Chapter X - The Wedding Planner

Hermione resistered the urge to shift uncontrolably in her seat, as much as she had been practicing keep absolutely perfect psoture, it still hurt her back. It was garrishly obvious that she was was far from used to this, at least to her.

Next to her sat Mercedes, chatting animatedly with Narcissa about dates and appetizers and seating arrangements across from them the wedding planner, a witch with ginger hair and peach robes.

Hermione sat at the far corner of the table as far as she could have possibly be seated from Malfoy- or rather Draco, she kept forgetting that she was supposed to be calling him Draco.

She had wanted to see the look on his face when she appeared at the meeting in all her pureblooded glory, But Blaise had advised her to keep everything under wraps for now, wait until her hair and skin were done, that way it would all come as one big shock. That way Draco would not have time to acclamitise to her presence. Hermione followed her advice, no matter what she wanted to do, Draco was Blaise's bestfriend and she knew him better than anyone. Hermione would be foolish not to take her adivce, and Hermione was anything but foolish.

For his part, Draco sat at the other side of them table, completely silent, not sulking, just silent. It was rather obvious that he was only here for show, because he had the title of groom and he had to give a semblance of being involved.

"-so Hermione what do you think?" Narcissa asked her suddenly.

Hermione swallowed, the three witches were all staring at her expectantly, they seemed really eager to get her input on things.

"I b-beg your pardon?" She managed to ask, she was proud that her voice did not come out as a pathetic sqeak. "You want to know whatI think?"

Narcissa chuckled.

"But of course, dear." She said. "After all, it is you that is getting married and not me."

She and Mercedes giggled like school girls, it took a few moments for Hermione to realize that she was supposed to speak up about now.

"Uhm, asI am not used to such thingsI trust whatever judgement my mother makes on my behalf." She said trying to sound as though she knew what she was doing, it was really just a fancy way of saying she had absolutely no idea what was going on.

Mercedes and Narcissa exchanged knowing smiles.

"Mia, we're discussing flower arrangements." her mother said. "I would really like to know your input on the centerpeices. This is your wedding, after all, not ours."

There was a mischeivous gleam in her eye she was enjoying Hermione's squirming.

"Cat got your tongue, Hermione?" Asked Draco.

Hermione scowled at him. For the first time he looked vaguely interested.

It figures that he would be interested only in her complete humilitation. Some things never changed, pureblood or mudblood.

"No." She bit out between her teeth. She knew that Blaise had advised her about clenching her teeth, Draco was perceptive and any change in her demeanor would be notcied and then exploited.

"Very well." He said. "There is no need to be irked, simply a friendly jibe, is all."

Hermione glared at him. She could consider herself exploited.

"Not to worry, Mia," Mercedes interjected sensing the impending blow out. "Why don't you tell us the dream wedding you wanted as a girl, we can being from there."

Hermione considered this for a second and then nodded. Just like many other girls, when she was young, Hermione planed out her entire wedding, of course she was about eight at the time, so she hesitated before she began telling her mother and Narcissa Malfoy about it.

"Well,I wanted to wear this long white silk shift-of courseI did not know it was called a shift then-and the groom would wear black pants and white shirt, the ceremony would take place outside under a willow tree, and then we could all retreat to an open roman-esque villa, with marble floors and large sheets of slik hainging from the ceiling. and everyone would be barefoot-"

"I beg your pardon?" Demanded the wedding planner.

Both narcissa and mercedes looked at her sharply, they were obviously too well bred to interrupt. They did express surprise, though.

"Barefoot, Mia?" Mercedes asked, her face registering more amusment then incredulity.

Hermione looked down.

"As a childI never really liked wearing shoes." She admitted. "I know its stupid, we don't have to do that, just the musings of a strange girl is all."

Marcedes and the wedding planner nodded. Narcissa, however, looked thoughtful.

"You know what, as peculiar as it maybe that sounds delightful."

Everyone stared at her.

"Narcissa?" Asked Mercedes asked.

Narcissa nodded.

"It does indeed." She said addressing mostly herself. "Of course we will have to make a few adjustments," She continued of Mercedes's look. "I am simply saying saying that it is a very good start."

Hermione was surprsied.

"It is?"

By now, Mercedes was smiling delightedly.

"Of course, dear." Mercedes said. "Listen to Narcissa, she always did have an eye for this kind of thing."

"We could have a classical theme." Narcissa said smilling beatifically. "Not togas for the men of course, but long greek cut dresses for the women. And the ceremony performed in a marble pavillion, on a cliff by the sea. Perhaps dover."

Mercedes beamed.

"That is a monumental idea." She cried. "Such has never been seen in another wedding." She smiled and breathed deeply. "Certainly it will be the most dazzling event of the year."

Narcissa nodded exitedly.

Both women then turned to the wedding planner scornfully.

"You." Narcissa said acidly. "What is it we pay you for if not to come up with ideas like these?"

The witch let out a squeak. In all truth she had no idea what to say about the wedding. The Russeux's were known for being rather unconventional, both women had already refused her various ideas. She had thought she was home free when Narcissa had come up with a wonderful theme. Now they were both ganging up on her for not thinking of it first.

"You pay her to arrange everything so that you won't have to, mother." Draco spoke up lazily.

Both mothers turned to Draco and then back to the planner, who nodded fearfully. They both turned up their noses snobbily.

"Very well then." Sniffed Mercredes. "Be on your way and arrange it.I want to see menu samples, place setting arrays, flower suggestions and drafts of the announcment in the daily prophet by monday morning."

The Wedding planner fearully nodded her head and apparated away.

Narcissa and Mercesdes looked at each other and beagan to giggle.

Hermione looked form one to the other just one moment ago they had seemed icily irritated and now, they were practically tearing with mirth.

"If you make their job too simple," Draco spoke up yet again this time he was addressing Hermione. He gestured to the wedding planner's vacated seat. "They tend to be lax in the planning. To remedy this, one must remind them that they are expendable and should they turn in a subpar performance, they will be sacked." he paused and turned his attention back to his mother. "Now, seeing as how this meeting his finished, Mother, mayI be excused?"

Naricissa smiled fondly.

"Of course, dear." She said.

Draco nodded, rose, kissed his mother on the cheek before striding purposefully from the room.

Mercedes looked after him.

"Mia?" She asked addressing her own beloved child. "Would you like to go with Draco."

Hermione fought not to cringe at the prospect.

"No." She said. "ButI would like to be excused."

Mercedes nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. she had noticed that her daughter did not seem excited by the prospect of her marriege. she understood, she had been frightened as well when she had heard that she was going to be married to a complete stranger, but upon meeting Philippe her doubts were soothed. She had hope the same would go for Hermione. It semmed, however, that Hermione and Draco did not enjoy each other's company at all. She could not help but wonder why, Draco was a perfectly charming young man. She looked on after her daughter.

She would talk to Hermione about it later.

AN: if anyone is bothered by the spelling of Rosseux its really supposed to be Rosseux... and Rossaeux's have just been my horrible typing and i can't be bothered to re submit everything.