Fancast Update – Please see notes at the end of this chapter for updates/additions!

Chapter 14 - Better tell me now, have you made your selection?

"So…" Draco began. "Walls and lighting first, do you think?" He stood up, extended his arm to Hermione, and they strolled together to the center of the club.

"I should think so," Hermione responded. "Light grey for the walls? And I'd go ahead and leave the serpent light fixtures; they won't look nearly as venomous next to those fairy lights…" She paused. "You'd already put in the order for that marquee with all those features, before we even discussed it, hadn't you?"

"Of course, I just had to adjust the numbers; my mother would be appalled if I hadn't thought of all those things straight off," Draco said. "But great minds clearly think alike, Granger. You do the walls; I'll add the extra lighting and fix those couches. Count of three again, then?" The colour change and the extra fixtures immediately lightened up the room. Draco twirled his wand around the three couches (including the former barrier), turning them light grey and smartening them up, and then slid them over toward the front door.

"I think we can leave the floor as is," Hermione said, gesturing at the shiny dark grey linoleum.

"I should say so! How long did it take him to do that?" Draco asked. "It usually doesn't look half this nice; I can practically see my reflection in it."

"I did it, with a little help from Mrs Weasley."

"You weren't technically supposed to be assisting him," Draco said. "That duty is part of my rehabilitative parole programme, and is meant to be practical and, er, well…."

"Humbling, I'd suspect," Hermione finished.

"Exactly so. But I can let it slide in the interests of getting everything set up in time." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a scroll, and tapped it—it obligingly enlarged and he moved it to the floor with his wand. "Let's see here—have a few notices to put up…." The scroll on top read "Open Bar Drinks Menu – Courtesy of the Alliance for Magical Unity", and had a list of libations underneath it. The first drink, outlined in little red hearts, was called "Faux Amortentia Punch." "Theo!" he called. "Put this up, if you please?"

"Will do," Theo said, as he caught the parchment in one hand and raised his wand. Within minutes, it was reinforced and sitting on an easel next to the bar on the left.

"You don't normally have a drinks menu?" Hermione asked, as she glanced down at the second poster, which read "Donations for the Alliance for Magical Unity." Draco sent this one whizzing toward the bar as well; Walden stepped over and caught it, after which Draco waved his wand toward the windows in a wavy, horizontal line. The windows immediately became frosted over with a pattern resembling lace curtains; Hermione smiled.

"We mostly get regulars and they can ask for whatever they desire," he said, and winked at her. "Within reason, and they usually have to pay…unless they're attractive single witches," he added. "Or my intended."

"Good to know," Hermione said, and looked down at the next poster, which read "The Alliance for Magical Unity Welcomes You to a Celebration of the Ministry of Magic's Marriage Law." There was an unfamiliar, runic logo above and a Ministry sigil below the text. Meanwhile, Draco sent a small collection box over to hang under the donations poster—which was next to the bar on the right, after which he tapped the celebratory poster. It enlarged to billboard size, and Draco turned to Hermione. "If you don't mind, I'll need a little help with this one, it should hang right there…" and he gestured to the wall opposite where they stood. After they'd affixed it, Hermione asked, "So, what's in that Faux Amortentia Punch?"

"It's not, er, quite as faux as indicated—that's where Weasley comes in."

"And that logo—Ansuz, Mannaz, Uruz?" she asked. "I've not heard of this Alliance."

"I mentioned my father was writing his memoirs," Draco said, and looked at her. Hermione nodded. "Well, he's doing that under the auspices of the Alliance. It's a new private initiative, a publishing house and an information source for the public, fueled by the stories of my brethren, so that we all might learn from them…and that reminds me," he tapped his throat, flicked his wand, cast a Patronus, and said, "Father, please send the Alliance informational leaflets through the Floo, thank you." The glowing ferret scurried away.

"In short, your father, er, saw the writing on the wall and is bankrolling a propaganda outfit." Hermione was rapidly putting together all the pieces and understanding what Draco had hinted at concerning Mr Malfoy's financial priorities; he was making an attempt to rehabilitate his name.

"Indeed, but it's a beneficial one," Draco said, as he waved his wand to the bottom left corner of the wall, under the large sign, and added in a row of coat hooks, and then moved one of the couches next to it. "Think there are some cloak racks in the box from Millamant's but if not, we'll make do. I'll have the MLE wizards stand guard over there—I'll let Corban know when he gets back—"

"Are we going to do the marquee now?" Hermione asked. "Only I need to send an owl—it's a bit urgent."

"We can take a break and do that—owl's up in my room and I've got supplies," Draco said. "Theo—you have the room," he said, a bit louder. "Got it," Theo replied. He'd created a table and was duplicating and stacking small goblets on it. Draco took Hermione's arm and steered her off down the hallway. They both made stops at the loo; when they reached the kitchen, they saw that Corban was sitting at the table with Rookwood and either Selwyn or Travers. A wizarding gramophone, a pile of records and several parchments with lists of times and names on—clearly the security rota—sat in between them.

"Where's…er…" Draco began.

"Travers?" Rookwood said. "In the loo. We're just about done here." Hermione made a mental note that Selwyn was the taller one, with curly hair.

"Good," Draco said. "Well, go on and get that gramophone in there so Roddy will stop grousing about it. Check in with Theo, see if he needs anything. We'll be back shortly," he added, in the general direction of the table. Corban stood up. "Shall I accompany ya?" he asked.

"I'd rather you do what I asked, Corban," Draco said, and he took Hermione's arm again and led her from the room. Hermione heard Corban make a rather disgruntled noise as they vanished through the doorway. They reached Draco's room in silence; he waved his wand to open the door and after they'd entered, waved it behind to lock it. "Desk is over there, everything you need, I'll wake the owl up—"he waved his wand over the cage, lifting the cover, and then poked an Owl Treat through the bars. "Hello, Hannibal, old friend," he said. The owl hooted happily. Hermione headed over to the desk and penned a hurried note to Ginny.

Dear Gin—

Engagement's happened, it's Draco and Corban (Yaxley) and I—guess I'll be part of two of those older families—wanted you to hear before the Prophet or paparazzi—I should be home later tonight if you and Harry want to fire-call.

Love, Hermione

"Tell Weaselette I say hello," Draco said, chuckling, as he opened the window and coaxed the owl toward it.

P.S. Draco says to say hello and he looks forward to seeing you tomorrow.

She addressed the envelope.

Ginny Potter
**PLEASE OPEN BEFORE YOU READ THE PROPHET OR OTHER NEWS SOURCE**

12 Grimmauld Place

Claremont Square

Draco stepped over and took the envelope and handed it to the owl, which obligingly flapped its way out the window. He then stepped close to Hermione and took her hands in his. "Corban didn't seem well pleased that we were coming up here together without him but he will just have to wait. Would you like to accompany me to dinner in Muggle London after we've finished up tonight?"

"That sounds rather lovely," Hermione said. Draco pulled her closer and gave her a kiss. This one was a bit nicer than the earlier one and although it felt odd at first, she let herself be transported with the feeling; it ended naturally and he smiled at her. "You know I've wanted to do that for a very long time now," he murmured.

"I did eventually figure that out," she said, smiling back at him.

"You should have found me first rather than Greg. I've been known to frequent the Claw on occasion. They're not the competition." He sat down on the sofa and Hermione sat next to him.

"Not sure I was quite ready for that, although Ron might have done more than faint if he'd seen you coming out of my shower wearing a towel…"

Draco chuckled. "Is that what happened? Greg never said!" He waved his wand in the direction of an ice box in the corner of his room and two butterbeers floated toward him. He popped the tops and sent one toward Hermione, who took it gratefully.

"I had to send him through the Floo," Hermione said, after she'd taken a drink, and they both burst out laughing.

"Like a human Quaffle," Draco added, and they laughed again. "You know, Pans is quite taken with him, I really think they're in it for the long run."

"If she can manage to keep him in line; I couldn't, but then again I was too busy at work to notice, I suppose." She took another drink of butterbeer.

"Well, the Parkinson family tends to have some rather iron-clad fidelity clauses secreted in their marriage contracts. That's one of the reasons—other than, of course, Pansy and I are much better friends than anything else—that we didn't get married right after the war. And if I'm not mistaken, Corban avoided a Parkinson imbroglio as well…"

"He mentioned something about that," Hermione said. "Although he said she dumped him."

"Did he tell you that he was involved with my mother, as well?" Draco gave her a look that was somewhat close to a smirk.

"Yes, he read the questions I had in my notebook for him over my shoulder, answered all of them, I might add," she replied, and she took another drink.

"You'll have to ask him for the details if you wish to know—it's not my story to tell—although I will say it was late in the game and my father was…er…away at the time," he said, after which he took a drink and then sat the empty bottle down on the coffee table. She sat her empty next to his and he Vanished them. "So what were your questions for me?"

"Well, I mostly have general inquiries on how this marriage will work; I don't know him as well as you, then, do I?"

"I know him fairly well," Draco said. "Enough to know he's sitting down there trying to decide whether or not to come storming up the stairs and try to kick my bloody door down and possibly my arse—so we'd better get back to it—I can answer your questions at dinner," and he stood up and extended his hand.

"He's rather persistent…" Hermione said, as she accepted his hand and stood up next to him. Then she pointed at the window, a look of dread on her face. "Evening Prophet," she said, in a small voice.

"I suppose it's too much to hope that they're bothering to do a special edition featuring a puff piece about our soiree—Mother worked so hard on that press release," Draco said, as he walked over and accepted the paper from the owl and dropped it onto the table. There was only one story on the front cover, featuring lots of pictures…many of which appeared to originate from the DMLE, the Wizengamot, Azkaban…and the Triwizard Tournament.

GOLDEN TRIO GRANGER BOARDS A DEATH EATER DOUBLE-DECKER TO GRETNA GREEN, by Special Correspondent Rita Skeeter

"Great Salazar's ghost," breathed Draco.

"Glad I sent that owl," Hermione said.

"Should I grab a jar and poke holes in the top?" Draco asked.

"Too late, I think," Hermione said.

There was an insistent pounding at the door, and Draco waved his wand to unlock it. Unsurprisingly, Corban burst in with a copy of the Prophet clutched in his hand. "They used my sodding prison photograph!" he shouted. "Right the bloody fuck next to my official DMLE photograph!" He was practically growling, crumpling the paper so tightly that it was starting to rip. Hermione observed that her Yule Ball portrait—which, to be fair, was flattering, although it made her look much too young—was sandwiched in between two columns of photographs, one featuring Draco (mostly flattering) and the other featuring Corban (not so much flattering as he appeared to have a black eye in one, although he looked distinguished in the official Ministry photograph).

The distinctive pop of Apparition sounded, and Mr and Mrs Malfoy appeared; she was holding a copy of the paper. And so the soiree begins, Hermione thought, only we haven't had time to set up the marquee. Corban dashed so quickly to Hermione's side that she almost thought he'd Apparated as well, and slid his arm around her waist. Draco took her hand.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger, and good afternoon, Corban," Mrs Malfoy said, inclining her head to each. "Draco, I think in this case all publicity is good publicity—we have received more RSVPs; the total count is currently 430 for both events."

"Mother—an updated guest headcount hardly qualifies as an emergency," Draco said. Hermione assumed he was referring to their precipitate Apparition into his private quarters.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger, Corban." Mr Malfoy bowed to each. "We thought you might be downstairs setting up. And we did not wish to block the Floo in case there were deliveries coming." He sat a packet of papers and a champagne bottle on the coffee table, next to the Prophet.

"We would have been diverted to the portico if you had set up wards," Mrs Malfoy added, as she waved her wand and summoned five champagne flutes from a cabinet in the corner.

"Corban, I'm going to have to ask that you didn't see this—"Draco began.

"The others are all in the main room," Corban said. "Sent 'em off when I saw the paper arrive, told Gus to make sure they stayed—"

"Skeeter was probably camped out waiting at the Registry Office under a Notice-Me-Not or something," Draco said. That would be just like her, Hermione thought.

Mrs Malfoy, meanwhile, used her wand to remove the foil and cage from the top of the champagne bottle, after which she nodded at Mr Malfoy, who picked it up. "Regardless of the slings and arrows of our fourth estate, we must commemorate this happy occasion," and he twisted the cork so that the champagne opened with a sophisticated sigh. He poured out a round and everyone picked up a flute.

"To Miss Granger, brightest witch of our age, to my beloved son and heir, Draco, and to my treasured friend and brother, Corban, I wish you congratulations on your engagement," Mr Malfoy said.

"Indeed, I wish you three health, happiness, and prosperity," Mrs Malfoy added, sounding rather like a greeting card, Hermione thought, only they usually feature couples…

After they'd all finished their drinks, Draco said, "Mother, Father—I don't wish to rush you, but we do need to finish the decorations and I was planning to take my intended to dinner—"Corban tightened his hand on Hermione's waist and inhaled, a bit too loudly.

"We will be honored to assist," Mrs Malfoy said. "And you will all accompany us to V&A this evening," she added, in a tone that suggested she would brook no disagreements. She and her husband started walking toward the door of Draco's room.

Although Mrs Malfoy is extremely stylish, Hermione thought, she can't possibly be taking us to a Muggle museum for dinner—although the café was lovely; she and her mother had enjoyed it on many occasions.

"Pardon me, Narcissa," Corban said, sounding defeated, "Only I can't go with ya; I'm barred from Diagon."

"Doesn't Vert et Argent have a separate entrance?" Draco asked. Oh thank Merlin, Hermione thought—I don't have to ask about it and feel hopelessly Muggle.

"It was specifically listed in my parole documents, as was the Cauldron and the Claw and the bloody ice cream parlor," Corban said, sharply.

"Father, could your assistant recommend a suitable venue?" Draco asked, as he steered Hermione in the direction of the door. Corban remained standing by the table, staring down dejectedly at the Prophet. "Only it's got to be within a mile radius from this place," Corban muttered. Hermione walked back and held her hand out to him, and led him toward the door.

Narcissa clearly had very good hearing, and said, "We will have brunch at the Manor at some point in the near future, then." They all slowly filed out of Draco's room. Corban closed the door behind them.

"Oh, good evening, Auror," Draco said, after he locked the door with his wand. Everyone turned their heads in his direction.

"Good evening, Malfoy," said Harry Potter.

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AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Again, thank you to all who have read and reviewed. I appreciate you!

To Quinnmarie: One word-Wizengamot ;)

Fancasts:

It occurs to me that I'm in need of an update…
Hermione, Draco, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, George, Seamus, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, Greg Goyle, Hannah Abbott, Pansy Parkinson, Augustus Rookwood, and others (as I come across them) are as they appear in the films.

Corban Yaxley – Charlie Hunnam (with no facial hair and longer hair)/ or Iain Glen, as you prefer... (suggested by PurpleCaboose, and thank you!)

Thorfinn Rowle – Rusty Coones (to continue the SOA theme)

Walden Macnair - Joe Manganiello

Theodore Nott – Jude Law (just for you, PurpleCaboose!)

I'm in search of fancasts for Rodolphus Lestrange and Antonin Dolohov. Suggestions welcome!

(As for Selwyn and Travers…pick your favorite background character actors.)