The Gala
Narrator pov
The past two days we have been planning. Kingsley would come and help. Auror’s were all over the place. Hermione tried to talk Kingsley into not telling Harry Potter but failed. They decided Hermione would be announced as Hermione Granger, and not as Hermione Granger-Zabini for safety. It was two in the afternoon. People would start getting there around five. She had three hours to get glammed up. Her mother, godmother and friend were there.
“You need highlighter. It will make you shine!”
“Pansy I really don’t want to be that noticeable, especially if there is going to be an attack.”
“Just a little then? Please!”
“Fine, a little. You're the artist, I'm just the canvas.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s a muggle saying.”
~~~~~~
“Do you have any gloves?” She asked her mother.
“Why of course dear.” She looked through a box. “Here! We have green, no, yellow, no, brown, no, black, maybe, white, maybe, gold, it would match the dress.” It was a light gold. It was just right.
“Perfect.” She glanced at the gloves.
~~~~~~~
“You need some gold jewelry. It will match your house.” Narcissa looked through the jewelry.
“Something simple please.”
“How about these earrings and a necklace.” It was a little gold hoops earrings and a necklace had a little diamond star. Like a carton. “The necklace is actually one of your family heirlooms. It’s from your grandmother, a kind lady. May she rest in peace. The necklace has a match that your brother owns. He has a ring. It will announce if you're in danger with another. It doesn’t say the location.”
“Brilliant.”
~~~~~~
She put on her dress. She didn’t bother putting on her heels yet. It would only start blisters. They were simple gold. A strap securing the shoe around the foot.
Her hair was down. It was straight and nicely curled. Her look was fairly simple. But also bold. It showed that she was in fact the ‘golden girl’ and announced that she was not afraid to hex you if you messed with her.
She left her room and walked down the stairs. Never in her life would she think she would ever wear a dress like this. She checked her purse on her way down. She had everything she needed. She needed to check on the polyjuice potions. Making sure they are well.
She left for the meeting room where the potions now were. She looked at it. It should last at least two hours. She put the hair that Kingsley brought. It was some workers that volunteered to help. It sizzled. Perfect. She heard the door open.
She turned around to see Draco Malfoy. He was in his suit already. It was a little big. Probably because the person he is going to polyjuice into. He looks handsome. She thought. What no, this boy bullied me for years and you have a boyfriend. She went back to reality.
“Hey Malfoy. Are you alright?” She was concerned because he stood there looking at her. “The outfit is too much isn’t it. I knew it! I should have not done so much gold. Pansy lied to me.”
He snapped back to reality. “What no! you look amazin-nice. You look very nice.” He cursed at himself internally. Merlin she looks beautiful, with and without a glamor.
“Thanks Malfoy. You don’t look too bad yourself.” She copied him. He walked over.
“So what are you doing?”
“Just doing the final steps for the polyjuice. You know, I just want everything to go well.”
“Are you nervous?”
“No.” She was a terrible liar. Draco turned his face. She signed. “Yes I am. I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“Everything will be okay, don't worry. I’m sure Blaise won’t let anything hurt you.” She chuckled. “How many death eaters do you think will be there?”
She signed. “At least twenty.”
“That’s a lot.” He signed.
“Yes it is. But please be careful. And make sure Theo doesn’t do anything stupid, please.” They both chuckled.
“I will do my best. And for Theo I make no promises. He can be very unpredictable.” He saw her nod. She was still nervous. He put his arms on her shoulders and made her face him. “Hey, everything will be okay. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything hurt you.” He confessed.
She hugged him. A real hug. He just stood there for a second. He hugged her back. I won’t let anything hurt you.
~~~~~~
Kingsley and a couple Aurors made their way. Finally some of her friends started to show up. They knew that there was a chance that there would be an attack. They didn’t know that this was all a stunt.
She saw her best friend Harry first. He smiled at her. She smiled back. They hugged. He finally let go.
“Wow Mione, you look fantastic.”
“Thanks Harry. You look great. Ginny will flip out when she sees you.” They both chuckled. “Come on inside. You're the first of the Order. Besides Kingsley.” They made their way inside.
“Bloody, Mione, this house is huge.”
“I would give you the tour but today is not the best time.” He nodded in agreement. They went to the meeting room. Her family, Kingsley and the Aurors were talking.
“So what is actually going on?” Harry finally asked.
“Basically, the death eaters have a chance of attacking this event which was all a setup. It’s a stunt to capture them. Blaise, Pansy, Theo and Draco and all going to be polyjuice as workers. They will be there if something happens.”
“What about the Weasleys? They didn’t get the invite to plan.”
“I didn’t want them to be involved. They just went through the death of Fred and I don’t need one of them dying from this. There are Secret portkeys all over here in case. I want them out of the fight.”
Harry nodded in agreement. There was a knock at the door. She excused herself. She opened the door to her friends. Neville, Seamus, Dean, Parvati, Cormac, Oliver, Lee, Dennis, Luna, Cho, Eddie, Michael, Anthony, Mandy, Marietta, Terry, and Morag.
“Thank you all for coming. If you could please follow me.” She pointed for them to follow. They were nervous. They didn’t know that Hermione was a Zabini.
They made there way to the meeting room.
“Well it looks like everyone is here.” Kingsley announced breaking the silence. “Please if everyone could take a seat.” They all sat down. Hermione next to her best friend and brother. “Thank you. We should get started. I believe you all know that there may be an Attack on the gala this evening.” They all nodded. “We are here to make sure none of the death eaters get away. Simply stun them and make sure they can’t escape. None of the four curses are allowed. Only kill if it’s necessary.”
Seamus stepped in. “I’m sorry to interrupt but I believe we are all confused why we are meeting here of all places. And why are the soding Slythrins here?”
Kingsley looked at Hermione. She stood up. They would find out eventually, may as well come for her with the right information.
“It’s a long story but a a few weeks ago I was informed that I was in fact adopted.” They was gasps. She continued. “The Zabini family is my true blood. I’m a Zabini. I’m Blaise’s twin sister. The long lost Zabini. Trust me, I didn’t believe it also. But we did a blood line test and it’s true. I’m now living here with my family. They have been nothing but kind and caring for me. I had a Glamour charm on which is now off, that’s why I look different. We were informed of the attack and volunteered to have the meeting here. As you will be informed Pansy, Theo, Blaise and Draco will be there under polyjuice. They will be disguised as workers.” They disguised the information.
Kingsley continued to talk. He told of the people who should be there and not. Where the portkeys are. Who to get out of the situation. Emergency system. And the most wanted of the eaters.
~~~~~~
They were now at the Gala. Everyone was in their places. Thank goodness Hermione has dealt with these situations before or she would freak out.
She was backstage with Harry and Ron. They were supposed to make a grand entrance. Ron was pulling Hermione close to him. Harry was too nervous to notice her discomfort.
“Now, I give you the guest of honor to tonight memorial. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.” The doors opened and showed them at the top of the stairs. They really wanted to get the death eaters out because this was the nicest event hermione as ever seen. She smiled and waved. Her arm in Rons. Harry met up with Ginny. Hermione and Ron went to the dance floor. He held her close. His hands on her waist. One near her arse and the other closer to her stomach. He put his head to her ear.
“You are turning me on. After this I’m going to fuck you like my life depends on it.” Hermione wanted to leave. She thought Ron may have changed from before but he was acting the same.
“Ron, I don’t want to. I should get to my family after.”
“No. You belong to me. Not those death eaters. Your just a fucking bloody whore.”
She went quiet. “Please Ron, I don’t like this new you. I said I don’t want to do it later so respect that.” She tried to be brave but her bravery was short-lived.
“I said you will come back with me so I can come. I want to see your pathetic little arse. If you don’t I will start to reveal your secrets. Like that one on your arm.” She stopped dancing. She stared at him. She had tears in her eyes.
“Are you black mailing me?”
“I guess that’s one way to say it. Do what I want or I will hurt you.” He was cold and nasty. She pulled her arms away.
“Please excuse me, I need to get a drink.” She walked quickly to the bar. George was there. He was obviously drunk.
“MiOnE! How rice-nice to see you. You look spectacular. If Fred was here he would definitely be all over you.” He gave a drunk wink. She chuckled. “What’s wrong dear? You look like a sad little kitten.”
“Oh nothing I’m just tired that it.” She point to the barista. “Fire whiskey please.” She nodded.
“What ever you say. So I talked to Kingsley and guess what!” She was about to respond but then he continued. “Fred is in a portrait!”
“George, that is wonderful.” She took a sip from her drink.
“It very is! And I’m getting portraits in both of my stores now so I can always talk to him.” He was sad. She could tell.
She hugged him. “He would be so proud of you George. You know that.” She let go.
“Yes of course. I will let you go talk to everyone. I’m sure Rita is here somewhere.”
“Great, I’m so glad to see her.” She said sarcastically.
She walked off. She scanned the area. It all looks normal. There were supposed to be 554 people at this event. It looked like there was more. Everyone was talking to someone. She saw McGonagall.
“Professor McGonagall, what a pleasure to see you.”
“You too, Hermione.” She was acting. She was observing the area also. She knew what was going on. “I feel like I should inform you that Hogwarts is happening. And is allowing everyone who has passed their trials back. I know how you have been owling about it.”
Hermione smiled so widely. “That’s fantastic. Thank you so much.”
“I’m only doing what’s best for the school. There will obviously be changes. But I shouldn’t ruin all the surprises shall I?”
“Of course.” With that her professor walked off.
She looked around. People were standing by themselves. They were also observing. They weren’t on the list. She walked around. Someone stood in front of her. It was someone familiar. He was polyjuice. It was Theo.
“Hermione Granger. What a pleasure to meet you.” He put his hand out.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr..”
“Witter”
“Ah, yes.” She shook his hand.
He leaned in. “106 more people here than accept invitations.” He leaned out. He went back into character. “Well I will let you be. Great seeing you Ms Zabini.” He said with a wink.
~~~~~~
The night went on. She talked to many people already. Luna managed to get her away for a boring talk with Corman.
“Thank you again Luna.”
“It’s no problem Hermione. That’s what friends are for.” She said in her sweet voice.
They watched the people dancing. Mr. Wealsey and Mrs. Weasley were dancing. They looked so happy. They deserve to be happy.
Hermione looked though the crowd. Many people were watching others dance but one person stood out from very one else. Hermione knew his face all to well. His face was the one that almost killed her weeks ago. The one who left her to burn alive. He wasn't even watching the dancing, he was only watching Hermione. Her blood went cold and she froze.
Oscar Allen stood on the other side of the room with his wand out.