Disclaimer: Original plot. Credits for everything else to JK Rowling.

AN: My replies to reviewers!

– I'm glad you love Someday, I Will! Haha... yea, initially, I did think of using that few methods you mentioned to bring them closer, but then I realized that everybody knows that they are not supposed to get along anyway because their marriage was arranged. So, there shouldn't be any public pressure.

ebm56 – yes! That was what I was aiming for in chapter 7! (though I could not have put it so well, in words, as you did!) I'm so happy that you read it that way!

KeliLose, Anju-Chan27, rosali-rose and ebm56 – thanks for reviewing!


Chapter 8

The models showcased a variety of garments, ranging from dresses to shorts and T-shirts. For once in her life, Hermione actually enjoyed and paid attention to a fashion show, and she continued to enjoy it the entire time. She enjoyed it so much that she did not notice Malfoy's occasional looks at her.

He couldn't figure out why he reacted the way he did when she whispered in his ear, for he was not supposed to react towards her in any way except in anger, disinterest and sarcasm.

The fashion show went on for at least two hours before the last round of models appeared on the floating runway. With the last designer having showcased her garments, all the models came out for the closing parade along with the designers. The audiences stood up and applauded the effort involved in putting such a show together.

The runway then magically disappeared and an auction setting replaced it. Up ahead was a rostrum and auction hammer for the auctioneer. The audiences, meanwhile, remained seated at their positions and were each magically presented with a bidding number plaque.

"Now that we've seen the clothes on the models, we will move on to the bidding. All lowest bids are required to start at five hundred galleons. Please be reminded that once the hammer is dropped, the goods are sold and any request for return or refund will not be accepted. Also be reminded that referential bids are not allowed," the MC informed the crowd.

"With the formalities aside, let the biddings begin! Good evening, once again, ladies and gentlemen. I will be your auctioneer for the night. For your information, all proceeds will be donated to charity. Please, put on a dramatic show."

The crowd laughed and some sat straighter up in their seats, obviously eager for the bidding to take place.

"Now, the first item on the list is this blue layered gown by the designer of Sacha. Any bid for five hundred galleons? Yes, we have number eighteen there bidding for five hundred galleons. Do we have any higher bids for this extraordinary dress?"

Narcissa put up her number, which was twenty five, and said her price. "Yes, the beautiful lady over there having number twenty five, bidding for one thousand and five hundred galleons."

"Are there any other bids?"

The auction went on until almost all the dresses were sold to the higher bidders. The last dress to be auctioned was worth the most, and hence, it was the most anticipated auction. It was a chiffon mini dress of a dark shade of purple, easily matched with nude-coloured heels. Clearly tailored to display the womanly curves, its design fitted the wearer snugly. It was designed by one of the most celebrated designer in the Wizarding World, by the name of Jeanette Crowne. It was the last piece she tailored before retiring and handing her designer company to her granddaughter, Maxine Grebane. Maxine thought it fitting to auction the dress off at the most glamorous fashion show and have its proceeds to be channelled to charity, which was coincidentally, Jeanette's wish as well.

"This dress was tailored in the year of 2005 but only received its first public appearance today. Rumour has it that there is a history behind the tailoring of this dress, one that only Jeanette Crowne knows," the manager of ceremonies enlightened the crowd with its background. "Now, what will be the first bid?"

He scanned the crowd. "Number fifty three over there, making a bid. And what will your price be?"

"Ten thousand galleons."

"Ten thousand galleons, ladies and gentlemen. What about fifteen thousand galleons?"

"Twenty thousand galleons!"

"Gentleman over there making a twenty thousand galleons bid."

"Fifty thousand galleons!"

"One hundred thousand galleons!"

"I bid for one hundred and fifty thousand!"

"The bidding price is now one hundred and fifty thousand. Do I hear a call for two hundred thousand galleons?"

"Yes, two hundred thousand galleons."

Hermione saw that Blaise had also joined the bid. Before she knew it, Narcissa flashed her number panel and said, "Five hundred thousand galleons!"

Narcissa whispered to Draco, "Draco, you will help me bid for that dress, right?"

"What?"

"Yes, you will. Thank you."

"Mother!" Draco had no idea how in the future he will be able to put his money to practical use if he always helped his mother when she wished it. Knowing his mother, she may not even wear the dress if she successfully bid for it, and looking at the rate of bidding, the price may rise to one million galleons. Although this figure is would not make a dent at his bank account, it would still be sorely missed.

"Eight hundred thousand galleons," said a deep voice behind him.

"Would I dare to say that the next bid will touch one million galleons?" the MC asked. The crowd started whispering.

Draco raised his card and sullenly said, "One million galleons."

Narcissa beamed as the audience now stared at Draco.

"One million galleons. Anyone wishing to top that price?" The MC waited for a few seconds. When no one brought forward a higher bid price, he continued speaking and said, "No? Well, the one and only final dress of Jeanette Crowne , going once … going twice," he waited for another heartbeat before continuing, "gone! To Mr Draco Malfoy for one million galleons!"


Although the bid was over, most of the attendants remained in the auction hall to mingle. Narcissa always tried to stay until the latest possible minute because she loved socializing so much, often to Draco's great dismay. Now that Granger had to accompany him to every future social event, he had a partner in cri- no, wait. He will not just ally with her, even if it was in his mind. He shook all thoughts away and embarked on new ones to keep him distracted.

Upon reaching the Manor a few hours after the auction, Hermione went to her bedroom and took a long shower. She never had patience for high society events and the sole reason for this was because she hated wearing heels. She didn't mind at all the fancy dresses she had to put on but she hated wearing sky high heels that would inevitably hurt her feet for hours afterwards. She remembered being forced to attend a few events requiring her to dress up when she, along with Harry and Ron, were proclaimed war heroes shortly after the war. The Minister of Magic then, Kingsley Shaklebolt had persuaded her, Harry and Ron to attend some high-end press conference (why would anyone feel the need to introduce this to the world?) for publicity purposes. Because he was a close friend, they had obliged.

After every event, she always had to de-stress and gave herself some alone time by reading novels until late. She never failed to find comfort in her favourite novels and it also had become a de-stressing tool. She would read anything fiction, as long as it was not horror, biography-like, or deeply reflective. She could spend hours and hours in a comfortable chair, reading a novel of six hundred pages. She loved the satisfaction she earned from reading. Somehow, no one seemed to share the same feelings as her. Ron and Harry were definitely out of the question, Ginny spent more time playing Quidditch or shopping instead. Though she knew her late parents loved reading, they did not share the same interest of genres as her.

When she had finished showering, she grabbed a book from the shelf in her bedroom and headed out to the garden.


After showering and changing out of his formal clothes, Draco climbed into his bed and stared up at the ceiling. He turned his head to look at the clock residing on the bedside table. It read twelve thirty. He usually did not go to bed this early, as he would delve into his day's work and prepare for the next day until two in the morning. But tonight, he was not in the mood to do that.

He tossed and turned in his bed for a few minutes, and after deciding that he would not fall asleep anytime soon, he got out of bed. He thought of what to do to fill his time. He settled on getting a drink.

He went down to the kitchens. He rarely entered the kitchen for it was the house elves' sanctuary, but he made an exception when it was late at night. He opened the large freezer to look for the carton of chocolate milk. He loved drinking it at night. He took out the carton and went to a nearby cabinet which stored glasses and took one out. He poured some milk into the glass, placed the carton back into the silver freezer and left the kitchens.

He decided to drop by his personal office before heading back to his bedroom. Looking around for anything to do, his eyes settled on a small cream envelope sitting on the middle of his desk. His name stood out on the front. He placed the glass he was holding on his work table and searched for a letter opener. Locating the letter opener, he used it to open the letter.

Draco,

I'm inviting you and Hermione to my Thanksgiving party. Make sure you both are there. No excuses.

Yours,

Andromeda

He decided to reply to his aunt in the morning and thus put the letter aside, at a position where he could easily see it. Thinking that his wife would have received the same invitation, he was not worried about coaxing her to attend the party. He picked up the glass of chocolate milk and walked towards the window. At times when he was alone, he loved looking out of his study window, which happened to overlook the beautiful garden surrounding the Manor. He seldom got the chance to play in the garden when he was young. Throughout his childhood, most of his time had been devoted to social studies or pre-schooling studies. Draco remembers that he had often looked out of the window to stare at the garden when he became tired of writing and thinking. It was only when he had to practice and honed his Quidditch skills that he had been allowed to go out of the house.

Draco turned his head downwards and was surprised to see a small human frame sitting on a chair of Narcissa's favourite outdoor table set. He instantly recognized the brown tresses to be of his wife's. He stared at her for a few seconds more before turning around and leaving his study.


Draco opened the French doors that directly lead him from the hall to the garden. He walked towards the sleeping figure and gently pushed her shoulders. "Granger…"

She stirred but did not wake up. So, he tried again. "Granger… wake up."

This time, she didn't move an inch. He sighed and placed his glass on the glass tabletop. He carefully placed one arm under her knees and another under her back. He lifted her gently and carried her into the house, bridal style.


Hermione walked to the gardens dressed in a yellow sundress. On some days, Narcissa would have breakfast out in the Manor's vast estate. She sat on the chair next to Draco and proceeded to place the napkin on her lap.

"Morning, Narcissa," she greeted the elder woman with a warm smile, while her son just gave her a nod.

"Morning, Dear. I trust you slept well last night?"

"Yes, I did. But I'm not much of a sleeper anyway."

Draco just ate in silence as the two ladies chatted about last night's fashion show. He observed his wife and saw that she didn't seem to remember what happened after she had fallen asleep outside last night. Good, he thought.

"Draco." He looked up from the newspaper. "Do you remember the horse Mr Briskel wanted to sell? He has, delightfully, brought the horse to our stables. Would you mind checking on the horse? I heard it is a good buy."

"Sure, Mother. I'll go now."

"You should bring Hermione along."

At this, Hermione choked on her apple juice. She coughed and cleared her throat. "Oh, no. It is fine, Narcissa. I have… erm.. I have things to do anyway."

"No, no. You should take this opportunity to see the estate, Hermione. I haven't had the time to show you around. Draco would be the perfect tour guide since he lived here all his life."

"Maybe another day, when you're free?" Hermione asked Narcissa weakly.

"No, I insist. Besides, today is a beautiful day outside. It would be fun."

"Okay." Hermione replied dejectedly. She knew that the only 'fun' she would have will have nothing to do with Malfoy.


Hermione walked beside Malfoy quietly. She took the time to breathe in the clean and crisp air. She loved the country feeling the far end of the Manor held. It reminded her of the family trips she used to go on with her parents to visit her extended family living in America.

Draco was the first to break the silence. "You fell asleep outside last night." However, he did not look at her as he said this.

Hermione's footwork stuttered slightly but she remained silent and continued her walk forward to the stables. She just looked at the scenery in front of her eyes.

So, Malfoy carried me into the house? But that's not possible! He would never do that, she thought. She pushed her hat further down on her head as the wind got slightly stronger. She did not realize that her pace had quickened. She refused to acknowledge his remark and wanted to reach the stables as fast as possible, where she at least would have something to do.

Amused at her actions, Draco also increased his speed. When they reached the stables, a stableman greeted them. Hermione was excited to see the horses. She never had much contact with horses but she had always loved them so. She loved the fact that they were strong, steady and obedient animals. She went towards one horse and caressed its head.

"Aren't you a lovely horse? How are you today?" Hermione said softly, so that only the horse could hear. She looked over at the board above and saw the name, "Lucy".

"This one's a beauty." A stableman came up to Hermione's side. Hermione jolted and jumped a little. She instinctively turned her head to the right and looked at him. He reached up to pat the horse.

"Yes, she is," Hermione replied after recovering from her shock. "How old is she?"

"She's six. Not a runner, that one. But she makes a great companion on slow sunset trots, you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, she would." Hermione resumed patting Lucy's head.

Hermione turned to look for Malfoy. She saw him talking to some man who had his hands on the horse's reins. They seemed to have an amicable relationship, judging from the body language they both exude. The Malfoy she saw was different in his actions than the way the one she knew was in her company.

She turned back towards Lucy and asked the stableman for an apple. She fed Lucy and continued stroking Lucy's head. She wanted to take the horse on a ride but she doesn't know how and she most definitely was not going to embarrass herself under Malfoy's gaze on his land.

As if reading her mind, the stableman asked her, "Do you want to ride her?"

"No, thank you. I don't know how to."

"That's okay. I can teach you easily."

"No, no. It's fine. I'm sure you have many things to do than waste your time on teaching me how to ride."

The stableman laughed. "My chores are somewhat finished. Come on. Let's give you your first riding lesson."

He brought her to a small storeroom which stored the essential equipments for riding. He helped her put on a helmet, gloves and riding boots. Then, he brought her back to where she had previously met Lucy. He unlocked the low gate to allow Lucy to be released from her compartment.

He extended his hand towards Hermione. She hesitated a bit before taking his hand. He guided her to lift herself up to sit on the horse properly. He also taught her how to position her body and how to hold the reins as the horse starts walking.

"Remember that when you want to stop, you just have to pull the reins gently but firmly until the horse stops fully."

"Okay," Hermione replied.

With that, Hermione got Lucy to trot, her first ever riding experience. Hermione felt the excitement in her bones. It had been too long since she felt the same excitement, which was when she had been supposed to be in her final year at Hogwarts. Being a Healer had undoubtedly brought many surprises and excitement to her adult life, but it was different from this carefree kind of excitement. When she was obliged to save a life, it was all about professionalism and seriousness at the end of the day.

Feeling confident with her new-found riding skills, Hermione decided to increase the trots to slow canters. As she recalled what the stableman had told her, Hermione slid one of her legs behind the girth and pressed it against Lucy's side. Lucy started to canter and Hermione quietly cheered in recognition of her accomplishment. She guided Lucy when they reached a bend.

She hadn't notice the amount of pressure she was putting on the horse's reins. She realized it too late as she pull too hard on the reins, causing Lucy to come to an abrupt stop and Hermione to lose her balance. She panicked and released the reins from shock for a moment. But as she reached out to get hold of the reins again, she was already falling from the horse sideways. She closed her eyes and screamed as she fell.

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