But Pansy simply held the smile that was still on her face, straining to keep it in place. She put her arm around Hermione, giving her the barest definition of a hug. “So glad to see you too,” she said.
Pansy may be an arse at school, but she was nothing if not a gracious host -
Pansy may be an arse at school, but she was nothing if not a gracious host -
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Hermione hugged her back, somewhat stunned. When you’re used to being ignored, even the most lukewarm welcome feels like being embraced with open arms.
Theo proceeded to go around the circle, greeting everyone and giving hugs and handshakes while Hermione -
“Love what you’ve done with the place, Draco,” Theo said cheekily when he reached Malfoy, clapping Malfoy’s hand in a firm clasp.
“Mother and Pansy had the time of their lives doing it up for the party,” said Draco, the corner of his mouth -
Pansy snorted. “We didn’t do that. That was probably on there from the last time you went into London to party after a big win."
Malfoy simply smirked -
Hermione felt unmoored. It had been a while since she had observed a group of friends like this, and even longer she had been part of one. The banter, the history, the closeness – it made her feel like more of an outsider than the fact -
To hide her discomfort and give herself something to do she lifted her near-empty flute to her lips, sipping on nothingness. Malfoy’s eyes landed on -
Usually, looking at Malfoy felt like falling or having the ground swept away underneath you, so clear and cold were his eyes. However now, in the dimness of the room, with his grey eyes being swallowed by his pupils, Hermione had no trouble standing steady -