2. The Masquerade Ball
Hermione took her coat and wore it quickly. As much as she disliked the idea of going to the ball, she was still a bit curious. It was reported in The Daily Prophet that a few of the Dark side and a few of the Light side had come up with the idea of this ball. How did the Death Eaters decide to socialize with the enemies was beyond Hermione's thinking. And The Prophet was also reporting how the Dark side was repenting its mistakes and giving out various charities so that those who suffered in the war could benefit. "Ha! Nice way to retain your positions." Hermione thought bitterly.
Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Harry and the Weasley twins were taking one carriage. Fred had not died in the war; he had just gone into a coma from which he came out as soon as the war ended. The Weasleys had been extremely happy and George had been burning firecrackers at every corner of the house for a month!
"What a surprise, are you a stranger or Granger?" Asked Fred humorously as Hermione took his hand and climbed on the carriage. "Hmm…Let's see I think I have seen you before." continued George as he climbed in after her. "I think you are the girl Ickle-Ronnikins was dating before he fell for Lav-Lav."
Hermione's brow itched. No, she need not be reminded that the only man she had ever liked seriously had decided that it was better to date Lavender Brown than her. Personally, she didn't have any problems with Lavender. She was a nice girl even though a bit weird. Ron had reconsidered his relationship with her and was with her again by the end of the war. Even though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, Hermione was slightly relieved that Ron wasn't with her anymore. Even though she had feelings for him, she knew from the start that he wasn't her type. He was a lazy guy who was absolutely obsessed with Quidditch, but Hermione wanted a responsible, mature guy who was as intelligent as her and was focused. Ron was none of these. Frankly, she was no more attracted to him. She thought of him as just a friend and the feeling was reciprocated by him. They were still best friends and Hermione strongly believed they were better off without each other.
Yet she couldn't tolerate being the butt of everyone's jokes. She guessed that the twins had realized that she was not sulky. That was why they continuously pestered her, giving her sloppy love quotes which, according to them, could help patch up her love life with Ron. Not that she was interested anyway.
It was nearly twilight. They had almost reached the Ministry where the ball was going to take place. Hermione stuck her head out of the window. Ahead she could see the Ministry building decked with lights and charms. People were excitedly whispering to each other, marveling at the decorations. This excitement was purely because this ball was the first after the war, volunteered by none other than the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Every British wizarding citizen was invited to this 'peace ball' where the only aim was seeing and interacting with 'reformed Death Eaters' and celebrate the Light's victory and honor those who had sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the Wizarding society.
The carriage came to a stop. Harry and Ginny were the first to descend, hand in hand, as the world's "Savior Couple". Next were Ronald and Hermione as the "War Heroes" In the end were Fred and George Weasley, "The Light at the End of the Tunnel". People were shamelessly staring at them and pointing and whispering at each other as the newly-appointed celebrities made their way to the Entrance. No they didn't need the passes; those were for the common people not for those who had fought the war. The mere thought made Hermione smile.
As they made their way inside the ballroom, Ron sarcastically whispered in such a way so that only the ones near to him could hear, "Such a pleasure it is to meet our dear fellows who were after our lives not just a month ago." Hermione started giggling with Ginny as Ron, along with Harry and the twins smirked.
The ballroom certainly looked like the Victorian age ballroom where young men and women were dressed in their finest dress robes, glasses of wine in their hands, laughing and flirting, carefree. Hermione felt a wave of happiness surge through her body as she realized that what she had been aiming for during the war had become reality. A happy and free world. No more shall there be a constant fear of 'He Who Must Not Be Named', no wars, no deaths and no grief.
As Hermione walked on, leaving behind Ron, who had spotted Lavender and ran to be with his 'Lav-Lav', she observed for the first time the tension between the two sides. The Dark side was in a group, ignoring the Light side, while the Light side did the same. Hermione couldn't believe it! How in the name of Merlin's knickers could the two sides expect to be united if they can't even have a chat in a 'peace ball '? But Hermione did nothing to change that.
Draco Malfoy was pissed. Not angry but pissed. Not only was this stupid party getting on his nerves, but the continuous sight of his ex-girlfriend Astoria Greengrass flirting with his associate Theodore Nott was enraging him. The bloody mudbloods (though he didn't care about blood anymore), those 'heroic half-bloods' and the buffoon Gryffindors were actually being honored whereas people of such high status like him were being ignored.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Granger walking towards him. Great! Not only would he have to act civil with the annoying brat but his 'perfect' reputation would be tarnished. Why can't he be left alone?