A/N:Thank you so much for your reviews, favorites and followers - I can't tell you how much it means to me that you all like my story!
Disclaimer - I own nothing!
Check out The Auror Mentalist Pinterest Board to see Hermione's hair and dress, Ginny's dress, Draco's suit and Oliver's outfit
Username: ffaChalayne
Contact Name & Business Name: Fanfiction Author Chalayne
Don't forget to check out the kneazle pictures on Pinterest and vote by PM, review on this story or on my Facebook page: Chalayne
Chapter 19
After what seemed like hours, Ginny has tamed Hermione's wild tresses. Thankful the ordeal is complete, Hermione slides on her new dress. She still feels a bit uncomfortable, but when she sees her reflection, she is surprised that she looks so nice. She holds up her time turner and spins it, wishing it worked so she could travel back to Sunday morning and tell herself she wants to kiss Draco and to not turn him away. She hopes he decides to come tonight. Sighing, she lets her necklace fall, it settles right above her bosom. Facing the mirror she decides she likes the way the gold complements the green of her dress and adds golden ball earrings to complete her look, instead of the simple silver necklace with a snowflake pendant and matching earrings she had planned to wear. Her wand remains safely tucked into the holster she wears on her thigh. She takes a deep breath and lets it out. She heads into the living room, Ginny has already brought out the majority of hor 'd oeuvres and she helps her finish.
The intercom buzzes and Ginny is confused since everyone is coming by portkey or the floo network. A dignified male voice announces "Miss Granger, there is a Mr. Wood to see you." A delighted Hermione responds, "Yes, he is expected, please send him up." Ginny rushes to Hermione a panicked look on her face, "Is that Wood as on Oliver Wood? What's he doing here?"
Hermione nods and wonders why Ginny is suddenly acting flustered and her face is flushed. "I saw him at the market yesterday and invited him since he was on his own tonight."
Ginny's concerned, an extra person, especially a man, could ruin my plans. She snaps out of her worrying thoughts when Hermione asks, "Ginny, are you all right? Your face is red."
"Yes, yes. I'm fine, just got a little warm while setting out the food." Think Ginny, think! How am I going to fix this? Everyone has to be dancing. Ugh. I'll talk to Luna and Hannah when they get here.
The bell dings and Hermione opens the door. She hugs Oliver and notices that he has become quite handsome since their school days, too bad all of her friends are taken. "Hi! So good to see you again." She closes the door behind him. "Oliver, this is Ginny Weasley, she was a year behind me in school. She plays for the Harpies now. Ginny, Oliver plays for the Puddlehoppers." The two quidditch players laugh, which releases some of Ginny's tension since his arrival. Hermione looks from one to the other, confused. He flashes her a smile then says, "It's Puddlemere United."
"Oh," Hermione says and shrugs her shoulder. Ginny chuckles then stage whispers to Oliver, "Even after all this time, she still knows nothing about quidditch. I think it's the only thing she isn't an expert on." Hermione huffs as she slaps Ginny playfully on her arm. They are all laughing when the floo activates and Harry steps out. He hugs Ginny and kisses her cheek. He holds her hand but steps back to admire her. His voice is full of wonder when he says, "You are beautiful." Ginny blushes and says thank you. He hugs Hermione and says, "You look nice too! I see that Ginny conquered your hair." Hermione exaggerates being offended and they laugh. He turns to Oliver and extends his hand saying, "Good to see you mate. It's been a while."
Hermione excuses herself to the kitchen to get the last pumpkin tarts out of the oven. While she is away Neville and Hannah arrive followed shortly by Draco, Theo and Luna.
Draco opens his eyes, almost expecting to be facing a jungle full of cannibals. Instead, he is surrounded by the glow of candles floating in the air similar to the ones in the Great Hall at Hogwarts but interspersed are soft blue flames twinkling in small cut crystal bowls. Spirals of gold and silver hang from the high ceiling, just above his head, reflecting the light. He hears a chime and turns to see a small replica of the muggle's Clock Tower on a familiar looking mantel and the year, 1999 is fading in and out above it.
Hermione exits the kitchen with a tray full of tarts and stops short. Her breath catches when she sees Draco standing in the middle of her living room. As he looks up, his pale blonde hair catches the light making it look like spun silk. He's wearing a black suit that's tailored perfectly with a blue button shirt with a white collar, a white pocket square, a black vest, and a tie that pulls it all together. She's seen him in a suit on occasion when their work has taken them into muggle London, but she's never seen him look this good. Butterflies erupt in her stomach as she places the tray down on the first flat surface she comes to then she takes tentative steps toward him.
Draco takes in a deep breath and feels a calming balm settle over him. Then a small hand touches his forearm causing him to look down, getting lost in the eyes of his goddess. His heart clenches painfully until he sees that her face is full of joy and she is directing it to him. She lifts up on her toes, throws her arms around him and kisses him on the side of his mouth, friendly enough to be casual, except it is not. He circles his arms around her and draws her in close, both their hearts racing at the contact. A little dazed, she pulls back slightly, beaming at him, then whispers in his ear since she only wants him to hear, "You have no idea how happy I am that you're here. I've missed you." The little puffs of air and the sensual undertone in her soft voice makes him close his eyes and shudder. She pulls away from him slowly and slides her hand into his, giving it a light squeeze before releasing it. When he opens his eyes, she is smirking at him and he swallows. There is the fire I've been missing.
Hermione drags herself away from him and Draco takes a moment to let his eyes roam over her petite frame. Not only is she wearing the necklace he gave her, she's in a lovely green dress that accentuates her curves and her hair is in an elegant updo. Tonight, she is more beautiful and regal than any pureblood he has ever seen, but he decides that even though she looks stunning, he prefers her with her hair bushy and wearing her cat pajamas.
Hermione releases Luna from a hug and addresses Theo saying, "I am glad you both could make it. Welcome to my home." Theo holds out the bottle of alcohol. "Thanks!" He nudges Draco out of his musings and says, "We brought some champagne to toast the New Year." Draco huffs saying, "I brought it from my reserves. I will not let Theo take credit for bringing the best champagne in Europe." Theo rolls his eyes and says, "Well there wouldn't be any here if I hadn't told you to bring it you arse." Draco gives Theo a dirty look. Hermione notices everyone is staring and clears her throat. Before she can speak, Theo pops Draco on his shoulder and says, "Now, now Drake, people are going to think you are really upset." Theo looks to the others in the room, "Don't mind this git, we are like brothers." Draco mumbles under his breath, "Sure, you're the bratty little brother I never wanted." His furrowed brow relaxes when Hermione giggles at his remark.
She says to them,"Thank you for the champagne. Please make yourselves at home. There is plenty of food." She steps close to Draco and caresses his hand, looking up at him through her lashes asks, "Draco, would you mind putting the champagne in the kitchen since you know where everything is located? I need to greet Neville and Hannah." She bites her bottom lip as she searches his face. Merlin when she looks at me like that... "Of course Hermione, anything for you." She gives him the smile that makes his heart race and says, "Thank you." before releasing his hand. He watches as she walks away, and is delighted when she looks over her shoulder at him and they share a smile.
Theo clears his throat, to get Draco's attention and when it doesn't, he backhands his stomach. He finally tears his eyes away from Hermione and scowls at Theo, who is smirking and raises one eyebrow at Draco. "So when did you and Granger get so chummy?" Draco's eyes flash in anger and he practically drags him into the kitchen and throws up a muffliato charm for silence. He gets in Theo's face threateningly and sneers, "So what if I am, got a problem with it?" Theo pales and holds up his free hand in surrender. He knows his next words will have the desired effect so he replies, "No mate, not at all. Do you?"
Draco blinks his eyes a few times as his anger retreats and he steps back. He does not have a reason to think Theo would have an issue with Hermione. Theo was never the blood purist that he was. In fact, he was never one to be hostile to anyone because of their blood status, even laying low their seventh year during the Carrows reign of terror at Hogwarts. Draco always assumed it was because Nott Senior treated Theo just as badly as he did muggleborns.
Draco deflates, but instead of answering, he takes the champagne from him and puts both bottles in the refrigerator. Theo shakes his head at Draco, knowing he won't get a response. Now I know why Luna was so intent on getting him here. Well, at least I have another snake with me in the lions den. Theo claps him on the shoulder and they walk back into the party.
Oliver is talking to Harry and is taken by surprise when he sees the two Slytherins arrive and is shocked by Hermione's greeting of Malfoy. He turns to Harry and in a quiet voice asks, "What the hell are they doing here?"
Harry's eyes travel to where Oliver is looking and smiles. "I know right? Luna Lovegood, you remember her from the DA, is dating Theo Nott and Malfoy is actually an Auror and is partnered with Hermione on most cases."
Oliver is dumbstruck and Harry continues, "The war changed Malfoy, a lot." Oliver gives Harry an incredulous look and he laughs. "Well he is still an arrogant prat, but he is a good Auror and has become a good friend." Oliver not realizing Harry doesn't have a clue about the budding relationship between the war heroine and their childhood nemesis thinks Harry seems content with the situation. Oliver is not and he makes his way over to Luna and Hermione as he is feeling protective toward them.
When Theo and Draco exit the kitchen, Hermione is chatting with Luna and catches Draco's eye and motions them over to her. His eyes narrow when he notices a familiar looking man is standing a little too close to her.
Draco keeps his face neutral as stalks toward Hermione. When he reaches her side, he puts an arm around her shoulder pulling her close and she melts into him, which lessens his tension. He thrusts out his hand to the stranger saying, "Draco Malfoy."
Hermione looks up at him smiling and says, "Draco, this is Oliver Wood, he was a couple of years ahead of us in school." Oliver shakes his hand and they both squeeze too hard, but Hermione doesn't notice their posturing as she introduces Theo.
Ginny and Hannah are snickering with each other at the exchange. Ginny leans over and whispers to Hannah, "If Hermione realized that Malfoy just marked her as his territory, she would hex his bits off." They giggle. Hannah responds, "Good thing she doesn't because I think those bits will be pretty important to her very soon!"
The party progresses nicely with everyone eating and drinking, but not over indulging. Draco continues to stay close to Hermione's side, even though he has lingering doubts that she has any feelings, other than friendship, toward him. He sees Oliver as a rival for her affection, so he makes sure he does not get much of her attention or any time alone with her. Hermione misses that Draco is distracting her and monopolizing all her time. In fact, she is so focused on and in tune with Draco, she sometimes forgets her other friends are there.
The guys are oblivious and don't notice what is happening, even Oliver because Draco is so subtle in his approach. The girls aren't sure Draco is doing it consciously. He is the consummate Slytherin, always knowing how to get what he wants. Hannah, Ginny and Luna even make a drinking game out of Draco's actions, taking a sip of fire whiskey each time Draco diverts Hermione's attention away from Oliver. Needless to say, they are a little tipsy as 1999 winds down.
Ginny is beginning to worry that no one will want to dance since there is an extra person present and doesn't want her dancing charm to go to waste. Hannah shares her concern but Luna goes off into a long discourse about one of her, thus far undiscovered, magical creatures. Ginny ignores Luna for a while before rolls her eyes then interrupting by whining, "But Luna, what are we going to do?" She responds with a knowing smile, patting Ginny on the hand and says. "That is exactly what I mean." Ginny gives Hannah a pleading look and she responds with a shrug.
Hermione is pleased with the attention Draco is lavishing on her. She is positive now that her assumptions about him caring for her are correct. She glances at the mantel and sees the 1999 is still flashing, it's charmed to begin a countdown at 11:45 PM. Hermione hopes to get a New Year kiss from Draco at midnight. If not then, she is determined to have a real one before the night is over, even if she has to follow him upstairs or pull him into her bedroom. The kiss she greeted him with was enough to give her a tingling sensation that woke large butterflies in her stomach and it also made her determined for more.
Oliver is enjoying the party, but seeing as everyone is paired up, he is a little uncomfortable. He's in a conversation with Neville and Hannah but isn't really paying much attention. Instead, he is thinking. Hermione or Luna haven't snogged the Slytherins, but he knows what will most likely happen at 12:00 PM. Harry and Neville seem okay with everything, but he isn't sure he could stop himself from hexing the snake-like duo. What are they thinking to be with Malfoy and Nott? Granted, they haven't been complete arseholes tonight, but that still doesn't excuse their past. Hermione and Luna are too good for them. Nott seems okay, but Malfoy is still an arrogant prat. All that shite about the champagne proves it.
Oliver looks at Hermione across the room. She looks like she adores that ferret (yes he heard the story) and she is hanging on his every word. He isn't jealous or angry, just confused. He had assumed Ron would be here with Hermione, but they have obviously broken up. At that moment Hermione throws back her head and laughs and Oliver smiles. He was around for some time after the war and she had always looked so haunted. I guess I'll have to trust Harry's judgement. I'm sure I won't be the only one after him if he hurts her. Oliver doesn't realize Harry doesn't have a clue about the budding relationship between the war heroine and their childhood group across the room is laughing again and his focus returns to them and he sees Hermione smacks Draco on the arm. Oliver tenses, about to jump up to defend her, but relaxes when he sees Draco grin at her. Under his breath, he says, "I didn't know the bloody git could smile."
Neville and Hannah laugh, drawing Oliver's attention back to them. Guess they heard that. Neville leans toward him and quietly says, "I'm still not used to it either mate. It took me a while to relax around him and stop thinking he was going to hex me. At Hogwarts, if you looked at him, he'd jinx you. Not anymore. Part of the Auror's oath, sworn under veritaserum, requires them to agree to protect and serve all law abiding wizards and witches, including half-bloods and muggleborns."
Hannah softly adds, "Harry told Neville about Ron's last day in Auror training before he quit. He was screaming at Draco, accusing him of all kinds of horrible things and he didn't do anything but stand there and give him a dirty look. He didn't even pull his wand out to defend himself. Hermione actually stupefied Ron when he shoved his wand in Malfoy's face, afraid he was going to curse him." Hannah shivers at the thought. She looks over and smiles when she sees Draco listening intently to a story Hermione is telling. She looks back at Oliver and nudges him to look at the pair and says, "They are good for each other."
Oliver shakes his head, still trying to wrap his mind around the enigma. I was there when he called her a mudblood before she even knew what it meant. Hannah and Neville share a look then he says, "Don't worry mate. I'll let you know if he hurts her and you can have a shot at him after me and Harry." Before he can respond Hannah adds, "That is after Luna", Ginny and I are done, by then I don't think there would be much left." Oliver nods.
Ginny's wand buzzes and she taps Hermione's CD player and the music starts. She has it synced up so the charmed song will end at midnight and if they are not already, they will feel a compulsion to dance with the person they most want to kiss in the room. There is a good mix of wizard and muggle music. She pulls Harry to her and they start dancing.
Oliver decides it is definitely time to go. He'd already decided to leave before midnight so he wouldn't have to see the kisses and he has always hated dancing since his mother made him take lessons as a child. He grins at Hannah and Neville saying, "Well, on that note, it is time for me to leave." He shakes hands with Neville and says, "I'll owl some sideline tickets to you and Harry for the next game in London." Turning to Hannah he says, "It was lovely to meet you, let me know if you change your mind about the game." She smiles, giddy that he is leaving as Neville says, "Thanks, mate, see you then."
Hannah turns and smiles at Neville saying where only he can hear, "When did you figure it out?" He frowns, "I'm not as dense as everyone thinks I am. They've been dancing around their feelings for each other for months." She reaches for his hand, lacing her fingers through his, "I don't think you are dense. In fact, you're brilliant, brave and very handsome." Her words make him smile. "You do?" She nods. He pulls her knuckles to his mouth and lightly kisses them. Looking at her he asks, "Dance with me Hannah?" She nods, when he pulls her into his arms she is content.
"Hermione, thanks so much for the invitation to your party and the food." She pouts, "You can't leave, it isn't midnight yet!" She hugs Oliver and misses the glare Draco shoots at him. He smiles down at her. "Next time I'll stay longer. I have an early portkey tomorrow. It was wonderful to see you again." Oliver turns toward Harry and says "I'll send you those tickets." Then to Ginny saying, "I'll see you on the field in two weeks!" Ginny smirks, "I hope I'll be playing that day, then all you'll see of me is a flash!"
Draco is seething and doing his best not to show it. Next time you'll stay longer my arse. He feels a little tug on his sleeve, he looks down and seeing Looney he rolls his eyes. She tugs again and he meets her gaze, she doesn't move her lips, but he hears her clearly, "Don't worry, she isn't interested in him." His eyes open wide in shock. What the fuck? "Oh sorry! Only you can hear me. I have always been able to communicate like this, I could tell my Mum what I wanted before I could speak. Currently, I can only use it with a powerful occlumens. I think your strong emotions of anger, jealousy of Oliver and surprise of me, allowed me to know what you are thinking. Of course, it might just be my insight into people and magical creatures. I hope to develop this gift enough to teach it. I think it would be beneficial to Aurors to be able to communicate this way. Do you?" Draco slams the walls of his mind shut using all the shielding methods he knows. That was odd. Suddenly he feels a twinge of guilt, realizing he did not answer her question. He nods thinking it would be good, especially during dangerous cases. Luna smiles brightly saying in his head, "Great! I'll let you know when I can teach you." He nods again, not wanting to voice his answer either.
Draco searches for Hermione and sees her near the fireplace as the floo activates. Their eyes meet and she smiles, he wonders if she realizes how seductive it is. He licks his lips as he walks to her. She doesn't move as his gaze has her transfixed. The stupid Hippogriff song by the Weird Sisters ends as Draco nears her. He pulls Hermione to him as a slow song begins playing. He has heard the muggle song, Swear it Again by Westlife several times as it played repeatedly during the past summer, but the words really stand out this time, as he holds the woman that he is in love with close. They continue to dance as the next song begins, I Try, by Macy Grey, it's now Hermione's turn to realize the song speaks to how she feels, minus the codependency parts of course.
None of the couples realize the countdown on the wall has begun and it is almost the year 2000. Luna just agreed to be Theo's girlfriend, Neville kissed Hannah after the last song, and even Ginny with all her planning is lost in the moment with Harry.
Hermione and Draco have been moving closer to each other with each song. She had been resting her head on Draco's chest, listening to the thumping of his heart when the last song before midnight begins to play.
"This one's going out to all the lovers out there. Hold each other tight and keep each other warm."
Hermione pulls her arms from around Draco's waist, slowly sliding her hands up and over his chest to around his neck, loving the feel of his taut muscles under her fingers. He's glad he had removed his suit coat some time ago. The sensation of her hands traveling over his abs and chest, especially his sensitive nipples, have him biting his lip to keep from moaning. He moves his arms down from her shoulders to around her waist, pulling her even closer. She tightens her hold on him by clasping her fingers together at the back of his neck. She wets her lips looking at his then back into his eyes. Her hold on him and the look she gives him conveys her thoughts. Please kiss me. I won't turn away this time. Draco moistens his lips, watching her eyes as he lowers his head. When hers flutter closed he releases a shaky breath before touching his lips softly to hers. With almost a minute and a half left of 1999, Draco kisses Hermione for the first time while the song, Magic Works, by the Weird Sisters is playing. Neither wants the kiss to end and it has nothing to do with Ginny's charm.
Please review!