The week went quickly for Hermione and Draco. As planned, Hermione went with Ginny on Wednesday to find something to wear to the party held later that week. They were both excited to shop with one another and took advantage of the time. They got dinner when Hermione got off work and then went to the shop. Hermione had called ahead, and the manager even kept the store open a little late for them.
Hermione decided on a red dress that she saw in the window as they walked in. She didn't even have to try on anything else. She loved it. It had a low V in the front with long velvet sleeves. The middle belt separated the velvet top from the satin bottom that sad a slit up the leg. She felt confident in the dress, and she twirled around the store, remembering that the first time she tried on the dress she wore to the Yule Ball.
Ginny got decided to get a black dress with some off the shoulder sleeves. It was elegant, and she felt happy with her choice. It fit great with the new baby bump that was starting to show, yet she still felt sexy in it too. She and Hermione loved their dresses and were happy that they got to shop together.
"You know Hermione, ever since you started hanging out with Draco, you have started hanging out with us more again," Ginny had brought it up while they were at dinner, and Hermione had no idea how to respond.
"I suppose that's true,"
"Do you know why?"
"Not really; I guess Ron just made me realized that I wasn't even present in my own life. And then with everything that Kingsley said before he made me take that vacation. At first, I was trying to cut back on work so that Ron would notice and maybe move back in. But when we actually broke up, I guess I really just missed Draco when I was away. I forgot how much fun we had together. I was tired of missing my life."
"I, for one, am happy that you are happy. Plus, I like having you around."
"Me too Gin, I missed you guys,"
It was the night of the party, and Hermione had just got out of the shower when Draco pop into her flat. She wrapped the towel around herself and walked out into her bedroom.
"Draco, I'm still getting ready. Could you make me a cup of tea?"
"Sure thing, dear," Draco hung his suit jacket up neatly and went into the kitchen to put the kettle on. Hermione slipped her dress on after she dried, did her hair, and went downstairs when she heard the kettle whistle.
"Wow," Draco was by the stove with his mouth completely agape. "You look incredible,"
"I have to go finish getting ready, but I heard the kettle." Hermione was blushing, and she smiled as Draco kissed her.
"I'll bring it up to you. I haven't even let it steep yet. To finish up, and then we can leave."
"Alright, it shouldn't take me too long. I have to finish my makeup and find the shoes I wanted to wear," Hermione went back up the stairs and started on her makeup soon after Draco was standing in her bathroom with a cup of tea, smiling at her.
"Draco, I know I'm running late. Could you find my black heels in the closet?"
"Of course, dear," Draco found them quickly, and soon they were out the door. Headed to party, the first time they would be seen together as a couple, and in truth, they were both nervous.
As they arrived, Hermione stopped at the door, she was suddenly nervous about all of this, and Draco stopped behind her taking her hand.
"Hermione, it is going to be alright. People are going to be shocked, but I am going to be right there with you. Harry and Ginny have your back. It is going to be alright. We are going to be alright."
"Thank you, Draco; I am sorry that I am so nervous."
"No need to be sorry, dear,"
They walked in hands clutched together. They walked together, and Hermione smiled down at their hands. She felt more comfortable now. She was with Draco, and she was happy about it. Her mood had drastically changed since she had been at the doors, and she was glad they were here together.
"Hermione," Kingsley had come up to the both of them and smiled at the pair. Interesting, he thought. He wondered how long this has been going on.
"Hello, sir. Thank you for all of this."
"Sir," Draco stuck out his hand and smiled at the Minister. The Minister returned his smile as he nodded at Draco. He was quite pleased with the pair. He hadn't known about them, of course, but he had heard all about what Draco had been up to from Harry after Hermione had been to his gala. He was confident that Draco had changed, and seeing Hermione with him now; he knew it to be true.
Hermione continued her conversation with the Minister and ignored people's whispers about how she had come with Draco. She hoped that they would stop soon, however, because it was getting frightfully annoying. Why couldn't others mind their own business? When she had finished with her conversation, she and Draco found their seats with Harry and Ginny, and she felt at ease again. All eyes seemed to be on the four sitting at the head table wondering she assumed if Harry was alright with all of this.
Of course, Harry sensed this from the people around him and made a conscious effort to engage Malfoy in conversation. Hermione had been right about having dinner with him beforehand. It made the conversation less awkward, and it seemed as though they might even be friends.
By the end of the night, people had started to come up to the couple and offered their congratulations to Hermione and even offered small bits of conversation to Draco. Hermione was pleased that people seemed to be alright with them together. Whether they really did or they were putting on a nice face for Hermione, she didn't care. She was just pleased that they were not being rude and standoffish toward them. Blaise Zabini had even come over and talked with Hermione and Draco. Hermione found him just as pleasant as she had at the gala and giggled slightly when she heard Blaise tease Draco about he had been right about Draco fancying Hermione.
After the party was over and Hermione had thanked everyone for coming, she walked out hand in hand with Draco. She looked over at Harry and Ginny, who walked side by side as she did with Draco.
"Would you two like to go see the cafe that Draco owns?" Hermione wasn't sure why she had suggested it. It wasn't like it was going to be open. But she knew that Draco had a key, and she wanted to show it to them very badly. Would that alright, Draco?"
"I don't see why not. I'll have to call Margret, so she knows that no one is breaking in,"
"Would you like to?" Hermione stared eagerly at Harry and Ginny.
"Yes, I think that would be nice," Ginny smiled and couldn't wait to see where Hermione had met Draco."
"Sounds fine," Harry offered.
They apparated quickly to the cafe, and Draco opened the door. Draco flipped on all of the lights, and then they walked in. Hermione could smell the coffee that had been brewed for that day's customers, and she smiled to herself. She genuinely loved it here.
"Wow, you were right, Hermione. It does smell like they have great coffee."
"I told you Gin," Hermione linked arms with her friend and led her over to the counter.
"I remember going into a little coffee shop like this before 6th year," Harry said offhandedly. It was more to himself than to who he was with.
"We will have to come back one morning when we can actually get some coffee," Hermione said to Ginny and Harry. Draco laughed a little.
"Do you want some right now, dear?" Draco started walking to the counter. He had learned how to use all of the machines; he could make anything they wanted.
"No, I don't want Margret to come here to a mess tomorrow." Hermione looked at Draco with an eyebrow raised. She knew that he helped her here, but she just assumed he helped work the register. She had never actually seen him make anything.
"Margret taught me what to do. You don't trust me?" Draco smirked at her.
"I just suspect that Margret makes better coffee than you do," Hermione said with a laugh.
"That I do, dear," Hermione jumped out of her seat with a shock, and they were all glad that they didn't all stun her on the spot.
"Margret!" Draco was clutching the counter; Hermione suspected that his wand was below the counter at the ready.
"I was in the neighborhood when I got your message. I thought I would swing by since I hadn't seen you in a couple of days." She was looking between the four with a suspicious look on her face.
"Margret. This is my best friend, Harry, and his wife, Ginny. We all went to school together." Hermione pointed between Harry and Ginny smiling.
"Very nice to meet you both. If you would like, I wouldn't mind making some of my coffee for you all,"
"That would be wonderful. It smells lovely in here," Ginny shook her hand and smiled.
The two couples stood by the counter and watched as Margret worked quietly. Ginny leaned into Harry, smiling.
"So what were the four of you doing today that you are so dressed up?"
"Oh!" Hermione looked down at her dress, "Harry and Ginny threw me a party along with my boss for my new position at work that I am going to start at the new year." Hermione hoped that she wouldn't ask what she did. So far, she had avoided that topic of conversation with Margret.
"What do you, dear?" Margret didn't look up from the coffee.
Draco looked at Hermione and shook his head, trying to remind her that she wasn't a witch as much as they thought so. "Well, I work for the government, and I am going to be leading a whole new department. I have been working on laws though for the past 5 years." Hermione thought for a second, wondering if she needed to be more specific or if that was alright.
"That is nice; any laws that I should be concerned with?"
"No, none of the ones that I work on are major," Hermione lied easily. She had said the same lie to her parents years ago.
"Ah, well, I hope that your new job brings you much happiness."
"Thank you, Margret, that is very kind."
"Now, Ginny, I made your decaf since you are pregnant and the intake of caffeine isn't really top good, they say. You know for the baby. I hope you all enjoy," Margret smiled at the four. They all drank it happily and talked for a little while longer. Harry lied that he was a detective, and Ginny explained that she hadn't worked since planning on starting a family. Hermione was impressed that they all seemed to be alright with fitting into the Muggle world. Ginny never really had lived with muggles, and it had been a little while for Harry.
All in all, it was a perfect day for Hermione, and she was happy that she and Draco had gone over so well. She suspected that they were going to be on the front page tomorrow, though. She would see then how everyone else would react to her new relationship, including Ron.