Hepatica had never worn anything so uncomfortable and gaudy in her life. She really hoped she wouldn't have to again. Even if she remembers some what of the fashion changes coming up in the next decade. But wide hoops that sit from just under the bust…

It is a bit much. But both her and Georgie along with Aunt Maria and Lady Sefton were standing around watching the people in the court until their names were called. It had felt like hours already had passed, when in reality it was maybe a half hour. Hepatica was wondering if the Queen doesn't pick the order of presentation, was it the officiate or almost random. Definitely not alphabetical order. Possibly in rank though, even if there were many Misses and Lady's mixed up. Thinking this all to herself of course, no talking except the odd quiet whisper as girl after girl was introduced and greeted by the Queen by either a nod or allowed to kiss the Queens hand, with the King and Crowned Prince behind her.

Two hours later they had watched the relatively small group dwindle down to the last 3. Herself, Georgie and one other young girl. Very pretty and reminded her of Neville in a weird way. The other girl kept looking over to them as well, with the same sort of recognition Darcy had when puzzling out her identity.

Hepatica didn't recognise the name of the girl when called. A Miss Harrow. With her familiarity to Neville she wouldn't mind getting to know her. Apparently, Lady Sefton knew her mother and were acquaintances luckily. The last name called was hers. Walking up to the Dias, the King and Prince Regent behind The Queen standing in front of the room. She saw a flash of recognition in the Kings eyes. Having heard rumours of his 'bouts of insanity', Hepatica personally thought it was a form a PTSD or maybe a form of dementia or something. Either way it was hard for all around, including himself she imagined.

"A Miss Hepatica Potter of Di Miroe." The boorish voice off to the side announced. It startled Hepatica even though she logically knew she was last one there.

Walking as elegantly as possible thanks to the intensive training Aunt Maria and Lady Sefton forced into her brain, as well as the short training from Andy after the war in preparation for taking over the family seats before ending up here. Hepatica walked up to the queen and managed a somewhat respectable curtsy in the style expected. When asked to rise she saw both the King and Regent step closer to the two. Clearly breaking protocol if the whispers around them were to go by.

"My you look just like your grandmother, but with your grandfathers' eyes. The hair I imagine is all your mothers." Was the Queen's quiet response as Hepatica raised herself up to standing again.

The Queen reached out to touch her, Hepatica tried to hide her flinch, it was an illogical response knowing the Queen wouldn't normally touch anyone except to have them kiss her hand. But old habits die hard and all that. The gentle kiss on the forehead was something startling.

"It is like seeing my baby sister once more." The King of England announced. All those still in the court gapped at her and the odd show the royals were showing. Even whom she assumed were the Princesses came forward.

"Cousin, you do not use your birth title of Lady Hepatica?" The Prince asked.

Hepatica was speechless, staring at the group around her. She didn't think they would go so far as to have an interrogation of sorts already. She wasn't expecting anything more than an acknowledgment of herself and maybe an invite to discuss the situation in private another time.

"No, your Majesty, I never knew my birth family well enough to think using the title would be appropriate so I stuck to Miss."

"I see, I hear you were raised on English soil for a time after the death of the De Miroe's?"

"Yes Ma'am. With people I was told were related to my mother. I never saw any evidence. It wasn't until I was escorted back to De Miroe at the age of 11 that I even knew the names of my parents, and then was only told they were prominent. Not anything about them being Marquess and Marchioness, nor of my grandparents. It wasn't till I managed to escape the conflict over there and run into two faces I knew as friends of my parents here recently, that I learnt any of the important details. I'm still trying to piece it together." Not a complete lie. She really didn't know much about her parents until entering the wizarding world, hopefully changing the names of places she won't be caught in in half truths.

"Well, we have caused enough of a scandal standing here. No matter if you were the last debutant by design. I hear you are having a ball in the next days. We were sent an invite but wished to meet you first. We will be seeing each other again dear niece." Hepatica curtsied again even though it wasn't standard protocol, considering she was surrounded by Royals it seemed fitting and backed out somewhat gracefully.

"It has been a pleasure Lady Hepatica of De Miroe." The King announced to all. As if giving permission for her to use the title that she was apparently born with.

Her mind was reeling.

It was nerve racking.

She was glad it was over, being in public like that always had her unsteady.

That was 3 days ago.

Georgie had managed to convince her brother for an elaborate dinner party instead of a full ball. It was a nice evening. Even with the Bingley's in attendance. Miss Bingley tried to gossip and degrade the Gardiners and by extension the Miss Bennet's in attendance to her acquaintances that overlapped with Darcy's. The sisters or wives of Darcy's acquaintances, none ever really having spent time with Georgie before now. It didn't go over so well by the conversation Hepatica overheard with the female acquaintances not seeming to like the attention of Miss Bingley's conversations. Especially when some of them started talking about her Ball they were invited to and Miss Bingley wasn't.

Naturally Georgie gravitated to the Bennet's and Hepatica for much of the socialising, there was a modest 30 people in attendance. Hepatica met many people, a few of them would be at her ball in 2 days' time. She was unable to get out of Aunt Maria and Lady Sefton getting the chance to host something that was turning out to be the ball of the season and super exclusive with 200 guests and Queen Charlotte and the Prince Regent making an appearance.

Jane was escorted to the table by Viscount Moore but she managed a conversation with Bingley throughout the night, Hepatica wasn't able to tell much about their conversation nor was she able to speak to Jane exclusively since Hepatica had been coerced to move her stuff to Padfoot's town house before her Presentation. But the day after her Ball and within calling times, she was determined to have a supper with Lizzy and Jane and discuss it all.

The Gardiners found many acquaintances in the group of Darcy's friends not to mention the friendly terms they had with two prominent Earls. Hepatica was glad, she enjoyed their company and no matter how she knew societal definition of classes and etiquette would still be extremely pushed on them for a few more decades before the 'melding of classes' became the norm, she just couldn't follow it. Still believing good people are good people and 'class' or fortune does not a good person make.


Tonight however, was the debut of her ball. Hepatica was glad she was able to have more input into what she would wear tonight. Being able to forgo all the frills and gaudy lace. Opting for something more refined in her opinion. Reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's shier white overlay dress in the movie 'War and Peace' Hepatica saw once when watching TV at Mrs Figgs place. Along with a jewelled tiara that once belonged to her Grandmother Princess Elizabeth. A royal messenger had presented it to her that morning as a gift from the King and Queen – who would be in attendance if they King remained in good spirits. Knowing what little she did of mental illnesses and the more accepted and researched they were from her time compared to now, she really hoped he did.

This felt so different to the Yule Ball back when she was 14, she was in the spotlight then too, even if it was shared with four others. But she had practiced and learnt all the dances for the evening, it would be expected of her to dance them all. Glad she had all the 'important' dances already spoken for. Between Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy and Moore, Padfoot, Danville and Mr Gardiner she was set for half the dances already.

With Mr Darcy asking for her first and supper set. She knew he knew what asking for two sets may speak of to the crowds but she wasn't sure what to make of it. On one hand she was happy to have a friend for those spots, one who wouldn't expect anything from them, even if it was considered a big declaration in this time.

On the other, she was scared. She wasn't sure if it was wise to marry this life and didn't want to give anyone the wrong impression. The power that was in her blood would be in her children and there was no protection for their type of being, the only magicals that she knows of in this universe. So she hoped he still held his ideals to dances and aversion to marriage.

She couldn't hide the mild excitement at his request. Nor could she deny he had made his way into her heart as someone she really admired and enjoyed being around.

He gave her tingles in her fingers when they spent time together. She could see herself as happy with a calm and consistent man as he. But was what power she held and would undoubtedly pass on, be safe with that family. As good a judge of character Hepatica thought she was, she still didn't know him all that well. As much as she liked him, she knew she needed to not let it go any further. For all she knew he could end up finding out and see her to the sanatorium for the delusional or killed… Did they still consider witchcraft to be a hanging offence? She didn't know.

Pushing the thoughts to the back of her head to worry about at a later date, she resolved to enjoy her night.

Dance the night away in a stunning gown, hopefully meet many people (not so great a thing but hopefully good for reputation and investments) and have fun.

It was a ball; she was better prepared than the last one to dance every dance. It would be a fun night. Aunt Maria and Lady Sefton put a lot of effort into the rooms, teaching both Hepatica and Georgie what was involved every step of the way. She wasn't sure it was something she would want to do regularly, but tonight will be fun. She would make it so.


AN: Shortish chapter, just something to fill before the actual Ball scene. I have been swamped since my last post with study for a certificate I started on top of full time work and getting over a miscarriage. Not to mention writing the actual Ball has been eluding me.

Thanks for all the positive comments, it means a lot.

Once I finish my Certificate in December hopefully I can focus more on writing fanfics. :)

Inspiration for Hepatica's gown, (remove the spaces) i . pinimg originals/27/e8/c7/27e8c700da9c2a3d934bd6f32707824e . jpg