Authoress' Usual Note: Twenty-two reviews? Averages out to eleven reviews per chapter. Hmm, not bad exactly… But not cause to jump around in glee either…
Anyway – Read up ^^
XxX
He looked at the slip of paper in his hand then back up to the house in front of him. It was the right address, and it even looked the part. A small, cozy, two storey standalone house in a suburban, residential area, a small kitchen garden in the front- a few people milling around there, a driveway with two of those muggle contraptions that the Americans called 'automobiles' and his countrymen- 'cars' and a garage behind them holding another one...
The front door was open and soft music spilled out, he glimpsed more people inside. Taking a deep breath, he strode up to the door and pushed it open further. He scanned the crowd for a familiar face and sighed in relief when he realised she hadn't lied about Potter, Pansy and Blaise.
Hermione appeared from nowhere, carrying a tray of drinks, "You made it!" She beamed. He nodded seriously, "I'm sorry I'm late... Got held up." She waved him aside, "Doesn't matter. Come meet my parents!" And waltzed through the crowd. He had no option but to follow her as they made their way out to the back garden.
"Mom! Dad!" She called to a middle aged couple talking quietly with another couple. The two parted ways when they saw who it was and the older pair strolled towards them, hand in hand. "Mom, Dad, this is Draco. Draco Malfoy. We were in Hogwarts together." He shook hands with them and handed the large bouquet to Mrs. Granger, "For the lovely lady." He smiled suavely. They were all laughing. Hermione took their leave to serve other guests and Draco was left alone with her parents.
"So we have a pirate in our midst! Arr!" Her father joked and Draco couldn't help but grin, "Wait till you see the wooden peg leg!"
Mrs. Granger laughed, "And your bandages? Rapiers, must be." They laughed again, Draco felt... eased. This was what a family was supposed to be like. Banter and fun and... just... comfortable.
The father said something again and the mother laughed. Draco could now see where Hermione got her features from; she looked like a perfect copy of her parents. Exactly like them.
They were talking again now, something about how lovely it was to be meeting their daughter's friends and how accepting the wizarding half of the world had now become towards them... He wondered how and why Granger had not told her parents the truth about him – they seemed to be so glad to meet him. It was disconcerting knowing they knew nothing of the War and past six years. He too contributed to the conversation and soon it began veering towards family and Draco made a polite but quick exit.
He headed back inside and slid onto a seat beside Blaise and Pansy. "Yo dawg!" Blaise leaned forward and extended his fist. Draco looked at it perplexed, "Uh.. what?" Pansy slapped Blasie's hand away and smiled at Draco, "He's got some new fixation with those rappers he watches on the M TV on the ET." Draco opened and closed his mouth, "Uh.. what?"
Zabini patted his girlfriend's hand, "It's called a TV. I know it's a muggle thingummy but you watch it for five hours each day. About time you know what it's called."
Pansy made a sound, "Pfft. Like I care."
He chuckled, "Yo shawty, it's good for ya if ya knowin'."
Draco wryly observed their exchange then cocked his head toward Pansy, "Where's Blaise?" Pansy smirked, "I don't know. Haven't seen him around for a couple of weeks now..." Blaise looked shocked, "Yo dawgs!" Both his friends gave sidelong warning looks. He clammed up and dropped the rapper act immediately.
Pansy leaned towards Draco, "What are you doing here?"
He laughed, "Typical Parkinson. Just get to the root."
She shrugged, "Well... this is Granger's party after all..."
He nodded and recounted his entire outing and interaction with her. As he ended, he tediously asked, "I still don't get how or why she was so open to me in the first place. Was it because of her break-up with the Weasel? And she felt particularly rebellious?" His companions shrugged. Blaise handed him a drink, "Let's think it over, mate."
Draco cautiously scanned the glass of wine without using his wand. Blaise and Pansy looked on with amused expressions. "Need to be careful all the time." He explained, "And since there are so many muggles, I used wandless magic."
"So what's the verdict? Passes your high standards of purity?" Blaise enquired with a grin plastered on his face. Pansy had one too, "Of course it does. If it didn't, he'd have forced it down your throat." Then getting serious she mused, "I would have imagined Hermione hated you even more than that Ronnie-poo."
"She didn't hate Ronnie-poo. What are you saying?" Blaise interjected. Pansy pinched his thigh under the table, making him wince, "Ow woman!"
"Blaise," she smiled angelically "I meant her hate for Draco was even more than Ron's hate for Draco." She completed harshly.
"Yeah. I thought so too. I mean, I was such a prick back in school. Called her a mudblood and stuff..." Draco played with his glass.
"I think she grew over it." Blaise contributed thoughtfully, "See Pansy here? Wasn't she in your posse too? Didn't they hate each other in school too?" He waited till Draco nodded. "And she and Pansy had their fair share of fights and abuses too? Maybe not as much as you... but pretty damn close?" Draco nodded again. "And even after all that- she and Pansy are the best of friends now. They go for lunches together and she sometimes takes Pans to watch muggle movies. They've become close."
Pansy nodded, "In fact, when she and the Weasley boy were together, she would lie to him, or conceal the truth so as to come meet me and go for lunch or something."
Blaise picked up again, "And she is pretty friendly wimme too. Wouldn't've called me here otherwise, eh? We're on good terms. In fact, she's started hanging out with a lot of purebloods and ex-Slytherins even at her work too."
"Actually," Pansy looked at Blaise, "I don't think she cares much for the Houses we had in school. I know I don't; neither do you. Nor Draco. In fact, a lot of us have just matured considerably over the years. Realising that the houses we had were just petty rivalries we weren't supposed to have in the first place. I mean, they're Houses in one school. What is the big deal?"
"Unfortunately, I don't think she has realised that yet." Draco mumbled, "She's a bloody ex-Gryffindor. In her head she's still a Gryffindor. I heard her when we spoke, 'Oh no that's too Slytherin', 'oh no that's too Gryffindor and you're a Slytherin'." Blaise pointed at him- "The blondie has a point. If she's still so transfixed with house rivalry… She wouldn't've spoken to him!"
"Then maybe it's because of the Weasley boy?" Pansy tilted her head forward, "He hates Draco. He cheated on her. She now hates him. Although she hates Draco too. No offense." She patted his arm, "She still hates Ron more than him. So to get back at Ron, she talks to Draco. Hoping somehow the news will reach Ron."
"Even if it does reach Ron... What'll happen?" Blaise lifted his eyebrows.
"She'll be telling him, basically, 'Look, you cheated on me? Well how about I cheat on your beliefs and ideals and talk to the very man you would hit with an Unforgivable'." Pansy reasoned softly. Blaise gave her an appraising look, "Ms Parkinson, I must say, you are very smart. And you have a very lucky boyfriend." They beamed at each other till Draco coughed.
"Right. Back to you, mate." Blaise straightened up. "I suppose I would agree with Pansy too. She got hurt with what you did to her, but she got hurt more by what Weaselby did to her. So in order to hurt him she's making use of you."
Draco's mouth twisted in the mockery of a smile, "Devious that. I'd have thought she's a good kid..."
His mates shrugged. "It's the only plausible explanation Draco. Otherwise she would've just hexed you and walked off, right?" Pansy raised her eyebrows. Blaise added, "Not to mention, she would've spat on your face too. Six years ago was the last time you two spoke. At that time, she really hated you, mate."
Both Pansy and Draco nodded, remembering the aftermath of the war. Draco had had his name cleared. A lot of people vouched for him, including the Golden Trio. But they still hated him, except for Potter maybe. Eventually Draco and Harry had got around to talking and being civil, but the other two-thirds of the trio still avoided him like the magical plague.
"Shhhh," Blaise attracted their attention, "incoming." Both of them understood exactly and put on laughing faces, Pansy tapping Blaise's arm casually, "Oh Blaise! You're so funny!" All of them started laughing.
"I'm glad all of you are having fun!" Hermione popped up from behind Draco. All three of them nodded, Blaise spoke first, "Oh we're having fun alright. Although Draco believes we're trying to kill him... he's put spells on his drink and what-not." Pansy smirked, "But he did get our idea of fun right." Hermione laughed with them although she wasn't exactly sure what the joke was.
She stayed and small-talked with them for a while. It was Draco who noticed first and had a sharp intake of breath. Blaise paused midway in his hilarious story of how Pansy had fallen from an escalator and turned to him with worry, "What's wrong? You okay, mate?" Draco ignored him and turned to Hermione, quirking one eyebrow, "I thought you said he wasn't invited."
Hermione looked confused and swept her eyes around the crowded and softly lit room. Pansy had straightened up and developed a sneer on her face. Soon Blaise had also lost his composure and looked venomous. Then Hermione found what they were all getting worked about. He was looking at them too.
"Hermione." He greeted her but sent death glares to her guests.
XxX
And now for the mandatory replies to reviews! Because I am such a lazy fart I can't be bothered to PM people… Not that it is entirely possible for me either – I log on, what? Once a week?
So first – I'd thank all the people who read this story! All the people who added it to their subscription lists and all those who added it to their Favourites list! Vielen Dank!
And my reviewers – ten internet hugs to you all! ^w^
FluttershyxxChicken – Hahaha, your name really had me cracking up – Fluttershy and a Chicken? Really? WHY? XD
And in response to your review – yes, I kind of do realize I'm making them move fast… But I hope this chapter provided a few (if not all) reasons and answers? And thank you for liking my Draco! *does a little dance* He's an awfully complex character to write and any appreciation goes a long way! ^x^
Ifaptogoats – Wow, your name's even worse than Fluttershy's! Why would you do something like that! XD And – THANK YOU! :D I really have no idea whether I can include HPxGW… Let's see if it fits in the storyline? But for now this is a pure Dramione… And thanks again J
xoxokris32xoxo – Thank you ^^ and yea – it's a tad short… But the coming chapters are looooong – if my thumb aches are any indications to go by -_-" And I just gave the JEE. It's not like I'm actually getting in anywhere… I was pretty cool about it – yeah – I'll go give it – who cares? That kind of thing. But my advice to you (in case you're planning on giving it) – Study. Study a lot. It's the only sure variable – the amount of studies you do is proportional to your chances of getting in. Although at the end of the day some things do fall wholly on your luck… Ite – enough rambling. Thank you ^x^
LilPWG – LOL why would you think that? They're not really in love, are they? They're not in love yet. And he's getting engaged to Astoria! Oh hahaha! And don't worry – the next chapters are long, long, looooooooong!
Pinkcrazyness - *fistpump* And yes I will. I am pretty sure my head would be put up on a gate somewhere if I ever planned on abandoning this story! *shudders* Thanks ^_^
Geuh - *goes into crazy girly mode* I have a new fan! I have a new fan! I have a new fan! Yayyyy!
Now I actually begin to understand why people want to become celebrities… Damn – I love you! TT_TT *cries in sheer happiness*
CheshireCat23 – Here's a bit of warning – you're going to have to wait a long long time ._.
It isn't in my (sadistic) nature to write short stories or anything. I like to stretch. And I like to stretch things Long.
^x^ But I hope it's worth it!
SugarPop – I dunno about role-playing. Rather busy at the moment now. And I'm still counting on your promise to make them fall in love! :P
TheAngelOnYourRight – First – I love your name! Second – Yes yes, I'm trying to continue. But it's not really easy… *puppy pout*
*Yoda mode* Patience, you must have.
:P
Idunnomyname – Ah, yes, there must've been a reason for that – like he can't actually call 'im Weasel in front of her, ne? So he must've done that! And thank you for reviewing! :D Thanks for the wishes, and JEE was okay – I guess… Though everyone knows I'm not getting in there… How are your exams coming along? Getting into IIT? :D
CarbonDioxideFart – Hahahaha, nope- nothing special for you either!
You're going to have to wait! Just like everyone else!
And thank you for reviewing! I'll get back to writing now! *Runs away before the instruments of torture are drawn*
And here is a head tip! The next chapter will roll around when I get a min of thirty-five reviews.
Wow. Aren't I demanding? :P But it works, alright? Thirty five reviews – next chapter! Thirteen reviews for one chapter isn't a bad benchmark, is it? No, right? So – see you at the end of that! ^_^ Ja ne!