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Lady Lestrange

DRACO MALFOY AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

By Lady Lestrange

Chapter 12

The Yule Ball

The next few weeks flew by.

Draco continued his apparation lessons and apparated home early on Christmas morning just to say Happy Christmas to his mother and to pick up the new robes she had bought for him to wear to the Yule ball. He didn't want his father to know that he could apparate, so he left to return to Hogwarts before his father was awake. The only Christmas present that he was really excited about was the flying carpet. It was a Persian 220, soft green, bronze and golds mixed into an intricate pattern. Draco wondered where he would be able to fly it-- probably only on Malfoy grounds, certainly not at Hogwarts, so he left it at home. He wished he would have gotten an Invisibility Cloak. It was intolerable that Harry Potter had one and he didn't. He didn't even get a new broom. He could have at least gotten a Firebolt.

When he got back to Slytherin, an impromtu meeting was going on.

"So tell me how you managed this feat?" Draco asked one of his many assistants.

"Well, it didn't take much. Krum was always in the library and so was the Mudblood. A little love potion just before one of their library trips, and Krum was asking Hermione to the Yule Ball. So much for her helping Potter with his task.

"The next step was to make Potter jealous of her," said another spy.

"With any luck, Potter and Krum will curse each other silly before the Yule Ball is over."

"So how did you get the love potion to Potter?" Draco asked.

"Oh, the whole of Gryffindor was out playing in the snow today. We just gave the fat lady a Christmas gift."

"What was that?"

"Chocolate Liqueurs. After about an hour, she couldn't even say 'fairy lights' herself and she didn't care if we were Slytherin or Hufflepuffs. She let us in. And you gave the Mudblood some of my Sleekeasy's Hair Potion, right?"

"Yes, Draco."

"Greg. Did you take care of Rita Skeeter?"

"Yes, Draco."

"She's out in the garden by Father Christmas and his reindeer." Added Vincent. "At some point, the Mudblood should go out into the garden with Potter or Krum."

Draco nodded. All was in order. Draco checked his robe one last time. It was an original Transylvanian pattern; right out of "Pureblood Quarterly" made from designer velvet imported from Romania.

It was just a few minutes until eight when Draco swept into the Slytherin common room to meet Pansy. She was pacing. "About time, Draco," she complained.

Draco did not answer. He simply offered her his arm.

She took it, leaning close to smell his cologne and glanced up into his cool gray eyes. "You look good enough to bite," she said, softly nuzzling his neck.

"Maybe later," replied Draco and they proceeded up to the Entrance Hall. He did not complement her on her dress, since aside from being pink, it had too many ruffles for his taste. Pansy would have looked better in understated elegance rather than going for feminine. He didn't tell her she was pretty. She wasn't, and he only lied when necessary.

Greg and Vincent accompanied them like two bodyguards. Moments after they entered the Entrance Hall the Drumstrang students entered with Krum at the head of the party and the transformed Hermione Granger accompanied him.

Malfoy stared. He couldn't help it. She was gorgeous.

Pansy gaped too, but only for a moment. She poked Draco in the ribs. "It's just a spell, remember. She doesn't really look like that. Tons of Sleekeasy on the bush she calls hair and a mild love potion. And look at Potter drooling."

Malfoy did look at Potter, but then he whispered to Pansy. "Forget Potter. Look at the Weasel! He's smitten."

Then Professor McGonagall's voice called, "Champions over here, please!"

Parvati dragged Potter forward in front of everybody. Krum and the Mudbood followed more sedately. Cho and Cedric looked like they were just enjoying each other's conversation and Roger Davies looked like he would have followed Fleur right into the lake. Draco shivered. He never was happier that Fleur considered him a little boy. To be that much under the spell of a woman, veela or not, was positively disgusting. He wondered briefly, if you could fight it like the impervious curse.

When the Champions and their partners reached the table, Percy Weasley drew out the empty chair beside him, and Harry sat down. Parvati sat beside Harry and Draco took the next seat, with Pansy on his other side.

Percy was crowing loudly about getting a promotion. "I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, and I'm here representing him," said Percy. Percy went on to tell Potter about how overworked Crouch was, and how the loss of his house elf left a void in his home comforts.

"I'm sure it has," Draco said seriously. "I know how upset father was when we lost Dobby." Draco glared at Potter here, but Harry was looking a Dumb-as-a-door to see how to order the food. Honestly, how could anyone be so stupid and live to be a Forth Year—

"But personally," continued Draco, "I think it worked out for the best. We obtained two for one—a brother and a sister. I've kept the girl for my personal house elf. She is marvelous—worth ten of Dobby, and I believe my father is happy with her brother. Why doesn't Mr. Crouch just get another house elf?"

"I don't know," replied Percy, "But I'm glad he knew he had someone he could rely on to take his place at the ministry."

"Really? And who would that be?" asked Draco, leaning nonchalantly back in his chair.

Percy glared at Draco, but Draco glared right back. "Me." Said Percy at last.

"Oh. So has he learned your name and all, or are you planning to change your name to Weatherby, now. I wouldn't blame you a bit," Draco confided, cutting a piece of his fillet mignon. "If I had a name like Weasley, I'd be happy to change it."

Krum was talking incessantly about his castle and grounds. Karkaroff was not pleased. He apparently didn't want visitors to his castle. "You could always draw her a map," Draco suggested slyly.

"One would think you don't want visitors," said Dumbledore.

Well Draco could think of one visitor that Karkaroff probably didn't want, but Draco expected that the Dark Lord would be able to find Karkaroff with or without directions. He decided he should tell Karkaroff that, just for fun. Draco leaned over Pansy to tell Kararoff—"But you know, Professor Karkaroff. Some visitors don't need maps or directions—"

Karkaroff paled and mumbled something into his soup.

Draco settled back to enjoy his steak. It was excellent.

Then he caught the tail end of the conversation on the other side of him. Dumb-as-a-door was telling about getting lost on the way to the bathroom and finding a room with a collection of chamber pots—"When I went back to investigate more closely, I discovered that the room had vanished. But I must keep an eye out for it. Possibly it is only accessible at five-thirty in the morning. Or it may only appear at the quarter moon—or when the seeker has an exceptionally full bladder."

Potter snorted into his plate of goulash.

"Lovely dinner conversation, isn't it?" Draco confided to Potter. "Chamber pots and getting lost on the way to the bathroom. Honestly, maybe you should loan him your 'MAP', Potter, I think he's getting senile."

Once again Potter choked and snorted into his goulash, and once again Percy frowned at him.

"Some people have no manners," said Draco. Potter was staring at him, a worried expression on his face. Good, thought Draco. Let him worry about that map. I wonder what is on it.

Meanwhile, Hermione was trying to teach Viktor Krum to say her name.

"Her-my-oh-nee!" She said.

"Herm-own-ninny," said Krum.

"Close enough," said Hermione.

"Ninny?" said Pansy softly to Draco.

Draco smirked. This was going to be good. The Mudblood with brains, a self-proclaimed 'ninny', but he didn't have time to tease her. Dumb-as-a-door was moving the tables back to make way for dancing.

Parvati dragged Potter forward so forcefully he tripped over his robes "Come on," she hissed. "We're supposed to dance."

"Sure you know how, Potter? Don't trip."

"Don't worry," said Parvati sweetly. "I do. As a matter of fact Malfoy, I have natural rhythm."

Draco eyed her critically. "Is that so?" he drawled. "We could always find out—later." He placed a perfectly manicured finger under her chin, and turned her to look at him. For a Gryffindor, she was almost pretty, or course, she was a Gryffindor—maybe her sister—the Ravenclaw—"

"And I could rip her eyes out," said Pansy softly.

Draco chuckled softly, but it seemed that Potter had missed the whole exchange. Perhaps he was still staring at Hermione.

Hermione and Krum stood along with Cedric and Cho. Fleur stood and Roger Davis looked around confused, as if his heart and soul had just disappeared. Quickly he stood to join Fleur. Draco thought someone should wipe the food off of his lapel, which he had dropped when he missed his mouth because he was staring at Fleur. Sadly, no one did. Draco, being the kind soul that he is, decided that it would have to be him. He snapped his fingers and Greg and Vincent appeared at his side. "Get a napkin and clean up Roger," said Draco. "It might be to our advantage to have him as a friend."

"Of course, Draco."

"Sure thing." Said Vincent dipping a napkin in Potter's water to wet it.

"Do teeze boys alvays to vat you tell tem? Don't you haf life of your own?" said Fleur annoyed at the interruption. Her veela charms were in full bloom for Roger, and Draco felt the backwash himself.

"UH—I donno." Said Greg, staring hungrily at Fleur. Draco, do we haf—have lives of our own?"

"No," replied Vincent, taking a step closer to Fleur. "I don't think so."

She turned away, and Draco felt her rejection of Greg and Vincent like a sudden waterfall of ice—the bitch—He couldn't wait to beat her in the Tournament.

==

The Weird Sisters were beginning to play, so the couples moved out on to the dance floor. As expected, Potter didn't have a clue. He let Parvati steer him around the dance floor like a trained poodle. As soon as the dance was over though, he headed back to the table. Parvati went to find a more suitable partner and Hermione soon came over to join them, but it was not a happy reunion.

Draco caught the tail end of the conversation as he and Pansy danced nearby.

"It's hot, isn't it?" said Hermione. "Viktor's just gone to get us some drinks."

"Viktor," said Ron. "Hasn't he asked you to call him Vicky, yet?"

"Vicky!" thought Draco. "Oh wait until he told Rita Skeeter about the new love triangle. Vicky and the Ninny."

The dance ended and Ron's voice carried across the space that separated him from Draco.

"He's from Drumstrang!" spat Ron. "He's competing against Harry! Against Hogwarts! You---you're---" Ron was obviously casting around for words strong enough to describe Hermione's crime, "fraternizing with the enemy, that's what you're doing!"

"Don't be so stupid!" Hermione said after a moment. "The enemy! Honestly—who was the one who was all excited when they saw him arrive? Who was the one who wanted his autograph? Who's got a model of him up in their dormitory?

This was turning into quite a row. Draco stopped to watch. In fact, since the teachers were all up dancing, Draco decided this was a good time to sit down. He sent Vincent to get him and Pansy something to drink.

"I'd never help him work on the egg!" said Hermione looking outraged. "Never. How could you say something like that—I want Harry to win the tournament, Harry knows that, don't you Harry?"

But Harry didn't have a chance to answer.

Ron pounced on her with a sneer that was worthy of a Slytherin. "You've got a funny way of showing it!"

This whole tournament's supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them!" Said Hermione hotly.

"No it isn't!" shouted Ron. "It's about WINNING!"

People stopped to stare.

A solitary CLAP. . . CLAP . . . CLAP . . . punctuated the silence. "Bravo, Weasel," said Draco. "First true thing you've ever said."

"Stay out of it, Malfoy," spat Ron.

"Just trying to help. I took your side—"

"Why don't you just go and find Vicky!" said Ron, for once ignoring Draco.

"Don't call him Vicky!"

Hermione jumped to her feet and stormed off across the dance floor disappearing into the crowd. Ron watched her go with a mixture of anger and satisfaction on his face.

"Are you going to ask me to dance at all?" Padma asked him.

"No," said Ron, still glaring at Hermione.

Draco stood catching Padma's hand and bringing it to his lips. "May I have this dance, beautiful lady?" He saw her hesitate, but didn't give her a chance to say no. He laced his arm around her waist and whispered. "What better way to get back at him?"

Padma, being a Ravenclaw, of course saw the logic in that. She allowed herself to be danced out of sight of Ron and across the floor. While they were dancing, Draco caught a bit of news that made his blood run cold. He heard Percy sharing with Gagman that Ali Bashir was caught smuggling a consignment of flying carpets into the country. Draco thought his must have been the last shipment that made it into the country.

He didn't give it too much thought though since Padma's beautiful head was lying on his shoulder and her lovely kissable lips were just inches from his skin. He could feel her breath on his neck.

Draco could also feel Pansy's eyes burning a hole in his back.

He danced her out of the opposite door and into the rose garden. The night was chilly and Draco pulled Padma close.

"We shouldn't be here," she whispered as Snape blasted a rose bush and Fleur and Roger fell out of it. He took points from another couple, a Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, but when he saw Draco, he just nodded and proceeded on his way.

"Thank you for the dance," said Draco, and he kissed Padma quite thoroughly before he released her. She hesitated as if not sure if she were dismissed or not—or maybe she was just dazed. Draco was used to his kisses having that effect on women, but Ravenclaws tended to over-react when they were out of control. Draco stared off into the rose garden and allowed her to regain her composure.

He smiled when he realized that Hagrid and Madame Maxime as well as Ron and Harry were leaning on opposite sides of the reindeer that held Rita Skeeter. The news tomorrow should be good. He'd have to remember to owl her and tell her the new nicknames: Vicky and the Ninny. Unfortunately, Hermione and Krum were still inside, so it didn't look like there would be any duels. Draco glanced around to see Padma working her way toward her sister and the Beauxbaton's table.

He decided it was time to go in and dance with Pansy. He met her at the refreshment table, and after having a drink, he and Pansy danced, talked and generally enjoyed the rest of the evening. It was a special treat that Ron and Harry were sitting morosely in the corner pouting while Hermione danced with Krum.

Draco noted the re-arrangement of Slytherin spies to follow Hermione and Krum instead of the usual trio. It looked like everything was in order. Draco was disappointed when the Weird Sisters finally stopped playing, but he went up and asked for their card. Perhaps he would have them play at The Manor for his next birthday party.

As he was leaving, Draco noted Cedric sprinting through the Entrance Hall after Potter. Cho Chang was left standing at the bottom of the Ravenclaw stairs. Honestly, thought Draco, didn't any of these 'Champions' know how to treat a lady?

Draco would have stayed to see what was so important that Cedric left Cho so abruptly, but that's what he had his spies for—

Later that night, they told him that Cedric had told Potter to "Take a bath—in the prefects' bathroom."

Draco found that exceedingly funny, but not half as funny as Pansy thought it was.

==

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And watch for another FUNNY parody coming soon.

THE SLYTHERIN TRUTH: THE REAL STORY OF HOW HARRY POTTER GOT HIS SCAR

==

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