Fallen & Risen 23. Malfoy's New Year's Celebration, part 1
Cut in the midnight blue mantle of the night, the Malfoy Manor stood in all its glory. The face of it was decorated with thousands of lights. Holly intertwined with lights framed the windows, drawing the attention of people to watch through the glass. A snow white alley guided the guests from the gate of the Manor to the entrance door. Christmas trees decorated with stars, that gave off a soft, blue light, lit up the way for guests, so they wouldn't have unfortunate accidents because of the darkness. On the right side of the alley, there was frozen lake, who's surface reflected the moon's light. Many people were gathered around the frozen lake. Either they were skating – mostly the young people were doing this –, enjoying a romantic walk as a couple, or enjoying the food and drinks provided by a little buffet nearby while admiring the magical stars, dancing in the air like winter fireflies. All of the guests promised themselves they'd visit the lake at less one time tonight. It was too magical to pass up. At the entrance door, like on the gate, two glass, peacock sculptures welcomed the guests. Once the guests gave their invitations to the house elves, all dressed in uniforms with the Malfoy's colors, they were welcomed inside to join the others guests.
"Well, Mom, Dad, this is Malfoy Manor," Hermione said.
"Wow… This place is… enchanting…" Anne Granger, Hermione's mother, said.
"Absolutely magnificent," Louis Granger, Hermione's father, added.
"And so Malfoy-ish," Hermione breathed.
Trust the Malfoys to put out such grandiose decoration for a celebration. The place was ornamented with millions of flowers, lights and ribbons. As opulent as it was, Hermione had to admit that the Malfoys have great taste in arrangement. It was majestic.
"Hermione! Over here!" someone called. Hermione turned her head to see Ron frantically waving at her.
"Ron!" Hermione turned around to her parents. "Mom, Dad, I want to introduce you to my friends. Come!"
"'Mione!" Ginny launched herself on Hermione before Ron could reach them. "How are you?"
"Good! And I'm happy to see you too, Ron, Ginny!"
"Hello, Hermione. Good to see you again," Arthur Weasley said. Molly Weasley walked over and hugged Hermione in her arms.
"Glad to see you're healthy, dear," Mrs. Wesley said.
"I'm happy to see you too, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Hermione greeted. "Thank you for your cake! My parents and I loved every bit of it! Here, let me introduce them! Mom, Dad, this is Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron's and Ginny's parents. And here are Ron and Ginny, my friends."
"Good evening to you," Mr. and Mrs. Granger bowed.
"Thank you for taking care of our daughter, all these years," Mr. Granger said.
"I assure you, it was a pleasure," Mrs. Weasley said.
Skipping over the courtesy of greeting, Mr. Weasley immediately started questioning Hermione's parents about Muggle devices and inventions, and Mr. Granger happily explained everything. Soon, the adults walked away to find a more comfortable place to chitchat. Hermione was looking left and right, searching for more people she knew.
"Ron, where are George, Bill, and the others?"
"Who knows? Maybe stuffing themselves at the buffet," Ron said. "That reminds me, I have to get back - those oysters and clams are from heaven. Otherwise, Seamus will gobble up everything before I get another bite. Have you eaten one?"
"Oh, Ron! Do you only think about your stomach?" Hermione scowled. As soon as she finished speaking, an arm slung heavily over her shoulder. "Omph!" Hermione nearly stumbled in her sand colored dress.
"'Mione, have you ever gone a day without hearing Ronnikins talk about food? And why would you be interested to see Bill, Fleur, or anyone else, when the awesome genius George is here?" George said, grinning at her, with all of his teeth showing.
"George, get off, please! You're heavy!" Hermione groaned, as she finally succeeded in peeling George off of her.
"Hahahaha!" George merrily laughed at her flushed face. "But happy to see you again, 'Mione." He brotherly hugged her.
"Likewise," Hermione returned his hug with a smile.
"Hermione, good evening," Neville came walking over with Luna.
"Neville, Luna, hello!" Hermione proceeded to hug each of them. "How do you do? Luna, you look wonderful in your dress. It complements you beautifully – it really brings out your hair."
"Thank you. You look nice too," Luna returned the compliment.
"And you, Neville," Hermione looked at Neville up and down, "you are so… prim!" In fact, Neville looked very fit in his suit. Neville grimaced.
"Gran wouldn't allow me to look anything less than… prim, as you put it," Neville said, tugging on his tie.
"Hahahaha!" Hermione laughed, knowing perfectly what Neville meant. Mrs. Longbottom was more august than Professor McGonagall, and that said a lot.
"This party looks to be a great success. Have I missed anything important up 'til now?" Hermione asked.
"Not really," Ron said, a plate filled with a mountain of delicatessens in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other. He gulped down the content of the flute, which immediately disappeared in thin air. Each empty glass and plate was magically collected, to accommodate the guests. "Up 'til now, people only greeted and exchanged courtesies over a champagne flute or something." He popped a bouché de canard in his mouth.
"Mrs. Malfoy is making sure she talks with each guest at least once. She is talking with your parents right now, Hermione," Ginny said, watching the Malfoy Mistress with Mr. and Mrs. Granger at the other side of the room.
"It is apparent she wants to create a positive contact with everyone, from pure blood wizards to Muggles," Neville said.
"I would say the pirnickle pweet must have possessed her," Luna eerily said, earning wary glances from her Gryffindor companions, but they let it go because they were used to her weirdness.
"Well, Mrs. Malfoy's objective is to restore the Malfoy's name, in every aspect. This New Year's Celebration was the perfect opportunity to make the Malfoy name shine again. The success of this party is very important to her, so she will do anything to please each guest," Blaise said, appearing next to them.
"I admit, I'm impressed to see Mrs. Malfoy so dedicated, but not surprised that she would do anything to ensure Draco's future," Neville said. "Hello, Blaise. When did you get here?"
"Long ago. I was with Draco, until now. Hello, Neville, Hermione, Ron, Luna and," Blaise softly eyed the only Weasley girl. "Ginny. You look beautiful tonight; more than you are already are, every day." He took her hand and kissed the back of it. Ginny blushed, taken aback by his handsomeness. He too looked fit in his midnight blue gala costume, tailored suit. Hermione scanned the crowd, searching for someone. One person was missing.
"By the way, have one of you seen Heley?" Hermione asked. Ron and Neville turned their attention to her.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen her at all tonight," Ron said.
"Me too – I can't see her down there," Ginny said, her hand over her eyes as she scanned the crowd like Hermione. Blaise called a house elf to ask it about Heley's presence before dismissing it.
"The house elf told me that Heley's invitation hasn't been handed in yet," Blaise said.
". . ." Silence.
"I do remember that Heley tends to forget about important dates if we don't remind her," Neville said.
"She does have a habit of doing that," Ron said.
"And it is very likely Heley to forget about any kind of party…" Hermione said. Ginny nodded in agreement.
". . ." Silence again.
"Let's floo to Hogwarts," Blaise decided, heading towards the exit of the ball room. "Come with me!"
The three Gryffindors and one Ravenclaw followed the Slytherin to the Malfoy Manor floo room.
"Hmm…" Heley sighed contently, as she hugged her pillow closer to her, snuggling her face against the soft fabric. After having a hot chocolate, she let herself be carried away by the lullaby of the crystal lily flower. Heley discovered that the little dancing lights of the flower were accompanied by music. She liked to listen to the flower's lullaby every night before sleeping. Thanks to the flower, she just had a beautiful dream with her parents in it, and she wanted to stay asleep longer and not wake up. The dorm was quiet. It was peaceful. Everything was peace-…
"HELEY JANE POTTER! WHY ARE YOU STILL IN BED?" Hermione bellowed from the entrance of the 7th year Gryffindor girls' dorm.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Heley screeched, as she fell out of her bed, taking her pillow and blanket with her. Heley jerked her head up and looked around, to see what the commotion was. "Huh? Huh? Huh? What? What? What happened?" But there wasn't any commotion Then, she saw it. Right in front of her stand a fuming - raging - Hermione. Ginny and Luna were behind Hermione, peeking their heads around her to watch Heley. Ginny looked like she wanted to explode with laughter, while Luna was still the usual, smiling Luna.
"Oh! 'Mione, Ginny, Luna. Hi; how are you? What are you doing here? And why are you so dressed up?" Heley asked, looking at their gowns.
"Don't 'Hi' me!" Hermione barked. "Do you know what time is it now?"
"Huh? Time? What for?"
"Ooooh…" Hermione slapped her forehead.
"Hahahahahaha!" Ginny gave up and collapsed on the nearest bed, clutching her stomach. Luna just calmly sat on the bed next to Heley's, crossing her hands over her yellow skirt.
"Hello, Heley," Luna simply said over Ginny's laughing echo.
"Hahahahaha!" Ginny was in tears now. Heley stared abashedly at Ginny.
"Ginny, why are you laughing so maniacally?" Heley said, standing up with her blanket and her pillow in hands.
"BWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ginny just continued laughing harder. Neville, Ron, and Blaise appeared at the entrance of the door.
"Heley, were you still sleeping?" Neville asked with a dumbfounded look on his face.
"Blimey! Heley, how can you still be sleeping, when the party's started?" Ron asked. Blaise leaned against the frame and smirked as he watched Heley throw her blanket on her bed. For a Slytherin, he never tired of spending time with the Gryffindors because they always amused/entertained him, one way or another. Then, something on Heley's drawers caught his eyes. It was the crystal flower.
'That flower… Isn't that…?' Blaise blinked and looked more carefully. 'It is! I'm not mistaken! How did she…?' Then, a mysterious smile appeared on the corner of his lips, his eyes twinkling. 'Oh! I'm going to have sooooooo much fun rubbing it in his face!'
"Party? What party?" Heley asked, not making any effort to stiff her lazy yawn. She hugged her pillow against her and climbed back in her bed, obviously wanting to return to her twelve-hour long nap.
"Ohhhh…" Hermione banged her head against Heley's bedpost. They were right to think that Heley would forget about tonight's event.
"Hahahahaha!" Blaise laughed. Only he and Ginny found the situation amusing – hilarious. "The New Year's Celebration at Malfoy Manor, Heley. The New Year's Celebration at Draco's place."
"Huh?" Heley blinked, looking at him. "What? It's today?"
"BWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ginny collapsed again in another fit of laughter.
BONK! Hermione banged her head a second time against Heley's bedpost.
"She really forgot about it…" Ron mumbled, feeling pity for Hermione's coming headache. But Hermione immediately pulled herself together.
"Okay! There is no time to loose! You guys, get out and wait for us in the common room! Luna, look through her truck and find something suitable for her to wear. Ginny, stop laughing, and help me get prepared. And you, Heley – in the shower. NOW!" Hermione distributed orders around and pushed Heley toward the bathroom.
"Hey! Wait! What are you doing, 'Mione?"
BANG! Hermione slammed the door in Heley's face.
"And hurry, or I'll do it myself!" she bellowed through the door. "AND YOU DON'T WANT ME TO DO IT!"
"Eeeep!" Heley hurriedly started to shower, before Hermione decided to make good on her threat. Less than five minutes later, she ran/stumbled out of the bathroom, only to be rudely yanked by Hermione towards Lavender Brown's vanity. Next, Hermione dumped Heley onto the seat, grabbed her wand, and started to dry her from head to toe.
"Honestly, Heley! Sometimes, you are just tooooooo much like Harry! Forgetting about something like this!" Hermione groaned between her teeth.
"But I didn't…" Heley tried to defend herself.
"SHUT IT!" Hermione cut and started to dress Heley's hair.
"Lavender's vanity is very complete. She would make a professional make-up artist jealous," Ginny said, grabbing some foundation and a brush. "She wouldn't mind us borrowing some of her make-up. Now, close your eyes and don't move a single muscle, Heley. Otherwise, Hermione will bite your head off, before I can hex you!"
"Gulp!" That was enough to petrify Heley into sitting completely still in the chair.
Hermione styled Heley's hair up, to bring out Heley's cheek bones. She then curled some strands around Heley's face to enhance Heley's refined profile. Ginny finished applying the make-up with a pink, glossy lipstick.
"There! Done," Ginny said as she magically put Lavender's make-up set back in the vanity. "'Mione, what do you think?"
Hermione walked next to Ginny to examine her work.
"Wow, not bad," Hermione said.
"It wasn't that hard," Ginny said. "I didn't have to do a lot of work with her skin. Just a little bit of foundation and powder to light up her complexion. I focused more on the eyes because of their bright color. And since we want the attention drawn to her eyes, a soft color for the lips was more appropriated. Now, it's time for the dress."
"Luna, did you find something?" Hermione asked while charming Heley's hair to stay still.
"Yes. In her trunk," Luna said, bringing with the tip of her wand a strapless dress, cut in a soft, green colored fabric. The color of the dress perfectly matched Heley's eyes, bringing out the shine in them. Luna also found some gray high heels with silver straps.
"I had something like this in my trunk?" Heley asked, earning a curious glare from the three girls in the room, before remembering it was Sirius' gift. She hadn't explored the whole content of the trunk yet. "Err, oh yeah! It was a gift… I forgot I had something like that… Hehehehe…"
"Heley, stand up!" Hermione ordered. Heley didn't dare to disobey. With a flick of her wand, Hermione had Heley in the dress and shoes. Next, she critically examined Heley from head to toe.
"The dress was obviously made in the purpose to draw attention to the face, so nothing fancy. Excellent for a formal party. And it also elongates the silhouette line, which is perfect because you're short, Heley!"
"Hmph!" Heley scoffed, throwing Hermione a pointy glare, but Hermione ignored it. Ginny snickered behind her hand, while Luna just continued to smile.
'She could use a less offending word!' Heley grumbled.
"But something is still missing," Hermione continued.
"Yeah," Ginny agreed. "A necklace or something to go around her neck."
"No! I'm not wearing any jewelry!" Heley protested.
"But why? Everybody does!" Ginny insisted.
"No! I said no!" Heley stubbornly retorted. "I don't want to!"
"Then how about this?" Luna said, conjuring a ribbon of the same color as Heley's dress. She wrapped the ribbon around Heley's throat and tied it in a bow. "It's not a jewel, but it makes the neck less naked."
"Wow! Good idea, Luna." Ginny clapped her hands.
"And we'll complement it with this!" Hermione said, flicking her wand. She conjured a pale green ribbon with silver threads and tied it in a butterfly bow in Heley's hair, leaving two long tails curling along Heley's dark waves. "There. Perfect!"
"Let's show her to the guys!" Ginny said, grabbing Heley's hand and pulling her down into the common room.
"Waah!" Heley yelped, almost tripping when Ginny yanked her off.
Luna walked into the Gryffindor common room, where the boys were waiting. Neville was the first one to see her.
"Luna!" Neville said, catching the attention of the two others guys. The boys put down their cookies and cups of tea and walked to her.
"She is ready," Luna simply said. She stepped aside to let Ginny walk in the common room.
"Mademoiselle et messieurs," Ginny proclaimed in French, her arms wide open, "I present to you, Heley Potter!"
Ginny moved aside to show Heley. The three boys blinked, and blinked again at Heley's appearance. Oh, Heley looked great, of course, but she also looked…
"Heley, you are stunning, but why the long face?" Ron asked. Heley bit her lips, sulking. She glanced behind her shoulder. Good. Hermione wasn't looking. She whispered in Ron's ear.
"They threatened to bite off my head and hex me," Heley said. Ron blanched and dropped his jaw. Blaise and Neville, who had heard her, put their hands in front of their "Oh!" mouths. After having tasted Hermione Granger's anger during their many group study sessions, they understood Heley's fright. And Hermione was already scary before she kicked them into the common room. Ron patted Heley's shoulder comfortingly.
"You did well Heley. Congratulations on surviving to Hermione. I'm proud of you," Ron said.
"Ron! I heard that!" Hermione said. Ron cringed. Blaise snickered, while Neville suppressed a smile.
"It wasn't that bad, Heley. Right?" Ginny said, grinning with all of her teeth. Heley only squinted her eyes and grunted, refusing to respond.
"Okay. Maybe we should get back to Malfoy Manor now," Neville said.
"Let's go then!" Again, Blaise leaded the way out.
"Ahhhhhhhh!" Heley tripped and found herself flat on the floor.
WHAM!
"Heley!" Neville and Ron exclaimed, quickly helping her up.
"Owww… Cursed shoes…" Heley muttered under her breath. "Why must I wear these? Can't I wear normal, flat shoes?"
"Oh! Pish posh, Heley! You don't wear flat shoes when you wear a formal dress!" Hermione admonished. "No one does!"
"Prove it!"
In one, dramatic move, Hermione and Ginny lifted the hems of their dresses to show their high heels.
"See! High heels!" Ginny grinned, showing every angle of her right shoe. Heley sulked.
"And Luna?" Heley said hopefully, praying that Luna would counter Hermione and Ginny. Luna smiled, then lifted the hem of her dress too. She was wearing high heels also. Heley just sulked more at Ginny's victorious grin.
"Then how come you didn't trip?" Heley complained.
"Oh! Come on, Heley! Even Ron can walk in high heels – quite gracefully I might add – so why can't you?" Ginny interjected.
"Ehhhhh? What?" Everyone snapped their eyes towards the red haired boy.
"Ginny! That wasn't supposed to be known by the whole wizard community!" Ron cried.
"What? You have a fetish for ladies' foot wear, Ron?" Blaise questioned. Ron's ears turned red.
"It was a prank by George," Ron mumbled between his teeth, his whole face red now.
"Hahahahaha!" Blaise, Neville, and Ginny snickered, while Heley felt like an idiot.
'Ron can walk in high heels when I, a girl, I can't! This is depressing…' she thought.
"Okay! Time's up!" Hermione clapped hands to catch everyone attention. "Let's go!"
A/N: Next time, DRACOOOOOOOOO!
Updated on Wednesday June 30, 2010.