Chapter Eleven
Hermione and Aurelia, having collected their dance cards, made their way to the ballroom. The immense room had been decorated with orange and black balloons and streamers, pumpkins floated in the air, their grotesquely carved features grinning down upon hundreds of wonderfully dressed party guests.
All of the female attendees were soon ushered to one end of the spectacular room. A short man stood upon a stage at the far side upon a podium, he held his wand to his throat and his voice, magically amplified, rang out throughout the hall.
"Will all the beautiful ladies please be so kind as to receive the gentlemen, who will make their way over to the girls and be gentle as they ask for the pleasure of a dance with the females of their choice." The man's squeaky voice continued, "When your cards are full please move to the other side of the ballroom and when all the ladies have moved across the hall the band will begin and the dancing can proceed. Have a wonderful evening and don't be too shocked if there are a few surprises before the night is over."
There was an excited murmur throughout the room as the ladies formed a group at the left hand side of the room. Within moments, the men had made their way towards them. The band had started to set up on stage and the lights had magically dimmed.
Hermione was swamped by potential masked partners, and her card was filling up fast. Out of the crowds a tall masked man wearing a prince charming-type suit in silvery green and black stepped towards her. His piercing grey eyes unblinking as he looked into her mesmerised eyes.
"I would recognise those eyes anywhere," the man said in a deep and enticing voice. Hermione had to catch her breath; it was the same voice she had been hearing in her dreams.
"Wh... who is it?" Hermone asked nervously.
"Ah that would be telling Miss Granger," her dream man said teasingly, "may I have the honour of a dance?"
"O... o... o... of course." Hermione stammered. She handed the stranger her card, and as he signed it, she looked up at him. His hair was silvery blonde, his skin was clean-shaven and his scent of sandalwood and dark musk enveloped her, her eyes lingered on his broad shoulders until she closed her eyes drinking in his fragrance.
"Are you... okay? The sexy voice jolted her out of her reverie.
"Oh... erm... yes... sorry," she said, "Just a little tipsy," she composed herself and took the card back as he offered it.
"Mmmmmm," he said, sounding aroused before taking a step back. "Okay, well I will see you in a while," the stranger said with a wink."
Hermione squirmed with excitement as he disappeared back through the crowd. She glanced down at the card remembering he had signed it, she was hoping to see a name thereon. '10.30pm - An admirer' was all that he had written down. Hermione sighed. "Ten thirty can't come fast enough," she thought to herself.