Chapter 9: Strike of the Pansy
And I shine I'm freshly minted
I'm silver-plated I'm underrated
You won't even pick me up because I'm not enough for a local phone call
Dime, Cake
"He said what?" Draco gasped.
"You haven't been listening have you? I said that he—" Hermione said irritably.
"I know what he said, I meant, I can't believe he said that!" Draco snapped back. Hermione rolled her eyes and breathed in the cold night air. "You know, I'm sure Blaise will know what to do about Weasel," Draco carried on conversationally. Hermione gave a non-committal grunt in reply. "Well, at least I know what's happening. You know, sometimes Granger, you're pretty dumb for a smart kid."
"I am not a kid and I know it was stupid to wait but well, Ron's Ron. He does such things because he's just a sweet idiot," Hermione sighed. "He's just a sweet idiot," Draco mimicked, " you have got to get over Flame Boy. Stop waiting and go find a guy already, Granger. There are tons out there that are better than Weasel. It's no wonder his sister brought you out for these matchmaking stuff."
Hermione rolled her eyes again and stretched her arms, accidentally brushing Draco's nose. Draco waved the hand away and stood up. "I think we should be heading back. The session's almost over and I'm sure Flame boy's sister would be worried for you. Hermione nodded her head and gave a smile. "It's been nice talking to you, Malfoy. You're pretty nice under the cold exterior." Draco raised his eyebrow cynically and replied, "I'll take that as a compliment. You on the other hand, are the messiest girl no matter how hard you try and hide it. Please, even your desk was disastrous." Hermione swatted his arm and stomped off.
A few minutes later, the two found themselves facing the hotel. Draco walked to the kitchens and knocked on the swinging doors. Without getting a reply, Draco walked in and found Ben in his boisterous self, his clothes half covered in flour and the other covered in what seemed to be like jam. "I was making jam cookies, Uncle Draco!" Ben yelled and waved a misshapen ball of dough, which Draco assumed was the cookie.
One of the chefs walked up to Draco and smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry sir, and he just could resist helping out. We would gladly give you the cookies he made." Draco grinned back and replied, "It's okay, Ben's always like that, he'll just have to take a bath when he gets back." Ben, upon hearing the statement stuck out his tongue and stuffed a piece of cake into his mouth. Hermione leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. At least somebody was enjoying himself.
Ben left the kitchen a little later with a bag of cookies under his arm whilst his uncle zapped away as much flour and jam as he could. Hermione trailed behind, watching Draco acting as paternal as he could, and she laughed. "It's not nice to laugh at people you know," Draco raised his eyebrow and mentioned as his wand moved through the air at fast speed. "Yeah, I know, but looking at you and Ben, you look really funny. Want me to take a picture?" Hermione grinned.
Then, Hermione heard a sound from down the hallway. She froze and turned as the buzz grew louder and louder. And all of a sudden, two large doors burst open and excited chatter echoed through the hallway. Out from the crowd, stepped a lady and a man. When they saw Hermione, Draco and Ben they rushed to them, anxiety written all over their faces.
"We heard about it from one of the wizards," Ginny said shakily, her face white. "But they didn't stop the session, so we were going to come out and get you once the session was done," Blaise added solemnly, but Draco could tell he was visibly shaken. "It really was alright, just that Malfoy spewed his dinner all over my pants and shirt but it's really okay," Hermione replied quickly and got a dig in the rib by Draco.
"We'll be leaving now, come on Ben, Granger, I'll see you off," Draco gave a small bow and with Ben holding one of Hermione's and Draco's hands, turned and left. Blaise heaved a sigh of relief and turned to face Ginny. "I thought he was going to kick up a fuss you know, what with the whole thing starting with me dragging him here," Blaise said. "Me too, I thought Hermione would go crazy especially with Malfoy vomiting on her," Ginny smiled and grabbed her handbag.
But as she did, her handbag unzipped itself and poured its contents onto the floor. The contents included her wand, compact powder, lipstick, tissue and a sanitary pad among many others. Turning a bright red, Ginny bent down to hastily stuffed everything into her bag. Blaise bent down to help but not without him keeling over and a loud rip was heard. As Blaise stood up, he fell once again and found a crowd sniggering at him. His pants had a large tear on his behind and his shoelaces had found themselves tied together. Blaise pushed aside to crowd in hopes of finding the culprit but to no avail. All he heard was the tinkling laughter of a man, woman and child.
"Did you see the look on his face?" Draco chortled as the three of them walked down the empty streets. "Did you see the look on her face?" Hermione was bent over from laughing. She was laughing so much that her vision was becoming blurry. Ben, as hyperactive as usual, was swinging around the lampposts further up front. Hermione rubbed her hands feverishly and blew warm air onto them. She felt something heavy fall on her bare shoulders, bringing instantaneous warmth to her shivering body.
"Thanks, Malfoy," Hermione said gratefully. "Don't have to thank me, a lady shouldn't be freezing in the cold, it's manners. And it applies to mud—, I mean muggle born or pureblood," Draco replied coolly and grinned. "You know, Malfoy, you actually look quite charming when you smile like that, and with your hair, no…wait," Hermione scrutinised Draco and mussed up his hair even more before stepping back and smiling, "Now you look good. You have got to stop slapping on so much wax into your hair. I read somewhere that it actually stops hair follicles from growing well."
Draco grinned again and ran a hand through his hair. "And the walking dictionary strikes again," Draco joked. Hermione glared at him but softened her gaze when she saw him turn to Ben. "You know something, Granger," Draco started softly, "I'm not ready— Oof." Draco groaned as something landed on his back heavily.
"Draco honey, I didn't think I would see you here," came a honeyed voice that Draco remembered distinctly. "Hi, Pansy, fancy meeting you here?" Draco forced a smile on his face. Pansy had apparently jumped on Draco's back from behind and was refusing to get off. "You know, I was thinking about asking you out for supper but I can see that you're being tied down by other matters," Pansy eyed Hermione and Ben distastefully, "So what about just going to back to the Manor? We have a lot to catch up on. One lunch and dinner wasn't enough time to talk."
Hermione rolled her eyes and walked up to Ben and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry Ben, honey, but I've got to go home, so you just follow your uncle back okay?" Hermione patted his forehead and waved goodbye. Draco excused himself from Pansy who had gotten off his back and was talking rapidly about her meeting with an uncouth man during a matchmaking session whom excused himself once she started talking about her diet and didn't even apologise when she started sobbing.
"Granger, this would be a great time for you to help me out here," Draco said urgently through gritted teeth. "It's only 'talk', Malfoy, you don't need help with getting girls, even ugly ones," Hermione replied as she eyed Pansy with disgust. She shrugged off Draco's coat and stuffed it back into his hands. "Look at how fake she looks, she's got plastic surgery done to like every part of her body—" Hermione rattled on angrily, but was stopped with Draco putting his hand over her mouth. "Look, she doesn't know that you're Hermione Granger, and she doesn't know about me become Ben's guardian nor the face that you're his au pair, so right now, I just want you to help me out with Ben," Draco quickly explained. "That will be a total of eight sickles please," Hermione stuck out her hand and said pointedly, "This is extra service, Malfoy, so be happy."
Draco gave a wide grin and ran back to Pansy. "Pansy, we'll be going back to the Manor, care to join us? We'll be taking the Knight Bus of course," Draco asked formally. Pansy, like a delighted child shrieked, " Why, yes! I've never taken the Knight Bus, how is it? Is it fun?" Draco winked at Hermione and flashed a smile. Hermione could have died laughing.
Draco stuck out his wand and waved it lazily. With a loud bang, the Knight Bus popped out in front of them and Stan Shunpike give a toothy grin at the group. "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch of wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this evening. Ah, and you know the rest, welcome aboard, Ms Granger," Stan read from a small piece of crumpled parchment before he gave up. He stuck out his hand to help Hermione board. Hermione gladly took it and helped Ben on board. Soon after everybody had gotten on board, Draco extracted the money from his wallet and paid Stan. "We'll be going to Malfoy Manor please," Draco said politely. Stan nodded and waved the five of them to the brass beds.
"Take one each. You won't need the toothbrushes innit? The Manor's just about a few stops down," Stan kept the mugs and toothbrushes aside and yelled, "Take it away Ernie!" With a roaring bang, Ben found himself lurched backwards and peering out into the marshes. A haggard witch got off and with another deafening bang, Ben found himself in front of Diagon Alley.
A few more stops later, they had reached Malfoy Manor. "Thank you for using the Knight Bus and please come again," Stan waved at the slightly green looking group and disappeared. Pansy smoothened her hair and cursed the Bus. Draco shrugged and gave a wicked grin to Hermione. "Let's go in shall we?"
"So, Draco honey, how's it been going since I last saw you?" Pansy asked sweetly, swirling the whisky and ice in her cup. "Oh yes, do you think you could get your maid to cook an omelette for me? With tomatoes and bacon? Please Draco?" Draco nodded painfully at Hermione who was on the verge of kicking Pansy from behind. Hermione grudgingly entered the kitchen and pointed at Draco's wallet. Draco nodded again. "Well, I've got something to tell you," Draco cleared his throat and sat opposite Pansy. "Yes, Draco?" Pansy flashed her pearly white teeth. "Well,from a few months ago, i became the legal guardian of Ben, and Ben's my 'son' and Hermione Granger is my au pair," Draco said clearly.
"Father? What do you mean by father?" Pansy spluttered. "Ben's parents passed away and because Ben's my nephew, I was placed in-charge of him until he came of age," Draco replied coolly, and after a few more minutes of explanation, Pansy looked as if she was going to blow. "And Hermione Granger as an au pair? You have got to be kidding me Draco, she's a pathetic mudblood, and Gryffindor!" Pansy was turning livid, " That bloody skank! Who does she think she is! She's not even fit to be your maid!"
Hermione who was in the kitchen doing the omelette for the peckish Pansy stuck her head out and said clearly, "I'm sorry Parkinson but you haven't been looking in the dictionary for meanings of words you do not know, have you? For your information, a skank is somebody who's filthy and simply put, someone who goes round sleeping with other people. I am not filthy and neither do I do the latter, so please, check up on the words before you use them and save me the displeasure of correcting your every word you utter?"
The egg began to burn around the edges and Hermione with the pan walked right up to the white faced Parkinson. "And these are your eggs, Miss. Or is it Madam Parkinson?" Hermione smiled and dumped the eggs onto the tight blouse Pansy was wearing. With that, Hermione turned and walked back to the kitchen where Ben was rolling on the floor with laughter.
"You bloody bitch! Who the hell do you think you are?" Pansy screamed, her pink blouse covered with charred eggs and slimy tomato cubes. Draco couldn't help but chortle. Innocently, Ben tugged Hermione's pants and asked, "Herb, what's a bitch?" Hermione, still at the door of the kitchen smiled and ruffled Ben's hair. "It just means a female dog. But I'm not a female dog am I?" Hermione asked the grey-eyed boy. Ben shook his head vigorously and pointed at Pansy. "Is she a female dog?"
Hermione and Draco chuckled. "No, she isn't one. But she's not a nice lady is she?" Hermione grinned at Ben. Ben stuck out his tongue at Pansy and yelled from across the hall, "No she is not! She's a mean lady who's been bad to Herb!" And with that, he stomped of into the kitchen, victorious. Hermione flashed a large smile sitting in the lounge and slammed the door behind her.
"Can you believe that, that!" Pansy spluttered and brushed the eggs of her blouse, "How can you employ a girl with such a tongue and audacity!"
"It's her tongue and wit that keeps Ben happy," Draco replied, amused, "Care for another drink?" Pansy stood up abruptly and took out her wand. "No thanks, Draco. I will not be caught dead in this egg-covered outfit. I'm going home." With that, Pansy disapparated with a crack.
Draco waved at the thin air. Draco stretched his arms and stood up, heading for the kitchen. As he went closer to the door, he heard loud singing from behind the doors. Opening it, Draco found himself facing an unlikely scene. Hermione was sitting on the table top with a bottle of Fire Whiskey on her left, singing loudly. Ben on the other hand had found himself a bottle of butter beer and had started doing war dances around the table. And Pippin the resident house elf was looking anxiously at the scene in front of her.
"Pippin?" Draco exclaimed. Pippin, like a cat in the headlights jumped and bowed low before Draco. " Welcome back, Master Draco," she squeaked. "Oh get up already, I've told you so many times, don't bow! It's bad for the back," Draco smiled and patted her on the head. "I'm sorry Master! But Ms Granger is not wanting to get down! And Master Ben won't stop! I'm sorry Master!" Hermione hiccupped and yelled out, "Three cheers for defeating ugly Parkinson!" Ben slightly unsteadily repeated the sentence and carried on with his war dance.
"It's alright, Pippin. Go back to sleep. It's late. I'll sort them out," Draco gave a kindly smile and pushed her gently to her room. Pippin squeaked and scurried off, casting anxious glances over her back. "Now tell me, Granger, what exactly are you doing?" Draco demanded. Hermione had gotten off the table and was sitting drunkenly on a chair, a one third empty bottle in her hand.
"Snobby Parkinson is gone," Hermione cheered and swirled the liquid in the bottle around. She took a long swig from it and smacked her lips, hiccupping. "I'll be going back now, Malfoy, sleep tight," Hermione carried on, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes unfocused. She eventually walked straight into Draco's arms and collapsed. Draco lugged the dead weight to the sink and splashed the cold water on Hermione's face, instantaneously waking her up.
"Oh god, what happened," Hermione groaned, "my head feels like it's been split open. What happened around here?" Draco looked straight into her eyes and said three words, "We had sex." And then, came a resounding slap on his cheek for the second time this evening. "Don't play a fool with me, Malfoy. What happened here?" Hermione demanded. Draco massaged his cheek and grinned, "Welcome back, Granger. You're having a hangover from drinking too much Fire Whiskey from my cupboard. And what is Ben doing with the Butter Beer in his hand?"
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god it wasn't sex, I think I'd rather jump into the river and kill myself." Draco rose his eyebrow cynically again, " Am I that repulsive, Granger?" Hermione gave a wan smile, " Do I even need to answer that question?" Draco shrugged and splashed some water at Ben who was knocked cold. Ben yelled and sat up, hitting his head on the top of the table. Rubbing his head painfully he got up and yawned. "What happened Uncle Draco?" Ben asked. "Did Granger give you the Butter Beer, Ben?" Draco asked enquiringly. Ben shook his head and answered truthfully, "No, Uncle. I found it in the cupboards. And it tasted so sweet and bubbly!"
"Time to sleep, Ben," Draco massaged his temples and lifted the now snoring Hermione into his arms and surveyed the kitchen. "And I guess she'll be staying over." And Hermione, with a small smile playing on her lips rolled over in Draco's arms and hugged his neck tightly. "You'll be the death of me, Granger," Draco gasped as the arms around his neck tightened and she sighed.
"Ben, go to your room and clean up alright? I'll get Pippin to look after you and get changed into your jammies and go to bed okay? Pippin will get your milk and cookies. I've got Granger to look after. I'll see you later in your room," Draco instructed Ben as they walked up the stairs. Hermione was still clinging to Draco's neck for dear life and snoring peacefully away.
Draco walked to the closest guest room he could find and dropped Hermione on the bed in a rather ungraceful manner. He straightened his jacket and lay Hermione straight. He went to the cupboards and removed a set of purple pyjamas and a sweater. Closing his eyes and turning around, he undressed Hermione with a quick spell and with another spell, her pyjamas were on. Hermione was ignorant to the noise and the movement of her own body and continued her peaceful slumber.
Draco pulled the covers over Hermione's sleeping body and patted her head. "You're a nice person, Granger, but you can't hold your liquor either, and that was just a third of what I used to drink everyday." In return, Hermione spoke softly in her sleep, " Ginny's getting married to Harry, and me? I'm still stuck as plain Jane, with no one who loves me, and a man I may never see again has stolen my heart." Hermione sighed again and turned over, worming the duvet off her body.
Draco smiled at the forlorn girl sadly. "You were never plain Jane." And with that, he closed the door and the room was pitch black with only the quiet whispers of the night breeze.
Hermione jolted herself awake. There was a sweet smell of pancakes wafting to her nose; a slight ray of sunlight, and a terrible migraine greeted her. And as she opened her sore eyes, she found herself staring into a pair of electric purple eyes. "AGH!" She yelled and sat as far back as she could from the monster. When she opened her eyes gingerly again, she realised she had nothing to be scared of. It was just a house elf dressed in the most lurid green and orange socks and a beige pillowcase and a tea cosy strapped around her head. And in her hands was the most delicious looking pancakes Hermione had ever seen.
"Hi," Hermione waved her hand at the slightly trembling elf. The elf seemed to calm down a lot more and gave a toothy grin at Hermione. "Good morning, Miss. I have prepared pancakes and strawberries for your breakfast and a cup of tea. Please enjoy!" The elf recited and with a poof, disappeared.
Hermione looked at the inviting plate and scrambled to the breakfast table. But before she could even reach there the huge migraine hit her hard on her temples and Hermione groaned. "Grumpy in the morning, aren't you, Granger?" A cool voice greeted her just barely inches from her ear. She felt her spine tingle and she waved the voice away irritably. Her migraine was getting worse by the moment.
She opened her mouth to ask the voice to go away but found something popped into her mouth and a glass of water thrust into her hands. "Drink and swallow. It's supposed to help," the voice commanded and Hermione did as she told, swallowing the huge bitter pill with a little difficulty. "You've got a weird habit of keeping the curtains closed, haven't you? And they say you're the normal one," the voice continued sarcastically. The next thing she knew, the huge curtains were flung apart letting a huge jet of sunlight and soft breeze into the room, momentarily blinding her.
Hermione shut her eyes and counted to ten. She opened her eyes to find a pair of grey eyes peering at her, and a grin playing on his lips. "Go away, Malfoy," Hermione growled and batted the man away. "Whoa, okay, but if you must know, this is my house and you're my guest, for now that is," Draco stood back and retreated out of the room. " You've got a nasty hangover by the way. Dress yourself and come down when you're ready. Ben's ready," he called out as he closed the large doors. Hermione massaged her sore temples and squinted at the door. "Ready for what?" she asked the door imploringly.
Hermione walked down the main stairs gingerly. The throbbing migraine was receding too slowly for Hermione. She heard the newspapers rustle and excited screams from the kitchen. "Ben, sit down and eat or else I'm not bringing you there. I'll leave you at home with Pippin," Draco admonished the hyper boy to no avail. Ben had forgotten about last night's events and was happily playing with his toy broom that lifted him a feet from the ground. He zoomed around the kitchen happily, stopping at times to drink his orange juice and take a bite out of his sandwich.
"Ah, Granger, you've decided to join us," Draco eyed the meek Hermione and smiled. He turned the pages of the Daily Prophet and drank his black coffee. "Thanks for letting me stay over, Malfoy," Hermione took a seat at the table and answered in reply, " And for asking your elf to change me into the pyjamas." Draco grinned at Hermione, " Pippin didn't do it, Granger. I did." And as he spoke Hermione, even with the terribly migraine brandished her wand and pointed it at Draco's chin. "What?" she hissed angrily. "No offence, Granger. But you've got a good figure going for you," Draco carried on, oblivious to the livid Granger, "But the temper of yours, you really should keep it on a leash."
Hermione yelled out her curse but was easily deflected with a flick of Draco's wand. "Like I said, you should really keep your temper on the leash. And by the way, it was a joke. You know jokes? Like 'haha' jokes? It was a joke, Granger. I didn't see any part of your body than what I'm seeing now okay? I swear, scout's honour," Draco raised his hand in that of a vow solemnly and truthfully. "You don't even know what's a scout!" Hermione cried out despairingly. "I know," Draco shrugged casually and lay back in his chair comfortably, with a wide grin on his face, " but it sounded cool enough."
Hermione rolled her eyes and faced Draco, or rather, the newspaper that was blocking Draco. She cleared her throat as if raring to speak but kept still. "If you want to talk to me, all you have to do is ask," Draco said, sounding bored. "Fine, here's the question then: why do you still have a house elf?" Hermione posed her question through gritted teeth. Draco put his newspapers down and looked at her enquiringly. "Well, if you must know, there used to be more than just one house elf in the Manor. I let them go; you know, throw socks at them and make them catch, and let them free. But Pippin on the other hand said she would rather stay. Why, I do not know but she's been a great help in the house. I give her the last week of the month off but she usually just takes a day or two off. I can't help if she doesn't want to go right? And every month, she just wants clothes as payment. It's not my fault Granger if house elves love me."
Hermione felt she could slap Draco there and then but resisted. Ben was staring at the commotion in front of him with excitement flashing dangerously in his eyes. "By the way, what is this thing that Ben's ready for?" Hermione asked Draco as she poured herself a cup of coffee and added in a cube of sugar.
"Oh, well Ben has something to ask you," Draco flipped his page of the paper and continued to read on leisurely. "Yes Ben?" Hermione asked kindly as Ben looked up at Hermione from her feet. "Herb…" Ben started as he inhaled a deep breath.
Ginny looked at her behind in the 6 mirrors before her. "Are you really sure that this dress doesn't make my ass look fat," Ginny stated and looked at Hermione questioningly. "Ginny, you have practically no ass at all. On the other hand, I have a huge one and if I keep piling the carbs I eat everyday, I will never be able to fit into any bridesmaid dress," Hermione sighed and for the fourth time this hour assured Ginny that she did not look in any way fat. Ginny, as far as Hermione had known Ginny, she was never fat, nor was she even close to being overweight. Since Hogwarts, Ginny was always active in sport and had a high metabolic rate. No matter how much she ate, especially desserts, Ginny never put on a single ounce. Pretty, smart and witty, she was the object of desire from boys all over the school. And she, Hermione Granger, whom had a fairly good metabolic rate, always indulged in chocolates and hardly ever worked on; and she mostly relied on playing catch with the children and dishing out the meals at top rate to lose weight. Any more cakes for the rest of the time until the wedding and she would burst the button on her jeans in no time.
"You know, I was thinking instead of going for the green bridesmaid dress, maybe you should wear purple. Lavender and Parvati would love it and besides, you're going to become the best woman, so a darker shade of purple would make you look gorgeous," Ginny grinned and put her hands up like a frame around Hermione. Hermione, still deep in thought about Hogwarts snapped awake and looked blearily at Ginny. "Yeah, sure, purple and pink and green, yeah whatever," Hermione yawned.
Ginny looked at Hermione with despondency. "If you keep mulling over what happened you'll never be able to face the child or the parent again," Ginny said gently as she sat next to Hermione and gave a hug. "Yes, but you can't actually say no to the child, can you? Have you ever seen him? Do you know who big his eyes are? One look and you'll pool in soppy mass," Hermione answered glumly.
Ginny snorted and lay on her back looking up at the pink ceiling. The witch that was helping with her dress had disappeared to get drinks. "Just say yes and that's it, haven't we gone through this already?" Ginny announced to the ceiling and looking at Hermione's back. "I know," Hermione moaned and promptly fell next to Ginny, "but what about the apartment? What about all the other children? What about the income? I really don't think it's safe just relying on one person to provide the money. What if something really terrible happens? I won't have a place to live; I won't even have a stable income except 250 galleons from the Prophet. Agh, I just don't know, Ginny." Hermione rolled to the other side and covered her face with her hands. This was just a ghastly nightmare, Hermione recited to herself, just a ghastly nightmare, ghastly nightmare. When I open my eyes it will return to Malfoy vomiting over my favourite pair of pants. Last week never happened.
But when Hermione opened her eyes again, she found Ginny grinning at her and holding up a roll of tape. "Measurements," Ginny smiling like the Cheshire cat. Hermione groaned and plunged her head into the soft cushions and screamed. Ginny, on the other hand was tugging at Hermione's waist with the tape around it. The assistant witch soon returned with glasses of lemonade on a tray. Soon after, Hermione was standing grumpily on the podium with her hands up in the air.
Ginny fingered the smooth fabric of a dress and looked at Hermione loosening the tape around her hips. "You know what, Hermione? I've got an idea. Why not you just tell Malfoy you're not interested in the offer? For all you know, it's Malfoy that wants you and not his nephew. Anyway, it's been a week since what happened. How have you been avoiding the question?" Hermione snorted at the idea and replied with distaste, "Ginny, you clearly know what Draco Malfoy is. He isn't one that goes round chasing the ladies. The ladies come to him and no way am I going to him because he caused a few bad memories that I have yet to forget. Besides, he'll never like a mudblood. So, no, it can't be him. And the answer to your question goes along the lines of 'Have a safe trip home Ben! I'll see you tomorrow!' and then I close the door. End of story."
"Fine, but from what I gathered after listening to your trials and tribulations, you're good enough to be his friend, right? You stayed over at his home, he gave you food, and he clothed you, thus proving that it can't be hate can it?"
"Yes, but he's got sarcasm written all over his face, he sneers, he makes snide remarks, plus he's got a house elf working for him."
"Good point, but the house elf loves the house and the master, you can't take her away from that can you?"
Hermione fell silent. What Ginny had been saying for the past hour was true. No matter what Draco Malfoy had been doing, it hadn't hurt her much. She had built a defence against Draco's quips, gibes and remarks, and Draco indeed had been kind to her. What's more, Ben was her most enjoyable child she could ever wish for.
Ginny had started talking about ribbons and lace with the assistant when Hermione finally made the decision. "I'm going for it," Hermione announced and Ginny grabbed her hand and they both did a quick polka.
YAY! It's the end (: I think the ending is pretty funny. Read and review, everybody! It is extremely helpful to use this opportunity to comment on an aspect of the story that can be improved. A well rounded critique is often the most rewarding tool for the writer. This came from the bottom of the java script when you press 'Submit Review' and I say YES it really does help when you guys give me stuff to edit and work on. So please! You guys have been absolute dolls (: Special thanks to the same people for rave reviews. Just spend five minutes to write what you think about it and how you think the story will go and you will make my day.