Title: Firefly
Chapter 12: Roses
Author: Kitty Malfoy
A/N: Same Disclaimer as always. Love all my loyal fans out there!
Credits: The song used in this chapter is not mine and is totally credited to Utada Hikaru.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Passing through the great mahogany doors in the entryway the couple was immediately besieged by what Hermione could only assume were important and prestigious pureblood witches and wizards. Hermione dutifully took in the names that were thrown at her and tightened her grip in the crook of Draco's elbow. Draco was surprised at how well Hermione was taking her current situation. She had seemed at a loss when the first wave of people had "pounced" on them, but she had made a surprising comeback adapting and shifting her personality and demeanor to suit the occasion and the ego- centered minds of "the people" surrounding them.
Not once had Draco mentioned her name throughout the entire course of the "meet and greet". She was smart enough not to bring it up in the middle of a first impression, but she sure as hell wasn't going to become some meek and submissive slip of a girl that did whatever she was told and kept her mouth shut. Draco wasn't giving out her name for a reason and she was gonna find out EXACTLY what that reason was.
The swarms of stiff-backed snobs ebbed and Hermione allowed Draco to lead her out onto the dance floor. Her gown sashayed around her body creating the illusion that her feet weren't moving, but yet she was clearing not standing still. Hermione looked around at first, analyzing people faces. She noticed that it was only the women with masks, and that the men were easily identifiably; if she knew who they were in the first place.
Everyone stared at the couple as they moved into the center of the dance floor. Everyone stared at HER. She turned her gaze away from the faces to straight ahead of her. She stuck out her chin and walked past the people. She ignored the whispers that flew over her head; the ones that Draco didn't even seem to hear. Hermione was completely at a loss of what to do. She had never received so much attention before. Ever.
Draco smiled and nodded in the direction of certain people and was completely oblivious to the dismay of his date. He stopped only when they had reached to exact middle of the colossal, marble dance floor. He led Hermione out in front of him and pulled her close. His left hand snaked around her waist and the other clasped hers firmly but gently. Hermione laid her left hand on his shoulder and smiled at him.
On the raised marble platform set in the northeast corner of the ballroom, the player-less orchestra burst into life and began to play a sweet symphonic waltz. Hermione and Draco started off the dance waltzing in perfect harmony through the stationary dancers. More couples picked up the dance until everyone was waltzing around in circles and weaving in between the others.
Draco and Hermione melted into one as the music swept over them. They moved effortlessly and as fluidly as if they had danced together forever. The people parting around them went unnoticed by either as the entire world melted away with the flow of the music.
The song ended and they parted. Beneath the pearl and silver of her mask, Hermione's eyes were a content turquoise color. "Draco...why are they all looking at me?"
Draco swept her back into his arms as another piece of music began to play. He smirked down at her as they spun in rhythm to the music. "Could it be the sexy-ness of me?" He asked in a sarcastic tone.
Hermione rolled her eyes and scoffed at him. "I doubt it." She replied.
Draco pouted.
"Though..." She continued, "You ARE very sexy..."
"Damn straight."
They danced as perfectly as they had before, but Hermione's mind was still ticking. Her lower lip became trapped beneath her snow-white teeth and she gnawed on it nervously. "Draco-"
"The men want you. The women want to be you." Draco told her seriously.
"Excuse me?" Hermione exclaimed in bewilderment.
"Oh come on, 'Mione. What men wouldn't want you, and what woman wouldn't want to be you?" Hermione was turning red as the blush rose into her cheeks. "You're perfect Hermione." Draco whispered into her ear before planting a feathery soft kiss on her make-up free forehead. "I am far from perfect..." She said back with a light laugh in her voice.
WHEN YOU WALK AWAY YOU DON'T HEAR ME SAY,
"PLEASE, OH BABY...DON'T GO."
SIMPLE AND CLEAN IS THE WAY THAT YOU'RE MAKIN' ME FEEL TONIGHT
IT'S HARD TO LET IT GO
Draco's million dollar smile set Hermione's heart pounding wildly against her chest, though she pulled out of his grasp and stepped back. "I'm gonna go get some punch." She said beginning to make her way to the refreshment table.
"I thought we were dancing here?" Draco called out after her.
"Draco!" Hermione exclaimed with a laugh.
"Hermione!" Draco whined; in as close of a whining voice as a Malfoy was allowed.
"I'm just getting some punch." Hermione insisted with a small smile and disappeared into the throng of dancing couples.
YOU'RE GIVING ME TOO MANY THINGS LATELY, YOU'RE ALL I NEED
YOU SMILED AT ME AND SAID,
Hermione grabbed two wineglasses of sparkling punch and turned around to see Draco standing behind her. She smiled at him and handed him one of the two glasses. "Couldn't wait?" She asked, her glittered primrose lips quirking slightly. Those same lips rested on the edge of the crystal glass and she sipped her punch. Rainbows danced inside the bowled surface as the light reflected off the sparkling punch and the glitter on her lips.
Draco smirked and grabbed her free hand. "No." He pulled her towards him and kissed her. She tasted like strawberries and vanilla. Hermione ended the kiss and pulled back reluctantly.
"DON'T GET ME WRONG, I LOVE YOU
BUT DOES THAT MEAN I HAVE TO MEET YOUR FATHER?"
WHEN WE ARE OLDER YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEANT WHEN I SAID "NO."
I DON'T THINK LIFE IS QUITE THAT SIMPLE.
"Your father..."
Draco looked at her dazed, "What?"
"When am I going to meet him?"
"Who?"
"Your father!" Hermione exclaimed in exasperation. "Shouldn't I meet him?"
"No." Draco said immediately. Hermione looked up at him strangely, her eyes shifting to dark brown. She took a step back, and Draco immediately yearned for their close proximity to return.
Hermione's mind raced and she pulled her eyes away from Draco's compelling silver eyes. She fingered her wineglass softly and looked down into the small pool of red that remained at the bottom. She looked back up at him as he looked down. Pursing her lips, Hermione gathered her courage and turned on her heel and began walking towards the stairs on the west wall. When Draco looked up she was already halfway there.
WHEN YOU WALK AWAY YOU DON'T HEAR ME SAY,
"PLEASE, OH BABY...DON'T GO."
SIMPLE AND CLEAN IS THE WAY THAT YOU'RE MAKIN' ME FEEL TONIGHT
IT'S HARD TO LET IT GO
Draco went after her at a rather brisk pace; faster than a walk but not quite running. Hermione reached the top of the stairs and was immediately yanked backwards. She turned around to see Draco gripping her wrist tightly. "What are you doing?" he hissed. Hermione's brow furrowed and she straightened her skirts with her free hand. "I am going to give my regards to the host of the party."
Once again exerting the strength few knew she possessed, she slipped her wrist free of Draco's hold and continued onwards. "It would seem rude not to do so, after all." She called back over her shoulder. Hermione's soft leather shoes padded softly against the white marble that seemed to make up everything in the mansion. The cold of the marble beneath her seeped through the thin soles of her shoes and Hermione repressed a shiver.
In front of her was a slightly raised dais upon which sat a silver and emerald gilded chair. Hermione immediately recognized the dignified man that sat upon the throne-like chair. He looked as he had the first time she had meet him in her second year, save for the light hints of gray at the temples of the same platinum blond hair he had passed on to his son.
She found it hard to believe that this man, the father of her boyfriend, was the same man who had terrified her when she had first met him. She smiled at the change of view and to put on her best face. Harry had always said she looked her prettiest when she smiled. She let her arms hang gracefully at her sides as she walked forward swaying her hips just so to put on the illusion that she was gliding rather than walking. The delicate feathers on her mask tickled her face as a light breeze from an open window stirred them.
Lucius Malfoy looked up as she drew closer to the raised platform on which he rested. He surveyed her with shrouded and half-lidded eyes. He watched from the way she moved to the way she held herself. He raised his gaze slightly as Draco appeared behind her and remembered. This was the girl with which his son had danced with the entire evening. By the look on his son's face he realized the girl had come to meet him on her own and that wasn't making Draco happy in the least. Lucius smirked behind the hand that rested over his mouth and turned his scrutiny back to the young girl.
Hermione reached the bottom of the platform and with skirts in hand executed a low curtsy. Despite the fact that she held her skirts in her hands the hem still swept the tiled floor. Her chest and torso rested on her bended knee and the hair that fell over her shoulder grazed the floor as well.
Draco watched in surprise as his father looked on in amusement at Hermione's extremely low curtsy. "Master Malfoy." Hermione spoke to the floor.
"Rise child." Lucius ordered with an odd smirk on his face. He shifted in his seat a fraction of an inch in order to direct his attention towards the girl getting back to her feet in front of him.
Hermione did rise; slowly. When she was fully straightened, only then did she raise her gaze from the floor to meet the hard stare of Malfoy Sr. Her eyes, now a shadowed green that matched the emeralds on Lucius' chair pierced through Lucius like a spear. This girl was very odd indeed.
"I have come to give my respects to you Lucius, host of this wonderful party." She stated in a firm, unwavering tone.
"Such manners." Lucius commented off-handly. "I accept your respects and thank you for them."
Hermione turned to go.
"Apparently you lack some basic manners." Lucius continued causing Hermione to turn back around. "Excuse me?" Her look was one of curious confusion. "Won't you tell me your name?" he restated.
Hermione visibly relaxed but she sensed Draco tense considerably behind her. She smirked below the fringe of feathers and looked back at Lucius. He raised a finely arched eyebrow and Hermione laughed out loud. Her melodic peals of laughter echoed in the wide expanse of the mansion and then faded away into the measures of music. "A name? What value does a name hold save for a title to separate the people?"
"I asked for your name, not riddles." Lucius replied calmly.
"And again I ask, 'why my name?'" She paused and took a daring step closer. She reached upwards. Bit by bit a blood-red flower materialized in her reaching hand. She lowered her hand and held the flower against her breast.
"What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." She brought the rose to her nose and then held it out to the intrigued man. Lucius didn't hesitate. Reaching out he took the proffered flora delicately. He too held it to his nose and smirked. "Eloquently put Lady, but...your name..."
"I, by any other name, would be the same person standing before you regardless of the title I have been given by others." She paused in thought, "But if you wish it of me...I will tell you my name..."
Draco looked up sharply and his breath turned to ice.
"I wish it."
Things moved in slow motion for Draco. His feet seemed to be super- glued to the floor. No. It was more like someone had placed 'Petrificus Totalus' on him.
"Hermione."
Draco felt gravity strengthen ten-fold and it pulled at him.
"My name is Hermione Granger."
Hermione didn't break eye contact with the man even as he shot angrily to his feet. "Get out of my Court, Mudblood." He hissed at her. Hermione flinched slightly at the derogatory word to describe a witch or wizard of Muggle descent. Her always changing deep brown eyes locked onto his furious gray ones and she stared him down her arms folded neatly across her chest. She waited a moment in the tense silence for Draco to come rushing in to back her up but when he did not she took matters into her own hands. She would deal with Draco later.
"I am a Pureblood just like you. And just like you I will not stand here and listen to someone put me down in order to make themselves feel superior." She barked out.
Lucius was stunned into angry silence.
"My biological, pureblood parents were killed when I was a child. I have lived my life as one of Muggle descent until recently when the origins of my birth were revealed. I realize that this information has not become public knowledge yet. But regardless of someone's descent they should not be put through the contempt of another because they are deemed "trash". All witches and wizards are able to exist intermingled with each other. It is people like you that are so stuck in the past that won't idiotic prejudices die. I know because I am dating your son."
*************
R & R! School starts in 2 days.......yuck!
Kitty Malfoy
Chapter 12: Roses
Author: Kitty Malfoy
A/N: Same Disclaimer as always. Love all my loyal fans out there!
Credits: The song used in this chapter is not mine and is totally credited to Utada Hikaru.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Passing through the great mahogany doors in the entryway the couple was immediately besieged by what Hermione could only assume were important and prestigious pureblood witches and wizards. Hermione dutifully took in the names that were thrown at her and tightened her grip in the crook of Draco's elbow. Draco was surprised at how well Hermione was taking her current situation. She had seemed at a loss when the first wave of people had "pounced" on them, but she had made a surprising comeback adapting and shifting her personality and demeanor to suit the occasion and the ego- centered minds of "the people" surrounding them.
Not once had Draco mentioned her name throughout the entire course of the "meet and greet". She was smart enough not to bring it up in the middle of a first impression, but she sure as hell wasn't going to become some meek and submissive slip of a girl that did whatever she was told and kept her mouth shut. Draco wasn't giving out her name for a reason and she was gonna find out EXACTLY what that reason was.
The swarms of stiff-backed snobs ebbed and Hermione allowed Draco to lead her out onto the dance floor. Her gown sashayed around her body creating the illusion that her feet weren't moving, but yet she was clearing not standing still. Hermione looked around at first, analyzing people faces. She noticed that it was only the women with masks, and that the men were easily identifiably; if she knew who they were in the first place.
Everyone stared at the couple as they moved into the center of the dance floor. Everyone stared at HER. She turned her gaze away from the faces to straight ahead of her. She stuck out her chin and walked past the people. She ignored the whispers that flew over her head; the ones that Draco didn't even seem to hear. Hermione was completely at a loss of what to do. She had never received so much attention before. Ever.
Draco smiled and nodded in the direction of certain people and was completely oblivious to the dismay of his date. He stopped only when they had reached to exact middle of the colossal, marble dance floor. He led Hermione out in front of him and pulled her close. His left hand snaked around her waist and the other clasped hers firmly but gently. Hermione laid her left hand on his shoulder and smiled at him.
On the raised marble platform set in the northeast corner of the ballroom, the player-less orchestra burst into life and began to play a sweet symphonic waltz. Hermione and Draco started off the dance waltzing in perfect harmony through the stationary dancers. More couples picked up the dance until everyone was waltzing around in circles and weaving in between the others.
Draco and Hermione melted into one as the music swept over them. They moved effortlessly and as fluidly as if they had danced together forever. The people parting around them went unnoticed by either as the entire world melted away with the flow of the music.
The song ended and they parted. Beneath the pearl and silver of her mask, Hermione's eyes were a content turquoise color. "Draco...why are they all looking at me?"
Draco swept her back into his arms as another piece of music began to play. He smirked down at her as they spun in rhythm to the music. "Could it be the sexy-ness of me?" He asked in a sarcastic tone.
Hermione rolled her eyes and scoffed at him. "I doubt it." She replied.
Draco pouted.
"Though..." She continued, "You ARE very sexy..."
"Damn straight."
They danced as perfectly as they had before, but Hermione's mind was still ticking. Her lower lip became trapped beneath her snow-white teeth and she gnawed on it nervously. "Draco-"
"The men want you. The women want to be you." Draco told her seriously.
"Excuse me?" Hermione exclaimed in bewilderment.
"Oh come on, 'Mione. What men wouldn't want you, and what woman wouldn't want to be you?" Hermione was turning red as the blush rose into her cheeks. "You're perfect Hermione." Draco whispered into her ear before planting a feathery soft kiss on her make-up free forehead. "I am far from perfect..." She said back with a light laugh in her voice.
WHEN YOU WALK AWAY YOU DON'T HEAR ME SAY,
"PLEASE, OH BABY...DON'T GO."
SIMPLE AND CLEAN IS THE WAY THAT YOU'RE MAKIN' ME FEEL TONIGHT
IT'S HARD TO LET IT GO
Draco's million dollar smile set Hermione's heart pounding wildly against her chest, though she pulled out of his grasp and stepped back. "I'm gonna go get some punch." She said beginning to make her way to the refreshment table.
"I thought we were dancing here?" Draco called out after her.
"Draco!" Hermione exclaimed with a laugh.
"Hermione!" Draco whined; in as close of a whining voice as a Malfoy was allowed.
"I'm just getting some punch." Hermione insisted with a small smile and disappeared into the throng of dancing couples.
YOU'RE GIVING ME TOO MANY THINGS LATELY, YOU'RE ALL I NEED
YOU SMILED AT ME AND SAID,
Hermione grabbed two wineglasses of sparkling punch and turned around to see Draco standing behind her. She smiled at him and handed him one of the two glasses. "Couldn't wait?" She asked, her glittered primrose lips quirking slightly. Those same lips rested on the edge of the crystal glass and she sipped her punch. Rainbows danced inside the bowled surface as the light reflected off the sparkling punch and the glitter on her lips.
Draco smirked and grabbed her free hand. "No." He pulled her towards him and kissed her. She tasted like strawberries and vanilla. Hermione ended the kiss and pulled back reluctantly.
"DON'T GET ME WRONG, I LOVE YOU
BUT DOES THAT MEAN I HAVE TO MEET YOUR FATHER?"
WHEN WE ARE OLDER YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEANT WHEN I SAID "NO."
I DON'T THINK LIFE IS QUITE THAT SIMPLE.
"Your father..."
Draco looked at her dazed, "What?"
"When am I going to meet him?"
"Who?"
"Your father!" Hermione exclaimed in exasperation. "Shouldn't I meet him?"
"No." Draco said immediately. Hermione looked up at him strangely, her eyes shifting to dark brown. She took a step back, and Draco immediately yearned for their close proximity to return.
Hermione's mind raced and she pulled her eyes away from Draco's compelling silver eyes. She fingered her wineglass softly and looked down into the small pool of red that remained at the bottom. She looked back up at him as he looked down. Pursing her lips, Hermione gathered her courage and turned on her heel and began walking towards the stairs on the west wall. When Draco looked up she was already halfway there.
WHEN YOU WALK AWAY YOU DON'T HEAR ME SAY,
"PLEASE, OH BABY...DON'T GO."
SIMPLE AND CLEAN IS THE WAY THAT YOU'RE MAKIN' ME FEEL TONIGHT
IT'S HARD TO LET IT GO
Draco went after her at a rather brisk pace; faster than a walk but not quite running. Hermione reached the top of the stairs and was immediately yanked backwards. She turned around to see Draco gripping her wrist tightly. "What are you doing?" he hissed. Hermione's brow furrowed and she straightened her skirts with her free hand. "I am going to give my regards to the host of the party."
Once again exerting the strength few knew she possessed, she slipped her wrist free of Draco's hold and continued onwards. "It would seem rude not to do so, after all." She called back over her shoulder. Hermione's soft leather shoes padded softly against the white marble that seemed to make up everything in the mansion. The cold of the marble beneath her seeped through the thin soles of her shoes and Hermione repressed a shiver.
In front of her was a slightly raised dais upon which sat a silver and emerald gilded chair. Hermione immediately recognized the dignified man that sat upon the throne-like chair. He looked as he had the first time she had meet him in her second year, save for the light hints of gray at the temples of the same platinum blond hair he had passed on to his son.
She found it hard to believe that this man, the father of her boyfriend, was the same man who had terrified her when she had first met him. She smiled at the change of view and to put on her best face. Harry had always said she looked her prettiest when she smiled. She let her arms hang gracefully at her sides as she walked forward swaying her hips just so to put on the illusion that she was gliding rather than walking. The delicate feathers on her mask tickled her face as a light breeze from an open window stirred them.
Lucius Malfoy looked up as she drew closer to the raised platform on which he rested. He surveyed her with shrouded and half-lidded eyes. He watched from the way she moved to the way she held herself. He raised his gaze slightly as Draco appeared behind her and remembered. This was the girl with which his son had danced with the entire evening. By the look on his son's face he realized the girl had come to meet him on her own and that wasn't making Draco happy in the least. Lucius smirked behind the hand that rested over his mouth and turned his scrutiny back to the young girl.
Hermione reached the bottom of the platform and with skirts in hand executed a low curtsy. Despite the fact that she held her skirts in her hands the hem still swept the tiled floor. Her chest and torso rested on her bended knee and the hair that fell over her shoulder grazed the floor as well.
Draco watched in surprise as his father looked on in amusement at Hermione's extremely low curtsy. "Master Malfoy." Hermione spoke to the floor.
"Rise child." Lucius ordered with an odd smirk on his face. He shifted in his seat a fraction of an inch in order to direct his attention towards the girl getting back to her feet in front of him.
Hermione did rise; slowly. When she was fully straightened, only then did she raise her gaze from the floor to meet the hard stare of Malfoy Sr. Her eyes, now a shadowed green that matched the emeralds on Lucius' chair pierced through Lucius like a spear. This girl was very odd indeed.
"I have come to give my respects to you Lucius, host of this wonderful party." She stated in a firm, unwavering tone.
"Such manners." Lucius commented off-handly. "I accept your respects and thank you for them."
Hermione turned to go.
"Apparently you lack some basic manners." Lucius continued causing Hermione to turn back around. "Excuse me?" Her look was one of curious confusion. "Won't you tell me your name?" he restated.
Hermione visibly relaxed but she sensed Draco tense considerably behind her. She smirked below the fringe of feathers and looked back at Lucius. He raised a finely arched eyebrow and Hermione laughed out loud. Her melodic peals of laughter echoed in the wide expanse of the mansion and then faded away into the measures of music. "A name? What value does a name hold save for a title to separate the people?"
"I asked for your name, not riddles." Lucius replied calmly.
"And again I ask, 'why my name?'" She paused and took a daring step closer. She reached upwards. Bit by bit a blood-red flower materialized in her reaching hand. She lowered her hand and held the flower against her breast.
"What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." She brought the rose to her nose and then held it out to the intrigued man. Lucius didn't hesitate. Reaching out he took the proffered flora delicately. He too held it to his nose and smirked. "Eloquently put Lady, but...your name..."
"I, by any other name, would be the same person standing before you regardless of the title I have been given by others." She paused in thought, "But if you wish it of me...I will tell you my name..."
Draco looked up sharply and his breath turned to ice.
"I wish it."
Things moved in slow motion for Draco. His feet seemed to be super- glued to the floor. No. It was more like someone had placed 'Petrificus Totalus' on him.
"Hermione."
Draco felt gravity strengthen ten-fold and it pulled at him.
"My name is Hermione Granger."
Hermione didn't break eye contact with the man even as he shot angrily to his feet. "Get out of my Court, Mudblood." He hissed at her. Hermione flinched slightly at the derogatory word to describe a witch or wizard of Muggle descent. Her always changing deep brown eyes locked onto his furious gray ones and she stared him down her arms folded neatly across her chest. She waited a moment in the tense silence for Draco to come rushing in to back her up but when he did not she took matters into her own hands. She would deal with Draco later.
"I am a Pureblood just like you. And just like you I will not stand here and listen to someone put me down in order to make themselves feel superior." She barked out.
Lucius was stunned into angry silence.
"My biological, pureblood parents were killed when I was a child. I have lived my life as one of Muggle descent until recently when the origins of my birth were revealed. I realize that this information has not become public knowledge yet. But regardless of someone's descent they should not be put through the contempt of another because they are deemed "trash". All witches and wizards are able to exist intermingled with each other. It is people like you that are so stuck in the past that won't idiotic prejudices die. I know because I am dating your son."
*************
R & R! School starts in 2 days.......yuck!
Kitty Malfoy
