Mr. and Mrs. Madni Patil

And Mr. and Mrs. Ewan Finnigan

Cordially Invite You to the

Wedding of

Their Children,

Parvati Patil and Seamus Finnigan

February 14th

SAINT-ETIENNE DU MONT

Paris, France

Six-Thirty P.M.

Reception to follow at the

L'Hôtel de Plaza Riche Dégoûtant

Special Accommodations will be made for Muggle Guests. Please indicate number of Muggles attending on the RSVP Card

Please Respond by January 31st

Black Tie Dress/ Formal Robes

*~*

"Can you believe this?! The Patil's actually managed to get the French Ministry of Magic to let them hold the wedding in the Saint-Etienne Du Mont! Well, I suppose she wants it to be as grand as possible, the news will be all over this! And why on earth would she want to get married in a muggle church?"

Hermione looked at the invitation that Draco handed to her. It was a Saturday morning and they were both having breakfast in downtown London.

"Well, you know, it was historically a wizarding school site, before they decided to have a hidden location to build Beauxbaxton's. The Ministry made the muggles in France think that they wanted to build a grand church there, so they did. However, under the church the ministry still has several offices underground. So it really isn't much of a surprise that they are letting her hold the service there. I mean, they can easily put up several charms tha-"

"Stop it! Please, I was really just making a statement out loud. Well, are we going to RSVP to this soiree or what?"

Hermione took out a quill and began to scribble down her name. "Well, I'm going."

"You're my bloody girlfriend; you could at least ask me to go with you!"

"You got your own invitation, RSVP for yourself! I'm not your mum!"

"Well, that's a good thing, because my mother would never spout out historical information about a stupid muggle church in the middle of Paris when all I wan-"

"Tsk tsk, lover's spat? Should I come back later?"

Draco and Hermione turned and saw Ginny Weasley standing at the doorway. She walked over and sat down next to Hermione eyeing the invitation in her hand.

"Ah, the wonderful Patil-Finnigan Wedding. I don't suppose you two are quarrelling over who gets to be photographed the best at this get together?"

Ginny had come around slightly over the last few weeks over Hermione and Draco's relationship, but she still had a bitter taste in her mouth whenever she thought about it.

"Ginny, please don't start. I was just telling Draco that there's not reason that we RSVP together for the event since we were each sent and invitation. I mean, we are expected to attend together of course."

"Well, you're so bloody stubborn about it! I know you're on this independent kick over this relationship, but you could at least acknowledge every once in a while that you're with me. Is that so hard?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as she sealed her RSVP card and placed it on the table. "Look, I don't think it's necessary that we gallivant around town acting like love-sick puppies."

Scowling, Draco filled his card out and sealed it as well. "What is she doing here anyways? I thought you and I were having breakfast together?"


"Ginny is here because we are planning on looking for something to wear to the wedding. And seeing as it's past ten o' clock, breakfast is over. I'll ring you later." Hermione got up and placed a chaste kiss on Draco's cheek. "I promise, we'll get together this evening and have a nice dinner, just the two of us."

Draco watched as the two women disappeared into the crowded streets.

'Ha! Here I am acting like a stupid boyfriend, and she can't even make the least bit of an effort to act like she's with me. This plan is not going where I need it to go.'

He paid the check and headed back to his flat to think.

*~*

Hermione and Ginny spent most of the morning and afternoon trying on gowns and robes. Exhausted after the ninth store visit, they decided to apparate to Ginny's flat for some tea.

"You know," Ginny said as she and Hermione settled down in her small living room, "I was sure that this relationship would fizzle quickly. I mean, you two don't even act as if you're dating at all! I mean, have you even slept together?"

Hermione choked on her tea upon hearing Ginny's question. "Really, Ginny, I don't think that's what makes a relationship at all, but to answer your question, no, we have not slept together in the four weeks we've been dating."

"Well, I don't think of him as much of a human being, but he is a looker, it's a shame to waste all that. Might as well take a gander at it. Perhaps Paris will get you in the mood."

"What are you trying to say? That im frigid or prude?" Hermione took a sip of her tea, glaring over the rim at her friend.

"No, "said Ginny, " I think you're scared because despite appearances, you really like him, don't you, and you're afraid that someone might actually break that cold exterior of yours Hermione."

Hermione said nothing as she finished her tea, thinking once again on one of Ginny Weasley's observations.

*~*

The apparation went quickly and Hermione and Draco were being checked into the L'Hôtel de Plaza Riche Dégoûtant.

The bellhop had already taken their luggage up to their suite. Hermione and Draco apparated from the lobby into their magnificent quite at the hotel. Upon entering, Hermione was rendered breathless at the sight. Elegant Damask curtains opened up to a fantastic view of the Seine River. The lights of Paris danced wildly outside their rooftop terrace. Elegant Louis XIV furniture covered the sitting room. A pair of French doors opened into a luxurious master bedroom….with only one bed. Hermione glanced nervously at the sleeping arrangements and quickly turned towards Draco who looked a bit flustered himself. The weeks leading up to the wedding were not exactly romantic ones for the two of them. It was almost as if they were being cordial to one another rather than loving. They had only exchanged a few heated kisses, some petting, mostly things they had done when they were teenagers.

"Uh, well, I can always take the sleeper sofa. I heard it's pretty comfortable. Or we can transfigure the sitting room into a second bedroom easily."

Hermione was silent for a moment. Her thoughts drifted back tot the conversation she had with Ginny the day they went to look for dresses. Mustering up a bit of courage, she slipped her arm around Draco's waist and kissed him on the cheek.

"Nonsense, we're adults, I'm sure we can handle sleeping in the same bed." Hermione pulled away from Draco, then turned around and kissed him more passionately than she had in weeks. Draco looked confused and delighted at the same time when they finally broke the kiss.

"I have no idea what has gotten into you."

"I think it's being in Paris." Hermione smiled and began to unpack their luggage. Draco went to the sitting room to raid the bar when he heard a knock at the door. He found Harry and Ron grinning at him when he opened it.

"I see you two got the honeymoon suite as well. Let's just hope when you two get hitched, you'll do it closer to home, or at least someplace that doesn't require me to use a language translation charm." Ron stepped into the suite, followed by Harry, both giving a low whistle of appreciation for the magnificent quarters. Draco shut the door behind them, flustered at the thought of Hermione's best friends talking about him marrying her.

'I can't get the woman to let me cop a feel, much less sleep with me. I highly doubt it will take a marriage to repair my social status…but sometimes….drastic times call for drastic measures…..' Draco walked into the sitting room to find Harry and Ron looking at the view. The men suddenly heard some rustling behind them. Harry turned to see Hermione walk into the room wearing only her dressing robe.

"Well, looks like you two christened the suite already," he said with a wink. Draco and Hermione blushed at the thought.

"Be quiet Harry, we just got in and I was in the process of changing for dinner. How was the apparation?"

"Dreadful," said Ron. "I almost splinched myself. Then I end up somewhere near the catacombs surrounded my muggle tourists. The ministry was on that situation faster that I could have said 'obliviate.' Oh, and I muddled up my French a bit. Ended up asking where a brothel was instead of the bathroom. Earned me good strings of French curse words to use in the future, a hearty slap too."

A round of laughter echoed around the room as the group gathered together in the sitting room sipping on cocktails that magically mixed themselves according to the person's personal taste. The four friends missed dinner completely, and ended up discussing the wedding taking place tomorrow and how great it would be to see so many old school chums.

Hermione was sipping on her third Black Cauldron martini when she began to feel the effects of the alcohol. She staggered up and feigned a yawn. "Well, I'm all worn out. You boys won't be here too long will you? I need to get some rest for tomorrow." As she said this, she gave Draco a look that he was all too familiar with.

Unfortunately, Harry and Ron caught it as well. "Well, seeing as Hermione is all worn out," said Harry, trying to contain himself, he wanted to laugh so hard at Hermione's attempt at coyness, "I suppose I should get some rest. We'll all get plenty drunk tomorrow I'm sure." Ron and Harry bid their good byes and within seconds, they were out the door, leaving Draco and Hermione alone.

Hermione sauntered over to Draco, stumbling a bit on the way. She was never much of a drinker.

When she was right in front of him, she took his glass of wine and placed it on the side table. Then she stepped back.

"I know I've acted as if this was really nothing more to me than some sort of fling, but I do like you Draco. Perhaps I haven't said that enough. I am not really good at expressing myself emotionally, I suppose I lack practice. Well, perhaps this might say it all for me." In very un-Hermione-like fashion, Hermione slowly slid her robe of her shoulders, inching the silk fabric off so slowly that Draco didn't know whether to stop her strip show, or let her continue to tease him. Before he knew it, Hermione stood before him in all her glory and Draco was stunned. Under her professional exterior was a woman so insecure and unsure of just how amazing she was. Without letting another moment pass, Draco stepped forward and took Hermione into his arms.

As the night lingered on, Hermione finally let herself go. And when she finally drifted off to sleep, she felt confident with the promise of tomorrow.

******

Still blocked somewhat, let me know if it's somewhat worn off. This chapter is a big turning point in their relationship. Trust me. Now it gets …… tricky.

*

L'Hôtel de Plaza Riche Dégoûtant- EXNGLISH TRANSLATION is "The Filthy Rich Plaza Hotel"