Hint: a little snogging

*~*

"I really don't know how I feel about this color. I'm thinking we stick to the maroon, gold, and cream. I know it's very 'Gryffindor,' but I can't help that my former house colors go well with Christmas party décor."

Hermione checked a few more things off her list. It was Saturday morning and she was showing caterers and florists all over the house. She had enlarged the dining area and was checking the table settings in the ballroom. She wanted everything to be perfect. Several paid house-elves and maids ran around polishing everything in sight. Mr. And Mrs. Castleton were out by the service entrance directing the traffic of caterers, food servers, and musicians coming in and out of Stoneybrooke Manor.

Checking her watch, Hermione saw that it was ten-fifteen in the morning. She was ahead of schedule.

RRRIINNGG!

Looking irritated by the interruption, Hermione picked up her mobile.

"Hermione Granger."

"Hermione, its Draco." Frowning, Hermione walked across the foyer into her office and shut the door.

"Draco, what can I do for you?"

"Oh, well, I need to add someone last minute to the guest list this evening." Once again, Hermione frowned and picked up the parchment with the guest list on it. Her quill poised next to Draco's name, she was ready to add another one next to it.

"Who's the lucky girl then?"

Draco laughed, "It's a surprise. Just jot down 'plus one guest' next to my name on the list. Surely this shouldn't be a problem?"

"Of course not," Hermione grit her teeth as she wrote down 'plus one guest' next to Draco's. She blew on the ink to speed up the drying process and placed the parchment on her desk. "There, all done. Anything else?"

"No, that's all. Look forward to this party tonight. Have you invited anyone?"

"No, no I haven't. Seeing as I am the hostess, I would never subject someone to accompany while I mingle with my guests. It's really best for me not to bring anyone along. If that's all, I still have some work to do."

"Right," Draco hung up the phone.

'Stupid Malfoy, adding someone at the last minute! How positively rude of him! I swear, if he brings that slag Pansy to my home, I don't care if he is the CEO, I will not stand for it. Draco Malfoy is NOT going to ruin my party.'

With renewed gusto, Hermione stepped back out into the crowd of people setting up her home and began to double check every detail. She was determined to give the party of the year.

*~*

"Has anyone seen my cummerbund?" Ron ran frantically back and forth from his room to Harry's. Ginny was in the bathroom getting ready with Apexia, while Ron's date was constantly ringing him up on his mobile. Ron finally found his cummerbund and struggled to get it on.

"Damn thing serves no greater purpose but to make me look stupid. Didn't it say muggle dress was OPTIONAL? Why on earth are we wearing this rubbish when I have a perfectly nice set of dress robes in my wardrobe RIGHT NOW?"

Ginny stepped out of the loo and into the living room where her brother was throwing his temper tantrum. She calmly fixed his tuxedo and smoothed down the lapels on his tux.

"Now now, no need to whine and pout. I just thought it would be nice to get all muggled-up for tonight. And I always found muggle evening wear far more attractive than wizarding wear anyways."

Ron scowled, and then took in what his little sister was wearing. Ginny was dressed in a long burgundy gown with a v-neck that dipped dangerously low and two high slits on either side. Ron immediately grabbed a blanket from the couch and threw it over her.

"Gads! Ginny! I don't want to see all your bits and pieces! Where's your dress? You very well can't walk into that party wearing a slip."

Ginny freed herself from the offending blanket, "For your information, this IS my dress. And if you don't like it, that's really too bad big brother, because this dress cost me a fortune and I think it looks great."

"Fine, wear that THING, but don't come running to me if some bloke at this party asks you how much you charge per hour." Ron stomped off to his room and slammed the door shut. Harry stepped out and gave Ginny a questioning look.

Shaking her head, Ginny sat down on the couch, "He's just ticked off because he saw my dress. Honestly, he's got to stop treating me like im eleven years old still!"

Harry adjusted his bow tie and sat down next to Ginny. "Well, he's just being Ron. But you may want to put a staying spell on that dress, your 'bits' are falling out."

Ginny looked down and fixed her dress. "Shut up. And thank you for telling me. I'll cast something before we leave." Ginny looked at the clock on the mantel and stood up. "We better get going. You know Hermione would throw a fit if we were late."

*~*

Stoneybrooke Manor glittered with a thousand fairy lights on the bushes and the lawn. A steady stream of apparators and cars arrived at the front door. Inside, a stunning Christmas tree awaited them along with a string quartet. Swarms of servers with silver trays dispensed champagne and wine.

Hermione was busy circulating around the party, saying hello to colleagues, her parents, and many friends she had not seen in a while. She ended up by the doorway right when a stunning blond couple walked in. Hermione took a closer look and realized it was Draco. She tried not to make eye contact, but she was soon looking into his eyes with a mixture of emotions.

'So, Draco brought his guest. Well, this is going to be interesting. Can't say I'm surprised, I didn't expect his attentions on me to last long.'

Draco walked towards Hermione. "Hello. The manor looks fantastic." Hermione forced a smile.

"Thank you. And you must introduce me to your friend." Draco smiled, "Of course, Hermione, this is my cousin Nila visiting from the states. "

Hermione seemed taken aback by his introduction of his cousin, and Draco made note of it.

Smiling much broadly this time, Hermione shook the girl's hand, "A pleasure to meet you Nila, Welcome to Stoneybrooke Manor."

The petite blond smiled. "And thank you for letting me join you on such short notice."

"Well, Hermione, I want to introduce Nila to some fine, upstanding English men."

"Let me know if you find any Nila," said Hermione with a wink. She turned around and came face to face with Ginny, Ron, and Harry.

"Well? Who was that looker Malfoy had on his arm? How much did she cost?"

"Be nice Ginny, that's his COUSIN from America. She's a bit quiet but very nice. Are you all enjoying yourselves?"

Harry huffed, "Well, I know for a fact that Apexia is enjoying herself. I left in her on some pureblood's lap in the dining room."

"Yes, I believe Ron's date was in his friend's lap." Ginny snickered at the looks Harry and Ron shot her.

"Well, try and behave. Go get drunk, it will ease the pain, but don't get sick in my bushes. I place pepper-up potions all over the house. Find yourself a flask and keep it. Dinner will be ready in a moment. I'll see you in the ballroom."

*~*

Clink clink clink! Draco stood up after the last course was served and everyone in the room turned to the dais where he was seated.

"That was an excellent meal. I can't wait till the dancing. Ladies, please form a line, I do not enjoy being crowded, "He said with a smirk. Hermione rolled her eyes and pretended not to listen.

"Once again, as I've been told since this is my first Christmas Gala, Hermione here has thrown a superb event. How about a round of applause for our gracious hostess?"

The clapping was almost deafening. Hermione stood up and took a small bow before promptly sitting back down.

"I believe it's time for the real party to begin." Magically, the tables disappeared, much like they did at Hogwart's dances, and a dance floor appeared. Soon, couples paired off on the dance floor accompanied by a band playing fast paced swing tunes.

Hermione's mother and father got up. "Hermione, darling, I suggest you take a spin on the dance floor. Perhaps Mr. Malfoy here wouldn't mind?"

"Please, Mrs. Granger, call me Draco. And it would be my pleasure if Hermione would honor me with the first dance."

Hermione stood up reluctantly, glaring slightly at her mother. Draco led her from the dais to the dance floor.

The band began to play a slower melody when they approached the floor. Draco pulled Hermione close.

"You look absolutely lovely tonight Granger."

"Not so bad yourself, Malfoy."

Hermione couldn't figure out when was running through her mind at that moment. Being close to Draco seemed so taboo, but tempting. Not wanting to let her desires cloud her judgment, she pulled away.

"I really need to take a walk. And there looks to be a gaggle of eligible women eyeing you right this minute. Excuse me."

Draco watched Hermione walk out of the ballroom. He walked past the sea of people dancing and followed her out. After searching the bottom part of the house, he finally found Hermione in the atrium gazing out into the fairy lit gardens.

"I thought you were taking a walk?"

"I also thought I made it clear that I wanted to be alone?"

Draco laughed and stood beside her. "It's so stuffy in there. I just needed one place in this house that's not surrounded by people. Once the dancing starts, people clear out of the shadows of the house and move onto the dance floor." Hermione gave a small laugh and turned to Draco. "What happened to those hens watching you the whole night? I was sure they would have snatched you up by now and never let you go."

"I'm not much for small talk. And you're right; it was a bit stuffy there. Also, I couldn't well let you out here alone."

"And why is that? Afraid someone would snatch me up and pull me into a closet?"

"No, I was afraid I wouldn't get to do this." His lips touched hers so gently, it almost felt like butterfly wings. He deepened the kiss and pulled her closer. It seemed like an eternity that they stood in the atrium with a backdrop of fairy lights when Hermione finally pulled away.

Looking flustered, Hermione turned and began to walk away, "Sorry, I….I need to check on the party."

Draco watched her go, not knowing how to stop her.