Chapter Ten

Friends

Giving her appearance a one over, Hermione knew she made the right decision when she went to Emiko with a change of heart for her engagement dress. It was possibly the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. Her hair was in an up do, more elegant than she'd known was possible, especially on her hair.

Narcissa had arranged for an army of hairstylists and beauticians to come to her apartment for her and her friends. However, the only female friends she had were Ginny and Luna. Malfoy had suggested she invited Pansy as she'd become somewhat of a friend to her but then, of course, she couldn't invite Pansy without Daphne and she couldn't invite Daphne without Astoria. So that's how she ended up with five other witches in her apartment with her as she prepped for the event.

Hermione twisted her neck and marvelled at the slope of her neck and her fingers trailed down and across her clavicles before proceeded down her dress. She couldn't believe that his was her, Hermione Granger, standing before her. Her makeup was subtle yet tasteful, better than what she'd envisioned.

"Hermione, you look gorgeous, but it's time to get going. Narcissa's already sent an elf with the portkey ", She was snapped out of her trance. Pansy stood at the door to her bedroom, dressed in a burgundy red, mermaid tail dress, her fine shoulders bare and her midnight hair coiffed back from her face. Hermione thought she looked stunning.

"I like your dress, Pansy", she told her as she made her way toward the door, "very Gryffindor of you", she remarked offhandedly and the raven haired beauty responded flippantly,

"I love your dress, Hermione. Very Slytherin of you", she frowned at the words, she hadn't even considered that when she'd requested the change of dress.

She inhaled deeply, before passing Pansy and entering her living room where the other girls were all ready and waiting. It was in that moment, that it finally sunk in to Hermione how surreal the scenario actually was. Everyone was dressed to the nines, Luna in yellow tulle, Ginny wrapped in a navy slinky style, Daphne was wearing a white trumpet dress which was quite the contrast to Astoria who was dressed in a sleek black number. Rather morbid, even if she did look stunning in it. And they were all going to her engagement party (or ball, which was how Narcissa described the event on the invitations)

Luna was the first to see Hermione, her audible gasp as indication. "Hermione, you're quite the vision", her usual airy voice filled the room as everyone turned to look at her. She felt her face heat up under her mask of makeup.

"Oh, Merlin, Hermione! You look stunning", Ginny gushed as she approached her, the pair of sisters assuring her the same sentiment. Despite herself, at the back of her mind, Hermione wondered if Malfoy would agree. Not that she cared, or anything.

-xXx-

Granger looked devastatingly beautiful. He blinked hard, as if she were a temporary mirage that'd disappear before his eyes. Yet, she remained glowing before him. Her eyes starkly contrasting the shine of her dress as they looked up at his expectantly after opening the door to a room located near the grand staircase of the ballroom.

He watched her chest rise, only the tops of her breast visible, as she inhaled, "Is it time?", she asked, attempting to peer past him by rising on her tip toes.

He finally spoke, his voice raw, "Yes, it is", he cleared his throat before continuing with a frown, his fingers thrumming the box he was clutching, his knuckles blanched. "My mother told me you were wearing gold."

"I had a last minute change of heart", she shrugged and he noticed the draped, off the shoulder sleeves of her gown didn't even move a fraction.

"It's.. it's a really nice dress, Granger", he nodded his approval but he didn't miss the way her face scrunched up at his words.

"Thanks", she responded, her tone deadpan. Had he said something wrong? However, he had no time to ponder her words when she'd noticed the box in his hands, "Whats in the box?", she asked.

"A gift. Think of it as an engagement present", he tightly smiled as she stiffly handed her the velvet box. She took it, her fingers skimming his. He didn't flinch at the electric shock he felt at the contact.

"I feel awful. I didn't get you anything", she responded, her brows furrowed.

"You being here is enough", he reassured her genuinely as he still found it unbelievable that she'd agreed to it.

She didn't respond as she pulled open the lid to the box, he watched her face transform from curious to surprised. "Malfoy..", his name left her lips as a whisper. "It's too much", she looked up at him her eyes wide in shock.

"It's entirely not enough", he replied with a shrug. He suspected that her presumption of the cost of the jewels that lay in the box was lower than actuality. "Do you like it?", he asked as he assessed the conflicted look on her face.

"Yes", she broke her gaze from the jewels to him, "but they must've cost you a fortune. I can't accept this", she adamantly raised her chin as she pushed the box back into his grasp.

"Granger", he tutted, "turn around", he instructed simply and he watched the conflict flicker across her face as she decided whether or not to oblige. The answer was given in the form of her turning around with a huff and crossed arms.

Taking a step closer to her, he leaned down so his words ghosted over the slope of her neck, "What's mine is yours", she stiffened as her breathing halted and he smirked at her reaction, glad she couldn't see in fear of her response. Then he tucked the box into the crook of his elbow as he removed and draped the jewels across her neck before clasping the back into the lock.

"What do you think?", she asked as she turned around to reface him, her expression sheepish.

"Exquisite", he replied immediately with no thought. The silver dress she wore moved fluidly like liquid silver yet sparkled almost impossibly like no dress he'd ever seen before. Paired with the emerald jewels that now adorned her neck, made her look like quite the Slytherin. He thought it was a crime she'd never worn his house colours before.

-xXx-

"Let's go", Malfoy said as he extended an arm which she took hesitantly. He was wearing simple black formal wizarding robes, simple yet she knew would've cost a fortune. Hermione hadn't fully recovered from being weighted down by the necklace he'd given her. Her neck was encircled by glistening diamond encrusted emeralds, the necklace's pendant drop had an almost flower like shape and fell just perfectly above her bosom at the corset edge of her dress. She wondered if they were real. And if so, how much galleons were wrapped around her neck. She'd truthfully never seen anything like it in real life.

After walking her down the small stairs that, to their left, lead down to the grand staircase, Malfoy asked her, almost tentatively, "Are you ready, Granger?", his words drowned out the bustling thrum of noise that belonged to the attendees in the ballroom.

"I have to be", she replied with a deep breath. Apparently her answer was good enough, because he nodded at her reply before making the step that would make their appearance known to everyone. Her hand still resting on his forearm, gripped Malfoy with more force in anticipation.

When they were at the top of the cream marble staircase, fully in view to everyone, the noise completely faded out. Hermione wasn't sure if it was just in her mind or if it was in fact reality. The only thing she could hear was her breathing until Malfoy leaned down to her ear, "Granger, now it's time", he echoed her earlier words.

As they began their descent down the stairs, Hermione saw a magnitude of blurred faces, some she knew and some she did not but all of those faces were looking at them. "Everyone's staring at us", she whispered in haste.

"Everyone's staring at you", he told her and she almost tripped at his words, "I told you, Granger. You look exquisite", the first time he'd paid her that compliment, she had presumed he'd meant the jewels.

Narcissa and Lucius, whose arm she was on, greeted them as the steps met the ground with air kisses. "Hermione, you look positively divine!", Narcissa's smile was unlike any she'd seen before, it radiated pride.

"What a peculiar colour scheme for our Gryffindor princess", Lucius remarked and Malfoy came to her defence immediately.

"My intention was to mix our house colours but Granger here apparently loves to change things at the last moment", Malfoy responded with warning eyes to his father that Hermione thought she wasn't supposed to see.

"Miss Granger, ever spontaneous. Enjoy your evening", he backed off with his dismissal as Narcissa led him away from them.

As they began their rounds around the ballroom, Hermione was thankful Narcissa had vetted her on the required etiquette or else she'd have been at a loss. The next to approach them was the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt who congratulated them and thanked them for the invite. Hermione hadn't expected him to be in attendance despite seeing his name of the invite list. Nor most of the high profile people in the room. She always thought of Malfoy as, well, Malfoy, the Slytherin prat from Hogwarts and always seemed to neglect the fact his family was extremely well connected.

"The Slytherin Prince has found his princess!", Blaise exclaimed as he neared the pair with two flutes of champagne, the first of their friends to do so. He passed them to her before giving Malfoy a clap on the back in greeting. "Hermione. I'm a big fan of the colour scheme", his wink was enough to make her blush. She hadn't realised her outfit and colour scheme would be the topic of every conversation she'd be having. She handed Malfoy the second flute of champagne.

"I'm sure you are", she replied. "You look rather dashing yourself, Blaise", she smiled at the wizard she'd become friends with. Malfoy had been busy the evening that Narcissa had scheduled she practice her dance in preparation for the ball, so she'd recruited Blaise in his place. Hermione had been shocked by his presence but had ended up enjoying the time they'd spent together. She'd expected awkwardness but Blaise was indeed a man of humour and wit and she felt nothing of the sort, only complete ease around him. Even with the jibes he'd given the whole evening about not being invited to Ginny's birthday do.

"Now Granger, you know I am a taken man", his hand at his chest, mockingly aghast. "Your flirtation will do more harm than good", he whispered harshly so they'd be able to hear and she was surprised by Malfoy's chuckle at her side. How different a reaction from when he'd caught Ron embracing her. She though of how far they'd come since that day and was reminded of the way he'd so brutally spoken to her. As she noticed her smile faltering, she shook her head and tried to vanquish the thoughts with a taste of champagne, the liquid tasting golden as it slipped down her throat.

"Steady, Granger", Malfoy joked with a raised brow as he grabbed her elbow, "the champagne isn't running out anytime soon". His words were a joke but she saw the concern in his eye.

She had no time to respond, or even dwell on his words, because suddenly it'd been announced that the dancing was to begin. Hermione felt her stomach drop to the pits of Tartarus and her vision blur yet she allowed herself to be lead to the centre of the room like her body moving before her mind had time to catch up, the attendees allowing them passage before gathering in a circular shape encircling them. There was no escape.

"Hermione", Malfoy's voice was so unusually tender it shocked her out of her stupor, "are you okay?", his enquiry came as he positioned them to start their dance, one of their hands clasped together whilst his other lay at her waist with hers on his shoulder. His touch felt delicate against her skin. Whilst his icy gaze bore into hers and she didn't dare break her stare away from them. Never would she have thought Draco Malfoy's eyes would be her only source of comfort. Then "I'm sure this is overwhelming", as he abruptly pulled her to him, her breath hitched in her throat at the contact.

"You have no idea", she replied breathily, as Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers was suddenly filtered into the air, played by the orchestra sat to the right of the room, their instruments gleaming from the light given off by the multiple opulent chandeliers hanging off the roof.

Malfoy began their dance as soon as the beat picked up, stepping forward with his left foot, Hermione following with a step back. "It'll get easier", he reassured her with a step to his right, she followed.

"I do hope so. I fear I may have to take up alcohol otherwise", they closed their feet before Hermione took a step forward in retaliation to his backward step.

"I hear that does make such events much more tolerable", he smirked and suddenly they were gliding, Malfoy leading her with his body as they repeated the footwork flawlessly.

"You're a much better dancer than Blaise", she stated truthfully, always maintaining her centre of gravity in anticipation of his next move.

"Blaise thinks too much. I prefer to let the music guide me to my next move", he retaliated as they turned, picking up speed due to the music intensifying. Hermione's mind was cast back to his mother admitting he was an excellent piano player. Perhaps music was just his unlikely forte. Swiftly, he dipped her and she reemerged fluidly as her neck arched.

As she replied breathily in recovery from the sudden dip, "It seems we are unalike in that sense", her response warranted with the way her brain was whirling, reprimanding her to correctly make her next steps.

"Indeed, though I do believe you'd much more enjoy dancing without the trepidation of perfection", his words struck her as ironic considering he was the epitome of perfect whilst he drifted across the polished floor.

"Perhaps. However, I find being perfect the greatest form of enjoyment", she retorted before he spun her, her dress creating a whirlpool of silver.

He snickered, "Granger, I have no doubt you do", and suddenly the song was reaching its crescendo, the speed increased and so did they until sharply just and as quick as the song started, it ended.

At once she was plunged back into reality and it struck her, the sheer amount of people who were watching them. She'd managed to escape the entrapment of her situation momentarily and had no doubt she has Malfoy to thank. "You were distracting me", she stated as her breath left her heavy.

"You're welcome", he smirked and the music picked up once again but this time a dozen people joined them at the centre of the ballroom.

-xXx-

Draco watched her whirl around with a smile plastered on her face, this time by the stupid Weasel. She'd danced with more people than he had fingers whilst he currently conversed with some hotshot business men, thanking them for attending on such short notice. His thoughts betrayed his words as he knew nobody invited would turn down the prospect of seeing the newsworthy pairing with their own eyes.

"You and the Granger girl", his thoughts were interrupted by the man on his left, "wonderful pairing. I have no doubt Malfoy and Son will be booming with the publicity she'll bring", he took a sip of the firewhisky he held and Draco almost slipped and frowned at his words. He didn't of course.

"Yes, Maxwell, though that is only one of the many benefits she brings", Draco replied, similarly taking a sip of his beverage.

"Ohhhhh", Maxwell whispered so it reached his ears only, "you're shagging her already?!", his toothy grin honestly revolted Draco, he resisted the urge to downturn his lips.

"Not quite what I meant, Maxwell", he replied, remembering he hadn't rolled his eyes in a while. He almost felt like changing that. He felt disgust at how someone as young as him could be so slimy, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to speak to my fiancé", he left with haste, making his way to Granger how was looking far too happy in the Weasel's arms.

As he continued in his pursuit, he thought about his word choice. Fiancé. Hermione Granger was his fiancé. How surreal this moment felt. He thought back to their school years at their fourth year Yule Ball, she'd been wearing a periwinkle dress and she'd been the most beautiful person in attendance at the ball that evening. Even he hadn't been able to say a single bad thing about her that day. Now, the same sentiment had stuck with him but tenfold.

"Ahem, Granger", he addressed her from behind once he'd stopped. Promptly, she twisted her neck and her smile faded ever so slightly but be noticed it.

"Yes, Malfoy?", she asked, her brows portraying her worry. "Is something wrong? You look… distressed".

"No, not at all. I was wondering if I may borrow you for a while", his retaliation caused her to nod her approval as she stepped away from Weasley and toward him.

"Hey, Malfoy", the bumbling ginger called out as they made their leave, "Hermione told me about what you overheard us saying at Gin's birthday party", he felt the witch in question tense up at his side, "You'll always be a snake Malfoy, but Hermione seems to trust you now and, well, that's good enough for me", Draco had to resist the impulsive urge to retort with a sneer and instead opted for a nod and a simple thank you. Whilst he doubted he and the ginger would ever become tight friends, he'd always be apart of his life from now on as Granger's, so being civil was indeed the correct route to go down. Thinking of Granger, she was eerily silent by his side.

"Give me your hand", he instructed as soon as they'd exited into the corridor, she did so without a second thought and then the crack of apparition filled his ears as he felt her hand stiffen in his.

-xXx-

When Hermione reopened her eyes, they'd arrived at his desired location, their bench.

"I do hope your evening hasn't been too unbearable", he nudged her with his shoulder, her heels giving her more height. "We're nearing the end, anyhow".

She looked up at him in earnest, "No, it has been rather enjoyable. After our dreaded first dance, the evenings been fun", she proclaimed thinking of the laughs she'd had dancing with Harry, Ron and even Blaise, or sneakily eating canapés with Luna and gossiping at the side with Pansy. Neville had even been in attendance, she was beyond happy to see her old friend along with dozens of people she hadn't seen since school. When she made the first move to take her seat at the bench, he followed dutifully. Her feet had started to hurt despite the comfort charm, though hours of standing probably had that affect.

"Well you'll be glad to know, a couple only have to endure two first dances, one at their engagement and another when they are wed", he replied as he sat beside her, she thought Malfoy's movements had a fluid liquid quality to them, as if he needn't to think about the movements he made. Certainly a quality she did not possess.

"Two times too many, if you ask me", she retorted with a audible sigh as she attempted to smooth out the plethora of a dress out, needing something to keep her hands busy.

"Agreed", he nodded, "however, it's tradition. As is this", she frowned as he reached into his pocket.

She began to voice her confusion, "As is wha-", she was cut off as the realisation of what he was doing hit her.

The sight so surreal, Hermione raised a hand to her mouth in shock. Basking in the glow of the moon light, Draco Malfoy opened a small box to reveal a ring. An engagement ring.

"I know the circumstances aren't ideal and I'm sure I'm not exactly the man of your dreams nor is this the path you expected your life to pursue", all correct statements, "but I'm starting think perhaps there is something to that 98.6% compatibility after all.", she watched as his words left his lips, not quite processing the words as quickly as she probably should be. "Even though you drive me mad sometimes and you're the first girl to ever put me in my place, I'm actually beginning to enjoy your company", his words, whilst not the most romantic, were definitely genuine.

"What I'm trying to say, Grang-. Hermione", he corrected instantly and she liked the fact he was using her given name in this moment, "is I'd like to think we are somewhat friends at this point and so I give you this ring. As a token of our engagement", he pushed the box toward her and for the first time she saw the ring.

She'd seen engagement rings with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and even emeralds and topaz but this ring, this ring was unlike any she'd seen before. It was clearly vintage. And expensive. Whilst the jewels around her neck screamed their worth, the ring was much more subtle. She was surprised he'd opted for the band to be gold, whilst the centre featured a vintage flower oval halo top design. However, the most impressive part, the part that took her breath away, was the stone. The stone that was so unique in the way it shone, iridescent with hues of white and orange and green and purple and blue and every colour she could think of, all merging together in one oval. It was truly magical.

For a second she assessed the situation, this was definitely not the proposal she'd anticipated her whole life, she'd envisioned someone down on one knee presenting her with a ring that they'd had to save up for months to buy. A person who thought she was worth that struggle. She'd always thought she'd be madly in love with the person she'd eventually marry and that was definitely not a sentiment she shared with Malfoy. Like he said, they were friends at best. It also disheartened her to think none of this would've ever happened had this stupid law come into effect. What was supposed to be a happy moment, was being ruined by her mind and the reminder that this was all a farce. This was her life now, fake. She had to resist the urge to cry, which needed all the willpower she could muster up.

"It's beautiful", she stated, merely a whisper, an effect of the macabre thoughts that consumed her.

He had clearly assumed her change in voice was due to different reasons, "I knew you'd like it", he genuinely smiled at her and, for some reason, that only made her sadder, "as soon as I saw this ring, it just screamed Granger", so she was back to Granger. And to think she'd be marrying this man soon.

"I've never seen anything like it", she responded as she allowed him to take her hand and slide the ring onto her finger, the band magically adjusting to her size instantly.

"Perfect", he announced and all she could think was the ring was a symbol that solidified the fact that it was real. The law, the arranged marriages, their pairing. It was all real. Real yet fake, quite the oxymoron.

-xXx-

After they returned to the party, the whispers were so audible, Draco would argue the word whisper was wholly incorrect. The ring he'd given Granger had seemed to captivate the attendees and was the source of all chatter. Whilst in actual Malfoy tradition, the male is to present the ring in front of an audience, he knew she'd hate that, so he prompted to do it in privacy. Something he also preferred in himself. Truth be told, he hated being at the centre of attention. He'd also anticipated a completely different reaction from Granger. Draco had actually been excited to give her the ring just to see her reaction but it was rather, well, lacklustre. It seemed she never recovered because the following conversation was the epitome of humdrum. Not to mention, she just would not meet his eye. Did she not like the ring after all?

Pansy, who was situated nearby, immediately made way to them, pulling Potter along with her and he watched as Hermione extended her hand to show her the ring. "Draco, I dare say, you chose the perfect ring for Hermione!", she gushed, "We've come so far since that breakfast, don't you think, Harry?", she asked as she faced her left and the man in question, a smile on her face.

"Yes, you two seem rather friendly now!", Harry responded as he nodded.

"How lucky we are to have you", Granger replied with a tight smile, her hand fiddling with her new piece of jewellery.

"I think our next endeavour is going to be Astoria and Ron", Pansy announced with a frown and thoughtful expression, "though I think that may take a lottt more time", she raised her brows with her words. Potter choked on the champagne he was sipping whilst Draco chuckled at her words.

"Good luck with that one, Pansy", he offered her whilst glimpsing at Granger, who was now looking down at the ring as she fiddled with it.

As the happy couple made their way toward their (well Pansy's) next target, he faced Hermione and did something he considered risky. Not usually, just with her. He lifted an arm and allowed his fingers to ghost over face as he tilted it up. Her eyes remained downcast. "Granger", his words were but a whisper, "look at me", he instructed. If there was ever a person he'd wish to use legilimency on, it'd be her. Even before their arrangement. He'd always been fascinated by her, how her brain worked. But he knew he'd never do it, even with the knowledge that she wouldn't even know, she wouldn't feel him penetrate her thoughts, only those trained in occlumency knew how it felt.

"Malfoy, this is so inappropriate, everyone's watching", she muttered, still refusing to meet his eye.

"Sod them all", he said, "what's wrong?", his question sounded much more tender than he had expected and finally she looked at him.

"Everything is wrong", she replied, her warm face a stark contrast to where his pale fingers splayed across her cheek but most importantly those eyes she had kept hidden from him were bleary and full of despair.

However, before he'd been able to conjure a response and just as she'd shown him her vulnerability, it disappeared with a blink of an eye, "Ahem, my apologies for the interruption, but I need to borrow Miss Granger". His mother. Her words prompted him to drop his hand like her face was a fire that was about to scald him and she stepped away from him with a sharp inhale.

"Of course", she said with a smile, a smile he now realised was fake.

-xXx-

AN: IM SORRY ITS LATE !! I've been very busy lately, hopefully the weekend updates will resume this week