Rags to Riches

Chapter 4

July soon turned into August. Hermione and Draco were becoming great friends. It took Harry and Ron a little longer to accept Draco into their lives, considering past events. They weren't best friends, but they were willing to be civil with him if they ever met up.

Miranda and David were planning a Sweet 16th Birthday party for Hermione before she went back to school. She was allowed to invite as many people as she liked, and choose everything from the music, to the decorations, and even the food. It would be a formal event and held in thier ball room.

It was a week from the party and Hermione was rushing all about to get every thing in order. So far all they had was the decorations picked out. Silver and Black balloons, sheer table cloths that went well with the sliverware and silver trimmed plates, the floor was to be covered in sparkling fairy dust, and there would be sparkiling streamers hanging over the windows and entry way.

A wizarding DJ was booked as well, playing both muggle and wizarding music.

She still had to pick out the appetisers, the main course and cake. And the most imprtant thing for as girls Sweet 16, her dress.

Hermione and Miranda sat on their patio, determined to finish planning the party.

"Have you thought about whatyou would want for dinner?" asked Miranda, a peice pf parchment and quill ready to take notes.

"Yes. I think I've decided." she said smiling.

"Ok. I'm ready when you are" said Miranda.

"Ok well first, I want to have salad and rolls." she said

"Ok thats an easy one, whats next.?" asked Miranda.

"For the main course, I want, roast chicken, with mashed potaoes, macaroni, and cranberry sauce." she said craving the meal she just described.

"Mmm. That sounds delicious." said Miranda.

"And for the cake, I want ice cream cake. Chocolate and vanilla layers with crunchy chocolate pieces on top. you can write whatever you want on the cake." she said to Miranda.

Miranda finished writting down the details, wrapped up the parchment and sent off the order to the caterer.

"Ok. Dress time." Miranda said with a big smile.

Hermione jumped up out of her chair and went to get her purse. Sh was so excited. She never had a really nice dress, except for 4th year at the yule ball. But she wanted the perfect dress for this occasion. The next nice dress she would own would probably be fro her wedding.

Hermione and Miranda took a port key to their destination.

Italy.

"Oh my goodness, were in Italy!" squeeled Hermione.

"Only the best for you" said Miranda.

"We're going to a store called Alfred Angelo." she said.

"I've always wanted a dress by him. The dresses are goregeous." said Hermione.

"Well lets go in and find your dress" she said smiling as she held the door open for her daughter.

The two went in and Hermione gazed at the thousands of dresses before her.

Three hours past when Hermione found the perfect dress.

"We still have some time. Do you want to tour Rome?" asked Miranda, sure of Hermione's answer.

"Yes!" said Hermione as her eyes widened.

The two went off for a tour of the city, to see all of its famous landmarks, the colosseum, the scala santa( holy staircase), the roseto, the botanic gardens, and Hermiones favorite, the Trevi Fountain.

Miranda gave Hermione a a sickle.

"Make a wish, and throw the coin over you shoulder." she told her.

Hermione made a wish and tossed the coin into the fountain. She smiled as she tought about the wish she just made.

"What do you say we get back. It's well after supper and David will be wondering where we are." said Miranda.

"Yes. I'm ready. This was so much fun." said Hermione as she hugged Miranda.

The two portkeyed back home, and relaxed the rest of the evening, regaling David of their wonderful day.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox


The night of Hermione's party was finally here. All her friends from school were there, including some of the Kensington's friends. Over all there were about 100 people at this event. Hermione was so nervous. The door opened behind her and Miranda came in. She was wearing a knee length spagetti strapped dress. Her hair was up in an elegant bun and had light make up on.

"Mione, you look bueatiful. ou look so grown up." Miranda said with watery eyes.

"Thanks. I feel like a princess." she said walking towards Miranda.

"Well you certainly look like one." said Miranda hugging the girl.

"Thank you, for everything. Ever since my parents died, I never thought I would be happy again and loved. But was wrong. You and David made that possible. You helped through a tough time in my life, and I will never forget that." said Hermione.

"Oh Hermione darling, David and I love you very much. We feel like you've been our daughter forever. And to us you will always be our daughter" Miranda said with tears in her eyes.

"I love you guys too." Hermione said quietly.

A knock on the door took the two women out of their embrace.

It was David.

"I don't mean to interupt, but all the guests have arrived and a girl named Ginny is dying to see you in this amazing dress you owled her about" he said with a smile on his face.

Hermione laughed.

"Ok I'll be down in a minute"

Miranda and David left the room and gave Hermione a few minutes to gather herself.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She never realized how bueatiful she had become. Her skin was clear, her hair had calmed down into silky curls and her body had developed quite nicely.

Hermione took a deep breath and made her way down to the party. When she reached the top of the staircase, her heart skipped a beat. At the bottom was her escort, Draco.

He was wearing black dress robes with a black bow tie. His blond hair was gelled, but hung over his bueatiful blue eyes. In his hands he held a bouquet of red roses.

He looked like her prince she had always dreamed of.

Draco remember when Hermione asked him to be her escort to the party. He was thrilled. They had become great friends, but he wanted more. He wasn't sure if Hermione wanted the same thing, so he never let on. His thoughts got interupted when the sight of an angel appeard at the top of the staircase.

Hermione.

Her beautiful chestnut hair was in twisties and curls that cascaded down her back. She had light make up on, but he didn't think she needed it. Her natural bueaty was more than enough. And the dress she was wearing, didn't make her look more beautiful, she made it look beautiful. She was wearing a strapless golden dress with crystal beading along the edge of the bodice, an empire waistline and it fell to the floor. She suited the dress so well.

She made her way down the steps with a smile on her face. When she reached the bottom, the two teens stood their, gazing at the other.

"You look stunning" Draco told her as he kissed her on the cheek and gave her the boquet of roses.

"Thank You" she said in a small but shy voice.

"Shall we go greet your guests, Milady?" he asked playfully as he extended his arm out.

"Yes we will, kind sir" she replied as she linked her arm with hers.

The part went off without a hitch. Pictures were taken and videos were recorded. Hermione had a blast. She fast danced with all her girl friends and dragged Ron and Harry out to dance to slow songs with her. Even Draco danced a few with her both fast and slow. Even the traditonal Sweet 16 dance which girls usually dance with their boyfriend. The food was exceptional and the music was fantastic. It was one of the best nights of her life.

The party died out around 12am and Hermione saw her guests off. She was very tired but still didn't want to go to bed. She decided to go out the gardens. They looked goregeous in the moon light, She sat on the stone bench near the little stream that ran through the property. It was one of her favorite places to read.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" a male voice asked from behind her.

She turned to see Draco, his tie thrown over his shoulder and a few buttons undone from his dress shirt. She smiled.

"It is" she replied.

He made his way over to her and joined her on the bench.

"Did you have a good time?" he asked

"No. I had a great time." she said.

"Did you get everything you wished for" he asked gazing at her profile.

She turned her head and looked him in the eyes.

"No, not yet" she said.

Draco brought his hand up to her face and tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

She blushed.

"Draco.." she whispered.

"Shh." he said as he leaned in closer to her.

Before she realized it his lips were lightly pressed against hers.

She closed her eyes and gave into the kiss.

His lips were so soft and moist. She had never been kissed like this. It was a pure honest kiss. It gave her butterflies in her stomace.


From a window in the manor, three adults watched the scene unfold in the garden.

"They really do make an attractive couple." said Narcissa.

"I agree completely. " said Miranda.

"Only time will tell what will come of this" said David.

"Lets hope for the best" said Narcissa.

"They bring out the best in eachother." said Miranda.

"And this is just the start of things" said David.


A/N: sorry it took me so long to write this chapter. I've been going through alot of tough things the past week. So I wasn't up for writting. But now heres chapter 4. I hope you enjoy and please review!