Hermione was still in a mild shock with the fact that Draco Malfoy was seated across from her, and they were having a respectful conversation with no slurs or insults. I mean they were adults and it was to be expected, but she still had a hard time getting the image of that bratty greased haired child throwing insults at her. He was by no means that scrawny 'grease ball' that she had viewed him as in school. Malfoy was very much a man now, broad shouldered with chiselled features, he was a statuesque image of proper breeding. He was very terse when he spoke, explaining the details of the event without flourishment – which she appreciated. Some of the wizards she previously worked with were dreadfully long winded.
"What are you planning on wearing this evening?"
Hermione sputtered incredulously, and gave him a hard stare,
"Excuse me? I'm not quite sure what that has to do with meeting the Foreign Affairs Minister of France."
Malfoy crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, an image of self-importance, it just infuriated Hermione further,
"It has everything to do with meeting the Minister. You are inexperienced in this area Ms. Granger, I have spent my whole life meeting with important people from all over the Wizarding World."
Well, good for you.
"If we are to come to any coconscious on any of the laws that we are addressing we need to make an impeccable first impression. Tonight is basically a first date with the Minister, and we want to shine. So I'll ask again, Ms. Granger, what are you planning on wearing this evening."
Hermione looked down at what she was wearing currently, initially she had every intention of wearing her work dress robes, respectable and business appropriate. Malfoy must have noticed her hesitation because he instantly groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Good god, Granger. I'll send my assistant by floo this evening to help you prepare, I won't have you embarrassing me tonight and ruining months of my work."
Hermione stood up with him, glaring at him incredulously,
"Malfoy, I don't think that will be necessary, I believe the work will speak for itself. Besides I look perfectly acceptable."
He raised an eyebrow, straightening his jacket as he stood, turning quickly towards the door he looked back at her,
"Ms. Clearwater will be at your residence at five this afternoon, I'm hoping that two hours are enough to get you ready."
Before Hermione could retort he was out of her office, insufferable git.
Hermione sighed deeply and dropped her work back on the table beside her fireplace as she entered her home. She was mentally exhausted already from her day, and she still had to go to the benefit event tonight. Collapsing on her sofa, she looked up at the clock on her wall. Ron wasn't home yet, and she hadn't been bombarded by Malfoy's assistant yet – which she hoped was just an idiotic threat. There was a crackling at her fireplace, oh mother of Merlin, she spoke too soon. The lithe form of Penelope Clearwater strode through the green flames that had just appeared in her fire place.
"Ms. Granger. Let's get started, we don't have much time."
Penelope greeting tersely, pushing her glasses back to their proper position on her thin face. She had long bags draped over her arm, which Hermione assumed were outifits that Malfoy deemed appropriate for this evening. Groaning heavily she stood up to meet the girl, annoyed that she was actually going to let this happen.
Hermione had allowed Penelope to charm her wild curls into a respectable updo, and apply make-up in a way that Hermione would never be able to achieve. Although she was grudgingly going along with the do-up, she didn't completely balk until Penelope pulled out the dress for her. Spluttering until she could find the proper words besides fuck no, Hermione glared at the item and refused to take it from the poor girl,
"I think that's a little too outlandish for this type of occasion."
Hermione finally choked out, staring at the expensive fabric like it was the most obscene thing she had seen. Penelope chuckled darkly, looking down her nose at her,
"Mr. Malfoy said that you would be prudish, but seriously Ms. Granger, this dress is very fashionable and will be of the French Minsiter's taste."
"I'm not courting the man, for Godric's sake, it's a business meeting."
Tutting lightly, Penelope pushed the material into the hesitant woman's hands,
"Try it on Ms. Granger, and if it doesn't work then we'll find something else for you."
Hermione snatched up the fabric and stomped into the bathroom reluctantly. If slipping out of her work clothes felt amazing, then sliding into the dress felt angelic. The material was incredibly smooth and weightless, which was not what she was expecting. It was a black floral lace over a nude back ground. The front was cut lower than she was accustom to, but as she turned in it she couldn't help but feel gorgeous. It fit her body perfectly, which led Hermione to assume that it had been charmed to fit whichever body it was put on. It was cut low in the rear, showing off her creamy back. It was something that Hermione would never have chosen for herself, but it fit her like a glove. Hermione glanced down at her watch, she didn't have much time to find something else. She was going to have to go with this dress, which was probably Malfoy's intention in the first place. Taking a deep breath she stormed out of the bathroom to be met by Penelope's large grin,
"Oh Ms. Granger, you look fantastic, Mr. Malfoy will be pleased."
"Why are you trying to please Malfoy?"
An annoyed and confused voice croaked from Penelope. Ron had just arrived in the fireplace from work, and was gaping at Hermione like a fish out of water. Hermione smiled thinly at her partner, planting a light kiss on his cheek,
"Work Ronald. I'm meeting a French minister tonight, and Malfoy didn't trust me not to embarrass him…thus, this."
Hermione gestured awkwardly too her dress and appearance. Ron seemed as though he couldn't gather his thought properly, which made Penelope impatient,
"Ms. Granger, we need to get to the restaurant, we need to be there before the Minister arrives."
Hermione gripped Penelope's arm and looked back at Ron with a sad smile and a light wave before the disapparated out of her house with a loud crack.
