Chapter 2:

Just the Beginning? I would think so!

Hermione POV

December 22nd, 1994

I was woken up out of one of the deepest sleeps that I've ever had by the curtains surrounding my bed being yanked open and the morning sun streaming in.

"Alright what's going on with you?" Ginny asked, plopping down on the bed causing me to bounce a little.

"What do you mean?" I asked her as I sat up and stretched.

"Mione its nearly 10 your normally up with the sun. So, what's going on with you?" she asked again.

"Nothing Gin I guess I was just really tired from everything going on lately." I told her as I got out of bed. "Oh, how did the Ritual go last night?" I asked her as I made my way to my wardrobe and began pulling out clothes for today. Hearing her huff, I turned to look at her and just gave her a questioning look.

"Sure, if that's what you say. I'm here if you want to talk. As for the Ritual nothing happened, like absolutely nothing. Oh, unless you count Padma, Parvati, and Lavender passing out." She shrugged.

"Ginny! You guys are lucky that they only passed out, it could have been much worse! From now on if you plan to do any spells, Rituals or Rites you MUST read them through and follow them exactly as they are written. Not doing so can cause injuries or even death." I ranted at her.

"Alright, alright, now please stop lecturing me." she said, waving me off.

'She is never going to hear what I'm saying unless something bad happens to her or them in the future.' I thought to myself as I started towards the girl's dorm bathroom. I heard her following me in as she continued to chat my ear off about what they did last night and what's already been going on this morning. I had already taken off my sleeping pants and underwear and was in the middle of taking off my sleep top when I heard a sharp inhale of breath.

"Mione what the is that?!" Ginny shrieked.

"What?" I asked in a sort of lazy manner, not understanding what she was talking about.

"That! What are those things that are winding around your hands, up your arms, and across your chest and shoulders?! They look like magical tattoos! Did you sneak out and go get tattoos last night?! Is that why you are so tired?" She fussed as she came closer and started tracing the shimmery golden vines and leaves that were in fact winding across the tops or my hands, palms, winding up my arms on all sides, going over my shoulders and across my upper chest. If you looked close enough you could see that not only did, they shimmer but it looked as though when I shifted at all they shifted and moved all on their own as if they were alive.

' Huh? I should probably ask Sirius about these.' I thought to myself.

After a lengthy silence I realized that Ginny was standing there waiting for my answer.

"Fine! Fine! You caught me since I didn't want to go through with the Ritual I decided to go out and get some magical tattoos." I huffed taking the easy way out rather than explain exactly what happened last night I needed to talk to Sirius first.

"What made you do that?" she asked, still tracing the magic tattoos.

"Ever since I first saw Sirius's I've been thought about getting some these are just the start." I told her somewhat of the truth. Yes, I did want to get a couple of magical tattoos but no I did not get these ones on my own.

"Oh well something to talk about more some other time. I came up here to get you out of bed, it was announced at breakfast that we would all be able to go into the Village to get anything left that we may need for the Yule Ball."

"Oh, that's wonderful! I am missing a few things. Let me just take a quick shower and I will be right down." I told her as I finished stripping and hopping into the shower.

Time Skip

Walking through the Village I realized just how wrong I was when I said that I was only missing a few things. I was missing everything! I thought I would be able to wear one of the nice dresses that I had brought with me this year, but it turns out that I needed formal dress robes, new shoes to match, jewelry, gloves and anything else that I would need to help tame my hair. All of this just to realize that I also didn't have any money to pay for anything! My parents were out of the country to the Alps for the winter holidays and they wouldn't have been able to help anyway.

Finally getting overwhelmed I rushed over to the owl post office and wrote a quick letter to Snuffles explaining what was going on and that I needed help. After sending it off I started walking around the Village again and checking my watch periodically when a half hour later a majestic owl landed on my shoulder with parchment attached you one foot and a pouch attached to the other. Removing the parchment, first I unrolled it to find that it was from Sirius.

My Darling Mia,
Dont fret any longer! I've got the solutions.
In the Village there should be a clothing shop of sorts called Mystic Wardrobe.
When I was in school that was the place to go, they should be there.
What is not known to anyone other than Purebloods is that if you go to the counter and ask them for the Seasonal Special, they will take you to a hidden section that will have EVRYTHING that you will need for the Yule Ball.
In the pouch is 200 Galleons that should cover all that you need.
If there is anything that you cannot find just ask the people at the shop, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Alright Kitten, go and find what you need!
I am here if you need me.

Snuffles,
P.S. I want pictures, if possible, I think you can manage that

Reaching up and relieving the owl of their last burden I then told it to go to the Owlery and rest before heading back to Snuffles. Walking around for another 15 minutes I finally found the shop that Sirius was talking about. From the looks of it on the outside and the fact that no one was even shopping in the store you would think that they were closed, but following Sirius's direction I made my way into the shop and to the counter.

"Good afternoon, how can I assist you today?" The woman asked looking me up and down then sniffing as if I were beneath her.

"I was wondering if you could show me your Seasonal Special? It came highly recommended." I told her smiling though I wanted to hex her instead.

"Of course! Of course, Darling! Follow me. I'm Mary." She said, changing her attitude.

"Hi Mary, I'm Hermione."

Following her further into the shop she led me to a far back corner that looked as if it was a dead end, but with a wave of her wand a burgundy curtain appeared. Taking it to the side, she slid it open revealing what looked to be a whole other shop filled with finely made women's robes, women's dresses, women's dress robes and men's all the same. As well as jewelry, circlets, bracers, you name it, she had it.

"It is a wonder isn't it." She said smiling after letting me take my fill. "Now then what colors are we looking for? Do you want to be like most of the girls and grab formal dress robes or would you like to stand out?" She asked.

"I think we should start with Pink, Gold, & White, Blue, Gold & White, and finally Green Gold & White. As for what kind I think I want to be bold let's go for formal dresses rather than dress robes." I told her after thinking on it for a few minutes.

Perfect! Branching out and trying new things is always a good thing. You have made my day! Out of all the girls coming in they've all been getting formal robes and being done with it. It's been so long since I've been able to really bring a young girl to life." she said with a big smile and clapping her hands. "I was thinking for cut we could try some ball gowns, princess cuts, and A Line. What are your thoughts?"

"I think I'll follow your lead on that. For the past few years all I've been wearing are jeans and T-shirts. My best friends are boys and the girls that are friends all they do is judge me and don't try to help. When I do go for help, they just start criticizing me." I told her shyly.

"That won't do." She tsking and shaking her head. "After this Yule ball you come back to see me and we will work on getting you in some more feminine clothes that will start to help you in the right direction, nothing to drastic I promise." She said smiling. "Now let's get to picking out some dresses!"

Following her through rows and rows of racks she kept pulling dress after dress and then flicking her wrist to either send them to the dressing room or just placing them back on the racks where they came from. After almost an hour of picking out dresses she had to of sent at least 30 if not more to the dressing room.

"Alright lovely go on in and start trying them on. I'll run and grab you a pair of heels that way we can get an idea how much of length needs to be altered and such." she said shooing me into the dressing room.

Just standing there looking at the mass of dresses I wasn't sure where to start and was somewhat overwhelmed. 'Youve got this Hermione, just one dress at a time.' I thought to myself. I then started to strip and once I was down to my undergarments, I picked up the first dress. It was Navy blue with gold sequence at first feel I could tell that I wouldn't like it on my body. I was brought out of my thoughts by Mary opening the curtains to the dressing room slightly and had a pair of shoes hanging from her fingers.

"I guessed at your shoes size being a 7 let me know if they don't fit." She spoke.

"Thanks Mary they are the perfect size."

"Once you are done getting change come out and let me have a look."

"I'm almost done with the first one, I'll be out in a moment." I told her. As I finished pulling the dress up and using my wand to do the zipper in the back, I looked at myself in the mirror and just knew that this was not the dress for me. Bending down I put my feet in the heels, strapped them up and then turned towards the mirror again and smoothed out the dress, shaking my head. Turning around I opened the curtain so that Mary could see me and almost immediately she started shaking her head.

"No Darling that is not the dress for you. Go back in and try on the next one." She told me shooing me back into the dressing room and closing the curtain. This went on and on until we had reached 5 final gowns.

A Pink, Gold, & Silver A line dress that had lacy long sleeves with crystals on them, the back buttoned all the way up and was sheer at the top with crystals:

The next dress was a huge green ball gown with silver, gold and green crystals all over and a train that had the crystals on them as well:

The next 2 dresses were similar but one was dark blue with little white tule and gold embroidery and the other one was a light blue with a more of a cream tule in a larger amount and gold embroidery:

The last dress was a dark emerald, green princess cut dress with a dark emerald velvet bust with spaghetti straps, lighter green tule on top and a cream tule underneath with gold foliage, the back laces up:

Mary had me try them all on a few more times before she finally said anything else.

"Ok Darling I think that the Green Ball Gown and Pink A Line dress are out. The ball gown will be too much for the Yule Ball and the Pink A line not only washes you out a little bit but seems to age you as well, that is not something that we want. That leaves the Light and Dark Blue Gowns and the Dark Emerald Gown." She told me.

"I agree with you about the ball gown and the pink dress. With the last three it's so hard to choose I love them all." I told her looking back at the three dresses that were left for me to choose from.

"Do you want my honest opinion, or do you want me to leave you to try and figure this out on your own?" she asked.

"Your opinion of course please." I told her.

"I think that we should put the 2 blue dresses on hold for you, you can always come back and grab them at any time I'll make sure to have them here for you. I think that you should go with the emerald, green dress, it will go well with those magical tattoos that I bet you didn't think I noticed. It will complement not only them but you as well." she told me.

"Well then I guess we have out choice!" I said, smiling a mile wide.

"Now dear let's find your accessories for your dress." she said, grabbing me by the hand and pulling me back through the shop.

After looking through what felt like every single piece of jewelry that the shop had we couldn't seem to find anything that would complement or go with the dress, but we did find the perfect pair of heels and a shawl which was in all actuality a chiffon cloak with gold embroidery.

"I'm verry sorry that we were unable to find jewelry to go with your gown." Mary said to me as we gathered all that I would be purchasing up and made out way to the front counter. "Is there anything else that you can think of that you may need?" she asked.

"No worries I have someone that I can contact and see if they may be able to help. There is my hair as you can see is a wild nest most of the tie is there anything that you would recommend that would help me tame it and be able to do it for the ball?" I asked her.

"Yes, yes there is! It's called Sleekeazy's Hair potion it will help make your hair softer and more controllable, we happen to sell some so we can add that in. I would also recommend the charm Crinitus Curlarum when casting it you must point it at your head and twist your wrist in the direction that you would like your curls to go. The charm lasts until you release it or it fades away. The stronger the intent behind the charm the longer it will last." She explained as she grabbed a few vials of the hair potion from behind the counter and started packaging up all of the items that I would be buying.

"That brings your totals to 165 Galleons, 12 sickles and 3 kunts." she said after punching everything into the register.

Grabbing the pouch the Sirius sent me I pulled out 166 Galleons. "Just keep the rest I'm not worried about it." I told her when she tried to give me change. Shrinking down all of my purchases I put them in my pocket, and made my way out of the shop, back towards the Village.

Once back into the center of the village, I made my way to the Owl Post Office to send a letter off to Sirius.

Snuffles,

I just want to start off by saying thank you! My outing today has been a wonderful success other than the inability to find any jewelry to go with my gown and shoes. I picked out the most beautiful Dark Emerald gown that has gold accents and golden foliage embroidery in the dress, the shoes match as they are Dark Emerald Velvet and have Golden accents as well. Finally, I picked out a wonderful Chiffon Dark Emerald Cloak that has golden embroidery on it as well. The shop was wonderful, I even found 2 other dresses that I absolutely adore! Mary the woman that works there said that she would put them aside for me that way I may return in the future and pick them up. I wanted to let you know how my outing ended up!

Thank you again Snuffles!

All my Love, Kitten

After reading over the note a final time to make sure I had said everything that I needed to say I went to the counter paid the Galleon and had it sent off to Sirius.

Time Skip

Dinner was luckily a quick affair, so I was able to slip out and head to a room that I had accidentally discovered last year when I was using the time turner. The House Elves call it the Come & Go Room, but I believe it's called The Room of Requirement. Pacing in front of the wall 3 times while thinking 'I'm in need of a space to cast a powerful charm.' During each pass once done the door appeared. Before entering I said a blessing to Mother Magic for what I was about to do. Grabbing the handle and entering the room I was blown away inside looked like a never-ending library with so many books as far as the eye could see. Sitting in the center of a circle of plush armchairs was a desk that had a quill and piece of parchment.

"Thank you." I whispered as I made my way through the door. Walking over to the desk I sat down and contemplated what it is that I would like to say to a certain Thomas Shelby. After some thought I picked up the quill and began to write.

December 22nd

Dear Thomas,

Hello, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Hermione Granger, and I was born in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire to two loving and amazing people. I don't know where exactly you are and what you are doing at this moment, but I do have the notion that you are wondering why it is that you are getting a letter from me of all people. You don't know me, and I don't know you, well let's just say that I got your name off a piece of paper that I by all means should never have received. Times are hard and turbulent right now, everything is so uncertain, but I do know with certainty that things can always be worse than they are. Currently I am at a school for gifted individuals and there is a tournament. This tournament has not been held in years due to the physical, mental and emotional strain that it puts on a person. There are 2 other schools that have arrived here to participate, bringing their best and brightest students. Originally there were only supposed to be 3 champions, one from each school, but this year somehow there was a mistake and my best friend who is under the age limit is now required to participate. It is hard every day waking up and thinking that during one of the tasks that are set my best friend could be hurt or worse die. Why would they bring such a thing back and for children no less, it does not make sense.

Oh bother! I did not intend to blather on about such things, it's just one of the most prominent things going on in my life right now. On another subject though there is a Ball being held on Christmas Day. I have been fortunate enough to be asked as a date to such an event and though I am looking forward to dancing, having fun and building friendships with those from the other schools I am most certainly not looking forward to being in the center of everyone's attention. Having them critique me and judge me does not sound like a good time. Amazingly though I know that I will blow them all away with what I will be wearing, loving it as much as I do, I also know that I am going to feel amazing!

I will start to close my letter here. I would like to thank you for reading this letter in its entirety if you have made it this far. It may not be ideal or something that you were expecting getting a letter from someone in school and I AM of age so no worries there. Thank you for sacrificing your time to read this letter, I hope it was able to give you some reprieve or laughter at my long-winded statements wherever it is that you are.

Remember this: In every darkest day there is some semblance of light, make each day what you wish it to be.

If you so, choose to write back, please include in the letter if there is anything that you may need or want and please address such correspondences to:

Hermione Granger 18 Years Old Location: Scottish Highlands

Yours, Hermione Granger

Finishing up the letter I folded it and a blank piece of parchment so that he may respond enough so that it would fit into the envelope that was sitting on the desk along with was to seal it shut. Looking at the other items on the desk as I was writing the room decided that I needed to have my mail delivered directly to me. For there sitting on the desk is another envelope with my name scrawled on the front in Sirius's familiar handwriting along with a package. Setting aside the letter for Thomas, I reached for the envelope and package, bringing them closer to my person.

Kitten,
Such a shame that you were unable to find the jewels that you needed for the ball, but you are in luck.
I wrote to my account manager at Gringotts and had him go to the family vault and pick up the jewelry set that I instantly knew would be what you needed.
Now these are black family jewels so please be careful, they have already been scanned not only by Gringotts but by me and Remus as well there are no charms whatsoever that would make them harmful to yourself or others.
Since you now have Black Family Jewelry in your possession you are required to send back no less than 10 pictures of you and your date (Who you will still not tell me their name) from the Ball make sure to get you and friends as well.

Sirius

Unwrapping the box, resizing it to its original size. I open it gasping as I look upon what's inside. I cannot believe he has these picked out for me to wear! I am going to have a heart attack before the night is over. There lying in the center of the box lay the most beautiful Dark Emerald Jewlery leaf wedding tiara headband, necklace, dangle earrings, and a bracelet. They were absolutely gorgeous and would match perfectly.

Before leaving the Room, I sat at the desk with the letter to Thomas in my hands and said a blessing to Mother Magic:

Mother Magic I ask for you're blessing once more
Guide my magic in my time of need
Guide this letter to its destination

Grant Him with your blessing and the ability to respond
MOther Magic grant please grant me your blessing
Blesses Be

Clearing my head and making sure that my intentions are pure I cast the charm: Amorascriptus Connecto watching the envelope glow a golden color then slowly shimmer away.

December 25th, 1994: 4PM

All of the girls in my dorm that were attending the Ball were flitting around the room in frenzies trying to get ready while I just laid back up against my pillows with my knees drawn up and a book open a propped up on them. I had been reading but watching them all act like an aggravated hive of bees was actually more fun than reading right now.

"Hey, Mione, aren't you going to get ready?" Ginny asked, stopping on her way to the bathroom.

"Oh, didn't you hear Ginny she doesn't have a date. So why would she bother with getting ready?" Lavender sniggered.

"I will have you know that I do have a date. I'm just not getting ready now because there are too many of us and not enough bathroom space." I told her holding in my temper.

"Sure, you do! Thats why every time someone asks you who your date is you never give us an answer. Just admit it you don't have a date and you're not going to the ball." Lavender said standing at the side of my bed with her hands on her hips.

"Whatever make you happy Lavender, I'm not going to argue with you anymore." I told her closing the book that I had in my lap and rising from my bed.

"Humph." she said and slunk away.

"It's ok not to have a date you know Hermione. You can still go without one." Ginny said compassionately only further pissing me off. Huffing, I strode away from my four-poster bed and to my wardrobe where all the things that I needed to get ready for the Ball were located. I gathered them all up, put them in my pockets, turned and strode out the door without giving her a response.

Walking through the castle my feet had brought me to the Room of Requirement, the absolute perfect place to get ready. Pacing in front of the wall 3 times I thought to myself ' Please provide me with the perfect place to get ready, with everything that I may need.'

Once the door appeared I opened it and walked into what could have been mistaken for the Prefects Bathroom expect this one was much more luxurious. There were potion bottles lining the side of the pool with bath oils and scent oils for me to bathe in, on the vanity counter there were make-up supplies but also a small book of simple beauty charms.

Time Skip

Putting on the final touches of my make-up, I stood up from the vanity chair and moved towards where I had set my shoes. Picking up my shoes I cast a cushioning charm, and cooling charm. Once I slipped my feet in them, I cast a sticking charm on them to make sure they stayed on my feet. Just before walking out the door to head down to the great hall, I conjured a mirror that way I could double check my appearance. Satisfied that everything is how it should be, I maneuvered the discrete slit in my dress aside that way I could slid my wand into the thigh holster that I asked the Room for.

Making my way through the halls I was glad that it seemed like I was the last person making it to the Great Hall, this would give my appearance a greater impact. I could not contain the giddiness and pride that I had caused almost everyone in the Entrance Hall to stop in their tracks and look at me as I descended the stairs. One of the only people who didn't seem as affected was my date Victor Krum, he moved through the crowd and greeted me with a kiss to the back of my hand causing me to blush.

"Yoah look vondyerfahl zeees yevyeneeng. Leekye bahlgareean preencyess."

"Thank you, Viktor." I said, bowing my head slightly.

All around me I could hear whispers of awe, wonderment, and even anger.

"Is that Hermione Granger?!"

"So, there is a girl under all that hair after all."

"Why would he choose her of all people? Shes nothing but a bookworm."

"Bloody Hell Hermione's a girl!"

These were just a few of the things that were being said but I had decided after my confrontation with Lavender that I would not allow these people to take this time of enjoyment away from me. Just because they were unhappy and did not expect this to happen to me does not mean that I will allow them to ruin my night.

"Everyone, everyone those of you who are not Champions, or the dates of the Champions please move your way into the Great Hall so that we may begin. Champions take your places, once these doors have opened again the opening procession will start and then to start off the official Yule Ball you all will dance the opening dance." Professor McGonagall explained as she ushered the few remaining stragglers into the Great all that way the doors could be shut.

Time Skip (Second to last one for this chapter)

The night had gone amazing! I cannot remember the last time that I had so much fun. Grabbing Viktors arm I dragged him off the dance floor and over to where Harry and Ron were sitting.

"Voahld yoah leekye somyezeeeng to dreenk?" Viktor asked me just before we made it to Harry and Ron.

"Yes, that would be delightful Viktor. Thank you." I said to him raising on my tip toes and kissing him on the cheek, actually causing this big professional Quidditch player to blush.

Walking the rest of the way over to Harry and Ron I sat down.

"Hot, isn't it? Viktor's gone to get drinks. Care to join us?" I asked.

"No, we'd NOT care to join you and Viktor." Ron stated

"What's got your wand in a knot?" I asked him

"He's a Durmstrang. You're fraternizing with the enemy." He stated as if it made all the sense in the world, and I guess to him it did.

"The enemy?? Who was it wanting his autograph? Besides, the whole point of the tournament is international magical cooperation to make friends." I ranted at him getting worked up more and more.

"Hrmph, I think he's got a bit more than friendship on his mind." Ron grumbled crossing his arms and sinking down into his chair.
I held in my grown of frustration stood up and stalked off to find Viktor. Lucky for me he it wasn't all that difficult. After taking a break and enjoying the drinks that he got for us as well as some finger foods we made our way back onto the dance floor until neither of us could any longer. Like the gentleman that he was all evening he walked me back to the Great Hall doors.

"Yoahgavye madye toneeght neeght to ryemyembyer. Zeank yoah. Vye mahst kyeyep een toahch. Yyes?" he said, and he bowed and kissed the back of my hand.

"Of course, Viktor I would like nothing more. Thank you for the most wonderful evening." I told him blushing.

"Yoahr vyelcomye" Is all he says then bows again before walking off.

Standing there looking after him I twirling around happy about how my evening had ended.

"He's using you." Ron pipes up from behind me causing me to start.

"How dare you! Besides I can take care of myself." I told him not in the mood for him being foul.

"Doubt it. He's way too old."

"What? What? That's what you think?" I asked him because both he and I know that is not the reason for him acting this way. He jealous and mad because I didn't drop everything and be his date.

"Yeah, that is what I think."

"You know the solution then, don't you?" I asked him.

"Go on." He prompted me crossing his arms across his chest.

"Next time there's a ball pluck up the courage and ask me before somebody else does, and not as a last resort." I shouted at him.

"Well, that's completely off the point. Harry..." Says then calls to Harry who is walking up to us.

"Where have you been? Never mind! Off to bed both of you." I tell them getting further and further pissed off. 'How is it that my night started off so perfectly and ended up like this?' I asked myself

Just as Harry and Ron walk away, Ron decides to open his mouth one last time. "They get scary when they get older."

"Ron, you spoil everything!" I started chasing after them but thought better knowing that if I did further pursue. Them it would lead to hexes and charms being thrown at one another. Making sure that they were gone and no one else was around, I sat down on the entrance hall stairs and cried into my palms.

Suddenly I heard footsteps approaching.

"Miss Granger, would you please come with me the headmaster would like to speak with you?" Professor McGonagall asked. As I looked up at her I could see a deep-seated sadness in her eyes when she looked at me.

"I'm sorry Professor I didn't mean to cause a scene. I'll take any consequences. that are handed out." I told her standing up.

"Not to worry dear let's get you to the headmaster that way you can get into bed." she said putting her hand on the small of my back and guiding me to the headmaster's office.

Standing in front of the Griffin that guarded the entrance to the headmaster's office, Professor McGonagall stated the password "Cockroach Clusters." Causing the Griffin to step aside. All the while we ascended the stairs to his office the Professor did not remove her hand from my back, as if she was trying to ground me for some reason.

"Ahhh good evening, Miss. Granger. How was your time at the ball?" Headmaster Dumbledore asked.

Looking into his eyes I saw the same deep seeded sadness that still remains in Professor McGonagall's eyes.

"It was almost perfect. I would like to take the time and apologize for how I behaved at the end of the evening. I shod not of allowed what he was saying get to me. I will do better in the future." I told him solemnly.

"Not to worry Dear, not to worry. That is not why you were brought to my office." he told me with a strained smile.

"Then why am I here Headmaster?" I asked.

"A little over an hour ago, I got a surprise visit from the Ministry. It appears that at 9;15 this past evening your parents were found murdered in their vacation home. Normally this would not have been on the Ministries radar but because you are so close to Harry, they were monitoring your parents when they detected a strong magical presence." He told me concisely but compassionately.

"No, NO, NO! There has to be some mistake! Thats not all though, is it? You're keeping something from me." I cried and couldn't seem to stop black spots started clouding my vision until I knew no more.

image1.png