Chapter Text
Hermione POV
I was getting ready to leave for the day when an owl flew into my office. I really wish the Minister would switch to the interdepartmental memos that everyone else uses but alas, Minister Finnegan is worried he’s going to blow his office up if he tries using one again. The last time he did, it took a month to get rid of the smell of burnt parchment and hair. Groaning, I fetch the letter and open it.
Hermione,
Please stop by my office before you leave. I need to speak with you about the upcoming gala.
Seamus
I glance at the time and know I have to hurry if I want to meet Ginny on time. Gathering my things, I head to Seamus’ office and knock on the door before entering.
“Yes?” Seamus starts, “Oh it’s you Hermione, come in and have a seat.”
“What do you want Finnegan, I promised your wife I’d meet her for drinks in fifteen minutes.”
“Oh good, that means she can help you with this.”
My eyebrows rise at his statement. “Help me with what exactly?”
Seamus looks down, before taking a deep breath and replies, “As you know, the annual ministry gala is in two weeks.”
“Naturally, it’s the only thing I’ve been working on for months.” I say. “What’s your point?”
“I need you to use your fame for once,” he says. “I know you don’t like to.”
“Damn right I don’t,” I say, rolling my eyes. “It’s not something to exploit and you know it.”
“Dammit, Hermione!” he says with a groan. “Let me get this out before you flat out say no.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “Why do you find it necessary to exploit me this year?”
“It’s not exploiting per se. More like you loaning your notoriety to the cause.”
I glare at him, “Okay, have it your way then. Why do I need to ‘loan’ the ministry my notoriety?”
“We’ve lost a lot of our donors to the post-war charities,” he says.
“I’m aware. I still fail to see what this has to do with me.”
“Alright, fine. I know you weren’t planning on going to the gala.”
“Of course I wasn’t,” I say, already at the end of my patience for today. “And you know this. Why is this year suddenly an issue?”
“Yes, I know the remembrance gala is the one event you refuse to go to.” Seamus says with a sigh, “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I hate going to the bloody thing too.”
“Is there any way to get out of it?” I ask.
“Not this year, Hermione,” he says.
“So you want me to show up and do what?” I ask.
“That’s it,” Seamus says with a smile. “Just show up and be yourself. With Harry not talking to anyone anymore, and Ron going off doing Merlin knows what, we need someone from the Golden Trio to promote unity.”
“Seamus, I will babysit your hellions whenever you want for a year!” I beg. “Please don’t make me do this!”
“Why are you so against going?” Seamus asks, his eyes filled with concern.
I stare at the faded scar on my arm, rubbing it as if in pain even though it hasn’t hurt in over a decade. “I’ve made peace with the memories of the war, the lives we’ve lost,” I start. “I don’t want to be reminded of it during what’s supposed to be a celebration.”
“I see,” Seamus says. “Well, in that case, you’re going and that’s final.”
“But–”
“Consider it part of your job duties,” he says. “I’ll even pay you for the evening if it makes you feel better.”
“Seamus!” I shout, my temper reaching a boiling point. “I can’t do this!”
“You can and you will,” he says, “Unless you’d prefer I give the job to Cho Chang.”
Resigned to my fate, I sigh, “Do I have to wear a dress?”
Seamus tries to hold back his laughter, “You faced a troll at twelve, came face to face with Voldermort at sixteen, and broke into and out of Gringotts at eighteen. Don’t tell me a dress scares you,” he says with a chuckle.
“It’s not the dress,” I say, “It’s the bloody heels that go along with it, I always feel like I’m walking on fucking stilts and that if I sneeze I’m going to end up breaking my neck.”
He laughs at this, “Oh my dear Hermione, haven’t you heard of a thing called stability charms?”
“I’m prepared to quit,” I say with a smile.
“I’m prepared to replace you,” Seamus responds. “Now go gossip with my wife.” He laughs as I turn to leave.
“Oh, and Hermione,” he calls out. “Make sure you bring a date.”
‘Wha–” I manage to get out before he waves his wand and the door slams in my face.
Well fuck.
I see Ginny at our usual table at The Serpent, and as I slide into the booth, she just grins at the rage that is coursing through my veins.
“I’m going to kill your husband!” I shout.
She just looks at me. “Tequila?”
“Tequila,” I agree.
She waves down a passing waiter and gives our order before she turns to me and asks. “Look it’s not like I don’t want to kill the man on a daily basis but why exactly do you want to kill Seamus this time?”
“He’s forcing me to go to the stupid remembrance gala.”
“Ah.” she says. “So he told you then.”
My jaw drops as I stare at her. “You knew?”
“Of course I knew,” she says. “Honestly I’m surprised you didn’t put up that much of a fight.”
Our drinks arrive before I can retort and we down the shots together before signaling for another one.
The conversation and drinks flow quickly after that and my irritation at Seamus is fading until Ginny, who at this point is pleasantly sloshed turns to me.
“So, tell me,” she slurs, “Just who are you planning on taking as your date?”
I glare at her, my irritation returning, “I have no fucking clue. It’s not like I’ve re-entered the dating scene.”
“Well no time like the present,” she says with a smile. “It’s been five years Hermione, time to put yourself back out there.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” I begin. “I only have two weeks to find a date.”
Ginny thinks on this for a while, then suddenly she slaps the table.
“I’ve got it!” she exclaims. “I happen to know someone who is single and is planning on attending the event.”
“Ginny,” I groan. “I really don’t want a blind date.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you really don’t have much of a choice.”
“I just don’t like the idea of going out with a stranger.”
“I know,” she says. “I promise you, you know the person I have in mind.”
“Ginny I swear to Merlin, if you’re trying to set me up with Ron..”
She gasps, “I would never!” she says, “Even I know that’s a bad idea.”
“Well then who do you have in mind?” I ask.
“Nope, I’m not telling you that,” she says. “Look if it makes you feel better, just show up here next Friday at seven and if the two of you don’t hit it off, I’ll ask George to be your escort.”
“You can’t just ask George now?”
“No. Trust me.” She says, grabbing my hand. “I want you to promise me you’ll give the guy a real shot.”
“I always give them a shot, but they take one look at me and turn the other way.”
“You know what your problem is, Hermione?” she asks. “You walk around with a giant sign that says ‘Fuck Off’.”
“I do not!” I exclaim.
“You do and you know it!” Ginny says, rolling her eyes. “You are so afraid of getting hurt again, you’ve turned yourself into a walking red flag.”
Deep down I know she’s right but damn does it hurt to hear it. I don’t want to get hurt like that again and the idea of opening myself up for that terrifies me.
“You don’t have to say it like that,” I start, “But you’re right.”
“So…” Ginny looks at me hopeful.
“Fine,” I sigh. “You can set me up on a date.”
Ginny cheers.
“But,” I start. “They have to agree to be my date to the gala.”
“Done.” She says, “Don’t worry about a thing.”
I glance at the clock on the wall. “Holy shit, It’s eleven o’clock!” I cry, jumping out of my chair. “I’ve got to get home, I’ve got work tomorrow!”
Ginny laughs, “I’m sure Seamus will understand if you’re late.”
“I’ve never been late a day in my life, I’m not about to start now.” I say as I gather my things. “Oh, one more thing!”
“What?”
“Can you teach me how to do a stability charm?”
Draco POV
I’m sitting on the sofa talking with my mother when the familiar tapping has me opening the window. As Pig flies in, I can’t help but wonder what Ginny wants now. As I read the letter, I shake my head at the redhead’s actions.
D
I have a date for you for the gala but she wants to meet you first. Be at The Serpent next Friday at Seven. Wear that grey suit that makes your ass look fine as hell.
G
“Fucking redheads,” I mutter.
“What was that, dear?” mother asks.
“Nothing.” I say. “Finnegan’s wife has apparently set me up on a blind date for the gala.” I told her.
“And you’re going?” she asks, “I know how you feel about blind dates.”
I sigh, “As much as it pains me to admit, I trust the woman. She wouldn’t set me up with someone if she didn’t think it would work out.”
“Okay dear.” she says. “Just remember your worth, my dragon.”
“I will.” I assure her. “I know my worth and won’t settle for anyone who fails to see that.”
Friday
Hermione POV
I arrive at The Serpent, already questioning why I let Ginny talk me into this. There’s a reason I don’t date. I know I’m early but it doesn’t stop my eyes from scanning the room looking for someone in a grey suit. When Ginny told me what to look for I couldn’t believe someone would wear a suit to a pub but maybe he just wants to make a good first impression. I glance at my watch. I still have five minutes before we’re supposed to meet and I debate ordering a drink for a bit of liquid courage when a voice behind me makes me jump.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
I turn around to see none other than Draco Fucking Malfoy wearing a grey suit.
“Malfoy? You’re my blind date?” I ask. “I’m going to murder Ginny!”
“Get in line,” he says.
“Look, you don’t have to stay,” I start. “I’ll just tell Ginny we didn’t hit it off and make some excuse to Seamus on why I don’t have a date for the gala.”
“I never said I didn’t want to stay.”
“Look you and I both know this isn’t going to work.”
“Come on, Granger, at least let me buy you a drink.”
“Yeah I don’t think so”
“Really Granger,” he says. “Where’s that Gryffindor courage?”
I stare at him as his eyebrows raise in a challenge.
“Fine,” I say. “One drink.”
He turns and signals the bartender and before long, our drinks arrive. As we get to the table, he pulls out my chair and I sit down.
“So tell me, Granger,” he starts, “How did you end up not having a date for the gala? A woman as bright as you must have men practically beating down your door for a chance to date you.”
I stare at him.
“Did you just...compliment me?”
“Your point?”
“I never thought I’d see the day when Draco Malfoy paid me a compliment.”
“You never answered my question.” he says. “Why do you of all people need a date to the gala?”
“Because I wasn’t planning on going and now that I’m being forced to I find myself in need of a date.”
“Fair point.”
The conversation flows fairly easily after that and to my surprise we actually have some things in common. One drink turns into two and before I know it, three hours pass.
“So, what are we going to do about Ginny and her meddling?” Draco asks with a smirk.
“Oh I plan on not speaking to her ever again,” I say, “I can’t believe she tricked the both of us.”
“Granger.” He says, “We can do better than that.”
Intrigued, I ask, “What do you have in mind?”
It isn't long before a plan starts to form. Our first phase set in place, I start to gather my things to leave.
“Granger. Just where do you think you’re going?”
“It’s midnight,”
“And?” he asks. “Stay for one more drink with me?”
“One more.”
When our drinks arrive, he raises his glass and with a smirk he says, “To revenge.”
Laughing, I clink my glass with his, “To revenge.”
As he sips his drink, I hear him mutter.
“Fucking redheads.”
And I can’t help but agree. Fucking redheads indeed.