Chapter Thirty Eight
31st December-2006
Danica smoothed the last of her make-up onto her eye lids, blinking several times and looking in the mirror to ensure that they matched.
She looked very pretty, if she did say so herself.
She was wearing a short, tight red dress that sparkled whenever she moved. She'd put her hair up in a bun made up from ringlets and had a pair of very tall red heels waiting for her.
The house elves had spent time painting and filing her nails, ready for the diamond ring she would have before the end of the night.
Her feelings hadn't changed.
She still loved Daniel with all her heart and was more willing to marry him. They'd already been living together for several months, although closer to Dundee than they'd originally been planning.
There had been a little voice, in the back of her head, that had told her living with Daniel would be the end of their relationship, but thankfully, that voice could not have been more wrong. They loved coming home to one another at the end of the day, although working out who's turn it was to do the washing up had taken some doing.
Danica turned on the spot, transporting herself to the large ballroom in the Potter Manor where the new years party was being held.
It was already very crowed. Caihong was running around, dragging anyone she could over to see her new baby sister.
Cho was sat on a slightly raised platform at the front of the ballroom, cradling her youngest child in her arms. Danica Jee-Yun Potter had been born the second week in September, and so far, had been nothing but a perfect, smily baby.
"Aunty Danica!" Caihong squeaked, grabbing her hand, "Come see baby Jee!"
Danica laughed, "I've already seen baby Jee, many, many times."
"Come see again!" Caihong giggled back.
Danica smiled and followed the very excited little girl to where Cho was.
"Hello Danica. Caihong, stop harassing people to come and see the baby and go and enjoy the party. Wont be long before you have to go to bed anyway." Cho pointed out, pulling her eldest daughter into a hug and kissing her on the cheek.
Caihong squealed with laughter, causing Jee-Yun to stir slightly, scrunching her little fists up as she clutched at the air around her. Caihong leaned lovingly over her and kissed her forehead softly.
"You sleep. Be next year soon." Caihong whispered.
Caihong waved goodbye to Cho and Danica before skipping off, looking for someone to dance.
"I remember you when you were that little." Daphne smiled, walking over and greeting Danica and Cho.
"And I am sure I was just as adorably cute." Danica laughed, "It's the Evans genes."
Cho gave Daphne a one armed hug, laughing slightly and smiling.
"You were a little horror as well if I recall." Cho smirked.
Danica pretended to look insulted before spotting Daniel walking in, "And with that comment, I shall speak to you later." she walked off, weaving her way through the growing crowd of people to where Daniel was helping himself to a drink.
"How are you doing?" Daphne asked, drawing up a chair and sitting herself down next to Cho.
"I'm ok." Cho told her, "Very glad for the pregnancy to be over I must say. Caihong is loving being a big sister though. She's already asking when we're going to have another one."
Daphne laughed, "Bet she wouldn't be saying that if Jee cried a little more often."
Cho snorted a laugh, "It's true that she's not a fan of the crying. Jee woke her up early the other morning and she was far from impressed. We are thinking of having another one, but not for at least a few years yet."
"I can't blame you there." Daphne said, waving her fingers at Jee-Yun, "At least you've got Harry to help."
"Oh Gods yes." Cho nodded, "I can't imagine having to look after them both without him. I got a good one there."
"I'm going to get a drink, do you want anything?" Daphne offered.
"No thank you." Cho said, showing her the half full glass, "I'm good for now."
Daphne gave her another quick hug before wondering down towards the impressive table filled with drinks.
She poured herself a tall glass of pale pink fairy wine before spotting an empty chair along the edge of the room and aiming for her.
Much to her surprise, Ronald Weasley was sitting there, sipping a glass of foamy ale and watching the guests as they mingled around him.
Daphne considered walking the other way and finding another seat, but there was something that drew her towards the young man.
He was fitter by far than he had been when he was at school, unsurprisingly as he'd gone straight into being an Auror and they were known for being very physically demanding. The work had broadened his shoulders and Daphne could see the muscles in his chest and arms through his black shirt.
His red hair had darkened slightly, although it was still brighter than the average, and unlike his father he hadn't lost any. In fact it was now long enough to brush against his shoulders.
Daphne walked over, sitting down elegantly next to him. She crossed her leg over her knee, her silver dress slit falling open and showing off a long length of leg.
Ron's eyes flickered down to her bare legs, as she knew they would. Daphne smirked to herself.
"Daphne… hello." Ron said, pulling his eyes away from her skin far sooner than she'd thought he would.
"Hello Ronald, was this seat taken?" Daphne asked, sipping her drink, causing Ron's eyes to flicker to her lips for a moment.
"No… no it's free." Ron smiled, "I was just…"
"I was surprised you're here." Daphne said, taking away the awkwardness of him having to explain why he was surprised she'd bothered to sit next to him, "I haven't seen you at any of the parties before."
Ron shrugged, "Harry has always invited me but I… I never felt like I'd fit in. But he ran into me at the Ministry the other day and asked if I'd come. Figured I should give it a go."
Daphne smiled, "School was a long time ago Ron, we're not going to try and get you into detention anymore."
Ron grinned back, "Well I am glad to hear that."
"What was Harry doing at the Ministry?" Daphne asked, flicking through her mind wondering if she'd forgotten something as Harry usually wanted to meet you for lunch with her when he had an appointment at the Ministry.
Ron laughed, "Mostly I think he was there to shout at the Cloud Fairy department."
Daphne snorted a laugh, "Ah… that figures."
Ron nodded, "Yeah I must admit I walked rather slowly past the department. It was funny listening to Madam Wormwood-Knott try and defend herself."
"Good." Daphne shrugged, "What she did to Danica was disgusting."
"Totally agree." Ron said.
Daphne gave him a small smile, "I went in and had a word myself."
"I bet she was trembling by the time you left." Ron snorted.
Daphne rolled her eyes, "Thank you very much. Not sure if you meant it as a compliment but that's the way I'm going to take it."
"It was meant as such." Ron told her honestly, "I know we offered her a place as an Auror but I don't think she took it."
Daphne sighed, shaking her head, "No. It's not something she ever really wanted to do. I think Hermione was looking into a medi-witch place for her as well but again, not really want she wants to do."
"I feel so sorry for her." Ron sighed, "I… she just shouldn't have to deal with any of this. I wish… I wish all of this was behind us. We fought for things to be better than this."
"World doesn't work that way." Daphne shrugged, "There will always be another thing to fight for."
"Yeah I guess." Ron nodded, "Doesn't mean I'm going to stop fighting though."
Daphne grinned, "Me neither." she said, holding up her glass so they could clink.
On the other side of the room, Neville was leaning against the wall, watching one particular guest. He'd seen Odette at a few parties recently and was very happy to see her once again.
She was wearing a pale pink and blue dress, the fabric shimmering slightly as she moved. The fabric clinging to her hips before flowing out to the floor.
"I am very 'appy to see you again." Odette smiled, her blonde hair falling in ringlets around her face, "'Ow are you?"
"I'm good." Neville said, taking her hand and giving the back of it a gentle kiss, "All the better for seeing you."
Odette let out a tinkly laugh, "Ze pleasure is all mine."
Neville had not yet told anyone that they had been sort of dating recently. Shortly after they'd first met, and after a night of very passionate sex, they had agreed that while they wanted to get to know one another more, the pressure from their respective families would only complicate the issue. Instead they had agreed they would see each other at parties and see how things progressed.
Neville however was tired of not being able to ask her out on a proper date. She was the first thing he'd think about in the mornings and the last thing before he went to sleep at night. He'd found himself comparing every other women he met to her.
"Would you like to dance?" Neville asked Odette.
Odette smiled and enthusiastically took his offered hand, allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.
"'Ow 'ave you been?" Odette asked.
"I've been thinking a lot." Neville told her.
Odette looked worried for a second before covering it with a silvery laugh, "Only good zings I 'ope."
"I think so." Neville nodded, twirling her under his arm, "I… I would like to make this more official." he blurted out, worried that he would lose his nerve if he waited too long.
For a horrible moment Neville wasn't sure how Odette was going to react, and he could feel his heart breaking at the thought of her not wanting the same thing.
"I would really like zat." Odette smiled, "I 'ave been waiting for you to ask."
Neville grinned, pulling her into his arms and twirling her round before kissing her, something that was very much not in the dance.
They could hear the cheers around them as people clapped.
"About time too." Pansy laughed, coming and sitting next to Daphne.
"Tell me about it. I was wondering if they'd be on baby number two before they decided to tell us they were together." Daphne snorted a laugh.
Pansy looked knowingly between Daphne and Ron, "Am I to be saying the same about you?"
Daphne rolled her eyes, not quite able to stop the blush from creeping up her cheeks, "I don't know what you mean." she said innocently.
"Mmhhmm." Pansy said, shaking her head, "Well I shall leave you two to continue doing nothing at all and go and find my husband and children."
"I think I saw them over at the sweet table." Ron told her, choosing wisely to ignore her gentle ribbing about him and Daphne.
Pansy sighed loudly, "Oh that's just what they need. A boat load of sugar just before bed." she laughed, "I'll catch you later Daphne."
Hermione checked her phone, thankful she had no messages again. No news was good news for sure.
She smiled at Victor, Grace and Constance who were pretending to sneak sweets of the table piled high with jars of sweets and chocolates of every sort.
William, Jonny and Alistair were also there, giggling madly to themselves every time Constance handed little Alistair a sweet.
Viktor spotted Hermione smiling and waved over to her, leaving Constance and Grace under the careful gaze of William.
"Are you alright my love?" Viktor asked, kissing her softly.
Hermione nodded, "Very much so. Everything seems… very… perfectly content in this moment."
Viktor pulled her into his side, "I know vhat you mean. I am glad ve agree to come tonight."
Hermione nodded. She'd never really been one for huge social gatherings, seemingly even less so as she grew older, their family grew and she was more and more content with the mundane everyday of her life.
However it was lovely to see anyone again. Tonks and Lupin and their ever growing gaggle of children. Lily and Severus who seemed as in love today as they had been at fourteen, if not more so.
Severus's scars served as a reminder to basically everyone who saw him of the war and the hurt that befell them all but just as the years had faded the burns, years had faded the hurt of the past and Hermione wouldn't risk changing a thing if it meant changing what she had right in that moment.
She looked around, wondering where Luna and Draco were, realising that Lucius and Narcissa were also absent, which really wasn't like them.
A clinking of a glass caught her attention. She turned to the centre of the dance floor, Constance running over to her, jumping up into her arms and resting her head against her mother's chest.
Daniel stood in the centre of the room, looking rather nervous.
"If I could just hold your attention for one moment." Daniel said, his voice carrying clearly, "I would like to thank our hosts, Harry and Cho for what has so far been a wonderful evening. It's heading towards midnight now and I would like to make my little speech before everyone gets distracted by kissing one another."
There was a ripple of laughter around the room.
Daniel let everyone fall silent before continuing, "As you all know, this has been a difficult year for my beloved Danica, and I figured that I'd rather short changed her with my proposal last time, so… Danica Rose James Potter…"
Danica blushed, covering her face with her hand as a magical spot light hit her from nowhere, "Seriously?" she laughed, looking over at her brother who was grinning madly.
When Daniel had come to him with the idea of a big proposal Harry had been all for it. Knowing that Danica would never see it coming.
"I've known you since we started school." Daniel said, getting down on one knee, "And the more I got to know you, the more time I spent with you, the more you just felt right. Like someone who should, without a shadow of a doubt, be in my life. Everyday, for the rest of my life. So, it is my great honour to ask, Danica, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Danica laughed again, blushing so much it was making her cheeks hurt, "Yes. Of course I will."
She walked quickly over to him and pulled him to his feet, kissing him deeply just as the clock struck midnight.
Danica was showing off her ring and being congratulated still half an hour later when Harry stood up on the platform and called for the music to stop, coughing to get everyone's attention.
"You may have noticed, or the party may have been so fabulous you may not have, that the Malfoys are missing tonight." Harry said, "This is because Luna Malfoy, began a slow labour four days ago. We have just received an owl telling us, and with a messaged from Draco asking us to tell you all, that he, his parents and his wife apologise for their absence and hope you have all had a wonderful new year. They would also like me to announce that Lady Luna, Viscountess Avebury, has just been safely delivered of twins. A boy and a girl, both children and mother doing wonderfully well."
The ballroom erupted in an applause.
Harry clapped a long before raising his hand to call for quiet, "I will send your regards and we have placed a book by the doors. Should you wish to write a message to them along with your picture tonight, I shall be delivering the book tomorrow. Thank you."
Danica smiled at Daniel, "Shall we go and get our picture taken? Let the new Malfoy twins know how happy we are?"
Daniel pulled her in for another kiss, "Any reason to put more pictures of you in the world is a good thing."
"Gods you're soppy." Danica laughed, "Wouldn't change you for anything though."