The Portrait's Secret
Chapter 1: The Unveiling
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The silhouettes of two bodies slumped on the cold stone steps, one holding the other as they drift into the serenity of time.
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Click.
Click.
Click.
The Minister of Magic grasps his fiancée's hand, gives it a reassuring squeeze. This is her first time that they would publicly announce their relationship to the Wizarding World. She gives him a weak smile and he steps out of the limousine.
Click.
Click.
The reporters frantically snap shots of them, a few even bold enough to shove their wands in front of them, requesting for an interview. The Minister of Magic walks through the throng of reporters calmly, while she has her death grip on him. As they enter the marble museum, the double doors open automatically for them. The red carpet leads to the main hall, where all of the reporters and other ministers have already gathered. The Minister of Magic carefully pries the grip off him, and slips her arm gracefully into the crook of his elbow. He straightens his robes, and enters the hall.
A marble rostrum stands at the front, and he fixes his gaze on it. As they travel down the red carpet, the audience stands. A few familiar faces are among the crowd, and they smile at them. The stunning lady slides her hand off his, and sits down gracefully with her legs tucked behind each other. She places her hands on her lap and gazes at her fiancé.
He steps behind rostrum, gives one more loving glance to her, and starts speaking.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time off to be here, the unveiling of The History of Magic Museum."
The audience applauded, some flashing smiles in his direction.
Thank you. However before I unveil the masterpiece chosen, I would like to make an announcement."
He steps off the rostrum and heads towards his fiancée.
"For the past few years, this gorgeous young lady has taken my heart. She has been the only love of my life, and I am proud to announce that she has agreed to marry me. I present, Miss Hermione Granger!"
The audience claps wildly and a few wolf-whistles erupt through the applause.
Ron slips his arm around her waist and pulls her in for a kiss. The reporters all crowd around them, all in frenzy. Their bodyguards hold them back, while they share their kiss. As they part, Hermione blushes deeply and returns to her seat, while Ron returns to the rostrum.
"Thank you once again. Now, back to the main event, this masterpiece was painted by the great Anthony Decouver, the famous Seer. Tragically he passed away two months ago, but his legend still remains. I present to you, Mortal Demise by Anthony Decouver!"
Ron dramatically pulls the tassel and the royal blue curtain slips of the giant painting. The crowd gasps at the splendor of the portrait. It spans 2 meters by 3 meters, framed with gold plates. Some even stand up to have a clear view of it.
"The portrait depicts two lovers, tragically killed by a jealous rival. Their love still stands, to their death."
Hermione is awe-stuck by the portrait. She can feel sadness, jealously but with a hint of love radiating from it. The curator levitates the portrait into the main entrance, where it is fixed onto the marble wall.
"Shall we adjourn to the grand entrance for tea?" Ron said amicably.
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Hermione nibbled into the strawberry as she smiled at Harry's joke. She recognized many faces there, Harry, Ginny, Neville (who had become the Minister of Herbology), Cho and Luna. All of them had rose to take official positions, Harry was the Minister of the Magical Sport Department, Cho headed a fashion line and Luna co-founded S.P.E.W with Hermione. Ginny worked for a Quidditch club, the Chudley Cannons.
Hermione excused herself and headed to the bathroom. As she was heading there, she bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry!" Hermione apologized.
"No really, its fine," came a deep voice. She found the voice familiar, but could not place it. She looked up and a man came into view.
"Draco Malfoy." Hermione gasped. He had changed, his had no more malice in his tone, and his eyes were not as cold as before. He towered over her, and she could see that he had taken care of his body.
Draco studied the woman in front of him, she had changed. Her bushy hair was reduced to loose curls framing her elegant face. The rest of it was up in a loose bun. She had more womanly curves now, however they were not exaggerated, unlike Pansy's.
"Evening Granger."
"Good evening." She said pleasantly.
They stared at each other in silence, until Pansy appeared, in her pink frilly low-cut dress.
"Drakie-poo! Where've you been?" She stopped when she saw Hermione there.
"Mudblood! What do you think you're doing?" She stepped in between them, and grabbed Draco possessively.
"Draco's mine you dirty little mudblood." She hissed. Hermione was outraged, however, before she could retort. Draco stepped in.
"Leave her Pansy, and behave yourself." Pansy scowled as she gave one menacing glare at Hermione, and left.
"I apologize for that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to." Draco said.
"It's alright. Nice meeting you." Hermione smiled as she replied.
Draco just nodded and left. However, Hermione was certain she saw a hint of a smile gracing his lips. Smiling, she shook her head and went to look for Ron. She saw him chatting with the museum's curator, and went up to them.
"Nice museum this is." She said as she approached them. She gave Ron a peck on the cheek and greeted the curator.
"Evening Miss Granger, now, I have to attend to something, nice meeting you Minister." He said politely and walked away.
"Ron, guess who I saw." Hermione asked. Ron nuzzled her neck and said, "Who?"
"Draco Malfoy." Immediately, she felt Ron stiffen.
"Malfoy?" He asked, not believing it. She nodded.
"He has changed, Ron, as you can see."
They turned around and Draco came into view. He was smiling as he talked to the museum curator. His stance indicated that he still thought highly of himself. Pansy was lingering around him, but he paid no attention to her. As the curator left, he inclined his back slightly, and turned around.
Ron turned back to Hermione and said, "It seems so."
Draco approached them. "Good evening Minister, Miss Granger." He said as he nodded at Hermione who nodded back. "Nice museum this is, I wonder though, why did you pick a Seer's portrait?"
"I'm glad you asked. According to his last words, there is a prophecy behind the portrait. It almost seems as if the prophecy will come true."
"Oh really? That's interesting."
They conversed for a while, and Hermione was smiling all the way. She was glad that the animosity between them was gone.
"Mr Malfoy, how could we contact you? You know, for old times sake?" Hermione asked.
"Oh right, here, take my business card." Draco reached into his pocket and fished out a plain white card, with his company, The Malfoy Coporation, printed on it.
Hermione reached out her hand and accepted the card.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
"You'll have to excuse us Mr Malfoy, we have other business to attend to."
"It's alright Minister, congratulations on your engagement Miss Granger." He said with a friendly twinkle in his eye.
As Ron escorted Hermione out of the museum, he said, "Malfoy seems to be indifferent now."
Hermione nodded as she climbed into the limousine.
Some miracles really do happen.
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My new fanfiction! This is so much better than The Other Side Of You, don't you think?
whenitallfallsapart