~You've Got to Be Kidding Me~

"Mum, you've got to be kidding me! I AM NOT and WILL NOT go to the Wizarding Social with ….. a –a Malfoy," regarded Hermione in disgust.

"HERMONIA ANASTASIA GRANGERVITCH!" yelled Hermione's mother, Helena, "I do not mind you going with Mr. Potter or Mr. Weasely but you have an obligation to uphold your family tradition! No female, on my side of the family, has ever gone to a Wizarding Social by themselves."

"But Mum, you know how he's treated me in the past, without knowing my lineage! You, nor I should trust him," stated Hermione calmly.

"Narcissa is your Godmother and 'YOU', of all people, should know that Mr. Malfoy was forced by his father," added Helena.

For a few minutes, Hermione relooked the matter at hand. She then gave her answer to her mother and reconsidered; agreeing to go with Draco to the Wizarding Social.

"Guess I'm going to the social with Draco…. Augustus …..Mal-Malfoy ….SICKENING," admitted Hermione in disgust as she walked into the hallway.

"Draco has just arrived Hermonia," yelled Helena in a cheerful voice.

"Mum, please don't say that name nor my middle name, its embarrassing," Hermione whispered, appearing next to her mother at the bottom of the stairwell.

"Oh shush Hermonia," laugh Helena.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione opened the door to see Narcissa and Draco waiting on the front step. Narcissa wore a smile and Draco wore a smile as well, different from the smirk he usually wore. He looked less stressed and calmer; it was as if something was lifted off his shoulders.

"Oh Hermonia; good to see you my child," stated Narcissa, reaching for a hug.

"You too Narcissa," answered Hermione, hugging Narcissa back.

"So where are we going?" asked Draco.

"Diagon Alley," replied Hermione, breaking the hug and walking towards the carriage.

"She still hates me doesn't she," sighed Draco, his shoulders slumped down.

"Sadly… yes. You should have been nicer to her even though it was Lucius' doing," answered Helena, putting a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"I couldn't, Lucius had a charm on me," stated Draco.

Putting a hand on his other shoulder, Narcissa lead him to the carriage. Once inside, the carriage headed over to Diagon Alley. During the ride, the only ones talking were Narcissa and Helena. When they finally reached Diagon Alley, Hermione was the first one to speak.

"Can I go to Fred & Gorge's store?" Hermione asked.

"Yea but don't take too long and Draco will go with you," answered Helena.

"Fine, come on Malfoy," said Hermione, grabbing Draco's wrist.

Running thru the crowded Diagon Alley, they finally reached Fred and Gorge's store. Letting go of Draco's wrist, Hermione faced him.

"When I go in wait 5 to 10 minutes then enter, got it?" stated Hermione in a serious tone.

Walking away from Draco, Hermione walked towards the store and went inside. After 11 minutes, Draco entered receiving warm and kind smiles when he did. While he was on the first floor, Hermione was on the third floor talking to her friends.

"Hello boys," she stated crossing her arms with a smirk on her face.

"Hermione," said the Weasely twins at the same time, smiles on their faces.

Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Gabrielle joined the 'hi's' and hugs as the twins did before them.

"So what did your mum say about the social," stated Ron minutes later.

"I'm going with Malfoy," Hermione sighed in annoyance.

"Oh that's nice," stated Ron.

"WHAT!" yelled Hermione.

"Well he good reputation in our family 'Mione … he saved me and Ginny also helped Harry," admitted Ron, his casted down to the floor.

"Who are you going with then?" asked Hermione, her anger dialing down.

"Pansy Parkinson ….we've been…uh…dating for …uh… a year..." said Ron, his voice trailing off as he began to cringe in fear of being hit.

"One…YEAR! And you didn't tell me because?" Hermione questioned eagerly.

"Well, well, well isn't what a sight Mr. Draco Augustus Malfoy," said Fred slyly, "Nice to see ya again mate."

"You too, Fred; business is doing well I see?" he asked.

"Oh yeah, young and old are coming in… even international orders," stated George with a wink.

"We heard that 'Mione is your date to the social, correct?" questioned Fred.

"Yes, but she hates the idea," answered Draco.

"I see," the twins said at the same time.

"Malfoy, we need to go," whispered Hermione as she walked passed Draco.

Looking at her fingers, she counted down from 10 to 0. At zero he bid everyone goodbye and walked out of the store. Joining Hermione, they walked to the boutique where they found their mothers waiting outside of it.

"I walked up to the counter, they asked my full name, and handed me these… your nephew, Françoise, gave them to me," stated Helena, standing up to show her that she had two dress bags.

"Bloody hell, they did it for me…" she whispered under her breath, "Francoise and the others made the outfits mum when I told them that I wanted to do it."

"Oh that's why the style is so different... Anyways, Narcissa and I, we'll take these outfits home to be pressed. Do not go to work Hermonia, I repeat DO NOT go in there and work," ordered Helena, kissing Hermione's forehead.