Dragoon811 saw her birthday present! (happy dance). Yes, I am a dork. I love it when my friends are happy. Thanks to all of you who have helped me to wish her a happy birthday!

Narcissa waited for Hermione to arrive. She was outwardly calm, but inside she was practically bouncing. Draco had decided on someone. That someone was not Pansy Parkinson or some bubble-headed, gold-digging trollop from (shudder) the Americas.

Her son was an exceptional wizard, he deserved an exceptional witch.

Narcissa didn't expect him to have any issues capturing Hermione's fancy. He was such a handsome boy, with perfect teeth, and elegant lines, and a backside that more than one of Narcissa's friends had been severely hexed for ogling.

Of course, as his wife, Hermione would have free reign on all ogling privileges, because ogling would likely lead to grandchildren.

The Malfoy matron sighed happily.

Yes, Hermione Granger was a bright girl. She'd surely see that Draco was the superior specimen, no matter which of the other Slytherin boys their age decided to compete. (Narcissa was being entirely objective of course. Her son was unquestionable excellent, any witch could see that).

Still, in the quest for grandchildren (plural….surely she could get at least a pair…perhaps three?) no effort should be spared.

Besides, there was little in the world she liked better than planning a ball. So a ball would be arranged, charity would be dispensed, people would see and be seen. And it would give her quite a bit of time to arrange 'accidental 'meetings for her son and the little lioness.

Hermione floo'd in right on time. Narcissa greeted her with a warm kiss on the cheek and an embrace. If she'd been a pure-blood, she would have know from that greeting alone what Narcissa was implying and she would either react enthusiastically or would distance herself without causing a fuss.

Narcissa thought it was a great shame that so many of these little gestures were lost on the girl. She'd be certain to find books that detailed these things for Hermione later…once Draco proposed. As it was, for now, Narcissa could use her ignorance to advantage, and made a mental note to meet her (very publicly) for shopping at the next possible opportunity; other purebloods would see them greet each other like mother and daughter and they would immediately know that the girl was off the market. It probably wouldn't deter Draco's little friends, but it might keep other parties from entering the fray. And it would undoubtedly start the rumor that Draco and Hermione were practically engaged!

While Narcissa was arranging their next encounter in her head, Hermione had been adding names to the guest list, explaining how they could help the cause and scratching off a few who would only make trouble. The additions, by in large, were made up of people who would not accept an invitation to Malfoy Manor under normal circumstances. They were also people who would practically trip over themselves to accept an invitation from Hermione Granger.

If Narcissa. Her grandchildren would not be social outcasts. With the Malfoy looks and wealth and Granger's position as the golden girl of society and war hero…the next Malfoy heir could have a decent chance of being Minister of Magic.

"Not Herald Humphries! He's in a feud with Reginald Cattermole, who just took a promotion to Magical Creatures. Humphries started the fight and he gets obnoxious after two glasses of wine according to the other Aurors. Harry said he'll be forced into retirement in the next year or so."

Actually, her future daughter-in-law might make a decent Minister once all the bedding and breeding was out of the way. Narcissa made a note to test the waters. Kingsley might be amenable to transferring her…though Severus would undoubtedly be cross.

Narcissa looked over the additions. "I had no idea Luna Lovegood was back in the country."

Hermione nodded. "She is. I mentioned to her that we were doing this and asked if she would have any issue coming to the house. She said, that she thought that most of the nargals and wrackspurts had been chased off, and she'd be happy to speak with you again. And to tell you 'thank you for the apples'?"

Narcissa felt herself blush.

"Oh. That." Hermione looked like she was barely containing her curiosity. Narcissa allowed herself a small sigh. It wasn't something she particularly wanted to admit, mainly because she tried to pretend the entire last year of the war never happened. "While they were…unwilling guests here, Draco and I would chase Pettigrew off and bring little indulgencies while they were sleeping. Luna always woke, but she never told the others, which was just as well. Luna was especially fond of green apples. I always made sure to keep them because they are Draco's favorite and he'd slip them to her."

Hermione nodded, but didn't continue the conversation, much to Narcissa's relief.

Hermione scribbled a few additional names on the list. "I'd like to invite Neville, but he's in Uruguay."

"Really? That is a shame."

"Yes. A bit odd really. A company no one had ever heard of popped up and offered to fund a pet project of his over the summer."

Narcissa had to set up six shell companies to get the grant money quietly appropriated in order to fund whatever plant related nonsense Neville was doing. The boy was a bit too fit to be allowed to participate. Narcissa considered her son quite handsome, but it never hurt to eliminate potential rivals, particularly those with the title of Serpent Slayer.

"Is he enjoying the trip?"

Hermione smiled as she scratched out notes. "I suppose so. Communication isn't very reliable in that part of the world. I'm sure I'll hear all about it when he comes back. He's still teaching Herbology. I hear that the sixth and seventh year classes are completely full." She gave a little chuckle at the obviousness of teenagers.

Narcissa did feel a tiny, momentary regret that the boy was out of country. She'd avoided all of Draco's old school friends of course, but Neville had never run in the same crowd as her son and the boy was very fit.

But then, he was her son's age, and a Gryffindor…and generally they were too much work for a few weeks of passion.

And to be perfectly honest, she was pleased with her current lover. Very pleased. Downright besotted. The man was a sex god. Ravenclaws were deliciously inventive in bed.

Narcissa heard the word 'Weasley' and she pulled her attention back to the task at hand.

"Which Weasley is that?"

"George. He and Fred run the joke shop. Fred is out of the country, but George may come. He's not as angry at me as the others."

"I think they should be grateful. I never heard, did Ronald ever get out of the spell damage ward?"

Hermione giggled. "Well, he could leave, but he won't. There are a few choice words written on his face in bright orange blisters. Molly couldn't even get them to heal, and when they pop the stench makes people gag."

Narcissa smiled pleasantly. Yes. That was the kind of spellwork she wanted protecting the future of her family.

"Well, if you are comfortable with them, please invite them." She could be polite, even to Weasleys for an evening or two if it furthered her goals.

They heard the sound of the floo and Narcissa smiled slightly. They just happened to be sitting in the very drawing room that Draco floo'd in to every single day.

Really, it was exhausting sometimes, being a mother.

"Hello darling. You remember Hermione of course."

Draco looked slightly surprised, but recovered admirably. "Of course." Draco dropped a kiss on Narcissa's cheek and took Hermione's hand in both f his own when she stood to greet him.

"I'm glad you were able to accept Mother's invitation Hermione." He even managed to get a kiss on her cheek in there somehow, and make it look like it was merely polite.

Way to reach for an 'O' in securing a bride my son.

Hermione blushed prettily. "It was kind of her to arrange this charity ball."

Draco gave her a conspiratorial wink. "Don't let her fool you. She loves doing these things. You were actually doing her a favor by giving her a decent cause to put all her effort into."

Oh very good show.

The girl had relaxed a bit, friendly, but not fawning…which was good. Draco had enough ego for two men, he didn't need a wife who would fawn over his every word.

An elf popped in. "Dinner is ready Madam, Sir, Miss."

Hermione winced slightly and Draco put a calming hand on her back. "Don't worry. Tink is a free elf. That's all we have here at the manor."

Hermione gave him a blinding smile. Narcissa privately agreed that the expression alone was worth the cost, and it made the right impression on the right people.

Draco and Hermione were chatting about the actual cause, discussing the land grant amicably. Narcissa was imagining little blond grandchildren running through the manor. She might need a couple of nursery elves to help. Draco had been a handful, and keeping a copy of Hermione out of the library was going to require some heavy warding. And perhaps a mini library just for the children…it would be so adorable. She could make the shelves just like the ones in the main library, but add it to the nursery…she'd have to get a painter in to do a portrait once they were old enough…

She caught the last bit of the conversation. "If you haven't arranged for an escort, may I offer my services? I want to push the new treaty in the Wizingmount and having you beside me would helpful."

Hermione agreed, pulling her shining curls away from her neck as they walked to the dining room.

Well, if the children got those curls there were charms to tame them.

"Mother?"

"What?" She brought herself away from contemplating Slytherin Green baby booties (with tiny silver soles) and tried to focus.

"Yes! Dinner. Sorry loves, jus t a bit distracted."

Draco gave her a very odd look, but she matched it with a happy grin.

SSSSSSSS

Severus' facial expression was something other than a grin when Draco brought him the news.

"She said yes!"

"Yes to what? Boy, slow down…"

Draco smiled. "She's going with me to the ball."

Severus frowned. "You actually came up with the courage to ask her on a real date?"

Draco's grin didn't fail as he plopped into the comfortable leather chair across form Severus. "Don't be daft. Of course not. I gave her a logical reason why she and I should appear in public together. She's even going to join Mother and I in the receiving line." He chuckled at his mother's mechanisms.

Severus felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach. "Generally I agree with manipulating as much as the other party will allow…but your quarry is a Gryffindor. One that you intend to have in your life for an extended amount of time. You might consider that in your calculations. They may be simple to manipulate, but if they ever catch you…well you know the fate of snakes when they get caught in a lion's paws. And I'm sure you know that you will look foolish to the other pure-bloods if you don't marry the chit."

Draco was completely unrepentant. "We're all fools in love, right?"

Severus reached behind him and smacked the back of his blond head. "That has to be the most idiotic thing you've ever said, and that's including the tripe you spouted your first five years of school."

Draco smiled like a man possessed. "You worry too much Godfather. I will speak to her, quietly, at the ball. While we are campaigning for her law, I'm going to be waging another campaign, to show her what I can do for her that no one else can. Blaise might be the best looking bloke in our year, and Theo might be brainy beyond belief, but I'm going to beat both of them in the war for the girl."

"You did it on purpose. You alerted them that you were courting her so that you could beat both of them."

"I alerted them because they were my best competition. She's a lady worthy of respect. If I win a woman like that, I want to win her fairly." His voice was suddenly lacking all the verve that buoyed it through their previous encounters.

Severus felt something disconcerting.

Draco was worthy of her. He'd grown into a young man while Severus wasn't watching. A man that Severus could respect, one that Hermione might be able to love.

This pain he felt as he realized this fact couldn't be normal…?

No.

He didn't think so.

Draco's hyper mood returned and he jumped from his seat. "I have to go make sure everything is perfect. Do you want to come? Mother will be sending an invitation. You could stand in the receiving line too you know."

Severus rolled his eyes at the boy's obvious matchmaking. "For the last time, I am not, nor will I ever be one of your mother's dalliances."

Draco stopped. "I never had in mind for you to be anyone's dalliance. But if you don't fancy Mother, you should still come to the ball. You don't socialize enough to find someone,"

"If you try to match me with anyone I will construct entirely new hexes and test them on your buttocks. I thought it was girls who were supposed to become their mothers?"

"Susan Bones is coming. Hermione pointed out she's been actually doing most of the work on old Bradford's cases, which is why he looks so sharp lately. She's going to rival her aunt for brains and power someday soon."

"If I'd wanted Amelia Bones I would have courted her in the first place." He rather liked Susan, but he didn't want the blond-headed git getting ideas.

"I can't see you with Luna Lovegood frankly…though she will be there."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose and growled, "I will come to the ball if you cease your matchmaking and leave. Now."

Draco tossed him one last grin and left.

It looked like Severus Snape was going to the ball.

Merlin help him.