Saturday, June 14th, 2003.

Part one: Meeting as gossip couple.

Hermione had gone home the previous night, slightly too inebriated to even attempt to work, but still not drunk enough to just go to bed. She'd tried to read, and hadn't been able to concentrate enough to comprehend a single sentence from the biography she'd randomly picked from her shelf.

Pansy sodding Parkinson's disdainful face, the dark glint in Theodore Nott's eyes, her conversation with Draco, and the trap she'd fallen in with Astoria had kept flashing in her mind, until she'd discarded the book for next year, and decided to do something else to calm her nerves. Thinking further about that day hadn't been an option.

She'd had the brilliant idea to try on the dress then.

Of course she'd ended up struggling to take off the beautiful material for twenty minutes.

It was the least to say that she'd gone to sleep slightly exasperated.

That morning though, as she put the dress back on, she was in a different kind of nerve-wrecking state.

She'd never been to any of those upper-class events before, only to Ministry parties where she'd been part of the apparently indispensable guests, but she suspected it would be as much of a chore. After all, people recognised her in the street, and a bunch of upper-class elders had to know who she was, especially now that she was head of Law Enforcement.

As she watched her morning hair and tired eyes atop that beautiful and outrageously expensive gown, she suddenly felt like taking it off and going back to bed.

It was a charity party. A classy charity party, with the whole wizarding aristocratic circle. Even Hermione knew that Mrs Greengrass was the most famous post-war hostess.

She'd had to make an effort this time. At least to blend into the mass – which could only be a good thing, it would avoid pointless hypocritical small talks – if not to please the upper-class bunch of tight-arsed she'd spend the day with.

It occurred to her that using ten bottles of Sleekeazy's to go for the usual notice-me-not look wouldn't do though. Not with such an expensive and noticeable gown.

Although it was either that or whatever inappropriate and probably equally expensive thing Astoria had picked.

Sighing, she decided against following Ginny's old advices, she'd be damned before she spent four hours straightening her hair. Instead, she grabbed only one bottle of Sleekeazy's, a fistful of pins and the very few items of make-up she possessed.

Her unruly hair only struggled for a few minutes as she passed the potion through the strands, and pined the frizzy curls at the back of her head in some sort of messy chignon. She was relatively pleased with it. The make-up though, err. She should have asked Astoria about her glamour charms. She gave up at the second attempt.

Hermione knew for a fact that she wasn't a beautiful woman, not the way Astoria was for instance, and that she was just plain and simple, but it had always been enough for her. She had the brains to compensate anyway.

After enlarging the bathroom mirror, and taking one last look at herself, she decided that if she wasn't beautiful, she was still pretty enough. She looked like herself and it would have to do.

Trying to muster some of her Gryffindor bravery, she walked out of her building, to the small dead end next to it, and apparated to the Greengrass residence.

At the sight of the house though, she was bitterly reminded that she was walking straight into another world. Being a muggle-born still had its oddities.

Whatever her position in the Ministry, whatever her war heroism, there, she did not belong. Not that she wanted to anyway.

The house was … gigantic, magnificent. A four story mansion, with immense windows framed by intricate engraved stone, and a mountainous set of double entrance doors, surrounded by towering white pillars, between which a small crowd of pastel gowns and black dress robes was already gathered.

Grimacing, she took at step closer to the gates and a tall wizard dressed entirely in black welcomed her coolly, checked the guest list, and let her in without further indication as to what to do.

She walked down the small path to the double front doors, the gigantic pillars, and the crowd of upper-class ladies and gents, suddenly hoping to find Blaise and Draco as quickly as possible. As odd as it was.

She didn't get that lucky.

"Miss Granger?" Hermione turned around. She had no idea who this elder man was but of course he knew her. She should have straightened her hair after all.

"Eh, yes. Have we …"

"No. Never. I am Albert Hasting a fervent admirer and supporter of the Order of the Phoenix during both wars." Supporter. A stashed. Good. The afternoon promised to be wonderful.

"Oh, nice to meet you." She said, trying to plaster a polite smile on her mouth as the man extended a palm to her. She felt obligated to put her hand in it, and had to take a deep breath not to jerk it away when he brushed his wrinkled lips to the tip of her fingers.

He kept her hand trapped in his a bit too long to her taste afterwards. Hermione was saved – yes saved, no snort this time – by Blaise's voice.

"Hermione! Over here!" Thank Merlin they were there. She didn't even question her sudden urge to run towards them.

Draco followed a hurrying Blaise to the gates of Greengrass Manor. The lad had whined endlessly all morning. The usually so-fucking-late idiot had pushed Draco until the last had thought repeatedly about hexing his balls. Blaise had stopped whining only when Draco had mentioned those thoughts.

They still arrived fifteen minutes early and Blaise looked … Nervous? Odd.

A wizard, dressed in black robes, welcomed them, and after a check of the guest list, let them in with a polite nod. Witches and Wizards in the usual extravagant dresses and tailored robes were gathered before the double front doors, talking, and they both walked to join the awaiting group.

Draco caught sight of the hosts and Blaise's nervousness suddenly made sense. Mrs Greengrass, looking perfect in a long rose gown, was letting people in, as her husband, impeccable to the last grey hair, was shaking hands with whatever important wizard Draco recognised without being able to remember his name. He was probably not one of his father's acquaintances.

Well, they were all not, actually. An unwelcome unease started to creep its way up his spine as he realised that he was the only ex-death-eater invited. On reflection, it was true that he hadn't been invited to any of those events since the war and, even if people were apparently too polite to comment, he was getting looks. Great, the afternoon promised to be wonderful.

"Hermione! Over here!" Blaise's voice cut his thoughts. Draco turned around to see that Granger was there and he froze. She'd been just a few feet away from them and he hadn't seen her. She wore something that definitely sported Greengrass' hands. Hence his sudden shock.

She quickly walked to join them with a small uneasy smile and Blaise gave her:

"You're beautiful." Draco saw a slight blush appear and vanish from her cheeks before she answered.

"Thank you." She smiled, avoiding Draco's eyes. He should probably compliment her too.

"Been here long?" Blaise continued as Draco hadn't been able to utter a single word.

"No, I just arrived. Astoria said she'd wait inside."

"Let's go then." Blaise said, offering her his arm. She took it and they started away.

"You're coming?" She stopped, watching him with a small expectant smile that made her dimples pop. He answered when Blaise's weird look morphed into a smirk:

"Yes." He guessed the usual compliment would have to wait. He followed, leaving a step between them. They reached the doors and the hosts, and after a polite but awkward salute for him, were let inside.

Draco kept following the 'Witch Weekly couple' in the large entrance hall, and they took the direction of a ballroom on the left.

Granger's dress was strangely all he could see. Hermione Gryffindor Granger in a green dress. It was quite the sight. Especially such a dress. It looked like liquid silk and even glistened with the light.

He could see half her back and the top of her shoulders. She had small freckles on her back. Her arms were covered with the beautiful material and the only skin he could see otherwise was approximately half of her thin calves, but it felt … immensely revealing.

Draco realised he'd never seen her in anything else than too large black clothes. Or without her gigantic mass of hair being either too tamed or too distracting.

And he surely hadn't expected that.

He had to admit that Blaise's 'pretty enough' was an understatement. She wasn't beautiful in a breath-taking way like Greengrass would certainly be but ... There was something about her.

Something about her tamed but still wild hair, waving after her as some loose curl had managed to escape her hairdo. Something about the way she held her petite form, as if daring anyone to comment with that fierceness she was the only one to possess. Something about her wide brown eyes pretending to not be amazed by the magical decor surrounding them.

Something definitely not unpleasant to look at.

It kind of slapped him across the face then, Granger was far from being the annoying buck-teethed bushy-haired girl he'd met more than a decade ago. Oh he'd known that, of course, and especially since they'd started meeting, but … Until that moment, she'd just been Hermione Granger, some sort of entity.

Not a woman.

And certainly not such a woman.

Because she was quite something.

He shook his head. Thank Salazar Blaise couldn't read thoughts. What was wrong with him?

Draco sighed for himself, whatever Granger was anyway, he'd missed the opportunity to open his mouth and do the polite thing. The fact that the compliment would have been genuine he chose to ignore.

He'd failed in his manners, and of course, she'd noticed.

He was a right idiot.

He'd make sure she had a drink and everything she needed all afternoon.

He almost snorted aloud. Like that would do. She'd call him posh again.

"There you are!" Greengrass had appeared at his side as soon as he'd taken a step in the ball room. She gave a cocky smile to Blaise, eyeing Draco. Granger seemed to realise just then that they'd both been trapped. She pulled a face and tried to untangle herself from Blaise, to no avail.

"No, you're not escaping me." He smirked. "The more trapped you look, the less stupid I look."

"But you are stupid." She snapped back making Draco chuckle.

"And here I called you beautiful." He sneered.

"How stupid of you." She countered, a mischievous chuckle escaping her lips when Blaise didn't find anything to answer. Draco followed and even Greengrass laughed a little.

"You too?" Blaise snapped at his girlfriend after an outraged glare at Draco.

"Well, if Witch Weekly says so …"

"Very funny." He pouted. Draco stifled a laugh. It was funny, especially the pouting part.

"Come with me Greengrass." He said, lifting his nose.

"Astoria."

"Oh, right. Astoria. You look lovely by the way." He mocked for Blaise but regretted it instantly as Granger drew her eyes to her feet. What an idiot.

"Thank you." Greengrass bowed with extra exaggeration, and Draco offered her his arm. She took it and led them towards the buffet. Draco had just the time to not be a complete moron, and since Blaise was still glaring daggers at his girlfriend, he muttered quietly as he passed Granger:

"You too Granger."

Hermione froze on the spot as he walked away, Astoria on his arm. She wasn't even sure she hadn't imagined the words, he'd said them so quietly.

She didn't get any time to think more about it though, that Blaise said:

"Come."

He led her to the buffet table with a chaste hand brushing the small of her back. He was the perfect gentleman, but his eyes were on his girlfriend. Hermione couldn't help but find it funny. It was their weird idea to go separately and still he was jealously sulking at his own best friend.

There were multiple sides to this man Hermione realised. All Slytheriny cunning, flirty bachelor, mocking but friendly, loyal, also whiny and now jealous.

She was pretty sure that she had more to discover, but if she were certain of one thing it was that he was beyond taken with the pretty witch. It was definitely not a simple fling. On either side.

They eventually reached the large buffet tables, where were sprawled an outrageously opulent variety of foods. Hermione couldn't help her disapproving frown. She'd never seen this much in her entire life, and it was supposed to be a charity event.

If all the money went in foods, tricky decor charms and fancy gowns, she wondered how those people could still donate to charity. No one was this loaded, right?

When she turned to Astoria, and saw her obvious lack of surprise though, she realised that the pretty witch was this loaded, and the nagging feeling of not belonging came back.

Plus, Blaise had let go of her a second to grab them a drink, and a tall young man Hermione didn't know came to greet Astoria.

To her obvious displeasure.

Whoever he was, he didn't know her well. The glare she was shooting would have made Hermione run away. Malfoy seemed to agree as he took a step away from them, frowning.

Hermione found herself very lonely at that moment.

"Hello Hermione." She jumped and turned around. One of the waiter was Peregrine Derrick. Of course.

"Oh, hello Peregrine." She answered awkwardly, wondering when in hell they'd decided to be on first name terms.

"I didn't expect to see you here." He didn't seem judging, just genuinely surprised. Hermione still remembered commemoration night, and the man's incessant talking, and decided to be curt.

"Ah." She said, with a very very small smile at the man. He didn't take the hint. Evidently. He even lowered the tray he was holding to the buffet table, and started to talk.

Hermione realised simultaneously that she was trapped, and that she was currently looking for Blaise in the crowd of pompous gowns to save her.

The first time had been more about running away from both men. Now though … Blaise was nowhere in sight! Astoria wasn't trapped by the young man any more, but she was a little further away, talking with her sister.

Hermione had no wish to punish herself more. Daphne Greengrass wasn't a pleasant woman and she even preferred 'Dicky'.

"I got the job from my cousin, he's working at the Ministry …"

"Ah." She cut again with a cold smile and tried to walk away, but the man still didn't get the hint and touched her shoulder to keep her attention. Hermione had to take a deep breath not to slap his hand away.

"Who did you come with? I just saw you and … I mean I'm not a guest obviously, but if you were alone I could …" Godric's beard was he really hitting on her?

She didn't help him. She just shrugged helplessly and then her eyes finally landed on Malfoy who had stepped even further away from Astoria and Daphne, and was now far away enough that he probably couldn't hear the conversation.

Hermione could still see the look on his face though. The bastard. He was pinching his lips so hard it made her hand throb to grab her wand. That deserved at least a stinging hex. Of course he didn't step closer to help her.

"I came with Blaise." She eventually said, glaring daggers at a now chuckling Draco sodding Malfoy.

"Zabini?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I … I didn't know you'd … I mean I thought you weren't in very good terms." Derrick stuttered, obviously surprised and a little disbelieving.

"Oh but we are." Blaise. Thank Merlin. Malfoy rolled his eyes from afar and it was Hermione's turn to smirk.

"Oh. Zabini. I …" Derrick stuttered as Blaise came beside Hermione and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Should go. Yes. It's not very polite to hit on another's girlfriend, you know?" He snapped, not even trying to hide his amusement at bullying the man.

"I … I wasn't …"

"Go away Dicky." He ordered. Hermione bit the inside of her cheeks as Derrick didn't need to be told twice. If he'd known how to fly he would have. He even forgot his tray, and didn't come back for it.

There'd been a time where Hermione wouldn't have found the little bullying funny at all, but just then, she shamelessly could confess that she'd almost laughed. It was the second time Blaise saved her from the talkative and boring man.

The poor guy would probably end up traumatised if something like this ever occurred again, but her relief was stronger than her concern. And Blaise had done it with such a smug and condescending smirk she'd been reminded of herself with her ex-employees, and decided that she couldn't blame someone for doing exactly what she'd done before.

"Thanks for that." She said.

"My pleasure. Always fun to chase away the morons." He dismissed, perusing the abandoned tray.

"He's not a moron, he's just a tad …"

"Thick? You said 'ah' twice with a 'please fuck off' face … Even I would have given up." He said, now grabbing a fancy canapé and inspecting it closely.

"Err …"

"Oh sorry, was that a pathetic attempt to flirt back?" He asked, a start of a smirk on his mouth as he put the canapé back down. She pulled a face at him.

"No." She snapped, and then added with another face: "Have you seen his teeth?"

He chuckled: "Well, after marrying a Weasley I guess any Slytherin would be an improvement." That man didn't have any qualms with her. No pity. Well, it'd been what she'd wished for, right? At least she didn't have to worry about his honesty.

"I'm going to ignore that or I'll have to kick your arse." She threatened. Of course he remained entirely unbothered and kept smirking:

"Unless you'd prefer another Slytherin? A tall annoying blond maybe?"

"No thank you." She said rolling her eyes, and hoping Astoria had kept her little manipulation for herself. Blaise would never let this go.

"You sure? I found you got along quite fine." He taunted.

"I get along with Aberforth too. Doesn't mean anything." She tried.

"Not fond of long white beards Granger?" He chuckled.

"Nope." She said, chuckling herself.

"Me neither." He grimaced and she had a little laugh. He eventually found a canapé he judged worth eating and only when he was done chewing, he asked, his tone more serious this time: "Seriously though, have you thought about finding someone else?"

That question took her off guard. Either he was a great actor, and he was plotting something with Astoria, either he was really wondering. She had no idea which it was. She settled for being honest:

"Not really no. I'm just divorced Blaise."

"It doesn't have to be serious." He shrugged. "Plus, it's been months already, hasn't it?" Indeed she'd been divorced for five months now. Really free from any ties with Ron since he'd sold the cottage a month before though. Still, finding someone else hadn't even occurred to her.

"It has. But I haven't thought about that yet. I'm a bit busy."

"You can always find some time for a little fun, you're here after all." He shrugged again and Hermione frowned. That conversation was weird.

"If you say so." She dismissed.

"Trust me I know what I'm talking about. If you found someone our age …"

"Right." She cut. Weirder.

"Someone absorbed by work and as stubborn …" Good actor.

"Draco's not an option Blaise." She could have fallen for this one too. Godric that couple would be the end of her!

He chuckled: "Right, and I'm ugly."

"Oh that you are." She sneered, hoping to sidetrack the subject.

"Gryffindors are bad liars." He taunted.

"Slytherins are a pain in the arse." She snapped back.

"But you can't do without us." He smirked, wriggling his eyebrows.

"You're annoying, you know that, right?" She eventually sighed. He'd never stop anyway.

"That's why you love me so much."

"I don't. I even regret ever speaking to you." She lied, trying to look angry, not on the verge to laugh.

"Another lie. Here I thought you were always truthful. I'm disappointed." He pouted.

"Here I thought you were unbearably irritating. Oh but wait! I was right."

"You hurt me Hermione. Where has our love gone?" He asked with false sadness.

"In the potion you obviously didn't take." She snorted. They both chuckled before he continued:

"I must have forgotten. I'm a bad boy. Maybe you should punish me." He purred. Hermione sighed:

"Do you ever stop flirting? Or is that some sort of second nature?"

He shrugged: "Only with beautiful women." The fact that he didn't seem mocking just then obligated her to hide a little smile before she answered:

"Well then stick to yours please. Whatever you made the papers say, I'm not interested."

"You break my heart." He said gripping his robes in some dramatical act.

"You piss me off." She chuckled.

He blew her a kiss then and Hermione felt herself give him his grin back.

"Where are the others?" He asked after stuffing another canapé in his mouth. Apparently manners weren't a upper-class thing, just a Malfoy thing. She took a look at their surroundings:

"I … Well Draco disappeared and Astoria was just there … She was arguing with Daphne just a moment ago …" At Daphne's mention his face dropped abruptly. He seemed now … nervous?

He gulped down the canapé before worrying: "You're kidding, right?"

"No, why?"

"Daphne?" He cringed, his eyes not on her any more, but seeking Astoria in the crowd. "I forgot she'd be here."

What was wrong with Daphne? What did she have to do with Blaise?

Oh. Dear Merlin. Blaise Zabini. Of course.

"Merlin Blaise. Seriously? Daphne?" She asked and he winced this time. He didn't even try to deny it:

"It was before commemoration."

"Still, sisters?" She reprimanded.

"Well I … I didn't intend to … It wasn't supposed to last with Astoria." Hermione saw the genuine worry in his dark eyes then, and the obvious concern made his next words waver: "Although it might just be screwed now."

She'd been right and reassurance was her first instinct: "Don't say that. I'm certain …"

"Gryffindor bullshit." He cut abruptly. Right. She was with Blaise Zabini.

"Right. You better beg for forgiveness at her feet then." She told.

"Let's find her." He nodded, dragging her along the ball room, and they started ducking through the moving aristocrats.

They were stopped five times by random people. 'Oh you are Hermione Granger! Our war heroin! It is a pleasure to meet such a prodigious witch!' One ever had the guts to add: 'Especially with such a background'. Blaise had the sense to yank at her arm then, and made them go away with a sharp dismissal at the obviously not very smart man.

He handled the conversations from then on. And he was really good at it Hermione realised. He managed to simultaneously compliment and insult people and have them laugh at themselves. Better, he managed to get rid of them quickly, all the while avoiding the questions about their 'unexpected' relationship. He and Astoria had really found each other, well not literally just yet but still.

They finally caught sight of her, after about ten atrocious and pointless conversations, and what had felt like an eternity of walking around the ballroom.

Hermione nodded to Blaise, and after grimacing, he let her a few steps away to go talk to his girlfriend. Astoria looked beyond pissed off.

It would take more than begging to have her forgive him. Damn. Hermione hoped that her wrath didn't surpass her feelings for Blaise. They were good together. Equally sly and annoying.

They started arguing quietly right away, far away enough that Hermione couldn't hear what turn things were taking.

She felt again, very lonely.

She started to feel a bit claustrophobic, as she was surrounded by people who didn't bother to hide their curious glances, when someone joined her.

Someone she hadn't remembered she'd always wished to slap on the face. No magic. A hard slap on the cheek, the muggle way.

Hermione decided just then that she'd never go to any charity event ever again.