Ron watched as Hermione danced with Neville. She grinned up at him as he spun her about on the dance floor. It was good to see her spending time with appropriate people, but it didn't change the fact that she'd arrived with Slytherins in tow.

Malfoy was standing with his arm around the future Mrs. Malfoy on the far side of the room. Everyone laughed at his little stories and his supposed wit. It was disgusting watching his friends fawn all over the git. They were all as blind as Hermione.

They'd pulled her into their little fold to use her. They wanted her to legitimize their presence in society, but the brightest witch of her bloody age was too caught up in it all to see it. He watched Malfoy watching her.

It was sick.

it was so possessive.

"Hello, Ron." Luna slid up next to him and touched his arm gently. "There are a lot of gnarly hum ditters flying around you. You shouldn't do anything rash."

"Yeah, fine." Ron rolled his eyes. "I won't do anything without thinking it through."

"But, are you thinking clearly?" Luna tilted her head and looked him over carefully. "Sometimes its best to sleep on it. Gnarly hum ditters don't swarm the sleeping."

"Sure." Ron looked around the room for anything to distract her and his eyes landed on her date. "Your guy looks lonely, maybe you should go dance with him."

"Rolf is fine." Luna smiled at her beau. "I do think a good nap would do you wonders."

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience of our early arrival." Hernán Aiza looked up at the tall blonde Englishman beside him. "Traveling with my wife's precious supplies and my own less interesting ones usually takes longer. They cleared us through the international floo so quickly."

"It's an honor to spend our time with a master such as yourself." Lucius Malfoy inclined his head respectfully. "My daughter can not wait to chat with you. Prepare yourself because she is a delightful nuisance when she wants to know something."

"Delightful nuisance?" Hernán smiled and waited for the proud father to fill the silence.

"She never stops. I've considered putting wards on the library to limit the hours she can spend there, but she'd retaliate." Lucius grinned. "She's quite creative, so I don't take unnecessary risks. My son spent a week unable to find his way in this house. He wound up staying elsewhere because the elves were so annoyed."

"Annoyed elves?" The Spaniard raised a brow.

"Part of the hex kept him from asking for help." Lucius shook his head. "They'd find him in the oddest places."

"I imagine he holds his own." Hernán grinned. "Siblings usually do."

"He turned all her clothing a particular shade of green as a joke to start the whole thing. He'd best take his lumps. My wife was less amused than my daughter. She was the one that had purchased it all." Lucius chuckled. "If they joined forces..."

"Yes, I understand. My Mariposa is quite enough for me." Hernán took a sip of the excellent port he'd been given. "Severus needs such a one to keep him from boredom."

"He will never be bored." Lucius lifted his glass. "Terrified, but never bored."

Draco enjoyed the pulsing music as he danced with Astoria and Hermione. He supposed he was dancing with the whole room, but it didn't matter. He'd escaped a weird conversation with the Lovegood girl, managed to annoy but not offend Saint Potter, and kept the unnecessary touching that gryffs were so fond of to a minimum. Best of all, Ronald Weasley had steered well away from them.

Socializing with this boisterous and obnoxious bunch was worth it. He watched as his sister twirled about laughing. She was so full of joy.

Astoria giggled and spun around Hermione and he felt his heart beat faster. It seemed his beloved liked playing the Gryffindor from time to time. He pulled Tory into his arms and laughed as she pouted up at him. It was too loud to converse, so he kissed her soundly. It really was a perfect evening.

Andromeda closed the door to Teddy's room. He was sleeping soundly. She took a deep breath. These last few days had been so hard. Things were finally right. She was a member of her family. She respected her head of house. Teddy's future was secure. She sat in the window seat that her Ted had crafted for her. His own hands had set each piece. He'd fudged a bit with magic, using sticking charms to hold the boards as he nailed them, but it didn't matter to her.

It was the one place where she could still feel him. His warm solid body had held her through all their years together. His steady nature had helped her settle and abandon the bouts of mania to which she'd been prone. She ran her fingers along the odd round scar where he'd hit the board with a charmed hammer. The cushions hid it from view, but her fingers could always find it. She pressed her face against the cold glass and let the tears come.

Harry spun Ginny out in and let her sashay around in some sort elaborate dance. He was the trellis, and she was the vine. She insisted that dancing was a necessity. He felt he spent enough time muddling about, but watching Hermione glide around the room with Zabini while Malfoy took Astoria around made it obvious Ginny was right.

"I didn't expect Zabini to show up." Ginny frowned. "I know he's a friend of Draco's, but she can do so much better."

"What do you mean?" Harry put his hands awkwardly on her hips.

"I mean she's your best friend, the greatest heiress of our generation, and the head of an ancient and noble house." Ginny rolled her eyes. "They're all going to be chasing after her now."

"She doesn't care about that stuff." Harry shook his head. "She's still just Hermione."

"Sure, she is." Ginny sighed.

"You don't think she is?" Harry managed a decent spin around the floor and watched Ginny's eyes.

"I think Ron needs to realize he's out of the running before he does something stupid." Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder. "She really has moved on."

Severus walked through his garden. The night blooming flowers perfumed the air. The moonlight reflected off bits of mica mixed in the gravel paths. The overall effect was lovely. The house wasn't as grand as the Malfoy seat, but it was roomy and well situated. The predictable verdant lawns and a bit of forest were complimented by the babbling river that could be heard in the distance.

The elves had managed to make the place livable. They'd all but shoved him out the door as they ripped covers off the clothing and polished every surface to a gleam. He'd barely caught a glimpse of his home, but their dedication reflected in each shining window. The golden glow from inside the house soothed him. He lowered himself to a strategically placed bench and took a deep breath.

It was exactly the place to which he wanted to return at the end of a long expedition.

He hoped it found favor in her eyes.

Hermione shoved Blaise on the shoulder and smirked as the Slytherin headed back into the dancing throng. Draco chuckled at her expression. His mirth annoyed and amused her.

"You can't blame him for trying." Draco grinned. "He sees the power. He flies towards it."

"Maybe he's part moth." Astoria rolled her eyes.

"I'm not interested in a relationship." Hermione glared at them both. "I'm not on the market."

"We know." Astoria darted over and hugged her closely.

"You've corrupted her with all your open affection." Draco rolled his eyes and pulled his fiancée back from her. "I'm not into any kinky sharing thing despite what the papers say."

"So, there won't be an incestuous love child for the house of Black?" Hermione covered her mouth with a wildly shaking hand. "However will I go on?"

"Your mother will be so disappointed." Astoria shook her head and giggled. "Family traditions are important."

"You are both pure evil." Draco smirked, but stilled as he caught sight of the Weasel approaching. "Incoming."

He saw Hermione glance in the direction he'd been looking. She looked back at him and rolled her eyes dramatically before adapting an aloof expression that would have made their Mum proud.

Astoria melted into his side and took on her clingy sidekick routine. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. She did a good job of appearing harmless, but she was quick as a viper with a spell or an observation.

"Mione?" Ron smiled and shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot. "I'm sorry. I've been an unmitigated arse."

"You have." She crossed her arms and leaned back from him onto her heels.

"I know this isn't the right place. Harry told me to leave you be, but, I just, I want my friend back."

"It isn't that easy." Hermione sighed. "We aren't children at school anymore."

"Could it be a start?" Ron looked up at her through his shaggy, unkempt hair.

"Can you accept my family?" Hermione stepped closer to Draco.

Draco watched the redhead struggle and then nod. The capitulation was too quick.

"If that's what it takes." He extended his hand out to Draco. "I used to be a decent bloke. Having her around made me a better sort. I've been an arse. I hope we might try to get along."

"It takes more than words to convince me of sincerity." Draco examined the dolt's hand. "I won't be taking your hand today. That's for bloody sure."

"Well, let's just share a drink then." Ron flipped his wand and a tray came floating towards them. "It used to be Mione's favorite."

"You just happened to have it on hand?" Draco stopped the tray with a simple touch.

"I planned to talk with you lot." Ron shifted uncomfortably again. "Then Harry told me not to bother you. I just couldn't let this chance pass. The bottles aren't opened. I could just take them..."

He stepped back and the tray drifted away from Draco's hand. Weasel's obvious dejection proved one step too far for Hermione though. She took a deep breath and grabbed Ron's arm.

"Give me one." Hermione grinned at him. "One drink with an old friend won't kill me."