Chapter 5

Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey Greengrass

would be honoured by the presence of you and your guest

at their

Second Annual War-Relief Fundraiser Ball

Midsummer's Eve

Greengrass Manor

Reception at six

Formal attire

R.S.V.P. by owl

Although Hermione was reluctant to be coerced by Draco into attending a pure-blood function, she knew that her Department Head had been having difficulties establishing a good rapport with those families and would have been displeased if she declined the invitation. Therefore, after being assured that Draco would be most delighted to be her date, she owled her reply.

Draco stood promptly at her door by the agreed 5:45 pm. They arrived at Greengrass Manor by Apparition and joined the queue of guests waiting to be received by their hosts. After exchanging the necessary pleasantries with the Greengrasses, Hermione entered the ballroom with Draco and began scanning the crowds. She knew that both Harry and Ron had received invitations and would be accompanied by Ginny and Susan, but they had not yet arrived. Seeing the familiar faces of several Slytherin classmates, she reluctantly followed Draco toward them. Pansy Parkinson looked at them in astonishment but quickly recovered her surprise and began to tease Draco about his change of heart. The Slytherins boys who had been at the Quidditch match were quick to come to his defence.

"At least he's not ashamed to be seen in public with his Gryffindor sweetheart, unlike you, Panse."

"Bugger off, Blaise! I'm not ashamed of Dean! He's not here because I begged him not to come. Things are difficult enough for both of us. We don't need you digging your claws into him!"

"Molly-coddling the boy already, Panse! Do you keep the gold key between your tits at all times? Does the boy get to stretch his legs once in a while?"

"Why does he need to bother with that? Panse has always favoured men on their knees!"

"Well, Nott, I guess you would know!"

"Say, Panse, those dress robes look mighty form-fitting. You sure your boy Raphael didn't paint it on you?"

"Dean is a gentleman. He would never allow the woman he loves to be oggled by all and sundry. Especially not immature Slytherins. I know you're trying to protect him, Park--Pansy, but I think you're underestimating him. He certainly could hold his own against these prats."

"You know, much as I hate to admit it, you're right, Grange--Hermione. The Ball's going to be so boring without him. Oh well. Would you care to join me in the powder room while I freshen up? All this testosterone is making my make-up run."

"Shit, Malfoy! They're joining forces! The world's come to an end!"

"You don't know the half of it! I hear Potty and the Weasel are coming too!" The other Slytherins groaned.

Hermione and Pansy made their way to the powder room. Hermione's curiosity could no longer be contained, and she outrightly asked Pansy how she had come to be coupled with Dean Thomas. Pansy giggled and told of how things started with a simple request for a portrait to be done of her, how they had gotten to know each other during the painting sessions, and how she couldn't wait to get married to him by autumn. Her parents had had to give into her wishes once the Marriage Law was passed. Hermione congratulated her on her upcoming nuptials and was surprised to receive both an apology for Pansy's poor treatment of her during their school years and a sincere wish that she would be in attendance at the wedding. She gladly accepted.

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly. The eventual presence of her friends allowed her to truly relax and enjoy the spectacle. Draco made a point of formally introducing her to his mother and several of her friends. He was amused to see several of the mothers looking displeased that he had acquired such a prize. Hermione was aware of the scrutiny but took advantage of the situation by casually mentioning that the Ministry was to host a ball of its own in several weeks' time and had invited emissaries from the Muggle government to promote the improved relations between the two worlds, and wouldn't it be such a triumph if they could have in attendance the most prominent and influential members of their society? Mrs. Malfoy promptly said that she would be honoured to receive an invitation to such a momentous occasion. She betrayed none of her emotions but looked thoughtfully at Hermione's retreating back as Draco lead her away.

Draco, too, was reconsidering his impressions of the Gryffindor. She had surprised him several times that evening. If he had harboured any thoughts of gaining satisfaction at seeing her discomfort at being thrust into his world, those had been completely replaced with admiration at how seamlessly she was fitting in. But his greatest surprise was to come later in the evening, when he discovered that she was a wonderful dance partner. When questioned, she admitted that she had taken lessons for many years because of her own parents' love of dance. Her teachers through the years had been from a variety of dance backgrounds, and she had, therefore, learned a range of dances, including some of those that had been retained from the Elizabethan and Regency eras in the Wizarding world. Draco was impressed.

They took a break from dancing for refreshments. Hermione had thus far restrained from consuming the drinks proffered when she discovered that the Greengrasses did not serve non-alcoholic drinks and that the mildest was Firewhiskey. However, after the exertion on the dance floor, she needed something for her parched throat, and she accepted a glass of Firewhiskey from Draco. They were soon joined by several of their friends. After having made an unspoken truce and downed several glasses of Firewhiskey or the like, the Slytherins and Gryffindors were able to coexist peacefully and pleasantly, following the example set by Hermione and Pansy, who were further reinforced by Susan and Ginny.

Their enjoyment was brought to a halt by the arrival of the younger of the Greengrass daughters, Astoria, who demanded that Draco dance with her. Her attempts to drape her unsteady form over him landed her on the ground.

"You bastard! You activated a Shield Charm against me?"

"I warned you several times in the past to leave me alone, Astoria."

"You're a cold-hearted bastard, Draco Malfoy! After making those promises of love and tricking me into your bed, now you're throwing me aside for a new conquest! I can't believe that you are choosing that Mudblood whore over me!"

"You're drunk, Astoria, so I'll ignore your rude remarks. Now go away and stop causing a scene!"

"Ha! This is my house! I can do whatever I want and go wherever I please! What's the matter, Draco? Can't stand to hear the truth? Take it from me, Mudblood, don't let him get his claws into you; he'll only break your heart like he did mine. Oh, what am I saying? You don't care, do you? You just want to wriggle into his pants for his money!"

"Shut up, Astoria! The only gold-digger around here is the piss-faced drunken bitch standing in front of me! Now go and find some old miser with groping hands if you're so desperate!"

"How dare you talk to me, Pansy, you blood traitor scum! Oh, now that you've got a taste of Gryffindor cock, you think you're one of them! Ha! So, that's it! Once you've got a taste of the forbidden fruit, you forget the lessons your parents taught you about remaining untainted! Well, you've always had loose morals, Pansy. Draco here, though, comes from proper stock. What do you say, Draco? Shall we leave these plebeians and rekindle our fire?"

"Huh! Why would he want to have anything to do with you? The only reason he would even look at you is because of your dark hair and petite size! He's got Hermione now, the real deal! You were only ever a poor substitute for the girl he's had a crush on since Fourth!" As soon as the words were out, Pansy realized her mistake and clapped her hand to her mouth in horror. All eyes swivelled toward Hermione, who was blushing furiously and quickly excused herself.

In spite of her mild inebriation, she navigated through the throng of people to the terrace, where she gripped the railing tightly and forced herself to breathe slowly. She heard footsteps catch up to her.

"Hermione?"

"Please, Draco, I just need some time alone."

"Hermione, I can explain."

"Explain?" she wheeled around to face him. "Explain what, exactly? That you've been suffering from your unrequited love for me all these years and finally found a way of relieving it?"

"No!"

"Oh, so Pansy was wrong! What she should have said was that you were lusting after the forbidden fruit, the lowly Mudblood. And to think I started to believe you aren't a complete arse!"

"It's not like any of that! I admit, I did have a crush on you in Fourth! The night of the Yule Ball, you looked so beautiful, you left me breathless! But I knew you would never even look at me with anything but contempt, not after the way I treated you. And things just got more and more impossible after the Dark Lord returned. What would you want with a Death Eater? And so I gave up. But when I saw your name on the list at the Ministry, I thought, this is my chance. I didn't think you were available. But you completely blew me off! So, I got mad and planned the Quidditch match as revenge for making a fool out of me. But you just made me more crazy by loving it and getting along with my friends. I was this close to strangling Blaise when I saw the two of you getting friendly! So, I was going to stake a claim once and for all tonight. And now Pansy's gone and messed everything up for me!"

Hermione was staring round-eyed at him the entire time. A myriad of thoughts and emotions fought for dominance. In the end, she stepped toward him shyly and asked, "Is it true?"

"You'll have to be more specific."

"You haven't always hated me?"

"I stopped hating you a long time ago. If it makes you feel better, I still find you annoying at times."

"Likewise, you arrogant prat. Draco, I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable on our first date. You have to understand that sending your terrified house-elf wasn't going to endear you to me. I thought you were mocking me like you've always done. Granted, I admit that if you told me you liked me and asked me out on a date, I wouldn't've have believed you and probably would've turned you down. Laughed in your face, even. But if you told me now..."

Draco closed the gap between them and placed his hands on her waist. "I like you, Hermione Granger. A lot. After we've both slept the booze off and put this disastrous party behind us, will you go out on a real date with me?"

"I'd love to."

"Shall we seal it with a kiss?"

"Let's."