"Ginny?" Hermione said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question!" Ginny said in shock. "Malfoy wrote me and said there was someone I needed to see, so he let the wards down so I could floo over."
"Oh," Hermione replied. She didn't mean to sound so silly, but she didn't know why Draco would have invited her best friend over. "I guess I have a lot of explaining to do, huh?" Hermione asked meekly.
"Uh, yeah!" Ginny exclaimed, hands on her hips. "You've been off the map for almost a month."
"Andrea, James," Hermione said to the couple working on her nails. "Could we have some time alone?"
The two nail artists nodded, and left the conservatory. "Well?" Ginny asked harshly.
"Sit down," Hermione said. "It's gonna take a while to explain." Hermione cast a silencing charm on the room so they could speak freely. "I came here to investigate Malfoy as a possible Death Eater."
"Well, duh," Ginny said. "I was there when you got the assignment, and he's not a possible Death Eater, he has the Dark Mark, we know he's one."
"No, we know he used to be one," Hermione corrected.
"Whatever," Ginny snapped. "Just explain."
"Well the night I came here, I was in disguise as a wealthy woman from Spain, Bella Torres. I didn't know at the time that she'd been murdered a week before. I got close to Draco, and he slipped me veritaserum and started questioning me. So I fainted."
"On purpose?" Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course on purpose," Hermione replied exasperatedly. "What kind of woman do you think I am? Now stop interrupting. So when I woke up, he had removed the glamour charms, but somehow he didn't recognize me. I had taken a will-strengthening potion, so he still couldn't get anything out of me, and he got mad and knocked me out with his cane." She pointed to a sliver of scar tissue under her eye. She hadn't gotten to heal it in time.
Ginny nodded, but kept quiet, so Hermione continued. "I was out for a couple of days, and I woke up in a tower. Well, apparently I was expected to eat meals with him and dress in his dead mother's clothes, so I played along, but I made sure I was armed. He never tried to hurt me again. It actually took days before he figured out who I was, and when he did we fought."
Hermione thought back and blushed a little as she remembered how the fight ended. "Somehow, we ended up kissing."
Ginny opened her mouth to talk, but Hermione held up a hand to keep her silent. "I know now that he's not a Death Eater or even a sympathizer. He only holds the parties that they attend because it's the only way to stay under the radar. He mostly deals with his company, and has no interest or knowledge of their agenda. But I did find another link. Do you remember Blaise Zabini from school?"
Ginny nodded silently, enthralled.
"He came to the Manor not too long ago," Hermione explained. "I listened into their conversation in Draco's office, and he confirmed indirectly that Draco had nothing to do with the Death Eaters anymore, but at the same time, Blaise admitted to being in the inner circle. So I think he'll be the key to taking them down. I tried to get information out of him, but we were… interrupted."
"Wait a minute," Ginny cut in. "If you knew weeks ago that Malfoy's not a Death Eater, why are you still here?"
"Well that's not as easy to explain," Hermione said carefully. She examined her half-painted nails if only to have something to look at other than Ginny's face.
"Look at me," Ginny said, her voice softening. She perused her friend's face carefully. "You like him, don't you?"
"What?" Hermione scoffed. "Of course not!"
"You always were a terrible liar, Hermione." Ginny smiled in a way that was almost a smirk, and Hermione knew she'd outed herself. Hermione blushed furiously.
"I bet he likes you too," Ginny said softly.
"How do you know?" Hermione asked warily.
"Why else would he call your best friend over before the ball while you're getting ready? He wanted to do something nice for you." Ginny grinned at her friend's shyness. It was so rare that she fell for someone. Ginny was glad she'd finally let herself be happy with someone, even if it was Draco bloody Malfoy.
"I guess so," Hermione said with a small smile. "He's been really sweet to me, but I'm afraid…" she trailed off. She knew Draco didn't want anyone to know about the Malfoy curse, but she needed to vent to someone.
"What are you afraid of, Hermione?" Ginny asked, knowing her friend was normally quite fearless. She was one of the strongest, most versatile agents in the Order. Ginny helped out when she could, especially in the Quidditch off-season, but she was nowhere near as seasoned and irreplaceable as Hermione.
Hermione broke down and told Ginny everything. She explained the curse, described every kiss they'd shared, even tried to describe the feeling when she used Legilimency on him. When she finished pouring her guts out, Ginny sighed.
"I was wrong," Ginny said. "He doesn't just like you; it sounds like he loves you. He put himself in a vulnerable place just so you didn't have nightmares. He brought me here to see you. As much as I hate to say it, he sounds like a changed man, and I think a lot of that has to do with you."
Hermione's face scrunched up and she was about to reply, when the nail artist's waving arms got her attention. "Oops," she said. "I guess I should let them back in."
"Yeah, that paint job's looking rough," Ginny mocked.
"Hey, I've got all these beauty technicians or whatever they'd be called, at my beck and call. Want to take advantage?" Hermione offered.
"Do I!" Ginny responded enthusiastically.
Hermione took the silencing charm off and let the beauticians back in. Her two nail artists finished her manicure and pedicure and some other assistants gave Ginny a similar facial to the one she'd had earlier.
A few hours later, it was dinner time, and then it would be time for hair, makeup and getting into their dresses.
"I guess I have to get home and grab my things," Ginny said, looking at her watch.
"Nonsense," a voice said from behind them. Draco strode into the room. "I had an elf go and fetch everything you need for tonight. I assume you'll be alright with letting our makeup artists handle cosmetics though, because I didn't have Arietta grab any of that."
Ginny giggled – she actually giggled! - and said, "She would have no idea where to start; I have so much!"
Draco laughed good-naturedly, causing Hermione to think she'd been transported to some parallel universe where Ginny Weasley got along with Draco Malfoy and vice versa. Hermione must have given them an odd look, because Draco laughed again, and said, "Don't look so shocked. Ginevra and I have been friendly for a while now. I sponsor her team and in the off-season she volunteers at the company to test new broom technology."
Ginny nodded, and added, "It's brilliant. I get to test out the new broom charms before anyone else!"
They walked to the dining room, and Hermione was surprised to see three place settings at the table. The house elves were practically psychic. She sat down next Draco and Ginny sat on his other side, across from Hermione.
"I thought a light dinner would be good, since there will be hors d'oeuvres at the party," Draco said, as a house elf placed soup and sandwiches on the table.
Hermione noticed with a pang that it was the same meal she'd made Draco in the kitchen. She caught his gaze and smiled, his grey eyes twinkling back at her. She could tell this was no accident. He was so sweet to her in such little ways, she didn't really understand the feeling she got when he did. It was something akin to the way he felt when he touched her, if not so extreme. There was this warmth in the pit of her stomach, and she didn't know what it meant really. She only knew that she liked it.
After dinner, Ginny scurried upstairs to Hermione's room to get ready and let Draco and Hermione have some time to themselves. Hermione guessed the latter was a bigger reason in her decision to go. Hermione looked up at Draco, who grabbed her by the waist and carried her across the room to the fireplace. His customary black armchair appeared, and he sat, placing Hermione on his lap.
"I've missed you today," he muttered burying his face in her chocolate-brown hair.
"I've missed you too," she replied. "I'm sure you would have been better company than those beauty masochists. I swear I'd get poked and prodded less at St. Mungo's!"
Draco pulled back from her hair with an infectious smile. "How did I never know in school that you were funny?"
"Guess you were too busy hexing me and getting my teachers fired," she replied, but there was no conviction in it.
Despite the light-hearted way she said it, the comment still stung Draco. What could he ever do to prove that he deserved her? He decided to bring things back to a more neutral ground by saying, "Are you happy to see Ginny?"
"Yes, thank you for that. Speaking of, I'd better get upstairs and get ready. Only two hours until guests arrive!" Hermione said, hopping off his lap. Draco pouted at losing her touch, but Hermione just laughed and went upstairs. He would never understand what took women so long to get ready. Maybe it was the fact that he was already devastatingly handsome, but he didn't take long to get ready at all. Well, unless you counted his hair.
Draco went to his office and found a singed envelope on his desk. It must have been sent through the floo. He tore it open, avoiding the still-hot wax seal.
Mr. Malfoy,
I look forward to seeing you at tonight's ball. Perhaps my invitation was lost by that blundering owl of yours? Still, your excitement to see me must be unbearable. Or maybe I'm confusing you with your sexy house guest? Either way…
Blaise Zabini, Esq.
Draco crumpled up the letter and threw it back in the fire. How dare he! He decided to check in with his security before the party began. He had to make sure that scumbag stayed away from his Hermione. My Hermione? He thought. Draco, you're really messed up. Draco pushed the thoughts away and went to the front door to check on the security.
xxx
Upstairs, Hermione showed Ginny her dress. "It's so beautiful!" Ginny gushed. "A little Slytherin for you though isn't it?" she ribbed playfully.
Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "I've always looked good in green, you know. What are you wearing?"
Ginny showed her the sparkly black dress she'd gotten at Madam Malkin's. It was skin tight and floor length with a slit that showed an almost indecent amount of leg. The top was modest, since Ginny didn't have much cleavage to throw around anyway, but the back scooped low, and Hermione was sure Ginny would look drop dead gorgeous in it.
"Too much?" Ginny asked, seeing Hermione's face.
"No, it's perfect. Any special escort taking you to the party tonight?" Hermione asked.
"Actually," Ginny said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "I didn't know you'd be here tonight so I didn't tell you, but I got Harry to come back a day early for the party. Plus, our Halloweens are always so exciting, I figured tonight would be a perfect chance to convince him to come back for good."
Hermione's jaw dropped. Ginny being on good terms with Draco was one thing, but she highly doubted Harry would feel the same. "Are you sure you won't just scare him off?" Hermione said nervously. "I'm sure you could skip it and have a nice night out on the town instead."
"No way!" Ginny replied. "This is the place to be tonight! Besides, Harry's all 'we should forgive each other and rebuild,' so I figure he can test that hypothesis tonight."
Hermione racked her brains to find an excuse for Harry not to come. She just couldn't handle her best friend seeing her accompany his nemesis to a huge public party. "I know your relationship's been on an indefinite hiatus since the war, but do you really think Harry can handle being thrown into a situation like this?"
"Look Hermione," Ginny said seriously. "I know you're nervous about him seeing you with Draco, but you two are in love! He'd have to be blind not to see it. Better that he finds out now than later into his visit. You don't want to lie to him, do you?"
Hermione put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes before saying, "I don't even know how I feel about Draco. I don't know if I love him. I know I like him, and I like how sweet he is to me, but I don't know how he really feels. I won't know until this curse is broken."
Ginny was quiet for a while, and then said, "What if just having sex isn't enough to break the curse? What if it requires something with more commitment? What if it requires…love?"
