Dinner Party: I
Chapter 7 of 8
sighThe first part of the dinner party at Malfoy Manner.
ReviewedAuthor's Note: Hi guys, sorry it's taken me forever to get this chapter up. I was originally planning to make it longer, but feel it would be easier to end the chapter here, and start a new one. If real life could just stop kicking for awhile, you'd all get updates sooner. Better yet, if anyone wants to do my assignments for me, I'll concentrate on the fic :). Big thanks to everyone still reading and to Sunshine and NSS due to the lack of a beta on this chapter.
Usual Disclaimers apply.
***
“Welcome, Hermione, I’m glad you could make it.” Draco’s greeting was accompanied by a kiss on her hand.
“That makes one of us. And a grand total of one in the entire room I’d wager.” Hermione’s sarcasm was hiding the nervousness she was feeling at stepping into the room alone. Admittedly it wasn’t a very successful cover up, but it just needed to be there, it didn’t need to be great.
Seeing through her clumsy façade, Draco handed her a drink heavily infused with alcohol. Unfortunately, before the conversation could continue, more people arrived. Hermione left Draco to greet the newcomers and tried to find an appropriate corner to hide in. Five minutes into the evening and she had already forgotten why she had come.
“Hermione! It’s been such a long time. How are you?” Ginny interrupted her mental regrets.
“I’m great, Ginny. Congratulations on the pregnancy. How does it feel?”
As Ginny rambled on about all the intricacies of the first three months of pregnancy, Hermione let her mind wander. She had deliberately arrived an hour late to minimize her socializing time, but half an hour was still too long.
Casting her eye around the room, the other guests finally began to register with Hermione. Charlie Weasley was there with someone by his side, both the twins were present with Luna Lovegood and Susan Bones as their dates, and Blaise Zabini was there with Pansy Parkinson. It didn’t take someone with Hermione’s intelligence to figure out she was the only dateless person there. Or that the mood in the room was decidedly anti her.
“…so anyway, I finally figured out that a little ginger in the morning will stop the vomiting. Have you seen Draco anywhere?” Hermione tuned in just in time for Ginny’s rambling to end.
“No, he was greeting someone that arrived just after me, but he seems to have disappeared.” Lucky she’d heard enough to answer the question.
***
“You didn’t warn me she would be here. Dammit, Draco, you do not have the right to blindside me like this. I should have been told so I could prepare.”
Severus accompanied his words with furious pacing. He’d pulled Draco into the library as soon as he’d seen Hermione. His anger was directed as much at himself as at Draco, but he was never going to admit that. After years as a spy, he should have been able to see through a set up. Draco had certainly learnt too much about deceiving people throughout the war.
“If you would stop pacing and calm down, you would realize it’s not quite the drama you insist on making it out to be. You have got to be one of the biggest drama queens ever to grace the ranks of Voldemort. And you know what the rest of them were like! Now, down your whiskey, refill your glass and come on out to be social in the last ten minutes before dinner.” With that Draco stormed out of the room, leaving Severus harbouring resentful thoughts.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Outcasts
56 Reviews | 5.54/10 Average
What a shame the story is abandoned!
whimper... update?
Oh please, please, please, update soon! I have been waiting for ever for the next chapter of this great story. I will happily wait some more if you tell me that you will update later on. If the story has been abonded (how dreadful that idea seems to me) please let us know. If you plan on continue, please say you will give Hermione (and SEverus) some really good revenge over that blasted Weasly bunch and Harry. How dare they treat her like that! Let Hermione get mad at them, not at Severus.
Very interestin variation of 'Marriage Law' challange I must say, and very impressive as well. The story is written complitely wonderful and such interesting twists only make it absolotely amazing. Please, do continue, I would like to see what will happen next.
Hmmm. I liked the beginning a lot - but the rest feels more like an outline of a story. Like there really should be more. You have some great ideas. Hermione's isolation is interesting - but is her only solution drink? One would think work or studies were more natural hiding places for her. The Malfoy marriage is certainly also interesting. How can Ginny accept Malfoy but not Snape? Does she really trust Hermione so little? I feel you need to elaborate to really make the story work - but the ideas are there, and the first chapter certainly also show you got talent. Look forward to see the rest.
Great first chapter. Sets up a great atmosphere.
Excellent take on a great challenge! I look forward to reading more.
What fun! I can't wait for the dinner party. I am really enjoying you twist on the MLC. I look foward to more updates. Thanks, JoAnne
I love how this is coming along! You have a wicked sense of humor.
Malfoy, I’m not your uncle. Please stop at once.
*snicker*
excellent update. thank you.
Great chapter. I love all the letters and laughed at Umbridge's tactics!
LOL...great bunch of letters. More soon please.
I sort of like the idea of them entering into a marriage of convenience. Then... they can slowly start to realize they don't want it to be so... convenient. LOL... I'm naughty! Lovely chapter.
Poor Severus. I hope that while Hermione is researching how to get out of the new law that she will realize that all Severus is not the cause of all her problems. -- B
What's Marcus Flint like nowadays? I'd have thought Viktor would have tons of groupies who'd want him. Of course, I'm cheering for Snape! And how is Snape surviving financially? Is Draco supporting him? More, more, please!!
I am enjoying this story and I am looking forward to finding out why Hermione blames all of her woes on Severus. After all if all she did was tell what she knew in order to free Severus then the ones that need to be blamed are those that had abandoned her. I also look forward to seeing her come to the realization that Severus is the best choice for her. -- B
Response from sigh (Author of Outcasts)
The reason Ron turned against Hermione was because he saw her having a drink with Snape after she had freed him. Ron is a jealous prat, and jumped to the conclusion that she was cheating on him with someone so repulsive as the Potions Master.Sorry it didn't come across clearly enough, I tried to explain it in the previous chapter.But the boys are still to blame, no argument there.
oh here is the professor letting her know what malfoy did... or is he pleading so he doesn't have to marry the toad.. p
looks like fun
It's good to see another chapter of this story. Hopefully we'll see more updates soon.
oh, i just can't wait to see what Snape is doing there. Hopefully, they can reach some accord. hehe I wish Hermione would tell her mum about her ruddy friends and how they turned their backs on her.
More please. Love to see where this goes.
A meddling and interfering Draco, that's a twist. :-)
LOL That' getting funnier ! And Draco is so sneaky, he even beat Snape to it 
Wow. That could put a damper on a friendship... *giggles* Can't wait to see what you've got cooking up here! Next chapter please! GG