A/N: Hihi all:) I'll admit, I'm kinda wounded by the utter lack of reviews, but I'll survive. I do have to say that if you really don't like my story, no one is forcing you to read it. And writing the same thing in someone else's POV helps get in their minds about that particular thing, at least in my opinion. To each their own. Mind giving me some feedback though? It helps, I swear. As far as I know, I don't own Harry Potter, but if I'm wrong, someone please inform me otherwise. Lol. All credit for any recognizable characters go to JK Rowling or where ever you may recognize them from.
**Hermione's POV**
"Wake up, already!"
The voice caused me to roll off my bed in shock but I came up with my wand pointed at the source of the noise. Ginny. Of course.
"What the bloody hell Gin?! Why are you in my room?"
"It's the day of the ball, duh! There's so much we need to do!"
She took in my short little nightgown that I enjoy sleeping in and I blushed because I only ever wore these when I was alone in a bedroom. I had worn Muggle lingerie since I was about fifteen.
"Hoping someone else would wake you?"
I sent a small tickling charm at her.
"Well, it's comfortable, and I have my own room, why am I explaining myself to you? This is my bedroom! How did you get the fairy to let you in?"
"Oh, Tilda? She's a portrait I made friends with ages ago. She positively adores me and keeps me in the loop of everything. She knows I'm your best friend in the whole world and I certainly don't wish you harm, so easy as pudding as the muggles say!"
"Easy as pie, and I suppose it wouldn't hurt to start getting ready. A spa day, Harry insists on paying too. Let's get that torture done with before anyone tries messing with my hair. But let me get dressed in peace Gin."
As I turn to start getting dressed, Gin playfully swatted my arse.
"Well get to it! Does Malfoy know about your tattoo or your piercings?"
"He knows about the tattoo and my navel piercing. It's disturbing that you know about anything else, let alone that you want him to know... He doesn't need to know either. Leave it Gin."
**Draco's POV**
I sighed as I watched my mother flit about looking for any last minute imperfections, not that she'd find any of course. Not at one of her parties.
"Mother, I'm only here for the weekend, how about we socialize instead of you flitting about looking for imperfections or flaws that don't exist? How does that sound?"
A small rush of white blonde flashed in my peripheral vision before I was attacked with a tight hug from Kitty.
"DRAY! How have you been cuz? Have you seen my dress yet? Are you planning on matching the purple at all?"
"Kitty, I need you to release my windpipe, you are in fact crushing it and it's not a pleasant feeling. Yes I have seen your dress. My vest and tie match it, same exact shade. But more than likely, Mother will be showing you off to everyone as you are her darling niece whom she positively adores."
"Oh, I know, but that's okay, that means I'll know more than Blaise, Theo, the Greengrass sisters, and that horrible Pansy Parkinson, all of whom I haven't seen since we were all twelve."
I smile at her exuberance.
"Well, it seems we share an opinion of Pansy, and it'll be nice to see Theo, Daph, and Tori. All three had decided they couldn't bear to return with all the added on Slytherin hate, so it's just been Blaise and I dealing with her. Although, this year has been a blessing. New rooms. Ghastly though, my window faces the sun rise and Merlin knows I'm no early riser."
"Oh, yes, tell me all about this project you briefly mentioned. And the girl? You never gave me a name."
We followed Mixxie who informed us that breakfast was ready and I held onto the journal that was in my hands protectively. She always put so much detail in, I knew exactly what horrors she faced... The nightmares after my aunt were dreadful and it all breaks my heart.
"Does she have anything to do with that journal you're holding onto like a security blanket? It's a very nice golden journal. Is that a genie's lamp?"
**Ginny's POV**
After the full body massage, Mione was no longer calling this torture. We practically glowed by the time they were done.
"It's time to get ready then. How are you doing your hair Gin?"
"I'm not, the stylist is. And she's just adding in some small curls to show off my long red hair. You however need an intricate updo, since your dress is strapless and we want to show off your necklace. Okay?"
I watch her look indecisive and I smiled because it was a subject I knew better than her.
"Just smile and nod. You know I'm right. I am the one who did your hair for the Yule ball. Now, let's go get even more amazing than we already are."
-still in Ginny's POV just later on after they're all dressed-
I heard Harry draw in a breath and look at me with tears in his eyes.
"Gin, I mean, wow. You're dazzling. I can't believe you're all mine too."
Dudley and Petunia smiled at me. Petunia was dressed in a simple dark blue dress that was still beautiful while Dudley had on a classy black suit that could've worked in either the muggle world or the wizarding one.
"Wait until you see Mione! She's the real beauty!"
"Now Gin, don't discredit your looks on my account."
Everyone turned to look at her and Dudley's jaw dropped a little. The tight black fabric across her chest complimented the vibrant pink of the rest of the dress. A fake pink gem holding up a bit of it revealed a mix of silver, black and pink tulles in varying shades.
**Hermione's POV**
"Why does everyone always get so astonished looking whenever I get dolled up? I mean honestly I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted!"
"Flattered. You're beautiful enough without trying anything at all and then you look simply ravishing and blow the mere mortals and even my beautiful self out of the water. Although I have to take some flattery as well, because each time they've seen you dressed up, it was my handiwork."
Ginny smirked after her little speech to me. Harry started bustling us out the door and I held onto Dudley's arm after pulling up my long black gloves past my elbows
"I'm so sorry for what's about to happen. Apparition is in no way pleasant when you're not accustomed to it. Just close your eyes and try not to think about it."
Both Dudley and Petunia looked a little scared as Harry grabbed Petunia's arm. In the next moment, I felt the familiar tug at my navel and we were at Malfoy Manor. I nervously readjusted my gloves and fidgeted for a minute when Harry came up to me.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I'll leave and we can just hang out somewhere else along with Gin, Petunia, and Dudley if you aren't comfortable."
I take a deep breath and try to force out the nightmares that still haunt me as I saw Ron and Susan Bones approach us. Susan looked stunning in her long champagne dress.
"Hello all! You all look amazing!" Susan greeted us cheerfully. Ron was smiling and happy until he saw the panicked look on my face. His smile dropped immediately and he came to stand beside me.
"Breathe Mione. She's dead. Killed by my very own mother and she can never ever hurt you again. That scar does not define you. It never has, nor does the word itself. Anyone who says otherwise has to deal with me, Harry, Gin, and the rest of our lot. Now stand up straight and walk in there like you own the place."
His speech caused me to stop shaking and take a deep breath.
"Let's face it then."
**Draco's POV**
I looked around at all the Order members and others who would never have been invited to my mother's parties before and smiled a bit as Kitty came bouncing up to me in her daring Muggle dress that exposed far too much cleavage and leg. She smiled a bit.
"Think we can play quidditch in a bit and ditch the party? After Aunt Narci is done taking me around that is. I have met a lot of people and there is still a lot of tension, just saying."
Blaise came up to us with Padma in a sari style dress in gold on his arm and fire whiskey in his hand. He raised his eyebrow at Kitty with a look of confusion. Padma reached out her hand and smiled at Kitty.
"I'm Padma Patil, it's so nice to meet you. Have you been with Draco long?"
Kitty burst out laughing.
"Dray is my cousin! Listen Padma, you can call me Kitty. You can also tell me how you got this guy to shut it for more than two seconds. Hihi Lazy Blaisey! Your head finally seems proportional to your body."
"My dear Katerina, what a pleasure this has been, but I think it's time for a dance."
He left me with a scowling Kitty. I looked at the grand staircase as I heard the doors opening. Kitty disappeared from my side as my mother came and got her. I gasped at the sight of Hermione in a beautiful pink dress accented with black and silver. I unconsciously moved forward to see her better. I didn't recognize the blonde man on her arms, but it broke my heart to see her with a date that wasn't myself.
"She looks ravishing, doesn't she?" I turn to see Daphne at my side as well as Astoria and hug them both. "Granger I mean. She's looking fit."
Tori rolled her icy blue eyes.
"Daph, I think Drake will fight you for a dance with her. How bout trying to find a girl who doesn't have a possessive Draco pining after her."
"Well, I'd still go for her, muggle born or not. Although it looks like she's spoken for..."
I growled in response and both girls felt the need to back off.
**Kitty's POV**
After Aunt Narci took me around to meet several war heroes and heroines, I decided it was time to find Draco for a dance. I saw him and decided to sneak up on him.
"Cute goofy smile, tall and gangly redhead with the witch in the champagne dress. Who is he Dray?"
He turned with a surprised look on his face. "You mean the Weasel? You can't possibly want to meet him Kitty!"
"The Weasel? Old school foe I take it?" I notice the redhead casually talk to the beauty in the pink dress and see Draco's hand tighten around his glass. "Or perhaps competition you're jealous of?"
"I am in no way jealous of Ron Weasley thank you very much!"
I smile.
"Then introduce me to him. Maybe if he's nice, he can join that quidditch game we'll be having in a bit. I got Theo, Blaise, and Tori to agree to play. And I refuse to even speak to that god awful Pansy Parkinson. Now. Introduce me to Ron Weasley."
I watched as he awkwardly went to get Ron whose jaw just dropped when he saw me.
"Erm. Hi." He sticks out his hand while trying to inconspicuously swallow. "I'm Ron Weasley. The ferr- Malfoy said you wanted to say something? It's a pleasure to meet you...?"
"This is the Lady Katerina Elena Mason."
I hit Dray's arm. "I'm not a titled lady, and America isn't so archaic Dray. You can call me Kitty if you value your health."
Ron is speechless for a moment at my brashness.
"How do you know Malfoy? You're very outspoken if I can say so myself..."
"Well, Dray is my cousin. His father is my mother's older brother. Ever been to the States? Being outspoken is pretty common there. How do you know Dray?"
Both boys squirmed, entertaining me a little. I watched as they shared a small look, neither knowing what to tell me without upsetting me.
"Weasley and I, we were in the same year at school in rival houses. We never got on well, but fought in the same side at the end of the war." Draco said very carefully.
"Oh? And what's your views on blood status? Being a Weasley, sacred twenty eight, you're probably a Pureblood, or a half blood at the least. Correct?"
He looked nauseous at my question and I hoped he answered he didn't care for the blood status of any witch or wizard.
"Well, yes, I am a Pureblood but my family are counted as blood traitors and I don't care for pedigrees one lick. One of my very best friends is a muggle born and she's bloody brilliant."
I smile warmly.
"I'm assuming that's the pretty witch in pink, Hermione Granger? Aunt Narci introduced me to her soon after you walked in."
His date came up and I was reminded he was taken. I kept my smile up.
"Name's Kitty. What's yours?"
She blinked a few times.
"Susan Bones. Pleasure to meet you. I don't recall ever seeing you at Hogwarts...?"
"That's cuz I never went there. Salem Institution of Witches and Wizards. Very different from Hogwarts from what I gather. Much less strict for one, and more open about a lot. How long have you and Ron been together?"
She looks to Ron who gives her the go ahead motion.
"We're not actually together. He needed a date and I wanted to come. But he's not my type. Not that he isn't great. We came as friends."
**Rosie's POV**
"Timothy Andrew! Come on! We need to go! I don't care if you don't have your cell phone! Find it later! We're going to see Mia and Harry!"
I looked at myself in the mirror. My long black hair was down and curled elaborately, my hazel eyes had a happiness that's been missing the past year and a half. The slinky cerulean blue dress sparkled and shimmered, my diamond ring, bracelet, and necklace complimented it perfectly.
"Beautiful as always Rosie darling. Harry has said he won't let her leave. Not til you see her. Now come on." We apparated and arrived in the parlor of Malfoy Manor to be suddenly hugged by Narcissa Malfoy.
"Rosie! I've missed you so!"
I hugged her back.
"And this is the Cissa that I've missed. I'm sorry I never spoke to you. But with Lucius it was best for him to believe that we drifted apart. As well as other things."
She smiled and led me into the ball. I saw Mia chatting with Dudley on the dance floor and abandoned Tim to find her.
"Mia!"
"Aunt Rosie!"
Her face broke into the biggest grin and she ran to hug me tightly.
"My beautiful Mia... I've missed you so much. I'm never letting you go again."
She snuggled into my arms more as Tim wrapped his arms around us both.
"This is... Amazing. I honestly thought I'd never see you again..."