Draco and Hermione

PART ONE: Weasley the Fool

Draco Malfoy, like everyone else around him-- was watching the procession. Unlike everyone else, his gaze was filled with disdain as he watched Pot-head walk in with Parvati Patil.

He'd been so intent at smirking at his foe's obvious store-bought dress robes, unlike his own Italian-custom made ones, that he completely missed the entry of Viktor Krum and his date.

'Is that Hermione Granger?'

'No. No definitely not,' he heard that fool, Weasley say.

But even Draco was not that big an idiot. Though she looked disappointingly… presentable… this evening, it was still that goody-goody Granger.

'Cat got your tongue, Weasley?' he couldn't resist it.

'Shut your face, Malfoy!' the red-head retorted.

'Draco! Let's dance!!!' at that moment, Pansy pulled on his arm and dragged him to the dance floor.

Seriously, that girl had all the wealth but no class. Did she not know that with one scrape of those impractically long fingernails that she could damage the thread-count?

Ignorant girl.

But he didn't say anything. He'd promised Pansy that he would help her get together with Goyle. She'd been hot for him for awhile now, but Goyle was never one to take a hint.

'Pansy-- you think you could sort of not push down on me?'

'I'm just trying to look over your shoulder Draco, to see if he's watching--' Pansy said almost desperately.

Draco was about to give her one of his smart-arse remarks when he caught the eye of a girl being twirled around delightedly on the dance floor.

Though it was virtually impossible for a Malfoy to look ungraceful on the dancefloor, after years of ballroom dancing classes-- the effort Draco had to do to keep Pansy on the right path was massive.

He glared at Granger as she didn't even try to hide the smirk on her face.

Ooh, he was going to get her for that.

'Draco, you're not listening!' Pansy complained.

'Pansy, seriously. He likes you, you like him-- stop being a wimp,' he said, unceremoniously stopping in the middle of a twirl.

He made a whistling sound and soon enough Crabbe and Goyle were by their side.

'Draco?' Crabbe said, his hands filled with cupcakes.

'You,' he said to Goyle, 'dance with Pansy. You, come with me to get a drink.'

And with that he walked off the dance floor.

He didn't really expect Crabbe to disobey him, yet halfway through he turned back to find Hermione gapping at him.

Honestly, did she not know the meaning of subtlety?

'Uh- Draco?' Crabbe was now in front of him.

'What is it, Crabbe?'

'Uh… you're uh--'

'You're blocking the way Malfoy!' Draco glared at Potter and Weasley who had taken great pleasure of saying what Crabbe hadn't been able to say.

The bass player of the 'Weird Sisters' had been trying to sidestep him with one of the drums.

Draco stepped out of the way and apologised before deciding that while this night had turned out to be a bore so far, he might as well have a little fun…

'Parvati, would you like to dance?' he said.

Draco grinned as the girl didn't even ask Potter for permission, she just got up and joined him on the floor.

He didn't normally associate with Gryffindors, but a girl is a girl.

So does that mean you would dance with Granger?

He pushed the tought to the side of his head as Parvati made a grab for his arm as the Weird Sisters began their first set.

She got eaten up by the crowd and he was left at the edge. Not that he minded. No matter how good the band, he really didn't want his suit tarnished.

'You've got some nerve.'

'Mudblood. Looking pretty tonight,' he turned, sardonically grinning at Hermione.

'don't. Call. Me. That.'

'Oh be nice, I was just teasing,' he nudged her.

'You never tease, Malfoy,' she stared at him, 'Wait a minute-- you're just trying to deter me! I will NOT be deterred! How dare you take away Harry's date!!!'

'It's not my fault Potter couldn't keep a date if he tried,' Draco shrugged.

'Look how devastated he is!' she appealed.

That was one of the things which amazed Draco about Hermione, did she really believe that if he saw Potter sad his conscience would act?

'I don't think that he's quite upset about Parvati as he is about Diggory's girl,' he indicated to where the other Hogwarts Champion and Cho Chang were moshing, yet with their hands still clasped together.

'I--'

'You?' Draco asked.

She walked away.

And watching her walk away was a somewhat… enjoyable experience.

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Author's Note: I hope you like this first chapter of my 3 chaptered fic. Please leave a comment if you may, I'd like to know what you think. xxKei