Chapter Ten
"I'm speechless Aurelia." Hermione gasped. "It is absolutely unbelievable!"
In a deep alcove behind the curtains stood a mannequin, fitted upon the mannequin was the most exquisite gown Hermione had ever seen. The dress was made from sumptuous black silks and taffeta, with sparkling silvery gold embellishments. The dress was bell shaped, with the corseted bodice heart shaped and form-fitting. The gown had flowing netted petticoats beneath the floor length skirt, gems and metallic embroidery brought the dress alive as the lights danced and shimmered upon it.
There was a matching masquerade mask, that was flocked with a velvet-like substance and it had intricate metal-work filigree over-laid and rich black feathers adorning it's sides. There were also matching brocade high-heeled ankle boots and lacy black elbow length gloves.
Hermione starred in awe.
"Go on then." Aurelia urged her, "Put in on, the limo will be here in half an hour.
Aurelia helped Hermione into the dress, lacing up the bodice with expert care. When she was fitted into the dress it fitted her like a glove, every curve in her body was held snugly in place by the exotic fabrics. Aurelia gazed at her with a mixture of pride and wonder. "You look better than I had even dared to imagine." Aurelia said as she led her to a full length mirror in the corner of the studio.
Hermione stood before the mirror and was amazed at the reflection before her. With her new hairstyle and the beautiful dress she barely recognised the gorgeous stranger starring back at her. Sultry, smoky eyes glinted back at her through the eye-holes in the mask, and her full lips smiled.
"The limo's here." Aurelia shouted from the doorway, and Hermione sashayed towards the exit.
In the limo, Hermione and Aurelia were given champagne and cocktails, they played music and laughed and giggled all the way, Hermione was quite tipsy before long and as the wide city streets gave way to twisting country lanes the limousine had to slow to a crawl. The night was dark and surprisingly warm for the time of year. Trees and shrubbery brushed the sides of the vehicle as the lanes narrowed further still.
"Where is the Longbottom-Lovegood residence?" Hermione asked after forty-five minutes.
"Oh haven't you been before?" Aurelia asked.
"No, I haven't seen them in five years, they were still at the flat in King's Lynn then. Hermione replied, hiccuping between words.
"Oh it's gorgeous – a real country manor house, it's just outside the wizarding village of Charmsford. You are going to love it! It has it's own ghosts, a bell tower, it truly is the real deal!" Aurelia looked as excited as Hermione felt and before long the car was turning into the private driveway of Neville and Luna's mansion.
The drive wound it way up a tree-lined road and after a few minutes the driver stopped before a towering gate, there was a small stone building to the side of it, out of which lumbered a heavily built man in a security guard's uniform.
The chauffeur wound his window side and the guard poked his head in, turning to look into the back seat.
"Names please?" The security guard asked formally, his eyes exploring the two beauties in the back seat. The two women looked at each other and smirked.
"Mistresses Aurelia Perky and Hermione Granger." The chaffeur said, and the guard tore his roving eyes away from Hermione long enough to check the list he held on a clipboard in his hands.
"Have a wonderful evening misses." The guard said, craning his neck even further in through the window.
"Thank you." The ladies chimed out in unison, giggling to themselves.
The guard didn't remove his head until the limousine began inching forwards.
"Oh yes." The guard said, "I'll open the gates for you." He gave the women one last look-over and then regretfully walked back to the gatehouse.
Slowly the heavy gates opened, and Hermione got her first view of the expansive mansion. The building was a long three storied Georgian manor, Lights twinkled from the large windows and a fountain plumed up in a manicured forecourt in front of the wide stairs leading up to the huge double doors. Men and women in masquerade masks bustled around the garden and music and laughter could be heard from within the property.
The limousine pulled up at the bottom of the stairs and a smartly dressed valet also in a mask quickly rushed down the steps to attend to the passengers. He opened the door and offered his arms to the two ladies.
"Good evening, and welcome to the ball." He said as he accompanied them up the wide stone staircase.
Another member of staff, opened the doors for them and Hermione gazed around at the palatial entrance hall to Neville and Luna's beautiful home.
"Who's that in there?" A blonde witch in a satsuma coloured gown and mask, rushed over and asked them.
"Luna?" Hermione guessed, judging her wacky choice of outfits as a perfect fit for her eccentric friend. "It's Hermione!"
"And Aurelia." Aurelia interrupted,
"Wow Hermione!" Luna gasped, "I didn't recognise you at all, I'm loving your new look. You look like a super star!" Luna turned around and shouted, "Neville, Nev... Nev..." A tall man in a beautiful Georgian-style suit and mask made his way across the hall towards them, "I bet you can't guess who this is?"
Neville rubbed his chin in thought, "Erm... is it... Aurelia?" He asked.
"No you big Nelly not Aurelia, Hermione... whoops!" Luna said, "Anyway it's Hermione!" She said almost jumping up and down on the spot with excitement.
"It never is!" Neville said.
"It blinking is!" Luna squeaked.
"Yes it is!" Hermione interjected, "It's great to see you both."
"You look great Hermione." Neville said whistling.
"That's enough of that!" Luna said laughing and she gave Neville a playful slap. "Anyway, welcome to our humble home." Neville said with a grin. He put his arm around his wife to reassure her and said, "Please make yourself at home, the dancing will start when everyone's here."
"Yes, make sure you get yourself a dance card." Luna said to Aurelia and Hermione. "I'm sure both of your cards will be full in no time. I can't imagine that there is a warm-blooded man alive who wouldn't want to have the pleasure of dancing with either of you. They are in the parlour to your left, go and help yourself." Luna waved her arms above her head in a strange way and a waiter rushed over. "Make sure our guests never spend more than five minutes without a drink in hand." She said, "Now scoot." The waiter nodded and rushed off with his empty tray to get it refilled.
"Have a great evening." Neville shouted as Hermione and Aurelia made their way to the parlour.