Part 14? Basing this off of where I left of. First of all, I would like to apologize for being absolutely TERRIBLE at updating, and keeping up with either one of my stories. I truly loved this plot, and had so much prepared for it. But to be quite honest, life just got in the way. Entering my second year of university, I've become swamped with work, exams, papers and also the struggles of being an almost-adult. I will try to update this story when I can and when I feel inspired. I felt like the last few chapters were extremely dark, so I've decided to mix in a bit of fun this time but keep a dark twist, as always. Enjoy! And leave a review if you'd like on what you want me to address or include within the story, and I will keep that in consideration when writing.
This chapter will be sort of a filler, and I hope to upload another chapter of the Halloween ball sometime soon.
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Halloween Ball Part 1
Hermione found herself returning to who she once was, prior to the death of her grandfather. Instead of walking around like an angry tornado, she instead chose to stick to her friends, making amends with Tabitha and Celia after treating them so poorly. She knew that her actions as of late were not very pureblooded of her, but for once in her life, she did not restrain the burning emotion that flared within her veins. She had spent so much time simply accepting that life is as it should be, not fighting against it, because self-preservation should remain above all else.
And now, as she sits in the library, Tabitha seated in front of her, she found that she had been dealt an unfair hand, her mind reeling at the choice she knew she would have to make soon. According to Aunt Walburga, Bellatrix was told that the Dark Lord had changed his mind regarding his meeting with Regulus and Hermione alike. At first, Hermione had hoped that he would no longer want to meet them, but she was far from right, in fact the devil wanted to make a deal sooner than expected. The meeting loomed on them like a dark shadow, now a year earlier, and rather than enjoying the bright sunlight on her skin, and cool sweet tea, Hermione would instead be facing Lord Voldemort at the Malfoy Manor.
At first, Hermione felt like throwing up, her stomach felt as if someone had taken a punch to it, repeatedly. Regulus was seated beside her, his face pale, and if she looked close enough she could even notice his eyes straining with nerves and fear, but they both held themselves together, blank facial expressions and a simple acceptance of the request, as if they were even presented with any kind of choice to begin with.
Seated here now, watching as Tabitha diligently scribbled across the piece of parchment paper placed in front of her, Hermione envied the girl, because although she held a similar blood purity, her family has always remained neutral, never standing against the Dark Lord, but never openly supporting him. She would never have to face the choices Hermione was being thrust into, never have to feel the blood of innocent muggles and wizards alike between her fingers, tainted on her person for eternity, no matter how many times she scrubbed at herself in the bath. Hermione felt her grip on her quill tighten, almost snapping the item in half but a quick cough brought her back to reality and she found Tabitha staring back at her, concern and curiosity burning in those wide eyes.
"Is everything alright Mione? You seem a bit off." Tabitha spoke, her voice soft and soothing, and Hermione felt her eyes close for a second, imagining a world where her biggest concern would be whether or not she should attend the upcoming Halloween ball, and where Tabitha would not always have to feel such pity when her eyes fell upon the girl. She wanted to feel normal, but she was born as a Black and that wasn't something that came with the description.
"I'm fine Tabby, just thinking about whether or not I should attend the Halloween Ball this coming weekend. I don't even have a costume and the whole thing just seems a bit silly, what with the wizarding world falling apart outside of these walls." Hermione muttered, a quick excuse, never wanting to verbally face the truth of her worries.
"Oh Hermione, there is no way you are missing this ball, you know well enough that Celia will burst a nerve if you even attempt at getting out of this entire ordeal. She has worked so hard in getting us matching costumes, she thinks we should attend together, ditch the guys and just have a fun girl's night. It'll be good for you. We can't simply stop our lives while we're in here because of what happens out there, I for one, will not allow something like this dictate my life." Tabitha ranted, Hermione wanted to agree, to feel as confident in her words as her friend was, but she knew she didn't feel the same, and so she simply let out a small laugh and agreed that she would join her two friends for the Halloween Ball regardless of how sick she felt at enjoying a night, knowing that there were probably muggle corpses littering the floor of the Malfoy Manor, and that horrifying snake gulping down the bodies as if it was as easy as eating a piece of chocolate.
"What exactly is Celia planning regarding our costumes? I'm a bit afraid, she can get carried away and I don't want to simply wrap a cloth around myself and assume it's my costume." Hermione stated, her eyebrow raised and Tabitha let out a loud laugh.
"I have no clue, she said it's a surprise and I'm too nervous to ask, hoping they'll be good enough by the time the ball is upon us." Tabitha giggled, and Hermione allowed herself to smile before closing up her potions book, and putting her things away, standing up alongside Tabitha as the two walked back to the Slytherin dungeons, laughter following them, allowing herself a small moment of joy before life would crash down upon her again.
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On the night of the ball, Hermione found herself dressed as one-third of the female version of the three musketeers. Hermione attempted to adjust the rather massive hat placed on her head, her black hair curled in luscious waves, and her face layered with makeup that was both simple and sultry. Each of the girls was dressed in the same outfit, but in different colors. Of course, Hermione chose the rich velvet emerald green dress, the dress had sleeves that were split open up until her shoulder, almost like a cape for each of her arms, and the dress itself was rather short, white ruffles showcased at the front of the skirt, and the back was continuation of the emerald green fabric of the dress. A black belt strapped at her waist, and her breasts pushed up by the tight material of the dress, and her neck adorned a simple and thick green choker, which was attached to a white collar. Her feet were covered in knee high leather boots, the heels rather tall and a quick spell made sure that her feet would not ache. A fake sword was held in her left hand, and her wand was strapped to her right thigh.
Tabitha and Celia were dressed the same, Tabitha in blue and Celia in red.
"We look dashing if I do say so myself." Celia smirked, applying another layer of pink lip-gloss to her lips, her eyes framed by dark lashes and thick black liner, she looked stunning and Hermione grinned at her friend, because Celia wasn't wrong, they did look rather pretty. She would give credit to Celia completely, the girl really did go all out with these costumes.
"Let's head on out, the boys are already there, Regulus wanted to be surprised when he saw me. I hope he likes the costume." Tabitha spoke, chewing on her bottom lip as her hands smoothed down the front of her dress.
"Tabby trust me, Regulus will be drooling all over those exposed collarbones of yours by the end of the night." Celia spoke confidently, spritzing herself with a perfume that smelled strongly of jasmine flowers, and Hermione sneezed at the strong scent. She also stopped herself from gagging at the thought of Regulus pawing at her best friend.
"Please Celia, that is my cousin, I would rather not hear about what he plans to do to one of my best friends." Hermione groaned and Celia let out a snort before turning towards the girls and grabbing her sword, aiming it outwards.
"C'mon you cows! All for one!" and Hermione and Tabitha giggled at their friends actions before following her, placing their swords outwards as well, meeting in the middle.
"And one for all!" they screamed together, falling into fits of laughter as they left the Slytherin dungeons and made their way towards the Great Hall, knowing full well that they were going to be fashionably late.
And as they walked into the Great Hall, all attention towards them, as they walked towards a group of three boys who stood to one side of the large room, adorned in singing pumpkins and dimly lit, with melting candles floating around the room, makeshift cobwebs hanging from one side of the Great Hall, spiders crawling around and the Hogwarts ghosts floating around the room, talking to students, giving them a small fright and food littered an entire table placed to the far right. The music being played was loud and sounded strangely like the Weird Sisters, her hand tapped against her thigh as she moved past a pair of gawking third year boys, who stared at the trio of Slytherins.
"Oh, dear God" Hermione heard Severus mutter in a monotone form, and she couldn't help but let out a laugh. Her friend was truly done with her antics but she grinned at him nevertheless.
"Come on Sev, are you not a fan of the costume. I can speak on behalf of the entire male population within this Great Hall when I say that we thank you very much for servicing us all tonight with such a look." Theodore drawled and moved towards Hermione, wrapping his arms around her waist and peppering kisses all over her face. Hermione giggled once against and gripped his chin, placing a sweet kiss on his lips, and biting her lip when she backed away from him.
Regulus seemed a bit frozen, his hands gripping his goblet of punch as he stared at Tabitha with wonder and something akin to fear.
"Are you alright Regulus?" Tabitha, the poor girl, was truly concerned for the wellbeing of her statue of a boyfriend. Hermione walked up to her cousin and slapped his arm, making him drop his goblet in surprise and turning a deep shade of crimson as he glared at a cackling Hermione.
"You…you look stunning Tabby." Regulus mumbled and rubbed at the back of his neck as Tabitha blushed and smiled at him, before making her way towards him, grabbing his hand and leading him off towards the dance floor, a slow song coming on, which is strange seeing as this was a Halloween themed ball, not one that should be playing such soft music, but Dumbledore loved to see the stumbling students as they tried to dance appropriately with their significant others, the little shit.
"Hermione! Is that you?" Sirius's voice carried over the sound of the mellow music, making his way towards her, his band of bumbling idiots following closely behind and Hermione grinned at her elder cousin. He was dressed as a pirate, which of course fit him perfectly, with his long hair and dark liner surrounding his deep grey eyes, Hermione gave him a deep bow and he let out a laugh before wrapping her in a hug.
"You look beautiful Mione, but why is this dress so fucking short?" Sirius hissed, and she rolled her eyes pushing him away before greeting his friends, James dressed as the Romeo to Lily's Juliet, which was very expected and rather gross, but they looked good together, and who was she to shit on the love of others. Peter was dressed as a goblin which was rather sore on the eyes, and Remus…
Oh. Hermione's face turned a bright red, heat flushing throughout her entire body. He was dressed as a vampire (read: oh, the irony), an all-black outfit from head to toe. His chest somewhat exposed by the deep V of his black dress shirt and his hair slicked back, with fake blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Hermione found herself unable to speak, but she took a deep breath, composed herself once more, and smiled at all of them.
"My, how handsome you all look on this fine evening." She said dramatically, and they gave her wide grins, Remus catching her eye but she couldn't look at him for too long, for fear of him sensing her unease and attraction.
Hermione almost forgot Theo was standing beside her, before she turned to him and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. This was going to be a long night, especially with the burning way in which Remus was currently looking at her.
Dear Merlin, save me.