Chapter Nine

Draco and Hermione's entrance was received by cheers from those who knew them and whispers by those who didn't quite so well. Narcissa thought they made a striking pair, her son with his handsome blonde looks and flashing gray eyes, and Hermione with her stunning brunette features and glowing brown eyes. He was ice and she was warmth. Draco was about five inches taller than Hermione, even with her heels, though the highest she would go was two inches, she firmly stated anything higher wasn't practical. He exuded masculinity and she oozed femininity. If Narcissa didn't know better, she would have said that opposites made perfect sense in this case. But she knew of couples where that was the case and it was often a turbulent relationship that held more bad times than good, and that just wasn't the way anyone should live.

She eyed them a little longer, studied their faces as they talked quietly to each other. She had put them together, but that is all she could do. If they were truly meant together then they would have to do it themselves. Applause broke her train of thought and she realized that Draco had already made his quick acceptance speech and dinner was appearing before them. She wanted to watch the two during dinner but Lucius had called for her attention.

Draco kept stealing side glances at Hermione. He had thanked her in his speech, which sparked whispers, but he did it as a peace offering between the two. He didn't see her face, but some sort of surprise probably crossed her face. Of course the gossip columns will have said that his thanks would mean that they were in a serious relationship, on the verge of marriage, or some other nonsense. Before he could talk to her, the Minister spoke up.

"I had no idea that the two of you were seeing each other." He said it quietly so that only Draco could hear it. He glanced over, Hermione was deep in conversation with the witch next to her.

Draco shrugged, "It's not a Ministry rule is it?"

Kingsley chuckled, "Of course not Draco, I was just surprised. Usually one hears of at least a whisper of a rumor that someone is together, but with you two, all I hear is that you two despise each other and are often cold and dismissive to the other."

Draco smirked, but his gut let him know that hit too close to home. "If we despised each other would we both here together?"

The Minister gave a non-comittal shake of his head, "She's a smart pick to be seen out with Draco, a Muggle-born."

Draco gave a start, "That isn't why we are here together, I enjoy her company, she's intelligent, kind, and knows how to put me in my place. There aren't many people who know how to do that, believe me. I don't see her for what her blood-status is, I see her for who she is."

Draco wanted to groan. It was obvious to him now. It wasn't that he was angry at Hermione for helping him advance his career, it was because he was starting to care about her and didn't know what to do about it.

The Minister patted him on the shoulder, "That's all I wanted to hear, man. I care deeply about Hermione, she is a good friend and did a lot for us during the war and after. I don't want her hurt."

Draco went to answer but he felt a soft hand on his arm. He turned and Hermione was gesturing towards to filling dance floor. She smiled, "It wouldn't look right if the delegate didn't cut the rug several times."

Draco smiled at her and stood up, he helped pull our her chair and offered his hand to help her up. She deftly slid off the jacket revealing the backless part of her dress. She was breath-taking. She raised an eyebrow at him, "I clean up pretty nicely don't I?"

Draco could only nod, taking her arm and tucking it in his as he led her to the dance floor. Eyes followed them, but they only paid attention to each other. It was a slow song, Draco took one of her hands in his own and put the other on her waist, she placed her free hand on his arm and they started waltzing gently.

Draco finally found his voice, "Did I tell you that you looked beautiful tonight?"

Hermione blushed, pink spread across her cheeks making her look flushed and even more gorgeous in his eyes. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Draco chuckled, "Thanks. I should thank my mother, she knows I'm a back man."

Hermione laughed, "A back man? I've heard of a butt man, or a breast man, but a back man?"

He gazed at her seriously, "There's something so beautiful about a woman's back. It's soft and has such beautiful curves. There's nothing I love to see more than a woman stretched out in bed with her back out to the world."

She gulped and looked away, then she turned white. Draco followed her gaze. Ron Weasley was dancing with Luna, who was in an oddly appropriate light blue dress robe. His eyes were not on his girlfriend, but on Hermione.

Draco tugged at her gently, "Come on, lets go find my parents or the Potters."

She nodded, finally taking her eyes off of Ron. She let him guide her through the crowd and they ran into the Potters first. Ginny was glowing in a set of soft gold dress robes. She hugged Hermione tightly. "You look stunning Hermione. I saw that dress at Madam Malkin's but I wasn't going to get it since it was pink. You definitely look better in it than I would."

Hermione smiled nervously and smoothed her hand over her abdomen, trying to calm the nerves. There was a flash somewhere, and it was obvious the press was starting to take pictures of the attendees of the gala. Ginny suddenly looked worried and reached for Harry's arm.

Hermione closed her eyes when she heard the voice. "Hullo everyone." and quieter, "Hermione."

Ron. He had been under strict orders from Molly to leave Hermione alone during Harry and Ginny's wedding, but no one had told him that he had to stay away around from her here. She felt a warm hand take hers. Draco nodded at her encouragingly.

Hermione faced her red-haired demon, "Hello Ron." She glanced around. "Where's Luna?"

Ron shifted uncomfortably. "I thought it would be better if I left her at the table."

Ginny growled a bit. Harry placed his hand on her shoulder. "Ron, mate, this isn't the time for this. This is Draco's moment and upsetting his date wouldn't be a very nice thing to do."

Ron snorted, "Like he cares if Hermione gets upset. He just brought her along so people will think that he's changed."

Hermione's back stiffened, and Ginny leapt forward. "He brought her along because they have been dating for the last four months. Not that you would know anything about that, since you can't see what is going on around you with your head that far up your arse. Mum warned you not to go around Hermione, not to upset her. You are the reason why she doesn't come around anymore, and it breaks her heart!"

Harry looked at Hermione incredulously, and she shook her head with the slightest of nods. He understood then that Ginny was lying to try and help Hermione. Draco put his arm somewhat possessively around Hermione's waist, also catching onto what Ginny was doing. Ron looked at him and narrowed his eyes.

"You Malfoy's always want what belongs to the Weasley's. Never content with what you have are you?"

Hermione finally spoke, and harshly, "I don't belong to you Ron. You made that perfectly clear when you were shagging Luna one night and then coming and having talks with me about getting married and having children. I'm not some piece of property that you can come and pick up now that you are bored with Luna. I'm over you, and I'm with someone else. You need to grow up and take care of your responsibilities."

Harry asked, "Responsibilities?"

Hermione smirked, "I can't believe you still haven't told your family Ron. Luna is pregnant, about six months along. Are you charming her stomach to make it look flat still Ron? What did you tell them was the reason you and I broke up?"

Ron turned red and mumbled something under his breath. Harry glared at him. "You were cheating on her Ron? You told me you that she was a cold fish in bed, that you couldn't live with a sex life like that nor could you ever cheat on her, so you had to break up with her!"

Hermione's eyes filled with tears, "You told him I was a cold fish? I was saving myself for marriage, you agreed with me."

Draco jabbed a finger at Ron, "You better leave before you do more damage Weasley, and take your girlfriend with you. If I see that you are still here, I will personally see to it that you are escorted off of the property."

Ron looked at the disgusted looks on his sister and brother-in-laws face, and Hermione's tear-filled eyes. When Draco drew near her, she reached up and kissed him, fiercely and passionately. When they pulled apart they didn't notice everyone's eyes on them, but only each other's.