To say that time was flying would be an immense understatement. In fact, Hermione could not remember a time ever moving so fast in her entire life. Things were good, better than anything had been in a long time.
McGonagall had apprehended the students responsible for attacking Malfoy; three seventh year Slytherins whose parents were locked up after being turned in by the Malfoys. Like that surprised anyone.
Either way, Malfoy's attack had brought around a strange turn of events. His ostracization from the majority of remaining Slytherin students had brought out just how much Malfoy had really changed this past year. He was still a prat, but he was much easier to get along with now.
It was funny how the war changed people, it was evident in everyone at Hogwarts. No one was unchanged by the events of the last several years. Thankfully most of these changes were for the better, not all but most. In just a few more days it would be the six-month anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. Six months since Voldemort was killed and left lying dead in the courtyard. Six months since the war ended.
October was fading quickly into November and the nights were growing colder and shorter. Thankfully this year was not nearly as cold as the last. Even the weather was better since Voldemort's death.
The entire castle was festively decorated for Halloween, the great hall especially so. You could not go five feet without running into a Jack-o-Lantern. They had even brought in hundreds of fruit bats that had been set loose throughout the castle. It was quite the sight.
It was a beautiful crisp fall day, and as it was a Saturday the school grounds were bustling with students. The Halloween feast was just about to get started, but Hermione was not going to the feast this year. Instead, she had decided to take full advantage of her privilege to leave school grounds to have her hair done for the ball tonight. While she was perfectly capable of doing her hair herself it would be nice to not have to spend an entire day trying to pin it up.
As the rest of the students began filing into the great hall Hermione made her way out of school and across the grounds towards Hogsmeade. She caught a few funny glances from students heading inside as she made her way past them and further away from the castle.
The walk to the little salon in Hogsmeade did not take too long and she was there just in time for her five o'clock appointment. May was practically identical to her sister Daisy, but had short lavender hair. She reminded Hermione of Tonks. Tonks always did love helping Hermione with her hair. This only made her smile grow.
"Hermione!" squeaked May. "I am so excited to get you all dolled up for tonight!" she said happily as she brought Hermione over to a chair. "Let's go ahead and start with a trim, get this fabulous haircut of yours looking as fresh as the day you got it. Then we can get your hair pinned up, makeup done and send you on your way!"
May might be the bubbliest person Hermione had ever met but she sure was good at what she did. It took her no time at all to touch up her haircut and move on to getting her hair pinned up for the ball. No less than half a jar of Sleekeasy's was used to help tame her hair for that evening.
Several hours had passed before May decided that she was finally done. She spun Hermione's chair around, finally allowing her to see herself in the mirror on the wall across from her. An audible gasp left Hermione's lips as she looked at her reflection.
"I love it!" she finally managed, unable to take her eyes off of her reflection.
May had truly outdone herself. Hermione's hair had never been so straight in her entire life, neatly swept back into a neat little knot. She had a delicate band pinned across her head, made out of the same delicate gold leafs that covered her dress robes. Her makeup was simple, but it made her dark eyes sparkle.
"Then my work here is done!" May beamed at her. "Time for this princess to make her way to the ball!"
"Thank you!" Hermione explained hugging May before heading back to Hogwarts. It was already well after seven which only gave her a little time to get dressed before the ball began at half past eight.
She was filled with a nervous excitement as she rushed back to her room. It took her no time at all to slip into the beautiful robes her parents had gotten for her and tie her mask on. She looked herself over in the full-length mirror standing in the corner of her room for just a moment before slipping on her heels and slipping her wand into her matching clutch.
Everything was a soft champagne gold. From the delicate filigree mask to her simple patent leather heels. Her dress robes were made from a soft sheer champagne-colored fabric with gold embellishments delicately covering her body. She had never felt so beautiful in her entire life. Australian dress robes who knew?!
Before she knew it, it was already a quarter past eight. She was due to meet up with Malfoy, Ginny and her date Jimmy; right now of course. She quickly made her way downstairs, out of the eighth year common room and out into the castle. The staircases were practically empty, which meant she was really late.
Thankfully none of the stairs tried to take her on any detours on the way down and she found herself walking down the final flight just as the clock tower chimed half past eight. She breathed a sigh of relief as she looked at all of her classmates dressed up waiting for the doors to open.
She saw Ginny first, looking stunning in her red dress robes and the mask Harry had bought her. Her smile broadened as she continued down the stairs towards her.
"Bloody hell, you look amazing!" Ginny exclaimed as Hermione got within arm's length before hugging her.
"You look amazing!" Hermione added.
"Granger?" she heard Malfoy ask behind her.
She spun around, Malfoy was standing there with a dumbfounded look on his face. He had taken his green dragon mask off and was holding it in one hand. It looked absolutely fantastic paired with his bright green dress robes. All the green made his silver eyes shine so bright, or maybe she had just never really noticed how bright his eyes were.
"Malfoy," she said with a smile.
"You look great," he said composing himself.
"So do you," Hermione replied just as the large wooden doors opened and the sound of music quickly filled the air.
The crowd slowly began making its way forward as students started entering the great hall. Ginny and her date Jimmy slowly started making their way forward. Before Hermione could turn around to see where Malfoy was she felt him softly take her hand and begin leading her forward through the crowd.
A rush moved through her as Malfoy took her hand. It was so strange, but not a bad strange. It did not take them too long before they were entering the great hall, still magnificently decorated for Halloween but there was something about it now that made it feel grander.
Tonight's event was already much more casual than the Yule Ball, which was certainly not a bad thing. There were tables set up in the back, a long table at one side filled with snacks, candy, and pumpkin juice, the rest of the hall had been turned into a dance floor with an orchestra at the front. It was really very stunning.
"Care to dance?" Malfoy asked looking at her through the yellow eyes of his dragon mask.
"I'd like that," she replied sweetly as she let Malfoy lead her out onto the dance floor.
Malfoy placed one hand firmly on her waist, his other holding her hand softly as he twirled Hermione around the dance floor. She knew Malfoy could dance but she was still surprised at how absolutely fantastic he was. Everything about their friendship surprised her.
The pair danced through the night, gliding across the dance floor and laughing as they casually chatted. She could have never imagined having so much fun with Malfoy of all people. That night continued by in a whirlwind of dancing and laughter. Before they knew it they were one of the few people still dancing, staying out on the dance floor until the very last song.
They left the sparsely inhabited great hall arm in arm, laughing softly as they made their way through the empty corridors back to their common room. Tonight was so unexpectedly wonderful.
"I had a really great night Malfoy, seriously," Hermione said sweetly as they climbed onto the landing where their rooms were.
"Thanks for agreeing to come with me," Malfoy smirked as he reached out for Hermione's hand. Holding it softly as he brought it up to his lips and kissing it lightly. "Goodnight Granger," he said turning and heading into his room.
"Goodnight Malfoy," Hermione replied as she stood on the landing, trying to process that night's events.
She entered her room and flopped onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She could now honestly say she was friends with Draco Malfoy, good friends. This was the most fun she had had in ages.