Yes, it's been a very long while since I've updated. I've had a bit of writer's block, and it resulted in this chapter being pretty darn short. However, I SHOULD be able to put the next chapter up soon. I hope :)
The Moonlight Glares
Disclaimer: I don't own any of JK Rowling's wonderful world or characters.
Chapter 10
Tuesday afternoon came after Hermione had been poked and prodded again by Mel. This time, he formal robes were a satin pink. Hermione wasn't quite sure she liked the color, it was almost bubblegum. She, however, did not have much choice, as according to Mel, her maternal grandmother loved everything flowery and formal, being a stout pureblood herself.
Not long later in the Parlor, Hermione, and Anna were waiting for her arrival. Soon a lady entered who was draped in silk, powder-pink and blue robes. Anna, of course, ran forward and smashed the woman in a hug, while Hermione waited tensely. After Anna had let go of her grandmother, the lady turned to greet Hermione.
Hermione felt as if she was being scrutinized as she stood up. After a minute or two, the lady nodded to Hermione and said "I am Lady Louise Danforth, Elizabeth's mother."
Hermione curtsied quickly, before smiling and saying, "My name is Hermione," Hermione gestured to the seats and the both sat.
Hermione swore she saw Louise's eyes crinkle in a smile, but at any rate she was talking not long after that, "You are my daughter's daughter. Your father died in the war with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. You grew up with muggles, correct?"
"Er. . . yes. . ." Hermione responded.
"Oh? What was it like?" Lady Danforth asked, looking excited.
"Well," began Hermione, "It's all much less formal you see, and no magic at all, but instead much more electricity and relying on your hands."
"Really," said Lady Danforth, "That is fascinating. Though I am quite glad you are back with us finally, my dear. I have been begging Elizabeth to fetch you for quite some time. I have been keeping up with your marks at Hogwarts though, extraordinary work."
Hermione felt her face grow a bit red, "I just try in school, is all, Lady Danforth."
"Oh please, my dear, we're family. You must call me Grandmamma or at least Louise. But anyways I hear also you are in the good Gryffindor House, no? Your mother was in Ravenclaw, but I was in good old Gryffindor myself."
"Oh?" said Hermione, "I wouldn't have guessed."
At this moment the door cracked open and Anna, who Hermione hadn't even noticed left the room, was re-entering, followed by Phe and Draco. Hermione felt herself blush again.
"Oh, Mr. Malfoy! And Miss Phoenixa! Are you visiting again?" Louise said, getting to her feet and shaking Draco's hand before giving Phe a small hug, "You must come chat with us, Hermione and I were just having the most interesting conversation about Hogwarts."
Draco's brow furrowed for a moment, but he did come over and sit down. Anna, however, leaned over t her grandmamma and whispered something in her ear before she and Phoenixa disappeared behind the door. Louise came back over and sat down across from Draco and Hermione. Who had somehow found themselves sitting next to each other.
"Well, it is good to see you young people getting along so nicely. Elizabeth told me about your outing last night. I have to say, I am very pleased you two are dating. I have always liked you, Mr. Malfoy."
It took all of Hermione's control to keep a straight face and simply nod. To her horror, Malfoy put his arm around her.
"Why, thank you Lady Danforth, I have always like you as well. And my dear Hermione, here, of course. Even before I knew she was from your bloodline."
The Lady gave Draco a cheeky smile and the conversation turned back to school.
As soon as Lady Danforth left, with a smiling Draco and Hermione waving her from the front door (Draco's arm still around Hermione's shoulder), Hermione threw Draco's arm off and looked at him in disgust.
"What was that for?"
Draco smirked, "Your family obviously loves the idea of me dating you. I felt I may as well make the both of us look good in their eyes."
"You think I want to pretend to date YOU!" Hermione nearly screamed.
"Well, you didn't put a stop to the masquerade, so it looks like the rest of the social season you're stuck with me." Draco's smirk was even wider, "Unless of course you want to disgrace your family in pure-blood society. You know the code."
Hermione grimaced. The part Elizabeth hadn't mentioned in her letter was the code dating couples in pureblood society followed. Hermione had come across it in her reading. Basically, you couldn't break up publicly during the social season. Which had just begun, and didn't end until Easter.
Hermione glared daggers at Draco, "Just wait. I'll find a way around this."
Draco leaned back against the wall and whistled, "Well, if you can stop Lady Danforth from telling the whole society within the day, go and try. She's the most well-known gossiper in Wizarding Europe."
Hermione turned and stomped up the stairs. A minute later Draco could hear a door slam. "What a lovely girlfriend I've got," Draco said to himself, before walking his own way. Two little heads nearby giggled and ran off to send several owls.
Hermione swore as she entered her room, slamming the door behind her. How could this have happened? Stupid pureblood society with all its regulation, restrictions and rules. There had to be some darn it way to end this. She turned on her heel and walked to her study, and began searching the shelves for something that would help. Books always helped. They had to here.
By eight o'clock that night, Hermione was frustrated beyond all means, and had to set aside her books to go to dinner. She had taken out every book imaginable that had anything to do with purebloods and/or their society in her private study. Yet, they all concluded the same thing: once a couple was made public, they could not separate until the social season was through.
And the little ploy with Elizabeth and her mother meant that indeed Hermione and Draco's "relationship" was public. Even though they hadn't been introduced to society as a couple yet. Hermione stopped halfway on a step and groaned as she remembered they'd have to be introduced as a couple formally. Let alone her own introduction to the pureblood wizarding society.
Shaking her head, she made her way into the dining room and sat down across from Elizabeth, who had only just returned. Elizabeth smiled at her older daughter.
"You met mother this afternoon, I take it?"
"Oh… yeah… Lady Danforth." Hermione said, "She was… impressive."
Elizabeth laughed softly, "She's a bit intimidating, I must admit. However, she seemed to take a liking to you. She owled me about six o'clock going on about how well-educated, pretty, and well-mannered you were. She doesn't take easily to young people, you should be proud."
"Er… thanks…" Hermione said uncertainly.
"And she simply loves the fact that you and Draco are together for the season. He's always been one of the few of the younger generation she's liked."
Hermione raised an eyebrow at this, but allowed Elizabeth to continue.
"Anyways, you know the social season has just barely begun. The first major party is this weekend, at the Parkinsons' mansion across the way. You and Draco should be formally introduced as a couple there. Your friends can come with, of course, as guests, if they know how to behave."
"I think they'll figure it out," Hermione said roughly.
"And," Elizabeth seemed to not hear Hermione as she continued, "Your introduction to Society should be in about two weeks' time. It'll be here, of course, but I'll need you to help me plan most of it."
"Oh," said Hermione, not actually paying much heed.
"What would you like to be your theme color?" Elizabeth persisted.
"Er. . ." said Hermione as she reached towards a jug of water, "Blue or Green."
"Oh! Turquoise would be fabulous!" exclaimed Elizabeth, "Although a deep chocolate would certainly match your eyes… chocolates and golds! And then, imagine, you could use my old dress!" her eyes twinkled as she looked at Hermione.
"If you want it to be golds and browns, go ahead."
"Not browns my dear," said Elizabeth, "Golds."
This, I suppose is why Hermione ended up the next morning standing in her room at seven a.m. being poked and prodded with measuring tapes of all sizes. A dress maker by the name of Mena McCandy was here to figure Hermione's dresses out. She was as skinny as a stick, but exceedingly tall, with dark eyes and darker hair that went straight down her back.
Mena sat watching the measuring tapes do their work with the occasional twitch of her wand in one direction.
"Could you tell me again why—" Hermione ducked as the measuring tape flew over her head, "—why I need to be measured right now when the party isn't for two weeks?"
Mena's mouth went thin, as she explained with a thick German accent "I make all dresses. Not just coming-out. Need time. Now, stand still."
"Er… how many parties is that exactly this season?" Hermione asked.
Mena's mouth went thin again as Hermione had dared move, "Thirty formal plus small dinners. Hold still."
Hermione nearly felt herself faint. What had she gotten herself into? She though she was just visiting her birth mother. . .
Okay phew got through the evil chapter.
Anyways, thanks as always to all my reviewers, readers, etc! Thank you sooo much!
And, props to: Rebellion Author, uniquegirl100, Addicted2Love, yenyen, millennia2, and where-my-heart-residesfor getting last time's question.
And, lastly, the question: How effective was FDR's New Deal? Jk, jk. I have history on the brain.
Really, the question: When (full date), where and why did Harry first meet Hagrid?