Chapter 2:

"HERMIONE!" A voice shrieked over the clatter of plates and laughter, as a very pregnant redhead in a gorgeous green dress waddled over. "Where have you been? You were supposed to be here 15 minutes ago to help Pansy and I set up! Oh pie, is that pie? Oooh it's pecan, too! Love, I've missed you so much, how have you been? Sorry, stupid question, Harry told me about the job…" She chattered on and on, and finally, seeing the stricken look on Hermione's face, giggled loudly. "Sorry. It's just for the past few days Harry has been sticking by my side! I haven't had anyone else to talk to! Except for Teddy of course, but I think he's tired of me now… We left him at home with a babysitter." Hermione and Ginny were both giggling now.

"It's okay. I don't mind!" She smiled fondly at her friend. But then her brows furrowed. "But speaking of Pansy where is she? I haven't seen her yet…" Ginny patted her on the shoulder.

"She's upstairs getting ready for the party. If you want we can go see her?" The redhead suggested. Hermione nodded, and they walked upstairs and into the master bedroom, where Pansy was brushing her hair.

"Hermione! Ginny! Oh thank goodness you're here! I've been so nervous about this whole thing, and then I couldn't find my dress, and—" Pansy paused to take a breath, and narrowed her eyes at Hermione's feet. "Wait, why don't your shoes match?" Ginny glanced down, too.

"Oh yeah! Hermione what's up with that?" She asked, confused at Hermione's choice of footwear. Hermione herself looked down and had to stifle a groan. One of her heels was a bright shade of red, while the other was a deep navy blue with a purple zipper.

"It's a long story…" She finally said, trying to change the subject. "But enough about me, it's your engagement! Now let's see this dress of yours!" Pansy grinned and tossed her long ebony hair over one shoulder.

"Well, as I was saying before, I couldn't find the dress, but then it turned out Ron had put it in the sock drawer, Merlin knows why." She giggled. "Do you want to see it?" Ginny and Hermione both nodded encouragingly, and Pansy crossed the carpeted floor, of the bedroom, tossing Hermione a pair of dark blue heels as she did.

"Oof!" Hermione stumbled as she caught them, and then grinned. "Thanks!" She tossed her own shoes into a corner and slipped the new ones on, as she followed Pansy and Ginny into the closet. Then she gasped. On a slim mannequin sat a sheer royal purple dress, that flowed down to knee length and would undoubtedly look gorgeous with Pansy's hair and complexion. "Oh Pans! This one's a beauty! Put it on!" Pansy cast a quick spell, and in the blink of an eye was wearing the dress that had previously been on the mannequin. Wow, she looks amazing. I wish I looked that great. Stop whining. It's because you don't put any effort in! Yes I do! No you don't! What are you doing Hermione get a grip on yourself, you're arguing with yourself! Hermione and Ginny sighed as Pansy twirled around, her dress flaring around her.

"Okay, enough of this!" Pansy said laughing as she looked at their expressions. "Let's go downstairs now, everyone's probably waiting…" She quickly put on a pair of violet coloured satin pumps and the 3 of them traipsed downstairs.

"Pans! There you are!" A smiling redhead with the same complexion as Ginny quickly came over. He kissed Pansy quickly and hugged Hermione and Ginny, then put an arm around his fiancée. "Pans, some of your friends are here."

"Ronald!" She slipped out of his embrace and stood, staring up at him with angry eyes. He gulped, this did not look good. "How many times do I have to tell you: they are not my friends, they are our friends! Besides, Blaise is married to… if I recall correctly your friend Luna!" By this point, Pansy's face had acquired a lively but more angry blush, and Ginny and Hermione had to bite their tongues to keep from laughing. "And Draco has changed significantly!" At this, both Hermione and Ginny's smiles fell.

"Wait, the ferret is here?" Now it was Hermione and Ginny who earned the death stare. They both blushed and lowered their heads. Looking at them, Pansy's gaze softened.

"Look guys, he really has changed, I'm telling you!" She said, trying to reason with them all. "And if you can't believe me, at least try to be on your best behaviour. Please?" She pleaded now.

"Of course love. I'm sorry." Ron put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Any friends of yours are friends of mine." Then his gaze sharpened. "But if they try anything…"

"Oh you don't have to worry about that, if they try anything they'll have to deal with me. A very angry version of me." Pansy said threateningly. Ron burst out laughing, and she smiled up at him. "I love you." Ginny cleared her throat awkwardly and the couple looked at her, startled.

"Firstly, ew. Ron you're my brother, that's gross, I don't want to see it. And secondly, I have a craving for pickles and ice-cream. Do you have any?" Pansy giggled, and then took Ginny's hand, leading her to the kitchen.

"Soo…" Ron started awkwardly, trying not to blush. "How do you like the party?"

"It's wonderful! Truly beautiful!" A small smile graced her features. "I'm happy for you guys, you deserve this." His blush only deepened further. "I'm sorry I don't mean to embarrass you, but honestly. After the war, and losing so many people, you needed to find someone to love. And I'm not talking about me!" He chuckled, relaxing into the conversation.

"Well thanks", he said grinning, "it means a lot to have you here supporting us." And from there, the conversation flowed easily and they talked for many minutes until Pansy came to take Ron to dance. Hermione meandered over to the food and drink table, pouring herself a glass of sparkling lemonade, and and grabbing a couple brownies. Then she turned around and promptly walked straight into someone, knocking herself over in the process.

"Oh I really am so sorry!" She said hurriedly trying to pick herself up. She saw a hand extended to her, and gratefully accepted it. "Thank you so much I really am— Ferret?" It was no other than her extremely blond classmate from former years.

"Granger?" He yelped letting go of her hand. She dropped onto the floor with a not so elegant thud that was sure to leave a bruise later. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, it's no problem, I'm fine, thanks for the apology and the bruise I'm going to get! I'm here for the engagement party you idiot!" She shot back at him.

"Oh Merlin Granger, you haven't gotten any less melodramatic have you?" He said sarcastically as he hauled her off the ground.

"Thank you." She said blushing, as she dusted herself off. "Sorry I yelled at you."

"It's okay, I'm used to it. I was here early setting up for Pansy, and my ears hurt from her all of her screeching." He smiled and then his face took on a scared look. "Don't tell her I said that."

Hermione almost smiled and then said, "Well, you probably deserved it Malfoy."

"Granger I don't like you very much."

"Ferret!"

"Beaver!"

I'm out of insults what do I use… Ok first word that comes to my mind… And before she could stop herself she had snappishly said, "Death eater!" Oh Merlin, what have I done?

"Mudblood."

"You did not just—"

"Yes I did. Anyway I don't have to stay and listen to your insults any longer. I'm only here for Pansy, and her soon to be husband. Now if you'll excuse me, not that you're worth my presence, I have somewhere to be."

He turned and swept away, but not before Hermione could shout, "Where are you going? To visit your father in Azkaban?" Why did I say that? I'm supposed to be the kind one. That was uncalled for. I should apologize. He whipped around and stalked up to her until he was barely a centimetre away from her. She closed her eyes, afraid to look at him.

"I am nothing like my father." She heard a voice say. And then he was gone, before she could explain herself. Hermione excused herself from the party quickly telling Ginny that she had a long day, and needed some rest, apparating home as fast as she could. This has been one of the worst work days ever. Like ever. I insulted someone who is Pansy's friend, I lost my job, and on top of that, I don't know how I can keep this flat if I'm not making any money!

She kicked off Pansy's shoes at the foot of her plush, queen sized bed, and without washing off her makeup or brushing her teeth, flopped down and fell into a deep slumber.