Worth the Wait
Chapter Nine
Draco adjusts his tie for a third time. He had finally settled on a Muggle suit for Pansy's soiree, at Astoria's behest. She told him that he looked particularly dashing in the simple, dark gray suit, and he trusted her opinion. He also knew of another witch who thought him handsome in a Muggle suit.
Astoria left about forty minutes ago for the party. She and Draco had decided that they would attend this event separately, despite still living together following their divorce. They both wanted to make certain that there would be no misunderstandings about the state of their marriage– or lack thereof, as it stands.
Before he leaves for the evening, Draco makes a stop at his son's nursery. He enters the room to find his mother leaning over Scorpius' crib, caressing the child's cheek as he drifts off to sleep.
"Are you leaving, dear?" Narcissa asks, standing upright and clasping her hands in front of herself.
Draco nods, side-stepping his mother, to look in on his son. He still has trouble believing that this beautiful child is his. Draco finds it hard to reconcile something so innocent and perfect coming from him.
"Tell me, dragon, will Ms. Granger be in attendance at this event?" Narcissa asks, raising an eyebrow at his Muggle attire.
Draco looks up toward the ceiling for a moment, bracing himself.
"She will," Draco responds, aiming for nonchalance.
Narcissa hums, eyeing her son knowingly.
"The suit was a fine choice," Narcissa smiles, smoothing out the lapels on Draco's jacket before stepping back from him. "She always did like you in Muggle fashions."
Draco arrives at Blaise Zabini's Italian villa via international floo several minutes after visiting Scorpius' nursery. It makes him slightly queasy, with the extended length of travel time, but he makes it nonetheless.
Draco is welcomed into the estate by the homeowner himself, unsurprisingly. Zabini's mother, faulty as she may be, did teach him how to be a proper host.
Draco has known Blaise Zabini since Hogwarts, and aside from Astoria, he and Theodore Nott are Draco's closest friends. He certainly doesn't see them as often as he probably should, but he knows that should Draco need it, both Blaise and Theo would go to war for him, and he would do the same for them. Draco has found that the Slytherins tend to stick together, which is why Draco wasn't surprised when he heard that Pansy's party would be held at the Zabini estate.
Pansy, to Draco's knowledge, is still dating Longbottom, but he also knows that following her estrangement from her parents, she stayed with Blaise for several months, possibly a year. She now lives with Longbottom, and Draco isn't sure exactly where she lived in the interim between Blaise and Neville. Pansy is still a friend to him, but Draco isn't tripping over himself to be close to her. He cares for her and would be there if she needed, but he wasn't disappointed when their relationship ended in sixth year.
He does recognize, though, that he may have to earn his way back into her good graces if he has any hope of wooing the witch's best friend… again.
Draco scans the main ballroom when he enters it, taking note of the attendees. He sees Astoria over by her sister, smiling and laughing. It makes Draco smile a small, private smile, knowing that Astoria is just as free to be happy now as he is.
He also sees the birthday celebrant being twirled by her beast of a boyfriend in the center of the ballroom. Draco actually quite likes Neville Longbottom now. The two found common ground by talking about plants and potions ingredients back when Draco was with Hermione. Draco can't deny, though, that Neville Longbottom is far from the chubby, fearful kid he once was. Decapitating a demonic snake would probably have that effect on anyone, Draco thinks.
Draco also sees Harry Potter and his wife, the Weaselette, as well as Ron Weasley sitting at a table across the ballroom. Draco would bet anything that the Weasel is asking when the food will be served.
Draco sees her next. She's standing beside Theo, taking a sip from a champagne flute as she listens intently to whatever story the Nott heir is telling. She's wearing wizarding robes, but they are of a much more modern cut than most robes are. They are long sleeved, and the skirt flows to the floor with a sheer, floor-length cape attached to the back, but they are also slim-fitting and off the shoulder. Draco expects to be distracted by her clavicles all evening.
Draco decides not to approach her right away. He is desperate to talk to her, but he doesn't want to appear desperate. So, instead, he finds Luna Lovegood sitting at a table on the opposite side of the room to Potter and Co.
"Is this seat taken?" Draco asks, referring to the empty chair beside the blonde witch.
Luna looks up and, upon realizing who is talking to her, smiles wistfully.
Draco would've expected Luna Lovegood to be the absolute last person to willingly engage with him after she had been held captive in his home, but as only Luna Lovegood can, she had approached him during the first week of his Eighth Year, spouting something about Nargles or Wrackspurts and invited herself to sit beside him during Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Draco thinks that she had realized rather quickly that approximately nobody wanted to be class partners with Draco Malfoy for anything pertaining to Dark Arts, so she volunteered herself. She then went on to explain to him that she did not hold the sins of the father against the son, and that if he didn't mind working with her, that she didn't mind working with him. It is probably the best non-Hermione-related memory Draco has from Eighth Year.
"Hello, Draco Malfoy," Luna says airily, nodding for Draco to sit beside her. "Hermione looks lovely tonight, doesn't she?"
Draco eyes his unexpected friend pointedly. He doesn't want to make it obvious that he is interested in Hermione again, although he suspects that Luna Lovegood knows all, regardless of what he gives away. Draco thinks that there might be merit to the suspicion that Luna has Seer blood in her.
"Luna," Draco says tightly, but not harshly– a gentle warning. "My divorce was only just finalized a week ago."
Luna hums breezily.
"It's alright, Draco, you don't have to pretend with me."
Draco stalls for about an hour before he finally decides to pluck up the meager courage he possesses to talk to Hermione.
He finds her, miraculously alone, walking towards the main doors to the ballroom entrance. He approaches her from the front, so as not to startle her. He doesn't want to give her any reason to be uncomfortable around him.
"Granger," he greets, bowing slightly. Customarily, he would take a lady's hand and brush a kiss to her knuckles, but he suspects Hermione might be ill-receptive to such an action right now.
"Malfoy," Hermione greets in return. She does not seem disappointed to see him– perhaps just reserved.
"Are you leaving?" Draco asks, remembering that Hermione was heading towards the exit before he spoke to her.
Hermione brushes her hands down the skirt of her dress. She bites her lip, as if uncertain.
"No, not leaving. I just needed a bit of air. I thought I'd step outside for a moment," she says as one of her curls falls into her eye. Draco itches to brush it back for her.
Draco nods, hoping to catch up with Hermione again when she returns.
"Would you like to join me?" Hermione asks, and there's certainly no way Draco is going to decline such an offer.
Draco offers her his arm, as any gentleman should, and to his surprise, Hermione takes it.
Draco guides Hermione through the parlor and out a side door into the gardens. It is winter, and cold outside, so Draco quickly casts a warming charm and a moisture-repelling charm over himself and Hermione.
Draco takes it as a good sign that Hermione doesn't react poorly to him using his magic on her– even for something as innocuous as a warming charm.
"Are you enjoying the party?" Draco asks, immediately cringing to himself at how awkward he sounds.
This is a woman who spent years in his bed and yet, he can barely muster up a conversation with her.
"I am. It's lovely to see all of my friends in one place," Hermione muses softly, guiding Draco over to a concrete bench beside some out of season florals. "I was able to dance with Harry and Ron and Neville. Yes, I think it's been quite lovely."
Draco is well aware of who exactly Hermione has danced with this evening. He had been hoping to ask for one himself, but he'll accept a private chat in the gardens– perhaps that's even better.
Draco inclines his head in acknowledgement to her statement, unsure of what to say in return. Fortunately, Hermione speaks again before he needs to think of something.
"Perhaps I could convince you to dance with me, too?" she asks, as if unsure.
Draco tries to not look overly excited.
"I would be honored, Granger."
Hermione smiles shyly at him, holding her hand out to him. Draco realizes at once that she wants to dance now, outside in the snow, by Mrs. Zabini's hydrangeas– or what's left of them anyway.
Draco stands, taking Hermione's hand and tugs her up with him. He places his free hand conservatively on her waist. As much as he wants to pull her closer to him, he doesn't.
He allows himself a moment to pretend that he and Hermione never broke up and that this dance isn't the first in over three years.
"I'm sorry," Hermione says quietly, her chocolate brown eyes shining up at Draco.
Draco raises an eyebrow.
"Sorry for what?" he questions. As far as he's concerned, this witch has nothing to apologize to him for– even breaking his heart. That had been mostly his own fault, anyway.
"For dragging you out here with me," Hermione laughs awkwardly. Draco, once again, thinks how frustrating it is for the two of them to be so uncomfortable with one another after everything they've been through together. "I wanted to talk to you, but I thought it best to do that away from everyone inside."
Draco can't help the smile that tugs at the corners of his lips.
"Haven't you realized, Hermione? I would follow you anywhere," Draco says quietly. He knows he shouldn't have said it, but he wanted to.
Hermione stays quiet for a moment, and Draco worries that he's ruined the moment he has with her, but she's still holding onto him and swaying gently, so he hopes he hasn't.
"I like your suit," Hermione says finally, looking up at Draco with a look he can't define.
Draco smiles a half-smile down at her.
"I had hoped you might," Draco says, honestly.
Hermione laughs lightly, and– apart from his son's first cry– it is the most lovely sound Draco has ever heard.
"You look good in anything, but there's just something about the pinnacle of Purebloodedness wearing a Muggle suit that gets me every time," Hermione jokes.
Draco looks to the sky to hide his smile.
"The next time I see you, I'll remember to wear those denims you liked, too," Draco replies, with a slight lilt in his voice.
This feels like more comfortable territory for Draco. His relationship with Hermione was always teasing and the pair were constantly flirting with one another, even after multiple years together. Perhaps conversations will come easier, the more time they spend together. At least, Draco hopes he gets to spend more time with her.
It is not lost on Draco that the only reason he is currently dancing with Hermione Granger is because they are attending a birthday event for a mutual friend. Their paths generally do not cross otherwise. Draco decides that he will have to find a way to see her again– soon.
"You should certainly do that," Hermione smirks, and Draco feels his entire body seize up.
It's been a long time– too long– since Draco Malfoy has had Hermione Granger flirt with him. It sends a chill down his spine.
Draco stops swaying, leaving his left hand holding Hermione's and his right hand on her waist.
"In the meantime, though, Granger," he starts, somewhat nervously. "I did promise Astoria that I would formally introduce the two of you this evening. Would that be alright with you?"
Draco realizes then that Hermione still hasn't let go of him either.
"Why is she so interested in meeting me?" Hermione asks, a hint of concern in her voice, as she finally steps back from him.
Draco thinks for a moment. He wonders if honesty is really the best policy in this moment. He decides that it is.
"Well, the answer to that is two-fold. The first part is that you're a war heroine and she admires you. I am nearly positive that the most interesting thing about me to her at first was that I had had a relationship with you," Draco laughs. "The second part is that she spent a year– the year you and I returned to Hogwarts– watching us fall in love, and then she watched me mope around the Manor like a ghost after I had lost you. Perhaps she just wants to know the witch who knocked Draco Malfoy down a peg."
Hermione opens her mouth to speak, but Draco continues first.
"I think she just wants to know you. You're a powerful and formidable witch, and your reputation precedes you."
Hello, friends! I told you I was going to try to upload more often.
I don't think I have any comments about this chapter, other than that I stand by Luna's forgiveness, and I think she and Draco would be good friends if Draco could look past her oddities and if Luna could look past his past. I dunno. I just think they would balance each other out in some ways.
Oh, and I may or may not appreciate the idea of Draco Malfoy wearing Muggle clothing. That idea shows up a couple of times in this fic. :P
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! And please review if you feel so inclined. (: