A/N: Wow I am shocked at how many reviews I am getting for this story! Thankyou all for liking it!
DISCLAIMER: I Cozza only own the plot and any characters I create along the way.
Chapter Three: Looking Foolish
"Pansy, this is final! Granger will be our wedding planner and the wedding will be held the DAY AFTER!" shouted Draco, ignoring the shocked stares from the starring people around him, "If you can't accept that, then find another wedding planner claimed to be as good as her – Merlin, even your mother praised her and Granger's a bloody Mudblood!"
Pansy glared at Draco, her nostrils flaring with fury, "The 21st of September is my favourite day of the year, Draco… don't you remember why?"
"Yes, Pansy you tell me everyday of the year – how can I possibly forget – it was our first kiss in friggin forth year. But dammit Pansy, I DON'T CARE WHEN I SNOGGED YOU!"
"You are so hurtful!" sobbed Pansy before running off into the crowd.
Draco sighed and looked up at the top most window of the building behind him. He could faintly see Hermione's outline, her arms moving around in angry gestures, followed by her bringing her hands to her face in tears. He sighed and started to walk towards the robes store. As he glanced back over his shoulder for any sign of the his drama queen wife to be, he spotted Ron Weasley leaving Hermione's building, looking rather broken hearted.
Draco smirked; it gave him pleasure to see the Weasel obviously rejected… for some odd reason. Turning back around Draco walked into Madame Malkins robe shop and began hunting around for a fine set of robes for that night's engagement party at his manor, which his mother was happily planning with Pansy's mother.
"Ahhh Mr Malfoy, how lovely to see you. I heard you were engaged to the lovely Pansy Parkinson," greeted Madame Malkin smiling broadly at him, "What may I help you with?"
"I need a finely made dress robe for this evening. It's my engagement party, you see and my mother has all these guests coming."
"I see," mused Madame Malkin nodding, "You are in luck Mr Malfoy, yesterday I beautiful set of emerald green silk robes arrived from China. I'm sure they would suit you fine and bring out the vibrant colour of your eyes."
"Show me them please."
The woman ran off as Draco strolled through the rows of colourful robes, even a few muggle garments of weird looking white pieces that Draco had never seen a female or male wizard don for clothing. Yes he and every other magical human being wore the muggle garments from time to time, not as obsessively as some did, but he had never seen something like that before.
"Here we go Mr Malfoy," smiled Madame Malkin handing him a silk robe, which rippled like water as he moved it around, "Very expensive I must admit but they are worth every penny. I could only afford to buy five for the store."
Draco ran his fingers over the watery silk material; it even felt cold to touch. He looked up at the lady in front of him, "How much does this cost?"
"Five hundred and forty galleons."
"I'll take it," nodded Draco as they moved towards the counter.
Whilst Madame Malkin carefully wrapped the expensive clothing, Draco counted out the exact amount needed, unlike Muggles, wizards or witches didn't have cheques or credit cards, he'd heard of those sometime ago while walking through a muggle street.
"Here you go Mr Malfoy."
Draco took the package and slid the pile of money towards Madame Malkin; he gave a wave goodbye and once again joined the buzzing alley.
O
"Ron, whatever is the matter with you?" cried a worried Ginny as her distressed looking brother appeared in front of her and Harry in their lounge room while sharing a lovers kiss.
Ron slumped down on the opposite lounge and shook his head glumly, while looking at his runners.
"Ron, mate, are you okay? You look ready to cry," said Harry frowning in confusion. Then realization dawned on him and he swore loudly, earning a hit on the arm from Ginny, "That hurt Ginny… but please, Ron tell me you didn't go see her?"
"I did… I begged and pleaded with her… but she won't… she won't take me back!" shouted Ron standing up again as he began to pace, "I love her! I am deeply in love with her, yet she keeps denying her love for me! I saw with my own two eyed the realization of her love for me appear on her face!"
"Ron… I know this sounds cruel but perhaps she realized that she didn't love you anymore and you confirmed it for her," suggested Ginny softly, earning a swift glare from Ron, while Harry merely nodded as though he just figured that out as well.
"I think," said Harry standing up, "I should go and see how Hermione is… Ron stay here and talk to your sister."
"Harry… tell her I do love her, for me, please," said Ron in a begging tone before Harry apperated away.
"No Ron. I won't."
O
Hermione slumped down on the ground in front of her office window. Luna had come in but once she saw Hermione, she'd cancelled or transferred her appointments to another date or to another planner, stating Hermione had fallen ill with the flu and sent her sincerest apologies.
Hermione watched the blonde haired man wander through the streets, a brown package held firmly in his arms as though it had cost a lot of money, which it had, not that she knew. Outside her office she heard soft voices, then the turn of her office door handle. She looked up at her door from where she sat on the ground and saw Harry's worried face peer down at her. He shut the door behind him and rushed to her side, whispering her name as she kneeled in front of her pulling, close into a hug.
Hermione once again broke down in pitiful tears of sadness, relief and sudden realization. Harry soothingly rubbed her back, not saying anything until she eventually calmed down into silent sniffling and pulled away looking at the alley again.
"Hermione… are you okay?" asked Harry leaning against the window, his legs bent up in front of him with his arms leaning on them.
"I don't love him anymore Harry… I finally have gotten over him. I feel relived, broken hearted but I finally can move on," whispered Hermione, "I don't want him to hate me, I know things between us will never be the same, but I hope Ron and I can at least be civil to one and other."
"He reckons you still love him. He believes he saw it in your face when he was here."
"He saw my realization, Harry. My feelings for him have gone… sure it took a while but they are gone," replied Hermione in a monotone voice, "He needs to let go of the past Harry."
"I know. But he's as stubborn as you are… maybe that's why you two grew apart, not because of work… your personalities got in the way."
"So you are saying that we both have big ego's?"
Harry quickly shook his head as Hermione glared at him, her jaw clenched tight, "No, no, no! I'm just saying… some things about your personalities are similar, while others are completely different."
Hermione sighed and rested her head back on the cold window, crushing her curls, "Relationships are sometimes more work then they are worth. I know that sounds nasty, but that is exactly how I feel."
"Not all relationships are worthless Hermione. Remember that."
Just as Hermione was about to reply a midnight black owl flew in from the top open window, dropping a crème envelope into Hermione's lap below turning gracefully in the air and flying back out the window. Hermione picked up the thin envelope eyeing it with a look of confusion on her face. Harry watched her in interest, glancing at the envelope every few seconds.
"Who is it from?" asked Harry after a minute of silence.
Hermione looked up at him and shrugged her shoulders in response, before standing up to collect an envelope opener from her desk. Carefully she slit it open and pulled out a carefully folded, soft feeling paper. Glancing down at Harry, Hermione opened it and read it aloud, her eyes widening at every word.
"Dear Miss Hermione Granger,
"You are welcomingly invited to the Malfoy-Parkinson Engagement Party tonight at the Grand Malfoy Manor. You are a special guest and it would be greatly appreciated if you came.
" Guests are to arrive at 6pm and dinner shall be served in the banquet hall at 6:30pm. After that there shall be mingling among the guests. Dress is strictly formal wizard and witch attire.
" Sincerely,
"Narcissa Malfoy and Patience Parkinson."
Hermione folded the letter back up and looked at Harry helplessly letting out a deep breath, "I have no choice in the matter… I have to go."
"What? To the Malfoy's? A pureblood event… hang on back up a seconded, firstly why are you going to a Malfoy Parkinson event?"
"To make a long story short, I am Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson's wedding planner… and I have just been invited to their engagement party, as a wedding planner it is common curtsy to accept it, this way I am meant to get to know the groom and bride better, that way I am capable of working out what they would like at their wedding."
Harry stood up, his face scrunched up slightly, "Who would want to get to know Malfoy or Parkinson better?"
"Obviously me, but I don't think I will… but it is just plain crazy for them to invite… old former Death Eaters… Lucius Malfoy-"
"Don't worry about him. He's on strict probation so I doubt he will attempt anything. If they are smart enough, none of the family members will let slip you are a muggleborn witch."
"When did Lucius get probation?"
"Four months ago after he finally finished his sentence at Azkaban."
"That was a short sentence."
"Roughly six years… he only got released four years early because of all the charity crap he did. The system is so screwed up."
"Always has been… well Harry, I'd better go buy a nice dress robe for this not so splendid event."
Harry nodded and hugged Hermione goodbye before leaving her office to apperate in the main reception area. Hermione fixed up her desk before leaving earlier then normal. She apologised to Luna, who just gave her a hug and told her she needed to fix her hair up. Hermione entered the busy alley and headed for Madam Malkin's Robes shop. She pushed the door open and called a cheery hello to Madam Malkin before heading to the formal female robe rack. Slowly Hermione sifted through the robes before finding a stunning midnight blue coloured one. She headed to the dressing rooms and changed into it, finding it fitted her perfectly. The silky material moved with her body, showing a few curves to show underneath her normal muggle attire, she did posses a woman's body, but not to make her look as though she was only going to woo Draco, not that she ever dreamt of attempting that.
After changing back into her muggle clothes, Hermione walked to the counter and brought her dress robe, than headed home for a long relaxing hot bath and too listen too her latest Kelly Clarkson album.
OThe man hissed with anger and shook his head in disgust at his wife, who merely glared at him. Their son on the other hand was looking with interest, while his wife to be simply examined her nails making tutting noises every few seconds. The first man shook his head and tapped his cane on the ground. Finally he looked up.
"It is one thing Cissa to have her as a wedding planner – even I will admit she has skill. But it is another for you and Patience to invite her to the engagement party. Do you know what could happen if the guests figured out who she what she was and who is her bestfriend?"
Narcissa sighed in annoyance, "Oh Lucius, who will notice her? If we must I will keep her at my side all night, although I do not wish to converse with her."
"Than why, mother, did you invite Granger for?" spoke up Draco lazily.
"Pansy's mother is obsessed with her because of all the big weddings she has done."
Lucius muttered something sounding oddly like, "Women and weddings." He looked up at his son, who rolled his eyes in agreement, "Very well. Narcissa keep her by your side all night. Perhaps she shall become bored enough and leave early."
"We can only hope," muttered Pansy angrily before speaking up, "Granger is a mudblood gifted with a few looks."
"Looks? What looks could she possibly have?" snapped Lucius.
"Curls, brown eyes and a smile. Plus a slim body."
"Tonight is going to be a diaster."
O
Hermione cocked her head to the side. She actually looked all right for once, in her midnight blue robes that had a dip in the neck part stopping just above her chest area. The robe fell till it brushed the ground, hiding her black strappy sandals with a slight heel. Her hair had been pulled up into a tidy ponytail and as normal she wore very little makeup. Pocketing her wand, Hermione closed her eyes for a brief prayer, and then left with a crack.
She re opened her eyed to be looking up at a multi storey building, the colour of a stormy rain clouds. Slowly, her heart pounding, Hermione stepped up to the big, heavy looking oak doors and took hold of one of the golden door knocks, lifting it to knock loudly. Moments later a house elf opened the door, bowing deeply.
"Mrs Malfoy will be here to greet you in a few moments, Mistress Hermione," said the house elf in a rather deep voice.
"Okay… thanks," replied Hermione disgusted at the fact the Malfoy's still had house elves.
Hermione walked in the large round room with polished wooden floorboards, white washed walls with doors leading into all different parts of the Manor.
"My mother sent me to get you. She didn't want to greet you," came a drawling voice.
Hermione spun around to see Draco entering; dressed in a fine looking green dress robe, "Oh… well then why was I invited?" asked Hermione feeling rather foolish now.
"Pansy's mother."
Hermione looked down at her hands, "Well than should go. I don't wish to cause any troubles. Send my apologises to Mrs Parkinson."
"Granger you aren't really going are you?"
Hermione glared at him, "I look a fool Malfoy… I actually have plenty of work to do, so I think it would be best if I did that. I hope you have a enjoyable evening."
Hermione turned and pulled open the door and walked out, only stumbling to the ground – the door had shut on her dress robes, "Oh just wonderful! Why not strike me with lightening? I can't look anymore foolish then I do!"
The door opened behind her, causing Hermione to fall flat onto her face. Behind her she heard chuckling and felt her dress being moved. Carefully she propped herself up, tears building up in her eyes. Soon she was on her feet and stumbling away from the Manor, hearing the distant slam of the door.
Once away from the gates and down the dirt road Hermione sat down on a patch of grass on the side. She hugged her knees to her chest, resting her head on her folded arms as tears rolled down her dirty cheeks.
"I'm twenty two and I still look like a fool," mumbled Hermione to herself, "Why did I go? I should've known."
"You know Granger, I thought you were crazy at Hogwarts but you've just confirmed it for me."
Hermione looked up, wiping her tears away, "Look get a good laugh then go and tell all your pureblood friends. Hey, maybe Pansy will find some joy out of making my life a good story to tell all her snotty friends."
Draco merely rolled his eyes, "Gee Granger you really give me credit don't you?"
"Why should I Malfoy? You've given me no reason too. I heard you laughing at me while you literally kicked me out of your front door."
"For your information Granger before you get all high and mighty on me, that was my father, not me, my father!"
"Argh!" screamed Hermione running hands through her air in anger and frustration, "I sound like a 17 year old!"
"Then grow up."
"You sound like a five year old!" snapped Hermione standing up, this time not stumbling or falling flat onto her backside, "Look I don't think I can do your wedding. Perhaps you should find a pureblood wedding planner."
"Is this what this is all about, Granger? The old pureblood and muggleborn crap? Snapped Draco, "If that is true, you are the one being foolish, not me. You."
"I am not childish! I am simply keeping myself from looking like a fool!"
Draco looked away from her his arms crossed, while his face was set in an angry expression, "While you stay here and play in the dirt, I have a bloody party to get too. And I will see you first thing Monday morning. Have a good weekend."
Hermione growled angrily, which isn't a normal thing for her to do, "You aggravate me." With that Hermione apperated to her apartment for another long relaxing bath this time with Jem playing.
A/N: Shorter then the first two but, hey I think it is still a decent length. Anyway thanks for the reviews and I hope you all will enjoy the next chapter when I get it up.
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