IWSC3: Round 7 Writing School

School: Beauxbatons

Year: Exchange Student 2

Technique: Clarity

Word count: 935

Hermione had been dreading the Ministry Gala for weeks but couldn't help smiling at the sight that greeted her.

Twinkling lights, a bewitched snowy sky, icicles galore; the ministry foyer had been transformed into a winter wonderland, making her feel like she had been transported to Narnia for the evening.

If only.

Hermione knew it had been her own choice to come, but she had been sick and tired of the whispers and the pitying looks that seemed to follow her everywhere.

Merlin, she'd broken up with Ron over 2 years ago now, but according to Witch Weekly, Hermione was still pining over her childhood sweetheart, and had resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood at the age of 25. It appeared a lot of people read Witch Weekly.

When Ron's engagement had been announced a month ago, Hermione had known if she didn't appear at the Gala the gossip columnists would have a field day.

So, she had decided to come, but on her terms. Hence the Gryffindor red ballgown from Paris. The one that made her feel like she was a Queen.

Her plan was to show up looking fabulous, ignore Ron, and most definitely ignore his fiancée.

Then she looked at the seating plan.

Shitty-shitty-bang-bang.

Her eyes scanned the room, until she located her table and saw that the others were already seated; Cormac McLaggen and his fiancée, Draco Malfoy … and Romilda Vane … draped over Ronald Weasley.

Whoever had overseen the table plans clearly wasn't Hermione's biggest fan.

She had the sudden urge to laugh. Challenge accepted.

Hermione swept into the room, head held high, steadfastly ignoring the flashing of cameras, and whispering voices. As she slid into her seat, in-between Cormac and Draco, she smiled widely round the table.

'Hello,' she said, in what she hoped was a breezy and nonchalant tone.

Ron muttered, 'Hello,' while Romilda shot her a look of pure loathing as she stared at Hermione's dress. Hermione smiled inwardly with satisfaction.

Draco nodded in greeting, and she noticed he seemed to be trying to suppress a smile.

'Why, if it isn't Hermione Granger,' Cormac said pompously, 'Didn't expect to see you here tonight.' He looked over at Ron and Romilda.

Hermione did the same and instantly regretted it when she was met with an eyeful of Romilda's cleavage, currently pressed up against Ron's side.

'Wouldn't have missed it for the world,' Hermione said, beaming round at them all.

Romilda narrowed her eyes at her. 'No date this evening?' she asked, with a catty smile. 'Unless …' her mouth dropped as she looked between Hermione and Draco, '… you're here with Malfoy?'

There was a splutter from across the table and Hermione looked up to see Ron trying to mop up the wine he had spat out, all over Romilda's chest.

'He should be so lucky,' Hermione replied, as she gave Draco's arm a light punch.

Draco raised his eyebrows at her, and she blushed faintly. They'd gotten to know each other through various work projects, but she had never displayed this level of familiarity with him before.

'You've met my Tammy, of course,' said Cormac, gesturing proudly to the blonde at his side. Hermione noticed she had an emerald the size of a snitch on her finger.

'You're so brave coming here by yourself,' Tammy said. She looked adoringly up at Cormac, 'I don't like to go anywhere without my Cormy.'

As Tammy rubbed noses with her fiancée, Hermione caught Draco's eye and had to look away again before she burst out laughing at the look of utter disgust on his face.

Romilda seemed to take Tammy's display as a challenge and pressed herself even closer to Ron until she was practically sitting on his lap. 'I know, I'm the same,' she said, 'I can't wait to be married to Won-Won so we can be together all the time.'

Hermione raised her eyebrows at Ron at the term of endearment and he had the grace to blush. She was saved from having to reply by Tammy, who had latched onto the word, 'married,' and launched into a detailed discussion with Romilda about wedding plans.

Trying to tune them out, Hermione concentrated on taking a large drink of her wine, wishing they would hurry up with the food.

Draco leaned towards her and murmured in her ear, 'Why are you putting yourself through this?'

'Through what?'

Draco glared at her.

Hermione sighed and decided to answer honestly. She cast a quick Muffliato before replying. 'I just can't let them win, you know. Not Ron and Romilda,' she gestured to the couple who were now canoodling. 'The people, society, the wizarding world. I guess I wanted the chance to control the narrative for once.'

Nodding thoughtfully, Draco replied, 'I can respect that, but still.' He gestured to the rest of the table, 'This just feels like an unnecessary torment.'

Hermione opened her mouth to argue but realised he had a point. She was Hermione Granger, she helped defeat Voldemort for crying out loud. She was supposed to be the Brightest Witch of her Age, why was she acting like she had something to prove?

She looked at Draco intently for a moment before coming to a decision. 'Do you want to get out of her? she asked. He looked questioningly at her and she willed herself not to blush.

'I mean,' she continued, 'would you like to grab a drink at the Leaky or something?'

'But what will people say?' he asked with a knowing look.

'Whatever the hell they want,' Hermione answered with a smirk.