It was the night of Draco's gala. He and Hermione had enchanted the ballroom inside Malfoy Manor, making it appear as though sparkling flickers of light were constantly descending from the ceiling. It was a very magical sight.
With the help of Mrs Weasley, who had previously told Ronald that she'd rather have Hermione as her child than him (whether this was a joke, they couldn't tell), they prepared quite the little banquet for their fellow Hogwarts alumni.
"I have a feeling George will be wanting to bring a... special guest of his," said Mrs Weasley as she set the last precariously full dish on the large table. "He fancies that Angelina Johnson."
Draco laughed. "The more the merrier, I suppose."
At that precise moment, the doorbell rang. "Mum, you didn't really come to help with the food, did you?" George's, or maybe Fred's voice called.
"I certainly did," she shouted in reply. "Right on cue," she told Hermione and Draco as she walked off to get the door.
"Wish I had had a mum like her," Draco mumbled. "Mine's always so distant. Doesn't even know I'm hosting this."
Hermione placed her hand atop Draco's. The gesture was small and simple, but comforting. He smiled gratefully at her.
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@ george.wheezley: mum made us do it @ fred.wheezley
View all 5 comments @ angelina.johnson: I don't think I ever want to get on her bad side-
@ mionejgranger: I could hear her yelling at you to "stand up straight" and "look like you're happy" from the kitchen
The invited guests quickly began to reconvene for the first time in years, all in Draco Malfoy's ballroom. Music played at a moderate level (Mrs Weasley would not allow anything louder) from bewitched speakers, courtesy of Mr Weasley. The speakers could read the aura of the room and would play music accordingly. It was illegal, but what the Ministry of Magic doesn't know couldn't hurt them. Sometimes.
"So, you and Draco, huh?" Lavender asked Hermione. She nodded affirmatively. "I always saw it, honestly. Ever since Professor Trelawney told us that 'one who leaves will join the dark side' I figured something like this would happen."
"Sure you did," Hermione said, already leaving. "I didn't join the dark side, anyways."
Harry, Ronald, Seamus, Dean, and Neville were seated at a table, discussing the latest just like old times. "Funny how more of us at the table are married, or to be married than not," Seamus said with a chuckle. "And the unlikely ones, too."
Harry shrugged. "I dunno Ron, soon it'll just be you."
"You planning on marrying my sister?" Ron asked, almost spitting out his Firewhiskey.
"It's possible," Harry replied smugly, earning quite the hoot from the rest of the boys.
Luna appeared at Neville's side. "Would you like to dance?" she asked, as a slower song had begun to play. Most people were done eating, and the mood had softened and became something of a romantic moment draped over a mass of chaotic energy. There was much to be said and much to be done.
"Of course," said Neville, never turning down an opportunity to dance with his wife.
Couples began to form on the dance floor. Fred Weasley sat back, not feeling distraught or lonely in the least. He, along with Gregory Goyle, who seemed to have had a few too many drinks, was the only person without a partner.
"You okay?" asked his mother who had taken the seat beside him.
He nodded. "More than. Even though at times, when everyone else is together like this, I feel like a spirit of sorts, watching over them, it doesn't bother me. I like seeing them happy, and sometimes I don't think I need to interfere at all, but that probably sounds silly."
"Well, aren't you all mature," Mrs Weasley exclaimed with a good-natured smile.
Hermione and Draco swayed slowly to the tune of the song, her head pressed against his shoulder. "This was a really nice idea," he whispered so only she could hear. "I was worried at first, that everyone wouldn't get along, but I suppose that shared trauma really softened us all up."
"I suppose," Hermione said with a slightly tipsy giggle. "It's awfully strange, how much some people can change over time. Hey, that rhymed."
"What a poet you are. And yes, people have changed quite a bit, but I think that a lot of what changed was the way we all viewed one another. That certainly has an impact."
"You're not wrong," said Hermione contentedly. She was genuinely happy, perfectly satisfied and desiring nothing at all other than that moment, being held there, feeling safe and cared for.
"I, um, I have a question for you," Draco said, abruptly halting their dance, the music silencing itself as well.
｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
a/n: a very obvious cliffhanger lmao. just wanted to mention that time skips around here and the posts aren't all just like a day after the previous post, so draco and hermione've been together for months now.
