Hello everyone,
I am posing this chapter early as an apology to the 97 viewers who read Chapter 5 in the first 12 hours after posting while I was blissfully slumbering. I am so embarrassed! As you probably noticed if you read the chapter, there were some confusing bits with sentences missing endings, (still not sure how that happened). Lesson learnt- even if you are tired never post without a final proof read! Also please, if something is not making sense tell me. I need to know so I can fix it!
Disclaimer: Is much the same as usual, I don't own anything and am just playing with JK Rowling's characters for my own amusement.
Chapter 6
Tuesday 31st December 2001, the Amelia Bones Memorial Ballroom, Ministry of Magic, London, Emmaline Winters' POV)
The small group walked into the luxuriously appointed ballroom, Emmaline trying to ignore curious glances from the few assembled guests, as their names were read out by a presenter. After a very uncomfortable entrance the year the war ended, the whole group realised it would be best to arrive at the New Year Ball very early. First Emmaline and Tobias were presented. Even though there were not a large amount of people in the ballroom they still generated quite a few looks, especially from the Pureblood group located in a back corner. Marcus was presented next, solo, and due to his position on the Quidditch team, also received interested glances. Blake and his ditzy date Gwendolyn Archambault were last. Gwendolyn was an attractive Beauxbaton's graduate with long chestnut hair. Blake had brought her along this evening after meeting her the night before and she refused to talk to Emmaline. Blake had already sniped at her multiple times for rudeness. Emmaline really did not know where Blake found these girls. Unsurprisingly, Blake received the most negative reaction as he was presented. Blake's father was Amycus Carrow, who had tortured children during his year as a Hogwarts professor. Although Blake was used to scowls directed at him, he stood straighter and his jaw twitched in frustration. Gwendolyn ether didn't notice or decided Blake's healthy Gringotts account was more important than popularity. The bint beamed on his arm.
Once 'presented', they quickly found themselves a more secluded area at the side of the ballroom, taking flutes of champagne from floating trays. Tobias' hand automatically moved protectively onto her hip as they noticed a group of familiar faces headed their way. Theo Nott, who had also come solo, was leading Draco and Astoria Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Flora Carrow, Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson and Vivienne Yaxley. Emmaline had no desire to talk with any of these people bar Theo, especially Yaxley. She quickly took a large swallow of champagne as Tobias mumbled into her ear that it would be all right. Marcus and Blake also stepped closer to her in a show of solidarity against the converging congregation.
Emmaline couldn't help feeling under dressed observing the other ladies, despite all the boys assuring her she looked great. Her formal dress robes were lilac and simple compared to the ostentatious diamond encrusted, silver ensemble worn by Yaxley, or the emerald green satin gracing the slim body of Astoria Malfoy. The latter was matching her robes with a large, emerald tiara. She knew that Tobias had access to jewellery like that in his family vault and she was sure he would let her wear it if she wanted. Emmaline, however, had no interest in such items, wearing them would make her feel uncomfortable and on display. Although that didn't stop her from wishing at present that she had of opted to wear a necklace other then the small silver locket Tobias had given her for their first anniversary.
Surprising everyone, Astoria Malfoy greeted Emmaline first, "Winters, I hear congratulations are in order, what a lovely Christmas present! Getting engaged with such a stunning ring."
Emmaline felt all eyes swing down to the large diamond gracing her left hand and couldn't help but blink at the girl stupidly, unsure of what exactly to say. Tobias drew her a little tighter toward him and she knew they were both wondering where this line of questioning was going.
Drawing from the support offered by Tobias presence at her side Emmaline felt able to reply to Astoria."Thank you, Mrs Malfoy, it was a surprise."
Astoria permitted a small smile before continuing. "Good luck with the wedding planning. It's such a big job! I'm so glad Narcissa helped since Draco was useless." She let out a soft giggle gazing at her husband in obvious adoration.
Draco Malfoy rolled his eyes at his young wife, "That's not true Astoria- or maybe it is..." He smirked. "Men don't plan weddings."
Astoria giggled again tightening her hold on his arm. Parkinson looked like she was going to be sick while Daphne Greengrass seemed desperate to gain Marcus' attention, to the obvious distaste of Blaise Zabini, whose arm Flora Carrow was practically ripping off. Emmaline had no idea what to say to these people. If they weren't so intimidating she would have thought they were barmy.
Thankfully, Tobias spoke for her, "We have decided on a small ceremony. Only close friends and family, the planning should be relatively simple."
Yaxley nodded her head at this before adding with a smug air, "That is probably for the best considering the marriage."
Emmaline felt herself stiffen and Tobias sent daggers at the nasty girl. But it was Marcus, looking distinctly like the cruel Marcus from Hogwarts, who put his ex-girlfriend in her place. "Shut up, Vivienne, no one asked your opinion." The glare he sent her was terrifying, sending chills down Emmaline spine.
Yaxley, as reply, offered him a disturbingly lustful look. "I was only saying what everyone was thinking, Marcus, no need to be so defensive." She fluttered her heavily made up eyes in his direction. "I don't want to argue with you tonight, I was hoping we could catch up."
Marcus scowled as Vivienne sent him charming smile unfazed by his attitude. Marcus opened his mouth to reply but was saved by the arrival of Clarabelle and Adrian.
Guests were still being presented into the ballroom but no one overly interesting appeared for a while. This changed as the hum of the ballroom began to whisper about the imminent arrival of 'The Golden Trio'. Emmaline watched with amusement as Marcus stood straighter, his head quickly turning toward the marble pillar decorated entrance way. The first to enter was the boy-who-thankfully-conquered and his wife. Ginny Potter looked lovely in dark blue sparkly dress robes, her straight red hair sweeping down her back. Next came a solo Ronald Weasley, he was obviously uncomfortable being presented by himself and glanced back toward the entrance way as though seeking someone out. Marcus looked decidedly smug as she snuck a sideways glance at him, noticing both Tobias and Blake also observing their friends reaction with amused smiles. Emmaline had been present when Tobias told Blake about the 'Granger issue', his shocked reaction was priceless. Lastly, a breathtaking Hermione Granger stepped up to be presented. She was wearing a pure white Muggle evening gown, strapless and tight until her waist, where it fell as a full skirt. The bodice was decorated in red gems which thinned out further down the dress, and her chocolate hair was tamed into soft curls. Hermione Granger had also come solo. Once the presentation of the war heroes was over Emmaline turned around only to find Marcus was still devouring Hermione with his gaze. This caused both her and Tobias to glance at each other, stifling giggles.
The former Slytherins didn't stay much longer with Emmaline's group and conversation whilst they were there was strained and embarrassing. Parkinson was making no secret of her jealously of the Malfoy bride; counteracting everything she said while flirting with 'Drakie'. Greengrass was blatantly obvious in her attempts to flirt with Marcus, much to his horror and Yaxley's vocal disgust. Flora Carrow simpered over Zabini who seemed to be angry at Greengrass' attentions toward Marcus. However most disturbing of all was Yaxley's apparent desire for Marcus, what was going on there? After trying multiple times to get Marcus to dance, and bring harshly rejected each time, Yaxley finally stalked off in an angry huff. Emmaline was thankful to see the rest leave as well jokingly scolding Theo for bringing them with him.
Tuesday 31st December 2001, The Amelia Bones Memorial Ballroom, Ministry of Magic, London, Marcus Flint's POV
He couldn't help but watch Hermione as she flitted about the ballroom, talking and dancing with everyone. Merlin, she looked stunning in that Muggle dress, which was sure to be the talk of the Prophet tomorrow. The whole ordeal was getting frustrating and playing on his temper. Vivienne Yaxley was another issue entirely. He was still confused at her motives, concluding it would be best to stay well clear of her for the entire evening. It would seem she wanted to become 'reacquainted' with him. But that just didn't make sense considering their history. She must have another reason for seeking him out, but damned if he could think what it was. The whole situation made him uncomfortable.
Marcus, realising his champagne glass was empty, quickly sought another from the nearest floating tray. Thinking of his mother, he decided he should find her and see how she was fairing. Marcus opted to leave the relative security of his small group, who assured him they would follow once Emmaline and Tobias were back from dancing. Please Merlin, don't let me run into Vivienne. Although the fact he hadn't seen her in the past hour made the chances she had gone home look good. Walking around the edge of the dance floor trying to be as inconspicuous as his large frame would allow, he nearly dropped his drink when a now familiar voice spoke to him from a chair by the wall.
"How are you Flint? Having a good night?"
Turning his head he saw Hermione sitting on a gold-edged chair between Potter's wife and a heavily pregnant blond girl he didn't recognise. Another quick glance showed they were alone, no Potter or Weasley in sight.
"Granger... you look stunning."
He hadn't meant to say it like that, and Potter's wife giggled at his words, obviously quite drunk. But Hermione awarded his complement with a breathtaking smile, making his embarrassment worthwhile.
"Marcus, have you met my best female friends? Ginny Potter," she motioned with her hand to her right, "and Luna Scamander," she motioned to blond on the left. "Girls, this is Marcus Flint."
The blond girl Luna sent him a dreamy smile, "You seem a little embarrassed...perhaps you have wrackspurts in your ears. I hope the fuzzy feeling doesn't affect your judgment."
Ginny Potter broke into another a fit of giggles, "Luna! I am pretty sure it is the champagne and not wrackspurts that will affect Flint's judgement... or it could be Hermione's dress."
Hermione hissed, "Ginny!" while Luna's eyed the dress appraisingly, "Yes, Hermione, your dress does make the eyes pop."
A slightly pink Hermione was looking a mixture of amused and embarrassed. She ignored a still giggling Ginny, turning to the Luna girl, "Thank you for the assessment, Luna."
The blond sent Hermione a smile before her attention was taken by something Marcus couldn't see beside her left shoulder. Marcus was a little confused. He must have been sending a strange look toward the ditzy blond, since Ginny leant forward and loudly whispered.
"Don't mind her. She grows on you. Hermione and I love her now. Even though she's even crazier since she got knocked up."
This made Hermione snort into her hand briefly before gracing Marcus with her full attention, "I do believe you owe me a dance, Mr Flint."
He felt instant relief, since he had desperately wanted to ask her but didn't want to push any boundaries, eagerly offering her a hand to lead her toward the dance floor.
Potters wife called after them,"Don't mind me, I will just sit here...looking after Luna..."
Hermione turned her head and called back to her friend, "Perhaps you should have a drink of water while you're at it."
Marcus led Hermione onto the dance floor. He was vaguely aware that their partnership was generating quite a bit of interest from other party goers, and he couldn't care less. He was ecstatic that she was willing to dance with him. He began the dance by spinning his stunning partner around, causing her full skirt to flare beautifully before placing he placed a large hand upon her tiny waist. Still not quite believing his luck, he looked down into her chocolate eyes as the music started and they began to dance.
Hermione spoke first, "Were you not going to ask me to dance?"
He sent her a smirk, "I didn't think you would want me to. I thought you might still be angry at me."
She shook her head amused as her dark curls swayed enticingly, "I'm not angry anymore, Marcus." She smiled again as he spun her away from him before bringing her back into the security of his arms. Even though he was so much larger then she was, he felt she fit perfectly.
"Good to know, how's your night?"
Scrunching up her noise she shuddered, "Between Ron's incessant badgering and a ridiculous amount of men asking me to dance I will be happy once midnight is here. I want to go home."
He felt himself unintentionally draw her even tighter, "I noticed you were very popular tonight." He hadn't meant to let slip that he had been watching her. Internally, Marcus was berating himself, would she think he was a creepy stalker?
Sure enough, Hermione tilted her head to the side and glazed at him eye brow raised, "Were you watching me, Marcus?"
There was no choice, he realised, but to answer truthfully and hope she didn't get mad or worse still leave him alone on the dance floor. Bracing himself for the latter he admitted, "A little."
A pink tinge graced Hermione's cheeks but she said nothing and they danced in silence for a while in silence since he had no idea what else to say.
He was unprepared for the song to end, and was aware that another dance was not possible without sending the gossips into a tailspin. As much as he wanted to pull her into his arms and not let go the entire night he did the opposite. He released the lovely women standing before him from his grasp. As she stepped away, their eyes locked together.
"Thank you for the dance, Marcus, I guess I will see you in a few days."
Marcus sent her a small smile in return. "Happy New Year, Hermione, see you in Denmark."
Watching as she walked back toward Ginny and the strange Luna girl he wished he could be following her, his hand on the small of her back as they walked together. Bloody hell he was going soft. Still this thought only intensified as he noticed new additions to the girls. While he had been dancing with Hermione, Potter, Weasel and another rather eccentrically dressed man he didn't know had joined the group. Weasley was throwing daggers at Marcus while Potter was looking on with a concerned frown, clearly asking Hermione if she was ok as soon as she reached them. Marcus scowled and balled his fists at Potter's cheek. How dare he think Marcus would hurt her? He inwardly smirked as Hermione quite obviously told off both Potter and Weasley in his defense before he finally dragged himself away to resume the abandoned mission of finding his mother.
Accolade Flint was standing with the Puceys, Clarabelle and Adrian. Unfortunately, also mingled with them were Narcissa, Draco and Astoria Malfoy along with Daphne Greengrass. Great, Marcus really didn't want to see them, especially still coming off the warm feeling of dancing with Hermione. Reaching the group he took his mother's hand, "Mother, you must dance with me."
Bloody Malfoy was the one to bring up his previous partner although he really shouldn't be surprised. It was no secret that animosity existed between Malfoy and Hermione.
"I would've thought you would want a break, after taking Granger for a rather energetic dance."
Marcus identified the clear spite in the other man's tone, but was puzzled by the hint of, something else. It couldn't be jealously, could it? Looking into the cool grey eyes Marcus could have sworn there was jealously mingled in those piercing orbs... interesting.
"I don't think Hermione and I danced energetically. I thought it was a rather slow dance." Marcus smirked as Malfoy's eyes narrowed.
"Why were you even dancing with Granger?"
Tilting his head slightly, he challenged the younger man. Why Marcus was dancing with Hermione was none of Malfoy's business, however it would probably be prudent to answer the question.
"We work together, she asked me how my evening was I asked her to dance. It was an acceptable interaction to have at a ball."
"Well then perhaps now you could dance with Daphne, she has been hoping all night for an invitation."
Bloody little shit, Marcus could punch the blighter and was quite sure his eyes were glaring daggers at the smug blond.
"No offence, Daphne, but if I dance with you I will have to dance with Yaxley- and I don't want to dance with her."
"She left ages ago. I think she was pissed off at you. Not good with the girls are you, Flint?" Well, that explains why she hadn't come screaming abuse at him for dancing with Hermione, thank Salazar! Perhaps she would leave him alone now.
Ignoring Malfoy's taunt but realising he had been backed into a corner, he turned toward Greengrass, hating every second of it, "Daphne, after we see in the New Year, would you like to dance?" This was one affair he wished had never happened.
Marcus noted the amused smirks on his sister's and Adrian's faces as the Greengrass girl practically squealed her acceptance. His mother sent him a sympathetic look. Blake and Tobias were going to give him hell for this, not to mention the Pureblood gossips were going to go crazy again. As Marcus berated himself, Kingsley Shaklebolt had begun his annual new year's speech; it was the usual: preaching peace and prosperity as they headed toward the fourth anniversary of the end of the war. His speech was followed by the countdown to New Year before his mother was kissing his check, Clarabelle gave him a hug and Daphne launched herself at him, smacking her lips briefly on his before he could get her off of him.
1st January 2002, The Amelia Bones Memorial Ballroom, Ministry of Magic, London, Hermione Granger POV
Hermione was standing alongside Horace Slughorn, former potions master of Hogwarts, once again a happy retiree. Somehow she had been sought out by her enthusiastic old professor and it was clear from his excited introduction of her to his little group, that she was a particular favorite Hermione really didn't care two whits about the conversation happening around her. She was quickly deciding that 2002 had not begun very well at all. First, Ron had the audacity to try and stick his tongue into her mouth at the stroke of midnight. She had only turned to him for a friendly hug. Out of sheer shock she had very nearly allowed him entrance before gathering her senses and pushing him away, wanting to smack that sheepish smile off his face. Following that fiasco she was passed from ecstatic party reveller to party reveller for hugs and cheek kisses. Harry and Ginny Potter, Luna and Rolf Scamander, Neville and Hannah Longbottom, George and Angelina Weasley, Lee and Katie Jordan, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Bill and Fleur Weasley, Dean and Parvati Thomas, Oliver and Tatyana Wood. Was everyone she knew married? Although in hindsight this may have been a touch dramatic, as she was sure other single friends like Ernie Macmillan, Terry Boot, Padma Patil and Kingsley Shaklebolt were amongst those who wished her a happy New Year.
Now here she stood not ten minutes after midnight, inadvertently having a perfect view of Marcus Flint dancing with Daphne Greengrass, who Hermione remembered from her year at Hogwarts. A strange feeling Hermione was absolutely refusing to identify as jealousy had entered her stomach. She was still desperately trying to convince herself it was lingering anger at Ron's antics. Greengrass was looking adoringly at Marcus, practically salivating and fainting whenever Marcus so much as smiled at her. Having no interest in watching anymore, she politely excused herself from Slughorn, after ensuring the man that she would soon catch up for a luncheon.
Quickly finding Harry, and a by now rather red faced and apologetic Ron, there was nothing Hermione wanted more then to leave. She did this by feigning a headache,which made Harry jump at the chance of also departing. After a ridiculous amount of goodbyes, the duo led a still intoxicated and unwilling Ginny Potter to the exit before Flooing to Harry and Ginny's house where Hermione was spending the night. Once alone in the comfortable guest bed, she couldn't help but replay the evening's events. Ginny would be mortified tomorrow over her drunkenness. Ron, hopefully, was truly ashamed at some of the things he had said and done to Hermione. Harry she was sure was just glad the night was over for another year and Marcus... she really needed to stop thinking about him. Although, she could admit to herself, snuggled in warm blankets and comfortable sleep wear, she had felt very secure dancing in his arms.
Please let me know what you thought of the Ball! I have also decided to change updates until weekends where I have more time.
blue artemis is the wonderful beta of this chapter!