As Beth predicted, she and Narcissa were able to put together a fancy party in just a few days. Since Voldemort was reluctant to let everyone know where he lived, it was decided that the party would be held at Malfoy Manor. Occasionally the two witches got Hermione, Harry and Draco to help out, but on a whole they organised the entire thing themselves.
On the evening in question, Hermione was busy getting ready in her room, when she noticed Harry hovering in the doorway. Since she was already dressed in her figure hugging emerald green and black dress, her door was open slightly. When Hermione turned round, she found Harry was dressed in a pair of smart black trousers and a crisp dark blue shirt.
"You look nice, Harry," Hermione remarked with a smile.
"So do you," Harry replied, returning the compliment. "In fact, you look amazing. Draco won't be able to keep his eyes off you."
"That's the idea," Hermione said with a sly smile. "In fact, if I'm lucky, I get more than his eyes all over me."
"Too much information," Harry grimaced. "Seriously, I don't want to hear about your sex life with Draco."
"We don't have a sex life, yet," Hermione pointed out. "All we've done is a bit of light petting."
"Hermione, I don't want to know," Harry insisted.
"Sorry," Hermione replied with a light chuckle. "So what's wrong? You seem tense."
"You think," Harry muttered as he sat down on Hermione's bed.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked as she joined Harry on the edge of the bed.
"I'm just worried about this party," Harry confessed.
"I thought you were looking forward to it. Daphne will be there."
"Yeah, but what about everyone else? They've hated us for years, Hermione. We can't just walk in there and expect to make instant friends with these people."
"No-one expects us to just instantly make friends with them," Hermione pointed out. "And you don't need to worry about people hating us. Take it from someone whose already met Draco's friends, they'll be the ones worrying. They're the ones who have spent the last five years making fun of us."
"But I don't want them to like me just because of who my family is," Harry argued. "I want them to like me, because of me."
"They will like you for you," Hermione replied. "Why wouldn't they like you? You're a great guy, Harry. And you know Daphne likes you for yourself. At least with her, you know she's not putting on an act. Although from the meeting I had with them, I would say the only one you had to really worry about trusting was Pansy. The others all seemed like genuine people, whereas Pansy is just a fake bitch, and it was clear she didn't like me."
"Of course she doesn't like you, you've taken Draco off the market," Harry snorted. "She might have been sniffing around Theo last year, but it's obvious that Draco is the better catch."
"You better watch out then," Hermione cautioned. "Because if Draco is a catch, then so are you. You've got status, which is what Pansy looks for in a wizard. Plus you're pretty hot in your own way."
"You think I'm hot?" Harry teased. "Naughty Aunt Hermione, what would Draco say?"
"Don't be so annoying, Harry," Hermione tutted. "You know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying that in your own way, you're a rather attractive wizard. Then again, you do have good genes. Severus is quite attractive in his own way, and I've seen pictures of Lily and she was lovely."
"Yeah, she was," Harry said with a wistful smile. He would have loved to have really met his mother, but unfortunately all he had was pictures.
"Do you wish she was here?" Hermione asked.
"All the time," Harry admitted. "But I know she's never coming back. And at least I'm not alone. I've got you, and Dad, and Beth and Grandpa. And now there's Rosmerta, I think she's going to be a good step-mum."
"Are you looking forward to moving in with her?" Hermione questioned. Even though they'd only been back from Hogwarts for a week or so, Severus and Rosmerta had already spoke about finding a house together over the holidays.
"I don't suppose it will make much difference to me really," Harry replied with a thoughtful smile. "I spent most of my year at Hogwarts, and I still plan on spending time here. I guess it just means the time I spend with Dad, will include Rosmerta and won't be in his tiny little cottage. I actually think it could be quite fun, for the three of us to create our own little family."
"I suppose it will be nice for you to make the most of your time as a threesome before you become a foursome," Hermione remarked as she got to her feet and headed back over to her dressing table.
"Foursome?" Harry frowned at his aunt, not understanding what she was getting at.
"Come on Harry, a baby will inevitably be a part of their future. First they're moving in together, then I bet Severus proposes, and then a baby comes next. I bet in a few years' time, you'll have a little brother or sister."
"Brill," Harry said with a grin as he got to his feet. "I've always wanted to be a big brother."
Hermione chuckled at Harry as she grinned at him through the mirror. "You seem more relaxed now. Are you ready to face your public?"
"I am," Harry said with a determined nod. "I think we're leaving soon, so you better hurry up."
"I'm almost done," Hermione replied as she spritzed herself with her favourite perfume.
Harry hung around until Hermione was ready, and then together they headed down to the front room. Voldemort and Beth were already dressed and ready to go, as were Severus and Rosmerta. Once the entire family was gathered, Voldemort opened up the floo network and they headed to Malfoy Manor, where Lucius, Narcissa and Draco were all waiting for them.
"I want you two to stay with me for a while," Voldemort ordered Hermione and Harry as they arrived at the manor. "There's some people I want to introduce you to."
Harry and Hermione exchanged an eye roll, and promising Draco they'd catch up with him later, they stuck to Voldemort's side as he and Beth entered the party. Voldemort quickly took a sweeping appraisal of who had already arrived, before he selected who to start socialising with first. Spotting the Minister of Magic, Bernard Nott and his wife, Elizabeth, Voldemort headed in their direction.
"Bernard, I don't think I've properly introduced you to my family," Voldemort said. "Of course you met Hermione the other day, but let me introduce my grandson, Harry."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Bernard said, shaking hands with both Harry and Hermione. "My son, Theodore, speaks so highly of you both."
"He does?" Harry questioned in surprise.
"Well, since he learnt who you both were," Bernard hastily corrected, looking slightly flustered. "He tells me you're both very clever, and Harry, he says you're an excellent quidditch player."
"I try my best," Harry replied with a smile.
After speaking to the Notts, Voldemort swept Harry and Hermione around the room, making the introductions to several more of his Death Eaters and their families. He made sure to stop at every couple who had children their age, as well as some of his prominent followers. Even the people who'd they'd met before were given proper introductions.
"I think we can let the pair of you explore on your own now," Beth said as the family walked away from the Greengrasses, Ezra and Petra.
"I think I saw Draco and his friends in the back ballroom," Voldemort said. "I'm sure Draco can make the proper introductions."
Leaving Voldemort and Beth to mingle with the other adults, Hermione and Harry made their way to the back ballroom. Along the way people kept stopping them to say hello and make it clear how much they supported The Dark Lord.
"Wow, what a bunch of suck-ups," Harry whispered to Hermione as they excused themselves from the clutches of two low ranking Death Eaters, eager to impress Voldemort's family.
"And we're about to meet at least one more," Hermione replied. "I bet you ten galleons, Pansy hits on you before the end of the night."
"You're on," Harry said. "But I'm telling you, once she realises I'm into Daphne, she won't try anything."
"You don't know Pansy Parkinson," Hermione chuckled.
Making their way into the back ballroom, they found Draco holding court with his friends. Although, it wasn't just the group from their year of school. There were several older Slytherins, and a few younger ones, including Daphne's little sister, Astoria.
"Hey, I thought you were never going to get away," Draco said, grinning at his girlfriend and best friend as they entered the room.
"We had to do our duty as a good little daughter and grandson," Harry replied with a cheeky grin. "You know how well behaved we are, Draco."
"Yeah right," Draco snorted. "There's no-one better to get into trouble with, than you two."
"Now, now Draco, you'll be giving your friends the wrong idea about Harry," Hermione chuckled.
"Don't worry, I've told them all about Harry," Draco answered, grinning at his best friend. "They know what to expect."
"And what is that?" Harry asked, glancing around at Draco's friends and smiling when his eyes met Daphne's.
"They know you're a good guy, and don't hold the past against them," Draco supplied. "I've made it clear, anything that was said or done in the past is history."
"That's right," Harry agreed with a nod. "I want to start fresh from today."
"In that case, let me introduce you around," Draco said, taking charge of the situation.
One by one, Draco introduced Harry to his friends. Luckily, they'd all had a few days to digest the news that Harry was Severus's son and Voldemort's grandson, so they didn't react too awkwardly. Of course some people were more natural than others, and a few people were clearly in awe of Harry. There was also a couple who were clearly wary of him, including Astoria. However, the more interesting reactions came from Pansy and Daphne.
The second Draco introduced Harry to Pansy, the Slytherin girl grasped onto his hand and gave him her most dazzling smile. She then proceeded to spend almost ten minutes openly flirting with Harry, including practically offering herself on a plate to him, before Harry could detach himself from her. Luckily, directly after Pansy, Draco made the official introduction to Daphne, and the whole group could see the sparks as they shook hands and greeted one another like long lost friends.
"Well, aren't you the secretive one?" Daphne teased. "I'm guessing this was what last year was about."
"It was," Harry confirmed. "I really wanted to tell you who I was, but I couldn't. I guess I just wanted to see if you liked me before you knew the truth. I'm not interested in a girl who's only after me because of who my grandfather happens to be."
"Ooh, that's you told, Pans," Blaise laughed as Pansy visibly bristled at Harry's remark. "I don't think you're going to be getting anywhere with Potter."
"That's Snape," Harry corrected as Pansy gave Blaise a cold stare and stalked off.
"What?" Theo frowned.
"My name, it's not Potter, it's Snape," Harry clarified. "I've had it officially changed. I am now, Harry Snape."
"Cool," Blaise said with a grin. "Although it will take some getting used to."
"I'm sure you'll all manage," Harry replied with a laugh.
"Is it weird for you, now the truth is out?" Theo asked.
"It's brilliant," Harry replied. "This secret has been crippling us for years. It's great that everything is out in the open."
"I have a question," Marcus Flint, one of the older Slytherins said. "How did your father bag a fox like Rosmerta? I know dozens of guys who've tried hitting on her, but she rebuffed them all."
"I'm guessing she wanted a man, not a boy," Hermione answered, causing a few of the Slytherins to chuckle.
"And what about you?" Marcus asked, giving Hermione a not so subtle once over. "Do you want a man?"
"She's got one," Draco interrupted, giving Marcus a steely glare as he moved to Hermione's side and wrapped his arm around her. "Me."
"Let me know if you ever want a real man, Granger," Marcus continued, ignoring Draco. "I'd be ready and willing whenever you needed me."
"Thank you, but Draco is all the man I need," Hermione replied, putting a soothing hand on Draco's arm as she sensed his temper growing. "Something tells me you won't measure up, Flint."
"Try me and see," Marcus challenged.
"I don't think so," Hermione said with a light laugh. "After Draco, any other man would just be a let-down."
Marcus was smart enough to finally get the hint and he beat a hasty retreat, before Hermione could make it any clearer that she wasn't interested. Marcus's friends headed off with him, leading to the rest of the group splintering off. Hermione and Harry remained with Draco and a few of his friends for a while, before Harry headed off to grab some drinks with Daphne. With Harry otherwise engaged, Draco took the opportunity to steal Hermione away from his friends and into the gardens, which were lit up with magical fireflies.
"You look amazing," He said as the pair stopped behind a tree, out of sight of the manor.
"You don't look too bad yourself," Hermione returned. Draco was looking especially handsome in a pair of black trousers and a silk forest green shirt.
"You look almost good enough to eat," Draco whispered as he pressed Hermione against the tree.
"Why don't you have a taste then," Hermione suggested in a low voice as she wrapped her arms around Draco's neck.
"You're such a tease, Hermione," Draco moaned as he brushed a soft kiss across his girlfriend's lips.
"Who's teasing?" Hermione whispered in Draco's ear. "I thought you could have a taste tonight, and get the whole thing tomorrow. I've got the place to myself tomorrow. Harry's going house hunting with Severus and Rosmerta, and my parents are both busy."
"Are you serious?" Draco asked, his grey eyes glistening with arousal.
"I am," Hermione replied softly. "I want you, Draco. It's time."
Draco looked at Hermione for a few minutes, before his face broke out into a huge grin and he swooped down to give her a proper kiss. Outside, up against a tree in the gardens of Malfoy Manor, the couple gave themselves a small taste of what was to come. However, they restrained themselves for going too far, and when they returned to the party, it was with wide smiles and slightly flushed complexions as they looked forward to the following day, when they would finally take the next step in their relationship.
