"Ouch dammit!" Another barnacle detatched itself from the side of the boat with a satisfying thunk and landed neatly in the basket Draco had hung over his arm. His fingers were tender from prying of the rough shells and his back was aching from the simple rope harness that suspended him from the deck. Still he'd gotten of lightly. He was still allowed to go to the ball even if it did mean he missed half of the day at Hogsmeade on clean up duty.
"Malfoy!" Draco groaned silently. He knew those surly tones anywhere.
"Yes Krum?"
"I vill finish up for you, I know you heff to meet Herm own ninny."
If it was possible Draco's jaw would have hit the floor in shock. "Ummm....thanks!" He gasped out finally.
"You are a very lucky man Malfoy. Treat her well."
Draco grinned broadly for a few seconds and then dived below decks. A quick change of robes , a comb through the hair and a fill up on Galleons then he was off. He couldn't recall anytime when he had been so content with life. He was going to the Yule Ball that night with a girl he loved and he wasn't picking shellfish.
The streets of the small Wizarding village were packed with Hogwarts Students. The odd Beauxbaton or Durmstrang students stood out as islands of colour in the sombre black. He asked the odd fourth year if they had seen Harry or Hermione. There was no luck until he spotted Ron, Dean and Seamus emerging from Gladrags.
"Hey! He yelled, propelling himself through the crowd hurridly. Uttering rushed apologies to those he'd knocked over he arrived panting at where the three stood.
"Oh, Hi Draco, I thought you'd be with Hermione."
"No, Detention held me back....have you seen her?"
"Yeah in the Three Broomsticks, they said they were waiting for you."
"Cheers, see you later."
Harry and Hermione were indeed in the three broomsticks. They sat semi concealed behind one of the Christmas trees in a corner of the Pub that was whittled right into the rock face it was built against. Draco ordered two Butterbeers and went over to join them.
"Hey!" he said brightly coming up behind them. Hermione hadn't seen him and jumped slightly. Then she turned round, her eyes lit up.
"I didn't think you'd be here for a couple of hours."
"Oh, someone covered for me." Draco said with a slight smile.
"Well I am glad you are here now." She slipped her hand into his causing Harry to sputter into his drink.
"And that's my cue to exit." He proclaimed in a very bad American accent. Draco just stared blankly at him and Hermione sniffed in irritation.
"Harry grow up."
"Aww I know you want to be alone. I'll see you at the ball then Love Birds."
Now they were all alone. Draco was finally getting past the 'I feel awkward' stage and the conversation turned to the ball later that evening. She refused point blank to reveal what she was wearing, claiming it was a surprise. The Durmstrang students were arriving slightly early and so they had arranged to meet by the bust of Bertrand the Bald outside the entrance to the Astronomy tower.
They swallowed the last of their beer and went to wander about the cobbled streets. Arethra Chartleroy's Magical Beasts for all purposes proved to be an interesting visit. They left the shop with more money than they came in with and an extremely apologetic shopkeeper who insisted that the Nicuarguaran Lizard wasn't supposed to be able to breathe fire for another three months. Apart from that slight hiccup the day went very well. In Honeydukes they purchased enough chocolate to last a life time as well as a generous supply of candy mice which had to be secured in a special string bag as they squeaked and chirped. In the old bric a brac shop they found several antiquated and crumbling portraits who spoke only latin and complained endlessly about 'the climate in these parts!'
Eventually they made it back to school. People of various houses were milling about in the entrance hall gossiping about who was going with who and all manner of other interesting small talk. Draco hung back as Hermione started up the stairs.
"I'll see you later, bet you'll be more gorgeous than usual."
"Hmmm, we'll see."
With a swish of black cloak she was gone. Draco caught up with a few 6th years on their way back to the ship. They barely acknowledged him but he tagged along despite this. Soon they were back at the ship, he was just about to swerve down the corridor into his room when one of the 6th year boys caught him by the shoulder and pulled him roughly around.
"Found yourself a date Malfoy?" He hissed patronisingly.
"What business is that of yours Hurst?" Draco tried to turn away but the grip on his shoulder tightened.
"Because if you have then it had better be a pureblood bird or we'll make you pay."
With the last word a few drops of spittle shot from the boys mouth and onto Draco's cheek. He wiped them off slowly giving the older boy the most dirty look he could muster. There was coarse laughter at the affronted look he wore and the circle tightened in.
"Your going with that little Mudblood Petain we warned you about aren't you Malfoy."
Hurst leaned closer, his leering face only inches from Draco's. The insult to Hermione stung blood into his pale cheeks and the familiar flaming spots of anger appeared.
"Take it back!" He said stiffly, clenching his fists.
"Malfoy and the Mudblood sitting in a .........."
He never finished the taunt, Draco threw himself at the older boy landing a neat punch to his Jaw in the process. Hurst was thrown off balance for a few seconds, he hadn't been expecting that. It was only a few seconds though. After that the fight began in earnest. They rolled over the wooden planks punching and kicking for a good five minutes before the sudden ceasing of cheers around them made them pause. Krum was standing over the two of them, looking more surly than ever.
"Vot in Merlins name are you doing Hurst?" He said, quietly taking in the whole scene.
"I.....I....it was Malfoy as well, he started it!"
"I don't vant to hear it," Krum cut him off sharply, "I listened to the whole thing from back there." He gestured down the corridor.
"Umm, he's right." Draco said shakily. "It was me as well."
"You were provoked, now go! I vill deal with him."
Draco went. He was beginning to change his opinion of Krum. That made twice today that Krum had done him a huge favour for no personal gain. He mused over why this might be as he slipped into his favorite dress robes. Completely black except for silver highlights at the sleeves and collar, finished off by a velvet cape lined inside with silver silk. It hit him as he was gelling his hair into place. Hermione! She was the link between the two completely separate events. Krum must like Hermione, why hadn't he seen it? He felt like such a dunce, Krum had called him lucky. Privately Draco decided to have a word with Hermione about asking a certain champion to dance.
If nervousness had a physical form then it would have looked a lot like Draco did as he waited by the bald bust. When he was little he used to twist his fingers when he was nervous. His father had become so annoyed he was made Draco tie his fingers together for a week. He had stopped after that and only reverted when his nervousness passed gut wrenching and strayed into major exams. Right now he was back to old habits with a vengeance.
"Good evening."
Hermione was gliding towards him a robes of beautiful periwinkle blue silk. Her hair was twisted up elaborately in a beautiful,shiny, flawless braid. Mentally Draco popped his eyes back in his head.
"You look wonderful!" he stuttered, grinning from ear to ear. Then he remembered his manners and gently took hold of her hand. He bowed slightly and kissed her fingers tenderly.
"My lady, shall we go?"
"Certainly." She gave him that same wicked smile that always make his stomach jolt. It was only then that it truly hit him. This was Hermione and she was going with him. He tried to look dignified as he offered her his arm, the perfect epitome of a gentlemen, except gentlemen did not keep grinning. They walked arm in arm to the entrance hall and joined the crowd of Durmstrang students and their partners who were waiting to enter the hall. After a short wait the doors were flung open and the couples filed in.
Draco gaped up at the cavernous walls of the Great hall, they were sparkling like a thousand diamonds in the starlight and the numerous wreaths of mistletoe provided the perfect highlight to the whole effect. The two steered through the crowd towards one of the several smaller tables positioned on the edge of the hall. Ron and Padma Patil were sitting at one in the far corner along with several other Gryffindors and a fair smattering of other houses. Ron gave Draco a poisonous look as he pulled out a chair for Hermione, which Draco purposefully ignored.
There were empty golden platters as always spread around in front of the diners. Alongside and folded up neatly was a menu. They had dined like this on important occasions at home and Draco, without thinking, reached for it and began scanning the contents.
"Shepards Pie." He said pointedly at the plate. It filled up and he began eating. It was only then he realised that no one else had known what to do. Feeling suddenly awkward he mumbled something that sounded like 'at home we......' and continued to dig into the small mountain of shepards pie.
It was half way through the second course that Draco remembered Krum. He swallowed the ice cream and turned slighty to talk to Hermione.
"Mione, there's a boy at Durmstrang who kinda.....umm well he........errrr......."
"Draco don't talk with your mouthful and come on there's a boy......." She sounded sharp but she was smiling again.
"Viktor Krum, I think he likes you, he hasn't actually said so but I really think he does."
"Why?"
That was such a reasonable question but it brought him up short. He couldn't really explain how Krum had intervened when he was about to get beaten up for going to a dance with her. Instead he simply gave her the details of how Krum had finished his detention. It seemed to satisfy her and she nodded once and went back to her rice pudding.
Not soon enough for Draco the plates were whisked clean and the lights began to dim. He could make out the silhouettes of the champions as they made their way on to the dance floor. It was easy to spot Harry, he was at least half a foot shorter than the smallest of the other three. The familiar haunting melodies of the Weird sisters now filled the great hall. The four couples on the dance floor swayed in time to the music, their dim outlines occasionally illuminated as they passed under one of the dozens of fairy lights. After a few minutes the dance was over and the dancers were clapped. Finally! Draco thought as he led Hermione onto the floor.
He placed his hand gently on her waist as another slow harmony picked it's way out of the instruments on stage. After a while he found he was no longer paying any attention to the song. He kept his eyes locked with Hermione's as they waltzed slowly around the other couples. He had never noticed how cute her nose was or how her eyes were highlighted by flecks of hazel or how her cheeks rose up when she smiled.
Almost like a bucket of cold water the song ended. Draco felt like he had been pulled from a deep sleep. The next tune was much more lively it was almost a jig. Everyone was dancing madly trying not to hit everyone else. They were both laughing in the sheer fun of tearing up and down to the music and scattering everyone, teachers and students, to the side as they did so.
"Having fun?" he said casually as once more they launched into the chorus.
"Yeah, it's great." Hermione looked radiant, her cheeks were glowing and her robes flowed with her in waves of rippling blue silk.
"Now then love birds here's one just for you." Purred the Weird sister who held the microphone.
Hardly knowing where the guts came from he pulled Hermione closer for the slow dance. He could smell her hair and his face was brushing her soft skin. He gave a small sigh of contentment and resolved to never let Hermione get away.
"You want to sit the next one out?" He asked as they pulled apart.
"Yeah, let's go and get some drinks."
"No, I'll do that, you go and sit down."
He strode quickly through the flocks of students in a happy daze. Hermione was his now and he was going to show her just how special she was. He got the two iced pumpkin juices
Draco was the perfect gentleman Hermione decided as she threaded her way through the crowd . She sat down gently, trying to avoid creasing her dress, and smiled shyly at those around her table. One of these was Krum. Hermione studied him critically. Krum had a mop of hair which was positioned awkwardly atop a large square jawed face with heavy set eyes and one big bristling eyebrow. Taking Draco's advice she flashed him a smile. His entire surly demeanor seemed to shift and change. He looked almost nice. She walked over, her heart pounding loudly.
"Hello."
"Hallo, you are Hermy-own-ninny?"
"Yes."
"Vould you like to dance, I heff an opening."
By way of acceptance she took Krums hand and he led her onto the dance floor. He was a wonderful dancer but she didn't feel the heady giddiness that Draco had given her. After the dance she excused herself and went to look for Draco but he was no where to be found.
Acck...where is Draco, tune in soon to find out. On a lighter note any good ideas for the story email me.... laura.bates@ntlworld.com
"Malfoy!" Draco groaned silently. He knew those surly tones anywhere.
"Yes Krum?"
"I vill finish up for you, I know you heff to meet Herm own ninny."
If it was possible Draco's jaw would have hit the floor in shock. "Ummm....thanks!" He gasped out finally.
"You are a very lucky man Malfoy. Treat her well."
Draco grinned broadly for a few seconds and then dived below decks. A quick change of robes , a comb through the hair and a fill up on Galleons then he was off. He couldn't recall anytime when he had been so content with life. He was going to the Yule Ball that night with a girl he loved and he wasn't picking shellfish.
The streets of the small Wizarding village were packed with Hogwarts Students. The odd Beauxbaton or Durmstrang students stood out as islands of colour in the sombre black. He asked the odd fourth year if they had seen Harry or Hermione. There was no luck until he spotted Ron, Dean and Seamus emerging from Gladrags.
"Hey! He yelled, propelling himself through the crowd hurridly. Uttering rushed apologies to those he'd knocked over he arrived panting at where the three stood.
"Oh, Hi Draco, I thought you'd be with Hermione."
"No, Detention held me back....have you seen her?"
"Yeah in the Three Broomsticks, they said they were waiting for you."
"Cheers, see you later."
Harry and Hermione were indeed in the three broomsticks. They sat semi concealed behind one of the Christmas trees in a corner of the Pub that was whittled right into the rock face it was built against. Draco ordered two Butterbeers and went over to join them.
"Hey!" he said brightly coming up behind them. Hermione hadn't seen him and jumped slightly. Then she turned round, her eyes lit up.
"I didn't think you'd be here for a couple of hours."
"Oh, someone covered for me." Draco said with a slight smile.
"Well I am glad you are here now." She slipped her hand into his causing Harry to sputter into his drink.
"And that's my cue to exit." He proclaimed in a very bad American accent. Draco just stared blankly at him and Hermione sniffed in irritation.
"Harry grow up."
"Aww I know you want to be alone. I'll see you at the ball then Love Birds."
Now they were all alone. Draco was finally getting past the 'I feel awkward' stage and the conversation turned to the ball later that evening. She refused point blank to reveal what she was wearing, claiming it was a surprise. The Durmstrang students were arriving slightly early and so they had arranged to meet by the bust of Bertrand the Bald outside the entrance to the Astronomy tower.
They swallowed the last of their beer and went to wander about the cobbled streets. Arethra Chartleroy's Magical Beasts for all purposes proved to be an interesting visit. They left the shop with more money than they came in with and an extremely apologetic shopkeeper who insisted that the Nicuarguaran Lizard wasn't supposed to be able to breathe fire for another three months. Apart from that slight hiccup the day went very well. In Honeydukes they purchased enough chocolate to last a life time as well as a generous supply of candy mice which had to be secured in a special string bag as they squeaked and chirped. In the old bric a brac shop they found several antiquated and crumbling portraits who spoke only latin and complained endlessly about 'the climate in these parts!'
Eventually they made it back to school. People of various houses were milling about in the entrance hall gossiping about who was going with who and all manner of other interesting small talk. Draco hung back as Hermione started up the stairs.
"I'll see you later, bet you'll be more gorgeous than usual."
"Hmmm, we'll see."
With a swish of black cloak she was gone. Draco caught up with a few 6th years on their way back to the ship. They barely acknowledged him but he tagged along despite this. Soon they were back at the ship, he was just about to swerve down the corridor into his room when one of the 6th year boys caught him by the shoulder and pulled him roughly around.
"Found yourself a date Malfoy?" He hissed patronisingly.
"What business is that of yours Hurst?" Draco tried to turn away but the grip on his shoulder tightened.
"Because if you have then it had better be a pureblood bird or we'll make you pay."
With the last word a few drops of spittle shot from the boys mouth and onto Draco's cheek. He wiped them off slowly giving the older boy the most dirty look he could muster. There was coarse laughter at the affronted look he wore and the circle tightened in.
"Your going with that little Mudblood Petain we warned you about aren't you Malfoy."
Hurst leaned closer, his leering face only inches from Draco's. The insult to Hermione stung blood into his pale cheeks and the familiar flaming spots of anger appeared.
"Take it back!" He said stiffly, clenching his fists.
"Malfoy and the Mudblood sitting in a .........."
He never finished the taunt, Draco threw himself at the older boy landing a neat punch to his Jaw in the process. Hurst was thrown off balance for a few seconds, he hadn't been expecting that. It was only a few seconds though. After that the fight began in earnest. They rolled over the wooden planks punching and kicking for a good five minutes before the sudden ceasing of cheers around them made them pause. Krum was standing over the two of them, looking more surly than ever.
"Vot in Merlins name are you doing Hurst?" He said, quietly taking in the whole scene.
"I.....I....it was Malfoy as well, he started it!"
"I don't vant to hear it," Krum cut him off sharply, "I listened to the whole thing from back there." He gestured down the corridor.
"Umm, he's right." Draco said shakily. "It was me as well."
"You were provoked, now go! I vill deal with him."
Draco went. He was beginning to change his opinion of Krum. That made twice today that Krum had done him a huge favour for no personal gain. He mused over why this might be as he slipped into his favorite dress robes. Completely black except for silver highlights at the sleeves and collar, finished off by a velvet cape lined inside with silver silk. It hit him as he was gelling his hair into place. Hermione! She was the link between the two completely separate events. Krum must like Hermione, why hadn't he seen it? He felt like such a dunce, Krum had called him lucky. Privately Draco decided to have a word with Hermione about asking a certain champion to dance.
If nervousness had a physical form then it would have looked a lot like Draco did as he waited by the bald bust. When he was little he used to twist his fingers when he was nervous. His father had become so annoyed he was made Draco tie his fingers together for a week. He had stopped after that and only reverted when his nervousness passed gut wrenching and strayed into major exams. Right now he was back to old habits with a vengeance.
"Good evening."
Hermione was gliding towards him a robes of beautiful periwinkle blue silk. Her hair was twisted up elaborately in a beautiful,shiny, flawless braid. Mentally Draco popped his eyes back in his head.
"You look wonderful!" he stuttered, grinning from ear to ear. Then he remembered his manners and gently took hold of her hand. He bowed slightly and kissed her fingers tenderly.
"My lady, shall we go?"
"Certainly." She gave him that same wicked smile that always make his stomach jolt. It was only then that it truly hit him. This was Hermione and she was going with him. He tried to look dignified as he offered her his arm, the perfect epitome of a gentlemen, except gentlemen did not keep grinning. They walked arm in arm to the entrance hall and joined the crowd of Durmstrang students and their partners who were waiting to enter the hall. After a short wait the doors were flung open and the couples filed in.
Draco gaped up at the cavernous walls of the Great hall, they were sparkling like a thousand diamonds in the starlight and the numerous wreaths of mistletoe provided the perfect highlight to the whole effect. The two steered through the crowd towards one of the several smaller tables positioned on the edge of the hall. Ron and Padma Patil were sitting at one in the far corner along with several other Gryffindors and a fair smattering of other houses. Ron gave Draco a poisonous look as he pulled out a chair for Hermione, which Draco purposefully ignored.
There were empty golden platters as always spread around in front of the diners. Alongside and folded up neatly was a menu. They had dined like this on important occasions at home and Draco, without thinking, reached for it and began scanning the contents.
"Shepards Pie." He said pointedly at the plate. It filled up and he began eating. It was only then he realised that no one else had known what to do. Feeling suddenly awkward he mumbled something that sounded like 'at home we......' and continued to dig into the small mountain of shepards pie.
It was half way through the second course that Draco remembered Krum. He swallowed the ice cream and turned slighty to talk to Hermione.
"Mione, there's a boy at Durmstrang who kinda.....umm well he........errrr......."
"Draco don't talk with your mouthful and come on there's a boy......." She sounded sharp but she was smiling again.
"Viktor Krum, I think he likes you, he hasn't actually said so but I really think he does."
"Why?"
That was such a reasonable question but it brought him up short. He couldn't really explain how Krum had intervened when he was about to get beaten up for going to a dance with her. Instead he simply gave her the details of how Krum had finished his detention. It seemed to satisfy her and she nodded once and went back to her rice pudding.
Not soon enough for Draco the plates were whisked clean and the lights began to dim. He could make out the silhouettes of the champions as they made their way on to the dance floor. It was easy to spot Harry, he was at least half a foot shorter than the smallest of the other three. The familiar haunting melodies of the Weird sisters now filled the great hall. The four couples on the dance floor swayed in time to the music, their dim outlines occasionally illuminated as they passed under one of the dozens of fairy lights. After a few minutes the dance was over and the dancers were clapped. Finally! Draco thought as he led Hermione onto the floor.
He placed his hand gently on her waist as another slow harmony picked it's way out of the instruments on stage. After a while he found he was no longer paying any attention to the song. He kept his eyes locked with Hermione's as they waltzed slowly around the other couples. He had never noticed how cute her nose was or how her eyes were highlighted by flecks of hazel or how her cheeks rose up when she smiled.
Almost like a bucket of cold water the song ended. Draco felt like he had been pulled from a deep sleep. The next tune was much more lively it was almost a jig. Everyone was dancing madly trying not to hit everyone else. They were both laughing in the sheer fun of tearing up and down to the music and scattering everyone, teachers and students, to the side as they did so.
"Having fun?" he said casually as once more they launched into the chorus.
"Yeah, it's great." Hermione looked radiant, her cheeks were glowing and her robes flowed with her in waves of rippling blue silk.
"Now then love birds here's one just for you." Purred the Weird sister who held the microphone.
Hardly knowing where the guts came from he pulled Hermione closer for the slow dance. He could smell her hair and his face was brushing her soft skin. He gave a small sigh of contentment and resolved to never let Hermione get away.
"You want to sit the next one out?" He asked as they pulled apart.
"Yeah, let's go and get some drinks."
"No, I'll do that, you go and sit down."
He strode quickly through the flocks of students in a happy daze. Hermione was his now and he was going to show her just how special she was. He got the two iced pumpkin juices
Draco was the perfect gentleman Hermione decided as she threaded her way through the crowd . She sat down gently, trying to avoid creasing her dress, and smiled shyly at those around her table. One of these was Krum. Hermione studied him critically. Krum had a mop of hair which was positioned awkwardly atop a large square jawed face with heavy set eyes and one big bristling eyebrow. Taking Draco's advice she flashed him a smile. His entire surly demeanor seemed to shift and change. He looked almost nice. She walked over, her heart pounding loudly.
"Hello."
"Hallo, you are Hermy-own-ninny?"
"Yes."
"Vould you like to dance, I heff an opening."
By way of acceptance she took Krums hand and he led her onto the dance floor. He was a wonderful dancer but she didn't feel the heady giddiness that Draco had given her. After the dance she excused herself and went to look for Draco but he was no where to be found.
Acck...where is Draco, tune in soon to find out. On a lighter note any good ideas for the story email me.... laura.bates@ntlworld.com
