"Miss Granger looks very lovely," Twinkle said. "Lovely indeed."

Hermione stood in front of the full length mirror, observing every fold and crease in the gown Astoria had delivered to her closet. It perfectly draped over her shoulders, with beads catching the light at every angle. She has never felt material this elegant, and tried to do the calculations on how much it might have cost.

The dress held onto every curve, as if it was a lover who had known her body to every centimeter.

Her heart broke when she noted the color, a periwinkle-blue. A near identical shade to the dress she wore to the Yule Ball. The year that felt like the end of it all.

"I just knew it would look perfect on you, Hermione," Astoria's voice called from the doorway of the red room. Hermione turned to see the petite witch in a green ball gown with intricately patterned lace that wrapped her arms and neck. It had been days since she had last seen her, but she looked rested and healthy.

"Looks alright for a muggle-born." Daphne stood behind her little sister, arms crossed in a tight maroon dress that was mostly plain, but left little to the imagination. As if her body was supposed to be the main focus, and the dress was simply an accessory.

"Oh hush, Daph, she looks downright stunning. You're just mad she'll probably steal all the attention away from you."

"Darling, have you seen me? Teddy will have to pry the hands off me tonight." Daphne laughed a breathy laugh, her blonde curls bouncing with her shoulders. "There isn't a man or woman down there that won't be gawking at me."

Hermione's heart started to race when she thought about the lower floor of the manor slowly starting to fill with Death Eaters. She'd be surrounded by people who had murdered her friends and wanted her dead. Pretending to be happy and engage in small talk and banter seemed near impossible. And the thought of seeing Katie Bell in a state where she couldn't recognize her was chewing at her psyche.

Her skin crawled as she imagined Death Eater eyes raking over her, and what they might think when they saw the low cut of her neckline.

"Can I have a minute with the mudblood?" Draco mumbled as he walked down the east wing of the manor. The Greengrass sisters disappeared from the hallway, leaving his looming figure alone in the doorway.

The fitted suit that hugged his body was completely black, aside from an emerald vest that peeked from beneath the jacket. His pale skin almost seemed to glow at the stark contrast between dark and light.

He looked beautiful in the way that a knife does. As if he was elegantly forged with perfect balance and symmetry. The sharpness and allure of something that can be so deadly, it tempts you to touch its edge.

Hermione crossed her arms, attempting to hide away how subconscious she had found herself when she heard the murmuring of guests starting to fill the sitting room.

"May I come in?" he asked.

"It's your house, isn't it?"

He shrugged, walking into the room and looking around. "Astoria really did make this room horrendous. Doesn't match anything else in the house."

"I quite like it."

"She quite likes you, I suppose. No matter how much I tell her to stay away, you keep drawing her in. Drives Daph insane," Draco said, chucking to himself as his eyes wander to the floor.

There were a few moments of quiet that lingered between them. Still, his eyes did not look up from the ground. Hermione attempted to calm herself, but hearing the laughter and banter echoing through the manor was making it increasingly difficult for her to focus on anything other than her nerves. This, to her, would be a whole new method of torture.

"Please, Malfoy, don't make me go down there. I haven't asked you for anything yet."

He said nothing, holding a vial out to her. The same blue liquid swirling around that she became too familiar with. Lavender and peppermint.

"Malfoy, I can't. I'd rather you take me to the Death Chamber. To him. Please, don't make me do this," she whispered in a desperate plea. It wasn't sarcastic, as he was accustomed to, or even the slightest bit angry. It was helpless and vulnerable, something that he'd never expected.

It made him stop dead in his tracks for a moment, and he looked up to see her soft brown eyes begging him to reconsider.

"I can give you a stronger one, if you want," he said quietly, taking a step closer to her.

"Malfoy, please…"

The intensity of his stare increased as he took another step in her direction. He uncorked the vial, holding it in front of her face.

"There isn't another option, Granger."

"I hate you." Her voice was still soft, still heartbreakingly distressed. He pressed the glass to her lips.

"I know," he said, emotionless and cold. When she did not accept the potion, his hand went to her jaw, and he applied a slight pressure to her face. Hermione jerked away, but fingers dug deeper into her skin "Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be."

"I hate you."

—

Draco gave her three calming draughts. It seemed excessive, but after further resistance after drinking the first, he decided it was in their best interest if she had more. He had never seen her broken like that, not even after he had dragged her from a cell to Voldemort for nearly a two weeks straight did she beg him to stop and let her go.

When he looked around as the guests started to pile into his sitting room, he couldn't blame her for refusing to come. Just like her, he hated them too. Their arrogance, the way they spoke, how they thought they were all better than him.

And when she looked at him with those sad, brown eyes, he couldn't deny that he almost reconsidered. But he needed to quell the whispers and rumors, and if she didn't show face, he'd be labeled a failure.

"Took nearly four hours to wrangle that Ukrainian Ironbelly, almost lost my leg. She's a beauty, gonna look real fierce in the field once we have her trained," Theodore said before taking a sip of champagne.

"The real beauty is your gal over there," Goyle said as he eyed Daphne from across the room.

Theodore groaned, "Oh would you fuck off, Goyle. You are a pig."

"I would redirect your gaze, or I'll personally remove your fucking eyes," Draco snapped.

Draco wanted to rip his throat out right there, for his disgusting thoughts about Daphne. But he stopped focusing on what Goyle was thinking, he was nothing. No more than a roach to him. The only reason why he's spared his life so many times is because of the long history they had. They were friends as boys, but as men? Draco wouldn't trust him if he were the only one left in Voldemort's army.

"She ain't your girl, what's the problem? Unless you got your cock in both the Greengrasses."

Draco grabbed onto the collar of Goyle's shirt, lifting him up to bring his face close to the now trembling man. "You're piss drunk and the party hasn't even begun. Shut the fuck up before I soil my wife's new rug with your fucking entrails."

"S… sorry…" he muttered as Draco threw him to the ground. The pathetic Death Eater scurried away into a crowd of people and Theodore spat in his direction. Draco turned to the fireplace, gazing into the flames, wishing he could toss himself right into it than be at this fucking party.

But Astoria asked, begged really. And how would he deny her when she held her hands together and said that she needed the distraction because she wasn't feeling well?

He couldn't tell her no, no matter what her requests were. If she wanted a unicorn, he would search the forbidden forest himself to get it for her. He would tear one from Voldemort's filthy hands if that meant she could have a few moments of happiness.

The murmurs and mumbles of the guests were agitating the vampire, who wished for his home to be clear. All he could hear was the echo of their heartbeats in his head and the sick and perverse thoughts they had when they looked at Daphne. Their fucking heartbeats were driving him insane. It was as if he could hear each person individually, the thumps in their chests, it was nearly all he could focus on.

The impulsion to drain the blood from everyone in the room was unbearable. The unending thirst he had felt insatiable, even though he had just fed the night before, he wanted more. Always wanted more. He gripped the mantle of the fireplace and the stone slightly cracked from the exceeding pressure from his hand. After knocking back his glass of fire whiskey, Astoria and Daphne came over to them, smiles on their faces.

It was worth it to him, suffering through a frivolous event, having people trudge their scent into his home, to see Astoria happy.

"Darling, you look so ravishing tonight," Theodore said as he kissed the side of Daphne's head. Daphne planted her lips on his, and they started to kiss a bit too passionately in front of the numerous guests.

"Will you get a fucking room, you too?" Draco rolled his eyes at the pair.

"Don't be such a downer, Draco," Theodore said with a smile, his lips covered in Daphne's dark lipstick.

Astoria held onto Draco's coat sleeve and looked up at him. "Where's Hermione?"

"She'll be down soon. I told Tappy to bring her once people have settled in and the drinks have been poured."

From across the room, Draco's eyes caught Pansy Parkinson's. The dark haired witch wore a black, laced dress that clung tightly to her figure with her hair done up, exposing her beautifully long neck. She gave a sly smile, her eyes trailing his body, waving a lace gloved hand in his direction.

The chatter in the room quieted for a moment before whispering started to fill the air. Draco followed the eye lines of the party guests, who had turned their attention to the stairwell. Walking down them, laughing hysterically and disheveled, was the Golden Girl.

"Draco," Astoria quietly gasped. "What did you do to her?"

"Just some calming draughts… and whiskey."

She glared at him. "How much?"

"I don't know, I just left her with the bottle."

Astoria slapped his arm, "Calming draughts, dummy!"

"Three of the bigger ones… What? Don't look at me like that. She needed them, Tori. You want her down here with all these Death Eaters and no filter? She says one thing in front of Yaxley and I'll be burnt to a char for a week."

Astroia shook her head and went to the base of the stairs. Hermione started to giggle while she spoke softly to Tappy, almost stumbling.

"Draco, she's smashed. You are really an idiot," Daphne sighed.

"It was either that or I put her under an Imperius curse, which would you prefer?"

"Well, I'm not watching her. And Tori shouldn't either, this is her thing you know. And the mudblood, well that's your thing." Daphne tapped her foot impatiently.

Draco sighed, "Fine, Daph. I'll take care of it."

Is that Potter's slut?

Mudblood whore.

I can't believe he let that thing in his house.

Crouch told me he's using her as a blood bag.

As he made his way through the crowd, a warm grasp held onto his arm, stopping him in place. He turned his head slightly, and saw Pansy's deep green eyes calling for him. Her fingers ran across his bicep as she pouted her lip.

"Draco, you're not going to say hi? It's been over a month since I've seen you."

"Not here," he murmured, pulling away from her grasp.

"Well, where do you want me then?" she asked, smiling with her arms crossed.

"I'll find you later, Parkinson."

—

"Astoria! Did you know Tappy's favorite color is red? That's mine too I think, I don't know actually. I think I just say it's red because everyone thinks it's red. I think yours is green, am I right?"

Astoria waited until Hermione was safely at the bottom of the steps. She nearly fell at the very last one, but caught herself on the bannister. Her brow was sweaty and the mascara that had coated her long lashes was smudged under her eyes.

"Are you feeling okay, Hermione?" Astoria asked carefully, taking her wand to fix the runny makeup.

"Amazing, Astoria. Amazing. It's so warm in here, there's so many people. Oh my, Merlin's left nut! Is that Millicent? Millicent!" Hermione waved her arms over her head, gathering more attention to herself.

When Hermione drank nearly the entire flagon of fire whiskey that Draco had handed her, she didn't know the effects it would have in conjunction with the three entire drams of calming. She hoped that she would simply not be of coherent mind so she wouldn't remember any of what would happen tonight.

She expected to be tired, lifeless with as much she had taken, or rather that Draco forced her to. But she felt energetic, drunk, carefree, but energetic.

Medical potion labels always state that calming draughts and other mind-altering potions should not be consumed with alcohol. Normally, Hermione would have heeded the warning, but tonight was the exception.

Draco sauntered over to the two witches and found Astoria fussing with Hermione's dress. Hermione's eyes were wandering over the guests, pointing out people she knew.

"Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Tracy Davis, Uchi Akimbo. Wow. So many people I haven't seen in a decade. Well, maybe I have seen them but they had a mask on. Do you think they'll remember me?"

Astoria sighed as she fixed Hermione's hair. "Oh yes, sweet girl, who could forget you?" She glared at Draco, her brown eyes nearly turning red at the sight of him. "You've caused enough trouble, now shoo."

"I am here to watch the mudblood, Tori. Go have fun, this is your party."

"You cannot be trusted with her." Astoria grabbed Hermione's hand as she tried to wander into the crowd of people.

"I thought I saw a tray of champagne and some biscuits. Oh Astoria, may we please please get some biscuits," Hermione begged.

"I mean it, Astoria, go have fun. I'll take Granger to get some food."

"No more booze for you, Hermione. And no more trouble from you, Draco," she said, pointing one of her thin fingers into his chest. Astoria got on the tips of her toes and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later. Save me a dance."

Astoria, with a smile on her face now, however genuine it may have been, resumed festivities.

"But Astoria…" Hermione called out as she watched her leave.

Hermione was running warm on account of her consumption of alcohol, but she didn't mind it. Though she was seeing the faces of those behind Death Eater masks and childhood bullies, she thought it was more humorous than anything. How could she be looking at the enemy and yet feel this much ignorance and bliss?

It was nice to not think of so many things, to have a quiet mind. To not think of Ron or Harry or what they may be doing or who may have died in battle. To forget for a moment that James and Albus are getting taller by the day, and she wasn't there to see them.

"Let's get you those biscuits, Granger."

Draco followed behind the intoxicated witch, watching as she weaved through a dozen people to get to a tray of champagne. She grabbed two glasses and downed one in a single drink. Draco didn't stop her, he just observed.

"Teddy!" she said when she saw the dragon tamer. Hermione threw her arms around him as if he was an old friend. Shocked, he initially kept his hands up to his side. But as he looked at Draco with confusion in his eyes, he wrapped one arm around her waist and returned the embrace. "Please tell me you'll find me for a dance later?"

"Of course. We'll dance the night away, you and me," he smiled at her before looking at Draco and mouthing, 'What the hell?'

Draco shrugged, an annoyed look on his face. "At least she's having fun? I think."

"Well if it isn't Nott, Lord Malfoy and Potter's mudblood slut," Corban Yaxley called as he approached. "What an unlikely trio."

"It's Hermione. My name is Hermione," she said with a giggle. "And you're Corban Yaxley, head of Magical Law Enforcement. You're doing a horrible jo…"

"Ah, Yaxley," Teddy said, cutting off Hermione's next few words. "How are things in the office? Seems a bit boring, you think? Locked up in a room all day, never seein' the sun. Almost like you're a vampire too. Pale as one. What do you think, Draco?"

"I guess it wouldn't kill you to get some more sunlight, Yaxley," Draco replied dryly as he snatched a glass of champagne off a serving tray that had been floating past the guests.

"Actually, it wouldn't kill you either. It would just hurt, as vampires are just hyper sensitive to the sun. Prolonged exposure, yes, but short bursts you'd be fine. A sunburn, but fine. Merlin, I miss the sun." Hermione let go of Teddy and stood between the three of them, looking around aimlessly at the decorations and attire of the partygoers.

Yaxley scoffed, crossing his arms and staring at Hermione. "This one has a mouth on her. She's unwieldy."

"Were you expecting any less from Potter's mudblood?" Draco half smiled, taking a sip of champagne, eyeing Yaxley intently.

"I suppose not. She seems intolerable though, but it's fitting that you'd take her as your ward. With your affinity to house traitors and whores."

Draco's jaw clenched as he glared at Yaxley. Hermione directed her gaze to him, his anger drawing her attention in like a moth to a flame. Though he was ice, he seemed white hot with rage. It might have been her weakened mental state, but she thought he wore his anger well, fitting him like his tailored suit. The crease in his brow, the piercing of his eyes, it was alluring. Intoxicating.

"Yaxley, no need for that kind of language." Teddy attempted to settle the tension, but it did not calm Draco's demeanor.

Before Draco opened his mouth, Hermione set her hands on his chest, feeling his heaving breaths of vexation.

He looked down at her, finding her brown eyes looking up into his. They were distant, but knowing. Hermione felt his heartbeat slow, almost coming to a halt.

"Malfoy," Hermione said softly. "You told Astoria you'd take me for some food and fresh air. Remember?"

He exhaled, and Hermione felt the cold breath brush her cheeks. "Yes, how could I forget? Happy wife, happy life? Isn't that right, Yaxley?"

Yaxley smiled a toothy grin and nodded, watching the vampire and muggle-born walk away.

They found themselves on the walking path around the grounds of the manor. Hermione's finger ran along the barrier, hoping that at any point, she'd find a crack in its wall. It was a quiet night, the moon was full. Occasionally they'd pass a few people as they explored the gardens, but for the most part, the only sounds were crickets and the distant chatter from inside the mansion.

Draco pulled a small metal flask from his jacket pocket, taking a quick swig before handing it to her. When the liquor hit her tongue, she nearly gagged. It was incredibly strong, much more so than anything she's ever had before. But after it settled, she felt warm, like a blanket creeping over her shoulders, so she took another drink before returning it.

"Astoria isn't going to be very happy with yoooou," Hermione said as she hiccuped and softly giggled to herself.

"She's already upset with me. But she's always mad at me for some reason or another."

Hermione, though not of clear mind, forced herself to process her thoughts. Slowly dissecting the things she heard and saw, her finger still running against the warm hum of the barrier. "I don't blame her, you are quite infuriating to manage."

"There isn't a way past it. The house elves check the barrier every morning and evening."

"I know. Doesn't mean I can't try to escape from this party."

"I don't want to go back inside either, Granger. But we've got to make an appearance. Show face, as much as it displeases the both of us."

"They're all staring at me, aren't they? Saying nasty stuff. I can hear it but I can't seem to care," Hermione said softly as she crossed her arms.

"That's for the best."

"They say things about Astoria and Daphne too."

"They do."

"Why?"

Draco sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked bothered, but not agitated or distressed how Hermione had thought he would be. His silver eyes simply looked ahead at the path. "They've been branded as traitors of Voldemort, though they've done nothing wrong. Simply suffering the consequences of men and war, things out of their control."

"Why?" she asked again.

"You are quite curious despite all the narcotics running through your system."

Hermione stopped in the middle of the trail and turned to face Draco. She pushed her hair behind her ear and tried to clear her mind. Draco's eyes for just a moment lingered too long on her exposed shoulder and neck, but as she noticed, he quickly looked away.

"Malfoy, please."

"Their father, Cornelius Greengrass, was caught colluding with the Order. He was outed as an informant and subsequently killed for his indiscretions a few years ago. I'm still cleaning the destruction he's caused."

There was only one informant Hermione was aware of, but they were still alive and well, as far as she knew. Unless there were more she was not aware of, if information was being withheld from her.

But she couldn't believe that Harry, Moody, and Kingsley were hiding such vital information close to them. Hermione was an asset to the Order, she was told of every plan and action, or so she believed.

Harry, her best friend, taking Ron's side, pushing her away, hiding Order secrets. She couldn't fathom it.

Or perhaps she simply didn't want to.

"They keep you in the dark because they're using you, Granger. Plastering your name all over the tabloids, putting a target on your back. It was only a matter of time before you ended up here."

"Get out of my head," she gritted her teeth, feeling the effects of the alcohol and anger overcoming the calming draughts.

"They've worked you to the bone, having to be the brains and brawn of every operation. Their successes and failures falling onto your shoulders. Do you know how stupid it is to have the only competent wizard in all of England on the front lines? I could have ripped your throat out that night." Draco's eyes hardened, his lips curling into a sick smile. "Every day they've risked your life. For years now, they have thrown you into the heat of battle with Potter and Weasley nowhere to be seen."

"They're…"

"They're what? Off looking for the remaining two horcruxes? Seems to me they're taking romantic trips around the world while they leave you to deal with the mess they've made. I will say, Granger, you should be thanking me."

"Thank you for what? Kidnapping me, drugging me, making me read your silly books?"

He leaned in close to her and she was backed against the barrier. His hands were on either side of her as he bent down to look into her eyes. The moonlight highlighted his pale features and his fangs almost sparkled with the reflection of it. "You have never been safer in your entire life than in my care. Sure, you may experience pain, and much of it. Pain is a small price to pay. But death? I would never let death come for you."

Hermione ducked under his arm and stormed away. She felt his eyes lingering on her, as if they were beacons pointed right at her back. The look on his face was burned into her eyelids. The twisted smile, the hungry eyes, the way it consumed her every thought. She wanted to rip his lips from his face, so he could never give her that disgusting smile ever again.

Her head was still spinning from alcohol and rage and as she made her way towards the stairwell, she took one last glance over the guests to spit in their direction.

Katie Bell.

In a beautiful red gown. Healthy, glowing almost as she stood around Death Eaters. She was smiling and chatting, as if she was back in her golden days. As if she hadn't been fighting in the frontlines of the war just months ago.

Hermione breathed deeply, trying to pull the waves over her clouded brain. After several tries, she gave up, and made her way towards her friend.

As she approached, Katie met her eyes but quickly looked away, turning her nose.

"Katie, it's been a minute since I've seen you. Are you okay?"

Katie ignored her, looking to Amycus Carrow who stepped forward. "Amycus, get this mudblood out of my sight."

"Katie… you don't mean that." Hermione's heart broke in her chest.

Amycus grinned, his smile looked sadistic, as if he enjoyed the mental torment that she was experiencing. "Oh, but I think she does, mudblood. Where's your keeper, pet? He let you off the leash for this party?"

Hermione just looked at Katie, nearly pleading with her to just meet her gaze. She needed to see into her eyes, to know if she meant those words. But Katie didn't budge, she stayed turned away. The rage she had felt was quickly slipping into sadness, hopelessness, emptiness.

A warm hand touched her bare shoulder, bringing her back from the spiral she was experiencing.

"Granger, you promised me a dance," Teddy's voice said gently. She turned to him, trying not to let the tears pull at her eyes. Teddy glared at Amycus for a second before softening his stance. "If you'll excuse us, I am going to take this pretty thing to the dance floor."

Hermione leaned into his arm as they made their way to the ballroom. She was awestruck by how beautifully perfect it looked. Stars were projected on the ceiling of the ballroom, looking as if they were standing in a field in the countryside. The navy curtains were strung in perfect arches, glittering with small lights like fireflies. A slight gasp escaped her lips as she took in the view.

But reality hit her once more as she looked around at the guests, seeing the faces of people who were strangers. Worse than strangers, they were her enemies. While her friends were left in tatters, she was in an elegant ball gown, clutching to the arm of a Death Eater for comfort.

If hell were real, she thought, it was here.

Theodore took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, turning her to face him. "Hermione, don't look at them okay? Look at me. You may hate me just as much, but at least I'm easy on the eyes." He chuckled to himself. "What's that saying? Better the devil you know?"

Through sadness, she smiled at him. "Better the devil you know than than the devil you don't." She couldn't help but let out a small laugh, despite tears nearly falling from her eyes. "And you are very handsome, Theodore Nott. Refrain from telling Daphne I said that, she may tear off my head."

"You could take her. If it were hand to hand, no magic involved, I'd bet my galleons on you." He laughed softly, swaying her to the music, "She doesn't mean any harm. She's a good person underneath the front she puts on. Tough girl act, you know. Daph is just a victim of her upbringing."

"But Astoria isn't?"

Theodore shook his head, "Astoria is the best of us all."

Hermione understood why he was making excuses for Daphne. He loved her, and love can make you turn a blind eye. She had fallen victim to it herself, saying for years that she could make it work with Ron despite their numerous incompatibilities. She couldn't blame Teddy for wanting to think the world of Daphne, she could only blame the human condition.

"She really is," Hermione agreed, looking across the ballroom to see Astoria dancing with the vampire, realizing that Astoria also turned away from the terrible things that Draco has done simply because of love. "What about you, Teddy?"

"What about me?" he asked, grinning down at her as he spun her in a circle.

"Are you a good person?"

He paused for a moment, lost in thought. "I don't think so."