16 July, Friday, 1830 BST

She hadn't seen Draco in over three weeks. Perhaps their last exchange was a bit too awkward. Either that or he was reconnecting with Roxanne Schield, his former Slytherin girlfriend. She took a sip of her afternoon tea as she leaned against the counter. She was finishing her break in the doctor's lounge in the emergency room area.

"Knock, knock," a familiar voice accompanied a knock on the door.

She smiled, moving forward to greet her oldest friend with a hug. "What brings you into the Muggle world, Harry?"

"Are you kidding?" the scarred wizard smiled. "Can't a wizard visit his favorite Muggle doctor?"

They both laughed at that. "So what's up?" she asked as she threw her empty disposable teacup into the trash.

"Well, tomorrow's the 17th," Harry said.

"Yes," Hermione smiled, "All day long."

The former Gryffindor laughed. "You're off in the evening, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm done with my shift at 6 p.m. Why?"

"You did receive the invitation, didn't you?" he asked raising an eyebrow. "You should have gotten it a couple of weeks ago."

She looked at him feigning ignorance. "The Saint Mungo's Charity Ball," Harry added. Hermione finally nodded.

"Oh, that. It's on my dresser at home. I haven't had the chance to read all my posts yet," she lied.

o-o-o

She had opened the beige official looking envelope as soon as the Ministry owl had dropped it onto the window ledge of her bedroom. It was an invitation to the annual Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries Charity Ball. This year the Ministry of Magic was going to honor several war heroes.

Amongst the list of honorees were Harry James Potter, Draco Malfoy and one Hermione Jean Granger. Hermione had to sit down for a moment.

She had heard about the annual fundraiser since her days at Hogwarts. It was a usual event happening a month after the final school term ended. She would hear Draco Malfoy always complain to his Slytherin mates about how he hated all the hoopla that graced the Manor each July when his mother would host it.

It had always been at Malfoy Manor, even as the build up to the war occurred during her years at Hogwarts. As the war progressed, the charity ball was called off indefinitely. There had not been an event in the past five years. This year the gala would return. The Ministry would co-sponsor the event and it would be again held at Malfoy Manor.

Hermione had reservations about the event; the biggest being it was going to be at Malfoy Manor. She hadn't had the most pleasant of experiences the last time she was there. Bellatrix Lestrange made sure of that. Besides, she didn't think she would ever be welcomed there.

Hermione laughed aloud for a moment. Mr. Lucius Malfoy would probably have the wards up against her. No, she would respectfully decline the invite by not responding.

o-o-o

"Cocktails start at 5:30 and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. You should be able to make it right," Harry said raising an eyebrow.

"Look, Harry," Hermione hedged.

"Kingsley's asked me to confirm that you're coming," he smiled.

"The Minister specifically wants me to come?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"The Wizarding World is trying to heal itself, Hermione," Harry said using his fingers as mock quotation marks.

She laughed before studying him closely. She took a breath. She said softly, "There are a lot of wizards and witches on that list more deserving to be there, Harry. You and Draco did far more in the war effort than I did.

"I only contributed in the last year and a half of it," she said, her eyes starting to gloss over.

"Yes, but before that, the Death Eaters had a decided advantage," Harry said. "You entering the war tipped the balance to our side and eventually helped us gain victory."

Hermione sighed. "Harry, I'm sure I wouldn't be missed."

"What are you afraid of, Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione couldn't answer at first. "I'm not afraid, Harry. I just," she hesitated. "Look, I don't think the Malfoys would want me any where near there."

Harry laughed. Hermione eventually joined in. "I'll ask Draco to run some interference."

"Very funny, Harry," Hermione said shaking her head. "I think I would have a target painted on my back. I was their son's most hated rival back at Hogwarts; not to mention I happen to be a … a Muggle-born."

"I think Draco's forgotten all about that; and that's probably the only thing that matters," Harry said looking at her. "Come on Hermione. You wouldn't want to let the whole Wizarding World down, now would you?"

"Thanks for pulling the guilt card, Harry," she said smiling. She sighed. "I'll try to make it."

"Good," he smiled at her as they both heard the announcement on the P.A. calling for Dr. Granger to report to the Emergency Room. "I'll see you then."

Hermione walked Harry towards the Emergency Room exit doors. He nodded at her. She watched him exit the hospital and turn the corner. She knew he had disapparated. She headed towards the new patient that had just entered.

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