Author's Note: See bottom.
Chapter Seven-Dressmakers
"Milady Princess," urged Lady Jane, gently coaxing Hermione from her sleep. "Milady, it 'tis time for you to wake. The dressmaker has arrived from France."
Hermione slowly and groggily opened her eyes, and stretched her arms. "Ah good! You have awoken! You must prepare."
"Prepare to make a dress?" asked Hermione. "Isn't it a bit nonsensical?"
"Oh no, Milady. We'll be wanting to look our best for the dressmaker, for you reflect the English Throne. It is most important for you to make a good impression."
"Oh…yes," said Hermione yawning. "How early is it?"
"I would say around nine. Perhaps earlier, perhaps later. I do not know for exacts. Well let us hurry. Lateness most certainly does not look well."
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Hermione arrived in a large room surrounded with mirrors, where one woman was sitting in a chair, and ten girls around her were arranging things and preparing fabrics and whatnot. A stand stood in the middle of the room, which Hermione could only presume was where she would stand until the dress is done. The woman in the chair – "That must be the dressmaker", assumed Hermione – was wearing a pink dress that would have looked good on anyone else, but looked ostentatious and gaudy on her. Many flashy, golden rings shined on her fingers, which were waving off instructions to the ten ladies running around her doing her bidding.
"Ah beautiful, My Lady," said the woman, getting up from her perch. "It is such an honor to be in the Princess' company." The artificial dressmaker curtsied.
In back of Hermione was Lady Jane and Lady Dianne – one of her ladies-in-waiting, though not as loved as Lady Jane – who came to assist her. "I am Jeanne. Yur father has told me that there is two be three balls – one each night for three days – and each grander than the next. The last is to be a masquerade. Now, you should go with Karin and Danielle. They will take your measurements."
"Come, come, you're Majesty," ushered the auburn-haired girl timidly. The three of them went into a smaller room, where measuring tapes were brought out.
"Please, Your Majesty. You must take off your clothing. We haven't much time," said Karin, who Hermione later found out was Danielle's twin, in a heavy Parisian accent. This was a bit strange, as Sabine and the rest of the French Monarchy hadn't such a noticeable accent.
"I…what?"
"Your clothing. We shall help you, your majesty."
"Erm…yes," said Hermione distantly. This is so incredibly awkward.
The two girls helped her out of the many articles of clothing, and ran around her taking numerous measurements. Helping Hermione back into her heavy clothes, Danielle said, "I'm sorry if zis was undignified for a Princess in any way."
Hermione wasn't in fact naked at all. She was wearing a chemise, which was a sort of comfortable under-dress. "It wasn't as if I'm naked," answered Hermione.
"Not to be out of place, Madame, but a chemise is hardly proper dressware. Come, Princess, quickly."
Hermione's dress and all of its dressings were put on, and Hermione quickly ran out. "Patience," whispered Lady Jane. "A lady of true birth never runs or rushes."
Jeanne was given the paper with Hermione's measurements. "Well all seems about right. We shall need you back tomorrow to start creating the dress, of course, but for now we have to prepare the materials."
I wonder why she hasn't a French accent.
"If it isn't rude, may I ask a question?" asked Hermione.
"Of course. You are Princess," answered Jeanne matter-of-factly.
"Why do you not have a French accent if you are from France?"
"That is because I am not French. I am in fact English – the daughter of a nobleman – who became a Lady in the French court, as many do. The queen noticed my talent in dressmaking, and had me tutored by the best as a Royal dressmaker, and not a simple laundry maid in a palace."
"So you would know the Royal Family very well."
"The French? Not very well, but I do know them. I was in fact present for he three youngest daughter's births. Princess Sabine and Prince Stephen were most adorable."
Hermione smiled. "Little children often are," injected Lady Jane.
"Yes of course," said Lady Jane, ushering Hermione out.
Hermione, Lady Jane and Lady Dianne were walking back to Hermione's rooms, when a messenger came to them. "Princess Sabine and Prince Stephen invite the Princess Artemis to a game of cards in Princess Sabine's rooms."
"Yes, I'll come," said Hermione before Lady Jane could say anything, though her mouth was open.
Hermione ran to Princess Sabine's rooms, as she knew where they were, and knocked upon her doors. "Come in," called a voice from inside.
Hermione went I the rooms to see Sabine and Draco sitting around a table, an empty third chair between the both of them "Ah, it's you Artemis," said Sabine. "Come over and sit with us."
Hermione sat down. "So what were you doing until now? I was told that you were horribly busy."
"I was having the dresses made by Jeanne…well I don't know her surname, but anyway, it's for the balls celebrating the engagement between Stephen and I," said Hermione, her voice cracking. Hopefully I'll be going home before it reaches that point.
Whatever Draco was drinking, he spit it out promptly. "Stephen! You act as if that's a surprise to you!" exclaimed Sabine.
Draco – who looked as if he didn't want to be there in the first place – said, "That's because it is. No one told me about any party or parties or whatever!"
"They did! You just weren't listening! And did you just talk? I haven't once heard you speak to Artemis since we got here."
"I have…"
"Okay, think what you want. So are we going to play gleek or are we just going to sit around and gawk like a trio of idiots?"
"Gleek!" exclaimed Draco and Hermione at the same time.
"Well yes! What did you think we were playing, and why is this such a shock? You pair act as if you've never played gleek in your life. And I you that you, Stephen, have played gleek, as you have beat me quite often, I am sad to say."
"Erm…"
"You know, Stephen, you're really starting to worry me. And poor Artemis probably thinks that you are some sort of simpleton."
"I don't want to play, "quickly injected Hermione. "Gleek is starting to bore me."
"Oh well. I like it, but if you insist…"
Draco knew that he was really starting to get suspicious; or rather Sabine was starting to get suspicious of him. "So tell me about the…erm…ball."
"Well I don't really know so much about it, to tell you the truth," responded Hermione, astounded that Draco had actually spoken to her.
"Oh…"
"Well I've heard – and mind you they do say a lot here, as is in all palaces and castles and the like – that the balls are scheduled to take place in exactly 2 weeks. But it's only a rumor," said Sabine, shrugging it off.
I have to act like I'm practically best friends with this girl. Okay…think Pansy, Draco. Think Pansy.
"Well those maids do talk," said Draco.
"And what would you know of maids?" asked Sabine curiously, lacing her fingers together and resting her chin on them. She grinned.
"Nothing fit for a lady's ear," replied Draco jokingly.
"Oh fine; don't tell me."
"So you've scandalously been with maids?" Hermione's eyes looked like she was ready to kill, though the rest of her appeared completely calm.
"You're in trouble now, Stephan," said Sabine, now laughing.
"Is this the man I'm going to marry? A womanizing man who has disgusting, illicit relationships?"
"You honestly think I'll marry you!"
"Okay, I'll agree that arranged marriges are…well…its fucked up. And I've come to terms with that AND the fact of what's going to happen. But you? You're just…arrogant."
And then Draco Malfoy kissed her.
Author's Note: Oh loyal reviewers! How I love you so! You kept reviewing, even though I haven't updated since FEBRUARY! I honestly love you people. Okay, so the reason for my lack of updating is a deadly case of writer's block. But I have Chapter 8 in the works and…OH GOD! Didn't you just love that ending:.:smiles:.: Review please, not that I have to ask!
And by the way, aside for that ending, I hated that chapter but it needed to be done, you know?
