Chapter 2: Preconceived Notions
"Come now Malfoy," chided Mr. Potter. "I can't have you standing here stupidly and not meet or dance with anybody- this is, after all, an occasion meant for such leisure."
"I certainly will not." Replied Mr. Malfoy. "You mistake me for someone who gives enough care to fulfill such tawdry expectations. Besides, there is no woman in this room who wouldn't be a punishment for me to dance with."
"Now I must disagree with you on that, Malfoy for never have I been in the company of such a pleasant array of women in my life! Some of them, I'd have to say, you'll find exceptionally charming."
"I wouldn't put it past you to say so, Potter, for you are dancing with the only handsome woman in this room." Mr. Malfoy gave a terse gesture with his head towards Ginny who was then dancing with another gentleman.
"Well, she is without a doubt the most delightful creature I have ever seen. There is one of her friends behind you, who I assure you whose agreeableness does not escape her countenance- why not ask her for the next dance?"
"Her?" Mr. Malfoy eyed Hermione- who was sitting down at one of the armchairs given the lack of dance offers from gentlemen in the party. "I daresay she is tolerable, but not nearly handsome enough to entice me- perhaps the same reason why others dare not give her a second glance. Potter, must you waste your time with me and keep your partner waiting?"
Mr. Potter soon descended towards the dance floor to join Ginny for the next dance. Mr. Malfoy gazed with boredom after them until he caught the eye of Hermione- who was apparently seething with disdain. He gave her a curt nod which she civilly returned. As Hermione disappeared into the crowd with her chestnut-brown curls bouncing after her, he wondered whether she had been listening to their conversation all this time.
The following afternoon, the Grangers decided to visit a family, whom they were most intimate with- the Lovegoods, for some tea. Much to Mrs. Granger's irritation however, Mrs. Weasley, in all her glorious smugness for having Mr. Potter's attentions on her daughter Ginny, were to join their company. Hermione, on the other hand, was pleased to have an excuse to be with her close friend, Luna Lovegood.
"I heard you started in out well, last night Luna," pitched Mrs. Weasley. "You were Mr. Potter's first choice."
"Yes, but he seemed to like his second better." Luna smiled in a wistful manner, as she always did, in reply. Although both being the best of her friends, Hermione had a different relationship with Luna than what she had with Ginny. She was more of a reliable confidante while Ginny was more of a supportive sister. Hermione also found Luna more even-tempered as she was more of a wallflower in their neighborhood.
"Oh imagine how elated we were upon seeing our darling Ginny dance with Mr. Potter for the second time!" Mrs. Weasley simpered- pleased with the topic- as she sipped her tea across Mrs. Granger who was hiding a glare behind her teacup. "I heard from Mrs. Brown that Mr. Potter thought her the prettiest of all the women in the ball! What a delightful young man! But how awful to have heard those words from Mr. Malfoy, Hermione."
"I simply cannot give a care, Mrs. Weasley." Replied Hermione as she grabbed a piece of biscuit from the porcelain platter. "I cannot imagine what I can gain by being in the favor of such a man."
"Right you are, Hermione," Mrs. Granger interjected, glad to veer away from Mrs. Weasley's narratives which were evidently the bane of her existence. "He is a most disagreeable young man, far from the disposition of his friend, Mr. Potter. I'd say it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him!"
"Mr. Potter tells me that he is agreeable among close acquaintances," Ginny spoke in Mr. Malfoy's defense. "Perhaps he is just not used to company."
"Non-sense! I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he were so agreeable why did he not speak to Mrs. Brown though she sat near him the entire night?"
"I hardly mind his not talking to Mrs. Brown," Luna interrupted absently. "But I do wish he humored Hermione and danced with her when she asked.
"I don't think I ever shall dance with a contemptibly proud man." Hermione declared.
"His pride," said Luna dreamily, "I'd have to be honest, does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is a pretext for it. It is not a wonder that a fine, young man, such as himself, with family, fortune, everything in his favor, should think himself the better of others. I daresay he has a right to be proud."
"That is very true," replied Hermione, "and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not affronted mine."
Disclaimer: The plot and some of the dialogue are loosely Jane Austen's, I have to admit. I know it may seem predictable for now, but I need these chapters and these dialogues for a smoother transition.