As Dawn spread her fingertips of rose, Harry Potter climbed out of bed and began to dress for the day in his usual tunic and leggings. Feeling like a million bucks on this beautiful morning, Harry gazed longingly at the Malfoy palace, easily the largest and most grand building in the town.
It was a beautiful palace, full of beautiful people. The king and queen, Lucius and Narcissa, were highly respected, and their only son, Draco, was the desire of every girl's heart.
The town was peaceful and lovely as the people began to rise with cheery hearts for the day, whistling as they went about their chores.
BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG!
"Blasted clock," Harry muttered, turning away from the window. "You can hear that thing halfway around the world!" Sighing, Harry made his way down the steps. He lived over a clothes shop run by an old crone. She had offered Harry a room in exchange for his skills. Harry was quite good a sewing, and brought many people to the shop, searching for beautiful clothes. He was underfed, overworked, and nagged every second of his day, but that was life. You either took what you got, or died.
"Boy, bring me my breakfast!" the crone screeched from her cottage behind the shop.
"Coming!" Harry called. He quickly poured a cup of tea and made a plate of bread and cheese, then hurried to the cottage. Harry set the tray on the table and said, "Here's breakfast. I need to go into town for more thread."
"Well, hurry up!"
Harry hurried back to the shop and grabbed his cloak and a pouch of silver, before hurrying into the town.
By this time, the town was up and buzzing about like bees, buying, selling, and exchanging last night's gossip. He saw his best friend and fellow seamstress, Hermione, hurrying toward him.
"Hey, Hermione!" he exclaimed. She hugged him and began chattering excitedly.
"Harry, have you heard the news? We're going to be rich!" she squealed. Harry, thoroughly confused, tried to calm her.
"Hermione, what are you talking about?" he asked. She was positively beaming with excitement.
"Prince Draco is finally coming home!" she shrieked. Harry waited for her to continue.
"How is this going to make us rich?" he asked when she didn't elaborate. Her smile widened.
"The king and queen are hosting a ball! All the eligible ladies in the town are to attend! They're all going to come to us for dresses!" Harry started grinning, too.
"Hermione, this could be our big break! We'll never go hungry again!" he cried, jubilant. "I've got to get more black thread, so you hurry back to the shop and I'll be right there!"
Harry purchased his thread and ran back to the shop. He was shocked to find a royal official inside his door.