Same standard disclaimer, same standard warning. Yep things to get worse before they get better. And by worse I mean so much naughtier...

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A Malfoy Ring

In her entire life Hermione Granger had never felt as agitated about her appearance as she did at this very moment. Ginny was fussing over Hermione's wild mane of hair while Hermione fidgeted under her. Ginny looked radiant in her in her light blue silk formal, her hail was curled up close to her head.

Hermione felt like a troll in comparison to Ginny, her hair was wild and frizzy. Ginny smiled encouragingly and smother her hands over the tangle of curls and muttered a few charms. Instantly Hermione's hair coiled about her head with a few wispy tendrils loose.

Ginny took her hand and led her to a mirror. "Lovely Mione, look."

Hermione smiled at her reflection, her hair was under control and she was in love with her dress. Richard and Claire Granger were sensible and frugal. They owned a three bedroom home, already paid off, and two small economy cars, paid for in cash. They seldom took vacations and purchased generic brands at the grocery. But the Granger's had a secret of their own; every now and again they loved to splurge. When their only daughter told them of her last Yule Ball Claire insisted on an extravagant final gown. Under a string of protests from Hermione, Claire had taken her to Armani in London and purchased this, her last formal gown as a student.

Hermione squealed, "Amazing Gin! Can't I do anything for you?"

Ginny smiled awkwardly, "Actually Mione, um..."

She blushed, "What Gin?

Ginny fiddled with her dress, "Can Harry and I stay here tonight?"

Hermione snorted a laugh, "Certainly, but why...?" She stopped short in the middle of her own question. "Gin, are you going to sleep with Harry?"

Ginny flushed, "Umm, actually Mione, we did the night we slept over..."

Hermione looked at her bed, she felt slightly disgusted at the thought that they had made love there, but jubilant from her friends. "Gin, of course you may! Congratulations."

Ginny hugged her roughly, "Oh Mione, it is sooo good, why didn't you tell me before?"

Hermione hugged her back, "Well Gin, the person I have been sleeping with has been quite taboo up until now. Speaking of Malfoy...Oh!" She looked at the clock, "We need to meet the boys." Ginny grinned and walked her out to the stairs, Harry and Draco were to meet them in the commons ten minutes previously.

Draco paced the room nervously to the great amusement of Harry. "Malfoy chill out, enjoy your beer!"

Draco took a long swig and resumed his pacing. He startled as the portrait to Hermione's room creaked open, Harry chuckled at him, "Nervous Malfoy?"

Draco scowled, "This is a big night for us Potter, this is the first time we go public."

Harry nodded as his gaze shot to Ginny, "Awwww Gin look at you! You look lovely."

Draco stared, behind Ginny, to where Hermione stood, her hair in a crown of braided curls, her dress white and strapless. It flowed out for a tight fitted chest in a high empire waist. The fabric was an eggshell colored silk covered in a layer of embroidered gauze. The gauze was covered in elegantly woven golden roses and celtic knots. Draco rushed to her, "Hermione love, you look magnificent."

She smiled broadly, "As do you Mr. Malfoy." He looked simply breathtaking in his tailored dress robes. The high grade wool clung lightly to his athletic frame.

He quickly pulled a flat velvet box from his inner pocket. "Mina will you do me the honor of wearing these this evening?" He opened the box to reveal a gorgeous necklace dripping in diamonds with a pair of chandelier diamond earrings.

Hermione had no idea what to do, she had never before seen anything so magnificent, even in the crown jewels. "Seriously Draco?"

He smirked, "There are yours love, Black gems for the Malfoy heir."

She allowed him to clasp the necklace about her neck and gingerly insert the earrings. "Do they look alright?"

Draco beamed, "Perfect! Shall we go awe them?"

Hermione winked at him, "Please!"

Hermione trembled slightly as they entered the hall. It had only been two days since Malfoy had so publicly announced their entanglement. The students in the room turned to view them. Ernie and Seamus glared at her from the corner.

Dumbledore stood from the staff table and welcomed them all to the annual Yule Ball, then bade the Head students lead them in a first formal dance. The music commenced as the Heads took the floor. Hermione did her best to hold her composure while clasp so tightly to Draco.

He led her into an elegant waltz, sweeping her about the floor, brushing closely against the crowd of students. Hermione felt her body melt against Malfoy's elegant form, he danced like a seasoned vet., pulling her through each move effortlessly.

Draco ogled her, "Hermione really, you look gorgeous, I the luckiest wizard in the world."

Hermione grinned, "Draco I love being with you."

He kissed her fiercely and the hall erupted in cat-calls. "See Mina, the students agree."

She giggled, "They just like the scandal!"

He arched an eyebrow at her, "You mean like Teen Witch Weekly?"

She burrowed her reddening face into his shoulder, "You saw that!"

He nudged her, "I do enjoy my first proper mag spread."

He was, of course, referring to the Friday edition of Teen Witch Weekly, the teenage gossip rag which had featured the two of them on the cover. The wizarding tabloid proclaimed in a garish font—Wealthy Pureblood Playboy, Draco Malfoy, dating Muggle-born Hermione Granger, best friend of Harry Potter!—The mag really hadn't much to go on other than first person accounts of the torrid kiss. The interviews consisted mostly of students dissecting their long-time rivalry and a step-by-step account of the Great Hall incident.

The cover featured the forlorn gazes of each. Hermione could not imagine where they found the picture, she could not remember ever giving a similar look in a snapshot.

She scowled, "Draco I am utterly unprepared to be in teen gossip rags, they are so sordid! Gin told me how they approached her via owl with a very hefty sum to tell her first-hand account as my best friend!"

Draco chuckled, "Well love, this is like the Crown Prince of Whales dating, it is bound to be thoroughly covered. Just don't do anything outside of our quarters that you won't mind the entire wizarding world seeing."

Hermione couldn't imagine what the rags mages would have to say about tonight, but imagined after Draco's comment that their first public date would not only make the news next week, it might BE the news next week!

The next song started and all the students joined them on the floor. Draco led her into a modified waltz, pressed even closer to her form. Hermione glimpsed Ron grinning madly at Pansy, who was stuck tight against him. Next to them Harry and Ginny waltzed by, smiling at one another like fools.

Hermione almost stopped dancing as the thought hit her, "Wait Draco, you said this is your first mag spread, but I know for a fact you are in the gossip rags and news all the time. I mean Merlin! Even I knew all about you when we first met and I am no gossip monger."

He elbowed her, "Is that how you know my full names?"

Hermione blushed, "Maybe…sheesh, I felt like such a girl!"

"What Granger, cut out my pics from the rags for you mirror?"

"NO Malfoy! You wish, I just, you know, wondered about the comment." It was well known that many young witches, and a few wizards, had shrines made up to Draco Malfoy, whose façade constantly graced the pictures of wizarding publications. The wizarding paparazzi were merciless in their pursuit of the best picture.

"Well Mina, we did cover twelve pages of the rag. I mean Merlin only knows where they got the baby pictures, let alone the spread of us over each year. There were three bloody pages devoted to you and your history with the Golden Trio and another two about Krum."

Hermione scowled, Teen Witch had made a huge deal out of her former relationship and her friendships. It seemed Hermione had become a witch celebrity in her own right. The mag was toting her as a role model for young muggle-borns everywhere and had announced an upcoming 'Hermione Watch' column, detailing her weekly activities.

They had been dancing for over an hour before Draco drew her to a refreshment table to sit and have a drink. Catching sight of them Ron led Pansy over to join them. Pansy begrudgingly sat as far away from the couple as possible, while Ron went to gather drinks. Pansy did her best to ignore them.

Draco smirked at her, "Parkinson, pleasure to see you here tonight. Having fun with the Weasel?"

Pansy scowled back at him, "Oh, I don't know Draky, having fun with your Mudblood?"

The table went silent and instantly tense. "Pansy, apologize." Draco spoke in a menacing tone.

Pansy smiled wickedly, "Draco you have gone daft if you think I will apologize to this muggle-born bird."

Draco stood ominously, "Pansy, I won't tell you again."

Pansy glared at Hermione, stood up and approached Draco. As she reached him her smile turned into an evil scowl. She quickly raised a clenched fist and before Draco could move Pansy threw a punch at Hermione's face.

In slow motion a large green dragon emerged from the Malfoy binding ring. It coiled out of the stone and circled up and about Hermione's body; it sparked a green flare as Pansy's fist made contact. In an instant Pansy was thrown back across the room and crumpled against a group of dancing witches.

Pansy quickly righted herself, wincing in pain, before running back to the table and jumping at Draco. "FUCK YOU Draco Malfoy! You gave this MUDBLOOD a Malfoy RING? I mean for fucks sake!" She threw herself at him again, pummeling him with her small fists.

She finally stopped when a confused Ron pulled her back and into his arms.

Draco quickly took Hermione by the arm and led her from the hall; the gossips would have a field day with this!

When they had reached their common area Hermione turned to him sternly, "What was that Draco?"

He kissed her check, "I told you the ring would protect you against harm in almost any circumstance. It has been charmed by the Malfoy line to defend the wearer, as you are the wearer Pansy could not harm you."

He accio'ed her iPod and smiled warmly at her, "I intend to continue this dance so pick something good."

She grinned and turned on Nat King Cole, then let Draco lead her through the songs. As he held her in his arms he decided it was a pretty good ending to a mostly lovely evening.

A/N: I know, I know I am taking a long time to get into the plot proper, but the ring is important later on, I swear! Plus I just wanted to see Pansy get a bit of what's coming to her.