For The Golden Snitch Forum's 'Tiggerific Times!', using the prompt of Draco Malfoy, putting me at a total of 5 points for Horned Serpent, Ilvermorny

Also for TGS's Around the World, for Egg #3

526 words by ffn doc manager

Contrary to popular belief, Draco hated balls. He was done with them. Unfortunately, his parent's weren't and still held them and he was forced to attend. He spent most of his time at the balls lurking in a corner, avoiding people's gazes.

At the ball his parents held before Christmas, Draco was even less pleased to be there than usual, because his parents had invited Hermione Granger. They had heard that she was the top of every class, and hoped to get her on Draco's good side; having the smart kid on your side was always good. They had somehow failed to understand that she was a Mudblood and also Draco's least favorite person in the world. Draco was spending most of the ball avoiding everyone and taking extra care to avoid Granger.

His extra care worked for about an hour before he got hungry. His parents provided food at their balls, of course, but the problem was that the food table was on the complete other side of the room. Who knew how many people he would have to pass to get there?

Draco made his way over to the table, ducking his head. He made it to the table, his head still down, without having anyone talk to him. He looked up and found himself face to face with the very person he really wanted to avoid.

"Granger," he said, coolly.

"Malfoy," she replied, sounding just as unpleased.

"Ah, Draco, there you are," someone said. Draco's mother had made her way over to the pair. "I was just looking for you. You know Hermione, yes?"

Draco raised an eyebrow. Hermione? What, had Granger and his mother become best friends? Granger flashed him a smug smile.

"Yes. We go to school together, of course, I know her."

"Well, you can't know her that well, honey. She's in Gryffindor, not Slytherin. Why don't you two share a dance together?"

"What?" Draco asked his mother incredulously. No way was he dancing with any Mudblood, especially Granger.

"Oh, I'm not sure if that's the best idea, Mrs. Malfoy," Granger said. Normally, Draco would be pleased to hear the nervousness in her voice, but he was feeling the same way.

"Nonsense." Draco's mum waved a hand. She put an arm around each teenager and pushed them together. "It's a great idea. You guys will be the best of friends in no time."
Draco decided that his mother was very drunk; she'd never act this way normally.

"Here, Hermione put your hand on Draco's shoulder— have you ever formally danced?— and Draco, put your hand here, you know how to do it. And away you go!"

Draco's mother positioned them correctly and then gave them a little shove towards the other couples dancing. They stood still for a moment, still in the same position his mother put them in. Draco looked to his left and saw his mother looking at them expectantly.

"Let's humour her," Granger offered, also seeing Draco's mum.

"Just for five minutes," Draco agreed.

And they started to dance.