Hermione's POV

(Ministry Ballroom)

Hermione surveyed the ballroom and just wanted to leave. But she had to take part in at least the first dance and listen to Harry's speech. It was customary after all. People chattered and lounged in the chairs provided, alcohol of some sort was in nearly everyone's hands as people remembered the loss and memories of the second wizarding war. After 6 years, everyone had seemed to have mastered the flow of tears and there were many happy yet sad smiles around the room. Looking for Harry, Hermione left Draco, Blaise and Ginny behind her and began the circuit of polite small talk. A pair of familiar arms wrapped around her waist and Hermione sighed sadly.

"Ron, please just leave me alone tonight. Don't you think you could not make a fuss for once?" she said without looking around, voice tight.

"I'm sorry Mione, but you are too beautiful to be here with anyone else but me. Why should I put up with you being here tonight with another man as your escort?" Ron whispered against her hair. With that Hermione whirled around to face him, shocked.

"Ron, you're here with another girl, Ginny already told me. So if you can escort another girl, why can't someone else escort me? I didn't pick who it was, Ginny and Blaise organised it. Besides, I can hardly be friends with any male because you get upset about it. You think it's unfair for me to have an escort for one night and yet you have female friends that you see on a regular basis. In fact I'm pretty sure Ron, that you see them more than you see me, so tell me. Why did you marry me?" Hermione finished and realised that a small group had gathered around them. Ginny, Blaise and Draco stood on one side, Neville and Luna next to them and George and Harry on the other side, all watching with varying degrees of concern on their faces with the exception of Draco, who was expressionless.

"Because I love you Hermione." Although the statement was said, it lacked conviction and Ron knew it. The look on Ginny's face showed what utter rubbish she thought that was.

"Well maybe you should look up that word Ron, because I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean the same thing to you as it does to me." With that Hermione pushed past Harry and George and made her way into the bathroom behind them before the tears cascaded down her face. Locking herself into one of the stalls Hermione took a few minutes to calm down and take some deep breaths. What was it about balls that Ron felt like always ruining her moment to shine? Eventually the tears stopped and she sniffed quietly. Bloody Ron.

"Hermione?" the voice was soft and Hermione blinked numerous times before opening the door to be enveloped in a tangle of arms. Letting Ginny and Luna hug her, Hermione broke down once more, the tears tumbling helplessly down her cheeks.

"Why does Ron do this?" she whispered. Ginny shrugged.

"I don't know Mione, why do men do anything? It's Ron, he is pigheaded and stubborn and my brother." Ginny replied sadly. "You deserve better Mione. Now let's get you cleaned up so we can go back out before someone kills your husband." Hermione sniffed once more and Luna, watching carefully quickly reached out and snatched what seemed to be just air from next to Hermione's ear.

"I knew there were some Experlidites flying around you tonight Hermione, they make you feel down and confuse your thoughts." Luna explained as Hermione rolled her eyes at her and Ginny watched in amusement.

"If you've got all the experliwhatsits from Hermione, we will be going to face the music Luna." Ginny said leading them towards the door.

"Oh yes, I got it. They are solitary creatures." Luna smiled dreamily. Hermione took a deep breath and followed Ginny out of the bathroom. Harry and George were waiting just outside and both looked up when they heard the girls approaching. Putting on a brave smile, Hermione hugged Harry, who gave her a tight squeeze.

"Don't worry about Ron, he will come around. You know what he's like, chin up Mione. You better find your escort though, before he starts sleazing around with the single witches. It's nearly time for the first dance." He whispered in her ear. He pulled away and wandered away to the podium for his speech. George gave her a quick smile and a kiss then went to find his date for the night. Scanning the room, Hermione spotted Blaise at the bar and figured that Malfoy would be with him. Taking Ginny's hand, the girls left Luna to find Neville, while they made their way over to the bar.

"Ginny, if Ron and I divorced, do you think he will let me keep the house?" Hermione asked. Ginny looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I don't think he will take it from you. It's connected to your bookshop" she replied. "Besides, I doubt he will want to go against you with something that includes the bookshop. We all know how you get about your books." Ginny smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes. As they reached the bar, Blaise ordered two shots of fire-whiskey for them, which Hermione grabbed and downed straight away.

"Harry's speech is about to begin, then there is the first dance. That means we have to dance Malfoy." Hermione stated, not looking at the blonde.

"I know what it means Granger. Unlike Potter and Weasel, I'm not prone to fits of stupidity." He drawled.

"No one asked for you to be so nasty Ferret." Hermione said closing her eyes. "I didn't ask for you to be my escort."

"Well that's what happens when Blaise and Weaselette get their minds together so how about you just shut up already Granger." Malfoy spat. Hermione shot him a glare then turned back to the bar. Ginny and Blaise watched the two of them exchange words with small smiles. They might work after all.

Ron's POV

Ron watched Hermione order drink after drink. If she had any more she will be drunk within the hour. Maybe he should go home and spend the night with her after this.

"Ron, are you coming?" Amartis pulled on his hand sharply. Ron looked around in confusion.

"Where are we going?" he questioned as she led him to a balcony. She winked at him and suddenly his confusion cleared. A smirk graced his features. Hermione didn't need to know. It would be his little secret.

Draco's POV

Downing another shot of fire-whiskey, Draco tuned out of the boy wonder's speech. He would rather be at the orphanage with the kids than sitting here listening to speeches and now being forced to dance with Granger. What was his world coming to? She cleaned up well though; Draco couldn't help checking her out every now and again. How petite she was, how long her hair was now that she had managed to tame it. Once again he was struck with the thought of how good a fling with her would be.

"Stop it Draco. She's nothing to you." He muttered under his breath.

Watching her out of the corner of his eye, Draco watched as she downed drink after drink. Was it because of him? Or the bastard she called her husband. Why did he care?

"And now I'd like for Ron and his partner and Hermione and her partner to come to the dance floor for the first dance." Potter's voice was loud in his ears and Draco snorted in disgust. Potter couldn't even say his name.

"I believe, Granger, that we are obliged to have our first and last dance. Then I can get the fuck out of here." Draco drawled.

"Believe me, Malfoy. The quicker this is over, the quicker I can go home and forget that I had to dance with a slimy git." Draco smirked at the reply. Offering an unwilling hand, Draco led Hermione out to the dance floor. Placing a light hand on her waist, Draco swung her around in time to the music. Over her shoulder, he watched as the weasel glared at him, and constantly stepped on his partners toes. Smothering a smirk, Draco slowly slid his hand slightly lower on Hermione's back, just to see what reaction there would be.

"If you don't move your hand back up that inch you moved, I will castrate you. Get the picture?" Hermione's voice pierced his thoughts as the weasels face turned thundery. This time he let the smirk grace his features as he slid his hand back to where it had been.

The music became a little faster and other couples joined them on the floor. Deciding to make a show of tonight, Draco spun Granger faster and was surprised when she kept up quite easily. Testing the waters, Draco put a little jump and a dip into the dance and smirked once more when he heard Grangers breathing hitch slightly.

Hermione's POV

As Malfoy dipped her again she caught a glimpse of Ron's feet standing behind her. Once she was right way up, the pattern of dip then jump became awkward as Ron stood in the way.

"You're in the way Weasel. Why don't you move so that Granger and I can finish our dance then go home?" Hermione froze as Malfoy drawled this, loud enough for passers-by to hear. She looked up at Ron's thunderous face and quickly stepped out of Malfoy's arms.

"It's nothing like that and you know it Ron. Just ignore the ferret." She said taking Ron's arm. Shrugging off her hand, Ron stepped forward.

"As if she would do anything with you, you slimy git. Hermione, leave now." The tone in which Ron demanded she leave was dangerous. Hermione knew that if she left, things would turn ugly. Well, uglier than they already were.

"Well it's not like she's getting any with you either so what's your excuse?" The minute the words left Malfoy's mouth, Hermione knew the fist would follow. Grabbing her wand from her hidden pocket, she cast a quick shield between them. Just in time too it seemed, as Ron's fist slammed against the spell. Malfoy smirked and Hermione turned to him.

"Just because I saved your pathetic face, doesn't mean I will stop him another time." With that she turned to Ron. "As for you, why must you ruin every ball I go to when we aren't partners?" Hermione turned away and left the two men behind her. Taking a seat at the bar, Hermione put her head in her hands. God, she was getting a headache with all this nonsense.

Ginny sat down next to her and put a hand on her back.

"Why don't you stay with your parents tonight Mione? Spend a couple of days with them." The thought intrigued her and slowly she nodded.

"I'm going to go there now Gin, I'll see you tomorrow." Standing, Hermione pulled her shoulders back and left the hall.

Disclaimer, I don't own anything by JK Rowling.

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