Chapter three

Severus Snape, Potions master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, stood leaning against the wall of the Room of Requirement, a dark scowl contorting his face. While it was not unusual for Snape to be scowling, it was not his usual scowl that was fixed on his face at that moment. Usually, Snape scowled because he was a generally unhappy man, and he felt that scowling at every creature that crossed his path gave him a victory over that creature. At this moment, however, he was not just generally unhappy. No, he was confused. As a spy, Snape hated being confused.

Upon his arrival in the Room of Requirement ten minutes previous, he had noticed the odd décor immediately. The room, which altered itself to suit the user's needs, resembled that of a fancy Muggle hotel lobby. The high ceiling, which was enchanted just as that of the Great Hall, held a diamond chandelier that shimmered in the moonlight. Directly ahead of where he stood, there were two giant oak doors that rivalled the size of the Hogwarts gates. To his left, there was a long narrow hallway with five doors on each side, each labelled with a number one through ten. In the middle of the wall at the end of the hallway was another door, fancier than the others. On it was a lone yellow star.

While the room should have been perplexing to Snape, he had known Albus long enough to expect the unexpected when called to speak with him. No, it wasn't the room itself that confused Severus Snape but the people inhabiting the room.

Snape stared at the cluster of redheads standing in a circle on the opposite side of the room. Looking at the faces of past students Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George Weasley, Snape's scowl deepened even further. The main door to the Room of Requirement opened a moment later, admitting Potter and the youngest Weasley boy. The two of them joined the large group of redheads.

Snape's gaze strayed from them to two other men standing to the right of the Weasleys. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were standing in a secluded dark corner of the room, conversing quietly.

The spy in Snape couldn't stop thinking, and he continued to consider plausible reasons for why the Headmaster needed to speak to this large group of people all together. If it concerned the Order, why not just wait until the next meeting? It occurred to him that every person standing in the room hated him for their own reason. Was he just being paranoid, or was this meeting just a chance for each of the men to get their revenge?

That thought, however, dissolved as Draco Malfoy entered the room. Draco frowned as he spotted first the group of Weasleys and then the dog and the werewolf in deep conversation. His eyes drifted to Snape, and he walked over to stand beside him.

"Professor," he said by way of acknowledgement.

"Draco," Snape returned. "May I assume you got the same note as I, bidding you come here?"

"I got this," answered Draco, pulling a letter out of his pocket. He handed it to Snape, who noted the very familiar handwriting.

Mr. Malfoy,

Albus Dumbledore

Snape looked up to find the youngest Weasley and Potter glaring daggers at him and Draco.

"Any idea what it's about?" asked Draco, referring to the letter.

"None," answered Snape. "But I think it's a safe assumption it's about the Golden Trio."

Hearing a noise, Snape turned around to face the narrow hallway only to find the Headmaster strolling out of it.

"Good evening, everyone," said Albus cheerily.

Snape scowled as they were gestured to a row of chairs so that the Headmaster could address them all about his latest asinine plan to protect the Boy Who Lived. But as Snape listened, he discovered that this latest plan was not designed to protect Potter or Weasley but rather the girl who held the brains of the Golden Trio. As he listened, Snape became more and more incensed. At the mention of suitors and a ball, Snape would have liked nothing more than to Avada Kedavra the old fool. Yet he stayed silent and waited for everyone's reactions as Dumbledore finished his speech.

"Does anyone have any questions?" the Headmaster finally asked when he was done.

"Yeah," said Ron Weasley, standing up and pointing at Snape and Draco. "What the bloody hell are they doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," retorted Snape. "The last time I checked, neither you nor Potter were of age, and both of you are therefore ineligible to marry the girl."

"We're here because we're Hermione's best friends and only want what's best for her!" shouted Potter, also standing to face Snape.

"Best friends?" questioned Snape with a sneer. "The last I've seen and heard, Miss Granger hasn't uttered a word for two months. It would seem to me she doesn't want best friends."

This comment was met with an uproar of anger from every redhead present at the meeting. However, it was Fred Weasley who jumped up to confront Snape.

"Hermione's grieving in her own way just like we all are! Or did you forget we lost our father and only sister?"

Sitting next to Snape, Draco muttered, just loud enough to be heard, "Everyone's lost something in this war."

"What's that, Ferret Boy?" Ron wasted no time in pulling out Draco's most hated nickname. Draco's lack of response only further incensed Ron to continue his attack.

"Oh, Malfoy, still upset that I killed your dear Daddy of a Death Eater?"

Wasting no time, Snape lifted his wand and cast a Silencing Charm on Ron followed by a stinging hex to the knee. Shaking with rage, he turned his eyes on everyone else.

"Does anyone else have some smart comment?" When no one responded, Snape released Weasley's Silencing Charm. "I didn't think so."

"What if I do?" shouted Ron. "What're you going to do? Have your master kill me?"

"That's enough!" shouted Dumbledore, his voice amplified with a Sonorous Charm. Immediately the room fell silent. Snape and Ron were both shaking with their wands aimed at each other. After a few moments, the two lowered their wands and returned to their seats.

"Now Harry," said Dumbledore, " Severus and Draco are here for the same reason that all the Weasleys, your godfather and Remus are here for. They will both be suitors in tomorrow's ball."

"But, sir," said Ron, "how could Hermione possibly find happiness with one of them?"

"I believe, Mr. Weasley, that is for Hermione to decide. Severus, as for your comment about Miss Granger's speech habits since the battle, I think she will be willing to open up long enough for the ball to commence tomorrow. While I wouldn't call her happy, I sense a healing process has begun. Our best course of action is to continue and hope something good comes out of this." Dumbledore paused and allowed the men to process the information.

"So, if there are no further questions, I'd like for you each to come up and draw a number out of this hat at random." He pointed to what looked like the sorting hat, sitting in the corner.

"Please go to the room that corresponds with the number you were given, and you will find everything waiting for you."

After everyone else had picked their number, Snape approached the hat and took the last number. He decided a good night sleep would do him well. After all, whether he liked it or not, he had a ball to get ready for.

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The next morning, Hermione woke up groggily and lay in bed, thinking about the night before. Thinking about her conversation with Dumbledore reminded her that she was to attend a ball that evening. And not just a ball, but a ball held in her honour. She resolved that this day would be her day for a fresh start. Although she still wasn't comfortable talking about everything that had happened, she decided to at least be sociable and calm for the remainder of the day. After all, this day marked the beginning of a new era in her life.

After showering and throwing on some wrinkled jeans and a jumper, Hermione made her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. As she was buttering her toast, she noticed two figures standing beside her; it was Harry and Ron. As had been their custom since the battle, the boys sat on either side of her in silence. Every morning, Harry asked Hermione how she was feeling, not expecting the response it turned out she never gave. This morning, however, Harry and Ron sat down and didn't say a word. Harry was silent until Hermione was halfway through her eggs. Finally, he spoke.

"So, I suppose Dumbledore told you."

Hermione was silent for a moment, debating on whether or not to answer. She loved Harry and Ron, but she didn't want to respond to an innocent question and then have them bombard her with questions she wasn't ready to answer. However, remembering her promise to be social, she spoke.

"He did."

"Gods, Hermione, do you have any idea how good it is to hear your voice again?" asked Harry.

Ron mumbled something in agreement while his mouth was full of food. With nothing more to say, the three lapsed into silence as they finished eating. When they were done, Hermione stared at her plate and broke the silence again.

"Umm, did Dumbledore talk to you guys about going into Hogsmeade today?"

"Yeah," said Ron. "He said to wait for my Mum and then go with her."

Feeling a blush form on her face, Hermione mumbled, "You boys don't have to come with me if you don't want."

It was ridiculous to be embarrassed over dress shopping, Hermione knew, but she wasn't sure how comfortable she was with them looking her up and down as she tried on dress after dress that was bound to look misshaped and odd...at least on her figure.

"Mione," Harry reassured her, "we want to come with you. We want to be there and help you. We're just sorry that dress shopping seems to be the only thing we're good for in your situation." At his comment, Hermione gulped as apprehension of her entire situation formed in her mind.

"Besides," added Harry with a smirk, "you can't get rid of us that easily."

Together, the three of them left the Great Hall and made their way to the Entrance Hall to find Mrs. Weasley already waiting for them. Hermione took notice of the dark circles under the woman's eyes and noted that she'd also lost weight. Upon seeing Hermione, Mrs. Weasley rushed over and immediately engulfed her in a hug.

"Hermione, dear!" she said. "How are you coping? I tell you, this is just a terrible, terrible law. Why,if Arthur were still at the Ministry, I guarantee this never would have happened." She released Hermione and gave a brief hug to Harry before being encompassed in Ron's arms.

"Mum," Ron whispered, "Dad worked in the Muggle Artifacts Office, not the Wizengamot."

"Oh, I know, dear," she sighed. "I just know he would have done all that he could have to help Hermione."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione responded gratefully. "I don't know if it could have been prevented, though. I just think we need to let things play out, and hopefully something good will come out of it."

"You got that line from Dumbledore," noted Harry. The four of them were now walking down the path that traveled between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Puzzled, Hermione looked to Harry.

"How'd you know I got that line from Dumbledore?"

"He used the same phrase when we met with him last night," answered Ron.

"But after Professor Dumbledore spoke with me last night he went to speak with the suitors," responded Hermione. Suddenly, with a moment of clarity, Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, a look of horror visible on her face. "Ron? You're not a suitor, are you?"

For a moment, Ron looked a little hurt at the look of incredulity on Hermione's face. Then his expression changed to one of amusement.

"Don't be ridiculous, Hermione. I don't come of age for three more weeks."

"Yeah," responded Harry. "Dumbledore just wanted us to come to help discuss your wellbeing."

Satisfied with Harry's response, Hermione decided to let the subject drop. They walked in silence for a few moments before Hermione spoke again.

"So ... what did you guys think of the suitors?"

"I think," said Harry after a long pause, "that you'll at least find contentment, if not happiness, with who you choose to be with."

Letting the subject drop once again, Hermione followed Mrs. Weasley into the Hogsmeade branch of Madame Malkin's. Although Madame Malkin's main branch was located in Diagon Alley, this new Hogsmeade branch had opened up a year before to tend to the wishes of the Hogwarts students.

Once inside the shop, the four of them walked past all of the wizarding robes and into the back room where the Muggle dresses were kept. The store clerk joined them to help search for the dress, as they were her only customers. The five of them looked through the seemingly endless racks of dresses and met back in the middle with their findings.

Though Hermione tried on each one, she couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous some of the dresses were. The dresses Mrs. Weasley had picked out for her were made just so that Hermione could be certain that not one inch of skin was revealed while she inhabited them. All of the dresses Mrs. Weasley picked had long sleeves and a high neckline...one even had trousers to go underneath the dress.

Ron's choices were the funniest, however, mostly because they were all pink and with an abundance of lace, despite the fact that she'd told Ron she hated pink. The store clerk didn't fare much better, as all the dresses she picked out were poufy, and Hermione couldn't walk in them.

Surprisingly though, Harry's dress choices were very sensible. His dresses were simple with not much more than a tiny fringe or a few sequins. After about eight dresses of his pick, Hermione finally figured out her fit. She eventually settled on a beautiful olive green dress with a silvery tint. It was strapless, and the corset of the dress had a few sequins. Beneath it was an ivory slip that hung about an inch below the hemline of the dress.

When Hermione came out of the dressing room to show the boys, they looked stunned. Ron's mouth was hanging open like a gaping fish, and Harry looked as though he was struggling to breathe. Ron, however, recovered first.

"Blimey, Hermione. You look stunning."

With their approval, Hermione bought the dress. At the counter, the store clerk threw in a pair of silver shoes for free in order to help advertise the Muggle look. During these times, Muggle dresses weren't very popular, as people were scared they'd be ambushed by Death Eaters just for possessing Muggle apparel.

It was nearly four in the afternoon by the time they reached the castle. Mrs. Weasley immediately rushed Hermione into the Room of Requirement, effectively cutting her off from the boys. After all, she had to be prepared if she was going to be ready by eight.

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At 6:30, Hermione had bathed, dressed and was nearly ready for the ball to begin. Sitting in front of the vanity mirror with Mrs. Weasley behind her trying to charm her hair into ringlets as opposed to the lump of bushiness it usually resembled, Hermione couldn't help but think she looked quite pretty. Honestly, she didn't know if that was because she hadn't cared about her appearance since the battle and often neglected to even brush her hair and this look was such a stunning contrast, or if she really did look quite pretty.

"Almost done, dear," said Mrs. Weasley. It was the third time she'd said it in the past hour.

"It shouldn't take this long to look nice," grumbled Hermione.

"Just be grateful you can still look nice, dear."

Finally, half an hour later, Mrs. Weasley finished. She came around to sit beside Hermione, holding a velvet box in her lap.

"Hermione, I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you. You know," she hesitated, a dark look shadowing her face, "ever since we met you, Arthur and I have just felt drawn to you and your parents...Arthur especially. He was so very fascinated by the muggle world, and you were his peephole into it."

Hermione blushed. Not once in the six years that she'd known him had she considered that, by answering his inane questions about the muggle world (like why there was a mouse attached to a computer, and why you didn't have to scream when speaking to someone on a telephone), she was furthering his passion for the topic by giving him more information than any wizard could. Hermione looked down to her lap and noticed Mrs. Weasley fidgeting with the velvet box. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, the older woman spoke.

"I was going to give this to Ginny on her wedding day." She paused as a lump formed in her throat and tears welled in her eyes, one spilling onto her cheek. "But, unfortunately, that day will never come. I've decided that as mine and Arthur's second daughter, one who's given us so much joy, I want you to have it." She opened the box, revealing an exquisite diamond tiara with several small emeralds outlining the stone.

"Oh, Mrs. Weasley!" exclaimed Hermione, tears threatening to spill from her own eyes. "I can't accept this. It's so lovely; it must be a family heirloom."

"It is," confirmed Mrs. Weasley. "It's been in my family for seven generations. But, Hermione, it would mean so much to me if you would wear it."

Hermione, still shocked by the tiara's beauty, merely nodded her consent. Reverently, Mrs. Weasley placed the accessory atop Hermione's head. Looking back in the mirror, all fleeting thoughts about her looks abandoned her instantaneously. Hermione knew she had looked pretty the night of the Yule Ball--she had thought she looked pretty while Mrs. Weasley was doing her hair--but the person now looking back at her in the mirror looked beautiful.

With tears threatening to spill, Hermione leaned forward and embraced Mrs. Weasley with all her strength. She felt Mrs. Weasley shaking in her arms and knew that she was sobbing. She was sobbing for her lost daughter and husband, neither of which was here to witness the moment. Hermione knew, right then, that Mrs. Weasley had taken the first steps toward healing. Instead of hiding and pretending like nothing was wrong, like she'd been doing the past few months, Mrs. Weasley was now ready to face the world and to begin moving on with her sons.

After holding Mrs. Weasley in her arms for another half hour, the two women roused when a knock sounded at the door. Mrs. Weasley got up first and opened the door to admit Harry and Ron. Ron, taking in his mother's tear-splotched face, embraced her and pulled her into the corner to speak quietly. After making sure Mrs. Weasley was okay, Harry joined Hermione in the seat Mrs. Weasley had just vacated.

"Wow, Hermione," he breathed. "You are a vision of beauty tonight." He took her hands out of her lap and squeezed them tightly as reassurance before hugging her briefly.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked.

"I suppose I have to be," she murmured back. As they spoke, Ron and Mrs. Weasley joined them once again.

"It was really fun hanging out with you today, Mione," said Ron. "Even if we were dress shopping." Hermione laughed a small, but cheerful, laugh.

"It's so good to hear your laugh again," answered Harry. As an awkward moment passed over the two, Harry paused, as if unsure of what to say. "Hermione, promise me that after tonight you'll still act the same way you have all day. We all want the real Hermione, not the silent one."

"I promise."

Harry nodded and wordlessly offered his arm. She took it and allowed herself to follow Ron, who was escorting his mother up to the big oak doors. Once she stepped inside, it would be time to decide her future.