Chapter Twenty Eight
Hogwarts always put on a show for Christmas, with it's twelve large trees and numerous decorations, this year however they had really pushed the boat out.
Harry felt strange when he'd put his name on the list of students staying for the second year in a row. Gemini had announced loudly that she and Corvus would be going home when Professor McGonagall had come round with the list.
Many of the younger students were but nearly all of those in fourth year or above where staying to enjoy the Yule Ball. Harry sat on the steps watching the students who were leaving trudge though the snow to the carriages before going up to the Owlery to send his family a letter and a large parcel of presents.
Christmas day itself was much quieter than normal. They all ate a fairly large lunch so they wouldn't be hungry before the late Christmas dinner they would be having at the Ball. It was only four o'clock when Pansy and Daphne announced they were going to go and get ready with Hermione in the spare classroom they'd been using for dancing practice.
"I will never understand what takes girls so long." Draco said, rolling his eyes and turning his attention back to the game of chess he and Harry were playing.
Daphne and Pansy left the Slytherin common room carrying three large boxes between them and went straight to the classroom to meet Hermione.
She was already there, a curtain put up for them to change and a large mirror balanced on one of the desks. She was very nervous, pacing around the room.
"Take deep breaths Hermione." Daphne said, grinning.
Hermione smiled and did as she was told, "I thought about what you said, thinking of make up ideas and honestly I have no idea."
Pansy nodded, "Don't worry. We've come up with a few ideas."
Hermione sighed in relief, she'd been fully intending to find some make up ideas but she'd never been one for looking through glossy magazines and the Hogwarts library seemed rather lacking of them strangely.
"What about my hair?" Hermione asked, holding the ends up.
Pansy and Daphne laughed, "Don't worry about that. We have plenty of hair pins."
Pansy looked at her watch, "We're going to do each other first while you look through these." she handed her a large pile of make up articles.
Hermione took them gratefully and sat down, burying her nose in the magazine clippings. Pansy sat down on another chair, next to the mirror and let Daphne apply her make up. Hermione looked up, an hour and a half later and saw that both Pansy and Daphne transformed.
Daphne had brushed her hair, twisting the sides before plating them. The honey gold water fall that cascaded down her back, was all held in place with an intricate silver and emerald headdress; with delicate silver chains and knot work. Her make up was bold, with bright red lipstick and smoky silver and green eyes.
Pansy's hair was simply curled around her ears, brushing softly on her shoulders. Her make up was also simple, slightly smoked eyes in silver and black with a reddy-brown lipstick and a slight blush on her checks.
"Have you found anything you like?" Daphne asked.
Hermione nodded and handed over her favourite make up idea, "Maybe a little darker?"
Pansy nodded and lead her to the chair. Hermione had never had her make up done before, unless her mother counted when she was younger. She'd also rarely did make up herself so it was rather strange for her to feel the soft brushes moving against her skin. It was also quickly obvious that Daphne and Pansy's make up and brushes were far better quality than Hermione's.
"Hold still." Daphne laughed, as Hermione itched her nose.
"Open."
"Close."
"Say Aaa."
Hermione closed her eyes and faced towards the mirror when Pansy and Daphne finally said they were done.
"You have very pretty skin." Pansy said.
Hermione smiled and opened her eyes, "Wow."
Gold and red smoky eyes made her eyes look even bigger than normal and she'd never seen her eye lashes look so long. She lips suited the dark red lipstick and it would match the dress perfectly.
"Is this a good wow or?" Pansy asked.
"Good." Hermione grinned, "Very very good."
Daphne clapped her hands happily, "We were a bit worried, we've done each others make up often before but it's always a bit nerve racking when it's for someone new."
"I love it. What about my hair?" Hermione asked, "I picked up this..."
She pulled out a bottle and handed it to Pansy and Daphne, 'Sleekeazy's Hair Potion and Scalp Treatment- will smooth and tame even the wildest of hair' there was picture of a very bushy haired wizard that spun round and was left with silky smooth hair down his cheeks.
Pansy wrinkled her nose, "Do you want to have smooth hair?"
Hermione shrugged, "Not really, I thought it would be easier to manage."
Daphne smiled kindly, "Don't worry, we'll manage." she said, putting the bottle down.
They did manage, there were some amusing moments over the next half an hour where Hermione felt that she was a bit of a maypole with Daphne and Pansy passing strands of her hair to one another.
Hermione loved it though. An elaborate up do with long ringlets that framed her face.
"You two are magic." Hermione grinned.
The two girls laughed and gave her a big hug. Daphne waved her wand over Hermione, muttering a spell to set the look.
Daphne got into her dress first as she didn't need anyone to lace her in. Pansy brought over Hermione's box and told her to put her shoes and stockings on first.
"Trust me it makes things a lot easier that trying to put them on afterwards." Pansy grinned.
Hermione smiled, she hadn't opened her box since it arrived, neatly wrapped in tissue paper and waiting for her on her bed.
Pansy reached inside and pulled out the set of white stockings with intricate lace around the tops of each leg, handing them to Hermione.
"I'm not sure these will stay up when I'm dancing." Hermione said.
"That's what this is for." Pansy said, holding up the matching suspender belt, "If you attach the back loops first, then put them on, it makes it far less of an acrobatics test."
Hermione did as she was instructed and smoothed the soft stockings on to her legs before slipping into her boots. She looked a strange sight, make up and hair all done, stockings and boots with her school uniform.
"Pansy what happened to your dress?" Hermione asked.
Gone was the elegant silver green dress she had at the shop, instead she was wearing a large, frilly dress with the biggest skirt Hermione had seen in a vibrant pink colour, to be honest it almost hurt to look at it.
Pansy smirked, "Don't worry. This is just to annoy Draco, telling me what to wear indeed."
Hermione laughed and went behind the curtain to get her dress on. It had been far easier in the shop, assisted by Madam Owens but she managed.
Pansy expertly laced the bodice up on Hermione's dress and smoothed the skirt. Madam Owens had also included a smart, fur lined hooded cape that matched Hermione's dress perfectly. It fell in a graceful circle to her waist and was lovely and warm.
"Are you sure I should meet Viktor at the boat?" Hermione asked, Daphne pinning her Christmas headdress on.
Both of them nodded.
"Under normal circumstances, the gentlemen would meet the lady at her house or carriage or whatever but he is a guest of honour so you should meet him at the ship and come in together." Daphne explained, "There, you're all done."
Hermione took another look at herself in the mirror and felt a small blush, flush her cheeks, "I don't think I could ever thank you enough."
"We're just happy that you are happy." Pansy said honestly, "Right you'd better get going and we'll meet you at the Ball."
Hermione nodded and left the room, she pulled the hood of her cloak up over her face. The corridors where fairly empty but there were a few students still wondering around and she didn't want anyone to see her face before she was with Viktor.
It was snowing softly outside and there was still a deep amount of snow from the last few weeks. Hermione was very grateful to find her new boots were water proof and as warm as her cloak was. It wasn't far to where the large Durmstrang ship was anchored.
Hermione walked carefully up the slippery gang plank and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Someone said, he was tall, with dark hair and eyes, "Can I help you?"
"I'm here to meet Viktor." Hermione said.
The man nodded and went back inside. Hermione made her way down the gang plank again and waited, watching her breath make small white clouds in the air.
"Herm-one-ninny?" Viktor said, walking over. He was wearing a fine set of velvet robes, in the dark red Durmstrang colour.
Hermione put her hood down and nodded, "Yes, it's me."
"I hate dress robes." Harry said, pulling at the neckline of his. It was bad enough having to wear them to the Malfoy's annual party but now he had to wear them in front of the whole school and dance.
"They really aren't that bad." Draco smirked. He was always at ease in his dress robes, this set a dark green, so dark it looked black unless the light hit it in the right way.
Harry rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Will you two shut up?" Goyle snapped.
Harry was comforted that however awkward he looked in his dress robes, Crabbe and Goyle looked worse and certainly moved with less grace.
Daphne was waiting for them in the common room.
"You look amazing." Harry said, as they went over to her.
Daphne grinned, "Well I couldn't let the Slytherin champion down could I?"
"Where's Pansy?" Draco asked, looking around.
"She's waiting for us down stairs." Daphne said, grabbing her clutch bag, "Ready to go?"
Harry and Draco nodded and they headed out. They joined the stream of students, excitedly heading for the Great Hall.
Everyone was milling around the Entrance Hall, dressed in a rainbow of dresses and dress robes. Harry saw Rodolphus, looking far too much like his father, with Millicent clutching at his arm. She was wearing an unflattering twenties style dress in burnt orange- the colour suited her, the shapeless and ill fitting dress; not so much.
Draco however had spotted Pansy.
"What are you wearing?" He gasped.
Pansy raised an eyebrow, "What? Is this not what you wanted?" she said innocently, crossing her hands behind her back.
"Umm..." Draco wasn't sure what to say, "Well… I mean… umm..."
"Have you learnt not to tell ladies how to dress?" Pansy smirked.
Draco nodded, "Yes. You… considering the dress, you look lovely."
Pansy smiled, "Thank you. Daphne? Would you do the honours?"
Daphne nodded and waved her wand, muttering under her breath. Pansy spun round as the pink fabric floated away, turning into snowflakes, decorating the air and leaving Pansy in her silver green Tudor gown.
"Better?" she asked.
Draco grinned, "Beautiful."
The large oak doors swung open and the Durmstrang students and their partners marched into the Entrance Hall in two neat rows.
"Is that Hermione?" Neville asked, coming up next to them.
Hermione was at the front, her arm delicately balanced on Viktor's and her head high. Professor Karkaroff walked over to Professor Dumbledore and muttered something to him.
"Hello." Hermione said, waving over to them.
"She's so pretty." Luna said, "Isn't she?"
"I think you've met my date?" Neville asked, "Luna Lovegood?"
Harry and the others nodded. Luna waved absently at them and blushed slightly, holding onto Neville's arm. She was wearing a strange light pink dress that seemed to be decorated with silver tinsel.
There couldn't be many more people to arrive now, Harry scanned the room, looking for Cho. Fleur was there in an elegant silver dress, as Daphne had predicted. He could see Ron across the Hall staring at her, much to the annoyance of his date.
He spotted Cho looking serenely pretty in a silvery, tight fitting dress with a long slit up one leg. He felt his heart ache a little to see her with Cedric when he so badly wanted her to be with him.
"Don't think about it Harry." Daphne said quietly, "You have enough to worry about tonight."
Harry smiled and nodded. He could see Professor McGonagall nearby, ushering students into the Great Hall.
"Come along now please." she said, firmly but politely, "Everyone but champions into the hall please."
"Into the hall Mr Malfoy, are you with Miss Parkinson or Miss Greengrass?" She asked.
"I drew the short straw there." Pansy grinned, "Come along, Mr Malfoy."
Draco smirked and took her arm, leading her into the Great Hall. Harry was surprised at how quickly the Entrance Hall emptied, leaving just the four champions and their dates with Professor McGonagall.