Word Count: 1,620
Challenge/Competition: One Day Competition
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: I don't claim to own Harry Potter, it's all JKR's.
5th October ; 2010
She paced up and down the hall, a thousand thoughts per minute racing through her mind. She wondered if she should have toned her look up, or even more down. Earlier, when deciding what to wear and how to do her makeup, she'd been so tempted to revert back to event Hermione, other Hermione, new Hermione. Not that she wasn't that person anymore - you don't just shed the skin of the person you've been wearing and leave it on the ground to rot, it was a part of her. But Draco made her feel more old Hermione, more confident Hermione. She felt like he was the only person she needed to impress, and he saw straight through her anyway.
So she settled for a pastel pink dress, which cinched at the waist and flared out to just above the knee. She paired it with some flowery cork wedges, and wore her hair natural but tamed, with light makeup. But she felt really naked, and she didn't like it. She was basically going to walk into this party, with Draco Malfoy on her arm. Terrifying. She didn't know how he'd talked her into this, but she supposed it had been a good six months since they were officially dating, and it'd been getting increasingly hard to hide.
Anyway, she was done with hiding. She didn't ever plan to lie to her friends, but it just sort of happened. How was she supposed to come out with something like that? Ginny and Luna knew that Hermione was quite good friends with him, but they also knew all the troubles she'd gone through with him. What they didn't know was how, exactly, Hermione and Draco had 'reconnected' in the first place.
"You okay?" Draco said as he emerged from his room, pulling his tie into place.
"I just - should I get changed? I feel-" she started, fiddling with her hands.
"-No. You look beautiful. Stop worrying, it's a charity benefit, no one is going to kick up a fuss," he said confidently, before glancing down at his watch. "Shit! We need to go."
She was always late to everything. Not today. She grabbed him and they apparated to the road where the function was taking place. Nerves caused her muscles to tense, sending her stomach into knots and her hands into shakes. Clenching her jaw, she grabbed for Draco's hand, and she was sure that his touch alone had a calming effect.
Right, she told herself. One foot in front of the other, right into that charity benefit. People love you, she convinced herself. You've been invited. They know you're a strong supporter of this cause. And same for Draco, he was going to be doing a speech, as the Ministry of Magic's spokesperson. Although, that did mean a lot of people would be there just for him - he'd developed something of a following, people were fascinated and his Malfoy name meant that he was constantly featured in the magazines and newspapers. Recently, he'd been featured as number two on the list of bachelors of the year - that needed to be clarified, at least - he was all hers.
Seemingly, her thoughts had distracted her enough to get her inside the event without throwing up from nerves. She heard Draco whisper, "It's going to be okay," into her ear, but she ignored him so as to keep focus on the room and the many people who were already there. The room continued to bustle and the hum of chatter continue, but several heads did turn towards them. Of those several heads, some screwed up their faces in confusion, some of them had their mouths hanging open, some just politely looked away, and some started chatting in excited whispers.
She scanned the room nervously for any sight of Ginny, or Luna, or Harry. Who she did happen to spot, was Blaise, who pulled his pretty blonde date along with him in the direction of herself and Draco.
"Draco, Hermione! How are you wonderful people?" he asked, kissing them both on the cheek.
"We're really well thank you, what about you?" Hermione replied, trying desperately to suppress the awkwardness she felt at the fact she used to date Blaise, and now she was here with his best friend.
"Yes, I'm good too... Stop looking so worried, I always knew it would happen. It was always a question of when Draco would get the balls, wasn't it? I mean, don't get me wrong, you're beautiful and intelligent and I would have married you in a second, but I'm happier than I've ever been now, and so are you, so it's all worked out for the best." He smiled his charming half smile, as he linked his hand with the blonde next to him.
"Daphne, I didn't know you still lived around here. It's nice to see you two together - now I think of it, you're a great match," Draco stated, and Hermione realised that she did know the girl - Daphne Greengrass, she thought she'd recognized her.
"Thank you, as are the both of you - in the strangest way," she said genuinely as she smiled slightly.
Well it was nice to see a friendly face, she had to admit. At least they had a couple of supporters. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Ginny and Harry in the corner of the room, just talking to each other. Hermione smiled to herself, because she knew they would never grow out of that. They were never interested in the parties, only each other, so they ended up finding a place to talk and staying there for the entire night. They clearly hadn't noticed Hermione, because Ginny definitely would have left her spot in the room for that.
"Hermione, I have to speak soon, so let's go and find Ginny," he prompted.
"Already found them." She pointed to Ginny and Harry, and took a breath, squeezing down on Draco's hand, before heading off in their direction.
Harry noticed them as they were just a few steps away. His eyes widened, but he quickly regained his composure and waited.
"Hello Ginny, Harry," Hermione said, leaning in to kiss each of them on the cheek.
"You look stunning," Ginny remarked, and at Hermione's doubtful face continued, "No, seriously, it's like the grown up old you. I love it!"
"Thank you," she replied, not really knowing what else to say.
Ginny obviously was holding herself back from saying something, but settled with a, "Is that Draco Malfoy I spy? Holding Hermione Grangers hand?" she smirked, all of her body language being incredibly hard to read while Harry kept quiet, obviously letting Ginny take the reigns on this.
"It is indeed," Draco replied, and she suspected he wasn't feeling quite so confident anymore.
"Well I knew you were both friends but... more? Really? You do remember who you both are, right?" she said, "I'm not going to pass any judgement, because my brother is a shit, and you deserve to be happy. If Draco does that for you - and you look well, really well, so I believe that he might, then that's fine," she decided, turning to Harry for his reaction.
He sighed heavily. "As much as I hate to say it, I agree with Ginny. I just want you to be happy. Really. We're too old for drama." He smiled, pulling Hermione into a hug and shaking Draco's hand.
"Well I'm glad we sorted that one out," Draco said as he let out a huge breath, laughing shakily.
Ginny smiled. "Are you speaking tonight?"
"Yes, at ten-" he stopped as he looked at his watch, realising the time. "Now," he corrected himself. "See you in a minute," he muttered as he took off in a fast walk, but all three of them followed.
Draco hopped up onto the stage, pulling out his cue cards. "Hello, everyone. I just wanted to say that I am incredibly honored to be here, and to be speaking to all of you on behalf of the Ministry - we are all so happy to be here today, and that what started as our small charity has grown so large. This is such a great cause, and such a necessary one. Without this charity, we would have incredibly small funds for this rehabilitation and psychiatric treatment - certainly not enough to fund the techniques, treatments and all the fantastic people who work within this field. Even many years on, there are many people requiring help. Those people may be your friends, your family, your husbands, your wives. They may be no one at all to you, but they are someone to someone else, and I ask that you remember that when the auctions begin. Please donate generously, at the auction or otherwise, because I can assure you that the money - every galleon, goes to great use. Thank you," he finished, taking a breath and stepping away, allowing somebody else to take to the microphone.
"You are wonderful," Hermione said, smiling. She looked behind her, but Ginny and Harry had already retreated to their corner.
"You are wonderful," he replied, pulling her into a kiss. He heard cameras flashing, but they didn't really care. They wanted people to know about them, and this was a very easy - and very pleasing, way for that to happen.
The night really wasn't so bad after all, she supposed. It was as if everything was just falling into place, she thought, as she glanced at Ginny and Harry, and Blaise and Daphne, and Luna and - was that Theodore Nott? Not that it mattered, because she looked happy. They all did.
AN- Slightly longer, much happier chapter than usual. I'm trying to tie up the loose ends now, as the story starts to come to a close. I've noticed quite a few favourites and alerts are on this story, but I only received the one review for last chapter (thank you so much, by the way), so it'd be really nice if you left me a couple of words of support, and I'd like to ask please don't favourite or alert without reviewing :) lots of love!
