(It's not nessecary to read my AN – BUUUUT it woud help ) Hi! I am truly sorry for not posting, guys. Updates are continuously going to take a while – It's a busy year for my family... I had my matric farewell (Prom-type thing), and this year my family has (had): a 13th birthday, a 16th birthday, a 21st birthday, a 40th birthday, a 60th birthday, a 80th birthday, a matric farewell, I'm finishing school (SATS At 16-17 :D) and two weddings – both my cousins – Plus, I have numerous dance and music exams (P.s, I Got a Distinction for my UNISA Grade 5 exam :D) and I'm going on holiday about every two weeks, I've rescued a baby pigeon, I've been so sick, and I'm training for a marathon. (Literally, sprinting... haha.) Despite the incredibly busy year, updating and writing this fic is my responsibility, and I'm sorry I haven't been here. I have a short update before I'm leaving for my mini vakay again. Then I shall update again soon, but please don't hate and please don't unfollow! No book is written in patterns – an update a week, per say – so be a bit patient! I love you all, and thank you if you're still around! – Carri xxx
Chapter 9: Pre-Party-Planning
Peace was once again among the Hogwarts grounds. Even though Draco and Hermione didn't go to the library to sort things out after their broomstick-on-fire escapade, they had sorted things out, and our Head's had established a relationship that worked for them – talking politely, having fun when at their dormitory, and bantering again when with friends. They didn't sit together, they didn't talk during school, and it suited them fine like that. It wasn't that there was anything to hide – They were barely friends. But it just seemed unnatural to run around as friends in the hallways. Draco didn't have a lot of Slytherin friends at the castle – there were very few 8th-years back, and the least of them were in Slytherin. Hermione was hanging around with her Slytherin friends, but even though she was friends with a lot of people, her only close friends were Harry and Ron, so she did get a bit lonely without them sometimes.
Halloween evening was approaching fast, and everything was ready – Hagrid had donated 20 HUGE pumpkins, and each prefect had a ball – pardon the pun – carving a pumpkin. The hall would Be decorated with large bats and tables groaning under food. The theme would be: A Night Of Mystery. Masquerade parties were always famous, but this one had a twist - you were supposed to go with a 'stranger' – someone the sorting hat would choose for you – but you weren't supposed to know who it is, until after the ball. "You would be paired up with someone from a contrasting house." - that was all that was said. Professor McGonagall alone only knew she had paired up the Head's secretly, but Minerva McGonagall was never one to hand things to be done over to others, and house unity was so important, especially after the war.
The evening of the ball, Ginny, Lavender, Hermione, Parvati, and a 7th-year Gryffindor were getting ready at the Gryffindor dormitory.
Ginny was feeling in the mood to go all out, so she was sporting a short, Slytherin green dress, with black heels.
Lavender, concerned as she was about dress – which was a long salmon pink - was gushing to Parvati.
"I wonder who we're paired up with. Oh I hope I get a handsome guy! Do you think we'll get Ravenclaws? Or Hufflepuffs? Is my hair alright, or should I put more clips in?"
"Lav, relax. You look beautiful; you'll get a very nice guy! I think I should use the bright purple eyeshadow?" Parvati had a purple and lime sequence-style dress.
Hermione had straightened her hair, and had done her make-up lightly, with some advice from Ginny. She wore a royal blue dress, long to the floor, with silver detail in front, and an open back.
"Ginny, don't you think I should leave the silver heels? Isn't it a bit much? I've alrea-"
Laughing, Ginny interrupted her. "'Mione, relax! The heels add a beautiful detail. Your guy is going to drool!"
"Alright... If my guy laughs at me I'm kicking your butt."
"Deal!" Ginny laughed.
"Shall we go girls?" Lavender asked.
A chorus of "YES!" filled the dormitory.
"Let's bewitch them!" Ginny yelled.
AN (Again) – It's incredibly short, but I didn't have much time, sorry guys! Next one'll make up for it! Even though I'm not sure when I'll update again... It's Heritage day in my country on Tuesday... SO! Sorry for late updates. Review? Or don't, if you hate my slow updates. - Carri. xx