I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter Ten: The Yule Ball
Delilah sat on the floor of the girl's lavatory, hugging herself and curling up into her fluffy robe. Her hair was soaking wet and hanging freely down the sides of her face. She felt unbelievably nervous and didn't feel like turning the corner to where the mirrors are, no doubt her roommates were all huddled around it preforming spells on each other's hair and makeup.
She sighed, pushing herself against the wall and moving upwards, turning the corner and walking out of the lavatory. She walked up a few set of stairs and found her way into her room, where Luna sat cross legged on her bed with a spell book open.
"What took you so long?" Luna asked as she looked up from the book. Delilah shook her head, trying to shake the nervousness. She dressed under her robe and as she slid on her dress she managed to shrug off the robe and walk towards Luna, who zipped up the back of her dress.
"I've been looking up spells for your hair and makeup." Luna told her, turning back to the book. Delilah shook her head, "Just my hair, thanks. I can handle my makeup."
Luna nodded, standing up on her knees on the bed while Delilah pulled on the bracelets and choker. Luna dried off Delilah's hair and began casting a few spells, causing it to curl all around her head. Delilah grinned as she touched her now curly hair. "Thank you, Luna." She said happily, walking to the empty box on top of her trunk that once held her dress. She pulled out a blue and black flower-like clip and pulled all her hair to her left side, clipping it all back.
She looked towards Luna and she nodded, "Would you like to borrow my Dirigible Plum earrings? My dad says they increase the wisdom of the wearer, which could come in handy since our classmates might act rather odd tonight."
Delilah laughed, shaking her head, "I have no doubt about that, but I'll stick to my own earrings, thanks."
Luna shrugged, falling back onto the bed and digging through a small makeup bag. Delilah managed to get her earrings in the first try without a mirror and grabbed her wristwatch off the nightstand to check the time.
"Bloody hell!" she nearly screamed, dropping the watch and grabbing the makeup bag. She ran towards the door, and Luna noticed the bottom of Delilah's dress was trailing along the floor. "Delilah, you're dress-!" she started, but then heard a loud thump from the hall. She jumped off the bed and hurried out the door to see Delilah pulling at her dress as she got up from the floor.
"Are you alright?" Luna asked, hurrying over. Delilah nodded, "Dress isn't ripped, and hair didn't fall out. I'm perfectly fine." She said hurriedly, pulling her dress up until it revealed her knees and hurrying down the stairs towards the lavatory.
Luna followed, and stood patiently as Delilah hurriedly applied a light touch of eye makeup and blush.
After Delilah was finished, the two hurried out of the lavatory, up the stairs and back towards Delilah's room.
"Where was everyone?" Luna asked as they walked back into the room. "Probably already in the Great Hall! Poor Justin, he's probably waiting downstairs all by himself!" Delilah groaned, stepped into the black high heels and tying the ribbons to the side.
Luna checked the box and pulled out a camera, "Your mum wants pictures, you know?" she said. Delilah groaned, "I'm not going to make you come with me all the way down to the Great Hall to take our picture."
"I don't have to." Luna said, putting the camera in front of her eye. Delilah put on a quick smile, placing her arms behind her back as Luna snapped the picture.
After a moment Luna put the camera down and Delilah hugged her, "Thank you for all your help. I promise I'll repay you by doing your hair at the next event."
Luna gave her a dreamy smile and expression, "That sounds lovely. You should hurry before Justin grows impatient."
Delilah nodded and hurried out of the room. She past a few younger Ravenclaws lounging in the common room, some of the younger girls sighing sadly as she past, probably still upset they couldn't go.
She walked out the door and down the long spiral staircase, and was completely surprised to see Justin waiting at the bottom of them.
He gawked at her, his mouth wide open and a bright blush forming on his cheeks. "You look amazing." He said happily. Delilah smiled, looking over his black dress robes. "You look handsome. I'm sorry I made you wait."
He shook his head, and extended his right arm. "Shall we?" he asked, a sly grin on his lips. Delilah smiled, linking their arms together and nodding.
Draco leaned against a far wall, staring out at the dance floor. Pansy stood next to him, leaning from one foot to the other. They had finished the first dance that the four champions danced to, and now the band was in full swing and all the students piled onto the dance floor.
Pansy turned to Draco as if to ask him something, but saw the scowl on his face and decided against it.
After a few moments, Crabbe and Goyle emerged from the dance floor, laughing and smiling. Draco glared, "Where have you two been?" he barked.
The two of them looked shocked. "T-The dance floor; d-dancing," Crabbe stuttered nervously. "And why would you want to do that?" Draco asked.
"It's a dance, Draco." Goyle managed. Draco glared at them, "Honestly, why would you want to go dance anyway? Everyone is so close over there, who knows who you could have touched. It's disgusting."
Crabbe and Goyle both shared a look before glumly leaning against the wall next to Draco.
Pansy sighed dramatically and turned to look at Draco, "I'm thirsty."
He gave her a look, "What do you want me to do about it?"
Pansy shrugged, "You could go get us some drinks."
He rolled his eyes and looked towards Crabbe and Goyle. "Go get us some drinks!" he ordered.
Crabbe and Goyle nodded, hurrying across the room to the large table of food.
Draco turned his attention back to the dance floor, and immediately felt his blood boil. Justin and Delilah stumbled out of the large crowd of students, laughing and holding onto each other.
Delilah laughed, brushing some stray pieces of hair out of her face, "That was so much fun!"
Justin nodded, the two of them walking towards the table of food. "Who knew Seamus and Lavender could dance so well." He laughed. Delilah nodded; clearing her throat as she finally realized how hungry she was. She didn't even notice Crabbe and Goyle staring at her and Justin as they walked to the end of the table.
"Would you like something to drink?" Justin asked, looking towards a punch bowl filled with pumpkin juice. Delilah shook her head, "I'm just going to get something to eat."
Justin nodded, and walked to the other side of the table to get two plates and a mug. Crabbe and Goyle both watched him, and shared mischievous grins. They both drew out their wands, trying hard to stiffen their chuckles.
Just as Justin grabbed a cupcake Crabbe whispered something and swished his wand. Justin hadn't noticed, but the icing on his cupcake had turned from white to pink. Crabbe and Goyle both grinned, and were just about to do the same to Delilah's.
"Crabbe! Goyle!" Draco hissed, marching over to them. They both put their wands away and looked towards Draco. "What is taking so long with our drinks?" he asked annoyed.
"Sorry Draco." Crabbe said, picking up the two mugs and following Draco back to the other side of the room. Goyle followed just as quickly, leaving the two alone at the table. Delilah glanced over her shoulder and watched Draco leave, before sighing and returning to picking out sweets.
"Ready?" Justin asked. Delilah nodded, grabbing three more Christmas cookies and following Justin to a table in the back corner. "I hope you're having fun." Justin said sweetly, as Delilah bit into a cupcake. She blushed, wiping away any traces of icing on her face with her napkin, and nodded. "It's been fantastic. I never knew I could have so much fun just dancing."
Justin laughed, "Do you not dance?"
She shook her head, "No, I mean, I do dance. I just didn't think I'd have so much fun dancing with so many other people."
Justin grinned, picking up his cupcake. "I'm glad. This is turning out to be the best second date." He pulled back the paper and took a large bite, before taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.
Delilah nodded, catching someone's eye from across the room. She looked past Justin and saw Draco staring at her, a calm expression on his face. Delilah gave him a half smile, and looked back down at the table.
Justin coughed, and heaved over, dropping the cupcake on his plate. Delilah gave him a concerned look and gripped his shoulder, "Are you alright, Justin?"
He shook his head and stood up, covering his mouth and running out of the Great Hall. Delilah followed him, and stared in shock as he puked in front of the staircase. Professor Sprout hurried over, cleaned up the vomit with her wand and helped Justin up, "You should get to the Hospital Wing, Mr. Fitch-Fletchley. Come on, I'll escort you."
Delilah hurried over, "Professor it's alright, I'll do it."
Professor Sprout shook her head, "Nonsense, go back and enjoy yourself Miss Carter."
Justin gave her a sad look, "S-Sorry Delilah," he mumbled, covering his mouth again. Delilah shook her head, "It can't be helped. Feel better, Justin." She called as Professor Sprout led him up the stairs and away from the ball.
Delilah sighed, turning around and dragging her heels as she walked back into the Great Hall.
Draco pulled his arm away from Pansy for the millionth time that night.
"Draco," Pansy whined, "Want to go find some mistletoe?"
Draco scrunched up his face in disgust, "Let's not."
Pansy glared at him, swatting him in the arm. Draco gawked at her, an angry look in his eyes, "What was that for?!"
"You barely danced with me all night, Draco! You won't even kiss me! Why'd you even ask me to this ball if you aren't enjoying yourself?!" she nearly screamed.
Draco shrugged, "I didn't want to come alone."
Pansy huffed, and stormed past him and out of the Great Hall. Draco watched her go, before looking around the Great Hall for Crabbe and Goyle. He spotted them on the dance floor, dancing with a few Slytherin girls. He glared, before turning and storming out of the Great Hall as well.
As Draco walked past the open doors leading out to the courtyard he spotted something. A white light from a wand was coming from outside. He watched it curiously, before bolting after it, trying his best not to attract the attention of Snape, who was talking to Igor Karkaroff.
He followed behind the light as they walked down a dirt pathway towards the Black Lake.
He noticed from the light that the person was girl, wearing a long dress that was trailing in the dirt, holding a pair of high heels in her right hand.
He recognized the color of the dress, and hair color in the dark, and decided to risk it. "Carter?" he called.
Delilah spun around, and gave Draco a curious look, "Why are you following me?" She asked. He gave her a look, "Why are you walking around barefoot towards the Black Lake? You could get in some serious trouble if Snape catches you."
Delilah shrugged, "I just wanted to get away from all the noise, and if I went back to my common room all the underclassmen would swarm me with questions. Are you going to rat me out? Or perhaps ferret is more appropriate." She smiled.
Draco glared at her, before glancing back towards the castle. "I won't go running to Snape, but you should consider putting out that light before Snape see's it."
Delilah nodded, "Nox." She muttered, and the light disappeared. "Is that all?" She asked. Draco shrugged, trying his best to see her through the darkness. "Yup."
She nodded, "Good. Have a good night, Draco." She turned around and continued walking towards the lake. Draco followed, causing Delilah to look back at him. "Are you following me?"
He nodded, "Yes."
Delilah smiled and the two continued on towards the lake.
They walked over to a few trees right next to the lake, and Draco stood next to her as she leaned against the tree. "Did you have fun at the dance?" Draco asked after a moment, avoiding her eyes. Delilah shrugged, "Justin got sick pretty early on, but his friends let me sit with them and dance with them so I didn't have to leave early. Did you?"
Draco shrugged, "I thought it was boring."
"Did you dance?" she asked. Draco shrugged, "I danced the first dance with Pansy but she gets too…close, you know?" he asked. Delilah giggled and nodded, "She doesn't hide her feelings, does she?"
Draco shook his head, chuckling, "No, she doesn't."
"So did you just stand by the wall the whole night?" Delilah asked curiously. Draco nodded, causing Delilah to laugh. He quickly shushed her, and looked back up at the Castle to see any lit up wands coming their way.
Delilah smiled at him and tapped his shoulder, "I'm sorry I stopped showing up for tutoring."
He stayed quiet for a moment, "Well, I was being a git."
"Oh, you're admitting it?" She grinned. "Shut up." He groaned, crossing his arms. Delilah giggled, "I'll go speak with McGonagall about tutoring you again, if you'd like."
Draco paused, staring up at the castle.
"Is that a yes?" Delilah asked. He grunted in response, and Delilah smiled. "Want to dance?"
He raised an eyebrow at her, "What?" he asked.
She shrugged, dropping her shoes, "You didn't dance much at the ball, so dance with me now. Or can you not dance?" she teased. Draco rolled his eyes, taking hold of her hand, "I can dance circles around you, Carter."
He pulled her up to him, placing on hand on the small of her back and holding her hand in his other. Delilah tucked her wand in her hair and placed her right hand on his shoulder and the two of them began waltzing.
They spun in circles around the lake; Draco making sure every spot they stepped in was solid and dry so Delilah wouldn't step in mud.
Draco could get a clearer look at her face every time she faced the lake, and noticed her eyes looked different and her cheeks were pinker. "Are you wearing makeup?" he asked.
She nodded, "It is a special occasion, you know?"
He nodded, "I like it, but you look more you without it."
Delilah felt her stomach flip for some odd reason and she looked down at her feet. After a few more minutes Delilah finally pulled away from Draco. "It's getting late. We should head back up before Hagrid see's us or Snape catches us." She said, picking up her shoes and heading towards the path. Draco followed her, trailing on next to her.
"Did you like the dance?" Draco asked after a moment. Delilah nodded, pulling her wand out of her hair, "It was lovely. I'm glad we danced, Draco."
He half-smiled, bumping shoulders with her. She grinned and bumped him back. They snuck down corridor and past the stairs leading down to the Great Hall. They caught Snape at the other end of the courtyard, pulling a couple out of a carriage. They both stiffened a laugh as they saw Snape lecture the two of them and they ran down the corridor and up a set of stairs until they were sure Snape couldn't see them.
"Ah!" Delilah sighed, "My dress and feet are filthy." She muttered sadly. Draco pulled out his wand and pointed it to the rim of her dress and feet, "Scourgify." He muttered and the dirt quickly disappeared.
She smiled, "Thank you." She said nicely. Draco walked her up the stairs until they reached the spiral staircase leading up to the Ravenclaw Common Room.
Delilah turned to Draco, "You didn't need to walk me all the way up here."
He shrugged, "I didn't mind."
Delilah smiled and leaned over, planting a light kiss on Draco's cheek. "Goodnight Draco." She smiled, turning around and hurrying up the staircase.
Draco stood there for a moment, a strange tugging feeling in his stomach and a sudden urge to smile uncontrollably, but he tried his best to brush off the feeling and hurried back to the Slytherin common room.
A/N:
thank you all for your lovely reviews :)
And I hope you liked it! I've been wanting to write about the Yule Ball since I started this story because that's when things start to get really good!
Tell me what you think, okay? and I hope all of you who have started school are enjoying it, and for all of those starting school next week (like me...) will enjoy it! and to those who don't start school until after Labor Day...lucky...
haha, well anyways I can't wait to know what you think! bye!