The ballroom was a buzz, lines of couples happily interacting in a country dance, following the lively, skipping steps and exchanges that so much promoted both friendly and flirtatious interactions. After a few dances, the room stood still to allow the guests of honor to walk through. Three elegantly dressed people stood at the beginning of the line. A handsome, dark-haired man with big green eyes and a shy smile. A woman that looked a lot like him, except that her expression was of mild disdain. And a tall, platinum blonde man who would have been incredibly handsome if not by the scowl on his face. The two lines of people bowed and the trio walked slowly through the room. The dark haired man was offering his timid smile to all the guests when he fixed his eyes on Ginny, who gave him a curtsy and a sweet smile of her own, making him stumble on his feet. The dark haired woman grabbed his arm quite vigorously, giving him a reproachful look. The blonde man avoided making eye contact with anyone.
When they finally made it to the other side the music started again and the dancers enthusiastically resumed their task. Mr. Weasley gathered his wife and daughters and guided them towards the dark-haired man.
"Mr. Potter, what a pleasure to see you again. May I present Mrs. Weasley, and these are my daughters, Ginevra, Hermione, Daphne, Astoria, and Lavender."
"I'm delighted to make your acquaintance," said Harry with a big smile in his face, his gaze jumping back to Ginny. "And may I introduce my sister, Miss Pansy Potter, and Mr. Draco Malfoy of Pemberley, in Derbyshire."
They all exchanged bows and curtseys. Hermione stared at Mr. Malfoy a bit longer than it was polite, just to see if the man was as easily ruffled as he seemed to be. Malfoy didn't flinch. He held her gaze and even lifted an eyebrow towards the end of their brief standoff when they were interrupted by Harry's voice
"Miss Weasley, may I have the next dance?" he was asking Ginny.
The group dissolved then and Hermione went to look for her friend, Miss Luna Lovegood, daughter of Lord Xenofilius Lovegood, who was hosting the party. Luna was twenty-four years old and the town considered her a hopeless spinster, as she was a bit unusual. But Hermione loved her very much and found her personality quirks quite adorable. The two went looking for some punch and found a secluded corner to sit and chat for a bit while taking a break from the vigorous dancing. They were halfway hidden by some curtains when another pair found the secluded area. The two men stood right outside the curtains, unaware of the ladies' presence.
"How come you are not dancing, Malfoy? There are plenty of beautiful women waiting to be asked."
"You say that because you snatched the only real beauty in the room, Potter."
"Don't be so surly. All the Weasley sisters are beautiful. How about miss Hermione? She is just as beautiful as miss Ginny."
"She is tolerable, though I find her impertinent."
"How can you already find her impertinent? You haven't even talked to her. I think you are being a sour fella."
"I'm sure your sister would agree with me."
"My sister would agree with you even if you were proclaiming that pigs can fly, Malfoy. And may I suggest if you are not going to propose to her, do not take her council. Pansy can be a handful if you let her. I'm going back there. I hope miss Ginny would have me for a few more dances."
"I'm sure if she does not, her mother will."
"One of these days, Malfoy, you will meet a girl that will turn that frown around. Now if you excuse me, I must seek my muse," Harry said, giving his friend a nod.
Mr. Malfoy stood there for a while, alone, apparently indifferent to everything around him. Hermione was running out of patience waiting for the man to move so they could get out of their hiding place. Luna was perfectly fine sitting there in silence, her ever dreamy eyes lost in thought. Hermione was feeling as uncomfortable as if she was holding her breath.
When the blonde man finally moved Hermione stormed out, followed by her friend, who pulled her by the wrist
"Fret not, Mione. The opinion of a surly man should not affect the way you see your self. Even if he owns half of Derbyshire."
Hermione smiled
"Well, I'm sure he owns the most miserable half then."
Sometime later the two eldest Weasley sisters found themselves trying to save poor Mr. Potter from the well-intentioned but drunken rants of their mother, who had decided to make an impression on the young man so he would court Ginny, but she was going at it in the completely wrong way.
"I am telling you, Mr. Potter, no young lady is as accomplished and beautiful as my Ginny. She will make a most excellent…"
"Mama!" chided the two girls at the same time, but that only slowed the older lady a tinsy bit
"Of course you would wonder how is she not married yet. Well, there was this fine young man who wrote her the most beautiful letters…"
"And that put a pin to it, a case of poetry destroying love," said Hermione in a gleeful tone, pulling her mother's arm in an effort to stop her desperate diatribe. At that moment Mr. Malfoy had joined their circle and out of the blue quipped
"One would think that poetry is the food of love," he said with an accusatory tone.
"Not if all that is behind it is but a vague inclination. When affection is not real, empty words would starve it to death," answered the curly girl
"Then what do you suggest can be done to open space for affection?"
Hermione smirked
"You may try dancing. Even if the only available partners are barely tolerable or even impertinent."
Malfoy froze in place. Miss Pansy Potter snorted but gave Hermione a look of admiration, she didn't think a girl from the country side would have it in her to be so sassy. Harry laughed, giving Hermione a wide grin.