Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter.
Draco stifled yet another yawn as a petite blonde attempted to capture his attention.
"Please to meet you, Mr. Malfoy," she said, batting her eyelashes coyly. "I've heard nothing but great things about you."
"I'm sure you have, Miss," he replied glancing at his parents. His eyes narrowed. God I hope this little charade ends soon.
"Well, I guess I'll leave you then," the young woman said, sighing. She had been rambling on for at least five minutes before she realized he wasn't interested.
Draco nodded as he watched her walk over to a gentlemen standing next to the begonia. He moved through the crowd, hearing his name whispered among the many people. He walked out onto the balcony and let out a sight. He ran his fingers through his plantinum hair as he looked up at the starry sky.
So this is my parents idea of a welcome home party. My life has just begun and they're already trying to marry me off.
The Malfoy family had gained back most of their respect in the five years Draco had been gone. He left after the war in order to continue his magical education, researching, hoping to find a cure to the after effects of the Cruciatus curse (i.e nightmares, phantom pains, etc.). After five years, it was in his twenty-second year that he decided to return home, his research put on hold because he had hit yet another dead end.
He had come home hoping, perhaps, he would discover something beneficial to him. But, alas, his parents, though extremely happy to see him, were making it difficult for him. They insisted on holding a "welcome home" ball; Draco knew it was just a guise to help him find a bride. He always told himself that if he was to marry, it wasn't just going to be some arranged thing his parents organized. He was going to do it on his own time, and for love. Besides, he wasn't expecting to wed anytime soon. His job was much more important to him.
"Draco Malfoy," a baritone voice said behind him.
Draco turned and allowed a grin to cross his face. "Harry Potter!" he said, shaking hands with the handsome man before him. "Never thought I'd see you step foot inside Malfoy Manor."
"Times change, mate," he said, winking. "I believe you know my wife."
"Ah, big surprise, Potter," he said, kissing the knuckles of the stunning red head. "Ginny Weasley."
"Potter, actually," she said, giggling.
"Why yes, of course. My apologies, Mrs. Potter," he said, smirking.
"And you remember Ron," Harry said, clearing his throat nervously.
Ron came into view, a hand shoved in his slack pocket. He cleared his throat and nodded to Malfoy, ignoring his hand. "Malfoy," he said shortly.
Draco put his rejected hand at his side and turned his attention back to Harry. "And where might be your other friend, Miss Granger?"
Ron's face fell slightly and Ginny glanced at her feet.
"Hermione? Ah, she left around the same time you did, mate, maybe a year after," Harry said. "She left for America to further expand her knowledge in Potions."
"Potions? Well isn't that something," he said, surprised.
"Yes indeed. She writes as often as she can, and being Hermione, it's more than enough. As you can tell my my comrades faces, we all miss her terribly."
Draco grinned. "Really? Nah, I couldn't tell." The four of them couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"How about you? I've heard rumors, but I won't believe them until I hear it from the man myself."
"Yes, Draco," Ginny said excitedly. "Something to do with the Cruciatus curse..?"
"Right you are, Mrs. Potter," Draco said, winking.
"That's marvelous, Draco," she said looking up at Harry who was nodding.
"Spectacular, mate," he agreed.
"Enough about me. What about you three?" Draco asked, glancing over at Ron, who had turned his attention to the crowd.
"Well Gin here is currently working towards her Healer degree and doing marvelous, I might add." she blushed and smacked him playfully. "Ron's head of the Law Enforcement Office and as for myself, I'm head Auror."
"Auror? Still having trouble, then?" Draco frowned.
"Yeah, every now and then there's a spot of Dark magic around. Some old fashioned wizards and witches up to no good. Haven't accepted change."
"I see," he said, glancing towards his parents.
"No worries, mate," Harry said, noticing Draco's gaze. "Lucious may still have an opinion of what goes on in this world, but he's yet to act upon it again."
Draco looked back at Harry. "Good, good," he said. He saw Ron's red hair in the crowd, dancing with the petite blonde he met earlier. "Well, Harry, I hate to keep you from the party..."
Harry chuckled. "I suppose. I best get this gal on the dance floor a time or two."
"Pleasure talking to you, Harry," he said, shaking his hand once more. "You two enjoy yourselves."
Harry took Ginny by the hand and led her through the sea of people. Draco couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. The two obviously had a strong love. He entered the hall once again, this time noticing the people. Luna Lovegood was looking radiant in a light purple gown, her golden locks tumbling down her back. She had somehow caught the youngest Weasley boy's attention; they were chatting privately in a corner. Neville Longbottom danced somewhat coordinately with a dark headed witch; Daphne and Astoria Greengrass held the attention of a group of men, both girls dressed stunningly; Gregory Goyle carried on a conversation with his Mother and Draco's parents. Draco noticed witches and wizards from all Houses of Hogwarts, witches and wizards from all over Britan.
He sat down at the bar, observing the scene before him. Every now and then a witch would make her way over to him, begging for his attention, but would give up after realizing he wasn't interested. Draco finished off the rest of his drink, seriously considering marching over to his parents and telling them he was leaving.
"Why, Draco, you haven't said a word to be at all tonight," came the coy voice of Pansy Parkinson.
Draco turned and saw Pansy in a deep spegetti strapped red dress, her hair falling past her shoulders." You're looking good, Pansy," he said, smirking.
"Don't I always?" she said, taking the seat next to him. "Get me a drink, Draco." She smirked.
Draco muttered an order to the house elf behind the bar; with a pop, the drink appeared. He handed it to her.
She took it, her eyes scanning his face. "You don't look so bad yourself, Draco."
He gave her a half smile. He wouldn't admit it to her, but he thought he looked remarkable himself. His crisp white shirt was tucked into fitting black slacks, a black vest over top of it and a matching blazer showed off his broad shoulders. He added a black bow tie to top it all off. He chose to let his hair hang loose on his head tonight, as he had been for awhile.
"Where have you been, Draco? I haven't heard one word from you since you've been away," Pansy said, pouting her lips seductively.
Draco chuckled. "I've been busy, Pans. Not much time to keep in touch."
"Well, we have plenty of time to catch up," she said, her hand resting on his arm. "I've been doing nothing these past five years but waiting for your return, asking around but of course no one, not even your parents knew when you'd come back. So I just did what I could waiting..."
Draco nodded and spoke what words were neccessary as her voice trailed off. He finished another drink, when he glanced down the bar.
That's when he noticed her. She was positioned just right, so he could get a good view of her figure. She wore a floor length, strapless black sequiened gown, her hair piled up elegantly on her head, a few loose curls falling around her face. Her legs were crossed; he noticed her open toed black heels and caught a glimpse of her, what he had to assume, smooth tan legs. A silver bracelet dangled from her slender arm, a matching silver necklace around her neck. His eyes travelled to her face; her cheeks held a light blush, smokey eyeshadow around her eyes. Her lips, he noticed as she removed her drink from her mouth, were full and pink. He had no idea who she was, but she was breathtaking.
"Excuse me, Pansy," he said, his eyes not slipping from the mysterious woman's face. Pansy watched him walk over to her, her eyes filling with jealousy and hate.
"Excuse me, Miss, is this seat taken?" he asked the beauty.
She looked up at him a glimpse of surprise in her chocolate eyes. "No," she said, smiling.
Draco couldn't help but think her voice was somewhat musical. He slid into the seat next to her.
"Honestly, Lucious, this ball is poppycock. He's not enjoying himself at all," Narcissa Malfoy muttered to her husband. "It's pointless."
"Now, now, Cissa. All in good time, dear," Lucious said, taking a sip of his wine. "If he doesn't find one soon, arrangement is always an option."
"Don't be obsurd, Lucious. He's twenty-two years old. He will not stand for that."
Lucious sighed. "I know, my sweet, but that does not mean I won't try. We need an heir within the next year-"
"Yes, I know, the Malfoy name," she said quickly. "He's not bound to give up his research anytime soon, Lucious. Besides," she said, nodding her head toward the dance floor, "I don't think an arrangement will be neccessary. I believe some young witch has caught his attention."
"You look lovely this evening, by the way," Draco said as he guided her along the dance floor.
"Why thank you, Mr. Malfoy," the witch said, a blush creeping to her cheeks.
"I know I've been gone for awhile, but I must admit, I've never seen you around her before."
"Well, Mr. Malfoy, perhaps you haven't been looking in the right places," she said, smiling up at him.
He raised an eyebrow. "Call me Draco, please," he said. "Perhaps you're right, Miss. May I ask where you are staying?"
She grinned. "Far from here, Draco."
He chuckled. "And where would that be?"
"Just south of Diagon Alley. It's peaceful there, something I've been longing for," her brow furrowed and she bit her lip.
"Are you being coy with me on purpose, or do you just not want to tell me where you're staying?" he asked, laughing.
"No... And yes," she said, her smile reaching her eyes.
"Come now, Miss, a name perhaps?" Draco said, admiring the way her brown eyes sparkled.
"You can't have both, sir," she said, her cheeks heating up once again, the smile stretching on her face.
"What have you to hide?" he asked, pulling her closer to him.
"A girl can have her secrets, can't she?" she whispered, her back tingling from his touch.
"I suppose," he said, barely audible as his face inched toward hers.
He could feel her breath stop, sense her heart speeding up. She smelled of lavendar, a scent he would never forget, her skin was soft as he cupped her face. He ran his thumb over her full pink lips and saw them part ever so slightly for him. His lips inches from hers, she pulled away.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy," she said backing away from him, clutching her chest, walking into the entrance hall. "Please excuse me. I have somewhere I have to be."
"Please, you must tell me something," he almost begged as she reached for the door knob.
She smiled at him, as she turned the knob. "Alright," she said, opening the door. "You can find me in Ottery St. Catchpole."
He watched her disappear through the door, the image of her face planted into his mind.
She climbed the steps to her house, unlocking her door, and walking in. She looked around. It was just as she left it give or take some dust. She slid off her heels and headed to her room, slipping off her gown. Once she was comfortable, she headed to the kitchen, taking the tea kettle from the cabinet. She leaned against the counter, her arms crossed as she waited for the water to boil on the stove. She was lost in thought, thinking of the events that occured tonight and the unbelievable fact that no one had recognized her. I must've changed more than I realized.
A fierce knocking on her door brought her back to reality. "Coming!" she said as she quickly made her way to the door. She opened and saw a familar red head. "Ginny!"
"I knew you were back! I caught a glimpse of you leaving the Manor, so after Harry and I got home, I told him I was apparating over here. He thinks I'm full of it, but I knew it was you!" she hugged the witch infront of her.
"Come in, please Gin, I'll fix you some tea," she said as she heard the tea kettle whistle.
The two woman headed to the kitchen. Ginny pulled back a chair and sat down. "I bet you can't wait to see the rest of them! We all just missed you so much, Hermione."
Hermione smiled, and set a cup infront of the redhead, pulling out the chair across from her. "I know you did, and I missed you all as well," she said, grinning. "I'm glad to be back."
"So what have you been doing? No, that should be saved for all of us. I can't believe you knew about the welcome home party! And no one else talked to you, I assume? You looked absolutely stunning, by the way," Ginny said, a little too quickly.
"Thanks Gin," she said, fingering her teacup.
"What's wrong, Hermione? Did something happen while you were gone? You look so lost in thought," Ginny said, almost laughing.
"No, no, nothing like that at all," she said, biting her lip.
"Something at the party? Someone say something to you?"
"Well," Hermione said, looking up at her friend. "Draco Malfoy almost kissed me."
I totally blew the part with Lucious and Narcissa, I know. I wasn't really in their heads as much as I am others. Please review and tell me what you think! I hope this one actually goes somewhere. I have this one all planned out, unlike my last story, so all I need from you guys is your support! I'm hoping for at least 10 reviews before I post the other chapter. And I've already got it written, so you better feed my ego, lol. Enjoy!