Brotherly Love
Hermione stood in front of the mirror in her room holding up a marigold blouse. She loved it when she added it to her collection but now she was questioning her purchase and whether it clashed with her complexion. She looked over at the clock realizing she was running out of time before Astoria’s dinner party.
Just as she was about to toss the shirt back into her closet she heard her floo come to life. Pansy came marching in not even bothering to announce herself.
“Thought so.” She said as she looked at Hermione standing there in a towel. “Let me see what I can do.” She declared as she walked into the closet.
Not long after, she came out with a few options in her arms. “Alright what vibe are we going for?” Pansy looked at her with an arched eyebrow.
“Well…I suppose something comfortable but also cute. Like I tried but not too hard. Ya know?” Hermione with a knot forming in her stomach.
“Ok. First, you’ve got it bad. And as Draco’s best friend—despite what Blaise and Theo may say—here is my vague but obligatory don’t hurt him threat. Second, I have just the idea.” Digging around she held up a short brown leather skirt and a silk floral navy button up. She then went into the closet and grabbed some black tights and Chelsea boots. “There, cute but not too formal. Plus Draco loves blue on you.”
“What?” Hermione asked a bit confused.
“Yule ball, dear. I was his date and he stared at you the whole night.” Pansy shrugged.
“Oh um I doubt he really did Pans. Probably just mad Krum asked me of all people.”
“Uh huh sure.” Pansy replied skeptically as she walked into Hermione’s bathroom to dig around in her makeup bag. She came back with some liquid eyeliner, blush and lipgloss. “I have known him his whole life and by the end of fourth year he definitely was in love with you. Trust me.” She began focusing on earnest on Hermione’s eyeliner.
“Well he certainly had a unique way of showing it.” Hermione replied.
Pansy suddenly got a serious look on her face. “Draco may be an ass sometimes but he is not inconsiderate. I would bet he had his reasons…you should ask him. You know, if it still bothers you.” She trailed off.
Pansy was definitely withholding information. But Hermione wasn’t offended. If she knew a secret of Ron or Harry’s she’d also take it to her grave.
“Yeah, maybe.” She said now concentrating on trying to figure out what Pansy was really saying.
“Ok. You look like a total fox and Draco is definitely lucky. Let’s go!” With that they made their way to the floo.
***
As she landed in Astoria and Pansy’s penthouse she was greeted with a loud chorus of cheers from her friends. Astoria had gone all out. Daphne and Blaise were sitting on the couch with Daphne sporting a large baby bump. Ron was there standing with his arm around Lavender, who much to Hermione’s delight had matured significantly with age. Neville and Luna were tucked in the back of the room with Theo. The three of them had thrown confetti in the air and were covered in glitter. Hermione was also pleasantly surprised to see Ginny and Harry on the couch next to Daphne. Finally, her eyes met Draco who was standing next to Astoria a huge grin on his face. Astoria rushed up and gave Hermione a big hug after Hermione sportingly pretended to be surprised.
“Oh Hermione you’re an awful liar but I appreciate the attempt!” she laughed as she dragged her to the center of the room. Theo promptly grabbed a flute of champagne and handed it to Hermione offering to top off everyone else allowed to imbibe.
“A toast to our brilliant Hermione.” Astoria began. “Who can now consider herself a recovering attorney. May her future continue to be a smashing success!” Her friends all cheered in response and she clinked drinks with a few nearby. She couldn’t help but feel giddy surrounded by her loved ones on the precipice of a new adventure.
“Alright! Dinner will be in 10 minutes out on the balcony people. Don’t let Astoria’s beautiful meal get cold.” Pansy shouted amongst the crowd.
Hermione made her way to the balcony thanking her friends for coming along the way. She arrived at the long beautifully arranged table and saw there were name cards. Unsurprisingly, Astoria placed her at one end of the table with Draco seated to her right.
“Hi” he said running a hand through his hair. “You look…you’re glowing.” He finally said with a slight tint of pink to his cheeks.
“Thanks.” She said shyly. He moved to pull her chair out for her and she couldn’t help but feel jittery from the contact of his hand on the back of her chair brushing along her neck.
He sat down and poured her a glass of water. “Blue suits you.” He said as he handed her the glass.
“Thanks” she laughed. He quirked his brow with an unspoken question. “Ah just something Pansy said.” She said with a wave of her hand.
“Ah” he said rolling his eyes. “Yule ball related I am sure.” Hermione nodded and he broke out into a smile. “Well you certainly caught my attention that night.”
“And after?” She asked internally floored at her boldness.
His expression turned a bit sour and he looked as if he was choosing his words carefully.
“…you always had my attention. But it was best for that to not be known for various reasons. We should probably talk about it some other time if that’s ok?”
“Sure” she smiled and patted his hand. Just then Neville sat on her other side joined by Luna. They began chatting about the school year and how his greenhouse was doing. Malfoy and Neville became engrossed in discussing the advantages of harvesting between the hours of midnight and sunrise. And Hermione was happy to just relax and watch her friends joyously converse and carry on. Never in a million years would she have imagined she’d be here but she was so thankful.
After a decadent chocolate tart was consumed she excused herself to use the toilet. In the hallway she bumped into Harry.
“Thanks for coming.” She said leaning against the wall with him side by side. He reached down and took her hand.
“Of course. You’re the closest thing I have ever had to a real family. I really lost sight of that.”He said staring out the window at Ginny. Hermione saw his eyes well up and she gave his hand a firm squeeze. “What if a fuck it up?” He whispered.
“You won’t.”
“I just—I don’t know how to be in a real family. Just look how I treated you. I let all my shit get in the way. Fuck.” He said rubbing the back of his head with his free hand.
“Listen. I think we both were a bit set in our ways and took things a bit too far. Both of us were miserable and we took it out on each other. I am sorry for my part in that. But now we know. And we just have to learn from it, right?”
“Yeah you’re right.” He said leaning his head back and looking at the ceiling.
“You were a right arse sometimes though.” She said with a laugh and saw his eyes crinkle at the sides.
“I know…speaking of, Malfoy, eh?” His eyes moving in her direction.
“Yeah…it’s new. I am not sure what is going to happen. But you know so far…” she said with a smile shrugging her shoulders.
“You seem happy so I am happy.” He said simply.
“Thanks Harry.” She said pushing off the wall and he joined her.
Giving her a kiss on the top of her head he put his arm around her as they walked back to the to the others. “Missed you.” He said and she gave him a nod letting him know it was mutual.