House cleaning: So last Chapter we addressed a tiny bit of the lack of trio line. WE ARE NOT DONE! This was just a small slip she was comfortable revealing. There is definatley more to it.
I want to take a second to thank the incredibly kind reviews this week.I had actually been stuck and not writing for about two weeks (this is why you write ahead of chapters) and they got me going again!
Mika: I am not a lucid dreamer unfortunately. But i feel like it would be great fun to be one!
Hermione was unsure as to why exactly she was taking the risk to go to some ritzy party full of people she had never met. Perhaps she had just wanted to see the magic in the ancient Victorian homes. Maybe she wanted to nibble on foods and sip champagne that she could never rationalize spending the galleons on. Maybe it was just that she couldn't stomach sitting alone on Christmas for the fourth year in a row watching the stupidly beautiful, enchanted tree Harry sent disappear at midnight.
Regardless, when she flooed to Draco's flat, her small beaded bag firmly in hand, she made a point to hold her head high. She felt pitiful after that display last night. And maybe she was pathetic and this was just a pity invite brought on by a man who didn't have the emotional capability to handle it any other way. But by Merlin she was going to have a good time.
His office was the same dark wood and rich greens she had grown accustomed to. She had been pleased when he had finally started to leave the pile of blankets on his couch for her comfort after weeks of sending them back to her house. They still were draped across the back of the fine leather piece that made her thighs stick uncomfortably to the surface. A swatch of warm maroon in the otherwise bleak and oppressing room.
She heard shuffling on the other side of the door. For one cowardly moment she considered jumping back into the flames and pretending she had never come. He certainly wouldn't come drag her out. He would probably sigh in relief that he didn't have to take her along, chastising his spontaneous decision. However when the door creaked open, her fate was sealed.
"Cursed Goliath, I hate these things." He was fumbling with a somewhat skewed scrap of silky Navy fabric around his neck. "Do you know how to tie this?"
Hermione shook her head. She hadn't really given much consideration to what she should be wearing. She had simply grabbed her charmed scarf and breezed through the fireplace before she lost her nerve. It had been so long since she was out in London.
Now, watching as Malfoy cursed and tugged she felt remarkably sheepish. She didn't know much about suits, but his looks both elegant and comfortable in the way that suggested it was built for him. The deep navy pants and jacket were off set soft dove gray vest that lightened the image. Comparatively she was going to look…
"That's it." He huffed pointing his wand at the fabric. He quickly transfigured it into a regular tie, donning it with practiced ease. "I don't care what Blaise says is in. I refuse to wea- You aren't going like that."
"Well no." She responded haughty, pulling up her stature. Of course she wasn't wearing jeans and a jumper. She may not be a heiress but she wasn't a moron.
"That wasn't a question." He sighed as he grimaced looking her up and down in appraisal. He didn't seem pleased by what he saw. "You may be able to fit into some of what I have in storage. They're older fashions but that just means it's been years since anyone has seen them. We will have to take them out significantly at the waist."
"Did you just-Wait,actually. Malfoy, why do you have women's dress robes?" Hermione questioned with a comfortable taunt in her voice.
"Oh don't get your knickers in a twist. They're my mother's." He said as he rolled his eyes. "Hold onto fashion long enough and it becomes a vintage masterpiece."
"Would she be okay with me borrowing them?" Hermione asked suspiciously. While not as vocal as her husband Narcissa Malfoy always had a subtle but fierce superiority complex.
"Well, she isn't using them."
"I mean, because I am muggleborn." She finished flatly.
"Ah." Draco paused to think for a moment. "No, I don't think she has any care about that at all these days. Let's go, I didn't factor in an alteration appointment tonight."
Before he left Hermione regained her objectivity.
"Oh wait, I brought my dress." She shuffled around in her bag, digging for her scarf. She hooked her ring finger around the silk, pulling it loose. "I had a charm for when Ron and I would go dancing."
"Ugh, I don't even want to imagine that buffoon trying to dance." He paused dramatically. "Actually, now that I think about it I really do. It would be the pinnacle of comedy. I have no idea why you saw in that oaf."
"He was kind." Hermione responded shaking out the scarf. "And it's easy to love when you think you are going to die the next day."
"Funny, that's not how I remember it." She shrugged and wrapped the silk around her as her charms settled. It had taken forever to apply but it was worth it. She could barely walk in heels without tripping over her feet, this way she was always able to wear whatever was comfortable underneath while still looking presentable.
"Not awful, a bit muggle but I hear that's in nowadays." He responded neutrally as he eyed her. "A bit plain too."
She glanced down at the red swing dress. It was the same silhouette she had worn since school, the slightly flared skirt hit just above her knee, with a thick band nipping in at the waist. Small capped sleeves met at her breast bone, shaping a low but respectable neckline. It hardly seemed plain to her.
"I'd change the color. Silver would be appropriate for the venue. Do you have any jewelry to dress it up?" She nodded as she pulled down some old pieces she had scavenged from her mother's jewelry box for her fifth year and had never managed to give them back.
"Do pearls go with silver?" She asked, not quite sure where the style guide of lavish Christmas parties was.
"Diamonds are better but we can work with what you have." He looked at the plain pearl string and set his wand to work transfiguring. Hermione ignored the gut reaction to the change reasoning she could always shift it back. Instead she focused on nudging the charms on the scarf until the dress begrudgingly turned silver.
"Is my hair okay?" She had left it down after applying a multitude of anti-frizz spells. She hoped it was serviceable. If she touched it anymore it was likely to explode back into an uncontrollable mess.
"Better than usual. Change it to black." He supplied with a smirk handing the necklace back. He had split the strand into two at the center creating a layered lock before they fused back together at her collarbones. A short line gradually diminishing droplets hung down from the center to her breast bone laying lightly against her cleavage. As she laced it around her neck she adjusted her hair color as well, cringing as she felt her ringlets begin to loosen.
"Well am I done then?" She asked, already overwhelmed and tired.
"Better do something about those eyes. Here, I'm great at those." He slipped his hand around the back of her head holding it in place. She jumped as his wand appeared directly in front of her face, her own materializing in her hand.
"Sorry." She muttered as she blushed from embarrassment, shoving her wand into her skirt. "Habit. Nothing to do with you. Honest."
"You can-" He started, lowering his wand.
"No you do it. I can never get the pattern right so they come out all one color. It's kind of frightening." She chuckled awkwardly as he focused on her eyes. She felt the cool ripples of his magic flow over her face, settling near her cheekbones as the magic began to pool. He finally pulled away nodding in satisfaction.
"Admitting there's something you can't do well Granger?"He quipped with a smirk that felt way too comforting."Not bad. You don't look a thing like you."
"What? You don't think I am beautiful as is?" She teased with a cheeky grin. The taunted felt normal, stabilizing.
"No. I saw you step in erumpent dung last week. Not a great look. Not a great look at all." She tore a discarded stopper off his desk and threw it at him. It bounced harmlessly against his lapel before falling on the floor. In another part of the house a clock sounded.
"Alright, let's go. If we arrive any later, we'll pass fashionable and slide into dramatic." He stated, turning to the floo. He hooked his arm politely and she took it. She was going to have fun tonight, no matter what.
00000000000000000000000000000000
The flames met the invitation with a roar. The usual green died down to a pale amber as they stepped in. Draco dropped his arm as they landed at the rather mundane town house in front of the gas lamp. It was a clean white with a small cast iron fence surrounding a stretch of grass. The sunny butter door beamed in the flickering light of the lamp post. Only the quietest murmur from the party could be heard leaking through the arched window.
"Oh." Hermione stated. She sounded disappointed.
"Problem, Mia?" He questioned using the agreed upon name as he climbed the steps. He was going to have to be very careful not to slip up and insult her too much tonight. It shouldn't bee too difficult, with the ebony black hair and arresting green eyes, he would hardly pick her out of a crowd as Hermione Granger. Then again, the way she spoke was a dead give away to anyone who spent time with her.
"No, not at all." She popped up the stairs next to him taking his arm again. He could practically feel her vibrating in excitement. He rolled his eyes before knocking on the door. A moment later it opened up, allowing them to step inside.
The entryway held a tall black coat rack that bowed as they entered. It extended one of its pegs to close the door behind them before returning to it's station.
He breezed into the living room, the sound charm breaking as they entered the bubble of chatter and laughter. Crystal glasses tinkled softly as an enchanted piano hummed in the background. He dropped her arm again as a tray full of drinks slowly drifted past, a whiskey for him and a bright pink sugary looking thing for her. He wasn't sure if she drank much but the rest of the women in the room all seemed to have one. As he handed off the drink she looked on, slightly put out.
"What's wrong?" He sighed. He was going to regret bringing her along if she just moped all night.
"It's just… a bit… It wasn't what I was expecting. Not that it's bad. " She finished with a sip of her drink and grimaced. "Except that. That is dreadful."
He snickered as the drink vanished itself as if insulted by the very idea. She blinked in surprise before taking another look around.
"What were you expecting?" He questioned, snatching another drink as it wandered by. It was a pale yellow, with tiny little creamy bubbles suspended in the liquid. He handed that one off to her too.
"Well…" She stalled taking a trial sip. She made a small noise of pleasure and he laced his arm in hers again before slowly guiding them towards the kitchen. She didn't notice the twinkling stars that glittered behind her as the drink took effect.
"Well what?" Draco nodded as he passed a client. The man was standing with a witch easily half his age and not nearly as short or pudgy as his wife.
"You'll tease me. And I refuse to give you anymore fodder."
"Can't tease you." He responded smiling at an old flame. She smiled back, subtly flashing a glittering engagement ring on her hand. Not that he was offering. "You're my date. It would be rude."
"And that stops you another time?"
"Any other time we're locked away in your flat, where you have likely forced me to do or ingest something unpleasant. That's hardly a date. No matter how desperate you are." A small wave to the hostess who was lounging on the couch like a well kept cat. "Here, I am in control. And that makes me just happy enough to treat you with a shred of consideration. Now, 'well' what?"
"I just expected… something more grand."
"Grand? This house cost three and a half million gallons." He allowed his foot to tap extra loudly on the marble floor. Imported from Greece of course.
"Well you know. I just thought it would be more magical."
"Right." He eyed a floating drink tray meaningfully.
"Oh you are going to make me say it, aren't you?"
"I suppose so."
"Well… I was just expecting a grand entrance. You know. Like a massive staircase where they call out your name and my name and we descend to the ballroom below. Everyone is dancing and there are giant windows that lead out to the terrace."
He contained his snarky comment, only making a small noise of assertion.
"And the ceiling would drip with real icicles as magical snow horses take people out in carriages with warming charms keeping them comfortable. You know," She paused to gesture vaguely, small sparking fireworks shooting out of her fingertips. "Like in a book."
"That's very… creative." He managed to choke out.
"Is that not what you do?" She questioned her eyebrow raised. The verdant emerald flashed with flecks of gold as they caught the reflection of a candle. He had done a remarkable job on her eyes. Some of his best work really. Pity it was wasted on Granger.
"No. Whatever gave you that idea?"
"Well with the yule ball and everyone being so caught up on tradition and… oh dear. You're laughing at me aren't you." She questioned with what could almost be considered a pout. He tried to calm his stuttering breathing.
"Not out loud, so I think I should be forgiven." He responded as they finally made their way to the kitchen. The hostess had set up a massive table full of a variety of winter food from across the globe. Little fairies danced around the chandelier spinning on the tips before taking off again. "Those parties do happen on Halloween, but usually only the old crowd have the space to hold them anymore."
"Does your mother host one?" She questioned taking a small chocolate covered burst berry. She popped it in her mouth jumping in surprise when it exploded with a wave of juice. The moment gave him a chance to collect himself.
"Not anymore. She used to when I was little though." He chuckled as she struggled to swallow the influx of liquid. "I'll go find you a napkin."
000000000000000000000000000000000
Hermione felt a bit selfish to be so disappointed. It wasn't that the party wasn't amazing or magical. It was just very much like what she would expect from a muggle get-together. The house was certainly in another tax bracket but it was otherwise very similar to the ones her parents used to throw.
"There you are!" A blonde witch slightly older than herself appeared directly in front of Hermione as soon as Draco left the room. "I have been waiting to catch you alone. You simply must tell me your name."
"Hello." Hermione responded glancing around to make sure she hadn't missed anything. Instead of someone coming to save her she was quickly finding herself surrounded by a variety of very beautiful young women. "I am Mia Merago."
"Agatha Selwyn. But don't call me that, it's a crone's name. I go by Annie. That's Isabella, Maisy, Birdy, Pippa, Carrie-" The names continued on as each girl bobbed hello. "In any event. You're here with Draco! Spill!"
"I uh…" Hermione trailed off as the gathered group of women followed every word.
"Annie you're scaring her." One pouted out.
"Oh you were just hoping he'd take you." Annie replied flipping her long pin straight hair.
"He never takes anyone to these things." The pouting girl snorted in a rather undignified manner. Hermione would be willing to bet they would get along.
"Thus no reason to pout. It's unbecoming."
"Oh and like your last trip to America was all right and proper." Pouty hissed in a low voice. "If your father knew-"
"In any event!" Annie responded shooting a poisonous glare at the other girl before turning expectantly to Hermione. "Tell us everything!"
"Yes dear, do tell us everything." To Hermione's horror none other than, devil incarnate, Rita Skeeter herself pushed her way to the front of the gaggle. Her clawed nails were painted a vivid pink and matched her skirt suit with disgusting accuracy. In those hands a notepad and quick quotes quill were twitching away violently. To be fair, the group of girls looked about as annoyed with her presence as Hermione.
"Rita." She growled.
"Oh my, a fan. I always love to meet my followers. Tell me, are you really here with Draco Malfoy?" The woman questioned as all heads turned towards Hermione.
"I would think that obvious." Her voice rumbled with poorly disguised hatred.
"I love your accent. It sounds Spanish. Is that where you two met?" The quill quit it's scribbling pausing for Hermione's answer. She had prepared a backstory but apparently that has slipped out of her control.
"Yes. I am from Barcelona." She responded as the women around her nodded.
"Lovely city!" One supplied.
"They have the most gorgeous leather trunks there." Supplied another.
"Barcelona. A city of beauty, history, and love. I can see it now. You sitting at a fountain, drinking an espresso and staring off into the clouds." Skeeter drawled as the quill morphed into a blur capturing every word. "Him, dashing across the plaza, late for a meeting. Your eyes meet, the blossom of true love blooming in-"
"No!" Hermione spat out awkwardly, much to the surrounding audience's disappointment. "I mean we met here. In London."
"Hm, boring." Rita remarked her eyes boring into Hermione. "Well why were you here? Did a sordid affair break apart? A family tragedy? Running from an arranged marriage to a cruel man?"
"Visiting."
"And who were you visiting?" The excitement in her voice was rising. "The other man? Woman?"
"I hardly see how that's your business."
"Interesting." Rita tapped the quill feather against her lip. Her eyes gleamed in the light making Hermione feel very much like circled prey. She wished she was Hermione right now, she could have hexed the reporter across the room. "You know. The Malfoys are known for their selectivity. I wouldn't imagine the head of his house would be seen with anyone… beneath him."
The statement was made so casually it made Hermione's skin crawl. She flipped her hair like the Mermaids did when approached with a topic they didn't want to discuss. Haughty was the word. "I don't quite catch your meaning. You English are so poetic."
"I mean what line are you from, sweetie. Aren't you pureblood?" Rita's quill was waiting to strike. Hermione realized she had been backed into a corner expertly and cursed herself for letting it happen. She could make one up, but knowing Rita it would only be a matter of hours before she knew there was no bloodline. Judging from the amount of money surrounding her she couldn't just give a random pureblood name either without someone counteracting her.
"Well…" She glanced towards the exit. Malfoy was standing frozen, his drink in one hand and a paper rose in the other.
"'Well' what dear?" Rita smelled blood. She was ready to strike and Hermione was willing to bet viciously.
"That is to say..."
"What's the matter sweetie? Unless of course, you aren't. Well, you know." Her grin was impossibly evil and she was practically salivating.
"I-"
"MIA!" Hermione gasped as her breath was knocked out of her by a blind hit from behind. If she hadn't been so desperate struggling for air she may have managed an instant hex or two.
Shuffling around as the arms released her, she was greeted with a bear-like hug and a mop of curly brown ringlets. With reckless abandon she was lifted off the floor and twirled in the air like a toddler. By the time she was put down her head was spinning.
"Now girls," The blur of a man chided, shaking his finger. "You better be nice to my dear cousin. This is her first time out in England and I would hate for her to not come back. I may never leave the house in a fit of depression!"
The man sighed dramatically, folding his arm to rest on his forehead. His smile was teasing and kind, it reminded her very much of a set of twins that didn't really exist anymore. She quickly pushed the thought to the back of her mind as she forced down the knot in her throat.
"Oh Theo!" Annie smiled alluringly as she rested her hand gently on his chest. "We would never! We were just gossiping is all."
Hermione realized she was staring at what could be none other than Theodore Nott. The man had certainly filled out a bit since their 6th year potions class. His rabbity face had widened into a full and friendly visage marked with laugh lines, evidence of a man quick to smile. His brown eyes twinkled with humor as he snatched at two drinks on a nearby tray holding one out to Hermione. What was someone so… pleasant doing hanging around Draco Malfoy.
"You were going to eat her you silly vixens. Why, I should let her use that spell that makes you recite all of Shakespeare's plays everytime you speak until you have finished them. She hexed me when I was eight for feeding her kneazle a barking bean." He turned to smile at her with a wink.
"That wasn't funny." She murmured, happy to be rid of the attention.
"It was hilarious." Draco responded, stepping up to tuck her arm into his. "I brought you your napkin."
He handed off the paper rose, whatever mess Hermione had made was long since dealt with. She dabbed lightly at her lips anyway.
"Mr. Malfoy. It is so good to see you." Rita sidestepped Theo with her pen at the ready." A quick word on your relationship?"
"I think," A tall man loomed to the right of Draco partially obscured by his blonde hair. "That any questions you have should be directed to me. After all, I am the people person."
"Mr. Zabini." Rita responded, her face screwing up like she had eaten a Sour Sucker. "Always a pleasure."
"Normally women don't lie to me about their pleasure." He responded darkly. Now Blaise Zabini was everything she had expected. His sharp edged cheekbones looked cunningly harsh. His angled eyes were defined by thick black lashes and a dangerous look that screamed bad boy. Even his suit, while every bit as similar as Draco's from what she could see, didn't look to play by the rules. He had already loosened his tie, the top two buttons of his shirt undone.
"Hm, well." Rita huffed glancing back at Hermione in defeat. "Another time perhaps."
"Perhaps. It was lovely meeting you Miss Skeber." Hermione responded primly.
"It's Skeeter."
"Of course Miss Skeeper. Your English names are quite strange to me." Hermione waved in dismissal as the woman narrowed her eyes before huffing and walking away. Theo extradited himself from the clan of melting heiresses and joined them.
"Well cousin." He chuckled, throwing his arm over her shoulder. "Seems like we have a lot of catching up to do."
"Indeed we do cousin." Hermione responded staring at Draco. He just smiled into his drink as he sipped. He worked remarkably fast. "Why did you lie for me?"
"Is it really a lie? Basically everyone who is a pureblood is related at this point. It wouldn't surprise me if we shared a distant aunt some 300 years ago." He gestured vaguely with his hand.
"I highly doubt it. But I will take anyone who hates that woman into my family." She scoffed while shimmying out from the two boys.
"Seems like you have two additional members then." Blaise responded by shooting out his hand. "Blaise Zabini. My mother would like to take you shopping."
"You mother doesn't know me." Hermione responded by taking his hand with a raised eyebrow.
"Never stopped her before." He pulled back, tucking his hands into his pockets. "That woman is such a pain in my ass. Who's idiot idea was it to invite her?"
"No one with taste." She scoffed with a smile. In spite of his overall dark aesthetic he didn't exactly have an air of danger around him. Well, at least what kind of danger she was qualified to judge for. She had never spent any time dealing with him at school but his sharp smile warmed considerable as they spoke. Sure he had that same Slytherin look that they all did but she couldn't really lambast a fourth of the wizarding population or she would have never gotten anywhere. About an hour later she found Theo to be growing on her as well.
"I don't care what you say. Basin Newt tongue is not an acceptable substitute for veela claw." He practically shouted from his wicker chair.
"I didn't say it was." She shouted back, her head a bit fuzzy from the third yellow drink. "I said in certain potions it may be a better thickening agent."
"If you feel like exploding I suppose that would be as good as anyway to do it!" He laughed, throwing back his drink. He was many ahead of her and the two of them had been asked to take the conversation outside by the host 20 minutes ago.
"I think you're both Pillocks." Draco responded stepping out of the door to the roof with an amused grin. "I knew I shouldn't have brought you."
"Well pardon me for-"Hermione started. She knew she hadn't really belonged but she hadn't been that much of an embarrassment. She had managed to wander through some proper conversations as Mia Merago.
"Not you twit." He responded motioning towards Theo who was attempting to stand. "The pissed gorm over there."
"Mate. If you think I am down you are out. Wait… something like that."
"Never argue with a drunk person." He responded turning back to Hermione. "We're heading out. Want me to drop you off?"
"No I can take care-"
"You can't leave!" Theo whined as he righted himself. "The night is so young! And shame on you Draco. You can't drag her to this straight-laced cotillion and then call it a night."
"He's got a point." Blaise responded with a perally smile. "She sat through the worst part of the evening. She should get to come along."
"It's not really her scene." Draco responded. But now she was curious. Plus it was barely nine, she would still have to watch that awful tree evaporate.
"How do you know that?" She questioned with her arms crossed.
"Trust me." He smirked.
"As far as I can throw you." She huffed turning to Blaise. "I'm in. Where are we going?"
"That's a girl!" Theo responded clumsily pulling out his wand.
"You are not apparating me." Hermione cried as she snatched his wand away. He whined like an injured puppy.
"That was mean. You aren't really my cousin you know. You can't tell me what to do."
"Well I can." Blaise responded by taking the wand from Hermione's hand. "You can have this back once we get there. I'll take you and Draco will take Mia, alright?"
Theo must have done something to assure understanding as Blaise grabbed his shoulder and cracked away.
"I can go home." Hermione responded staring at the spot the two boys had just left from. She was suddenly feeling very out of place. Like a little sister who was just being indulged by her brother's friends. "I didn't mean to take over your night."
"I mean you can come." Draco responded rubbing the back of his neck. "I just don't think you'll like it. It's not very...tame.
He struggled for the word and Hermione was sure he had picked a few more insulting options before settling on that one.
"The implication being that I can't have a wild night every now and again?" She questioned with a smile.
"It is you Granger." He responded with a shrug. "I won't be a night of snuggling your pillow and reading sordid romance novels."
"Excuse-"
"Saw them in your library, swot. You can't fool me." He laughed in response. It was a deep hearty thing, oddly enough it filled her with warmth.
"Those were for research." She knew her cheeks had colored slightly. She gripped his left arm tightly, trying not to think about how much the unreasonably soft fabric for his jack had cost. "You can't tease me away. I am coming and that's final."
"Alright, alright. Looks like you're going to get that dance you want after all then." He shook his head as they left the rooftop garden with a crack.
World Building with Om
Floo Invitations:
When one does not want their private floo known to a lot of people one may send out an invitation that when burned creates one time access to the selected place. In this case the gas lamps outside a resident in Knightsbridge.
Magic Alcohol:
Various drinks in the wizarding world provide additional, party fun effects.
Hermione's- Star Struck Sour: A lemon based drinks that creates a sparkling trail of stars above the drinker.