"Hermione, sweetheart..." Draco rubbed the back of his neck with uncertainty as he watched her quickly bolt through her house in a last-ditch effort to clean up. "...Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Absolutely!" She said brightly as she straightened the books on her living room bookshelf with a wave of her wand.
He sighed and stuffed his hands in his jean pockets, looking down at his outfit before looking at hers. "And you don't think you're underdressed for this?"
"I told you, love, it's a casual event," Hermione said with a reassuring smile as she walked past him into the kitchen. "Everyone else is going to be wearing the same thing as I am!"
He chuckled as he turned around to watch her, smiling to himself. He couldn't deny that she looked absolutely adorable in her pink and grey flannel sleep pants with a matching grey shirt.
"And you believe that after today everything is going to be fixed?" He asked as he leaned against the doorway and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Not that it'll be fixed necessarily, but at least better," She said as she mixed more champagne into the orange juice. "All I want is for them to interact in a neutral environment and for Molly to see just how much Blaise and Ginny love each other. I just hope this will be enough..."
Draco stared at the large bowl of mimosa and said in disbelief, "There's absolutely no way that isn't enough!"
She let out a laugh and said, "Draco, I think you forget how many people are going to be here!"
Almost on cue a ringing noise was heard throughout the house and Hermione jumped as Draco looked towards the front door with a slight growl.
"Oh, stop that!" She chastised as she playfully scowled at him and walked out of the kitchen.
She paused just in front of the door and sighed quickly before reaching for the door handle and turning it, grinning at the person on the other side of the door. "Hi Harry!"
Draco immediately poked his head around the corner with raised eyebrows. "You invited Potter?"
Harry stepped into the house with a grin, giving Hermione a side hug. He was dressed very comfortably in black sweatpants and a gray v-neck shirt, and he kicked off what Draco could only assume were black fuzzy slippers.
"Wow, 'Mione, this is beautiful!" He said as he looked around the house.
"Thank you!" Hermione smiled widely as she led him into the kitchen. "Draco picked it out for me!"
Harry raised an eyebrow to the blond who had moved to the other side of the counter and now had an arm wrapped somewhat protectively around Hermione.
"You have great taste, Malfoy," Harry said with a nod. Then he looked Draco up and down with a raised eyebrow. "First brunch, eh? 'Mione, didn't you tell him the dress code?"
"I did, but he insisted on dressing somewhat nicely," Hermione sighed, smiling up at Draco.
"I didn't think anyone would actually show up in sweatpants and slippers," Draco said with a shrug. "Apparently I was wrong."
"You still have time to go and change," Hermione said. "The others won't be showing up for a little while longer."
"I'm pretty sure I have some options here, let me go check." Draco gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving the kitchen and walking up stairs.
Harry was grinning mischievously at Hermione when she looked back at him, and she scrunched her nose up playfully at him.
"Spending the night together already?" He teased.
"Only maybe one night a week," Hermione admitted with a shy smile. "And we alternate between our houses."
"That's adorable," Harry grinned. "I'm really happy for you, Hermione. You deserve this."
She beamed and cast a glance towards the stairs before giving Harry a worried look. "Do you think this is enough mimosas for everyone?"
"Should be," Harry said as he looked down at the large bowl. "How many people did you invite?"
"Enough to make me wonder that, minus one person in particular," Hermione sighed, stirring the bowl of orange juice and champagne.
Harry nodded in understanding and then tilted his head slightly, leaning against the counter with both hands. "So out of curiosity, why did you suddenly decide to throw a brunch?"
Hermione shrugged. "It's honestly to try and get some unity back between everyone."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked in confusion.
With a sigh, Hermione leaned down onto her forearms and looked down at the countertop. "Harry, Ginny and her parents haven't talked in five months."
"Five months?!" Harry exclaimed. "Why?!"
Running a hand through her hair, she chewed on the inside of her cheek before slowly explaining, "Molly wasn't happy when she found out that you and Ginny were divorcing. And once she found that that Blaise and Ginny had officially began dating shortly after, she was furious. She believes Blaise is still a blood supremist and still doesn't understand why you and Ginny divorced in the first place."
Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose under his glasses and groaning in frustration. "Great."
"Yeah..." Hermione straightened back up and gave him a strained smile. "So basically this brunch is to make them see that Blaise isn't a blood supremist and to get them to talk it out finally."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Harry asked hesitantly. "I mean...you know that a lot of the Weasley rows end in things being blown up."
"I have a contingency plan for that," Hermione said then, holding up a bottle of blue liquid.
Harry's brow furrowed in confusion before giving her a shocked look. "Is that a Calming Draught?"
Hermione grinned and poured the entire contents of the bottle into the bowl of mimosas before stirring it in. "I figured it would be a good idea to have it in there just in case. I have more hidden around other areas of the house too."
He stared at her for a moment and then burst out laughing, leaning over onto the counter and holding his stomach. She couldn't help but grin as well before frowning at the now greenish liquid.
"Your brilliance never ceases to amaze me," Harry said through breaths as he straightened back up to see her tap her finger on the edge of the bowl.
The color immediately rippled back to the orange-yellow color of mimosas and she smiled brightly. "It's like I'm back in potions class!"
"That's just amazing," He laughed. "They'll think the champagne is just calming them more than normal!"
"Exactly!" She said with a grin.
The doorbell rang again and she jumped up, rushing out of the kitchen to the door with a smile. Her smile only widened as the door opened and she was pulled in immediately for a hug.
"Hi George!" She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly as he lifted her up squeezed her tightly.
"It's been way too long, Hermione!" He said happily as he walked both of them into the house. "I can't even remember the last time you came to visit me in the shop!"
"I know, I'm so sorry, I've just been so busy lately," She said with a frown, giving his neck a squeeze. "I promise I'll come visit very soon!"
A low growl suddenly caught her ears and she looked up to see Draco about halfway down the stairs now dressed in grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt while glaring daggers at George.
George apparently didn't hear the growling but set Hermione down shortly after she pulled back to look at Draco, and then he straightened up as Draco stopped next to Hermione.
"Well, this is a surprise," George said lightly, looking back and forth between the two of them.
"Really?" Hermione asked as Draco wrapped an arm around her waist again. "I thought the shop still got the Prophet?"
"There were a few months that we didn't, so depending on how long this has been going on..." George said, pointing between the two of them.
"We've been together officially since June," Draco said in a forced light tone.
Hermione looked up at him confusedly. "I thought it was the end of May? That's when you took me on our first date."
"June was when he officially signed the papers," Draco said then, looking down at her with a smile.
"Oh yeah!" Hermione smiled back up at him and then reached up to give him a quick kiss before looking back at George.
George was staring between the two of them in shock, and then he shook his head and walked past them. "I'm going to need something to process this."
Hermione laughed and pulled Draco along behind her as they followed George into the kitchen. "I've got mimosas ready!"
"Ooh, we get to serve ourselves!" George said happily as he grabbed a glass. "I always hated how little mum would give us when she hosts. Morning, Harry!"
"Morning, George," Harry nodded cheerfully. "How's the shop going?"
"Business is booming," George said with a grin before taking a drink. Then he looked down into his cup with a slight frown. "Something's different."
"Oh, I used a different brand of champagne," Hermione said quickly, casting a worried glance to Harry.
George hummed slightly and then shrugged, taking another drink. "Still tastes good! And this is a beautiful house, 'Mione!"
Hermione relaxed slightly and smiled. "Thank you! Draco helped me find it!"
George only took another drink in response, raising an eyebrow at Draco over his glass. Draco simply returned a grin and leaned over to give Hermione a kiss.
"So, when is everyone else showing up?" Harry asked, grabbing a drink for himself.
Looking up at the clock on the wall, Hermione said, "Neville and Luna should be arriving here soon with Dean and Seamus, and then Molly and Arthur, and then Blaise and Ginny said they'd probably be a little late."
"Ooh, extended brunch!" Harry laughed. "It'll be good to see them all again; I can't remember the last time I saw Dean and Seamus. Not since Seamus moved departments."
"He works for the Ministry?" Draco asked in surprise.
Harry nodded and said, "He originally was in the Improper Use of Magic office, but then he quickly was brought into the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. I think he works in both the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee and the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad? I could be wrong though."
"What about Dean?" George asked curiously.
"He works with the Chudley Cannons as a coordinator," Harry said.
The doorbell rang again and Hermione eagerly left the kitchen to answer the door. Soon the house was alive with laughter after the arrival of Neville, Luna, Seamus, and Dean, and Draco was surprised to find that none of them gave his and Hermione's relationship a second thought.
Hermione watched him happily as he joined in the conversation easily, taking another drink of her mimosa. She knew Draco was concerned with how he would be treated today, but so far everyone was supportive and it made her heart swell.
"So, Mister Malfoy, eh?"
She felt an arm wrap over her shoulder and looked up to see George giving her a skeptical look before he looked back over to the living room where Draco had said something to make everyone laugh. "He seems alright, I guess."
"He's wonderful," Hermione said happily. "I've never been this happy before, George."
He sighed and squeezed her slightly. "You definitely look happier than you were with Ron. I will say, I never thought you and my brother were right for each other. And after he went off with that other girl..."
Hermione's stomach twisted slightly and she frowned, taking another drink of her mimosa. "I'd rather not talk about that, please."
"I'm sorry," He said quickly. "You're right; let's talk about something else!"
They were interrupted by the doorbell again and Hermione's stomach turned as she realized that this had to be Arthur and Molly. Of course, she was very happy to see Arthur, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't worried about how Molly would react to Draco, and then later Blaise.
As she excused herself to the door, she took a deep breath before opening it up and forcing a smile. "Arthur, Molly! So happy you could make it!"
"Hello, dear!" Arthur wrapped her up into a short fatherly hug before letting go and stepping aside.
"Hermione, this is simply beautiful!" Molly said as she looked around before giving Hermione a hug as well. "It's so good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too," Hermione said truthfully. "Here, let me show you to the kitchen."
She led them further into the house and into the kitchen where Draco was starting to pull out snacks. He froze when he saw the older Weasley couple walk in and then he gently set down the food in his hands, nodding.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," He greeted curtly.
Molly didn't say a word but Arthur surprisingly stepped forward and extended a hand. "You are looking well, Draco! I hear you're the man to talk to about wine!"
Draco blinked in surprise, glancing over at Hermione who smiled, and as Draco looked back at Arthur he took the older wizard's hand and shook it. "I wouldn't say I'm 'the man' to talk to but I do know quite a bit."
"Nonsense, I'm sure you know more than you give yourself credit for," Arthur said warmly before looking down at the bowl. "Ooh, look Molly-wobbles! Would you like some? We can serve ourselves, right?"
This last question was posed to Hermione who nodded. "Absolutely! There should be plenty here as well!"
"I would like a glass please, Arthur," Molly said quietly.
Hermione noticed Draco's shoulders drop slightly at the complete lack of acknowledgement by Molly but Hermione reached over and squeezed his hand before say to Molly, "George, Harry, and the others are in the living room, Molly."
"George is here?" Molly looked up and nodded. "I haven't seen that boy in a month! He's been so busy with his latest product!"
"Go on ahead, dear," Arthur said with a nudge to his wife. "I'll bring your drink to you."
Molly left without another word and Draco sighed, looking down at the counter.
"Just give her a drink or two and she'll be alright," Arthur said quietly in a reassuring voice. "Once she sees you more, she'll come around."
Draco nodded and Arthur gave him a smile before holding up the two drinks in his hand. "I'll be back to talk more about that wine. I'm rather interested in how you've changed the direction of business in your company after taking over from your father."
He turned then and left the kitchen as well, leaving just Hermione and Draco. Draco was thankful in that moment that the kitchen had an entire wall separating that room and the living room so no one was able to see them, and he leaned down into the counter and put his head in his hands.
"I don't think this was a good idea," He muttered as Hermione rubbed his back reassuringly.
"Blaise and Ginny are going to be here soon," Hermione said. "And remember, the others are friendly with you now; you can always talk to them."
"How long until Blaise and Ginny are here?"
Hermione looked up at the clock. "Maybe about ten minutes."
Draco sighed and then nodded, straightening back up and refilling his cup. Before taking a drink, he muttered, "It's going to be a long ten minutes..."
She laughed and led him back out to the living room after filling up her own cup again and they sat down on one of the couches near Harry and George.
"Thanks again for inviting all of us, Hermione," Dean said happily.
"Yeah, it's been great catching up with everyone!" Neville added, grinning around the group.
Hermione was happy to see out of the corner of her eye that Molly was taking a drink of her mimosa; she only hoped that Molly would be relatively more calm once Blaise and Ginny got there.
Almost on cue, the doorbell rang for the last time and Hermione shot up, rushing into the kitchen to grab a glass for Ginny. Her stomach churned as she realized that they were early, but at the same time she knew it was probably for the better so that they wouldn't have to wait any longer.
She happily opened the door and immediately thrust the drink into Ginny's hand with a grin. "Morning!"
Ginny laughed and happily took a drink while giving Hermione a side hug. "I could get used to this."
"Where's my drink?" Blaise asked, almost pouting.
"In the kitchen," Hermione laughed. "Come on, let's get you one."
Ginny continued on and then paused. "Are Dean and Seamus here? And Neville?"
"Luna too," Hermione nodded.
Ginny grinned and pulled away from Hermione and Blaise, walking down the corridor into the living room. "Hey, everyo-"
She immediately froze in her tracks as soon as she laid eyes on just who else was in the room. "Mum? Dad?"
A/N: Don't hate me for the cliffhanger XD next part will be up soon, I promise! Love you all! <3