Chapter Seventeen: The Malfoys entertain

(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.

(ii) Thank you for the kind reviews. Please do continue to let me know what you think of the story.

(iii) A big hug of gratitude to my beautiful beta, Queen_of_Stars.

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May had turned into June, and a month had passed since the fall of the Dark Lord. The days were glorious and brilliant, as if British weather was determined to make up for the simply dreadful summer of the previous year. June was traditionally a time for weddings and celebrations in both the Muggle and wizarding world. Thus, all the important and influential families planned festivities to celebrate the coming of mid-summer and the fall of Voldemort. In keeping with the spirit, the Malfoys had decided to combine their private celebration of Draco's eighteenth birthday on the fifth with a much larger garden party for the victors on the following day.

When the invitations were sent out, Hermione felt a maelstrom of emotions. On the one hand, she was afraid and reluctant to attend an event at Malfoy Manor. No matter her newfound closeness to the Malfoys, it was still the place that had seen her tortured. However, on the other hand, there was a strong feeling of curiosity as well. Although she did not have pleasant memories of Malfoy Manor, her new friend Cissy was insistent, telling her repeatedly that she would not recognise the drawing-room and entrance hall. Cissy kept saying that the house and its occupants were very different now. Hermione had grown to trust the older woman, and a part of her was inquisitive enough to want to attend. Besides, her reasonable side told her that not attending would imply a severe lack of trust in the Malfoys and would appear as a slap in the face after their generosity and kindness towards her.

Although Harry was worried about Hermione's invitation to the private dinner due to his first hand knowledge of the nightmares Hermione had suffered, he did not try to stop her attendance. One of the first things he had learned through his initial lessons at Auror Entrance Preparation was that confronting the scene of a traumatic experience was a good way of purging one's fears and phobias. Besides, Harry realised that the Malfoys would not risk hurting Hermione since the rest of members of the Order were all attending the picnic on the Malfoy estate the very next day.

Hermione had not mentioned her invitation to the soiree to the Weasleys. Even though Ron was now going to Auror Entrance Preparation classes and had calmed down significantly, she still did not feel completely comfortable in his presence. Molly and Ginny were still ignoring her as much as possible, and Hermione had not visited the Burrow since the fall of Voldemort. However, Ginny learned of Hermione's invitation through Harry and informed the Weasleys.

When Ron heard of the invitation, he was especially vocal with his objections. He had stopped by Grimmauld Place to collect Harry one evening for a game of Quidditch at the Burrow. "Mione, you know what those gits are like; they're probably laughing at your gullibility just like the rest of the wizarding world. Don't go. They are just using you. Besides, how you can want to spend time with dirty Slytherins is beyond me."

Harry overheard Ron's remarks and was immediately aroused into anger. "Come on, Ron, if it wasn't for those dirty Slytherins, I'd probably be dead, and Voldemort would be still in charge of the wizarding world."

Ron said nothing; he just shrugged his shoulders and reached for another piece of Kreacher's delicious fruit cake.

Harry rubbed his forehead and continued, "I may not like the Malfoys, but Narcissa lied to Voldemort to save me. You've got to admit that whatever their faults, they love their family."

Ron just sighed in disgust and replied, "You're both crazy, but it isn't any skin off my nose if you both get used by gits like that."

Harry stared at Ron. Ron had always been his trusted friend, his sounding board and co-conspirator in all his schemes and plans, but Harry realised that Hermione would never say something like that. She would never let him do something she believed was wrong, even if it meant that he would not speak to her or end up hating her for a while.

Despite the mixed feedback, Hermione decided she would go. Things had improved dramatically since the fall of Voldemort, and she realised that her not attending would put a lie to their new-found familiarity. The evening of the soiree, Hermione dressed very carefully for the dinner. She wore the lovely cream lace concoction selected for her by Cissy with the strappy gold sandals they had bought together. Looking at the pretty dress, Hermione felt like a fool for her indecision. The Malfoys had been kind to her; they were changing their ways, and she above all, should help them since she realised how much their integration into society would please Professor Snape. If she was going to try seeing where things went with him, then getting closer to his friends was surely the best way to proceed.

Dressed in her new gown, she twirled in front of the mirror and admired her figure. It was hard to believe that the elegant woman looking back at her was really herself. Cissy did have an excellent eye for clothes, for despite the dress being of a fairly simple design, it highlighted Hermione's slim waist and brought out her surprisingly curvaceous figure.

She Flooed to Malfoy Manor with some trepidation, for despite all of her rationalising, she could not forget that she had been tortured by Cissy's evil sister in this very house. But as soon as she entered the foyer, she saw Kingsley Shacklebolt speaking to Lucius. The sight of Kingsley set Hermione at ease. If the Minister was here, everything would indeed be fine.

After Hermione was greeted by both men, they made their way to the elegant drawing-room. Its light and airy colours, which were a stark contrast to the dark room that Hermione remembered, made her smile brightly at Cissy. My new friend has spoken the truth, acknowledged Hermione silently; the house has indeed been transformed. The rest of the guests were already present and gathered in little clusters around the room.

Besides herself and the three Malfoys, the rest of the invitees included Astoria Greengrass, Professor Snape and an elegant witch who turned out to be a Healer in Greece called Tisiphone Lestrange. Hermione's eyes widened at the surname, but she admonished herself with the thought that surely a Healer couldn't have also been a Death Eater. Also in attendance was Narcissa's estranged sister Andromeda Black, who had brought her grandson, Teddy, with her. Cissy had mentioned to Hermione that the family was trying to reunite now that the reason for their falling out was no more. The final person to be introduced to Hermione was Lucius' cousin, Julius Malfoy, who looked remarkably like him. He greeted her with a flourish.

"Ah," said Julius with a knowing look at Lucius, "the brains of the Golden Trio. How delightful." He kissed her hand graciously and said, "I've heard and read lots of good things about you."

Hermione blushed. "I'm sure most of it is totally exaggerated," she said modestly.

"Not at all," said Julius seriously. "My cousin is not one to flatter unless it is essential, and if that is the case, it is only done to the person in question, not to others when the subject is not present." He smirked in a manner that was so like Lucius that Hermione thought they could have been twins. Then, as if wanting to change the subject, he went on, "Lucius and I run the elf-made wine and mead conglomerate. I live and work in Italy. The weather is better and the food and wine even more so."

Hermione smiled. She realised he was making her feel at ease. "My parents used to love skiing in the Alps," she said in response.

"Yes," responded Julius, "skiing is one of the many Muggle activities I've come to love. I'll tell you about the others another time. I wouldn't want to annoy Lucius by monopolising your company all evening."

Hermione laughed again. She liked the chatty man. He was very different in personality to Lucius, despite their startlingly similar countenance and build.

Hermione's laugh drew Severus who had been secretly watching the young woman since the moment she entered the room. She looked like a vision of loveliness in her ivory dress: feminine and sensual yet at the same time painfully virginal. He had tried to control himself by not approaching her immediately, but seeing her laugh with Julius made him feel left out. Although he realised he was well on the way to making a fool of himself in his attraction for the younger woman, he still could not stop himself from joining the pair.

"Good evening, Miss Granger," said Severus gravely before nodding his head to Julius.

"Professor Snape," said Hermione, a catch in her voice and a blush on her cheek. "It's good to see you, sir," she added softly.

"Indeed," said Severus, who was immediately put at ease by her blushing display of awareness at his presence.

Severus was not the only one who picked up on Hermione's feelings of disquiet around the Potions Master. Julius noticed the change in her relaxed manner too. Wanting to test the reason behind the tension in the air Julius said, "There were some very charming photographs of the opening dance at the Order of Merlin Awards presentation. You both made a wonderful couple."

Hermione blushed bright red at this comment and looked round the room for a means of escape.

Severus gazed directly at Julius as if analysing the comment for hidden meanings before changing the topic briskly. "Miss Granger, did you know that Julius, here, is merely a sophisticated version of our own Horace Slughorn? He too collects people and claims to know everyone of importance in Southern Europe."

Julius laughed at this remark. "No claims, Severus, I do know everyone of importance in Southern Europe."

As both men laughed, Hermione smiled. Now that the topic of conversation had moved away from the photos in the press, she was able to relax. She hadn't liked having her feelings discussed. For although Hermione wanted to deny it, she knew that the photos had captured the moments on the dance floor with disquieting accuracy. Hermione herself had gasped at seeing the blatantly intimate moment in the newspapers and had been unable to prevent herself from cutting out the glossy prints from Witch Weekly and hiding them in her bedroom drawer. She had told herself that they were ostensibly to show her parents once their memories were brought back, but she had kept them mainly because she liked to look at the intense expression on Professor Snape's face as he gazed down at her with focus and concentration as they danced silently to the music that still seemed to swim in her conscience.

Not long after, dinner was announced. Once everyone was seated around the large dining table, Narcissa smiled and said, "I've had the elves recreate a slightly altered version of the ten course meal designed by Auguste Boulanger. Bon appetite."

There were murmurs of delight, and Severus, who was once again placed beside Hermione, leaned over and whispered, "Miss Granger, you're indeed in for a treat. The feast is going to be the best of French cuisine."

Little menu cards appeared in front of each place setting. Hermione read hers and wondered at the list of things to eat.

Course One - Scallops on Rocket and King Prawns with Sweet Chilli Sauce

Course Ten – Warm Chocolate Fondue with Vanilla Ice-cream

A little overwhelmed, Hermione whispered, "What's squab?"

"It's pigeon," said Severus quietly in amusement.

"Oh," said Hermione. "I've never had pigeon before. I've had partridge, but never pigeon." She realised she was babbling out of nervousness at his presence by her side.

Thankfully, Kingsley was a warm and somehow fatherly figure on her other side, and it allowed her to relax further. However, Kingsley seemed to be spending most of his time speaking to Andromeda. To Hermione, Andromeda was a real inspiration. Despite losing her husband, only child and son-in-law in the long fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters, she was gracious enough to attend the Malfoys' soiree. It made Hermione glad that she too had accepted Cissy's invitation. For Hermione realised that she had not lost as much as Andromeda. And yet, here was Andromeda, sitting next to Lucius and doing her best to heal the rifts of blind prejudice and horror that had been the Voldemort wars. Teddy, her baby grandson, had been whisked away into the long-empty Malfoy nursery with a contingent of gleeful house-elves who were delighted to have a little wizard to care for.

The conversation around the table was interesting and humorous. Julius Malfoy was especially witty, and he and Lucius seemed to enjoy sniping at each other whilst smirking like sharks. Hermione found it all fascinating. She realised that she was rather privileged to see the Slytherins at such ease.

Severus had been rather quiet at the start of the meal, but as the excellent wine that accompanied each course was consumed, he, and everyone else around the table started to relax further.

Hermione was conscious of the amount of alcohol being served and tried her best to be really careful by only sipping at each glass, but by the end of the meal, she had unknowingly consumed nearly five glasses of wine and was feeling very tipsy. She was a little worried, but realised that in the presence of so many responsible people, especially Kingsley, Andromeda and Professor Snape, that she really did not have anything to fear. Besides, Cissy had insisted that Hermione spend the night, as everyone else who was invited was. Therefore, she did not have to worry about Flooing or Apparating when intoxicated.

After the meal, they all retired to the drawing-room, where Narcissa sat like a queen on her ornate French sofa with Andromeda and a giggling Tisiphone beside her. Draco and Astoria wandered over to stand by the French windows looking out into the Japanese water garden while holding hands and smiling fondly at each other. Lucius and Julius sat by the cheerful fire, drinking port and smirking at each other. Hermione hoped she never found out what made the two of them look that wicked and gleeful.

As Hermione stood looking at the titles of the books that lined one wall of the drawing-room, Severus approached her with his glass of cognac. "If you find this collection of books interesting," said Severus, "you'll love the Malfoys' library. It's got a very impressive collection, with generations of Malfoys having added to it in a myriad of diverse subjects."

Narcissa, who had overheard Severus' comment, immediately nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, Severus, you must show Hermione the library. I'm sure the two of you can spend the rest of the evening pouring over ancient manuscripts."

Hermione blushed because she knew Cissy was setting her up. When she looked at the older woman, Cissy just smirked and waved the two of them away.

The library was beautiful, but it was Severus who drew her attention. He had a lazy curl to his lips and a smouldering intensity to his gaze. As she made her way to stand under the domed glass ceiling of the library, he moved to stand by the darkened window. Looking at her intently, he said suggestively, "Miss Granger, you look like you've been dipped in molten metal, so well does the dress cling to your curves."

At Hermione's blush, he murmured seductively, "I wonder if touching you will burn my hands."

Hermione was speechless. Her heart beat wildly. She had never really been seduced or had a man pay any sort of sexual attention to her.

Severus caressed the ancient leather of the book bindings and ran his hands along the leather arm chair before sitting down on the sofa to look at her.

Hermione watched his actions with eyes large with arousal. As his long-fingered hands trailed over the leather of the arm chair, she recalled his gentle caress of her bare back at the Order of Merlin presentation dance. Shivering in awareness, she tried her best to appear composed, when in truth she felt very foolish and suddenly very conscious of her sexuality. When he patted the seat next to him, she didn't know how to refuse, especially because she really did want to sit beside him. Walking shakily across the room to the sofa, she lowered herself beside him cautiously.

As Hermione sat nervously on the edge of the sofa, Severus was once again struck by her innocence. It was obvious that she was both aroused and afraid of her attraction. With an inward smirk at his own raging excitement, Severus began speaking to her in his mesmerising voice, asking her why she went back for his body.

The evening passed in a swirl of sexual tension for Hermione. She was unaware of what she said; she just knew that Professor Snape spent the rest of the evening watching her, smiling his mysterious, half-smile half-smirk that made her feel as if her insides were nothing but a puddle of goo. His hand lazily toyed with her curls as he spoke to her of things like the rebuilding of Hogwarts and Cissy's plans for the orangery.

At some point in the evening, he took her hand in his and said, "I believe it is time we retire, Miss Granger."

Hermione nearly shuddered at the implied meaning, at hearing the collective 'we'.

Severus just smirked sardonically at her and led her back to the drawing-room so that they could make their good night salutations. Julius and Tisiphone had already retired, as had Kingsley and Andromeda. Draco and Astoria were out in the rose garden, so they said "Good night," to Cissy and Lucius.

Narcissa casually said, "Severus, you have your old summer guest room. Hermione is directly opposite. Do you mind, showing her to bed?"

Lucius smirked at the obvious ploy, as did Severus.

Hermione just blushed furiously again and said, "Good night," one final time. She could hardly think as she was escorted up to their rooms in the south wing by Professor Snape.

Severus offered her his arm as they walked up to bed. She held his arm and felt the strength beneath her fingers. He was lean, but very muscular. She had admired his grace of movement, his almost sensuous, sinuous stalk, but feeling his strength, the intensity of his gaze was tremendously overpowering. At the door of her chamber, he lowered his head until he was whispering directly into her ear. "Never fear, Miss Granger. When I ravish you, and I will, you will want it as much as I already do."

She gasped out loud at his audacity and bravely looked up at him.

He seemed to take her upward glance as a sort of challenge, for he lowered his mouth and kissed her boldly, hungrily like a man who was starving. There was no tentative exploration, no request to enter her mouth. Instead, he stormed her defences, and when his arms wrapped tightly around her waist like bands of steel, to anchor her to his hard body, she gasped again. He thrust his tongue into her mouth at her gasp and slid his hands to cup her bottom and pull her intimately against his erection. Hermione was lost; she had never been kissed with such intensity, such superb technique.

As if they were dancing, he moved them and turned them around until she was pressed against the wall beside her door. Using the wall to hold her up, his hands caressed her body, his fingers stroking her bared neck and shoulders before cupping her breasts in the palms of his hands. "Utterly delicious," he whispered in her ear, his mouth nipping and tasting her throat and shoulder.

Then, with a surprising display of control, he kissed her lips once more, much more gently than he had in all of the previous moments, and reluctantly let her go. Once he had stepped back, he smirked and opened the door to her room and wished her, "Good night." Trailing his hand against her soft cheek, he murmured suggestively, "Like I said, Miss Granger, when I ravish you, you will be ready and be mindless with need."

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A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.