A.N. Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long! I'm on vacation and I have terrible wifi so updating had been next to impossible. But here it is: the ball scene and where the story really gets started. Thank you everyone who had reviewed, I've loved hearing all the comments!
"Play nice, Draco." Theo reminded as the three eighth years walked into the Slytherin Dungeon, "You had to go anyway, for the Head's Dance. At least this way you'll have someone to occupy you." The blonde in question scoffed.
"So good to hear that you're excited." Sarah quipped from her seat near the fire. Beside her stood Blaise's date, the only girl Draco went out of his way to avoid, Astoria Greengrass. Draco shrugged and offered Sarah his arm.
The halls of the castle were congested with so many students, half of which were in high heels no less, making their way to one destination. Thankfully the five Slytherins had only a short distance between their dungeon common room and the Great Hall. Just before Professor Sprout could usher the group into the Hall, Theo caught his date's arm, pulling her close. Had it not been Draco's idea that they go together, he would have gagged.
Luna Lovegood had been on Draco's radar since her sorting six years ago. How could she not be? She climbed onto the sorting stool with radish earrings and matching flats that looked even more ridiculous. No Slytherin had taken issue with her until she buddied up with Potter in fifth year, until then she had simply been irrelevant. Now, having spent many late nights in the library with Granger, the Slytherins had grown accustomed to her friends, chiefly Red and Luna, who often joined their table. Theo had always been more open than a normal Slytherin: Blaise might flirt and peacock around the castle, but it was Theo who wore his heart on his sleeve. It had been clear to those who knew him well that he had a thing for Luna before he had figured it out. He avoided sitting near her and hardly spoke to her, the classic markings of a schoolboy crush.
As soon as Theo had asked the Ravenclaw to the dance, they had become inseparable. Hermione and Draco spent quite a bit of time commenting to one another about the new relationship. She was happy for her friend. He was worried his friend would give away his secret. Those Ravenclaws were often nosy when there was something to be learned. Draco led his small group to one of the circular tables situated towards the back of the hall. He and his fellow eighth years pulled back three wrought-iron chairs, magicked to be much lighter than they otherwise would be, to allow their dates to settle at the table. The women hid their legs beneath the black table cloth before looking around the room to take in their surroundings.
Astoria crinkled her nose, the Great Hall was not nearly what she had wished it would be, since it looked no different from the Halloween Feast décor. Sarah, a half-blood raised by her firefighter-muggle father, was far more impressed with her magical surroundings. The candles that usually floated high above had been encased in jack-o-lanterns casting a darker glow over the large room. The floor had been transfigured to a pure white, circular dance floor that was slightly raised in the middle. Cobwebs draped across pillars and lighting fixtures; Sarah thought she saw a black cat wandering about. Blaise had already made a break for one of the large candy bins, much to the annoyance of Astoria. There was a large bar situated on the dais where the staff typically sat with a large sign reading Of-Age Witches and Wizards Only. Draco groaned at the music, typical ball music in a different key to give it a more haunting sound, and decided the only way he would make it through the night was with a bottomless fire whiskey. The line was very short since there were very few of-age students so Draco quickly forked over his galleons for the magically replenishing drink. He turned, taking a long swig of his drink and enjoying the burn as it moved down his throat, to see Sarah calling him back to their table by gesturing madly. The hall was full. Teachers lined the walls. Sprout took her place beside McGonagall. The ball was about to start.
Sarah was a nice girl. Draco mused, she remained neutral during the war despite pressure from her housemates, that's a plus. She's pretty, long brown waves and dark brown eyes. Sure, she's a bit dimwitted, but what level of intelligence does it take to serve as a Malfoy wife? She is not as frail as the previous Malfoy wives and she's pleasant enough, both traits the Malfoy line is in desperate need of. She's a half-blood – but who is around to contest that? They would have to marry before she finished school, but he wouldn't stand in the way of her education. Surely, she would be amenable to the proposal. Her father on the other hand…
"Captain, my captain," Sarah joked, one Draco did not understand, wrapping her arm around his back, "Do I get a sip?"
"You're underage." He flipped back, taking a swig of his own.
"You didn't answer my question." She smirked up at him.
"I'm Head Boy." Another swig. "It would hardly be proper."
"Still not an answer." He handed her his drink. She tossed back almost half the tall glass. "Sorry about that." It refilled and her eyes bulged, "Now this will be fun." A trumpet sounded, "Here come the Gryffindors." She snickered, throwing back another long gulp before Draco stole the cup from her to fill his own body with the burning liquid.
Sarah would do that. Ever since she was sorted into Slytherin House, she would mimic her classmates, trying to fit in. Having been raised by a muggle, she had no knowledge of the Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry, but quickly adopted it. Even young Draco had disliked this duplicity; Draco hated to be lied to and this girl did little more than lie when disparaging Gryffindor.
In flowed the Order. Kingsley, the Minister of Magic, led the charge, with his daughter on his arm. His wife had died early in the First War leaving him to raise a newborn daughter and fight for the cause. Most of the Weasley clan, all except the two youngest, followed. Then came Draco's Aunt Andromeda looking like a more elegant, and more sane, version of his Aunt Bella. The dark-haired woman was bouncing a small baby on her hip. Teddy. Draco's baby cousin, the orphan. The little boy had a small tuft of bright blue hair spurting up out of his head. The rest of the Order flooded in, some paired with one another, others sporting dates. The influx was small, the planning committee had deliberately left many of the younger, less known heros out of the ceremonial walk. The reasons for concealment varied. Luna sat beside Draco not because she did not contribute greatly to the war effort, but to protect her from reporters learning of her capture. Neville did not stand at the edge of the dance floor because his recreation of Dumbledore had been useless, much to the contrary, McGonagall was simply worried he would trip and cause a scene that would be splashed on the front of every new magazine. Finally, Aberforth Dumbledore, only featured, Draco suspected, because of his brother, walked in alone, concluding the Order procession and allowing the incessant clapping to dull. The doors to the Great Hall closed and the members of the Order found seats in the area that had been corded off for them. Draco took his seat beside Sarah, relaxing against the seat and draping his arm across her shoulders.
The doors opened once again and they walked in. The three war heroes plus Ginny walked two by two down the aisle created by students. They were all students here two years ago, no one fawned over the Weasel then. Potter and Red were the first to enter the hall, her dress inspiring ohhs and ahhs. The dark emerald green was a lovely color, but Draco noticed it was uneven between the bodice and the skirt. Draco guessed that most people wouldn't even notice, but the four Slytherins who were brought up in the highest of wizarding societies were trained to notice such imperfections. Her imperfections were easily excused by the look of adoration Red's presence created on Potter's face. Potter had an arm wrapped lovingly around her as the two led the charge. Draco felt a pang somewhere in his chest as he watched the famous couple drift across the aisle, Red's sparkling ring the envy of all. People cheered the two on from the sides, yelling for them as a couple and as individual. Red, although undervalued by the Order, was a formidable witch. She looked over at Potter and an infectious grin broke across her face. That's what I want.
The second pair did not exude a fairytale ending. The Weasel never failed to disappoint. Not only were his dress robes were in disarray, but Draco was fairly certain he saw old stains littered around the chest and thighs. His hair was an atrocious bright red, a far cry from Red's striking mane. Spending so much time with Red, her hair color was beginning to grow on him. Just a glance at the Weasel undid all Draco's progress. The Weasel's hair, beyond unfortunate hue, was also far too long if Draco said so himself. It almost looked like he was trying to mimic the boy in front of him, but failing miserably. Draco could feel the smirk dying to make its way onto his face. A sharp kick met his shin bone under the table. When he looked up, Theo was mouthing, "Play nice." This time Draco offered a quick grimace and then allowed his trademark smirk to grace his features. He turned his attention back to the entering couples in time to see the Weasel grab at Granger's hand, but Granger only gave a squeeze before slipping her smaller hand out of his larger mitt. The brunette opted to knit her two hands together in front of her, bunching her own dress ever so slightly.
"Hermione looks beautiful." Sarah gasped. That much was obvious, after all, Draco had dressed her. The silver dress flowed down Hermione's delicate frame giving it the appearance of a liquid rather than a solid. The dress hung from two strands wrapping around her neck, long and elegant, with all her hair piled on top her head in a slick up do. But Draco was too busy examining her facial features to admire the dress for a second time.
Her brows were furrowed like they did when she worked on potions late at night. She bit her lip and Draco worried she would accidentally tear it off. Her hands, once calmly knit together, anxiously wrung in front of her. Draco wanted to close the distance between himself and the war heroine to stop the anxious motion to save her dress from the wrinkling the tick was causing. The Weasel was saying something to her and with each new word, Hermione's smile grew more and more forced. Draco wanted to punch the Weasel more than usual this Halloween.
"Ron, do not do this now." Hermione whispered out the side of her mouth as they entered the large circular dance floor.
"You are not dancing with him, Hermione." Ron took her waist, too rough for her preferences, "I don't care if he's reformed. He's a fucking Death Eater."
"It's a tradition, Ron. The heads dance together at major Hogwarts events." The eerie waltz began to play and they began to spin with Hermione doing her best to subtly guide Ron through a dance he had refused to learn and Ron gripping her waist and hand so tightly she was sure there would be bruises, "All you need to do is hand me off at the end of the song. Think of all the good this can do for the Wizarding World. In healing. In getting him accepted." Hermione saw Malfoy stand from his table and walk over towards the dancefloor. The song was about to end and Ron can drop his vicelike grip.
"I. Do. Not. Care." Ron bit out, tugging her harshly against him. She supposed it was supposed to make her feel wanted, him grinding his engorged penis against her thigh. It only made her feel uncomfortable and a bit peeved that he thought he could make such a move in front of everyone without her permission. She was not his possession, "He is a Death Eater and we have done enough for the Wizarding World." The song stopped as did the dancers. Harry held Ginny's hand up above their heads, the universal sign for victory. Harry and Ginny turned to face Hermione and Ron, but when the latter two were not touching and instead looked positively miserable, Harry's smile faltered before he led Ginny off the dance floor, melding in with the crowd of students.
Hermione turned to Ron, "Ron," She pleaded up at him, "Please. Be the bigger person."
Ron glared first at her then at Malfoy who had reached the edge of the ring of students. Ron dropped his hands and left the dance floor, leaving Hermione alone in the middle of the students. Hermione's eyes stayed trained on the spot where Ron had disappeared, but McGonagall was already swooping into the circle, accompanied by Aberforth. Hermione did not have the time for the prickling sensation at the back of her eyes.
"May I?" Malfoy had crossed to her and was extending a hand to her. She nodded, letting him take one of her hands and her waist. He was hesitant, as if, despite her permission, he was worried he was doing something wrong. The music began and the dancers twirled about, "I'm sorry for any trouble this is causing for you."
Hermione sighed, "It's not you. He's just-"
"A child?" He smirked down at her. She couldn't help but notice that he was just as tall as Ron. She did not remember him being so tall, but reasoned that it would make sense: his father was tall.
"I was going to say stubborn." She let a small smile grace her lips as they floated around the dance floor.
The pair twirled around and around, always on the opposite side of the dance floor as Professor McGonagall and Aberforth. Malfoy moved the pair easily, keeping his hand at the small of her back, not daring to drift lower as Ron had done, despite their fighting. Hermione found herself relaxing into him ever so slightly, no longer needing to stay alert to plan the next step or twirl: he could do that.
"I told you you'd look amazing in this dress, 'Mione." Draco had created the only nickname she had ever had one night in the library when he had been too exhausted to master all the syllables of her full name. He was satisfied with the blush in her cheeks and the twinkle in her brown eyes. He had done it. He had cheered her from Weasel's childish ways, "I always hated these things." Malfoy sighed, her hair, piled high, tickling his cheek.
"I never would have guessed." Hermione pondered, "I would've thought this stuff to be second nature by to you now."
"Just because it's second nature doesn't mean I liked them." He rolled his eyes, "I almost didn't come tonight. But McGonagall has done so much for me so I couldn't deny her one dance."
The music slowed to a close suddenly there was an upbeat tempo. "Well, I'm glad you came. You're a wonderful dancer." And it wasn't a lie. Softly, he had led her through the motions of the dance. She had never seen the dance before, but she had never felt uncertain with Malfoy leading her.
"Can I have my girlfriend back?" Ron grabbed Hermione away from Malfoy and dragged her off the dance floor before he could respond to her quiet admission.
Abruptly yanking her off the dance floor was one thing. Abruptly yanking her off the dance floor to be relegated to a chair was an entirely different crime. Hermione worked hard to contain her annoyance as she watched Ginny and Harry twirl, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley laugh, Malfoy dance with his date – what was her name? Samantha? Cindy? Hermione didn't know – all the while Ron pouted in the seat next to hers. She resigned herself to a night of watching.
"Um, hey Hermione?" Neville was standing in front of her, looking bashful, "Hannah wanted to sit a round or two out and she suggested I come ask you. But you're sitting and you must want a break, I'm sure you've had a busy week –"
"I would love to!" Hermione jumped up before Ron could protest.
Dancing with Neville was the turning point of the evening. Hannah returned after a couple dances to reclaim Neville. Hermione dreaded returning to Ron where he still pouted in the survivor's court. Before she could leave the dance floor, Hermione was swept off her feet by none other than Theo Nott. He whisked her around the floor in an up-tempo dance. Her grin stretched ear to ear. When the music finished, she tried to retreat to Mr. Weasley, but Blaise Zabini scooped her up, complaining that Theo had a dance before he did. Hermione scoffed and her smile grew brighter.
Hermione was able to catch a glimpse of Ron when Blaise dipped her. He had perked up, having gathered a group of fifth years around him. Hermione guessed he held them captive while he told his war stories. His new habit, inflating his role in the horcrux hunt, ground on Hermione's nerves. He wasn't in Godric's Hollow. He didn't loose his family. But it kept him busy and left her free to dance with those who were willing to have her. Plus, she didn't need the praise. She had done what she had had to do. She was nothing extraordinary.
She danced with Kingsley, then Arthur, George and Bill. Even Percy took her waist for a short spell. Ginny distracted her brother with a gleeful glint to her blue eyes while Hermione fell back into Theo's arms and next Blaise, who refused to be outdone. Then the quietest of her Slytherins. Ginny's eyes widened a bit, but Ron didn't notice as her girlfriend was swept to the middle of the dance floor by none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Having a nice time, I see." Malfoy smirked down at her, "Blaise danced with you more than Astoria. She's beside herself."
"I'm sure she'll get over it." He spun her away and pulled her back close. His arm wrapped snuggly around her waist and his other hand clutched hers just above his heart. They deserted the song's prescribed dance in favor of a gentle sway. Hermione inclined her chin to look the boy in the eyes, "McGonagall would be thrilled. Us having a second dance and all. And what it means for inter-house unity."
Malfoy nodded, but his train of thought seemed elsewhere; his eyes had a faraway look to them. She timidly gnawed on her lip, waiting to hear what was troubling him. "Does he always grab you like that? When he pulled you away from me in the first dance, I though Blaise was going to hex him."
Hermione sighed. It was something she had noticed. He was rough and sudden, he acted before he thought. A typical Gryffindor, "He grew up with five brothers. He doesn't realize how abrupt he can be."
As if on cue, Ron appeared at her side, wrenching her away from the Slytherin. For the second time that night, Ron pulled Hermione away from Malfoy and to a chair. Ron slunk back in his chair beside hers with a refilling glass of fire whiskey he had picked up somewhere along the way. The slump to his back conveyed both exhaustion from his showboating and drunkenness. Hermione perched elegantly beside him, balancing little Teddy on her lap. The head girl cooed calmly despite the anger bubbling just below her skin. The little boy was waving a spoon around in one hand while his other gripped Hermione's index finger. The little boy was growing quickly. Already he had a full head of hair, the color of which changed based on his moods. Hermione had situated a plateful of fruit in front of the child, but he appeared more interested in getting Hermione's finger into his mouth than the pieces of melon. Harry and Ginny were still on the dance floor, smiling and laughing and holding one another close. Hermione knew Ginny had missed Harry dearly; over the summer, Ginny hardly ever let Harry out of her sight so being away at school was particularly difficult for her. The quick meetup in Diagon Alley had hardly been enough.
"Baba ba." Teddy babbled trying to pull Hermione's finger into his mouth.
"No no no." Hermione chided kindly, "Try this," She handed the little boy a piece of fruit.
Ron waved his mother over to take Teddy. Hermione watched the baby's retreat wistfully, almost missing when Ron spoke, "You know, you're really good with him." Hermione only smiled, watching Teddy settle in with Mrs. Weasley, "I just, I don't really know how to say this, but, um – you're really good with him."
Hermione turned back to face her boyfriend while Molly scolded Teddy for throwing his piece of melon, "See? It wasn't that hard." She laughed and gave him an encouraging smile. Ron finished what was left in his glass and then downed the refill. Six and Seven.
"So, I, um, I really can't wait until we have our own, and um,"
"Ron, that's sweet but I don't see myself having children until well after I graduate from school and am settled into a job. Plus, we've only been dating a few months!" She laughed. Ron could say the craziest things. He chugged another glass.Eight.
"I know." He took a deep breath, "But my parents got married only three months after they started dating. It's a wizarding thing, we marry young when we know we've found our match. And I've found my match, Hermione. It's you. Will you marry me?" He was down on one knee holding up a gaudy engagement ring before she could protest. The ring didn't matter to Hermione, what mattered that there was a man, her boyfriend, kneeling in front of her with that stupid grin on his face.
Everything slowed. Mrs. Weasley had stopped bouncing little Teddy and instead was staring at her youngest son with pride and joy. It was no secret that Mrs. Weasley was almost always disappointed in her youngest son's behavior, but marrying Hermione was one decision she supported wholeheartedly. Mr. Weasley's brow bunched as a mini-weeny was suspended between his mouth and his plate. Ginny looked between Hermione and Ron with wide eyes while Harry carefully watched the pair with a blank expression. Harry understood Hermione's views on marriage since they had both grown up in the muggle world. The Slytherins were looking over with horrified expressions. Blaise and Luna had gone so far as to stop in their place on the dancefloor. Neville and Hannah Abbot watched from another table, smiling at their friends. Fay was amused. Lavender looked pissed.
"Ron, We're barely eighteen." Hermione looked with panicked eyes at the ring. Her voice was firm, but her mind wavered. They were having this conversation far younger than she had hoped; if she was twenty-five, with a home and a job, she would not have hesitated in accepting his proposal. It was Ron. She loved Ron. She shouldn't let something as foolish as a number prevent them from being happy. Should she? Plus, Ron was not good at handling rejection. She wanted to think he would accept her answer of not no, just later and let things go back to the way the should be. With the entire Great Hall watching, and with reporters readying themselves to broadcast her hesitation, Ron would not back down and he would not go quietly. She knew, in that moment, that she either had to accept his proposal or lose Ron.
"But we're a witch and wizard. It's normal to get married right out of school." She pointed out that she was still in school. "Technically. But like you said, you're eighteen. That's the normal age for marriage." He reached up and downed another glass. Nine.
"Ron? When have we ever been normal." Hermione shot back. Tie yourself to him forever or lose him? Age is only a number. I'd be jumping to say yes if we were only five years older and he was done with training and I had a job and was finished with school and we had a house and a steady income and a longer relationship…
Ron abruptly stood, dropping the ring, "That's exactly why we should get engaged! I know you like being an abnormal freak, but I want to have at least a portion of my life be normal."
"Ron, maybe this should wait until tomorrow. You've been drinking-" As if to reinforce her statement, he threw back another drink. Ten.
"You're giving her the ring?" Lavender exploded from the crowd, propelling herself into the VIP section, "I'm giving you a baby. And you're giving her a ring?"
The world froze. Molly's jay dropped, looking at the new girl. Harry's mask of indifference dropped into utter horror. Ginny's face went as red as her hair, the only force keeping her in her place was Harry's arm, still curled around her waist, but even that didn't look like enough. The Greengrass girl was clearly enjoying the drama unfolding across the room. Luna looked on dreamily. Zabini and Nott had both left their dates to stand near Malfoy to watch Hermione's world crash and burn. Fay had tried to follow Lavender, but failed to stop her, instead she watched from the ring forming around the hero section, a hand clasped over her mouth.
"You- she- that's yours." Hermione struggled, "But she said she conceived it right after the war."
Hermione ignored Lavender ("Don't call our baby a that!") in favor of Ron, "You were off galivanting around the world!" Ron exploded, situating himself between Hermione and Lavender.
"I was traveling to Australia to find my parents." Hermione almost growled, "I wasn't frequenting Greek beaches!" How dare he? How dare he insinuate she was off living the time of her life. She had made more sacrifices in the past two years than he had ever dreamed. She sent her parents packing, erasing herself from their memories, and he had run back to mummy when the going had gotten bumpy? Not only that, but when she tried to regain some of what she had lost he had cheated on her. Weren't the Weasleys supposed to be the epitome of Gryffindor and weren't Gryffindors supposed to be brave and loyal. How had Ron been sorted into such a noble house and carried out these transgressions.
Ron yelled, "You left me for weeks! As soon as we could live normal lives!"
"I asked if you wanted to come with me! I had to try to find them!"
"But you failed!" Lavender wrapped her arms around Ron, her hands settled a bit too close to his belt for anyone to be comfortable, "And Lavender was there to take care of me. You have no idea what it was like for me, coming home after the war. Fred was gone. George was missing an ear. Percy was distraught since Audrey died, did you even know that? You weren't here for it so you wouldn't know."
"I knew! I was in Australia, not on Mars!"
"Don't you know it all? You insufferable, bitch!" Ron exploded. He threw back another tumbler of Fire Whiskey. Eleven. "You don't want to marry me? Fine! But don't come crawling back to me when you figure out no one else will want you. They'll only want your fame or the reward money! You loud-mouthed, bucked-tooth, frizzy-haired know-it-all. Now you have all the time in the world to find your parents." Ron turned around to face the soon-to-be mother of his child, "Lav Lav. Will you marry me?"
"Oh, Won Won!" She shrieked throwing herself around him, fusing their lips in a way Hermione could have gone her whole life without seeing.
xoxox - (()) - xoxox - xoxox - (()) - xoxox - xoxox - (()) - xoxox
Hermione was a Gryffindor. Gryffindors fought and stood up for what was right. Cheating on your girlfriend was wrong. Hermione should fight that, fight Ron who had made her a victim. Hermione should be yelling at him, she should shoot body binding curses and bat boogey hexes at him. She shouldn't be running as fast as her heels would allow.
