a few more chapters after this but I'm still editing those. I'm a bit burnt out.
I don't own Harry Potter and make no money from this
Hermione, Pansy, Millie, and Daphne floo'd collectively to the Ministry that night, all smiles and somewhat drunken giggles as they hoarded into the hearth. Hermione could feel the tension in her cheeks from their laughter throughout the day and embraced it with glee.
Her head swiveled around as they landed in the emerald chambers of the Ministry, pure amazement in her eyes. Harry's memories and her own glimpses she had returned did nothing to show the building's utter beauty.
The walls appeared to glisten beneath a soft simulated light. It was more than apparent they were underground, but the room felt massive. Like an open-air market stuffed with vendors, and smiling faces, and pure noise as people spoke. The golden fountains that littered the place looked somewhat excessive, but she couldn't deny their beauty.
Hermione noticed wizards and witches in their offices, noses stuck in papers, and a longing grew in her gut. She wondered if her office had an atrium view, or if she was stuck in some hole in the wall fit for a junior employee. She questioned where her department was, or if it was even a department at all.
"Hermione!" Pansy chuckled loudly as she clasped her hand. "Merlin, come on."
"Sorry, Pansy. It's just so pretty."
"Oh! I forgot this was your first time back. Trust me, what Mum's done with the ballroom will be loads better than this!"
And Pansy had been utterly correct. Narcissa had truly outdone herself.
Hermione was speechless as the door attendants rapped their staffs, announcing their arrival with a bang as the doors swung open. The dome ceiling above had been charmed to show a stunning starry twilight sky. Clouds flittered in front of the thin, crescent moon, casting shadows of the dim light onto the floor below.
Walking through the doors was like wandering into an enchanted forest. Soft blue lighting illuminated the chamber, and the walls were lined with tall trees that draped floral laden branches delicately beyond patrons' heads. The flowers seemed to shimmer, shifting colors depending on the angle at which you observed them.
Tables pervaded the hall around an expansive dance floor, decorated with towering bare trees jutting from the center. A surreal juxtaposition from the vines of flowers nearly kissing their branches. Soft candles flickered against the table linens, brightening the arrangements with a soft radiance.
The room was topped with a large stage, on which what appeared to be a full orchestra sat, saturating the room with soft tones.
Men clad in white tuxedos wandered with trays of hors d'oeuvres and spirits, masks covering their faces as patrons snagged their offered goods.
It was genuinely difficult to recognize they were in the same place as the emerald halls behind her. The surge of magic took her breath away as she slowly paced through the doors, losing herself somewhat in the surrealism.
"'Mione!" came a familiar voice from the crowd.
Harry and Ginny emerged a moment later, nodding their heads to a man in bright yellow robes with a headdress as they hurried away.
"Thank, Merlin," Ginny bemoaned as they approached. "He was a nightmare!"
"The Brazilian Prime Minister is a nice man, Weaselette," Pansy said with a small leer.
"Pug-face. Thanks for bringing 'Mione. We'll take over from here," Ginny sneered.
"Ah! You're all here! Great!" Kingsley Shaklebolt boomed as he stepped up between Pansy and Ginny. "Harry, Hermione, would you mind joining me on stage?"
"Of course, Kings," Harry responded.
"Of course, Minister," Hermione said, and the purple-clad man's face dropped slightly. "Pansy, you go have fun."
"You sure?" Pansy questioned.
"Yes, I'll be fine."
"Alright, well as soon as you want to leave, come get me."
"She's with us, she'll be fine," Ginny declared with a roll of her eyes.
Pansy wrinkled her nose and rolled her eyes as she bid Hermione farewell, joining Millie and Daphne on the far side of the hall.
It had been relatively uncomfortable as they join Kingsley on stage. The Minister spoke of their heroics, their valiant struggles, most of which she couldn't recall. It was an odd sensation gazing out over the sea of people she didn't know while they cheered for her. Praised her for actions she couldn't fully remember.
As the night grew later, and her cheeks started to hurt from the fake smiles, she realized what the Potter's meant about these functions. She hadn't taken a seat in hours, and even though her heels were cushioned, she could sense the rub on her pinky toe. Her hand throbbed a fraction from repeated clasping of hands, and she was starving and unable to eat.
A never-ending stream of people invaded their space, with well wishes and gratitude. Craving to shake her hand or wrap her in lingering hugs. Their faces holding concern as they asked of her health and mourned her losses.
took her nearly three hours before a waiter paced by with a tray of drinks, Ginny pouncing on him like a cat and getting each of them two. Hermione welcomed the unfamiliar taste of wine to calm her nerves as the people's barrage seemed to wane.
Neville and Hannah walked up sometime after half-nine. They all sighed in relief, taking up each other's time so dull officials couldn't break in. Laughing at new tales of Neville's teaching and Hannah's more unusual patients. Stories of James and Albus continued growth and experience of new things, like Harry's broom much to Ginny's furniture's dismay.
It wasn't until half-ten when she finally saw a flash of familiar white hair. He was standing with Blaise, staring straight at her, soaked in a soft blue radiance, with a crooked grin on his lips.
She couldn't help the blush that graced her cheeks as she drank him in for the first time in nearly a month.
He was clad head to toe in black, the tux he wore so fit to his form it was clearly tailor-made for him alone. The only color, other than the grey glistening in his gaze, was the dusty blue tie draped about his neck. And at that, she reddened further.
He wore a set of black-framed glasses on his nose, his jaw lined with stubble, his hair again waves upon a crystal seashore. The picture of utter perfection, sheer handsomeness falling from every fiber of his being.
Hermione couldn't take her sights off him as he winked before leaning over to speak to Blaise.
"Hey, I'm…" she started, but Ginny's laugh cut her off.
"You've been staring like a lovesick pygmy puff for hours," Ginny chortled.
"It hasn't been hours! He just got here!" She retorted, and Ginny and Harry snorted somewhat.
"Frankly, I'm glad the ferret is finally here. That means we can finally leave," Harry added.
"I'm sorry I dragged you here," Hermione replied with a grimace. "You were right. It is awful."
"Don't worry about it, 'Mione. We'd do anything for you," Harry smiled, bringing absolute comfort into her soul. "Except stay here any longer."
"Are you sure you don't want to come home with us?" Ginny asked seriously.
"No, thank you, Ginny. I'm going to see Draco."
"I don't know what you see in the ferret."
"Ginny!"
"I'm kidding… be safe, Hermione."
Harry gave Hermione a tight hug before the two lovers laced fingers and disappeared home to their children. She watched their retreating forms for a moment before she could feel someone step into the space behind her.
"Granger," he drawled, and her cheeks colored further.
spun slowly, and the look in his eyes as they met orbs made her breathless.
"Hello, Draco."
"Would you care to dance?" He asked suddenly, extending his hand as he bowed slightly.
And while she didn't generally partake, she couldn't stop her hand from sliding against his palm and permitting herself to be dragged onto the dance floor.
A slow melody strummed about them as he drew her close, gliding a hand around her back as the other clasped her's near their shoulders. Her free hand slipped to his chest as he started to sway them, his experience evident in his movements.
"How was work?" Hermione questioned as he twirled her slowly amongst the other dancers.
"Dreadfully long. I just portkeyed home not 30 minutes ago."
"From where?"
"Germany."
"I'm jealous. You all get to travel so often."
"You just went to Paris," he laughed.
"Well, that wasn't my choice! And I was only there for a few hours."
"Well, I assure you I wouldn't have chosen Germany today either," he smiled. "Thank you, by the way."
"For?"
"Allowing Mother to spend the day with you. She hasn't stopped talking about it."
"So then your tie?"
"Her doing. But I was very willing to wear it," Draco smiled again, and it melted her somewhat.
"She was very charming."
Hermione noticed several sets of eyes lingering on them when he pushed her out and turned her about his fingers. And it made her slightly uncomfortable.
"They're all staring…" she spoke as he drew her back into his chest, closer than she had been before.
"It will be front-page news tomorrow," he laughed darkly.
"Why do they care so much?"
"Hermione Granger, muggle-born savor of the wizarding world, brains of the golden trio, brightest witch of her age," she smiled as he vocalized the honors the wizarding population bestowed upon her, "dancing with Slytherin, Death Eater failure, prince of darkness Draco Malfoy is nearly as unbelievable as someone witnessing a unicorn's birth."
Their eyes met then, and she saw the soft smile on his face as he gazed down at her.
"But I'm grateful for every moment you give me," he spoke quietly as he pulled her in even more.
And her face flushed thoroughly as she placed her head against his shoulder.
"Granger, I… I fear I may be taking advantage of your situation…" he said softly a few moments later.
"What do you mean?"
"I've invaded your life. Inserted myself as though we've been… together for ages. Even my mother has managed to meddle in your time."
"I don't feel that way, Draco. You've only done what I've asked. You've been… so wonderful."
"But do you feel that way because I've been the only one?"
"You haven't been the only one," Hermione stated, pulling back to meet his gaze. "Pansy has done so much. She even sleeps in my damned bed. Harry, too. George and Angelina."
The hesitation on his face didn't seem to soothe at her words.
"Draco, I don't see you as taking advantage of me in the least. I think I'd feel this way even if my accident hadn't happened."
"This way?" He whispered, a smile stretching across his lips. Hermione could only blush further as she buried her head back into his chest while he laughed.
"Do you remember that night in the shower?" He asked quietly.
"Not really…"
"I'm sorry I left," he muttered, pulling her in closer, resting his head against hers.
Neither spoke again as they danced for a time longer, swaying in one another's arms as the music reverberated about them. And Draco had been correct. Bright flashes of light flittered as cameras captured their image. But Hermione didn't care.
The look on his face. His strong arm wrapped around her waist. His scent of sandalwood and citrus. Everything about this moment seemed to drown all else out but them.
"You want to get out of here?" He asked softly into her hair.
"You just got here," Hermione responded, pulling back from his chest.
"And I'm ready to leave."
"I haven't even seen your mother."
"I'm sure you will see her in the future," he laughed. "You're having a dreadful time, are you not?"
"Well, maybe… This is a bit more… suffocating than I thought it would be."
"Then let's leave. I'm sure Pansy and Blaise have already snag their victim for the night."
"Where would we go?"
"Theo's. He's having a Samhain gathering at his manor. Pretty big party every year."
"Alright," she muttered a few moments later, after mulling over his request.
"Excellent," Draco smiled genuinely. "Meet me in the atrium? I'll get the others."
Hermione nodded as he bowed, sweeping from her into the crowd. The atrium was mostly empty as she stepped out, only a smattering of people milling about with their partners. Most of the lights from the offices were turned out, save for a few stragglers.
She paced toward the large, golden fountain of a wizard at the center of the room, marveling of the sheer magnitude. As she grew closer, her eyes fell onto the base where a large, bronze plaque littered with names sat.
In memory of all who were lost
Hermione felt a sadness inside as she read them. Names she didn't know and some she did. Tears welled in her eyes as she read Fred Weasley's name and fell slowly as she saw Remus and Nymphadora Lupin. Those who had died in battle for her. For the truth in which they believed.
"Hey," came Draco's delicate whisper as his hand slipped across her back.
"So many people…"
"Too many…"
They stood for a moment in silence, his hand shifting to her shoulder and squeezing it somewhat.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, let's go," she said with a small, rueful smile.
"Are you able to apparate?"
"I was cleared for that, yes."
"They set an apparition spot just over there," he pointed, and Hermione noticed the large mass of her friend's waiting.
When they joined their group, Pansy had her arm around a man Hermione had never seen. Millie and Daphne were laughing loudly at something the stranger said as Pansy rolled her eyes deliberately. Blaise's hand was intertwined with Luna's, and they were cuddled quite close.
"Hello, Hermione. I haven't seen you in years," Luna suggested.
"We saw each other at my birthday party just last month, Luna," Hermione laughed.
"Oh, I saw someone there, but I don't think it was truly you," Luna replied dreamily, her eyes closing as her smile brightened the width of her face.
And it made Hermione ponder.
Her mind shifted over Luna's statement slowly as she and Draco laced arms. Realizing she was becoming herself. Or rather, the self she wanted to be. Leaving behind a person she had been, who she no longer knew.