The Ball

Mary and Ara had a great time getting ready with one another and were really excited about the ball. 

"I'm so happy everyone is going to stay after with us. What movies did you pick out?" Mary was twirling around in her gown around Ara's room. 

"Well, I have a couple. Hopefully, we can watch at least two. I have Titanic, Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, Jurrasic Park, and my personal favorite, The Notebook." Ara started twirling around the room with her friend. 

"I remember watching Notebook with you. I love that one." 

"I just hope that the boys don't pick any out because they like the opposite kinds of movies that we enjoy." Ara laughed, and Mary frowned. It was true. They like horror movies, which none of the girls liked. 

"So who's all staying?" Mary stopped twirling and sat down carefully on the bed. 

"Well, you and I, of course. Scorpius and Hyperion. Grace and Lila. Lily, Albus James. Lysander and Lorcan said they could. Hugo, Milly, and Margret. Molly cannot, and neither can Declan. Oh, and then your brother!"

"That's right. He was really excited when Scorpius asked him." 

"It should be fun. Plus, then we can stay up all night and talk about boys and paint our toes, just like in the movies." Ara smiled as she sat next to Mary. 

"Well, well," Draco had come into Ara's room, and the tears started forming in his eyes. "You both look lovely." 

Ara hopped off the bed and walked to her father, and gave him a big hug. She didn't care about messing up his suit. She loved him, and she was so happy that he was her father. 

"I love you, daddy," She smiled and whispered in his ear. 

"You have grown up so much darling," Draco looked at his daughter and sighed. He spun her around, and she giggled. How had she grown up already so much? She was turning out to be an amazing young woman. 

"Do you like my dress?" Ara stepped back so he could see the whole thing.

"It's wonderful," Draco couldn't help but let the tear fall from his eye. 

"Wow, girls," Scorpius and Hyperion walked in next to their dad. Mary blushed at Hyperion's comment, and Ara giggled. 

"You guys look wonderful," Scorpius smiled at the two girls that stood across from him. 

"You look great to brother," Ara smirked at her brothers. 

"Girls!" Hermione was yelling down from the landing, "There are people here to see you," 

Ara ran past her brothers and father. It was, of course, James and Declan. They were going to escort them in. Mary loved the idea, and so did Ara, but it was funny since it was her own house. 

"Careful, don't trip." Hermione smiled at the girls. She lit up when she saw how excited they looked. Ara and Mary went outside to the boys, and soon Scorp and Hyperion were waiting for their dates outside as well. 

"Wow," Declan loved Mary's dress and smiled at his friend. 

"You look very nice Declan," Mary took his outstretched arm, and they stood together there for a while. Both thought about how nice it was to have a friend who supported you. Mary loved that he came so she wouldn't be alone, and Declan loved that she accepted and supported him. 

"You look amazing," James pulled Ara in close and kissed her nose. Ara just blushed. She felt amazing in this dress. 

"Thank you, James."

"I love your dress, and I love you." He kissed her softly, and she savored every second of it.

"Hermione, how did they grow up so quickly?" Draco was slightly sad that his older set of triplets were almost done with Hogwarts. A few short months from being 17. He couldn't believe it. 

"I am not sure, but aren't you glad that they have had a happy childhood, a real childhood?" Hermione sunk into Draco's arms.

"It makes me incredibly happy," He kissed the top of her head. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes before the chimes went off and people started arriving. 

James and Declan escorted the girls in, and James did his best to firmly shake Draco's hand. It was like Draco was watching him or something. 

"It is wonderful to meet you," Hermione said to Declan, who looked in awe of Ara's mother. 

"You too, Mrs. Malfoy, thank you for having me."

"Any friend of Mary's is a friend of ours," Draco said politely. 

"Hello," Ara watched as Scorpius brought Lila in. Her Mother and Father greeted her warmly, and Ara smiled. She liked Ara and was happy to welcome her into the large group of friends. 

A little while later, Grace arrived, and Ara watched the scene unfold as before, only with Hyperion and Grace this time. More and more people arrived. And soon, everyone was there. 

"So what do you do at balls like these?" Lila had snuck up next to Ara and Mary. The boys had all gone to fetch drinks, and they were all sitting at a table together. 

"Well, there is a lot of dancing. Mother and Father sometimes make a speech. Really it is just a lot of dancing." Ara smiled at her friend. 

"And how are your brothers at dancing?" Grace asked.

"Wonderful," Mary answered by mistake. Lila and Grace looked at her funny, and Ara only laughed. It was true. 

"We all took dancing lessons when we were younger. Required for a proper Malfoy upbringing, my Grandmother always told my parents. So it is true what Mary says. They are really good at it." 

Lila and Grace smiled at Ara and looked around for their dates. They wanted to see this first hand. 

"Here you go love," James brought back something to drink for Ara, and Declan wasn't far behind. He looked like he was settling in with the group, and Mary was glad about that. 

"Thank you, James," Ara smiled and kissed her boyfriend's cheek as he sat down. The four talked a little while after Lila and Grace left to find Scorp and Hyperion.

"So, how do you feel about them?" James asked suddenly.

"Well, Lila is nice; I've been rooming with her for 6 years." Ara looked at her boyfriend, quizzically.

"I'm not sure how I feel about Grace." he finally said in a whisper, "Mary has your brother said anything about her?"

Mary looked up and shook her head, no. She hadn't talked to Lucus about Grace because she didn't want him to lose a friend if she said anything negative about her. Lucus would never talk to someone Mary didn't like.

"She seems nice enough," Ara shrugged. James mimicked her shrug and then got up.

"Would you like to dance?" He smiled at Ara and offered his hand. She smiled, nodded, and took his outstretched hand all in one motion. They went to the dance floor, and James spun her around gracefully.

"You've been practicing," Ara smiled at her boyfriend. He used to be a terrible dancer, and now he was pretty good.

"Just for you, my love," James teased. Hyperion and Scorpius had been giving him some tips. He actually was enjoying learning. Something he didn't think was going to happen.