Hermione apparated home in a mild fury. She was still convinced Malfoy wouldn't give her book much of a chance and the anxiety was ready to eat her alive at the prospect that he could already be reading it. But her small triumph before leaving his office simmered the fire within her about everything else. That is until she spotted her red-haired roommate in the living room of their flat.
"You're back!" Ginny exclaimed. "How'd it go?" She jumped up from polishing her broom handle for the millionth time since the offseason started and looked at Hermione with excited, yet expectant eyes.
"I'm curious, Gin... why would you ever think I'd want my book, my precious baby, in the hands of Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asked, a deathly dark tone erupting from the pit of her stomach. Ginny raised her hands in surrender.
"Let me explain-"
"You don't have to. Charlotte already explained everything there is to know. I had a full-on anxiety attack, Ginny," Hermione threw her hands up. "In his fucking office! In front of him!" Ginny flinched.
"I'm sorry! I thought you could handle it! My plan was to try to get you both to be friends!" She defended.
"Oh! Really? Was that your master plan, Gin? I trusted you to be honest with me. We've been friends for almost fifteen years!" Hermione unceremoniously kicked off her heels, not caring where they ended up and rushed for liquid courage in the kitchen. Ginny followed her and stopped her short of the wine rack.
"Hermione, come on! He's literally the best fiction publisher in London! I had already thought of throwing your name to him before you even got picked up. He and I had been recently hanging out because of Theo and I getting together and thought it'd be a good opportunity for you. The fact that Charlotte met you first and wanted your story was like a sign!" Ginny said like it was the most logical thing she could think of. "Then the stuff with his Mother came up and you got so absorbed with Charlotte and the Ministry... I intended on you guys getting to know another slowly so you'd trust him but life just got in the way!"
"I felt ambushed, Gin." Hermione's voice wavered, tears springing to her eyes. "Last night and today. You know how I need to be over-prepared for everything. You threw me the worst curveball imaginable. The boy who bullied me and stood by while I was being tortured in his own house. By his family, no less... It's the worst possible scenario for me. And now you've told him he can stay here a few days while he deals with his own trauma..." Hermione flicked away the moisture from her face and her resolve returned. "What about my trauma, Gin? You don't even think of how your actions hurt others." She finished and walked upstairs without another word, leaving Ginny speechless.
Hermione quickly took off her blazer and nylons and summoned Winnie through her window. The owl hooted happily and waited patiently for her master to draft a few letters. One for Harry. One for Ron and Lavender. One for Luna and Rolf. And one for Neville. It was a Friday night, after all, and she hadn't seen a lot of them in some time. After all the drama of the day, she really wanted to spend time with her friends. She just hoped everyone could get away for the evening.
"Here you go, girl," Hermione muttered lovingly. "Sorry for there are so many at once. But I miss my friends." The owl hooted, seeming to understand, and flew away once the letters were secured. Hermione watched her fly away in the direction of Harry's house. He lived the closest if he even happened to be there. Winnie was a quick flyer and would make short work of delivering her letters.
Not knowing what to do next, she opted for a quick shower and a more comfortable change of clothes. She wiped the thick layer of makeup off her face and washed out the potions applied to calm her hair down. When she put on a pair of black leggings and a long t-shirt, she finally felt relaxed and in her element. She decided to let her hair air dry for once, frizz be damned and walked back into her room. She quickly discovered letters of reply from both Harry and Ron already, confirming they'd be at her house around six, along with Lavender. Hermione internally groaned, still not one hundred percent sold on the girl but determined to make it work.
She struggled with whether or not she should let Ginny know about her intended gathering. She opted for subtle honesty, deciding not to be petty. She slipped on a pair of rain boots, thinking it might pour by the look of London's standard gray April sky, and tucked a long black scarf around her neck before heading downstairs. Ginny was still down there, looking guilty. She shot Hermione a look of curiosity.
"Where you headed?" She asked cautiously. Hermione grabbed up her keys and purse.
"Out."
"Out where?" Ginny persisted, standing up.
"I need some things at the market for tonight," Hermione replied shortly.
"What's happening tonight?" Ginny asked, confused now. Hermione Granger was not an elusive person.
"Having friends over, hope you don't mind." She said, jotting down a list of snack foods and booze.
"Considering the fact that your friends are my friends, too, obviously I don't mind, but-"
"Great, thanks. I'll be back soon." With that, Hermione apparated away.
She felt bad for being so short with Ginny, she really did. But she also got mad at herself for feeling guilty when Ginny was the one who had been lying to her this whole time. Hermione couldn't think about it any longer. She had shopping to do!
She walked around the block from the apparation point to the market and entered quickly, hoping to miss the rain. Grabbing a cart, she walked through the entrance and tried to rush through the store. She was picking out wines when she heard her name being called.
"Hermione!" A familiar lilt said. She turned and saw Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas.
"Seamus! Dean! What are you doing here?" She asked, smiling at the two friends.
"What else, Granger? Shopping." Seamus said, holding up a bottle of booze.
"You two partying tonight or what?" She laughed and Dean held up two more bottles.
"What do you think? It's Friday!" He said.
"What a coincidence, I was trying to get a hold of some people to hang out tonight. Harry and Ron will be there. Please, come through! I know they'd love to see you."
"Like old times, huh Granger?"
"Yes, but with way less drama, I think," Hermione said, remembering all their years at school together. Seamus nodded.
"That sounds like fun. Owl us the address and time. There'll be more where this came from." Seamus said, holding up his bottle again.
"Alright! See you guys tonight." Hermione said and walked over to check out her items, feeling much lighter than before.
A few hours later, things were starting to come together. Hermione cleaned the whole house, making it warm and inviting for her guests, despite the party being out back. Hermione liked cooking so she picked up supplies to make skewers. She marinated steak and chicken, cut up veggies and pineapples, then constructed them all on the skewer sticks and set them on a platter in the fridge to await being grilled. She also set out a large ice bucket the size of a muggle kiddie pool and filled it with bottles of butterbeer, mead, and ale. She set the fire pit ablaze and cast an umbrella charm over the backyard to guard against the impending rain.
Ginny wasn't home when she came back from the market and hadn't been back since. Hermione was grateful, at first, but it felt so weird throwing a shindig without her helping out. This was the sort of thing she loved. Hermione hoped she'd be back soon. It was a little after five and people would be arriving any minute. She received owls from the others that they'd be able to come, too, so it'd be a full house.
Hermione heard a crack of someone apparating just as she was taking the platter of skewers out of the fridge. A second later, the doorbell rang. She set the tray down and skipped to the door, excited to see her friends. When she opened it, though, her hopeful face deflated.
"Malfoy." She forgot, in her excitement, that Ginny had said he could stay in their guest room for a few days. Although, why a successful, wealthy person needed to stay at a friends house and couldn't get a hotel room was beyond her comprehension. She supposed she just wasn't privy to the reasoning. Ginny said he needed to be around people right now. Well, he'd get to be. He just wouldn't be happy with who. He gave her a slight nod of greeting and she stepped aside, gesturing him in.
"Thanks, Granger." He mumbled and walked inside.
He made his way to the center of the cozy living space, Hermione shutting the front door behind him. He stopped and turned to her, looking uncertain. She felt the same way he looked and tugged on the sleeves of the dress she had changed into. It wasn't anything too fancy, just a long sleeve, black sweater dress with some tights and boots. But the way Malfoy seemed to look at her momentarily with male appreciation had her both confused and convinced she should go change.
"Listen, Granger..." He started. "I know this isn't an ideal situation. But this is your home as well as Weasley's. If you want me to leave, I will." He said sincerely. Hermione hadn't been expecting that. She shrugged nonchalantly and looked over to the platter of food.
"Ginny said you can stay so... maybe at least make yourself useful while you're here. Do you know how to use a grill?" She had no idea why she was asking that. It just popped out. She had this opportunity to tell him to get out and she was insinuating he should stay and cook the skewers?
"Um, yes. I am a man, Granger." He stated obviously.
"Oh?" Hermione smirked. "I hadn't noticed." She quipped and walked into the kitchen to grab the tray. "I have friends coming over tonight so I was planning on grilling for everyone. If you want to stay here, you will be nothing but polite to everyone. I'm not saying you need to be chummy, because honestly, no one would ever expect that of you, but you should be civil."
"I know how to treat guests." He said, struggling not to raise his voice. "I'm not an invalid."
"No, but you're not accustomed to Gryffindor parties, either." She said and offered him the tray. "If you'd rather not be nice, you can always hibernate in the guest room." Malfoy paused a beat, looking like he was really considering the second option. But he took the tray and cleared his throat.
"I'm not... used to being around your lot but... I will try. That's all I can promise." He said before turning and walking out the back door to the grill. Hermione hesitated before fetching the trays full of sliced fruits and veggies and going outside as well, levitating the trays as she went.
She tapped one of the bulbs to the muggle lights, illuminating the whole tree, then set the tiki torches ablaze that encircled the area.
"Looks nice," Malfoy mentioned, pointing to the lights. He was adjusting the temperature on the bbq, trying not to look at her.
"Thanks. I wanted it to be festive. I haven't seen anyone in quite some time."
"Why's that?" He asked, setting a row of skewers on the grill. Hermione paused a beat, thinking it was obvious. He looked her way when she didn't answer his question and quirked an eyebrow.
"I've been rather busy, I suppose." She said and got to work setting out paper plates and cups.
"Ah yes, the book." He said.
"And how's that going, by the way?" She asked, refusing to look his way.
"I just received it this morning, Granger, give a man a break. You are not the only potential author at Olympus." He laughed. Hermione harrumphed and Malfoy shook his head. "So eager." He added.
"Let's not talk about it, okay?" She bit out and was about to walk back in the house when a loud crack sounded off to her right. She looked over and saw Harry standing beyond the fire pit, his hands full of flowers and a bottle of wine. His smile faltered, however, when he noticed Malfoy. He quickly dropped the bouquet and reached for his wand. Malfoy physically flinched, looking as though he was fighting against every instinct not draw out his own. Hermione held her hands up.
"Harry, stop. Malfoy is a guest." She said sternly. Malfoy raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Harry looked angry.
"So it's true, then? You and Ginny are running with Slytherin's these days?" He asked, his voice gravelly.
"No! Well, yes Ginny is but I'm not..." She sputtered but threw up her hands. "I said he's a guest, Harry. Respect my guests or go home. I've basically told Malfoy the same thing!"
"Not twenty minutes ago, in fact," Malfoy mentioned and turned his attention back to the food. Harry hesitated, looking from Malfoy to Hermione, indecision apparent. Hermione sighed and walked over to his side, taking the wine and giving him her best smile.
"Please? Be nice." She pleaded, wondering to herself why she was making such an effort for the ex Death Eater. She chalked it up to her love for Ginny and how the girl begged them both to be friends. It seemed so important to her. Harry's brow softened and his scowl dissipated. He plucked the flowers off the ground and handed them to her with a peck on her cheek.
"Sorry, 'Mione. I just hate that guy." He said. "And I'm genuinely surprised as to why he's here."
"I know. It's a weird situation. One I'll explain later, alright? For now, will you help me bring out the rest of the wine bottles while I grab a vase?" He nodded and followed her inside, shooting daggers at Malfoy as they passed by.
"Are you going to be like this when Ginny gets home, too? She'll most likely have Theo with her." Hermione said, getting a vase down from a cupboard. Harry looked pained, closing his eyes and breathing through his nose.
"I'll try not to." He said. Hermione turned on the faucet, filling the vase, then wedged the large bouquet inside, shuffling the flowers around to make them look nice.
"These are beautiful Harry, thank you. You didn't have to get these for me." She smiled. Harry smiled back and shrugged.
"You're my best girl these days. I couldn't come to your home empty-handed. Especially when we haven't seen much of each other in months." Hermione beamed and touched his shoulder as she passed by him to place the flowers on the table outside. He picked up the wine bottles and followed her again. "How'd that meeting go, by the way?" He asked. Instead of setting the vase down gently, she nearly tipped it over.
"Easy there, Granger," Malfoy said, setting half a dozen cooked skewers on the table next to her. She glared at him but said nothing.
"Didn't you have that meeting this morning?" Harry asked again. Hermione nodded, looking surly. He frowned. "It went that bad?"
"No, it's just..." She shot Malfoy another glare. "I wasn't as prepared as I anticipated."
"I doubt that." Harry teased. Another crack distracted the conversation. Luna and Rolf walked up to the small group.
"Luna! Rolf! How are you guys?" Hermione hugged the petite blonde and patted Rolf on the shoulder.
"Splendid, Hermione," Luna said and looked at Malfoy with mild interest. Rolf shook Harry's hand and then noticed the tall man at the grill.
"Malfoy. What in Merlin's beard are you doing here?" Rolf asked.
"Scamander, nice to see you again." Malfoy shook his hand as well. "Just dropped by to make sure Granger didn't burn the food." Hermione was about to argue that she was far from incompetent but Rolf rolled with laughter.
"You two know one another?" Harry asked, looking uncomfortable.
"He fought very hard on Rolf's behalf about a book he wrote." Luna chimed in. "The publisher in charge of the Travel category sent Rolf to Malfoy thinking his book was all fictional nonsense. As if you could make up half the creatures he wrote about."
"Too right, my dear." Rolf put an arm around Luna's shoulders. Hermione stifled a small giggle. Malfoy gave the couple an amused expression.
"It's not Barnaby's fault how eccentric you two are, Scamander. It's hard to take you seriously sometimes." Malfoy laughed.
"You do have a point there, Malfoy," Harry said and they all laughed. Hermione felt like she was in the twilight zone. Did Harry just agree with Malfoy about something?
Another crack and Neville arrived carrying a large pot with soil practically to the top. "Hey mates," He greeted jovially before stopping dead in his tracks. Malfoy turned back to the grill and cleared his throat.
"Longbottom." He said a strained greeting.
"Malfoy?"
"Hey, Nev! What do you have there?" Hermione thought it best to distract him. He looked blankly for a moment but turned his attention back to the pot.
"Well, erm, I hadn't seen you in a while. I thought I'd bring you something. Sort of a hostess gift, I suppose." He said and gestured towards the soil. "I planted Everlasting Strawberries for you in there. They should grow and provide fruit by June."
"Everlasting?" Hermione asked curiously. "I've read about the theory of growing everlasting produce but I wasn't aware they were implementing it."
"A Botanist I've been seeing said they've only perfected the genetics of everlasting berries for now. Usually, strawberries are seasonal but these will continue to bloom and blossom fruit once the last berry is picked off the vine. You can keep them inside or out, it doesn't matter. They'll grow no matter the temperature." He said, rubbing a hand behind his head. "They're your favorite, right?"
"Yes, Neville! Thank you!" Hermione flung her arms around him quickly and then tried to pick up the pot. It was way too heavy, though, and she struggled fruitlessly.
"I've got it, Hermione," Neville said and seemed to pick it up with ease. "Where do you want it?"
"By the back door, thanks!" Hermione said excitedly. He nodded and walked that way.
"Got some crazy muscle mass now, eh Longbottom?" Malfoy asked, looking genuinely surprised by his strength. Neville didn't say anything to that and opted to ignore him.
"That's a perfect gift, Neville. You know how delicious Hermione's strawberry pie is. She'll be able to make it for us all year now." Harry said. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Make your own damn pie, Harry Potter." Hermione chided. The others laughed at her indignant tone, knowing what a strong-willed feminist she was.
"You know Ron and his family will expect you to come around with pie every Sunday. You're just going to have to get used to the idea." Harry said.
Another crack.
"Speak of the devil, hey mate!" Harry called as Ron and Lavender walked up hand in hand. George was also with them and Hermione squeaked giddily, running up and throwing her arms around him.
"You came!" She gushed.
"No thanks to you!" He teased, swinging her around in circles. "Lost my invite in the mail, Granger?"
"You're always too busy! You always blow off our get-togethers!" Hermione exclaimed. "Stop spinning! I'm getting dizzy!" She laughed and he set her on her feet, holding her shoulders for support.
"Wotcher there, Herms! It's not time to fall over yet! That part comes later!" He waggled his eyebrows and looked over to the table laden with food and drink. "Speaking of," He beelined for one of the bottles of beer, charmed the top off and took a long pull. He smacked his lips and nodded to Malfoy. "Hey, Malfoy." He said in the most friendly tone. Hermione and Harry exchanged strange looks.
"Hey, Weasley. Not too hung over from last night, are you? How late did you end up staying?" Malfoy asked, a knowing look of amusement on his face. George scoffed.
"I can hold my own, mate. I was only there an hour or so after you lot left. Ronnie was able to apparate us home before I got too wasted." George laughed.
"Hey 'Mione." Ron pulled Hermione's attention away from the confusing encounter.
"I'm sorry, are you lot friends with Malfoy now?" She asked. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Friends is too strong a word, Granger." Malfoy laughed.
"Well, I don't know, mate. I thought we had something special." George faked a simper and Malfoy laughed. Like really laughed. It was the happiest and most comfortable Hermione had seen him since... well ever. And it was because of her own friends...
"Don't worry, our secret love affair can continue. Just don't advertise to the others." Malfoy joked and set out the last of the skewers. "Need me to do anything else for you, Granger? Dust a shelf, maybe?" Hermione stared at him point blank and crossed her arms.
"I might have you take out the bins later, now that you mention it. You'll need to earn your keep while you're staying here." Seven sets of eyes flicked back and forth awkwardly between the two.
"He's staying here? Why?" Harry asked, sounding stern.
"None of your business, Potter," Malfoy said. "And don't worry Granger, the bins won't be a problem," Hermione smirked at him. She hadn't really been serious but the fact that he was bending over backward to stay in her home amused her. Malfoy shook his head at her obvious enjoyment and grabbed a beer before sitting down on one of the lawn chairs around the fire pit. The conversation had died, creating an awkward tension.
"I'm far too sober, I think," Hermione muttered.
"Me too." Lavender agreed. "Wine?" Hermione nodded and led them over to where the cups and drinks all were.
"Hey Hermione, did you de-gnome your garden?" Luna asked suddenly. Hermione nodded.
"Yes, finally! They were pulling up all my potion herbs! I grew so furious!" She replied, handing Lavender a glass of wine and then pouring one for herself.
"Oh. How sad. Did you know if they bite you, it's good luck?" Luna mused.
"You say that every time we talk about them. But honestly, I don't hold much stock in that. I mean, when I first attempted to lure the buggers out, I was bitten often. I definitely don't see proof in being any sort of lucky." Hermione said matter of factly.
"How did you do it? I've been trying to get rid of ours for weeks." Lavender asked, patting Ron's thigh as she sat next to him.
"Did you guys get a place?" Hermione asked. Lavender nodded furiously.
"Yes! A couple of months ago!"
"You didn't tell me!"
"You've been off the grid, 'Mione. You weren't even responding to owls for a while there." Ron said.
"I've been so busy." Hermione lamented. "I'm sorry!"
"It's okay. Just please tell me your gnome secrets!" Lavender nudged.
"It was fairly straightforward when I thought about it," Hermione said. "I-"
"She drugged them." A feminine voice said. Everyone turned to see Ginny and Theo walk out the back door towards everyone. They were closely followed by Blaise and Pansy.
"You're turning to drugs these days, Granger?" Malfoy asked. Hermione's attention reverted back to him and she shook her head.
"Not exactly. I used Valerian Root to put them to sleep. Then I had an exterminator pick them up." Hermione said, distracted by the newcomers.
"Ah, wise choice," Neville said.
"You didn't tell me you were throwing a whole party, 'Mione!" Ginny said. "I would have brought home more booze for everyone."
A loud crack went off and Seamus and Dean strode forward carrying several bottles of alcohol.
"Oi! The party has arrived!" Seamus called out and all the Gryffindors yelled out their excitement.
"Hey, mates!" Harry clapped them each on the back and smiled bigger than Hermione had seen in a while. "How've you two been?"
"Not bad, Harry! Just tearin' up the wizarding underworld, as per usual." Dean said, setting the booze on the table.
"You must not be getting into too much trouble. I haven't had to arrest either of you in a while." Harry laughed and they followed suit.
"You arrest your own friends, Potter?" Blaise asked.
"When they've broken the law, sure," Harry responded, shrugging. "Comes with the territory."
"Every arrest is like a notch on my belt! It really makes the gals go wild!" Seamus said and started pouring shots in a bunch of tiny glasses he conjured. "C'mon everyone! We're doing shots!" There was a thunderous roar of approval and everyone grabbed up a glass. Even Pansy joined in, albeit grudgingly, it seemed.
"To Hermione! We couldn't get drunk tonight without you!" Seamus raised his glass to her and knocked it back. Everyone yelled in agreement and knocked their own back.
"Merlin help me," Hermione muttered and drank her own. The firewhiskey burned all the way down. She really hated the stuff but couldn't reject a shot dedicated to her. That was just rude.
How do you think the rest of the party will go? Without a hitch or with some predictable drama? Let's be honest, it's always a gamble in a room (or backyard) full of Gryffindor's and Slytherin's. (And a Ravenclaw, don't think I forgot Luna.) Please don't forget to review and let me know what you love about the story so far.
3TheMissMegan