Novo Nachalo

Chapter 3: Friendship Spider

Thursday, February 14, 2008

"How exactly did you get an invitation to Single Ladies Night?" Parvati challenged, raising a perfectly-sculpted eyebrow.

"That's a terribly obvious and limiting name. But Hermione loves me, that's how," Theodore Nott drawled as he tried to push past her.

Parvati held her ground at the door. "I suspect this is a gross exaggeration."

Instead, Theo held up the bottles of champagne he carried, one in each hand, and said, "I come bearing gifts."

Vati softened and stepped aside. She seemed to immediately regret it if the way she stiffened again in the next moment was any indication.

"Oh yes, I also brought a single lady. Girls, you remember Pansy Parkinson?"

"Your awful habit of bringing uninvited guests notwithstanding, welcome. And hello Pansy. I don't hold his terrible manners against you," Hermione said, stepping past Vati to greet them both.

She kissed Theo on the cheek, but he evidently considered that insufficient because he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, pressing two cold bottles of champagne to her back in the process. It made her suck in a sharp breath and swat him away as she withdrew from his embrace, but there was a small upwards curve to her lip afterwards. She was sure that had been his intention.

Even though he was incorrigible, he was still, strangely, one of her favourite people. His meddlesome nature could be frustrating at times, but she trusted his character and she knew he did it with good intentions. He was unconcerned with a little awkwardness if the end result was forging a connection he thought was beneficial for all involved.

It was how he was slowly but surely dragging her into his social circle, and insinuating himself and his friends into hers. This wasn't even the first time she'd spent time with Pansy since she'd returned to London around the time Draco had been getting divorced last year, though admittedly it had been a few months. Hermione hadn't seen much of anyone except for Harry, Ron, and the other Weasleys in the four months since Viktor's death.

But she was trying. She was trying to remember how to make her smile reach her eyes.

"It's fine. I have plenty of my own bad manners for you to hold against me," Pansy replied as she leaned in to air kiss each of Hermione's cheeks. "You look surprisingly not awful, Granger. I thought last time was a fluke, but I'm starting to suspect that you may have developed a sense of style over the years. Will wonders never cease."

"Unpleasant as ever, I see, Parkinson," Vati drawled.

"I don't exist for your pleasure, Patil," Pansy drawled and strolled past her towards the living room as though she knew the place.

"Well, we're off to a very comfortable start," Hermione said dryly.

Theo grinned at her and said, "Comfort is overrated. A little drama distracts us from the unsavoury facets of life. You're welcome."

Hermione followed Pansy to the living room, and Parvati and Theo were close behind. Ginny was still looking through Ron's record collection for the perfect mood music, looking up as she presented two options.

"What do you think?" she asked. "Host's choice tonight."

In one hand was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. In the other was Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. Both were classic, but there were too many references to romance on the latter and Hermione was hoping to get through the night without weeping, so she pointed to the former.

"If I'd known that was the vibe, I'd have brought joints instead of champagne," Theo quipped.

"What's wrong with you? Always bring both, cheapskate," Ginny quipped with a grin.