The entertainment for the evening was extravagant. Exotic belly dancers, fire eaters and acrobats littered the dance floor surrounded by clusters of purebloods. A real lion stood regally at the far stage with spinning aerial silk acrobats on either side. Draco pulled Hermione through the crowd to Blaise who was standing next to a sour looking Ron. Lavender was off with her friends and Pansy was talking to a tall, elegant looking man from Beauxbaton.

"What happened now?" Draco asked as they arrived.

"Ron wanted to spike the punch bowl," Blaise answered, Draco rolled his eyes.

"You wouldn't make it past two steps before they kicked you out. The attendants have charms on the bowls for that very reason," Draco told the grumpy redhead.

"Whatever, at least it would liven this party up a bit," Ron growled, Hermione raised an eyebrow at him before looking over at a pretty contortionist who was fitting herself into a glass box near them.

"I really don't think you've given this place a chance," Blaise crossed his arms.

"I think he's just jealous that you won't ask him to dance," Draco teased, Ron instantly turned white and they all burst out in laughter.

Hermione danced with a few of the Durmstrang students that were friends with Viktor. Soon Draco cut in and they were the center of attention as they revealed how well they could cut up the floor. Lord Arbour made his way to the stage and the music lowered and slowly stopped, pulling everyone's attention to him.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, as my special guests in these dark times, I hope you make the best of tonight's revels. The Wizarding World must stick together and triumph against the darkness. Believe in each other and do not succumb to nameless fears. We are magical and strong, do not forget that. I believe in you, the next great Wizarding generation," Lord Arbour announced, cheers went through the crowd. "Now for tonight's grand finale, I hope to direct to your attention to Ringmaster Crowley," Lord Arbour gestured to an impossibly tall man in a yellow and red stripped top hat. He bowed deeply and gracefully took Lord Arbour's place.

"Lord and Lady Pureblood, you have already seen our performers individually dazzle your senses. Now let them show you what it really means to put on a show," the Ringmaster waved his arm and instantly disappeared in a cloud of smoke, he reappeared sitting neatly on a metal ring that had been lowered behind him. The lion near him roared, bounding forward and climbing up onto a raised platform underneath the Ringmaster. The creature morphed into a stately man in an expensive suit and snapped his fingers, sparkles rained down on the crowd as a woman in a black top hat and black suit rolled down a strip of black silk, stopping just above the crowd. Other acrobats swung around above them in intricate patterns as winged pixies flew up and around them, flinging more sparkles out over the crowd. The music was lively as a woman in a sexy red dress stepped forward and started singing. She was lovely and Hermione was riveted, she'd never heard anyone who could sing as well as she could.

The party went on late into the night and soon Hermione was yawning into her hand as Draco dragged her around the hall, around the edges curiosities were set up, he especially enjoyed the baby two headed dragon and an alluring mermaid in a large tank. Finally Hermione had to beg him to return home, she wanted to get some real sleep before the Lunch date with her new family.

***Sorry about the short chapters lately. I've been a little busy and haven't had much time to writing.