The early morning light filtered through the large windows of Malfoy Manor, casting soft, pale hues over the Manor's elegant interior. Ruby stirred from her slumber, her heart fluttering with excitement as she remembered what day it was—the New Year's Eve Ball. With a smile playing on her lips, she quickly got out of bed and slipped on a cozy robe before stepping out into the hallway.

As she wandered through the corridors of the Manor, her eyes widened in awe at the transformation that had taken place. The Manor had become a veritable Winter Wonderland, with twinkling lights, enchanted snowflakes that shimmered in the air, and silvery garlands woven across the railings. Dobby and a few other house elves scurried about, decorating with delicate icicles and wreaths of evergreen, their magic filling the air with the scent of pine and cinnamon.

Ruby paused at the top of the grand staircase, taking it all in. It's beautiful... She thought, her excitement building for the evening ahead.

"Ruby, darling," came Narcissa's soft voice, pulling her from her thoughts. Ruby turned to see Narcissa standing near the entryway, overseeing the house elves' work with her usual graceful poise.

"Good morning, Auntie Cissa," Ruby greeted, her eyes sparkling from the wonder of the Manor's transformation.

Narcissa smiled warmly. "Good morning, dear. I see you're as impressed as I am with how the Manor looks." She paused, glancing at the bustling elves. "Could you wake Draco, Harry, and Hermione for me? We'll have breakfast in the dining room shortly with Lucius and Lord Hector."

Ruby nodded eagerly. "Of course!" She excused herself and headed back upstairs, excitement carrying her steps.

She arrived at Draco's door first, knocking gently before stepping inside. The room was still dim, and Draco, half-buried under his blankets, groaned as he woke up.

"Draco, time to get up," Ruby said with a grin. "Wear something comfortable for now. We will have breakfast with your parents and Hermione's guardian."

Draco blinked a few times, slowly sitting up as he processed her words. "Breakfast already?" He stretched, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Alright, I'll get dressed."

Satisfied that he was up, Ruby moved on to Hermione's room. She knocked gently and entered to find her friend just beginning to stir.

"Hermione!" Ruby said excitedly. "You have to see the Manor—it looks amazing! They've transformed it into a Winter Wonderland for tonight."

Hermione sat up, her brown curls falling over her shoulders as she rubbed her eyes. "A Winter Wonderland?" she repeated, curiosity piqued. "I can't wait to see it."

"Come on, get dressed!" Ruby urged, already imagining the breakfast that awaited them.

Finally, Ruby made her way to Harry's room. She knocked softly and pushed the door open. To her surprise, Harry was already awake, sitting in bed with a grumpy expression. His dark stare sent a chill down her spine, but the moment his eyes landed on Ruby, his demeanor shifted. The darkness faded, and a calmness settled over him.

"Good morning," Ruby said, a bit more softly now, stepping into the room. "The Manor looks beautiful, Harry. They've decorated it for tonight—snowflakes, icicles, everything! You should see it."

Harry's grumpy mood melted away entirely at the sound of Ruby's excited voice. He smiled faintly, his heart softening as he watched her enthusiasm. "Sounds like something I need to see," he said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Thanks for waking me up."

Ruby smiled brightly, glad to see him in better spirits. "Get dressed, and I'll see you downstairs."

As she turned to leave, Harry's eyes lingered on her, fondness evident in his gaze. He knew how much tonight's ball meant to Ruby and was determined to ensure everything went perfectly. He wasn't going to let anything spoil the night.

After waking everyone, Ruby returned to her room to get dressed, slipping into something comfortable but elegant for breakfast. Her excitement for the day ahead was noticeable as she imagined the ball later that evening—the laughter, dancing, and joy filling the Manor.

Downstairs, the dining room awaited, with Narcissa, Lucius, and Hector already seated at the grand table. The room was bright with natural light, and Dobby and the house elves set up the table with an array of delicious breakfast foods: freshly baked pastries, eggs, sausages, fruits, and pitchers of pumpkin juice and tea.

When Ruby entered, followed by Draco, Hermione, and Harry, they were greeted with warm smiles. "Good morning, everyone," Narcissa said, waving them to their seats.

"Good morning," Ruby greeted, her eyes flicking between Narcissa and Hector, who sat at Lucius's side.

Ruby glanced around the room as they took their seats, excitement buzzing within her. Tonight's ball would be magical, but for now, she was grateful to be surrounded by friends and family, sharing a peaceful moment before the magnificence of the evening.

After breakfast, Ruby and Harry stepped outside into the crisp winter air, wrapped in warm clothing to ward off the cold. The backyard of Malfoy Manor was blanketed in fresh snow, the enchanted decorations casting a soft glow over the pristine landscape. Snowflakes danced lazily down from the sky, adding to the already magical atmosphere of the day.

Walking side by side, Ruby and Harry admired the snowy scene. The air was still, and the Manor's gardens looked otherworldly in their winter coat, with trees sparkling under the weight of delicate frost.

"This is beautiful," Ruby murmured, her breath visible in the cold air.

Harry smiled at her. "It's peaceful. It's hard to believe tonight the Manor will be filled with music and laughter." He glanced at Ruby, noticing she seemed quieter than usual.

Ruby's mind, however, was elsewhere. As much as she loved the winter wonderland around them, her thoughts drifted back to Hogwarts—to Fluffy and the trap door she and her friends had discovered. She couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her since learning that the three-headed dog was guarding Nicholas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone. And worse, the terrifying realization that the stone was something Lord Voldemort would stop at nothing to get his hands on.

Her heart tightened. She bit her lip, feeling a surge of guilt. Lord Voldemort... she thought with shame. The dark wizard was distantly related to her, which always conflicted with her. But now, with the threat looming over her and Harry, it felt more personal than ever.

She glanced at Harry, oblivious to her inner turmoil, smiling softly as he admired the snow. Her chest clenched tighter. She remembered the prophecy connecting him to Voldemort, and she didn't want anything to happen to him.

I have to stop him, Ruby resolved in her heart. I have to find a way to get the stone before Voldemort does—before he can hurt Harry...or anyone else.

She looked up at Harry with a conflicted gaze, her thoughts weighing heavily on her.

Sensing something was off, Harry turned and saw the worry across her face. "Ruby?" he asked gently, coming to a stop. "What's wrong?"

Ruby hesitated momentarily, then sighed, her breath clouding the air. "It's just...everything at Hogwarts. The Philosopher's Stone... Voldemort... I can't stop thinking about it, Harry. I'm worried about what might happen." She paused, looking at him with a mix of fear and determination. "I'm scared that he'll find a way to get the stone, and I don't know what we'll do if he does."

Harry's expression softened as he listened. He reached out and gently placed a gloved hand on her cheek, his touch comforting in the cold air. "Ruby, we'll figure it out. I promise you," he said with quiet conviction. "I won't let anything happen to you. And we're not going to let Voldemort get that stone. We'll find a way to stop him—together."

His words soothed her anxiety, and she managed a small smile, leaning into his touch for a brief moment. "Thank you, Harry. I don't want to lose you or anyone else."

"You won't," Harry reassured her. "We'll get through this."

Meanwhile, Draco and Hermione were settled comfortably in the library inside the Manor. Draco had been reading through an old text while Hermione, ever the bookworm, was absorbed in her book. They were discussing one of Draco's curiosities—Muggle films—and how they might compare to enchanted portraits at Hogwarts.

"So, in these films, the images move like the portraits?" Draco asked, sounding skeptical as he closed his book and leaned back.

"Well, not exactly," Hermione explained. "It's more like... the images tell a story. They don't interact with you the way portraits do. It's a form of entertainment."

"Hm, interesting," Draco mused. "I suppose I'll have to see one for myself."

Just then, Draco caught sight of Ruby and Harry outside through the window. The two were standing close, clearly in the middle of a heartfelt moment. A smirk curled at the corner of his lips as an idea formed in his head. Setting his book aside, he stood up and went to the door.

"Draco, where are you going?" Hermione asked, suspicious of the mischievous glint in his eye.

"Oh, you'll see," he said with a smirk, grabbing a handful of snow from outside and forming it into a snowball.

Hermione quickly caught on. "No, Draco, don't—" But before she could stop him, he had already thrown the snowball straight at Harry, hitting him squarely on the back.

Harry turned around, startled, his expression shifting from surprise to playful annoyance. "Draco!" he shouted, though a smile tugged at his lips.

"Got you!" Draco called out, already grabbing more snow.

Ruby giggled as Harry brushed the snow off his coat, his green eyes glinting with amusement. "Alright, Draco, you asked for it," Harry said, scooping up a handful of snow.

In no time, a full-blown snowball fight had erupted between the four of them. Ruby and Harry teamed up against Draco and Hermione, though Hermione half-heartedly protested as Draco dragged her into the fray.

"Draco, I didn't sign up for this!" Hermione cried as she dodged a snowball aimed at her.

"Oh, come on, Hermione, it's fun!" Draco replied, laughing as he hurled another snowball at Harry.

Inside the Manor, Narcissa, Lucius, and Hector watched the scene unfold from one of the large windows overlooking the yard. Narcissa smiled fondly, her eyes soft with affection for the children. "They're making such sweet memories," she said.

Lucius nodded in agreement, his usually stern expression lightened as he observed Draco and his friends. "Indeed. It's moments like these that they'll remember for years to come."

Hector chuckled. "It's good to see them having fun, especially with everything happening in the Wizarding World."

As the snowball fight continued outside, laughter echoed through the winter air, and the children reveled in the joy of the moment, knowing that tonight, the New Year's Eve Ball, would mark the beginning of something new.

Several hours passed in blissful fun as Ruby, Harry, Hermione, and Draco spent the day making snow angels, having snowball fights, and enjoying the winter wonderland around them. But now, the time had come to prepare for the grand event everyone eagerly anticipated—the New Year's Eve Ball.

With her usual grace and warmth, Narcissa took the girls to her bedroom, where two stunning dresses and matching heels, neatly laid out on the bed, awaited them. Ruby and Hermione's excitement grew as they took in the sight of their elegant attire.

Hermione's dress was a vision of winter elegance. It was a shimmering silver gown adorned with delicate snowflake designs that sparkled as they caught the light. The soft blue and white accents gave her the ethereal look of a Christmas angel. Her curly brown hair had been expertly braided, with small snowflake pins woven into the braid, giving her the appearance of a graceful angel from atop a Christmas tree. Silver heels added a touch of understated elegance to her ensemble to complete the look.

Ruby's gown was the perfect contrast, a deep royal blue that made her fiery red hair stand out even more brilliantly. The dress's color brought out her sapphire blue eyes, and how it flowed around her frame made her look regal. Narcissa styled her hair into delicate waves that cascaded down her back, and a crystal forehead piece adorned her, giving her the appearance of an actual princess. Her black heels and the light, natural makeup complemented the gown perfectly, accentuating her fair skin.

As Narcissa looked at the girls, fondness and nostalgia swept her. She had always dreamed of moments like this—helping her daughter prepare for a grand event. But fate had given her something different, something just as beautiful. In Hermione and Ruby, she had found daughters in her heart. With a soft smile, she stepped back and admired them.

"You both look breathtaking," Narcissa said warmly, her eyes glistening with pride. "I couldn't have asked for more beautiful daughters tonight."

The girls exchanged grateful smiles with her, feeling the warmth of her words.

Meanwhile, Lucius and Hector took Harry and Draco to Draco's room to help them get into their tuxedos. The men styled each boy's tux to match their date's attire. Draco's tuxedo mirrored Hermione's dress, with silver accents and a sharp, sophisticated cut. He looked every bit the aristocratic young wizard he was, yet there was a subtle excitement beneath his usual composure.

Harry's rich midnight blue tuxedo perfectly complemented Ruby's royal blue gown. He adjusted the collar with anticipation and nervousness, his mind racing about the night ahead. It felt like a special moment, one that he would remember forever.

Lucius and Hector left the boys to wait at the bottom of the grand staircase as they greeted the arriving guests. The ballroom began to fill with the prestigious and influential members of the Wizarding World. Dobby and the other house elves dutifully escorted the guests to the ballroom, ensuring the ball would go off without a hitch.

Draco and Harry casually conversed about the evening ahead as they stood at the foot of the stairs. Draco, ever the well-informed host, began briefing Harry on the various influential figures in attendance.

"My parents invited the most prominent families and officials of the Wizarding World," Draco said. "Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, will be here, along with the Bulstrodes, Carrows, Crouches, Flints, Greengrasses, Parkinson's, Rowles, Yaxleys, and Zabinis."

Harry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He'd heard of most of these families—many had been involved in both sides of the Wizarding War. He knew that people would look at him as something of a celebrity, the Boy Who Lived, the one who defeated Voldemort as a baby. But the idea made him uncomfortable. He wanted them to know he was like anyone else—a wizard who had lost his parents in the war.

Before he could dwell too much on it, a sound from the top of the staircase drew his attention. Both boys looked up as Ruby and Hermione descended the stairs.

Ruby and Hermione stood at the top, radiant in their gowns. Hermione shyly waved at Draco, who stood frozen for a moment, his expression a mix of awe and something deeper. She looked like an angel to him, her silver dress shimmering in the dim light, her smile warm and genuine.

Draco's thoughts raced. He hadn't expected to be so captivated. I never thought I'd have a reason to put somebody else first... But there she is... My future in her eyes. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she came closer, feeling a rush of emotions he hadn't reasonably anticipated. He had always prided himself on his calm demeanor, but tonight, with Hermione, it was different. She wasn't just a friend or an intellectual equal—he saw her in a new light, making his heart race.

Across from him, Harry couldn't stop staring at Ruby. She looked... well, perfect. Her royal blue dress brought out the beauty of her fiery hair and sapphire eyes, and how she carried herself tonight made her seem almost otherworldly. He was spellbound, his heart beating faster as she smiled at him.

I can't take my eyes off you, Harry thought. His mind filled with words he couldn't quite say aloud. You make me feel things I never knew were possible. There was no denying how deeply he cared for her, and seeing her tonight only intensified those feelings.

Ruby and Hermione finally reached the bottom of the staircase, and the boys, still in awe, couldn't help but smile.

"You both look... incredible," Harry said, his voice soft, unable to tear his gaze away from Ruby.

Draco, too, found himself lost for words, his usual bravado replaced by something more genuine. "Hermione... you look like... an angel."

Hermione blushed at his compliment, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away for all four of them. The magic of the evening, the snow-covered grounds, and the grand ballroom awaiting them—it all promised to be a night they would never forget.