Disclaimer:  Not mine, because the voices in my head said so! 

            A/N:  Hi, it's me!  Did ya miss me?  No, I'm just kidding, anyways, before we go on, I'd like to introduce someone:

(^._.^)

  Hee hee, ain't it cute!  This is Aldous, he's my writing inspiration.  He's a little kitty, and he's shy, so don't yell at him when he's working slow.  He loves jelly beans, grape skittles, peanut m&m's, and of course, reviews!  He's happy to chat, so drop him a line!

Chapter 14

Gifts and Costumes

            That night at dinner, there was a feeling of excitement felt by everyone since gifts were to be exchanged at dinner, when everyone had finished with dessert.  Everyone ate quickly, anxious to see what they would receive.  The moment the last person had finished (Dumbledore, of course, never being impatient), there was a flurry of wings as hundreds of owls came swooping in carrying an array of different sized packages.  They dropped their packages at the plates of the intended receiver, and left.  There were shouts of joy as everyone opened their gift.  Harry received a book on famous qudditch players that he immediately started reading.  Ron received a black sweater with two orange C's on the front, representing of course the Chudley Cannons.  Ginny received a bath kit with lotions and oils in her favorite scent, vanilla almond.  Professor Dumbledore received a pair of thick woolen socks with the Hogwarts crest on them.  Draco received a box of Honeyduke's best dark chocolate.  Everyone had almost finished opening their gifts, but Hermione had yet to receive hers. 

"What's wrong Faith?" Draco mind-spoke, noticing Hermione's unhappy face.

"I haven't gotten a gift.  I think my secret wizard or witch forgot, or maybe doesn't like me so they're not sending one."

"Have faith, Faith.  You'll get one.  Wait, here comes a group of owls, they're heading towards you!"

"I think you're right, I'll talk to you later." She finished, ending their connection.

            Sure enough, coming her way was a large package being carried by four large owls.  Everyone stopped to watch as they flew towards Hermione, carefully setting the package on the table in front of her, and flew back to where they came from.  The package was very large, and rounded at the top.  Hermione stood up, and with some help from Harry and Ron, carefully pulled at the tape.  When the paper finally came off, everyone gasped in shock, even the teachers, for there on the table was a large cage containing a baby phoenix.  Phoenix's are rare, and very expensive.  While they can be caught, it's difficult, and most people don't have the patience. 

"Oh my goodness," Hermione gasped as she just stared in shock at the gorgeous creature in front of her, who was currently sleeping.  With her gasp, it opened it's eyes and slowly shook itself out of it's slumber.  Hermione smiled at it as she opened the cage door.  Without any hesitation, the bird stepped out and lightly hopped onto her shoulder, nuzzling it's beak against her head, cooing lightly. 

            A whistle sounded from the high table, and the bird turned and flew to Professor Dumbledore's outstretched arm.  After a brief pause, he extended his arm back towards Hermione.  The bird flew back, settling again on her shoulder. 

"The beautiful bird that you possess there, Miss Granger, is a female, so you can name her accordingly." Dumbledore announced from the high table.

"Thank you sir.  I think I'll name her...Merleana." she said happily.

"Beautiful choice for such a royal bird, naming her after the Empress of the Angels." He commented, his eyes twinkling.

"Thank you."

"You're quite welcome my dear.  Now that everyone has received gifts, you may all be dismissed.  Enjoy the rest of your evening!"

            Everyone filed out of the hall, talking about their gifts with their friends, and speculating as to who it could be.  (A/N:  I won't tell everyone's gifts, just Hermione's and Draco's for the rest of the week.)

            The next few days passed quickly with gazillions of gifts being exchanged.  Everyone was having fun trying to figure out who their secret wizard was.  On Tuesday, Draco received a green sweater with a dragon on the front.  Hermione received a silk purse with intricate thread work and beading on it in her favorite colors of red and gold, with some blue in it too. 

Wednesday dinner came quickly, with Draco receiving a green and silver checkered scarf.  Hermione received a first edition of the book Moste Pontente Potions, which she exclaimed over, since she loved books of any type. 

On Thursday, Draco received a muggle chess set, and Hermione received a silver necklace with a charm on it in the shape of the Japanese kanji faith. 

On Friday, the last gift day, Draco received a pair of cuff-links with the kanji hope on it, and Hermione received a set of pearl hair combs. 

            Everyone was a little disappointed at the fact that the secret wizard gift exchange was over, but they couldn't wait to find out who their gift giver was.  Hermione thought it might be Draco, since all her gifts were fairly pricy.  Draco thought it might be Hermione since she was the only one who knew about the kanji, or at least that's what he thought.  Both Hermione and Draco had kept it hidden under hair or make-up (at least for Hermione) since they hadn't made up a story as to how they got it. 

            That night Draco and Hermione made final plans as to meeting up for the dance.  They would meet in the hall near the infirmary, since they wanted to make sure they looked okay with each other, and also to have a little time alone before being with the whole school, since even though they would have to dance together at least five times, the rest of the time they would have to ignore each other.  After their nightly ritual, they both blew out their candles and went to sleep. 

            Saturday evening came quickly.  Draco and Hermione had agreed to meet at 7:45, exchanged corsages and boutonnières, and than walk to the hall together, since Dumbledore required all couples to exchange boutonnières or corsages, and also to walk into the hall with each other, where they would be announced by name, and also if they dressed up, as the names of who they were. 

            Draco arrived early at the infirmary, being to nervous to wait any longer.  He was pacing the hall when he suddenly heard someone clear their throat behind him.  He spun around… to see an angel. 

"Wow, Hermione, you look beautiful," he said, walking over and kissing her lightly on the head after he got over his shock. 

            She was wearing the dark silver, form fitting, backless dress she had originally bought for the Winter Ball, but decided she could always alter it later, with her low black strappy heels.  She had curled her hair, and lightened it so it was a similar silvery blond to that of Draco's hair.  It was piled up on top of her head, with a few strands framing her face, showing the kanji, and the pearl combs she had received were also in her hair keeping some shorter side hairs up.  She had transfigured a silver tiara that rested on top of her head, perfectly in place, and around her neck she had the silver faith kanji necklace.  She put on silver eye-shadow, and a bluish silver lipstick that perfectly complimented the light color of her skin tone.  She had also used a spell to temporarily add real wings that protruded from her upper middle back, but were currently folded up (A/N:  you know what I'm talking about, how they fold up, so the elbow of the wing is above the head, and the tips extend down towards the feet.).

            Hermione blushed with his kiss, and also as he helped her put on her wrist corsage which was comprised of little white roses.  She handed him his white rose boutonnière, which he quickly put on adding to the splendor of his outfit.

"Thank you Draco.  You look very debonair yourself." She said as she looked at his clothes again.  He was wearing white dress pants and black dress shoes.  His shirt was a loose billowy white shirt with his cufflinks at the sleeves, and the shirt was one of those with a ruffle at the neck.  He had on a silver vest which had the rose pinned to it, and on his slicked back hair, (which showed his kanji on his fore head) was a transfigured silver crown.  He also had wings, folded up the same way as Hermione's were.  All in all, they were a stunning couple, looking perfect as the Emperor and Empress of angels. 

            He smiled as he held out a hand to escort her, royalty style.  In keeping with tradition, she laid her right hand on top of his left, smiling back at him.

"Ready to knock everyone's socks off, Merleana?" he said, using the name of the Empress of angels.

"I'm ready.  How about you Azrael?" 

"Ready as ever."

            After agreeing to mind speak later on, they headed towards the great hall, wondering what will be in store for them at the ball. 

A/N:  Hey everyone!  I know I said last chapter that I was gonna put the ball in this chapter, but I've had a sinus infection that made concentrating impossible.  Aldlous  (^._.^) had a kitty cold too, so he couldn't help a lot.  But, his friend (^ -_-^) Holly, another kitty, helped me bunches!  And since I was sick, I wasn't able to get the whole thing done, so I decided to go ahead and post this to give y'all something to read while I type the ball scene, which I will put up A.S.A.P. !  Okay?  Thanks for being patient and thanks for reading!