The next day Hermione excused herself from the quidditch game that Ginny and Ron were organizing to finish her preparations for the masquerade ball. She quietly let herself into the ice castle with Molly Weasley and together they planned out the menu and crafted tables and decorations with magic and ice. Hermione and Charlie had completed the exterior on their own, but the inside needed a finer hand and Mrs. Weasley's experience with hosting large groups of people proved invaluable. Hermione could hardly keep herself from taking notes and Molly was just happy to have someone interested in her expertise.

"The boys just don't appreciate all the work sometimes. It is magic, but it's still work!" Dozens of plates and silverware of unmelting ice materialized under her wand and Hermione trailed behind her with the silverware to match.

"Thank you for coming and helping. I don't think I could have done it all without you."

"Don't worry, dear. It's my absolute pleasure!" In tandem they crafted chairs while they chatted. "I hate to be sitting idly, especially around the holidays. Since you have some time off this season still, maybe I'll be able to persuade you to come stay at the Burrow."

"That would be nice. Thank you, Molly. I suppose I could use a break from this place. I think I've missed too much in my exile."

"Exile, indeed!" Molly sounded amused at the thought. "I understand the reason for this exile has come to call?" Hermione turned around under the pretense of counting chairs so that Molly couldn't see her face.

"Reason? I'm not sure what you mean…"

"Oh hush, Hermione. You told me everything. Lavender, bless her, has also told me enough to make me wonder if I'll be getting two guests at once."

Before she could stop herself, Hermione was telling Molly all about everything that had happened since Charlie took her to meet Draco all the way up to the dress shopping and the awkward breakfast. Molly listened thoughtfully and by the end of it they were both taking a break on some cushions by the fire. Unmelting ice was exhausting to create in such quantities, but they were close to finished.

"I'm confused, Molly. I wish I hadn't known him in school," Hermione finished.

"Well, if you don't want him then maybe you'll find someone else. I'm sure Charlie wouldn't say no if you expressed an interest." Hermione laughed and shook her head.

"No, I think I'm happy on my own. Relationships are too complicated. Besides, I'd rather spend my time reconnecting with my friends than worrying about something like that."

"Well, let's finish this up and join everyone for dinner. Fleur and Percy are cooking tonight and I'm interested to see if they can cooperate." Molly swept through the halls and checked every room to make sure they were up to her standards while Hermione finished up the unmelting ice and snow couches and checked the sound levels from the stereo she'd magicked to work without electricity. Once finished they walked along the red carpet that still connected the castle to the Lodge and managed to see Ginny score a spectacular goal against Ron before they drifted down for dinner. Lavender's kisses seemed to distract Ron from his loss and Hermione was secretly grateful she didn't have to deal with his sour temper anymore after quidditch.

The dinner that Fleur and Percy laid out was elegant and delicious. Percy, it seemed, had come off the worse in a flour battle and was glowering at the offending pie. Hermione saw Fleur offer him a damp washcloth and he disappeared back into the kitchen, presumably to look in a mirror and clean off.

The dinner itself was tasty, but ended early since everyone wanted to get a good long rest in preparation for the next day.

The day of the Masquerade Ball arrived with fanfare. George Weasley had charmed some horns to play the large party down to a breakfast of pasties and cakes to begin the merry celebration. Some of the keepers had planned a short ski trip after Hermione had taught them how, but most of the company stayed behind to spend the day getting ready. Hermione had ordered three bottles of Sleakeasy's Hair Potion in preparation for the day and had enlisted Fleur, Ginny, and Lavender to help her tame the tresses. Ginny was no help whatsoever with styling, but kept them all entertained by shooting bat bogey hexes at anyone who knocked on the door. Too many people suddenly needed Hermione to do something, but she had been clear that it was her day off and Charlie would take care of any problems. He alone was permitted to check on her, but only so far as to let him stay at the door and ask how things were going. After seeing the gown Hermione was going to wear that evening, Fleur decided that her entire appearance was going to be a surprise. Hermione was more than a little excited to be "unrecognizable" and "completely breathtaking," as Fleur had put it, with no responsibilities other than to enjoy herself.

Finally they managed to coax her hair into an elegant simple wave that made Hermione feel like it was luxurious rather than wild. Fleur had even taken some liberties and woven shimmering gold streaks into it that matched the dress. With a mask on no one would know it was her.

Ginny and Lavender left to get ready and only Fleur remained to help Hermione with the final touches.

"Don't you worry. My dress is so seemple it will only take me five minutes to put eet on." Hermione was grateful. Not having had much reason to put on makeup in the last few years meant she was sorely out of practice and she wasn't certain she could get into the gown on her own.

At 9pm George had charmed the horns to play the fanfare again and Charlie threw the castle doors open to welcome their guests. Hermione joined the procession along the red carpet and despite being giddy about their own attire, whispers followed her all the way to the castle.

"Who is that?"

"She's so beautiful!"

"Have you seen her before?"

"Do you know her?"

The gown had taken Hermione's breath away the first time she wore it in the shop. The elderly witch who created it had created the masterpiece out of nothing and Hermione had never felt so beautiful. With a full skirt fit for a ball, the silhouette was reminiscent of a Marie Antoinette Robe à la Française style, but the fabric was something entirely different. It moved like water and when it caught the light it looked like dragon scales flashing in the sun. Even the color was imbued with magic; looking gold at first glance, but subtly shifting with the fabric's movement to show tones of deep red underneath. If she twirled the colors and fabric twisted together and she looked like a voluminous flame.

She sat between Harry and Ron at one of the long tables. They didn't recognize her until she laughed at their confusion, the sound identifying her immediately to them as their best friend. Ron and Harry expressed their appreciation and Hermione admitted their partners had helped a little. Both looked across the table with pride and Ginny and Lavender accepted the praise with gracious words about how Hermione was already beautiful.

"Blimey, Hermione. You look incredible." Charlie had seated himself across from Hermione and his eyes were glued to her as if he had never seen anything like her before. She touched her mask to make sure it was still there and frowned.

"How did you know it was me?"

"As if anyone else would sit between those two blokes," he said gesturing to Ron and Harry.

Enchanted snowmen served mouth-watering soups, entrees, and then desserts. Happy laughter and chatter filled the hall and once the last few plates were empty the dishes, tables, and chairs melted away into the floor leaving a large dance floor. White instruments enchanted to play on their own began a slow waltz that couples immediately paired up to dance to. Hermione excused herself before Charlie had a chance to ask her for the dance. The stereo was hidden at the top of the wide staircase at the end of the hall and Hermione wanted to check that it would kick in when the instruments got tired as it was supposed to. Charlie was dancing with one of the keepers instead when Hermione got back. Not wanting to intrude, she made her way to the fireplace where George had set up an ice bar. He winked and held a drink out to her before she had a chance to ask.

"Champagne! Isn't this a muggle drink?"

"Of course it is. Harry suggested it. Glad you like it."

"One for me as well, please." Hermione had no idea when he had arrived, but a tall stranger was standing next to her in robes that looked like a tuxedo with a cape attached. His top hat made him seem out of time, though not exactly out of place, and he wore a simple mask that obscured only enough of his face to make Hermione uncertain as to his identity. Something about him seemed familiar, but she guessed that he was another keeper's guest and she must have seen him around the Lodge. There had been too many people there to keep track of these last few days.

George was already distracted by other friends and Hermione moved closer to the fire with the stranger.

"You look stunning." She felt herself blushing at his words and was grateful for the mask that covered it somewhat.

"Thank you very much. You look very handsome." She couldn't believe her boldness, but he had given no sign that he recognized her and she felt safe in her anonymity. Conversation flowed easily between them and when he asked her to dance she accepted without a second thought. In his arms on the dance floor they waltzed slowly and Hermione felt the rest of the world fall away.

"Are you here with someone?"

"Yes."

"Family, friend, or…" she couldn't quite get out the word "lover." She desperately hoped that wasn't it.

"Friend," he answered. "Though at the moment I seem to be here with you." Hermione's heart fluttered. When he spun her she came back even close enough to take in his warm clean scent, and when the piece ended he dipped her low enough for her hair to brush the floor.

The next song was starting up and the stranger helped Hermione to her feet. She was ready for another turn on the dance floor, but Ginny had pounced and dragged her away.

"Who was that? Did you know him?"

"I don't know. He seemed so familiar. Where are we going?"

"You have to come dance with us for at least one song! Then you can go back to your mysterious stranger." It was a good thing Ginny was holding Hermione's hand so tightly because people kept coming up to her to ask her to dance as they made their way across the room.

"Maybe later," Hermione managed to reply to a few of them.

"I have returned with the Dragon Princess," Ginny announced when they reached the group. The Weasleys had taken over a corner of the hall and cheered at their arrival. Hermione was immediately caught up in a fast dance with both George and Ron, each taking turns spinning her until she was laughing so hard she had to stop them and get a drink of water that Charlie graciously brought her.

"You really outdid yourself with this event, Hermione. It's a perfect last hurrah before Malfoy takes over," Charlie said. He had pulled her to a seat so she could rest and hydrate in peace.

"Shhh. He might be here. I gave him an invitation."

"I don't think so. He's not exactly good at blending in and I haven't seen him." Hermione shrugged, put down her empty glass, and stood up again. She was having fun dancing and wasn't ready for a serious chat about the future of the Reserve. She cast her eyes around the dance floor hoping to spot the stranger again, but she couldn't find him in the crowd.

She danced the next fast song with Charlie and the next couple of songs with other keepers who asked her to join them before starting to worry that her stranger had disappeared. It was only when Lavender was trying to teach her a complicated new dance step that she finally caught sight of him again. He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and invited her to go for a walk.

"This castle is breathtaking. Will you explore it with me?"

"Of course she will," Lavender replied before Hermione had a chance. Hermione completely missed the wink that followed Lavender's acceptance, but Ginny didn't.

"You know who that is!" Ginny demanded. Hermione was already out of earshot, but Lavender opted to whisper the name into Ginny's ear so that others wouldn't hear.

"No!" Ginny stared at the couple now across the hall and walking arm in arm up the staircase. Lavender giggled at Ginny's horrified expression.

"Don't worry. They like each other."

"But," Ginny sputtered, "how can she like Draco Malfoy?"

Author's note: Phew! That was a much longer hiatus than I thought it would be. I have an update schedule for the next couple of weeks and hope to be able to wrap up this story soon. Thanks for sticking with me 3