The Hunt

The Ministry had decorated with eloquence. The hall rented for event was covered shades of gold. It was like stepping back to the Yule Ball but in gold.



Greg and Luna arrived first. Ever the consummate reporter, Luna had shrunk a camera and was wearing it as a ring to take as many photos as possible. She would be writing an article for the Quibbler on the event. She also charmed her notepad and mini quill in her purse to take notes through the evening. She would go over them later.



Greg didn’t mind one bit, he liked that she had made it easy for herself to enjoy the evening as well as do her job. The quill and ring were charmed to work when she wanted them too. This way she could relax.



She looked lovely, in a sleek white dress down to her ankles and a rope style straps that gathered at her back. Her hair was braided and arranged elaborately in a complicated but beautiful French twist style. He would not even attempt to figure out how she did it, he just stood back and admired the look.



Greg was simple with his robes. Classic cut black dress robes and a timeless white shirt look. Next to Luna’s white was an elegant compliment indeed. The two made a stunning pair.



Ron and pansy arrive next, and greeted Luna and Greg, without realizing that Luna had snapped a picture as they approached.



Pansy was in a strapless black gown that fit tightly in the bodice and waist. The long skirt twirled about as she walked on Ron’s arm. She wore no jewelry except a silver chain around her neck. Ron was in black dress robes and white shirt, having forgone the tie. His exposed neck was slightly casual but he was never one for ties, and he had a way of making it look sexy.



They settled on a table, making sure to chose one for all four couples. They were talking casually as Lucius and Ginny appeared.



Luna snapped a photo of what had to be the most elegant couple in attendance, but she expected no less of Lucius Malfoy. He was always dressed to his utmost no matter the occasion. Tonight was no different. He was dressed in custom made dress robes, complete with silver buttons containing the Malfoy crest. His hair loose and free about his shoulders was smooth as the silk on his cream colored shirt. A matching cream scarf hung on his shoulders under his jacket collar and fell down to his waist.



Ginny was at her loveliest this evening. She was in dark emerald green, off the shoulder gown that looked like silk wrapped around her waist. The long skirt was slim and hugged her legs showing off her figure. The silver studded flower design at her hip matched the earrings she was wearing as well as the shinny comb that held her hair up in a lose carefree up do. Removing it would allow her bright red locks to fall, but her shoulders looked lovely bare.



Ron was amazed to see his sister looking as elegant as she was tonight and greeted Lucius with a firm handshake. The three couples were getting along wonderfully and the champagne was flowing as Hermione and Severus appeared.



Hermione was glowing as she walked on Severus’s arm. Clad in a gold skin tight gown with thin straps that made the ladies wonder how she managed to walk, but she moved with grace. A gold broach at her shoulder was attached to a sheer scarf that ran down her back to her hip where another broach fastened it to the dress. The rest of the scarf flowed down to her knee where her gown stopped. Her matching gold strappy heals elongated her legs. She had highlighted her hair for tonight and had it pinned up showing her neck.



Severus was dressed in solid black, black shirt and also had a scarf that matched Hermione’s dress. His hair was trimmed slightly and was flowing nicely. They made a wonderful couple and Luna made a mental note to give every couple a copy of the photos she had taken.



The evening was remarkable. Speeches from ministry officials let everyone know that the charity event had raised enough money to make several upgrades to orphanages around England. Everyone was given pamphlets as to what orphanages would benefit from the money raised. It had a secondary purpose in that it allowed many of the attendees a chance to donate privately as well.



As the evening moved, the dance floor was exposed and the table emptied as they all went to the dance floor. Hermione glanced at her friends as she moved in Severus’s arms. Luna was cradled by Greg and smiling up at him. Her hand in his against his chest. Her whole body moved in sync with his.



She looked over at Pansy and Ron. They moved as though they were a long standing couple. Pansy had her face buried in his neck and a hand weaving in his hair. Ron was caressing her back with both hands, enjoying the feel of the woman in his arms.



Ginny and Lucius embraced with a tenderness Hermione didn’t know existed. Lucius was holding her like a lover. On hand drifting along the small of her back, the other keeping her firmly against him. He was leaning down and speaking to her, but the curtain of hair hid them from the world.



Hermione turned her face to the side and brushed her lips against Severus’s cheek. He held still and she gave him a gentle kiss. She closed her eyes and gave him small kisses along his jaw.



When she rested her face on his shoulder, he kissed her jaw, she barely felt his lips but it lit her body ablaze and sped her pulse to threatening levels. His hold on her waist tightened just a bit, bring her closer to his frame. She felt this hips against hers, an intimacy she had never felt from the professor before. She thought about asking him back to her house at the end of the evening but didn’t know how he would take that. Would he think its too soon? Would he think that’s all she saw in him? She had much more respect for him then just the physical and she wanted him to know that.



No, for their first night together she wanted something a bit more meaningful. At least she wanted him to feel it was more meaningful. She wanted him to understand the death of her admiration. Tomorrow night was girls night, and she needed it. She needed the advice of her adopted sisters.



The dance ended and they made their way to the table. Before Hermione had a chance to sit Ginny spoke. “If you’ll all excuse me, I’m going to head to the ladies for just a moment.”



“Oh Gin, I’ll go with you. Luna, Pansy, what about you?” They each nodded and the four girls were off.



“Why on earth do girls go in wolf packs?” Ron asked to no one in particular as he sat and took a drink.



“Don’t you know anything about women Mr. Weasley?” Lucius said with a laugh.



“He grew up with one sister and five other brothers Lucius.” Severus told him.



Ron looked over at Greg who also seemed to be aware of the humor. “Does someone want to fill me in here?”



“They are talking about us Weasley.” Severus announced, Reclining comfortably in his chair. Ron nodded in understanding as the four men settled in their chairs and waited for the not so secret conference to conclude.





Hermione was checking her hair in the mirror along side Luna as both Pansy and Ginny washed and dried their hands.



“Luna I thought you were going to cover this awhile we were here?” Ginny asked.



“I have been covering it.” She said smiling as she told them of her ring, and the quill in her purse. “I’ve been taking notes all night. I will have stacks of parchments to go over.”



“Hey Gin, you and Lucius looked pretty close out there,” Hermione teased, “what was he whispering to you?”



Ginny blushed as the other girls looked at her. “He was commenting on my appearance that’s all.”



“Yeah, commenting and nothing else.” Pansy gave a knowing look and they all giggled.



“Commenting on the dress or how it would look in the floor?” Luna asked, sending the girls into full out laughter.



“Hey Luna does Greg know that your reporting tonight too, or is that why you hid the camera and notes.” Pansy asked.



“He knows. He was really impressed that I found a way to report and have fun at the same time.” She said.



“Does that ring work when you aren’t wearing it?” Ginny asked. At her nod Ginny ushered the girls into the lounge area of the ladies and they sat on the rounded chair. Luna levitated the ring and when they were all arranged the ring went off about five times, catching several shots.



They were high spirits when they exited the door. Three of the girls fell into silence and as Ginny left last and shut the door she looked about to see all of them looking at Harry Potter in his dress robes looking at them. He had appeared to be waiting until; they came out.



“Girls go on ahead, I’ll just be a moment.” The girls left in silence back to the table.



“How are you Harry?” She asked, but made no move toward him.



“I’m alright thanks.” She smiled and nodded at him. “You look lovely tonight Ginny.”



“Thank you. So do you.” He was quiet again just looking at her. “Are you here on your own?”



“No,” he looked over his shoulder and gestured vaguely, “I’m here with Lucy.”



Ginny nodded. Lucy was the girl he cheated on her with. “So you two are still together?”



“No, we just happen to both be single at the moment and didn’t want to go alone.” He said. She nodded again.



“Harry, did you want something? Or were you waiting for someone, because the ladies was empty when we came out…….”



“No Ginny I just wanted to say…..” he stopped and gathered his thoughts, “I guess I just wanted to say that you looked so happy dancing with Malfoy. And it made me feel good to see you happy again.”



Ginny gave him a genuine smile. “Thank you Harry, that means a lot.”



“I know that when I apologized before it seemed as if I was just saying what I thought was expected of me, but …..”



“Harry, we don’t need….”



“Wait, just hear me out.” She gave him a nod. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. I know I’ve said it before but I think after the years that I’ve had to reflect and especially seeing you here tonight and see how happy you look, well, it makes me realize that I’m sorry this time for the right reasons.”



Ginny remained silent. “The right reasons?”



“I only thought about myself, and not you. I didn’t think about your feelings and I know I hurt them terribly. I destroyed the trust that you placed in me, not to mention the friendship that we had. You deserve, Ginny, to have been treated with respect, and I didn’t do that. I’m sorry I didn’t do that.”



Ginny was speechless for a brief moment. “Thank you,” she whispered, “it really means a lot to hear that.” She meant it. For too many years she wondered if Harry regretted what he did. Now she knew.



“I hope things work out for you Ginny.”



“I hope they work out for you too Harry. Goodnight.” She said with a smile and walked out to the ballroom, her head held high and her stride defined.



Lucius held out a hand as she approached. “Is everything alright?” He asked. The others were watching as well. She knew everyone at the table was aware that Harry had spoken to her.



“Yes Lucius everything is just right.” He couldn’t help but return her brilliant smile. As they left the ballroom and headed to the front entrance to retrieve cloaks Ron pulled her aside for a moment.



“Everything alright then Gin?” He asked, with more seriousness then Lucius had.



She held her brothers hand. “Yes Ron, no worries. Everything is fine. He just had to say one last things that’s all.”



“So you didn’t have a row?” He asked, thinking Harry had wanted her back.



“No Ron, it wasn’t like that.” She smiled again. “Everything is just fine.” Ron grinned slowly. Ginny seemed happier for some reason.



“Alright then.” He gave her hand a squeeze and went to fetch Pansy’s cloak.



“Ladies, I’ll see you all tomorrow night.” Hermione said before Severus returned. The three other girls nodded, and couple by couple they all left.







A/N: I wasn’t planning on adding Harry since I am going to focus much more on Hermione and Severus from here on out, the suggestion came from Jessie and I thought it was a good one. Hope you like it.