Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Ivanhoe, any of that stuff. You know that.
"What?" Hermione squeaked.
Draco gave her a look almost completely his usual trademark smirk – with just a hint of sincerity and pleading in his gray eyes. "I think you should go to the Yule Ball with me."
Hermione wanted to ask him why she would go with an obnoxious git who insulted her friends, called her filthy names, instead she asked curiously "Why would you want to go with me?"
"Well, it would really irritate Potter and the Wease…I mean Weasley. Then" Draco looked at her warily before continuing "There's the fact that you look amazing, are really smart, and "
"And you think a few compliments are enough for me to…?
"Well, there is the part of you getting to dance with the best looking guy at Hogwarts."
"Conceited ape."
"Draco turned away. "I take it that's a no."
Later in the Gryffandor dormitory, Hermione discussed the incident with Ginny.
"I don't want to tell Ron. Two years ago, when I went with Victor, he accused me of "
"Ron's an idiot." Ginny laughed.
"I know. We dated all last year. It's just that this time Draco may have some awful purpose. Maybe I should say yes and find out what he really wants."
"What if all he wants is a snog?"
"Ugh."
"Hermione, you know he's one of the best looking boys at school."
"That's what he tells me anyway."
Ginny giggled. "Do you think Harry will ask me this year?"
Meanwhile, in the Slytherin Common Room, Draco curled up on the leather couch, a copy of Ivanhoe, "borrowed" from some first year, on his lap. Reading had become an obsession with Draco lately. As a Slytherin, as a Malfoy, he burned with the desire to succeed, to rule, at any cost. Draco knew, no matter what he said, that Voldemort was a losing proposition. Even his father, eager to grab power, refused to let his son join the Death Eaters. There would be time enough for that, Lucius said, if Voldemort won, In the mean time, they would act as Malfoys always did, straddling two camps, and being loyal only to themselves. Draco, admired his father's strategy.
Draco was terrified that his father, brilliant and ruthless though he was, would be lost. Reading wizarding and muggle history and fiction, Draco wondered why anyone ever proclaimed themselves evil. It seemed to be an immediate path to destruction. Draco wanted to win. So far he had only suffered ignominious defeat.
Beneath his pride in blood and family, Draco feared he lacked the essentials for winning. Where his father was ruthless, Draco knew himself to be spoiled and petty. Time and again he had lost to Potter and his crowd. A Malfoy shouldn't feel unworthy, but deep down, barely admitting it to himself, Draco feared himself to be lacking.
Was that why he started dwelling on Hermione – the Gryffandor superachiever? It wasn't just her newly perfected and radiant smile, or the matured figure, although her looks played a large part in his fantasies, Draco admired Hermione's ambition, her courage, and oh hell, he just admired her.
It depressed him – like the book he was reading. Hermione, the mudblood, reminded him of the brilliant and beautiful Rebecca. Naturally, she longed for her Ivanhoe, Potter probably, even though the Weasel had managed to keep her attention all of last year. Potter though would probably end up with his princess, little Virginia. He had saved her after all –the Weaselette shouldn't bother worrying – she and Potter seemed destined for eachother. And where did that leave him? Draco, saw himself in the villain, Bois de Guilbert. He yearned for Hermione and she would never sink to him. We'll probably end up hexing each other across a battlefield. I don't want to die like that.
That's why he had asked her to the Yule Ball. Draco was trying to change his role. Without giving up his sense of self, all the petty little wonderful things that made him Draco, he wanted Hermione. If she could love him, then maybe all bad guys weren't doomed.
Should I continue this? I probably will anyway but please read and review. Thanks.
