Edited 5/29/23: Minor Grammar/Spelling.
So I only ever have the LOOSEST plan when writing, which allows for random surprise visitors, even if they're not very welcome like in this chapter. Welllll here you go?
Friday, May 29, 1998
Hermione was stressed. There was so much to be done for the Ball the next day. She spent most of the morning following the Elves around making sure everything looked ready for their guests. The afternoon was spent in the kitchens making sure the food would all be ready by the next day. She found herself pacing before dinner as she worried about how Draco would be received when he did his weekly check in with the Dark Lord.
Finally, Theo pulled her into the library and sat her on his lap. "Let's go over the whole plan, love," he murmured softly against her neck.
"I'm so anxious, Theodore! You attempting to distract me won't help!"
"Hush now, tell me the plan for tomorrow starting in the morning."
She rolled her eyes, but obliged him. "We'll wake up at seven and have breakfast. Then all four of us will work with Gertie to make sure all the decorations are set up in the Ballroom. We have to make sure the wards to the stairs are strengthened so people can't wander. Around eleven Gin and I will be joined by Pansy, Millie, and Daphne in getting ready. Wawira has agreed to do my hair again and even studied up on some of the traditional Martinique braiding patterns. We'll have a light lunch as our dinner is quite large. By my calculations, we'll be ready to go by five which is slightly earlier than guests will begin to arrive."
"Mmmm," Theo peppered kisses up her neck and held her closer to him.
"Then you and I will host the welcoming line, greeting people at the door. Gin will be waiting with the girls to come down at a dramatic moment. Once the guests are all inside, the girls will scoot in and you will introduce Gin and escort her into the ballroom."
Theo tilted her head to the side and began to suck at her pulsepoint, holding her hands at her sides.
"Gods Theo, you're such a tease," Hermione groaned.
"Keep going love, what will happen after Ginevera enters the Ball," he chuckled.
"Ugh, then I'll call the guests to eat. They'll go to their assigned seats and shortly thereafter the first course will be served. Theo, you're k-killing me," she moaned as he slithered his fingers up her skirt.
"I do love when you wear these loose skirts around the house, so much easier access," he whispered. "Keep going."
"Once all the courses are completed, we'll have the first dance with you and I, then you and Ginny will dance as her official introduction to society. Then Draco and I to signal our family's relationship. I'm sure th-thats g-gonna ruffle some f-f-feathers. Fuck, please Theo," she moaned as he began to rub against her clit.
"It will cause quite a scandal. I know the Greengrasses weren't happy when Draco broke their contract and I heard Lucius was furious, but he did that to himself getting beaten by a pack of sixteen year olds," Theo said, chuckling.
"Yes," she hissed as he lightly dipped a finger inside of her. She stood abruptly and straddled him. "Alright you win, unzip your trousers," she kissed him and bit his lip as he scrambled to unzip said trousers. She loved making him act so desperately. It was quite rare as it was usually him teasing the two of them. "I do so love fucking you in libraries," she cooed as she sheathed his cock inside of her.
He threw his head back with a moan and gripped her arse as she began to ride him. "Now it's your turn, tesoro," she murmured. "Tell me about what you and Draco will be doing with the girls and I are getting ready."
He groaned, and when he didn't say anything, she stopped, hovering on her knees so he was just inside of her. She raised her eyebrow and he swallowed. "Fuck Hermione, you're too good at this shite," he muttered, when she didn't continue, he sighed, "While y-you're getting ready, I'll force Draco to suck me off in the shower then I'll probably fuck him over your vanity." Hermione picked up her pace slightly, grinding down a little harder with each thrust. "Th-then when we're both satisfied, we'll get dressed, hiding all the little marks we've left all over his body. Fuck, love I can't take it, please let me fuck you?"
She nodded and squealed as she surged up and set her on top of the desk. He pulled her hips to the edge and began to thrust inside of her.
"AH! You two are bloody menaces!" Ginny shrieked from the doorway. "I've never wanted to see your pasty arse, Theodore Nott and I've seen enough of Hermione to last a lifetime, thank you very much."
Hermione giggled at the redhead who was turned away from them. "Well, it is our house and we are newlyweds," she said with a shrug, causing Theo to growl.
"Yeah, yeah you're in love and nothing will ever come between you, not even a bloody dragon, yadda yadda. Now if you don't mind we have guests for dinner, so if you wouldn't mind getting dressed a bit more formally than you are."
"Who is it?" Theo asked, standing and tucking himself back into his trousers.
"Draco, his father and Lady Lestrange and her husband Lord Lestrange," Ginny said warily, "Can I turn around?"
"Yes," Hermione said with a chuckle. "Honestly Gin, it's like you didn't live in a dormitory."
"I do not need to see my brother and sister fucking each others brains out, thank you very much. Now, Hermione, come on, we have to get ready and so does Theo."
Ginny dragged Hermione to her bedroom and they allowed Kevin and Lulu to help them get ready quickly. Lulu presented her with a Calming Draught to quell her already spiralling anxiety. When they were dressed in their formal dinner robes, Hermione swept out of the room, with Ginny on her arm.
"Hello, love," Theo called. "I would like to introduce you to our guests."
Hermione smiled at them and went to Theo's side, pulling Ginny along with her. "You know Draco of course," Hermione held out her hand to Draco who kissed it, but she was sure she could feel his tongue dart out as he winked at her. "This is his father, Lucius Malfoy."
"Dear Draco and Theodore have told me much about you!" she cooed, reaching out her hand to him as well.
"I am afraid I don't know nearly enough about you, Lady Nott," he said stiffly.
"And of course Lord and Lady LeStrange," Theo continued. Hermione did not like the way Rodolphus LeStrange eyed her figure as he kissed her hand. She bit back a shiver as she leaned in to kiss Bellatrix's cheeks.
"Now may I have the honour of introducing my sister, Ginevera Prewett Nott," Theo said, formally ushering her forward.
"My lady," Draco purred, hovering over her hand indecently.
"It's so good to see you, Malfoy," she said with a smirk.
Bellatrix looked ready to hex Ginny, but Rodolphus kept her tightly at his side. Hermione was trying not to visibly shake at her presence. Ginny turned to the LeStranges and greeted them formally.
"May I invite you to dine," Hermione said in the most charming voice she could muster. Draco held his arm out to Ginny and Theo to Hermione as they floated into the dining room, followed by their guests.
When they settled in their seats, Gertie popped in and began to offer them drinks. Hermione chuckled as the Brazilian national dish, Feijoada, was served, she clapped her hands and looked delightedly between Theo and Ginny, "Oh you two knew! I've been so craving the foods that we had at Castelobruxo! This is Feijoada, a black bean stew made with assorted meats! I do hope you enjoy it!"
Theo smiled at her indulgently, "Ginevra and I have quite enjoyed learning about Myuh's food and culture. You're in for a treat tomorrow at Ginevra's Debutante Ball. Myuh has prepared a feast for the eyes and mouth."
Hermione flushed, "Oh, such a tease! I do hope you all will be there tomorrow, I know that dear Draco and Mr. Malfoy will be, but I hadn't heard back from you, Lord and Lady LeStrange." She smirked inwardly as Lucius ground his teeth at her "Mr. Malfoy" slight.
At this point, Bellatrix looked ready to explode, "I, ah," Rodolphus started, noticing his wife's demeanour, "we unfortunately have business to attend tomorrow, so we will not be in attendance."
"What a shame!" she cooed, "I did so hope that I'd get a chance to speak with people who know so much about the history of this country. It's so different from my beautiful Martinique, but Theodore insists that I just haven't had a chance to learn all there is to know about it."
Bellatrix stood and her chair fell backwards. "You will not speak to me in that manner, you little upstart!" Hermione gripped the arms of her chair, trying not to visibly shake, grateful for the Calming Draught.
"Whatever do you mean, Lady LeStrange?" Hermione asked, innocently.
"I will not stand for this, how do we even know if you're Pure?" she cackled, pulling her wand out. Hermione froze, she was transported back to the Drawing Room floor of Malfoy Manor, and couldn't do anything.
"Expelliarmus!" Theo said lazily, "I would appreciate it if you didn't question my wife or the judgement of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Nott, Lady LeStrange. Our marriage bond has a fidelity and veracity component. I've known I was going to marry this witch since I was fifteen. If you are going to continue to disrespect me and mine, I will have to ask you to leave and never return."
Bellatrix glared at Theodore, and looked at her husband expectantly. "Aren't you going to say anything!?" she shrieked.
At this point, Rodolphus was looking quite embarrassed, and was flushed a bright pink colour. "I think my wife is feeling unwell, Lord Nott, I apologise for the inconvenience."
Theodore raised an eyebrow and handed Bellatrix's wand to Rodolphus who all but dragged her out of the room. "Is that what all family dinners will be like?" Ginny said after a few moments of tense silence.
Hermione let out a giggle, and was soon followed by Theo and Draco. Lucius looked between them quite shocked by their behaviour. "Oh do relax, Father," Draco snorted when he saw Lucius' face. "She's a bloody menace, she drew her wand on the hostess, she's lucky that Theo didn't do anything more drastic."
Lucius huffed, but didn't disagree. "To answer your question, Miss Wea-"
"Miss Prewett or Miss Nott will do," Ginny said primly, "Don't think I have forgotten the way your family treats people," she added coldly. "Draco is quite lucky that I don't hold the sins of the Father against the son."
Lucius, if anything paled even further, "Now see he-"
"That will be enough," Draco said firmly. "Ginevra has graciously seen to forgive my faults. You would do well to remember that."
Hermione watched the exchange, trying not to drool at Authoritative Draco. She loved that only Theo and her, and to some extent Ginny, knew the soft side of him. "Thank you for staying, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said softly. "I can't say I expected something so- so dr-dramatic to happen today, but alas…" She stood abruptly and excused herself from the table.
"I think it will be time for you to go, Lucius, Draco" she heard Theo saying behind her.
Hermione rushed to their room, and closed the door before the panic overtook her. Moments later the door was flung open and Theo strode in, pulling her into his arms. "Shhh, love, I'm here, I'm here. Draco is coming. You're safe I've got you, I'll never let her hurt you again."
After an indeterminate amount of time, she felt Draco's magic join theirs as he wrapped himself around them on the floor. Hermione couldn't stop sobbing as they held her and whispered comforting things into her ear.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!