"Pity Party" -Melanie Martinez
Hermione watched from the window as they crossed the yard. She was thankful that Ron and Harry were still at Auror Training. It would give her a chance to talk to Draco without them breathing fire down their necks. The door opened and Molly led in the troops.
"Well, come in, come in!" She exclaimed, gesturing them into the house. Slowly they entered, Andromeda behind Molly and Teddy, followed by Bill and Fleur, and finally, Draco, Theo, Blaise, and Pansy. The house seemed to shrink with each new person who entered.
"Draco, dear!" Molly laid eyes on him, hurrying forward as she adjusted Teddy so that she could pull him into one of her bear hugs. Hermione could barely hold back her mirth as his eyes widened spectacularly. His arms hung at his sides, fluttering, unsure whether to return the affectionate hug or not. "I just couldn't bear it, knowing that you spent your birthday locked in a cold cell! I hope you don't mind us throwing this little party together! I really just... We're all so grateful to you. For bringing Hermione home. And to you three as well," she said, releasing him and moving on to hug the others.
Theo tried to play off like he was aghast, but Hermione was almost positive that it was put on. He seemed to like the affection Molly was doting on them. A knock at the door sounded and Molly moved to answer it. Luna stepped through the door frame, carrying a beautifully wrapped gift, Auror Smith falling in behind her. "Hello, Molly. Where shall I put this?"
Molly flicked her wand at the present, sending it soaring over to rest on an empty table in the corner of the kitchen.
"Looney!" Theo called, extricating himself from the crowd to greet her.
"Hello, Theo. I'm glad you didn't go to wizard prison. I've missed talking to you." Luna said bluntly, smiling serenely up at him.
He flushed, reaching up to rub the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, yeah. Bang up testimony, by the way. Thanks for that."
Hermione looked away, feeling like she was intruding, though it was hard not to eavesdrop in the crowded kitchen.
"Granger," Pansy greeted her, moving forward without releasing Blaise's hand. "I had to say thank you. For putting your memories on display like that. I really think they saved our arses."
Hermione flushed. "Well, it was the least I could do. I might be missing several fingers, or worse, if it weren't for you all. You didn't deserve prison. And I damn sure wasn't going to sit back and let the Ministry paint you as villains."
"Granger," Draco said, stepping around Pansy so that he towered over her. "A word?"
"Um, sure." Hermione said, shooting a quick smile as Pansy before allowing Draco to drag her from the kitchen, out into the garden. He didn't stop there, pulling her along, farther away from the house.
"I assume this was your doing?" He snapped, turning to face her as he dropped her hand.
She flinched away from him, "I- I might have mentioned to Molly that you spent your birthday locked away at the Ministry. How did you know it was me?"
"No one else gives a shite about my birthday. I don't recall any one else having the bloody Minister for Magic deliver a 'happy birthday' message to me while I was locked up." Draco said, bringing his hands up to his hair and quickly dropping them back down to his sides, clenching them tightly, when he remembered his hair was pulled back. "This is a bit ridiculous, don't you think? You and I, we're not friends. Birthday parties are for children. I think the last birthday party I had was when I was five."
Hermione frowned, trying not to let on how much his words had hurt her. Instead, she focused on a different part of what he'd said. "Five? Really? Wow. You've been missing out. Well, any way, you won't regret attending at least one Weasley party. Molly really goes all out. Her cakes are amazing."
Draco regarded her coolly, and Hermione felt her defenses shutting down.
"I'll... stay out of your way. You know, while you're here. I'm sorry. I should have kept my mouth shut." She scowled, quickly moving to go around him as her eyes began to moisten.
"Granger-" He grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."
Hermione sniffled, aiming her face away from him to keep from embarrassing herself further. She couldn't believe she was going to pieces so easily. Draco jerked her around to face him.
"Are you- Are you crying? Dammit, why do you do this to me?" He demanded, and before she realised what was happening, he had pulled her against his chest, enfolding her in a hug. "I hate it when you cry, you know. I really do."
"S-sorry," she murmured against his chest, her heart inflating slightly at his words, and she mentally scolded herself for it.
"Don't apologize. I was being an arse. I know you were trying to be... nice. It's just out of the ordinary for me, to have people sticking their nose in my business in a good way. I'm quite accustomed to you and the brainless duo sticking your noses in my business in a negative way."
Hermione chuckled against his chest, turning to look up at him. "It will be strange next term. Being at Hogwarts without them."
"They're not going?" Draco asked, seeming pleasantly suprised.
Hermione laughed at his expression. "No. They're both in Auror training now."
"I think I'm going to do it." Draco said quietly.
"Do what?" Hermione asked as her brow puckered in confusion.
"Be an Auror. After my probation is over with." He stated. His voice sounded confident, but his eyes were uncertain.
"Well," Hermione said, "You'll be great at it. Truly."
Draco smirked at her, "You think?"
"Yes," she said. "I've thought about it before, too. About being an Auror, I mean."
"No." Draco said immediately, glowering at her.
Hermione frowned, quirking an eyebrow in suprise. "Excuse me?"
"Haven't you heard the saying? Auror's never age." Draco snapped.
"So, it's okay for you and Harry and Ron to put your lives on the line, but not me?"
"Yes." He replied, simply.
"That's utterly ridiculous. Because I'm a woman?" She could feel her temper escalating.
"No, because you're you."
Hermione scoffed. "I think I've proved myself more than capable. I helped Harry defeat Voldemort for Merlin's sake!"
"I'm not questioning your qualifications! Salazar knows you are more than a capable witch." Draco said.
"What then?" Hermione asked, thoroughly perplexed now.
"I don't want you putting yourself in unnecessary danger. Can't you just get a boring office job and campaign for Elfish Welfare or something? I think I even still have one of those ruddy pins you tried to force on every body in our fifth year tucked away in a drawer some where at the manor."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "You kept one of my S.P.E.W pins?"
Draco's eyes widened and he backtracked quickly, "No! Well, yes. I tossed it, but one of our house elves, Tinsel, she kept digging it back out of the rubbish, so finally I left it be. It's gathering dust in a drawer full of other useless junk."
"Right..." Hermione said, giving him a smirk that rivaled one of his own.
"Shouldn't we get back inside? It's probably rude of me to skip out of my own birthday party." Draco said, changing tact.
"Oh, that's not your party. It hasn't even started yet." Hermione chuckled. "We're still waiting on more guests."
"More... More people are coming to this ruddy thing?" Draco scowled.
As if conjured into existence by their words, two figures crested the hill in the distance. "Oh, there's Neville and Dean!"
"Hermione, this is... a bit much isn't it?" Draco asked, cringing slightly.
"Of course it is." She smiled. "That's the idea."
Draco huffed. "I'm not opening anything in front of any one and if you all sing to me, I will Avada myself right there in front of every one."
"Duly noted." She grinned, lacing her fingers with his.
He pulled his hand away and stuffed it in his pocket, avoiding her eyes.
"Sorry," she murmured, taking a step away from him as her cheeks reddened.
"Hey, 'Mione!" Neville called, waving as he and Dean entered through the garden gate. "Happy birthday, Malfoy!"
"Longbottom, if you know what's good for you, shut it." Draco growled.
"Not a party person," Hermione said, moving forward to hug first Neville and then Dean.
"Why the bloody hell are you having a party if you don't like parties?" Dean asked.
"You think this was my idea?" Malfoy snapped. "I assure you, I am a very unwilling participant."
Dean eyed him with annoyed curiosity. "I didn't get you a gift. I didn't know what to get someone who has everything."
"That's the best news I've heard all day, and that includes not going to prison. If you can get them to cancel this whole ordeal there's 50 galleons in it for you." Draco said, ignoring Hermione's swat to his arm.
Dean actually grinned. "You're alright, Malfoy. But I'm going to pass. I think I might enjoy watching you suffer through this."
Draco scowled.
"Where is your detail?" Hermione asked, looking over their shoulders for any sign of their Auror guards.
Dean shrugged. "They were a bit much, you know? When we heard Kingsley let you send yours packing, we were quick to follow your lead." Hermione bit her lip, frowning slightly. She didn't want her friends put at risk for following her example.
The front door banged open and Ron stormed out, soot on his nose from the floo. Bellowing as he walked, "Hermione, what the bloody hell are you on about? Throwing him a party? I mean, I'm appreciative, you know, that you're alive, with all ten fingers. But this is going too far."
Hermione scowled. "I only mentioned Draco's birthday in passing. The party was your mum's idea, Ron."
"Come off it, Hermione! What's your fixation with Malfoy?" Ron snapped.
Hermione felt Draco stiffen behind her and she could sense that this was going down hill fast. "I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about Ron. You're blowing this way out of proportion."
"Why are you out here with him then?" He demanded, taking a step toward her.
"Did you miss Dean and Neville standing here, as well? I don't see you berating them with questions."
"Yeah, well, they're... I mean, that's different." Ron said, his face growing pink. Theo and Blaise stepped out of the door of the Burrow, making their way quickly across the yard.
"How so, Ronald? How is it any different for them to talk to Draco than it is for me?" Hermione asked, searching his face.
"Well. I mean, you're a girl..." He said sheepishly, running a hand through his hair.
"You're worried he'll hit on me, then? Is that it? He could just as easily hit on Neville. Or Dean."
Draco shot her a scandalised look and was about to argue that point when he was interupted.
"Oi! You all better keep your mits to yourselves! Draco is mine, isn't that right, sweetie?" Theo said, grinning wickedly as he picked up on what was happening.
Draco groaned. "Piss off, Theo."
"Now what kind of lover would I be if I didn't stick up for you, Draco dear?" Theo snickered.
Ron looked between the two, utterly confused. Harry appeared in the doorway, green eyes widening at the grouping before hurrying across the garden.
"What's going on?" He asked upon reaching them.
"Ron's upset with me for not treating Draco like a pariah." Hermione snapped.
Ron scowled. "She's thrown him a bloody birthday party for Merlin's sake!"
Harry frowned. "Ginny said it was your mum's idea."
Ron scoffed, throwing his hands up. "Well, yeah! But how do you think Mum even knew when his birthday was? Did you know when it was? I certainly didn't. But Hermione did. How is that Hermione? Why do you know when Malfoy's bloody birthday is?"
All eyes turned on her and Hermione flushed. "School records," she blurted, her hand immediately shooting up to cover her mouth. "Before we left to look for the Horcruxes, when I was searching for anything to take with us that might help, I stumbled upon the student records. I was curious. I can tell you most everyone's birthday in our year. Dean's is October 7th. Neville's is July 30th. Luna's is February 13-"
"Okay, okay! We get it." Ron snapped.
"What the bloody hell is a horcrust?" Theo asked, his eyebrows raising in poorly concealed amusement at the situation.
"It's an object that holds a severed bit of someone's soul," Hermione said, thankful for the distraction.
"And old Voldy had one of them? That's why he was so hard to kill?" Theo asked, genuine curiosity leaching into his voice.
"He had six, er, seven. He intended to make six, but he accidentally created another..." Hermione said vaguely, meeting Harry's steady gaze. They hadn't yet had a chance to talk about that night.
"You'd think every one would have a few..." Theo mused.
"No!" Hermione exclaimed, horrified. "You have to do... terrible things... to create them. It costs you everything you are. You saw Voldemort. He wasn't... human... anymore."
"Er, right, yeah. I'm rather fond of my nose." Theo smirked. "So, Hermione, do you have my birthday stored in that enormous brain of yours?" He asked, looping his arm through hers and leading her off in the direction of the house.
"Um, November 4th?" Hermione asked, ignoring the many stares she felt following them as they walked away.
"Right you are you little swot!" Theo beamed, then lowering his voice to where only she could hear, he said, "You think Weasley's gonna come after me now? When I touched your arm I thought he was going to burst a blood vessel in his head."
Hermione grimaced, "Things are... rocky between us right now. He's a bit put out with me, though he claims he's not. I led him on... not purposefully! But still, I did, and now I'm paying for it."
Theo snorted. "Well, seems like he's still harboring some romantic type feelings for you, Granger."
"Yeah, seems that way." Hermione said, glancing over her shoulder as Theo held the door open for her.
She was met with six pairs of eyes staring at her. This had gotten awkward pretty quickly.
Draco watched Hermione disappear into the house, trying to ignore the irrational jealousy he'd felt over Theo dragging her away. She wasn't his. Theo could touch her if he wanted to. Weasley could touc- No, fuck that. Weasley couldn't touch her. He didn't care who she belonged to. It wasn't Weasley. The sodding prick.
He felt eyes on him and turned, finding himself face to face with none other than the Weasel himself. "What are you playing at?" He demanded, spittle flying out and hitting Draco's face. He groaned, disgusted as he reached up to wipe it away.
"Weasley, if you could back up a bit, your existence is giving me a headache."
"Always with the sarcastic comments! Can't you be serious for five bloody minutes?"
"I'll stop being a sarcastic bastard when you stop being a stupid fuck."
Ron's fist swung out and Draco narrowly avoided it, ducking out of the way. He pulled his wand from his pocket at the same time as Ron and they each aimed at each other, circling slowly.
"Ron, put the wand away, mate. I think you're taking this a bit overboard." Harry said, stepping forward, his hands raised slightly toward his friend.
"He needs to be put in his place! He thinks he's better than every one and he needs to be taught a lesson." Ron snarled, stepping around Harry, only to find his path blocked by Dean.
"Ron, there's a house full of people just beyond us. There's a baby in there. Your friends and family. What if your spell missed?" Dean asked, calmly.
Ron frowned. "I won't miss," he said, though his wand dropped fractionally.
"All I'm saying is, if you blow up the house, you're gonna regret it."
Ron huffed, stuffing his wand back into his pocket, still glaring at Draco, who smirked back seemingly unfased.
"I'll get to you one day, Malfoy. Just you wait. And stay away from Hermione!"
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Who are you, her father now? You get to pick and choose her friends?"
"You're not her friend," Ron snarled. "She's confused because you were the only person she saw who didn't torture her while she was being held hostage by your bloody parents! I'm sure your wand hand was just twitching with the restraint it took to keep yourself from it. Your father must be so disappointed."
Draco glared at him, his fist clenching around his wand.
"Keep it up, Weasley, and I'll be having another trial, this time for murder."
"Draco, mate, calm down." Blaise said, stepping in front of him. "Let's go inside. Where there are lots of people. A baby. That you wouldn't want to accidentally harm."
Draco inhaled deeply through his nose, letting it the breath out in a sharp huff. "Fine." He said, stowing his wand.
"That's right, Malfoy. Run away. Run away like you always do!" Ron sneered.
Draco froze, deliberating for only a fraction of a second before turning and nearly landing a punch to Weasley's freckled nose. A shield charm bursting forth between them was the only thing that kept him from it. Harry stood to the side, his wand directed at them. Draco scowled at him. It would have been satisfying to hear the crack that would have surely come from knuckles meeting nose.
"Hate to break up the party, but I'm starving," Harry said, "Shall we go and see if the food's ready?"
Draco turned on his heel and stormed off toward the house. He walked through the door as if he owned the place, spotting Granger on the couch talking to Theo, Luna and Pansy. He crossed over to them and wedged himself between Granger and Theo, plopping down on the couch and throwing his arm over the back for good measure. Let Weasley make of that what he will, Draco thought smugly.
Hermione shot him a confused look, her cheeks pinking slightly. He smirked at her. Weasley burst through the door a moment later. His eyes immediately sought out Draco and his face turned nearly purple. It was all Draco could do to keep his composure. Hermione's eyes went from Draco to Ron, and then back to Draco's arm slung so casually over the couch behind her. She scowled, smacking him in the stomach and he groaned.
"Stop that." She hissed. Her brown eyes seemed brighter when she was angry.
"Stop what?" He asked, feigning innocence.
"Antagonising him." She snapped.
"Hey, you missed the best of it. If we'd have been without all the extras, one of us would probably be dead by now." He smirked, enjoying the shock that spread across her face.
"Draco! Don't say things like that," she hissed, her eyes widening in suprise.
He shrugged. "It's true."
"Why? What is it with you two?"
"He says I can't be your friend. Told me to stay away from you." Draco said, suddenly very interested in his cuticles.
"Well, I'd think that would make you happy." Hermione whispered.
Draco reached out and lifted her chin with his index finger, forcing her to look at him. "Granger, you know me better than that. I don't like being told what to do. And despite how I've acted toward you in some instances, I do want to be your friend. You've grown on me."
She gave a small smile. "I have?"
"A bit." Draco said, smirking as he let his hand drop.
"Now kisssss," Theo said, reaching up to force their heads toward each other.
Both of them flushed crimson. "Dammit, Theo!" Draco snapped, turning around to slap his friend across the back of his head. "Fuck off, will you?"
"Language," Andromeda and Molly called in tandem from the kitchen.
Luna let out a tinkling laugh, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder, and Theo looked pleased with himself, despite rubbing his now sore head.
"Food's done!" Ginny called from the kitchen.
Pansy grinned, rubbing her hands together as she stood and walked over to where Blaise stood, "Finally! I'm starving."
Theo and Luna stood and followed after her. Draco stood and looked down at Hermione, sighing and offering her his hand to help her stand. "Theo has no boundaries. Or a filter. Or morals." Draco said, by way of apologizing.
"I find him quite charming," Hermione said, grinning slightly.
Draco scowled, shrugging. "He's a charming a pain in the arse is what he is."
"He's funny."
"Oh, yeah, really witty. Git."
Hermione chuckled, glancing down to where their hands were still linked. She pulled away, flushing. "Well, shall we go and celebrate your birthday?"
"We can go eat and avoid discussing my birthday at all costs." He said, his face stony.
"Sounds fair." She murmured, a smile playing at her lips.
"You're going to have to work hard to make this up to me, you know." Draco said, his smirk returning.
"Make it up to you?" She scoffed. "I allowed everyone and their mother to view my memories to keep you out of wizard prison. We're even."
"Oh, no." Draco said, "I got you out of captivity. You got me out of prison. We were even. Now you've forced me into this party that I didn't want, socialising with people that I don't like, and drove a wedge between mine and Weasley's blossoming friendship. I'd say the score is Granger: 1, Malfoy: 4."
Hermione scoffed, "Blossoming friendship, was it? Well, Godric forbid I stand in the way of that."
"No, no." Draco said. "It's too late. Weasley and I are sworn enemies now and it's all your fault."
"I don't think I had much to do with it. Your problems started in first year. You didn't start fighting over me until the night we escaped." Hermione said, paying no mind to the words that slipped from her mouth.
"Are we fighting over you? I suppose we are, aren't we? Well, you should know: I don't like to lose." Draco grinned.
"Believe it or not, Mister Malfoy, I gathered that. I seem to recall you cheating at Quidditch several times."
" I never cheated, Granger. I'm an honest, upstanding citizen. I would never." He placed a hand over his chest, feigning innocence, an offended tone to his voice,
Hermione raised her eyebrows, giving him a disbelieving look.
"I mean, I tried to cheat, but Madam Hooch always remembered the bloody 'no-cheating spell'. Never found a way around it." He snickered.
"Oi! We're waiting to eat, here!" Ron shouted at them, causing Hermione to jump.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, you sit down and shut it!" Molly snapped, causing Ron to blush profusely at being scolded by his mother.
Hermione hurriedly scuttled over to the table, taking one of the two remaining seats. Side by side, of course. Draco followed after her, as he swallowed dryly, glancing around. The table and kitchen had obviously been magic'd to expand to fit all of the guests attending the soire. There were more people here than there had been when he had walked through earlier.
Arthur Weasley had joined them, as well as the Weasley with the glasses that had always been shouting out about being Prefect in their first and second year, moving on to Head Boy in their third year. What was his ruddy name again?
"Tuck in, everyone." Molly said, smiling around at them all, her gaze lingering on Draco as her smile widened. He looked away quickly, reaching forward to fill his plate with ham, potatoes, carrots, gravy and yorkshire pudding. Holy fuck, he thought upon taking a bite. No one could say Molly Weasley couldn't cook. Hermione's knee brushed against his under the table. They both froze, their eyes met briefly, and though they immediately looked away, Draco knew it didn't go unnoticed by Ron. The redhead's face was nearly the same color as his hair.
He glared at Draco across the table. Draco leaned back in his chair, stretched slowly and lowered his arm onto the back of Hermione's chair, shooting a pointed look at Ron. He was careful not to touch her and she didn't notice. Draco left it there just long enough to get a reaction out of Ron (who choked on a bit of carrot, glaring up at Draco through streaming eyes) and then he dropped it, returning to his plate of food. This party was turning out to be not so bad after all.