A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters, which belongs to fabulous J. !
Ginny was the first to descend and Harry was awestruck by her beauty. She wore a simple, floor-length, forest green gown with a sweetheart neckline and a shimmering silver sheen to the material. Her hair was styled into an elegant bun that emphasised her slender neck and high cheekbones. Her makeup was kept light; black mascara and eyeliner to give her a 'smokey' look, her lips were painted a pale pink and glistened, charmed so that it never dulled or smudged. She gave Harry a coy, flirtatious smile.
"Tongue off the floor please, Mr Potter." She twirled, her dress swishing out in a whisper of air.
"You look stunning." He gushed; his cheeks flushed a pale red. Fred was too distracted to take any heed of his youngest sibling.
Hermione was the next to appear, sporting a strapless midnight blue dress that clung to her curvy figure before fanning out into a modest skirt. The dress screamed Hermione; elegant and beautiful. The bodice sparkled in the torchlight like stars on a darkened night's sky. She had absconded heavy makeup; keeping her complexion as it was, she wore only light mascara to emphasis her long lashes and dark, brown hair. Her hair sat perfectly. Now frizz-free, it was pulled back from her face and left to cascade down her back. Fred longed to run his hands through the tangle, imagining the satin feel as they trickled through his fingers, like water. He placed his hand over his heart and pretended his knees buckled.
"You're beauty both astounds and mesmerises." He took her hand and held it up to his lips, his heart fluttered as he gave it the tiniest of kisses. He could feel her blood pump faster and throb beneath his fingers and took pleasure from the fact. His eyes locked onto hers and they twinkled mischievously.
"You approve then?" she bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling.
"You will be the belle of the ball." He grinned wickedly.
"You jest." She snorted
"Do not." He replied indignantly.
"Guys! Enough already or else we will be late!" Ginny strode over to the pair and crossed her arms.
"Geez you look like mum when you do that." Fred took a step back as a look of pure rage crossed over his sister's face.
"Don't make me curse you..." she hissed, her ears becoming red, a famous Weasley trait. "This ball is important to me so you better not ruin it."
"Alright, alright. Shall we go then?" Fred knew better than to anger his sister, he had seen her infamous Bat Bogey Hex first hand and knew the power behind her right fist. He motioned for the younger couple to exit first before he escorted Hermione to the ball.
The Great Hall had been transformed into a truly magical winter wonderland. The usual polished wooden floors had been transfigured into non slip ice, the long tables had been vanished and dozens of tables and booths were available around the walls for students to sit and eat. A band had set up on the far left corner and played soft instrumental music to welcome the guests with. There was a half dozen snow covered trees that glistened and gleamed in the light of the hundreds of soft glowing orbs that floated around the ceiling. For Hermione, the best thing of all was the enchanted snow. For as long as she could remember she loved snow, it was never Winter nor Christmas without it. Everything good had come from snow; it was pure and innocent, each flake unique and different. Fred was too busy admiring his date to really take stock of his environment, he watched as her face lit up. Her eyes grew wide, her mouth opened slightly in wonder and the corner twitched upwards as she suppressed what he guessed was a huge grin. He placed a hand gently on her back and whispered in her ear, "it holds nothing to how beautiful you are tonight." He watched as disbelief and uncertainty flashed through her, she bit her lower lip, unsure of how to reply. "Just say thank you," he supplied, taking mercy on her.
"Thank you." It was barely a whisper.
A hush fell over the crowd of students, their attention drawn towards the band. Professor Dumbledore stood before them wearing pale grey dress robes that glistened like trapped ice whenever he moved. His long white beard was neatly plaited and with his usual captivating strong voice he opened the ball.
"Good evening students and welcome to the first annual Winter Ball!" A roar went up from the crowd. "Yes, yes, it is rather exciting." Dumbledore smiled at the eager faces. "I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that fifth years are expected to be back in their dormitories no later than ten thirty and for the upperclassman, no later than midnight. With that said, I hereby declare this ball open." He clapped his hands grandly and the band began to play a lively melody.
Hermione followed Fred through the crowd of chattering students, she watched as he fluidly dodged and weaved with a grace that was unexpected for the prankster. But then, she found he was not what she expected. There was a depth there she had come to appreciate, he was not as open as everyone thought and behind his mischievous smile was a vortex of thoughts and ideas. They suddenly halted and he ushered her over to a table where Harry and Ginny were already seated with Neville and Luna Lovegood. Hermione took the offered seat next to Neville and no sooner had Fred sat than George and Angelina joined them.
"Blimey Granger you don't half clean up." George teased earning him a dig in the ribs from his date who smiled good naturedly.
"You do look lovely tonight Hermione." Neville piped in shyly. Hermione felt herself blush harder and thanked him quietly.
The meal was filled with fun and laughter as everyone got caught up with each other. Hermione found she had a lot in common with Angelina and spent most of the evening chatting amicably with her. When the music began once again, Fred whipped her out onto the dance floor, surprising her once again with his smooth dance moves. Harry and Neville, who was as good a dancer as she remembered, both claimed a dance with her and she couldn't remember having a better time, not even at the Champion's Ball last year.
Just as she was about to sit down she felt a hand grab hers and smiled, thinking it was her red headed date. Her brown eyes met his blue ones before widening in shock and anger. She tried to remove her hand but his grip had changed to her wrist and it was like a vice. She bit back a squeal of pain when it tightened more. His face was like a mask; he wore an arrogant smirk as his eyes roamed over her curvy figure.
"Well well, don't we clean up nicely?" he purred, it made her feel dirty and exposed.
"Let go of me." She hated how her voice quivered and shook, her eyes darted around her but there was no sign of Fred or Harry. She was alone in a crowd.
"Not until I have a proper dance. It is a ball after all." He started to drag her towards the exit, she could smell the firewhisky, and it cloaked him like a perfume.
"I'll scream." She threatened; she was dangerously close to tears. "You know you aren't allowed near me, please just leave me alone!" the tears spilled over and there was a hysterical note in her voice.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll keep your mouth shut." He hissed.
"And if you know what's good for you, you'll release her." Came a smooth voice as a shadow descended over them.
"Piss off Malfoy." Ron growled, his face turned a vile shade of red.
"Want to make me Weasley?" There was no trace of her friend behind that impassive mask but it didn't stop Hermione's heart swell with joy at the sight of him. She tugged hard enough that she freed herself and took a few steps towards Draco, rubbing her wrist. "Now slink off like the weasel you are." His voice was hard and strong and even in his drunken state Ron knew when to back off. He turned and stormed out, muttering darkly under his breath.
"Draco, Th-" She smiled gratefully up at him.
"Save your thanks for someone who cares." He went to turn from her but she reached out and pulled him back around. He slapped her hand away and sneered. "Keep your hands to yourself Granger or are you bored of the ginger prick already?"He took a step towards her so that she could feel his breath against her face.
"I-" she was flummoxed, her brain muddled.
"Your nothing to me anymore. Nothing." The words were whispered making the impact stab her like a thousand icicles. He turned and melted into the crowd leaving Hermione crying in his wake. How could he say that? She thought. Up until that moment Hermione had always hoped that they could salvage their friendship and most past everything but now a hole started to form in her heart where Draco used to be and she just wanted to wallow in the loss of her friend. She stared longingly at the door, knowing that potential danger lay that way but also her salvation was deep in the castle, waiting with its comfort and warmth. She was exhausted.
"Mione!" Harry strolled up to her, his green eyes worried. "Are you alright?" he placed a gentle hand on her back and gave her a brief but comforting hug.
"I-I'm fine Harry. I had a small run in with Draco that's all." She sniffed and dug in her handbag for a tissue to dab her eyes, thank Merlin she cast a waterproof smudge-free charm on her mascara.
"Yeah I saw him with a face like thunder. I thought maybe you two had inevitably bumped into each other." He surmised. "Do you want to leave?" Hermione smiled watery, trust Harry to anticipate her wants and needs.
"No, I'll stick it out, I owe that much to Fred." She sighed and drew herself up strong and proud like the Gryffindor she was. They turned back and joined their peers.
Outside, a figure stormed down to the Forbidden Forest, his black cloak billowed dangerously behind him as a cold gust of wind stirred to life. He glared back at the castle and muttered darkly before he melted into the darkness.
A/N I am very sorry for the long delay, things have been rather hectic in the real world. Hope you enjoyed the story so far and there will be darker chapters to come! Thanks for reading, please remember to review.
~Eliza-Fae