A Little Polishing

Hermione was shown to a room and unpacked. She would be spending two and a half weeks with the Malfoy family. This had better be worth it. Whatever Malfoy had in mind had better make a difference, she was trusting him.

She went down to dinner as Draco had told her to. The Malfoys were just sitting down when he met with her at the dining room entrance. “Great you’re here, let’s sit down.”

The food at Malfoy manor was superb and she found herself enthusiastically enjoying it. “Pardon my manners,” she said, “this is just wonderful.”

“I’m glad you enjoy it Miss Granger.” Mrs. Malfoy said with a brilliant smile. “It isn’t often that we get to entertain Draco’s friends from school.”

“Well. I’m not……” She looked at Draco then to her plate.

“We aren’t exactly friends per se, mother,” Draco said, “I’m just helping Hermione out with something.” He said.

“With what?” Lucius asked. There was no suspicion in his voice at all, just severe curiosity.

“Hermione wants to change her image.” Draco told them with a grin.

“To what?” Narcissa asked.

Hermione blushed. “I want to make someone notice me.” She admitted. “Draco has some ideas to make me look a little more appealing.”

“Oh, come on now Miss Granger, you are lovely enough, you just need a little polishing that’s all.”

“I agree,” Lucius said, “besides you shouldn’t change yourself completely into this idea of what he wants. A man should appreciate you for you.” Hermione formed a new opinion of Lucius Malfoy. In a casual family setting he was what she considered a fine British gentleman.

“Yes dear,” Narcissa added, “if you become someone else, when you show who you really are, he will leave. Don’t let him turn you into something he wants. You need to be you, and that’s what he needs to see.” Hermione smiled at the woman, she was indeed a lady in every sense.

“I told her that mother,” Draco said, “what we are going to do is sharpen a few things that’s all.”

“Sharpen a few things? Like what?” Hermione had to smile at Narcissa’s enthusiasm.

“Well, I am going to take her to Chantalle’s first off.” Draco said.

“Oh, always a treat.” Narcissa exclaimed. “You will enjoy it.”

“What’s Chantalle’s?” She asked.

“A spa and parlor.” The older woman told her. “They do wonders. A full massage, manicure pedicure, hair treatments, facials. It’s a fabulous way to relax.”

“I don’t need to go to all that trouble……” She started but Draco cut her off.

“This is a treat,” he said, “it has something to do with the changes we make, but very little. I thought after how depressed you were after the party you might like something to raise your spirits.” He said. “Women who pamper themselves have a certain glow.”

“Oh Draco that’s so sweet.” She said blushing. No one had given her a gift like that before.

When they left for the study to have an after dinner drink, Hermione and Narcissa talked about the latest fashions on the cover of a magazine.

“Why the spa son?” Lucius asked as he poured a drink for his wife and himself. He spared a glance at the women sitting comfortably.

“I felt guilty.” He told his father. “When she was alone after the party I said something nasty and she started crying.”

“Ah the infamous Malfoy aversion to tears of the fairer sex.” Lucius said nodding.

“I thought this would make it up to her.” He said.

“Who is she trying to collar?” He said taking up his wine and his wife’s.

“Ron Weasley.” Draco said taking Hermione’s glass.

“What on earth for?” He asked his son, who merely shrugged.

Hermione closed her eyes and let the smooth hands massage her back. She had her nails done, a nice French manicure to match her toes. She had even opted for a bikini wax. Not that she planned to show anyone but it made her feel sexy to know she had one.

She had her hair done but nothing dramatic, they didn’t change the length, just a trim for the split ends. They didn’t color it, but they did give her a few highlights. What they did do was straighten it. The potion they used gave her a slick look and a deep shine. She was even given a shampoo to use on her own.

She had to admit, just straitening her curls changed her look. Her face seemed more mature without girly ringlets. Draco had told her that his mother was going to show her how to apply make up, but to let the spa make her over if she wanted.

When she saw the effect she looked at the mirror shocked. “That can’t be me.” She said. The cosmetician smiled at her giving her the kits she had used. She took her parcels and left the spa.

Draco was right. All she needed to do was smooth away the rough edges. The haircut was designed to highlight expressive eyes and the unruly curls were more manageable. She looked more grown up and she felt a sense of pride when she looked in the mirror. She looked good.

Draco was waiting outside for her and when he saw her, his face froze as he looked at her. She was gorgeous. Just like he thought, and his mother had said. She needed a little polishing.

“Do I look that funny?” She asked embarrassed, thinking that she may have made a mistake doing this.

“No, you look wonderful.” He took a step forward. “I told you, nothing drastic, just a little honing of your tools that’s all.” He smiled at her and felt good when her face let up. “Come on now, we have some shopping to do.”

She followed him to a store. “Draco I can’t afford anything in here. These prices are outrageous.” She said.

“I’m taking care of your new clothes.” He said moving to a more casual selection.

“But these are so expensive.” She said, looking at the price tag on a pair of jeans.

“Pocket change.” He said dismissing her objection. “Here, try these on.” He said handing her a few pairs.

“Draco, these aren’t my size.” She said even as they moved to a dressing room.

“Just try them on Granger.” He shoved her in a room and waited.

“Draco these are too tight.” She called from inside the room.

“Show me.” He said.

“I can’t.” She said.

“Get out here Granger.” He called. She opened the door and he took a look. “Come out here and look.” She looked in the mirror. “They aren’t too tight, they are fitted. You have curves Granger, wear clothes that fit your curves, not that hang off you. You still look like a third year in what you were wearing.”

She turned and faced him. “Do you really think this is necessary?” She asked. The jeans fit comfortably but they did show her figure, and she didn’t know about that aspect.

“Granger, do you think Lavender Brown would wear something that would make him look away. She may have figure issues but she knows how to hide them. She has a thick waist and boyish hips but she knows what to wear to give her curves. You are lucky.”

He turned her around and stood behind her in the mirror talking over her shoulder. “You have curves Hermione and you’ve kept them hidden this whole time. Let them out.”

She smiled at him and went back into the room. Draco helped her select casual clothes, jeans and jumpers and blouses, making sure she chose the right colors. Pastels and vivid colors would wash her out and make her look sick. Bright colors or dark colors worked better and with her make up done the right way she would look great.

“Draco I can’t fill some of these out.” She said to the tops he had brought her.

Draco brought a sales witch over to her. “She needs a few new bras, something that lifts and doesn’t flatten. Can you measure her?” Hermione blushed bright red as she was measured and lit in to Draco when the witch took off.

“What on earth are you doing?” She growled in a whisper. “You are buying me bras?!”

He leaned in close. “Breasts need to be supported Granger, not strapped down like they’re being held prisoner.”

She glared at him and tried to speak but the sales witch returned. When she tried on the first one and put on her undershirt, she stared into the mirror. Draco knocked on the dressing room door and without taking her eyes away she opened it.

“Does it fit?” He asked over his shoulder.

“I have breasts.” Still looking at the mirror. Draco looked at her silhouette. She looked grown up now and the Weasel would have no problems noticing this. “I have breasts Draco,” she said smiling, “look at them.”

Draco smiled. “Big ones and all.” He said. Hermione elbowed him in the ribs and he left her to change. He paid for her clothes and went back to Malfoy manor.

“Draco, I can’t pay this back.” She said looking at the bags and clothes spread out on the bed in her guest room.

“Consider it a Christmas present.” He said, sitting on her bed and folding his legs.

“A Christmas present that cost how much?” She asked.

“I’m a Malfoy, nobody will challenge the reasons.” He said. She thought for a moment and then decided he was right. The presents he got from home for no reason were an indication of his spending habits.

“My mother is going to give you some lessons on how to put on make up during the day. Make up changes with the time of day.” She looked over at him as she folded jeans and removed tags with her wand.

“How do you know so much about make up?” She said smiling.

“So you haven’t heard about my weekend drag shows in the Slytherin common room?” He asked. When she laughed he explained. “My mother used to change her make up all the time, I asked her once why and she said there’s an evening face and a day face. She’ll show you the difference.”

Christmas day was a joyous occasion in the Malfoy house. Lucius Malfoy hosted several friends for dinner and Hermione found herself meeting very prestigious names. She mentioned her interest in potions and in research and managed to control her excitement at being able to talk with men and women she had read of in periodicals.

Draco had given her a necklace, even though she had protested saying the clothes were enough. She thanked him anyway. Since she didn’t have gifts to give she made the Malfoys dinner and desert on Christmas Eve. It was thoroughly enjoyed. Lucius Malfoy even ate half the cheesecake himself.

When it came time to return to the school, Draco insisted on leaving in the evening. Ron had written when he sent her present saying they would be arriving in the morning and he would see her at lunch.

“But he’s expecting me for lunch.” Her excitement was obvious and a little pathetic.

‘Hell be expecting Lavender too.” He told her calmly. Her smile faded, but it was the truth. “When you are together, will you do anything he tells you to do?”

“No.” She quickly said.

“Then don’t start obeying orders now. He wants to know what happened with me and you, if anything, and he expects you to be there when he wants you to be. Let him wonder and be anxious.” Draco moved closer. “If he asks about the holiday, tell him it was fine and if he gets personal, tell him its none of his business.”

“But he is a friend, why wouldn’t I tell him?” She countered.

“Would Potter ask such personal questions?”

“No, he wouldn’t.” She said Draco said it would be better to leave him anxious and waiting until they walked in at dinner. Together. With her new clothes. With her new image.