3. Having a Chat with the Enemy
As Hermione walked towards the bar, she noticed a man sitting on the stool with his head in his hands. "Poor guy! Must have been forced to come here just like me." Thought Hermione sympathetically. "Excuse me; can you please shift to make space?" Asked Hermione.
Draco looked up. Now that she was near him, he could see that even though she was the same goody-two-shoes Granger, she was certainly beautiful. With her hair up in a knot and those big brown eyes staring at him, the chocolate of her eyes melting and pulling him into their depth, he could feel himself falling…
Draco's eyes snapped. Surely he was not thinking that Granger was pretty. No way. But those eyes. Hell! Something has possessed him. But you cannot deny that she is an angel. What?! Angel? And Granger? He should stop drinking now. Maybe she must be doing a charm on him. Or…..
"Malfoy. Look here. I said listen to me. Hello, anyone home?" Hermione snapped her fingers in front of his face muttering curses. Even though he was wearing a mask, it was not difficult to figure him out, due to his trademark platinum blonde hair. Draco finally looked at her. And he wished he hadn't. For now Hermione Granger looked as though she might blow him up. It was then that Draco realized that while he was in his land of dreams (stupid dreams); his unfocussed eyes had unintentionally drifted to Hermione's bust. And Hermione being Hermione had noticed it. "Here I come my ancestors" thought Draco as he mentally prepared himself to be killed by a furious Hermione. But to his surprise, no blow came. Instead Hermione had shifted to the next barstool and had started ordering her drink. "One butterbeer please." Asked Hermione stressfully.
Draco smirked. Even though she had changed physically, she was still the prim and proper girl who wouldn't lose control, leave getting drunk. He decided to provoke her. "Well Granger. Seeing how you are an adult now, I would have expected you to order a bit stronger drink, let's say Firewhiskey?"
For the second time in that hour, Hermione's brow itched. She replied coolly, "Leave me alone and sod off Malfoy." Draco feigned hurt, "Ouch Granger. That seriously hurt." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Immature Malfoy. That's what you are. Now just slither towards Daddy and complain how much I hurt you. Goodbye." Hermione said before gulping down the remaining contents of her butterbeer. Draco was enraged. "How dare the mudblood speak to me like this?" thought Draco as he grabbed her wrist and forced her towards him. "Who do you think you are? Just because Father used to help me earlier doesn't mean that I am totally depended on him. I am running the family business alone now without a fault." Draco spat while trying to hold a fidgeting Hermione.
"So Malfoy? I am also studying to become a Healer in the St. Mungos. And I am not bragging about it. You need to change your ways Malfoy. The war has been finished for almost 2 months. You need to let go of your ego and accept everything. By God's grace, the society is living peacefully right now. You need to move on. Now if you excuse me, I have some personal matters to attend to and would request you to kindly leave my hand and help yourself to your Firewhiskey." Concluded Hermione, freeing her hand and stalking off to find Ginny, who she needed to fresh her mind.
Draco stared at her retreating form. "Merlin's wand! She was correct. If I need to live peacefully, I have to make changes in myself. I have to make amends. And I know how to do that. I am going to show everyone that I am not the same Malfoy. I have improved myself." Thought Draco.
Draco followed Hermione. As Hermione realized that she had been followed, she turned around to face a very nervous Draco. Ron, who was behind her sharply asked, "What do you want Ferret? Came to express your desire to kill us off? No we already know that!" Harry, who was on her other side, was surprisingly patient. "Shut it Ron. No, Malfoy you speak whatever you want to. But be quick, we are discussing important matters here." Draco took this as an opportunity to speak, "Potter, I am not here to insult anyone of you. I am just here to apologize to all of you. For seven years, I made everyone's lives miserable. I now realize that I was just jealous. Granger herself made me realize that." At this point everyone stared at a masked yet obviously red-faced Hermione. "But" continued Draco, "the war has ended. I am in no pressure and have no reasons to act as a complete git. I am not asking to be chummy with you. God forbid, no! I am better this way. But I am asking you to start a civil acquaintance with me as it would benefit all of us, whereas being enemies would be of no use to any of us."
Hermione was bewildered. How come Malfoy realized his mistake by just a lecture? By now the entire ballroom population was staring at them. The sight of 'reformed' Death Eater Draco Malfoy, speaking to the 'Golden Trio' was priceless! They were whispering amongst each other, some Slytherins glaring at him, whereas some looking at him approvingly. She could see intrigue on many faces.
Meanwhile, Harry was on the verge of fainting. My God! If a berating Hermione has brought a change in him so quickly, the enmity between them could have actually been avoided! He looked at Ron unsurely, who looked murderous behind his white mask. "Harry, this is all a trap! Don't pay any attention to him. Slytherins will be Slytherins. He is just acting. How can anyone change within a minute? Harry, ask him to leave." Ron accusingly said.
Draco looked sheepishly at him. "Weasley, I know this is unbelievable. No one changes so fast. But I have not changed. I am just asking for an acquaintance different than that of being enemies. Personally, I don't even want to be friends with you. We are not like that. And by the way, Sorry to insult your family status. You may not be rich but you are absolutely loving." Draco said. Ron looked at him wryly.
Harry decided what to do next. He held out his hand in order to get a handshake, which he got instantly and said, "Well Malfoy, we forgive you. But don't expect us to be friendly with you. It is nice to see that you have seen the error of your ways but I am afraid no one will believe it unless you prove it in front of everyone."
Draco replied without haste, "Potter, I will prove to the world that we have reformed." Turning to Hermione, he bowed and said, "May I have the pleasure of a dance, please?" Hermione glanced at Harry, Ginny and Ron, unsure of what to do. While Ron pleaded with her not to agree, Harry and Ginny nodded their heads, smiling. Ginny even gave her a wink. Hermione broke into a grin and took Malfoy's outstretched hand.
As he led her to the centre, Draco glanced sideways at Hermione. Behind her mask, he knew she was beaming. "This is a new beginning" he thought to himself smiling. Everyone was staring at them. Blaise Zabini, his only friend was giving him a thumbs-up. Meanwhile a song fitting the situation started playing…..