A/N: oho! I need to get this story moving, I might not have enough time to finish this as I will be studying for Nclex soon. Please pray for me! Waaa…. c anyway, on to the story.
Chapter 21
The more you ignore
me
the closer i get
you're wasting your time
I am now
a
central part
of your mind's landscape
whether you care
or do
not
yeah, I've made up your mind
when you sleep
I
will creep
into your thoughts
like a bad debt
than you can't
pay
take the easy way
and give in
yeah, and let me in
- Morrisey, The more you Ignore me, The closer I get
Hermione was thankful she decided to split the tasks with Malfoy. She couldn't quite face him yet after Hogsmead. She could see him try to catch her eye time to time but she always averted. And when she needed to talk to him, she made sure there were a lot of people around or either Harry or Ron was present. She sighed, she knows she couldn't avoid him for long. It was Friday, tomorrow would be the Christmas feast and the day after that, she would be going home for Christmas. She put her head in her hands.
Blond hair…tall…his grey eyes, seductive and mesmerizing. She imagined the feel of his hand on hers and she felt the familiar flutter of butterflies. Oh my God. She likes Draco Malfoy. The more she stayed away, the more she wanted him to pursue her. The lesser time they spent, the more she craved to be next to him. But… Harry and Ron? What about her bestfriends? What if Malfoy was just joking with her? She knows being with him, meant a lot of hurting… I am very much aware what a relationship with you implies.
He said that, then the quiet desperation in his voice… what about that?
"Are you ok?", Draco said quietly. Granger looked up abruptly and her brown eyes met his. Slowly she put down her hands, away from her face. "I… Yes…", she said in a strangled voice. Draco set his lips in a firm line and with great effort tried to sound business- like. "Well, I am giving you a heads up on what I have done so far. I talked to the kitchen and gave them the menu we wanted and for the Buffet and of course the tables... I have also talked to the Professors on the music – don't worry I mentioned there would be muggle music."At this Draco grimaced. Granger's lips quirked a little. "Which I know you will be providing as I have no knowledge of that."
Hermione stared at him for awhile. He was Smart, Responsible and Sexy. Damn it. Malfoy cleared his throat to snap her out her reverie. "Oh yes, Thank you. I will talk to McGonagall about the music, and thanks for taking care of the food. I already gave Flitwick my input on how I want the Great Hall to look tomorrow – don't worry there will be no theme.", she quickly added, a small smile on her face. Malfoy looked at her and his lips twitched. They stared at each other for a while.
Draco waited with bated breath for Granger's decision but she made no move. "Is that all you have for me?", he asked casually. Granger blushed, she nodded, her eyes down. Draco felt like he was slapped. He stood up abruptly and nodded before going out of the Study hall.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I wont talk
I wont breathe
I wont move till you finally see
That you belong with me
You might think I dont look
But deep inside
In the corner of my mind
Im attached to you
Im weak
Its true
Cuz im afraid to know the awnsers
Do you want me too?
Cuz my heart keeps falling faster
I've waited all my life
To cross this line
To the only thing thats true
So I will not hide
Its time to try
Anything to be with you
All my life I've waited
This is true
You dont know what you do
Everytime you walk into the room
Im afraid to move
Im weak
Its true
Im just scared to know the ending
Do you see me too?
Do you even know u met me?
-Ryan Cabrera, True
Hermione felt the whole of Saturday morning double checking the preparations for the evening. "Be assured Ms. Granger that we are perfectly capable of doing our job. Why don't you go back to your common room and enjoy the rest of the day.", Prof. McGonagall said with a firm kindness in her voice as Hermione asked her the third time that day. Hermione blushed but nodded and wordlessly went up to her dorm.
The whole castle seemed to come to life literally. Even the suits of armor were decorated with Holly and were magicked into singing Christmas carols whenever students passed by. Almost every entrance and walkway were decorated with little bells and large wreathes and everlasting candles. And the occasional mistletoe was to be spotted all over school with a bunch giggling girls below them. The whole castle was alive with mirth and Christmas Cheer and was charmed to become comfortable warm.
Hermione walked down with her friends down to the party, a white, floor length coat wrapped around her. there was an excited buzz as the they waited for the doors opened. "Ms. Granger? Ms. Granger!", came Professor McGonagall's voice over the crowd. "Yes Professor!", Hermione called and wove her way into the crowd to where McGonagall stood. There she saw her surrounded by the Prefects and the Heads of Houses. "Yes, Ms.Granger. now,", McGonagall said addressing to the Prefects and Heads.
Draco looked at Granger, her hair was up and pulled away from her face, the light make up making her features delicate. "I assume that you have brought dates with you tonight, you will be opening the party.", she said briskly. "What?", said Draco and Granger at the same time. The prefects and the other heads looked at them curiously. "I didn't bring a date.", Draco said flatly. "Nor did I…", Granger said quickly. Professor McGonagall looked at the two of them sternly.
"I'll dance with you Draco.", said a high pitched drawl behind them. Draco stiffened as he felt Pansy's arm snake around his. He looked at Granger, who for a fleeting moment had a look of hurt on her face but quickly masked it. "But what about Ms. Granger Professor?", Draco said, hoping he would be forced to dance with her instead. "Perhaps I could be of assistance?", Blaise offered. Draco looked at him and scowled. Professor McGonagall looked taken aback but then gave an awkward smile. "Very well.", she said before opening the doors and the students filed inside.
Draco removed pansy's arm unceremoniously. He grabbed Blaise and gave him an angry scowl. "What do you think you are doing? You ruined my plan!", he hissed. "What? I was just saving Granger from embarrassment!", Draco fumed. "I was trying to make it look like I was forced into dancing with her you idiot. So I could get rid of Pansy as well." Comprehension dawned on Blaise's face. "I am sorry mate…", he said to Draco glowered at him. "Draco, it's about to start.", Pansy said whining.
Hermione divested herself of her coat quickly, handing it to Parvati. She turned around to look at Zabini. "Wow.",was all he could say. His smile flirtatious. Hermione blushed at him and looked at Malfoy, he looked stunned and Hermione blushed even more. He whispered something to Blaise before going over to Pansy. "You always seem to assume I have agreed to be your partner Zabini.", she said, a smile on her face. "Ah well, Girls can't seem to resist my charm, that includes you." Hermione laughed as she took his arm.
Draco stared at Granger surreptitiously. As Pansy chatted animatedly, he was stealing glances. She was clad in an emerald green dress that clung to her curves. It was slightly off-shoulder, exposing her milky white shoulders. He ached to touch and kiss her. He glared at Blaise's back as he saw her throw back her head and laugh, he better follow what he said or he would curse his balls off. He felt himself being pulled by Pansy. The dance has started.