It had been a long time since Draco had felt this anxious. He couldn't even finish his tea. In attempt to keep himself busy he changed into a fresh pressed black suit and tie. He looked into a mirror to ensure his hair was immaculate. By the time he finished with that he contemplated requesting Mimble to bring him something to eat. Then by the grace of Merlin, a patronus presented itself to him.
His eyebrows furrowed at the silvery ferret. 'I could have sworn Hermione's patronus was an otter.' He thought to himself. It conveyed an even greater message than he had anticipated. She was still in England, at her home and he had an open invitation. It took all of a moment before he apparated to her residence. He didn't even know what he was going to say. Or how to request the favor he desired of her. He just needed to see her.
As he approached her door he suddenly felt very inadequate that he had not a token for her. Then he decided that was probably for the best. He needed to figure out if she was involved with anyone else before his request could be granted. He knocked on the door and upon invitation entered her home. Her appearance was rather…ravishing. He had never seen anything like that on her before. But that would have been inappropriate to say. So he opted for another, "You look positively enchanting this evening Hermione. Are you going somewhere?" He complimented and asked, wondering if he had come at a bad time. Or if she was off to a date or something? It was New Year's Eve after all.
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"My hair! Oh, I'm going to have to do something!" Panic struck Hermione as she rushed into the bathroom. She knew exactly how quickly a patronus could travel and one could apparate; still she figured she had a few minutes. She decided to leave her hair down, but straighten it out just a bit. It went from a bit unruly to soft and wavy, thanks to her practicing of hair charms. It shocked her just how long her hair had become. The ends reached the middle of her back. It had been quite some time since she had seen a proper beautician. Traveling for her previous career as a Curse-Breaker meant more time passed between routine hair trimming and maintenance visits.
She had just finished applying some light cosmetics to her face when she heard the knock on the door that she'd been waiting for. Relief rushed through her as she laid eyes upon the impeccably dressed man in front of her. She stared for a moment but caught herself before it became indecent. "Hello. Come in, please." There was no suppressing the blush that tinted her cheeks at his compliment; while her expression was calm and collected. "Oh, nothing super important. I was thinking of going to the Ministry party, see if I could get on my higher-ups good sides, talk to them about important issues. But, I don't have a date." She leaned against the entry way to the sitting room, trying to look a little sultry. "Now that you mention it, you look a little more dressed up than usual. Did you have a date tonight?" Her stomach tied itself in knots as she awaited his answer.
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Awe the famous Ministry of Magic New Year's Eve party. It was a formal event by invitation only. A evening of live music, dancing, open bar, mingling, and of course a count down upon the midnight hour to bring in the New Year. His father had gotten an invitation every year to it since before Draco was born. The invitations ceased after his father was arrested for breaking into the Department of Mysteries. Good thing one invitation allowed the invited individual to bring a date of their choice to the event.
He silently released a breath of relief that he hadn't realized he had been holding, when she mentioned the party and no date. It took a fair amount of self control to not approach her right there against the entry way. Bloody hell did she know she looked even more alluring than before when she did that? He swallowed softly, forcing down the urge and kept his cool while he answered her question indirectly. "I always dress to impress. It would practically be a sin against yourself and that dress if you did not attend the party. As it so happens I am available and have no plans this evening. It would be an honor to accompany you to such an event, if you desire?" He said not realizing until that moment that his body had betrayed his mind and had leaned towards her anyways. He made it look like an intentional bow by lowering his head respectfully and offering his hand to her.
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Hermione smiled accepting his offered hand. She's love to take Draco to the party, but something still bothered her. "I would appreciate taking you as my plus one. It appears we are ready to go, however what about the favor I owe you?" The notion that possibly one reason her previous dates didn't go well was that subconsciously she was comparing them to Draco. He had been on her mind immensely over the past couple of months. Tonight she would definitely do her best to take advantage of this impromptu date they found themselves in.
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That signature smirk of his peeked out of the corner of his lips. "Oh yes, my favor…that can wait. Shall we go then? Since we appear to be ready." He said giving her hand an affirmative squeeze. He presumed she would be apparating them to the event since he had no idea where it was being held this year.
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Curiosity itched at Hermione, but she decided not to pry any further about his favor. "Yes, let me grab the ticket and we will go." She said excusing herself to depart to her study. The invitation wasn't on her desk, but rather she reached into the rubbish bin beside the study desk to retrieve it. It was the bin that she put all her old or useless mail like ads, paid bills, and chain letters. She had heard of chain letters as a child, before Hogwarts. But now that she was well versed in the Wizarding World, she took extra precautions when dealing with those fouls things. She had tossed the invitation into the bin the day before thinking she wasn't going to be attending. "Ah, there you are." She mumbled when she saw it and retrieved it with her left hand. Her eyes made their way back up her arm to the scar she gained during the war.
The word 'mudblood' had been etched into her skin by Bellatrix Lestrange, using a modified version of The Cruciatus curse on Hermione. To this day it sometimes burned or itched as it once did when it was a fresh wound. Normally she was proud of the battle scar, but tonight she felt like covering it up. The war wasn't a topic she wished to talk about this evening, if she could help it. She went to her wardrobe and found a black long sleeved shrug and put it on before leaving her study.
"Got it!" She said, waving the invitation. "Sorry for the delay. Shall we?" She went over to the fireplace, which was quite large now to accommodate single person transport, thanks to some transfiguration magic. "I'll go first since I have the ticket." She explained and glanced over the invitation to ensure she knew exactly where it was this year. "Ah, Rafe estate. How kind of them to host the party this year."
The Carl Rafe was the new head of the Auror department in the ministry. They lived out in the beautiful Irish country side, away from muggles. She opened up an urn that sat on the fireplace and grabbed a small bit of floo powder. "Rafe estate." She said clearly and threw the powder at her feet as she was engulfed and teleported from the sight of her home and Draco.
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Draco noticed that she returned with a shrug on that covered her arms. It gave the enchanting dress an elegance that complimented her further. He nodded and watched her as she grabbed some floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. In a flash of flames she was gone. He grabbed a fistful of floo powder and stepped in, "Rafe estate." He ordered and followed suit. 'Rafe. Rafe. Why does that name sound familiar?' he thought to himself for a moment but pushed it aside as he landed at the destination.
Draco arrived inside a wide red brick fireplace. When he stepped out into the sitting room, surrounding the area was a number of mingling ministry employees who were being assisted to hang up their coats and have powder removal charms cast over their attire. The estate was modernly decorated, yet in a way that complimented the classic architecture of the home. "May I take your coat Sir-Malfoy? I didn't expect to see you here of all places…Sir. Welcome." A young man of 17 stated as he approached Draco. Turns out he was the 17 year old straight out of Hogwarts intern student that Draco had been essentially ordering around back at the Alchemy Centre for the past two months.
Draco wanted to say no, but it would get quite stuffy if he didn't remove his suit coat now. He had thankfully worn a long sleeved white collared shirt. "You may, Rafe." He told the young man and allowed the coat to be taken away. He stepped away to let more arrivals coming through and headed further into the estate to search for Hermione. Yes, Hermione Granger was his date. He sure did like the sound of that.
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Hermione arrived in the Rafe estate sitting room where security had been set up. It was a private party, after all. If someone arrived and tried to pass into the main hall without a ticket, they were disapparated off the premises immediately. A young man stood by, offering to take guest coats and use a soot removal charm. Such charm tickled quite a bit; Hermione giggled than thanked him as he departed.
Afterwards, she stood nearby just before the main hall entrance to wait for her date. Draco Malfoy was her date tonight. He had been on her mind often enough that it felt like this event had been hoped for perhaps more than she would care to admit.
She could tell when Draco arrived, even with a bit of soot his hair was still recognizable from across the room. She watched the interaction between him and the coat check young man. It seemed like they knew each other. Once Draco began his departure towards the main entry way, Hermione waved him over. "Draco, I'm here." She called out with a smile.
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Draco's head turned instantly toward the sound of Hermione calling out to him. He produced a small smile when he approached her. To anyone else the grin probably would have gone unnoticed. His expressions were subtle, but for those who knew him they could be seen. With her beside him and hand draped over his arm in formal escort mannerism, they revealed the invitation and were permitted into the main entry way to walk about the estate. There were many eyes on Hermione as they mingled. Many of the older individuals there recognized him as Lucius's son. They didn't have to say anything. He could see it in their eyes. The instant curiosity and puzzlement that washed over them at the sight of Hermione, and then him, and the obvious signs of them attending this event together; he found it amusing.
He made it appoint to ensure they interacted with the higher management of the Ministry. Particularly those in the Department for the regulation and control of Magical Creatures. Especially the man who practically founded numerous sub-categories of said department; New Scamander himself. The wizard was 96 years old and getting ready to retire. Draco spotted the aged wizard and leaned over to whisper to Hermione. "That is Newt Scamander, very influential when it comes to the department for regulation and control of Magical Creatures. Author of our Hogwarts required textbook, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.' He may be intrigued to hear out your thoughts on…what was that acronym from school? Better go introduce yourself and state your case while you can."
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The Rafe estate was a marvelous dwelling. Hermione couldn't help but admire the architecture as they walked. She also couldn't help but notice when people gave her and Draco odd, confused, or curious looks. It wasn't a secret that Draco's family had a pension for despising muggle-born witches and wizards. She was sure a few people knew about her history as well, she had been interviewed quite a bit after the war, so the reactions she was witnessing were only natural. His only deepened her appreciation for Draco, as his true self.
Draco pointed out the aged wizard, mentioning his influence. She rolled her eyes at this. "You mean S.P.E.W. and I normally would, but I had lunch with him last week and we talked about elfin welfare. He liked what I had to say and encouraged me to follow my passion. He accepted a badge membership and insisted on presenting me a signed copy of his book." She revealed to Draco. It was then that Mr. Scamander overheard being talked about and hobbled over to Hermione and Draco, excusing himself from his previous conversation. "I thought my ears were burning. How are you Miss Granger? Recruiting this gentlemen for S.P.E…." His elderly eyes recognized to whom Hermione was with. "Miss Granger, you do know who this is, correct?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, I do Mister Scamander. And trust me, he is not his father."
"If you are sure…" Newt stated then gave Draco a wicked grin, "Only pulling your leg, young Mister Malfoy." As he offered his hand, "I cannot say we've been properly introduced until we shake hands. Newt Scamander."
Draco extended his hand out to accept Newt's greeting. "Draco Malfoy." Upon releasing their grasps a waiter came by offering glasses of wine. Draco accepted, given the occasion; however he didn't like to drink alcohol unless it was elderflower wine. Newt began to speak once more, "I see that my old ears deceived me. I was sure I heard a rumor about you Mr. Malfoy, dating the younger daughter of the Greengrass family?"
Draco felt uncomfortable in his stomach suddenly. Of course that would be flying around as gossip. He had attended a couple of public events with Astoria during their dating attempt. "Your ears heard correct. That rumor was truth until Astoria and I decided to dissolve our relationship. I would not be here in attendance with Hermione otherwise." He confirmed and took a sip of wine.
Thankfully the old wizard decided to give up the topic as another witch approached to speak with him. "Enjoy the rest of your evening Mr. Scamander." Draco said politely excusing himself so the witch could speak to Newt without feeling like she rudely interrupted.
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Astoria Greengrass. That was a name Hermione hadn't heard in a long time. Slytherin, noble girl, smart, usually kept to herself and a close group of friends. Hermione hadn't known her personally since she was younger than her sister Daphne; that was the same year as Hermione and the others. But those facts didn't quell the sharp stab of jealousy she felt just then. But did she have the right to be jealous? She herself had tried to date other people in the last few months, would he feel the same? If he did, she doubted he'd show it. He wasn't emotional, but not emotionless, rather collected and reserved. Something she admired about him.
Hermione then realized this must have been the gossip that Ginny was going to tell her just before Draco's patronus arrived with his message about the favor she owed him. Why wasn't he upset that he and Astoria broke up? Perhaps it had awry; just like her dates. No matter the reason, Hermione wasn't about to let it ruin their evening. Draco bid Newt a good evening who immediately began to talk to the young lady that approached him.
They drifted deeper into the crowded ballroom. "I didn't know that you and Astoria Greengrass were an item. What happened there?" She tried to sound as light hearted as possible without making it sound like she didn't care. She really did care. Amidst the tempest of thoughts, for some reason the thought of Astoria Greengrass breaking Draco's heart displeased her the most.
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Hermione's question reached his ears, 'what happened there?...She wasn't you.' He thought instantly. 'Bloody hell where did that come from?' he wondered and he contemplated a more suitable response. Nothing had really happened between him and Astoria to end their relationship. That was the problem. They liked each other, but not enough for her to deem it suitable for marriage. At the time he had been a bit hurt and yet relieved. Part of him knew he would have been content to ask her hand in marriage and would have grown fond of her over the years. But fondness wasn't love to the fullest. He admired her for ending the relationship to pursue what she wanted instead of marrying out of expectation or status. "We gave it a fair chance and decided it didn't feel right." He answered simply, hoping she wouldn't press for details such as when. He realized if Hermione knew the break up was recent then she probably would behave differently toward him.
As he learned before, both of them were aware of the rebound effect. He was sure this sudden need to see Hermione wasn't a rebound. It was his choice. When he thought of Astoria's parting words of finding someone to love, he felt that Hermione Granger was someone he could love. Hopefully the favor he was delaying in asking for would aide in figuring out if love was possibly between them.
The live music began to play and the center of the ballroom floor cleared so guests could dance. It reminded him of the last time they danced on the Cloud Nine ferry and at Hogwarts all those years ago. He took a step away from her and bowed his head down slightly, keeping eye contact with her as he offered his hand, "May I have this dance, Hermione?" The Cornish pixies in his stomach threatened to unsettle the wine he had earlier. It was stranger than magic of the most obscure kind how she effected him with just a touch of her hand, a smile, or that look in her eye when she talked about something she was passionate about.