After lots of fun playing in the deep snow outside Ginny and she had gone back into the castle to get ready for the ball. Hermione hadn't realised there were so many steps to getting ready, but Ginny had insisted they were all necessary; baths and showers with scrubs, face masks, bubbles, oils, shampoos and conditioners; that was just for Hermione; Ginny had spent an age shaving her legs as well. Then there were creams that were lathered over them, nails to be pained, hair to be manipulated into different styles with a variety of potions and sprays to get it to sit just right. Finally there was makeup to be worn which took a long time to apply, Hermione really struggled not to blink the mascara all over her face. This was all before they could step into their dresses, don their shoes, jewellery and accessories. Ginny had insisted that it would be all worth it in the end.
Hermione had to admit they did both look pretty; Ginny in silver gown that fell down to her feet in waves and herself in a periwinkle layered tule dress that made her feel like Cinderella; did they really have to spend four hours getting ready though, Ginny said they did.
"Come on then let's find the boys," Ginny told her, taking her hand she led her out of the dorm room and down to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Hermione," Fred called, he was stood with George in a navy suite, holding a flower out for her.
"Thank you," she grinned, taking it from him, it was a tulip charmed to change colours.
"It's to go on your wrist," Fred told her, the flower was attached to a little bobble which she shoved her hand through.
"I didn't get you anything," she said worriedly.
"Girls don't have to give gifts before a Ball," George told them.
"Are you sure," she asked worriedly.
"Of course I am," the older boy said, as he reached for the hand of his date who had just entered the room, kissing her knuckles and whispering something Hermione couldn't hear.
"Come on, Draco will be waiting for us," Ginny told them. The trio left the Common Room, Hermione kissing Flopsy goodbye as she passed the rabbit who was sleeping on one of the chairs in front of the fire.
"Ginny, you look Beautiful," Mr Blondie greeted, holding out a black box to the silver dressed witch.
"Oh Draco, you shouldn't have," Ginny gasped, pulling a snowflake pendent out of the box, her eyes watering.
"I wanted too," he said as he took the necklace and fastened it around his dates neck.
"That's so pretty," Hermione told them, reaching up to touch the sparkling neckless excitedly.
"I'm glad you think so because I got you one too," he said as he knelt down in front of her, fastening a small snowflake around her neck.
"Oh Thank you Mr Blondie," she cried, hugging him tightly.
"Your welcome Hermione," he told her as he returned the hug.
The ball was so much fun; they'd stood and watched as the champions and their dates came into the enchanted hall, opening the ball with a dance. There had been a feast with delicious food and there was a table full of sweet treats that she and Fred kept helping themselves too.
Snow fell from the ceiling, melting before it could wet them while fir trees stood tall; decorated in blue and silver; real fairies fluttering in their branches, providing bright pops of light, which twinkled magically. It might just be the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.
Everyone was enjoying the ball; Ginny and Draco were dancing together in the centre of the room; their eyes firmly affixed upon each other while Harry and Luna were kissing under some mistletoe; Hermione wasn't sure if it was infested with Nargle's but the two seemed happy; she loved the dress Luna was wearing it was a pale pink dress that was pearlescent and shimmered every time she moved, the blonde girl looked like a princess.
"Hello, you two, are you having a good time," Professor Dumbledore asked, the pair had been dancing and had decided to pause to get more snacks.
"Oh yes sir, its magical," Hermione gushed, Fred nodded happily at her side, filling a plate with bonbons and chocolate cake.
"I'm so glad you guys are having fun, that you've enjoyed your stay in the castle," he told them as he poured two glasses of a purple shimmery liquid for them.
"What is it," Hermione asked, smelling the glass carefully, it smelled sweet like candy floss.
"Something to keep you awake until the end of the ball, it tastes like bubble-gum," he commented, Fred grinned, swallowing the contents of his glass with a groan of appreciation.
"Delicious, can I have more," he asked, Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head. Seeing that nothing bad had happened to Fred, Hermione drank down her own glass, it really did taste like bubble gum.
"Enjoy the rest of your night," The Headmaster said, disappearing back into the crowd of dancing people. Hermione soon forgot about him and their strange reaction.
"Let's dip things in the chocolate fountain," she told Fred, he nodded enthusiastically, and they both rushed over to the flowing chocolate, excited to make the treats on their plates even more yummy.
