Disclaimer: A) Not mine B) Not mine C) Not mine D) Not mine Let's see, I think the answer is…ALL OF THE ABOVE!! Get it? Good, and one other thing, Merleana is a name I made up, and Azrael is a name I got from a website on angels, and also a story called "The Awakening of a Royal" and it's super good, so go read it. (After mine of course, hee hee.)
Chapter 15
The Halloween Ball
They made their way down the hall towards the grand staircase, and held hands walking down so Hermione would be able to hold up her dress and not worry about tripping. Arriving at the bottom, they neared the entrance and resumed the hand on hand position. As they neared the entrance to the great hall, they realized that they were late and therefore would probably be very noticeable when walking in, since a light supper was going to be served before the dancing. The two just looked at each other, and walked over to the doors, which opened before them. At first no one noticed them, since they were all busy eating, but at the door there was a house elf announcing the couples and who they were dressed as.
"Sir Draco Malfoy and Miss Hermione Granger as the Emperor of angels and Empress of angels." Announced the house elf.
At that, everyone turned to look, since this was thought to be one of the craziest couples that was paired up. At the sight of them, everyone was silent in shock, even the teachers. Hermione was embarrassed by the attention, but you couldn't tell accept for the slight blush. Draco was getting annoyed with all the attention too, and was ready to threaten them all with curses, when Dumbledore stood up.
"Emperor and Empress, it is an honor to have you here tonight, please come and sit at our humble table," he said bowing slightly, motioning to the high table, since the others were all full. All this was said in good humor to lighten the situation, which it did, as everyone smiled at Professor Dumbledore's silliness. The angelic couple made their way to the high table, only to find that the only spots open were directly between Professors McGonagall and Snape. As they neared the two seats, they mentally agreed to sit by their head of house, however, their plan was disrupted.
"Miss Granger," Professor Snape said as he stood up and pulled out the chair next to him.
Hermione couldn't exactly refuse, so she sat, thanking her professor quietly. Draco, having no other choice, sat down next to Professor McGonagall, who gave him a piercing look.
"Good evening Professor McGonagall," he managed to choke out, before turning towards his plate, which had just filled with food.
"Good evening Mister Malfoy," she replied, almost as an afterthought, a little surprised by his civility, before she too, turned towards her plate and began eating.
Everyone finished eating rather quickly, and with a wave of his hand, Professor Dumbledore cleared away all the tables, leaving only a few small ones around the perimeter of the dance floor.
"Now that everyone has finished, let the ball begin! We will start it off with our Emperor and Empress leading the first dance." He said, and with another wave, the curtains on a portable stage opened to reveal a wizard DJ, who started to play a slow muggle song, 'I'm Your Angel'.
Draco held out his hand to lead Hermione out to the middle of the dance floor, where she placed her hands around his neck, and he wrapped his arms loosely about her waist. They wanted of course to get closer, but knew they couldn't with everyone watching, since no one else had really joined in yet. The song finished in what seemed like seconds, before the music changed to another slow song, but this was a waltz, and everyone was clearing the floor, since they didn't know how to waltz.
"Excuse me Miss Granger. May I have this dance?" Came Professor Snape's voice as he came over to the pair who were making their way off the dance floor with everyone else, for while they both knew how to waltz, quite well actually, they didn't want to be the center of attention again.
"Of course Professor." Hermione said, a little baffled by the invitation, but none-the-less, she took his hand and walked out to the middle of the floor once again. He bowed as she curtsied, and then with right hand in his, and the left holding her dress, he placed his left hand on her waist, and they began to waltz around the near empty floor, as Professor Dumbledore had asked Professor McGonagall to dance.
"You look very nice tonight Miss Granger," said Professor Snape as he looked down at her, being very tall. (Snape is OOC a little, so keep that in mind)
"Thank you Professor, you look very nice yourself." And he did, in robes of a dark green instead of the customary black.
"I hope you enjoyed all the gifts I sent." He said, his lip turning up slightly at the corner, in what could be considered the beginnings of a smile.
"You were my secret wizard? But, how, I mean, all those gifts were wonderful, but how could you afford them all?" she asked in disbelief.
"Many were family possessions from my mother, given to me since she had no other children, and I will never marry, so the most logical thing to do was to give them to you, since I know you will appreciate and take care of them, and at least they will get some use."
"Oh I will, they're all so wonderful, but how did you know about the kanji? I know its visible tonight, but all the other days I've had it covered."
"That night you were brought into the infirmary, I had to deliver a potion to Madame Pomphrey, and I saw it."
Hermione just nodded, taking in the information she had just received. They finished their waltz in silence until the end.
"Thank you for the dance Miss Granger," he said, as he did something un-Snape like. He took her hand and bending slightly, brought it to his lips in a light kiss of gratitude.
"You're welcome Professor." She said smiling at his change in demeanor.
"And one other thing, if you tell anyone about me being nice, you will have the worst marks on the potions final in the history of Hogwarts, do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly," she said, shuddering slightly at the possibility of doing badly on a test or exam.
Meanwhile, shortly after Snape and Hermione began to dance, Draco had just sat down, when someone came up and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around only to see Ginny Weasley standing there, looking very nervous.
"Yes?" he asked, wondering what she wanted.
"W-would you like to dance?" she asked timidly, assuming he would laugh in her face.
He just stared at her a moment, wondering what she was doing, yet he saw Ron looking over at them, glaring, preparing to head over to protect his baby sister from big bad Draco. So he decided to make Ron mad.
"Of course." He said, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor. She was an expert at dancing it appeared, and was very light on her feet.
"No offence Weasley, but why did you ask me to dance? It's common knowledge our families hate each other, and also that I hate your brother." Draco asked.
"Well, I just needed to tell you that…" she started.
"Yes?"
"Imyoursecretwizard." She said very fast, mumbling.
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."
"I- I'm your secret wizard, or I guess I should say witch, but it doesn't really matter." She started to ramble.
"Shh." He said, hushing her.
"Weasley, the gifts were great, I've been needing a new sweater and scarf that weren't too girly. They're in great colors too, did you make them?"
Seeing her nod timidly, he continued sincerely praising the gifts.
"Well, they're very good. Just one thing, how did you know about the kanji?"
"I had been in the infirmary the night you brought Hermione in, because I was running a low fever, and I saw the mark on your head when you had your wand lit."
"Well thank-you, I'm wearing them tonight, they go well with this outfit."
"You look very handsome," she said blushing.
"Thank you, you look very beautiful also. You're here with Potter, right?" he asked, sort of surprised at his being so nice, which was probably from being around Hermione and talking to her.
"Yeah, we came as Romeo and Juliet." She replied, blushing harder at his compliment.
"Who- oh, never mind, I know. Well, you both look the part. And you look nice together."
"Thank you."
Just as she finished saying that, the waltz ended, and he bowed himself away, before Ron and Harry could come over and question him about what he had been doing. A fast rap song started playing, and due to many of the odd pairings, (or maybe it was just the music) people still weren't dancing, probably also due in part to being nervous about going onto the dance floor. None of the professors would, not being fans of rap. So Draco decided to do something about it. He wanted to ask Hermione, but she was talking with Harry, Ginny, Ron, and –,"
"Girl in the orange!" he yelled, since A.J. and Ron had come as Chudley Cannon players.
"Angel guy, what do ya want?" she yelled back, having fun with the bantering.
"Think you can keep up?" he smirked, stepping out onto the dance floor.
"The question is, can you keep up?" she retorted before she met him halfway, and started to grind with him, shocking many teachers and students. They just laughed inside as many other students finally got the courage to get up and dance, and before long, the dance was in full swing.
"That was brazen of you Draco." Hermione mind spoke to him while she danced with Ron.
"Well someone had to do something, and since you were busy talking, and have been the center of attention enough tonight, I figured you would want a break."
"Yeah, thanks. One other thing, why were you and Ginny dancing earlier?"
"Probably the same reason that Professor Snape was dancing with you. She was my secret witch, and I'm assuming that Snape was yours?"
"Yes, but how'd you know?"
"Well mainly it was when you received the hair combs. I had seen them on his desk earlier that day just before class started, but he put them in a drawer." He replied, making his way over to Hermione and Ron, so he could dance with her, since another song had just started to play, and it looked like Ron wanted to dance with A.J. again.
"Empress, would you like to dance?" Draco asked Hermione.
"I would Emperor, but I have already been asked by Romeo." She replied, heading onto the dance floor, escorted by Harry.
"Well, since I have been rendered date-less for the moment, may I have the pleasure of another dance Ginny?"
"O-okay." She said, leaving Ron looking bewildered, till A.J. grabbed his hand and dragged him onto the dance floor where the other four were dancing. Harry and Ron were dancing, but also keeping an eye on Draco, making sure he didn't do a thing.
The time just flew by, till it was almost 11 o'clock. Everyone was having a great time, even if they hadn't been so happy with who they had been paired up with for the dance. A lot of new friendships had been formed, and even a few new romances. Draco and Hermione had stopped dancing for a few moments and were by the concession table, getting a glass of punch.
"It's hot in here, would you like to go outside?" Draco asked, finishing his punch.
"Actually, I was just about to ask you the same thing." She said as she also put her punch glass down and took his arm as she headed outside with him.
The sky was cloud free and filled with stars. Even though it was getting cool, many of the roses were still blooming (partly due to enchantments) and the garden was gorgeous. There were red, pink, white and peach roses in abundance throughout the garden. There were also fountains, benches and white lights around the stone walls and railings, especially on the balcony and steps (If you've ever seen The Princess Diaries, it's kinda like that at the end). They made their way slowly through the garden in silence, just enjoying each others company. From the great hall they heard music to another slow song start.
"May I have this dance, Empress?" Draco asked, bowing and holding out a hand.
"Of course Emperor," she replied smiling as she curtsied and took his hand.
Can this be true?
Tell me can this be real?
How can I put into words what I feel?
My life was complete,
I thought I was whole,
Why do I feel like I'm losing control?
Never thought that love could feel like this,
And you changed my world with just one kiss.
And how can it be, that right here with me,
There's an angel, it's a miracle,
"You are so beautiful. I don't think I've told you that enough tonight." Draco whispered in her ear, since her head was resting on his chest.
Your love is like a river,
Peaceful and deep,
Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep,
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true
God must have spent a little more time on you.
"Probably not, but thank you again." She mumbled against his chest.
In all of creation,
All things great and small,
You are the one that surpasses them all
More precious than,
Any diamond of pearl,
You broke the mold when you came in this world,
And I'm trying hard to figure out,
Just how I ever did without,
The warmth of your smile,
The heart of a child,
That's deep inside,
Keeps me purified.
"You know that's true. You are more precious than and diamond or pearl to me," he said, hugging her closer to him.
Your love is live a river,
Peaceful and deep,
Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep,
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true
God must have spent a little more time on you.
"I feel the same way. I don't know how I ever lived without you." She said, pulling back a little, to smile up at him.
God must have spent, a little more time, on you.
"Good, because then you won't object when I do this."
"What?
"This," he said, and in one swift motion, bent his head down and captured her lips with his. They felt fireworks the moment their lips met, causing electricity to shoot through both of them. Her arms came up to rest behind his head, while his arms encircled her waist. They broke apart, almost gasping, simply from the intensity of their kiss.
"Wow." Draco said, slightly dazed.
"You can say that again." Hermione said, giving him another quick kiss on the lips.
From the balcony steps that led to the great hall, there came sounds of applause. Draco and Hermione whipped around in shock, fearing who it was that saw them. There on the steps was Ginny and A.J. smiling broadly at the two.
"That was so cute Draco, how about laying some sugar on me?" A.J. said teasing him.
"Shut up Aud-" he started.
"If you don't want anyone to know about your girlfriend there, I'd keep my mouth shut if I was you."
"All right, I won't say it. But A.J., Ginny, please don't say anything, you know what would happen if we were found out by our houses, or even worse, Potter and Weasley. They'd kill me."
"I know my brother would, but Harry would be mad at first, than he would accept it." Ginny joined in.
"Maybe, but we don't want to risk it. Please?" Hermione pleaded.
"We won't, we promise, just one thing though," A.J. asked.
"What?"
"Promise me we can be bridesmaids when you two get married." A.J. broke off laughing as she and Ginny dashed inside to avoid being tortured by Draco and Hermione, who were looking extremely annoyed with this last comment.
"Well, can we trust them?" Draco asked.
"Of course, and besides, we have blackmail material on both of them." Hermione replied deviously.
"Oh really what?" Draco said, leaning in.
"Ginny and Harry, and Ron and A.J. Need I say more?"
"No, so why don't you shut up?"
"Make me."
"I will," as he leaned in and kissed her.
"Maybe I should talk some more if this is how I'll be shut up."
"Sounds good for me," he said, giving her one more quick kiss on the lips.
Taking his arm, Hermione and Draco headed inside for the remainder of the dance, which as far as both of them were concerned, was one of the best nights of their lives thus far.
A/N: So, I finally got the ball scene out, sorry it took this long, I was sick a bunch of last week, aren't I lucky? I don't have the greatest immune system, so I tend to be more prone to getting sick, especially in the winter. Next chapter will be up whenever, that's about as definite as I can give ya, so just keep checking back. And for people who ask if I can e-mail you when I update, I would, but I can never remember to, so it might be just as easy for you to check back every now and then. Thank you all who review, I appreciate it more than you'll know! (^._.^) Aldous and Holly (^-_-^) say thank you too! By the way, this chapter was 3,017 words, yea!
Oh, for the secret wizards/witches:
Draco got gifts from Ginny
Hermione got gifts from Snape
Dumbledore got gifts from Harry (hee hee, the socks gave it away)
Ginny got gifts from Harry
Ron got gifts from Hermione
The rest weren't really important, so I didn't bother listing more.
