"Ron, you spoiled everything!" Hermione exclaimed through her tears, watching as Ron and Harry jumped up the stairs away from her. She let out a sob as she plopped down on to the stairs and tossed off her shoe. Her feet were killing her and she tried to dry off her tears as she rubbed her sore foot with the other hand. What was Ron thinking? That she was just a dog to be called when he needed her around? Her shoulders shook as she cried, imagining hexing him to oblivion.
It took several minutes, but she composed herself enough to stand up and slip her shoe back on. The crying had made her throat desperately dry. She slowly made her way back into the hall, the ball still in full swing and ignoring her quiet endeavor to the punch bowl. She poured herself a cup and drank with abandon. A satisfied sigh leaving her lips and her head bumping into the wall as she relaxed, closing her eyes. Ron was still painted in her mind's eye and she shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose as she tried to concentrate on anything else.
"Granger." A familiar voice sneered next to her. Her eyes popped open and looked to her right. Malfoy was leaning back against a table, his green and silver tie loose around his neck, eyeing her with an evil grin on his face. Hermione groaned and stood up straight, reaching out to fill her cup again.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" She muttered, her eyes stuck on the ladle she was using to trickle juice into her cup. She heard him chuckle darkly.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Get stood up by your date?" He laughed again at his own mockery. Hermione ground her teeth.
"I am fine, thank you." She resumed her stance from before, crossing her arms and watching the group dancing in front of the stage. Of course Malfoy would be here at this terrible moment. Just her luck. All she was looking for was a drink and to be left alone.
"Well you look like a mess." Malfoy said, and Hermione could still hear the smile in his voice. She rolled her eyes, a thought of leaving crossing her mind. But maybe this would help get the anger out of her.
"As if you look any better." She said, raising her chin and continuing to stare across the hall. She heard him scoff.
"I look better than you, stupid girl. And I wasn't left by my date." At that, Hermione felt a rock in her throat. This awful night topped off by being ridiculed by a complete git. She felt her eyes well up but she wouldn't dare let tears fall in front of the arrogant Slytherin next to her. But the anger was boiling her blood and she turned her head towards him.
"I wasn't left by my date, you foul prat. And you should mind your own business." She spat, sticking him with a glare. He dropped his smirk suddenly and raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Tears?" He said blankly. Hermione jerked her head back to the dancing group, her eyes swimming. Her pride certainly took a blow letting Malfoy see her eyes shining with tears. She had been embarrassed enough tonight. Just as she was about to toss her cup and turn to leave, she heard a rustling and glanced back to Malfoy. He had stood up and was sauntering around the refreshment table to be in front of her, his hands shoved into his pockets. His face was still blank except for the one raised brow. Hermione clutched her cup a little harder.
"Really, Granger. Potter is an arrogant bastard. Not worth your attention, really." He said emotionlessly, tilting his head as he continued to stare at her. Potter? He thought she was crying over Harry? A sudden burst of laughter shot out of her, some of the juice spilling out of her cup.
Malfoy's lips pressed into a thin line and his brows furrowed as she bubbled up with laughter. He looked as if he was ready to turn and leave when she managed to utter a few words.
"Not...not Harry." She wheezed, placing a hand over her mouth as she tried to compose herself. Malfoy looked slightly confused for just a second, then suddenly doubled over with laughter. It was Hermione's turn to look on sourly.
"What is so funny?" She asked after he had been laughing for some time. Malfoy straightened and had a hand over his chest as he still snickered.
"You mean...you're crying over Weasley? God, that is incredible." He barked out more laughter and Hermione scowled at him.
"What? He's a Pureblood. Isn't that how you find worthiness?" She spat, her eyes narrowed. Malfoy sobered up a little, still a smile on his face, and shoved his hands back in his pockets.
"Granger, you really have no idea how I find worthiness." He stopped to chuckle again, then continued.
"It's not about him being a Blood Traitor. He's a real dork, that's why I laugh." His grin grew bigger and he looked like he was holding back even more laughter. Hermione nearly smiled, thinking of just how much of a dork Ron was. But, she enjoyed his dorkiness. She set her cup down and crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her head.
"I thought blood status was the most important thing to you, Malfoy?" He looked taken aback for less than a second, then mirrored her stance, looking at her much harder than before.
"You're right, Granger. As usual, you need to be the know-it-all." He stared at her for a few seconds, then turned and went towards the crowd still dancing. She couldn't be sure, but she thought she saw a barely noticeable smile on his lips as he turned. Of course, she was Hermione Granger. She never missed anything.
Hermione watched him slowly make his way over to the crowd and join in the jumping and dancing. Her brows furrowed as she thought of their interaction. He had never acted that way in front of her, Harry and Ron. Then again, they were always in their own trio.
She shook her head to rid the thoughts of Malfoy, and realized she felt better about everything. She should take herself to bed and start a fresh day tomorrow. She turned and went to the giant doorway of the hall. Just as she was about to leave, she felt an urge to turn back and look at the dancers. She indulged herself and saw many jumping, twisting, grinding dancers. And in their midst was Malfoy, his hands on another Slytherin girl but his face turned towards the doorway. Their eyes met. Then his head whipped back towards the band and Hermione felt her face flush.
Malfoy was certainly strange tonight. Maybe someone had spiked his juice. She gently caressed her warm cheek with the back of her hand as she climbed the stairs to go to bed.