Disclaimer:

I don't own Harry Potter & co. - just write what could have been.

Thank you all for your kind words! I really try to make the characters as not as OOC as possible, so again, thank you for reading & being patient with me! Shorter chapter ahead but this wraps up the "Fête" portion (for the most part ;)).

Reviews keep me going - please leave your comments, thoughts, etc.! :)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Harry watched the party continue without his best friends; one was probably still trying to apologize to his girlfriend God knows where and the other – Harry smiled to himself at his private joke – was probably obtaining a new boyfriend. He inhaled deeply, feeling more intoxicated than sober, and realized that his own girlfriend was missing, and he was about to blow out his birthday candles. Scanning the room but finding no signs of Cho, he walked over to a group huddled by the food table; he interrupted a heated conversation about the illegal trade market between countries where Charlie and Luna were winning against Pucey and Goldstein. While Harry knew neither Puecy nor Goldstein supported the market, they did like to debate. Harry was glad they were all enjoying each other's company. Harry was a little worried at first because of the reputation and rumors circling the Slytherin quad, but he also knew of them personally. He wanted all his friends to mingle and interact with one of another – his close friends and associates. Harry had enough of the prejudices and just wanted to live his life as peacefully as he could. Harry watched as Theo smirked besides Luna and Charlie while Pansy glared at them from besides Pucey. That interaction was pushed from his thoughts.

"Sorry but have you seen Cho?"

He asked all of them. They all shook their heads at the host which left him with his shoulders slumped, wondering where his girlfriend had gotten off to. He turned around but before he could ask someone else, Harry heard,

"Potter."

And turned back around to see violet eyes and dark lashes looking at him. Parkinson's quite pretty, he found himself admitting internally and was grateful she didn't know legilmens.

"Erm, hey Parkinson."

Harry said, once again searching the room for sleek black hair and long, Ravenclaw-blue outfit Cho was wearing.

"I saw Chang heading upstairs."

Parkinson offered and Harry quickly looked back to her. A grin broke out into place, offering her thanks, but before he could, she put her manicured hand up. The silver jewelry she wore sparkled in the dim lights.

"She was with Ginevra."

Parkinson stated. His grin left as quickly as he appeared.

"Thank you."

He quietly and quickly said before swiftly walking towards the staircase in the next room. He heard his name from countless lips, but he couldn't be bothered. He needed to find his girlfriend and ex-girlfriend. Quickly, Harry made his way up the stairs, two steps at a time, pausing to hear out for any voices. Harry had told everyone upstairs was off limits, but he didn't cast any charms to repel anyone just certain rooms. He couldn't shake the sense of urgency to find the pair of witches; he knew Cho was jealous of Ginny even though Harry had reassured her countless time there was no reason to be. He thought everything was going since last he saw Ginny she was on the arm of Zabini and Cho was with him. Now he regretted leaving her alone while he made his rounds around the house; apparently everything was not as fine as he assumed, there was no logical reason Cho would seek Ginny out. Harry wanted to believe Cho was speaking to Ginny to propose a tentative friendship, but he knew his girlfriend. She would have done so in the public eyes of the party goers, not in private. Harry was almost to the fourth floor when he heard a whisper and made a sharp right turn into one of the living rooms he didn't use. The scene before him was unprecedented. The dark room was alit by only one flickering lamp in the corner casting an ominous glow around the girls. Both witches had their wands drawn, glaring at one another.

"Cho! Ginny!"

Harry exclaimed as he entered the room. Cho didn't put her wand down but uneasily looked over to Harry while Ginny ignored him.

"Wands down in my home."

Harry said, his tone low and stern. He reached Cho first, putting a hand on her right hand and tried to reach over for Ginny's hand. As soon as he made contact with Ginny, she softened, and lowered her hand. Is as if the bomb that was about to detonate had been turned off; she had an apologetic look over her face. However, before she could respond to Harry, Cho ran out the room. Harry turned to watch her storm out, staring in bewilderment at her actions before her heard Ginny behind him.

"She's jealous."

She whispered – her tone soft and hushed as if speaking a secret and not a known fact. Harry sighed heavily, staring at the empty doorframe.

"I know."

Harry replied. Both made their way back downstairs in silence, neither ready to discuss what was said between the two witches. With a heavy heart and a soft squeeze on his arm, Ginny made her way in first, allowing Harry to walk in afterwards. Alone.

.

.

.

Hermione stepped of the staircase, blissful and drunk, while Harry turned to look back at her; he was standing in the doorway leading to party and she smiled at her best friend. He attempted to return the gesture but failed. Immediately, Hermione's heart fell to her stomach to see such a sullen expression on her best friend – at his own birthday party. She let go of Draco's hand and crossed over to him, grateful that the partygoers were entertained.

"What's the matter?"

She asked him as soon as she was close enough to whisper. He's forlorn face looked at hers.

"I think Cho and I just broke up."

He confessed. Hermione's eyes widened and she let out a soft gasp as to not gather attention. Hermione knew Harry didn't show his emotions well around others and while they hadn't been dating awhile, Hermione could tell her best friend was hurt. Even though drunk, Hermione tried to clear her head for the best course of action.

"What do you need?"

She asked. Harry's green eyes looked over her shoulder and back to her.

"I.. I don't want to ruin the party for everyone. I can go – "

He started to say but Hermione stopped him. She gripped his left arm automatically; weary he'd try to apparate in his state.

"Absolutely not, Harry Potter. This is your home."

She whispered furiously. After a few seconds of her convincing him to stay put, he nodded, sighing.

"Okay. But I don't want everyone here, 'Mione."

Harry stated. Hermione nodded at his words, mentally putting a plan of action into place.

"Leave that to me. Go upstairs and I'll call you when they're gone."

She said. Harry nodded once more before squeezing her hand that held his arm. He left back upstairs without a word and Hermione turned back around to see Draco waiting for her. As much as she wanted to enjoy her high spirits in the prescence of an annoyingly good-looking wizard, she was needed elsewhere. She placed on a fake smile on her lips before turning back around to the party.

"Attention, everyone!"

She yelled, finding it incredibly easy when one was drunk. After a few more moments of tipsy, distracted guests coming together, Hermione finally got the group to quiet. Draco stood to stand besides her, a few feet away as he turned his own attention to guests. She appreciated Draco's glare at the rowdier ones.

"Sorry to wrap up the party so suddenly, but there is a floo for those who can't apparate and side apparation can be conducted outside. Again, I'm sorry everyone!"

Murmurs and disappointed guests started slowly moving towards the floo room, some towards the outside entry. Hermione stepped aside as people said their goodbyes to her. She promised Neville and Hannah a lunch outing soon, told Susan she'd get with her to discuss the legalities over the werewolves' legislation, briskly said goodbye to Pucey, hugged Dean and his girlfriend, avoided McLaggen, and promised Luna she'd get with her tomorrow with details of tonight. Hermione said countless farewells and avoided their questions to the numerous guests that she didn't recall their names and finally, the room before her was empty besides her Slytherin friends and the Weasleys. She stepped in and Draco was at her side almost instantly; she felt the warmth of his hand on the small of her back. The weight of the night and her moment of sobriety left her; she was tired and lightheaded. Hermione looked up at him and he looked down at her and for a moment, Hermione forgot where she was. Someone cleared their throat and reality came fumbling back to her. Trying to hide her blush, Hermione avoided a smirking Theo and landed on Charlie's curious face. She cleared her throat before saying,

"Harry and Cho had a row and I'm assuming she left. He's not feeling hospitable now."

"That bloody witch."

Pansy was the first to speak and Hermione's eyes widened at her language. Pansy shrugged and pointedly looked to her left, towards Ginny. Hermione lifted her eyebrows at her, mostly everyone following her gaze. Blaise stood behind Ginny, close but no longer holding hands.

"Yeah they had a row. She was being an insufferable – "

"Ginny."

Harry interrupted Ginny's words and Hermione was grateful. She didn't know what the Ravenclaw witch did to deserve her other best friend's ire. Harry reappeared through the doorframe and Hermione took his hand with ease. She squeezed it. Harry sighed before speaking,

"I don't mean to be a spoilsport everyone, but there's a bottle of firewhiskey calling my name and I don't think I shall be very pleasant."

Harry didn't waste time as he walked towards the bar set-up in the kitchen in front of him. Separating the Weasleys from the Slytherins. Hermione bit the inside of her bottom lip as she watched Harry's low posture.

"Charles, I think it's time to let the littles ones wallow in their relationship problems."

George said, putting his arm over his older brother's shoulder. Charlie nodded once, smiling softly at his younger brother before looking at them all. Charlie was shorter than George, but his rugged features on the similar Weasley face and feux leather sleeveless jacket with matching pants made him the more noticeable Weasley there.

"Pleasure meeting you all. Ginny, get home safely. George, shall we?"

His voice was deep and soothing. George winked at them all before the pair left to the outside entry. Hermione expected Ginny to go with her brothers, but seeing how she was eyeing Blaise, her assumption was wrong.

"I'll be going too. I don't think Harry would like to talk about it whilst I'm here."

Ginny said, walking over to Hermione to say her goodbye. Hermione didn't argue, nodding at her before she was pulled into a tight hug. Hermione's hands were warm against Ginny's cool skin on her flawless back. Hermione watched as Blaise's eyes didn't deter from Ginny's backside – she wasn't surprised. Before Hermione could ask Ginny what happened between Cho and her, Ginny's whispered into her ear,

"You've got some explaining to do Hermione Jean."

And before Hermione could even form a reply, Ginny let her go.

"Bye everyone!"

Ginny half-yelled, half-said before disappearing also towards the outside entry, her long hair flowing behind her. Blaise wasted no time; his lack of subtly almost made Hermione laugh.

"I'm going to retire as well. Goodnight, everyone."

He said and before Hermione could tease, he was also gone.

"Drats, I wanted to see if Blaise could take me home."

Theo said, out loud as Hermione guessed he was more sloshed than she. He regained his focus and grinned at her then his eyes went to besides her. To Draco.

"Now, now, look how cozy we look."

He said. Hermione blushed and crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling self-conscious. He was the first to point it out and she didn't really have anything planned to say. She barely knew what "it" was. Thankfully, Pansy rolled her eyes, grabbing Theo by the arm.

"I'll take you home, idiot."

She snapped. Theo looked to be put out for a few seconds before his face morphed into a giant grin.

"Oh I do love when rough house me, Parkinson."

He said. She sniffed, raising her nose in the air, higher than Hermione could achieve to pull off such a look of disdain before looking ridiculous. They both made their way towards the doorway to their left, towards the floo room. Pansy didn't say goodbye as she dragged Theo away but Theo waved at them before they disappeared as well. Finally, it was just Draco, Hermione, and the small clink of glassware in the kitchen where Harry was. Nervousness ran through her, uncrossing her arms as she pressed her fingertips against her palms before turning towards Draco. She looked up at him and he dropped his hand. In the warm light of the dining room, Draco's eyes were a dark gray, almost a light black. Hermione could still easily fall into the abyss that were Draco Malfoy's eyes.

"I'm going to stay with Harry."

She said, softly. Draco nodded as expecting the news. He leaned down and Hermione's heart sped up against her chest. She saw him moving closer and she closed her eyes in anticipation. But his lips found her hair and not her own; feeling regretful, he pulled away, and Hermione opened her eyes halfway. The waves of drunkenness washed over her again but Hermione stood her ground. Then, he raised his right hand to stroke her cheek tenderly, sending a ripple of shivers over her.

"Goodnight… Hermione."

He murmured before also leaving. Hermione watched his retreating form and inhaled deeply, taking in everything that had just happened. Giving herself a few moments before she went to comfort her friend. Finally, she made her way into the kitchen where Harry was seated at the make-shift bar, glumly looking at the glass tumbler before him.

"What do you need?"
She asked simply.

"You. Ogden's finest."

Harry replied. He finished the rest of the firewhiskey he was drinking before he said,

"And Ron."

His green eyes slid up to hers, pleading but Hermione pursed her lips together. She 'tsked' at him, reaching out to lay her hand on his head, before nodding as if her own dilemma with Ron would be grounds for not calling him for Harry when he most needed them. She had anticipated the need of his best friends to comfort him and she was silently, albeit reluctant, glad her date was no longer her. Hermione reached for her wand, strapped to her outer thigh; her dress shifted up and Harry blushed instantly, his brown skin become even darker as he darted his eyes away. Normally she would have told him to look away, but she was inebriated – her manners were gone.

"'Mione!"

He bellowed causing Hermione to snicker at him.

"Oh quiet down, silly wizard."

She said, a grin in place as she nonverbally casted the Patronus charm. Before she could ponder on what happy memory to concentrate on, the warm squeeze of hand came to her and then her silver otter came gliding out of her wand, it's silver orbs awaiting instructions.

"Go to Ronald Weasley, tell him Harry needs him at Grimmauld Place urgently."

.

.

.

.

In the confines of Shacklebolt's desk, a prim and proper letter printed in a shade of soft blue parchment read:

Ministere Shacklebolt,

We hope this letter finds you well.

This is regarding British wixen, Hermione Jean Granger.

La Guerison Souvenir has received Mlle. Granger's admission

to the academy & before acceptance, Ministere Auclair wanted an audience

with Mlle. Granger & yourself, if acceptable.

Please reply at your earliest convenience.

Ministere des Affaires Magiques

de la France

Soleil Auclair