"Please," Pansy pleaded. "Please be careful with that box, Weasley. It has all my mother's good china in it."
Ron sighed heavily. "I think I can manage a simple shrinking spell," he mumbled. "Blimey, it's not like I'm an auror or anything," he added sarcastically.
"That doesn't mean that you won't smash it all in the process," Pansy countered.
Hermione smiled over at Draco, remembering their conversation last week. He frowned at her and shook his head, turning to shirk the next box. Even though Draco didn't want to admit it, Hermione knew that there was something going on between Pansy and Ron.
"How are things with your father?" Pansy asked Draco discreetly and Hermione pretended not to pay attention.
Draco shrugged and continued to shrink his box. "I haven't had much to do with him, honestly. After he showed up at Hermione's -," but Draco was cut off by a loud crashing.
"He was at your house," Ron and Harry yelled at the same time. Ron was now surrounded by shards of china.
"I told you!" Pansy cried, looking at the glass with wide, angry eyes.
"Oh, shut up," Ron murmured and then said, "Reparo."
With a flick of his wand, all the pieces of glass floated up and mended themselves back into plates and bowls.
"They're not the same after being mended!" Pansy scolded, taking the box from Ron. She cradled it close to her.
"What do you mean he was at your house?" Ron eyed Hermione.
Hermione sighed, "It was nothing. I didn't want to worry you guys over nothing."
"How did he get in your house?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head, "I haven't got a clue. He must have gotten past my wards."
"And you don't think that's serious, Hermione?" Harry questioned.
"I – I don't – it was nothing. Draco asked him to leave and he did. End of," Hermione said. "He didn't even draw his wand." She looked over at Draco who was tense. His facial expression looked slightly guilty, but he turned away too quickly, not letting Hermione get a proper look.
After a long moment of silence, Pansy said, "So, where's Scorpius today?"
"He's with Ginny and the boys," Harry smiled. "They were having quite the game of Wizard's chess when I left."
"Poor girl," Pansy laughed. "She must have her hands full."
Harry nodded, a knowing smiled on his face. "Yes, but I think Neville and Luna were planning on dropping by, so she will have help."
"Do you and Ginny know whether you are having a boy or girl yet?" Pansy asked, seemingly genuinely curious.
Harry nodded and his smiled consumed his whole face. The corners of his eyes crinkled up and he said, "Yes, we do. We haven't told anyone, though. I suppose I can tell you all. It's another boy!"
"Congrats, mate," Ron said, clapping Harry on the back.
"Oh, that's wonderful, Harry," Hermione said and walked over to her friend to give him a big hug.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Draco was giving her an odd expression. He couldn't be jealous, that was ridiculous. Shrugging it off, Hermione pulled away from Harry.
She tried to smile, but it was forced. Ginny's pregnancy only reminded Hermione of the pregnancy scare she had had. Hermione had yet to shake the feeling of loss.
Busying herself with packing boxes, Hermione tried to hide her discontent from the others in the room.
A moment passed before Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Draco there, a sad smile on his face.
Without saying anything, he leaned down a placed a kiss on her forehead. Even though it was a small gesture, Hermione appreciated the comfort greatly. Leaning into his touch, she sighed and a small smile graced her face.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
After the long day of moving, Pansy finally had all her things in her new house. She had suggested that they all go out for supper, then for drinks. She announced that she would pay as a thank you for helping her move.
Ron who had been disgruntled all day, perked up at the offer. However, Harry insisted that he couldn't go and that Ginny would have supper waiting for him.
"Scorpius is more than welcome to stay the night, Malfoy," Harry had said.
Draco simply laughed, "He sleeps at your house more than he does mine."
But Draco had reluctantly agreed and allowed Scorpius to stay at Harry's. The deciding factor was when Harry had said, "You've been stressed. Take a load off."
While supper had gone relatively smooth, Ron being too busy eating to notice Pansy's disgusted stares; Hermione could almost see Pansy getting more irritated with Ron.
Ron shot back another tumbler of Firewhiskey. Knowing that he had probably all liquor that he should, Hermione groaned as he ordered another. Despite, Draco having had almost the same amount as Ron, he seemed to be holding his liquor better.
Draco swooped down and kissed Hermione's neck. Blushing deeply, she wanted to turn away. So many people were staring at them. Even though, their relationship had been public for nearly a month, it was the first time they had actually been out in public together. And it was probably the Firewhiskey, but Draco was being extra touchy.
Laughing, Hermione pulled away from him, taking his face in her hands. More than anything else, she was glad he was having fun and letting go.
"'Mione, would you please have a Firewhiskey with me," Ron said seriously, slurring slightly.
Moving away from Draco, Hermione shook her head, "I'm sorry, Ron, but I really don't like the stuff." She shrugged and Ron frowned.
"Women," he nudged Draco, who was grinning, "they can't keep up to the men. They need to drink something pretty."
Just then, Pansy reached over and took the Firewhiskey out of Ron's hand. She drank it down in one long shot and Ron gaped at her. Clearly, he was too shocked to say anything. Sputtering for something to say, Ron looked from her to the now empty glass.
"What were you saying, Weasley?" Pansy smiled smugly, setting the glass back down on the bar, motioning for another.
Draco laughed loudly beside Ron, patting him on the back, "Slytherin, mate. Slytherin."
Pansy threw her head back, groaning lightly, "Oh, Merlin. Do you remember those parties, Draco? Every Saturday night."
Draco smiled fondly. "Yes, Pansy. I supplied the beverages."
Ron's eyebrows pulled together, "What are you two on about?" Nodding in agreement, Hermione was equally confused.
Pansy looked over at Draco and smiled slyly again. Her look said, 'do you want to tell them or should I'. Running a hand over his chin, Draco grinned.
"Slytherins use to have parties every Saturday night," said Draco.
Gasping, Hermione said, "But you were a perfect!"
Draco smirked and shrugged. Throwing his hands out, he replied, "Made it easier to have the parties, Hermione."
"That's was very irresponsible," Hermione shouted as Ron said, "That's brilliant."
Shooting Ron a stern look, Hermione turned back to Draco.
"It was a long time ago, Hermione," Draco said softly.
"That doesn't make it right," Hermione scowled.
Pansy laughed loudly and took another shot.
Scowling slightly, Ron added, "Why didn't any know about these parties?"
"It was exclusive," Pansy said. "No Gryffindor allowed!"
"That's discrimination," Ron gasped, scandalized. "We could have been tons of fun!"
"Oh, yeah, right," Pansy huffed.
"How would you know? We had parties too! Whenever we won the Quidditch House Cup, which was more than any Slytherins did, we had a party!"
Wrapping his arms around Hermione, Draco came up behind her. Leaning into him, Hermione sighed contently. Even though the stares were unnerving, Hermione was enjoying being out in public with Draco. She was really liking this new, most likely drunk, Draco. He seemed younger, more carefree. It was nice to see him this way.
"Do you want to get out of here?" He whispered into her ear.
Looking at Ron and Pansy, Hermione was torn. She really did want to leave, but she didn't want to leave Pansy and Ron alone and drunk.
Draco moved her hair off her shoulder and kissed her neck, making the decision for her. She nodded light-headedly and Draco moved away from her.
"We're going to head out guys," Draco said, taking Hermione's hand. "I'm completely exhausted."
Nodding knowingly, Pansy waved her hand bye. Ron sulked. "Don't leave me here with her," he whispered desperately to Hermione.
"You'll be fine, Ron. Just don't be an arse!" Hermione smiled back, patting Ron on the shoulder.
The words didn't seem to reassure him at all. As Hermione and Draco moved towards the door, Hermione looked back to see Ron shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
She chuckled to herself. Ron and Pansy did have sexual tension. She could tell by how Ron was acting, which was even more awkward than his normal self.
Once outside, Draco looked down at her. "You're house or mine?"
"Do you mind if we go to mine? I've been getting a little homesick," she said taking his hand.
Squeezing it slightly, Draco kissed her temple. "Your's it is, then."