Aroura

The Ball

The day of the Hogwarts reunion ball had arrived, and the house was alive with activity. Granger Cottage was bustling as everyone scrambled to get ready, the excitement palpable in the air. It was an event Hermione had looked forward to for months, a chance to reconnect with old friends, revisit memories, and, for some, to close chapters from the past. But today, it wasn't just about her reunion; it was about Draco, the kids, and the new family they were forming together. 

And with that in mind, the preparations were a blend of chaos, laughter, and heartfelt moments.

Hermione stood in front of her bedroom mirror, carefully adjusting the deep green dress she had chosen for the occasion. It was elegant, with a flattering A-line cut and subtle sparkles that caught the light as she moved. She hadn't worn something this formal in years, and it felt strange but exciting to dress up again.

As she reached for her earrings, the sound of children's laughter echoed up the stairs. She smiled, thinking of Lyra and Sorpious, who had already been up for hours in eager anticipation. Their teasing the night before had been a hint of what the morning would bring: Lyra already planning her dramatic entrance and Sorpious with his usual calm, keeping his expectations low but not without a hint of curiosity.

"Almost ready, Mum?" Lyra's voice rang out from the hallway.Hermione stepped back to look at herself one last time, then opened the door. Lyra was standing there, holding up a dress of her own—pink and glittering with sequins—her face glowing with excitement. "You look beautiful, Mum," she said, her eyes twinkling with admiration. "You're going to look like a princess."

Hermione laughed softly. "Thank you, sweetheart. But I think you're the one who's going to be the star of the show tonight." She looked at Lyra's dress, marveling at how grown-up she had become. At only five, Lyra already had a sharp sense of style, and her joy at getting dressed up was infectious.

"Where's Dad?" Lyra asked, spinning around dramatically as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

Hermione hesitated for a moment, smiling faintly. "He's getting ready too, darling."

Before Lyra could ask anything more, Sorpious appeared at the door, adjusting his bowtie with a slightly annoyed expression. "Mum, we need to go soon, or we'll be late," he said, a hint of impatience in his voice. Though he had his usual serious demeanor, there was something about the formal wear that seemed to soften his features.

"You look very handsome, Sorpious," Hermione said with a smile, moving over to help him adjust his tie, despite the fact that he was already doing a good job of it himself.

"I know," he replied, not at all shy about the compliment. "But we're really going to be late if we don't hurry."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. Let's check on your father."

Downstairs, Draco was in the living room, looking slightly out of place in his tuxedo. His normally sharp and collected demeanor seemed a little off-kilter as he fidgeted with his cufflinks, clearly uncomfortable with the formality of it all. It was a side of him that Hermione had never seen before.

"You look good, Draco," Hermione said as she entered the room, her eyes taking in the sight of him. His silver hair was combed neatly, and the black tuxedo fit him perfectly.

"Good? Is that it?" Draco raised an eyebrow, glancing at her with a half-smirk. "I thought you were supposed to be impressed, Granger."

Hermione chuckled and stepped closer, reaching up to smooth out a wrinkle in his jacket. "You look more than good, Draco. You look handsome. But I'm sure you already know that."