Chapter Thirteen – PREPARATIONS

Hermione woke just after 10am the following morning and, reluctantly, she crawled out of bed. She grabbed her robe, tied it around herself, and opened her door, stifling a yawn. Making her way downstairs, Hermione could hear Harry, Ron and Ginny laughing.

"Morning sleepy head" Ginny said. "Sleep well?"

"Like a baby" Hermione replied before crossing the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee.

"You were out like a light when I came in last night, and you were still sleeping when I got up this morning." Ginny said, helping herself with another piece of toast.

"Must have been more tired than I thought" Hermione replied. "Plus, I needed the beauty sleep."

"Hardly" Ginny said, quietly.

Ron finished his piece of toast before handing Hermione the newspaper. "Paper?"

"Thanks" Hermione replied, taking the paper from Ron and sitting down at the table. "So, what's everyone up to today?" she asked, skimming over the cover story with little interest.

"Ron and I have class at 11, and we have to go because our assignments are due" Harry said, sounding extremely unenthusiastic. "And then we've got bloody quidditch training this afternoon. You would think that Caleb would give us the day off considering it's the ball tonight."

"It's only because he's pissed that he couldn't get a date" Ron said, laughing.

"Neither could you" Ginny said before clapping her hand over her mouth, trying to take it back. "Sorry, Ron. I didn't mean ..."

"It's ok, Gin" Ron cut her off. "I'll have more fun alone anyway. I'll just have to steal you away from Harry for a dance."

"You can try" Harry said, poking fun at his friend. "Maybe Declan will let you have Hermione for a dance or two" he suggested.

"Let him? LET HIM? I'm the one who says who I dance with, and if I want to dance with Ron, then I'll bloody well dance with Ron" Hermione said, emphatically.

Everyone at the table grew silent, and Ginny winked knowingly at Harry. "Well, Ronniekins, we'd better get moving if we're going to make it to class on time for a change" Harry said, as he kissed Ginny on the cheek and stood up from the table. "I guess we'll see you guys this afternoon."

"Not me" Hermione said, "Dec has arranged for Ginny and I to have facials, our hair and make-up done, and all sorts of pampering this afternoon. After that, I'm getting ready at Dec's place. I'll bring Ginny back, but then I'll just have to meet you there."

Ron looked genuinely disappointed. "Well, you two have fun today" he said, as he joined Harry and headed out the door.

Ginny went with Hermione to her noon class with Professor Hobson, where they were meeting with Declan before their afternoon of bliss. When the class had ended, Hermione quickly ran to the bathroom leaving Ginny with Declan.

"So, Miss Weasley, I believe that you and I share a similar hobby" Declan said, linking his arm in Ginny's.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Getting Hermione and your brother together. Tell me, do you think it's as impossible as it seems?" Declan asked cheekily.

"I hope not. Although, I've waited 8 years for something to happen between them, and other than a bit of jealousy over boyfriends and girlfriends, I've been bitterly disappointed. It did take him till he was 16 to get his first kiss, though, so he's a slow worker." Ginny replied, knowing Ron wouldn't be impressed with her telling Declan that.

"16? Are you serious?" Declan asked, both shocked and stunned.

"Deadly. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic" Ginny said, stifling a laugh.

"Well, if he doesn't get another kiss tonight, it won't be because he didn't get the chance. They way Hermione looks in that dress ... if he doesn't sit up and take notice, then maybe HE's the one who should start dating boys, not me." Dec replied.

"Is it really that good?" Ginny asked.

"Better." Declan replied as Hermione joined them. "Well, my ladies, are we ready to go?"

"Never been more ready" Hermione said, and the three walked towards the exclusive beautician that Declan had booked them in at.

Hermione sat having a manicure and pedicure at the same time as Ginny was having a deep hair treatment and Declan was having a facial peel. And for the first time, Hermione understood why 'those' kinds of girls did the things they did. Hermione felt wonderful. She felt pampered, and was more relaxed than she ever had been. She fell into easy conversation with the young women who worked in the salon, and was surprised to find out that some women had manicures and pedicures weekly. "Every week?" Hermione asked, shocked. "This is the first time I've ever had anything done."

"The first time?" Charlotte, the young assistant asked.

"Yeah. I haven't actually done anything like this before. I'm off to a ball tonight, and my friend Declan insisted on booking us in to have all of this stuff done. " Hermione replied.

"Well then, Hermione," Samantha, the older assistant said, "We better make it good so you'll come back again. Let me go grab a few extra things ... we'll do them free of charge. Can't let you go off to the ball without being properly prepared, can we?"

And so Hermione had the works. Pampered head to toe, Hermione felt like a princess. She looked at her reflection just prior to having her hair and make-up done and couldn't believe the difference already. "You've got amazing skin" Samantha said. "I'll let Marco know you're ready for him."

Hermione waited with anticipation as Marco walked towards her. "We'll start with some highlights, that's for sure ... and then we'll need a conditioning treatment ... after that, I'm not sure how much I can do ... straightening balm, we'll need loads of that ..." it was only then that Marco addressed Hermione. "Tell me about the dress." He said simply, and directly.

"Well ... um ... it's black ... satin ... um" Hermione began to say before Declan interrupted.

"Think classic 1940's screen siren, floor length black satin, very fitted, with a sweetheart neck line to enhance the bust. We've teamed it with a diamante choker, and a bracelet and earrings. I was thinking about gloves, but I was worried it might be overdoing it." Declan said, sounding as business like as Hermione had ever heard him sound.

"Sounds divine, and you're right about the gloves" Marco said, flirtingly to Declan. He then turned to Hermione and said "How attached are you to your hair?"

"Depends on what you mean by attached?" She replied.

"Would you be horrified if we cut a little bit off?" Marco asked.

"Not horrified, no. But as you can see, it's fairly wild, so I'd still want to be able to tie it back" Hermione replied.

"Yes, yes of course." Marco replied before showing Hermione a picture of a classic 1940's hairstyle, complete with face framing waves. "What do you think?"

"You can do THAT to my hair?" Hermione asked, sceptical.

"Hermione, with the right amount of product and the right stylist, anything is possible." Marco replied.

"Well, then. I guess ... go for it." Hermione said, giving Marco the freedom to do what needed to be done.

As Marco worked his magic, the make-up artist came to talk colours with Hermione. His name was Alessanjdro, and had done make-up for a number of celebrities in his career. "Shocking Red lipstick is a must. I think that dress absolutely demands it. And then some smokey eyeshadow and layer upon layer of mascara to bring out those amazing eyes" he said, and Hermione, not knowing the first thing about make-up, said she was completely in his hands and that she trusted him.

Two hours later, at 4pm, Hermione, Ginny, and Declan left the salon. They quickly apparated back to the apartment and dropped Ginny off. "You sure you don't mind me nicking off to Declan's to get ready?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione, I'm a big girl. I can manage to get ready alone. Anyway, Harry and Ron will be back here pretty soon. You guys get going." Ginny answered.

"Ok, then. We'll see you tonight." Declan said as he and Hermione apparated to his apartment.

"Oh Merlin! Gin, you look amazing." Harry said, as Ginny descended the stairs, dressed for the ball.

"Thanks, Harry. You look pretty amazing yourself" Ginny replied as she walked through the lounge room to join Harry. "Where's Ron?" She asked.

"I think he's still getting ready. I'm sure he'll be down in a minute or two." Harry said.

"You think there's a chance?" Ginny asked.

"With him and Hermione? I certainly hope so," Harry replied. He heard Ron on the stairs and made a silent gesture to Ginny to keep quiet. "Ready to go then, Ron?" Harry called out.

"Ready as I'll ever be" Ron replied. He entered the lounge room, dressed in a classic dinner suit with a cream jacket.

"Ron!" Ginny exclaimed. "You look amazing."

"Thanks, Gin. You two look pretty good, too. Come on, we'd better get going. Don't want to be late" Ron said, and the three of them left the apartment.