CHAPTER THIRTEEN

'You two are a strange pair. You are a pair, aren't you?'
'We're in training.'
~Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races~

Draco introduced her to everyone, though she needed no introduction. Everyone knew who she was, "Harry Potter's best friend," one stuffy old man said, waving her off. Another rattled off something else she was used to hearing, "The brightest witch of your age." Draco steered her around the room, his hand on the small of her back sometimes- her back that was covered in lace. She could feel his body heat seeping into her and it kept her comfortable in the air conditioned room since she'd abandoned her wrap with the coat witch. There was a live band playing slow music and several people slow dancing all around the room.

There was a chandelier, Hermione noted, her eyes scanning the room. It felt as grand as the Great Hall back at school. Just... richer. Where Hogwarts had stone floors, the Greengrass' had marble. Their giant picture frames were lined with gold. It was bright- not a bulb out. She couldn't help comparing it to the Manor. The Manor's front rooms had felt fake like this did, but as you went further in- the study, for instance- felt real and lived in. She wondered if the Greengrass' had secret rooms like that. Where their real lives took place.

She didn't see Narcissa and Lucius or the camera crews, but figured they were around. Especially since the Greengrass' also had their own crew. Draco handed her a tiny cocktail glass and she took a small sip before setting it back down. She expected him to down his, but he took careful sips and walked around with it. She couldn't help stealing glances at him. Even though he always wore black, she never got bored of it. It made his features more pointed. His hair was slicked back, like it used to be in first and second year. She had nearly forgotten about that.

She expected people to be talking about politics, literature... something. But as Draco steered her around the room, she realised everyone was mostly gossiping.

"And did you hear about Martha," An old woman in a red dress and pearls asked, her voice dripping with contempt. "She ran off with that boy from town," The women around her gasped, like this was the worst crime to have been committed since the war.

Draco shot her a look that seemed dangerously close to 'I told you so.'

"Maybe we can start the conversation then," She said, hoping the whole night wouldn't be like this. Draco didn't seem to think this would work and he led her over to another cluster of people. She was disgusted to hear them talking about a pure-blood family in Italy that was sending their daughter to school in America- the horror, those fat Americans and their way of thinking that they owned the world.

Hermione narrowed her eyes and added, "America might be all those things, but at least they figured out how to elect their officials."

"Yes, and every few months there is a new sex scandal," Draco drawled, standing next to her.

Everyone in the group turned to look at them. Hermione's mind whirled- Draco followed American politics? How did- what? He seemed to have noticed her shocked expression and he added, "I know everything about sex scandals. Mostly sex, but scandals as well. When you put the two together, it's like," He made a noise that sounding like a mini explosion and used his hands to illustrate the point.

She rolled her eyes, but their diversion from politics to sex seemed to remind someone in the group of another piece of juicy gossip referring to the son of a pure-blood family in Australia and a kangaroo. Hermione rolled her eyes, walking away from the group. Draco was next to her in no time, taking a sip from his glass. She didn't want to admit he was right, but it was quickly appearing like no one at dinner wanted to discuss anything of importance.

"So the Olympics," Draco began, "I have a question."

She rolled her eyes. "What now?" It really wasn't a hard concept- she had no idea why he kept bringing it up.

He grinned at her and then asked, "What is considered a 'global sport?'"

"For men, it has to be played in four continents and women three. And remember, five continents compete in the games." She answered easily.

Draco looked at her, "How and why do you know that?"

"Is that what this is about?" She asked, something finally clicking into place. She grinned, "You're trying to find something I don't know?"

"No," He said defensively. He grinned before shrugging and asking, "What don't you know?"

She paused, wanting to give him an honest answer. He snorted as she thought and she glared at him. This felt too easy. Maybe there was no one at the party willing to make interesting conversation, but here was Draco asking about the Olympics and following American politics- even if it just was for the sex scandals. Had he always been this way?

"I don't know how many volcanos there are in Hawaii," She declared proudly.

Draco nearly choked on his drink. He hastily put the half empty glass down on a passing busboy's tray. He looked at her with a strange grin on his face, like she was a present he wanted to unwrap. "How did you come up with that?"

She shrugged, "Look, something else I don't know."

She didn't expect to be having such a good time with Draco Malfoy, of all people. But she had been having a nice enough time with him the last few weeks, so it shouldn't have been much of a shock. Her stomach growled and she looked over to see if he'd noticed.

He had. She asked him when dinner would be served.

He shrugged, "When everyone is drunk enough." She watched him scan the room before turning to her and wrapping his arm around her waist again, "Granger, lets d-"

"Draco!" A high-pitched feminine voice called out. Draco flinched, his arm falling away from her as they both spun around. Astoria Greengrass was flouncing over to them, her green dress sparkling in the light. She was taller than Hermione and nearly eye to eye with Draco. Hermione was jealous of her legs and hastily tried to not look annoyed. She was supposed to be building bridges with pure-bloods. And maybe Astoria would turn out to be interesting, like Draco. She highly doubted it- but she should try and stay positive.

When she looked at Draco, she saw his relaxed and conversational demeanour had deflated. Did he not like Astoria? He seemed to not really like anyone in the room to begin with. He nodded at her, his lips drawn in a straight line. But she had remembered seeing them in school together sometimes. When Pansy Parkinson wasn't fawning all over him, Astoria was always in his lap or running around getting him something.

Where was Pansy anyway? Hadn't it been her dream in life to marry Draco after graduation?

Astoria wrapped her arms around Draco's neck, pulling him flush against her. Hermione watched, biting her lip as Draco reluctantly put his hands on her back. He pulled away quickly, practically prying Astoria off him. He was different, she noted. He never seemed to mind female attention back in school. She hadn't noticed it seventh year since he'd spent most of it alone, but every other year he was followed by girls giggling after him or launching themselves at him. It seemed Ginny wasn't the only that had noticed how good looking he was.

Hermione wasn't sure what to make of it all. The war had changed him. In more ways than one. She wanted to talk to him about it, learn more about him and what he believed in now. She was irritated at Astoria for twirling her hair and touching his arm. She was saying something about being so happy to see him since they've been sooooo busy.

"This is Hermione Granger," Draco said, cutting of Astoria's speech about how she let her hair down because she knew Draco liked it that way. Hermione couldn't up noticing her own hair had been pulled back, but she quickly pushed that superficial thought away.

Astoria barely glanced at her, but Hermione jumped in. "What have you been up to since graduation?"

"Shopping," Astoria answered. She turned to Draco, "I heard you're going to Scotland next month." She touched his arm again. Hermione rolled her eyes.

Draco nodded, "And Hermione is going to university."

Several things happened at once. He called her Hermione- which he had been doing all night, but only in introductions. Now he actually referred to her in conversation as Hermione. Next, he had outed her secret about university, which wasn't even an actual thing yet. Third, he kept bringing her into the conversation. She didn't know which one made her heart pound dangerously.

Astoria glared at Hermione- like she had realised all the same things. "What will you be studying?" She asked, her voice sugary sweet, like she decided to go along with whatever Draco wanted and he clearly wanted her in the conversation.

She shut her eyes tightly before muttering, "Law."

"I thought you were going to be a teacher," Draco said, turning on her.

Astoria's glare hardened, like she realised the pair of them actually had conversations of importance before and this was clearly something Draco had enjoyed talking about. Hermione wished she'd go away so she could yell at Draco for bringing this up. And so Astoria could also stop making assumptions. They would eventually be the ideal gossip for the next cluster of people Astoria went over to.

"I changed my mind," She said, through gritted teeth, sending a glare over to the Slytherin boy that seemed more than content to keep this conversation going.

"What will you do with a law degree? Run for Prime Minister? Minister of Magic? Or is it Mistress of Magic?" A naughty grin settled across his face and he said, "That sounds sexy."

"Maybe I'll move to America," She muttered.

"You need to be born there to be president." He smiled, "Sorry to burst your bubble."

"So you don't just know the sex scandals," She grinned. He looked at her with something new. She saw it in his eyes. They twinkled and she yearned to know what he was thinking. How could they just talk and talk and talk? What had the war done to him?

She didn't mind he had to look down at her, while he could look straight and he'd be looking at Astoria's face. She kind of liked it. Her jealously of Astoria's legs ebbed away. Astoria, on the other hand, had nothing but jealously for the petite witch in front of her. She stalked off, fuming.

Neither noticed her exit. Draco finally spoke, "The sex scandals are an added bonus. Especially that one Italy."

"Berlusconi," She supplied.

"Yes, I know that. Silvio Berlusconi," He added, to prove he actually knew what he was talking about. "Everyone was so shocked about it like there hadn't been a scandal like that in Italy for hundreds of years, but no one cares about Cinziagate."

"You know about Cinziagate?" She asked, containing her laughter. His Italian was so bad, but hers wasn't much better. He stumbled over the pronunciation but somehow it still sounded good. She was still so blown away by everything he knew that she never gave him credit for.

"Sex interests me," He grinned at her, "And anyone with the name Flavio."

Flavio Delbono was the mayor involved in the scandal. She couldn't stop her laughter this time. It was so fascinating. Not the sex scandals, but everything he knew. Had he always followed sex scandals of politicians or was this something he'd picked up on after the war?

"So when did this happen? I went to school with you for seven years and I have never seen you reading. Now your head is always buried in a book. And you're naming politicians and sex scandals and... I'm so confused. And you keep asking about the Olympics!"

He shrugged, "I needed stuff to do after the war. Father was in and out of the Ministry and the whole world hated us. The Ministry kept threatening to send Father to Azkaban, but he paid 'em off and gave up names. Mum was going on about changing and being different people. She started taking dance lessons. So I started reading since we had that huge study no one used. Father kept to himself and that's how its been." He reached for a new glass from a busboy and downed it easily. "What did the war do to you?"

It was heavy stuff for a dinner party, but she told him anyway. "After sixth year, I used a memory charm on my parents' to keep them safe. When the war ended, I went and found them in Australia and restored their memories. So that's one reason I haven't moved out yet."

"You're scared of losing them again," Draco said, his voice soft so no one else heard. He took her hand, pulling her out of the large estate. They exited the door they had come in and stepped out into the humid night. They were safe from eavesdroppers, but Hermione knew a camera had followed them.

She felt safer in the cover of night. Probably from the months she had spent running with Harry and Ron on their hunt for Horcruxes. She glanced at Draco in his long sleeved dress shirt and trousers, wondering if the heat was getting to him. Her skin felt clammy and was grateful her hair was pinned back.

"Please don't tell anyone else about university," She said, turning to him. "I haven't told anyone else or picked out a school. Okay?"

His eyes were wide. "And you told me?"

"I didn't tell you!" She huffed, "I told your mum."

He rolled his eyes, "Same thing."

"So will you not say anything?" She went on, ignoring him.

He nodded and together they walked around the house. Mostly they walked in silence, but occasionally someone would ask a question and they'd lapse into a simple conversation before drifting off into silence. It was easy being around Draco- which was the last thing she expected. But it was like he understood her- which she didn't very well understand, but that was okay. She was content to just accept it for now.

"Can we check if dinner is ready now?" She asked. He grinned and they walked back to the house.

Inside they found everyone sitting down to eat. The band had stopped playing and the two of them grabbed two seats next to each other. She found Narcissa and Lucius across from them farther down the table. The first course was tiny, some sort of seafood appetiser. She felt out of place- this was clearly the fanciest meal she'd ever been to. Draco whispered to her which utensils to use for what since there were nearly ten different forks, spoons, and knives next to her.

Everyone was making their own conversations based on who was around them. Hermione found herself listening to a story about this woman's daughter getting accepted into a prestigious care of magical creatures program at Beauxbatons.

Draco snorted and Hermione elbowed him. That didn't seem to help the situation and his face turned a startling shade of red. She was dying to laugh and she felt her eyes tearing up. Draco noticed her own struggle and looked ready to burst any moment. This was horrible! They were so immature and rude.

"Ms. Granger," An older wizard, in a tweed suit said in his stuffy voice, "have you decided what you want to pursue? With such a mind, I can't imagine you wish to stay at a book store."

Hermione had to get her shaking body under control. She tried to swallow her laugh, but she didn't know how that was possible. If she took a sip of water, she would probably choke or spit it out all over the older gentleman. Seeing her dilemma, Draco snorted again and it made her want to laugh even more.

Finally, she opened her mouth to say something, but Astoria cut her off. Hermione hadn't even noticed Astoria had taken a seat nearby, but it wasn't much of a shock. "She's going to muggle school," She sneered. "To study law."

There it was. Her secret was blown. Hermione sucked in a deep breath and nodded, to confirm the story. The older wizard seemed confused and she knew she'd be the centre of all their gossip in no time. "Muggle school?"

"Yes, university." She explained, "Most muggles attend when they turn eighteen and they get a degree in whatever subject they choose."

He didn't look very impressed by this. She added, "England is home to the two best schools in the world: Cambridge and Oxford." She hoped good ol' mother England would help salvage this rapidly failing conversation.

"Of course she does," the man said, smoothing down his tie. He turned away, talking to the lady next to him about their next course that had appeared like the food at the Hogwarts' feasts.

Hermione glanced over at Astoria who looked proud of herself. She looked away, determined not to let Astoria get to her. Instead, she looked at the man across from her that had such blatant contempt for the ways muggles educated themselves.

"There is nothing wrong with university." She declared, drawing a bigger audience than she had expected. "Muggles might not have magic, but they have knowledge. You can study mythology or medicine. There's more than one sport. Not everyone does the same thing. You can read different newspapers and be in the choir or do improv- which is this thing called comedy. University offers so many different experiences that you can't get anywhere else."

The older man was clearly taken aback. She glanced over at Draco to see he was giving her that look he had on his face earlier when she caught him fibbing about only following politics for the scandals. She stood up, excusing herself.

The cover of night, once again, provided comfort. She didn't care she had just said what she did. She was proud she hadn't let that guy talk bullocks and get away with it. Draco came outside moments later. Once their eyes met, they finally succumbed to their laughter.

A/N I distinctly remember telling someone to yell at me if I don't update in 5 days. Look what happens when you guys leave me to my own demise! Anyway, chapter is here now! I hope you liked it! Lots of good Draco/Hermione stuff in there, I thought. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I finished my college applications! Like... a week and a half ago? I'm so excited! And terrified. Anyway, I need to go do my AP Psych work, so please, please, leave me a review so after I finish my work I can read all your awesomeness.

THANK YOU SUPER MUCH TO: lilliebookworm53, HalfwaytoNowhere142, Guest (although I wouldn't quite agree, but to each their own), edwardsoneandonlylove, FuryPossessed, and Loveable Leo! :D