Chapter 13
The Ministry's Summer Ball
Six months.
That's how long Hermione had been seeing Sebastian Blackwood.
And if anyone asked, she would say it was easy.
Sebastian was sharp, intelligent, and level-headed—the kind of man who listened before he spoke, who measured his words instead of lashing out. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, their disagreements resolved without cutting remarks or emotional warfare.
It was refreshing.
It was mature.
It was everything a relationship should be.
So why did she feel like she was waiting for something to happen?
Something to go wrong?
She refused to entertain the thought. Tonight, at the Ministry's Summer Ball, none of that mattered.
She stepped into the ballroom with Sebastian on her arm. That was all that mattered.
Until she saw him.
Lucius Malfoy.
Standing across the room, at his most unbearable—poised, elegant, as if he belonged there more than anyone else in attendance.
And worse—he wasn't alone.
Narcissa Malfoy was on his arm, her pale blonde hair swept up, her dress a shimmering silver-blue that made her look like she had been carved from ice.
The weight of Hermione's irritation hit so suddenly it dizzying.
It was irrational.
It was dangerous.
And it only got worse when Lucius's gaze found hers—like he had known exactly when she would look.
His lips curved just slightly, as if to say: Ah. There you are.
Then, as if to drive a blade deeper, he leaned down and whispered something against Narcissa's ear.
And Narcissa?
She smiled.
It was intentional.
And Hermione knew it.
She didn't plan to cross the ballroom.
Didn't decide to march toward Lucius Malfoy with fury simmering under her skin.
But she was already moving.
Sebastian followed, easily keeping pace. "Hermione?"
"We're saying hello," she said, voice clipped.
Lucius saw her coming. Of course he did.
By the time she reached him, his smirk was already in place.
—"Miss Granger." His voice was smooth, amused. "And… Mr. Blackwood, was it?"
Sebastian extended a hand. "Indeed. A pleasure."
Lucius looked at the hand.
Just looked.
Then took a slow sip of his drink instead.
Sebastian's hand hovered for a beat before he lowered it, entirely unfazed.
- "It's been a while, Malfoy" Hermione said, carefully neutral.
Lucius tilted his head.
- "Has it? I hadn't noticed."
Her fingers curled into a fist at her side.
- "Strange" she said. "I would have thought you'd have plenty to say after our last encounter."
Lucius exhaled, as if profoundly bored. "I have very little interest in repeating old arguments, Granger. But if you came here hoping for another round, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. My wife and I were just leaving."
Wife.
The word shouldn't have cut the way it did.
But it did.
Hermione ignored the sting, lifting her chin.
- "How efficient of you. It's always admirable to see someone run from confrontation so effortlessly."
Lucius laughed. A dark, amused sound.
- "Oh, Hermione." The way he said her name was a challenge. "You mistake restraint for cowardice. But then again, you always did struggle with knowing when to stop fighting."
She took a step closer, voice dangerously low. "And you always did mistake silence for wisdom."
Narcissa sighed delicately, finally stepping into the conversation. "It's rather charming, isn't it?" she mused. "This routine of yours."
Sebastian smirked. "Routine, is it? Interesting. I assumed Malfoy wasn't used to being challenged."
Lucius turned his gaze to him, the shift so subtle it was deadly. "Oh, Blackwood" he murmured. "You make it sound as though this is a competition."
Sebastian's expression didn't change. "Isn't it?"
A beat of silence.
Then Lucius smiled - a slow, dangerous thing.
- "Tell me, Blackwood," he mused. "Do you enjoy being a replacement?"
Sebastian stilled.
And Hermione—
Snapped.
- "You absolute insufferable prick."
Lucius looked delighted. "Touched a nerve, have I?"
- "You're disgusting."
- "And yet, you still seek me out at every possible opportunity."
She took a step closer. "Don't flatter yourself, Malfoy."
- "Then tell me, Granger—why are you here?"
And that was the problem, wasn't it?
Because she didn't have an answer.
Or rather—she had too many answers, and not a single one she was willing to say aloud.
Lucius saw it.
And worse—he smirked.
Sebastian's voice was quiet, almost amused.
- "Well, this is interesting."
Hermione snapped her attention to him, but Sebastian was watching Lucius. Studying him.
- "I think I understand now."
Lucius arched a brow. "Do you?"
Sebastian nodded, adjusting his cufflinks. "You never got over her, did you?"
The words slammed into the space between them like a curse.
And for the first time that evening, Hermione saw Lucius Malfoy hesitate.
Sebastian smiled. "Fascinating."
Lucius's jaw tightened.
And that was when Hermione walked away—dragging Sebastian with her, heart pounding, fury burning her alive.
As they disappeared into the crowd, the whispers began to spread.
—"Between love and hate, there is but a single step."