The Big Meet
"Draco! You can't do that when you meet mum and dad. They'll get all suspicious and not like you and I want them to like you. You know I love your family, but mine can be a little difficult at times and I just want this to go perfectly," Hannah accidentally yelled at her boyfriend after he made a foul joke.
"But, your family is pureblood too. And they aren't blood traitors like the Weasley's," he snarled.
Hannah looked up to make eye contact with her best friend who was making a six lemon expression at the spot across from her in the Great Hall. Maggie was a Gryffindor, but conceded to sitting with Hannah at the Slytherin table for a meal once a week because they had been friends since they were little. Just because Hannah was a Slytherin and Maggie was a Gryffindor didn't mean that they couldn't still be friends.
"You know, I happen to be friends with the Weasley's and they're a lot more pleasant to hang around," Maggie spit back, not appreciating the insults falling from Hannah's boyfriend's mouth. She really only did tolerate him because he was dating her best friend and made her happy.
Hannah continued to coach Draco on how dinner with her family would go. "Mum and dad will expect you there at 6 o'clock sharp. Make sure that you have on your best robes and don't be too snobbish, they don't like that. Oh, and Maggie's family will be there too, so you'll know at least one more face. Don't forget to use proper table manners as mum and dad are very formal when it comes to planned dinners."
Draco rolled his eyes at the continued directions that Hannah had already given him.
"Common, Draco! This is important. I want them to love you!" Hannah whined.
Maggie, always knowing how to stir the pot added, "I bet Harry would be a great dinner guest. Maybe I'll invite him as my guest. He could probably show you how to make a proper first impression." Maggie couldn't help but smirk as she watched Draco's eyes narrow on her.
"Maggie, hush up. This isn't about your interests in boys. This is about my parents' interest in Draco!" Hannah continued to lay out exactly how the evening would go in approximately 30 minute intervals.
"Hannah!" Draco couldn't take it anymore. "Do you not trust me? I know how to make an impression!"
And with that, Draco stood up from the table, motioned to Crabbe and Goyle, and left the Great Hall. On the way, he made enough grumbling and yelled enough to get everyone eating dinner to look over at the Slytherin table.
"Well, that went well…" Maggie looked wide-eyed at Hannah.
"What am I doing wrong with him?" Hannah asked throwing her hands up to her face.
"Han, you are doing nothing wrong! You're just trying to prepare him and he's making it difficult!" Maggie tried to make her friend feel better.
"Why doesn't he understand then? Mum and dad have not liked anyone else that I've brought to meet them. I'm starting to think that the boys at Hogwarts are a lost cause!"
Maggie held her tongue knowing that it wouldn't be a good idea to say that Draco would always be a lost cause. Of course, that is her own personal biased towards him. Hannah on the other hand began to just pick at the rest of her dinner. There were only two more days until they were leaving for Easter Break and only three until Draco came to her family's manor for dinner.
"Common, Han, you know he'll come around. He never wants to disappoint you. This time will be no different," Maggie told her, finally putting her feelings about Draco aside to help her friend.
"You're right. He'll be fine. And his parents aren't going to be there, so he'll be able to act how he does when he's just with me and not when he's trying to impress his father," Hannah rambled, more to herself than Maggie.
"Exactly! And I'm sure if you let me invite Harry or Ron, he would be on his best behavior because he'd want to out shine them!" Maggie finally slid in, knowing the answer.
"Seriously, Mags? I can't tell if you're joking, but that would be a total disaster. Not to mention, my parents haven't met THE Harry Potter yet. Again, A TOTAL DISASTER."
"Bloody hell, Han. I was just joking. Although, I will definitely be a third wheel at this dinner party and am not excited for it…"
"Can you please just be there to support me? My parents have always loved you, so you can ease the tension…" Hannah pleaded at this point.
"You know I wouldn't miss it!" Maggie assured her.
The pair finished their dinners and left the Great Hall. Maggie promised Hermione that she would work on a charms essay with her and Hannah figured she should find Draco and maybe, sort of apologize, even though he was the one that blew up at her.
Hannah took the corridors and stairs until she was standing in front of the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room in the dungeons. Luckily, a group of first years was right ahead of her, so she didn't have to say the password.
Despite it being the spring, the Slytherin Common Room was always a little cold as it was in the dungeons, so the fire was going. Luckily for Hannah, Draco was sitting right in front of it in a chair with his back to her, unlucky for her he was surrounded by his posse and stupid Pansy Parkinson, who was always such a pain.
Hannah stood up straight and pulled her shoulders back as she walked toward the group. Everyone but Draco saw her coming and watched her. That made her feel smaller.
"Draco?" she said almost quietly coming to the side of his chair. She hadn't really planned what she was going to say, but knowing Draco's temper, he was probably still seething and sulking.
"Oh, Hannah, thank heavens. Can we go talk?" Draco jumped up to Hannah's surprise.
"Uh, yeah."
"Crabbe, Goyle. Don't bother us," Draco shot at his lackies as he led Hannah towards the boy's dormitories so they could talk in his room.
Hannah followed silently, knowing she should attempt to make an apology, but not knowing what to say and not really wanting to, so she'd let him take the lead here. Once in the round room with the 5 four poster beds, Hannah instinctively went to sit on Draco's (of course covered with the best sheets money could buy).
Draco took a deep breath before he started to speak, knowing his reaction wasn't the best earlier.
"Han, I'm sorry," he wound up blurting out.
Pleased that she wouldn't have to initiate this, Hannah just let him continue.
"I know how important this is to you and how much your family means to you and I really will do a good job, but you really don't have to coach me through this. I grew up having to go to stuff like this, I know what to do. Can you trust me to do that?"
Hannah nodded in response, quite happy with how this was going for her.
"I'm really sorry though…" Draco finished.
"It's okay. I know you can make a good impression. I just get nervous," Hannah started but then quickly added, "Not because of you! It's just my parents. So don't get angry if I keep trying to give tips…"
"I won't," Draco smiled that smile that Hannah only ever saw. "Now I did tell Crabbe and Goyle to keep watch for a little. Want to do something up here?" he smirked, winking at her.
Hannah shrugged her shoulders, "I guess. I've got nothing better to do."
She couldn't stop herself from laughing as he began attacking her with kisses.
Today was the day. It was 5:45 and Draco would using the floosystem to arrive at her house at exactly 6:00. Maggie's family would be there shortly after. Hannah told Maggie to hold her family up an extra 15 minutes so that she and Draco had a few moments with her parents alone. Dinner was scheduled for 7:00, so there would be about a 45 minute gap for appetizers and drinks. Hannah made sure that her family's house elf, Mimsey, had set everything up just right.
"Mim, did you check to make sure we have enough glasses?" Hannah asked anxiously as she rearranged the seats in the sitting room for the 5th time.
"Yes, Ms. Hannah. Glasses are all clean!" the little elf squeaked as she followed Hannah around the room. "Anything else Mimsey can do for the Miss?"
"Could you go and get Mum and Dad? They should be down here when Draco arrives," Hannah asked, finally content with the love seat, cushioned chair, and 4 other chairs they had brought into the room.
"Yes, Ms. Hannah!"
CRACK*
Mimsey apparated out of the room and *CRACK, she was back just a moment later.
"Master Bates is on his way down. Mimsey must go back to help her Mistress finish up."
CRACK*
She was gone again.
"Okay, it's been 5 minutes. Only 10 minutes until Draco gets here," Hannah thought to herself pacing in front of the fire. She flattened the front of her forest green, sun dress to ease some of her nerves.
"Hannah, darling?" her dad called from right outside the room.
"In here dad! Draco should be here any moment. Is mum ready yet?" Hannah asked hopefully.
"She's on her way down now," Hannah's dad came into the room and gave her a quick hug.
"Dearie! Is everything ready? Mimsey had to help me finish up with my wardrobe. I just couldn't decide. But, now I'm ready to meet your friend," Hannah's mum rushed into the room, making Hannah feel like a tornado was going off.
"Yes, mum, everything is ready. But, he is my boyfriend. Not just my friend," Hannah pointed out.
"Oh yes, of course! When will the Henson's be arriving?" she asked waving Hannah off.
Oh why had Hannah agreed to come home for this?
"I told them to come about 15 minutes after Draco should get here. You know, time to clear up the floo network," Hannah responded, going through the evening's schedule in her head again.
Hannah began to watch the fire place as the minutes ticked by. She wasn't hearing a single word that her mom was babbling on about. Why had she agreed to this again? This was nowhere near healthy for her anxiety.
The clock hands were going by SO SLOWLY! It was 5 minutes to 6 and there was flash of green as Draco appeared in the fireplace. Hannah watched as he was careful to brush off the soot before he stepped out of the fireplace.
"Draco," Hannah stood up excitedly. She approached him to hug him and whispered in his ear, "You're 5 minutes early…"
"I know love. Being early is part of my 'make a good impression' plan," he whispered back.
"Mum, Dad, this is Draco," Hannah introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you, Draco," Hannah's dad held out his hand for Draco to take and Hannah could tell that he was sizing the boy up.
"It's good to meet you, Mr. Bates. And Mrs. Bates, you look wonderful this evening," Draco charmed.
Hannah finally let herself breath. This was going well. And the Henson's would be there soon and it would be comforting to have her best friend nearby to ease any tensions. While waiting for the other family, Draco offered to help Hannah's mom with the drinks, but her mom quickly waved that off, saying the Mimsey would take care of the serving. Hannah could tell her mom was putting up the air that they were a well to do family.
Hannah was feeling a lot here. Every move that each person in the room made would cause Hannah to tense up. Oh, how she had been anticipating this day… Before she knew it, the clock approached 6:15 and the green in the fireplace appeared one, two, three times.
"Karen!" Maggie's mum emerged from the fireplace and the two hugged as though they didn't see each other on a weekly basis.
"Hey guys," Maggie said, side stepping the adults who were all greeting each other. She looked at Hannah and under her breath asked, "are you doing alright?" with knowing eyes.
"Yes, I'm fine," Hannah forced a smile, knowing it would get easier now.
"Draco," Maggie said turning towards Hannah's boyfriend, "There are my parents. My mum is Katie and my dad is Danny. They hate when people use their last names to address them, so don't worry about that. Mum, Dad, this is Draco, Hannah's boyfriend."
Once again, Draco shook hands with the new comers and everything fell into place. Hannah's parents and even Maggie's asked Draco lots of questions. Hannah knew that they all knew about his family and their position in the wizard world.
Draco, however, was conversing perfectly. He was witty and funny as ever and Hannah really felt like she could breath. Not to mention, when Draco's hand wasn't on top of hers, Maggie was giving her some sign of comfort. It was going well.
Then, Mimsey called them all for dinner. She levitated the plates out for everyone and the little house elf really out did herself tonight. It was a beautiful spread of salmon, asparagus, roasted potatoes, cranberry sauce, and other things. The drinks were poured and Hannah's dad offered a toast.
It was all fine.
But all too soon, the conversation turned to the events at school. The Tri-Wizard Tournament, more specifically.
"Did you see that the third event is coming up in just two months?" Hannah's mum asked.
"Yes, it's such an exciting thing for our children to be living through," Maggie's mum responded.
"I hear that both Hogwarts Champions are in the lead. It gives the school a great reputation!" Hannah's dad exclaimed.
"We are very excited in our household," Maggie's mum cooed.
"Mags, over there being a Gryffindor, is being represented quite well by the Potter boy," Maggie's dad beamed.
Hannah could see Draco's knuckles clenching and whitening. This was dangerous territory. Nothing could expose the boy's temper like the discussion of Harry Potter. Even Maggie glanced over at the Slytherin boy, worried about how he would react. No, she wasn't his biggest fan, but she did want this night to go perfectly for Hannah.
"Oh yes!" Maggie's mum chimed back in, "he is also just a wonderful young man. He visited our home last summer with two of her other little friends. They were all a pleasure to have, but he was really just so sweet. Wonderful manners!"
"Mum, I'm sure the Bates don't want to hear about my friends at school," Maggie tried to interrupt.
"Oh nonsense!" Maggie's mum waved her off.
Both girls sat anxiously as the parents continued to go on about Harry Potter. Hannah knew he wasn't that bad, but this is not the conversation she wanted to take up the space at dinner.
Draco looked as if his top was going to blow, Hannah just hoped it wouldn't be at the table.
Suddenly, interrupting the conversation, Draco stood up. "Would you excuse me for a moment," Draco stated through clenched teeth as he left the room.
Hannah's dad just nodded and the rest of the dinner party didn't seem to be fazed, but Hannah knew what was wrong with him.
She quickly made eye contact with Maggie and Maggie motioned for her to follow her boyfriend.
Hannah could hear Maggie changing the conversation and talking about her most recent herbology exam as the Bates girl left the room.
"Draco?" Hannah called softly, not entirely sure where he went.
"Master Malfoy is in the foyer, Miss!" Mimsey piped up out of nowhere.
"Thank you, Mimsey," Hannah answered as she made her way to the front of the house.
She opened the door to reveal Draco standing over the entry table in front the hall mirror looking down.
"Draco?" Hannah asked again, coming up to him and instantly wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head in the middle of the bad.
"I'm sorry, love. I just couldn't stand to listen about perfect Potter a moment longer," he snarled. "If I had been able to enter the tournament and was chosen, I would be doing just as well as he is!"
"I know, darling…" Hannah comforted, letting the boy rant.
"Figures the conversation would come around to him. And with your friend's mum just rambling on about him, I'd be surprised if you parents didn't start to hope that you would bring him home to meet them instead." The words rolled off his tongue like venom. They left an equally poor taste in Hannah's, who could never imagine bringing Harry to her house for a family dinner.
"Draco, you can't actually think that!" Hannah was appalled.
"Sure, I do. You saw how interested your mum was in the "Boy who lived!" Draco raised his voice.
"First, don't take that tone with me," Hannah inserted. "Secondly, who cares if she did. She's just as fascinated by the rumors as everyone else. What really matters is what I think! Not them. They don't choose who I date and they never have. So pull it together? Please? Because I fancy you and brought youhere to meet them. You got that?" Hannah asked, turning Draco and forcing him to look her in the eyes.
"Yes, love…" Draco responded, still pouting.
"Common! You were doing fantastic and I'm sure they'll love you!" Hannah encouraged. Draco nodded in response.
"Good. Now, pick your head back up and come with me," Hannah instructed.
She turned on her heels to lead the way, but was pulled back as Draco grabbed her hand. He spun her back to face him and placed his free hand against her face, drawing her in from a firm kiss. Once the couple broke apart, Hannah let out the breath she was holding in. She had not expected that.
"Okay, I'm ready to go back in now," Draco smirked as he led a blushing Hannah back to the dining room