Why hello, fancy seeing you here.

Just to let you know that I, Claire (shygirl135) has totally taken back control of this story. Sorry if I didn't make it clear before.

Jeez! Look at all the reviews! I asked for 450, and you guys surpassed that, I love each and every one of you for that. Anyone who hasn't reviewed before, but has put this on their story alerts, don't be afraid to review. I don't bite ; )

Thanks to: reina13, CFCRockAngel, mirifaery, Sesshoumaruluver01, zanessa-troyella1032, BustyxxxxWizard, x8jessica8x, dreadfuldelights, Fan1EdwardCullen, kaylamarie2012, cmssportzgrl, tfobmv18, scarredprincess, VoiletDhaliwal, Ayriannah, soccersyd, sweet-tang-honney, kh2020, TashaLyn13, Crossy, Chatterbox Eye DramioneBlossom and Moldyshorts. Plus anyone who has reviewed previous chapters, keep it up : )

This is dedicated to Chatterbox Eye DramioneBlossom because she reviewed every single chapter, each filled with praise. You rock!

Let's get it over 500! That shouldn't be too hard? Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!

Chapter 22: Preparations

The next week passed quickly. The dresses which Hermione had shopped for with Narcissa had been delivered and Ginny, along with Pansy, helped her decide which dress she would wear to her engagement party the following Saturday. Everyone had replied to the invitations and seemed to looking forward to what was becoming known as the most awaited engagement party of the year. Because it was so exclusive, everyone was desperate to go, Draco had been followed by some love sick 6th years who had begged him for an invitation. The old Draco would have smirked and gladly given them invites, but he was a changed person. He had found his soulmate, and he didn't want one of the best nights of his life to be ruined by distressed 6th years who claimed that Draco was the one they wanted to marry, even though he had never met them in his life.

Soon enough, it was Saturday. The party would start at 6 o'clock, the house elves were going to deliver some food so the guests wouldn't miss dinner. Hermione was nervous about meeting Narcissa again, she hoped that the Weasley's would be civil to her. Ginny had kicked Draco out of their room after lunchtime, insisting that she and Hermione needed to be alone for some girl time, and also, Ginny wanted to make Hermione more beautiful than Draco had ever seen her, which, was extremely sweet but also quite a little bit insulting. Was Ginny implying that Hermione wasn't pretty unless she had been beautified for six whole hours? Or was Hermione just being overly paranoid?

It was half past three, and Ginny was coiling Hermione's wet hair into more tamed curls. Out of nowhere, Ginny spoke.

"Hermione, have you shaved your legs?"

"Of course I have Ginny, I'm wearing a dress. Even I know that you shouldn't have hairy legs whilst wearing a dress. I did it when I was showering this morning. You know that."

"OK," Ginny smiled, appeased. "And have you...umm, how to put this as nicely as possible...shaved your...lady parts?"

Hermione jumped. "What?! Why?"

"I didn't mean shaved...I meant...oh Merlin...you know what I mean! Please say you know what I mean. I may be crude but I'm not that crude."

A light bulb went off in her head. "No, I haven't done that. I didn't feel the need since it's not like he is going to see it."

"Really? I'd have thought you would. It's going to be one of the best nights of your love, why should it stop there?"

"Ginny, really. I'm just not ready for that yet. Draco and I have discussed it, and he is...not exactly thrilled, but he will wait for me. It's not like he is going to dump me because I won't put out for Merlin's sake. We are going to be married, and I love him just as much as he loves me."

Ginny nodded in understanding. Hermione relaxed back into Ginny's soothing touch. It was odd, but she liked people touching her hair. It made her feel all fuzzy inside- but not in the bad way.

"How far have you got with him?" Ginny blurted.

Hermione shrieked. "Ginny! Please, surely that's too much information!"

Ginny shrugged, "You know about me and Blaise. You and Draco have been awfully cosy these past few weeks. I just wondered-"

"Well don't."

"Hermione, that's not fair! It's not like I told you! You guessed it, and even if you hadn't have guessed it you would have found out anyway because Draco would have seen us and told you! Please, we're best friends. Why don't you want to tell me?"

"There isn't anything to tell. We had the talk about intimacy and then we just sort of relaxed with each other...nothing major, just lots of kissing and touching really. I didn't want to rush into it. Are you happy now? Please don't make this more embarrassing than it already is."

Ginny huffed. "Why is it embarrassing? This is me you're talking to; I'm the girl who already has rushed into it."

"But you're in love. It felt right." Hermione said gently.

"So are you! If you're trying to tell me something, this isn't really the time to be telling me you don't love Draco. You should have said weeks ago-"

"Of course I'm in love with Draco. Don't be stupid."

"Oh, so now I'm stupid? Is that it?"

By this point, Ginny had stopped curling Hermione's hair and was standing in front of her. Hermione was bewildered by Ginny's reaction.

"No! Why would you be stupid? What are we even talking about?"

"You don't want to share anything with me anymore! There aren't any details, there's no gossip. You just spend all your time with Draco! And even then, all you do is talk to each other. What's the fun in that? If you're so in love, why don't you show it?"

Hermione gaped. Is that was Ginny thought?

"But who else am I supposed to talk to? You're always going off with Blaise to do things I don't want to know about. If you keep leaving me, I'm naturally going to be with Draco. I love him."

"So it's my fault? It's my fault we don't spend loads of time together anymore?"

Hermione was exasperated. "Ginny, what's the matter with you? You're biting my head off and I don't even know why!"

To think, this had all started with a simple question of shaving her legs....

"I need to have some time alone. Get Pansy to help you with your hair," Ginny snapped, as she stormed out the room.

What the hell had just happened?

Hermione was in her dressing gown. She went to the door quick enough to hear the door to Ginny and Blaise's room slam shut. She peered outside and saw Pansy sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.

"Pansy? Can you help me please?" Hermione asked. Pansy looked up, surprised that Hermione was asking her for help. What had happened to Ginny? She knew they were close.

Pansy did as Hermione asked and went inside her room. She picked up the tongs; luckily she knew how to use them.

"What happened to Ginny?" Pansy asked.

Hermione sighed, "I honestly have no idea. One minute we were talking about shaving, the next she was accusing me that I didn't spend enough time with her. I didn't want to tell her what me and Draco do in private and she felt it was a reflection on herself. Then she just stormed out needing 'time alone'. I would go and talk to her, but I know her temper. It will take a while to calm down. Do you think it's an omen? It's the day of the party, and my best friend is mad at me. What am I going to do?"

"Don't be silly, it's not an omen. Maybe Ginny has something on her mind. Is it PMS?"

"Shouldn't be... I'll wait for her to calm down and then I'll talk to her. I don't want her to spoil my party."

"Nothing will spoil your party. You chose an amazing theme, and I love your dress. Besides, it's a celebration of your love with Draco. You deserve it. I only hope me and Harry will be as happy as you two are," Pansy smiled genuinely.

"Thanks. You will though, you've been through a lot with Harry, and you certainly seem happy now," Hermione commented.

"You can say that again," Pansy laughed. She had finished curling Hermione's hair and was running her fingers through it. "Do you want me to charm it so it stays in place?"

"Yes please, I don't want it to fall flat and then go all frizzy," Hermione scrunched her face up in disgust. Sometimes, she hated her hair.

"Now, what else do you need help with?"

Ginny slammed the door to her room shut and threw herself onto the bed. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Why had she got so upset? It was nothing, and yet she had completely over-reacted. What was wrong with her? Was she hormonal? Was she regretting how hasty she and Blaise had been? She had only known him for two months, even though she had noticed his attractiveness a few years ago. No, she knew she had done what was right for her; she loved Blaise with all her heart and was completely happy in how things were. She didn't want anything to change.

A noise from the bathroom made her jump.

"Ginny?" Blaise called from the bathroom. "Is that you?"

"Yes," Ginny's voice came out strangled. This immediately alerted Blaise, who opened the door wearing a towel and rushed to her side. She wasn't usually so emotional, she kept things bottled up.

"What's wrong, babe?" Blaise asked her soothingly.

"Nothing," Ginny shook her head.

"Don't lie. I've only ever seen you cry once. What happened?"

"Me and Hermione got into a fight," Ginny said quietly, sniffing. She reached for a tissue by the bedside table.

"A fight? About what?" Blaise frowned, "you never fight with her, not to the extent that you're crying your eyes out."

"It was so stupid. I don't even know how it started, I suddenly felt really angry, and I just let it all out onto Hermione. Then I realised I was going to cry and I ran out of there. What's wrong with me? I feel...all funny. I'm getting major mood swings, and I don't feel right," Ginny broke into a fresh set of tears.

"Shh," soothed Blaise, rubbing her back gently. "She is going to forgive you. You're best friends, and nothing is going to change that.

"I hope so. I don't want to lose her. And I don't want to spoil her day, we're having ours in less than a month, and I'd hate it if I had a fight with Hermione then. I wouldn't want it to be ruined."

"Well, why don't we just stay in here for a bit, until you've calmed down. And then we can go over and you can apologise. Then, everyone will be happy, and the party will be great," Blaise smiled.

Ginny laughed softly, and traced her hand along his jaw line. "You're so sweet. I love you."

Blaise grinned, "Would you believe that I love you too?"

"Shockingly, no." Ginny replied, and they kissed. Ginny could taste the salt of her tears, but she didn't care. She was with the guy she loved, and nothing was better than that.

"There. You're all set." Pansy said as she stepped back, admiring her handiwork. Hermione beamed at herself in the mirror. They thankfully had an hour to spare before they needed to arrive in the room of requirement. She and Draco had magically drawn what they wanted the room to look like, and they sent them out with the invitations. The guests were supposed to take the drawing with them, to use to enter the room. Draco had been impressed with Hermione's ingenuity.

"Thanks, Pansy. You're amazing," Hermione replied, as she hugged the Slytherin. Unwillingly, Pansy blushed. She still couldn't believe the events of the last two months. She was friends with the girl she had bullied for years, how ironic.

"Don't worry about it. Do you want me to fetch Ginny?"

Hermione nodded, her smile fading.

"It will be alright, just stay calm."

Just as Pansy went to get Ginny, someone knocked on the door.

Ginny popped her head round. She was already dressed for the party and looked a little bit awkward.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

"Of course not, Ginny I just wanted to say I'm sorry-"

"Don't be sorry Hermione," Ginny interrupted, "it was my fault. I shouldn't have got so emotional. I don't know what came over me. I haven't felt right for a few days, hopefully it's just a cold."

"Do you want to rest tonight then?"

"Rest? Tonight? Like hell I will! I am going to your engagement party; I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Hermione beamed. As did Ginny. They embraced, and when they parted, both girls had tears in their eyes.

"Women..." muttered Blaise who had entered the room as well.

"You got a problem?" Pansy asked with a glint in her eye.

"No...no, not at all! Don't know where you got that idea from Pansikins."

Hermione and Ginny burst out laughing.

"Do. Not. Call. Me. Pansikins. Ever. Again. Got that?" Pansy growled.

Blaise flung himself behind Ginny, in an effort to protect himself. Ginny swatted him, "don't be so daft."

"Pansy is scaring me!" Blaise whined.

The three girls sighed.

"Pansy! You're not dressed yet!" Ginny suddenly exclaimed. "We have to leave in thirty minutes!"

Pansy looked down in surprise.

"Oops," she muttered before running out of the room. "If I'm not out by then leave without me and I'll catch you up."

"Alright!" Hermione called, before she heard a door slam.

"Where are Harry and Draco? They should be here by now. I want to take some photos before we leave," Ginny said. She had brought her small clutch in and produced an ordinary looking camera from inside.

"We can take some individual ones I suppose..." muttered Hermione.

Just the, the outside door slammed, and a flustered looking Draco ran into their room, clearly expecting it to be empty. Hermione saw Harry run past their door and into his room. She heard a muffled shriek from Pansy.

"Why is everyone in my room?" Draco demanded.

"Why are you so late?" Hermione retorted.

"Harry and I were playing Quidditch, we didn't realise the time until Hagrid shouted at us," Draco admitted.

"Right, well we'll get out of your hair...be ready in five minutes," Ginny said primly, steering Hermione out of the room.

"What-"

"The nerve of that boy, he didn't even notice what you looked like!"

"Be fair Ginny, he just ran into the room," laughed Hermione.

Ginny shrugged, and then changed the subject.

"OK Hermione. Stand by that wall over there. I'll take a picture of you looking wonderful then I can charm it to hover in the air and take a picture of us."

Hermione followed out Ginny's instructions, smiling and posing for the camera.

Blaise posed for some pictures too, with Ginny and Hermione separately. Then Pansy rushed out the room, nearly tripping on her shoes.

"Join in Pansy!" Hermione giggled as she struck a 'funny' pose. It felt nice to feel like a teenager again, not a soon to be married woman.

Pansy stood next to Hermione, and smiled for the camera. The camera clicked furiously as they took picture after a picture.

A few minutes later, Draco and Harry emerged from their rooms.

"Finally! Hurry over here, we can't be late for our own engagement party." Hermione called.

"Draco, stand next to Hermione and look adorable," Ginny ordered, as she tugged the others out of the camera's view.

Draco sidled up next to Hermione and they both smiled for the camera.

"Great, now Draco, kiss her on the cheek." Draco obeyed, and Hermione blushed as the camera flashed.

"Don't they look adorable," Blaise gushed.

Draco glared at him as Hermione laughed. Then they all laughed again as the camera captured the moment.

"Join in everyone!" Hermione offered, and immediately was surrounded by those who she had grown to love. Could her life be any more perfect?

"Shall we charm the camera to follow us around?" Ginny suggested, as they walked quickly to the room of requirement.

"Ahh! That's a great idea Ginny!" Hermione smiled appreciably.

"I do have moments of pure genius, it's true," nodded Ginny solemnly.

"Yeah, right," smirked Draco.

"I really don't think your soon to be wife will appreciate her soon to be husband having a black eye at their engagement party, Draco," Ginny replied absentmindedly flexing her fists.

"I really don't think I want to marry her," muttered Blaise to Draco.

"Blaise!" Harry said, shocked.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Jeez, I can't say anything without my livelihood being threatened."

"That's because everything you say is offensive," joked Pansy.

Blaise looked Pansy in the eyes.

"And you say that I'm offensive. Can't you see what I have to put up with?" Blaise implored to Ginny.

"Don't come crying to me, Blaise. You should think before you speak," Ginny laughed, before kissing him.

"Ugh, please don't make me through up on this gorgeous dress," Hermione pretended to gag.

Suddenly, Draco stopped walking. Everyone turned round.

"What's up?" Harry frowned.

"I-I never told you how amazing you looked Hermione. I broke one of the rules that Ginny set me."

Hermione glanced at Ginny, who immediately turned her gaze on a tapestry nearby.

"Right...well, it doesn't really matter now, Draco. Let's just get to the room before the guests start arriving."

"No, it should matter. You are my life now, and I want to spoil you for the rest of our lives, and that includes telling you how beautiful you look every single day."

The others finally had the sense to give them a little privacy. They all turned to look at the tapestry, Hermione could hear them marvelling under their breaths. She shook her head.

"Really, Draco. The moment's passed. I know that you love me, and that's enough. I don't need to be told that I look beautiful every day, how about I assume I am beautiful unless told otherwise?"

"But what if I want to? What if I feel you deserve it?"

"I guess we won't actually arrive at the room until you tell me what you think about my outfit," Hermione sighed. "Get it over with."

Draco flinched slightly, why was she being like that?

"Maybe I don't want to anymore. You're just being ungrateful, and you clearly don't care what I think."

"Merlin's pants! Draco, just tell me I look beautiful!"

"No. I don't want to."

Hermione sighed. Great, she had offended him.

She walked slowly up to him, attempting to be seductive. Clearly, it worked. His eyes bulged as he struggled to keep staring into her eyes, and not her body.

"Pleeeease, Draco. I'd love to know what you think," she purred. To her own ears, she sounded horribly embarrassing. But it worked. Draco shuddered and closed his eyes.

Hermione reached out and stroked his arm.

"Please, Draco," she breathed.

"Merlin...Hermione, you are absolutely breathtaking."

"Aww, you're so lovely, Drakiee Poo," Hermione giggled.

"Don't mock me, you seduced me!"

"Me? I did no such thing," Hermione smirked. Draco groaned and closed his eyes again.

"You're such a witch," muttered Draco from under his breath.

"You love it," whispered Hermione, before gently kissing him. Draco immediately wrapped his arms round her, devouring her completely.

A small cough.

"Umm, don't mean to break this up but I can hear people up ahead. By the room of requirement," Harry interrupted.

They broke apart.

"Merlin! We're late! Come on!" Hermione cried, launching herself in the direction of their venue.

The others followed soon after her.

They rounded a corner to see Narcissa, Mrs Weasley, Mr Weasley, George, Angelina, Ron and Luna waiting around in the corner.

"There you are, dear," Mrs Weasley said kindly.

"We thought you'd forgotten your own engagement party," George joked.

"Sorry, we got preoccupied taking some photos in our room," Draco apologised, before kissing his mother on the cheek.

"Hello, Narcissa," smiled Hermione gently. "It's nice to see you again."

Narcissa smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Hello Hermione."

Oh no, it's going to be one of those nights.

That has to be one of the longest chapters yet...9 pages on Microsoft Word. Aren't you proud?

So, the party is clearly going to be next. But will there be any unwelcome surprises? For all those who want to see the other couples, hopefully the next chapter is for you! I will try and mention all the couples that we know of. It's a small party.

And just to clarify, at the moment, Fred died in the war... But, if there is a cry of anger from you lot, I can change it. It's not like we know if he is dead or not, he could just be late, haha.

Anyways, I'm off to watch the newest episode of GLEE which I recorded because I was busy last night. I'm a huge Gleek. Love love love Glee!

Ta ta my lovelies.

Review pleeeeeease.