Chapter 10
There was about an hour to sunrise when Hermione sat on the desk at the little alp cottage. Her sweet dreams had turned dark and cold as usual. And now, awake too early to be fair, the warm anticipation of revealing her newly discovered feelings to Draco had stepped down to the reality of having to write first.
Scratching out line after line her frustration grew and grew and snapped.
"This was a stupid idea anyway…" The witch sighed and held her head between her hands.
Much in the same position Blaise found her dozing off several hours later. More ink spilled than written into words.
"You know, Mia," He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and proceeded to speak softly as she slightly startled being still sleepy. "We could just visit him at St. Mungo's tomorrow and you guys can talk. I'm sure he'll have a thing or two to say."
"What if he's angry or upset with me lying?"
"What it he's not. You have to think positive."
"Ugh, I hate it when you're right." Hermione rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?"
"That's why I came in; we've to go if we're to make it to Grimmauld place in time."
"Just give me five," The witch rushed "Did your parents say if they would like to join?" she called from the bathroom, trying to brush her hair. Blonde and sleek it wasn't much more tamable
"Maybe some other occasion," Blaise shrugged. "I think they want some alone time. They don't get much holiday with their work. And it is the high social season." Hermione shuddered at the remainder of what was she to come back to after the holidays.
"You're honestly so lucky you're still in school. I'm starting to wonder if the headmistress would let me back… " The witch rambled on. "Am I presentable?" She walked out in mustard coloured tea dress with maroon detailing with lace detailing.
"They're your friends, Mia, and mostly Gryffindors." The boy chuckled "I should be asking that question"
"Right." Hermione relaxed, "With so many events and people to meet I… forgot. This should be nice. I've not seen Teddy in forever. Bet he's grown."
"And I've not seen Daph in forever… bet I'll grow" Blaise winked and Hermione swatted him on the arm.
"Let's go, you weirdo." She walked pass him.
They bid their goodbyes with the Zabinis and Hermione promised to visit for longer over the summer. She couldn't deny how good it felt to have a family, as different as it may have been from what she was used to. Even though, she concluded, she fit quite well.
Jane and Bernard were different, true, but once she got a few more looks at the man it was easy to tell that they're related. Hermione imagined her and Blaise now looked a lot like what his father and her adoptive mother would have looked like if they were growing up together.
The Marquise had taken a lot of the Zabini features from her mother, but her eyes and hair were definitely her father's. She looked as if kissed by golden rays, hair, and skin, and even eyes. For that alone a Zabini she wasn't, they were certainly more of a warm summer shade; yet, the little seminaries they had did make it feel like a family. And that might have just been enough.
…
When she stepped out of the Floo in Grimmauld place, Hermione wondered for a moment if she had said the name of the location clearly enough.
"This can't be it, could it…" she whispered to herself as Blaise stumbled through after her and almost toppled both of them to the ground.
"Mia! Where are your manners!" The boy huffed jokingly.
"I'm sorry," The witch dusted some floo powder off of his shoulder "I just haven't been here since before the renovations were finished. Took me by surprise."
"It is much brighter isn't it?" Luna's voice came to them as she walked out of the dining room to greet the pair. "Kreecher finally allowed us to take Walburga's portrait down, he has it in his attic room, and Harry picked this lovely colour…" She rambled hugging both her friends.
"Is the rest of the place this different?"
"Oh, yes." Luna said leading them back to the dining room where the rest of the guests for lunch were gathered.
"Should be renamed to Grinnew place now." Harry joked, joining Luna to meet them. Behind him several heads perked up from their conversations greeting Hermione and Blaise. The remains of the Weasley clan were already around the table; Fleur with Bill, Audrey with Percy, Fred and Charlie deep in conversation, Daphne and Ginny giggling to the side of Arthur who was chatting merrily with Kingsley and Xenophilius.
"Who else are we waiting for?" Ginny asked once the newcomers were seated as well.
"Well, Andi and Ted will be bringing Teddy in a bit." Luna said.
"And I invited Narcissa with them." Harry added. "Draco is still at St. Mungo's knocked under sleeping drafts. It didn't seem right to leave her alone"
"It's a good thing you did." Arthur briefly interjected.
"Thought so too." Harry continued. "Nevil is staying with his muggle parents, and unfortunately McGonagall and Hagrid can't make it out of Hogwarts; Aberforth will join them there so this would be it."
"It may not be all of us." Kingsley added. "But it's good to see this place filled up for a happy occasion." Nods around the table followed.
The friends, now practically family, were smiling and talking cheerfully and by the time the Tonkses and one Narcissa Black arrived, everyone's Christmas doings had been addressed, and laughs were being shared over stories past, present, and - as two witches proudly rubbed their bumps - future.
Both Black sisters gave Hermione warm hugs of gratitude; Andromeda, having loved the painting of her small family, and Narcissa, having been told that her son was only alive because of the exceptional efforts and quick thinking of the young witch. And the table continued to buzz with soft chatter as if to prove how after any storm the sun could rise again.
Eventually, as the early afternoon rolled and the group had moved to the living room, the adults started leaving
"And don't get into too much trouble on that island." Andromeda mothered as she bid her goodbyes with Harry and Luna. "That goes for all of you." She looked at Blaise, Ginny, Daphne and Hermione who gave innocent smiles in return.
Arthur shook his head thoughtfully.
"When did they all grow up enough for us to let them wonder off to the other side of the magical world is beyond me!"
Xenofilius and Narcissa gave looks of understanding as the teens rolled their eyes almost in unison and the 'grown up' children in the back chuckled.
A few hours later, when those same "grown up" children were leaving, a similar tirade was given to the teens. Except from George and Charlie who insisted that 'a little trouble' was much needed and that so long as they came back in 'manageable pieces' all was allowed.
"I am actually really excited to go." Luna said when only the six of them were left around the fire. "I really miss the nice weather." Harry rubbed his witch's shoulders. She was as much of a summer child as they came and this was one of the many reasons he loved her.
"I've revised all of my sun blocking spells" Ginny said determinately. "No burning for me this time."
"Come on," Blaise teased. "How will I call you Red then?"
"Don't listen to him," Daphne, who was just as fair in complexion as Ginny, stepped up. "I have some of the muggle sun cream as well, we could do each other's backs." She added very much shooting daring looks at Blaise who just sighed in defeat.
Hermione was for one glad that her complexion was now less worrying under the sun, but her excitement over the new year lay a different place.
"Do you think Draco will be well enough to join us?" She asked Blaise.
"He better be! I've bet Harry five galleons that he kisses you at Midnight!"
"Harry James!" Hermione glared at her best friend outraged as he shrugged not a shred of guilt.
"What? After you told us what happened on Christmas Eve I doubt he'll wait till midnight." The boy defended and Ginny nodded in agreement.
"He bet on 'as soon as' we arrive on Kiritimati." Hermione's mouth was half open in shock. "I said as soon as he sees you… tomorrow!" The girl giggled and the rest of the group cheered as Hermione blushed scarlet.
"You guys are incorrigible!" She huffed. "I'm not even sure if I like like him. Never telling you anything again!" The witches and wizards didn't seem the least bit fazed under their friend's threats but continued their shameless teasing until she broke down into a chuckle herself.
That same evening when Hermione flooed to Cottage La Rouge she thought to herself how grateful she was to have such wonderful people in her life. How amazing it was that tables had turned and she would greet a new year in a better world.
They were set to take their portkey to Kiritimati on the 30th and Blaise had promised that he'd visit St. Mungo's with her before that.
The Marquise knew well enough that Reliviate was a tasking spell to recover from, but she just hoped to see the blonde wizard up and running. Oh, she did tell herself it was mostly just guilt for getting him in a hospital to start with. But there was another feeling rising deep inside her. Something she couldn't quite place just yet.
When she was finally in her own bedroom with just her familiar, the witch took two unopened presents out of her beaded bag. One was a golden box with a crimson ribbon, addressed to Lya-Marie; and the other - wrapped in parchment with golden, silver, and copper strings tied around it, addressed to Hermione.
"Which one should I open first, Nox?" The witch asked the kneazle who was vastly disinterested. Not meeting an answer she just opened the first preset.
It was a music box with two golden otters playing inside under the sounds of a piece Hermione vaguely recognized but seemed unable to place. There had also been a card.
"To remind you of a night I would never forget.
Our first dance under a waltz by Eugen Doga, aptly titled 'My Sweet and Tender Beast'
Draco"
The witch was touched by the gesture and the thought that had went into it. The soothing melody bringing back memories of that fateful October 2nd.
Hermione then opened the second present. It was a book, "The Unbreakable Vow". It came with a card as well.
"Hermione, with this I give you 'the unbreakable vow' that I shall henceforth work towards making amends for our past and building a real friendship in the future.
Draco
PS. Open page 394."
Her curiosity picked up and she quickly leafed the book to the page in question.
"The String" She read the title of the chapter. "When performed, the spell ties a string between the casters. Depending on the colour it could be told what ties they will hold between them. Gold signifies affectionate love, silver - familial care, copper is for loyal friendship, green for an ally, red for an enemy."
Hermione was intrigued. Rarely did she happen upon a spell which she didn't already know all about; so settling into her bed, the music box still playing in the background, she read on.
Apparently once cast by each party the spell would activate when the casters next touch.
"This would be interesting.." Hermione thought, making a note to cast the charm before she headed to St. Mungo's the following morning.
…
Her and Blaise had just flooed to the hospital when a familiar voice met them.
"What do you mean he's gone?!" Narcissa Black glared at a healer. "He can't be just gone! Last very night you told me he was yet to awake fully!"
"I understand, Lady Malfoy" The healer took another glare at the choice of name he addressed the witch with "But your son woke up early this morning, in full capacity, and signed himself out after his check up's."
"Did he not say where he was going? Because he certainly didn't make it home. And I promise you if something happens to him because of your incapacitated abilities you would rue the day you let him apparate out of this hospital!"
"I am so sorry, madam, but he didn't specify where he was going…"
"Aunt Cissa is everything alright?" Blaise asked the worried witch as he and Hermione got to her and the healer.
"Oh, Blaise, this incompetent wizard here let poor Draco just wonder off!"
"He said he had urgent business to attend to." The healer tried to defend himself.
"And what would that business be?" Hermione asked in turn.
"He said that there was a lady he needed to find... Um.. one from the White Yule he said. One who saved him." The frazzled man was trying to recall. "He said it was very imperative that he finds this witch as soon as possible."
Blaise and Narcissa shared looks as Hermione seemed to barely process the information.
"He's not come to me." She said. "But if he'd gone to look for me I imagine we'd better return to cottage La Rouge?" The other two nodded and the healer sighed in relief as he realised he was being left in peace.
When the three walked towards the floo the elder witch picked up the topic slightly.
"Hermione, If I may, I have no assumptions towards what your intent is in regard of my son." She turned to the Marquise "However, I urge you to remember that he is still probably very week. If you are to turn him down… just do it gently."
Hermione placed a hand on the arm of the worried mother. "I can assure you, Narcissa, I've no intent greater than ensuring he is well." The witches shared a smile, before Blaise rolled his eyes and cleared his throat, ushering them toward the fireplace.
"This could be it…" a young witch thought as she took a handful of floo powder.
…
"I don't understand…" Blaise levitated two cups of tea to Hermione and Narcissa. "If he said he was looking for you he should have made it here by now."
"What if he'd missed us? Do you think I should head home? Maybe he would be there." The older witch wondered turning her gaze from Blaise to Hermione and back.
"It would make sense I suppose."
"I could just pop back home to check. And we'll keep in touch right?"
"Of course"
They finished their tea and Narcissa flooed home. As soon as the green flames behind her dimmed a very worried Hermione hid her face in Blaise's chest.
"What if something went wrong with the spell? What if he couldn't apparate properly, what if he's splinched somewhere?"
"Mia, Mia, breathe." The boy reassured. "We'll keep in touch, send an owl as soon as there is news. He's a big boy. Probably went on to pick an engagement ring before coming to talk to you." The witch swatted her cousin.
"Thanks," she gave him a small smile rubbing off tears.
"Just look forward to the good things." Blaise hugged her with a smirk before he flooed off as well.
Hermione paced her small cottage unnerved.
It would be fine, wouldn't it? It had to be fine.
…
The following morning Narcissa awoke to an owl from her son.
"Mother, I'm well. More than well.
I'm not coming home until after New Year's. Please stop worrying.
I've found her! The One, you know.
Love,
Draco"
The witch smiled to herself. Hermione and Draco would really make a lovely couple. And just to think of the grandchildren, such magical cores, such blond hair and bright eyes; a vision. In truth, as any proud mother, she was practically planning a wedding.
Blaise awoke to much a similar letter
"Mate,
See you at the island.
Now that I've found my witch you can imagine I want to spend some time alone.
All is well, of course. No hard feelings for punching me. I understand you were trying to protect your cousin's secret.
Draco"
Blaise had a smile ear to ear and Ginny, snitching the letter from his hands, got much the same expression.
"You're about to pay up boy!" She teased. "Bet he opened the door with a kiss."
The wizard took his letter back.
"Oi, Red, no proof - no nothing; they might be saving themselves for marriage." He protested, not willing to admit he'd lost a bet. The redheaded witch shrugged and just crawled back to bed snuggling up to a still sleeping Daphne, leaving not much space for Blaise to follow.
"I'm awake anyway." he rolled his eyes and went to make himself tea. "I need to get a bigger bed…" he mumbled to himself throwing a glance back at his king sized one, which was thoroughly occupied by his two queens.
…
Hermione awoke shaken from a nightmare.
There wasn't a letter.
No owl came later that day.
In fact no owls came for the next two days.
It wasn't until late on the 30th when Blaise sent her a word, or rather a portkey to the island.
"See you there in ten!" was all it read. And the witch sighed.
It was hard not to feel rejected. Hard not to feel all alone. In short – the last days had been hard.
She couldn't concentrate on anything, or enjoy much of her time. Why hadn't Malfoy shown up? Where was he? Why hadn't Blaise and Narcissa stormed in worried?
"Suppose I'll just ask him in a bit." The witch mumbled to herself before calling aloud "Sara?"
A pop.
"Yes, Miss?" The elf smiled as always.
"I will be off, unless you have any need for me here?" Hermione said almost hopeful for a reason to stay.
"No, no, Miss. Enjoy the last of your holiday." Sara missed the que, purposefully, with a glint in her eyes. "I'll take care of Nox. He wouldn't like the humidity."
The elf had a point, although Hermione really didn't want to admit that, she fussed her kneazle a bit and took the portkey, waiting for the countdown.
"Why are you alone?" Blaise raised a brow when all of them had gathered in front of the beach house where they would be staying "Where is Draco?"
"As if I'd know where he is." Hermione snapped. "I've not heard a word."
Confusion flashed over Blaise, Ginny and Daphne, as Harry and Luna just observed with concern.
"But he wrote two days ago! Said he was with you! That's why I sent no portkey to him!" The wizard rummaged through his pockets "Look." He said picking out the letter.
Hermione read it over twice.
"Whoever Malfoy is with, whoever 'his witch' is…." She said coldly. "I can assure you it is not me."
Blaise looked at a lost. He turned in the spot twice, with a dazed look in his eye, before he spoke again.
"I better send him a portkey, so we can clear this up."
He walked off to floo the caretaker of the villa, leaving his friends silent behind.
"Blaise," Daphne called after him in a small voice giving a worried look around. "You better make the portkey for two."
…
A few hours later, when the friends had settled down on a terrace overlooking the ocean, the flash of a portkey was seen on the other side of the villa.
"Let's see then." Blaise got to his feet walking towards the entrance door with a determined look on his face. Ginny and Daphne followed closely as Harry and Luna trailed back with a Hermione who wasn't moving from her spot.
"Mione?" The dark-haired wizard picked his friend's attention. "You know this could still be just a misunderstanding, right?" The witch gave a small nod
"Yeah of course." she managed a smile. Her gut was telling her otherwise. "It's not like he could bring someone worse than Pansy; and we've dealt with that for the last seven years." She braved, getting up as well.
Her friends followed and the three rejoined the rest at the entrance door, just as it opened.
"If I didn't know better I'd say you'd forgotten me, Zabini." The familiar Malfoy drawl came the wizard's face pulling into the door frame.
Blaise was about to retort when a gasp behind him interrupted.
"You…" Hermione moved closer effectively pushing her friends behind and leveling with the witch accompanying Draco.
The Marquise had her wand at the ready, although, if looks could kill, the von Glockenspieler would already be a pile of dust.
The latter witch just gave a smirk narrowing her eyes and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder.
"My dear, you can't really allow your friends treat me this way, can you?" She asked with a voice soaked in sweet poison.
"That thing is not my friend" The blonde wizard spat. "Blaise hold back your little cousin. We'd hate for her to get into an accident so soon after coming into her heritage." A collective gasp left the room in silent shock.
"Draco…" Hermione turned to the boy. "Come to your senses, please." She implored "This witch imperioed you."
"It is Malfoy to you. And I know what she did." His eyes were cold and distant "She saved my life. The life I almost lost because of your lies, mudblood."
Following another collective gasp Blaise stepped closer threateningly.
"Watch it Malfoy…" He raised a wand but Hermione held his hand, eyes imploring him to stand down before she turned back to the newcomers.
"I am sorry, I wasn't entirely honest about my parentage, Draco." She spoke in a leveled voice "But you will find that I did not lie. I was just Slytherin about the truth. Now, you and your little girlfriend.."
"Intended." the Catherine interjected with a prideful cut.
"You and your intended," Hermione noted with disgust barely hidden at the lining of the word "are more than welcome to join us. I'll even overlook the comments; later she might even give us a retell of her heroic actions in St. Mungos." Everyone was staring at the Marquise heiress and the poise she held herself with. "But for now," she continued unfazed "We will let you two get settled. Dinner is in an hour and a half. Try not to get lost, or be late again. Wouldn't want someone questioning your blood status over simple lack of manners." At that the witch turned in her step and walked back to the terrace. The rest of the group staring confused between her and Draco and one by one they followed. Ginny throwing the newcomers a glare, Daphne and Luna sharing worried looks, Harry sighing as if to say "Why is everything always this complicated?", while Blaise stayed behind.
"Just as I started to be hopeful about your taste in witches..." The host noted under the outrage of his friend and the bleached blonde witch on his arm. "As for you." He turned to the latter "I don't care if you come from one of the oldest families in Wizarding Europe, or if German laws are softer on the matter, any unforgivables out of you will be, in fact, not forgiven." He started to walk away before throwing over his shoulder. "Oh, and Miss-whatever. As you heard, Draco here, has ridiculous policies when it comes to being kept from the truth. Toe out of line and he might just receive my pensive of Christmas Eve." The two at the door shared confused and worried looks as the wizard followed the rest of the group on the terrace.
"You can't show him a pensive, Blaise." Hermione spoke as soon as he came out to them. "I wove my spell around her imperio. If that breaks the seal might break and the Reliviate hasn't taken full potency yet. He probably doesn't remember anything post factum, until he reached the hospital. Being with her is an honest choice he has made out of his free will." Luna nodded in concern.
"There were no sprowlers around him, he's not under a spell. Just wigrelers and nifwits, he's confused."
Blaise slouched down on a chair.
"What do we do then?"
Hermione leaned back and closed her eyes in defeat.
"Nothing."
"We have to do something!" her cousin protested.
"No, Blaise, he's your friend and she's the intended he's chosen. He's also recovering from severe magical injuries. We support him and respect his decisions."
"But you hear Luna, he's nifwits or whatever, he's practically lost his mind. He's insane!"
"He could just as easily be in love."
"But you and him…."
"Are not even friends."
"You saved his life! You've been all big eyes and butterflies around each other for forever now! Aunt Cissa is probably planning your... everything!"
"I cast a spell because I felt responsible. And accepted an apology – he now seems to have retracted – therefore, I can assure you, there is nothingbetween the two of us."
"I thought you liked him, Mione." Harry interjected.
"Probably all the residual magic got to my head. He's just ferret you guys" She said a bit too earnestly. "We could never be a thing." Her friends shared looks before they gave in.
"At least she's not Pansy…" Daphne offered, breaking some of the tension.
…
It was about 21h local time when the friends finally decided to head to the dining room, having passed the time in pleasant conversations.
Draco and Catherine were already seated around the table, and where he wore smart casual black robes, she was definitely overdressed in a sequenced gold evening dress. Harry and Blaise were both wearing similar black muggle jeans, even though the former had opted for a nice grey button-up, where as the latter donned all black; they were obviously on the informal side, as the friends had ageer between each other. A casual New Years. Granted, their witches had dressed up in cocktail dresses, but they were still on the more flowy side, as Ginny and Daphne had opted for silk in green and purple respectively; Luna had a soft blue flowy dress with tulle detailing on the underskirt, and Hermione had chosen for a deep red chiffon dress in a classic 50's cut.
There was tension in the room as seats were taken. Luna 'sacrificed' herself and took the one next to von Glockenspieler, while Blaise sat next to Draco. Next to him was Daphne, then Ginny, Hermione, Harry, and that closed the table circle neatly.
The Marquise could feel the glares the new witch was throwing her, but everyone seemed to pretend the situation was completely normal so Catherine eventually resigned, clinging to Draco's arm all through the meal.
Eventually conversations broke and as more and more wine got poured, Blaise breached the subject.
"So how did you two meet?" He turned to his friend and his intended. "I can't ever remember Draco mentioning you."
"Blaise…" Daphne scolded quietly.
"I mean, this must be a new acquaintance."
"Yes, actually" Draco seemed to not notice the exchange. "Cathy approached me very boldly at the yule. Our mothers had known each other during their early White Yule years so she obviously knew of my family. Seeing as hers is indeed one of the oldest in Europe." The witch smiled contently at her wizard's words
"The only reason we're not in the sacred 28th is because we are, in fact, considered aristocracy."
"Funny, this is exactly why the Marquises are not on the list either." Luna added distractedly as the Von Glockenspieler glared at her and Hermione's cheeks reddened.
"Luckily the only thing we have in common is our proficiency with wandless magic." The latter witch raised her glass trying to drown the nauseating thought that her and that primed, fake-blonde-bimbo, had anything to be compared by. Catherine, however, was not content with the olive branch she was being offered and snapped pridefully.
"Of course, I have been raised in my status, where you Miss Marquise just recently came into it I hear."
"It is Lady Marquise, as I am sole heiress, Miss Von Glockenspieler" Hermione bit back. "And, be that as it may, I believe I rather benefited from my common upbringing."
"Well, I agree that money isn't everything, maybe even a poorer magical family could have given you some value." The pompous witch gave a condescending smile.
"Oh, you misunderstood, I had to say it clearer; my adoptive parents were muggles. I didn't even know I was a witch until I got my Hogwarts letter. Funny how I've made up for that. Sheer talent and effort." Hermione smirked slightly tugging in her plate as Catherine's eyes widened and half the table stifled laughters.
"Good thing Hogwarts is so progressive then to accept..."
"Mudbloods?" Hermione offered before taking another bite. "Oh, yes. So progressive that we spent our school years winning a war against fanatic blood purists. I mean, you did hear of Voldemort up north, no?"
"That's enough, Granger." Draco interjected "You are not allowed to use that tone at the future Lady Malfoy."
A collective gasp.
"My dear…" Catherine turned to Draco.
"I was going to make it official at midnight. But.." the wizard rose, taking her hand and pulling out a box "Catherine Thira Gisselle, ever since we met you've fit like a missing piece from life." He started as the rest of the room paled in silent shock. "You've been my guiding light, my Christmas Miracle. You brought me back to life and saved my memory. Never have I let someone wonder my mind so freely, never have I bonded with a soul so pure. You are a vision of beauty, a spring of talent, and every breath you take is grace. When I opened my eyes after that kiss of true love, oh, my head was throbbing pain, but I would always recognize you. The white dress, the fair hair and the golden halo that tied us. I don't think I can wait another moment before making you mine. Will you do me the honor…" His declaration was cut by a loud "YES!" before the witch threw herself on his neck; The onlookers were still frozen shocked, except Hermione.
There was a painful weight in her chest and she backed out of the room quietly, for all intents and purposes - invisible. She tried to tell herself that he was doing it out of his own free will; that he might be confused, but that he wasn't a fool; that Catherine is exactly what he had been looking for. She leaned against the terrace wall and let the cool evening breeze hug her.
What had she even been thinking? Of course he didn't feel for her. And she, she didn't even like him. She couldn't have ever even hoped for more than a friend out of Malfoy!
Hermione closed her eyes, took a deep breath and walked back inside.
A decision had been made on her end.
The room was filled with quiet and uncertain congratulations when the witch walked to the now engaged pair.
"I know we started off on the wrong foot." She smiled more genuinely than anyone could imagine possible. "But as a new year is fast approaching I suppose it is only fair that new chances are offered. If we had realised that you two were so serious about each other, and that it was true love's kiss that brought you together, we would have been much more supportive."
"Mia…" Blaise tried to interject, not really certain what was happening, but she waved him off and extended her hand to Draco.
"I am Lady Marquise. Hermione Lya-Marie Marquise. Formerly known as Granger. Heiress of the Marquise, Bové, Tussaud and Lacroix families. I wish to formally make your acquaintance and extend my sincere congratulations on your recovery and engagement." She spoke in a leveled, but warm tone, if a bit too prideful compared to what she was used to.
Draco narrowed his eyes at the witch for a second. The witch in front of him had deceived him to a point where he was certain he didn't even want her forgiveness anymore. But there she was, all Gryffindor, and all herself, and all honestly extending a hand in peace, just as she had done before. He remembered their letters and meet up's, the ring, which was still on his right hand, the one dance they shared. The books she had sent him for Christmas, which had brought a smile and a chuckle, before he had come to his anger, and how much care he had put in the Christmas gift for her, in turn.
Yes, Draco Malfoy could choose to hold a grudge against the witch. But he was now a better man, he thought; Catherine had given him a better purpose in his life, he thought; making friends was what he had set out to do, he thought. So he took Hermione's hand and planted a small kiss on it, a gesture of nothing more than acceptance.
At their touch fireworks erupted.
After a second of realisation, that the light and noise was coming from outside, everyone snapped out of the intense moment and started congratulating each other on the New 1999.
In the fuss of hugs and kisses between the group of witches and wizards only one certain Catherine von Glockenspieler noticed a string that tugged between Hermione and Draco when their hands separated.
Neither had remembered "The String" charm they'd cast.
And neither paid attention to what colour it glowed in briefly before it disappeared.
But in Catherine's eyes that string reflected Red.