November 20th, 2011

A/N: Because it's almost Thanksgiving, I'll try to post more often, seeing as I'll have plenty of free time (: I might even spoil you lot by posting chapters every day. Thanks for leaving your thoughts and comments, because they're all appreciated, from ones saying "Great job!" to others that are full of constructive criticism. Cat, you are a goddess. Thanks so much for being the best beta ever!

Oh, and if you guys are expecting a sex scene or even a snogging session in very graphic description, don't. I'm only thirteen! If amazing writers like Wizards-Pupil can't write one of those scenes without blushing, I certainly can't.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter Eleven

Tap tap tap.

Draco glanced up to see a vaguely familiar owl impatiently waiting on the other side of the window closest to the couch he was sitting on. He made sure Hermione was still sleeping soundly before he carefully stood to see what message was so urgent.

"Mmph," Hermione mumbled, turning so she was lying on her side. Draco glanced over at her and smiled slightly, then opened the sealed letter in his hands.

Draco darling,

I apologize for the short notice, but I have been occupied until now. Enclosed in this envelope is an invitation to the gala I am hosting for my birthday, which will occur in three days' time. I will formally request your presence, but you know as well as I do that I will not take no for an answer. You may bring whomever you wish.

-Your loving mother Narcissa Malfoy

Draco groaned aloud. The gala would be a problem by itself, but he was also sure that his mother had invited the entire Greengrass family to attend as well. That meant seeing Astoria, and he wasn't looking forward to that.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes and allowed them to adjust to the light. Why were the walls blue? Ginny's room was painted dark green and gold, to match the colors of the Holyhead Harpies. Then Hermione remembered she had napped at Draco's flat because he kept insisting.

"Is something wrong?" she asked sleepily, sitting up.

Draco shook his head, then paused and sat down next to Hermione.

"My mother's having a celebration for her birthday and she wants me to go," he explained, leaning back against his couch.

"What's so bad about that? She's your mother. You should go," Hermione said, patting Draco's hand. "You obviously care about her very much. I don't see what would keep you from being there for her."

Grimacing, Draco had to admit that Hermione had a fair point. But he wouldn't tell her that.

"Astoria will be there."

Hermione shot him a patronizing look, a smirk tugging at her mouth. "You can't avoid Astoria forever. Speaking of, how are things going between you two?"

"I'd rather they weren't going at all, but of course she has a different opinion. She continues to pursue me the way Weaselette pursued Potter for the majority of her life."

"A fair comparison," Hermione said, grinning. She tucked a few stray locks of hair behind her ears and nestled deeper into the blanket she was covered by. "Anyway, you can't shut your mother out of your life because of some girl. It's ridiculous. I'd do anything to have my mother bothering me right now."

Draco winced again. Hermione had to point that out. She really knew how to tug on one's heartstrings.

"I'm sorry. You're right; I'll go."

Hermione smiled in satisfaction, but she didn't get to celebrate her victory for long.

"But only if you go with me."

Averting her eyes, Hermione thought back to the last time she had been inside Malfoy Manor. She had been tortured, through magic and Muggle means. She didn't know how long she would last without breaking down from the awful memories.

But she wanted Draco to cherish the time he had with his mum, and she knew he wouldn't go to the gala alone. Hermione sighed. The Gryffindor part of her wanted to help her friend, but the more selfish part refused to go anywhere near the place she had been at the mercy of Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Draco, you have to realize that all of the guests will be purebloods who hate Mudbloods like me with an unreasonable passion," Hermione said.

"You are not a Mudblood," Draco replied fiercely.

Hermione covered her mouth with one hand to suppress her laughter. "Yes, I am, and I'm proud of it too. It doesn't bother me at all anymore. But things will be awfully uncomfortable for you if you walk into the room with a Muggleborn on your arm."

"Things will be even more uncomfortable if you're not there to keep me sane," Draco argued stubbornly.

"I'm not going to win this, am I?"

"Are you kidding me? I'm a Malfoy. I always win."

"If you say so," Hermione said, deciding to humor her old classmate. "Is it black tie?"

"Narcissa Malfoy is hosting this party. Of course it's black tie." Draco paused for a moment, tilting his head to the side as he thought. "Do you need dress robes? Because it would be the least I could do to buy them for you, since I'm dragging you along."

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "Draco, I do own dresses. It won't be the first time I've gone to that kind of event."

Another reminder that Hermione had once been Weasley's girlfriend. Draco frowned and changed the channel on the television. Hermione shifted so her head was leaning back on Draco's chest, so she couldn't see the emotions flitting over his face.

Caught up in her own world, Hermione unconsciously grabbed Draco's hand when she began to wonder how Narcissa would receive her. Maybe the woman had changed, the way her son had. Harry had once told Hermione that Narcissa was partially why he was able to defeat Voldemort for good. So she couldn't be that bad.

"Hermione, I do believe you've cut off all circulation in my hand," Draco observed calmly, gently removing the witch's death grip.

"Merlin, I'm sorry!" Hermione squeaked, her cheeks turning pink.

"It's alright, but what were you thinking about?" Draco asked, massaging his soon-to-be bruised hand.

Hermione blushed even redder and moved so only their shoulders were touching. She pulled her knees to her chest and glanced around the room, her eyes landing on everything but Draco.

"Are you sure going to Narcissa's birthday party with me is such a good idea? Her guests' opinions don't really matter to me, but this is your mother we're talking about," Hermione said, picking at invisible loose threads on her shirt.

"Don't worry about it so much. She'll adore you, I'm sure."

Hermione looked at him skeptically. "Are you saying that so you don't have to put up with any more of my rambling, or do you truly mean it?"

"Honestly woman, have you no faith in me?" Hermione snorted and Draco mock scowled at her. "It was a rhetorical question," he sniffed. He sobered soon after, though. "I think Mother will like you. Not at first, but she'll get used to the fact that you were born into a family of Muggles, and then she'll accept you for you."

"Okay," Hermione said quietly, mildly appeased.

Draco focused on what was flashing on the screen of the telly. Hermione was doing a lot for him and he hadn't even asked how she was doing. Of course, Draco knew that Hermione was better off without Ron, and that she knew it as well, but he still should have asked.

"Hermione?"

"Hmm?" Hermione replied, looking at the pale blonde.

"How are you doing?"

Hermione blinked, not understanding what Draco meant at first. As soon as she did, though, she exhaled rather loudly, so that it could almost be called a huff.

"I'm fine, Draco. You of all people should know that by now," Hermione said, extending her arms above her head, which caused her to yawn. "You were there when I broke things off with Ron. You were there when I talked to him again. Harry's too much like my brother to see that I'm not crying my heart out – he thinks he's my protector. In some ways he is, so it's alright for him to shelter me for a while. But I've told you everything, so I expect you to not act this way around me."

The matter-of-fact way Hermione spoke did nothing to convince Draco, but his own memories reminded him of how Hermione had handled herself in the presence of Weaselbee. She certainly was not the weak girl in need of assistance, the way Potter seemed to think she was.

Draco had learned from experience that when Hermione Granger stated something, it was best to believe her. If only Harry learned as fast as Draco did.

"Alright then, that's settled. What are you going to do if you see him with Lilac again, though?" Draco asked.

Hermione laughed out loud, which was the last thing Draco had thought she would do. "Her name is Lavender, Draco, not Lilac. And I'm going to be nice, to the both of them. I'll also make sure Ginny won't give them a night to remember in a bad way, because the Burrow is one of the most welcoming places I have ever been to. Lavender should get the chance to become a part of the family, if Ron is serious about her."

"You really are far too soft-hearted for your own good, Granger."

"Don't make me turn you into a ferret again, Malfoy," Hermione replied, going back to watching the television.

"Is that a threat?"

"Possibly, but being an animal isn't so bad, you know, once you get used to it," Hermione said without hesitation.

"How would you know what being an animal is like?" Draco asked curiously. Had that mad man Moody transfigured Hermione into something while he was their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher as well? Surely not; as Hermione often told him, all the professors had loved her, the only exception being Severus Snape.

Hermione felt the blood rush to her face. The only people who were supposed to know were Harry, Ron, Ginny and the Ministry. It was too late to back out, though. Draco's inquisitive nature matched her own.

"I'm an Animagus," Hermione blurted.

Draco's eyes widened. "You're kidding. I knew you were talented, Granger, but damn, that takes the bag. Who else knows? What's your form? Does that mean Potter and Weasley are Animagi too?"

"Who could have seen the day when Draco Malfoy would ask so many questions?" Hermione muttered before she answered him. "To the first one, you, the Ministry, Harry, Ginny, and Ron. My form is a cat. Yes, Harry and Ron are Animagi; Harry is a dog and Ron is a lion."

"You haven't told the rest of the Weasley clan about this? And how is it that of the three of you, Weasel got the best animal?"

"Draco, you don't know much about lions, do you?" Hermione asked, smiling softly. "We have yet to tell the rest of Ron's family. Harry wanted it to be something the three of us shared, but of course he had to let Ginny know. I think he's going to propose soon. Besides, it's a rather recent thing. Only a little before Harry's twentieth birthday."

Draco bit his lip. He didn't want to seem childish, but he was dying to see Hermione transform into her Animagus form.

Hermione chuckled and got to her feet. Draco was acting much like Ginny had when Harry told her their big news.

Turning into an animal wasn't as hard as most people thought. Hermione just had to concentrate, and then she was a cat. It was simple to her. Draco, on the other hand, thought seeing Hermione transform was one of the things that made magic truly come to life.

"Mrow?"

Draco looked down to see an extremely fluffy brown tabby cat perched on the cushion next to him. The cat – Hermione – blinked large, inquisitive amber eyes at him.

It was hard to think that the creature covered in fur was Hermione, so Draco had no problem picking the feline up and placing her in his lap. He scratched its head absently and was surprised when it started purring.

Hermione hadn't meant to purr. It was the most mortifying part of being a cat, in her opinion. She couldn't even control it, and Hermione liked being able to control what she did.

To put an end to the embarrassing moment, Hermione the cat delicately leapt down onto the floor and morphed back into a human. She kept her back to Draco until she was sure her face was its normal complexion.

"That was bloody awesome," Draco said, shaking his head. Hermione continued to stand, feeling more than a little awkward. It was the first time she had shown anyone her Animagus form, aside from Harry, the two youngest Weasleys and the Ministry officials.

"It's not that great," Hermione mumbled, blushing once more. "You could learn to be one too, you know."

Draco gave that some serious thought. "I actually like the idea. What do you suppose my animal would be?"

"A ferret?" Hermione suggested cheekily.

"Granger, you're lucky you're easy on the eyes," Draco informed her with a jokingly warning manner. "Be honest now."

"Oh, but you make such a lovely ferret," Hermione said condescendingly, patting Draco on the head. "I don't know, what animals can be as sarcastic as you?"

"I don't think animals can be sarcastic, 'Mione," Draco replied, snorting.

"Well, the only way to find out your Animagus form would be for you to become an Animagus," Hermione pointed out. "The process is a bit of a pain, but I don't think it'll be any problem for you. Give it a try."

"If you think I should, then sure. After Mother's party is over."

Hermione contemplated asking Ginny to borrow a dress. Hers were more suited to a party hosted by an esteemed pureblood, after all. But then Ginny would want to know why Hermione needed a dress, so Hermione decided to put the magical skills she was known for to use.

Holding out a length of deep purple cloth in front of her, Hermione waved her wand over the material, and soon she was holding a dress. One of her finer pieces of work, that was certain. The dress would hug her curves nicely, but it wasn't too clingy. And Hermione could adjust it whenever she needed to.

Once she pinned up her curls and slipped the dress and simple heels on, Hermione apparated to Draco's flat so they could arrive at the Manor together.

A wolf whistle greeted her, and instead of blushing the way Draco had expected her to, Hermione laughed.

"That's one way to say hello to someone," Hermione commented when Draco took her hand and spun her around. She took him by the shoulders and held him at arm's length, smiling when she saw he was dressed in a smart black Muggle suit. "Don't you look dapper tonight?"

"Are you implying that I don't always look this good?"

"Of course not, sweetie, of course not," Hermione said, straightening Draco's tie. "What made you decide to dress Muggle?"

Draco shrugged. "I had to get some use out of this thing. Besides, no one at my mother's gala will notice the difference." He reached up to rake his hand through his hair, tousling it so that it looked quite out of place with his formal attire.

"I take it you're as nervous about this as I am, then?" Hermione asked, loosening her grip on her clutch with visible effort.

"You're probably more nervous than I am, but yeah," Draco said, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "Come on, best get this over with."

Hermione took a deep breath, took Draco's proffered hand, and when she opened her eyes she was in the foyer of Malfoy Manor. She had charmed the scars on her arm so that they weren't visible, but she was still keenly aware of them, and walking past the room where she had been branded a Mudblood did nothing to help that.

"I'm so glad you could make it, my dear," Narcissa Malfoy said as her son approached her with his date. She didn't recognize the witch and greeted her with the respect she would give a fellow pureblood. "Who is your friend?"

"Mother, this is Hermione Granger," Draco replied evenly, wrapping an arm around Hermione's waist.

"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Granger." Narcissa smiled cordially, much to the surprise of both Draco and Hermione.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione said, making sure that her eyebrows didn't shoot up and disappear in her hairline.

"If you'll excuse me, I should receive my other guests."

"That…was unbelievable," Draco muttered as he and Hermione sat down at their designated table.

"Your mother doesn't seem so bad," Hermione told Draco when he handed her a wine glass filled with champagne. She set it down, folding her hands in her lap. No one else was sitting yet – they were all mingling – so she and Draco could have a decent conversation.

"She isn't," Draco agreed. "She never wanted to be involved with the whole Dark Lord business but-" He trailed off and his hand moved subtly to the side of his face, his fingers massaging his temple as he inhaled deeply.

"But what?" Hermione asked, puzzled. It wasn't like Draco to abruptly stop talking.

"Astoria just walked in," Draco said through clenched teeth, so no one else could tell what he was saying. "And I dare say she just spotted us."

Hermione refused to lose her head. Astoria had made her feel inferior before, that much was true, but then Hermione had helped her on the way to an improved relationship with Draco, so the encounter surely wouldn't go as badly as Draco seemed to think it would.

"What the fuck is she doing sitting in my seat?"

A/N: Thank you all for reading! Don't forget to leave your opinions and/or suggestions in a lovely little review that you can write by pressing that beautiful blue button right...down...there...

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