Chapter One: The Lady in Waiting

Hermione took a second look at herself in the mirror. She could barely recognize the lady in the mirror. Could it really be herself?

She looked gorgeous in her light green gown and done up hair. The simple jewelry that graced her neck and hair did not steal the attention away from her delicate heart shaped face and large hazelnut eyes. The dress was low cut, showing off her slim neck and collarbones. The neckline was much lower than what she is used to, for her normal day-dress kept her well-covered, but she had to admit, the slight off-shoulder look truly made her feel like one of those noble women that she secretly admires.

Not that she was one. A noble woman.

Ginny on the other hand, was daughter of Baron Weasley, and her status as a lady was bestowed to her upon birth. She on the other hand, was just an orphan that Baroness Weasley rescued off the streets of England when she was three years old. Bless their souls, they treated her as their second daughter amongst their flock of five boys.

But she couldn't dismiss the feeling in the back of her mind. She sighed and decided to voice out the concern that had been nagging her all morning.

"Ginny, I'm having second thoughts about this arrangement… are you sure you want me to join you?" she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.

"Why not?" the ginger-haired beauty asked. "Luna is as much your friend as she is mine, I'm sure she wouldn't mind you joining her coming-out-party."

Hermione still looked unconvinced and she dropped her gaze to the floor. "I'm your lady-in-waiting, Ginny, your confidant, your playmate… social norms would not allow me to be in attendance of Luna's party. It's not in my place to."

"Oh, Hermione," Ginny frowned and quickly moved over to join Hermione. Ginny took quick, but lady-like steps, and with her light pink gown, she looked as if she fluttered over to Hermione.

She reached for the older girl's hands and held it in hers. "Hermione, listen to me. You're like a sister to me, and my parents would love nothing more than to have you as their daughter. You know that."

"But in the end, I'm still not their daughter." Hermione interjected. " I'm a Granger, not a Weasley. I just… don't want to be the reason for other nobles to think ill of your family."

"To hell with what other people think!" Ginny cried with vigor.

Hermione gasped at her lady's vulgar language. "Ginny! Your language!"

"It's alright, we're alone." Ginny smiled, and Hermione shook her head and laughed in return.

A/N: Hello Readers! I wanted to write something in the Alternative Universe space with light bite-sized chapters updated more frequently while I'm thinking through my two main HP stories. This is a pilot chapter to gauge interest. So let me know if you're interested with a review or follow!

Chivalric Ranks:

1. King - 2. Archduke - 3. Grand Duke - 4. Duke - 5. Earl - 6. Viscount - 7. Baron - 8. Knight - 9. Esquire - 10. Gentleman