Chapter Seven: Wands And Rattles
Friday night was approaching closely and Hermione was still as confused as ever over the encounter she had with Draco at Bullets. She couldn't understand why he was acting so ... if she dare think it ... jealous. They'd never shown any actual attraction towards each other, but maybe they had and she just hadn't noticed. Draco did make little jokes about how she looked and always commented on how she'd changed since Hogwarts. Even she had called him cute ... twice. Once while talking to Ginny (it had slipped out) and another time when she was in her office, talking to Draco himself. She was discussing his character at the time, so she doubted he'd realized it was her own opinion.
She opened her closet, which was full of suits and casual clothing, most of which Ginny called 'old fashioned', and pulled out a skirt. One of the few skirts she had that hit above her knees. She wasn't a prude, far from it, but she didn't believe in dressing scantily for no reason. It was probably from all those summers she'd spent with her aunt who'd always told her that mystery was the key to a desirable woman. Mystery in personality and dress. Hermione felt too many girls went around freely giving away what should be earned.
Hermione held the skirt up to her hips, trying to imagine what it'd look like. She hadn't worn the skirt since Ginny's 18th birthday party. It might not even fit, but a spell would fix that. She looked at her shirts, most of which were long-sleeved and dressy-looking. She did have a few tank tops and even a tube top. She'd been slightly pissed the night she bought that. Plus, she'd been dating this really wild wizard who loved to see skin. Too bad he thought Hermione didn't show enough skin; he'd dumped her two months into their relationship.
Hermione sighed. She wanted to go to Harry and Ginny's party. She'd even asked Winson to accompany her, but without something to wear, she might just be staying home. This called for a trip to Hogsmeade to Gladrags. They would have to have something good to wear. She threw on a pair of jeans, a shirt, and some trainers and headed out the door.
Hermione walked into Gladrags, watching the many witches and wizards browse the varying selection. She looked at all the clothing. Picking clothes was not something she'd ever been good at. Picking a skirt that went with a top was like trying to push a 100 ton boulder up a hill. She wished she'd brought Ginny, but Ginny was busy with the party for tonight.
Hermione walked over to the first thing that caught her eye. A short, red dress. Simple, except for the rather intricate beading going around the waistline. She fingered the small beads, wondering how long it took to do the beadwork. But then, wondering if someone did it with magic or by hand.
"Hello, my name's Nomi. Can I help you?"
Hermione turned her attention to where the voice was coming from. The first thing she saw was the rather funny-coloured red hair topping the woman speaking to her. Her gaze traveled down to the witches face, it was kindly and smooth.
"Uh, yes, I wanted to know how much this dress is."
The lady's face suddenly turned sour, as if asking the price was the most disgusting thing Hermione could do. "Well, it's an original. Only one in the world."
Hermione could just feel that the price was going to make her feel sick. She may have a good amount of money, but she wasn't rich by any means.
"The price it 1,500 galleons." The witch continued. "Would you like me to wrap it up or would you like it delivered?"
Hermione hoped the witch hadn't seen her eyes bug out. "Is there anything else that's like this, but not so ... intricate?"
"Well, we do have a reproduction of this dress. It doesn't have the beadwork and it's about 900 galleons."
"Well, I just need something for a small party. It's pretty casual, but I want to dress up a bit." Hermione said, trying to keep from saying the dress, and it's reproduction, was just too expensive. And she wasn't the kind of witch who spent large amounts of money on something as silly as clothing.
"Well, there is a flirty little dress that we've had in stock for a year. It hasn't sold too well, but it's very cute."
The lady walked, quickly, away from Hermione. She almost had to run to catch up. They walked through the floating racks of beautiful dresses, shirts, and pants. Past the large display of shoes for any occasion. Around the wall of hand bags, purses, and wallets. Finally, they stopped in the back of the store. Hermione guessed this was like the clearance section she'd shopped in a few times in the muggle world. The lady stopped suddenly, almost making Hermione run into her.
"This is it. Isn't it beautiful?"
Hermione stepped closer to see the soft yellow dress. It had the spaghetti straps, connected to a tulle bodice, that narrowed into a flared skirt. It was sort of baby doll-ish, but it was cute. She didn't have a dress like this in her closet and it would be different, but a good sort of different. She turned to the woman.
"It's very nice."
"It's been marked down a few times, mainly the Hogwarts students like this dress, so we keep it cheap." The witch said with a big smile. "I can tell it'll look very nice on your figure. You have a healthy hour-glass figure, very desirable. This dress is only 150 galleons. Will you take it?"
Hermione looked at the dress again. "Yes. I'll take it.
Draco was waiting in the living room of his date for the night. She was taking way too long. What she was doing upstairs was a mystery. She'd answered the door in a towel and then had disappeared upstairs. That was almost an hour ago. He was happy he'd come so early, otherwise they'd be late ... if she came down in the next fifteen minutes, that is.
He thought about this party. Obviously Hermione would be there. Whether she brought that ... annoying wizard remained to be seen. He hoped not. He planned to peak her interests by making her a little jealous. The witch he'd asked out looked amazingly like Hermione. She had chocolate curls, but they were much more tame than Hermione's ever would be. She was slimmer than Hermione, but the money she'd spent made her have an hour-glass figure anyway. And her brown eyes were almost as beautiful as Hermione's. They had this weird swirl in them that creeped Draco out a bit, but they were alright. He probably wouldn't see the witch after tonight.
Draco was ready to go upstairs and drag the witch down when she finally walked down the stairs. Draco's eyes couldn't help but travel down her legs. The witch had on a black mini dress, that hit the very middle of her thighs. Which had not a bit of fat on them. The top of the dress, as Draco's eyes flew there, was strapless and, as he found out when she turned around, had a large hole in the back, just barely covering the area above her actual ass. He didn't think much fabric was used while making this dress.
"Are you ready to go, yet?"
The witch giggled. She was so excited to be going out with Draco Malfoy. "I sure am, sweety. Let's get going."
The party was in full swing when Draco and his date walked through the fireplace. A few people danced and a few people sat around talking and laughing. Draco saw that most of the guests were old classmates. Not many Slytherins, but he expected that anyway. The only Slytherin he could see was his friend Blaise. He was standing alone, nursing a glass. Draco walked over to him.
"Blaise, did you get pulled into coming here, too?"
Draco's friend turned around, his dark skin reflecting the moonlight coming through the windows. "Nope. I was actually one of the creators. I helped them get the party ready. It was only natural that I come to admire my work."
"Well, good job." Draco said, feeling a tug on his suit jacket. It was his date. "Oh, Blaise, this is Tiffani."
Blaise's eyes wandered her body, then focused on her face. "Hello, Tiffani. Nice ... Underwear."
"This ain't underwear, honey. Draco bought me this dress for tonight." The witch giggled along with Blaise's deep chuckle. He was laughing at her Southern drawl, what she was laughing about, he wasn't sure. "Anyway, I don't even have any underwear on. It'd make the dress look bulgy."
"Tiffani, why don't you go get us something to drink?" Draco said, eager to get rid of the witch. She was great to look at, but her sophistication was questionable. Tiffani shuffled off happily.
"I thought you'd be over the air heads by now."
"Hey, I needed a date and she looks great." Draco said, trying to defend his choice. "Would you pass that up?"
"Depends. Does she even know how to spell 'pass'?" Blaise smirked. "I'd rather have a girl who has a brain."
"She has a brain." Draco smiled cockily.
"I wasn't talking about the two on her chest. I thought you said there was some witch you'd decided to like. Where is she?"
"I think she's here, but maybe not." Draco said, just as Hermione and Winson stepped out of the fireplace, to be greeted by the hosts. "She's here, now."
"Granger?!" Blaise coughed a bit. "I thought that was just a one-time thing. A mistake."
"It was a one-time thing, but I've been thinking about it ever since it happened. You have to admit, we have a good bit in common."
"What? Reading, talking about boring things, and arguing?
"Ha ha, Blaise. We don't argue as much as we used to. In fact, up until the other day, I'd say we were slightly friends."
"What happened the other day?"
"I saw her in Bullets, you know the place, and she was on a date with him." Draco pointed towards Winson. "And he had the nerve to insult me."
"If I know you, you provoked him first." Blaise gave Draco a knowing look.
"So, what if I did? I've held in these feelings for Granger for years, why should I let this ... old wizard take her right from under me?"
"Does she fancy him?"
"Probably not. I mean, she's never even mentioned him before. Where did he come from?"
"Maybe just you didn't know about him. Why not go ask Weas-Ginny? I'm sure she'd know."
"Good idea." Draco said, patting Blaise on the back. "I knew I was your friend for a reason."
Draco crossed the room, looking for Ginny. She would probably be with her husband. It was like the two didn't have separate bodies, Draco thought. If Potter wasn't gone, then they were attached at the hip. And she'd even sometimes bring him lunch if he was at practice. Draco just sighed. He was jealous. He wished he had someone like that in his life. It would probably give it more meaning.
"Draco!"
Draco looked around and saw Ginny calling to him from the kitchen. She was standing right next to Hermione, who looked like she wanted to disappear. Winson was nowhere to be seen. Draco smiled and walked over to Ginny.
"Ginny, you look ... great tonight." He said, walking into the kitchen and giving Ginny a slight hug.
"I think I know that, Malfoy. Harry's been saying it ever since I put my dress on." Ginny laughed and Harry turned around to give her kiss on the cheek.
"Oi, Malfoy. Glad you could make it." Harry said, walking closer to join the small group.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Draco said, half lying. He'd rather be at home than being tortured by having to see Hermione with that wizard.
"Draco, you look well tonight." Hermione finally piped up. She still wasn't sure how she should approach him after the other day.
"You, too. Where's Winson? In the bathroom, colouring his grey hair?"
"Draco, I don't know what you have against Winson, but he's a nice bloke. Why you feel the need to attack him is beyond me." Hermione retorted, rather stiffly. Harry and Ginny exchanged looks behind her.
"You know what? Harry needs to help me do something in the ... bedroom." Ginny said, pulling Harry with her. "Come on, HARRY!"
Draco stood there, looking Hermione in the eyes. She didn't break the connection.
"Hermione, I know this may not be the best place or time to say this, but I've got to get something off my chest."
"Really? What is it?" Hermione asked. Her face and voice softening at his almost cowardly voice.
"I - ever since that time in the forest, no, it was before that. Ever since about seventh year ... I've had this ... I don't know ... I've fancied you."
Hermione was quiet for a whole two minutes before she even showed any type of emotion. And, it wasn't the one Draco expected.
"So, it's been an entire year since I've been with anyone and all of a sudden, when I meet someone and I'm happy, you decide that you fancy me? What kind of idiot do you take me for? I'm not going to be another one of your little conquests. Sure, I did sleep with you ... and honestly-" Hermione paused, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm not going to get into this with you."
"But, Hermione-"
Draco watched Hermione walk off and find Winson. She said something to him and they both looked back at Draco, then they both sat down, staring daggers at him. Draco figured that the way he'd brought that out may not have been the right way. He sat down, only to find Tiffani tapping her nails on the coffee table.
"When are we going to do something fun? You dragged me here, and then you left me."
"Listen, Tiff, I could just tell you to leave and go on about my fucking business." Draco said, trying to keep his cool. He hoped this party would hurry and end. It embarrassed him enough how Hermione had just blown him off, but he guessed he couldn't blame her. This did seem sudden.
Just as Draco was thinking this, Harry and Ginny walked into the middle of the room and announced that dinner was ready and that everyone should take a seat in the dining room. Draco grabbed Tiffani's hand and headed towards the dining room, which had been enlarged especially for tonight. Draco noticed a reporter in the small crowd. He wasn't sure if the Potter's had invited him or not. And Lavender was in the crowd. She worked at the Daily Prophet, and probably had her quill that recorded everything. She wasn't called the queen of gossip news for nothing.
Once the small group was seated, Ginny disappeared into the kitchen and brought out a large lasagna she'd been working on all day. The reactions around the table all said that they were hungry and pleased to be treated to such a delicacy. Draco noticed Hermione whispering something into Ron's ear. Draco hadn't even noticed his presence, but he should have known.
Everyone was served and, while she was eating, Hermione couldn't keep her eyes from wandering to Draco and his date. She couldn't stop thinking about what had happened earlier. Could Draco have been telling the truth or had he just been trying to get her away from Winson. To make her another one of his conquests. She couldn't think why Draco would be so rude to Winson, when she was sure Draco didn't know him. Maybe what he said had been true. She couldn't deny that Draco had made, what she thought, were playful, yet flirtatious comments over the years. Most she had laughed off, but after the scene in the forest, she'd taken them a bit more seriously, but with every new witch on his arm, she'd decided that the comments and the intimate time they spent together most likely meant nothing.
Hermione smiled at Ginny because, despite her changing moods lately, she was practically glowing with ... pride? She wasn't sure what exactly Harry and Ginny were supposed to announce, but she was sure it was big news. Harry had invited Lavender for an exclusive on the news and a reporter to take a few pictures, she guessed. Whatever it was, it was going to be big. The wizarding world didn't take anything that had to do with Harry lightly.
Hermione was taking her last bite of food when Winson excused himself to go to the bathroom. She smiled at him and took a look at Harry. Harry was beaming. She watched the looks they exchanged. Love in their eyes. If only she could have that. It'd be a nice change to her busy, dull life. Hopefully, Winson would be able to help her with that.
"Okay, guys. So, you all knew we had a little announcement we needed to make today." Harry said, holding Ginny firmly at his side. She smiled at him, then at the reporter, who took a picture. Everyone started whispering, wondering just what the announcement could be.
"I'm sure most of you have noticed that I've been a bit moody and my stomach's been expanding, as a few of you have pointed out. I went to the doctor a few days ago and found out ... We're going to have a baby!" Ginny said, and the crowd went wild. Some people expected it, but for it to be confirmed was a whole different thing.
The reporter took a few more pictures, including one where Ginny lifted her shirt a bit and you could see a slight bulge. Harry looked even more proud, if possible. He seemed to not be able to remove the goofy grin from his face. Everyone congratulated them and champagne was served. Ginny, of course, had a pumpkin juice instead.
A/N: So, here is chapter seven. I think it's a bit crappy, but it's what came out of my brain, so deal with it.
I'd like to thank all my reviewers on this story:
broadwaychick07, Annaleah, Alexandra90, laffytaffy, nOx-slythrnbabe, DaOnleeSam, yoyen007 .
I love you for reviewing and liking my story.
Uh, so, Draco confessed his feelings, but with a bad result. Don't worry. These two will get together.
And a pregnant Ginny. Who didn't see this coming? If you didn't, something is wrong.
A little something:
Draco: Hermione, why'd you blow me off like that?
Hermione: Well, wouldn't you after all the things you've put me through?
Draco: No. I'd sleep with you a few times, then blow you off. You couldn't even do that.
Hermione: Hey, it's not my call. It's hers.
Author: Don't look at me, you both had all this drama going on at Hogwarts before I was even old enough to comprehend it. I wasn't even there.
