A/N: [edit 02.05.: Thank you to Cecelia Everhart for betaing! Any mistakes or inconsistencies are totally my fault!]
So... here comes the argument. I'm not totally happy with it, but I felt it needed to be there. I hope you'll enjoy it, nevertheless!
And please leave a review. Pretty, pretty please ... :*
8. Handle with care
Hermione was lounging in her living room and watching an American TV-Show with Vampires when a noise in her fireplace told her that someone was approaching. As her wards only allowed friends in, she expected it to be Ginny and the kids, who had spent some evenings at her place last week. Without turning around, she said, "Hi Ginny, do you want to watch some TV with me?"
"Gladly," a familiar voice said; however, not Ginny's. "But I'm not Ginny."
She spun around, wand in her hand. A totally relaxed Malfoy stood there, shrugging nonchalantly as if he didn't even see her wand, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.
"What part of stay away didn't you understand?" she hissed. What a cheek to invade her apartment!
His smirk disappeared. "That I understood quite well, thank you. What I didn't get is the reason for your change of mind."
"That's none of your concern," she said flatly, still training her wand on him.
"It is," he contradicted calmly and approached her. Automatically, she gripped her wand tighter. She didn't know what to expect of him.
"It's nothing personal and it isn't because of that night … it's just … I am simply not interested in a deeper relationship," she stuttered. "I mean more than colleagues."
The look on his face told her that he didn't believe a word of it. "I thought we established that we are friends. You can't fool me, Hermione, there's something else."
Damn! How was she going to get rid of him? He was as stubborn as a mule. "There isn't. And now go or…"
"Or what?" he challenged.
"Or I'll make you," she snarled, her blood boiling.
He seemed unimpressed. "I'll go if you tell me the truth. Something is wrong, I know it."
Why was he so perceptive? She gritted her teeth. "There isn't. Stop imagining things!"
She could see that she had made him angry, but he tried to repress his temper when he said, "Stop it now, Hermione! You weren't sick last week, so why didn't you come to work? I want the truth."
"The truth, yeah? The truth is that I hate you!" she screamed, desperate to drive him away, pointing at the door. "Leave! I won't say it again."
"You're lying!" he shouted back, his face mirroring hurt and anger at the same time. This words reminded her painfully at a different situation when someone had said exactly the same words.
"Don't you dare to call me a liar!" she yelled, raising her wand again, which she had accidentally lowered.
He closed his eyes for a second, trying hard to calm down; however, his voice still trembled with suppressed anger. "Why do you push me away? Do you really think that badly of me?" She had stepped around the sofa to confront him, and now he closed in on her.
She didn't want to back down and glared at him. "Leave!"
He was very close now, she could even feel the heat radiating from him. "No," he refused stubbornly. Suddenly, she felt panic wash through her, making her guts clench and her hands shake. He was so angry that she could almost feel his rage – albeit he tried to suppress it –, reminding her vividly at scenes from her past.
Attack was the best defence. "If you don't leave now, I'll hex you. I resent you with all my heart. I was so blind to think we could be friends, but you are just the same."
Immediately his face went white and he fell silent. She had hurt him for real this time. What would he do? Her heartbeat accelerated unconsciously, pumping adrenaline through her veins. She was ready to duck, or run, or curse him, should he try anything.
But he just breathed heavily and then stepped back. "I see," he whispered. Without another word he disappeared though the floo, leaving her shaking heavily. Memories overwhelmed her, and she sunk to the floor, crying violently.
The next weeks went by silently. July passed and they still hadn't spoken to each other again. Every time they caught a glimpse of each other in the hallway Hermione froze like a deer in the spot light. The silence between them seemed nearly deadly by now – like a high wall, impossible to overcome. But then her friends decided to meddle.
Harry normally didn't celebrate his birthday in a big way, so she was a little surprised to receive an invitation – at half past six in the morning – for dinner on the next Saturday. Consequently, she went over to Grimmauld Place to enquire the reasons. It was still early, but Harry was just about to leave for the office when she entered.
"Oh, good morning, Hermione," he grinned way too cheerfully for that early hour. Something was up.
"What is that?" she asked, waving the parchment around.
"Nothing. Just an invitation," he answered innocently, putting on his brown Auror robe.
She tilted her head, not quite ready to believe him yet. "But, why next week? Your birthday was on the 31st."
"Thank you for reminding me," he answered dryly, coaxing a smile out of her. "Ginny gave me the idea. She said it was so long ago that we all were together, you know, the whole family. Everyone's been so absorbed with their work and their own lives. I haven't seen Lavender in donkey's years." He shifted uncomfortably.
Hermione frowned. That sounded reasonable. "Since when do you care about Lavender?"
He laughed lowly. "Come on, Mione. You know what I mean. It'll be fun. Besides, I have holidays until the second week of September, and it'll be the perfect start. We'll have dinner, and then we'll check out some muggle clubs. Since we had kids, Ginny and I haven't had the time to go out. Even though Ginny's pregnant, she wants to do it anyway. You know her."
Hermione chuckled. She could imagine her friend glaring at Harry with her hard, blazing look if he tried to tell her that she shouldn't go out in her state. "Okay. But you'll only get one present."
Now he laughed openly, but quickly shut up to not wake Ginny and the kids. "That's fine by me. Just be there."
She rolled her eyes. "I will."
The week flew by quicker than she had expected. She'd decided to sleep in on Saturday as she hadn't caught much sleep in the last week, due to some non-negotiable deadlines before the ministry holidays. Furthermore, nightmares tormented her every night since her fight with Malfoy. She was just eating a late breakfast on the balcony, when Ginny appeared through the floo.
"Hi." Hermione waved. "Do you want some?"
Ginny pulled a face. "No. The morning sickness's killing me. It wasn't so bad with James and Albus. But that means it's a girl." She tried to smile, but couldn't hide the tired look on her face.
Instantly, she felt worry for her friend. "Oh, Ginny. I'm so sorry. What does your healer say?"
"Nothing. I haven't told him. I can handle a bit of sickness," she answered briefly. "But I didn't come to talk about me. What are you going to wear tonight?"
Hermione frowned. The excited look on Ginny's face made her feel uneasy. "Please don't tell me you want to go shopping – again!"
"No. I felt, however, you needed a reminder that we're going clubbing," Ginny beamed, probably already doing Hermione's hair in her had. The distinct urge to flee overcame her.
She sighed. "I kno-ow."
"Let me check your wardrobe, anyway," Ginny insisted, and Hermione gave in. Walking into her bedroom, she watched Ginny carefully. The young witch appeared a bit slimmer, paler, and exhausted. Maybe this party wasn't such a good idea. Nevertheless, she rummaged through her closet until she'd found a dress that satisfied Ginny.
"I'll come by later and make your hair," Ginny grinned gleefully.
"Why?" Hermione frowned. The urge to flee became stronger. Her friend seemed stranger every minute.
"You want to be pretty tonight, don't you?" the redhead asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Yes, but … is someone in particular coming?" Hermione's frown deepened. Hopefully, they wouldn't try to set her up with someone.
"No, no, just all the Weasleys, and Andromeda with Teddy, and Neville, and Hannah, and Luna, I guess, and …"
"Ye-hes, I get it," Hermione interrupted her. "If it makes you happy, you're allowed to come by, but not any earlier than two hours before the dinner."
Ginny's bright smile rewarded her instantly. "Perfect. Tonight'll be awesome!"
"Who's taking care of the kids?"
"Oh, Mum and Dad volunteered. They know how to handle our bunch of rascals," Ginny smiled.
Ginny came as promised, looking gorgeous as ever in a golden dress. Together they transfigured Hermione's hair into a stylish up-do, with vivid curls framing her face, which fitted her green and black dress and discreet make-up.
When they entered the dinner hall together, Hermione stopped in wonder. The room seemed to be twice as big as usual. She handed the salad she had made to Kreacher and started to greet the family members. Everyone had accepted the invitation; even Charlie had come over from Romania. They had just started a lively conversation about the poison of the Peruvian Vipertooth and his use in potions, when everyone gasped and turned around.
Hermione stood on tiptoe to see who had entered and froze. Ice water washed through her veins, making her tremble all over with anger and fear.
Draco Malfoy.
Harry had invited Draco bloody Malfoy!
Before she could act, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her into the next room.
"Ginny, let go of me!" she screamed hysterically.
"Calm down!" her friend demanded, squeezing her shoulders hard to stop her from rushing back.
"What on earth were you thinking? I told you …. I …" she sputtered breathlessly.
"Hermione, calm down!" Ginny said firmly, loosening her grip a little. "This fight you had is so stupid, can't you see that?"
"He called me … a liar. He … he …" Words failed her.
"I know," she sighed, finally letting go of her and stepping back. "He is not Viktor, Hermione. He won't hurt you."
Vehemently Hermione shook her head. Ginny didn't know a thing about Malfoy, but still she tried to set them up. "You don't know that. They are all just the same …"
"They are not and you do know that, Mione. Now, stop being so stubborn and petty –"
"Petty?" Hermione exploded. "You have no idea, Ginny! You have no idea how it has been for me, so don't lecture me about relationships!"
Ginny winced. "Hermione, I'm sorry. I just want you to get over this fight and start fresh. You've been so miserable the past weeks, and please don't lie to me now and tell me it has nothing to do with him."
"But –"
"Please. Please try," her friend pleaded, reaching for her hand, but Hermione flinched back. Ginny was right and she hated that. She wanted to be angry at her friend, angry at Malfoy, hell, angry at the whole world.
But she had always been sensible, so she sighed resignedly and gave in. "Why? Why do you like him at all?"
"I just think he could be good for you, that's all." The mischievous gleam in her eyes made Hermione understand. She thought they'd be the perfect couple.
"No, Ginny. That is the worst idea you've ever –"
"Hermione! If you don't calm down this instant, I'll get Harry and then you'll ruin his evening. Do you want that?" she threatened.
Of course she didn't. Now she felt guilty for making a scene, but the emotions still rushed though her, making it impossible to return to the party.
"No," she finally said. "You are right. Can you lend me your office for a few minutes?"
Ginny's gaze scrutinised her, but eventually she nodded. "Okay. But be back before the dinner starts. Ten minutes max."
"Will do," she choked and rushed out of the room. Why was she so emotional? She could feel the tears rising in her throat. Ginny had betrayed her. It had been her plan all along to bring the two together. That was the reason for the party, the dress, the hair, everything…
Hermione didn't know if she should be angry or not. Of course Ginny had meant well, but … the end doesn't justify the means. Still breathing heavily and fighting back those stupid tears, she sat down at Ginny's desk facing the garden window.
She was not ready to make up with Malfoy, nor was she ready for a relationship, even if Ginny wanted her to be. Malfoy had been so angry, and this rage had reminded her so much of Viktor. What if he was just the same? What if she could never be happy and have the life Ginny and Harry were leading?
But what if he wasn't?, a small voice inside her whispered. Maybe you can have everything you want? Maybe he is right for you? You can't deny your feelings…
The voice was right. She couldn't deny her feelings. They were the reason she'd tried to stay away from him in the first place.
Too soon her time was up and she descended, calm and collected on the outside. She was good in hiding her emotions, something she had learned in her previous marriage.
Everyone was still talking and cheering; nobody had noticed her disappearance, except Malfoy. She could feel his eyes on her, following her every move. Maybe she could delay the meeting for a bit. Quickly she sat down between Harry and Ron and listened to their conversation. They had stopped the minute she sat down, and she knew why. Lavender was pregnant as well, so their topic was easy to guess. Now Ron told them about the new inventions in the Joke Shop.
The conversation flowed naturally and she found herself enjoying the company of her friends, although nostalgia was nagging at her. She missed the-three-of-them-against-the-rest-of-the-world-adventures. The food was great and she relished every bite of it. But too soon dinner was over and Molly, Arthur, and Andromeda were saying goodbye, taking the kids with them.
Quickly she went to the kitchen to help Ginny and Kreacher with the cleaning up. She had noticed that Ginny hadn't eaten much and looked very pale now, sick.
"Ginny, are you all right?" she asked worried.
At once, Ginny smiled. "Of course. The cake is troubling me a bit."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. Ginny hadn't touched the cake. Before she could address this, the kitchen door opened, and Malfoy barged in. "Here's where you're hiding."