Chapter Ten: The White Ball

Hermione headed off to the library after lunch patting her swollen stomach when she came across one extremely peeved and snarling witch.

"Rosaline?" Hermione squeaked having never seen Rosaline do more than scowl at her. It was most unnatural on her petite little body.

"Where do you think you've been young lady?" Rosaline hissed in a deadly whisper. The fact that Rosaline was a good four inches shorter than her and still had Hermione cowering had to be the most unnerving thing-

"Wait. Where was I supposed to be?" Hermione was befuddled.

"Did I or did I not tell you that I would happily purchase you a ball gown if you stayed in the castle for a fitting today?" Rosaline glared at her with so much contempt Hermione found herself backed against a wall.

"I didn't even leave the-" She had begun to argue. "Oh."

"Oh is right Miss Granger. 50 points from Griffindor!" Rosaline was now dragging her to what Hermione hoped would be a quick painless death.

For the next six hours Hermione endured torture as she'd never experienced before and she'd been through the thick and thin of one of the greatest wizarding wars. Perhaps she was exaggerating a little but six hours of primping and preening? Rosaline had bathed, waxed, plucked, brushed, buffed, polished, scented every inch of her. Hermione shivered. She really did feel violated. Rosaline knew every spot, scar, mark on her body. And all this time she hadn't been permitted even a peak at her gown as her punishment. As if that wasn't enough.

"Oh stop ranting!"

Hermione blinked.

"I can literally hear your mind reeling." Rosaline frowned. "Honestly Hermione you're acting like I'm preparing you for an execution, not a lovely ball!"

A perfect metaphor.

"Silent treatment it is then." Rosaline grumbled.

She'd calmed down once she saw there wasn't a single fault with the measurements she'd taken to her tailor. As if they couldn't transfigure them if there had been Hermione inwardly protested. Course she didn't dare voice this. She'd seen Rosaline's inner dragon.

The Ball officially started at six but since they weren't guests of honour they didn't have to be there till, well, whenever really. Dinner was served at eight so Rosaline planned to get there about seven.

Hermione looked at the clock and decided to speak seeing that Rosaline hadn't done her hair yet. Hermione was all ready except she wore a dressing gown as opposed to her ball gown.

"Urm Rosaline, we're going to be late."

"She speaks." Rosaline rolled her eyes. "We're going there at seven."

"But it starts at six! Look, see!" She thrust the invitation at Rosaline who dropped her nail varnish in surprise ruining most of her right hand. "Oops."

Rosaline was holding the bridge of her nose and counting to ten.

"We're going there at seven dear." She said sweetly in a no hassle tone of voice.

"Rosaline I apologize for being a thoroughly ungrateful brat to you today when this is truly an amazing opportunity but I can't highlight enough - I need to be there at six for the introductions." Hermione pleaded in her ever most sincere voice.

"Why?" Rosaline asked narrowing her eyes.

"I want to network. I can't do that if I don't know half their names and I don't have the time to do it."

Rosaline sighed.

"Dumbledore's going as a guest of honour. You can accompany him if he hasn't already left." Rosaline had barely finished her sentence before she was being choked by Hermione.

"Your make-up!"

Hermione jumped off her as Rosaline brought her ball gown out a cream silk full skirt that was as beautiful as it was simple. Hermione didn't say a word as Rosaline dressed her. She was finally allowed to see a mirror and saw a woman. The off shoulder strap and the full skirt flaring out from her waist gave her an illusion of an hour glass. The panel's on the bodice hugged her body perfectly. The cream of the dress was an ivory colour with a pearly sheen that sparkled dully in the light. On her neck was a triple string pearl necklace seperated in three with lace matching her elbow length gloves. Rosaline had managed to french braid her hair like a halo secured with a ribbon and a square broach pinned on the ribbon at the nape of her neck. Hermione was the very picture of innocence. A perfect disguise she smirked.

"You look enchanting Hermione."

"Thank you Rosaline" Hermione kissed her on the cheek before she grabbed her wand and stuck it in her arm band that was now strapped to her thigh before running to Dumbledore's office. A few students stared at the blur of white zooming through the castle. She breathlessly arrived at Dumbledore's door and before she could knock it was opened.

Dumbledore sighed with relief at the sight of her and closed the door behind her hastily. He was already dressed in vivid red and cream dress robes with gold detailing that clashed brilliantly with his hair.

"Professor?"

Dumbledore had been pacing the floor for the last minute waiting for something.

Fawkes appeared in the middle of the room with an envelope Dumbledore tore open and read a very short letter.

"Grindelwald plans to attack the ball at the opening dance following dinner." Dumbledore said gravely. "We're unprepared with security."

"Dumbledore" she started thoughtfully. "Aren't Britain's most richest and affluent people meeting in one place tonight?"

"Yes of course." He nodded understanding her train of thought immediately. "It may just work."

It was now five to six. Dumbledore duplicated his letter by the guestlist and sent Fawkes on his way. "Hopefully people did not leave their homes too promptly. The ministry has been alerted so the auror's will begin to trickle into Morgana Hall."

"Sir, what can we do?" Hermione asked desperate to be of help.

"There are supporters of his attending and also spies. I need you to keep a sharp eye out and try and gather a list of all the suspects in two categories before the opening dance. If you strongly suspect a spy planning an inside attack I need you take them out without a second thought. Stun them and bind them. You will need to do this alone. I will be doing the same and so will Rosaline. It's best we keep apart to cover more ground." He spoke quickly looking at the clock the whole time.

One minute to six.

"A quarter to eleven I want you out of that building." Hermione began to protest. "No arguments"

Dumbledore offered his arm to her a few seconds to six and disapparated transporting her just outside a medieval stone hall in the middle of a wintry forest. Hermione couldn't help but think of Narnia. Hermiona had only heard of the Morgana Hall in history books. She had no idea it had still existed and whatmore the majesty of it. Hermione transfigured her shoes into snow boots as they walked down a slight slope to join the dozens of other witches and wizards floating into the building in all their finery.

Hermione circulated the elegant ballroom, pretending to sip a glass of champagne as she hovered around couples and groups in discussion. So far she'd learnt nothing apart from the fondness most guests had of shameless bragging.

"-complete farce." Hermione stilled. "Grindelwald had to give the ministry a gentle-"

"You see! She believes the attack was gentle! It was taunting and fearful. Exactly how he'd wanted it. I approve-"

"Don't inturrupt me Charles! This whole-"

"-Diggory's stance-"

"-provovative and expensive is what-"

"-noble and right but I'm not at all surprised you wouldn't know the difference!"

As the couple huffed Hermione turned slowly to see who those voices belonged to. The Vances. Interesting but not helpful. She decided to try the ladies room when she bumped into Malfoy dressed in cream white and gold dress robes.

Malfoy looked up and down appreciatively at Hermione.

"I don't appreciated being gawked at." Hermione snapped.

"Don't look so gawk-worthy then." Malfoy placed his hand on the small of her waist and led her back into the ballroom.

"Malfoy!" She hissed as he placed her hand on his shoulder and the other firmly in his hand. "I'm not dancing with you." She tried to escape but just then the orchestra began a new score and she was trapped in formation with the other dancing partners. Malfoy laughed at her dilemma. He'd trapped her.

She sighed and resigned herself to the dance. Maybe she would hear something among the dancers.

"Ah you're learning." Malfoy approved as he spun them expertly in time with the enchanting swan lake number. Hermione looked at him questioningly as she strained her ear hopelessly only hearing glimpses of conversation.

"That a Malfoy always gets what he wants." He whispered in her ear, his lips grazing her ear.

Hermione froze.

"I think the champagne's got to your head."

"Is it so hard to believe?"

Yes! As the music gained in tempo she found she couldn't speak as Malfoy led her through the complex turns and lifts. He moved her ruthlessly and flawlessly through the glittering ballroom. Dancers parted to make way for the entranced duo for all the while Malfoy's sparkling eyes looked intensely into hers, daring her to look away. Hermione stopped thinking and lost herself to the sound of the violins. As the music reached its crescendo Hermione was lifted into the air in one final turn then gently brought back down. Light applause for the orchestra was followed by Deanta but Hermione and Malfoy were fixed in their final position. Her back pressed close against his chest. His chin rested in the crook of her neck. His hands around her waist. She could hear his breathlessness, feel his beating heart, smell the faint spices of his cologne.

"Hermione?" Malfoy whispered.

Hermione wrenched herself away from him and ran to the ladies room. She had no idea what just happened but she couldn't afford the time to try and figure him out. She had a job to do. She entered the room and found it was as ostentatious as the ballroom and women were either busy retouching their make-up, applying perfume or sipping champagne mingling with the guests.

As she looked into the mirror and slapped herself someone seized her arm. A beautiful girl stared ferociously at her, her emerald eyes blazing like the red of her hair.

"What was that?!" Rosier hissed at Hermione. Hermione glowered at the girl and removed herself from her grip. She hadn't time for high school squabbles.

"I doubt Riddle would be impressed by your outrage, Rosier."

Rosaline came as if from nowhere that moment. "You look like a goddess Druella." Rosaline purred. Rosier stepped away from Hermione recollecting herself, rearranging the look of outrage to one of grace.

"And you a siren in scarlett." Rosier kissed Rosaline demurely before leaving the quarters.

"I don't even want to know." Rosaline sighed. "Keep an eye on Malfoy will you? He's been acting awfully shifty."

"Abraxas?" Hermione asked perplexed.

"No! His father but remind me to ask you about dear Abraxas later." She chortled.

When Hermione re-entered she saw the guests leaving for the dining hall. From the corner of her eye she saw Malfoy waving her to sit beside him. She reluctantly did so only because his father sat on his other side looking every inch the silver fox. As soon as she was seated she turned her body away from him.

"Hermione will you let me explain?" Malfoy pleaded softly at her. He was much too close. She could feel his breath on her neck.

She pretended to ignore him as she noted the other guests seated on their table.

"I didn't mean to sound possessive." Malfoy continued. "I've never met anyone like you before. You're viciously passionate, stubbornly strong-willed, I won't insult your intelligence in even attempting to do it justice-"

"Have you rehearsed this or something?" Hermione looked outraged. "Try something genuine you spoilt little boy"

Hermione almost regretted her words when she saw him frown at that last comment. He brushed it aside however and took her glove cladded hand in his and began stroking her pulse point. Hermione distracted by this didn't notice when his lips found hers, ever so timid, he seemed to be asking her permission. When she didn't respond he withdrew looking confused.

Hermione took pity on him and held his hand softly.

"Malfoy-" She paused, deciding for a gentler approach. "Abraxas. Listen to me. You fancy yourself falling for me because I haven't shown a bit of interest in you when the whole female population absolutely adores you. You are in love with the idea of a pursuit."

Malfoy attempted to speak but she continued.

"I feel like we've only just started what could be a beautiful friendship. Don't ruin that Abraxas." She patted his hand.

"I thank you for articulating my intentions so whimsically." Malfoy seemed to seeth with anger. "I'm not as astute as you think I am Ms. Prince" He sneered. "I've grown up with Slytherins. You manipulate and strategize for your convenience and now you are telling me how I feel?" He looked dismayed, and worse, a little disappointed.

"You've known me for one week!" Hermione protested weakly.

"I was going to ask you to come with me to Hogsmeade, not your hand in marriage." He replied coolly.

Hermione blushed. Malfoy stood up stiffly.

"You might want to ask yourself why you feel so unworthy to warrant attention that you'd reject a man before he'd even approach you."

Malfoy then made his way to Rosier who sat on the next table across. Well, that could had gone better Hermione scolded herself and his last comment - touche. On task Hermione! She distracted herself with the head of the house, who she noticed was being extremely shady. He wasn't talking to anyone and constantly looked around. He seemed to even be sweating a little bit. But how to decipher whether this was in relation to the planned ambush she wondered.

"A complete farce." Hermione muttered loud enough for Malfoy to hear her.

"Excuse me?" Malfoy looked at her suspiciously.

"A complete and utter farce!" She shouted in frustration.

"What is?" Malfoy looked weary of her.

"This whole event."

"Oh." He again darted his eyes round the room, Hermione now noticed we was marking the exits. Bingo.

"If Diggory loves mudbloods so much he should quit his post and go ahead and live with them." She put her napkin down on the table frustratingly. "We should be holding this ball in aide of Grindelwald not against him!"

"Now listen here young lady. You don't know what you're talking about." Malfoy licked his lips now.

No, Hermione was lost.

"What?" Dropping the act.

"Grindelwald."

"Then how about you explain?" Hermione asked, now extremely interested.

"His ideas might be favourable but he doesn't just want to put muggles in their place."

"What does he want to do?"

"Bring about a whole new world order." Malfoy was now speaking in a whisper, his head close to hers.

"Yes, the natural order." Hermione provoked him so he would just spit it out already.

"Listen to me girl! The madman is a power hungry and I don't mean wanting in money and influence. He wants to be worshipped. He wants to be immortal. Grindelwald wants to be God." Malfoy hissed at her, his mouth foaming.

"I see." Hermione couldn't contain her glee. "And how do you know this Mr. Malfoy?"

Malfoy seemed to suddenly see her now and his hands trembled.

"Your one of his spies aren't you?" He whimpered. "Please, don't report back to him."

"I won't if you tell me which spy you already know about." Hermione almost laughed at how easy it was.

"Blaise. Rosaline Blaise."

A.N. First cliffhanger!