Chapter 25

"Stolen"

_THE FUCKING TRUTH_

It's 9:30pm on the 1st of August and I have great news for all my listeners… Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry has been fully repaired! Mr. Finnegan has already got the presses rolling for the advertisement of this event, The Hogwarts Restoration Ball! To take place on the 10th of August at 8pm, the ball will be at the school for students fourth year and up, alumni, and distinguished guest! There will be food, dancing, my personal favorite champagne, and tours of the newly finished building! Unfortunately this is an invite only event so if you don't get an invitation then you better find someone who did and try to be their date. This is going to be the biggest event of the season, it's the place to be seen and get seen! I got my invitation and Angelina Johnson will you go to the ball with me? Send me and owl right now! Tours for the general public will take place the Monday and Tuesday following the Ball. "The Bent Broomsticks" will be the entertainment and here they are now with their new single "Only One", I'm Lee Jordan and you're listening to the fucking truth!

Ron was standing in the kitchen when the front door opened and Draco came in…

"You've certainly been out a lot," Ron commented eating a sandwich.

"Yes," Draco smirked and went to his room to change for work. He and Hermione had been sneaking around for a couple of weeks now. She had been staying at work until 6pm instead of 10pm. Draco would go meet her at the Ministry and they would spend time together. They both had put the Imperturbable charm on their rooms so they could be together undetected. In fact on a regular basis Hermione would apparate to the roof and climb down the fire escape to Draco's room where he always left the window unlocked for her.

Draco came out into the living room. He was looking around for his shoes.

"So are you messing with Pansy again," Ron was leaning on the counter looking out into the living room finishing his sandwich.

"No," he got down on his hands and knees and looked under the couch, "nothing like that… I've just been busy," Draco pulled his shoes from under the couch.

Ron raised an eyebrow to this response, "So did you get an invite to the ball?"

Draco looked up at Ron and smirked, "I think the correct question is did you get an invitation, we both know that I did. My last name is Malfoy, remember."

Ron rolled his eyes, "yes I got an invitation… I may even have a date."

Draco snorted, "With whom?" He already knew the answer

"I'm going to ask Hermione," he said proudly

Draco kept his face impartial, "good luck with that," he finished tying his shoe laces and stood up from the floor.

"You don't think she'll say yes"

"I really couldn't say," Draco went over to the front door and opened it.

"Why not," Ron followed him out to the hall to apparate to work.

_12 GRIMMAULD_

Harry was sitting at the desk in the study at 12 Grimmauld Place. Ginny had left that morning for Wales to start training with the Holyhead Harpies, he was excited for her but he still wished that she was there. She would be back on the ninth to go to the Hogwarts Restoration Ball on the tenth and then on the morning of the eleventh off again. She would definitely be popping up on all the time she had off because they were in the midst of planning a wedding. They set the date for the tenth of September it was to be small and quick, so Ginny could return to training and Harry hated spectacle. Ginny was only half talking to her parents, she went to see them before she left and they were still not completely convinced that this was the best idea and didn't like the idea of them shacking up but said they would help where ever needed.

Kreacher was folding invitations and placing them in envelopes while Harry addressed them to the people on the guest list that had been preapproved by Ginny. He was nervous about inviting the Dursley's but was more concerned with the fact that Ginny insisted on inviting Malfoy and Goyle but didn't argue with her after one of her stern looks.

"I think this wedding is going to be the death of me," Harry unwillingly wrote Malfoy's name on an invitation.

"A wedding is a joyous time sir," Kreacher smiled as he continued to fold.

"I know but I don't like everyone on the guest list," Harry whined

"But Miss. Weasley does and I think you better do what she says," Kreacher commented

The doorbell rang and Harry got up to go answer it, "I think you're absolutely right."

Harry walked out of the room and down one flight of stairs to the first floor. He walked up the hall and looked through the peak hole to see who it was, he smiled at the sight of Hermione, and he opened the door…

"Hi"

"Hello," she smiled as Harry stepped aside to let her in.

"Ginny didn't tell you to come check on how I'm doing with wedding details did she," Harry raised an eyebrow in suspicion

Hermione laughed, "no… but since I'm here how are things going?"

"Just fine, she's got Luna checking in on me all the time," Harry led the way down the hall and back up the steps.

"She just wants everything to be perfect on your big day, which I still can't believe you're getting married."

"Me neither," They walked into the study and Harry resumed his position at the desk across from Kreacher.

"Hello Kreacher," Hermione said as she sat on the couch.

"Hello Miss. Granger, may I get you something?"

"No thank you I'm fine," she smiled politely, "now for the reason I'm here."

"I thought you just wanted to see me," Harry tried to look hurt

"Yes of course always," Hermione waved her hand through the air quickly going back to her subject, "Viktor gave me complementary tickets to his next Quidditch match."

"Really, who are they playing?" Harry was so excited he knocked over the ink and ruined an invitation, Kreacher magically cleaned up the mess and made the invitation go back to its original state, "sorry about that," Harry regained his composure, "so one of these tickets are mine right?"

"Of course, I've got ten tickets and there in the top box," Hermione beamed, "It will give me a chance to talk to the Bulgarian Minister for Magic about his views on the house elf enslavement and the freeing of the elves in Bulgaria… which reminds me," she pointed to Kreacher, "what are you going to do about your elf situation?"

"Hey don't start all your S.P.E.W shit with me, I told Kreacher whenever he wants to go just let me know and he will be freed plus I offered to pay him but he said no," Harry said matter-of-factly.

"This is true Miss. Granger, Mr. Potter has been most gracious but I could never be free or paid that would dishonor all house elves," Kreacher folded the last invitation, bowed and left the room.

"So what team are they playing?" Harry asked excitedly

Hermione rolled her eyes.

_BULGARIA_

The Vratsa Vultures of Bulgaria were playing the Toyohashi Tengu of Japan, in a preseason scrimmage. Hermione, Ron, Harry, Draco, Goyle, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Padma, and Neville were sitting in the front row of the top box waiting for the start of the game. Ron had argued with Hermione about accepting tickets from Viktor but as soon as she mentioned giving his ticket to someone else he quickly shut up.

Ron was sitting on her left while Draco sat on her right, she was sitting on the edge of her seat waiting for the Minister for Magic to come, they were the only ones there except for this girl with short dark hair that graze her chin, she was extremely skinny, with a perfect small cute nose, her complexion made her look as if she was glowing and her eyes were a bit slanted they made her look almost Asian and they were a brilliant shade of green. She was very striking and was sitting quietly by herself reading a book. Hermione's eyes went wide when the girl shifted and she saw the title, "Hogwarts a History."

"Excuse me… Monica?"

There girl looked up, "yes" she smiled politely

"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger," she reached out her hand to shake hers.

"Oh! Hermione it's great to finally meet you," she beamed

"You too, you're reading Hogwarts a History?"

"Yes, not a big Quidditch fan and Viktor had left it in his locker so I figured why not… that enchanted ceiling is really remarkable," she commented

"It's something, you have to see it in person… oh, wait, you're going to the ball with Viktor," those words caught Ron's ear, "so you'll get to see it."

Ron turned around to see who Hermione was talking to, "I'm so excited, but it might be a bit disappointing if everything mentioned in the book still isn't there," she sighed, "hello."

Hermione turned to see who she was talking to, Ron who was sitting next to her was staring at her practically drooling, "Hhh… iii… Hi". Harry, Dean, Seamus, Goyle and Neville turned around eyes wide at the sight of Monica.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Monica this is my friend Ron, Ron this is Monica Viktor's girlfriend."

"It's nice to meet you"

Hermione looked down the row, and sighed, "These other fools are Harry, Dean, Neville, Goyle and Seamus," she introduced while pointing at each of them.

"Actually it's Gregory," said Goyle in the deepest voice he could muster trying to sound charming

Monica laughed as the door to the box opened, "hi Dad."

The Bulgarian Minister for Magic came in and smiled at Monica before finishing his conversation with someone who was still in the hall.

"Your father is the Minister for Magic," asked Ron in disbelief.

"That's what they tell me, but to me he's just Dad."

"So that's why you're not the jealous type," reasoned Hermione

She nodded, "when your fathers Hector Olbansk and your mothers Sujin Chin. Rumors seem not to affect you."

"Your mother is the Minster for Magic of China," Hermione said surprised. "Is your family…"

"No my family is not trying to control the world, my parents are both greatly into politics and when they were divorced and she returned to China she ran for Minister and got it," she shrugged, "there is no mass take over in the plans."

The man that was in the hall walked in and stopped in his tracks at the sight of Hermione and friends, Draco hadn't turned around the whole time, Hermione touched his hand and he looked at her.

"What?"

"You might want to turn around," she looked as if she had just seen a ghost

"Why? Are you okay?" He slowly turned around in his chair, when he saw who was at the door and immediately stood from his seat.

"Draco," Lucius said in disbelief

"So this is where you've been hiding father," Draco's face was unreadable

"I haven't been hiding," he said

Draco looked over at everyone waiting for this seen to unfold into mass drama. "Where's Skeeter when you need her," Ron whispered to Harry who chuckled.

"Can we talk in the hall," Draco didn't even wait for a response as he headed for the door and Lucius followed and closed the door behind them.

"How have you been," Asked Lucius in his normal stone cold face

Draco smirked, "wouldn't you like to know."

"Yes I would, that's why I asked"

Draco looked into his father's eyes his entire body looked cold and uninviting but his eyes were expressing deep concern. For a second Draco was convinced that his father might have actually missed him, "I've been really good actually," he answered eyeing him carefully.

"Hanging out with Potter and company?"

"Something like that," Draco had a look of confusion on his face did his father care or didn't he.

"I've written to you…"

"I never got a letter"

"I couldn't send them, so I threw them in the fire."

"Why?" they said quickly

"Because I let you down," Lucius never dropped eye contact with Draco, "and your mother… "

"You didn't let me down until you left," said Draco annoyed, "you let Mum down when you didn't tell her where you were!"

"She asked me to leave, I figured she didn't care!" he snapped in an unbelievable angry tone, he was clearly hurt.

"You didn't tell her where you were going so she couldn't divorce you!" Draco snapped angrily.

Lucius stepped back, his face was completely readable now, and he was shocked and more shockingly he looked as if he wanted to cry, "She wants a divorce?"

Draco didn't know what to make of his father's vulnerable state. He could use this to his advantage and jump down his throat about his mother or he could only hope he would continue to act human, Draco's scowl faded, "I don't think so… she loves you too much."

AHHHHH! WHOA! YEAH! They heard the screams from inside the box signaling that the game had started.

"I hate being away from her… I know it doesn't seem like I would but… I really do love her…" his eyes glazed over and he chuckled, "I remember when I first saw her…"

_MALFOY MANOR_

A young Lucius Malfoy walked down the hall of his grand home in Wiltshire. He was dressed in the finest black dress robes, covering the right side of his face was a silver mask, which covered everything and ended just above the mouth. He was dawdling down the hall. He dreaded going downstairs to the annual Malfoy Mask. Every year on Halloween weekend the Malfoy's would hold this extravagant masquerade. All of the elite and the most prestigious families of the wizarding world were invited and of course they were all pure bloods. Lucius hated this event, he was tired of it, and not that he didn't enjoy the gathering of pure bloods and drinks all night long, but it just was so repetitive and Lucius was ready for something new.

Every year his parents would insist that he come home from school for the weekend just to be in attendance. As he reached the top of the stairs he could hear the music and the laugher coming from the ballroom, he took a deep breath and started to slowly descend the stairs. The banister was decorated with garland of Masks, feathers, and beads that glittered in the dim candlelight. When he reached the bottom of the steps he turned right of the stairs and continued down the hall.

There were people here and there chatting, they were all wearing Masks and dress in the most glamorous gowns and robes. As he passed people he smiled and nodded politely, "Good evening."

As he reached the grand double doors, there was a servant at each door in dress robes, simple black mask, and gloves, they bowed and opened the doors for Lucius, as he stepped onto the platform, descended the two steps the man at the foot of the stairs announced his presence…

"Mr. Lucius Malfoy, son of Abraxas and Lucinda Malfoy," He said loud enough for people to hear and take notice if they wish.

"Ahh! Lucius my boy," Abraxas waved him over, "I was just telling Orion here about your new prefect position and how you're chaser for the Slytherin house time," Abraxas beamed.

"How are you Mr. Black," Lucius shook his hand

"I'm just fine except for Sirius getting into Gryffindor, he's the first Black to not be in Slytherin," he took a sip of his drink, "it's very disappointing in deed and he's amused by it. He even refused to leave school to attend this year's mask as well…" I don't blame him I don't even want to be here Lucius thought, "but it sounds like you're going to do great things," he smiled at Lucius.

"I'd like to think so sir," Lucius responded

"Oh stop being modest, maybe you could take Sirius under your wing?" suggested Abraxas

"I highly doubt that he would ever listen to me," Lucius stated calmly

"My sons hopeless," Orion shook his head in shame.

Orion and Abraxas started going on about things that Lucius could care less about he smiled and nodded when they indicated to him, when one of the waiters walked past with a tray of Champagne he grabbed two, he knew this would be long night. He downed one and was getting ready to gulp down the second, just as the glass grazed his lips a girl with golden blonde hair spun around on the dance floor with a huge grin on her face. She was smiling and dancing with an unidentifiable masked gentleman, he could hear the words that his father and Orion were saying but now they just faded into the music. They completely disappeared and everyone else in the room followed, she was wearing a sky blue flowing gown. It was loose at the top and low cut but modest by hiding everything, it was dropped waist and the bottom flowed all around her as she spun, her mask looked like golden butterfly wings and matched perfectly with her golden shoes. He was completely enchanted by her, he wanted desperately to know who she was, why hadn't he seen her before. Her blue eyes were sparkling so brightly through her mask… The song ended and her partner bowed, kissed her hand and left her alone, now was his chance… he shoved his champagne glasses into the hands of the nearest waiter and hastened across the floor. Just as she was getting ready to walk off he said…

"May I have your arm?" He bowed and extended his hand.

"Yes," she placed her hand in his and curtsied

He spun her around into dance position as a waltz began to play, she giggled as she turned. He loved hearing her laugh so he spun her around again in the opposite direction, "Do you like to dance?"

"I absolutely adore it. It's so freeing and relaxing. I'm always dancing… why walk when you can dance?" she beamed

Lucius let out a small laugh, "I like your logic."

"I like your smile," she grinned

He didn't know how she did it but he turned red as a smiled filled his entire face as and thought, maybe this night won't be so bad after all.

_THE TOP BOX_

"So," Padma slid down one seat so she was sitting next to Hermione, "what's been going on? You haven't been working as late and I feel like I haven't seen you in awhile."

Hermione grabbed Padma's hand and pulled her to the back of the room, "you must swear not to tell anyone," she said sternly.

"Have I ever"

"True. Okay… I'm dating Draco," she waited for Padma's reaction

"Ah!" Padma let out an excited scream. Everyone turned to look at her, "what? This is a private conversation," she turned her attention back to Hermione, as everyone looked at her as if she was insane and went back to watching the game, "So how long has this been going on?"

"A couple of weeks," she beamed.

"This is so exciting. You guys have to come out with me and Aidan."

"As long as no one sees us"

"Is this because of Ron?"

"Not just him but Harry too, they would freak out if they knew I liked Draco. They don't even like that I spend so much time with him, especially Harry," she looked worried.

"If they're really your friends they'll accept it because it's you, even if they don't agree," Padma pointed out

Hermione snorted, "You clearly don't know Harry and Ron they know how to hold a grudge. They didn't speak to me for months after I told McGonagall about Harry's mysterious new firebolt."

"I won't say anything but you guys are definitely doubling with me and Aidan, we can just have dinner at home or something, shockingly Aidan's a great cook," Padma chuckled

"You two are very close, what's going on there," Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"What I'm not allowed to have a serious relationship?" She looked hurt as she placed her left hand over her chest.

Hermione gasped at the sparkling diamond on the Padma's ring finger, "is this what I think it is," she grabbed Padma's hand to examine the ring closer.

"Yes, Aidan asked me to marry him," she smiled and looked down.

"You don't seem to happy," Hermione looked concerned

"I am I unexpectedly fell in love with him. I just thought he was cute and we were just having fun but it grew to more than that… I've never had a serious relationship before. I know I love him but what if this isn't supposed to happen? I mean I'm so young, what if it doesn't work out who wants to be divorced before twenty five," she sighed.

"When he asked you to marry him what was your first thought?"

"Yes," she chuckled, "I jumped into his arms and we both went crashing to the floor."

"So all these doubts are after thoughts? Padma, if your first thought was yes then I don't see what the problem is, "Hermione said rationally.

"I suppose you're right, he said he'd wait for me as long as I wanted. I'm only nineteen I couldn't possibly get married just yet. I told him that I would be spending a lot of time at work because I want to advance up the corporate ladder. His response was he would stand by my side if I decide to run for minister. I told him I didn't want children, he told me he wanted to only give his love to me… " she smiled.

Hermione pulled her in for a hug, "I think you've got your answer."

"Do you think I should ask Hermione to the ball," Ron asked Harry

"Sure, if you're only trying to go as friends otherwise I wouldn't hold my breath," Harry turned to see Ron's reaction.

"So you think she'll say yes," Ron questioned

Harry rolled his eyes he knew that Ron and Hermione's relationship was never that great because he didn't listen and he could see an awful twist coming. Ron wasn't stupid, his mind just races out of control when it came to Hermione, "I don't know… but as long as you don't push that whole getting back together thing then I say your chances are pretty good," he said this slowly hoping Ron would understand.

"I'm not going to bring that up, it's just she told me next time there's a ball ask her before somebody else does," he looked at his hands.

"That could work, you should tell her that," Harry encouraged.

"I think I will," he smiled

The door opened and Lucius came inside he glanced over at Hermione and Padma stuck his nose in the air and continued to go over to sit next to the Minister.

"Maybe I should go talk to Draco," Hermione said, Padma nodded in agreement.

Padma returned to her seat and Hermione went out into the hall.

"Where did Hermione go?" Ron asked when Padma sat down next to him

"The loo," Padma lied staring out at the game.

Hermione walked out into the hall and Draco was nowhere to be found. She walked down the hall towards the steps that led to the other sections of the stands and found Draco sitting on the top step. She sat down next to him. She didn't say a word and took his hand in his. He rested his head on her shoulder and stared quietly straight ahead.

"How do you feel about masks," he finally asked.

"Well… I've seen some pretty ones that are very captivating but I have learned that all they do is conceal the truth whether it's someone's face or feelings," she rested her head on top of his.

"I think my father just took his off."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Scary… the man I always believed to be unreadable and would only show emotion when no one was looking… revealed himself to me."

"He cares about you Draco," she paused, "I suppose he's just trying to get you to understand, it must be hard since he was taught not to show weakness and our emotions are what make us vulnerable."

"The only person he's not like that with is my mother. He doesn't know that I already knew that. He broke down in front of me, he told me about when he first saw her," he chuckled, "he made it seem so sweet but the way my mother tells it, it wasn't like that at all…" He lifted his head from Hermione's shoulder, "when I mentioned divorced he looked traumatized, I didn't know Lucius could look that way."

"Whether he wants to believe it or not he is human and he wasn't going to be able to hide forever," Hermione pointed out with a smile

"I suppose your right," he turned to look at Hermione "don't do that," Draco whined

"Do what," Hermione asked curiously

"Smile like that"

"What's wrong with my smile," she self-consciously put her hand to her mouth.

He pulled her hand away, "nothing, it just drives me mad," he smirked and leaned in and kissed her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer, she put her arms around his neck and put her legs over his, and the kiss was deepened…

"Hermione," Draco whispered

"Huh," she slowly opened her eyes and shook her head to clear her mind. Draco nodded his head towards the bottom of the stairs. Hermione turned to look down the stairs, the hall started flooding with people, the match was over and people kept glancing up at them. Hermione quickly untangled herself from Draco and stood up and straightened her clothes.

Draco stood up too, he laughed, "Your turning red," he stroked her cheek

Hermione pulled away, "it's not funny," she started to walk away

Draco grabbed her wrist and spun her around, "you didn't think you could get away from me that easily Granger did you?" he smirked

Hermione rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, he kissed her, "seriously Draco," she said between kisses, "one of… us is going to… have to go in first…" she laughed as he trailed kisses down her neck, "they could be coming out of the box any moment," her eyes rolled back into her head at how good it felt, she really wished the game had gone into overtime. She let out a soft moan. She could feel Draco's lips on her skin curling into a smirk, "I'm going in first."

"Okay"

He found his way back to her lips, "in a minute," she got into the kiss and didn't want it to stop but they both jumped apart at the sound of the door knob rattling, Draco went down the steps where he couldn't be seen and Hermione went to the door and opened it, and almost collided with Harry.

"Sorry," she smiled nervously

"It's alright…" he looked at her curiously.

"What?"

"Are you feeling alright? You look a bit flushed," he asked concerned

"Do I really," she touched her cheeks, "I heard everyone cheering and I ran up the stairs to try and catch the end of the match but I guess I missed it," she lied

Harry looked at her unconvinced, "Japan won but it was really good, Viktor put up a good fight for the snitch."

She sighed, "Pity, I'm sure Viktor will be disappointed," she smiled at him and walked off to Padma, but before she could get there Ron stepped into her path.

"Can I talk to you for a second," he asked shyly.

"Yes, of course," she touched his arm.

"I was just wondering… well you told me next time there's a ball that I should get the courage to ask you," Hermione's heart sank she had forgotten all about the ball and the fact that Ron could possibly ask her, "… so I was hoping you would do me the honor of being my date."

Hermione couldn't help but smile, "I don't know… can I think about it?"

"I suppose so," Ron looked worried, oh no someone already asked her!

(For more on the Romance of Lucius and Narcissa check out "The Malfoy Manner")

"Stolen" Dashboard Confessional