Chapter 1. The Spark

"Have you heard?" Blaise Zabini said to Draco Malfoy as they were walking to class together one afternoon. "There's word going around that there was a Gryffindor and a Slytherin who were secretly meeting each other around the castle."

"What?" Draco said, almost dropping his books.

"Yeah. How disgusting. A Slytherin with a Gryffindor! I wonder who it is…"

"Don't bother thinking about it. It's probably just some crazy rumor that was made up by someone," Draco said coolly as he walked faster and left Blaise farther behind. Of course the rumor wasn't real — most of it anyway. It all started a few days back…

It was lunch time at the Great Hall. There was great bustle and happy chatter all around. The sounds of silverware on the plates can be heard as the delicious aroma of the food wafted in everyone's noses. Basically, the chatter was all about the Triwizard Tournament and the Yule Ball. Draco had been very annoyed whenever Harry Potter's name was said with admiration in the hallways. But now he wasn't sure what was more annoying; Potter and his "splendid" performance as he fought with the Norwegian Ridgeback or the constant giggles of the girls as they anticipated the incoming Yule Ball. Pansy Parkinson was sitting beside him making some nonsense blabber that he didn't want to listen to. He had only asked her to the Yule Ball because everyone in Slytherin expected it and he didn't want to go alone. He had already finished his food and took to staring at the other students at the Great Hall. He spotted Potter with Weasley and that Mudblood Granger. He still had to wonder why anyone would want to hang out with the likes of them; Weasley with his second-hand everything and Granger being her Mudblood self. She had made an impression on him and stood out among the rest in his mind but not because of the reason someone would think. It was her bushy hair, all those books she always carried around, and her bossy attitude — at least that was what he convinced himself to think.

He decided to approach the group desiring to throw an insult or even humiliate them if he gets the chance. When he arrived at the Gryffindor table, the threesome was in the middle of a conversation.

"Hermione - who are you going to the ball with?" said Weasley.

Granger frowned and said, "I'm not telling you, you'll just make fun of me."

"You're joking, Weasley!" said Draco, behind them. "You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared Mudblood?" He was surprised by how uncomfortable he felt after saying that.

Potter and Weasley both whipped around, but Granger said loudly, waving to somebody over Draco's shoulder, "Hello, Professor Moody!"

Draco went pale and jumped backward, looking wildly around for Moody, but he was still up at the staff table, finishing his stew.

"Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?" Granger said scathingly. He can't help but smile a bit at her fierceness. Then he noticed that Granger looked different somehow. Then it hit him. It was her teeth. They were all normal size now. Not normal size with respect to the hex he gave her at the dungeons but normal size with respect to the teeth that she always had. He watched her, Potter, and Weasley go up the marble staircase laughing heartily. That annoying Potter and Weasley, he thought as he frowned at them.

The day has come. Everyone was already getting ready for the Yule Ball. Draco looked at his reflection at the mirror. He was wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar. He fixed his hair and when he was content with his appearance, he went down to the Slytherin common room where he met Pansy, who was wearing frilly robes of pale pink, and escorted her to the entrance hall. Many people were already there when they arrived.

When the Durmstrang students came in with their partners, at first Draco didn't recognize the girl who was with Krum. He slowly took in the girl's periwinkle-blue robes, her brown hair, and facial features…

"Granger?" Draco said.

"What?" Pansy asked.

"Nothing, nothing," he said turning away.

They entered the Great Hall. After they had dinner, the Weird Sisters started to play some music and everyone went on the dance floor. They all danced to a slow tune. Draco held Pansy in his arms in a close ballroom position just like everyone else. Draco looked to his left and saw Granger dancing with Krum. She looks really different tonight. He turned his gaze back to Pansy. They danced for a few songs while Pansy kept up a conversation.

"…so then Millicent said… Draco what are you looking at?" Pansy said turning to the direction where Draco was staring.

"Nothing," Draco said quickly and maneuvered Pansy a little farther off.

Pansy frowned. "There is something in your mind Draco. You've been looking around all night. Tell me, what were you looking at?"

"Nothing, I was just… I'll go get some punch." Draco walked toward the punch bowl. What was he staring at again? Something that was periwinkle blue… No. No, no, no, no, no! He shook the thought away and arrived at the table with the punch. But somebody was already there.

Granger looked up at him as she poured punch into a glass.

"How's your night?" Draco said. Wait, why did he say that? That was completely out of character!

Granger was surprised for a second as that was the last thing she could imagine Draco telling her. Then she glared at him. "I don't want you ruining this night. Why do you even care?"

"Surprisingly, I actually don't," Draco smirked.

Granger walked away and Draco was free to pour two glasses with punch. Then he went back to Pansy smiling. He never removed his eyes from Pansy once the rest of the night — even if his mind was.