Classical music played lightly in a grand ballroom as Hermione made her way through a small crowd by the open bar. She lifted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter rather than brave the line for a harder drink. It was probably a good choice, considering what happened last weekend when their group had drunk a little too heavily at the pub. She'd called in to work and used up a week's worth of personal time out of the hundreds of hours she'd accumulated by working herself to the bone over the years.

The boys had definitely had more to drink than she did, so she couldn't blame her actions on the liquor. She'd wanted to kiss Draco for a while, and when the opportunity arose, she'd taken it. But like a coward, she apparated away the first moment she could. She couldn't even bring herself to play the voicemail that Draco had left her until last night, and she immediately kicked herself for not swallowing her embarrassment to listen to it sooner. Hearing Draco's bumbling confession had buoyed her spirits. She tried to call him earlier in the day, but he hadn't answered. She desperately hoped he'd be in attendance tonight at this gala hosted by The Ministry of Magic.

She brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear and sipped from the glass in her hand as she perused the faces throughout the ballroom. A touch on her elbow accompanied by a throat-clearing to her left had Hermione whipping her head in that direction. Her heart started beating a mile a minute, hoping to meet a pair of ice grey eyes, but warm blue stopped her in her tracks.

"Ron?" She gasped in surprise.

Ron Weasley smiled widely. "Hello, Hermione." The baby fat had all but disappeared from his face, leaving behind lean muscle and reddish brown hair along a sharp jawline. His ginger hair was a bit shaggy around his shoulders.

She turned and placed a hand on his arm, smiling at her former boyfriend. "What are you doing here? Aren't you still living in America?"

He shrugged lightly. "Yes, still in the States. I'm home visiting mum and the clan and was guilted into coming tonight. I'm so glad I did now."

He held out his hand. "May I have the pleasure of a dance?"

Hermione shook her head with a giggle and placed her hand in his. "Why not?"

As the pair took a turn around the dance floor, Ron continued their conversation, regaling her with stories of mishaps across the pond. Hermione was happy to have the opportunity to solidify that her romantic feelings for this man were long gone. She felt mild affection for him as a friend but nothing more. Her mind wandered, and she couldn't help but look around to see if Draco was somewhere in the throng of people.

When her eyes finally landed on him, a lighting bolt shot through her chest. She drank in his handsome form wearing a tux and his perfectly coiffed head of blond hair. Their gazes connected across the room and she couldn't pull her eyes away. A pained look crossed his face before shifting to neutral. Hermione doubted that anyone else would be able to see his eyes blazing with unnamed emotions behind that cool facade.

She blinked and looked up at Ron, halting their movement. He looked down at her in confusion, and she smiled apologetically.

"Well, it was lovely to see you again, Ron."

She let her hands slip from his shoulders and turned to seek out Draco, but Ron's hand reached out and grabbed her forearm.

"What's wrong? Where are you going?"

She narrowed her eyes. "That's frankly none of your business, and I would appreciate it if you'd take your hands off of me. Now."

Instead of releasing his grip, Ron let his hand slide down to hold her by the hand.

"Come on, now, Hermione. We're just getting reacquainted."

She huffed in exasperation. Under normal circumstances, she would be more patient and kind in regards to her friend's feelings, but she was anxious and wanted nothing more than to talk to Draco.

"Listen," she practically growled, "I asked you to let me go. I have someone I need to find at the moment, Ron. I don't have the patience for this right now."

"But—"

"I suggest you listen to the lady's request, Ron," a familiar voice spoke up from behind her.

Startled, Ron let go of Hermione immediately and grinned. "Harry! How've you been, mate?"

Harry smiled awkwardly and leaned into a one-armed hug from his friend before shooting a confused look at Hermione.

"Doing well, Ron. Hermione's been a taskmaster as usual."

Ron shot her a fond look, which had her rolling her eyes. She clapped her hands together.

"Well, lovely. I'll leave you two to your little reunion, then."

Ron's hand shot out to grasp hers once again. "Wait, Mione."

All traces of patience left her body at once. "I will not ask you again, Ronald."

Harry stepped in between the pair, forcing Ron's hand to drop.

"Aw, come on, Harry. I just wanted to talk with her."

"She made her stance clear, Ron. It's very rude of you to push the subject. I'm sure you're not trying to be rude, right?"

Ron sighed and put his hands into his pants pockets. "Not at all."

Eager to leave this nonsense behind, Hermione looked in the direction where she'd last seen Draco, only to find him not there anymore. "Damn it," she muttered, scanning the crowd once more.

"You looking for Draco?" Harry asked, nonchalant. "I think I saw him talking with Neville by the bar right before I came over here."

"Malfoy?" Ron said the name contemptuously. He looked at Hermione with an angry gaze. "You're shagging Draco Malfoy?"

Hermione felt her face burn with embarrassment. "No," she said lowly. "And even if I were, it's none of your Goddamn business who I spend my time with."

Ron's face twisted in disgust. "But Malfoy? Really?"

"You ought to keep my name out of your mouth, Weasley."

Three heads turned in the direction of the newcomer. Draco's face appeared disinterested, but his gaze pinned Hermione with heat. She reached out and brushed her hand against his, causing him to blink in surprise before wrapping his fingers around hers. She smiled brightly up at him and tugged him closer.

"Ugh," Ron groaned. "What kind of topsy world have I walked into?"

Hermione shook her head and started to walk away, pulling Draco along behind her. "Goodbye, Ron. I'll call you tomorrow, Harry."

She didn't stop until they were at the exit of the room and smiled sheepishly into shining grey eyes. "Do you mind if we get out of here? I think there's a conversation that needs to be had."

Draco smiled and nodded. "Let's go, Granger."

O_o_O_o_O

You'll never love yourself half as much as I love you

And you'll never treat yourself right darling, but I want you to

If I let you know, I'm here for you

Maybe you'll love yourself like I love you, oh

O_o_O_o_O