AN: props to pinky, who encouraged me to chase this plot bunny. also, my chemical romance with be woven into this thing, if you can't tell from the story/chapter titles, as they rock my world. if you don't like Hr/D, i'm sorry. don't worry, i'm resident hermit on the good ship H/Hr...we'll get to the good stuff, just wait!
Ginny wasn't lying to Hermione. The robes she created were absolutely stunning. The main robe was a light peachy pink with a sprinkle of sequin work at the bust line. A wrap made of a sheer pink material that had starburst bead patterns sewn into it completed the robe. Ginny had promised to come back with some matching jewelry and a pair of slippers to go with it. Hermione goggled at it, hanging in her closet, and willed that week and a half until the ball to fly by so she could wear it. As she threw Crookshanks a few cat treats and slipped her shoes on to go to work, and dreadful thought occurred to her. A voice sounded in her head. Ron's voice reminding her of something.
"Ministry galas are a right boring affair love. You must bring a date, you must sit at the required table. If you know Harry Potter you must be surrounded by gits that want you to introduce them." His chuckling voice snapped into her attention as she stared at her dress robes. She sighed and grumbled to the room before disapparating "Bloody hell, I'll need an escort"
"Miss Granger, you have an urgent memo on your desk!" Hermione's secretary chirped as soon as the office came into view. Hermione mumbled thank you and stepped into her office. When she read the note, she immediately slipped her lab coat over her shoulders and headed for the laboratory where her team did field research.
"Well, Embry, I expect you've got a potion to show me." The young man nodded at his boss and motioned her over.
"Yes, healer Granger. I think if you add essence of salamander blood -the flakes not the powder- to the wolfs bane potion, it increases it's potency tenfold." Hermione examined his notes and took a small sample of the improved potion to the other side of the lab where she dropped a single drop onto a magical test strip. It glowed bright green. Hermione laughed and clapped her hands together excitedly.
"Oh James, this is why I moved here in the first place. What a wonderful achievement. I expect Draco will owl the Daily Prophet and the American Witch Tribune." She hurried off to Draco's office to tell him the news.
After the press conference (at which Draco insisted that the reporters take pictures of him and Hermione arm in arm) Hermione sat in Draco's office, waiting for him to finish a call.
"Hermione, was there something you wanted?" he asked kindly as he sat the telephone down.
"First I wanted to congratulate you on your acceptance of muggle inventions" she nodded at the telephone. He shrugged.
"Well they're dead useful. I thought it would be a nice addition to the office. That's not why you're here, though." He astutely observed. "Well, I know you have to go to that bloody ball, and I wanted to know if you were taking anybody, because I don't have an escort." Draco grinned wickedly.
"You mean Ron hasn't claimed you already? Well, say no more, Granger." He leaned over the table until they were both nearly nose to nose.
"You're mine. I'll be at your apartment the night of the ball at seven thirty. Change your wards to let me in, alright?" Hermione flushed, nodded , and rushed from the office.
Ginny showed up three nights later with the jewelry, shoes and Ron in tow.
"Ron!" Hermione jumped into his arms. "Missed you too, love" he laughed squeezing her tightly. He twirled her around and set her on the couch. He trudged into the kitchen to scavenge.
"Hermione, do you have any scones?" Hermione shook her head at Ginny who chortled. "Yes. Ron, they're in the cupboard." When he returned with his snack, he proceeded to catch her up on what had been going on the past few weeks. "Oh, and by the way, are you going to that gala?" Hermione nodded.
"Do you need a date? Luna asked me to go but I haven't owled her back yet. Harry is taking his latest…thing." Ginny smacked Ron on the shoulder angrily.
"Ronald! There is nothing wrong with Parvati. You just don't like her because she's Lavender's best friend"
"Parvati?" Hermione said questioningly.
"So that's who Draco was talking about." She mused to her self. Ron looked at her in surprise, mouth full of scone.
"Didn't he tell you? He told me he was going to see you three weeks ago. Didn't he come"
"No" Said Hermione slowly "He hasn't even owled me in a month. I have to find out about his Merlin first class from Draco. He taking me by the way, Ron. Sort of an employer…thing." She finished a faint blush in her cheeks. Ron waved her off.
"S'alright I'll take Luna. That doesn't sound like Harry though, He always asks me how you are, talks about you all the time still." Ron patted his stomach and pulled himself to his feet.
"Well, love to stay Hermione, but I've got practice in the morning. Plus I need to ask a certain git why he hasn't been by. Are you coming Gin?" Ginny nodded.
"I need to make two more robes for that gala. But I'll see you there, right, Hermione?" She winked as she slipped into the fireplace. Ron hugged her then followed Ginny. Hermione turned toward her bedroom to toss and turn thinking about what they said.
Pacing up and down the hall, Hermione nervously wrung her hands. She had applied hair potions, charmed her makeup, and done everything she could think of to feel beautiful. She had on the gown, and a choker and a pair of heels that were decidedly un-Hermione. The heels were about three inches and pencil thin. Hermione kept fretting that she would fall.
"Merlin knows I'm clumsy enough." Suddenly she heard a knock outside her door.
"Bugger, it's seven thirty!" She walked to the door and opened it with a trembling hand.
"Hermione" Draco said as he kissed her hand.
"You smell fabulous. Like peaches and vanilla. Good lord woman, you'll be the death of me, I'm sure." He grinned down at her. Hermione flushed (that seemed to become a habit around him, she noticed)
And stepped outside with him.
"You're quite the charmer, Draco. So, do you know how to apparate into the ministry? There's a huge security-" Draco cut off her rambling.
"Yes. I can bring you side along, so you won't have to floo that striking dress., Ah, The apparition point is just behind this building here, isn't it?" Hermione nodded.
"Shall we?" Draco proffered his arm, Hermione latched on, and they disappeared.