arthur.
"Hermione, you can go meet this Blaise fellow!" Hermione's mother said. "He will be at the Prevalence Ball!"
"Great, mom." Hermione said absentmindedly. "I'd much rather-"
"Read, yes dear, but you need to have fun every now and then." Hermione's mother finished.
"I remember him, Zabini. He's not my type." Hermione said as she turned a page.
"Nobody's your type," she heard her mother sigh. "You're 22 years old, when are you going to find someone?"
"Why do I need to find someone, mom?" Hermione said. Her eyes flicked up in impatience.
"You know why, sweetie." Her mother said.
"I don't mom. We're perfectly fine living on muggle money until things blow over." Hermione said. "And before you say we don't know how long that might take, everyone has the same idea. So when everyone else marries or whatever they want to do, we'll all be saved."
Hermione returned her attention to her book, leaving her mom silent, the tv blaring while Arthur occasionally gasped.
The Prevalence Ball couldn't be over with quickly enough.
Dresses were hard to come by because they were so expensive now that anyone only ever had money for the necessities. She wasn't going to spend her parent's money on a dress anyway, the whole Ball seemed too frivolous and such a waste of money these past couple years. So she transfigured one of her favourite curtains into a simple dress and tightened it to her body with the guide of a book she had borrowed from the Diagon Alley Library on wizard tailoring.
Hermione surveyed herself in the full length mirror. She liked this blue colour on her, it complimented her complexion. She felt incredibly lucky she was such a gifted witch and she was good at following instructions because the dress didn't look half bad. She heard Ginny's voice in her head saying ' Where's your skin Hermione?' and she removed the dress and laid it carefully on the bed. She flourished her wand at the back of the dress. A big scoop stitched its way into the back and she tried it on again.
A draft of wind cooled her back but she sucked in her breath and prayed it would be enough to appease Ginny from harassing her about her lack of sex appeal all night.
Hermione glared at her calendar, May the 2nd was tomorrow.
The following day, Hermione dragged her feet to ready herself. All the families were given portkeys in the form of the invite to the ball, this would allow the muggle born families to get to Hogsmeade without having to travel all the way to Scotland. It would be activated at promptly 6 pm, they were to arrive in Hogsmeade and take the carriages to the castle. The whole idea was nostalgic to Hermione and she felt a longing for her innocence, pre-war.
Finally, by 5 pm, she had given up with her hair and let it hang loose around her shoulders. Her mother had pursed her lips at her lack of effort.
"Your dress is so lovely! Why wouldn't you want to do your hair?" she asked as she fussed with the poofiness.
"Hey, you want me to get a potential husband. This is what he has to live with!" Hermione said and laughed at her mother's widened eyes. Hermione remembered some pearl accented hair pins and with a little assistance from magic, was able to push the hair from her face, the pearls dotting her hair like tiny jewels on the crown of her head.
With a touch of the tip of her wand to her lips, a pale pink tinge glossed her mouth and she gazed at her work in the mirror.
It would have to do.
Her father and mother had put on their muggle best, her mother in a swaying, floor length, deep red gown and her father in a smart looking blazer and dress shirt. They were bouncing with excitement as they watched Hermione descend the stairs. Hermione fought the blush she could feel creeping along her neck, she loved her parents but she refused to give them this satisfaction. Not when they had done this for the past three years.
"Ready, mom, dad?" Hermione asked as she took the portkey invite from the envelope. She placed it carefully on the table so they could all place a finger on it. Her mother and father smiled toothily and touched the invite. Hermione glanced at the clock on the wall and counted down the seconds.
When the second hand touched twelve, she felt the pull behind her navel and with a quick flick of her wand, she guaranteed her parents arrived upright. She pulled from her purse two potion bottles, enough for one gulp each and pushed it into their hands. They titled it back and took deep breaths.
"Why does all the wizard transport have to be so unpleasant?" Hermione's father said, sputtering a little.
"I'm just glad the anti-nausea potions work well enough." Hermione said as she drank her own. She was happy she had found one that was mildly mint flavoured so her parents weren't too adverse to drinking it.
She looked around and took a deep breath, feeling magic buzzing around her from the village of Hogsmeade that was bustling with a weird combination of villagers and formally dressed people. The night air was cool and her back felt more exposed than it had been in her bedroom. Hermione gripped her wand and cast a warming charm.
"Hermione!" Hermione spun. A flurry of red hair tackled into her, arms wrapping around her frame and holding tight.
"Hi, Gin." Hermione said, hugging her back. "You remember my parents."
"Hi Mr and Mrs Granger!" Ginny said. She gave them both quick hugs and a broad smile. Hermione could finally see her when she pulled away. Ginny was wearing an emerald green dress that draped around her neck leaving two long flowy strands in her wake. Long silver earrings shone as they dangled. Half her red hair was pulled into a little bun while the rest draped around her shoulder like fire.
"Woah, Gin. You look gorgeous!" Hermione said as she walked around her.
"You know, husband hunting." Ginny said with a wink. "Lucky mom's so good with clothes, she outdid herself."
Husband hunting?
"You can't be part of that nonsense too. What happened to you and Harry?" Hermione said, confusion brought her eyebrows together.
"Don't you read the prophet?" Ginny asked. Hermione stared at her.
"Hermione! Oh my goodness, you look beautiful!" Molly Weasley said as she bustled over, Arthur not far behind her.
"Hi Mrs Weasley. Hi Mr Weasley." Hermione said, breaking her gaze on Ginny to greet the red headed couple. She was pulled into a warm hug and she returned it.
"Shall we walk together?" Molly asked. Hermione's mother quickly agreed and the two women linked elbows, ducked their faces to each other as they talked excitedly about their daughters.
Hermione caught up with Ginny who had tried to sneak away.
"I haven't been reading the prophet since all this stupid "Pureblood marriage" business." Hermione said. Ginny avoided her eyes.
"We broke up." Ginny said.
"And that's all I need to know?" Hermione said, elbowing her in the ribs. Ginny opened her mouth but at the same, Hermione felt the wind get knocked out of her as she was tackled by another wild redhead.
"George!" Ginny said, swatting at him furiously.
"Oi, I just had to let her know she's lookin' great!" George said as he fended himself. George flashed a grin. "Husband hunting, Mione?"
Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes. "I'm here for the library, obviously."
"How could I forget? You're already married to the books!" George said. He squeezed her shoulder and disappeared through the crowd of people in the direction of dark braids of Angelina Johnson. Ginny followed him, and a group of girls hollered at her and greeted her with open arms and excited squeals.
"Ugh, seriously. Is anyone not thinking about finding their future spouses? When did the ball turn into a matchmaking event and not a celebration of victory." Hermione said to no one in particular.
"Careful, Mione." a familiar voice said from behind her. "People would think you're not here to find the love of your life."
"Harry!" Hermione said. She threw her arms around him and laughed. "My guess is you're here because you have to be?"
"You, Ron and me, yea." Harry said with a serious look. "Fucking stars of the part, we are. Can't celebrate the defeat of Voldemort without the people who did the heavy lifting. You'd think we deserve the chance to say no."
"Oh, at least we can leave as soon as dinner's over." Hermione said. She linked her elbow into his and smiled up at him. A bright flash blinded her and she looked around, trying to see beyond the white spots in her eyes toward the source.
"Oh!" Hermione groaned. It was Rita Skeeter. "Are you two the new couple? How do you feel, Hermione, knowing that Harry has just dumped Ginny Weasley and has rebounded so quickly? Are you worried about your future?"
"Fuck off, Rita." Hermione said. "Or I'll get the old jar out."
Rita paled for a moment before she quickly bustled away into the crowd, the bright flash of the camera's bulb following her.
"Man, Mione. You're a little bitter today, huh?" Harry teased. Hermione flashed him a wicked grin. They walked with the crowd toward the carriage pick up site, the low buzz of the crowd surrounding them.
"I've had my bullshit meter filled by the Prophet enough lately. Seeing the maker of the crappy stories is the last thing I want." Hermione said.
"Ready to go into the chaos?" Harry said. Hermione nodded and she walked to the usually horseless carriages and met the glowing white eyes of the Thestral. She reached a hand out to its nose and stroked it. She didn't mind them so much anymore, they were too gentle and not scary, and there was a need for gentleness after the war.
Harry helped her into the carriage and they were joined by Neville and Luna. Hermione had noticed Harry's nervous glances into the crowd and she knew he was avoiding Ginny.
"She's in a green dress, Harry." Luna said dreamily. "You can avoid the green dresses tonight."
"Um, thanks, Luna." Harry said. His cheeks pinkened and Hermione squeezed his arm. Harry gave her a sad smile that Hermione knew was meant to be a 'Don't worry about me." gesture. She made up her mind to keep her eye on him tonight.
Hermione wasn't worried about her parents because she knew the Weasley's would take care of them. Either way, the war was over, there was no danger to them and they had been to the castle twice before. Most muggles were filled with wonder each time though, as if seeing the castle for the first time, every time.
The barrier protecting the Hogwarts castle from Muggle's sight was upgraded, and now once they had passed through the perimeter, they would see the castle transform into the whole it was. There were still anti Muggle charms all around them, and they would not come here on their own volition. It worked well enough because no incidents were reported since the new system.
Hermione paid no attention to the staring as she, Harry, Luna, and Neville climbed from the carriage and made their way to the Great Hall. The sound of her heels echoed with everyone else's and disappeared into the murmurs that bounced around the walls. The castle was as enchanting as ever and Hermione soaked in the nostalgia. She spotted groups of ghosts who hovered through the hallways and walls, greeting those who knew them by name.
The sound of voices grew louder as they approached the double doors of the Great Hall and Hermione held her breath like she was preparing to dive into cold water.
Hermione looked first to the ceiling and ignored the hundreds of eyes she felt on her skin. Her breath escaped as she gazed at the ceiling, stars twinkling and the faint outlines of the colour of galaxies wove through the sky. She felt a sense of calm settle in her and she smiled. She could do this, get through this night.
The Great Hall was decorated with bright white and champagne colours, resembling a wedding and Hermione groaned. The very obvious thoughts of everyone in the magical community had manifested as decorations and she finally heard the hushed whispers as they flooded her ears. But she gripped Harry's arm tighter. He was her best friend and nothing more, and nobody was going to make her act otherwise just because they wanted to make something more out of it.
Hermione scanned the room for her parents and found them excitedly huddled as they absorbed their surroundings. She gave a soft chuckle and returned her attention to Harry.
Harry had gone still and his eyes had locked to a far corner of the Hall. He had just spotted Ginny and all the colour drained from his face. Hermione stepped between him and his view of the bright green dress.
"Hey, Cho's here. Go and dance with her, she looks a bit lonely." Hermione said and she nudged him in the direction of Cho who was wearing a beautiful midnight blue gown with tiny silver stars littering the hemline.
"Yea, right." Harry said and he allowed himself to be shimmied away. Hermione sighed. It was complicated enough, the whole economic collapse, but navigating who could be in the same room with whom was a task she didn't think would be on her to do list tonight.
Then the whispering and music died down to complete silence. Hermione looked around and saw everyone's gaze were directed at the Great Hall's open doors. She tiptoed and saw it was Blaise Zabini and…
"Malfoy." Hermione said in a quiet breath of air. His mother was on his right, dressed in a black gown that only highlighted her lithe body and elegance, and Blaise led their stroll into the room dressed in a richly coloured green jacket and black shirt and pants. They walked down the middle like some kind of royalty, parting the crowd as they proceeded.
Hermione made an impatient, disbelieving noise in the back of her throat, but no one seemed to hear her. Hungry eyes had set themselves onto Blaise and to Hermione's wonder, Malfoy.
Hermione met his cold grey eyes as they slid onto hers and she felt like she couldn't breathe.
