I'm baaaaaaaaaaaacccccccccckkkkk!

The Moonlight Glares

Liza Lew

Disclaimer: I don't own any of JK Rowling's wonderful world or characters.

Chapter 19

With the evening that night came the Parkinson's Dinner Party. Hermione and Draco arrived separately from the rest of the group, being on the Parkinson's exclusive invite list. When they stepped into the small parlor, Hermione, holding onto Draco's arm, was dressed in floor-length low-cut black set of traditional silk robes, the sleeves taken in to be skin-tight instead of billowy. She smiled a bit nervously as the room turned to look at them, but then remembered- the purebloods could read faces like books.

Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson came up to the couple and bowed and curtsied respectively. Hermione and Draco returned the favor.

"Welcome to our evenings' events," Mr. Parkinson said smoothly, "We hope you enjoy yourselves tonight, Mr. Malfoy and Miss. . . Granger."

"I'm sure we will, Mr. Parkinson," Draco said smoothly, nodding to excuse himself and Hermione to mingle in the crowd.

The next pair to approach the duo was none other than Miss Pansy Parkinson herself and her lovely date Gregory Goyle, who was, in fact, looking as if he hadn't a clue in the world as to why he was there.

"Hi Draco!" said Pansy full of pep.

"Hi Pansy," said Draco, gritting his teeth and noticing the fact that her dress was, well, bright orange.

"Granger," Pansy said disdainfully, turning up her nose at the girl in front of her, and turning right back to Draco. "You look ravishing this evening Draco," she said, smiling.

"As do you," said Draco in all politeness.

"But, who did your hair this evening?" she asked, twirling a piece of her own hair, "It looks even better than usual. I like the new style."

"Nothing is out of the ordinary," Draco said plainly.

Pansy giggled, "Oh it must be the lighting then, silly me! But Draco I heard you were going to apply for the exchange trip to Italy next semester!"

"I'm considering it," he said, "But I might have a reason to stay here."

"Oh what a shame! I've already applied, it will be so fantasical! You must come, oh Draco you must!" Pansy gave a puppy-dog face which made Hermione sick to her stomach. Draco, however, smiled.

"We'll see," he said.

"Oh! I just remembered! Mum got this fantastic new loveseat, would you like to see it?"

"Of course."

Pansy turned to Hermione, "You don't mind, Granger, do you? I'm sure you can find something else to do in the meanwhile, no?"

With that Pansy latched herself onto Draco and led him away to another part of the room, leaving Hermione standing across from Goyle. He stared blankly at Hermione for a moment, then turned and went over to the refreshment table. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

"'Ermione!"

Hermione turned to find Giselle coming up to her in a flourish of jewels and lavender.

"Oh, hello Giselle," Hermione said with a plastic smile.

"Yoou look ravicching tonight, my dear."

"Thank you. You look splendid yourself."

Giselle twirled in her dress, which fanned out around her, "Do you luve it? It iz an original design. But, enough of dressez, ouhere is that boyfriend of yourz? I did not think you 'ould come here alone."

"No, you're right, I didn't. He's over talking with some friends."

"Well, in zat case, you come with me, and meet some of my friendz. 'Zey are all very nice. Come, come," Giselle took Hermione's arm and lead her over to a group of young French students talking.

"Everyone, I must introduce you too my friend 'Ermione!" Giselle said, commanding the attention of the group, "She iz top couple thiz year."

A tall boy with blond hair stepped forward, "It iz an 'onor," he said with a thick French accent, "I am Maurice Parrol." He gave Hermione a quick kiss on her hand. He stepped back in line to let a girl step forward.

"I am Fefe Amelie, of the Delacour Family." She gave a small curtsy, which Hermione returned.

The last person to step forward Hermione knew already. She thought by simply the way he held himself- in an arrogant, knowing manner, she would be able to pick him out from a mile away.

"Why Hermione, it is so good to see you again, so soon. Your dear grandmother failed to mention you were among the honored guests this evening." Jean said with a smirk.

"Well, being top couple it is expected," Hermione said politely, keeping her distance.

"Really? I thought it was simply your charm that made the Parkinsons invite you."

Hermione felt herself start to blush a bit and strictly told herself not to. "No, really, plus that wouldn't explain why Draco is here as well," she slipped into a more disdainful tone, "He would be the one to brag about being invited to the pre-party."

"Why, yes, he tends to be that way," said Jean wistfully, "But you, on the other hand, seem to be the humblest of the ladies here."

Hermione heard Giselle and Fefe snort in disbelief and turn to talk to Maurice. "Oh really, I'm not," said Hermione.

"No, I think you are," said Jean, stepping a bit closer to her, "You are smart, beautiful, and not an ounce greedy, yet you never mention it yourself," He inched closer, "Yet if any of the other girls here could claim that, they would be raving every instant." He stepped even closer to Hermione and she shivered.

"I think some of them would be able to exercise some self-control," she said, trying to back up a bit only to find herself backed up to a wall.

"Oh but not as much as you can,"

Then Hermione felt it, at her side. A hand. It was so quick Hermione didn't even want to believe it.

"Hermione,"

Hermione's head snapped towards the sound, and Jean's hand came down as his head looked to see who had interrupted him.

Draco was standing there, under a mask of perfect calmness. Hermione hurried to his side.

"The events are about to start, Jean," Draco said with perfect calmness, "You wouldn't want to miss the introductions."

Jean sidled off to the side and out of their sight, leaving them the only people left in the room.

Draco turned on Hermione. He was so calm, he was calm with an intensity which scared her. "What was that?" he said through his teeth.

Hermione felt her eyes start to water and tried to will them to stop. "Nothing," she said, "I did not want anything. We were talking and he started making me back up…"

"I advise you to be careful," Draco said, and his composure softened a bit, "The problem with this society is that the men always get what they want. There is no respect left for the women."

Then was when the tears started coming out, "What have I gotten myself into?" Hermione said quietly.

Draco sat her down on a couch and peeled her hand away from her face, then cupped her face in his hands tilting it towards his own. He looked her straight in the eyes. "Hermione Granger, as long as you are here, I promise I will protect you."

Hermione was quiet for a moment. "Thank you," she said quietly, and then leaned against his chest, letting his arms wrap around her.

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Okay, I know that took forever. I am very, very sorry ch19 took me so long to write. I was having major writer's block, as my lovely beta can testify to. Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter, and to everyone who waited it out until ch19 was posted! Hopefully ch20 will be up much sooner. (otherwise I have a feeling my beta may be very angry with me)

Anyways, for this time's question:

What is the weirdest HP crossover you've read?