Narcissa opened the large ornate wooden door, allowing two blonde haired (go figure) people to walk in.
'Ahh, Cheryl! Good to see you, and you too, Beau.' Narcissa cried happily.
Draco looked at Hermione and sighed helplessly. He then leaned over to whisper to her.
'Cheryl Malfoy, my aunt and Beau Malfoy, her son…an intolerable twit whom I've loathed since I learned to talk.'
Hermione immediately became more nervous than she already was. If Draco Malfoy didn't like another Malfoy, he must be really bad.
Narcissa led Cheryl and Beau to Draco and Hermione.
'Draco, aren't you shooting up to the size of a green bean!' Cheryl exclaimed, 'And a handsome one at that!'
'Uh, thanks Aunt Cheryl.' Draco shrugged, receiving an unwanted hug and kiss on the cheek. 'Aunt Cheryl, this is my fiancée, Hermione Granger.'
'Mmm…Grangers? I'm afraid I haven't heard of them.' Cheryl commented.
Beau then shoved his way to the front of the group, near Hermione.
'Ahh…bonjour mademoiselle.' Beau said with a handsome smile.
Draco was immediately taken aback.
'Beau, this is my fiancée, Hermione.'
'Yes…you said that.' Beau said snidely.
Hermione looked up at Draco defensively, then the doorbell chimed again.
Narcissa ran over to the door and opened it.
'Ahh, Bella!'
Hermione looked past the people in front of her and saw Bellatrix Lestrange. Hermione gasped and tugged on Draco's arm.
'Draco, could I speak to you for a moment?'
Draco nodded and they went into the ballroom and he closed the doors.
'Hermione, I'm sorry about Beau. He's such an ass.' Draco told her.
'Bella Lestrange is here.' Hermione said.
'Yes, well she is my mother's sister.' Draco told her.
Hermione's eyes began to tear-up.
'Draco, she killed Sirius. Why isn't she in Azkaban? All the death eaters went to prison after Harry killed Voldemort.'
'Maybe she wasn't with Voldemort at that time. Are you going to be okay?'
'I don't know…she killed Sirius…'
'I'm sorry about her, and I'm sorry you had to go through all that, but she's my aunt and I can't do anything about it right now…and neither can you. Please just fake a happy face and stay by my side tonight?'
Hermione nodded.
'Thank you,' he told her as he kissed her cheek. 'Now come on, let's go back and greet my demented family.'
An hour later, about one hundred Malfoy's and Black's were in the ballroom of the Malfoy Manor eating and conversing. Hermione did not move from Draco's side, even as she looked scrutinizingly for Nymphadora Tonks.
She now watched Draco talk endlessly to a long, dark haired man. Draco called him Uncle Jack, even through he was introduced to Hermione as Draco's godfather. The two talked about school, quidditch, and what Draco wanted to do now that he was out of school.
'So, Draco,' Uncle Jack began, 'you introduced this lovely creature to me as your fiancée, did you not? When do you plan on marrying her?'
Draco gulped nervously and Hermione finally stopped looking for Tonks and began paying attention to Uncle Jack.
'Actually, mother wants us to marry this summer, but Hermione and I would like to wait until next spring.'
'Then do what you want, boy! You're an adult.' Jack said. Then he turned to Hermione, 'And you, Miss Granger, when do you want to marry Draco…and why?' He said laughing at his joke towards Draco.
Draco smirked at Uncle Jack as Hermione laughed.
'I think spring would be a nice time to marry him. And as to why- I love Draco and he loves me and I think we're a good balance for each other. We're always at each other's throats but in the end we find ourselves somehow back together, even closer than before.' Hermione told him truthfully.
'Well, Draco, looks like you finally found someone.' Jack said smacking him on the back.
Soft music magically began to play from a pianist-less piano.
Jack stared at Draco, as some people began to move to the dance floor.
'What are you staring at, Uncle Jack?' Draco asked.
'If you don't ask your beautiful fiancée to dance, I will.' Jack told him playfully.
Hermione blushed.
Draco extended a hand as he turned to Hermione.
'Shall we dance?' He asked her.
'I think that would be lovely.' She told him, 'Thank you.'
Draco led Hermione onto the dance floor. Many watched the young couple dance slowly and whispered around of course.
'Draco looks like Narcissa doesn't he?'
'Yes, acts more like her, too. He doesn't have the angst Lucius had.'
'Lucius was a great man. A shame he died.'
'Lucius was getting to brash for his own good.'
'Draco will meet the same sticky end.'
'No, I heard that fiancée of his is a Granger, isn't she? She's a muggle-born. She'll keep young Draco grounded.'
'She's a mudblood, Jack?'
'Oui, she is.'
'Oh my god…how does Narcissa put up with her?'
(A/N: If you couldn't tell that was an anti-muggle family member arguing with Uncle Jack.)
Hermione's arms were wrapped around Draco's neck, while his hands rested low on the small of her back, holding her close.
'I like your godfather. Uncle Jack.' Hermione said with a smile, 'So far he's the only one who has really seemed to accept me, accept for Beau of course.'
Draco rolled his eyes.
'Beau.' He scoffed. Then his face changed into a grin. 'Yes, Uncle Jack is great. I rarely saw him these past years because father hated him. Uncle Jack wasn't a Malfoy and he isn't a Black.'
'Then how does your family know him?'
'Actually, he was a childhood friend of my mother's.'
'Really? When did they meet?'
'They grew up together, neighbors and such. My father always thought that Uncle Jack loved my mother, a little too much if you catch my drift.' Draco said with a wink.
Hermione laughed thoughtfully to herself.
'What are you laughing for?' Draco asked, 'What are you grinning about!'
'I don't know…Uncle Jack, he's just a great guy from what I've seen. I was just thinking how you would have turned out if he were your father instead of Lucius.'
Draco laughed.
'I'd probably be a little less disturbed.'
'That's most definitely true.'
Hermione looked around at all the people. They were all staring at her and Draco.
'Draco, everyone is staring at us. What is it about us? At Hogwarts everyone stares and us and I your own home everyone does. Do we look that awkward together?'
'No. They're jealous at school because they can't be as gorgeous as we are and here they are jealous they can't be as young as we are…or as gorgeous.' He said with a wink.
Hermione grinned.
'Yeah right, Draco. You're family members are gorgeous.'
'They are?'
'Well, yes. You are handsome, of course, and your mother is simply beautiful. Beau is attractive,' Draco cringed and Hermione continued, 'Your grandmother, I can tell was pretty when she was young, your father, even though he was evil, was a good-looking older man…if he ever would have smiled, Uncle Jack has a messy, yet debonair attractiveness to him…even if he isn't blood-related, and Tonks…where ever she is, is pretty also.'
'She can change to what ever appearance she wants, of course she's pretty.'
'You know what I mean, her natural look is also pretty.'
'I always thought she was kind of weird.'
'Is that what your mother taught you?'
'Yeah…she isn't too fond of Nymphadora.'
'Will she be here?'
'No, she isn't invited actually. Besides she is in Romania.'
'Why?'
'I guess her and one of the Weasel's were good friends so she's visiting him.'
'Oh Charlie! Oh that's great.'
'Yes…Charlie.' Draco said apprehensively.
'Draco…you are horrible. The Weasley's are like your second cousins and you don't even know their names?'
Draco narrowed his eyes at Hermione for a bit.
'How did you know that?' He asked.
'You're cousin is Tonks, whom is cousin to Sirius, whom is cousin to Mrs. Weasley. Therefore you are like third cousin to Ron.' She said with a grin.
'We don't talk about that.' He snapped.
She shrugged.
After a few pauses Draco spoke suddenly.
'Did you say you found my father attractive?' He asked incredulously.
Hermione shrugged.
'Well you do have some of his features so of course I'm going to think he is some what.'
'True, true.'
Another song played and they decided to stay and dance, because they didn't want to be bombarded by the old adults. This time Draco put one hand around her waist, and took her right hand in his left. They began to waltz around the room, in-between other dancing couples.
'You're a fabulous dancer, Draco.'
'Yes, that's what childhood ballroom dance lessons give you.'
She giggled.
'I can totally see your mother making you do something like that. What else were you in?'
'Let's just say I also know how to play the piano.'
'Really? Will you play something for me?'
'In front of all these people? Hell no! They'll want me to play all the time then. My mother doesn't even remember I can play and let's keep it that way.'
Hermione frowned sadly.
'Please, Draco…just one song. Dedicate me a pretty song.'
Draco sighed.
'No, I'm sorry love but no.'
Hermione grinned and stopped dancing. He stopped and stared at her. She went on her tip-toes and whispered in his ear.
'If you play me a song…I'll stay the night instead of going home after the ball…'
'So?'
'Fine. I'll just go home after the gala then.'
'Can we play slave?' Draco asked with a lustful smirk.
'Will you play me a long, pretty song?'
Draco nodded.
'Most definitely.'
'Right now?'
'Yes.'
'Then we can play slave.' She said.
'All right I'll play.' He acquiesced.
Draco took Hermione's hand as he walked over to the piano.
He waved a hand over it and it stopped playing magically.
Everyone turned to look at Draco when the music stopped.
'Draco, why did you stop the music?' Narcissa asked, pausing from a conversation with Uncle Jack and Bella.
'I'm going to play.' He said.
'What?' Narcissa asked,' You haven't played since you were little.'
'I still remember. I play once in awhile.' He said.
'Well, if you wish, Draco.' Narcissa replied, 'What will you play?'
'I'm playing for Hermione.' Draco announced, 'I'm playing "Angel of Music" from The Phantom of the Opera.'
Many began to talk amongst themselves. They were all part of the aristocratic class of people so they were all very familiar with The Phantom of the Opera, even if it was a muggle theater play…but they still went to these aristocratic theaters to watch it.
Draco led Hermione to his side, and she stood there as he sat down and situated himself in front of the keys. He looked up at her and she winked at him. He then remembered how the night will end…slave. And he placed his long, slender fingers on the white ivories. Draco began to play.
After a few seconds of flawless playing, Draco's family members all began to smile and take seats to hear him play.
Hermione was shocked and pleasantly surprised. Draco was playing the difficult "Angel of Music" perfectly. Every key, every sharp, every flat was perfect. His fingers moves gracefully along the keys, forte in needed spots, pianissimo in others.
After a few minutes, Draco made his finale end to the song and paused in the seat. An eruption of applause and compliments filled the room. Draco looked up at Hermione. Her arms were folded over each other, and she was rubbing the goosebumps from her arms.
'That was beautiful, Draco.' She stated softly with a huge grin.
'Thanks.'
Narcissa's heeled shoes were heard running toward Draco from the other side of the room.
'Draco! Oh my son, that was magnificent, darling! Why don't you play for me every night!'
'I like playing for myself…I feel stupid playing for others.'
'Oh, why?' Bella asked, 'You were superb!'
'Yes, fabulous!' Cheryl exclaimed.
'It was awfully good, Draco.' Uncle Jack spoke up.
'Thanks everyone.' Draco said standing up.
'No, darling, play again.' Narcissa pleaded.
'No, mother, I promised Hermione ONE song. And ONE song is all I will play.' Draco told her.
'I cannot believe after eight years I haven't heard you play once, and now you play and you are a regular Mozart!' Narcissa said loudly.
'Well, thanks.'
'All right, since my wonderfully talented son will not delight us with his magnum opus any longer, shall we go to the dining hall where desserts and wines are served?' Narcissa asked.
Everyone mumbled happily to them selves and left to the next room. Draco was following them out, but then Hermione reached for his arm and held him back.
'Don't you want some dessert and wine?' He asked.
'Yes, but I just wanted to tell you privately how marvelous that song was.' She said with a smile, 'I was very impressed. It was amazing how flawlessly you performed.'
'You thought that performance was flawless?' He asked. 'Wait until tonight…'
A/N: Just in case some of you have a certain thought about Uncle Jack and Draco running through your heads, i'll clear the question up for you...NO Jack is not Draco's REAL father. Lucius Malfoy IS. So don't get any ideas! Hehe REVIEW PLEASE AND THANKS!