A/N: Yay, a review! Here's chapter 2
Disclaimer: We don't own anything but the plot, yadiyada, it's all JKR's
Chapter 2- 'Treat them like the dirt beneath your shoes'
---Astoria---
I've always loved spring nights. I stuck my head out of the window and listened to the wind lightly rustle the leaves of the oak trees overhead. I savored the wind caressing my skin as I looked across field of flowers, disappearing into the horizon as the fragrant scent of lavenders wafted into our carriage. I looked up at the sky. I always imagined the sunset was God's masterpiece. Only God could create such beauty. The sky was His canvas. As of right now, the sky was a warm pool of crimson and gold; a glorious sunset. For a moment, I felt that life wasn't so bad. But the sky had turned dark and ominous, the sunset was over. Reality hit me again; this time right in the gut.
"And remember, Daphne, when attracting a boy, you must NOT under any circumstances talk to him; you must ignore him", Mrs Greengrass lectured.
"Yeah, and act like he's the dirt beneath your shoes", Jacob added sarcastically.
"Very good Jacob! Only then will he be attracted to you" Mrs Greengrass continued, completely missing the fact that Jacob was being sarcastic.
I watched as Daphne nodded seriously. I resisted the impulse to snort at the stupidity of it all. What a load of crap… 'Only then will you be attracted to my GREAT AUNT Fanny.'
"Hey, are you feeling ok?" I heard Jacob ask me softly. I replied with a questioning glance as he continued, "I mean this is your first ball…"
Oh, that. "Yeah, I'm alright", I mumbled, wondering why he was asking me this. He smiled comfortingly and put his arm around my shoulders. At the moment, I saw Daphne glare at me. Sighing, I looked out of the window once again to admire nature's beauty.
Suddenly, the carriage came to an abrupt stop and I almost fell face-first into Mrs Greengrass. Thankfully, luck was on my side and Jacob caught my arm just in time.
With Jacob's arm still around me, I cautiously stepped out of the carriage. Apparently, I was not cautious enough.
"Watch where you're going, you ungrateful, mindless little cow!" snapped Daphne as I accidentally stepped on her foot.
For the first time since we entered the carriage, I felt Mrs Greengrass's eyes on me.
"Astoria, I hope you understand that the Malfoy's are a very rich and powerful family. Under no means will you embarrass me in front of them with your inelegance. You must remember to walk with grace and poise; none of this clumsiness and tom foolery!" she commanded sternly.
I nodded quickly, not wanting to upset her. It took Mr Greengrass loads of persuasion to finally convince Mrs Greengrass to let me come to this ball and I did not want to ruin it.
I looked up at the house, expecting to see a large mansion much like ours but no, this was too big to be a mansion…it was a- a castle. My breath caught in my throat as I let my eyes roam around the exterior of the castle. The ancient but well kept walls were an indescribable colour, like beige, cream, white and brown all mixed into one. I followed the walls up at least five floors and my eyes settled on the melancholy grey roof.
"Astoria, come on, let's go in", Jacob ushered gently, waking me from my trance. He once again put his arm around mine and led me into the castle. I gazed in awe at the marble stairs polished to perfection. Our huge mansion looked like a mere little hut compared to this. With one last look at the beautiful cupid's fountain in the middle of the courtyard, I nervously stepped into the castle. I felt Jacob squeeze my hand reassuringly.
"Wait, Astoria", I looked up to see a malicious grin spread across Daphne's face. What did she want now? "I left my purse inside the carriage, could you please be a dear and fetch it for me?" She asked with an obviously false smile. Sighing, I shrugged my hand out of Jacob's firm grasp and made my way back to the carriage.
--Draco--
As soon as I came down the stairs to the ballroom, a gaggle of ladies, some which I was sure weren't ladies, were waiting at the stairs for me to dance with them. I sighed inwardly. Why had God condemned me to such a punishment? When I reached the group of ladies… and a few men, I held my hand out at random, not really caring or looking at whom I had picked, hoping to get this over as soon as possible.
I twirled her to the floor as the orchestra we had hired began playing a new song. Finally, I glanced down at the woman's face, flinching when I did. Bad choice, I scolded myself. She looked awful; like a dwarf…actually a goblin would be better suited. She was short and stubby; I almost had to bend down to take her meaty, sweaty hands. What was worse was that she smelt like she hadn't bathed in a week…or a month for that matter. I was discreetly breathing though my mouth. Her mask did not hide much of her hideous face and I could spy a wart on her forehead. Oh why did I have to suffer from such torture?
I thanked my lucky stars when the music had faded. But, alas more women crowded around me and I held out my hand again. The music started and I danced with her.
"My name is Daphne Greengrass." she said in a sickly sweet voice. I looked down at her. She did not look too bad. On the contrary, she was actually quite pretty. Her crystalline blue eyes sparkled under the chandelier that hung overhead and her honey blonde hair glinted in the light.
"Draco Malfoy" I replied in a slightly stunned and hushed voice. She smiled at me.
Astoria---
Where was that damned purse? I had searched the grounds for the stables for almost half an hour and when I finally found the carriage; the purse was no where to be seen. I searched under the red silk pillows, under the cushions, on the floor and every nook and cranny in the carriage and outside too. It was no where to be seen. Sighing in defeat I flopped onto the step of the carriage with my head rested in my hand.
Daphne was going to murder me when I got back. Slumped in defeat I walked back to the castle entrance. After my long, cold and tiring walk to the castle, I saw that there were no carriages arriving anymore. Puzzled, I asked the doorman at the entrance why there were no carriages arriving.
"The Ball has started an hour ago, Miss." he replied incredulously. I was extremely late for the ball. I asked where the Ball room was and he pointed to the left stairs. I thanked him as I ran up the stairs.
Draco--
After about fifteen dances, my feet had started aching with pain. I was about to search for a place to hide when I heard a gasp run through the crowd. I reflexively turned around to find of the source of their surprise. For a second I couldn't breathe but for a second that didn't matter to me. All that matter was that angelic lady at the top of the red carpeted stairs.
She wore a silver and rose dress which brought out her flawless, creamy skin making her glisten. Her chocolate curls was pulled up in a simple twist with pearls weaved though it; a few stray curls tumbling down her long, elegant neck. She wore a silver mask dusted in light pink glitter. Childishly, I took satisfaction in the fact that we both wore silver. She floated down the stairs gracefully, her dress swirling around her.
I stared as my legs carried me to her. I was in a trance. I didn't and couldn't take my eyes off her; I feared that the moment I lost sight of her, she would vanish and I would never see her again. Her pink lips curved up in a smile and I felt a warm feeling run through me. It was strange; I felt like I could stare at her forever and be eternally happy. I held out my hand in a silent request. I continued to gaze at her face, as I felt her dainty gloved hand slip into mine.
