Hermione was nervous about the ball. Despite growing up with the fashion influence of Narcissa and being friends with Pansy and Daphne, she rarely fully dressed up. It was impractical considering most of her time was spent with her dad or reading in the Black library. So when she had to make her debut in society today, she hated being the center of attention.

"This might be a bit unnecessary, Pansy." Hermione remarked as her hair was pulled up by her friend who wasn't giving up despite fighting a losing battle."

"Your hair being tame will be my pride tonight, Hermione, so just sit still and I'm... almost... done!" While the last few words had been breathes of frustration, Pansy looked with so much pride at Hermione, who just sat, stunned, looking into the mirror.

"You truly are an incredibly talented witch Pansy." Hermione quickly hugged her friend. Daphne looked up from doing her makeup and nodded as if Hermione's statement was just common sense.

Narcissa rushed in, clapping her hands. "Ladies, why are you not dressed?! Guests are arriving within the hour! Hermione, your hair looks lovely. Daphne, makeup is flawless. And Pansy, you look beautiful!" All the girls grinned at her. "Now move! Dresses ladies!" The trio giggled before putting on their dresses and looking in the mirror for final touches.

Pansy had put on a beautiful emerald green mermaid silhouette dress that perfectly complemented her skin and dark complexion. It was modest, yet the long emerald earrings and choker necklace from the Parkinson vault highlighted the length of her neck and sharpness of her jawline.

Daphne was the picture perfect opposite, wearing a light blue A-line dress that reminded Hermione of the color of the ocean. It flared out at her hips, accentuating her waist and the diamonds she wore in her neck, around her waist, and in her hair made her seem dainty and fairy-like.

Hermione had also opted for an A-line dress but in a deep purple and with an off-the-shoulder neckline that made her nervous. However, her feeling of being beautiful along with the gasps of excitement from Narcissa and the girls when shopping had convinced her to buy the dress. She wore a simple silver pendant with the Sirius constellation on it, a gift from her dad for getting her Hogwarts letter. She paired it with amethyst studs and a silver bracelet.

The three girls stood side by side in the mirror, admiring themselves before turning to Narcissa in the doorway. She had a bit of a tear in her eye before she brushed it away and gestured for the girls to follow her.

They joined the boys outside the doorway to the ballroom. As more guests arrived, their group grew as more 1st year students showed up, waiting to be announced and begin their debut in society. Hermione smiled as she saw Theo Nott and Blaise Zabini, fellow Slytherin students and some of her best friends. Almost everyone had arrived, before a new presence rudely made himself known. Ron Weasley glared at her and her friends before joining Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnegan on the other side of the doorway.

"Just ignore him, Mione. He's a jerk." Hermione heard Draco from over her shoulder and turned to find him looking at her with a worried expression.

"I'm fine, Draco. You ready?" Hermione smiled brightly as the doors to the ballroom swung open. Draco's eyes stayed on her face for a moment, before turning to face the ballroom guests who were now looking up at the first years.

Lucius's voice echoed throughout the ballroom. "May I present the Hogwarts graduating class of 1998!" The deafening applause from the best of the Wizarding World was a shock to the eleven-year-olds as they descended the stairs as a group. A crowd soon surrounded them, congratulating each student and wishing them the best. The girls got many compliments on how beautiful they looked and Hermione saw how proud her father was as he stood next to Lucius and James. Soon music started up and the crowd dispersed a little to the dance floor. Hermione let out a breath before turning to Pansy and Daphne who were doing the same. With a giggle, they started to enjoy the party as well, making conversation with the guests and laughing with the boys.

It was almost nighttime by the time people started leaving. Being dead tired and knowing Sirius didn't enjoy talking to so many strangers, she began the process of saying her goodbyes. She went to grab her cloak from the cloakroom when she ran into the cruel eyes of Ron regarding her.

"Weasley." Hermione nodded, attempting to be cordial before pushing past him to return to the ballroom with her cloak.

"Black. You know you don't belong here, among the best of the Wizarding World. No one wanted you. That's why you were in the woods and no matter how much you try to fit into the Black family, you'll never be wanted." His cold voice cut into Hermione's heart. She turned, eyes glistening.

"How dare you Weasley. I know you were not just implying blood matters and people are better than others. I'm a Black through and through. It might not be by blood, but it is by love, something you don't know by the cruel way you act. Don't even think you know me. Not that you do much thinking anyways." Hermione turned and walked away with her head high, even though her heart felt like it was crumbling in on itself. Weasley had spoken some of her greatest fears, but she would never give him the satisfaction of thinking he had any effect on her.

Despite the encounter, Hermione replayed the events of the ball when she fell asleep that night. She remembered the smiles and the laughter of her friends, the pride of her father, and the feeling of beauty as she danced in the purple ball gown. When Sirius peeked his head in to check on her later, he saw his daughter sound asleep, holding her Black necklace and with a small smile on her face. He closed the door with a smile before returning to his study, where he finished his journal entry about the girl that changed his life's first night in society.

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A/N soooo another chapter this soon? Kind of proud of myself. Yay!

Thank you so so much to everyone who has favorited and followed and reviewed so far. You truly encourage me so much. Love y'all!

Keep reviewing please! I love reading them and they give me ideas. On that note, would love to bring Luna in, but she's a year younger than the main squad so it might be a bit. I also wanted to give Hermione some girl friends because I do feel she's sometimes treated as an outsider and seems a bit lonely. As someone who relates to her a lot in many ways, I have some of my best friends, who I'm basing Pansy and Daphne on, and they're absolutely lovely. And Hermione deserves to have girls supporting her as every girl does 3

I really don't like Ron, so he's honestly the bully of this story. I know people have different opinions on this, but if you don't want to read this, just don't read it! That's why there are so many fanfictions. You can find something that you like.

Love you all. Wishing you the best for the next week! ~SWW