6. 7.30 MadamMagic spa

Hermione was waiting for Draco in the hall of the expensive beauty salon, she was trying to calm down. After she rushed out of the pub she apparated back at her office and for the whole afternoon her brain had replayed infinite times the kiss and his words. She didn't know what had upset her. Could it be that she liked him?

She was called out of her thoughts by a hand on her shoulder "Hello, Hermione. Sorry, I'm a bit late but I had to stop by a shop to retrieve something for our plan." And he took out a little box from his pocket. When he opened it, she saw a beautiful gold ring with a green stone. "I decided that if we are faking to get marry you should have a ring and I mixed both colours of our houses of when we were at school."

Hermione smiled weakly "It's beautiful Draco." He was looking at her smiling "Well then put it on." She took it from the box and she put it on her finger. "It's the perfect size. I've never received a ring from a man." And then she blushed aware of what she had just said. He grinned "And believe me that I've never bought one for a woman before, either."

They both smiled again at each other, at that moment a witch came to collect Hermione for her treatments and she left with the woman. Draco was left alone in the hall, still uneasy with the way things were going between the two of them. He passed his hand in his silvery hairs and then sat on a couch to wait for Granger. It was better to be detached and think of her by surname. Merlin knew that he shouldn't think of her in any way. But he was loosing that battle very badly.

Hermione, while she was being clothed and a witch hairdresser was doing her hairs, was thinking on the same train of thoughts of Draco. Falling in love with him wasn't contemplated in their deal. She then was horrified of what she just thought. Love and Malfoy in the same phrase? She shuddered. At the end of this week she was going to avoid him, after all it was just all the time that they were spending together that made her getting this insane thoughts.

When she came back, Draco complimented her for her dress but he looked different. Something has changed between them. He had put up a wall of cold courtesy, he had to defend himself from the turmoil that she was causing him. On the other hand, Hermione didn't mind this change either, she needed a bit of distance as well. Both didn't really know how to act when it was about feelings.

When they arrived at the party, he put on a mask of affection and linked his hand with hers. She was smiling like she was the happiest person in the whole world but inside she was really upset and she prayed that that night would be over soon.

Draco introduced her to many people and finally the music started. He looked at her "Would you like to dance Hermione?" she minded a lot but she nodded anyway. He led her at the center of the room and put his hands on her waist while she put hers around his neck.

They were rally quiet because the proximity was causing both to have fast heartbeats and none of them wanted to acknowledge how much they were affected. They were interrupted by a screech "Dracoooooooo! Is that you?" He paled and when he turned his worst nightmare materialised in front of him. Pansy Parkinson. "I knew it was you and you are with GRANGER?"

Hermione seeing how uneasy was Draco she smiled coyly at her and she draped herself on Draco's arm. "Hello Pansy, I see that you didn't know about me and Draco. We have been an item for a while." Draco was smiling at Hermione's show. He had to give her credit, she was a fantastic actress.

Pansy was shocked "I thought that the picture in the newspapers were fake." Hermione smiled even more "No, it was very unfortunate that they finally found out. Me and Draco cherish our privacy a lot." The pug-faced witch looked at Draco "And what does Narcissa think?" Draco smirked "She is going to meet my fiancée tomorrow night."

"FIANCÉE? Are you planning to get marry?" He grinned wickedly "Yes, as soon as I have my mother's approval we will decide on the date." Hermione was grinning too, who would have thought that annoying Pansy would be so much fun?

Pansy regained her composure "Well then I would be happy to have both of you at my party Friday night." They both stopped smiling and he said "I don't know Pansy, I will have to see if I haven't got other plans." Pansy smirked "I'm sure that for a Parkinson party you can cancel any previous engagement. And please bring your fiancée with you." and then added maliciously "I'm sure all our friends will be glad to meet her."

Hermione understood very well which kind of people were going to that party and she didn't want to be there. But she put on a brave front and smiling said "If Draco is free, we will be happy to come." And with that she saluted Pansy and took Draco away with her.

Draco took her home and when they entered her flat, he started pacing. "I didn't foresee this Hermione. We can't go to that party." She sighed "Draco, I know that it won't be pleasant but we must go. She has sent us a clear message. It was challenging us to accept." He seemed even angrier "And you, like the brave silly Gryffindor that you are, don't want to back off."

She got angry as well "I'm not silly! Come on Draco it's only a party. I will manage it." He stopped pacing and stood in front of her "You don't understand. It's not just a party. All the older pureblood families will be there and they will shred us to pieces because you are a muggle-born witch! Hermione" he said pleading "Don't you understand that I don't want you to be hurt. They can be very cruel."

Hermione smiled "I know Draco but I believe that seven years with you have been a good training. I think they can't offend me more that you did." He seemed embarrassed "Hermione, I" but she stopped him "No, Draco don't say anything. I just wanted to point out that I will be fine. Let's go and kick their ass."

He laughed and took her in his arms "Ok, we will face them all and to hell the pureblood crap!" He then kissed her quickly on her lips and said "Goodnight Hermione. Good luck for tomorrow's interview." She couldn't say anything because he suddenly apparated away.

Hermione was surprised about Draco. She was discovering many new sides of the blond wizard and she had to admit that he was funny and witty. She really was re-evaluating her ideas of him.

And this time there was no audience to impress when he kissed her. She grinned.

AN: Thanks for reading.