Reading between the lines

11

You're not getting another dress for the ball tomorrow Hermione?" Lavender inquired as they waited at Kings Cross for the train.

Hermione, adjusting the black box in her arms, replied awkwardly, "Well most people here haven't seen this one yet."

"'Mione, you were all over the front page of the prophet. Everyone has seen it." Pavarti pointed out.

"Well not in person." Hermione said, turning towards her parents.

Their relationship had grown extremely strained after she had restored her memories, and the talk of Hermione being in the newspaper just exacerbated to the Grangers just how little they knew about their daughter.

Hermione had spent the days between New Years and Spring term with her parents, and she had been forced to tell them about her Order of Merlin when the numerous owls started to draw attention to their home. She showed them the prophet articles, and showed them her medal. Her dad had seemed quite proud, if not fully aware of exactly how important an Order of Merlin was.

As the Hogwarts Express rolled in, she hugged her parents, and retreated into the safety of one of the compartments.

"They'll come around 'Mione." Neville said.

"I know, I just hate that they feel like I lied to them." Hermione sighed.

The train ride was over quickly, and Hermione sadly patted the Thestral on the nose before hopping into the carriage for the ride up the hill.

Dinner was loud, with everyone excited about the ball the following day. Classes were cut short in the afternoon, so everyone could prepare.

As she was heading up to her dorm to get ready, McGonagall caught up with her in the Hallway.

"Miss Granger!" She called. "Miss Granger, if I could have a word."

Hermione followed McGonagall up to her office.

"Miss Granger, I was wondering if you are planning on attending the ball this evening with anyone in particular?" She asked.

"You mean like a date?" Hermione clarified.

"Yes, precisely." McGonagall confirmed.

"No, I was just going to come down with Ginny and Luna." Hermione said.

"Ok, well I was wondering if there is anyone you would prefer to dance with for the opening ceremony?"

"I have to dance the opening ceremony?"

"Well yes dear, the ball is partially in your honor."

Hermione paused. There was only one person she wanted to dance with, and there was no way he would even show up unless forced.

"Professor, I don't want the spotlight to be on me. What if we opened the ball with all the Seventh Year prefects dancing. We can show school unity!" Hermione suggested slyly.

"That's quite a good idea Miss Granger!" McGonagall said, "I'll inform the house heads at once.

"Professor." Hermione continued. "You know, I think if you had Gryffindor and Slytherin dance together, it would make the biggest statement about unity."

"And you lot wouldn't kill each other?" Minerva said, only half joking.

"I think we can survive for one dance." Hermione laughed.

"Very well, off you go." Minerva said, knowing very well why Hermione had made such a suggestion.

Upstairs in Gryffindor tower, the girls had all gathered in the Seventh Year dorm to do each others hair and makeup.

"Ok 'Mione, I can't promise this charm will turn out the same as when Fleur did it." Ginny said, tentatively aiming her wand at Hermione's head.

"HOLD IT!" Parvati yelled.

"What?" Ginny and Hermione said together.

"Ginny, let me do it. The last thing you need is for Hermione to show up at the party bald!" Parvati exclaimed.

"That sounds like a good idea." Hermione said.

"Do you want it to look the same as it did at the Ceremony?" Parvati asked.

"It doesn't have to." Hermione admitted. "Just... better than it's usual mess would be preferable."

"Ok, let's try something else." Parvati said, flicking her wand around Hermione's head. "Your dress leaves your right shoulder bare, yes?"

Hermione nodded.

"Ok, I'm going to balance the look a bit." Parvati said. After a few more minutes of swishing and muttering charms, she said. "Tah dah!"

Hermione hurried to look in the mirror. Parvati had intricately braided the left side of Hermione's head, so that all of her hair twisted around to a bun on the right side.

"Oh Parvati! That's perfect!" Hermione gushed.

"And here, let me do your makeup." Parvati said.

Hermione nodded, trusting Parvati's skills after her hair turned out so well. "How'd you learn all this?" She asked.

"Witch Weekly." Parvati said, with a smile.

"I think I might need some tutoring in that department." Hermione admitted.

"Anytime." Parvati said, flicking her wand at Hermione's lips. "There. I went a little more striking than you did at the Ceremony."

"Striking how?" Hermione asked, ducking back to the mirror. She almost didn't recognize the person looking back at her. Parvati had defined her eyes with thick, dark lashes and black liner, and given her a deep red lip.

"Wow 'Mione, you look incredible!" Ginny gushed.

"It's not too much?" Hermione asked, nervously.

"Not with a simple gown it's not." Parvati explained. "Besides, this whole look is based on muggle style from the 1940's. It's actually pretty traditional."

"Okay." Hermione said, nervously looking at Ginny.

"Oh, you're fine 'Mione." Ginny said, with a wink. "People are going to love it."

Hermione nodded, and went to put on her dress.

"Parvati! What can you do for a Ginger?" Ginny called, enlisting Parvati's help herself.