Under any other circumstances, Acacia might have been embarrassed wearing something so...revealing. However even she could admit it was far superior to anything she had ever worn in her life, and extremely beautiful.

It would also be highly impractical to wear daily around the castle, as it exposed quite a bit of skin. Scotland was cold this time of year, which meant she would be limiting her time outside while wearing it.

She almost balked at the sheer amount of gold Jamil had (all gifts from the Al Asim), but then again Kalim wore gold ornaments as his daily wear around the tower. It usually took the new students a few days to get over this fact, once it was explained who he was.

"You're taking the news of your betrothal rather well. Your friend was rather...vocal...about her opinion of the matter. Especially when she realized that Kalim could have multiple wives."

Vocal was being polite about it. Hermione had called it 'barbaric' until Padma had taken her aside and explained that it had to do with cultural norms and that Kalim came from a society where such things were not only normal, but encouraged for the ruling class.

Hermione still hadn't liked it, but had shut up after Acacia had made a rather pointed suggestion that she do research on the matter before taking Kalim to task over something he had no control or say over.

And honestly, Kalim had never even met his betrothed until very recently, since he had been engaged before she was even born.

"I love Hermione, but her sense of right and wrong are a bit...skewed," sighed Acacia. "Be glad you haven't had to hear her rants regarding house elves."

"...Do I really want to know?" asked Jamil, as he adjusted the gold accessories he was braiding into her hair.

"She found out about house elves and took offense to what she considers slavery and immediately created a group that she calls SPEW, which she says is supposed to stand for the 'Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare'," admitted Acacia. "She took great offense to how Barty Crouch treated his elf Winky over the mess at the World Cup."

Jamil's expression said volumes of what he'd like to say about that, but was too well trained slash polite to do so.

"She does realize that the magical society is basically a subculture that has yet to move past Victorian values, correct?"

"I love her like a sister, but she needs to grow up," said Acacia tiredly.

Jamil rather appreciated the fact that at least Kalim's betrothed had a sensible, mature outlook. With any luck perhaps she could help him reign in Kalim's more annoying tendencies.

Acacia tried not to blink while Jamil applied the make-up.

"It still feels weird having a boy do this," she commented.

"You were the one who wanted to surprise Kalim. Speaking of which, how are you planning to explain the fact he's taking you as his date?"

"Easy. Kalim spoke to his betrothed and they said it was fine to see if I would be a good addition to his future harem," said Acacia with a straight face.

Jamil looked at her. She tried not to cackle.

"I've got at least ten galleons in the school betting pool on who his actual betrothed is. I can use this to prank the entire school while secretly gouging the school rumor mill of their pocket money when it finally comes out," she explained.

Jamil smirked at that. He was well aware of the fact that Acacia's father was a notorious prankster. This was a rather harmless prank, and it would be a good test to see how well she could keep her silence on the truth.

He gently turned her to face the mirror. The girl that she saw looked nothing like the one she was used to.

"Thanks," she said quietly.

"Do you want to go down early, or wait until the ball is about to start?" asked Jamil.

"How much time do we have?" she asked.

"About an hour," said Jamil. "Kalim said he would go down early to socialize with the other families while you got ready."

"I'll head down early then," said Acacia. She didn't want to waste Jamil's efforts and it would be fun to see everyone all dressed up before the actual dance. She was nervous enough as it was.

At least she knew Kalim wouldn't step on her feet. When everyone signed up for dance lessons, Kalim had bowed out since he had been taking more advanced ones for years... including traditional ballroom dancing.


Outside the Great Hall...

Kalim was dressed up in a traditional outfit for important events. Jamil had helped to get him ready before he went to work on Acacia.

To be honest, he was glad that Acacia had started to properly open up with him after being alerted to the contract. He had been hurt she had ignored him for so long.

Hearing a slight gasp from the people around him, Kalim turned and couldn't help the broad smile on his face. Jamil had been very thorough, and Acacia looked positively radiant.

While Acacia had gotten a few new clothes while they were shopping, Jamil had sent her measurements (along with a few better pictures of her taken with her consent) to the Al Asim's personal dressmakers. They had sent back an outfit that befitted the betrothed of the Al Asim heir.

Considering she was a Gryffindor, they had decided to follow on the red and gold theme, using actual gold to accentuate the outfit.

"You look absolutely beautiful," he said honestly.

"Thanks," she said shyly.

Acacia was rather glad that she had a veil covering half her face. Jamil knew she hated being the center of attention, and a veil was a good compromise.

McGonagall, hearing her voice walked over to them.

She raised an eyebrow at what Acacia was wearing.

"Ms. Potter, you are aware that he has a betrothed, correct?"

She didn't want to see the girl hurt by this after all.

Acacia was painfully aware of the staring now, as she had been identified by McGonagall who hadn't bothered to lower her voice. At all.

Kalim laughed at that, and remembered what Acacia had told him when the topic was brought up the night before. He thought her idea of a 'harmless prank' was too fun to pass up.

"My betrothed had family business to attend and had to leave before the ball. However she said it was fine to approach her as a possible date, mostly to start laying certain groundwork for later," said Kalim.

McGonagall didn't have to read too hard between the lines of that. And she had gained the measure of the Al Asim heir some time ago. Being a concubine of his family might actually be good for her...at the very least it would give her the protections she so badly needed.

"Just so you are aware, the champions are expected to open up the ball with the first dance of the night," said McGonagall.

"I remember," said Acacia.

With that, she left the two alone. Hermione made a beeline for her best friend the second the teacher left them alone.

"You and Kalim?" said Hermione. Acacia knew what she was really asking, and her silent disapproval of it. She had made her opinion of the fact that Kalim would likely have a personal harem later very clear.

Acacia rolled her eyes.

"Hermione, just because you have an issue with a multiple partner relationship doesn't mean I do. And honestly, compared to half the boys in this school, Kalim is much kinder and far more tolerable to be around," said Acacia.

Which pretty much confirmed that Acacia had no problems being part of Kalim's harem. And who could blame her? Any number of pure blood girls would happily do anything to have a proper 'in' with the Al Asim.

Kalim was an absolute gentleman, Acacia was viewed with no small amount of jealousy all night. She found the young blond that Jamil escorted to the ball an absolute delight to speak to, and a refreshing change of pace to Hermione or the other Gryffindor girls.

Luna seemed happy to have someone willing to debate on the possibly made up creatures that her father reported on in the Quibbler.

With all the headaches the Daily Prophet had given her of late, she would happily become a loyal subscriber to the magical equivalent of a conspiracy magazine if only for the laugh.

About the only sour note was Ron's reaction to her date. He was particularly snide and only shut up when Acacia bluntly told him to shut up or be hexed. She knew perfectly well Mrs. Weasley would be hearing about this and decided that being proactive was the only way to handle it.

If Hermione had been disapproving, then there was no telling how Molly would react.

At least the twins were supportive.

"So. You and Kalim?" asked Fred.

"He was the only one brave enough to ask, and his betrothed is rather calm about the matter," said Acacia. "Also I'll give you a few details later after the ball. If we're going to make a clean sweep on the betting pool, then we'll have to do it right."

That got the twins to grin.

"Just so you know, if you hurt or break our little sister's heart, you'll have to deal with us," said George.

"Ron's stupidity or not, she's as good as family," said Fred.

Jamil, rather than show concern over the obvious threat, snorted. If his sister ever brought home a boy, he would have threatened them on first introduction too. Just because they shared a dorm with Kalim didn't mean they knew him after all.

It was good to see she had some support, as limited as it was.

"I understand completely. If one of my sisters ever brought home a boy without any warning, I'd feel obligated to say something to them too," said Kalim easily.

"So...you're okay with being part of a harem?" asked Fred seriously.

"As I told Hermione, while some girls might have an issue with sharing, I do not. Kalim is by far more tolerable and has better manners...not to mention hygiene, than half the boys in the school," said Acacia flatly. She gave Ron a pointed look, which caused him to bristle even if he didn't know why she was glaring at him now.

Kalim had a bit of fun as he managed to capture an odd beetle. He had a sibling who enjoyed bug collecting...and well, Jamil hated bugs of all sorts.

He felt the night was an absolute success, especially when Acacia gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek.


Acacia was glad that she had made up a quick lie about being scouted for Kalim's harem, because if people knew she was the girl he was betrothed to it would have given her even more headaches.

It didn't help that the 'harem debate' had become heated again. The boys, unsurprisingly were all for it, but only a select few of the girls were actively considering it or not. The fact Kalim was apparently scouting out potential members had spread like wildfire, and she did not envy Jamil in the least because he was the one stuck vetting potential applicants.

He gave her a nod of appreciation when she discreetly slipped him some headache potions. When you spent as much time around the hospital wing as she did, you tended to pick up a decent knowledge of basic medical potions.

Molly Weasley was not particularly pleased over the fact that she had fallen out with Ron and was taking up with an 'engaged man'. Acacia was very quick to drown to the Howler the woman sent in a nearby pitcher of pumpkin juice. It didn't shut the thing up, but it did dampen the inevitable tirade.

She considered it a worthy sacrifice for everyone's hearing.