Fiercely Stubborn Hearts

Chapter 15

Throughout the course of the next few days, there was a flurry of activity as, suddenly, somewhat spontaneous parties were being thrown together for the turn of the century- the turn of the millennia. It would no longer be the 1900s anymore. Everyone could try and leave the hardships of the past one hundred years behind them with this brand, sparkling new century. Hermione received hundreds of invitations- hardly countering Harry's thousands- inviting her to 'if she wanted to' come to the party. 'It would be a delight if you come' said one. She was very careful with the letters, remembering some of the letters Harry had been sent during their fifth year when everybody had thought him to be a fraud. 

Finally, she managed to separate those from people she knew from the rest and set them to the side on her bed as Draco sat at her desk, reading one of the laws she had been attempting to rewrite.

She opened two and read almost the exact same thing from both of them: Hermione- are you going to the Weasley's New Year's Party? Everyone's going to be there. Was wondering if you were going too?

Hermione resisted the urge to snort and shake her head. The majority of these letters were mere confirmation that she would, indeed, be attending the Weasley's crazy New Year's party. Mrs. Weasley had employed the assistance of Andromeda Tonks and- without entirely intending to- Andromeda's sister, Narcissa. Draco had been thrilled when he saw that his mother had been welcomed into the Weasley family with open- albeit hesitant- arms.

According to the frequent letters Hermione now received from Ron, Harry and Ginny, the three women were quite frightening and they had chosen to remain out of the way at Grimmauld Place for a time while the 'banshees'- as Ron had referred to them- ran about, scaring everyone out of their way. Draco had actually agreed with Ron's sentiment on that, saying he knew only how intense his mother could be about parties, and that adding another two would only add to the catastrophic disasters that were known to happen to those who didn't obey their commands. 

They were invited- no, ordered- to come to the Burrow the day before New Year's Eve so that they could help set up and so that everyone who would be staying the house would have their rooms set aside for the big night. 

The moment that Draco and Hermione had gotten there, Draco had been whisked away from her by Mrs. Weasley and sent to help the boys pitch all the tents that the people attending had sent ahead. Hermione was dragged into the kitchen, then- after being regarded thoughtfully- sent back outside to where Ginny was with Luna and Pansy setting up tables. 

They kept up casual conversation as they levitated the tables from place to place on Luna's direction as she dreamily bounced from location to location to make sure that the area each table was set was completely flat and snow free.

"I'm only here because Narcissa insisted that I come, I'm sure of it," Pansy said as she whipped her wand a little too hard and sent a table flying off in the direction of the trees.

It came flying back a moment later accompanied by raucous laughter from where the boys were putting up the tents.

Ginny rolled her eyes as the plastic table crashed to the ground and into about thirty different pieces. 

Luna repaired the table as Ginny looked to Pansy and said, "What do you mean, Narcissa insisted? I was the one who made sure my mum invited you."

Pansy looked touched and pressed her hand to her chest, "You're so sweet."

Ginny sighed sarcastically, "Oh, don't give me that sappy shit, Parkinson."

Pansy pulled her into a one armed hug, laughing, before looking around, "Now, how much do you wanna bet we can hit the boys with this table?"