Before The Past

Ch. 28

There are now three days until the ball. 

Mother had began preparing the ball room with décor and seating. There were black drapes all around the windows and gold sphere like ornaments that were pointed on the top and bottom hanging from the ceiling. The tables had black cloths with gold accented wine glasses, black candles that were gold where they had melted. There were also gold vases with eight white roses in each one. The chairs were simple gold metal chairs with a cushion on the seat. 

The entire room looked rich and luxurious. Every detail had been well thought out and placed perfectly. My mother seemed to over stress herself, worrying about even the smallest thing going wrong or being out of place. She said herself that this was the first time in years she was in charge of something so important. 

My father wanted nothing to do with it, but after seeing how distraught my mother has been, he offered to be in charge of the food. She agreed hesitantly, and gave him the list of things she already had planned. He took the notes, but was already making up a plan of his own. That was as far as he went though, and left the rest to the house elves. For the next few days they were either helping us, or cooking in the kitchen. They seemed to be slightly stressed out too, not being used to doing much since we hadn't been here in years. 

There was now only one day until the ball. 

Narcissa had stopped by to help with some last minute things and to just chat for a bit over tea. Now that the excitement of getting ready was almost over, the angst of what was to happen had hit. I began to get nervous about the ball, how I would look, who would be there, and what my place was. My mother told me that this was normal and that everyone gets nervous before a big event, no matter how used to it they are. I hoped that that was true, and when it finally got here everything would be fine. 

That night I took one last long look at my dress and admired it. My mother has always done such a good job with all of the dresses she makes. Part of me wished that it was another masquerade ball because it was easier that way. I was able to slightly hide behind the somewhat itchy mask while still being one with the crowd.  

With all this excitement though, it also made me a lot more tired and I was ready to go to bed. I didn't do much to prepare for bed except take my hair out of the pony tail it was in. Once that was done I got under the blankets, closed my eyes, and dozed off to sleep. 

"Welcome, may I take your coats and purse?" I asked as a couple walked into the house. 

I was assigned with greeting people at the door for the first hour until most everyone had shown up. After that a house elf would be in charge. My mother said that it was a good way for me to familiarize myself with everyone and work on my social skills. I wasn't all to happy about it though and usually smiled through gritted teeth. When Draco and Blaise's families had past by I almost wanted to excuse myself and run away. They seemed enjoy me having to stand at the door and take their coats like some low-life. 

Once about three thirds of the guests had shown up, I called for Erby and went into the ballroom. It was loud, full of music and light conversations. It was amazing how similar all of the men's suits looked, but how different everyone's dresses were. The gold and black looked stunning everywhere and added almost a dark mood to the room. All of the visible dark marks also made me a little uneasy, but it was just something I would have to get used to. 

I mainly stuck with my parents, listening to them chat with the others and watching people dance in the middle. I yearned to dance with someone, but knew that my only options were my father or some other old man. So instead I simply watched, saddened every time another perfectly good song ended. I continuously observe people who entered and where everyone stood. I noted who seemed to be more friendly to who and who chose to stay to themselves. There were many who besides their plus one hadn't said a word to anyone else. They chose to stay sitting most of the time or hang out more towards the walls where there weren't as many people.