Chapter 88: Dress

Fleur stepped out of the carriage and immediately regretted it. Overnight, a storm blew in, covering the grounds in two feet of snow. Up near the castle, she could see Hagrid with a gigantic shovel, clearing snow from the courtyard and the walkways at the base of the castle. Professor Sprout placed hedges around the castle. Once she placed them, they grew until they could be seen from Fleur's perspective while Professor Flitwick sat on Hagrid's shoulders, using his charm work to charm the hedges with fairy lights. In the middle of the courtyard, McGonagall transfigured the snow into crystal icicles to bounce the fairy lights. By tonight, Fleur was sure it would be beautiful. For now, however, she did not envision trudging up to the castle through the snowpack.

"Enjoying the view?" Fleur looked up to see Harry floating above her on his broomstick, his hair fluttering in the wind.

"Eet is, how you say, magnifique," Fleur hugged her arms to her body to keep any warmth. "'Owever, eet es 'ard to get to ze ozzers."

"That's why I'm here," Harry smiled and extended his hand. "I'm here to take you to the castle. Hermione thought you'd have a tough time making it up after the snowstorm."

"My hero," Fleur smiled sweetly, grabbed Harry's arm and hoisted herself up onto the Firebolt. "Lead on."

"Sorry in advance," Harry said. "This is going to be cold."

"I see your 'aircut stuck around," Fleur shouted over the wind whipping around them.

"Yeah it's a surprise to me too," Harry shouted back. "Hold on."

Fleur hugged Harry around the waist and ducked her head to keep it clear of the wind. Up front, Harry banked through the frostbitten air, up toward the Astronomy Tower. Harry rolled his shoulders forward and leaned forward, steering the broomstick down the spiral staircase to the door at the end.

"Here we are," Harry looked over his shoulder. Whether from frost or from fear, Fleur was shaking as she dismounted. Harry played the part of a gentleman as he opened the door for her and pointed her in the proper direction. "The girls are waiting in the Room of Requirement. See you during the ball."

"Zhank you, 'Arry," Fleur smiled at Harry over her shoulder. "See you, tonight."

"Look forward to it," Harry smirked. "Now I've been told I'll be hexed if I come any closer so I'll go find Neville or something.

Fleur walked to the seventh floor and paced in front of the tapestry, casually glancing over her shoulder to be sure she wasn't being watched. When the door materialized, she yanked it open.

"Fleur!" Hermione called out excitedly. "You made it! Harry didn't do anything crazy on the broom, did he? I just thought you might like a lift and I know it's cold but sometimes he can..."

"'Ermione," Fleur placed her hand over Hermione's mouth. "'e waz ze perfect gentleman. Zhank you for ze thought. Zis is more incredible than I could have possibly imagined."

The Room of Requirement had outdone itself, transforming into a makeshift spa complete with a steam room, sauna and hot tub, as well as a set of chairs set in front of a row of mirrors perfect for doing makeup and a mirrored pedestal found in a dress boutique.

"Come in and get comfortable!" Lavender waved from the large hot tub. "The room has provided us a bit of a spa day, it seems. They have suits if you're feeling shy. "

"I 'ave been called many things," Fleur smiled as she disrobed. "Shy iz not one of zhem."

Before long, Fleur relaxed in the tub next to Lavender while Parvati sat near the conjured windows, putting lotion on her skin.

"So Fleur," Lavender asked the other blonde sitting next to her. "What's your sister like?"

"Gabrielle?" Fleur turned to talk to Lavender and spoke slowly to keep her accent from slipping. "She's… well she is a handful. More energy than anyone I've ever met, boisterous and as talkative as ever. She'll talk for 20 minutes about how her hair is styled that day if you let her.

"At least she's a good deal younger," Daphne said. "Story's always coming into my room to 'borrow' my clothes. I'm still missing my favorite skirt."

"At least you wear different clothes," Padma said. "I had to put my name on my clothes so mother wouldn't give them to Parv by mistake."

"That happened once," Parvati shouted.

"And you didn't give it back," Padma returned. "I loved that blouse; it was cashmere!"

"It was cashmere," Parvati beamed at her twin which Padma returned by sticking out her tongue.

"I know what you mean," Fleur said. "Gabby borrowed a pair of heels and walked around ze house in zhem before I caught her. She ruined them. I was so furious and I couldn't be mad because she waz trying to be me. Even when she misbehaves, she's adorable."

Fleur rolled her eyes and huffed.

"Guess younger sisters are the same, no matter where you live," Daphne said.

"Speak for yourself," Ginny scoffed as she brushed out her hair. "I was the perfect sibling. Never caused trouble for nobody."

"Didn't you set fire to the couch?" Luna piped up. Hermione wondered when the girl arrived. She stood in the center of the room, looking lost. Eventually, Tracey took pity on her, guiding her to a chair wherein she started to brush Luna's hair out.

"That was different," Ginny shrugged her shoulders. "Fred and George were playing keep-away with my Harry Potter book."

"Ah zhose books," Fleur said. "Gabrielle loves zhem. Her favorite topic, I'm sorry to say, iz Harry Potter. When she waz leetle, she would always want to reenact an adventure featuring 'Arry Potter. I always played ze part of 'Arry."

"You're not alone," Susan said she brushed her hair out. "Hannah and I would do the same. We had so many fights over who got to be Harry and who got to be the damsel he was rescuing."

"Story wanted to do the same thing," Daphne admitted as she tweezed her eyebrows. "You have no idea how many of our classmates dreamed of being saved by Harry Potter, Hermione. I played the part of Harry many, many times."

"I know I did," Ginny said. "Mum would tell me Harry Potter stories before bed. Each night was a different one. It wasn't hard to fall in love with the Boy-Who-Lived."

"Even harder not to fall in love with the real article," Susan offered. "Kind, handsome, powerful, and a penchant for heroics, both in Quidditch and in real life. There's going to be a lot of girls jealous of you tonight, Hermione."

"Let them be jealous," Hermione shrugged as she tied her hair up into a hasty ponytail before dropping into the tub next to Fleur. "How is Gabrielle doing?"

"She is fine," Fleur said. "I miss 'er very much. Ze holidays are the only time I usually get to see 'er."

"I know how you feel," Daphne said. "Story is back at Greengrass Estates with mother and father. It's not the same without them. They sent me gifts to open but it's not the same as watching her open her gifts. I get her a selection Honeydukes finest and this year I gave her a special brooch. Really wish I could have watched her open it, just as I'm sure she wanted to see me open her gift to me. It's a silk wrap for me to wear tonight."

"Oui," Fleur smiled sadly. "I got Gabbi a tiara that will change colors with her mood. She's wanted it for a year. Next time I'll see her, she'll be 'ere and I won't have time wiz 'er."

"We'll have to send her pictures," Hannah suggested. "So she can see how you looked tonight; as well as her hero."

Hannah winked at Hermione when she spoke the last bit.

"Speaking of looks," Susan looked at Hannah through the mirror. "I saw the necklace Neville got you, Hannah. Going to wear it tonight?"

"Of course," Hannah pointed to the necklace sitting on the vanity in front of her: a diamond sitting on a silver chain. "And who are you going with, you've never said?"

"That's the secret," Susan said. "You'll see before long."

Downstairs, Harry stepped off the staircase as they finished moving. Walking to the railing overlooking the Entry Hall, Harry spotted Flitwick marshaling the prefects into preparing the Entry Hall for the Ball. Further down the hall, he spotted Fred and George shaking in silent laughter. After another minute, Harry spotted the reason. They charmed a suit of armor to follow Flitwick and mimic the diminutive professor's energetic gestures.

"Yes, higher," Flitwick waved his arms widely like he was conducting. "Get that garland all the way to the second level."

Behind him, the suit flapped its arms the same way. At the laughter from the two prefects, Flitwick turned around and when he did the suit went back to its original pose, only resuming its motions when Flitwick turned away.

"If you're done," Flitwick said offhandedly. "Mr. and Mr. Weasley, you can both help me polish the suits of armor since apparently, you're so good at working with them. You too, Mr. Potter, I see you watching."

Still chortling, Harry descended the stairs that now looked like they were carved out of ice. Flitwick taught Harry the charm to polish the silver of the suits and set the three to their task. The suits, Harry quickly discovered, did not like being polished and got rather mouthy when you tried to clean them.

"Oi take me to dinner before you clean there next time," One rather obstinate suit clamped his gauntlets over his codpiece as Harry worked to polish the suit.

"You're getting awful familiar," another shouted in a reedy voice. "Perhaps you'd like to know my name before you wax my buttocks, aye?"

"Are they always this way?" Harry asked Alfred.

"Usually," The old caretaker said as he straightened the tuxedo he always wore. "I'm afraid they don't like being cleaned. They'd rather show their age and their 'battle damage' as they tell me, Master Potter."

"Harry is just fine, Alfred," Harry said. "I honestly haven't really thought about them… or how many we have in the castle. Ever since they tried to direct me to the Runes classroom back in third year, I haven't had much use for them. Why they thought I wanted to go to the North Tower, I'll never know."

"As with everything in this castle," Alfred's steely façade cracked for a moment. "Everything has its… quirks. Honestly, have you seen the dungeons? They get any darker and I'll start to expect bats hanging from the ceiling."

"Well we've already got one," Harry retorted. "However, he doesn't hang from the ceiling, at least I don't think so."

"Indeed," Alfred nodded. "Thank you, Master Potter, for your help. I think Filius is done with the Entry Hall, as well as the gardens and the courtyard. Now all that's left is the Great Hall."

"Do you need any more help?" Harry offered.

"Wonderful of you to ask but no," Alfred rolled his shoulders back as he lazily flicked his wand to change the suits into different colors of blue, silver, and gold.

"Bloody set me back!" The nearest suit shouted. "How'd you like me to make you into a bloody ornament! I demand you return me to my former glory!"

"Too bad we can't silence them," Harry said. "Believe me, I've tried."

"So have I, Master Potter," Alfred rubbed his temples in annoyance. "So have I. The only one they truly listen to is Minerva so she'll have to set them straight I'm sure. Now off to the tower with you, you'll want to start getting ready before long."

Upstairs in the Room of Requirement, Dobby popped in. Hermione sat in front of one of the mirrors while Lavender worked on styling her hair. Currently, she had a liberal amount of Sleakeasy's Potion in her palms that she massaged into Hermione's hair to pull any waves out of it.

"Miss Hermione?" Dobby bowed.

"Yes, Dobby?" Hermione noticed the little elf looked nervous. "How can I help you?"

"Harry wanted me to give this to you," Dobby held out a box. "He told me to give it to you before you put on makeup so it wouldn't run."

"Thank you, Dobby," Hermione took the crimson box from him.

"What is it?" Parvati asked.

"Did Harry get you something special for Christmas, maybe?" Ginny leaned over excitedly.

"Well yes but I already opened that," Hermione said, remembering the first issue of the biography of Rowena Ravenclaw he gave her.

"Well don't keep us waiting," Susan joined the growing throng of girls huddled around Hermione. "Open it!"

Taking a deep breath, and cursing Harry for what she was sure was going to be an expensive gift, she opened the box. The box creaked open and Hermione almost dropped it, aghast at the item within. Sitting on the purple satin lining was a necklace. A silver chain framed an oval pendant in sterling silver. The pendant was inscribed with the word "Courage" over the top with an amber gem in the middle the size of her thumb. The girls around gasped at the beauty of the gem.

"Look there's a note," Hannah pointed to the bottom of the case.

"Turn the pendant over," Daphne read the note aloud. With shaking hands, Hermione lifted the pendant from the box and spun it over. The gem turned into an emerald with the word "Bravery" inscribed. Knowing where this was heading, Hermione turned it over again. The gem turned into a ruby with the word "Love" inscribed.

"Oh Harry," Hermione said just above a whisper as her eyes lost focus thanks to the tears in her eyes.

"That's so pretty," Luna said.

"You picked the best guy, without a doubt," Fay said. "Maybe that's why Skeeter's trying to drive a wedge between you two. She probably wants a piece for herself."

"What iz ze significance of zis 'courage, bravery and love inscriptions?" Fleur asked.

"It's what I said to Harry before he went to the final chamber to keep Voldemort from possessing the Philosopher's Stone," Hermione said as she repeatedly spun the necklace in her hand. "I didn't know if I would see him again. I told him he's a great wizard. He said he wasn't as good as me. I told him there are more important things than books or cleverness. Like Courage, Bravery… and Love. I almost didn't say the last part aloud.

"For his birthday that year, I gave him a needle like the one we transfigured our first day of classes with the inscription 'Courage, Bravery and Love.' It's kind of our thing now. I didn't think he'd go this far with it though."

"'Ow sweet," Fleur cooed. "A beautiful necklace wiz an even more beautiful story. Ze love you feel makes my inner Veela sing."

"Winky," Hermione called the elf over. "I think we can deliver Harry's other Christmas present now."

Back in his dorm, Harry and Neville were preparing for the Yule Ball. Harry sat on his bed in his navy trousers and white button-up shirt while Neville shined his shoes.

"Mister Harry?" Winky popped in with her package. "Mistress would like you to have this."

"Thank you, Winky," Harry took the package and Winky popped out, no doubt returning to help the other girls.

"What is it?" Neville's curiosity tore him away from his shoes. Dropping them, he joined Harry on the bed.

"No idea," Harry said. "She already gave me a new broomstick service kit and a book on dueling. Didn't think she'd want to do anything else."

"Stop stalling, the suspense is killing us," Dean looked up from the mirror where he was picking his hair. Harry opened the black felt box wherein he found two cufflinks and a pin, all in the shape of a needle. Inscribed on one cufflink was the word "courage" and "bravery" on the other. The pin, as expected, was inscribed with "love."

The irony of her gift was so thick that Harry threw his head back and let out a huge belly laugh.

"What's so funny?" Neville and Dean both asked.

"I got her a necklace with the same words inscribed," Harry wheezed out.

"You guys are either incredibly in tune with one another or you're both getting predictable," Dean smiled as he shook his head. "Hopefully I find someone like that before long."

"Yeah who are you going with?" Harry asked.

"Mandy Brocklehurst," Dean said with a cheeky smile.

"The brunette in Ravenclaw?" Neville asked. "Top five in every subject?"

"Yeah," Dean said. "I initially asked Ginny but she already has a date. Mandy and I get along well in Runes so I thought it'd be fun."

"Congrats," Neville congratulated the boy as he returned to his bed to finish shining his shoes.

As Harry pulled his navy robe up his arms, Dobby popped in to cinch up the robe in the back. The silver accents of the robes perfectly meshed with the silver stripe running down his pants and the white shirt underneath. Harry attached each cufflink to complete the look.

"Miss Greengrass requested you wear this flower," Dobby held up a periwinkle flower which he pinned to the left side of Harry's chest with the third needle. "Looking good, Harry."

"Thank you, Dobby," Harry smiled at the elf wearing the tuxedo that Harry got him for Christmas. "You've been splendid today."

As Neville finished putting on his forest green robes, Ron and Seamus burst through the door.

"I'm tellin' ya mate," Seamus massaged Ron's shoulders. "There's nuthin' to it. Just relax and be yourself."

"But what the hell am I supposed to do," Ron asked.

"Whatever she does," Seamus said. "Ugh, I forgot the robes your ma sent."

"I know," Ron grimaced at the sofa upholstery that someone attached lace to and called it dress robes. "Ginny gets a bloody new dress, Fred and George make enough to buy new robes and I get this? Bloody embarrassing."

"Hey Weasley," Harry called out. Figuring it was Christmas and all, Harry drew his wand and turned the robes a deep emerald color. The lace he couldn't do anything about but at least he could transfigure them to look better. "It'll last until midnight. Merry Christmas."

Before Ron could respond, Harry strode from the room, down to the common room.

In the Room of Requirement, the girls were making final preparations. Lavender finally finished Hermione's hair with a flourish, giving her hair a perfect amount of bounce. Most of it was clipped at the top of her head with the rest falling like a chestnut waterfall down her right shoulder. Parvati's makeup gave her cheeks a rosy glow with a glittery light blue eye shadow to make her eyelashes stand out. Around the room, the excitement was palpable as the girls started to get into their dresses.

Ginny's wine-red ballgown was the early star, with a slit to highlight her long legs. Next to her, Hannah's light blue gown and glass slippers made her look so much like Cinderella that Hermione wondered if she even knew. Susan's crimson satin dress highlighted her natural curves; Tracey's black dress was cut shorter with two thin shoulder straps. She accented it with a white wrap around her arms and a white belt. Next to her, Daphne looked like the heiress she was with an emerald green evening gown, silver wrap, and white gloves to her elbows.

"Slytherin through and through, aren't you?" Hermione teased.

"Someone's got to make the house look respectable," Daphne retorted as she touched up her makeup, the green eye shadow she wore resolving into silver right around her lashes. She made elegance look so effortless that Hermione felt a little jealous.

Beside her, Lavender and Parvati put the finishing touches on one another's dresses. Lavender wore a brilliant rose-colored dress with gold accents while Parvati wore a pink Sari with yellow flowers near her feet. Padma also wore a Sari in Ravenclaw blue that resolved to turquoise near the bottom to match her shoes and the paint on her toenails. Fay finished curling her hair and slipped into her silver ballgown. At the end of the row, Millicent Bulstrode wore a beautiful gown in midnight blue.

"I can't believe how much that brings out your eyes," Tracey said. "You're hot, Millie."

"Oh please," Millie blushed. "Sure if I take four hours to get ready every day. I'm just a tall girl with broad shoulders and huge boobs."

"What about that isn't hot?" Tracey asked.

"Finding something to wear is next to impossible," Millie said.

"But you've got those eyes," Hermione said. "Those blue eyes are something else with your dark hair."

"Thank you, Hermione," Millie said.

"What do you think?" Luna's voice cut through as she exited the dressing room. Her dress was a shimmering yellow that sparkled with every step. Her hair was braided and pulled into an elegant knot with just enough makeup to give her eyes a special glow.

"Luna," Tracey's eyes widened as her mouth ran dry. "You look… wow."

"Is it that bad?" Luna turned around and looked over her shoulder, appraising her look.

"It's that good," Tracey said. "You're…. you're gorgeous."

"Winky did well," Luna said. "So did you two, Lavender and Parvati. I've never felt this beautiful before."

"You are," Hermione said. "You've always been pretty, even without trying."

While the girls cooed around Luna, an owl flew in.

"Trillby?" Luna called the owl to her. "What are you doing?"

The owl landed in front of her and held out his leg.

Dear Luna, the letter read. When you were born, the wizarding world was still recovering from the war. After the attack on the Longbottoms, your mother wrote a bunch of letters just in case the worst should happen. Your letter about attending the ball made me remember them. I found them and I've sent the rest to your dorm but there's one she wrote that I wanted you to read now. I'm going to miss you this holiday, Little Moon but I can't wait to hear how the Yule Ball was.

With shaking hands, Luna unwrapped the letter in her mother's handwriting.

Little Moon,

As I write this, you are sleeping in your crib. Took you forever to get down this time and I don't know how long you'll be asleep so I'll make this one quick. Right now you're probably getting ready for your first ball. I wish I could be there for you to help you pick out a dress. I hope you found someone special to go with and that you have a wonderful time. I remember my first ball; I went with Reggie Simpleton. He wasn't a terrible date but he wasn't great either. However, my friends Lily and Alice went as well and before long, we ditched our dates and just had fun with the three of us and, surprisingly enough, Narcissa Black as well. It was a nice respite from the malaise of the Wizarding World as Voldemort's reign of terror continued. We didn't know how long we would have so we made that night count as much as possible.

You'll never know how that first ball will go; the first dance is always nerve-wracking, but it gets better if you relax and focus on the person you are there with. I am so sad that I won't physically be there but know that I'm watching with my biggest smile. I know you'll have a great time and it'll be a memory you'll cherish for the rest of your life.

I love you, Little Moon and I always will. No matter what happens, this much is true.

Mum

As she reached the bottom of the page, a tear fell from her cheek onto the page. She didn't know when she started crying but she couldn't stop as a river of tears fell from her eyes.

"There, there," Tracey's soothing voice, free of her usually carefree sarcasm, echoed through the room as Tracey brought Luna into a big hug. "You're okay."

"Sometimes I think I'm okay," Luna said. "And then sometimes I really, really miss mum. Everything will be fine and then I see the way the light passes through a window, smell a particular smell or just hear her voice and I'm reminded she's not there. She's gone. As much as I'd love to spend one more day with her, I can't."

"I know what you mean," Tracey said, making Luna look up at her. "My mother wasn't a witch; she was a muggle. She died giving birth to me. I've never known what it was like to have a mother care for you. Paired with my father's cold indifference, I've had to build walls to protect myself. Often he foisted me off on the Greengrasses. Mrs. Greengrass tried her best but she couldn't fill the hole. I know now that I don't have to protect myself with you; with any of you, even though I still default to that."

"Thank you," Luna wiped her eyes, bringing herself back under some semblance of composure. "Oh Parvati, I've ruined the makeup you did."

"It's nothing that can't be fixed," Parvati said. "There's nothing wrong with having a good cry even once and a while."

"Agreed," Lavender, Susan and Hannah all echoed, giggling once they realized it.

"Miss Hermione," Winky softly approached. "Are you ready for your dress?"

"Yes," Hermione wiped away a few sympathy tears and turned away from Luna. As she turned, more tears sprang up to the periwinkle dress Winky made. It was an off-shoulder dress with lace stitching around the bodice while the skirt fell in silky waves with the dress resting just above the ground. "Winky, it's perfect."

"Thank you, Miss," Winky bowed at the compliment. "I am so happy that you like it."

"I love it," Hermione said. "Thank you."

"Step up to the platform and I will help you into it," Winky said.

Hermione pulled off her dressing gown as she stepped up, Winky snapped her fingers and the dress flew up to wrap around Hermione's body, fitting better than anything she had ever worn before. Hermione twirled in front of the mirror, giggling as the fabric flowed around her legs.

"Wow, Winky," Lavender said. "If anyone needs a dress, they should contact you."

"Winky not be doing this for pay," Winky said. "Winky be doing this for fun."

"But there's no reason you can't be paid as well," Hermione said. "Should you wish to, you have my approval, Winky. I'd love to see you do what makes you happy. That's what family is."

"Family is…" Winky's eyes drooped for a moment. "This family is different than my previous family. I… I will think about it."

"Zhink hard," Fleur came out of the next dressing room. Her dress was a brilliant red-orange strapless dress that flared out at the waist. Fleur offset it with a diamond choker and diamond earrings. "Zis iz ze best dress I 'ave ever 'ad."

"There is another surprise, miss," Winky said. "I won't reveal it but have your date twirl you when you enter the Ball and you'll know."

"Well ladies," Daphne took one last glance at the mirror to check her look. "Are we ready?"

"Let's cause all the blood to drain from every boy's head, shall we?" Tracey linked arms with Luna and led the procession out of the room and down the stairs.

(A/N: Took a while for this chapter to come together but it has become one of my favorites. The humor with the suits honestly tickled me. It was just going to be a Weasley prank at first but leaning into the weirdness of the castle is something I'll have to do more of. Then there's the talk of sisters, the necklaces, the letter from Luna's mother, the different dresses and the hint that while Hermione might have an elf, she never stops campaigning for them to better themselves. She's just doing it in a different way. Thank you, as always, for your comments.