Ginny Weasley stood with her arms wrapped around her, she was trying so hard to keep her best supportive mask on around the others. Percy was the only surviving Weasley that wasn't directly on their side. He was with his wife and went to work every day at the Ministry, basically burying his head in the sand and was waiting for the war to blow over. Fred died in an explosion when the twins were helping their parents escape the Burrow. Charlie returned from Romania and was killed in the battle of Hogwarts. Bill had married Fleur and was living in Shell Cottage. George currently opted to stay with Bill and Fleur as he dealt with the death of his twin. They were available to do missions for the Order when the need arose. Currently it seemed that Molly and Arthur were trying very hard to be field operatives in the Order. It was strange seeing this part of her parents; they barely resembled the stable rocks of her childhood. Now they were fighters and she admired that about them. Her life was devoted to keeping the safe house comfortable while Aurors and Order members came and went. There was talk about moving the HQ to 12 Grimmauld Pl but she felt like it wasn't nearly as safe as hiding among the muggles. The Deatheaters were notorious about having no clue about the muggle world and electronics tended to disrupt magic.
"Ginny? What are you doing out here so late?" Harry asked, coming up next to her. They were on the roof of the apartment building.
"Just thinking, how is everything going downstairs? Hermione doing alright?" Ginny asked, smiling at her long time crush, Harry shrugged and leaned against the railing overlooking downtown London.
"Fine, she's been leaning on Malfoy a lot…" He trailed off, everyone knew that Ginny detested having the Slytherins living with them but accepted the fact that they stood by the Golden Trio at Hogwarts.
"I'm not blind Harry, I know that my brother is dating Zabini and something is brewing with Hermione and Malfoy. I don't like it but it's not my life to ruin," Ginny smirked at him, he returned her expression.
"You still don't trust them? Even after Malfoy almost dying and Zabini literally sacrificing himself by stepping in between your brother and a horrible hex?" Harry pointed out.
"I think when faced with dire circumstances, everyone shows their true colors. Zabini and Malfoy just happen to be good people but I wouldn't go around thinking all the Slytherins are the same," Ginny replied, the boy wonder nodded and looked back at the city.
"Did you get a letter for the Pureblood Annual as well?" Harry asked, Ginny blinked, surprised by his change of subject.
"But aren't you a half-blood?" Ginny asked, Harry shrugged.
"No but I know that Hermione got a letter and I was just wondering if you did as well," Harry replied, she choked.
"Hermione got a letter?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, we have no clue what's going on with that," Harry answered with a shrug.
"Well, I hate to break it to you Harry but I'm not quite old enough to go," Ginny finally answered.
"Sometimes I forget you're younger than the rest of us," he murmured.
"Well then, I guess we should get back inside, it is pretty late," Ginny started towards the door.
"Do you think you would go though?" Harry didn't move from his spot, Ginny tilted her head slightly and thought about his question.
"Harry, I'm pretty young and all but I don't think I would want a pureblood husband," she blushed, hoping the darkness would hide her embarrassment.
"Oh well…I still think it would be interesting to go, just to see who your date was," Harry straightened from his spot.
"Why are you so concerned about it anyway? From what I hear it's just another excuse to dance and be socially awkward," Ginny asked.
"I don't really know. Maybe because it would be a nice distraction," Harry looked deep in thought as he answered, Ginny touched his arm, drawing him out of his thoughts.
"Harry, you're going to make it through this war. I know this whole Horcrux thing looks hopeless but I'm sure there's a way to beat it," Ginny told him, looking into his eyes.
"I don't want to talk about that," Harry pulled away from her and started towards the door. She watched him leave sadly.
Soon it was apparent that they had to move back to 12 Grimmauld Pl. The Aurors had information that the Deatheaters were starting to catch on to the fact that there was a concentration of magic in their area and the wards weren't enough throw them off. The Black Residence had ancient magics that could guarantee their safety.
~~~!~~~
"Hermione? Are you ready?" Draco called up the stairs of 12 Grimmauld Pl, the dreaded screaming portrait of Walburga Black was quiet behind her curtain, she was so entirely shocked by a Malfoy in her house that she stayed silent whenever he was around. Kreacher treated him and Zabini better than anyone in the house and the general demeanor of the place was more welcoming since the addition of the pureblood Slytherins. Hermione walked into view and he smiled up at her. She looked absolutely stunning in the dress they had picked out so very long ago. She slowly descended the stairs towards him, a grin on her face. She wore a tasteful amount of makeup and her hair was piled on her head in a pretty messy romantic updo with small sparkling crystals nestled in strategic places.
"I thought this would match perfectly," Draco pulled a small box out of his robes, she frowned at him but accepted the box anyway. She gasped as she looked down on the teardrop diamond necklace with matching earrings.
"Draco, I can't accept this!" Hermione exclaimed, he smiled, pulling the necklace out and putting it around her delicate neck.
"Yes, you can," he told her as she put the earrings in.
"It's perfect," she turned to the mirror in the foyer.
"I agree," he stood behind her, staring at her reflection, she blushed as she caught his appreciative eye.
"Well, we're going to be late if we don't go now," Hermione turned to the floo where Blaise with Pansy and Ron with Lavender Brown were waiting. It was a quiet night tonight. Since the Pureblood Annual was on, it was expected that the Deatheaters wouldn't be so active. Harry and Ginny were in the kitchen, having already given their good wishes to the departing couples. Molly and Arthur were off doing Order business.
They flooed to the ancient Castle of King Arthur. The Arthurian family, the Pendragons were the ancient Pureblood family that quickly retreated from the muggle world when the muggles turned against the magical world and started actively persecuting them. They were one of the last great families to defend the muggles but ultimately even the Pendragons had to close their walls against the harsh world of witch hunts and Inquisitions. They were an aristocratic family that sent their children to private tutors instead of Hogwarts which was typical of most of the really famous, rich families like the Merlin descendants. Waiting attendants took their cloaks and led their party into an elaborate drawing room to await their announcement into the great hall.
"I feel like we're about to meet a king, what are these Pendragons like?" Hermione asked, nervous. She had read about the Pendragons in her research but they seemed so removed from the rest of the Wizarding community.
"They're just like anybody else Hermione," Draco spoke up.
"Just filthy rich. It's rumored they have more money than the Malfoy's," Pansy spoke up, throwing a smug look at Draco who rolled his eyes.
"Arbour and Jane are nice people Hermione. You'll really like them," Draco told her, mentioning the heir Lord Arbour Pendragon and his wife, Lady Jane who were in their mid-thirties. Arbour had extensive lands in other countries and was very active in the Ministry. Draco was explaining all of this when the door opened and an attendant announced that it was their turn to join the Annual. Hermione's nerves suddenly shot through the roof, quickly affecting Draco which in turn brought everyone's mood down.
TBC
***Don't you just love cliffhangers?