Chapter 2

Hermione went and bought a dress in the muggle world during the week. She liked muggle dresses, they had a bit of an edge to them, while the dresses from the magical world were pretty much same same and black or some dark colour.

As the years went by she was getting more comfortable with not conforming completely to the magical world's norms. She wasn't as concerned about her muggle heritage as she used to be. She had been so adamant to make sure she was as good as, always wanting to prove that she was just as good. She didn't need to prove it so much anymore, she had finally come to accept that she was. Maybe even better.

Maturity had its rewards and so did foreignness. She would be excused a little eccentricity which wasn't afforded to girls of 'more fortunate backgrounds'. It gave her that little extra degree of freedom. One important one was that her muggle parents weren't pressuring her for marriage and grandchildren at the tender age of 23. Magical children were expected to abandon their footloose and fancy-free stage much quicker, which Hermione didn't quite understand as they lived practically forever. Well, long past the typical age for muggles anyway.

So far, Blaise hadn't seemed too bothered about the muggle part of her. The little things that made her stand out as different. For all of Ron's family's delight in the muggle world and its attractions, he was often a little embarrassed when she would do muggle things, use muggle expressions or clothes. He had not accepted her unisex looking hiking boots, for example, because they weren't feminine enough.

Tonight she would take a clutch with her dress, which was not normally used in the magical world as they preferred decorated pouches, but it went with the dress and she liked it.

Blaise picked her up at her door. He looked very handsome in his dress robes. Actually he looked like he was made for wearing those robes.

"Hey." She said with a smile as he greeted her at the door.

"You look wonderful." He said and kissed her on the cheek.

"You don't look so bad yourself, but I suspect you know that." She teased. "Are you sure you want to go, we could just stay here."

"Don't tempt me." He said. "Because I would actually much rather stay here, but duty calls."

He apparated them to wherever they were having their function. Magical instruments were playing on their own. Everyone was dressed well and chatting in small groups or grazing on the tables laden with nibbles.

Hermione knew most of the firm employees in a professional capacity. Not well, but well enough to know that they did respect her and the quiet power she felt over their profession.

"Ah, Miss Granger." Said Mr. Holloway, which Hermione knew was Blaise's boss. "Lovely to see you this evening. I understand Mr. Zabini and yourself are here together."

"We are." Blaise said loudly so the nearby matrons heard him clearly.

"Excellent." Mr. Holloway. "I hope you will enjoy our little evening, just a small affair for our staff and their immediate friends."

Hermione knew Mr. Holloway was being modest when he called the affair small, it was a bit more than a small get-together. Or maybe this was how Mr. Holloway did small get-togethers, no expense spared and black tie.

There was an endless supply of champagne for the evening and Hermione was already on her second glass. She and Blaise did the rounds and spoke to almost everyone, well everyone from the firm anyway.

"Blaise." Mr. Holloway called. "You know Mr. Malfoy of course. And this is Miss Granger."

The tall form of Lucius Malfoy greeted her and her mind made a silent panicked protest. She was still very uncomfortable around Lucius Malfoy. Probably more than anyone in this whole society. He was one of the Death Eaters who was too smart and well connected to actually be punished for his crimes.

"She is Mr. Zabini's date this evening I believe." Mr. Holloway said. "Have you met?"

Lucius Malfoy nodded briefly to them both. "We have." He said.

Only on the few occasions you were trying to murder me, she finished silently in her brain as she plastered a smile on her face.

"Is Draco here as well?" Mr. Holloway.

Yes, is he? She continued her silent internal dialogue, because I would love to make this moment even more uncomfortable.

"No, he is off somewhere tonight." Lucius said. "Hard to keep track of him these days."

"Mr. Malfoy is a longstanding client of this firm." Mr. Holloway said to Hermione.

She simply nodded and took a sip of her Champaign. The two older men got stuck in a conversation about relationships with the German Ministry and Blaise took the opportunity to move them on.

The world would have been much a better place if Lucius Malfoy would have carked it during the war, Hermione thought. A relic of the past that should have been left in the past. But he was wealthy and powerful, his dabbling with the dark side hadn't really diminished his standing to any noticeable extend. She knew she wasn't the only person he made uncomfortable, but there wasn't really anything that could be done about it. He had practically every politician, reporter and Head of Department in his pocket.

Hermione felt a fissure of concern with regards to who she was with and the place he had in this society, that is his integration into the parts of society that weren't all that accepting of her type. Their prejudice wasn't open anymore and they were mostly civil when she came across them, but she could feel the slight air of disapproval whenever she came in contact with them. More so the older generation. The younger generation hated her personally more than straight muggleborn prejudice, but that had abated over time as well. Some of the old dislike had morphed into plain curiosity as their lives had grown more distant.

Hence the concern about getting involved with Blaise Zabini, but as she looked at him she knew he was worth it. She wouldn't be here if she didn't think so.

She was a little tipsy when the party finally ended. They ended back in her apartment, taking their time divesting each other of their clothes. They had their whole weekend ahead of them to lie in bed and enjoy each other's company.

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" Zabini asked. "You knew quite a few of the people there I think."

"I know most of the people who work with law at least by name, so I recognised quite a few. It was a nice evening." She said. "My feet were killing me towards the end."

"I have a lunch thing tomorrow." Blaise said. "Do you want to come? Nothing big, just a few mates."

Hermione bit her lip. It would be his mates, Malfoy and those guys. Not her ideal choice of Saturday activities, but if she was going to be part of his life, she would have accept that occasionally she would have to be around his friends.

"They'll behave, I promise." He said and she smiled because he had read her mind.

She nodded and lay her head down on his chest. She didn't want him to see her dread. Spending a whole lunch in the company of the Slytherins, where you weren't certain whether the men or women were bitchier.

Well, if she wanted Blaise, she would have to bite the bullet and come to terms with the different corners of his life. He had come and hung out with her friends, and been a good sport about it. He had actually made Harry laugh at one point which had almost made Hermione jump up and down with pleasure.

Having the Slyterins and the Gryffindors hanging out together was obviously never going to happen, but as a couple they would have to traverse both worlds. She'd just gotten the tougher end of the bargain.

She wondered if Blaise thought so too or whether he thought hanging out with the Gryffindors would be as trying for him as the Slytherins would be for her. But this guy who was currently naming the freckles on her shoulder was worth it. Even if she had to be best friends with Pansy Parkinson.

And even Malfoy, who Blaise had assured her, had grown up in the time since she'd seen him last. Which was a long time ago as they didn't run in the same circles, but now, because of the sumptuous guy in her bed, they were about to run in the same circle. She really hoped it was true that he had grown up from the spoilt brat he'd been, but she wouldn't stake her money on it. Either way, she would handle him, she done before and she could certainly handle him now. Its not like any jibes about her parents or heritage was going to impress her. Its not like she was eleven anymore.