Chapter 50: Preparing for the Parties
Albus and Arthur along with the rest of the staff finished planning the celebrations that would be held in honor of those who fought in the war. There would be many witches and wizards awarded honors for their part in the fighting as well as those behind the scene. The Wizegamot had to have three different meetings to discuss who would be receiving Orders of Merlin and which level as well as how to handle the death eater trials.
Luna had finished her story collecting and submitted an article for Dumbledore to review. It was due to hit the papers that morning and she was the first one in the Great Hall, anxiously awaiting her debut as a reporter. She had even attached some photos Colin had taken before the battle of the DA squads as well as one of the Order members present.
The great hall was quiet as everyone read about the battle in the three page article. It was the longest article by a single reporter that had ever been printed in the Daily Prophet. The Quibber and several other publications also ran the article. Everyone had been anxious to hear the real stories of the final battle. There had been several people trying to claim they were there and telling wild tales, but this was the truth.
Harry stood from the table and walked over to Luna, "Great article, thanks for writing the truth, no matter how hard it hurts." He hugged her, "After reading that I agree with your idea for a book and would be glad to help you. Just let me know what you need."
"Thanks Harry, I know how much you hate being in the spotlight." She said with a smile. "But I want everyone to know the real story behind the Order. It's time the world learned the truth."
The girls were all on a shopping trip to London to buy new dress robes and outfits for the celebrations that were scheduled to start the next week. Hermione's mum and Alice Longbottom had joined them so they were a group of 10 tromping into the different shops in Diagon Alley. There would be a formal awards celebration held at the school for everyone involved and the ministry was having a special ball and presentation that only the Order and select ministry officials were invited to. Each of the girls needed two formal gowns as well as dress robes for the other celebrations that they would inevitably be invited to.
"Madame Malkin!" Molly Weasley called into the back of the store for the owner to help them. She hurried out of the storeroom and her eyes bulged at the large crowd of women who had entered her shop.
"Welcome ladies, what can I do for you today?" She asked, mentally calculating how much money she was about to make.
"We all need formal gowns and dress robes for the balls and banquets were are going to be attending this coming week. We will each need 2 different gowns as well as one or two sets of dress robes." Molly told her with a smile.
"Let's get to work then!" She said happily while changing her sign to 'closed' so she could concentrate on the important women in front of here. "So how many of you will need dressed?" She asked them.
"Everyone except me," Tori Granger told her as she headed over to start browsing with Hermione and Gabrielle. "Oh Ginny, this would look lovely with your hair," She said pulling out a peach colored gown with silver and darker peach details and embroidered flowers. There were even matching dark peach robes to go with it and an embroidered handbag and shawl.
Luna decided on gowns to match her engagement ring. She purchased a peridot green dress and a sapphire blue dress with silver satin robes to go with both. Susan decided to get navy blue and sunglow yellow while Hannah went with scarlet and carnation pink. Molly picked herself out a mahogany gown as well as indigo and got Fleur burnt orange as well as plum. Gabrielle finally decided on Caribbean green and her other was aquamarine and Ginny bought the peach dress as well as a lilac colored dress with royal purple details.
Hermione loved her two dresses. One was blue; it went from dark navy almost black and lightened into a royal blue at the bottom. It had silver swirl details all the way down it and matching silver and blue robes. Her favorite dress was white with a black embroidered flower pattern over it with black satin gloves and matching gauze shawl. The dress had a slight train on the back and was strapless. She purchased flowing black satin robes with white details and the outfit made her look amazing.
"You're going to have the guys eating out of your hands if you show up in that," Ginny told her giggling.
"I'm planning on wearing this one to the ministry ball. Hopefully the fully grown men will be able to contain themselves better than the boys at school." She said and they all laughed.
"Who are you going with to the ministry ball?" Alice Longbottom asked her. The ball was the type that you had to enter on the arm of someone or if you were a man you had to have a lady on your arm.
I'm not sure," Hermione told her with a shrug. "I'd rather go by myself but I'm sure someone will ask. If not I have all of Slytherin house willing to take me." She told her as her friends laughed. "Maybe I'll go with one of the single order members. I hear Moody doesn't have a date yet!"
"I actually heard he asked Poppy to accompany him," Molly told them all, excited about being able to gossip. "I guess he liked her bedside manner!"
"I heard that Dennis has asked Natalie MacDonald to go with him," Ginny told them. "It seems that our friend may finally get his first kiss!" They all laughed at that and continued gossiping. It seems that Colin and Millicent Bulstrode had been placed next to each other in the hospital wing and had been talking the last few days. Molly believes he will ask her to the ball.
"That just leaves Charlie and Severus," Hermione said in shock. She had thought for some reason there were more single members of the Order.
"Well there is always Albus or Dung!" Alice told her with a chuckle.
"No way am I going anywhere with Mundungs and Minerva already confiscated Albus for herself." Hermione told them happily. She thought it would be perfect if her head of house and the headmaster finally got together.
"I'm sure Charlie would love to escort you my dear," Molly told Hermione.
"I know he would Molly," Hermione told her with a sigh. "I just don't see him as anything other than a friend and it wouldn't be fair to lead him on."
"I saw him making eyes at Rosemerta during order meetings," Ginny told them all. "Maybe he'll ask her."
"I would hope not!" Molly exclaimed. "She and Tom have been together for years. Besides she's older than me, although you'd never guess it with all her magical alterations."
"Poor Charlie never gets a break when it comes to women," Susan told them and they all laughed again.
"Well Hermione good luck convincing Severus to escort you," Alice told her. "He doesn't seem the type that would willingly accompany anyone."
"He may have already asked someone," Hermione told her sadly remembering the conversation she overheard. "Well if everyone else is taken I guess Sly will be getting that date I promised him after all,"
"When did he trick you into that promise?" Gabrielle asked her curious what it would have taken to get Hermione to change her mind.
"He was dying on the battle field and I told him if he lived that I'd go on a date with him," Hermione told them. "Poppy told me that he would have died without the blood replenishing potion I gave him. So now I owe him a date."
"I think you can handle one date with the boy," her mother said shaking her head. "Besides, if thinking of going on a date with you kept the poor boy alive it was worth having to actually go on the date."
"Oh I agree," Hermione told them with a smile. "I would have been devastated to loose him. He's such a good guy. I feel awful about what he's going to have to go through at his mother's trial though. Can you imagine almost dying at the hand of your own mother?"
"Theodore Nott did," Luna told them all sadly. "One of the curses that hit him was cast by his mother. Millie killed her with a well placed slicing hex so there's no trial but he had to have known."
"Enough about the war," Molly admonished gently. "We are here to have a good time today, no dwelling on everything that took place. Let's go have lunch and then finish our shopping."
Hermione and her friends were milling around in the great hall after breakfast trying to decide what to do to pass the time for the day. Harry and Ron were trying to get everyone interested in a pick up Quidditch game but Ginny was yelling at them both that Harry hadn't recovered enough yet to be flying. Hermione spotted Irma Pince stalking over to Severus.
"Severus there you are," Irma told him with what she thought was a seductive smile, not noticing his body stiffen and the scowl on his face. "I've been looking for you. As you know the ministry ball is in a few days and everyone must have an escort. I thought perhaps we could go together." She flashed him a smile and batted her eyelashes.
'Somebody HELP ME!' Severus screamed in his mind quickly trying to come up with any reason to refuse the witch short of telling her he would rather go with Hagrid.
Hermione quickly turned her head back to Severus as she swore she heard his voice in her head screaming for help. She noticed the look of panic on his face and the way Pince was flirting with him and decided to head over and rescue him.
'Oh, I should have asked Hermione when I had the chance!' he chastised himself in his mind, not realizing he was projecting his thoughts in his panic. Harry and Albus both had heard the potion master's plea and were chuckling to themselves. They were not about to help him out of this one, it was just too funny. Hermione also heard his second comment in her mind and grinned knowing he would owe her big time now for saving his hide.
"I'm already going with someone," Severus quickly told Irma in hopes she would just go away.
"Oh," Irma said disappointedly. She had been sure the dungeon bat would be forever dateless. "Who are you taking then?"
Severus' eyes widened in horror as he realized she would know he was lying when he couldn't tell her who his date was. "Good morning Severus, Madame Pince," Hermione said politely interrupting their conversation. She loved the look of thanks and relief that passed his face as he was saved for the moment.
"Miss Granger," Irma said in greeting, upset about having been interrupted. "Professor Snape and I were in the middle of a discussion, perhaps you could come back later?"
Hermione saw the panic building back in Severus' eyes and tried not to laugh. "Oh alright," She told them sweetly. "I was just going to ask Severus if he had his dress robes picked out for the ministry ball yet as I don't want them to clash with my dress." She smirked at the confused look on his face and raised a challenging eyebrow at him and nodded her head discreetly towards Pince.
Severus, ever the spy, finally caught on that she was bailing him out and had to suppress a grin. "It's not a problem Hermione," he told her. "Irma and I were just discussing the ball. I had been about to tell her that I was escorting you before you walked over." He was amused to see the scowl that Irma sent Hermione's way.
"I didn't realize it was proper for a professor to escort a student," Irma said snottily. She couldn't believe he would take a slip of a girl over her, even if Hermione was the smartest witch to ever attend the school.
"There is nothing inappropriate with me escorting my apprentice to the ball." He told her narrowing his eyes at the lady.
"In fact it is considered normal for masters and their apprentices to attend society functions together. It has been the practice for hundreds of years," Hermione told her, glad now that she had read that book on social etiquette in the wizarding world before she came to Hogwarts. "Besides, Severus and I are good friends and wanted to have a good time at the ball without having to make idle chit chat with our dates."
Severus barely contained his sort of amusement at that subtle insult to the librarian. "If you would like Hermione I can show you the robes I plan on wearing and you can assure yourself they will coordinate." He offered her his arm and led her from the great hall, waiting until they were around the corner before starting to laugh. After he had composed himself again he turned to her with a smile.
"That was priceless," Hermione said still laughing. "Did you see the look she gave me!"
"I do not know how I will be able to repay you for saving me from her. I have never been able to stand her. You would think for being as well read as she is that she could hold a decent conversation. She is only able to tell you exactly what a book says and has no opinions of her own." He told her rolling his eyes. "She is the reason I did not appreciate your brilliance for so many years. I had thought you were just a miniature version of her."
"I must admit that in my first few years I thought that when a professor asked a question that they wanted the book recited back to them, it took a while to break the habit." She told him with a smile. They continued walking towards the lab, "You don't really need to show me your dress robes unless you plan on wearing something other than your customary black."
"You really want me to escort you to the ball?" He asked her with a surprised smile. He had figured that she was just helping him with Irma. He had wanted to ask her to accompany him but didn't know how to do so without giving away his feelings. "I figured you already had a date."
"No date," She told him with a smile. "There are only a few single guys in the order and I would prefer not to encourage Charlie and I heard Moody was taken."
"Oh, so I'm your last chance for a date then?" He asked her feigning hurt.
"Well there is always Dung," she told him with a saucy grin. "Although I think he and Pince deserve each other! Besides, I wanted to go with you anyways. I would prefer having my best friend by my side rather than a drooling Slytherin boy."
"I am a Slytherin my dear," he reminded her happy that she really wanted to go with him.
"Yes but you are a Slytherin man, not a boy, there will be much less drool with you." She teased him.
"That all depends on what your dress is like," he replied. "If it's anything like Valentine's I'll be hexing people by the end of the night." He sent her a playful smile but was already planning on how to keep her away from the other men that night. She wasn't what you would immediately consider pretty. She has an inner beauty that makes her so attractive to everyone but when she dressed up and tried to look her best she was absolutely stunning.
"And I'm sure the women will be after you as well. They all love a tall, dark, mysterious, hero and will be eating you up!" She laughed at his horrified look.
"Shall I meet you in the entry hall on Saturday then?" He asked her. "I agreed to apparate Draco and Gabrielle there if that is alright with you."
"Sounds fine, why don't you come up to Draco and my common room and we'll all meet there. That way if either of them is running late we will be comfortable while we wait." She said with a grin.
"And what color dress may I expect you in?" He asked raising his eyebrow.
"You will just have to wait and see," she teased him. "Now I have a meeting with Minerva about my university applications so I'll see you later."
"Are you planning on applying to all three schools or just your favorite?" Minerva asked her prize student.
"I'll apply to all three but I really want to go to the Magical Academy in Rome. I hear it has the best potions and transfiguration program and a very good spell creation department." Hermione told her excitedly. "And with the war over Severus and my potions research is being sent out for publication and I'm almost ready to send my own research on the Remus' cure out. That should put me at the top of all the potions applications, especially since I already have my apprenticeship complete."
"I contacted all three universities and they are willing to let you test out of many of the lower level classes. You will not need to take any of the general education classes with your outstanding NEWT scores. That should shave years off your time spent there." Minerva told her. "In fact I am waiting for a reply from my friend who is the dean of the Transfiguration department in Rome. I told him all about you and how advanced you are. Hopefully he will be able to streamline your curriculum even more."
"Thank you," Hermione told her beaming. "I seriously considered the Imperial Conservatory for its world class library and unique magical classes as well as the University of Magic in Peru for all the unique potions ingredients. But neither have the best programs for what I'm interested in and both are too far away to apparate safely."
"That is understandable dear," Minerva told her with a smile. "Both Severus and I went to university in Rome. Besides, it would be nice to have you close by. The castle is going to seem so empty without your class. The war has forced us all closer together and now life is starting back to how it should be."
"Severus and I still plan on researching together," Hermione told her. "So I'll be around."
"What are you going to be doing for the rest of the year?" Minerva asked. "With all the work and research for the Order over you'll have lots of extra time?"
"I was actually hoping to talk to you about that," Hermione said with a sheepish smile. "I was hoping you could guide me through the anamagi transformation."
"That may take more time than we have," Minerva warned her. "It's not something to rush into."
"I've studied every book on the subject, researched it thoroughly and even talked with Harry and Tonks about their experiences. I already practice meditation and clearing my mind every night before bed and really think I'll be able to accomplish it before the end of the school year. If not, then I'll have to find someone to help me next year at university." Hermione told her passionately. She had been waiting until her research was finished to focus on this goal of hers and now that the war was over she was determined to see it through.
"I would be happy to help you dear," Minerva told her with smile. She had always hoped she would be able to instruct Hermione in this. "We can meet three times a week until you get it to work. Remember that Harry had a natural ability and was able to master the art faster than most. So don't be discouraged if it takes you longer than him." They spent the rest of the afternoon discussing anamagi and what she already knew.
"Hermione, wake up!" Gabrielle said to her friend. "We have to start getting ready for the awards banquet!"
"It's only 10:15 in the morning; the banquet isn't for almost 7 hours!" Hermione grumbled.
"Yeah but you promised you'd join us in a girls day and we decided to do a spa day before the banquet." Gabrielle told her with a grin. They had the ROR set up as a day spa, she couldn't wait. "Stop whining, it's not our fault you decided to stay up half the night studying!"
"Well I was making so much progress that I didn't want to stop. I had assumed I could sleep in!" Hermione huffed as she rolled out of her covers.
"Come on it will be fun!" Gabrielle told her. "We deserve a bit of fun. Besides, Poppy is letting Fleur come with us for the day!"
"Fine, I'm up!" Hermione said starting to get excited despite her lack of sleep. "Let's go before Ginny comes looking for us!"