Chapter 1
Up until a few days ago, my life was going fine. There were no complications, no confusion.
The bright sunshine woke me up on Friday morning and put me in a brilliant mood. My friends and I all went down to the Great Hall together, talking about the Yule Ball. I hadn't told anyone, but I really wanted to ask Harry to go with me. We'd been hanging round together a lot more recently, and what could be more ideal than going to the Yule Ball with him? I really wanted to tell my friends my plan, but I know they'd all think I still have a soft spot for him, but I don't. I don't. I've been telling myself to think this way for way too long and it was about time I really got over him. But it wouldn't hurt to ask him to the Ball…
I was giving one of my friends my opinion of the boy she wanted to ask, when I suddenly felt myself being watched. Inexplicably, my gaze fell across the Slytherin table. Two silvery grey eyes were burning into me from across the hall. As if he could hear what we were talking about, I stopped talking abruptly. For a moment, I thought he was trying to tell me something, then he fixed me with the most disgusted look known to humankind, so I looked away.
I knew who he was, of course. Who didn't? Draco Malfoy. The stereotypical Slytherin- rude, arrogant and power-driven. Not that I'd ever spoken to him, Ron had always made sure he never came near me. I know he and Harry hate him. Hermione too. I don't know why though. I think they just don't get on. It's not really anything to do with me after all, they're not even in my year.
Hmph. I'm pretty sure I hadn't asked for his obvious disapproval of me. It was something I would have dwelled upon, but my interest was recaptured by my friends as we resumed talking about the Ball.
I thought no more of it as I went to my lessons. I had a fabulous day. I managed to get through Snape's Potions lesson without losing any points from Gryffindor- a rare feat for anyone-, and McGonnagal loved my transfiguration work, and called me the Hermione Granger of my year! The only dark spot on my day was something Professor Trelawney said to me, while we were reading the alignments of the planets. I think her exact words were, "Danger and uncertain times befall you, my dear." I'm pretty sure she makes these things up just to scare us.
Later that evening we all got ready for the party in Gryffindor common room tonight. I wanted to look my best- I had secretly planned on asking Harry to the Ball tonight. I put on a dark green robe that Hermione once gave me and descended the stairs to the common room in a brilliant mood. We were all feeling quite girlie and giggly as we were met by the sparkling lights and loud music.
I wasn't sure when to ask Harry, but I thought I'd give it a while, I didn't want to rush it. I kept him in my sight for a while, he was dancing in the centre of the room with Ron and Hermione. I turned back to my friends and danced for a little. Right. Do it now, I thought. I turned to see where Harry had got to. My heart fell as I saw a fourth member join their little party of three. Cho Chang. Where'd she come from? She wasn't even in Gryffindor! She and Harry had stopped dancing and were now deep in conversation. Harry nodded and smiled, then Cho kissed his cheek and exited the common room. I couldn't believe what had just happened! I couldn't believe she'd just done what I had been planning for so long! Harry's face was lit with such happiness as he told Ron and Hermione what had happened. I felt so… let down. Gutted. I stopped dancing and moved away from my friends. Thank God I hadn't told them what I was about to do. How embarrassing. My heart felt battered. I couldn't stand to see Harry and Cho being so happy right now. I had to get out of the common room. I needed some air.
I grabbed my winter cloak and ran until I found the exit. I pushed open the heavy oak doors leading onto the grand steps which extended down to the Hogwarts grounds. I stood at the top momentarily, looking around. The vast green grounds, bathed in moonlight stretched majestically in every direction. The heavens were starry, and for a mid winter night, it was surprisingly mild. I made my way down the steps and settled in front of the gate post bearing a large stone lion. I pulled my cloak around me and pulled the hood up, enjoying the quiet atmosphere, it was almost magically therapeutic.
My heart jumped as I heard the door behind me creak open. Who was it? I prayed it wasn't one of the teachers- I'd be in so much trouble for being outside. Keeping well within the shadows I slowly turned my head. My eyes met a tall, older boy, whose silvery blonde hair ruffled slightly in the breeze. He looked sad and lonely, but then a slight smile broke onto his well defined face. Malfoy. A rush of adrenaline surged through my veins. I was alone with one of the most respected, feared boys at Hogwarts. One my own brother regarded as an enemy. Although he didn't look as though he deserved such a title tonight. He looked almost… vulnerable. But he's a Slytherin. He would surely never bring himself to show any emotion.
Speaking of emotion, I really should sort out my own. I knew Harry liked Cho, and I really don't have a problem with it. Still, it would have been nice if we'd… No, come on, it wouldn't have happened anyway. Never mind.
I sighed dejectedly. Possibly it was too loud, as I next heard Malfoy demanding, "Who's there?"
I didn't mean to let him know I was there. Still, too late now. I stood up and moved into the moonlight.
"Who is it?" Malfoy's voice demanded of me, as if I'd caught him doing something he shouldn't be doing. He raised his wand protectively. What, was he going to curse me or something?
"Me," I replied. What a stupid thing to say! It wasn't like he'd recognise me… but I couldn't think of anything else to say. As I pulled off my hood, the breeze caught my hair and it swirled round my face.
He seemed different tonight. Like he was almost pleased to see me. I don't know why, we'd never met. Never spoken. Yet, somehow, we seemed to be having an intimate, wordless conversation with our eyes. It took my breath away. Better not tell Harry or Ron about this.
*
Up until a few days ago, my life was going fine. There were no complications, no confusion.
The bright sunshine woke me up on Friday morning and put me in a brilliant mood. My friends and I all went down to the Great Hall together, talking about the Yule Ball. I hadn't told anyone, but I really wanted to ask Harry to go with me. We'd been hanging round together a lot more recently, and what could be more ideal than going to the Yule Ball with him? I really wanted to tell my friends my plan, but I know they'd all think I still have a soft spot for him, but I don't. I don't. I've been telling myself to think this way for way too long and it was about time I really got over him. But it wouldn't hurt to ask him to the Ball…
I was giving one of my friends my opinion of the boy she wanted to ask, when I suddenly felt myself being watched. Inexplicably, my gaze fell across the Slytherin table. Two silvery grey eyes were burning into me from across the hall. As if he could hear what we were talking about, I stopped talking abruptly. For a moment, I thought he was trying to tell me something, then he fixed me with the most disgusted look known to humankind, so I looked away.
I knew who he was, of course. Who didn't? Draco Malfoy. The stereotypical Slytherin- rude, arrogant and power-driven. Not that I'd ever spoken to him, Ron had always made sure he never came near me. I know he and Harry hate him. Hermione too. I don't know why though. I think they just don't get on. It's not really anything to do with me after all, they're not even in my year.
Hmph. I'm pretty sure I hadn't asked for his obvious disapproval of me. It was something I would have dwelled upon, but my interest was recaptured by my friends as we resumed talking about the Ball.
I thought no more of it as I went to my lessons. I had a fabulous day. I managed to get through Snape's Potions lesson without losing any points from Gryffindor- a rare feat for anyone-, and McGonnagal loved my transfiguration work, and called me the Hermione Granger of my year! The only dark spot on my day was something Professor Trelawney said to me, while we were reading the alignments of the planets. I think her exact words were, "Danger and uncertain times befall you, my dear." I'm pretty sure she makes these things up just to scare us.
Later that evening we all got ready for the party in Gryffindor common room tonight. I wanted to look my best- I had secretly planned on asking Harry to the Ball tonight. I put on a dark green robe that Hermione once gave me and descended the stairs to the common room in a brilliant mood. We were all feeling quite girlie and giggly as we were met by the sparkling lights and loud music.
I wasn't sure when to ask Harry, but I thought I'd give it a while, I didn't want to rush it. I kept him in my sight for a while, he was dancing in the centre of the room with Ron and Hermione. I turned back to my friends and danced for a little. Right. Do it now, I thought. I turned to see where Harry had got to. My heart fell as I saw a fourth member join their little party of three. Cho Chang. Where'd she come from? She wasn't even in Gryffindor! She and Harry had stopped dancing and were now deep in conversation. Harry nodded and smiled, then Cho kissed his cheek and exited the common room. I couldn't believe what had just happened! I couldn't believe she'd just done what I had been planning for so long! Harry's face was lit with such happiness as he told Ron and Hermione what had happened. I felt so… let down. Gutted. I stopped dancing and moved away from my friends. Thank God I hadn't told them what I was about to do. How embarrassing. My heart felt battered. I couldn't stand to see Harry and Cho being so happy right now. I had to get out of the common room. I needed some air.
I grabbed my winter cloak and ran until I found the exit. I pushed open the heavy oak doors leading onto the grand steps which extended down to the Hogwarts grounds. I stood at the top momentarily, looking around. The vast green grounds, bathed in moonlight stretched majestically in every direction. The heavens were starry, and for a mid winter night, it was surprisingly mild. I made my way down the steps and settled in front of the gate post bearing a large stone lion. I pulled my cloak around me and pulled the hood up, enjoying the quiet atmosphere, it was almost magically therapeutic.
My heart jumped as I heard the door behind me creak open. Who was it? I prayed it wasn't one of the teachers- I'd be in so much trouble for being outside. Keeping well within the shadows I slowly turned my head. My eyes met a tall, older boy, whose silvery blonde hair ruffled slightly in the breeze. He looked sad and lonely, but then a slight smile broke onto his well defined face. Malfoy. A rush of adrenaline surged through my veins. I was alone with one of the most respected, feared boys at Hogwarts. One my own brother regarded as an enemy. Although he didn't look as though he deserved such a title tonight. He looked almost… vulnerable. But he's a Slytherin. He would surely never bring himself to show any emotion.
Speaking of emotion, I really should sort out my own. I knew Harry liked Cho, and I really don't have a problem with it. Still, it would have been nice if we'd… No, come on, it wouldn't have happened anyway. Never mind.
I sighed dejectedly. Possibly it was too loud, as I next heard Malfoy demanding, "Who's there?"
I didn't mean to let him know I was there. Still, too late now. I stood up and moved into the moonlight.
"Who is it?" Malfoy's voice demanded of me, as if I'd caught him doing something he shouldn't be doing. He raised his wand protectively. What, was he going to curse me or something?
"Me," I replied. What a stupid thing to say! It wasn't like he'd recognise me… but I couldn't think of anything else to say. As I pulled off my hood, the breeze caught my hair and it swirled round my face.
He seemed different tonight. Like he was almost pleased to see me. I don't know why, we'd never met. Never spoken. Yet, somehow, we seemed to be having an intimate, wordless conversation with our eyes. It took my breath away. Better not tell Harry or Ron about this.
*