[forty seven]

McGonagall read through every Hogsmeade permission slip of every student crossing the gates, imprinting the names in her mind. All these students will be returning to Hogwarts after the trip safely. All of them.

Beside her, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger stood patiently for orders "Well, more than half the school is staying in because of the ministry seminar on Auror duties. We're going to have to split you two." She pursed her lips, staring at the pair.

"I can take the Hogsmeade patrol, professor." Hermione said, quickly glancing at Neville Longbottom, who had just crossed to gates "Draco will want to attend the program anyway, right?"

Draco pursed his lips "I do? Oh— , I do, professor." He wasn't sure why Hermione said he did, but he played along with it.

"Well, alright then. Mister Malfoy, you can go back inside and usher the students to their seats. The Great Hall will be booked." McGonagall said "Miss Granger, please send a patronus should there be any concern."

"Of course, headmistress." Hermione smiled

"Go ahead, then, your friends are waiting." McGonagall gave them both a squeeze on the shoulder, before leaving for the Great Hall.

"Granger, we're going to get Butterbeer, you coming?" Pansy called out

"I'll see you later." Hermione smiled at Draco

"Yes, . You better have a good explanation for why you thought I'd enjoy a boring talk about Auror work." Draco narrowed his eyes at her "I have billions in my vault and you think I'll waste my time trying to be an auror? I thought you knew me better than that, love."

"Just say you love me and that you'll miss me, Malfoy." Hermione rolled her eyes at his short monologue, trying to ignore his comment about the money. That was going to be hers soon too, and it made her feel sick.

"I love you, Granger." Draco chuckled as he pressed a kiss on her forehead "I'll be counting the minutes until I see you again."

"" Hermione grinned at him, before walking over to where Pansy and Ginny waited

"Took you long enough." Pansy huffed

"Sorry, butterbeer?" Hermione smiled sheepishly

"Celine's already there with Astoria and Krum." Ginny shrugged "All the other boys stayed behind for the ministry thing."

"Elena?" Hermione asked

"We have no idea. Haven't seen her since this morning." Pansy shrugged "Now, can we please walk faster? I'm hungry."

"Blaise tell you to eat breakfast, Parkinson." Ginny pointed out as they trudged through the snow-covered road

"I want my breakfast with my butterbeer." Pansy said stubbornly

"Alright, . Let's just go, alright?" Hermione asked, then gave Ginny a knowing look "I have to patrol."

"That's three alright's in one breath." Ginny snickered, making Hermione nudge her in annoyance

The three of them made their way to The Three Broomsticks, eager to have madam Rosmerta's butterbeer. When they got there, it was buzzing with people as per usual. They found Celine with Viktor and Astoria at the back "Hey." Hermione smiled

"Great, we're all here." Astoria grinned and pulled something from her purse "Before we plan your engagement parties—" she handed them each an envelope

"" Pansy gasped as she read the writings on the envelope "I— Viktor Krum, did you propose?"

"Over the holidays." Viktor shrugged with a smile "We didn't want to make a big deal out of it."

"Yes, so hush or the press will storm us in this perfectly quiet village." Astoria laughed lightly. They knew that informing their friends would entail outbursts and surprised exclamations, but they really did hope nobody else finds out. The world wants enough of Viktor as it is.

"Well we should also plan your engagement party then!" Celine exclaimed gleefully "Oh, Tori, the dresses I have in mind—"

Astoria shook her head ", no engagement parties, please." She laughed, squeezing Viktor's hand "Viktor and I will just dance our hearts out in Ginny and Hermione's."

"Oh we're really pushing through with this, huh?" Hermione rolled her eyes at her friends teasingly "Alright, what's the plan?"

"We were thinking having Weasley and yours a month apart or at least three weeks." Pansy said, suddenly, she and Celine had papers and mood boards spread out on the table. They were looking at sketches of dresses and patches of fabric, as well as options for invitations and music choices. It surprised Hermione how much they've already planned in the last weeks "Yours and Draco's next month, then Weasley's and Potter's in April. Start of the month, of course."

"" Hermione was taken aback "You've planned to host it next month?"

Celine laughed at her expression "Yes, in fact, you can send out the invitations next week. RSVP and all that."

Hermione looked at Ginny for help, but the normally fiery woman seemed to be at a loss for words too as she scanned over the plans laid out on the table.

"Too much?" Celine bit her lip sheepishly

"I— !" Ginny exclaimed "I'm not even going to sugar coat it. Yes. ."

"Oh Ginny, ! This is the kind of thing that we need to lift the school spirits up!" Celine exclaimed "Imagine the headlines and Witch Weekly interviews! ."

Pansy nodded in agreement "We've planned it all for you. All we need is your go-signal to send out the invitations."

"Did you run this over with Harry?" Ginny asked, to which Viktor snorted to "?" She demanded

Viktor laughed "Don't get mad at . These two ambushed Harry with their plans and mood boards as he discussed Quidditch plays with me." He shrugged "You know how much Harry shuts the world out when he talks Quidditch plays."

Ginny glared at the two Slytherin girls "You knew he wouldn't pay attention to you!"

"Potter just gave us a very disinterested '', and went back to planning with Krum." Pansy was grinning triumphantly, which made Hermione genuinely afraid for her life. Ginny looked about ready to kill her.

"Who's paying for this?" Ginny demanded "Bands? Ball gowns? ? Even our own Christmas dinners aren't catered!"

"Draco's paying for all of this." Pansy shrugged

"Draco? My Draco? Platinum-blonde-sometimes-arrogant-most-times-sweet ?" Hermione's mouth was left gaping at Pansy's revelation. All the plans laid out on the table should cost them thousands of galleons. Draco Malfoy was going to pay for all that?

"Do you know any other Draco, Hermione?" Astoria laughed at Hermione's expression

"I don't—?" Hermione demanded ""

"What do you mean ?" Celine's face scrunched up into an expression that basically said "Hermione, Draco has more than a billion in his pocket and he gets richer by the . The only expense he and his mother made this past year was on the renovations and some ministry settlements. So, imagine how much money they've actually saved this past year. This won't even put a in his wallet."