Everyone is Lacking in Creativity Here...

Ch 32, The Yule Ball (1)

During the last call of invitations, Narcissa questioned my decision on inviting Dumbledore.

"Are you sure you want to invite him, Isis? He WILL create a scene you know."

"I don't see why not. And besides, he'll do nothing but make a fool of himself. It'll be fun."

.

.

And just like that, the day of the ball finally came...

The Yule Ball, usually hosted in-turns by a circle of few pureblood ladies during the Yule break, was to be held for two days. Before this year, the group of ladies would take turns to decide who would host it that year, but because of the War, there was no mood for festivities. This group of ladies were of all three factions, that is, 'light', 'dark' and 'gray', which would make it evident as to why the ball was no longer hosted. Distrust in friends, that's what war does...

Now that the war is well behind us, and the mood is still fresh with the air of victory, there is no better time to host such an event. And that burden is on me...*sigh*

There is still five hours left till the start of the ball where I will have to welcome the guests at the gate and I am utterly exhausted. Why? Because my foolish self, spent hours trying to think of ways to get the Diadem from Hogwarts and what my connection with them could be, that I slept at two in the morning. And if that wasn't enough, the drill sergeant came to force me to get ready through series of baths and spas and baths and spas since five in the morning.

The same drill sergeant that is right now fussing over the correct hairstyle to go with the correct hair ornament to match the CORRECT shade of green-yellow to go with the dress. Yes! I MIGHT be a tad bit grumpy and yes... the drill sergeant is Narcissa!

"...Remind me again, why~ am I getting ready this early...?" I tentatively ask her from where she is sitting by the window ordering a house elf who is nodding her head with every word of hers. While dear old me is stuck with her arms up on my sides, on a raised platform, for ... yup! 23 minutes...and counting.

With my question (my grumbling) she dismisses the elf to lord know where and comes towards me, "Well first of all, you need to do the last minute touches if you wish and you need to be ready for welcoming any early-comers, and secondly," she pleasantly smiles up at me, "I KNOW you would not have gotten ready in time if I left you as is. Isn't that right dear?" Pleasant smile my foot, she's downright vicious.

"...No..." I look away when she turns to glare at me. Yeah...

"Thought so." I DID NOT just say that out loud! "Now! Which shoes do you like better?" she pushes two shoes, who I swear are the same color that the same house elf brought, towards me with that same pleasant (vicious) smile.

KILL ME!! KILL ME NOW!

And like that I was tortured for three more hours before I was set free. And by my savior no less!

I look down at Hade in my arms, "You know I love you sooo much bubba." He gives me a big smile in return and asks to be let down, then proceeds to drag me to his favorite spot in Hufflepuff Castle.

Three days ago, I brought Hadrian to the castle to get him familiar with the place, to not get overwhelmed later, and as he is the heir to the Hufflepuff Estate, it wouldn't hurt. He was nervous at first and barely left my side, but then he just took a liking to the maze garden at the back of the castle.

The entrance to this particular garden was through the greenhouse attached to the castle in the family wing. Enclosed with glass walls all around, the door right across lead to the maze garden. Calling it a 'maze' would be an overstatement. As the structure may be maze-like but the walls of said hedges reach only up to Hade's waist. I think the part he likes the most would be the different colored flowers depending on the path you choose, his favorite one being the roses and lilies path. This particular part of the garden is being cared with great attention by the house elves as their dear young master's favorite place, making sure that more colored flowers are planted, irrespective of their weathers or compatibility with others, with the help of magic.

For the next half hour, I play hide and seek with Hade and Draco, who joined us soon after. That is how we all are called back in by a house elf. The children are led to get ready and I am led to the ball for any last-minute check ins.

------------------------

Hufflepuff castle is huge and the Ballroom even more so. But using that big space this elegantly is admirable. The hall consists two floors, the second-floor terrace looking down in a shape similar to the hall. Soft glow from the dozen chandeliers of different sizes gives the hall a warm ambience. The ceiling is enchanted with moving pictures of angels and reindeers moving about playfully. Soft music can be heard from somewhere, to fill the open space. On one side are long tables situated with drinks and appetizers at equal intervals, and on the corner of the other side is a huge Christmas tree decorated with snow falling on it, but never reaching the floor.

The best part though is the huge glass wall right across the far side of the entrance giving a stunning view of the gardens decorated with fairy lights and the night sky. Its beautiful, so much beautiful that I haven't moved from my place at the entrance of the Hall.

Narcissa speaks up from behind me, "The open space in the middle of the hall is for dancing. Do you like it?" she asks, and I can see despite the efforts, she seems a bit nervous waiting for my opinion. As for all intents and purposes, it IS my ball.

"This...is stunning, Narcissa. You have outdone yourself. Truly." I smile at her and together we make our way in where she tells me where everything is or will be and what to answer with if someone enquires about it.

"As it could be dangerous for children to wander around here and most of the drinks are alcoholic, I have prepared a small hall adjoining ours in the same way as this to be the kids' side of the Ball." She leads me to a door on the right which opens up to a smaller hall, but decorated just the same. With the same Christmas tree and the glass view, although with a smaller number of chandeliers. Or as much as would fit.

I turn towards Narcissa with a newfound respect and clasp her hands in mine, "This is perfect, Narcissa. I couldn't have done any better. Probably worse..." she laughs a little at that and thanks me just the same.

Over the weeks of this preparation, we had gotten much closer. So much so that when she thought we were getting closer, she confessed although reluctantly that her own husband was a Death Eater in the war, serving the Dark Lord. Although the fact he was part of the inner circle was omitted. Surprisingly enough, she was not ashamed of her family following the dark lord.

Her expression at the time reverted back to that of indifference, as though expecting me to lash out. When all I did was express curiosity as to why she would be acceptable much less proud of that fact, she calmed down a bit and proceeded to tell the horrid change of the Dark Lord, from smart to mad. Literally.

And that was all the information I needed, to know exactly what type of HP verse I was in. Where the bad people are actually not so and the good are actually to be vary of. Difference in advertising I say!

-----------------