Chapter 3: The Dance
"Did you enjoy your meal, mademoiselle?" the waiter asked as he cleared my pate.
"Yes, my compliments to the chef, everything was delicious." I smiled. I turned and saw Draco walking towards our table with his mother in tow.
He approached our table and cleared his throat, I stood up and indicated that my parents do the same.
"Mum, Dad, this is Draco, He goes to Hogwarts." I said quickly as my parents gave me a confused look.
"Oh, how nice to meet you." Mum said as her and Dad shook his hand.
"Likewise, this is my Mother, mother these are the Grangers."
"Please call me Narcissa." His Mother said
"Nice you meet you, I am Jean and this is Walter." My mum said.
"And you must be Hermione." Mrs. Malfoy said turning her attention on me.
I was wondering if Draco had told her my name of if she had remembered me from that night at her house. I smiled and took her hand, "Yes, it is nice to meet you."
"Well Mother you have met them now, sorry for any intrusion on your dinner." Draco said to my parents.
"Oh nonsense, we are done. So you go to school with Hermione? I don't remember you ever mentioning a Draco before." Mum said.
"Well we didn't really socialize." I said looking at Draco.
"Too busy competing with each other for top marks." He said as my Mum began to look concerned. My Parents knew of some of the clashes between Muggles and Purebloods. I spared them the torment I went through in school and during the war by these pureblood death eaters, and I am glad I did. If my parents had known about the Malfoy's and their relationship with someone like me, chances are this meeting would not be as polite. I gathered by Malfoy's manners that he was determined not to give away hints that our school experience had been negative.
"Ah, yes you are the Hermione Granger! I have heard about you." Mrs. Malfoy exclaimed, "I recall many professors calling you the brightest witch of your age." Apparently Mrs. Malfoy was determined to wash away the memory of that night when her sister…ok Hermione it is in the past now. For all you know Mrs. Malfoy could be the complete opposite of her sister.
I blushed with embarrassment as my parent beamed with glee "Yes, we are so proud of Hermione, she works so hard at that school."
"And may I ask what you do for a living?" Mrs. Malfoy asked my parents.
"We are both dentist." My dad said.
Mrs. Malfoy looked puzzled by this, "They clean teeth, and it's a muggle thing." I tried to explain.
"Ah, I am sorry. I am just starting to learn about how muggles live."
"We come from a long line of wizards and witches." Draco told my parents.
"Yes Hermione has explained all these muggle and pureblood terms to us." Mum said.
"Well, I am ready for some tea, would you care to join me out on the patio for dessert?" Mrs. Malfoy asked, "Draco, why don't you ask Miss. Granger if she would like to dance."
"Mother." Draco said warningly and earned a glare from his mother.
"It's ok, I am not really much of a dancer."
"Oh Hermione, you are a wonderful dancer. I think it is a lovely idea. These two can catch up and we can have tea and dessert." Mum said as she linked arms with Mrs. Malfoy and walked towards the patio doors.
Dad looked at Malfoy unsure of what to say, "We will be outside if you need us dear." He said as he kissed my cheek and followed the ladies outside.
"Would you care for a drink at the bar instead?" Draco offered.
Alcohol, yes that is what I needed to get through this awkwardness until I could think of an excuse to leave. I nodded, "Please." And followed him to the bar.
"So." Draco said when we got our drinks and sat down on the stools.
"So, how has your summer been?"
"Complicated. What are you doing here?"
"My parents wanted to take a vacation. Thought we could use this time to reconnect and also give me the chance to move on. They wanted me to see a therapist." Why was I telling him all of this?
"Well I guess Paris is the place to go to move on. My mother had the same idea, although she would never send me to a therapist."
"I heard you were going back to school in the fall."
"Yes well mother insisted." He said monotonously.
"Are any of your friends with you?"
"No, Blaise is coming in a few weeks though. My other friends are well, busy I guess. What about you? Potter and Wesley coming to join you?"
"No they are busy as well, but Ginny said she will come."
"Are you by any chance staying at the Lafayette Hotel?" He suddenly asked.
What a strange question, how did he know I was staying there. I took a sip of my drink before I answered, "Yes, I am on the fourth floor."
"So it was you. I saw you earlier today from my balcony on the fifth floor."
"How did you know it was me?"
"Your ridiculous bushy hair." He drawled out. So there was the true Malfoy, I was wondering when all the politeness would wear off.
I simply smiled and took a sip of my drink as I turned to watch the dancers and plan my escape route.
"Would you like to dance?"
"You just insulted me and now you want to dance?"
"One, I did not insult you, calling your hair bushy is a description and two, I do not want to dance, I asked if you wanted to." He said all high and mighty.
"Not with you. Why are you even talking to me and pretending to be polite. We hate each other remember."
"I was unaware you were capable of hate Granger."
"With you I make the exception." I smirked and rose off the stool. "I think I am going to join my parents now." I said and started to walk away. I felt a hand on my arm and I turned back.
"Wait" Malfoy said, "We both know our parents would have expected us to dance. Let's just get it over with before you storm out and get all dramatic."
"Do you do everything your Mother tells you to do? Honestly my parents will know that I must have had a very good reason not to dance with you." I said trying to release his arm from my grasp.
"I thought you were moving on this summer Granger? Well I am too and I am not saying we need to be friends and travel around Paris like some lovey dovey couple on their honeymoon but we can at least be civil."
"I know that. Fine we can be civil." I said, annoyed that he said it first.
"Great, so will you dance with me then?" He asked letting go of my arm.
"I suppose I could, for the sake of being civil."
"Why how nice of you Granger." He said as he led me onto the dance floor.
OOOOOO
"With you I make the exception." She smirked and got off the stool she was sitting on. "I think I am going to join my parents now." She said as she started to walk away. Honestly how dramatic could this girl be?
All of a sudden I felt myself reach out and grab her arm, "Wait." I spoke. Wait what did I say? Why was I telling her to wait? Did I really want to dance with her? Hurry she is looking at you say something, "We both know our parents would have expected us to dance. Let's just get it over with before you storm out and get all dramatic."
"Do you do everything your Mother tells you to do? Honestly my parents will know that I must have had a very good reason not to dance with you." She said trying to pry my hand off her arm. Judging by the way her parents acted and that last statement I assume that she never went into detail on the exact relationship we had at Hogwarts and what my family did to her and her friends during the war.
I was not sure why, but part of me wanted to forget about all of those things, the name-calling, the punch, that night at Malfoy Manor with Aunt Bellatrix. If I close my eyes I can still see her laying on the floor with mudblood carved into her arm. I glance down at the arm I am holding, perhaps this is it. I glance at the other one, I cannot see anything on that arm. I regain composure and muster up any patience I have left
"I thought you were moving on this summer Granger? Well I am too and I am not saying we need to be friends and travel around Paris like some lovey dovey couple on their honeymoon but we can at least be civil." Well even being civil looks like it will be a challenge. This is a ridiculous idea, civil with Granger? Maybe too much as happened for that to be the case. Then again the brief conversation with her parents seemed to go well, and if I know my Mother as well as I think I do, I am guessing the Grangers are going to become her new best friends which means that we will be doing this every night.
"I know that. Fine we can be civil." She said, clearly annoyed that I, and not her, said it first.
I almost sighed with annoyance, "Great, so will you dance with me then?" I asked releasing her arm, I could not see the scar on this one either.
"I suppose I could, for the sake of being civil." She finally agreed.
"Why how nice of you Granger." I said, look who is acting high and mighty now. I offered her my hand and led her onto the dance floor.
OOOOOOO
It was as if we were two kids at an elementary school dance, not knowing what the appropriate distance to leave between us was and where our hands should go. This is what happens when you dance with someone who was your enemy for the last 6 years. Finally we managed to pull it together. His hand lightly on my waist, the other holding my hand. My other hand was lightly—again I stress this "lightly" concept—on his shoulder.
"See this isn't the worse thing in the world is it Granger?" He asked.
It took my will power not to glare at him, "I supposes it wouldn't be first on my list."
He just smirked at me. After a few moments of awkward silence, he leaned closer to me "I like your dress. It is quite a step up from the mundane uniforms I have grown accustomed to seeing you in."
I discretely smiled at this compliment, "Thank you. You look very nice yourself."
"Just nice?" he teased.
"I guess you look good."
"That is the same thing Granger."
"No, Malfoy. Nice is something you say to be polite. Good is something you say when you genuinely think they look pretty good for being an annoying twit." I said smiling at him.
He rolled his eyes, "Thank you for that interesting vocabulary lesson Granger. I feel as though I am back in school already."
"If we were actually in school, this would not be happening." I said. It was followed by silence. It's not like I would have expected him to apologise. "Are you really dreading going back to school?"
"Yes." He said bluntly. He looked at my face for a second and sighed, "Sorry that probably sounded harsh. I am just not looking forward to encountering certain people. I don't mind the staring when it is of admiration. But staring of betrayal and utter disgust is another matter."
"Do they really hate you that much?"
"Their families do. And where I come from, what your family thinks, you think. Their families believe that Mother and I are traitors, turning our back on our family and community. Refusing to visit my father and Aunt Bella and the rest of them. And once they find out that Mother has befriended the Grangers, well I can't even imagine what they will say."
I looked away from him, his eyes were full of pain and anger and I felt bad for bringing that out. We have both been through a lot and even though we have had similar pasts, we have different backgrounds and I can only imagine what it must be like to be raised in a certain environment full of hate and then to have it all change suddenly and to try and start over again.
"Say something." He pleaded.
"I want to say 'I'm sorry' but I feel like you have heard that enough. But I really am sorry Draco. I know I have no idea what it is like to grow up in your family and be surrounded by those people every day but I promise that I would never tell any of them that you talked to me, looked at me or even danced with me. I know what they think, I have been on the receiving end and I would hate to see you receive the same insults. And, while I cannot tell your mother not to talk to my parents, I just want you to know that they will understand if this is just a Paris thing. And if your mother or even you, ever need a place to go, they will welcome you in their home. I think mum has taken quite a liking to your mum." I said indicating behind me to the two women out on the patio laughing as if they had been friends forever. After turning to look at them he turned back towards me.
"Thank you." He said.
The song finished and we stepped a part. "Should we join them?" I asked.
"Yes. I think that would be a good idea." He said and led the way to the patio.
OOOOOO
"So you had a good time catching up with Draco?" Mum asked as we were riding back to the hotel.
I turned away from the window and looked at her, "Um, yes it was very nice." I said.
"He seems nice." Dad mumbled.
"I agree, he is also so charming. Don't you think Hermione?"
"He was ever the gentleman tonight."
"Well Narcissa invited us for a day trip to Versailles tomorrow, I thought it would be nice you came along too Hermione so Draco could have someone to talk to."
Seriously…one night wasn't enough. The awkward politeness and chit chat continues. I smiled "I would love to."
"Wonderful. I shall have a note sent to the Malfoy's suite, letting them know we accept their offer. Maybe you should wear that pretty sundress you brought, the burnt orange one."
Why? So I seem more attractive to someone who until this evening I have never had an actual conversation with? "Maybe." I simply said, like Draco would even care what I was wearing.
OOOOO
"Did you have a nice time tonight darling?" Mother asked on the way home.
"Yes." I said, not wanting to reveal too much information. Let's review shall we. I ran into this girl from school who I've known since I was 11 and who up until tonight I have only ever exchanged insults with and who by the way punched me. I saw her thought she looked like the most beautiful women I have ever seen despite the fact that I was programmed to hate her for all eternity. You forced me to introduce you to her and her family and then spend the rest of the evening with her…alone. I danced with her, and basically spilled all these personal feelings to her. I then hoped that she would laugh in my face so I would have a reason to hate her again, but no. She had to be Granger. Typical, I love and accept everyone, Granger. Just once she couldn't be like 'oh poor Malfoy, grew up in a mansion with people who taught him to hate, and instead of rebelling and trying to be good he went along with it and then made my life miserable even though I am completely innocent'. No she was nice, kind and genuine. I hate her. Well no, not anymore, I guess now I am just annoyed with her.
"Well that is lovely because I have invited them to come to Versailles with us tomorrow."
What! I have to spend even more time with her. Are you trying to kill me mother? Merlin I wish Blaise was here. But he is off doing who knows what with who know who. Well I do know what he is doing but not the who. Anyway that is not the point the point is I do not want to see Granger again.
Just then the door opened and the concierge helped Mother out of the car. I followed and we went inside. Oh great, look who's here. I saw the Grangers in front of us, getting on the elevator. Mr. Granger saw us and held the door opened and we went in.
"Oh hello again." Mrs. Granger said, "We were just talking about you two. I was going to have a note sent up to your suite Narcissa about tomorrow. We would be more than happy to join you and Draco."
"Oh how wonderful." Mother exclaimed, with the most excitement I have ever seen her express.
Yes, oh goody indeed. I looked at Granger who seemed very interested in the buttons on the wall.
"Hermione is very excited, she loves Marie Antoinette." Mrs. Granger cooed, and Granger blushed.
"The one who got her head cut off?" I asked. She does not sound like a good role model.
Granger looked at me, "Yes, she did die in that terrible way but she was not completely awful."
"Ok, just checking I didn't know you were such a big fan." I said smirking, touchy subject.
She looked at me wanting to say something back, instead she turned to my Mother, "I am very excited, thank you for the invitation." She said graciously.
"You are quite welcome dear, I thought it would be nice for Draco to have some company. I am sure he gets tired being with just me all day."
Oh you have no idea, "Not at all Mother, but I am sure Granger will be able to be an excellent tour guide, since she is such an advocate for ill-fated monarchs."
Just then the doors opened and it was the Granger's floor, so little miss I have a response for everything wasn't able to make her witty, and I am sure well thought out comeback. I smiled as she walked by and she glared at me.
"See you tomorrow!" Mother called after them. As soon as the doors closed again she pinched me.
"Ow!" I exclaimed clutching my now bruised arm. "And what the hell was that for."
"First, do not use that language with me young man. Secondly, I want you to be nicer to Hermione."
"Oh Mother, I was just teasing her. She enjoyed it really. And why are you suddenly all friendly with them. Now we have to go on trips with them?"
"I like them, they are nice." She said and walked into our suite.
"So is the bellman and you don't seem to be inviting him to Versailles." I said as I followed her.
"Do you not like the Grangers?"
"I like them just fine Mother."
"Than is it Hermione? Do you not like her?"
"Granger is fine too, I am just wondering why we have to do all this stuff with them."
"I just think it is time I made some new friends. Someone who does not know about my past and have accepted me with an open mind. I like talking to Jean, she seems like she will make a really good friend."
I looked at my mother and instantly felt bad. She is lonely, the only person she has is me and let's face it I am not much of a friend. "I'm sorry Mother. The Grangers are very kind and I look forward to getting to know them better."
She comes to hug me, "Thank you Draco."
OOOOOOOOO
"Gin?" As soon as I got to my room I called Ginny.
"Thank merlin, I've been waiting up for hours."
"It is only 1 in the morning Gin, I know what time you go to bed."
"Right, well then I just really wanted to know what happened."
"Ok well we ran into each other, and exchanged awkward pleasantries and then after dinner our families were introduced and…" I was suddenly cut off.
"You met his mother? What is she like?"
"Well she seems nice. Mum is quite taken with her. Anyway our parents went off to have tea and desert leaving just us, alone."
"Did you kiss him?"
"No. We were still in public Gin."
"Oh, sorry, go on."
"Anyway, we went to get a drink and then we danced and then went home with our respective families and apparently tomorrow we are going to Versailles with them."
"You danced! More details please?"
"It was a medium paced song."
"What the bollocks does that even mean. I don't care about the song 'Mione. Where were his hands? Did he compliment you? Did he look handsome? Sexy?"
"His hands were in the appropriate places. He said he liked my dress and he looked nice."
"Nice?"
"Good. He looked good."
"Those mean the same thing." Not her too.
"No they don't. Ok it wasn't as if he said you look so beautiful and I said thank you. I did return the compliment. What was I supposed to say?"
"Um, thank you Draco, you look absolutely dashing, would you like to go snog in the coat room?"
"I cannot believe you just used the words dashing and snog in the same sentence. And I repeat, what was I supposed to say. Not what you would say."
"Well that is why I added the word dashing. To make it sound more like you. I would have just said lets go snog."
I roll my eyes. "Ok I'm hanging up now."
"No wait, what about tomorrow? What are you wearing? You should wear that burnt orange sundress we bought in London."
Why are people obsessed with that dress? "Maybe."
"No, this is not a discussion. I want you in that dress. And I want pictures to prove it. Also make sure Draco is in the picture as well. I want to start a scrapbook of your relationship so I can give it to you as a wedding gift."
"Oh good lord, please tell me you are joking. Like I would ever marry Draco. This is Draco Malfoy we are talking about, remember?"
"Yeah, do you remember the stories? You will have such great sex and the most beautiful kids. Can you name one of them Ginny? Like for a middle name?"
"Uh no, you will not be allowed near my children. And I am not having children with Malfoy. Or sex with him for that matter."
"Well then you are in for a boring summer. Seriously when I get there, major changes will be taking place."
"Goodnight Gin, I will talk to you in a week."
"Try tomorrow missy. And I expect pictures!"
"Bye."
"Bye, I love you, say hi to sexy for me."
"Love you too, and no." I said and then hung up.
I pulled back the covers and settled in my bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.