Chapter 14: Ice cream
A stiff apology is a second insult... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt.
- Gilbert K. Chesterton
Witches' Wear Daily
2 May 2004
Man of the moment DRACO MALFOY surprised the fashion-sphere with an enthralling show last night. If the forage into fashion was not enough of a revelation, the designer definitely is. COCO TOSCANA, named as one of the top 10 models to watch by WWD last month, is the sartorial genius behind the exquisite debut of the Malfoy label. A clever fusion of the elegance of wizarding classics and Muggle innovation, the editor of WWD hails it as a milestone in witches' fashion...
Harry and Ron hovered gingerly by the door of the guest bedroom.
Ginny was marching around Hermione's bed, collecting crumpled up tear and snot-stained tissues, while coaxing her to drink the mug of chocolate on her nightstand that had long gone cold.
Ron checked his watch and murmured, 'This is officially worse than that time when she broke up with the Muggle.'
'I hope she doesn't start making those banana things,' Harry muttered back, and shuddered at the memory of a half-dazed Hermione making sculptures out of bananas that looked eerily like her ex. Before sticking them into mugs of scorching hot coffee.
Ginny came out of the room with a full wastebasket, and said, 'I have to go get more Kleenex from the corner shop. Make her eat something please?'
'Okay, we'll try,' sighed Ron. 'No bananas though.'
Harry went into the kitchen as the door closed behind his girlfriend, and pulled out a tub of ice cream from the freezer. Turning to Ron, he asked, 'This stuff is supposed to work on girls, right?'
He shrugged, then squared his shoulders and worked up a cheerful tone before bursting into the bedroom. 'Mione! Want some ice cream?'
It was a rather awkward affair, them beaming like they were in a Ben & Jerry's commercial, holding a tub of Chunky Monkey and grasping two spoons. Silence reigned as they shuffled their feet and watched Hermione stare straight ahead, her eyes red and puffy, knees drawn up to her chest.
She was the very picture of female woe.
'I swear on Merlin's underpants that I'll kill Malfoy!' Ron burst out, and thankfully, Hermione slowly turned her face to look at them, and offered a watery smile.
Before Hermione had descended into her 24-hour spell of soundlessness, she had recounted her dramatic escape from Malfoy's party and every nitty gritty detail of his disgusting nature and appalling lack of morality.
Taking advantage of the turn in events, Harry sat carefully on the edge of the bed and offered her a spoon encouragingly. She picked it up and Ron twisted the lid off the ice cream pint, making airplane noises while swooshing the tub around as if she was a toddler.
She giggled and dug in.
Phew, Harry thought to himself. That was easier than expected. He looked worriedly at the bags under her eyes, and though she had come out of her trance, she didn't seem particularly keen to talk.
Really, she needed to snap back into it. Malfoy was just not worth it.
Harry furrowed his brow. She needed something to focus on. Hermione only functioned when she had things to do, but now Malfoy had stripped away her fashion line, she had nothing but an empty studio and an emptier bank account.
He started to reach up to adjust his glasses when his fingers bumped against the square box in his jacket pocket.
That's it!
'Hey Mione,' he began lightly, a grin lighting up his green eyes. 'How good are you at wedding dresses?'
She stared back quizzically, didn't speak and shrugged her shoulders. Ron frowned but didn't question him.
Harry reached into his jacket, slowly and deliberately, and pulled out the velvet box.
He wished he had a camera with him when he opened it and showed his best friends the diamond ring inside.
He wasn't sure if Hermione or Ron burst into noisy sobs first, but they sure tackled him at the same time, and he chortled as he shoved the box back into its pocket.
'What on earthis going on in here?'
Harry twisted around and smiled at his unknowing wife-to-be. 'I have no idea.'
The Daily Prophet
2 May 2004
COUPLE OF THE MOMENT:
DRACO & COCO
We at the Prophet HQ cannot get over how gorgeous billionaire playboy DRACO MALFOY and model/designer COCO TOSCANA looked at last night's Mystery Party hosted at Malfoy Manor! Wearing a heather blue bandage dress, COCO was unveiled as the designer behind the Malfoy fashion line after a breathtaking runway show in the gardens of the Manor, which will open as a five-star hotel in October this year...
Hermione was humming a tuneless song under her breath as she strode purposefully up the driveway to Zabini's house in swanky Primrose Hill, which was lined with beautiful blooms of red and white roses.
The brisk evening air buzzed with the Muggle-Repelling Charm that kept non-magical creatures off the Zabini estate. Hermione tightened her grip on the sketchbook that she had tucked neatly under her arm. It was brimming with sketches of wedding dresses, fabric samples and notes that she could not wait to share with Pansy.
Stopping at the doorstep, she rang the doorbell and couldn't stop the grin on her face as she imagined how excited the bride-to-be...
The grin slid promptly from her face as he opened the door.
'What are youdoing here?' she launched a venomous verbal assault at his face, which she noted was no less surprised than hers.
Malfoy's mouth twisted in contempt, but before he had the chance to answer, Pansy bounded down the stairs, her eyes wide open in horror.
'Hermione!' she shrieked uncharacteristically. 'I'm so so sorry, I completely forgot to call you to cancel. You see, Draco here sprang this whole dinner thing unexpectedly on us and I've been running around allday-'
'It's quite alright Pansy,' said Hermione in what she hoped was a soothing voice. 'I can come back any day.'
She let the rest of the sentence hang in the air with a demeaning glare at Malfoy. When that bastard is not here.
Malfoy suddenly spoke up, with a pleasant smile. 'Why don't you join us, Granger? You've made it all the way here anyway.'
Hermione didn't miss the disapproving glare Pansy sent his way, and protested, 'Um, no really, I should get going-'
'I insist, Granger,' Malfoy cut in, opening the door wide open in a welcoming gesture. 'I'm sure Pansy doesn't mind.'
He arched an eyebrow, as if daring her to come in.
She should've known. She should've taken Pansy's almost pleading shake of her head seriously. She should've listened to that little voice of reason in her head that told her not to rise up to Malfoy's stupid taunt.
Because right now, standing by the long dining table where Blaise was seated, sipping wine and talking with Coco Toscana, Hermione wanted nothing more but to kick herself in the butt.
Draco chomped down noisily on his cutlet of lamb.
He hated to admit it, but he was a tad miffed, despite Coco's hand on his thigh and the delicious red wine Zabini had picked out from his extensive underground cellar.
'Draco darling, please chew with your mouth closed,' chided Pansy, who was sitting right across the table from him.
'Sorry, can't help it, I'm just enjoying this lamb too much,' he replied, deliberately with his mouth full. Then he swallowed and turned to Coco with a grin. 'It's almost as good as your ribeye steak, babe.'
Coco smiled playfully and giggled. 'What can I say, I can do more than make spectacular clothes!'
Sneaking a glance at Granger, he was disappointed to see that she was serenely enjoying her creamed spinach, smiling at Parkinson.
In fact, that was all she had been doing the whole meal, despite his numerous attempts to make her lose her cool.
'Draco honey, did I show you the sketches I made today for the resort collection?' asked Coco prettily. She turned to Pansy and Blaise and explained, 'I've been so busy designing the new collection, it's launching in two months, I am so veryexcited!'
He patted her hand encouragingly. 'I can't wait to see them.'
Of course, Coco had no idea that the entire table knew who exactly the real brains behind MIC's now legendary fashion line was. It was actually rather embarrassing how she had rattled on every other two minutes about her exceptional talent with the needle and thread. But hey, anything to annoy Granger - he was only too happy to play along.
Pansy stood up sharply, and gave him a tight-lipped smile. 'Draco, why don't you come help me with the dessert in the kitchen?'
As soon as the kitchen door swung close, a kitchen towel slapped hard him on his forehead.
'Ow! What the hell was that for Parkinson?' he howled.
'For being a dick!' Pansy yelled back.
'I wasn't being a dick,' argued Draco, rubbing the stinging patch on his forehead which he suspected was an angry red. 'I was merely making conversation.'
Pansy crossed her arms and glared at him. 'You were being an arsehole to Hermione and you know it, Draco, don't play dumb with me.'
He snorted and rolled his eyes. 'I was being myself, Parkinson!'
'No, your behaviour out there was disgraceful even by your guttural standards,' she said harshly. '"Ooh, Coco darling, you are such a wonderfully talented designer. Don't you think so Granger?" "You really should come to the next fashion show Granger, I bet you've never been to one." Seriously Draco! What is with you?'
Before Draco could check himself, he blurted out, 'She was ignoring me!'
Pansy seemed to be momentarily stunned by his honesty. Having recovered, she narrowed her eyes at him. 'You sound like an attention-starved chihuahua.'
'I - I don't like being ignored,' he said lamely.
Pansy sighed. 'I know what's going on here. I've known you long enough to know this is what you do when you feel guilty.'
Draco scoffed. 'Guilty? Why should I feel guilty?'
'You treated her like rubbish and you know it! Now you go out and apologise to her. For the whole thing!'
'What whole thing?'
'The whole designer fiasco! She slaved over the fashion show and you just throw her work away like that, on your little slut!'
'I won't.'
'Hermione deserves an apology and you know it.'
Draco held his tongue, and frowned when Pansy let on a small, triumphant smile.
'Alright Draco, go get the custard from the fridge...'
Hermione stared at her gravy-laden plate and wondered when was the last time she had felt this awkward.
Blaise had excused himself to go downstairs to get some more vino, and unfortunately neither Pansy nor Malfoy had made a re-appearance yet.
So there she was, alone with Coco Toscana.
She seemed perfectly at ease, staring into space, her perfectly manicured fingers reaching up occasionally to swipe at her glossy bangs or dabbing more balm onto her lips.
The silence weighed heavily on Hermione, and she was going to say something when Coco's phone rang.
She shot Hermione an apologetic look before taking the call.
'Hi sweetheart,' she answered in a tone sweeter than sugar. 'Yeah, I'll be there. I'll try my best to get out of here in half an hour, it is such a drag,' she accompanied the word with a roll of her eyes. 'Of course I'm wearing your favourite knickers babe.'
Hermione choked on her mouthful of wine.
'Alrighty, see you then, miss you too,' Coco ended the call and tucked her phone into her clutch.
Then she turned to Hermione and smiled, all lipstick and straight white teeth. 'Let's keep this our little secret, shall we darling?'
Draco shrugged his jacket on, gave Pansy a kiss and Blaise a pat on the shoulder, before making his way to the door. Coco had left an hour before as her best friend had had an emotional meltdown, so he was going to home and have an early night.
He stopped short when he saw Granger standing by the foot of the stairs.
He was just going to leave without acknowledging her, when she stopped him.
'Malfoy, she's cheating on you.'
He frowned, looked at her serious face, then burst out laughing.
'You're going to have to try a lot harder to get my attention, Granger,' he sneered.
A sardonic smile twisted his lips as he saw her flush.
'I'm not joking Malfoy, I heard her on the phone-'
'Come now Granger,' he chuckled mockingly. 'Jealousy doesn't become you. If you want me, why don't you just-'
He was cut short by a sound, sharp slap on his cheek.
He was half-aware of the fact that he must have been gaping at her like a fish out of water, but she had already marched upstairs, leaving her cupping his stinging cheek.
He turned around and practically glowered at Pansy and Blaise, before stalking out of the house and slamming the door close behind him.
The Daily Prophet
10 May 2004
EXCLUSIVE:
COCO TOSCANA MARRIES ROCKSTAR
Just weeks after being revealed as the designer for ex-boyfriend DRACO MALFOY'S fashion line, a spokesperson for COCO TOSCANA has confirmed that the model/designer has wed rockstar XANDER NEIL in a private ceremony in Las Vegas. The newlyweds will go on a honeymoon in the Maldives before XANDER starts his tour with his band. Meanwhile, COCO plans to launch her own lingerie line in the wake of her hugely successful designer debut...
"Oh Merlin, that must sting," commented Blaise lightly, peering at the Prophet's exclusive newsflash over Draco's shoulder.
Draco felt like banging his head against the smooth surface of his oak table. Not only was he the dumpee this time. His ex actually dumped him to marry some joke of a singer.
For once, he was actually... Embarrassed.
"That man is greasier than Snape," he sneered, putting on a nonchalant front.
Blaise picked up the newspaper and leafed through it, before a panicked expression overtook his features. "Bugger! They bumped our engagement interview for the Coco newflash! Pansy's going to kill you!"
Draco arched a quizzical eyebrow. "What, exactly, do I have to do with the fact that you're not famous enough to hold out against that promiscuous golddigger?"
His newly appointed Chief Financial Officer of Malfoy Fashion slapped the back of his head with the Prophet for his quip. "You know if you didn't piss Granger off in the first place, none of this would have happened. No one knew who Coco was until you put her on that stage and proclaimed her the designer, who she certainly wasn't."
"Excuse me!" snapped Draco, rubbing the back of his head. "I did nothing to Granger, she took off like the irresponsible troll she is. And it wasn't my idea, it was Helen's."
"Come now Malfoy, we all know Granger is quite possibly the most responsible person in the world, and she was devoted to the project- what in Merlin's name did you say to her?"
"I'm touched by the trust our friendship inspires in you, Zabini," retorted Draco sarcastically. "I did not say anything to her. End of. Now will you sod off and let me work?"
"If by work you mean sulking in your chair and refusing to pick a new designer for your bourgeoning fashion business, then no, you may not," replied Blaise. "And I'm serious, Malfoy. Rumours are a-buzzing. Investors, including ours, are flocking to Coco Toscana after all this publicity. We need a new designer with the boom factor, fast."
Draco scowled darkly. "Fucking hell, this is ALL Granger's fault."
Blaise clucked far too condescendingly for Draco's liking and said, "Come now Draco, don't be a little girl and start taking responsibility for what you've done now eh?"
"Why don't you believe me when I TELL you that I have nothing to do with Granger's little trapeze out of the show?" Draco demanded as his annoying friend spun on his heels and headed for the door, whilst Accio-ing a thick stack of files which landed on his desk with a thud.
"Read the bloody files Malfoy, and pick a designer. Or kiss and make up with Granger, your choice," said Blaise, giving him a meaningful look. "Actually, you can't kiss Granger because Krum will smash your nose in, so plain making up will have to do-"
Blaise judged that he had outstayed his welcome as a paperweight glided through the air, evidently aimed at his nose, and he slammed the doors shut as the marble hit the wood.
He chuckled and rose his voice so Malfoy could hear him through the thick oak. "I'm locking you in and having Lindsay monitor the apparition wards so don't you think of leaving that office until you find a new designer."
"I'm not your bitch, Zabini!"
Blaise winked at Lindsay, who for once, looked mildly amused.
"He really is," he nodded sagely.
The clock ticked ever closer to seven o'clock, which was far later than Zabini would have cared to stay normally. At least he was making good use of time, browsing through the flower samples that Pansy had been bugging him to look at for weeks now. He was browsing in the loosest sense of the word, obviously, and was quite happily letting his mind wander to things more interesting than roses tied up in ribbon.
His eyes drifted to the grandfather clock by the door again. Twelve minutes to seven. Knowing Draco, it wouldn't be long until he came to his senses and realised that the solution to his present predicament was simple.
Get Granger back.
And judging by the painfully clear tension between those two, the world would be a much better place if they'd just gotten over their egos and shared a good snog. Or even better, spent a day and a half in the sack...
Blaise jumped a foot into the air when the door of his office was flung open almost violently by a Draco Malfoy who looked rather worse for wear. He smiled widely. He'd known Malfoy long enough to know what the frown on that pretty face meant.
He was admitting defeat.
"No one's good enough," declared Malfoy gruffly. "There's no one."
Leaning back in his chair, Blaise replied with a satisfied smile. "Well, mate, you're going to have to win her back."
Sighing heavily, Malfoy scowled at him. "How?"
"Well, let's see, have you ever heard of the concept of asking nicely?"
"Nice? She just slapped me the other night, I'm not going to play nice," he spat, his hands reaching up to loosen his tie with a frustrated pull.
"You deserved it," Blaise shot back in a most matter-of-fact manner.
Malfoy mumbled something incoherent, then said, "Forget nice, I'm better at being persuasive."
"And by persuasive you mean making threats," Blaise pointed out dryly. "In most people's minds that doesn't count as an apology."
Draco blanched. "I'm not apologising."
Blaise rolled his eyes and stood up just as the clock chimed seven. He picked up the flower samples and thrust the leather bound album into Draco's hands.
"Then let the flowers do it for you," he suggested, giving his boss a stern look. "Seriously, do the right thing."
"There's nothing more I want to do than punch that patronising look off your face, Zabini," grumbled Draco as they left the office.
The lights went off with a sizzle, and with a flick of his wand Blaise locked the door and turned to Malfoy. "Look, if you do the right thing, and Hermione doesn't come back, then you may punch me to your heart's content."
Draco smirked. "Promise?"
"Pinky." Blaise grinned and stuck up his little finger, stumbling as he was pushed into the elevator by a most moody Malfoy.
A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed that. A bit of an interlude, will be picking up the pace soon! Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, I do apologise for the rather long gap in between updates, hopefully this was worth the wait.
