Harry looked around the room. The floors had been waxed earlier that day, the windows had been cleaned, and the candles on the chandeliers had been replaced. Things were just about ready. Harry pulled out his watch and checked the time. Just under an hour until the guests would start arriving. He had already changed into his formal uniform, so the only thing left to do was double check with the kitchen staff and wait for the guests. Harry walked out of the ballroom and down the halls, each one designed to display the opulence and wealth of the family who lived there. Everything was running smoothly and on schedule in the kitchen, Millie ran a tight ship there.
Harry made it to the main entrance and took a deep breathe, everything was ready, nothing more to do but wait. He pulled a small novel out of one of his pockets and started reading. A guilty pleasure to be sure, but one he allowed himself to indulge in when he had the time. After a few minutes, Harry heard a voice behind him. "Reading on the job again Potter? I thought that the butler would have better things to do with his time." Harry turned and saw a well-dressed young man about his age walking towards him.
"But there is so little to do around here Master Neville, however else should I occupy all of my free time?" Harry gave his friend a grin. The Longbottom's had taken Harry in after he had been orphaned at a young age. He and Neville grew up together and were very close. When Harry had come of age, the Longbottom's had given him employment as well, eventually promoting him to the position of head butler, something almost unheard of for someone so young.
Neville laughed, "I suppose you have me there. Is everything ready for tonight?"
"Of course, Master Neville. The only thing left is for the guests to arrive." Neville nodded, "Good, good. We are expecting quite the turn out tonight. The Clearwater's, Bones', and Abbott's are all sending people, along with the usual guests. Thank goodness the Malfoy's are off traveling for the summer or the ferret would probably be attending tonight as well"
"Now Master Neville that's no way to talk about the Malfoy heir." Although Harry could not help but agree with the sentiment.
Neville snorted at him, "Whatever you say Potter." They stood in silence for a few moments looking out over the grounds and orchards and trees surrounding the large house.
"Potter, there is something I would like for you to do for me tonight. I believe I have mentioned the Granger's before to you. They have been living out of the country for a number of years and have just fallen on hard times and had to move back. They are hoping to arrange a good marriage for their daughter. I think they are looking at the youngest Weasley son right now. Their daughter is attending tonight to try and get back into society proper. I would like for you to keep an eye on her and make sure she's okay. I worry since she has never been to a ball like this before."
"Of course, Master Neville." This wasn't that strange of a request; in fact, he had done similar things at other balls before. Most of the time everything went fine and whoever he was watching had a lovely evening.
"Thanks Potter," Neville said as he patted him on the back and walked back into the house.
Soon the guests began to arrive. As they exited their carriages the footmen helped the ladies who did not have a date down. As the guests walked up the stairs to the house, Harry welcomed them to the ball. Everything went as they usually do at such events. Most of the guests Harry knew well and they knew him in return. There were a few he was surprised to see, the Crabble and Goyle heirs for one, they usually did not come to parties unless the Malfoy heir did as well.
As the line of carriages drew closer to the end, one approached that Harry did not recognize. When it arrived at the front of the house, the footman helped out a young lady about Harry's age. She was of average height, slim but not skinny, she had brown hair that looked like it fought hard not to be put in the bun it was in. She wore a light blue dress with a matching hat. She was rather tan, unlike the other ladies who preferred to stay indoors all day, with slight tan lines around her eyes and ears, most likely from glasses and reading outside a lot. Overall, she was rather pretty and would probably have a few of the less subtle gentlemen openly staring at her tonight.
"Good evening Miss, and welcome to the Longbottom residence." She looked at Harry and he noticed something he missed before; her eyes were a deep, unfathomable chocolate brown.
"Why thank you sir," she said with smile that would have had Harry blushing if not for his training. "I'm looking forward tonight. Make sure to thank the hosts for me." With that, she gave him another smile and walked into the house.
The evening was going as most of these types of parties go. Most of the guests were polite and formal, the food and drink were enjoyed, a few spills here and there, but nothing major. Whenever he could, Harry made sure to glance at Miss Granger. He told himself it was because Master Neville told him to keep an eye on her. But in the deepest most part of his mind, he found her fascinating. She did not act as he expected, sure she talked with other guests and shared a few dances, but for the most part she sat at her own table and read from a book. Not necessarily the best way to join a society as elitist as this, but Harry was no expert.
Things became interesting when Harry went outside to check on the gardens and outdoor sitting area. The gardens at Longbottom Manor were known far and wide for their wide variety of exotic planets. Master Neville was fascinated by them and kept most of them, along with a sizable greenhouse, himself. The Gardens themselves looked immaculate tonight, with the lamp posts giving just enough light to give the gardens a magical look.
Harry was walking back from the far end of the gardens when he saw Miss Granger sitting on one of the stone benches reading her book. He stopped for a minute, just outside of the lamplight and watched her. She sat oblivious to the world, complete in the one of her books. So entranced in her book was she, that she did not notice the Crabble heir walking up behind her until he was right over her shoulder.
"Hello Miss. Would you like to dance with me?" Miss Granger replied without looking up from her book.
"No, I'd rather not."
Crabble came around to stand in front of her, "Come on Miss, you've done nothing but read all night. I'm sure you'd enjoy yourself more if gave me a dance."
Miss Granger closed her book and looked up at Crabble. "If I wanted to dance with you, I would have said so. I said no and I don't plan on changing my mind anytime soon."
By now Crabble's face had begun to turn red and Harry knew now was probably the time to step in and deescalate the situation. "Excuse me sir," Harry said stepping into the light. "I believe the lady told you that she does not want to dance. I would advise that you accept that and move along."
Crabble turned on Harry. "Yeah? What's it to you Butler?"
Harry ignored the severe insult to his position and calmly replied, "As head butler the security of the guests are my responsibility. If you threaten that, you will be removed." Harry knew there were a few possible outcomes at this point. First, and most unlikely, Crabble would sulk off and leave to go find someone else to occupy his time. Second, Crabble would sulk off and find someone else to harass and Harry would have to remove him then. Finally, and most likely, Crabble would do something now that would be cause for Harry to remove him from the party.
Crabble chose the third option in the form of throwing a punch at Harry. As part of his training, Harry spent quite a bit of time training with one of the Longbottom employees who had served in the Army for more than a few years. As a result, Harry was more than proficient in a fight. He saw Crabble punch coming long before it would have hit him, as he drew back his arm and threw the punch wide. Harry shifted his weight and casually blocked the punch and returned with one straight to the throat.
Crabble crumpled like a rag doll. Harry straightened up and brushed off his suit. "I'm sorry about the violence Miss. I hope you understand that the house of Longbottom does not stand for it and Mr. Crabble will not be invited back anytime soon." Miss Granger stood up and inclined her head towards Harry, "Of course, Thank you Potter." Harry gave her a short bow as she walked away. He then caught the eye of one of the serving boys and nodded his head at the unconscious Crabble on the ground. The serving boy nodded and scurried off to find someone to remove Crabble from the party.
The rest of the evening went smoothly, nothing of note happened and if you asked Harry, that was the best way for a party to go. When it was time for the guests to leave, Harry stood with Master Neville at the front entrance as he thanked them for coming. The guests were polite and thanked him for inviting them and hoped he would attend their next ball and whatever else they wanted to talk about. For Harry it wasn't terribly interesting and he began to zone out a little, horribly unprofessional but it happens even to the best.
Harry was quickly drawn back to the moment by the sound of someone saying his name. Miss Granger was conversing with Master Neville about the altercation she and Harry had with Crabble. She seemed to be thankful that Harry had stepped in and was looking forward to returning for another ball. She gave them a shallow curtsy and walked down the front stairs to her carriage. As the footman closed the door Miss Granger looked right and Harry and gave him a smile.
"Well, you two seem to have hit it off." Master Neville was trying not to laugh at his own joke. Harry simply raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, come now Potter. That was pretty funny." Master Neville shook his head and walked back inside.
"Good job tonight Potter. Things went well, I'm sure Gran will be pleased. Make sure everything gets cleaned properly, you know the routine. Then you are done for the night."
Harry gave him a bow and turned to get the maids started. "Oh, and Potter," Harry turned back to look at Master Neville. "Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be back next time. Maybe she'll even ask you for a dance." He turned away chuckling to himself. Harry just shook his head and walked away. But deep down, he knew that Master Neville might be on to something.