Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 18: All Eyes On Us
A still irritated Draco turned away from Theo and the two witches to follow Blaise to the bar. When he and Blaise walked up, Draco was even more irritated to find Hermione standing at the bar with a wizard on either side of her. Knowing this wouldn't end well if he confronted her, Draco moved smoothly between Hermione and the wizard on her left. "Hello love. Did you order one for me?"
Hermione saw Blaise at Draco's elbow and became even more aggravated. "I haven't ordered you anything Draco. I was under the impression Blaise and Theo would order for you and the witches."
Draco moved from irritated to a completely foul mood. Grabbing Hermione by the arm, he asked what she was playing at.
Blaise had the good sense to walk away. Down the line, he, Theo and Draco would have to have a conversation. Their mate was losing his mind. Bring a witch for Draco Malfoy. As if.
A fire was burning in Hermione who didn't know whether she should feel embarrassed or humiliated. "You have the bloody nerve to ask what I'm playing at when you have your mates bring a witch for you. Didn't think I'd notice? You are smart Malfoy, but I'm smarter. If you want to be with another witch, go be with her. I'll survive. Now would you move out of the way. I was trying to have a conversation."
The wizard Draco had shunted out of the way started to say something, but Draco silenced him with a glare. In that moment, everything had suddenly became clear to Draco. Hermione had rightly surmised that he'd had previous dealings with Gayle. How, he didn't know, but she knew and probably thought the witch was here for him. Not moving from the spot, Draco kissed Hermione on the forehead. "I'm here with you and I only want to be with you. You are wrong. Now grab my arm so we can get back to your best friend's table where we will shine."
Taking a deep breath, Hermione looked into Draco's eyes. Those gorgeous eyes were clear. He wasn't being deceitful. She was being an arse. Slipping her arm under Draco's, Hermione softly whispered in his ear. "I apologize for thinking badly of you. Poor habit. I want everyone to see you hold me close. Let's have a dance before we go back to the dull table."
Draco laughed. "I wouldn't like anything better than to hold you close, except going back to Potter's table to annoy him."
Well, let's go dance then," remarked Hermione, grabbing Draco by the hand. "I'm sure I'll make a much better partner than Kingsley."
"Yes." Draco replied. "There's that."
/************************************************************************
Chap 19: Mingling With The Masses
Hermione and Draco didn't have the opportunity to reach the dance floor because Harry met them halfway across the room to tell them dinner was on the table.
"Ah! Dinner. Am I wrong or is Auror Potter looking out for our best interests?"
"It would seem so," replied Hermione, giving Harry a wide grin. "Well, let's get to the table then. We don't want a table full of people eating dinner without something to gossip about."
Draco chuckled while Harry gave his friend the Potter version of the stink eye.
/*/
Contrary to what they expected, the other guests at the table seemed to have come around and welcomed Hermione and Draco with smiles and open arms. Initially, the conversation was sparse, but picked up considerably after Hannah complimented Hermione on her gold gown and Hermione complimented Hannah back. From there, it seemed as though everyone wanted to join the chat.
There were quite a few smiles when Hannah commented on the state of her and Hermione's relationships. Nodding in Draco's direction, Hannah suggested both she and Hermione had lucked up by finding the two most handsome wizards around London.
Giving Draco a wink, Hermione offered a cheeky reply. "My relationship is quite new, but in a month or so, I'll let you know if Draco is as handsome on the inside as he is on the outside."
Draco was smart enough to remain silent while Harry simply replied. "Yes, I am that handsome both inside and out. Thank you love."
The ever outspoken Michael Corner had no qualms in expressing himself. "So Miss Abbott. Am I to suppose you not mentioning my handsome self, the very handsome Mr. Thomas and the somewhat handsome Finch-Fletchley is an oversight? I'm alright with it, but Dean and Justin are quite thin skinned, and their dates are probably quite mortified."
Hannah gave a little chuckle before responding. "Ah Mr. Corner. I believe it is you who has the thin skin, so let me rephrase. "All the ladies at the table are very lucky to have attracted very handsome wizards. Happy now Auror Corner? Before I put my foot any farther into it, I'll just get back to my lovely dinner."
Michael chuckled as did everyone around the table.
/*/
The talk died down for several minutes while everyone tucked in. However, the camaraderie returned when Draco spoke and was rewarded with a big surprise. "Will the lovely witch with the most handsome boyfriend consider having a dance?"
All the ladies stood as one. For several seconds, Draco Malfoy was speechless before he was able to respond. "I guess I'll have to rephrase. Would the witch I am dating care to have a dance?"
All the other witches sat down as one.
Hermione and Harry chuckled the loudest with Hermione commenting that Draco should choose his words more carefully.
Reaching out for Hermione's hand, Draco made a small bow in her direction. "Duly noted for the future."
Harry couldn't resist a lowly spoken taunt as Hermione and Draco passed by his chair. "Hannah clearly misspoke when referring to you Malfoy."
Because the remark was lowly spoken, Draco chose not to look like an arse by replying. Hermione, not so much.
"Jealous Potter?" She and Draco had then stepped on the dance floor sporting wide smiles.
Leaning down, Draco promised Hermione some very naughty things for putting the scarred one in his place. Hermione just hugged him tighter.
/*/
Across the room, Blaise, Theo and Jessie were enjoying their meal while a sullen acting Gayle was simply pushing food around on her plate. Theo noticed and asked if her dinner wasn't up to par. Gayle replied that she wasn't very hungry in a tone Blaise chose to ignore, but one which an unenlightened Theo chose to follow up.
"Not very hungry? That surprises me Gayle as you mentioned several times how much you looked forward to the dinner and dancing. Neither of which seem to have your attention this evening."
Realizing why Gayle was acting as she was, Jessie stepped in to change the subject, but her friend didn't want to be silenced.
"There's no need to change the subject Jess. I'm fine."
Blaise sighed as Theo continued to pry.
"Why wouldn't she be fine Jessie? She's come all the way from Wales to have a night out and doesn't seem to be enjoying herself. You're not feeling sick, are you Gayle?"
Jessie appeared to be embarrassed while Gayle remained pale and sullen.
Finally, to stop the conversation from going any further, Blaise asked Theo for a word.
"But we're in the middle of dinner Blaise. Can't it wait?"
"Of course it can wait Theo, but I'd rather speak now," replied Blaise a bit snappishly.
Dropping his fork onto his plate, Theo stood. "Have it your way Blaise, but it better be important. I don't like leaving my date alone at the table."
Following his mate towards the back of the room, an angry Theo spit out at Blaise. "Just what is so important Blaise? I was enjoying my dinner."
"Calm down Theo. If you'd take your mind off what your dick expects at the end of the night, your instincts might snap back into place."
"What are you on about Blaise? My dick and my instincts are fine."
Blaise rolled his eyes at Theo. "Perhaps you aren't aware Gayle imagined attending this fine soiree with you and Jessie would put her in a line to Draco. You aren't this dense mate. You must remember how Draco pursued her in the past. The witch was besotted with him and still is. It must be quite disarming for Gayle to have it sprung on her that Mr. Malfoy now has a witch."
Theo looked as though the proverbial light bulb had gone on over his head as he glanced over at the table. "You're barking Blaise. Gayle….." Theo let his voice trail off as he began to realize just why Gayle had been so excited to invite herself along on his and Jessie's date night. "Well fuck me. I guess I'm the tosser in all this." He growled. "That would explain why Hermione acted as she did. She obviously recognized something I didn't. Well, serves Gayle right. She shouldn't have pushed in with expectations. Not once did either she or Jessie mention Draco. If Jessie is in on this bit of unpleasant mischief, she can kiss my arse goodbye." Adding as an afterthought. "After I see her home."
Blaise grinned as clapped Theo on the back. "Welcome back to reality mate. The sullen Gayle will have to remain sullen as I don't foresee Draco letting go of Hermione anytime soon, if at all. Let's get back to the table before Gayle bursts out in flames."
"Yes, let's. Gayle bursting out in flames would definitely put a damper on my hoped for ending."
/*/
When Blaise and Theo arrived back at the table, the issue became moot.
A pale looking Jessie advised Theo she had allowed Gayle to take one of the three portkeys. "Gayle was feeling too ill to stay, but if I had a guess, I'd guess her state has to do with Draco appearing with a date."
Theo gave Blaise a quick glance before replying to Jessie with a small lie. "I'm not sure what Draco has to do with anything, but if Gayle was feeling that ill, it's probably best she went home. If you've finished your meal, I think we should grace the dance floor with our presence."
Smiling first at Theo then Blaise, Jessie held out her hand. "I'd love that Mr. Nott."
Watching Theo and Jessie head to the dance floor, Blaise caught sight of Draco and Hermione close dancing. Yes Gayle. It is best you removed yourself from the party if landing Draco was your goal. Glancing around, Blaise saw a lovely unattended witch at the third table over and headed in that direction. No sense in ruining his night over someone else's misplaced feelings.
/*/
Draco nodded at Theo when his mate stepped onto the dance floor. Now that he understood the entire situation, Theo sheepishly nodded back.
When the song was over, Draco and Hermione headed back to their table while Theo and Jessie remained on the floor.
"That was a bit bizarre."
"What was bizarre love?" Asked Hermione.
Not wanting to get into a conversation about his mate, Draco brushed off Hermione's question by kissing her on the forehead.
"Ah! Crafty, crafty Mr. Malfoy. Letting the world at large know we are definitely dating then?"
"Along with giving Goldstein and McLaggen a stroke, you bet I am. Now, let's go give Potter some of the same."
That had been the plan except Hermione and Draco had to make a turn when they were hailed by Kingsley.
"Oh, oh. Things might be beginning to go downhill." Sniped Draco.
Hermione's only answer was a quick hip check to Draco's right side.
"Good evening again Minister," said Draco and Hermione in unison as they took seats at the table which was empty except for Kingsley and Minerva.
Being the no nonsense wizard he was, Kingsley got straight to the point. "A word was put in my ear Hermione that you have applied for one of the newly created positions."
Hermione was surprised and not. Kingsley rarely missed a thing. "The word was right Minister. I have applied for one of the Liaison Positions. I feel I would be an asset…."
Kingsley held up a hand. "No need to sell me Hermione as I'm well aware of your strengths. If you will allow me, I shall put a word in the proper ears. I should like nothing more than to have you in the Department of Magical Exceptions as a conduit among departments. There will be one other hired, but I'm not worried. I believe you can work well with anyone."
Hermione was almost speechless. She hadn't even applied properly and Kingsley was assuring her of a position.
Without realizing it, Hermione had been squeezing Draco's hand so tightly during Kingsley's declaration she had almost stopped the blood flow in his hand. However, seeing the happiness and excitement on Hermione's face, Draco happily allowed himself to be almost maimed. Hermione didn't hold on for too much longer as she had rounded the table to uncharacteristically hug The Minister of Magic.
"I'll take that as an affirmative response then," said an embarrassed looking Kingsley as he gave Hermione several gentle pats on the back.
"Yes Minister. You may definitely take that as an affirmative response."
"Wonderful. I only ask that you and Mr. Malfoy keep this discussion private for the moment. I wouldn't want anyone to think I was favoring one candidate over another. Right Minerva?"
Being as much caught up in the moment as Hermione, Professor McGonagall took several seconds before responding to Kingsley's remarks with a bit of humor. "My word Minister. One would think you've put some thought into the matter."
Kingsley let out a soft chuckle.
Although this was the first he'd heard of Hermione's intention to post out, Draco took the moment to squeeze Hermione's hand which garnered him a very bright smile from the witch he was dating.
With all said, Kingsley seemingly dismissed Hermione and Draco reminding them it would be in her best interest if his newest Liaison did a bit of net working.
With a smile that showed every last tooth in her mouth, Hermione whispered her thanks before grabbing Draco by the hand leading him away.
As they began circulating around the room, Draco whispered in Hermione's ear. "From the look on your face, Kingsley's remarks were unexpected."
Speaking out the corner of her mouth, Hermione straightened Draco right out. "Not so unexpected if you've read my file."
Draco grinned. His witch was going to be a handful. He just knew it.
/*/
Hermione was in such an expansive mood she even stopped to speak to Cormac and Romilda. Neither Romilda nor Cormac was very receptive, but Hermione didn't care. She'd gotten one of the new position and she hadn't needed Uncle Tiberius' help at all.
After leaving Cormac and Romilda, Hermione and Draco ran into Chief Warlock Hennessey and several Heads with whom they held a brief conversation before moving on to other Ministry staff. Deciding she would like a wine, Hermione steered Draco towards the bar where Blaise was holding a conversation with a very fit witch.
Still a bit perturbed over what he thought of as a poor move on the part of his mates, Draco nodded. Blaise had been through Draco's spates of anger before and simply nodded back. He, Draco and Theo would get things straightened out. They always did.
After hailing the bar wizard and receiving their drinks, Draco suggested they go back to Harry's table to lord it over the scar faced prat. Hermione gave Draco a nudge telling him she was in too fine a mood to lord it over anyone, but would not be adverse to giving some cheek to her best friend.
"Well love, cheeking it will have to be. I would also like to mention we should have at least one more dance as it is getting late and this wizard wants to see his daughter before receiving some of your Granger loving."
Just as they arrived at the table, a pink in the face Hermione whispered a naughty retort to Draco as Harry gave her the once over. Beckoning the couple to within earshot, Harry got in his own bit of cheek.
"Pretty pink in the face aren't we Miss Granger? And Draco standing there like the cat that swallowed the canary. If I had to guess, and with Draco's reputation, I'd say there is going to be a bit of sex in some couple's near future."
Draco grinned, but Hermione told Harry to keep his abnormally large scar out of her business, to which, Harry lowly whispered that a guilty conscience often garnered a rough response. Before Hermione could kill him with a glare, Harry offered his hand requesting a dance. Grabbing Harry's hand in as tight a grip as possible, Hermione accepted telling Draco to dance with Hannah so she could see what a real dancer was about.
A grinning Harry led Hermione to the dance floor knowing too well he was going to receive a telling off. However, Hermione surprised him by revealing it was she who wanted to get home to have sex. Harry threw his arms up in front of his face as if warding off evil.
"Please Hermione. Don't say anymore. I'm already hard pressed to get the vision of you and Malfoy dating out of my head."
After a good, hard pinch, Hermione told Harry he deserved it for sticking his nose into her private business. Not wanting another injury, Harry made a quick zipper motion across his mouth.
"Keep it that way." Hermione replied just as Harry's foot landed directly on her instep. "Merlin Harry. You did that on purpose. Try keeping your feet on the floor."
"Sorry love. I did not purposely step on your foot. You are well aware my level of expertise when it comes to dancing. Nothing has changed."
Hermione glared at Harry, but she had only herself to blame. She should have refused the dance being well aware of Harry's less than stellar moves when it came to dancing. She had just finished giving Harry the stink eye when Draco and Hannah returned to the table.
"That made my night. I danced an entire song without once being stepped on," offered an exuberant Hannah.
Harry shrugged, but was quick to imply he might be amenable to a few dance lessons with one of the fine birds at a muggle dance studio.
Hannah grinned at her wizard. "Only if you want to walk around with your bits hexed off."
Hermione and Draco decided this was a good time to bid Harry and Hannah good night. Which they did. The couple continued to chuckle as they walked the room saying goodnight to colleagues. They pointedly looked around for Kingsley, but his table was empty and he didn't appear to be anywhere in the room.
After a few more waves, they stepped outside to activate their return portkey. "Your place or mine?" Asked Draco.
Giving Draco a look that spoke volumes, Hermione reminded him he had a daughter who was probably sitting in front of the door waiting for him to show up.
"True. Our daughter does have a way of keeping us in line with those loud yowls."
Hermione retorted with a wink and a smile. "Keeping us in line? It's you who has been wrapped around her little paw ever since she meowed out Da."
Draco couldn't argue the point. His little girl had called him dad, and he had fallen in love with a feisty, blue kneazle.