One

The HP universe belongs to JKR, I only borrow. Can I keep Lucius?

Acknowledgements held until after the reveal, but you know who you are. My heartfelt thanks, Ladies. What would I do without you.

Standing before the mirror, Hermione tried to turn to get a better look at her long-sleeved, bright turquoise dress. The small, cramped room made it impossible for her to see more than a part of it.

'Does nothing for your complexion ... that,' the mirror's ancient voice quipped.

Hermione sighed. As if she didn't know already. It wasn't her colour, and the high, modest neckline didn't help either. The pink dress with the tight-laced bodice she had tried on at Madam Malkin's on the other hand...

She had liked what she had seen in the shop's mirror and the way the dress had hugged her body, but as both Molly and Ginny had been quick to point out, she couldn't wear pink as it would clash with Ron's hair, and besides, she wouldn't want to create the wrong impression by showing off her cleavage like this, would she? Especially not on an occasion like this. Hermione sighed again. Of course not. Besides, Ron already knew what was under her dress.

She shook her head and then quickly fastened on the gold necklace, a present from her parents. Everything was fine. She was really lucky. She had survived the war. She had a great job, she was about to become one of the youngest ever members of the Wizengamot, and she would marry her best friend, who loved her dearly. That was what mattered. She swallowed to get rid of the lump in her throat.

The door flew open, and Ginny came rushing in, wearing a dark purple dress. Its thin sequined straps nicely accentuated the pale skin of her shoulders. She beamed at Hermione. 'Ready?'

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and rushed out again. Unused to her heels, Hermione followed her a bit more slowly down the rickety stairs of The Burrow to where Harry and Ron were already waiting for them. Harry picked up Ginny and swirled her around once before he gave her long kiss. Ron grinned and quickly hugged Hermione. When Ginny decidedly nudged him in the ribs with her elbow, he said, 'You look very nice.'

As usual, Hermione pretended not to notice Ginny's non-too-subtle hint and smiled at Ron. 'Thank you; you look nice, too.'

Harry held out the empty cereal box that had been turned into a Portkey. 'Right, let's go then or we'll miss the speeches.'

*****

The Ministry had decided to host the annual ceremony and ball in honour of the victory over Voldemort at Hogwarts. The Great Hall was crowded with people, and everybody wanted to exchange a few words or at least a greeting with Harry. As she followed the other three to an empty table, Hermione quickly grabbed a glass of champagne from one of the trays that were floating through the room. She downed it in one gulp, set it down and took another full flute with her to the table.

They had just sat down and were waiting for Kingsley to begin the ceremony when Ginny suddenly made a face as if she had found something unpleasant stuck on the sole of her shoe and said, 'Ugh, look who's here.'

Hermione followed her line of vision and saw Draco Malfoy standing at the back of the hall, an extremely pretty blonde woman at his side. Before she could say anything, a bell began to toll five times and a hushed silence descended over the room.

*****

Lucius Malfoy was casually leaning against a table in the background, surveying the people seated throughout the Great Hall. He mentally ticked off the guest list. Everyone who had been in some way involved with the victory over Voldemort was here. Most importantly, he was here, too. If people doubted his integrity they knew better than to say so. A cold, satisfied smile briefly flitted across his face. His eyes swept lazily through the room to fall upon Potter, his young wife and their friends. It looked like yet more Weasleys would be populating the world soon. His nose, which had started to wrinkle in distaste, positively scrunched up when he saw Miss Granger. That dress she was wearing was an abomination. Someone should have told her that turquoise made her look like Ophelia after several days in the water. On the other hand, the dress tied right in with the company she kept, but why would she hide her rather nice figure in that way?

She was also downing two glasses of champagne in rapid succession. How very interesting. Lucius took a sip from his own glass and once again wrinkled his nose in distaste. Whoever had been in charge of the evening's drinks deserved to be rewarded with a round of Crucio for their lack of taste.

*****

Hermione shifted in her seat and looked through the Great Hall. A number of couples were dancing to the slow waltz currently playing. She could discern Harry and Ginny among them. Both of them were so obviously radiating with happiness that Hermione couldn't help but smile despite the tiny pang she felt at seeing them. Letting her eyes wander further, she saw Ron standing in a corner, talking to George and a couple of his friends. They all had bottles of beer in their hands and were roaring with laughter. She shifted in her seat again. George caught her eye and whispered something into Ron's ear, causing Ron to reluctantly turn and walk over to their table. He plunked down in the chair next to Hermione and took a long draught from his bottle before he said, 'It's great, isn't it? Everybody is here; it's almost like being back at school, but nobody can tell us off now.'

Ignoring the lump that had decided to reassert itself in her throat, Hermione quickly grabbed another glass of champagne from a tray floating nearby. 'Yes, it's lovely.'

Ron grinned at her. 'See that's what I like so much about you. You're not like other girls; you are almost like a bloke; you never make a fuss.'

Hermione quickly downed her glass of champagne, enjoying the feeling of the bubbly liquid running down her throat.

'Miss Granger, would you grant me the honour of a dance?' a somewhat familiar voice drawled.

Hermione let her eyes slowly travel up the impeccable, first-quality charcoal grey dress robes and the strands of perfectly groomed white blond hair until she looked into the silver eyes of Lucius Malfoy.

'Of course she won't, now sod off,' Ron cut in.

Hermione glared at Ron before turning back to Lucius, who hadn't so much as raised an eyebrow at Ron's behaviour. 'With pleasure,' Hermione said, standing up and allowing Lucius to guide her onto the dance floor while Ron stared after them, open-mouthed.

When the music started again, she felt the lightest of touches at her back. Hermione smiled at Lucius and let him lead her into the dance. The touch of his hands was barely noticeable as he stirred them through the crowded dance floor, yet for some reason it made her skin tingle underneath her robes. Hermione relaxed into the music and their movement, feeling that her partner knew what he was doing and that it was unlikely that they would either bump into another couple or that he would step onto her feet.

'You are a good dancer,' she said.

'Thank you, Miss Granger. One needs an adequate partner to shine, though.' He smiled at her.

Of course the legendary Malfoy charm was on full-force. To be on the receiving end of it didn't feel at all bad ... on the contrary. Hermione smiled back and relaxed further into the dance.

'So, how come you are here? I didn't think...' Hermione's question trailed out. I didn't think an ex-Death Eater like you would be invited or even care to be here.

That smile again. 'Ah, I have to thank your friend Mr Potter for that. He made it very clear that the assistance of my late wife was of considerable help to him in the final stages of the war. So, it is really on her behalf and in her honour that I am attending this function today.'

And of course attending a Ministry function and being seen dancing with one of Potter's best friends will significantly add to your recently restored reputation. She didn't mind. He really was a good dancer, and a part of her shocked herself by being quite pleased for having got one over Ron. 'I am sure she would appreciate your gesture very much. By the way, I was very sorry to hear about your wife's death. My condolences.'

'Thank you.' They continued to dance in silence for a while before Lucius asked the next question. 'So, I take it from the notice in the Daily Prophet that congratulations will soon be in order?'

What was he on about now? 'Congratulations?'

Was that amusement in his grey eyes? 'Congratulations on your betrothal and impending marriage to Mr Weasley.'

Bugger, that had just slipped her mind. 'Oh, yes. Thank you. Molly ... that is, Ron's mum ... has suggested that we get married in July. She says summer weddings are just so beautiful.'

Lucius's eyes narrowed a bit. 'And you don't agree?'

'I haven't really thought that much about it. What with my new job at the Ministry and everything.' Again she felt something constricting in her chest, trying to block her breathing.

'Which department are you working for?'

'I used to work in Care and Regulation of Magical Creatures, but I have just started at Magical Law Enforcement; it's fascinating, I really love it.'

Lucius smiled. 'Yes, the intricacies of Law and its uses are fascinating indeed.'

As they continued to dance, Hermione's mind wandered off. It was remarkable how comfortable it felt dancing with Lucius, considering who he was.

She didn't notice that the music had stopped until Lucius's hands dropped away from her. She suddenly felt bereft, as if she had lost something precious, and for some reason the ground felt a bit wobbly.

They stood, facing each other when the music started again in a slow, sensual tune. Hermione looked at Lucius, a question in her eyes.

'May I?' he asked, and when she nodded, placed his hands again on her back and her arm, drawing her a bit closer than strictly necessary and led her into the next dance.

His eyes held hers as they began to move slowly in tune with the music. Caught in his gaze, Hermione was acutely aware of his hands, the closeness of his body and his scent. He smelled of an expensive, slightly spicy aftershave and something that was uniquely him. The tingling sensation she had felt from the touch of his hands earlier now started to spread through her body, bringing with it a little tugging in her lower belly.

They didn't speak as they danced; instead, Lucius drew her a little closer still and inclined his head towards her. She tilted her head a bit upward. They were so close now; she could feel his breath on her skin. His lips were nearly touching hers, only a fraction of an inch... only...

And then the music stopped. Coming abruptly back to reality, Hermione quickly stepped away from Lucius, nearly tripping over the hem of her robes in her haste. 'Thank you for the dance, Mr Malfoy.'

'You are welcome,' Lucius said and took her arm to steady her before he accompanied her back to the table. Ron was nowhere to be seen.

'It seems I might enjoy the pleasure of your company for a bit longer, Miss Granger.'

A/N: This story was begun as challenge response. It has veered far away from the original prompt, but I'd still like to acknowledge the part of the prompt that asked for Hermione receiving an anonymous letter together with a Portkey and thus provided the inspiration for this fic.