AN: Thank you guys for sticking around, I know this update was a little long in coming! Just a heads up: I'll be updating this fic about every two weeks now that I've caught up to the point I've written. Thank you to everyone who followed/favorited, and of course, special sparkly hugs to everyone who left a review: I was BOTWP, LightofEvolution, JLLove, alicia.v. jones , anjiepotter05, Davina 71, ArielNicholas913, artlover8992, Cecily Mitchell, and guest! And extra special sparkly hugs to kanewolfe and cochran4444 for their reviewing binges!
I hope you all enjoy!
Changing Scenery
Chapter 16: Samhain
As he walked around the Manor one last time, Draco couldn't help but be satisfied with how well the event had come together. Although his mother had been rightly irritated that he'd waited so late to begin planning such an event, not that she'd said so directly, she had done a magnificent job. The food was elegantly laid out on a long table at one end of the ballroom under a light stasis charm, the band was warming up on a dais at the other end, the house elves were all in neatly-pressed pillowcases embroidered with the newly altered Malfoy crest, the human waiters that had been hired were in neatly pressed suits, and the candelabra were illuminated with hundreds of candles. As he did a final check of the ballroom, he was pleased to note that his mother had heeded his request – touches of red and gold accented the otherwise black and white décor. He didn't really want to harken back to their school days, but he did want to make Potter and Granger feel comfortable, and he thought that a slight touch of the Gryffindor colors might make them nostalgic.
Although the invites listed ten o'clock as the official start time, Draco was standing in the large foyer of the Manor at half nine, knowing that many of the social climbers and lower-level Ministry lackeys would arrive early in the hopes of making a good impression. In years past, and even a week ago, he would have expected to see Granger early as well, solely because she was excruciatingly polite rather than because she felt the need to suck up to her bosses, but he wasn't at all sure that would be the case anymore.
After the mess he'd made of her visit to the Manor, Draco had half expected Granger to rescind her acceptance, but he hadn't heard from her or seen her at all since her visit two weeks ago. While there was still the possibility she would skip the ball without any notice, he was holding out hope that her sense of duty would force her to come whether she was angry at him or not.
After five minutes standing in the entry hall, his mother at his side, shoulders straight and faces impassive like perfect pureblood hosts, the first guests arrived.
The time crawled, with Draco greeting the steady stream of guests and then sending them onto the ballroom where the band had begun playing some generic tunes designed to ease conversation until the party really got going.
When ten o'clock came, Draco looked carefully down the line of guests which had begun to form, looking for a bushy head of hair or a head of messy dark hair, disappointed not to see either one. His Veela was itching under his skin, anxious for him to be near his mates. The mating pains had returned with a vengeance two days ago, and he'd only been able to function with a healthy dose of extra-strength Pain Potion every few hours. He had his wings out, but they were tucked neatly against his back. More than a few guests stared at them as they shook hands.
When five more minutes had gone by without any sign of Potter or Granger, Draco began to grow worried that they wouldn't appear at all. As preoccupied as he was, he was surprised when a familiar face appeared in front of him.
"Weasley?"
The female ginger in front of him rolled her eyes. "Well I suppose that's better than Weaslette. I am dating your best friend, you should probably get used to seeing me around, Malfoy."
"Of course, Miss Weasley. Thank you for coming," he said politely. Even though his surprise at seeing her had distracted him for a moment, he couldn't help his gaze flickering to the line again.
"Looking for someone?"
Draco snapped his gaze back to the redhead, who was now smirking, realizing belatedly that he still hadn't released her hand. He dropped it abruptly and then flushed slightly. "I apologize."
"No worries. I recognize that look. I've seen it on a few faces recently, in fact," she said, reaching over and brushing his shoulder. When he stared at her, she smirked again. "Bit of lint."
Draco was quite sure that there hadn't been lint on his robes. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
Weasley nodded, her face serious. "Of course. But just in case you do, they should be here shortly."
Draco stared at her.
"Thank you so much for hosting this party, Malfoy. I'm sure I'll have a fantastic time." She grinned at him and then turned to greet his mother before flouncing away.
Before the next guest could step up, his mother leaned over to him.
"What was that about, dear?" she said, her lips barely moving and her voice so quiet even Draco barely heard her.
"Nothing, of course," Draco replied, equally quietly, voice calm. If anyone had known what to look for, the rustle of his wings would have given him away.
So intently was he looking for messy black hair and bushy brown hair that he was shocked when Granger and Potter appeared in front of him.
Merlin's fucking beard.
Potter had somehow managed to tame his hair, and the rest of him was equally polished in black robes that swirled with a faint pattern and had a lining of bright green satin. Granger had smoothed her hair into large ringlets that were swept over one shoulder, revealing a thin strap holding up the royal blue muggle gown she wore. Draco wasn't sure he'd ever seen anything more delectable than the pair of them. He wanted to whisk them up to his rooms and lock them away for the next few hours. Or days.
"Hello, Malfoy," Potter said, holding out his hand.
Draco jerked, ashamed to realize he'd been so busy staring that he hadn't greeted them yet. Oh well done, Draco. Some host you're being.
"Potter," he said, reaching out to grip his hand. Potter's hand was warm and dry and a tingle moved from their joined hands up to his heart and down to his groin.
He released Potter's hand, clearing his throat, and then turned to Granger. "Granger, I'm glad you decided to come."
"Malfoy." Granger held out her hand, face perfectly bland. Draco was well aware that Granger expected him to shake her hand, but he brought it to his lips instead, brushing a kiss across the back, another tingle working its way through his body.
Granger jerked her hand back, glaring at him.
Draco nearly grinned. She still has her fire.
"Enjoy the party," he said solicitously. He was quite sure that he didn't fool either of them with his feigned innocence.
They both turned to greet his mother, and Draco nearly choked when he realized that Granger's dress had no back, the line of fabric swooping down nearly to the bottom of her spine.
When they left to go into the ballroom, Draco groaned to himself at the thought that politeness dictated that he had to greet guests until at least eleven. He surreptitiously checked his pocket watch as the next guests approached and sighed when he realized that there was nearly forty-five minutes to go.
When he was finally able to leave the foyer, even though guests were still arriving, he walked as quickly as possible to the ballroom, only making a quick stop to freshen his appearance and clean his hands. There was something about Ministry workers and sweaty hands.
Although several rooms in the Manor had been opened to accommodate the ball –for gaming and relaxing and privacy – Draco knew precisely where Potter and Granger were. His Veela could feel them and was urging him forward.
Quite a few guests were scattered by the long buffet table and clustered around the tall tables set up nearby, and a few more were seated at the tables lining the ballroom, providing places to rest, but most of the guests were dancing to the lively tune the band was playing. Potter and Granger were among those dancing. Draco could see the flash of Granger's dress even through the vibrantly-dressed throng.
Draco walked slowly along the side, chatting politely, before finally finding himself standing beside Astoria Greengrass. She looked up at him with her big blue eyes and blinked before smiling.
"Hello, Draco," she said.
"Astoria, how is your evening?"
"It's been rather quiet, but I'm quite enjoying myself."
Draco made quick, surreptitious glance around. "Where are your sister and your mother?"
"Oh, they haven't arrived yet. That's why I'm enjoying myself." She grinned up at him impishly.
Draco smirked. "I'll be sure not to mention that when I see them."
"Thank you. Naturally, if you did, I'd tell my mother that you told me you were thinking of pursuing Daphne."
He turned to glare at her, only to find her laughing softly. He shook his head. "You are wicked, Astoria Greengrass."
"But of course." She smirked.
The band began another song, and seeing that Potter and Granger were still dancing, Draco turned to Astoria and offered his hand. "Would you care to dance, Miss Greengrass?"
Astoria placed her hand delicately in his. "Why thank you, Mister Malfoy, I would."
Draco led her into the midst of the crowd and then placed his hands on her shoulder and hip, keeping them the appropriate distance apart for two young, unattached purebloods. Despite the fact that his mother had been actively pushing for a match between one of the Greengrass sisters, and that Astoria fit quite well into his arms and danced as well as a pureblood witch should, Draco thought of her as no more than a younger sister or a cousin; certainly not a prospective bride.
As he moved her smoothly around the floor, he couldn't help but track the location of Potter and Granger. They were laughing several couples away, and Potter was leading Granger surprisingly skillfully. Astoria seemed content to dance quietly, only occasionally making a remark about another dancer, which left Draco with enough free time to calculate several ways to get nearer to Potter and Granger without actually stepping on anyone's toes, literally or metaphorically.
"Draco," Astoria said, recalling his attention.
"Yes?"
"While I appreciate your skill as a partner, I can't help but notice that your attention has been otherwise occupied. Might I suggest asking the person you actually want to dance with?"
Astoria laughed softly at the look he gave her. "I did manage to survive Slytherin. I'd like to think that reading the body language of my dance partner is within my capabilities."
Draco's lip twitched halfway into a smile. "I had heard you were the clever sister."
"Yes, of course. Now, why don't you go ask Granger for a dance before you trip over your own feet trying to stare at her?"
Draco turned back to her, having been distracted by the sway of Granger's gown, ready to make a scathing retort, but Astoria had already somehow guided them to the edge of the dance floor and removed herself from his hold. She smiled at him. "She doesn't bite. Much."
He smirked at Astoria. "I'm sure I am quite capable of asking for a dance." I'm not scared of her.
Draco wasn't entirely convinced by his own argument.
Draco waited until Potter and Granger had taken a break from dancing and Granger had had the opportunity to drink most of a glass of champagne before approaching the pair. Their body language suggested they weren't a couple, but the way Potter couldn't seem to keep his eyes off her for more than a few seconds, even while he was talking to some wizard Draco thought he recognized as being an Auror, suggested that they were well on their way there, even if they didn't know it yet.
He walked up in clear view and nodded at her. "Good evening, Granger."
Out of the corner of his eye, Draco noticed that Potter jerked slightly when he spoke.
"Malfoy." Her grip tightened on her glass, but she the fact that she didn't actually tell him to bugger off gave him hope.
He lowered his voice. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior when you last visited. I didn't mean to deceive you. I was feeling rather uncomfortable and I'm afraid that I didn't handle it very well. Please, forgive me."
From anyone else, he wouldn't have asked, but this was his mate. Knowing that she had been upset, and that it was his fault, had been eating at him for the last two weeks.
Granger stared at him for a long moment, and he started growing genuinely nervous that she wasn't going to forgive him.
Finally she relented, sighing heavily. "I forgive you, Malfoy. I suppose we were both uncomfortable." She took a long sip of her champagne, finishing it. A house elf immediately appeared to take the empty glass.
For a moment, Draco was reminded of her hand on his cheek, telling him that she'd forgiven him for much greater crimes.
Before Granger could find a way to extricate herself from the conversation, Draco held out his hand to her. "May I have this dance, Granger?"
She gaped at him before slowly placing her hand in his. Draco swept her out onto the floor before her brain could catch up with her body. The feel of her skin beneath his hand where it was settled on her back set his nerve endings on fire.
They danced in silence for a few moments, Draco imprinting the feel of her into his memory, before Granger looked up at him, consternation written clearly on her face. She's adorable when she's confused.
Draco interrupted whatever thought she was about to articulate. "You are an excellent dancer, Granger." Which was true, but he also wanted to distract her from whatever thoughts were running through her mind.
"I – thank you." She frowned at him.
Draco quickly realized that they key was keeping her off guard. It was also immensely entertaining. "How long have you and Potter been seeing each other?"
"That's not, we aren't –"
"But you two arrived together," Draco stated, suffusing his voice with innocence.
"We did, but –"
"Coming to a seasonal festival together, well, I can't imagine doing so with someone whom I wasn't seeing."
"We're friends," Granger said, almost desperately.
"I imagine most people who are seeing each other are friends."
The song merged into a new one, the tempo increasing. Around them, Draco saw that the impropriety seasonal festivals were famous for had already started. He pulled Granger closer to him as they turned, leaning down to whisper into her ear before she could respond.
"But is that really all? And here I thought you were making such good progress. Did Potter not work up the nerve to kiss you again?" He lowered his voice even more. "To fuck you?" He made sure his lips brushed against the curve of her ear.
She shuddered in his arms and he couldn't help the self-satisfied smirk that curled his lips.
Her voice was breathy when she replied. "It's, it's not like that."
"Oh?" Draco said softly. He maneuvered them past a drunken couple spinning and giggling madly, keeping Granger pressed against him and subtly moving his hand lower. "Was it you who went to him? Were you the one to show up at his house? To kiss him? Did you beg him to take you to bed?" He ended with a light nip to her earlobe.
This time he felt her as she wobbled, nearly losing her footing.
"I, we, uh…"
He slid his hand lower still, his pinky just brushing the fabric of her dress. "He wants to do all those things to you, you know. With you. He's watching us right now. He's probably imagining whisking you away to some dark corridor." He rubbed his thumb against her spine, reveling in the pants of her breath he could feel against his neck. "But you're no fainting damsel are you? You want to kiss him, don't you? You want him to fall apart because of you, to lose control."
"Oh."
Draco positioned them so that Potter had a clear view of them as they danced. "You two would be beautiful together." Draco could feel himself responding to his own words. The thought of them together – the thought of watching them, of kissing them, of fucking them – was about to make him lose control. "You would be fucking perfect." He pulled her in until there wasn't a breath of air between them.
He pulled his head back enough to look around as he kept them spinning around the dance floor, half his attention always on Potter. He could feel Potter's eyes burning into his back. When they spun again so that Draco was facing him, Potter was staring at them with barely-restrained lust. He could no doubt see the flush of Granger's back that Draco could feel beneath his fingers.
When he finally looked down at Granger, her eyes were closed and her lips were parted. Slowly she opened her eyes, as if she could feel his eyes on her.
She shook her head slightly. "I, uh," she took a deep breath, "I need a drink."
Draco waited until the music transitioned to something slower so that he could more easily navigate between the dancing couples. He led her back to where Potter was still standing, although the wizard he'd been talking to was nowhere to be seen. When they came to a stop, a human waiter carrying a tray of glasses appeared at Draco's elbow, and he handed one first to Granger, before taking two more, handing one to Potter and keeping the other for himself. The waiter disappeared as silently as he'd appeared.
Granger had stepped away from him, but since Draco had arranged her between Potter and himself, there was nowhere for her to really go. She glanced between them for a moment before using one hand to grip her glass and crossing the other over her chest.
Potter glanced at her and then over at Draco, wearing the same look of consternation Granger had worn earlier.
"Hermione? Are you alright?"
Granger had finished half her glass already and she took another sip before replying. "I'm fine."
Potter looked at Draco suspiciously. "What did you do to her?"
Draco raised an eyebrow. "I didn't do anything. We were just talking."
Granger snorted, startling Potter. "Talking." She took another sip of champagne.
Draco noted with amusement that the glass was nearly empty.
"What were you talking about?" Potter asked, suspicion still coloring his tone.
"About you, actually," Draco replied innocently.
Granger looked at him, clearly horrified.
Potter frowned at him. "About me?"
Granger turned towards Potter, laughing, far too high-pitched to be natural. "Just about the case."
"Really?" Potter asked, turning his frown on Granger.
"Well I suppose it depends on what case you're talking about," Draco said smoothly.
Granger whipped her head around to glare at him. Draco was very glad to see that her wand had yet to make an appearance.
"We were talking about your case," Granger said firmly.
Draco tapped a finger against his lips. "I suppose that's true."
Granger evidently realized how that could be interpreted and blushed. "That's not what I meant!"
Draco smirked.
Potter looked back and forth between them, clearly baffled. "You weren't talking about Malfoy's case?"
"Well as I said, Potter, it depends on what case you're talking about. We were having a lovely conversation about –"
"About nothing!" Granger interrupted loudly. Several heads turned in her direction and she downed the last of her champagne.
Potter's expression fell back into a frown. "What the bloody hell is going on?"
When Draco opened his mouth to respond, Granger grabbed his arm, digging her nails in. "Not here!" she hissed at him. Or rather, it would have been a hiss if she hadn't been so panicked.
"You're right," Draco said, smirking. "We should take this conversation somewhere private." He twisted his arm so that her arm became entwined with his, placing one hand proprietarily over hers, and then started walking towards the side of the ballroom. He looked back "Coming, Potter?"
Draco led them to a small parlor near the ballroom that technically hadn't been opened to the public, but had a fire burning in the heart nonetheless, as well as a couple lamps lit. When Potter closed the door behind him, a locking charm and privacy wards popped into place. Draco settled next to Granger on the backless loveseat in front of the fire, and Potter took the armchair across from them.
"So what's this all about? What were you two talking about?" Potter asked, running a hand through his hair, mussing the neat part he'd somehow coaxed into it.
Draco nearly licked his lips. Potter looked delectable sitting there, his profile edged in fiery gold and his robes outlining how very fit he was.
"I just asked Granger how long you two had been seeing each other," Draco said, his gaze never leaving him. He felt Granger tense up, her shoulder brushing his arm.
Potter cleared his throat. "We aren't seeing each other."
Draco raised his eyebrows. "After that kiss you shared, you aren't dating?"
Granger spluttered beside him.
"We kissed too and we aren't dating, Malfoy!" Potter retorted hotly. He seemed to realize what he'd said a moment later and flushed bright red.
"What?" Granger squeaked. "Harry!"
Draco leaned back, grinning. He stretched out his wings, curling the very edge of the one closer to the fire around the edge of the couch, just barely enclosing Granger.
"It was just a kiss! I mean, uh, it was, uh…" Potter stuttered to a halt, running a hand through his hair again and shifting in his seat.
"What?" Granger repeated, her voice less squeaky but no less shocked. "You kissed Malfoy?"
Draco could hear the unspoken and you didn't tell me?
"I, er, I meant to tell you," Potter said, cheeks still bright red.
"You meant to? You meant to?"
"Well you didn't tell me before you went to the Manor!" Harry defended.
"Because you'd just told me that you'd been attracted to me for years! How was I supposed to feel about that?"
"Well ideally you were supposed to feel the same!"
Draco watched them avidly, fascinated by the currents he could feel running between them. His Veela could feel the pheromones in the room, and he could practically smell the desire coming off both of them – mixed in with a fair amount of annoyance and confusion and anger.
"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?" Granger demanded.
"Because you never showed any sign of being interested," Potter said, scrubbing a hand through his hair again.
Granger huffed. "What was I supposed to do? Put up a sign?"
"So you do feel the same?" Potter's face had taken on the look of a puppy promised a treat.
"I already told you!"
Both of them appeared to have forgotten Draco was in the room, but he wasn't bothered at all. Merlin's balls they are so fucking hot.
"You should have said something, then!"
"You wouldn't even kiss me in the club until he said something!" Granger said, pointing forcefully at Draco.
Draco smirked, looking at Potter in challenge.
Potter looked at both of them and then straightened his shoulders, standing up. "Fine then."
He quickly crossed the few feet between them, leaned down, cupping Granger's head with both hands, and kissed her.
Fucking hell.
Granger moaned, and the sound went straight to Draco's cock. From the way Potter shifted, it had the same effect on him. Draco watched them avidly as they snogged, the way Granger's hands traced over Potter's shoulders and arms, how Potter sucked on Granger's lip before moving his attention to her throat, nipping and sucking and kissing. Granger leaned back and her shoulders brushed his wings.
Her eyes flew open, even as she kept her hands on Potter's biceps. She looked at Draco, and her eyes were wide, her pupils nearly overtaking the irises. Her face was flushed and Draco didn't think he'd ever seen anything hotter.
She gasped again as Potter did something against the curve of her shoulder, her eyes falling shut for a moment before she slowly opened them again, refocusing on him.
"Mal…Malfoy," she breathed.
Every fiber of his body jerked to attention. Even Potter noticed, slowly pulling his mouth away, but leaving his hands on her shoulders.
"What's happening?" Granger asked, voice raspy.
Draco smirked, leaning closer until he was speaking into the space above her ear, loud enough for Potter to hear. "Nothing you don't want. Because you do want this, don't you?"
He pulled back enough to see her eyes. They flicked back and forth between him and Harry, finally settling back on him. "Yes," she breathed. Potter moaned lowly.
Draco grinned, leaning back in. "You want Potter. Want him to snog you, to touch you, to fuck you, to take you apart." He flicked his tongue against the shell of her ear, causing her breath to hitch. "But you don't just want Potter, do you?"
He didn't pull away this time, leaving his lips brushing against the edge of her ear.
There was a long moment, before she took a deep breath that all of them could feel. "No," she finally admitted, voice high.
From his position, Draco looked at Potter. "And you don't just want Granger, do you Potter?"
Potter bit his lip. Draco had to resist the urge to lean over and bite Potter's lip himself. "No. I want you too." He blushed after saying it, but he didn't move away.
Draco wanted to crow. He flexed the wing that wasn't wrapped around Granger, bringing it around Potter. He smirked. "The feeling is mutual."
Granger gasped softly. Draco looked down and saw her staring at his wings. They do look nice. The fire was illuminating the silver, making it look even more metallic and shining.
Draco watched her face and he saw when the realization hit. Her head whipped up so fast that Draco only just moved his head aside in time to avoid a bloody nose.
Her eyes were wide. "Oh Merlin, it's us."
AN: Question for you guys: would you prefer if the next chapter were from Hermione's perspective (going in order) or Harry's (keeping the numbers even)? I have ideas for both, but I'd love to know what you guys think.
Please review!