Chapter four.

One more pina colada actually turned into three more. Making Hermione and Ginny later then they had originally planned. By the time they got to the banquet hall in the center of Edinburgh the band had started up, upbeat music pulsing throughout the room. While dashing waiters walked through the growing crowd, dressed smartly in white button downs and black slacks, trays of champagne balanced carefully in their hands. Standing just inside the open doors, the pair took in the loud room.

Closest to them, a trio of old wizards stood in matching blue dress robes. They appeared to be passing a long stemmed pipe between them, and arguing about the rights of centaurs. Grabbing her friends arm, Hermione gently pulled her in the other direction. 'Let's go this way! Everytime I see sir Evers, he tries to convince me to sign his petition legalizing lawful hunting of all centaurs.'

'That's barbaric!' Ginny cried, sending a scathing look over her shoulder. 'Does he honestly think people would sign off on that?'

'Last I knew, he already had 200 some signatures.' Hermione said sadly. The way some people treated other magical beings never ceases to amaze her. 'There's Neville! Maybe he's seen Harry?' Crossing to the tall man, the two smiled. 'Hello, Neville.'

'Hey.' He smiled at them, before taking in their appearances. 'Wow. I mean - you look.. holy.. amazing.'

'Holy amazing?' Ginny asked giggling, she raised a brow at him.

Nodding his head, the man offered them a shy smile, accompanied by a slight blush 'yeah. Who knew you guys would pull off Slytherin colors like that?'

'Yeah, who knew.' A voice said behind them.

Turning around, Ginny flashed a grin at her husband, before twirling on the spot. 'What do you think?' She asked, a smirk playing on her face.

Harry said nothing. Instead, he crossed to her and pulled her into a scorching kiss. The shorter girl stood even with him tonight, thanks to her heels, and was able to meet him in even ground. Pulling back, he gently cupped her cheek, and whispered in her ear.

Turning away from the pair, Hermione ignored the tightening in her stomach. Just because she didn't necessarily want a relationship, didn't mean she didn't miss the intimacy that came with one. Looking around her, she noticed the bar on the far wall. 'I'll catch up with you later. Gonna grab a drink.' Glancing over her shoulder, she watched the pair head for the dance floor, and Neville turn to a young woman she didn't recognize.

Sighing to herself, Hermione turned on a fake smile and crossed the room. Standing at the bar, she asked the bartender, Hannah Abbott, a pretty blonde girl she attended Hogwarts with, for a gin and tonic. 'Hermione?' Turning her head, she saw Pansy Parkinson squeeze in beside her. 'I thought that was you!'

'Pansy, hi.' Nodding to the blonde girl next to Pansy she asked, 'are you having fun?'

Shrugging a delicate shoulder, Pansy brushed at her bangs. 'Sure. If only I could convince Blaise for a dance.'

Laughing with the pair, Hermione asked, 'he's not big on dancing?'

'Unless it's the Macarena, no.' The blonde jokingly supplied, holding out her hand. 'Astoria Greengrass. I'm Pansys maid of honor.'

'It's nice to meet you. I'm -'

'Hermione Granger. I know.' The girl said eagerly. 'I was a year behind you guys in school. I thought your idea for S.P.E.W. was absolutely inspiring!'

'Really?' Turning to the pair fully, Hermione grinned, 'I feel like it went hugely under noticed when we were in school!'

'Oh, it definitely did!' The pretty young woman agreed. Running a hand down the front of her purple gown, the blonde shook her head. 'Which is crazy to me! With how many families still have house elves in their homes, you'd think they'd care more about the well being of their species!'

'Yes! Thank you!' Hermione nodded along, the drink in her hands momentarily forgotten. 'I'm happy with how well the community has received the program as a whole to be honest.'

Pansy chose that moment to interject. 'I'm not suprised, honestly. You started in on that almost immediately after the war. Everyone was extremely eager to jump on any bandwagon that shed them in a good light.'

Laughing, Hermione smirked at the pair. 'The thought had crossed my mind a time or two when it was being implemented.'

'How Slytherin of you.' A deep voice sounded directly behind her. Looking over her shoulder, Hermiones amber eyes met Dracos deep silver. 'And you more then look the part tonight. Green becomes you, Granger.'

Hermione felt her cheeks flush, 'thank you. You look nice as well.'

Chuckling to himself, he offered a small nod in acknowledgment, before looking at the girls over Hermiones head, 'Pans, Blaise is looking for you. Pretty sure he's had the right amount.' The brunette grinned and thanked him, before racing away to find her fiance. When Draco saw Hermiones arched brow, he chuckled. 'Blaise is a terrible dancer. He doesn't like to dance, so sober he throws any attempt to get out of it. And drunk, well he's way too sloppy to pull it off.'

Laughing softly, Hermione looked to the pair as they stepped on the dance floor. 'Ah, get him right before he's drunk and he makes for a perfect partner?'

'Something like that.' Draco said simply, as he studied the brunette before him.

'Draco, come dance with me!' Hermione glanced at Astoria, having forgotten that she was still standing there. Frowning when she heard the flirty tone take over the blondes voice.

'One dance, Tori.' The man behind her said. Watching them walk away, Hermione felt her frown deepen when Draco placed his hand on the womans lower back. He's certainly filled out since school, she thought wryly to herself. Sipping the drink she held, Hermione circled the outside of the room. Pausing at times to catch up with an old friend, or yet another person thanking her for the part she played in the war. Because apparently after seven years there were still people out there who had yet to offer their thanks.

Too bad no one thanked her for ruining her relationship with her parents, she gloomily thought to herself. Shaking off her sour mood, Hermione glanced at the dainty watch on her wrist. She gave it another half hour, forty-five minutes tops, before she could politely leave. Looking up, she spotted messy red hair she recognized. Staring at the back of the head across from her, she crossed to the tall man and wrapped her arms around his back. Sighing into his back, she closed her eyes.

''Mione?' The man asked, glancing down at the slightly tan arms around him. She felt him rub her arm, and sighed again.

Stepping away, she walked around him and smiled. 'I haven't seen you in awhile, Ron! Where have you been?'

'Sorry, 'Mione.' He replied. She ignored his use of the annoying nickname again. She didn't mind when Harry, or really anyone else used the name. But when Ron used it she would instantly be put on edge. Probably because ''Mione' is what he used to call her when he stopped paying attention while they were dating. 'The shop has been crazy busy as of late. And with George off, I've been flying solo lately.'

'Ooh. Have you any pictures of little Roxanne?' She asked, smiling softly. Hermione had a bad case of baby fever, and all her friends knew it.

'What kind of uncle would I be if I didn't?' Pulling out his beaten wallet, Ron pulled out a small stack of pictures. All of his nieces and nephews smiled at her from one photo of another. She traced a finger across one of a giggling James, and asked, 'How's Lisa?'

Ron had been dating Lisa Turpin for almost a year now. Lisa was a shy, studious girl. She had worked at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes for a couple months the summer previous. Remembering the last time the girl had joined her and Ginny for lunch, she smiled thinking back to the obvious love the girl felt for the tall man before her. 'Good, good.' Ron ran a hand through his long red hair. 'She got mandatory overtime at St. Mungos tonight, and was pretty bummed to miss out.'

'That stinks.' Hermione handed him back his pictures, and opened her mouth to ask how she liked working at the prestigious hospital. But was cut off before she even began.

'Wait. Is that bloody Malfoy?' Ron asked, craning his neck for a better look. 'Who invited him?'

'Ron!' Hermione chastised. 'Lower your voice!'

'I will not!' He said, glaring at the man across the room. 'He doesn't deserve to be here, 'Mione. Don't tell me you think he does?!' He argued, Looking at her with annoyed eyes.

'I don't really have an opinion on it, Ronald.' She argued back. Fisting her hands, she placed them on her hips, and looked up at him. 'But you and I both know thst Kingsley personally puts together the guest list. And if he's here, then obviously the Minister thinks he deserves to be here.'

'Bloody ridiculous.' Ron mumbled under his breath, before storming away.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione turned around, and met the all knowing gaze of Luna Lovegood. The blonde girl was wearing a bright green gown, with an actual orange woven into a choker tied around her neck. She had her arms wrapped around the neck of a tall suspicious looking man. 'Are Rons Hummerdings clouding his reasoning again?' She asked sympathetically, tutting under her breath. 'I told him to take a bath in tardium juice to help with that!'

x-X-x

Standing at the bar next to Blaise, Draco watched Ron Weasley storm away from an irritated looking Granger. He had been searching the room for the Minister when his gaze fell transfixed on her and Weaselbee. What had started out as a calm enough conversation had turned heated in seconds. And Draco could only guess why. The red head had met his gaze across the room, and Draco swore he could see the irritation his presence had caused the man clearly on his face.

Smirking into his drink, he watched grown up Granger stare at Loony Lovegood. The brunette looked a step away from either laughing, or screaming. Something about her is different from when they were in school, he thought. And he wasn't just referring to her appearance. She still looked the same. Her hair was neater, he admitted to himself. She seemed to have more confidence now then she ever had back then. 'Yo, just ask her dance man.'

Jumping at the voice beside him, Draco looked at his friend. Grunting, he shook his head. 'I don't know what you're talking about.'

'Sure you do.' Blaise turned his eyes to the pretty brunette in the deep green gown across the room. She laughed at something Lovegood said, before shaking her head. 'You haven't stopped staring at Granger since you noticed her. Even while you danced with Tori.'

'That's not true.' Draco argued, turning his back to the room, he ordered four shots of the closest vodka. He watched Hannah Abbott pour the shots, before downing two of them in quick succession. 'Drink?' He asked his friend, gesturing to the shots.

After the two had finished the last of the shots, Blaise slapped his shoulder. 'Here's your chance.' He said before walking away.

'Huh?' Draco asked, just as Granger took his place.

'Can I get another gin and tonic, please?' Her quiet voice asked. Draco studied her out of the corner of his eye. He watched her twist her fingers together and glance at her watch three times before Hannah had even returned with her drink.

Laughing quietly, he turned his head to fully look at her. 'Eager to leave, Granger?'

Hermione sent him a look, and bit her lower lip. 'No, not at all. I'm just very time conscientious.'

'Right.' Studying her face, Draco grinned when she looked away. Contending himself to look at only her right side, he took in the graceful line of her neck before asking, 'where's your date?'

'Where's yours?' The girl countered, her back straight.

Cocking his head to the side, Draco shrugged. 'Strictly business tonight.'

'What kind of business do you have that can't wait until Monday?' She asked curiously.

'Shackelbolt is blackmailing me.' He said

Laughing, the girl looked at him. 'Doubtful. Why would the Minister blackmail you?'

'You don't think I'm blackmailable?'

'What?' Hermione laughed, letting her head fall back. Letting his gaze fall from her chin, he took in her lightly tanned neck, and felt his eyes start to travel lower before seeing the pale scar that started on one side of her neck, and crossed the full appendage. 'Blackmailable?'

Clearing his throat, he glanced back to meet her gaze. His silver eyes dark with regret. Not saying anything for a long moment, Draco stared into her warm eyes, and gave a small, fake smile. 'Yeah, totally. I'm uh, trying to get the Wizengamots approval on a project, and he only agreed to present it if I came tonight.'

'What kind of project?' Hermione asked, sipping on her drink.

'Just this idea I've had for awhile. Nothing big.' He evaded, with a wave of his hand.

'Hmm.' Hermione looked at him, and Draco felt his stomach tighten. What is going on? He asked himself. Are him and know-it-all Granger really having a normal conversation right now? Have her eyes always been that big? What? No. You're not interested in Granger, remember? More importantly. Granger isn't going to be interested in you. 'I would think it would have to be a decently sized deal to need approval from the Wizengamot.' The girl joked.

Shaking his head, Draco smiled at the woman next to him and shrugged mysteriously. 'What made you open a bakery?'

'I've always loved to bake. When I was little, my mum and I would spend hours in the kitchen making cookies, and cakes.' She shrugged delicately, and avoided his eyes. 'Now it's just something I really like to do. Plus, I feel close to my mum when I'm using her recipes.'

'Are your parents alive?' He asked, confused by the tone of her voice. He could have sworn her parents made it through the war safe. They went into hiding right at the begining, much to Tom Riddles rage.

'Yeah, they're alive.' She said softly.

When she didn't expand on the topic, Draco changed the subject. 'Question.' He waited until she looked at him before continuing. 'Did you ever use the kitchens at Hogwarts to bake?'

'How do you know that?' Hermione asked, her suprise showing in her eyes. 'I don't think even Harry and Ron knew I did that.'

'Really?' Draco asked, pleasantly surprised to know something about the witch before him that even her best friends didn't know. 'I made a trip to the kitchens in fifth year one time. It must have been right after one of your expeditions down there. And snagged one of your cakes. The vanilla one from the other night took me back.'

Looking at Draco, Hermione gave him a small smile. 'The night after we went to the ministry.'

'Yeah, I think it was.' Frowning, Draco looked away. 'I remember reading a letter from my mum right before me and Blaise- uh got hungry.' He trailed off lamely. 'She told me what had gone down the night before.'

Hermione started, 'Draco, do you think-'

'I'm happy to see you changed your mind Mr Malfoy.' Kingsley Shackelbolts voice surrounded the pair. Looking behind him, Draco nodded. 'Wasn't the worst of times I hope?'

Grunting, Draco shrugged. Stuffing his hands in the pockets of his black dress robes, he asked, 'you'll give my proposal to the Wizengamot?'

'My dear boy, I already did.' The bald man smiled at the pair. 'I believe in Wednesday? The half I've spoken with so far are eager to get this safe house on it's feet. I'll owl you sometime this week to set preliminaries.'

'You.. already did?'

'Yup.'

'So I didn't even need to show up tonight?'

'Nope.' He grinned at the young man. His white teeth bright against his darkened skin.

'Well then.' Draco tossed the remainder of his drink back, and stood up. 'I'll be off then.' He started walking away, before pausing and turning around. Letting his eyes find Hermione Grangers, he gave a small smile, and a bow to match. 'It was a pleasure getting to talk with you tonight, Granger.'

Hermione stared up at him. The confusion Draco felt reflected back in her eyes. 'Malfoy.' She bid his retreating back a quiet farewell.