Chapter 4 Dance Practice

Hermione walked into the Great Hall and sat down next to Ginny and Lavender. Ron and Harry weren't there yet.

"So… dance practice?" asked Ginny with a sly smile.

"Harry?" asked Hermione with a sigh.

"Of course! He tells me everything and apparently you don't! I'm slightly offended," said Ginny.

"What's there to tell except I have practice with him tonight?" asked Hermione.

Lavender piped in, "He's bloody gorgeous! Aren't you nervous?"

"Don't you have a boyfriend, Lavender?" asked Hermione.

"Obviously, but who cares? You can't ignore someone who exudes sex," she said with a wicked grin on her face.

Hermione's mouth dropped open.

"Oh good gosh he does not! That's slightly disgusting," said Hermione.

"Just admit it Hermione!" said Ginny.

"Not you too! You're both obsessed and you already have guys!" she said.

"Well now that we've had this conversation you'll think about it as soon as you seem him. Then as soon as you get into his arms and he holds you you'll get even more nervous and you'll notice that we're right," said Ginny.

"And when you realize it you have to come tell us EVERYTHING so we can live through you," said Lavender sighing.

"Right. Well sorry I'm sure I'll disappoint you. Malfoy is not in the slightest bit that… dare I say it… sexy. Eww. Gross. I just used Malfoy in sexy in the same sentence," said Hermione shuddering.

"Just keep telling yourself that," said Ginny smiling again.

"Telling yourself what?" asked Harry as he came up behind them.

Hermione jumped. Oh please oh please don't continue this conversation in front of them.

"Oh nothing," said Ginny as she smiled sweetly at Harry.

"Whatever you say," he said as he sat down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

They all grabbed the food in front of them as it magically appeared as usual. Except now Hermione couldn't help but think about Draco Malfoy. Why was everyone so attracted to him? What the heck did they see? Oh well. Guess she would find out.

~~~~

7:50 pm rolled around and Hermione dug out one of the few pairs of heels she had. You can't dance properly if you don't have heels. She put them on and looked at herself in the mirror. She had changed into a plain black shirt and put on a twirly black skirt. She really hoped she wasn't going to make a fool of herself by what she was wearing. When she learned with her dad this is what she wore. If she was really going to prove to Malfoy she could dance she wanted the whole get up.

She looked at her watch 7:55 pm. She nodded an approval of herself and confidently went downstairs to the common room.

Malfoy was standing there waiting for her wearing a nice silver shirt and black dress pants.

Suddenly she felt her stomach tighten and the image of Ginny and Lavender popped into her head. Oh Merlin. She was in fact doing exactly what they had predicted. Now she was nervous, but it was definitely not because she was attracted to Malfoy. He just looked really nice was all.

"Malfoy," she greeted casually.

"Granger," he said with a curt nod, "You dress up just for me?"

"What? No! This is just what my father taught me. I should say the same to you though," she said.

"If you must know I'm going out after this, but it's none of your business," he said.

"Let's just get this over with," said Hermione.

"I talked to Professor McGonagall again and she mentioned the music would most likely be something a waltz would fit into. I trust you know what you're doing? You look the part but I still don't believe you," Draco asked as he looked her up and down.

She felt her cheeks burn and her stomach tighten. Bloody hell! Really? FOCUS, Hermione. Focus.

"Keep your eyes to yourself and let's waltz," she said as she went to the middle of the room.

He turned on the music and wordlessly walked over to join her. He gave a proper bow and she curtsied. Then he took her in her arms and Hermione absolutely drew a blank. The minute he moved she was frozen on the spot. She blamed him, he smelled absolutely amazing. And she slightly enjoyed the feeling of him holding her even though she would never ever admit it out loud.

"Typically dancing involves moving, Granger," he said lifting an eyebrow at her.

"Uh, yeah, right. Sorry," she said and shook her head at herself.

He went to move again and this time she followed.

He really and truly was a great dancer. This entire time she had resisted the urge to look directly in his eyes. She couldn't help it. She looked up and he was looking down at her with a calm look. He was concentrating. Then he looked her directly in the eye and her breath caught in her throat.

"Ouch!" said Draco.

"Sorry!" she said apologetically.

Crap. Note to self: don't look in his amazing endless grey eyes ever again! You will mess up.

"You're not sorry. You did that on purpose. Stop proving my point. You suck at dancing," said Draco egging her on.

"I did not and do not! But now that you mention it…" she said as she deliberately stepped on his foot this time.

"Bloody hell, Granger!" he yelled at her and dropped her instead of moving into a dip.

"What was that for?" asked Hermione slightly yelling at him and throwing him a glare.

"What do you think? You bloody stepped on my foot twice!" he said.

"The first time was an accident and if you weren't such a git I wouldn't have needed to do it again!" she said, "And I'm a perfectly good dancer I just haven't danced in a long time."

She stood up and straightened out her skirt.

"You had better not drop me like that during the real dance or I'll hex you into an oblivion," said Hermione practically growling at him.

"You started it," he said.

Hermione just rolled her eyes and then stuck out her hand to him.

"Ok we were doing fine until I ACCIDENTLY stepped on your foot. Temporary dancing truce?" she asked.

"You did it on purpose I'm sure of it and fine because you really need the practice," he said accepting and shaking her hand.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. Then Draco took her in his arms and they started dancing for real. Once again Hermione was overtaken with the amazing scent that was Draco. This time she paid more attention… it wasn't just cologne but him! She felt her knees go weak a little. Thankfully he was supporting her anyways and he wouldn't even notice. The only danced for a few more minutes because Hermione had proved her point. Once her nerves had calmed down she really wasn't that bad. And things were getting a little too comfortable between them so they called it quits.

"So that's probably just fine for tonight," said Draco immediately pulling away.

"Yeah," said Hermione looking in the opposite direction.

"You know you weren't so bad this time around. You still need serious work, but it won't be like starting from square one," he said with the Draco smirk.

"Oh shut it," said Hermione as she turned and went to her room.

She closed the door behind her and sank to the floor. Oh no. She felt her heart pounding. Had she really just enjoyed a moment with Malfoy?

A/N: I hope you guys enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing this :) Thanks for the reviews! You guys rock!