A/N: Thank you all for reviewing last chapter! So glad that a lot of you agree with the way I wrote Draco's reaction. Although he is known to be dramatic, war changes people. This chapter's gonna be a bit "quiet" and is kind of a filler but it's a bit longer than what I've been posting so hopefully this keeps you guys happy hahahaha :P
Blood Promises
Chapter 10
23rd September 1999 – Wizarding London
Hermione leapt to her feet the moment she heard the faint 'pop' of apparition. Narcissa Malfoy was looking at her and… smiling?
"You look exactly like your mother did when she was your age… but the eyes are definitely your fathers."
"Um, thanks Mrs Malfoy." Hermione bit her lip, not knowing whether it was a compliment or not. She knew that she'd eventually have to meet his parents, but she didn't expect that it would be so soon.
The smile Narcissa gave her unsettled her. It was weird seeing her openly showing emotions; the few times Hermione had encountered Narcissa, the older witch had been cold and stoic. "Please, call me Narcissa. After all, that will be your future title."
"Um, right. Thanks, Narcissa." Hermione turned her heard towards Draco. "I better get going. Thanks for the talk, Mal- Draco. Owl me." She knew that Narcissa would most likely question her if she referred to Draco by his surname.
Of course the prat immediately caught on to why she used his first name. "No problems, Hermione." He gave her a wink and cheeky grin, but for theatrics sake he grabbed her hand and placed his lips on it.
She felt the blood rush to her cheeks and began to magically feel the wards shift, allowing her to apparate in and out of his apartment.
23rd September 1999 – Muggle London
Hermione immediately apparated to her parents' home. She wondered how Narcissa and Lucius would take the news of her being Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's "muggleborn" sidekick. She desperately hoped that Malfoy would send her the memories, so she could view it in a pensieve.
Draco was probably looking as much forward to telling his parents who she really was as much as Hermione was looking forward to telling Ron who she was being forced to marry. Merlin, she could already picture Ronald making her out as a traitor and pureblood elitist for marrying the snarky slytherin.
25th September 1999, Muggle London
She woke up and heard pecking at her window. It was a dark-brown eagle owl that she didn't recognize. She untied the letter, noting that the owl didn't fly away; the regal looking owl was expecting a reply.
To the future Mrs Malfoy (as my mother so aptly put it),
I told my mother about who you really are, after you cowardly ran away once she arrived. Thought you Gryffindors were meant to be all high and mighty mixed in with brave and courageous?
Congratulations, my mother likes you more than she likes me! She's planning on telling my father tonight about you and getting him to lighten up about it. I don't wanna be home when my mother is finished with that talk.
So, dinner tonight at La Bella Rosa? It serves some nice Italian food.
Do try to dress nicely, Granger/Yaxley/Weasley.
From Malfoy
She rolled her eyes and began to write a quick response to send the owl off with.
"Ferret,
Fine. I'll meet you there at 7pm.
Two words: Yule Ball.
From, the only blonde Weasel"
Afterwards, Hermione penned a quick letter to Ginny asking if she could come over. It hadn't even been 10 minutes since she sent the letter when Ginny replied telling her to come over any time.
25th September 1999 – Potter Residence
Hermione flooed to 12 Grimmauld Place and immediately ran to hug the pregnant woman. "Gin! How are you?"
"I feel huge and I'm only having one baby! Merlin, imagine what my mother felt like when she was carrying the twins!" Ginny rubbed her tummy affectionately. "But, you didn't come here to talk about me. What's been going on the past few days?"
"I ran into Malfoy at Diagon Alley… or well, he actually ran into me. Quite literally." Hermione laughed. "He recognized me because my face appeared connected to his on his fancy smancy tapestry."
Ginny gasped. "Oh Morgana! What did ferret-face do?"
"Well, he was being chased by the Greengrass sisters, so I began to run to the apparition point. The moment I got there, he apparated both of us to his flat."
"That slimy git! You gotta admit though, he's pretty hot" Ginny grinned.
"What?!" Hermione shrieked and began to turn red.
"If I weren't with Harry, I'd definitely be knocking on his door!" Ginny wagged her eyebrows. "You're not blind, are you? He's grown into his pointed face! And he still plays a bit of quidditch so the bloke's fit…"
Hermione decided to change the subject. "I have a date with him… tonight at La Bella Rosa."
Ginny's eyes widened. "That place is fancy! It's expensive but so utterly exquisite… but you do realize that a lot of purebloods go there, right? 'Cause once you enter with Malfoy, no doubt that everyone will want to know who's the pretty blonde on his arm." The redhead smiled broadly.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm just the same-old Hermione, not some pretty eye-candy, Gin!"
"I was only kidding, 'Mione. To us, you're the same-old Hermione just with different looks. But the journalists and high-society won't know who you are unless they've met your mother. You were always a pretty girl, Herms. But Merlin, have you seen your newfound assets?" Ginny had not so subtly referenced her curves and increased chest size. " God, I'd happily trade places with you any day!" Ginny grabbed her hand and led her to the master bedroom. "But enough about that, let's find you something that will blow Malfoy's puny little mind."
They had spent at least an hour going through Ginny's closet and trying on multiple outfits. In the end, they had settled on an emerald green silk camisole top that showed off a faint hint of cleavage and paired it with a leather pencil skirt that had a triangle cut out in the front.
Ginny was currently giving her a lecture about how she never wears makeup. "…just do some faint eyeliner or eyeshadow with mascara, your eyes would look soooo gorgeous. And don't even get me started on wearing lipstick."
"I don't wanna get you started on anything to do with makeup…" Hermione sat down patiently while Ginny was applying her makeup.
Not that Hermione could see it as her eyes were currently shut, but Ginny rolled her eyes. "Take a look at my masterpiece."
The subtle taupe and brown eyeshadow mixed with mascara and winged eyeliner made her eyes stand out and complimented the deep shade of her blue irises. Ginny had even casted a sticking charm on the bold red lipstick to stay-put throughout the evening.
"Oh Merlin! Thank you! What do I owe you?"
"Well… you could be the godmother for James Sirius Potter?" Ginny smiled.
"I would be honoured! Thank you so much Gin…" Hermione embraced Ginny. Her huge bump made the hug a bit awkward.
"It's fine! I'm happy that your hairs more manageable. I'd avada myself if I had to try spell your bushy-hair to stay straight." Ginny laughed. "Now, go home and get some heels on! I want to hear how it goes."
23rd September 1999 – La Bella Rosa
Hermione apparated to the entrance of the fancy Italian restaurant a few minutes earlier than the agreed meeting time.
She could feel people staring at her. They weren't exactly being obvious in the way they murmured to each other while not-so-subtly pointing.
Sensing someone approaching her, Hermione turned around and gazed into familiar piercing grey eyes.
Gasps could be heard outside the restaurant. "Malfoy!" a brunette witch screamed.
A/N: Who do you think screamed that? Review and let me know ;)