"This dress is absolutely ridiculous, Theodore!" Hermione screeched.
"You are absolutely ridiculous." He laughed. "You look like every wizard's wet dream."
The red gown clung to her body like water, hugging every curve. Hermione cringed at the neckline that dipped almost to her navel. She huffed at her friend, grabbing the train and grabbing the next option to try on.
"So, what are you wearing to the gala?" She yelled through the door.
"We've had this conversation, Hermione." Theo grumbled. "I won't be attending."
"You're right. We've had this conversation and I told you that you were being an idiot. Which you are."
He scoffed. "And you're any better? Draco still thinks you're not going, as you stand here trying on gowns."
She stomped back out to him in a new dress. His eyes widened at her, but she ignored his reaction. "Do you want to be with Harry? Or is this some kind of fling for you?"
"What? No way! How could you even say that? Harry is one of a kind. He's the kind of person that everyone hopes to find. It doesn't mean anything that I don't want to go to some barmy Ministry gala." Theo snapped.
"Look, I'm not telling you that you need to go to the gala. But Harry needs some sort of sign that this is serious to you." Hermione said softly. "Harry loves with his entire heart, Theo. But he's had a lifetime of not receiving any love back. Just let him know, okay. He doesn't need some grand gesture like the gala. He just needs to know that you're in the relationship as much as he is."
Theo slumped into a chair, running a hand through his curls. "Okay, fine. It's not that I don't want to go. Do you think I haven't thought about it? Going to galas and quidditch games and such with him? Of course I have. But they will tear him apart. I'm a Nott. They won't understand."
"So you face that together, Theo. And besides, I'm pretty sure that the savior of the wizarding world will overshadow the fact that your father was a death eater."
"Hermione Granger, you're a menace." He sighed. "That's the dress by the way. Everyone's eyes will be on you."
She glanced down to the blue gown she was wearing. It was a sapphire one shoulder dress with a slit all the way to her hip. It was stunning. Sequins adorned the bodice and the train flowed behind her elegantly. He was right. This was the dress.
She nodded in agreement, deciding to let Theo off the hook and redirect the conversation. However the floo sounded before she could speak. Hermione saw a flash of blonde before Theo shoved her in the bedroom and shut the door.
"Draco!" Theo greeted. "I wasn't expecting you to be here."
"I basically live here. And I'd say the same but honestly at this point I'm pretty sure you actually live here." Draco grumbled. "Where's Mi?"
Theo leaned up against the door and shrugged. "I'm pretty sure she's letting Emilia and Ori out."
Draco paused, raising a brow. "Interesting. Emilia and Ori? Who are laying right over there? Theodore…"
"Well, I really must be off. I have much to do. I promised Willy that I'd stop by. See ya, mate!"
Theo was off through the floo just as Hermione came out of the bedroom.
"Draco, hey! I was wondering when you'd be back." She smiled.
"Uh huh. So, we're going to ignore the gowns strewn all over the place?" He asked.
She cringed slightly. "No, I suppose not."
"Is this about the gala? I told you that I don't want to go put on some show." He said softly.
"It's not about putting on a show." She said quickly. "I know what I said last week with your mum, but that's not why I wanted to go. I think it will obviously help but that's just a benefit not the purpose."
"What's the purpose then?" He asked.
She motioned between the two of them. "Us. We're the reason. When I came out here I didn't think I'd be going back to London anytime soon, then you came around. And now the thought of going to a ministry event on your arm? Showing everyone that you're mine and I'm yours? I want to do it."
Draco tried to keep his face blank but she saw the smile quirking at his lips. He was too easy to read. "Well it definitely does sound more appealing when you put it like that."
"Not only that, but I guess I want to prove everyone wrong. I know that it shouldn't matter but I want to show everyone that I'm proud to be your witch and that we're serious."
"Going public like this, it's not just outing the relationship. It's a serious step in wizarding culture, especially at an event like a ministry gala." He started.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm aware. We have been studying wizarding culture for a while now."
"As long as you know. No need to get snarky." He chuckled. "I guess we're going back to London in a week."
"You'll have to get a tux." She pointed out.
He shook his head. "I've been living as a muggle for a while now but I will take robes over a tux any day. Let me know what color you're wearing and I'll get something that matches."
The night of the gala was on them before they knew it. Narcissa insisted on coming over to help Hemrione get ready, along with Pansy and Luna. The girls primped and prepped with Narcissa flitting between them and fussing.
"This is so exciting!" Luna beamed. "I've never been to a gala before."
"They're awfully boring." Pansy replied.
Luna shrugged. "It's nice to have an excuse to get all dressed up. I feel like a princess."
"Hermione, dear, don't put your hair up. Keep some of your curls down. It'd be a shame to hide them." Narcissa instructed.
"To be honest, I don't really know what to do with this mess." Hermione admitted. "It's completely unmanageable."
Narcissa clicked her tongue and grabbed her wand. The older witch walked her through different incantations and Hermione watched as her curls were smoothed and defined. Narcissa scooped her hair up and tied it in an intricate half updo.
"It's lovely!" Hermione gushed. "I'll have to remember those spells."
"It's just missing one thing." Narcissa said, pulling out a black velvet box from her robes.
The younger witch took the box hesitantly. Inside was the most beautiful hair pin she had ever seen. It was goblin made, no doubt. A sleek dragon stared up at her with sapphire eyes. Light reflecting on the scales made the dragon look like it was really moving.
Luna ran her finger down the dragons back. "It's so beautiful. It suits you."
"My mother gave that to me when Draco was born." Narcissa said. "Of course the gems were changed to suit you."
"Oh I can't possibly take this…"
"Yes, you can. For many reasons. Mostly because it is a gift and it's impolite to decline a gift. And I want you to have it."
She didn't wait for Hermione to answer. She took the pin and settled it in the delicate knot at the back of Hermione's head.
"It's perfect." Pansy said. "Draco's going to love it. You know he can't get enough bloody dragons."
"Thank you." Hermione smiled. "It really is beautiful."
The matriarch ushered them out of the room. "Go now, you don't want to be late. You all look stunning. Do try to have fun."
"Mother, there's no rush-" Draco started.
He stood in the living room with Neville, Harry, and Blaise. Whatever he was going to say was forgotten. Hermione was all he saw. He shook his head and smiled, taking a step to her.
"I knew you were going to look lovely, but bloody hell look at you."
Narcissa scoffed. "Please Draco, that's the best you can do?"
Draco sighed. "Sorry mother. Mi- the moon and stars have nothing on you, my love. You are heavenly."
She fought back a laugh as he extended his arm to her. "Thank you, Draco. You really look dashing tonight. Divine, even."
"Okay if you two are done with the foreplay, the rest of us are ready to leave." Blaise said.
The group of friends arrived at the apparition point together. They were preparing to make their entrance when Blaise stopped them.
"We're waiting on someone." He said.
"Oh, are we finally going to meet your mystery witch?" Pansy asked.
Draco tensed as someone walked up to greet them. Hermione followed his eyes to see Daphne and Astoria Greengrass. The two witches were bickering amongst themselves as they approached the group.
"Enough, Astoria. Just leave." They heard Daphne whisper.
The younger sister huffed and stormed off.
"Everything okay, Daph?" Blaise asked.
"Of course. It's fine. I'm so sorry that I'm late."
Blaise simply smiled and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Don't think on it. Now, everyone, I'm sure you remember Daphne Greengrass?"
"It's so nice to see all of you." She said sweetly. "I hope I'm not intruding."
Hermione smiled, shaking her head. "Of course you're not intruding, don't be silly. We're thrilled to finally meet the witch that Blaise has been gushing over."
"Honestly, I have no idea how I didn't put the pieces together sooner." Pansy said. "Blaise has been enamored with you since second year."
"Why don't we head in?" Neville interrupted. "The crowd is thinning. It'll be the perfect time for Hermione and Malfoy to make an entrance."
He guided Pansy away and the group made their way to the event. Pansy, being the socialite that she was, planned the entrance out to make the biggest impact. Blaise and Daphne entered first, gliding down the stairs into the ball room with Neville and Pansy right behind them. Luna followed, but to everyone's surprise greeted a very attractive wizard at the bottom of the steps. Rolf Scamander placed a delicate kiss on her cheek and the pair joined the others by the bar.
Harry Potter was next to arrive and camera flashes went wild. Hermione recognized his fake smile that he plastered on specifically for events like this. He was only here to support Hermione and Draco. And Hermione knew that he was still hurt that Theo didn't come with him. But The Boy Who Lived put on a show, waving to people and shaking hands as he joined their group. Draco squeezed her hand, it was their turn. Draco guided her with a hand on her lower back to the top of the stairs. The room was silent.
"Wait, Draco…" She whispered, glancing around at all the eyes on them. "My shoe came unhooked."
"I'll get it, love. Let's give them something to talk about, shall we?" He asked.
He kneeled beside her and delicately clasped the strap on her shoe, sending her a wink. She bit back a giggle as he slowly slid his hand up her calf and sweetly kissed her knee. Cameras were flashing and whispers filled the room. As Draco stood, he held his arm out for her and together they descended the stairs to join their friends.
"Well, that certainly was an entrance." Harry laughed.
"You're welcome." Pansy smiled wickedly. "I'm just glad I hit your shoe and not your dress."
Hermione wanted to be surprised but it was Pansy Parkinson. Of course she would have concocted something like this.
"You really are a genius." Neville purred. "That will be front page for a few days, at least."
Draco just laughed at his friend's antics and downed a firewhiskey that Harry pushed his way.
"Luna, are you going to introduce us to your friend?" Harry asked.
"Oh, of course!" Luna chirped. "Rold Scamander, everyone. Everyone, Rolf Scamander. Rolf didn't want to take any focus away from anyone, that's why he met me here instead of arriving together."
"I don't really come to ministry events, they are always after me trying to recruit me. It's ridiculous." The young wizard said. "But I couldn't let Luna come alone, that wouldn't be very proper."
Blaise chuckled. "You just didn't want any other wizards to see her alone and assume she was available."
Rolf shrugged airily but winked at Luna, pulling her slightly closer.
"So, what exactly is the point of this thing?" Draco asked.
"It's a fundraiser for the DRCMC actually." Harry said. "So it makes sense that Hermione would attend."
Hermione felt slightly calmed knowing that. Even when other ministry workers disregarded her after her split with Ron, her department was always warm and welcoming.
"Well Mi, let's go give galleons to the creatures. Yes?"
"Of course. Let's find the Department Head first, though. I want to see what kinds of things they're working on."
There was a commotion across the hall, stopping them.
"What's going on? This thing just started, no one can be drunk enough to start causing a scene." Pansy mused.
"Wait…is that Theodore?" Luna asked.
Harry jerked around, scanning the crowd. Theo Nott was laughing and smiling, with a drink in his hand, as he pushed his way through the crowd up to the podium.
"Good evening, everyone! I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their night. My name is Theodore Nott."
"Oh Merlin, what is he doing?" Draco whispered to Hermione.
Theo was really turning up the charm. "There are so many lovely faces here tonight. So good to see all of you. Now, I'm terribly sorry for interrupting, I just needed some help. I seemed to have lost my boyfriend in the crowd. So, if anyone sees Harry Potter please send him my way."
"A grand gesture." Hermione whispered back to Draco.
