The Price of a World
Chapter Seventeen
Harry was adjusting his suit jacket in front of the mirror whilst Ron was trying to tame his hair with some hair gel. Harry was determined to make this the best night Hermione ever had. He was eager to see her since she forbade him to see her outfit for the evening. There was also another whom he wished to see in her gown this evening but pushed that thought to the back of his mind convincing himself that the thought meant nothing.
It was 5:15pm and the Ball had officially started 15 minutes ago. Harry and Ron walked into the Great Hall and immediately their eyes went wide.
"Woah." Harry breathed. The interior of the Great Hall had been shifted completely. When entering through the large oak doors, you were at the top of a large marble staircase. A man dressed as a butler then announced your arrival to the entire party by calling out your name as you made your way down the staircase.
"INTRODUCING MISTER HARRY POTTER AND MISTER RONALD WEASLEY." The butler called as Harry and Ron passed him and made their way into the body of the hall. At the bottom of the stairs, to both their right and left was Victorian style divans placed in groups of two and three. Before them lay a royal blue carpet leading into the center of the room, it then ended in a circular shape allowing you access to the rest of the room. From there; to the left was a large stage, a stack of amplifiers forming the front of the stage, a DJ station and a large wooden dance floor. In front of them and to the right of them were masses upon masses of circular tables. All in which were donned with royal blue table clothes. There were 10 placings at each table along with name settings, silver cutlery and crystal glasses. The teachers had their usual long table along the back of the hall; all of the teachers were already seated at their table. The walls were decorated with royal blue and white balloons and long, ruffled sashes of blue silk in which were pinned and then a foot hung in a 'U' shape, pinned again and then another 'U' shape.
"Wow, Hermione sure did go to a lot of trouble to make this a good Ball." Harry nodded in agreement. He was already scanning the room for Hermione. She should've been here already. He checked his pocket for the neatly wrapped gift in which he'd bought Hermione.
"Harry! Ron!" They turned around to see Ginny rushing towards them. Harry's eyes widened. Ginny had her long fiery red curls draped around her shoulders with a large red exotic flower behind her ear. Her dress however was a mix of exotic, Latino and Salsa. It was vibrant red with three black under layers in which were seen by about 3 inches. The dress had a corset torso edged in black lace. Instead of going over her shoulders the sleeves were large red ruffles in which hung off her shoulders. On her dainty feet were black high heel buckled shoes, perfect for salsa dancing.
"Ginny. You look amazing." Harry said, completely stoked. Ron stared at his younger sister. She smiled up at her elder brother whose opinion she regarded highly.
"What do you think Ron?"
"You aren't my innocent little kid of a sister anymore." Ginny looked at him as if her heart were about to break.
"You've grown into a beautiful young lady so quickly I've only just noticed. You look absolutely beautiful Gin." Ron said smiling warming at his youngest sibling. Ginny perked up immediately, tears forming in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her brother.
"Thank you Ron." Ginny smiled as someone behindher cleared their throat. They all looked to see who it was. It was Dean Thomas.
"May I steal this beauty away from you two?" He asked Harry and Ron.
"YOU ASKED MY SISTER TO THE BALL!?" Ron exploded. "You're in my year for heavens sake! I've known you for 7 years! And you're hitting on my little sister?" Harry and Ginny burst into giggles.
"It's okay Ron. I'm a young lady now. I can look after myself." She took the arm of Dean and he swept her off to their own group of friends. Harry and Ron were soon joined by Neville, Seamus, Luna and Lavender.
Draco stood amongst a group of Slytherins. He was dressed in a black suit with a navy blue satin shirt with a matching handkerchief triangle sticking out the top of his breast pocket. His hair hung loosely around his face with a small amount of gel to keep it set and to stop 'fly aways'. He looked at his watch, 5:27pm. And still no sign of Hermione. A majority of the school was already in the hall and Draco was starting to get nervous. Maybe Hermione had already come in with Potter and he hadn't noticed. He decided to go looking for Potter and make up some excuse as to why he had to steal Hermione away. He excused himself from his friends, Pansy tried to follow him but he told her that it Head business and regretfully stayed behind. Draco pushed his way through the crowd looking for Harry. He finally found him amongst a group of Gryffindors. Draco rolled his eyes and sighed before strutting straight up to Harry.
"Potter." Harry spun around, preparing his fists. "Put them away Potter. I just want to know where Hermi - Granger is." Draco corrected himself quickly, hoping they didn't notice. It was Ron's turn. He pushed in front of Harry to face Draco.
"What business is it - "
"INTRODUCING MISS HERMIONE GRANGER." The butler called out from the top of the stairs. Harry, Ron, Draco, Luna, Neville and Seamus all turned towards the stairs. Along with the rest of the school.
There standing elegantly at the top of the stairs was Hermione. She was beaming with happiness and pride. Harry, Ron and Draco stood open mouthed and wide-eyed at Hermione. She looked absolutely stunning. Her curls were in tight ringlets, most of which were pinned up in a loose bun at the back of her head whilst the rest hung loosely around her shoulders and face. A rose-gold headdress adorned with small amber gems was placed neatly on her head with her curls entwined over the back half, making the headdress look more like a tiara. The dress she wore hugged her body emphasising her womanly figure and bronze complexion. The dress itself was spectacular. It was a sunflower yellow with a golden glitter run through the satin fabric. It was a halter neck cut with a low cleavage, ending halfway to her bellybutton but with a rose-gold clasp just under the bosom; preventing the dress from being too revealing. Directly under the bodice, starting about 30 centimetres below the crotch was a split, which continued all the way to the floor allowing Hermione to walk with ease. Around the bodice however, was a thick sash of the same type material as the dress. It wrapped flush around Hermione's waist and tied into a magnificent bow at her lower back. The dress flowed all the way to the floor and due to the split at the front of the dress, the dress trailed along behind Hermione for about 2 feet.
Hermione took each step one at a time, making her way slowly yet gracefully down the stairs. She suddenly became very nervous as she noticed all most everyone in the hall was staring at her. However she continued to radiate with confidence and joy as she made her way to the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh. My. God. Harry." Ron managed to mutter. Harry quickly snapped out of his trance and remembered his manners. He raced to the front of the hall and awaited Hermione at the bottom of the stairs. Draco stood and watched the beauty float down the stairs. 'Dear god, I've died and gone to heaven.' Draco mumbled to himself.
Hermione arrived at the bottom of the stairs to be greeted by Harry. He looked gorgeous standing there in his charcoal suit and champagne yellow shirt to match Hermione's dress. He held out his arm to her in which she gratefully took.
"Oh Harry I felt as if I were about to fall flat on my face, walking down those stairs." Harry chuckled with Hermione.
"Well you didn't show it. You look so incredibly beautiful Hermione. That dress is so strikingly gorgeous on you." Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Thank you Harry. You brush up pretty well yourself actually." Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek as he led her back over to Ron and the others. By the time Harry returned Draco had gone, so he didn't find it necessary that he tell Hermione that Draco was looking for her.
"Hermione, if, if Harry wasn't dating you; then, by gosh. Well uh, you know. I'd ask you out any day." Neville stuttered. Hermione giggled and kissed Neville on the cheek.
"I appreciate the compliment Neville."
"HERMIONE!" Ginny rushed over and engulfed Hermione in a hug. "You look so beautiful. I'm so envious. Everyone is talking about how good you look." Hermione blushed instantly but turned into Harry's chest to hide it. Harry sniggered and wrapped his arms around Hermione.
"Miss Granger." Hermione turned around to face the person that addressed her.
"Headmaster." She smiled up at Albus Dumbledore.
"I dare say, you and Mister Malfoy have done an excellent job on this Ball. I am eager to see what other delights you have in store for us this evening."
"Why thank you Headmaster. I recommend you taste all of the desserts we've got for you later. They're to die for."
"Desserts…" Neville said, licking his lips. Dumbledore smiled and left the 7th years to socialise. Hermione was about to begin her rounds by talking to people from different years to find out what they thought of the Ball so far when she realised that she hadn't seen Draco since she arrived. She decided to make her way over to a group of Slytherin 7th years.
"Excuse me?" Hermione addressed a turned back. The girl turned around to reveal Pansy Parkinson.
"Yes, Mudblood?" Hermione bit her tongue as to not retaliate.
"Do you know where Dra – Malfoy would be?" Hermione corrected herself quickly, not wanting to be bait to a group of Slytherins.
"What's it to you?" Pansy sneered back. Hermione heard an outburst of laughter from the middle of the group and then a few people parting to make way for someone approaching them.
"And who're you picking on this early in the evening Pansy?" The voice said once finishing laughing with the rest of the group. The person belonging to the voice pushed their way to the edge of the group to stand next to Pansy.
"The mudblood. She's looking for you." The giant grinwas wiped off Draco's face as he turned from looking at Pansy to Hermione; standing before him looking absolutely stunning. Hermione's gaze immediately diverted to the floor and she waited for Draco to make the first move.
"Okay Pansy. She's found me. You can go now."
With a huff Pansy turned on her heel and stormed into the group of Slytherins. Draco held out his arm to Hermione, who took it without a word and followed Draco's lead around the Hall.
"You're not going to comment on how beautiful, or radiant, or stunning I look tonight?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence.
"No. I'm not."
"Why not?" Hermione asked, intrigued. "Everyone else has commented and praised my appearance tonight."
"Because I think you're beautiful," Draco kissed the top of Hermione's head. "Radiant," He kissed her hand. "And stunning; all the time." He kissed her gently on the lips. Hermione blushed profoundly and suddenly looked about her hoping no one saw Draco's actions. "You don't need a sexy dress and some make up to make you look utterly gorgeous. That just comes naturally to you." Hermione beamed up at Draco.
"You have no idea how much I want to snog the living day lights out of you right now." Hermione giggled. Draco smirked and raised and eyebrow.
"What's stopping you?" He teased. She poked him playfully in the chest and they continued to walk towards the anteroom off the stage where The Streets were currently getting ready to perform.
The rest of the evening ran pretty smoothly. Draco and Hermione announced the beginning of the first performance for the evening and the entire crowd loved The Streets' concert. They then requested that everyone take their places so that the feast may begin. Hermione and Draco were then parted as they went to their separate tables. The meal ran with out any difficulty, as did the dessert. Having no DJ, Hermione enchanted the DJ station to play the songs automatically and at random. Everyone was making good use of the dance floor, even the Professors. Hermione was dancing with Harry when Draco came up and tapped Harry on the shoulder.
"May I steal her from you?" Harry glared at Draco and prepared to retort when Hermione placed a cool hand on Harry's forearm.
"It's okay." She whispered, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Harry back off and went to join Ron at the table with a drink. Draco placed one hand on Hermione's waist and with the other; he took Hermione's hand. Hermione placed her spare hand on Draco's shoulder and they danced in slow circles.
"And what have I done to deserve the honour of dancing with you Mister Malfoy?" Hermione mocked in an attempt at a serious tone, which failed due to her laughing.
"I'd like to think of it as what you're going to have to do; to thank me for giving you this honour." Hermione scoffed and lay her head on Draco's shoulder.
"I could stay like this all night." Hermione murmured.
"So could - " A sudden BANG echoed through out the hall. All power was cut. An icy wind blew and all the candles were snubbed simultaneously. Complete darkness. The Professors however were on their feet in an instant.
"Don't even flick a wand." A rasping voice rung out through the Hall. Hermione's eyes blinked like mad, trying to bring the darkness into focus. Trying to see more then 5 centimetres in front of her.
"Don't think I can't see you Severus Snape. Expelliarmus." The rasping voice echoed once more and the distant sound of a wand colliding with the stone floor was heard.
"Death Eaters. Surround the student body and remove all wands from the Professors." This was a different voice, more of a drawl really. However; this new voice was slightly familiar to Hermione. Draco pulled her close to his body and bent down to her height.
"Promise me you'll stay out of sight." He whispered.
"Why? Where are you going? Please don't leave me."
"Promise me." With that Draco was gone. Hermione reached out in front of her but there was no one. She was standing alone now, surrounded by darkness.
As soon as the lights went out Harry's scar began to burn. He clutched his forehead as the pain began to overwhelm him.
"Harry? Harry what is it?" Ron whispered. Ron looked up as he heard a wand fall to the stone floor. Harry managed to speak through clenched teeth.
"Voldemort is here." Ron's eyes widened.
"Here? In Hogwarts? In this very room?" Ron whimpered. An evil cackle echoed sinisterly throughout the hall.
"Very good Mister Potter, very good." The rasping voice sounded nearer now. Harry stood and stared steadfast in front of him. "So we meet again." A red light shot out from a wand only 10 metres in front of Harry. And there, bathed in the light from his own 'Lumos' spell was Lord Voldemort.
AN: OoOoOoOoH! Voldie has returned! I had lots of fun writing this chapter. Especially with describing Hermione's dress. Oh and Ginny's. If you're all nice i'll scan the sketches I did of the dresses and put a link to them up here. I'm halfway through the next chapter but i can't guarantee that it'll be up today. If it isn't up today then it'll be up at the latest, thursday. Please review and tell me what you think. -- Peta