"Oh Draco, it's so good of you to come here to dress before your party." Narcissa said with a smile as she put on his cufflinks.

Draco smirked. "That wouldn't happen to be your indirect way of saying that you miss me, is it, Mother?"

"Well, you do spend an obscene amount of time with Miss Granger these days."

"She's my girlfriend. Of course I'm going to be spending time with her."

"Lunches and dinners, yes." Narcissa elaborated once she had finished. "But you sleep there as well. Courting rules dictate that-"

"A gentleman doesn't overstay his welcome in the woman's home past the setting sun." Draco recited. "Yes, I know. But unfortunately, these archaic rules don't take in account how much you don't want to be away from your loved one."

Narcissa's gaze softened. She stared at her son whose eyes were alight, a smile on his lips, and aura around him that just seemed so…at peace. As his mother she couldn't deny his happiness or berate him on how he went about getting it. Especially when taking into account his past and what he'd been through.

She sighed. "Yes, alright. But please, Draco, if you're going to break any more of these rules will you do me the courtesy of letting me know in advance? I'd like to give your ancestors a chance to prepare to roll over in their graves."

Draco rolled his eyes and failed miserably in suppressing the upward turn of his lips. Since his mother had provided him with the opportunity, he'd might as well break it to her now.

"I do plan on breaking yet another rule, Mother."

Narcissa raised a brow. "Oh?"

"Yes," he nodded before taking a deep breath. "I want to ask Hermione to marry me."

The look on his mother's face was a true sight to behold. First, her other eyebrow rose. Second, her eyes widened. Third, her jaw slackened enough to slowly fall open –wide enough to display her shock, but not so wide as to be grotesque. She was still a lady after all.

"But you've only been together for a couple of months!"

"I know."

"But she's…" Narcissa paused, trying to think of a way to word this properly without angering her son. "…She won't fit in." She said after a while. "Our family and friends won't take kindly to this."

"I'm not marrying her for their benefit." Draco replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "I've done too many things in my life for the pleasure and acceptance of others. As of late, I've become quite happy doing things to appease myself."

"And I'm happy for you. Truly, I am, but-"

"Where did you think this would go?" He suddenly asked. "That Hermione would just be a short fling and then I'd end up with a pureblood witch?"

Narcissa gasped. "I've never said that!"

"Doesn't mean that you haven't thought about it. I know you, and I have to tell you that you need to put those thoughts to rest. I love her and…when you love someone time is irrelevant. So is everyone's thoughts on the matter. Although," Draco made sure to add. "I do care about yours. I'm going to ask her to marry me no matter what, but it would mean a great deal to me if you approved in some way."

Narcissa frowned. After a moment of silence including the worried and anxious stare of her only child, she pursed her lips and placed a hand on his cheek. "My darling boy… Despite my reservations on the matter, your happiness always triumphs that. I'll stand by you no matter what so long as you honestly understand the repercussions. There are infinite possibilities, and they're all serious."

"I do." Draco nodded. "And if she's willing to go through them with me, it's the next best thing she could ever do."

"What's the first?"

"Saying yes."

Hermione didn't have to find a lavish evening ball gown or anything since this wasn't a formal event. It was semi-formal, so the invitation had said, which Draco had informed her meant a half level below formal. And so she had chosen a deep violet modest knee-length with ample enough cleavage to showcase one of her best assets (Ginny's doing) and form-fitted to her figure. Conservative yet sexy. Add on diamond studs, silver bracelets and violet pumps, Hermione could safely take Draco's speechlessness as a good sign.

"You remind me of the masquerade ball." Draco said simply. Hermione could do nothing but smile and feel a flutter in her stomach because, quite frankly, he reminded her of that day too. No, he wasn't all decked out in dress robes, but a simple pair of black slacks, crisp white shirt, and a black jacket over him. He had this…air of innocence about him that made him seem unreal. And she loved him.

"Thank you. You don't look half bad yourself."

"Half bad? That's all? Well now I just feel inadequate."

Hermione laughed as she grabbed her wand and put it in a charmed slit she'd made in her dress. "You look wonderful, Draco. As always. So, are you ready to go?"

"I should be asking you that question." Draco said as he took her hand. "Are you ready?"

The brunette knew what he was getting at and she took a deep breath. "I've been prepping for days. You gave me a layout of the ballroom and all of the exits that I might need. I think… I think I'm okay."

"As long as you're sure. I promise that I won't leave your side at all, and if you need to go, then just squeeze my hand, alright?"

Hermione nodded. Draco smiled and gave her a kiss before he disapparated. Everyone else would be arriving by Floo, but Malfoy name and all of that. Hermione's heart had stopped for just a moment when they had disapparated. When they landed she realized that her eyes were closed and they were coaxed open by Draco's gentle and soothing words. When she finally did open them she found herself in a very vibrant and non-threatening foyer. It was a stark contrast to the dark, gloomy, and desolate-looking Manor that she and her friends had been carted off too.

The floor was a polished marble. The walls were made out of an identifiable stone and carvings of cherubs with enormous wings. From the part of the long hall that she could see, it was outlined with paintings. Perhaps portraits? Along the floor was a long stretch of carpet that led to elsewhere into the Manor. And up on the ceiling there was a beautiful chandelier and Hermione couldn't help but smile at it.

"It's beautiful in here." She found herself saying. Draco followed suit in her content expression and began leading her down the hall with the carpet.

"I'm glad that you like it. My mother took to decorating after… Well, after. She wanted the place to give off a different energy."

"Your mother did well."

As they went down the hall Hermione realized that what hung on the walls really were portraits. The first thing that she noticed was that everyone looked alike. Blond hair, maybe a shade or two lighter or darker on occasion, and either blue or grey eyes. Occasionally some brown. The second thing that she noticed was that their mouths were moving, but no sound was coming out.

"Draco, why can't I hear what they're saying?"

Draco frowned. "You don't want to know what they're saying."

"Oh," Hermione pouted. Draco noticed and he squeezed her hand.

"Mother and I have tried to remove them over the years, but it's impossible. Whatever magic my ancestors put on them can't be reversed. I'm really sorry-"

"Don't be. You silenced them and I appreciate that."

"Good." Draco nodded.

They continued walking to what Draco told her was one of their "smaller" ballrooms. They paused in the entryway for a moment because of Hermione. She wanted to assess the room with a careful glance before fully stepping in, and she found all of the exits that Draco had described to her. As for the guests, there were quite a few people here already and she tried to figure out who they were. A laugh similar to a cackle is what caught her ears first, and she spotted Pansy Parkinson. Hermione fought a grimace. As a proclaimer of someone's past not defining their present, she would feel like a complete hypocrite if she hated the woman on sight. Theodore Nott, on the other hand, was a different story considering the drunken mess he had turned Draco into earlier that year. He seemed to have spotted them first and, if she wasn't mistaken, he looked surprised.

Blaise and Liliana hadn't made it yet which made her feel uncomfortable, but there was a couple here who seemed rather friendly and waved at Draco enthusiastically. Judging from their appearance, Hermione assumed that these were his Auror friends he had told her about –Uriel and Lydia Harper. The hostess of this affair was out mingling, and Hermione took a deep breath while trying to differentiate her traits from that of her evil sister. Narcissa was mingling with other people who looked quite similar to her and Draco. Their family. The idea of it struck her as odd. Whenever she thought of Draco's family the only people who came to mind was Narcissa and Lucius. To come to the conclusion that there were more Malfoys or simply anyone of relation to them just seemed…daunting.

"Let's greet the friendly ones first, yes?" Draco suggested. Hermione nodded and she took a deep breath as they left the hall and into the ballroom with the other guests. She could feel everyone's eyes on them immediately. Some were polite. Others were curious. And then there were some, particularly from the Malfoy family tree, who were absolutely astonished at the scene. But she paid them no mind and neither did Draco as they approached Uriel and Lydia.

"Uriel, Lydia," Draco smiled as he greeted them.

"Draco! I haven't seen you since training!" Lydia said enthusiastically as she hugged him. "Espionage is intense."

"I'd be surprised if it wasn't. Regretting your choice yet?"

"Not at all. Intense, but great is what I say." Lydia grinned and then she turned to Hermione with her hand outstretched. "You must be the Hermione Granger. Forgive me if I'm a little star-struck and if I know a bit too much about you. Aside from the fact that you're famous, Draco always talks about you."

Hermione shook Lydia's hand and tried her best not to blush as she gave a side-glance to Draco. "He does, does he? All good things I hope."

"Always!"

Draco chuckled. "Nice way to embarrass me."

Uriel laughed. "That's my wife's specialty. Hi, I'm Uriel."

"Nice to meet you," Hermione said pleasantly. "Have the both of you been here long?"

"No, not too long. About twenty minutes or so. It's been…an interesting twenty minutes." Uriel smirked. Draco furrowed his brow.

"How so?"

Lydia raised a finger and pointed it at herself. "Formerly a Rosier here, remember? Your family is quite interested in that."

Draco groaned. "Bleeding hell. I'm sorry. I probably should've warned you that they're-"

"Oh, there's no need to apologize." Lydia assured him. "It was actually quite fun pointing out Uriel's heavy muggleborn and muggle 'infested' family. Their faces were priceless. Hermione, if you please, do have fun with them and tell me a story will you?"

Hermione laughed. "I'll try my best."

Draco shook his head. "I think this party just got a bit more interesting."

"I'd say so." A new voice joined the conversation. Everyone turned their attention to Pansy and someone who Hermione could only surmise as to be her date. The man also looked very much like Draco with the exception of darkened hair. Judging how both he and Draco greeted each other, she assumed she was right.

"You haven't grown sick of her yet?" Draco asked. Pansy narrowed her eyes and scowled in his direction while the gentleman laughed.

"Not yet." Jacques smiled. "She's quite sweet."

"There's no need to lie, you know."

"Draco," Hermione and Pansy admonished. The former was more playful than the other, but either way both women took notice of each other and Pansy lifted her chin.

"Granger," she greeted. "It's been a while."

"So it has." Hermione replied. "Things have been well with you, I take it?"

Pansy grinned and held onto Jacque's arm. "Very well as a matter of fact." She took a moment to eye the brunette's hold on Draco and smiled smugly. "It seems things have been going well for you too. Come on, Jacques. We still have a bit of mingling to do."

Pansy tugged him along and Jacques made eye-contact with Draco before leaving. Uriel snickered.

"So he was lying then, yes?" Uriel asked. Draco nodded.

"Absolutely. I feel kind of terrible though seeing as I did sort of introduce them. As my cousin I should've been kinder."

If a comment like that couldn't put Hermione at ease then nothing would. But of course, the presence of someone else from her past who, unfortunately, made her present somewhat uncomfortable would do the trick. When she turned around there the regal woman stood. Narcissa Malfoy was dressed in Slytherin green, her hair rolled neatly into a bun atop her head and her hands clasped in front of her as she regarded the couple.

The Harpers left with a subtle nod to Draco that they'd see him later on, and soon it was just the Malfoy matriarch alone with her son and his girlfriend.

"Miss Granger, you look lovely." Narcissa said politely as she gave her hand. "Narcissa Malfoy. It's finally wonderful to meet you."

Blonde hair. Non-crazed eyes. Pleasant demeanor. The brunette thought to keep herself calm.

"It's my pleasure as well." Hermione answered as she shook her hand. "Might I say that you look fantastic just the same."

Narcissa gave a short, aristocratic laugh that nearly made Draco snort, but he knew better than that. The simple pleasantries that went on between unacquainted people was perhaps the falsest conversation that a person could have, but necessary nonetheless. His mother would roll with the real talk momentarily and Draco's brows nearly shot off his head when she began.

"I hear that you're quite in love with my son."

Had Hermione been drinking something she would've choked on it. Instead she blinked once, glanced at Draco who was silently giving her all the apologies in the world when she parted her lips to reply.

"Well, yes, I really am. We've-"

"Narcissa, my dear," a gentleman of about Draco's height along with two other men approached them. "Draco," he said with a nod.

"Uncle Tiberius," Draco replied. He then motioned to Hermione and said proudly, "I'm sure you know of my girlfriend, Hermione Granger."

Tiberius, as well as the men who must have Draco's relatives too, turned to look at her. His nose was crinkled and he looked as though he had been utterly insulted at having her in his presence.

"Yes…" He said in an uninterested drawl. "I do. Now, Narcissa," he turned back to the hostess. I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but you simply must reconsider your position on petitioning with us. The law that the Ministry is trying to pass on 'potentially harmful possessions' is absolutely ridiculous."

"Oh, Tiberius," Narcissa tutted. "Please, no politics tonight. And if you were unaware, I was in the middle of something with Miss Granger."

Tiberius huffed. "She can wait."

"Uncle," Draco warned, but Hermione put hand on his upper arm to steady him.

"Draco, it's fine." She said with a smile. "In fact, I'd actually like to weigh in."

Tiberius had looked completely taken aback at her words, but Hermione plowed on anyway.

"If you have a grievance with the law, then why don't you take the matters up with the members of the Law Committee responsible for it? I assure you that a petition won't work."

Tiberius scoffed. "And they call you the brightest witch of her age? No one can simply 'take up matters' with the Law Committee."

"Well, considering that you're currently talking to one of said members, I think you can." Hermione grinned brightly. Draco smirked by her side while his uncle's mouth fell open (as well as his two other relatives). His mother's facial reaction didn't change much, but he knew intrigue when he saw it.

"I'll be happy to take down any issues you may have and bring them to Kingsley. Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione giggled into the back of her hand. "Minister Shacklebolt. Sometimes I forget not to refer to him by his first name when it's not personal. It's hard drawing the line between professionalism and friendship, wouldn't you agree?"

"I…well…" Tiberius stammered. Narcissa took a cool, calculated breath and gently cleared her throat.

"I don't think there'll be much need for me then, Tiberius." Narcissa commented before smiling in Hermione's direction. "Miss Granger seems to be all the help you require. Now, no more politics. Do enjoy the party."

That, everyone had gathered, had been a dismissal, and he and his companions left. Hermione closed her eyes briefly and sighed. That could've gone horribly, but thank Merlin her quick tongue didn't land her in any hot water. She was in complete bliss at having that tat-for-tat out of the way, but she snapped her eyes back open when Draco's mother spoke.

"Well done." The matriarch unexpectedly congratulated. "Anyone who can handle that uncouth man is quite the worthy individual. I hope you enjoy the festivities, Miss Granger. And do continue making my darling Draco happy, won't you?"

Hermione nearly stuttered. "I, well, yes. Of course. I wouldn't dream of doing anything else."

"Good." Narcissa replied contentedly. "Then I'm sure we'll get along fine."

Not a conventional meet and greet, but Hermione deemed her brief moment with Narcissa to be a success. She and Draco spent a good amount of their time with Uriel and Lydia, and when Blaise and Liliana showed up, the six of them kept each other company. With all of the frivolity it left very little time for Hermione to think of the bad things that had happened in some room either near or far from her. All she could see were smiling faces. She heard loud laughter. Everything was just…perfect and at peace. She even allowed Draco to leave her side for a moment to head to the restroom. She still had her…well, yes, she had her friends to keep her company despite the fact that they were in their own conversations. This, however, freed up some time for someone she had yet to speak to for the night to capture her attention.

"You've caused a bit of a stir tonight." Theo said nonchalantly as he sipped on some champagne. Hermione merely shrugged.

"Draco and I have caused enough of a stir. Tonight has been no different."

"I don't know. Media is one thing, but these people are-"

"People," Hermione finished. "Whether reporters or purebloods, they'll talk no matter what."

"No, the former talk." Theo explained. "Purebloods, on other hand, do a lot more than that. It's not safe for you here."

Hermione could hardly contain her scoff. "You actually care about my safety?"

Theo smirked. "Who do you think tipped off the Ministry about your apartment?"

Her eyes narrowed. "How did you even know about that?"

"I run in certain circles. And those circles hardly want a witch of your…caliber any closer to their neck of the woods."

"Well," Hermione huffed gently. "Kindly tell your circles that they can shove off."

Theo chuckled. Then he laughed. "I see why Draco is taken with you. Perhaps your feisty attitude will be enough."

Theo inclined his head, got up and walked away. Hermione stared after him and frowned before returning her gaze to the table.

"What did he say to you?" Blaise suddenly asked. Hermione looked up at him and then waved a dismissive hand

"Utter foolishness,"

Blaise, his face sporting an unfamiliar stern expression, shook his head. "Nothing Theo says is foolish. Draco may not have told you this yet, but I'll say it in his stead. Stay away from him."

Author's note: Actions speak louder than words I'd say! Narcissa seemed to have seen something in Hermione she liked ;)

Sorry for the lateness, but holidays! Yey! Can't believe 2017 is almost here. Is it just me or did this year just fly?

-WP

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