Hey guys, I'm finally back! A big thanks to my reviewers, you guys mean alot.

Namely: zarien, Isabella4Life, Steel-Pheonix, Liza Lew, fairykween13, Badgurl13a, k, dee023, adamo393, FallenPrincessAngel, StreetRacinChiki, and FairyDust4Ever.

Disclaimer: haha...no.

On with the story!

Chapter 4: Meetings and Greetings

D

"Well, I've heard she's hot, so no worries mate!"

Draco snorted into his dessert. Typical Blaise. He and his friend had gone out for lunch, mostly to avoid the flurry at home, but conversation still got around to the latest pureblood gossip: the Emsleys were back, and tonight was Alyanna Emsley's birthday/ coming out party.

He had to admit, he was intrigued. He had never met his betrothed, and the mystery surrounding the family was captivating enough. And of course, Blaise was trying to get him pumped for the party in his own way. Noticing the time, he gasped and dropped his fork, resulting in quite the explosion of whipped cream.

"Blaise man, we're going to be late."

H

Hermione sighed as she stood in front of the mirror. Never had she stood in front of a mirror for so long. The house-elves had attended to every detail, and had avoided her attempts at conversation. Tonight was her party, and she would be introduced to all of the important pureblood families. But only the important ones, which excluded the Weasleys. However, it did include the Malfoys.

It had only been a week since she had first been brought to this new life, the majority of which had been spent on teaching her the correct way to act in pureblood society. An inner battle had been raging as well. She hadn't come to accept the fact that she was marrying Malfoy. Why Malfoy?

Well tonight, she was going to blow Malfoy and all of the rest of those damn purebloods away. Her parents had gone all out, trying to impress. Her dress was made of a light sage-green material, which flowed down her body, setting her curves off to the perfect advantage. Her hair was pinned up elegantly, with several strands of ringlets purposely brushing her shoulders, and a sparkling tiara on her head. The necklace circling her slender neck was made of a delicate silver, with the Emsley peacock (family crest) resting on her collarbone. Less is more, apparently.

"Miss, it is time to greet your guests. If you would follow me to the Grand Ballroom." Loopy cut in on her thoughts as she put the final touches on her make-up.

"Thank you, Loopy, but you don't really need to lead me down to the ballroom. Wouldn't you rather go and--"

"If Miss would follow me."

"Good evening, Mr. And Mrs. Zabini, I hope you'll enjoy the party," Hermione greeted, putting on a fake smile for what seemed like the thousandth time.

"Thank you Miss Emsley, you look stunning," replied Mrs. Zabini expressionlessly (A/N: wow) before turning toward the adults. "Bryson, Charlene, how wonderful to see you. I apologize for my son, Blaise, but it appears he and young Draco have decided to be late."

"It's quite all right Timothea," Charlene assured, ignoring Hermione's bit-back laugh. "Narcissa has already informed us of the boys…circumstance. Go on in."

And with that, the last of the guests had arrived. Hermione spent the next hour smiling, waving, and pretending to enjoy herself. She was on the look out for Malfoy, not wanting to be caught unawares. It was extremely uncomfortable, what with almost every upstanding pureblood making a show of paying respects to the Emsley heir. As soon as she could get away, she escaped to a small couch in the corner. She closed her eyes, just to have her moment.

"Well, well, well. Do the Emsleys know that a mudblood is lurking about?"

Hermione's eyes, needless to say, snapped open. Draco Malfoy, looking as smug as ever, stood in front of her. How dare he call her a mudblood! She noticed that his clothes lacked their standard sharpness and smirked.

"Get dressed in a hurry Malfoy?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

A brief look of fury crossed his face, but he managed to force a smile. "I'm sure the Emsleys would like to know of the filth at their party." He reached across and grabbed her arm. "Why don't we go and see?"

"Get your hands off me Malfoy. You have no right," she spoke low, eyes flashing.

"This is a private party," Draco spat, gripping her harder. "I don't know how you got in, but you're leaving. NOW." Yanking her up, he began to drag her across the room, ignoring Hermione's attempts at escape.

Halfway across the room, Hermione stopped struggling. This will only be embarrassing to Malfoy; why stop him?

Draco noted on the lack of energy, but continued dragging Hermione to his hosts.

"Ahh, Mr. And Mrs. Emsley, what a magnificent party. However—"

"Young Mr. Malfoy! Charlene exclaimed, "I see you've met our daughter, Alyanna."

Draco looked as if someone had knocked the air out of him. "Y-Yes, we've certainly met," He actually managed to get out.

Wow, got to give him credit on that recovery, Hermione thought to herself, trying not to laugh as she watched him struggle.

"A very exquisite creature, is she not?" Bryson asked, eying the boy with some suspicion.

Draco swallowed as if summoning up courage, and smiled. "Extremely so, sir."

"Oh wouldn't it be grand if you two would start off the dancing!" Charlene exclaimed, changing the subject.

"Mother, I--" Hermione started.

"Yes, that is a wonderful idea." Decidedly, her mother alerted the orchestra with her wand to start the appropriate song.

Draco turned to Hermione. "May I have this dance?" He asked through gritted teeth, though no one would notice his reluctance unless they were looking for it. Hermione, as it happened, was.

Two can play this game. She smiled. "Of course."

And so they stepped onto the floor.

Draco fell easily into the dance, watching amusedly while Hermione bit her lip in concentration. "How long did it take for them to pound some sort of a dance step into your head?"

Hermione looked up and beamed him a fake smile. "A week, actually. How long did it take you?"

"I don't need the impertinence, Granger!" Draco growled. "You would do well to respect your superiors!"

"Emsley, actually." Hermione continued in the same tone. "Or have you not heard? I am the daughter of—"

"I know bloody well who your parents are!" Draco cut in, tightening his grip on her hand. She was really beginning to get on his nerves.

Hermione let out a wince before breaking out into a smile again, for important people were watching. "You know Malfoy, I would wish you would stop squeezing me. It just seems so lovey—"

Malfoy let go almost immediately. "Don't…ever…say…that…again." He said through clenched teeth.

"Don't give me the chance." And with that, the song ended.

They left on opposite sites of the dance floor, Hermione smiling to herself while Draco was glowering. It was quite obvious as to who had won.

D

How dare she, the mudblood

Draco made his way over to where Blaise was staring at Hermione.

"Man, that's Granger!" Blaise said disbelievingly.

Draco sighed resignedly. "Emsley, actually."

"She's hot!"

"Oh would you shut up Zabini!"

I'm sooo sorry! Please hold the rotten veggies. What with school, family, and various other things, not to mention the ENORMOUS WRITERS BLOCK I am battling off, things didn't come together as quickly as I had hoped...more like a month and a half...geez.Sorry again!

Right, as to the scores:

Gryffindor-21

Slytherin-14

Ravenclaw-7

Hufflepuff- 0

If you're new, every time you submit a review, just give the name of your preffered house and I'll award it points. So far I'm rooting for Hufflepuff--it's kinda sad.

Oh, btw, I've gotten some questions as to what Malfoy was talking about when he said "Don't ever etc." He's talking about Hermione saying he was squeezing her...yea.lol

Review! Please and Thank You! CS