We're in double digit chapters. Thanks for the one review. I really appreciate the suggestion, but I think this story is more complicated than I originally thought, so it's going to go farther than just the Triwizard Tournament. Here's chapter 10 for those who want to read it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Draco
Not worthy to be a Malfoy.
My father's words kept replaying themselves over and over.
Not worthy. Mudblood. Filth. Stay Away.
But how could I when Hermione had been there for me always? How could I betray her like that? Because I was a coward. I was no Gryffindor. Unwilling to suffer my father's wrath for the most important person I've ever known.
And because of it, I stayed away from her. It was painful to even look her in the eye. Because when I did, it reminded me of the coward I was.
I avoided her at all costs. The only time I couldn't was when she was persistently chasing after me for answers. Believe me, I wanted to tell her. Wanted to melt in her arms with her soft, melodic voice soothing me. Telling me it was going to be okay. But my body wouldn't obey my mind. My body would stare at her with cold, lifeless eyes before turning away. I was frozen. A frozen husk of a man.
And so when she stopped trying to get an explanation out of me, I was grateful. Not happy, but grateful.
When I arrived, my father was already waiting. He struck out, as fast as a cobra, hitting my cheek. I flew backwards, clutching my face, tears seeping through my tightly closed eyes.
"I gave you a chance, you insolent boy! I gave you a chance for victory, power, and you wasted it! Look what you've become! Fraternizing with a filthy Mudblood. You have become weak. Love makes us weak. Friendship makes us weak. I don't want you to ever talk to her again. Stay away from that filth. You are not worthy to be a Malfoy. You have one more chance. Fail, and you will be no better than Potter, a piece of scum."
And a final kick, a spell thrown at me, and he was gone. I lay there on the floor for a while before I came to my senses, cast a concealing charm on my cheek, and walked back to the Slytherin dormitory, pretending that nothing had ever happened.
Christmastime came around. While everyone joyfully anticipated the break, where they could go back to their parents and relax, I sulked in the Slytherin common room during the few breaks from class.
"Mate, Professor Snape wants everyone to come down," Blaise said once, when I was moping in my bed. I grumbled something unintelligible and climbed down.
"The Yule Ball is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament," Snape said. Some of the girls, including Pansy Parkinson, giggled. I rolled my eyes.
"All 4th years and older will attend whether you like it or not. This means you are going to have to dance, though I doubt some of you buffoons can. Which is why you're going to practice. Everyone stand up. Now pair together."
Some waltz music began to play. Pansy grabbed me. She had known me since we were little kids, and I suspected, no knew, she fancied me.
"Hello," she said, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Hey," I muttered. I really wasn't in the mood to deal with her. She pouted when she heard my unexcited reply. Whatever, she was going to have to deal with it.
We began waltzing around the room. We weren't bad at dancing, probably because our "high-class" pureblood parents made us take those stupid dancing lessons.
"At least some of you know how to dance," Snape said, and I could see why. Most everyone was tripping over their own feet. Pansy smirked.
"Draco, wait."
I turned.
"The champions are going to walk in with their partners and have the first dance, so I recommend you choose someone before it's too late."
"Ok." I wasn't worried. Almost all the girls in Slytherin were mooning after me. Not to brag of course.
Blaise was waiting for me outside the door.
"So, who're you going to ask?"
"Who are you going to ask?" I shot back.
"Oh, I already asked."
"What?" I asked, surprised. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Just because."
"Fine, well are going to tell me?"
"Nope. You'll just have to see, but she's a real catch."
I glared. He grinned back. I rolled my eyes.
"Anyways, who are you going to ask?"
"I dunno. Probably Pansy."
Before my father, I would've known. I would've asked Hermione as soon as I could, but now I couldn't. And I would have to go with Pansy. Pug-face.
"Why won't you tell me who you're going with again?"
"I told you. Because."
"You are so immature."
"Thanks," he said still grinning.
"Hey, Pansy."
She looked over and smiled. "Yes, Drakey?" I wanted to vomit.
"Will you go to the ball with me?"
"Of course!" she cried, squealing with excitement. She ran over to her friends and they all started whispering together, probably about what dress to wear or something else.
"Well, you did it."
I looked over and saw Blaise.
"Yeah, and you know who I'm going with, so why can't I know who you're going with?"
"Mate, it's a surprise."
I groaned. If he wasn't going to tell me, why bother asking.
I looked over at my homework. Nothing was due tomorrow, so I decided not to do it. Might as well get an early rest today.
Hermione
Once Draco had stopped talking to me, I stopped asking why. He didn't even bother answering anymore, just turned away and ignored me. It hurt, thinking that he was my best friend, that he had changed, and now he was back to my enemy. But not really. He didn't make any more snide comments. It was as if all the life had been drained from him, leaving him just an empty shell, devoid of feeling.
Blaise came over to me one day. He asked if I was okay. He knew apparently how close Draco and I had become. He was friendly, and he and I chatted. We had no problem getting along together, and unlike Harry and Ron, he knew Draco and was willing to talk to me about him.
We met by the lake every weekend, but no one knew. So when one day, he asked if I would like to go the Yule Ball with him, as a friend of course, I said yes, I would love to.
"Hermione, you're a girl."
"Well spotted," I said sarcastically.
"It's one thing for a bloke to go alone, but for a girl, that's just sad."
"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!" I whisper yelled. "I WON'T BE GOING ALONE BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT SOMEONE'S ASKED ME!"
I stood up and turned in my paper to Snape. "AND I SAID YES!"
I walked away, not bothering to hear their response.
Please review whether you liked it or not or just any thoughts. Thanks!