16. Powder My Nose

"I can assure you, Miss… There is no new Department of Human Relation nor is there any person here by the name of Margaree Baxter. I've checked the records twice now, for you, and I'm afraid I need to get back to work. Have a good day."

Hermione glowered at the man who closed his window and disappeared into his office. She knew it… Astoria was just a nasty wench trying to… trying to what? That question was one Hermione didn't have the answer for. She shoved the letter back into her skirt pocket and made a beeline for the exit, lost in deep thought.

Her head collided into someone. "Whoa, there… be careful."

"I'm sorry, I was just… just…" Hermione looked up to see a very familiar face. "Erm, Victor?"

"Hermione!"

"Wow, you actually can pronounce my name! I'm impressed."

"I've been working on my English since I met you. How have you been?"

"Oh," Hermione began, not sure of how to go about the conversation. She paused, thinking of the right words to throw out there.

He leaned in. "That bad, huh?"

She shot him a half smile and replied coyly, "Not all bad."

"Well, that's good… what brings you to the Ministry?" he asked.

"Oh… I was just… seeking out some information. Anyway, how have you been? You look good." He really, really, really, really looked good.

He smiled at her. "Thanks. I've been great actually… I got my Auror's license and just got transferred here from Bulgaria. It seems there's been a few Death Eater attacks."

"Oh, so you're living in London now? And working with Harry and Ron… and Penelope…" Hermione sighed and began getting lost in her thoughts again.

"I'm going to be working with your husband?"

"Oh… no. We're not… We were… but now we're… he's just my friend."

Victor frowned slightly. "I'm sorry to hear that…"

Hermione shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, don't worry about it. We are still friends and that's all that really matters… what about you?"

"Am I seeing anyone? Not anymore."

Hermione nodded. "Oh, okay."

"Do you eat dinner?" Victor blurted out.

She smiled. "Of course I do. Do you?"

He blushed a little and ran a hand through his hair nervously. "I mean… would you like to eat dinner with me tonight?"

"Oh!" Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh you want me to go with you?"

"Yea, I have these passes to that Wizard's Ball…"

"I don't know if that would be such a great idea."

"It's only as friends."

Hermione contemplated the pros and cons… if it really was just dinner as friends, she could do it. Right? "I suppose... yea, sounds like fun."

He smiled. "Alright, where should I meet you?"

"Erm, Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. See you then."

---

"Wow."

"Yea, that's what I said… I mean, what are the odds that I would just casually bump into Victor Krum?" Hermione asked, still in awe of the events that happened earlier that day. She sipped on her tea thoughtfully.

Ginny shrugged. "I dunno… I just think it's weird that he's going to be working with my brother… two of your exes protecting one another? Just seems odd." Ginny started laughing. "I bet Ron was furious! He hated him!"

"Oh stop. He only hated him because he liked me…" Hermione stated. "And that's over so there's nothing to worry about. Besides, Ron was a fan at some point in his life."

"I know, I know… I wonder how awkward it will be for all of us at the ball."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "You guys are going to be there? Ron? Harry? Penelope?"

Ginny nodded slowly. "I thought you knew that?"

"NO!" Hermione shouted. "This is going to be so weird!"

Harry burst through the door at that moment, looking furious. Ron was close behind him.

"I'll fucking kill him!" Harry bellowed.

The girls exchanged a wary and confused glance.

"What happened?"

Harry pulled out a chair and sat down, slamming his fist on the table. "Victor Krum has worked at the Ministry all of two minutes before our ass kissing boss fucking puts him in charge of our goddamn field work!"

Ron sat down next to Hermione, equally as upset. "Harry and I are the team leaders! It's a load of codswallop, that's what this is!"

Hermione patted Ron's shoulder and he let her. "I'm sure Victor won't be arrogant enough to really accept that position."

Ron pulled away from Hermione's touch and glared at her. "Oh yea? You think you know that 'cause you and Vicky used to date?"

"Come off it, Ron," Ginny snapped.

"No, he's right, Gin! You shouldn't be defending that bastard!" Harry hissed.

Hermione rolled her eyes and replied defiantly. "I will defend him because I am going on a date with him tonight! You do not get to decide who I can or cannot speak kind words about, Harry Potter! Victor Krum has only ever been nice to the both of you! Why do you both assume the worst in others! It's childish!" Hermione yelled and stood up. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have to go get ready." Hermione began walking away before she wheeled around. "Ginny, are you coming?"

Her eyes widened at how ill tempered Hermione was. "Erm, yea… coming." She shot harry and Ron a nasty look and scampered off with Hermione.

"You put on quite a show back there," Ginny said once they were out of ear shot and in the guest room where Hermione was staying.

She blushed. "I couldn't help it… He's a nice man!"

"Sounds like you have a crush."

"Oh stop… I mean, he did look gorgeous, but no! I still have…"

"…feelings for Malfoy? He screwed you over!"

"But I don't think he really did. Astoria forged a letter…"

"Oh, please Hermione. Malfoy is a scumbag. Even if Astoria was just being a bitch when she came to you the other day, the fact still remains that they are still married, right?"

Hermione sighed. "Yes."

"And you don't want to be that girl, do you?"

"Well, no but…"

"…but nothing. Krum is single, yes?"

"Yes."

"And attractive?"

"Yes."

"Alright then… forget about Malfoy… even if it's just for tonight and have fun as a single girl! Can you please just do that for me?"

Hermione nodded, a smile creeping onto her face. "Yes, I suppose I can." She looked back at her trunk. "But I don't have a ball gown to wear!"

"I think I could find something…"

---

Hermione walked down the stairs in a white ball gown. She felt unusually nervous about her date and about the fact that she just might die if Penelope looked better than she did…

Ron was the first to see her come down and his jaw dropped slightly. "Merlin, Hermione… you look amazingly beautiful…" he whispered and kissed her on the cheek.

Hermione blushed and thumbed with the fabric of her dress. "Thanks, Ronald… you look dashing yourself." She looked back up at him. "I'm sorry for yelling earlier."

"No, it's alright. You have every right. Harry and I were overreacting."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, just as there was a knock at the door. Harry grabbed it. It was Victor. The tension clearly rose in the room, unbeknownst to Victor as he took Hermione into a deep hug and told her how utterly amazing she looked. Ron rolled his eyes and walked away as Harry just stood there awkwardly.

"Well, shall we go then?" Hermione asked as she linked her arm in Victor's.

He smiled and nodded as he bid his polite adieu to Harry as they left.

"That was the most awkward thing ever!" Hermione laughed after they arrived across the street from the party via apparation. They started crossing the street.

He laughed as well. "It really was. I just feel bad that they think I'm taking their job. We could be civil, but they won't even hear me out. I'm not taking that position."

They handed the bouncer their passes and walked inside. "See? I knew you weren't like that!" Hermione beamed up at him. "Oh, and I have a slight confession."

"What is it?" He asked, grabbing two glasses of champagne and hanging her one.

"I sort of… well… I told everyone that this was a date, kinda as a way to make them shut up."

"Oh?"

"Yea."

"Do you want this to be a date?"

"Honestly?" Hermione asked. He nodded, she continued. "I really do."

He grinned and kissed her on the cheek. "Good, because I don't know how long I was going to be able to keep up my act."

Hermione laughed. "If you liked me so much, you should have just said so!"

"Okay, I do like you. A lot, actually."

She looked up at him. "Really?"

"Yea, you're a real catch, you know that?"

"I do now."

"Good…" he breathed, leaning in a bit closer.

"Ohmygod!" Hermione hissed and Victor pulled away.

"What? What is it? Did I do something?"

She shook her head. "No, no! You didn't do anything… there's just someone here that I really did not expect to see."

Victor turned around to see Draco and Astoria Malfoy walking into the building, arms linked. He frowned and looked back at Hermione, who's gaze was transfixed on the couple.

"Is there something wrong with them?"

Hermione sighed. "No…" She shook her head. "So anyway, let's forget about them. Would you like to dance?"

"Love to."

---

Malfoy saw her when he walked in. She looked absolutely stunning and he could feel his heart clenching at just the sight of her… but she was with that Krum guy. Was that why she retracted her feelings for him? Because of another guy? He shook his head. That seemed impossible for Hermione to do. She wasn't the type to play people. She wears her heart on her sleeve.

"Draco, are you coming?" Astoria asked, pulling him along.

"Hm? Oh, yes." He fell back in step with her.

He didn't know why he was with her. She was gorgeous and smart… but also cold hearted and judgmental. They had gotten along fine before he decided to grow up and put the past behind him. He glanced at Astoria and tried to force a smile at her already grinning face. He has slept with her and she had misinterpreted that to be more than what it really was and now he was stuck because he didn't want to be that guy that just uses girls. Not anymore.

"Love, fetch me a glass of bubbly, would you? I need to go powder my nose."

Malfoy nodded and left to seek out a waiter as Astoria slipped away. Hermione saw her from afar, heading for an empty hall.

"Victor, will you excuse me for a moment? I need to, uh, powder my nose."

"Yes, of course," he replied.

"Thank you, it will only be a moment."

Hermione slipped away and traveled down the hall that Astoria had only moments before. She heard two female conversing and she froze, listening in.

"Did you get him?"

"No, not yet." Hermione deciphered that voice to be Astoria's.

"Well how hard could it be?" The voice was getting agitated.

"That Granger girl has gotten in my way."

"Well then do something about it!"

"I did! I turned her against Draco and all it took was a forged letter and a bottle of wine. She's actually quite thick for a so called bookworm."

Hermione balled her fists. She knew Astoria was up to something.

"I need him, Astoria. Whatever it takes."

"I know, Narcissa. Just give me some time."

"I've given you plenty of time! Just get it done, you wench!"

Hermione heard a small pop and quick footsteps coming her way. She gasped and hurriedly ran back to the party before Astoria caught up with her.

"You're out of breath, what happened?" Victor asked as he took Hermione's hands in his.

She shook her head and plastered a smile on her face. "It's nothing! Don't worry…"

Hermione cast a glance over at Malfoy who had his arm around Astoria's waist and her arms around his neck. She felt consumed with jealousy and if looks could kill, Astoria would indeed be dead. Hermione still had no clue what the fuck she was up to. But she was bound and determined to figure it out… she watched some more as she flirted and caressed him and he seemed to not care at all. She was angry.

"Are you feeling alright?" Victor asked.

Hermione sighed. "There's something you should know…"

"…you're in love with that Draco Malfoy?"

Hermione peered at him. "How did you…"

"…I've been watching the jealous glances you keep casting at him… and believe me, he's been casting them at us as well."

"He's jealous of us?" Hermione inquired, a bit shocked.

"I'd assume so, otherwise I wouldn't keep getting death glares." Victor looked down at her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You know, we could make him more jealous…"

Hermione's eyes twinkled. "Oh yea?"

He leaned in, getting closer and closer.

"There you two are!" Ginny pushed through the crowd of people.

Hermione's jaw dropped. "Gin! You look stunning!"

"Thanks!" Ginny leaned in to whisper in Hermione's ear. "Don't worry, you look better than Penelope!"

Hermione smiled and looked around Ginny to see Penelope and while she did look very nice, Hermione knew she didn't compare to how Hermione looked tonight.

"Uhm, were we interrupting anything?" Ron asked as he cleared his throat.

Hermione looked at him and then to Victor. "You may have been, but don't worry about it. You look nice, Penelope." Ginny kicked her subtly in the shin.

"Oh, thanks. You look… well you look…"

"Fantastic," Ron murmured. Penelope glared at him, slapped his arm and stormed off. "Wait! Penelope! I'm sorry!" He ran after her and the remaining four burst into laughter.

"Well, we're going to go scope the party out, have fun!" Ginny smiled pointedly at Hermione.

"You too," Hermione answered.

"I like your friends." Victor smiled and pulled her close once more.

She grinned. "So do I." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Is he looking?" Victor asked.

Hermione looked over his shoulder to see Malfoy gazing at her. "Uhm, yes."

"Perfect," Victor breathed and pressed his lips against hers. Hermione invited his kiss wantonly. It felt nice kissing him. It brought back good memories of school… of when times were much simpler.

He pulled away and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm going to go get us a table. The dinner starts in a half hour."

She nodded as she scooted off through the crowd. Hermione smiled and bit her lower lip. Elated at how amazing Victor was being tonight. She turned and made her way to the washroom.

It wasn't until after she was out that she was pulled aside and pressed up against a wall in a dark hall. She only guessed who it was… it was a certain man who seemed to love to confront her up against a wall.

"Draco?" Hermione breathed.

He nuzzled his head in her neck. "Why?" he croaked.

"Why what? What are you doing?" Hermione's integrity was trying to push him off, while her heart was yearning for her to pull him closer.

"Why are you doing this to me? What did I do? Just tell me and I'll fix it… please," he pleaded.

A lump rose in Hermione's throat as she pushed him away. "You never told me you were still married."

"I didn't know I was! I thought I was happily divorced and then she just showed up with that decree from the Ministry! What was I supposed to do? It was an order!"

"The letter is a fake."

"What?"

"Astoria came to see the day I left and she dropped the letter on my floor… and I investigated a little and she made it up. You're… you really are divorced." Hermione said the last of her sentence with a smile.

Draco seemed enraged. "Why would she fake it? What does she want from me…? Everything she's been telling me is a… lie?"

Hermione nodded. "I suppose so. I'm sorry Draco. I'm sorry for not just coming to you in the first place."

"No, it's okay. I would have most likely done the same thing."

She sighed. "So you aren't married and Victor and I aren't really dating…"

Draco smiled and took a step closer to her, pressing her against the wall once more. "So technically there's nothing wrong with me doing this…" He kissed her neck. "Or this." He peppered her jawbone with light kissed. "Or… this…" he breathed and captured her mouth in his.

Hermione moaned at the sensation. She had been longing for this! She wrapped her legs around his waist as he held her bottom, holding her in place against the wall.

"Did I tell you how amazing you look tonight?" He whispered and sucked on her neck.

"Mmm, no." Hermione clawed at his back. "But… ohhhh… thanks." Hermione sighed and pulled away slightly. "We should stop and get back to that party…"

"Yea, most likely."

"Hey, can we just… no more lies? All this could have been averted if you would have just come to me. I don't want any secrets… at all."

A knot tied in his stomach. "Then there's something you should know."

---

"There you are I've been looking all over…" Victor was silenced by Hermione's vicious kiss on his lips. He complied to her aggressiveness, but only warily. She pulled away, fire in her eyes, and shot a death glare at Draco Malfoy. He looked saddened and defeated staring at the two of them. Victor looked down at Hermione who had tears brimming in her eyes. "Hermione?"

"Can we just go?" she whispered.

"We haven't eaten dinner yet."

"I don't care."

"Alright, let's go." He took her hand and walked them towards the exit, Malfoy watching their every move. Once outside, Victor finally spoke again. "Where do you want to go?"

Hermione devoured his lips once more, flicking her tongue in his mouth. "Your place," she moaned softly and looked up at him eagerly.

"Oh… Oh!" Victor held her out at arms length. "I don't think so, Hermione."

She began sobbing. "What the hell is your problem? Don't you want me?"

"Of… of course I want you! But we can't do that!"

"Why! We're adults!" She was sobbed even harder.

"Oi! What did you do to her?" Harry bellowed as he stormed out of the building, Ron close behind him.

Victor opened his mouth to begin and explain but Ron swung his fist forward and decked him square in the jaw.

"Stop it!" Ginny squealed and took Hermione in her arms. "Shh, 'Mione… what's wrong? What happened?"

"Dr…Draco slept with her!" Hermione cried.

"What?" Harry and Ron said in unison and looked down at Victor.

"So he didn't do anything?" Harry asked as he pointed at Krum.

"No!" Hermione yelled.

Ron shrugged. "Sorry mate…" Ron stretched out his hand to help him back up. Victor took the help.

Just then Malfoy burst out of the building, his face paled and nervous. "Death Eaters are here." Ron, Harry and Victor all withdrew their wands immediately and rushed past Malfoy into the building.

Malfoy walked up to Hermione, Ginny wandered away a bit to give him a chance to talk to her.

"Hermione," he breathed and reached out the touch her face. She let him. He then pulled her into an embrace and whispered something in her ear. He pulled away as quickly as he had embraced her and began jogging back inside. "Keep her safe!" he yelled over his shoulder pointedly at Ginny.