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It wasn’t the first time Professor Hermione Granger left a one-on-one meeting with Headmistress McGonagall, feeling less than pleased with the outcome. Since she’d started her time as the Muggle Studies professor, she’d pushed the curriculum to new boundaries with every term, often butting heads with school governors and bothersome parents.
But this meeting was on something far more
personal,
and she’d wished it would have been an angry parent instead.
The Hogwarts Board of Governors was putting together the twentieth anniversary of the Yule Ball hosted during the Triwizard Tournament in 1994. It would feature international guests, host speakers including Harry, and even a reunion concert from the long-broken-up Weird Sisters.
Which was a great idea; a wonderful way to commemorate that happy moment in an otherwise dark time. She was all for it.
But they had asked, since she was ‘unattached ‘ ( read divorced and not dating anyone), if Hermione wouldn't mind opening the dance with Viktor Krum again. And then McGonagall had gone on a long-winded reminiscence of fourth year to wrap the whole thing in a big helping of guilt.
Her eye twitched at the thought again.
Not only was the
Daily Prophet
going to have a field day with the whole thing, assuming Ron would be in attendance and their divorce was so public, but then add the fact that the moment she came within six feet of Viktor, the speculations would fly.
Viktor and his husband and their four adopted children were very happy thank you very much, and so was Hermione.
After all, there was nothing more fulfilling than molding the minds of the next generation of wixen and pissing off their prejudiced parents.
So what if her love life existed solely between her and a heavily enchanted vibrator?
As she reached the dungeons, she deliberately made her footsteps louder. She’d unintentionally snuck up on Pansy and Neville one too many times to not learn that lesson. Thankfully, Pansy was alone in her head-of-house office in the midst of grading a backlog of essays.
“I need your help.” One of the things Hermione liked best about Pansy was their understanding that there was no need to mince words or make mindless small talk. Their friendship included bold honesty and the knowledge that they each hated asking for things, so each request was taken seriously.
“I dare say so. You borrow those shoes from Sprout?” Pansy muttered without looking up. When she reached the end of the parchment, she sighed, blowing her fringe from her face. “Or are you finally ready to give up spinsterhood and let someone in under the cardigans?”
Hermione wrapped her beige cardigan around herself tighter in defiance. “I’ve been asked to open the dance at the Yule Ball, and I need a refresher on ballroom dance, especially if I’m going to do it in front of the
Daily Prophet
. And I wouldn’t say no to someone helping me find a dress.” She glanced down at her feet. ”And there's nothing wrong with my shoes; they are comfortable and practical.”
Pansy stuck her lip out as she thought. “You did alright dancing at the first Yule Ball, though.”
“I did, but I haven’t done it since. Ronald wasn’t keen; a sloppy sway on the spot at our wedding doesn’t count.” She ran her fingers through her hair as she thought and cringed at how dry it felt, mentally adding a day of pampering to the checklist.
“I should think not.” Pansy agreed, leaning back. Her round pregnancy belly peaked out from the desk as she stretched. “I know someone, but you have to promise to keep an open mind. He choreographed Neville and I’s opening dance at the wedding if you remember that.”
“I do. It was so good.” Hermione hummed, thinking back to that night. Pansy and Neville, who were naturally inclined dancers, had their first dance as a married couple with a romantic yet tasteful tango. “My mind is open.”
Pansy still looked hesitant, twirling a quill in her fingers as she resumed a normal position. “I’ll write down his contact information, and then you can decide what to do with it. If that's something not so nice, well, you didn't get it from me.”
The lobby of the small dance studio was empty when she arrived two weeks later. Trophies, ribbons and pictures of dancers in costumes decorated almost every inch of the wall around her, glittering in the fading afternoon light.
His reputation spoke for itself, but it didn’t make her any less nervous. Theo Nott may have carved out a name for himself in the world of magical and muggle dance but it didn’t make him any less his father’s son. It was common speculation that Thoros Nott had fallen to his death during the battle of Hogwarts because of a spell Hermione had cast, making her directly responsible. Theo had never said anything during their return year to complete their education, but he hadn’t said much of anything, really.
And then there was the matter of his husband…
As if summoned by her thoughts, Theo appeared through the door leading to a large room with wood floors and a mirror with a ballet barre taking up the entire wall.
Her knees buckled.
Theo looked like the polished, refined, and confident version of his eighteen-year-old self. Neatly trimmed curls framed his face, and a light beard speckled his jaw. He wore a black shirt with a deep V cut and tight black pants, highlighting his well-muscled body to perfection. Tattoos covered each arm.
He smiled, and she immediately felt her nerves ease a little bit as if he had performed magic with just that action.
“Hermione Granger, as I live and breathe. Haven’t changed a bit.” He held open the door to let her in.
“Neither have you. Thank you for making time in your busy schedule to see me. Do I pay you today or after our second lesson next week?” She placed her bag on the chair near the door and shucked off the gray cardigan, folding her arms around herself, slightly conscientious of the fact that molding the minds of young wixen often included stress snacking on more carbs than strictly necessary.
“You don’t pay me at all. Never any cost for the witch who afforded me my freedoms. My father would have never let me live this life. I’m only sad I didn’t get to see it happen.” Something mischievous flickered in his blue eyes. “ And Draco is designing your gown for free. Isn’t that right, love?” Theo said, gesturing into the room.
She sucked in a breath as a tall figure, also all dressed in black, emerged from a supply closet on the opposite wall, dragging out a mannequin on wheels.
Malfoy had changed since their school days. Gone was the gaunt, war-weary youth, replaced with lithe muscled body wrapped in a well-tailored suit. He wore reading glasses and scowl as well.
“Yes. Hold still.” Is how he greeted her. A tape measure from around his neck began to take her measurements, including bust and hips, and the numbers appeared on a clipboard in his hand.
“Oh. Thank you. I hadn’t had a chance to shop.” She tried to smile to soften the tension between them, but Malfoy didn’t return it.
Instead, he eyed the cardigan. “I can tell.” with nothing else,he seated himself next to a large stereo in the corner. Plain white bits of fabric began to attach themselves to the mannequin as Malfoy started drawing.
Theo looked utterly unphased. “Well, shall we begin?”
Dancing with Theo was dreamlike. He made everything impossibly easy and Hermione felt she could have learned anything with his instruction. After the briefest refresh of the basics, he had them twirling about the space in several waltz variants, then some traditional Pureblood dances, then some muggle.
It was only when she caught a glimpse of Malfoy in the corner, legs and arms folded and scowl firmly still in place, that she remembered herself.
It was only so easy because Theo was a good teacher, And that was all. If she felt some chemistry between them, it was only the endorphins from the physical exertion.
The way he touched her…strictly professional, wasn’t it? If his hands lingered a little too long, it was just because they were comfortable with one another.
And when he smiled…only because he loved what did right?
Though she couldn't remember the last time she’d smiled while grading papers or giving a lecture.
“Theodore, it's been two hours. I'm sure Granger has other places to be.” Malfoy finally called, shutting off the music. With a jab of his wand, the chairs along the wall folded up and put themselves away, shades fell closed, and broom came sweeping along the wood floor.
“I'm so sorry, I didn't realize,” Hermione said, avoiding the broom circling near her ankles. Now that she had stopped moving, her feet and calves were letting her know she had overdone it.
“It's fine; he just probably wants to get home.” Theo sighed, carding his fingers through his hair. He’d hardly worked up a sweat despite the constant movement. “Come back next week, and we'll go through them all again in your dress and heels so you feel more confident.”
“If you’re sure -” Before Hermione could finish her thought, Malfoy had slid a hand around his husband's waist, tugging him closer.
“See you next week then, Granger,” Malfoy said dismissively.
As Hermione made her way to the Apparation point to make her way back to Hogwarts, it dawned on her that Malfoy might have been jealous of her getting so close to Theo. Well, there was no reason for him to be after next week; they’d probably never see each other again.
She sighed. At least it would be good imagination fodder for nights with her vibrator.
“How’d it go?” Pansy asked as she sat at Neville's desk chair while Hermione and Neville set stasis and warming charms on the plants in the greenhouse for over the holiday break. Snow was already starting to gather on the glass panes above them.
“What about Holly for the name?” Neville suggested, gesturing to his wife’s belly, before turning back to his plants. The poor wizard had probably suggested every nature-themed name in the book by now,but none of them pleased Pansy.
“It went okay.” Hermione shrugged. “Theo was very generous with his time.”
“Holly needs a strong middle name.” Pansy countered. “Just his time?” she directed back at Hermione.
“Flora?” Neville asked, still distracted, moving to the corner that housed the more lively plants.
“I’m not giving birth to a grandmother!” Pansy rolled her eyes. “Come on out with the details, Granger.”
“It was fine, Parks. Theo’s an excellent dancer but you already knew that. But I wish you wouldn’t have told Malfoy to make a dress for me; he was very put out by the whole thing.” Hermione charmed her last mandrake and took a seat on the table nearest the other witch.
Neville shouted something from the corner they didn’t quite catch, and Pansy didn’t spare a glance. “I didn’t. Draco’s more likely not to do something because you asked him to. Whatever he’s doing, it's voluntary.”
“That’s surprising, as I’m pretty sure he hates me.” Hermione sighed, brushing some dirt from her robes.
“Please, he hasn’t hated you for ages. They both had little crushes on you during school at one point or another.” Pansy checked her nails as there was another curse from Neville and the shattering of a pot on the earthen floor.
Hermione frowned as she reconciled this new information with how Malfoy had treated her. “I suppose he’s really possessive of his husband then.”
“That sounds far more likely.” Pansy agreed.
“Venonmus
fucking
Tentacula!” Neville shouted.
“I love it; we can call her Vee for short!” Pansy called, sharing a smile with Hermione as Neville groaned in defeat.
Hermione was late the following Saturday following a minor school emergency where a staircase had suddenly stopped moving, leaving a group of first-year Ravenclaws suspended several floors up for almost an hour. There was a great rush of teachers trying to persuade the staircase one way or the other and to keep the Hogwarts Express from departing to London without the students, who were understandably extremely upset.
She had to apparate directly from the snowstorm on the train platform to directly outside Theo’s studio, so once inside the lobby, she paused to summon a compact from her bag and made it hover so she could fix her hair and dry her clothes a little.
Music was already coming from the other room, loud with a fast tempo and a bass that shook the floor.
Hermione’s was peaked, wondering who this other client was with an appointment so close to hers -
To her shock, it wasn’t a client but just Malfoy and Theo, moving to what must have been an old routine or at least an incredible improvised dance.
Malfoy was dressed in a tee shirt, gray joggers, and trainers today, and after a moment, she recognized they were transfigured from a suit -
Because she couldn’t stop staring.
The two wizards moved in perfect sync with each other, hips rolling in time to the bass. Theo kept standing as Malfoy moved lower and lower. Theo’s eyes were transfixed even when Malfoy was watching both of them in the mirror.
Malfoy moved his way back up, never missing a beat, and though Theo’s hand made a motion as if beckoning him, but it was impossible to tell who was following who. The blond let his fingers turn Theo’s head to look into his eyes and some how that seemed to be the most sensual part yet.
The song came to a sudden stop. With the ending, Malfoy dropped backward, but Theo caught him in both arms, leaning over him and holding the pose.
The music changed to the next song and the wizards came to life again, both of them with smiles on their faces.
“It’s been a while since we’ve done that one.” Theo chuckled, not letting go of his husband more than he had to. They started a slower dance, one that allowed them to keep talking “What’s got you so worked up, love?”
“Nothing.” But even Hermione could tell it was a lie.
“Is it a certain curly-haired Gryffindor -”
“Who couldn’t even be bothered to show up -”
“She’s a busy witch. I’m sure she’ll be here soon. And then you can go back to brooding.”
“I was not
brooding. “
Malfoy huffed as Theo dipped him and kissed his jaw. “Alright, so what if I was a little bit? She couldn’t keep her eyes off you, and
you -”
“Hey, I was professional-” They stood again, this time a little too far apart.
Malfoy snorted. “By the thinnest of margins. Had I not been here - “
Theo looked hurt as he pulled Malfoy into a more subtle stance, wrapping his arms around his neck and pressing their foreheads together. “We had an agreement. I would never break that promise, Draco. Both of us or neither of us.” A sly smile filled his face. “But by all means, keep shaking your arse to keep my attention, I’m really enjoying it.”
Malfoy shoved him away playfully, then glanced in the mirror again.
But this time, he saw Hermione, gawking at them opened-mouthed. Theo tracked his gaze and turned towards her hastily. “Oh, you made it. Hope you haven’t been waiting too long.” He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“No. Not long at all.” Her voice betrayed her by being far too high pitched. Just watching them together had her hot under the collar, let alone the thoughts of -
Both of them, with her, touching…or even -
Nope. No.
Never.
Okay, maybe in a few desperate, wine-fueled bathtub fantasies. But never in reality.
She let herself into the room, tugging on her collar, begging her body to calm down. She had just dropped her bag when Malfoy shoved something silky and blue into her arms, then retreated more than arm's length away.
Hermione held it out to see it was a beautiful custom gown in a deep midnight blue. The bodice had periwinkle-embroidered accents and was similar to her Yule Ball dress the first time, yet something about it was more regal. Attached were opaque sleeves with the same embroidery.
“Malfoy -” she started, then felt embarrassed. “Draco. Thank you. This is gorgeous. It looks like my first one, but it’s different.”
The blond was standing awkwardly, his right hand grasping his left forearm. “You’re welcome. The fitting room’s just over there. “
“Or you could just change in here. What?! “ Theo laughed as both of them turned to glare at him. “You could! It’s my building, and no one else is coming in!”
Hermione excused herself to change before Theo could say anything else. One glance in the mirror told her all she needed to know; it was written all over her face with a deep crimson flush, widened eyes and indents in her bottom lip where she’d bitten it too hard- they had to know that she’d watch them and liked what she saw.
Well maybe they shouldn’t dance like that in public where everyone can see them, she thought bitterly, shedding her clothes and stepping into the dress. Maybe they shouldn’t flaunt their stupid perfect bodies and their ludicrous grinding if they didn’t want unsuspecting witches to stare at their ridiculously sculpted arses.
Huffing, she stared at herself in the changing room mirror, prepared to criticize the dress as well but even her irrational irritation couldn’t find anything. The material clung to her in all the right ways, highlighting the features she loved and hiding those she didn’t. It was cut in a way that she wouldn’t feel embarrassed in front of her students but without being to frumpy or matronly.
In short, Draco had thought a lot about her, considered all the different facets of her life as he created something stunning.
Maybe Pansy was on to something …
Timidly she made her way back to the studio and found Theo sat by the stereo this time, and Draco in his re transfigured suit, waiting for her.
“Draco’s going to stand in for Krum, as they’ve both taken too many bludgers to the head to be as coordinated as me,” Theo announced as Draco glared at him over Hermione’s head.
The waltz started and they took their stance. “I know you’re very coordinated, don’t worry.” Hermione said in what she hoped was a reassuring tone.
“Do you like the dress?” Draco asked, still not quite meeting her eye. There was something a little more rigid in his movements but she suspected that was more to nerves than his actual ability.
“It’s perfect, thank you. It looks like my original Yule Ball dress.” She said conversationally.
“I know, that was intentional -”
“You remembered?”
“I never forgot,” Draco said in almost a whisper.
They went over Theo’s lesson again as the other wizard watched them from the corner, occasionally making corrections. His blue eyes held no jealousy, only fascination.
At then end of their time, Hermione had come to decision in her mind, and now set out to execute her plan.
“Well, gentlemen. This has been wonderful -” She tucked a stray curl behind her ear as she looked at each of them in turn. “But I need one more thing.”
Draco looked apprehensive, but Theo was grinning again. “What’s that?”
“Well, I need a proper date. Or two.”
Scandal at the Yule Ball.
War Heroine, rights activist and all around Golden Girl Ms. Hermione Granger once again made waves throughout the wizarding world! Ms. Granger opened the traditional dance with long-time friend Viktor Krum, but after just a few bars of the song, she pulled a new partner from the audience!
Mr. Theo Nott, a notable dancer and long-time husband of Draco Malfoy, reformed Death Eater. The two looked quite at home with one another as they finished the opening waltz.
As if that wasn’t enough Ms. Granger was seen with Mr. Malfoy as well during the following song. Gryffindors princess was seen on the arm of both of them throughout the night.
Misters Nott and Malfoy were not seen leaving the event with the rest of the guests at midnight.
Who knows what’s next for this unlikely trio, but the Daily Prophet will be the first to report it!