~10 Days Until the Ceremony~
Hermione rushed through the lobby of the Ministry, coffee in hand and her bag shouldered across her arm, trying to read the document that had just been owled to her on her way downtown. The little white owl that found her on her morning commute reminded her an awful lot of Hedwig as it struggled to carry the folder; she gave it a bit of her muffin for its efforts and felt a little sad when it flew from her shoulder minutes later.
The folder in question, she realized upon opening it as she walked across the lobby, was a possible lead on the werewolf case. She couldn't wait until she got to her desk. She was busy skimming the contents when she found herself placing a hand into the nearest closing elevator door to stop it so she could get on.
Hermione's hair was back in a lovely bun, but, in her rush, a few tendrils of hair came loose. And she was still juggling the folder with all its papers, trying not to spill coffee everywhere. When the doors had closed with her inside, someone behind her gave a chuckle at the sight in front of them. When she turned, shock found its way to her face as she blinked at none other than Draco Malfoy.
He was taller than she remembered, but his sharp features looked as dignified as they always had. His hair was longer than it had been in school and it wasn't slicked back but rather combed neatly in a wave of white blonde.
He wore an expensive black sports jacket-robe hybrid, some new age fashion that Hermione had to compliment. It looked good on him and paid tribute to muggle style. His golden cuff links practically glittered in the light. His hands were in his pockets but he greeted her all the same.
"Why am I not surprised that Hermione Granger, now all grown up and noble, is still bustling about with her nose in a book?" he said, his voice steady and casual. The lightness in his grey eyes mesmerized her for a minute before she came to her senses.
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "It's a folder," she said holding it up. "And I see you're much the same Malfoy, an expensive suit and the same old smirk?" she noted confidently.
He smirked at her in spite of it. "Well, well, Granger's grown a tongue. I better watch out," he said with an air of snark. "You work here now? I was wondering why Magical Interrelations seemed to be a dull read as of late."
She was confused at his change of subject and the compliment he paid her about the magazine she used to write for. It was one of the most prestigious ones out there but she hadn't expected Malfoy to read her articles. They were usually argumentative and lengthy.
"Travel lost its fun when I was only seeing quidditch pitches," she explained, noticing his eyebrow raising at this. "I am now the Head of Special Forces for the Department of Law Enforcement, if you want to know."
"I expected nothing less, you have always been… determined," he said and she was taken aback. Not a single remark about Ron, as the quidditch pitch comment surely tipped him off. Was this the same Draco Malfoy she had known years ago?
At her look of confusion he chuckled again. "Sorry, something wrong? Time makes fools of us both Granger, but change is never a bad thing. Relax."
"Sure…" she said hesitantly. "But how do I know this isn't all a front? Seems very Malfoy of you," she blurted before she could stop herself. Not her most courteous remark, that was for sure. She almost felt bad after she said it.
A bell dinged and the elevator came to a halt. Draco Malfoy took a step forward. "I guess you'll just have to trust me," Draco smirked simply. "I happen to have a meeting with the Minister, not really sure what it's about. Maybe Malfoy Enterprise will get to sponsor your next big party," he laughed almost viciously as he walked down the hall.
She heard his voice once more as the doors were getting ready to close and he called over his shoulder, "And Granger try to get some sleep, will you? There's purple all under your eyes."
And with that the doors were shut. Hermione stood, her bag slowly slipping down her arm in the silence of the elevator. She stared at the silver doors, her mind swimming with thoughts of Draco Malfoy and Marriage Laws...
~7 Days Until the Ceremony~
Ginny stood looking in a mirror at the beautiful black dress she had picked out. She turned left, tilting her head in the light and taking in all the angles as the fabric flowed around her.
Hermione had taken the rest of the day off, it being Friday and all, so she could go with Ginny to find something nice to wear to the ceremony. Plus, it gave her time away from dealing with the remaining preparations for the Goblet. It was practically done, they just had a few minor tweaks still in the works.
Padma was able to write in a clause about having children: that if a couple wasn't willing they could adopt magical children who had been displaced during war. It was brilliant but also problematic as they had no way to track these kids yet. It was another complication they'd have to figure out at some point. At least they had time. Stupid arcaic law.
Ernie hadn't told them anything more about the rings. No doubt he didn't want them all freaking out about whatever bind the rings would put them under. It was something Hermione was researching on the side, just to look into what types of magical binds there were and what could actually be done through the rings. She had to be prepared, like always.
"I really don't know why you wanted to take time to do this," Hermione said again, watching Ginny's reflection. She looked beautiful but the frown on her face didn't budge. "This isn't going to make you feel better Gin."
"I'm aware… But at least it's giving me something to occupy my mind on." Ginny turned again and then stepped back towards Hermione, waiting for her opinion.
"It's lovely, but black? Really?" she asked, looking at the vibrant red dress that hung as a second option on the dressing room hook.
"Yes, black. It could be my funeral, might as well dress appropriately," Ginny didn't flinch or laugh.
Hermione frowned. "Ginny, come on, don't say that… it's… it's not going to be like that."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You don't know that. What if I'm paired with Blaise Zabini or Marcus Flint or some shithead like that, huh?"
"Ginny," Hermione said, noting the seriousness in her friend's voice, "I doubt you guys have much in common. Don't forget, I'm helping make this goblet," Hermione walked over and handed Ginny the red dress to try on instead.
"The parts of Amortentia we are using are the attraction charms, the ones that tell you real things you find of value and significance in your perfect person."
Ginny looked unamused as she grabbed the dress and went back behind the curtain.
Hermione sighed. "I know for a fact what Harry smelled 6th year in Potions class. Your perfume was top on his list and you still wear that same one to this day."
Ginny had a blush on her cheek when she came out in the red dress. A small smile pushing itself through the worry on her features. "Seriously? You think we're a match, like really?" When she looked in the mirror, the red dress looked much better on her than the black. Hermione gave her a welcome nod.
"Sure," Hermione reassured her. "I know you both so well. If there was anyone I was sure about being paired, it's you two. Honest. And Harry will love that dress."
Ginny stepped away from the mirror and went to hug Hermione. "Thanks Hermione, really." They stood together for some time before Ginny let go. She went to take the dress off and when she reemerged she walked back over to Hermione and put her hands on Hermione's shoulders.
"Honestly though, I've been racking my brain for anyone that would make sense being paired to you and I've come up blank. Like there's no one good enough, I'm convinced!" Ginny blinked. "Like maybe Neville? Or even Seamus. I wonder if Oliver Wood has gotten married yet?"
Hermione gave a weak laugh thinking of her crush on Oliver in second year. "I can't say I haven't been thinking about it either… especially considering all the purebloods that are out there. Maybe your brother and I will be back together in the near future," she reasoned, gauging Ginny's reaction to that.
"As much as I loved the idea of you as my sister-in-law, I saw how the few differences you guys did have made things really complicated. Maybe George will be interested, he hasn't married yet."
Hermione laughed. Ron wouldn't be the worst option, she could do it. Probably. And George didn't seem plausible, but it would be a fun marriage to say the least.
Ginny had walked over to the nearest clothing rack and began pursuing dresses for Hermione. When she pulled out a dark green one that went down to the floor, she laughed. It was ugly. "But my brothers would be better than a Slytherin, that's for sure."
At this Hermione was reminded of her elevator ride this morning and practically jumped. "Merlin, I forgot to tell you! Speaking of Slytherins, guess who I saw at the Ministry earlier this week?"
"Pansy, our dearest old friend?" Ginny laughed as she thrust the green dress back on the rack.
"Draco Malfoy," Hermione stated clearly and waited for Ginny's reaction. Ginny's eyebrows almost disappeared into her hair.
"You're kidding!" Ginny exclaimed. "I thought he fell off the face of the Earth after his trial! Where's he been, living as a recluse in the manor all this time?" she went back to look at the rack, pulling out a dark blue dress and holding it up towards Hermione with consideration.
"Well you're not going to believe this, he was nice… well as nice as he could be, being him and all. I guess civil is a better word," she contemplated. All the same he was strange, different, and she needed to share it. "He still looks much the same, more mature but same sneer and blonde hair."
Maturity had actually softened his features just enough to be handsome, if she hadn't known how vile he could be… What if they were paired?, she thought suddenly. No, definitely not, she shook her head.
Malfoy may have claimed he'd changed, but there was no way they'd be a match, not with their past. Right? She shook her head again, like it would clear the thoughts away. Had she just said he was handsome?
Ginny had walked back over to Hermione, draping three dresses across her lap. "That's crazy, I can't believe he even ventured to talk to you! Maybe it was someone else using polyjuice," she laughed. "What was he doing at the Ministry anyway, another trial?"
"No, he was invited to meet with the Minister," Hermione said, still confused over that. She went behind the curtain to put on the first dress. It was pink and she already hated it. "Said he guessed they wanted Malfoy Enterprise as a sponsor or something."
"You don't think he's going to sponsor the Joining Ceremony, do you?" Ginny asked as Hermione stepped out from behind the curtain with a frown. The dress was pretty but it was too big to be tasteful on Hermione's slim frame.
"That would be the most logical guess, now that you say it," Hermione told her. "I'm sure it's the Wizengamot trying to make it seem like everyone who is someone is going to be on board for this law," she reasoned before Ginny gave a thumbs down. She went back behind the curtain to take the dress off.
"Merlin, I guess he'll be at the ceremony won't he?" Ginny's eyes grew wide.
Hermione paused, a hint of fear coming to her from her previous thoughts. "I hadn't considered that," she said nervously. She grabbed the next dress, it was black and had a long flowing skirt that draped in big waves.
"Merlin be with the witch that gets paired with him," Ginny said. "Can you imagine coming home to Malfoy Manor and that blonde prick every night?!"
Hermione bit her lip as she wiggled out of the pink dress, "Oh Merlin, the Manor…"
"Yeah, as civil as he was in the elevator I find it difficult to believe all the shit he's done has just disappeared from his personality all together," Hermione heard Ginny's words from behind the curtain.
"I… you're probably right," Hermione said, not wanting to doubt either side of things. She couldn't deny the optimist in her that was always searching for the good in everyone, yet she couldn't forget who they were talking about. They knew Malfoy well.
"And like I said, no one's seen him in forever, at least I haven't," Ginny reminded her.
"It's not like he's been at the other Ministry events or we would have seen him and confirmed this niceness long before now. We've been to all the events and parties, with the exception of you as of late."
"Yeah well, let's just say even though I work for the Ministry I don't fully support their use of galas and events for their own popularity," muttered Hermione from behind a bunch of fabric.
"I thought we'd fixed the corruption leftover after the war by appointing new officials and the like, but I'm not so sure we did enough now…" When Hermione got the dress on she finally stepped out from behind the curtain and took a look in the mirror. It was a fairly nice choice, she had to admit.
"That's not bad," Ginny pointed out as she attempted to straighten the overflowing bottom which had bunched around Hermione's knees. "And I'm with you on the popularity thing. I think we need to convince some of those older members of the Wizengamot that they need to retire," Ginny said seriously.
"They're too stubborn to retire, they believe they know what's best for our generation and then next. That was fine after the war, their guidance was needed and appreciated immensely," Hermione explained.
"But now… well, they're restraining the wizarding world from coming into its own," Hermione sighed, finally voicing her opinion out loud. The skirt of the dress wouldn't straighten and Ginny was growing frustrated; she gave up and sat back down. Hermione was losing hope, not just on finding a dress.
She went back to the dressing room to try on the last dress, a simple dark blue one made of soft fabric that she rather liked. "Let's just tell Kingsley and have him fire them all," suggested Ginny with a laugh.
"I wish he could," Hermione said. "Too bad there's a balance of power, the whole point of the Wizengamot you know."
"Yeah, yeah, this is why I'm not in politics, too many little details," Ginny waved a dismissive hand.
"That and you're the best chaser the Harpies have had in centuries, but whatever," smiled Hermione. The compliment was well accepted and Ginny smiled, blushing. When Hermione came out from behind the curtain, Ginny nodded her approval. The dress fit well in all the right places.
"I like this one the best. Come on, let's go get lunch, I'm starving," Ginny said, realizing it was now getting into late afternoon. She grabbed the other dresses and left to put them back on the rack.
Hermione blinked, admiring her friend's quick decisions. She had always liked how Ginny let her instincts guide her, it was what made her such a good quidditch player and friend. She took one last look in the mirror and tried to smile. One week, she thought, that's all we've got. One week before everything changes…
Sighing, she walked back into the dressing room to change back into her clothes. When she drew back the curtain one last time, a hanger caught and she watched as the dark green dress Ginny had pulled out earlier fell to the floor. Hermione reached down to pick it up. As she stared at the dark green fabric she became transfixed, reminded of Malfoy's tie.
He sure was something, surfacing back into reality all of a sudden. She had always thought that casual conversation was beyond his scope of ability and, yet, there he had been, giving her all the courtesy in the world.
But a twinge of suspicion nagged at her mind. He was as pureblood as they come and a Slytherin no doubt. Ginny was right, they couldn't forget his past; the cunning and ambitious side of him might still be playing a part.
And that's what worried her. With the Joining Ceremony close at hand, she found herself wondering which unlucky witch would be paired with him and she just hoped it wasn't her…
"Hermione, come on!" Ginny shouted from the front of the store and she was suddenly shaken back to reality. Hermione thrust the dress back onto the rack; she didn't want to dwell on her old classmate more than necessary. Grabbing the dress she wanted, Hermione headed for the counter.