Hermione folded her napkin on her lap and checked her watch with an impatient sigh. She only had half an hour left on her lunch break and Narcissa hadn't yet shown up. Ten minutes later she saw a flash of blonde hair and looked up expectantly. Her jaw dropped and brow creased when she realised who it was.
"Malfoy," she said through gritted teeth as her lunch companion sat.
"I believe that is who you were expecting," Draco said smoothly as he sat across from her.
"I was expecting your mother, not you," Hermione frowned.
"Yes, well, she's busy with arrangements for the party. It is only a week away. So she sent me," he shrugged, picking up a menu. "I think I might have steak and kidney pie."
"Well can you answer my question?" she asked.
"That depends on what it is," he said and called the waiter over, ordering two steak and kidney pies. Hermione opened her mouth to argue but the waiter had already whisked away with their order.
"What on earth am I meant to get your father for a present?" her tone was one of exasperation and he couldn't help but smirk.
"You can't get my father anything," he chuckled. "He has the money to buy anything he wants, so people have simply given up on buying him presents."
"That makes it a lot simpler," she relaxed, thanking the waiter with a nod as he served their meals.
"What does your dress look like?" he inquired casually and her eyes widened. "My mother wants to ensure that you don't look a fool."
"Well, um, it's short and red," she said and he shook his head.
"Red? That won't do," Draco told her and she scowled.
"Why not?"
"Granger, you're going to a party full of Slytherins. It is not the time to display your Gryffindor pride."
"I don't have anything else," Hermione moaned, putting her elbows on the table and burying her head in her hands. Draco shifted uncomfortably as her new position gave him a perfect view down the front of her shirt. He struggled to avert his gaze, trying intently to focus on his steak and kidney pie but he couldn't help his eyes from flickering to the display in front of him.
"Um, well, err, my mother is having, um, Pansy around to get her dress tailor made tomorrow, if, err, you wanted to join them," he said hoarsely, keeping his head down. Hermione's head shot up and he was saved from the tantalizing view.
"What? Do you think your mother would mind?" she asked.
"I doubt it. I'm heading back to the Manor after this so I can ask her then," he offered and she nodded enthusiastically and then paused.
"Wait, don't you have to get to work?" she asked and he shook his head.
"I got fired," he said and her jaw dropped.
"What? Why? What did you do?"
"What makes you think I did anything? Beedle had a grudge against me since the day you quit," he pointed out and she shook her head.
"Why would I have anything to do with it?"
"Because he wanted you," Draco stated simply. Hermione made a face.
"You're disgusting," she said and he shrugged.
"It's true. Anyway, you should probably be going back to work, and I need to talk to my mother. I'll be in contact," he stood, once again averting his eyes as his heightened position enabled his view directly down Hermione's top. He cleared his throat and made a show out of finding his money bag to avoid the view at which point he deposited enough money for both their meals on the table and hurried away.
Damn Hermione Granger and damn her low cut shirts!
Hermione left just minutes after Draco did, hurrying back to work. She had gone fifteen minutes over her allocated lunch hour, but hoped Lucinda would not be angry. She had to request for the afternoon off on the next day so she could visit Narcissa. Luckily enough, Lucinda was arriving at the library just as Hermione was and waved Hermione's lateness away after a light chiding. The rest of the afternoon was spent organizing books and preparing for a presentation to a large group of young wizards and witches on the history of magical children's literature, something which would be taking place on Christmas Eve.
By five o'clock Hermione was exhausted and all too willing to be heading home after clearing with Lucinda that she had the afternoon off. Her boss was jealous of the fact that Hermione was going to what was reputed to be the biggest party since the war had finished, and let Hermione go on the condition that she gave all the details about the affair.
Hermione reached her home at five thirty and quickly changed into some more comfortable attire and sorted through her mail, both owl delivered and mailman delivered. There was a postcard from her parents who were vacationing in France for Christmas, some bills and finally a letter from Ginny, asking her to visit that evening, or at least give her a fire-call. Hermione sighed tiredly and decided on the latter form of communication, grabbing some Floo powder and waiting for someone to notice Hermione's head in Ginny's fireplace.
"Harry? Ginny?" she called. It was an odd feeling to be making a fire-call. One's head felt detached from the rest of your body and the rest of yourself felt unreal. Hermione waited a minute before calling out again, at which point she heard heavy footsteps that could not possibly belong to Ginny.
"'Mione?"
Hermione inwardly groaned. "Hello, Ronald. Is Ginny there?"
"No, her and Harry are at the park with James. They should be back soon," Ron said, sitting down in front of the fireplace.
"Okay, I'll call back in about half an hour," Hermione went to pull her head out of the fireplace, but Ron stopped her.
"Wait!" he cried out and she sighed.
"Yes?" she asked impatiently and he opened his mouth and closed it again. "What is it, Ronald?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime. Y'know, with me. There could be an us again," he smiled and she heaved a deep breath.
"Ron, that's not going to happen," she said and he paled.
"Why not? I know you want to get back together with me," he commented and Hermione felt anger rise in her.
"I have absolutely no idea where you got that idea from," she said coldly.
"Everyone can see it, 'Mione. That's why you still haven't moved on," he said and Hermione was genuinely shocked to realize he believed every single word which he was saying.
"Ronald Weasley, I absolutely do not want anything with you. You made me get pregnant, and when I couldn't give you what you wanted you cheated on me with someone who could! How dare you say something like that?" she shrieked and for the first time since their conversation had begun, Ron looked taken aback. "Move, I'm coming through."
Ron scrambled to his feet just in time for Hermione to step out of the fireplace and he instantly cowered.
"Now let us get one thing clear," Hermione began, pulling out her wand and pointing it at her quaking ex-husband. "We will never be an item again. I don't know where you got your ideas from, but I most certainly do not want you back. You cheated on me, lied to me, and then lost it when you found out I had the idea of moving on from our failure of a relationship. I'm. Not. Interested."
"B-b-but 'Mione-," he began.
"Don't call me that!" she shrieked. "There are no buts! I don't care if everyone thought we would be together in the end! It is not going to happen!"
"You know it will," Ron accused, looking triumphant. Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"Furnunculus!" she cried, pointing her wand at Ron so a jet of red light shot out and hit him. He yelped in pain as angry red boils appeared all over his skin, and Hermione grinned smugly, tucking her wand away.
"Hermione? What is going on here?" the concerned voice of Ginny reached Hermione's ears and she turned to face the redhead who stood at the foot of the stairs. "Why is my brother covered in boils?"
"I may or may not have cursed him," Hermione smiled and Ginny shook her head.
"Harry, can you come and help my git of a brother upstairs, and if you can, remove the boils. I don't want them bursting on the carpet."
Harry's footsteps, accompanied by the nonsensical gurgling of James, entered the kitchen.
"Oh, Hermione. Hey," Harry smiled, handing James to his wife and embracing the brunette. "How're you?"
"I'm good. I actually just came to talk to Ginny, but I ran into Ron and, well..." she trailed off, gesturing to the moaning figure of Ron who was clutching his face. Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
"Never a dull moment with you," he grinned before doing what his wife said and helping Ron upstairs. Ginny watched her brother and husband go with an amused twinkle in her eyes.
"You owled?" Hermione prompted and Ginny collected her thoughts.
"Right. Mum was wondering if you wanted to come to The Burrow for Christmas? All of us are going for the Christmas week, and mum wants you to be there. Just like old times, only with a hell of a lot more guests," Ginny laughed.
"That sounds nice," Hermione said truthfully. She loved Christmas at The Burrow. "I'll see what I can do. I'm going to Lucius Malfoy's birthday party two days before Christmas and I have a presentation on Christmas Eve in the afternoon, but I should be there for the rest of the time," she smiled and Ginny beamed.
"Excellent!" Ginny said. "Now, would you like to stay for dinner tonight? Harry wouldn't mind a catch up, and I imagine Ron will be too scared to come to the dinner table if you're here, so it'll be a nice and quiet affair."
"I think I'm going to have to take you up on that offer," Hermione said, holding out her arms to take James from Ginny.
"Hermione!" Narcissa said jovially, embracing the younger witch when she arrived at Malfoy Manor the following afternoon.
"Nice to see you again, Narcissa," Hermione smiled, following Narcissa through to the East Wing of the house. They came to a large set of grand white doors which flung open at their arrival and Hermione entered a room which reminded her of the bridal shop she had visited prior to getting married. The walls held beautiful gowns and a vast number of mirrors. There was a pedestal in the centre of the room and various plush armchairs scattered about. Hermione caught sight of a bottle of champagne and three flutes.
"Sit, Hermione. I will be back in a moment," Narcissa glided away whilst Hermione made herself comfortable, looking with interest when the older witch returned with what looked like a plain white dress.
"Where's Pansy?" the brunette inquired.
"Right here, Granger," said a soft voice and Hermione flinched slightly. She rose and turned to face Pansy who was the picture of ease.
"Pansy Parkinson," Hermione said.
"Zabini," Pansy corrected. "Blaise and I married last year."
"A belated congratulations to you, then," Hermione offered and Pansy smiled in thanks.
"Wonderful to see you again, dear," Narcissa said, sweeping over and hugging Pansy. "Pansy, would you like to get your gown first?"
After Pansy nodded she was directed to a small changing room and given the plain white dress. She stepped upon the pedestal and Narcissa walked over to her.
"What colour would you like?" the older witch asked.
"Dark blue," Pansy spoke, and as she did so the dress shimmered and changed colour. The process continued with Narcissa asking what cut, embellishments, and fabric Pansy wanted, followed by the dress morphing to suit her desires. At the end of the affair, Pansy was wearing an incredible gown that Hermione was sure would cost a fortune should it have been for sale in a store.
Pansy stepped down and changed back into her everyday attire, and then it was Hermione's turn. She changed quickly, but once it was her turn to decide on her dress's design, she had absolutely no idea what she wanted. Upon admitting this to Narcissa, the older witch brushed it aside.
"Not to worry. I have a few ideas for you," she smiled and Hermione let out a sigh of relief. Narcissa wandered around her, murmuring and muttering to herself. Hermione felt the dress shifting and changing until Narcissa clapped with happiness and stepped back. Looking down at herself and her new dress, the young witch decided she felt like a fairytale princess.
"Narcissa, thank you," she gasped, resisting the urge to twirl around the room in her new outfit.
"Not a problem, Hermione. Now, don't show anyone your dress prior to the party. I want it to be a surprise. The same goes for you, Pansy. Not even Blaise," Narcissa warned and Pansy nodded. "Hermione, go and change, and then we need to discuss other matters."
Hermione hurriedly changed back into her day outfit, desperate not to damage the incredible gown Narcissa had created. When she returned to the main room, the chairs had been moved around a table and the champagne flutes were filled with the golden liquid. Narcissa and Pansy were talking pleasantly as they sipped slowly from their drinks. Once Hermione sat Narcissa turned to face her.
"Have you found a date for the event?" the blonde inquired and Hermione blanched. She had forgotten entirely about bringing a date! Even if she had remembered, there was no one she knew who she could ask. "I'll take that as a no," Narcissa said in amusement at Hermione's reaction.
"I have absolutely no idea who to bring," Hermione admitted.
"Not to worry, Draco doesn't have a date yet, either," Narcissa smiled and Hermione had to keep her jaw from dropping. "I think you two would make a splendid couple, and as it is too late for you to scrape together another date, I'll write to Draco and tell him of this arrangement."
"Draco will be pleased," Pansy grinned, trying her hardest not to burst into full bouts of laughter at Hermione's shocked face. Hermione was still utterly speechless. What about what she wanted! She certainly did not want to go to this huge event on Draco bloody Malfoy's arm.
"But-," she began.
"Not 'buts', dear. Consider it payment for the dress," Narcissa suggested and Hermione let out a defeated sigh.
"Fine," she muttered, pouting. Narcissa and Pansy both laughed at this. The two Slytherins began a light conversation as they sat there, but Hermione hadn't the heart to join them. Instead she excused herself quickly after finishing her champagne and apparated home, tired and upset.
Draco knocked on the door, shivering. He had forgotten a coat and it was absolutely freezing, the weatherman predicting snow for the night.
They were three nights away from Lucius Malfoy's fifty-first birthday party, and the British wizarding world was abuzz with talks of the event. Many prominent witches and wizards had been photographed buying lavish gowns, and all sorts of rumours were flying about concerning the decoration, entertainment, and the ulterior motives of Narcissa Malfoy. Draco was at the centre of many of these rumours, with people questioning who his date would be.
He was currently standing outside his arranged date's house, waiting for her to answer the door. At long last it flung open and Hermione Granger glared at him.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" she asked shortly.
"I didn't want this fucking arrangement either," he responded, pushing his way into the warmth of her home. She sighed and shut the door behind him.
"Why are you here?" she said, joining him in the living room where he had seated himself in her favourite chair.
"Truthfully? To apologize for my mother's terrible matchmaking skills," he responded. "She requested that I ask you to the party, but I had no intentions of doing so, and when that became apparent she took matters into her own hands."
"Why didn't you have any intentions of asking me? Am I not good enough?" Hermione asked, suddenly offended.
He sighed. "No, I just didn't think you would appreciate it," he admitted. "I was planning on going alone, but my mother insisted that I bring a date, and when I said I didn't want to, she arranged for us to go together. I'm afraid there's no backing out now, however."
"I know," Hermione muttered tiredly. "I owled her and asked if she could cancel our pairing but she refused, repeating that us going together was my payment for the dress she's made for me."
"Can I see it?" he asked and she frowned in confusion. "Your dress, I mean. All I know is that I have to wear a silver waistcoat because it apparently matches your dress."
"No can do. Narcissa told me not to let anyone see it until the night of the party."
"She was always one for surprises," he murmured. "Anyway, I need to be heading off to pick up my suit. I'll be here at six on Thursday to pick you up. Make sure you're ready."
"Will do," Hermione replied, waving him out.
He let the door close behind him and thanked Merlin that she wasn't just wearing knickers this time.
Hermione sat in front of her mirror, applying various potions to her hair until it fell straight past her shoulder blades. With great care she twisted it into an elegant knot at the back of her head, allowing a few locks to fall out and frame her face. She slowly curled them to perfection and let out a relieved sigh. A few charms later her hair was permanently in place for the night and she turned to her makeup.
A hint of mascara, eyeliner, light lipstick and eye shadow later, Hermione nearly didn't recognize herself. She looked at her reflection in awe, ridiculously pleased at her appearance. She hadn't felt this beautiful since the Yule Ball in fourth year, ten years prior.
She had taken the day off work and spent it pampering herself instead. She was shaved, waxed, moisturized and plucked to perfection. She had bathed in a hot bath with rose petals and essence of violet, making sure she was utterly spotless. She wanted to be jaw dropping at the party, and so far it appeared she was doing a good job of it.
When she was certain her appearance was perfected she moved to her wardrobe and pulled out the delicate, one of a kind gown she would be wearing. She placed the fabric carefully on her bed and removed her robe, deciding to go all out and feel entirely beautiful. She found her favourite (and most expensive!) lingerie and slipped into it, relishing in the comfort. She had never worn the garments before as she'd never had the occasion, but tonight seemed like the perfect night.
She heard Draco shuffling about in the living room, waiting for her to emerge from her bedroom so he could escort her to Malfoy Manor, but she was taking her time. With care she pulled on the dress, once again feeling like a princess. She placed her feet in her shoes, picked up her clutch and stared at herself in the mirror.
She looked stunning.
A moment later she turned and went to the living room, ready for the evening to begin.
A/N: Phew. I hope you enjoy this one, as it may have to last you the whole week! Ron finally got what he deserved, so I hope you like that. I don't actually hate Ron. I think he's a bit of an idiot and I don't think he belongs with Hermione, but I actually quite like him. He just needed a bit of a hex in this story. Anyway, please review! I'm so happy to say that this is my most reviewed story, and it won't be finished for a while longer, so hopefully I'll have a hell of a lot more reviews before it's over.
Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed so far, or put this story on their alert or favourites list! It makes me smile each time I see a new notice about that! Please continue to review!
Also, I would like to remind you all that I have a few links in my profile! One of them is to an album featuring the outfits worn by many of the characters as well as character portraits! As well as this I have a couple of others that I would love if you checked out, including a link to my own fiction and one to my Formspring. Thank you!