The Keeper

by Beningirl23

Summary:

After the sudden loss of their beloved Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall the girls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft are set adrift. The new Headmistress, Dolores Umbridge has been sent to turn the school from one of possibilities and opportunities to one of future brides.
Cracks in the very foundation of the school are forming and deep within the depths of the castle someone has awoken and is hungry for revenge.

This is a dark Tomione set within a mixture of Harry Potter and the Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Chapter 1: Follow Me Down

Hermione smiled down at the little first year as she finished tying the green ribbon to her freshly braided hair. 

The uniform for girls attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft was a simple one. Black skirts, with no more then two petticoats, pressed white blouse, plain black robes fastened with a broach of the school crest(though this only needed to be worn to special feasts and assemblies) hair was always to be neatly braided back in the French style snd tied with a ribbon of your house colour. Hermione’s was red of course, for Gryffindor. 

Just as she finished the bow the door flung open, and Ginny pushed through “Hurry up! There is to be an announcement.”

The little first year jumped out of her vanity chair and dashed out the door with a mumbled thanks as Hermione smoothed out her skirts and followed. Ginny linked and with her “I hope it’s something to do with the Samhain ball, I heard Parvati whispering about the boys from Durmstrang coming around.” 

Hermione rolled her eyes “I wouldn’t hold my breath. The headmistress has never liked inviting boys around, she says it distracts us from our studies.” 

Ginny grinned as they entered the Great Hall and went to join the rest of their year mates at the seventh-year table. 

Their class had always been an unusual one. Never in the the three-hundred-year history of the school had there been a perfectly even number. Twelve girls, three in each house. Herself, Ginny Weasley, and Lavender Brown where Gryffindor. Luna Lovegood, and the twins Parvati and Padma Patil had been sorted into Ravenclaw. Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and Traci Davies were Slytherin and finally the Hufflepuffs, Susan Bones, Hanna Abott, and Lily Moon. 

Over the years their little group had morphed from classmates to friends and now they were more like sisters then anything else. 

Pansy had just leaned over to ask something when Professor Snape stepped up to the podium and clapped hos hands, suddenly the house colours were transformed to black and the hall instantly went silent, all eyes turned to face the doir man. 

“It is my unfortunate duty to inform you all that Headmistress McGonagall has succumbed to her illness and passed away. You all will eat in the tower and be given one week of mourning.” 

“Hem Hem.”

A soft, girlish voice sounded from behind the man, and everyone noticed how his rue twitched before he cleared his throat “But first we will hear from out interim Headmistress.” 

He stepped back and what could only be described as a giant pink toad stuffed in meters of bright pink silk stepped up to the podium and beamed at all the students. 

Every single one of them started blankly back. 

“Good evening, ladies, while it is unfortunate news that has been announced this evening, I am here to inform you things will continue on. The Minister of Magic himself has assigned me to assist him in bringing this school back to the standards they once were. Classes will be changing to reflect a more proper education for proper young witch’s.” 

She giggled as she said that much to everyone’s horror. 

“I am looking forward to getting to know each and everyone of you over the next few months. Remember, I am always here to lend a guiding hand.”

She smiled and stepped back as Professor Snape stepped up once again snd waved his hands “Dismissed.”

Hermione moved only when Lavender took her arm and guided her out. It wasn’t until they had reached the tower and climbed the steps to the seventh-year dorms that everyone started speaking. 

“Quiet! We need to make a plan!” Pansy called before scooting closer and taking Hermione’s hands in hers “Do you know what will happen to you Hermione?”

While the rest of the girls came from proper pure and half-blood families, Hermione was an orphan of unknown origins. She had been brought to the ministry after too many bouts of accidental magic and was to be trained for service before Headmistress McGonagall had stepped forward and offered to take her in as her ward. She had personally paid for Hermione’s education and with her gone Hermione as uncertain of she would even get to stay at the school or be married off to some lowly ministry worker. She shook her head as tears formed in her eyes, all the girls crowded around her, surrounding her in love as the door opened and Professor Sprout walked in. 

“I apologize for interrupting girl, but I need miss Granger to follow me.”

Ginny jumped up moving between them “No! I’m sure we can think of something Professor, please, we just need a bit of time...”

Professor Sprout looked confused before realization dawned “It’s nothing of the sort, Miss Weasley, Miss Granger needs to attend the reading of the will is all.” 

Padma stood up “It should take weeks before the will can be read...”

Professor Sprout sighed “Typically, yes. But the headmi..., former headmistress liked things in order and she had us send for her solicitor immediately. Now if we are all done with the dramatics, it would do to keep him waiting. Miss Granger?”

Hermione wiped her eyes before disentangling herself for the group of girls “I’m sure everything will be fine, and I’ll be back up here shortly. You should all eat before it gets cold.” She tried for a smile before following Professor Sprout out the door and down the stairs. 

As they reached the office stairs Hermione was pulled to a stop “No matter what happens dear, us Professors won’t allow them to take you away, we will find a way to cover the fees, don’t you worry.” The woman smiled and smoothed out Hermione’s hair “Now up you go.”

Hermione sucked in a deep, calming breath before she walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. A deep male voice bid her enter and as she opened the door. A man in his early thirties stood waiting for her, his shoulder length black hair was pulled back with a simple leather strap and his gray eyes where bright and friendly as he smiled and motioned for her to close the door.

Hermione bobbed a quick curtsy “You wished to see me sir...?”

“I wish it were under better circumstances that we meet miss Granger, but I am non the less happy to finally make you acquaintance.” He took her hand, kissing her knuckles before pulling up a chair for her to sit. “My name is Sirius Black, and I was Minerva’s solicitor. She didn’t like to leave anything unfinished so she arranged for me to be notified as soon as she passed so I could meet with you.” He sat in a chair next to her and pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. “She requested I give you that first, though you aren’t to open it until you are alone.” He smiled sadly “Whole I was assured all the information you need is within that envelope the second thing she wanted me to do was ensure you knew everything has been taken care of and your school costs have been covered, you won’t have to worry about leaving Hogwarts.” 

Hermione’s shoulders slumped as the tension eased slightly and she offered Mr Black a small smile “Thank you sir, I truly appreciate this.” 

He smiled in return and pulled out a little business card “I am also to give you this. If you are ever in need of assistance just push a tiny bit of your magic into the card and I will be notified of your location and come to you straight away.” 

Hermione took the card and tucked it into her pocket “Thank you.” 

Mr Black nodded “If you have no questions, I will gladly escort you back to your rooms.” 

Hermione shook her head and stood “I can’t think of anything, thought I’m sure if I did it will be answered within the letter.” 

He chuckled softly and offered his arm “Of that I have no doubt, she always did seem ten steps ahead of the rest of us.”

Hermione smiled and took his arm, allowing him to walk her back to her dorm. 

He stopped at the door and took her hand “If you need anything at all, please contact me.” 

She smiled “I will, thank you again for making the trip her to bring me this.” 

He nodded and shoved his hands in the pockets of his robes “Let’s hope our next meeting is a much more pleasant one.”

Blushing slightly, she gave the password and slipped past the door, clutching her letter as she made her way up the stairs. As she opened the door to the common room, she noticed all the girls still sitting, waiting anxiously for her. 

Ginny pounced the moment she closed the door “We have discussed it and will pull our moneys and pay for you ourselves I we have to! We won’t let you get away.” 

Hermione gave them all a water smile, the tears from the grief and stress of the day threatening to spill down her cheeks “You won’t need to, my schooling has been covered.” 

Lavender sighed in relief before pulling her closer to the fire. “So, what happened?” 

Hermione shrugged as she sank into the cushions “I met with a man named Sirius Black; he handed me a letter from McGonagall and told me if i need anything to contact him.”

Daphne gasped as she sat across from her “Lord Sirius Black” 

Hermione looked at her in confusion “He didn’t mention being a lord...”

Daphne rolled her eyes “He’s only the most eligible bachelor in the country.” 

Hermione scrunched up her nose, he had seemed nice enough, but their meeting had been brief and hadn’t really had much time to taking in his character. 

Luna gave her hand a squeeze “I think it’s time we all go to bed, let Hermione read her letter in peace.” 

Hermione gave her a small smile as she stayed sitting, nodding the girl goodnight before pulling out the letter. 

 

My dear Hermione, 

I wish I never had to put pen to paper and write this letter to you, but I fear my time is coming to an end. 

From the moment I saw your bushy curls and heard your sweet voice I felt like you were mine, the daughter of my heart that I always dreamed of having. I am leaving everything to you, although it isn’t much, it’s the least I can do. 

Lord Black is a very good man and if you require anything he will assist you. Please know I meant this as a last resort, but I have included a copy of a betrothal contract I signed as your official guardian. With me gone and you now alone I wanted to ensure you were taken care of. Lord Black is a very progressive man and takes no issue with you finishing your education and pursuing a mastery if that is your desire. The contract, while signed, is completely up to you though. If you feel it is unnecessary do not feel obligated to fulfill it. I will caution you though, the world will not be kind to unmarried woman of unknown parentage. 

This last part will not make much sense, and I wish I could explain... but it’s up to you now, I tried to hold it off, but it drained my magic. 

Take care my little brave heart. 

Your mother in all but blood, 

Minerva

 

Hermione clutched the letter to her chest, her tears finally flowing as she curled up in front of the dying fire and succumbed to exhaustion. 

 

The following weeks dragged by as most of the girls stayed within the walls of the castle, moving around as if they had all been turned to ghosts. Changes had already begun starting with classes. Defense had been removed altogether, as well as arithmancy and ancient runes. According to their new headmistress, all three corses where unnecessary as they would all soon become members of proper society and soon be married. Divination, care of magical creatures, and history had all been removed from the fifth, sixth, and seventh years. That left them with a simple schedule of charms, potions, transfiguration, herbology and decorum (taught by the Toad herself). 

The once bright and open halls that had echoed with laughter and music now seemed empty and cold. Silence followed them everywhere. 

Hermione woke, sitting up as soft, sad music drifted up and surrounded her. The same music that had seeped into her dreams ever since Minerva had passed awake. As if in a trance she slipped from her bed and slowly made her way down the stairs, stopping when she reached the landing to the main hallway. Cocking her head she turned away from the door and gingerly made her way to a long-forgotten alcove behind the stairs. She opened her hand, having forgotten her wand, and concentrated hard on conjuring a small blue flame in the center of her palm. She held the light up, looking for the source of the music when she noticed, in the very corner of one of the stones an etching. Pulling out her handkerchief she rubbed the dust and grim away to reveal a skull with a snake wrapped around it... 

Hermione nearly stumbled back, the dark mark. The mark of Lord Voldemort who had rose to power over three hundred years ago. He had been popular and powerful, and people had flocked to him, supporting him in his rise to power. But he had also been mad, dabbling in dark dangerous magic. Once the Dark Lord had succeeded in becoming the Minister of Magic he had turned on his followers and started going after all those that tried to oppose him or that he didn’t think worthy of Magic. 

It had been Lord Harold Potter who had fought him and destroyed him in an epic duel, his followers had then been rounded up and all traces of his corrupted magic and his dark mark had been removed. All except this one apparently.

Hogwarts, which had once been his personal castle had been transformed into a school for witches. Now they celebrated his distraction with a ball each summer solstice. 

Hermione felt herself being drawn closer to the mark and in instinct she pushed a tiny bit of Magic into it. The mark suddenly flared a bright green before the stones shifted and twisted, forming a small archway that led to a spiraling staircase. The soft music became clearer, and Hermione slowly padded her way down, the air becoming colder as she descended lower into the very depths of the castle. Instead of a cold stone cavern she ended up in what looked like the forbidden forest, except this one had been gilded in pure silver, the light from her flame reflecting off the metal as she made her way through the path. Instead of leaves of green, jewels of reds, oranges, and yellows tinkled on a phantom breeze, the sound mixing with the mournful music creating an eerie symphony that beckoned her on. 

The forest path led to a clear, smooth lake, a bridge connecting the forest with a small island and in that island a gazebo. It was at the heart of that gazebo that the music was coming from. 

Hermione hadn’t even realized she had crossed the bridge until her bare food touched upon the cold, black marble of the gazebo floor and light suddenly flared around her. She gasped and covered her eyes as they slowly adjusted, she blinked looking around her. At the very center sat a throne of our black onyx, the arms carved into the shapes of snakes. Sprawled across the throne sat the most beautiful man Hermione had ever seen. 

His beep blue eyes seemed to drink her in as they slowly trailed up her body. His black hair fell in soft waves across his forehead. His full lips split into a smile as his eyes locked onto hers and it was then Hermione snapped out of her trance and realized she was alone in the very depths of the castle. She wore nothing but a thin cotton nightgown, her long hair was unbound, falling if soft curls down her back and she was barefooted, without her wand. 

The man’s eyes turned predatory for a brief moment, his face turning hungry, but she blinked, and nothing hit mild curiosity appeared. She stumbled back as he took a step closer, reaching out a hand as of to touch her. 

Belatedly she realized she had almost been in the center of the gazebo, as she turned to run back to the safety of her dorm and her sisters. She hadn’t made it but a few steps when the water of the lake suddenly rose around around her swallowing the bridge and cutting her off from her only escape route. As of from the very pillars surrounding her men appeared. Each as unearthly beautiful as the man in the throne they circled, caging her in and shepherding her closer and closer to the very heart of the island. The the throne and the man who once again sat upon it. 

Her hands shook as she slowly turned to face him once again. 

“I apologize my lady, I didn’t not mean to frighten you, but it has been so very long since I and my brother have had such lovely company.” He smiled once again “Please, allow me to explain.”

 

Chapter 2: A Dance with the Devil

The man in front of her reached out a hand slowly, as if afraid to spook her. Instead of taking her hand he motioned for her to sit, a throne of pure ivory now set next to his own. The men around her slowly faded back into the shadows as she sat stiffly on the very edge of the chair, clasping her hands together to get them to stop shaking.

“I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to frighted you, it’s just been so very long since my men and I have had company, especially company as lovely as yourself.”

Hermione clutched her hands together, her nails biting into her palm to fight the urge to roll her eye. 

“How long have you been here...? Who are you?”

His lips tilted down, a look of sadness crossing his face “This is my prison, I was trapped here long ago by a man who wanted power desperately and was willing do anything to achieve his goal. ” 

Hermione looked at the pavilion around her, truly taking in all the details she had missed before. The entire structure was hewn from black marble, green and silver blended within. The pillars weren’t just simple; they were elegant carvings of snakes. The entire structure was dark and creep, the the shadows and unknown, yet it held this enchanting beauty that drew her in to its very depths. 

She turned her eyes back to him and noticed his lips tilted up slightly “It’s quite beautiful for a prison... I’ve read every book on the history of Hogwarts, and I have never once heard of anything like a secret chamber hidden so deep.”

His eyes sparkled with curiosity “Hogwarts?”

Hermione’s eyebrows furrowed “Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, it was founded three hundred years ago after the great Wizarding war.” 

He nodded “Ah, I understand, I must have been trapped before the castle was turned into a school. Are there many students?” 

She tapped her lip “It depends on your definition of many. I believe with the newest students we have close to eighty girls. My own class, the seventh years, are the eldest and will be graduating soon. We are unique, at least that’s what everyone and all the books I’ve read say. No class has ever been so even in numbers, twelve total, three in each of the four houses.” She blushed slightly as he tried to hide her grin. “I’m sorry, I tend to ramble when I’m nervous...”

He shook his head “No need for an apology, it is I who should. I do not mean to make you nervous.”

She bit her lip and broke eye contact, choosing instead to look over the water that still surrounded the island, keeping her trapped.

“Well, you are keeping me trapped down here... You still haven’t told me your name.” 

“I suppose I am, though I will release you once our conversation is over. And you never offered yours.” He countered.

She bit back her sigh of irritation; this man seemed to have the ability to be both charming and completely unnerving at yhe same time. “I believe I asked you first.”

He grinned at her fully “I have had many names, most of which have been lost to time, the man who trapped me called me The Keeper, but you may call me Tom.”

Hermione’s eyebrows bunched together as she searched the vast encyclopedia she held within her mind. One of the advantages of being raised within the walls of the castle had been her unlimited use of the vast library. But not once in any of the books had there ever been any mention of a Tom. “I don’t believe I’ve ever read of a Tom before.” 

He shrugged elegantly “It wouldn’t surprise me. My name and those of my brethren where most likely erased from the books, as well as my continued existence.”

Hermione looked at him once again, searching his face as her mind swirled with facts. Three hundred years ago Voldemort had ruled their world, who exactly was this man and his ‘brethren’ to be trapped by The Dark Lord. He had been known for doing horrible things to those who opposed him, and this had once been his fortress. She chewed her lip, should she dare ask? Even today they dare not speak his name, names had power tied to olde magic and he had been known for his use of obscure olde black magics… 

“Was it he-who-shall-not-be-named?”

Tom looked at her, tilting his head in thought before his eyes turned contemplative and he nodded once. 

She sucked in a breath “Is there no way to break your binding?” 

He looked away from her glancing around the pavilion before his shoulders dropped slightly “I don’t know. He restricted our magic and bound us to the island, to the very stone you see around us. We spent years trying with no luck, until a short time ago we couldn’t walk around as you saw, but now we may move around, preform simple acts.” He motioned to yhe lake that was still surrounded them, caging her in “My trick with the water for instance.” He turned back to look at her “Do you like your school?” 

Hermione listened intently, if rising the entire lake was seen as a ‘simple act’ this man and his friends had to of been extremely powerful. So powerful the Dark Lord himself went through great length to trap them. Belatedly she realized he had veered off topic to ask a new question.

“I used to, I’m technically a ward of the school. I was orphaned at a young age, and the former Headmistress found me and brought me here. It used to be incredible, with classes such as defense and advanced potions. But then she passed away suddenly, and the interim head is… different.” 

He cocked an eyebrow at her “Different, in what ways?”

She let out a slow sigh “She has made it her goal to reform the school and to teach us proper education befitting the future brides of noble houses. Many of us had planned to pursue mastery’s and pursue further education but I fear those options will no longer be available.”

Tom reached out his hand as if to place it over hers but stopped and pulled back “I am sorry to hear that, what would you have chosen?”

She perked up slightly, before a sad sort of melancholy took over “Potions. My plan was to become a potions mistress and focus on healing potions. I had dreams of creating newer, less costly potions.” 

His lips tilted up in amusement “And why can’t you?”

Hermione’s excitement died even further as she remembered the marriage contract and all that it entailed. McGonagall wouldn’t have even thought of such a thing if she didn’t feel certain Hermione would need use of it. “I fear I will be forced into marriage, and it will be up to my husband wether I can further my education and not many men are that progressive.” 

His gaze turned sympathetic “I am sorry, if anyone knows the pain of entrapment it is I.”

Hermione nodded sadly, her eyes trained in her lap. “Will you lower the water now? I fear I will be missed if I do not return soon.”

He watched her for a long moment before he suddenly stood before her “I will lower the water if you give me one thing.” 

Her eyes snapped up to meet his “What could I possibly give you?”

He smiled and offered his hand “A Dance.”

Hermione looked at him skeptically “A dance…?”

Tom nodded and kept his hand out “It has been too long since I have had the pleaser of such a simple thing. Will you do me the honor?”

Hermione took a deep breath eyeing his waiting hand before slowly resting hers upon it. A shiver coursed through her body at how cold his skin felt against hers as he pulled her up and held her in position for a slow waltz. The music began, drifting over them as he started to move, guiding her expertly across the pavilion floor. 

Following him was as easy as breathing, he turned and guided her with only the slightest of touches. As they gazed into each other’s eyes he guided her through the dance, and it was as if the world had melted away and this was where she had always meant to be. In this strange man’s arms. As the music slowed, he spun her out and gently brought her back, closer than before, his hand resting in her bare arm, instead of her back his thumb tracing a line across her bicep. “You will visit again soon.”

Hermione felt as if she had been overtaken with that same trance as feeling as her head bobbed up and down and she breathed out a low yes. 

His eyes lit up “You will bring your friends.”

She felt her eyes glaze over slightly, a weightlessness overtaking her as once again she breathed out a yes.

He took her hand, smiling and bowed low, kissing her knuckles before turning her towards the bridge. The waters of the lake still and silent once again as she made her way back to through the gilded forest and up the stairs. She didn’t think as she crawled into bed and quickly succumbed to exhaustion. 

 

Hands shook her awake “Hermione!”

She mumbled and attempted to roll over burrowing further into her covers, her dream had been so lovely. She had been dancing in the most enchanting pavilion with the most attractive man. Unfortunately, she was sharply pulled from her sleep as hand once again shook her “Hermione!” 

She cracked open an eyelid “What?”

Ginny and Lavender both looked down at her with concern “It’s almost breakfast, are you feeling alright? You never sleep this late.”

Hermione rubbed her face before stretching and sitting up “I feel fine, I had the strangest dream last night is all.”

As she got out of bed Ginny gasped and grabbed her arm “Hermione, what did you do to your arm?”

Looking down she noticed a thin line of dried blood along her bicep. Once she had fallen asleep the events of the night had felt like a mystical dream... but maybe it hadn’t been a dream. Maybe she truly had found a new, hidden chamber in the very depths of the castle. Anything was possible with magic, and the Dark Lord had certainly done some incredible things within the walls of there school. “I must have scratched it in the forest” she mumbled, more to herself then the others.

Lavender snapped her out of thoughts “Hermione? Are you sure your alright?”

She nodded and quickly changed, tying her hair back as they headed out the door. “I’ll explain later, I promise.”

There day went by as the previous weeks had. Simplified classes and silence following them from room to room. The only big differential had been there new ‘etiquette’ lessons from the toad herself which mainly consisted of her making them sit, stand, and walk in what she deemed an appropriate way. If you slipped up, she would smack you with the thin Cain she carried around, it didn’t slip anyone’s notice that Hermione was her biggest target for corrections. 

It wasn’t until late into the afternoon that Hermione finally got some time to slip away and go to the library. While she was certain she had gone through the majority of the history section she may have missed a tome of two and was hoping to find some sort of reference to a Tom. It was in an overlooked and often forgotten party of the library that thd girls found her hours later, her nose buried in an old diary. From the dates it appeared to have been written around the time of the Dark Lord. Unfortunately, the only indication of the owner’s identity had been the name Riddle written on the inside cover. 

“There you are! We’ve been looking all Over.” Pansy sat down next to her “What are you reading this time?”

Hermione looked up blinking “An old diary by someone named Riddle, what time is it?”

Hannah leaned against the shelf “Is that a first or last name?” She answered, perking over Hermione to get a look. “Almost supper so we better hurry.” 

“I’ve honestly no clue.” She made a mental note of where in the book she has stopped and slipped it back onto the shelf “Let’s go, I have something to tell you all later tonight.” 

As the girls entered their common room later that evening, they noticed two things out of the ordinary. 

The first was a giant, gilded frame that lay empty attached to the wall above the fireplace. 

“What in Salazars name is that monstrosity?” Pansy asked, her nose wrinkling in disgust. 

“Probably a lovely new portrait of the pink toad.” Padma looked it over “She seems the type who loves looking at herself, and spy on everyone.” 

All the girls took a step back at that declaration. If the toad was spying on them then they had just lost one of the few places they had left where they could truly be themselves. 

The second think that was out of place was a single sheet of heavy, cream parchment laying in the very center of the round study table. All the girls surrounded the table peering down at the strange paper. Luna was the one who picked it up shrugging. 

 

To the seventh-year girls of Hogwarts School

of Witchcraft 

You are hereby cordially invited to attend an introductory ball this Saturday, midnight at the Keepers Pavillon, 

Yours sincerely, 

Tom

 

“Well, this sounds fun.” She said before passing the invitation to the next girl.

Immediately all eyes turn towards Hermione who had let out a surprised squawk and sank into on of the armchairs, her head in her hands. 

Ginny glance at the door invitation before passing it on and sitting next to Hermione and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I suppose this has something to do with what you were saying this morning?”

Traci placed the invitation on Hermione’s lap before sitting down “What happened this morning?”

“Hermione overslept then was going on about a forest or something.”

Hermione mumbled incoherently between her fingers before Parvati nudged her, and she finally looked up. 

“I honestly thought it had been some sort of crazy fantastical dream… how is it possible that an entire forest is right under this tower? With a lake and an island that just so happens to be a prison of twelve men who were most likely enimies of the Dark Lord?”

Ginny rubber her back “Why don’t you start from the beginning love.”

So, she did. She told them about the music she had been hearing in her dreams, about not being able to sleep snd deciding to get out of bed and try to discover the source only to find the dark mark. She went into detail of the forest and finally finding the source of the music in a pavilion at the center of a lake. She blushed slightly as she described Tom and the other men she had encountered and only briefly touched on the conversation they had shared. Then she told them about her dance with the strange man. Once she had finished, she looked up to discover each of the girls had shifted closer, stars in their eyes. 

“Wow... that’s so…” Daphne breather out with a little sigh. “Romantic” Traci finished for her.

“Well, we will have to pool together our things and come up with something properly suitable for Hermione to wear.”

Hermione sat up “What do you mean? You can’t seriously want to go down there?” she looked around, taking in their eager faces. Hermione fingered the invitation, chewing her lip in contemplation. She had honestly thought they would all think her slightly insane after telling them all what had happened. Sure, she had physical evidence in the form of ornate and elegantly written invitation in her hands, but it could just as easily have been a prank from one of the younger girls. 

The more she thought about it the more she felt her desire to return grow. Not only had it been beautiful and peaceful down below, but Tom had been… exciting. He was intelligent and their conversation had been so wonderful. He had truly listened to what she had to say, and she wanted more of that. More escape and if she was lucky... a little romance before her fate was sealed. 

She sat up fully straight smiling “Alright, let’s go.”