Sleepless Nights

CHAPTER TEN


“Are you nearly ready?” Draco asked as he stepped into Hermione’s room. She was standing in front of the full length mirror looking at her reflection. She was wearing a deep purple sheathe of a dress with matching robes. It had black satin frog closures at the throat and was trimmed with black velvet.

“Wow, you look beautiful.” He said, shocked at the change in her. She had tamed her curls into a tight French braid and had even put on a small amount of makeup, though she didn’t need it. Draco liked her just as she was.

“It isn’t too much?” She asked, nibbling on her lower lip nervously. Draco let his gaze wonder over her, admiring the way the tailored garment clung to her curvy figure. He smirked slightly when he saw her knee high black leather boots.

“You look perfect, love. But those boots are going to keep me hard the entire visit.”

“Should I change the shoes?” She asked nervously. Draco smiled, amazed at how nervous she was about spending the day with his parents.

“No, you look lovely. Why are you so nervous? You have battled my father and an entire army of death eaters, why are you so worried about their opinion.” He asked.

“That was then, and I wasn’t sleeping with their son at the time.” She said as she ran her hands over the soft material. “I have other new robes too, should I wear a different one? I’m so bad at this Draco, everything I have was picked out by the seamstress.” She was horribly inept at choosing proper clothing. She didn’t understand fashion, couldn’t style her hair, and wore makeup rarely. “I want them to see that I’m not some cheap muggleborn hussy who seduced their son.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that, love. Mum was just shocked to discover that I am no longer a child. And my father, well he’s just naturally a sadist, I don’t think anything is going to change that.” He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her gently on the lips. “You look amazing, so much so that you leave me breathless. Now, come on, we are expected.”

“Okay.” She took a deep breath and clasped his hand tight as they descended the stairs and stepped into the hearth.


Draco and Hermione stepped out of the large marble hearth in the Malfoy’s parlor. Draco waved his wand over them quickly, effectively dusting their robes and making them presentable. Hermione gripped his hand tight in her nervousness, that little demonstration that she needed him to help bolster her courage warmed his heart in a way he couldn’t quite fathom.

Draco pulled her from the room and down the hall to a large dining room, where his parents were already seated at the table. Lucius stood when they entered, and to Hermione’s amazement, smiled quite pleasantly at them.

“Welcome back Ms. Granger.” He walked around the table and held one of the silk covered chairs for her, seating her across from Narcissa. “Draco, welcome home.”

Draco sat beside her, smiling slightly when he felt her hand on his knee. He could sense that she needed the contact to reassure her.

“Why Ms. Granger, you have obviously been to Madame Malkin’s recently, those robes are just lovely.” Narcissa said with a warm, and very genuine smile.

“Thank you Madame Malfoy. I have begun to pad my wardrobe with more clothing appropriate to living in our world, though I admit that I am woefully ignorant.” She said as she stared at the beautiful woman across from her. Her lovely silk, damask robes were perfectly tailored to her body, the soft rose color set her features off to perfection. Her hair and makeup were precisely done, and Hermione envied the woman’s flair for fashion.

“Oh? Well, if you need some assistance, I could help you with that.” Narcissa said, her eyes brightening at the prospect of a project.

“That would be lovely, thank you.” Hermione said, smiling warmly. She startled as Narcissa squealed and clapped her hands in giddy delight.

“Dilby!” she called, smiling brightly when the little house elf popped into the room.

“Yes Mistress?”

“Contact Madame Malkin, tell her I need assistance in fitting Draco’s young lady for a new wardrobe, this afternoon.”

“Yes Mistress.” Dilby popped out of sight and Hermione was left staring in shock at Draco’s mother.

“Oh, I didn’t mean that you should…”

“Nonsense! You and I can have some girl time and get to know each other better.” The blonde woman smiled prettily, clearly thrilled with her plans for the afternoon. “I always thought it would be fun to have a daughter.” She said softly.

“Goodness Narcissa, they have only been seeing each other a short time, and already you are trying to turn her into the next Lady Malfoy.” Lucius rolled his eyes.

“Thank you, Madame Malfoy, I would be honored to have your experience and obvious taste to guide me in my wardrobe.” Draco leaned over and kissed her cheek softly.

“Thank you for that love, you have made mother very happy.” He whispered in her ear. “Mum, Hermione and I are going to the Halloween Ball, and we could use some help with the costumes.” Draco said as an elf sat his plate in front of him.

“Wonderful! Tell me, how have your classmates responded to your relationship?” Narcissa asked as she nibbled daintily at her lunch.

“Actually, no one knows. We have been enjoying our new found friendship and did not want any negativity interfering. The ball will be our…coming out, so to speak.” Draco said, smiling softly at Hermione.

“Oh, how terribly romantic, it’s a pity we can’t be there to see their faces.” She pouted slightly, and Hermione saw a hint of a naughty smile on her lips as the woman imagined the shocked faces of the students and staff when they realized that Draco and she were a couple.

“Have you chosen your costumes yet?” Drawled Lucius. “A princess and her…dragon perhaps?” He lifted one silver brow arrogantly. Hermione and Draco both reddened slightly.

“No, Hermione has selected Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.” Draco said.

“Who on earth are they?” Lucius asked.

“Oh that’s wonderful!” Narcissa said brightly. “That is my absolute favorite story!”

“You’ve read Pride and Prejiduce?” Hermione was surprised, she had assumed that the Malfoy family avoided all things muggle, including their literature.

“Oh yes, I read it as a girl. I got it from one of the girls in school. What a wonderful tale, and so fitting, if I do say so.”

“I have no idea what you are droning on about.” Lucius said with a lofty wave of his hand. “I have business affairs to attend to in my office, if you will excuse me.” He stood, bowed slightly and left the dining room. Hermione relaxed almost instantly. Lucius Malfoy made her nervous still. She sat there expecting him to pull his wand or whack her with his cane at any moment.

“Don’t mind him, Lucius hasn’t a romantic bone in his body. Now, let’s talk about your costumes.” Narcissa’s eyes sparkled brightly as she began chatting about period clothing and the like as Draco and Hermione listened in silence, their hands clasped beneath the table.

** I love awkward moments when you meet the parents LOL....my husbands family actually stopped, stared at me for a moment...then said "Wow, you are pretty." That thrilled me, cuz it made me think all his other girlfriends had been complete slags. :)