Happy 2008! Hope all of you had wonderful holidays! Thanks to all those who reviewed! Ten has been by far my favorite chapter. Continue reviewing!
Eh, been debating with the thought for weeks now, and I've decided to ignore HBP- Dumbledore will remain alive in my fic. Hope that doesn't bug anyone too much. I just can't really imagine anyone else playing the role I need Dumbledore to play for my plot. Happy reading!
Here I go!
Chapter Eleven:
December.
"Hermione?" Came the voice of Ginevra Weasley, muffled by the drawn curtains of Hermione's four poster bed. The two lady Gryffindors had been sharing an inexpensive suite at the Leaky Cauldron, yes suites surprisingly exist at the shabby establishment. Also sharing a suite were Ron and Harry, across the hall from the girls. The four Gryffindors were spending a few days at the Leaky Cauldron to finish up their Christmas shopping at Diagon Alley.
At the sound of the young girl's voice, Hermione woke abruptly. She attempted to sit up but a pale, heavy arm kept her from doing so.
Ginny attempted to tug Hermione's curtains open-
"Your curtains are charmed shut?" The younger girl questioned curiously.
"Have you forgotten where we spent the night? Charming my curtains shut was a clever precaution!" There was no reply- before Hermione could succumb to her irritation, she suddenly realized the silencing spell cast the previous night was still in use. Locating her wand (shoved under her pillow), she muttered the counter spell before repeating herself.
"I don't exactly feel safe when I sleep here, Ginny. Charming my curtains shut was a clever precaution!"
She heard the redhead giggle. "Not too clever! While you're undoing the spell on your curtains, I'll be happily skipping to the bathroom."
Hermione groaned loudly. "GINNY! You were first to shower yesterday morning!" She then noticed him beginning to stir, his eyes opened. Quickly clamping his mouth with her hand, Hermione sighed. "Fine, Gin, go ahead! Take the bathroom first again." She listened to Ginny's footsteps against the worn wooden floors of their suite, then the bathroom door shutting softly before exhaling deeply as she withdrew her hand from him.
Yawning, a topless Malfoy waved his wand lazily. "Silencio." Once again, the silencing charm was cast on her entire bed, keeping their conversation within the drawn curtains.
Frantically, Hermione searched for his clothes under her sheets. "You swore you wouldn't fall asleep." She hissed, throwing a pair of boxers onto his lap.
He smirked at her, sitting up. "Blame yourself, Granger. You wore me out last night." Another article of clothing was thrown onto his lap.
'Coincidentally', Malfoy and Zabini were staying at the glamorous Hotel Illyria, a grand establishment positioned across Gringotts. Staying at the Leaky Cauldron simply revolted the pampered Purebloods. Shopping for gifts was also their intention, but of course Malfoy's top priority was seeing his girlfriend (the holidays having separated them). He and his best mate arrived at Diagon Alley late the previous night, at two-thirty in the morning the devious Slytherin snuck into Hermione's suite while her oblivious roommate slept. Malfoy intended to leave once Hermione fell asleep but he too found sleep, exhausted from their 'reunion'.
"You've got to Floo back to your hotel quickly." She demanded softly, not really wanting to mean it. "Hey! Those are mine!"
He had shoved a pair of lacey knickers, which he had hastily removed and threw over his shoulder the previous night, into a pocket of his pants. "And you're mine, so these knickers belong to me too." Malfoy reasoned as he pulled his wrinkled robes on.
Soon she was walking a fully dressed Malfoy to the hideous fireplace of her suite, though not without a cautious glance over her shoulder at the closed bathroom door.
"Have her asleep by two, alright? Expect me again at two-thirty." He then turned to her, kissing her too briefly, before grabbing a handful of Floo powder.
"HOTEL ILLYRIA!"
000
Draco Malfoy trudged on the once visible cobblestone pathway of Diagon Alley, now buried under many layers of snow. The streets were packed with many wizards and witches, all intent on finishing their Christmas shopping.
Upon arriving at his large Royal Suite at Illyria, Malfoy showered, answered Zabini's prying questions about his night while he dressed, and had breakfast. Ten minutes following his splendid breakfast, he found himself walking the streets of Diagon Alley with his best mate.
"Where to?" He heard Zabini ask loudly from his left, the wind was vicious, howling madly as the snow fell.
Ignoring the question, Malfoy squinted through the thin sheet of white the snow created as it fell. His best mate managed to follow his eyes-
"-Bebe's Bejeweled?" The confused Slytherin muttered to himself as he followed Malfoy to the boutique. The privately owned shop opened at the start of the year, steadily its reputation grew. At Hogwarts, Malfoy overheard young ladies gushing about the jewelry their boyfriends purchased at Bebe's Bejeweled. The said boyfriends boasted about the rewards their purchases earned them in the Quidditch changing rooms.
A charming bell chimed when Malfoy roughly pushed the door open, eager to leave the harsh cold. He then growled, eyeing the enchanted floating bell menacingly. The cunning Slytherin had adamantly planned to avoid drawing any attention to himself during this excursion, attention he and Zabini suddenly received when the bell announced their presence. Recently the Wizarding community had taken an odd interest in his purchases, undoubtedly because he had a girlfriend. Certainly everyone figured he was not visiting Bebe's Bejeweled to purchase some jewelry for himself!
Thirty or so shoppers were scattered about the large shop, excitedly peering down at glass display cases. The owner, Belinda Hathaway, was a Muggle-born. She fashioned her boutique to mirror a typical, but also sophisticated, Muggle jewelry store- with a witch's touch of magic, of course. The boutique was lit softly with several floating candle chandeliers. The main display area had a large circular glass jewelry case, which slowly rotated, the sellers stood in the middle ready to assist. Instead of walking around to view the jewelry, buyers simply stood as the case slowly revolved. The rotation stopped of course when a customer asked to view a piece. Smaller, less extravagant cases were surrounding the main display area.
Approaching the revolving glass display case, Zabini beside him, Malfoy surveyed the plain necklaces, rings, and bracelets- he was clearly unimpressed.
"Hello. Welcome to Bebe's Bejeweled. I'm Belinda." Came a soothing voice.
Malfoy distractedly glanced down, a woman of about 5'3 stood before him with a serene smile, offering a small hand. She was dressed in pale blue robes, her strawberry blonde hair pulled into a tight bun.
"I'm Draco Malfoy." They briefly shook hands. "This is my friend, Blaise Zabini." Belinda shook his hand as well.
"Nice to meet you both! Are either of you wishing to purchase something for a special lady?" She watched Zabini give his friend a sly grin.
"My mother. I'd like to purchase a ring for her. Money is no object."
000
"Hermione!" Ginny gasped enviously as her friend acquired a gorgeous white and emerald gown with a simple spell. Twilfit & Tatting's had the pricey gowns and dress robes elegantly levitating above the racks of their 'affordable items', which were still rather expensive.
Hermione and her parents were invited to spend Christmas Eve weekend, being that Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday, at the Malfoy Manor. Narcissa Malfoy planned an elegant formal dinner party on the eve of Christmas. Unlike previous Malfoy gatherings, the guest list for dinner party was small, consisting only of herself, her son, the Grangers, and Blaise Zabini.
Malfoy had instructed his girlfriend to purchase a nice gown for the occasion, a requirement of Narcissa's. It was, after all, a formal dinner party. He also suggested that she shop at Twilfit & Tatting's, an upscale clothing shop.
"Oh Ginny. It's so silky…" Hermione whispered as the gown fell into her awaiting arms.
Ginny, a pretty sixth year, obviously Ron's younger sister and Hermione's closest female confidant, gave the brunette a slight push towards the fitting rooms. "Go on, try it on before I take for myself! Although I wouldn't know what to do with it… Do you even know why you're buying a gown?"
Hermione laughed cheerfully. "Ginny, I told you! Yes, I've got a purpose for purchasing a gown. My parent's clinic is holding a holiday gala and we're required to wear formal attire." She lied so smoothly.
"Oh, right."
"Be a doll, Ginny, watch my things!" She requested, shoving her large dark brown purse and a small golden shopping bag into the redhead's arms.
Sighing loudly, Ginny seated herself on a white, plush, sofa just outside the fitting rooms, knowing Hermione would model the dress for her. The shopping bag on her lap glimmered enticingly. Earlier, before heading to Twilfit & Tatting's, Hermione made an unscheduled (not to mention unexplained) stop at the recently popular shop Bebe's Bejeweled. The two Gryffindors stayed only a moment, Hermione simply retrieved the small golden shopping bag from a marble counter at the back of the store. Her friend's secrecy and refusal to reveal what her purchase was greatly heightened the redhead's curiosity .
"She said it's for someone important to her…" Ginny muttered to herself as she reached into the bag. She then held a square velvet box, certainly a bit larger than the jewelry boxes designed for engagement rings though. Biting her lip, slightly ashamed at her nosiness, Ginny opened it.
Inlayed between folds of velvet was a black diamond pendant, the number three.
"Huh?" She stared dumbly at the pendant, it was not a conventional pendant one would expect to see. Anything but a bloody number would have made sense to her! It was a number, for Merlin's sake! Carefully, knowing the piece of jewelry was expensive, Ginny pulled the pendant out of the folds of velvet. She examined the front, then the back. Engraved in silver were two words:
Three Beans
A gift commemorating the eve of Malfoy's seventeenth birthday celebration. That evening, Hermione told him she had eaten three vomit flavored beans (Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, of course) in order to remind herself of their first kiss. Undoubtedly, the pendant's meaning would only be understood by the couple (this being the reason for Hermione's decision to purchase the gift).
Frustrated, she shoved the pendant back into its place, unable to understand the meaning of Hermione's extremely odd and awfully pricey purchase. "Bloody black diamond wasted… a number?" The redhead muttered bitterly. Just as she slid the box back into the golden shopping bag, Hermione stepped into view. "Gin! Well, what do you think?"
Ginny, mouth unattractively hanging open, gawked at her best friend for nearly a minute, speechless.
The (sleeveless) gown had an emerald lace bodice with a white skirt falling to the floor, a pleated Empire-waist paired with a thick emerald ribbon enhanced the gown perfectly. A modest jewel neckline and a slightly plunging V back revealed enough but not too much.
"You know how amazing you look in that dress, Hermione!" Ginny paused. "Although it's a bit Slytherin spirited, I can't tell you not to buy it!"
The elder girl smiled softly as she nodded in agreement before heading back to her fitting room. The bit of Slytherin spirit her gown exhibited was Hermione's main reason for spending nearly two hundred galleons on a bloody dress.
"Wear green, my color. It'll compensate for your lack of support for me during my Quidditch matches."
She smirked as her boyfriend's words seemed to float around her, maddening her. Malfoy was going to be flabbergasted, Hermione again complied to one of his relentless requests for her support of the Slytherin house.
000
"How much?" Malfoy asked faintly, entranced by the piece of jewelry twirling merrily in its own display case. Pink diamonds encrusted the ring, dotted nicely by white diamonds among the pink; the colors and pattern of the diamonds reminded him of certain (polka dotted) bikini-clad Gryffindor he caught at the lake many months ago.
Zabini contained a grin, watching his best mate eye the ring fondly, which clearly was not for Narcissa Malfoy. White, pink, and polka dots meant nothing to the woman…or anyone else really. The combination of white, pink, and polka dots were only significant to Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Zabini figured this was the reason for Malfoy's immediate interest in the piece when Belinda casually mentioned the ring's unique composition.
"414 galleons, 14 sickles and 21 knuts."
"Kindly include gift wrapping in that total, Belinda."
000
Hermione charmed her gown hastily, shrinking the silk beauty to become the size of doll's clothes. She shoved the shrunken gown and her purchase from Bebe's Bejeweled into her large purse just as she and Ginny entered the Florean Fortescue's Parlour, the owner removed the Ice Cream portion of the title during the winter season. Because of the freezing weather, Florean Fortescue's Parlour served warm beverages as well as ice cream and other edibles. After spotting Harry and Ron (and the two seats saved for them) among the sea of customers, the parched girls seated themselves before greedily ordering drinks.
After twenty minutes of light conversation, Ron's whining began.
"Hermione, come on! You, Harry, and me always spend the day before Christmas Eve together. You know, since you never can spend Christmas Eve with us at the Burrow!"
She sipped her hot chocolate, considering how to respond. "I know, Ron. It's been our tradition since second year. But really, you and Harry don't need me to have your fun, and besides, we'll see each other at you-know-where on Christmas Day!"
Hermione nicely balanced her Christmas schedule. She had the Christmas weekend with her boyfriend, his mother, and her family at the Malfoy Manor. Then from Malfoy Manor she would head to 12 Grimmauld Place, there she would spend Christmas Day and the remaining days of the holidays with her friends and the Order members.
000
Friday, December 22
Malfoy was not pleased. Hermione and her family were due to arrive at the manor any minute and he was conferencing with the Headmaster, at Hogwarts. It was the bloody fucking holidays and the Slytherin was at school!
"You can't possibly be serious!" Sneering severely, Malfoy slumped even lower on the plush armchair of the headmaster's office, visibly displaying his displeasure.
"I've been known to joke entirely too much, yes. But right now, I'm being quite serious my boy." Replied Headmaster Dumbledore with a small chuckle, seated at his majestic desk across a scowling Head Boy.
Malfoy met with the Headmaster nearly every evening, their conferences held no particular pattern, unlike the three other meetings he had weekly- all set to meet on specific days. And also unlike his other meetings, his meetings with Dumbledore occurred even during the holidays. Dumbledore simply summoned the young Slytherin via owl and at once Malfoy headed to the office behind the statue of a gargoyle on the seventh floor.
"Besides," Dumbledore continued. "You met the older Order members last year! The remaining members absent during your arrival at headquarters a year ago already know you as well. I will merely reintroduce you to them as my recruit."
Malfoy resisted the uncontrollable urge to roll his eyes. "The 'remaining members' you speak of, Headmaster, are Saint Potter and Weasel Weasley."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were recently inducted into the Order of the Phoenix. Initially Dumbledore had planned to initiate all four seventh years (Malfoy, Potter, Granger, and Weasley) together after their graduation from Hogwarts, but certain circumstances called for the Golden Trio to be inducted a bit sooner. Five of his members died during a Death Eater ambush. Dumbledore wouldn't say his three Gryffindor students were mere replacements, the deaths just advanced the date of their induction.
"And Miss Granger."
He focused his gaze on the plain ceiling of the headmaster's office, knowing Dumbledore was eyeing him knowingly at the mention of his girlfriend. Malfoy's relationship with the Gryffindor was no secret to the elderly, but incredibly wise, Headmaster of Hogwarts. Direct discussion of their relationship was off limits (unless Malfoy initiated the subject), the Headmaster knew his student fiercely protected his privacy. He always allowed Malfoy to offer information, not pry it out of the poor boy. Although Dumbledore, at times, gave indirect remarks pertaining to the Slytherin/Gryffindor union. Occasionally the implications were given in a teasing manner, other times in an advisory manner.
Malfoy cleared his throat slightly, disregarding the remark. "I imagine my return to 12 Grimmauld Place will be soon?"
"Certainly. Too soon, I apologize for the late notice. I'd like it very much if you made an appearance Christmas Day. You'll be heading to Hogwarts from headquarters so bring everything you'll be needing for the spring term." He paused. "Oh my, it's nearly Christmas, isn't it? Have you acquisitioned a gift for the young lady?" Of course he did not anticipate a response; Dumbledore swore the Head Boy nodded his head very slightly. "Quite a task?" He implored carefully.
"Easier than I expected, actually." Malfoy muttered, remaining seated. "She'd like me to extend her thanks to you."
The Headmaster displayed his approval of the relationship to both Malfoy and Hermione by providing loopholes for them. The wise old man allowed them to somewhat attend the ball together without raising suspicions- he required Malfoy to escort Hermione to the Winter Ball. He was not necessarily her date but the couple was promised one dance. She and Malfoy, being Heads of the school, were given the responsibility of launching the first dance of the Winter Ball as well. Hermione was forever grateful to her Headmaster (Malfoy was also, but of course he would never declare it).
"Whatever for?"
Malfoy nearly laughed at the old man's ambiguity. "Another attribute you're well-known for is your terrifying ability to know every secret uttered within the walls of Hogwarts. You're meaning to tell me you have not a clue the reason for her thanks but you're very aware of who my girlfriend is? I'm sure you know what she's thanking you for, so there's no need to elaborate, Headmaster."
000
Sunday, December 24
The Malfoy Manor was buzzing with activity as the house-elves prepared for the dinner party the lady of the manor was hosting. While the house-elves gorgeously set the table, meticulously prepared the food, and established the proper ambiance for Christmas Eve dinner, the Malfoys and their guests were readying themselves as well.
The Grangers settled themselves at the East Wing, Alexander and Jacqueline claimed the Master Chambers while Hermione claimed smaller (it really depends on one's definition of smaller, her chamber was still rather large) quarters.
Malfoy found himself impatiently pacing around the spacious sitting room of Hermione's quarters. It was six thirty-five; they had agreed to head to the Banquet Hall five minutes ago. Of course the dinner was not anticipated to commence until seven but it was Hermione who suggested they arrive early.
Malfoy adjusted his infuriatingly itchy collar for the seventh time that evening. His dress robes were costly but simple, black on black, vaguely similar to what Harry Potter wore to the Yule Ball. "Dear Merlin, Granger! If you're planning on a dramatic descent, slowly gliding down those stairs, fuck it! I've got no tolerance or desire for your theatrics, bloody witch-" He paused abruptly, he finally noticed she was already making a descent down to their Common Room.
Indeed she was slowly gliding down a small staircase (much like her suite at Hogwarts, a staircase, although not as grand, led to her bedroom)- at first. Upon hearing his rude remarks, Hermione unappealingly stomped down the remaining stairs. The somewhat troll-like scowl she wore did nothing to hide her beauty, very lightly enhanced with cosmetics. Her thick hair poured past her shoulders in soft ringlets, bouncing violently as she swiftly marched to him. The gown (barely sweeping the hardwood floor) rustled with every step Hermione took, prompting her boyfriend to thoroughly study it .
"You're wearing green-" Malfoy grinned, his glare vanishing at the sight of her. The gown was anything but extravagant, rather it was very elegant. The emerald complemented her dark tresses while the white brought out the color of her eyes.
"All you need is Slytherin etched on this darling emerald ribbon-" He took hold of the said ribbon when she reached him.
Snatching the silky piece of fabric from his grasp, Hermione poked his toned chest lightly. "Good Merlin, I tried to look nice for the asshole known as my boyfriend and the fool yells at me." With each word she spoke, she prodded his chest a bit harder.
Malfoy's honed Seeker skills kicked in, his hand swiftly catching hers as she withdrew from her contact with him. He smiled, a rare smile. "You look divine."
Accepting his compliment with a delicate smile, Hermione adjusted his collar for him. Malfoy gazed down, watching her as she did this; he still had the height advantage, even with her wearing heels. Merlin he loved her. He'd never tell her but the Slytherin was terrified of another break up, every irrelevant argument, any ounce of hostility, reminded him of their brief separation during the summer. Malfoy broke up with her for three weeks during the summer, deeply regretting his decision each day until their reconciliation during their Heads training weekend at Hogwarts. The breakup significantly strengthened their relationship…
Flashback:
Reluctantly, he walked into Headmaster Dumbledore's office, knowing his ex-girlfriend would already be seated before the headmaster's desk. It was the weekend prior to the return of all Hogwarts students. Hermione and Malfoy were summoned a week earlier because they were both unsurprisingly appointed as Head Boy and Head Girl. Like previous Heads, the two seventh years were asked to spend a weekend at Hogwarts to be trained by Dumbledore and his deputy headmistress.
Malfoy seated himself on an armchair to her right, though he paid her no attention. After being lectured on their expected responsibilities, the headmaster instructed his students to acquaint themselves with one another (at this request both Malfoy and Hermione snorted bitterly) as they headed to the seventh floor in search of a portrait of Hogwart's first ever Head Boy and Head Girl.
The pair walked in silence for ten minutes, their out of synch footsteps echoing against the stone corridor walls the only sound.
It was harder for Malfoy to disregard her existence when she walked right beside him, her scent intoxicating. Unfortunately he had missed her, three weeks with no attempted communication from either side. Trying to fool himself Hermione would not notice, Malfoy sent her frequent, at times apologetic, glances.
Eventually their eyes met- she released a small growl, ceasing her strides abruptly.
"You dare to send me those looks of longing, Malfoy? As I recall you ended our relationship."
Malfoy was not fazed, unlike her, he continued walking.
He heard her sob. "It was over just like that. With no explanation whatsoever."
Turning suddenly, Malfoy eyed her maliciously. "It's still an unsolved mystery to you? You really are dumber than you appear…" He spat coldly.
"I must be dumber than I appear. I dated you."
Because this was not the response Malfoy expected, the remark hurt him more than she had intended. But during their harsh goodbye at Malfoy Manor Hermione was not given many opportunities to speak, he knew she would not hold back now.
"I'm stupid to have wasted my time on you… I'm stupid to have slept with you all those times…and I was stupid to think maybe I'd take you back…
"It was incredibly dense of me to involve myself with you, Draco Malfoy." She was crying. Both her words and tears hurt Malfoy deeply; Hermione was unaware.
"And it's also stupid of you to think I give a shit about the massive amount of stupidity I've caused in your pathetic life." Turning away from her, continued down the corridor. Malfoy nearly reached the stairs leading to the third floor when he heard her speak once more.
"Why Draco? Why did you break up with me? Why!" She lividly shouted.
"Why?" He roared venomously. "Because I fucking love you, bloody idiot muggle-born!" He was beyond angry. Malfoy honestly wanted to Avada the young woman for her idiocy, for unintentionally forcing him to profess his love to her.
They did not rush to one another to embrace or kiss. She did not tell him she loved him too. It was eerily silent. Hermione was staring at him blankly, unable to react… not knowing how to react.
He took a small step towards her-
"I was training with Snape, learning how to block my mind if ever Voldemort decided to penetrate it. Snape tapped into my memories of our relationship, Granger. I gathered enough strength to block your identity but he knows I have-" Malfoy paused. "Excuse me, had, a girlfriend. The relationship was not discussed.
"But later that night Voldemort dictated a revolting speech about his hate of muggle-borns and muggles, he spoke of punishing any of us if we even formed thoughts of being pleasant towards such filth-"
Hermione scoffed bitterly, interrupting him. "So you broke it off to save yourself."
"Shut the fuck up and listen, Granger." He took another small step towards her before continuing. "We had to watch Voldemort rape a trainee's muggle girlfriend. He RAPED her and then had her boyfriend KILL her. Don't you understand? Those two people could have been us! Voldemort penetrated that trainee's mind, I could have been that trainee, Hermione.
"The next night Snape got into my head again, he discovered your identity. He then told me what I already knew, once it was Voldemort in my head, you were guaranteed the same end as that muggle girl. He advised me to accept it all… my inability to protect my mind… your fate… the bastard was suggesting that I do nothing! He was provoking me! I couldn't stand the idea of you being raped and killed. Fuck, I was scared shitless." Sometime during his explanation, Malfoy reached her, he was holding her face with two shaking hands. "Breaking up with you made you return home, back to the Muggle world- where I thought you'd be safer if Voldemort discovered our relationship. Ending what we had kept you away from me, away from the Wizarding World, away from Voldemort. I knew you wouldn't-"
"-run to my friends? I was too heartbroken to try to pretend I was okay. I couldn't seek their company at the state I was in… It would have been rather difficult explaining the source of my distress. You are not the only one in love, Draco." She told him in a shaky whisper, falling into his embrace as his arms wrapped around her.
"You have to understand I was only taking precautions. I was very aware of my inability to defend my mind. My severity towards you was my insurance that you would not come back to me. Ending it was my extremely weak attempt-my very cowardly attempt to protect you."
"I don't need you to protect me, Draco. I can't hide behind you during the entire war. I just need you to fight beside me."
End Flashback.
The striking couple (Hermione and Draco, of course) strolled through the Corridor of Malfoy Ancestors, the only direct path leading to the Banquet Hall. Intricate portraits of Malfoy's family members, both esteemed and not so esteemed, lined the walls in extravagant frames. Many had grown accustomed to Hermione's presence at the manor but their familiarity to her during her first visit was very different. She was once known as an unwelcome Mudblood to the Malfoy ancestors, not Malfoy's girlfriend. Not only was Hermione viewed disapprovingly by her boyfriend's deceased family, his mother (very much alive) was not so welcoming either.
Hermione vividly recalled the day she met Narcissa Malfoy. She had nervously shuffled through the very hallway she stood in at the moment, receiving glares and threats from the portraits…
Flashback.
"Filthy Mudblood! How dare you dirty this home with your presence!"
"Draco Malfoy, if your father knew of the disgrace you've brought onto the Malfoy name! Associating with a Mudblood… are you holding her hand? Absolutely revolting!"
"Revolt? A revolt sounds very nice at the moment!"
Malfoy wrapped a protective arm around his girlfriend's waist, he held closely against his toned body, as if somehow he was shielding her from hearing his family member's threats and complaints.
"This is the only corridor to the Banquet Hall." He muttered to her apologetically.
Hermione tried to manage a smile but hearing the blunt opinions of his family members only intensified her anxiety.
Too quickly were they stepping into the Malfoy Manor Banquet Hall.
It was only noontime, Narcissa had instructed her son to arrive for lunch; three impressive (unlit) Nineteenth Century Baccarat chandeliers caught Hermione's attention. The three magnificent beauties magically levitating above the hall were composed of crystal and bronze with endlessly burning candles, which lit at sundown. It seems the entire Banquet Hall was designed to accentuate the loveliness of the chandeliers. Bronze wooden floors laid beneath a massive table surrounded by twenty-three vacant chairs, Mrs. Malfoy had claimed the twenty-fourth seat. Twenty-four sets of fine silver utensils lay still beside their assigned bronze plates, glass goblets were empty.
Hermione remembered to conceal her childlike curiosity when her eyes met the cold stare of Narcissa Malfoy. Her piercing silver eyes, eyes inherited by her son, stood out against her long blonde tresses and pale complexion.
"Tell me the girl you're holding is your girlfriend's handmaiden, Draco." She spat frigidly. "I must say she must be very comfortable with herself if she allows you to be so cozy with the help."
The Muggle-born almost laughed at Narcissa's insult, she understood now where Malfoy inherited his incredible wit and sarcasm. Hermione had expected him to withdraw his arm from its position around her waist but instead he tightened his hold. She suddenly felt very insecure about her appearance, Narcissa had called her a handmaiden! The Gryffindor donned a short, white summer dress for the luncheon at Malfoy Manor but now she regretted her selection.
"Mother, this is my girlfriend, Hermione Granger."
His mother gave a bitter laugh as she beckoned the couple to take the seats on either side of her, Narcissa was situated at the only appropriate seat for her- the head of the table.
"When your Great-Uncle Mortimer appeared in a Banquet Hall painting, hollering about Mudbloods and disowning you, I could hardly believe what I scarcely deciphered. But I no longer have to believe my Uncle Mortimer, I've got my eyes to believe now. You've really fooled yourself into thinking I would approve of this." Narcissa sneered as Hermione seated herself to her right before eyeing her son disapprovingly as he too took a seat. Hermione tugged on her dress nervously, the elder woman seemed to be studying every thread of her outfit.
Hermione felt both their gazes on her but she pretended to be deeply fascinated with her reflection in the bronze plate. Of course his mother hated her, her parents adored him and in return the gods made sure to have Narcissa loathe just breathing the same air as the "inferior" Muggle-born.
"My company is not wanted here, I'll be on my way." She muttered as she stood, for the second time her eyes met Narcissa's.
"Honestly, wearing white before dinner… and your knees are exposed! A lady must reveal little during the day, most especially during a luncheon!" Having turned away already, Hermione swiftly spun around after her remark. "Go on to your chambers and change out of that dress! We'll all forget this ugly incident ever happened. You and I will be reintroduced at your return." Narcissa was concealing a smile, though somehow Hermione realized it. The beautiful widowed woman was very aware both her son and Hermione had assumed she was upset about the girl's lack of pure blood.
"O-Okay?" Hermione glanced at her boyfriend- he was grinning manically at the exchange he just witnessed. Malfoy gave her a slight nod, silently indicating that she follow his mother's instructions.
Once she knew she could no longer be heard from Banquet Hall, Hermione freely released her uncontrollable giggles. Narcissa was revolted by Hermione's choice of attire for the afternoon, not by her Muggle lineage. Wearing white and exposing a bit of leg, knee to be more specific, before dinner was a mistake only a handmaiden would make, apparently. Only Narcissa Malfoy would fuss over such triviality! As she climbed up an elegant staircase, Hermione decided to purchase a book about Pureblood etiquette as soon as possible.
End Flashback.
12 Grimmauld Place, Christmas Day
Hermione observed her company as she waited for Dumbledore to commence the unscheduled meeting he called for after the Order members enjoyed the marvelous Christmas breakfast Molly Weasley prepared for them. Their conference table was arranged in a horseshoe shape, Dumbledore, of course, was seated at the middlemost portion of the table. The members were given their places at the two branches of the horseshoe. All the Weasleys (including Fleur Delacour and excluding Ginny and Percy) were present, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harry and Ron were in attendance as well. They all quietly mingled with those seated near, wishing one another 'Happy Christmas' while they waited for the arrival of their leader, Albus Dumbledore.
He finally arrived, dressed in magnificent, very festive red and green robes. Dumbledore grinned jovially at his members, his colleagues. They all stood at his entrance. Then suddenly his gentle face was marred with a slight frown.
"Happy Christmas to you all!" He greeted, motioning them to be seated. Dumbledore allowed the murmur of their responses die down before speaking again. "I hope this impromptu gathering didn't spoil anyone's morning."
"Nonsense, Albus! You summoned us here a few hours than we expected. I hardly call this meeting impromptu." Mad-Eye told him with a gruff chuckle. For the past three years, the Order members celebrated Christmas Day with an event they called the "Orderly Luncheon", an extravagant lunch with all the members able to attend.
The members, including Dumbledore, shared a laugh before they were informed of the reason for gathering at headquarters earlier than they'd expected.
"It's no secret to any of you that I've recruited a new spy for the Order, I've spoken of him once or twice since I've recruited him. His initiation into Voldemort's ring of Death Eaters is approaching which means I will be inducting him into the Order as well. When I brought him here nearly a year ago, I briefly introduced the boy to some of our members. Well, I've been very uncomfortable with this. Before we induct our new member I'd like everyone to be formally introduced to him, acquaint yourselves with him, in a sense learn to accept him." The wise man paused, seeing Harry raise his hand uneasily. "Yes, Harry?"
"Listen to yourself, your recruit is becoming a Death Eater… how positive are you that he's not a spy for Voldemort?"
"Harry I've had a year to acquaint myself with him. If you were only given the opportunity I had to watch him transform, there would be no doubt in your mind he is on our side. And fortunately, I'm giving you all this opportunity, somewhat. He will join us for our Orderly Luncheon and reside here at 12 Grimmauld Place until the holidays are over. As of today, consider him an unofficial Order member."
When the meeting adjourned, a mixture of anxiety and curiosity floated about the former House of Black. The adult members and Hermione were anxious, having already met Dumbledore's recruit. They knew of the hostile history between the young man and his fellow schoolmates, schoolmates who would soon become his official comrades. The young adults- Harry and the Weasleys- were extremely curious.
"Forty minutes until our Orderly Luncheon." Fred Weasley sang childishly seated beside his twin, George. The twins, Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione were in the home's once musty Grand Room, waiting for the luncheon to begin. During an extraordinarily dull day at headquarters during the summer, Hermione and Ginny renovated the Grand Room, creating a room for the younger Order members.
"Must you sing that bloody song every ten minutes?" Ginny growled at her older brother, looking up from the Daily Prophet article she was currently reading. Not waiting for a response, the only female redhead in the room turned her attention to Hermione.
"Malfoy bought his little prissy girlfriend a ring. Seems the Daily Prophet's Christmas gift for the prick is another front page article about him." She paused thoughtfully. "You've never seen her at your dormitory?"
"What?" Hermione asked absently, taking the Daily Prophet from Ginny's grasp.
Hardly an engagement ring!
Our most eligible underage wizard, Draco Malfoy, was spotted at Bebe's Bejeweled, a privately owned boutique located at, of course, Diagon Alley (see page five for directions and contact information). It was reported he shelled out 420 galleons on a precious pink and white diamond encrusted band- Fascinated, Hermione stared at the photograph of the ring in its case, spinning slowly. "This is NOT an engagement ring, ladies and wizards! This a wedding band! Has Mr. Malfoy secretly tied the knot with his mystery girlfriend?
Reading enough, Hermione threw the newspaper on the coffee table. They were going to exchange gifts later on this evening, when everyone was asleep. Would she be unwrapping that 420 galleon ring?
She heard Ginny chuckle from her left. "Don't think too hard." The younger girl was eyeing her oddly. "I'd ask what was going on during the moment you just had, but I haven't got the time. They've called us for lunch-" Hermione then felt her body leave the softness of the sofa, Ginny had pulled her to her feet.
Chaos would soon ensue.
What'd you think? Everything I wrote, I wrote for a reason. You'll see in the next chapter.
Please review:)
You guys have no idea how long it took me to arrange this chapter! Eleven was hard to write because I've already got a strategy in my head and I've got to place everything so precisely so the story flows harmoniously! Ginny's going to have a big role in the next chapter! Chapter twelve… Draco is "reintroduced" to Ron and Harry. Hermione and Draco exchange gifts.. Mostly going to be set at headquarters! Don't be surprised if it's shorter than this chapter! Hahaha. Review please!