Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Everything belongs to J.K.R and WB and whoever is involved with the editing + publishing + distributing of the books.

Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Draco/Hermione, Ron/OC Rating: R Setting: Story starts summer before 6th year.

After the world was right side up for Hermione, she heard the gasps of her parents as they viewed the room around them.

Percy straightened his clothes looking pleased with himself for a job well done.

A wizard came out behind a counter and smiled at them, checking in their coats.

Leading them to a heavy door, he pulled it open and Hermione's eyes widened at the size of the ballroom. It could fill a whole football field! Some families had arrived already, and the clinking of champagne glasses and scattered voices of people chatting could be heard. Classical music wafted softly through the background. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling high above and candles floated around a few feet above their heads.

"Welcome to the 1st Annual Gathering of Magical Families. May I have your names?" A witch smiled up at them from the table set next to the doorway.

"Hermione Granger."

"Elizabeth Granger."

"Kyle Granger."

"Hmm." Waving a wand at the book of names, the pages flipped automatically to the page in which the Granger's names were on and marked a red check next to their names. Finished, the witch waved them on. "Enjoy the ball!"

Percy grinned and leaned down to give the witch a hug. "You look beautiful, Penelope."

Penelope returned the hug. "Thank you. I already checked your family's names on the list, including you, since I know you'll be here anyway."

"May I have the first dance later?" Percy asked.

Flushed with pleasure, Penelope nodded and shooed him away. "I have a job to do, Percy."

Hermione looked around, trying to find her friends. Her parents stuck close to her, nervously glancing around.

"HERMIONE!!!"

Hermione looked in the direction of the shout and smiled, tugging at her parents' hands. "Come on mum, there's the Weasleys."

Arriving by the group of red heads, Hermione discovered to her irritation that Ron has grown taller than the last time she saw him in June. Her head only reached his shoulders and she had to look up at him. Mr. and Mrs. Granger started chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, relieved that they finally met some grown ups they know.

"Hey shorty." Ron grinned down at her.

"Shut it Ron. How've you been?"

Ron motioned to his whole family proudly, all in new dress robes. "Fred and George's new shop has been getting a lot of business lately. And you know how Dad got promoted to the head of the newly formed Muggle Protections office, in addition to Bill's raise? We all went and picked out new dress robes."

Suddenly Hermione was squeezed between two identical red heads, also grinning down at her. "George, don't you reckon we should give her some of our Stretchy Sugar Straws?" "Hmm, now that you mention it Fred, I think I have some right here for Hermione. Just look at her, she must be so upset how she has to look up at our little Ronnykins."

Hermione slapped them away playfully and laughed. "Nice to see you too guys. Congratulations on your shop."

Turning back to Ron, she asked, "Did you see Harry anywhere? I was wondering how in the world he would be able to attend."

Shaking his head, Ron frowned. "Last owl I received from him, he mentioned his aunt fainting, his uncle getting drunk, and his cousin wrapping 10 sheets around his waist shouting something about pigs tail."

After greeting the rest of the Weasley family, Ron and Hermione decided to walk around to search for Harry and other friends.

"Wait!"

Hermione turned around. Ginny hurried to their side and grinned sheepishly. "I was getting so bored standing there. May I walk around with you two?"

"Sure, Gin." Hermione replied.

10 minutes later of chatting with school friends and their families, Ginny said in a worried voice, "Do you suppose Harry's uncle did something to him?"

"I don't think so. Harry's uncle wouldn't dare risk a crowd of wizards and witches storming down his house in rage." Ron said.

Hermione agreed and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of pale gold. Both dread and annoyance started to fill in her as she pulled at Ron's robes and asked, "Ron, when they said old wizarding families, they meant ALL the old families? Including the Malfoys?"

Having spotted the familiar slicked back hair himself, Ron nodded grimly.

Ginny frowned. "Doesn't matter. We're all here for fun; don't let Malfoy bring your spirits down. Come on, let's just avoid that area."

"Good idea, Ginny." Hermione said.

---Draco's POV---

"You look beautiful tonight." I said as I lifted the blushing girl's hand and kissed it.

"Thank you, Draco. Honestly, the only reason I came was because I couldn't let other self-respecting purebloods like you suffer through the night alone."

Nodding, I turned my attention away from the eldest daughter of the Kincaid family and scanned the room, taking note of the new arrivals.

"Draco, you look handsome as usual. Must've gotten your good looks from Lucius, eh?" Mrs. Kincaid said, sticking out her hand for me to shake.

Suppressing a bored sigh, I took her hand and leaned forward to give her a peck on the cheek. Releasing her hand, I stepped back as she turned to my father. Going through the same motions, she stepped back smiling. "Like father, like son. Perfect manners, good breeding, and such gentlemen. Such a shame that there are so many pure-blooded families that forget who they are, mingling with those---Muggles." She said the word with a slightly wrinkled nose.

Deciding to go off for a stroll around to stretch my cramped muscles from the ride here by stagecoach, I excused myself from the Kincaids.

Walking around, suddenly smack right in front of me a few feet away was Granger, Weasel, and his little sister. Funny really. Something's missing from that picture. Ah, yes, where's Potter? Who cares, I should have some fun while I'm here.