So this is the first chapter of my new fanfic. Exciting I know xD You guys know the drill.. I do not own Harry Potter or anything you recognise, just the plot. Not making any money, blah blah blah… Big thankies to Honestylies, my beta, who helped me get this story started and is just good stuff xD Hope you guys enjoy, if ya do, please leave a review, if ya don't, please leave a review xD Have fun xx
She was captivating.
When Harry first saw her at the ministry ball he was blown away. Her blonde hair, swept up on one side with her soft curls cascading down her left shoulder, set off her delicate face. Dark eyelashes framed her honey brown eyes and her lightly stained cheeks made him wonder exactly what made her blush and if he could entice a blush out of her himself. She was a mystery to him, someone he knew nothing about and didn't bow down to him as the 'Saviour of the Wizarding World'. That didn't bother him, on the contrary, it spurred him on; he had never been particularly pleased with the attention. No, that wasn't the problem. The problem was her blood. Harry never bothered with the whole blood issues thing, being halfblood himself, but she was pureblood and she did bother with prejudices. She was upper class, pureblood aristocracy. And she wouldn't take a second look at anyone that wasn't rich, good looking, pureblood royalty. Harry hadn't even thought about that till his bushy haired friend told him the hard way, while sitting in their apartment's kitchen.
"Harry," Hermione said. "You do realise you probably won't be good enough for her don't you?"
Realising how harsh that sounded, she tried again, hoping to not sound too soul crushing. It didn't work. What she said was true; 'I'm not good enough for her…'Harry thought.
"It's alright Mione, I get what your saying, you're right, she's outta my league." Harry glanced down to his fingers playing with the edge of the placemat on the table.
"Harry, you're a great guy, everyone knows that, it's just Rosaline isn't after nice. She doesn't care about that." She sounded sympathetic enough, but Harry could hear the growing annoyance in her voice. "People like her, they like men with the proper etiquette, men who can 'court' her. Harry, you're not that kind of guy."
He knew he should get over Rosaline and stop trying to find ways to see her. He knew he should probably stop talking about her too, but he couldn't help it.
"I'm sorry Hermione; she's just not like other girls. She's strong and independent and doesn't want me for the scar or the money!"
"She doesn't want you at all Harry." Ron muttered.
"Shut it, ginger nut." Harry snapped. "I just really, really like her! You wouldn't understand, you didn't have to do anything to get Hermione, she had wanted to jump your bones for years before you got the courage to ask her out."
Ron turned scarlet and bowed his head in shame, muttering something that sounded a lot like "piss off".
"Look, this is getting ridiculous! After the leaky cauldron, we will go shopping, get you some better clothes, smarten you up and you will go and ask her out! Then! Then when she rejects you, maybe, just maybe you will get over her!" Hermione paused, taking in a deep breath and letting it out in a huff. "OR! Maybe you won't! Maybe you will waste your life away dreaming about her! But I just don't care! Just stop talking about her!"
"Whoa relax 'Mione, no need to scream at the poor boy." Ron wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder. "He's just in lurve! Remember how we were before we got together. Always stuttering and dancing around each other. And I defiantly know I talked Harry's ear off about you."
Ron dropped a few kisses around her ear, whispering, what Harry was certain, were sickening sweet nothings. Hands started wondering and Harry had to interrupt before he clawed his eyes out.
"O.K. guys enough with the PDA's! My innocent eyes don't need to be seeing that!" Harry looked away, hoping for a distraction. He didn't find one.
When Ron had finished dazing Hermione out, Harry suggested they set off for Diagon Alley.
"And if we get going now I can get some stuff and ask Rosaline out at that Gringotts Gala tonight."
"You're actually going to that thing Harry?" Ron asked. "You do realise there will be lots of press. Taking your picture. And writing about your non-existent love life. That's not good Harry."
"Ronald! Don't be silly. Harry is going because Rosaline is going. And he wants another chance to impress her." Hermione's voice was already being laced with annoyance again. "I doubt the press will hold him back from his one true love." She said indifferently, eyes rolling.
"Now now Hermione, one might start to think you were jealous." Harry said, raising his eyebrows and glancing towards her.
Ron's eyebrows also shot up at that, and Harry swore he saw him pull Hermione closer. Hermione however, she merely snorted and replied, "You wish Potter."
After a few more cheeky remarks and a swift hit to Harry's head, the trio apparated to the Leaky Cauldron and found an empty table. Once seated around it, they made themselves comfortable and ordered their drinks.
"So you really are serious about going to the Gala tonight then Harry?" Asked Ron, still confused as to why he would want to put himself through that. They were known to be boring and Rita bloody Skeeter always managed to get a shot of Harry doing something embarrassing. Always. "Need I remind you of the picture of you running out of the women's toilet in the Daily Prophet? Or the time they caught you looking at Malfoy like you wanted to-"
"Ron! I get it. And I wasn't looking at that git. I was looking at his tie… Look if I can find just the right outfit to knock Rosaline's socks off, then yes I'll be going. If not, then I guess I'll have to wait for the next one." There was never much time between ministry events, and there was bound to be another one soon, so he knew he didn't have much to worry about. "Hopefully we will find something soon. 'Mione? You'll help me find something wont you?"
"Yes Harry," she said in a resigned voice. "Yes I will find you the perfect outfit for the perfect date for the perfect girl. Perfect," she practically spat out.
Harry noticed she wasn't happy and since he was the most oblivious person known to man, it must have been bad.
"Thanks 'Mione, you're the best. I owe you. Anything you need, just tell me alright? Your best friend Harry will sort it."
"Yes, yes, Harry, if I need anything I'll let you know." She may still sound rather angry but Harry saw the small smile on her face. He knew she would help. And God he needed it.
After they had finished their butter beers, they donned their coats and walked out onto the busy street that was Diagon Alley. Harry didn't know a thing about shopping or what looked good on him, so he turning to Hermione he asked, "'Mione, where do I start, I don't know anything about this!"
Ron just laughed.
"Harry, I can tell you what looks good on you and all that but I don't quite know… Well I've read about it obviously but I'm not really sure… Well I am. Sure I mean. I did read a book about it at Hogwarts, but I won't be much help when it comes to showing you the correct manners and Wizarding etiquette worthy of Miss Snotty-nose..."
The boys could see it bothered Hermione to say that she didn't know something and they both sniggered.
"Hermione! You mean to say that you don't know something? That you aren't the fountain of information about any pre-chosen subject? I am shocked and dismayed!"
"Yes, Harry! I don't know everything ok?" Hermione said hotly. "I never said I was perfect! And for that matter I -"
"Hey, hey, hey," Ron broke in. "You're perfect to me." He said in a lowered voice.
"Aww I'm sorry 'Mione, you know I'm joking. You are perfect, sweetie."
"Hmm. That being said, we must get to work. Chop chop!"
Hermione lead them towards a very upmarket looking shop. As they stepped inside they immediately felt a wash of spells past over them, and all their muggle objects flew out of their pockets. Harry whipped out his wand and accioed them back. It didn't work.
"What the hell is wrong with my wand!?"
"Hello Mr. Potter. We do apologise for the taking of your personal items, however I am sure you of all people understand the need for security." The speaker was a blonde woman, with a huge fake smile.
"Erm, yeah I guess. Although snake man is long gone and we're hardly going to be bringing in evil obj-"
"That's not the point Mr. Potter." She cut in, completely ignoring Hermione and Ron. "Now what can I help you with?"
"My friend here needs some formal robes to wear to the Gringotts gala tonight." Hermione said. The sales assistant ignored her and looked at Harry expectantly.
"Well?"
"Erm, like my friend said, I need some robes for the gala tonight…" Harry answered her, confused as to why the woman ignored Hermione.
"Well Mr. Potter, we have a wide selection available. If you just follow me, I'll show you our robes."
The three followed her towards the right area of the large shop, looking around at the garments on sale.
"Hermione!" Harry whined. "What colour should I get?"
"You need a rich, dark colour. Maybe dark blue. That would look nice on you" Hermione said. No matter how often she tried to deny being girly she was still all girl deep down.
"Alrighty 'Mione, I'll go try this on." Harry was holding night-sky blue robes, with small detailing around the edges. When he came back out, Hermione, Ron and the random sales assistant were all waiting for him. Hermione and Ron said it looked fine but the assistant insisted that they were like the most perfect robes ever, and he would be totally silly not to buy them. Harry promptly took them off.
Hermione looked around, and her eyes fell on a bottle green set of robes. She could tell the seamstress must have spent a heck of a long time working on them and they held an air of superiority to them. She ordered Harry to try them on. When he came out of the changing room for the second time, Hermione's "ohhhhhh" let him know the robes looked great. And if he was being honest with himself, he felt great in them.
He soon made his way to the checkout and paid for his new robes with a big smile on his face. The assistant mistakenly though it was for her and gave him what she must have thought was a sultry look, but Harry wasn't impressed. He quickly swerved around the clothes stands and rushed for the door, where he met Ron and Hermione.
"Oh my, that woman was crazy. And did you see her make up? Gosh you would need a chisel to take that stuff off."
"Calm down 'Mione, we're out now. It's all good. Can we go back to the apartment now, I need to get ready for tonight."
"You sound like a girl mate…"
"Bugger off."
"Harry you look fine, stop worrying." Hermione snapped, as the two of them walked towards Gringotts. Ron bailed, deciding he didn't want to be stuck around goblins all night and rightly so, Harry thought, they were freaky.
"I just want to look good for Rosaline. I don't want to give her any reason to not like me." Harry did look genuinely sad at the thought. Seeing this, Hermione took his hand and let out an aspirated breath.
"Harry, listen to me, if she likes you she likes you. Simples. If not then at least you'll know and you can get over it and move on."
Harry squared his shoulders and ran a hand through his already messy hair. He checked his breath and took a glance at himself in the glass of a window in a shop nearby.
"That's my boy. Show 'em how it's done." Hermione seemed happier now Harry was getting himself geared up for the moment of life and death. She rolled her eyes. Rosaline was not going to say yes, and Harry was defiantly not going to be leaving the ball as happy as he was entering it.
However, Hermione too squared her shoulders and linked her arm through Harry's. She would be there for him when Rosalie broke his heart. She always was there for him.
Together they walked into Gringotts and quickly glanced around, both used to having to search rooms in a moments notice with no guarantee they would see it again. Hermione's eyes made a full sweep before settling on the beautifully laid tables to the side of the room. It had been decorated in black and white with hints of gold here and there. It was all very classy and elegant. Simple, but elegant. And it screamed pureblood.
"The goblins couldn't have planned this." Hermione murmured to Harry. "This has the signs of a pureblood all over it."
Harry agreed with his friend as he picked up the small details of the room. Snakes on the silverware, dangling chandeliers and crisp linen tablecloths. 'Very pureblood' he thought.
He led Hermione to their pre-arranged seats and pulled out her chair. He did have some manners! He took his seat next to her and his eyes started sweeping the room again, this time not looking for danger but looking for a certain girl. She wasn't hard to miss and as Harry's eyes found her, they widened as he took in her appearance.
Rosaline was dressed in a blood red, floor length evening gown. Strapless, yet modest of course but it still managed to hug every curve she had. Harry's jaw dropped. 'She looks stunning,' He thought. 'Amazing.' Her hair was flowing this time, down her back, again in curls but softer than at the Ministry ball. The blonde curls danced as she made her way around the hall with some unnamed man. Harry was happy to notice she did not have a smile gracing that beautiful face of hers. Maybe she was bored and was just waiting for him to sweep her off her feet. 'Maybe not.' He thought as he saw Rosaline glance over to someone standing on the edge of the dance floor. Malfoy. 'Great.'
Malfoy was dressed sharply in an obviously very expensive suit with a light grey shirt underneath. 'Matches his eyes.' Harry thought. 'Bugger, he looks good! I don't need more competition.' Malfoy already had a very beautiful girl hanging off his arm, he didn't deserve another one. Harry gave him once last look over as he raised his eyes to Malfoy's face, and was shocked to see those cold eyes staring at him like he was mad. When Harry realised he had been caught staring he blushed and noticed Malfoy's smirk. 'Cocky bastard. It wasn't like I was checking him out.'
His gaze returned to Rosaline and he was sad to see she was still looking at Malfoy. 'Well Malfoy isn't going to get my girl.' He stood up quickly, telling Hermione "It's time." before making his way around the hall. Rosaline had finished her dance with the unnamed man, and was now sitting at an empty table just off the dance floor. 'Perfect.'
As Harry approached her table, Rosaline looked up and watched him walk towards her.
"Rosaline, may I have this dance?" Harry gave her his most charming smile - the one he usually reserved for getting his way.
She looked a bit wary but excepted his hand none the less. He tucked her hand under his arm and lead her to the centre of the dance floor. Thankfully, a slow number began. Harry looked over to the orchestra where Hermione was walking away with a satisfied smile. No need for Harry to be at an even bigger disadvantage.
Harry took the opportunity to stare at Rosaline's face close-up. 'She wears a lot of make up.' Harry thought. 'She really doesn't need it.' Harry watched as her eyes flittered around the hall. Those beautiful honey-brown eyes seemed to be seeking something but Harry was too absorbed in marvelling over the captivating goddess in front of him. If he looked around he would have seen that Rosaline was staring through hooded eyes at Draco who was smirking in return.
"Rosaline?" Harry tentatively asked.
"Yes, Harry," her smile was polite. Indulgent.
"Er…." He couldn't ask her. He couldn't. But he had to. Rosaline was watching him expectantly.
The words came out of Harry's mouth before he had got his tongue around them.
"Wangooutwime?"
"I'm sorry?" said Rosaline, with a slight bored tone.
Harry cleared his throat and his hands began to get clammy where they rested on Rosaline. Harry fumbled and accidentally stepped on Rosaline's foot - she visibly winced.
The music stopped but Harry's hands stayed on Rosaline's thin waist.
"I was wondering, if you would like to of course, maybe, perhaps go to dinner with me sometime?"
Harry bit his lip nervously as he watched Rosaline's eyes grew wider and she looked away awkwardly.
"Oh, well, thank you, Harry, but no."
With that Rosaline glided away to her table like nothing happened while Harry stood in the middle of the dance floor with a defeated look on his face. Hermione appeared out of nowhere and lead him into the next dance. Wouldn't want him standing alone looking crushed on the dance floor, the press would just eat that up.
"I'm sorry Harry…"
"It's alright 'Mione, I don't know why I expected anything else." His eyes held a dejected look and his shoulders sagged. 'Poor Harry…' Hermione thought.
As the song came to a close, Hermione pulled Harry close and whispered in his ear; "It'll be ok Harry, I promise. It's her loss."
"I'm not too sure Hermione; I'm really not too sure." His eyes wondered around the room, looking at anyone, anything, other than Hermione's eyes.
He noticed a flash of blonde at the edge of his eye sight.
"Harry, you can move on now. You tried your best and now its time to let her go," Hermione murmured to him.
Harry wasn't paying attention, his focus was on Malfoy's white blonde hair as it made its way through the crowd toward the balcony that led out of the ballroom. Harry watched as Malfoy strutted through the ballroom, his hips slightly swaying in a tempting manner. As he walked, women's eyes followed him and men leered lustfully. He took it all in stride with a stunning grace that Harry had never noticed before.
"Harry, you did everything you could." said Hermione, still talking. "She's just not interested. Move on,"
"No, I haven't tried everything. Excuse me,"
"Where are you going?"
He didn't answer her but thought to himself, 'I'm off to sell my soul to the devil' Harry made his way swiftly to the where he saw Malfoy disappear, dodging over-eager fans on the way.
Slipping through the door, he snapped it shut behind him. Leaning against the railing was Draco Malfoy. His slender figure outlined by the moonlight, his hair gleaming. Harry couldn't believe he was about to do this. To ask his arch nemesis-. To ask him of something like this, something so important.
"Malfoy, I need your help."