Chapter 11

The Ball

Hermione walked out of her dressing room, ready to leave. Draco was waiting in their living room, he had been ready fifteen minutes already.
Since Hermione had returned from the salon mostly ready, she had just needed to get dressed, Draco had yet to see the end product.
It was decided, by Hermione naturally, that since they had unintentionally and coincidentally, colour coordinated the previous year in Slytherin colours. That they intentionally coordinate this year in Gryffindor colours, much to Draco's mortification.
So it was that Hermione walked into the living room in a shimmering pale gold silk dress.
It was a halter-neck and the halter straps crossed over her shoulder blades to meet under her arms at the dress again. The wide straps were studded with crystals, and the studded straps went along from under her arms to make a high waist underneath her breast. The front plunged roundly over her breast to make a deep V showing just enough cleavage. The dress flowed to the floor fluidly, the back gathered at the low backside waist to make a small train.
Her hair was pinned up on one side of her head, curls loosely cascading down over that shoulder. In her hair were prominent small red roses between the curls. Her small clutch was also red silk, her necklace was gold and hanging high, with a red ruby teardrop.
The necklace was a gift from Draco especially for the occasion.
Draco gaped when she walked in, he seemed speechless. A slow grin spreading on his face, he walked over to her and placed his hands on her hips, gripping her tightly against him to whisper against her cheek.
"You truly are the most beautiful woman. You are mine." Hermione shivered as she heard his words, he was very possessive, and she liked it.
"As you are mine Draco." Her reply made him delicately kiss her lips, careful not to ruin her make up.
Hermione took him in as he stepped away, he had the black dress robes on, with a red silk dress shirt beneath, showing at the robes collar with a silk golden tie. They matched exactly.
Hermione smirked at him.
"Malfoy you look good in Gryffindor colours..."
Draco rolled his eyes at her, grinning back at her.
"I look good in anything Granger, always remember, us Malfoy's have to be the best in everything." Hermione chuckled and playfully smacked his arm with her clutch.
"Well Malfoy, you didn't best me. I finished top of class in Hogwarts." She was thinking of their final year. A year after the war, when all the trials had been dealt with and rebuilding and restructuring was done, all students returned to Hogwarts to redo the years that they were in during the war. Obviously the golden trio and their classmates had returned, along with Draco for an eight year.
Hermione had graduated top of class from Hogwarts.
Draco smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes that she could not place.
"I was second to you Granger, by two points below you. But, when a Malfoy is bested, we then make sure to get the best." He winked at her, now she was unsure.
Draco was up to something. Hermione frowned at him, he just shrugged and smirked at her.
And changed the topic.
"Mione, we are the sexiest pair, everyone will be envious of us." Hermione laughed, Draco had included her in his circle of self-importance once again. She found it so amusing when he did that, as if in his mind they were one, and if he was good looking then she was on default as well. And vice versa.
And just beware the soul that would disagree. If your name was not Hermione Granger, you were not allowed to disagree with Draco Malfoy.
Laughing they locked arms and aparated to the manor.

At the manor they made their way to the ballroom. Hermione thought about how much had changed in the last year. A year ago, she was here, nervous and even a bit afraid. Now she was an old face at the manor with no fear or nervousness. Instead of apprehension at the thought of a face to face meeting with the Malfoy's, she was looking forward to seeing the Malfoy's.
Yes, a year can change everything in your life.
They reached the double doors of the ball room, Linky smiled broadly at them, yes Hermione now knew each elf in the manor.
"Welcome sir Malfoy and Miss Hermione, Linky waited whole evening to announce sir Malfoy and Miss Hermione specially." Hermione had long since won the battle that they call her on her first name, to the chagrin of Lucius and the amusement of Narcissa and Draco. Lucius at least had finally stopped abusing the elf's, he really did work hard at not being prejudiced anymore. It was hard for him, there were days when he will lock himself up to keep himself from abusing an elf or taking his dark mood out on innocents, but somehow, slowly, he is winning that. And Narcissa supports him in every way, she is one strong and remarkable woman.
That is why Hermione had finally started to respect him, a lot.
Hermione pulled her attention to the present again, in time to step through the doors into the ballroom. She looked down at the crowds of witches and wizards, she smiled happily as she felt Draco taking her arm into his firmly, and he stepped close to her side, so that they moved almost as one.
"Announcing Mr Draco Malfoy and Honorable Miss Hermione Granger." Linky' s sonorous voice reached the crowds, Hermione smiled inwardly at the very proud punctuation of Hermione's name in her announcement. Linky especially adored Hermione.
The crowds turned their faces up to look as the couple descended the staircase. Whispering and smiling or frowning reached her view and ears. Some pure bloods still hated her, and now they hated Draco, saw him as a blood traitor now. But the Malfoy's was still too powerful for them to openly speak their disgust. Most witches and wizards though felt it was a perfect romantic tale.
At least Hermione knew they looked better than everyone she believed.
She was really becoming a replica of Draco, Hermione just smiled at the thought, she was still herself. Draco would never let her be anything but herself.
Reaching the bottom she was, as before, in front of Narcissa and Lucius. But unlike before, Narcissa had an almost loving smile and expression and Lucius did have that small genuine smile on his face, the one Hermione had started to associate as her smile. Only she got that small smile from him, as if he wanted to hide it but couldn't completely.
"Draco and Hermione! You two look divinely perfect!" Narcissa hugged them both warmly, holding each of their free hands in hers.
She smiled widely at them, taking them in. Then she stepped back next to Lucius and Lucius smiled his prominent genuine smile at Draco, that smile was reserved for Draco and Narcissa. They shook hands and greeted each other formally, but not coldly. Then Lucius turned to her again with her smile once again on his face. He shook her hand.
"Miss Granger you do look lovely, you two make quite a pair." Hermione beamed at Lucius, that was the biggest compliment he had ever given her, and including her with Draco in the compliment was big for Lucius. She had hope after all, of maybe being able to form some sort of relationship with him still.
"Thank you Mr Malfoy. Draco loves to say that too about us." Lucius nodded and smiled at both her and Draco.
After that the pair went in search of their friends.
They found them at a table, Harry and Ginny, Blaise and Astoria, Theo, Pansy and some man, and Ron and some woman. There were two remaining seats for Hermione and Draco between Pansy and the woman with Ron. Hermione seated herself next to Pansy, and Draco between herself and the Unknown woman. There was still one empty seat next to Theo.
"Glad you're finally here Draco and Hermione, been boring without you two!" Theo smirked mischievously at them. Everyone then greeted and the partners of Ron and Pansy were introduced. They were called Margaret and Michael. After her enquiry of the where about a of Theo's partner everyone laughed.
"He is alone! But the tables are arranged with equal seating to accommodate for partners. We decided it's only fitting that the extra seat remains next to him then." It was Blaise who explained the joke of the evening. Handsome ladies' man Theo Nott, dateless with empty date seat next to him for constant reminder.
"Why are you alone tonight Theo?" Hermione looked at him softly, she was still caring Hermione Granger. He shifted and mumbled, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
"She stood me up..." Everyone roared, Theo stood up? Wow.
"What did you do Theo! Never thought I saw the day!" Draco slapped the table with his laughter.
"I might or might have not shagged her sister last night..." Everyone roared then, Ron also dropped his apprehension and relaxed and joined them in laughing and baiting Theo.
Hermione could see Ron starting to realise the Slytherins are fun. She and Harry and Ginny had been blessed when they all meshed circles together. Somehow the Gryffindor's and Slytherins were very compatible when not trying to kill each other. It made her realise how Godric and Zalazar were greatest of friends a thousand years ago.
Hermione glanced at Margaret, she was pretty, black hair and green eyes, small face and fair skin. She had snake like eyes. Hermione felt uncomfortable with her.
And true to her instinct, Hermione started to notice as the evening progressed, how she glanced sly glances at Draco, she had even subtly moved her seat close to Draco, leaving a prominent space between her and Ron.
She kept pulling Draco in for private conversation. Hermione felt that familiar possessive feeling crawling over her.
Draco didn't notice anything off, and he didn't encourage the quiet little conversations. He would respond to her and then turn back to the rest to continue the main table conversations.
But the woman either did not get the hint or chose to ignore it. Either way, Hermione was going to have to step in. She remembered all too well that day with the waitress. And she was feeling that same inner lioness coming over her.
The situation culminated when the woman actually laid her hand on Draco's leg under the table, and suggestively stroked upwards.
Hermione new when it happened, Draco had stiffened and his lips had pursed together, the familiar cold hard expression setting on his face and eyes. Hermione knew something happened that he was not pleased with, he gave her a quick knowing glance, Hermione immediately reacted and glanced below the table, seeing how Draco's hand was moving to remove her hand. But before he could reach her hand, Hermione saw red and reacted.
Standing up with her anger flushed face, she grabbed her wand from her clutch, Draco had frozen in his action now in shock to her reaction. Hermione pointed her wand and muttered a silent spell. Margaret's chair suddenly swished from right against Draco to tight next to Ron. Everyone looked at Hermione in surprise. Hermione just looked at Margaret coldly and sat down and then icily spoke to Margaret.
"I would appreciate you keeping your hand on your own dates legs, and keep them off from my boyfriend. Trust me Margaret, you do not want me as a rival. I can make you wish you were never born." Hermione coldly looked into Margaret's eyes, seeing her squirm and look down quickly. Ron flushed in anger, but not at Hermione or even Draco, but at his date.
He dismissed her quite casually then.
"Margaret I suggest you find another table. And also, please make sure your items that were left last night at my apartment are removed by the time I return tonight." Margaret gaped at him, but without a word she took her clutch and left the ballroom all together.
Everyone stared in surprise at Ron, which was not how he usually would react, usually he would blame Draco or start yelling or something. Ron saw their astounded faces and raised his brows.
"What? I only met her yesterday at some party I was at. Was kind of stuck with her." He shrugged and chuckled at their amused faces. Taking a gulp of his fire whiskey he grinned at Hermione.
"Mione never knew you could be such a super bitch!" Everyone roared, most of the party had seen some of the Hermione and Draco possessive scenes in the past. They knew this was nothing compared to some that had happened in the last year.
Hermione crossed her arms and Humphed.
"What's mine is mine." Her simple statement had the friends roaring again. Draco smirked, a certain glint in his eyes. He was just about to say something when everyone was surprised when a dreamy blonde girl seemingly from nowhere silently slid into the empty seat next to Theo. Luna Lovegood.
Theo almost fell from his chair in freight, he didn't realise someone was there till she had sat down and immediately dreamily remarked to Theo about the nargles following him.
He looked at her in freaked amazement.
Luna just dreamily smiled at him and patted his cheek, before turning to everyone and quietly greeting them. Theo almost choked in shock at her cheek pat.
"Hello everyone. I decided I will now join your group. I have always loved the Slytherin humour." Everyone gaped at her. The Gryffindor's obviously warmly greeted and welcomed her, she is one of their friends after all.
After another half an hour of mirth and conversation, Draco stood up and called the odd group of friends' attention.
"I was planning on doing this privately, but realized that I want you all to be a part of this specific moment. You are all our closest friends, and I can't think of a better time to do this than with us all together." Everyone looked at Draco surprised, he wasn't one for sentimental speeches. But before anyone could mention it, he removed a small black jeweler box from a pocket in his dress robes and turned Hermione to sit sideways in the chair, facing him next to her. Then he went on one knee in front of her opening the box. Everyone gasped as realisation set in.
Hermione had her mouth covered with her hands, her eyes shining brightly.
"Hermione Jean Granger, I love you. Completely. With you I am the best version of me, you complete me in every way. Will you do me the honour of marrying me? Of becoming my wife?" Draco looked her steadily in the eyes, all of his usually guarded emotions in his grey eyes at that moment. It was the first time he ever said the actual words. And Hermione was in no doubt of exactly how much he meant it. She smiled brightly, happily, and threw her arms around his neck. Kissing him passionately. Pulling away she held her hand so he can slip the ring on her finger.
"Yes! Draco you just made me the happiest woman in the world! A million times yes!" Draco slid the white gold and gold ring on her finger, both grinning foolishly happily at each other.
Hermione looked at her ring, it was white gold and normal gold, a band of each, and they twirled and twisted around each other to form a single band, with a princess cut clear diamond in the center. On either side of the center diamond, was small princess's cut diamonds, the one on one side was emerald green and the one on the other side was ruby red. The ring was beautiful, feminine and delicate. She loved it. The colour symbolling had caught her immediate attention, Gryffindor and Slytherin.
They kissed again, then Draco sat back down and they turned their attention back to their friends, still sporting their ridiculous happy grins.
They were immediately engulfed in congratulations and hugs and kisses and handshakes. After a few minutes everyone was back in their seats and calming down.
"Must say Malfoy, you do know how to do it decently." Ron was nodding in amusement at Draco, Draco smirked at him.
Everyone laughed, Pansy piped up in response.
"What did you once say as kids Draco? Malfoy Way? Weasel you must know that Malfoy's always do it biggest and best." She smirked at Ron, but Ron funnily enough didn't seem to lose his temper like he normally would.
Instead a slow smile crept on his face, he sat back casually, intently taking in Pansy.
"You know Parkinson, you grew up nicely. Want to test the red head theory?" And then he winked at her! Everyone gaped, except Hermione and Ginny, they slid each other secretive glances.
Pansy looked ready to fall off her chair, she actually stuttered with her response!
"Wh-what!?" Her eyes were round and completely blankly shocked. Hermione had to admit, this confident flirt Ron was also a bit unknown to her. She knew he had a busy social life, and developed something obviously, in order to go through the women he does, but to see it was just weird.
"You know, wild red heads... Do you you want to test how wild we do go?" He still sat back with the grin at her. Pansy actually seemed at a loss for words.
She glanced at Hermione and then Ginny, taking in their smiles. Then she blankly shook her head, as if the clear it.
"Weasel what on earth makes you think I'd test a weasel!" Ron was unfazed, he just winked at her again and then turned to ask Theo something. Pansy looked dumbfounded.
Then a slow smile crept on her face, a long glance at Ron and the smile fixed into a smirk.
Hermione knew she was planning something, but, she would sit back and watch the show.
She was sure this was going to be worth it.

A little later Narcissa and Lucius stepped onto the podium, time for the speech.
Narcissa smiled at the crowd, Lucius had his arm around her shoulders, his polite blank face on.
"Welcome everyone, to our second annual Malfoy Family Freedom Ball! We thank you for your presence and continued support this last year. So much has been accomplished and so much has been gained. In fact, we have an announcement." Narcissa smiled broadly, her eyes locking on Hermione and Draco, Hermione groaned, naturally the Malfoy's will do it big. Why not a big formal announcement? That is just the Malfoy Way.
"We would love to announce the official engagement of our son, Draco Malfoy to the beautiful Hermione Granger!" Applause sounded around the big room. Draco took her hand and led her to the podium. They joined Narcissa and Lucius before the guest, Hermione kept a fixed smile on her face, Draco kept his arm around her waist firmly.
Narcissa continued her speech.
"We are completely happy with this engagement, and I wish my son and his fiancée all the success and happiness in the world."
Narcissa turned and hugged Draco, then turning to Hermione she hugged her warmly too.
"Welcome to the family Hermione dear." Narcissa smiled warmly.
Lucius had the small Hermione's smile on his face, he surprised everyone by giving her a small stiff hug.
"Welcome to our family Miss Granger. You will be a Malfoy now."
That simple sentence had everyone in silence.
Lucius had publicly accepted Hermione as a Malfoy.
That was big.