"Was that wise of you, Ginny?" Harry asked his wife for the tenth time that day.

She had just told him about the short conversation she had with Blaise about Hermione and Draco. During a checkup visit to St. Mungo's she just happened to bump into Blaise. They started talking and somehow they reached the very delicate subject of Draco and Hermione.

"What if he shows up and makes a scene?" Harry continued to speak, following a frowning Ginny across their bedroom.

"Then I'll know he really cares about her." Ginny snapped, turning around so suddenly Harry bumped into her. "Honestly, I don't know why you're making such a fuss. It's not like I lied or something." She huffed, crossing her arms menacingly.

"No, of course not, but still." Harry said, pressing his hair down with one hand. "You told him she is going with McKinley."

"That's because she is." Ginny retorted, turning her back at Harry and going about her business.

Harry sighed. He wanted Hermione to be happy as well and was even ready to accept Draco Malfoy into their lives for that purpose, but he somehow had a bad feeling about all this. Even if he was a changed man now, Draco Malfoy wasn't someone to trifle with. He was proud and possessive. Harry was sure he would turn feral as soon as he would see Hermione with someone else.

"Let's just hope you know what you are doing, Ginny." Harry sighed in defeat. "I for one just hope that I won't have to drag McKinley's body out of there when Malfoy finishes with him."

"Don't be silly." Ginny said dismissively. "Malfoy can behave himself. I used to be more worried about Ron, remember?" she added with a chuckle.

***

The night of the Halloween ball came, and Hermione was feeling more nervous than ever. She was looking in the mirror, amazed by what she was seeing. She opted for the 'nymph of the woods' appearance and was surprised of the result. The cream-colored dress she was wearing was long and flowed in small ripples around her legs. The fabric was like water, glossy and smooth. Thin straps held it in its place, revealing Hermione's arms and neck. She had let her hair free of the tight bun, trying for a more natural hairstyle. It flowed in loose curls, small white pearls scattered across it, making it look like she had stars in her hair. She had kept the makeup as light as possible, thinking it would go better with the theme of her costume.

Looking down from her face, Hermione saw the thin scar on her right shoulder and let out a deep sigh. She was beautiful, yes, but scarred. She managed to charm the 'mudblood' scar on her forearm so it would not show, but for some reason, she decided to leave the one on her shoulder.

Suddenly, she looked at the time. It was ten minutes before McKinley would come and pick her up. They had agreed to meet in front of the building, that way she wouldn't be taken by surprise by his sudden appearance.

"Why have I agreed to this? What was I thinking when I said yes." Hermione berated herself in a low whisper.

She was now having second thoughts. Robert McKinley had been kind enough to ask her to go with him as soon as he saw her a few days ago at the Ministry. She had been so shocked and surprised, that she accepted without thinking much. But now, she regretted it.

What if he comes? What am I saying, of course he will come. It is his house, his mother throwing the damn ball. Of course he will come.

Her internal rambles were interrupted when a silvery creature came through the window and settled in front of her, hovering a foot above the ground. Hermione looked at it in astonishment. It was a small silvery dragon, who spoke in a deep Scottish accent.

"Here to pick you up, My Lady." Robert McKinley's Patronus said, startling Hermione out of her daze.

"Oh, yes, of course. I'll be right down."

With a sharp nod the dragon disappeared in a thin silvery smoke. Hermione took a deep breath and threw a shawl over her shoulders. Then she took her small pearly white bag and put on a pair of white high heels and disappeared.

***

Everybody was speaking animatedly, each having a drink, either lounging on sofas or standing near the tall windows of the ballroom. Narcissa Malfoy walked amongst her guests, making sure everyone was having a good time.

"Purebloods never forget their ways, do they?" Ron said with a grimace, after Narcissa just left them to greet a Ministry official.

"Ron!" Ginny admonished. "You can't be rude to her today. She is our host."

"Host or no host, that's my opinion." Ron huffed, taking down another shot of firewiskey.

Lavender made a grimace seeing Ron gulping down his drink.

"You should take it slowly, mate, or you'll be drunk by the time..." Harry stopped midsentence. "Blimey" he said aghast "is that Hermione?"

They all turned to look at the entrance. There stood Hermione Granger, her hand resting on the crook of Robert McKinley's arm. She looked positively radiant, her cheeks flushed slightly and a nervous smile on her lips. She soon saw her friends and guided McKinley towards them.

"Hermione, you look gorgeous!" Ginny exclaimed, hurrying to hug her friend.

"Thanks Ginny." Hermione said with a bashful smile.

"It's good to see you McKinley." Harry intervened, stretching his hand towards Hermione's partner.

McKinley shot him a wide smile and shook his hand vigorously. To everybody who saw him, he looked positively exuberant. His Highlander costume fitted him perfectly. The jacket highlighted his broad shoulders and wide chest all the while showing a slender waistline. At first, Hermione had been shocked to see his knee-length kilt, but she soon had to decide that it looked quite good on him, revealing nicely toned leg muscles.

"Hermione." Harry said suddenly, pulling her slightly farther away from the rest. "I've been meaning to ask you something." He said in a quiet voice, looking around nervously.

"Sure. What is it about?" Hermione asked him, eyes slightly wide in surprise. It wasn't like Harry to act so secretively in front of his friends.

"Have you ever heard the name Pyrites before? Perhaps in one of the books you've read?" He watched her attentively.

Hermione thought for a moment, then just when she was about to shake her head, she remembered.

"Actually" She said with a gasp. "I haven't heard it before, until recently. I saw a book written by an Argus Pyrites. Beautiful book, it looked like it was made out of gold and..."

"Where did you see this book, Hermione?" Harry asked suddenly, interrupting her rambles. His tone sounded serious and agitated.

"At work. In Robert McKinley's office." She said, even more surprised at Harry's reaction.

He frowned and fell deep in concentration. After a moment, he went back to Ginny's side but continued to look serious. Surely there had to be another explanation for this. After all, McKinley and Pyrites didn't share the name, so they couldn't be related, right?

Soon, the dancing began. McKinley made a slight bow and held out his arm in front of Hermione, who blushed furiously.

"Would you care to dance, My Lady?" he asked, shooting her a glowing smile.

Hermione simply nodded, giving him a smile in return. He saw her cheeks going bright pink and he chuckled. They started swaying in the rhythm of the music, moving slowly across the dancefloor. Hermione's dress rippled along her feet at every turn.

"I am very happy for this ball." McKinley suddenly said.

"Oh?" Hermione said taken aback.

"Yes. After all, it allows me to see you like this." he said, leaning back and grinning at her.

"But you see me almost every other day at work." Hermione protested, trying to hide the blush that crept on her cheeks. She was really bad with compliments.

"This is a rather special occasion. You'll see." He said mysteriously, laughing merrily and spinning her around.

When the first dance was over, McKinley held her for a second one. When that was over as well and a third dance was starting, they were interrupted by someone.

"Mind if I cut in?" A deep voice said right behind Hermione.

It was a voice she both dreaded and long waited to hear. When it washed over her, Hermione felt a shiver going down her spine and goosebumps appeared on her arms. In one fluid motion she turned around and found herself face to face with Draco Malfoy.

Thank you all for reading this story! And now, let the drama unfold ;) Stay tuned for the next chapters. Until then, have a wonderful day! ^_^ <333
And bellow there's a cute representation of Draco's jealousy XD Would have gone better at the first ball, but this will have to do.