At quarter to one on Monday afternoon Kingsley was patiently waiting for Harry to arrive in the atrium of the Ministry so they could go and see the venue for the upcoming ball. Technically Harry didn't need to see the venue but Kingsley was hoping him and Hermione would use the opportunity to catch up. Over the years Kingsley had witnessed how much Harry had missed Hermione, which was one of the reasons he had tried so hard to convince her to attend one of the anniversary balls over the last few years.
Kingsley was surprised that Harry was late, the man was usually very punctual, and here he was fifteen minutes late. Their meeting with Hermione wasn't until half past one but Kingsley had planned on taking Harry to lunch at the restaurant in the hotel, at this rate they would just have to grab a bite to eat at the café.
When Harry hadn't appeared by one o'clock Kingsley decided to pay a visit to the Auror's office, where he was informed that Harry was in an interrogation and had sent Kingsley a note cancelling lunch. Kingsley, having received no such letter returned to his office, where upon his arrival his secretary handed him a letter. Opening the letter Kingsley noted Harry's writing, the short note told Kingsley that Harry would be busy and would have to skip lunch and would meet him in the Atrium and one twenty. Cursing Kingsley strode out of his office back towards the atrium where he found Harry waiting for him.
"Sorry Harry. We seem to have had a mix up, I've only just gotten your note cancelling lunch."
"That's alright, sorry it was such short notice. You know how things are in the Auror department." Harry said to the former Auror.
Kingsley nodded. "Indeed, shall we leave." He said gesturing to the floo network.
Both men grabbed a handful of floo powder and stepped into the fire calling 'The Black Gem', Kingsley went first with Harry following close behind.
When Harry had mentioned where the ball was being held over the weekend his family had been very impressed and told him all they knew about the place. Bill had told Harry he had taken Fleur to dinner at the restaurant for their anniversary and was very impressed with both the food and the service. Fleur had spoken at length about the spa the hotel housed, she had visited with a few of her friends who were visiting from France. Fleur described it as the best spa she had ever experienced, a major compliment coming from someone as pampered as Fleur was. Angelina had been to the hotel on one of her friends hen parties, she had been to the nightclub and the cocktail bar. She had been so impressed she was trying to persuade George to hold her next birthday party there. Percy had simply commented that he had heard while it was a very luxurious place it was also very expensive.
When Harry stepped out of the fireplace he looked around in wonder at the hotel, they seemed to have arrived in the lobby. The lobby was very big and spacious, decorated in light cream with white marble floors. There were big double doors leading to outside, Harry guessed it was the entrance for if you arrived from outside the hotel. Along one wall was a row of fires, one of which Harry had just stepped out of. They were obviously used for visitors using floo powder. On the wall opposite were several lifts. Opposite the front doors was a large semi-circular counter with several members of staff behind, it was obviously the reception. On one side of the reception there was a large door and on the other there was a grand looking staircase.
Just standing in the entrance Harry could tell the place was expensive. As he looked around Harry noticed there was plenty of people milling about but no one who looked like they owned the place.
"So Kingsley, where's the owner?" Harry turned to Kingsley, questioning the older man.
Kingsley pointed towards the reception desk. "She's over there."
Harry looked at where Kingsley was pointing, there were two women behind the desk but both were wearing uniforms so Harry doubted they owned the place. The only other female in the vicinity was a brunette who was standing with her back to them. She was talking to a man behind the desk and Harry could only presume the woman was the owner.
Harry didn't know anything about the hotel owner as Kingsley had been very quiet on any details. The woman looked to be of average height with long, curly brunette hair that was pinned back from her face with a diamond clip shaped like a dragon. She was wearing a black and white dress that hugged her figure. From behind Harry could see she looked in very good shape, not that he was looking too much as he had a very possessive wife at home.
Kingsley started to walk towards the desk and Harry followed. Kingsley cleared his throat as he approached the mystery woman. Hearing Kingsley behind her the woman turned and Harry got the shock of his life.
"HERMIONE?"
Hermione whipped her head to the side at the sound of Harry's voice, staring in shock at her former best friend who stood there looking dumbfounded. Hermione quickly composed herself, she was a Malfoy after all and Malfoy's were always calm and composed.
"Hello, Harry. It's nice to see you again." Despite her pleasant words Hermione's tone slightly betrayed the anger and bitterness she felt towards Harry after the way he had treated her.
"Wh...wh...ho..." Harry spluttered, totally confused at seeing his best friend standing in front of him.
Looking at Hermione he realised his earlier assessment about her figure was right, she was stunning. Harry knew Ginny would kill for a figure like Hermione's. Ginny was tall and slim but had no curves and small breasts, whereas Hermione had plenty of curves and what looked to be a decent cleavage. The best word Harry could think off to describe his former friend was sexy, who would have thought Hermione Granger would grow up to be so sexy.
Kingsley stood watching the pair, aware that neither knew quite what to say so he tried to help.
"Do you two need some time before we begin?" He asked.
Just as Harry slowly began to nod Hermione stepped in.
"Perhaps we should deal with business first." Noting Harry's crestfallen face, Hermione felt sorry for her old friend and quickly added, "Maybe Harry and I could catch up after we've finished."
Harry brightened considerably at the thought that Hermione would agree to a meeting with him, he wasn't even sure if he deserved it. After agreeing to Hermione's suggestion, she became all business like and explained what was happening.
"We've got two rooms that are suitable for the ball, I thought we could view them both and then you could decide on which one you want before the major planning starts."
Kingsley nodded at Hermione, "That sounds great, should we begin."
Hermione then led Harry and Kinsley through the doors beside the reception area, to go and see the first room.
As they headed towards their first destination Harry took in the rest of Hermione's appearance, her hair was a lot calmer, falling in soft curls down her back and her skin looked smooth and silky. He noticed her clothes looked expensive, while no expert on women's clothes he had spent enough time around Fleur to recognise designer clothes when he saw them. The dangly earrings she wore and the teardrop necklace at her throat looked to be a real emerald's and he recognised a magical charm bracelet on her right arm.
Harry recognised the bracelet because Ginny had wanted one a few years ago. The bracelet itself had an unbreakable charm on but was several hundred galleons and the charms were all custom made exclusively for the owner in their own design so each charm was individual to the person wearing it. A charm could cost several hundred galleons depending on what material was used. Harry could make out a few of the charms on Hermione's bracelet, there was a silver dragon, a gold book and a red lion. Most people's charms represented important things in their life as they were individually made, so Harry wondered on the significance of the three he could make out clearly. The lion was obviously representing Gryffindor and the book he supposed represented her love of reading, the dragon was confusing though. Hermione clearly had an infinity with dragon's, considering it was also the shape of her hair clip.
Harry had been distinctly unimpressed with the ridiculously high price of the jewellery so he had told Ginny that he couldn't afford such an expensive piece of jewellery, even though he could. Clearly Hermione or her husband weren't put off by the high price. Harry had noticed Hermione wore a diamond engagement ring and a delicate looking wedding ring on her left hand and was eager to ask about her husband.
After walking down several corridors and passing several doorways Hermione led Kingsley and Harry into a massive ballroom where one wall was completely made of glass allowing a magnificent view of the gardens.
"This is the Garden Room." Hermione stated as they stood in the middle of the room. "The back wall opens to connect to the gardens."
Hermione waved her wand and the glass wall shimmered then disappeared. Harry was stunned at the sight, he had never seen magic like that before. Hermione led Kingsley and Harry out of the ballroom and into the garden.
"This part of the garden has a heating charm on it so it never gets cold. Most parties in this room have the wall open so guests can mingle between the garden and ballroom."
"Wow, Hermione this is really impressive." Harry told his friend.
Hermione smiled. "Thank you."
Harry and Kingsley looked around the room for ten minutes quietly discussing the party before Kingsley asked Hermione if they could view the other room. Hermione took Harry and Kingsley back to the lobby where she entered one of the large elevators.
"The other room is the largest of our ballrooms." Hermione explained as the lift rose to the tenth floor. When the lift stopped Hermione took Harry and Kingsley into a large semi-circular room. The back wall where the door was located was flat but the rest of the room curved in one big circle.
"The ceiling has the same enchantment used in The Great Hall At Hogwarts, so you can charm it to an appropriate theme." Hermione explained as Harry was looking at the ceiling which was currently showing a night sky.
"The room also has a balcony running all the way around it and there are several doors leading onto it." Hermione continued moving over to one of the glass doors situated around the room and pulling it open.
Hermione spoke a bit more about the room before she walked out onto the balcony, giving Kingsley and Harry time to discuss things together. Hermione stood quietly on the balcony, looking at the gardens below, while Kingsley and Harry were talking inside the room. She was still reeling from the surprise of seeing Harry and she was wondering what would happen when they had a chance to talk properly. She was also still angry at what had occurred between her and her so called friends but she couldn't deny the fact there was still a part of her that was pleased to see her former friend.
"Hermione." Kingsley called, summoning the brunette witch back into the room. "We have decided to use the garden room if that's alright."
Hermione smiled and nodded. "I'll get Jason to confirm the booking and then you can start arranging the ball. Just let me know when you need to meet to discuss arrangements"
"Actually Harry will be the one in charge this year, so you two will have to work together." Kingsley said, smiling at the pair of former schoolmates. "That's not a problem is it?"
Harry and Hermione both just looked at Kingsley both well aware that the Minister for Magic had just manipulated the pair of them.
"Of course not, Kingsley. Harry and I are adults." Hermione stated looking at Harry for his opinion.
"Yes, we are perfectly capable of working together." He chipped in.
Kingsley nodded. "Excellent, well in that case I'll be heading back to work. I believe you two were going to catch up."