Chapter Twenty Six: The Court
The music from the first dance died down, and the students all took their seats.
Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall strode forward, to the middle of the dance floor, as
a magical spotlight was cast on them. Dumbledore began, "And now, it is time to announce
our Homecoming Court. You all voted these past few days, to select from your peers, after
nominations earlier in the year."
McGonagall continued where he left off. "To ensure fairness, the two girls and two
boys from each of the Houses with the most votes were put on the final ballot. The
nominees were:
"From Gryffindor: Hermione Granger, Virginia Weasley, Harry Potter, and Dean
Thomas. From Hufflepuff: Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchly, and Ernie
MacMillan. From Ravenclaw: Cho Chang, Padma Patil, Terry Boot, and Michael Corner. And
from Slytherin: Draco Malfoy, Roger Davies, Pansy Parkinson, and Daphne Greengrass.
"Congratulations to all the nominees," she added.
Dumbledore produced a piece of parchment with what seemed like the results on it,
and mumbled a few words.
Professor McGonagall then began to read the names of the winners, after which a
silvery ribbon emerged from the headmaster's wand, and spelled them out, high against the
enchanted starry ceiling, for all to see. "The Homecoming Lord is Justin Finch-Fletchly, and
the Lady is Virginia Weasley." Clapping came, especially from the Hufflepuffs and
Gryffindors, and Justin and Ginny went up to the dance floor, and had sashes denoting their
titles placed around their dress robes, with a crown for the Lord and a tiara for the Lady.
Once the cheering died down, McGonagall continued. "The Duke is Roger Davies,
and the Duchess is Daphne Greengrass." Again there was cheering, this time more from the
Slytherins and Ravenclaws, as the two went up to receive their crowns and sashes.
Once more she waited for silence. "The Prince is Harry Potter, and the Princess is
Padma Patil." Great applause came from the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, and Harry and
Padma went up to the dance floor.
All the winners stood up there, on the dance floor, alongside Professors Dumbledore
and McGonagall and the rest waited with baited breath. McGonagall then continued "And,
lastly, congratulations to the King and Queen of Hogwarts's first Homecoming ball."
Dumbledore then spoke, a familiar twinkle in his eyes, as he peered at the students
from behind his half-moon spectacles. "The Homecoming king will be Draco Malfoy." He
paused, as Draco went up, the sash declaring him Homecoming King put on, his crown on
his head, as he shook hands with the headmaster and deputy headmistress.
"And the Homecoming Queen is Hermione Granger." Hermione's cheeks grew
scarlet, her eyes opened wide, and she sat there, gaping, in disbelief. It was impossible,
and yet, she had just been name Homecoming Queen.
As she stood to walk to the dance floor and joined the rest of the Court, she did not
realize that she and Draco had gotten he loudest cheers of all.
When Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall congratulated her, and as the sash,
which read Homecoming Queen was place over her head, and a new tiara put on her head,
she felt numb. She stood next to Draco, who looked at her and smiled.
"And now," came Dumbledore's voice, "a dance for the Court." He and McGonagall
stepped off the dance floor, leaving the teens.
The song "Reasons" by Earth, Wind, and Fire began to play, and those on the Court
danced with their partners, as the soft, melodic rhythm of the music brought a peaceful
feeling. Hermione looked around.
The couple furthest away was Ginny and Justin, who looked to be, ironically enough,
closer than friends. This was not startling, however, given Ginny's flirtatious nature, and
the fact that she'd dated many a guy at Hogwarts.
Cho and Davies were nearby, and already somewhat of an item, so the pairing didn't
seem surprising. They had gotten together sometime during the school year before, after
things between Ginny and Davies had not worked out, and Cho found herself in a similar
predicament with Harry.
Hermione looked to the other side, where Padma didn't look too happy to be with
Harry, but she was voted Princess, so she wasn't going to voice a complaint. Harry and her
sister had gone together to the Yule Ball in fourth year, but Harry had not really been
interested in her then, and Pavarti had not shown interest in him either. The reason for the
pairing then was purely one of convenience, as Harry needed a dancing partner as one of
the Champions, and Pavarti wanted to have that sort of attention focused on her. Padma
had been furiously jealous, as she had gotten stuck with Ron Weasley, who was not very
competent on the dance floor, and clearly gotten the worse end of the bargain.
Then Hermione switched her focus. As she looked into Draco's eyes, she became
lost in them. The gray depths engulfed her senses, as he looked at her, and seemed to
peer into her soul. He pulled her closer, so that she was resting on his chest, his chin
touching her forehead.
She looked up at him after a few moments, and he whispered "You look... beautiful,
Hermione. No, better than that." His hand grazed her cheek. "You looked surprised when
they called your name."
She sighed. "I never thought I would win something like this, Draco. I mean..."
"Shhh..." he put a finger to her lips. "Don't look now, but everyone's watching us."
She then subtly glanced around, to see that all eyes were on them. She looked back
at him. "You see what I told you before? Hermione, you're not just gorgeous on the
outside, you're a beautiful person all around. And I feel like the luckiest guy at Hogwarts
right now, to have you in my arms." His eyes glistened in the dim light, and while she was
caught up looking into them, he did something quite unexpected.
It was just as the song was ending, and before Hermione knew what was happening,
Draco had placed a hand behind her head, and snaked another around her waist, as he
dipped her for a ceremonious kiss. It was at this moment, as the song ended, Hermione
and Draco lost in the kiss, that the couple received a standing ovation.
After several dances, and indulging in an absolutely fabulous meal, complete with
various international appetizers, succulent entrées, and luscious desserts, Draco found
himself walking outside, into the rose gardens, with Hermione.
They turned a corner, finding a bench beneath amidst a clearing in the rose bushes,
well hidden from prying eyes.
He took her into his arms, and looked down at the girl in his embrace. Her silky hair
shone in the starlight, her skin practically glowed. She looked incredible, and the way she
gazed at him made his breath catch. She leaned her head against his chest, and he smelled
the fragrance of her perfume in her hair. He passed one hand behind her neck, and the other
down along her back until it was at her waist.
"Hermione, I meant what I said earlier. You've helped make me better, helped me to
learn to care for someone in a way I never thought possible."
There was something indescribably about her eyes as those words passed through his
lips. The emotion was there, clear as ever. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers.
"Draco, I've never felt this way about anyone. I mean, I think I... But isn't it too soon
to feel this way, too soon to feel so strongly? I mean it's so confusing. And then the
circumstances we have to face. The obstacles. It just seems impossible at times, and I wonder
how we'll make it through... if we make it through." Her voice shook as she said this, and her eyes
became glassy.
He put a finger to her lips to stop her. "Shh... I know. I feel the same way."
She looked up at him, and he continued. "Don't worry, Hermione. We will make it through,
somehow," and he held her tightly, the two standing amidst the rosebushes, breathing in the sweet
aroma of the roses, and hearing the melody of distant music from the Great Hall.
Author's Note
Hope you liked this chapter (yay! I looked at the Reviews to find... OMG!!! 100, smiles).
Wow, that made my day.
I thought about not having them be King and Queen, because it's just so predictable, you know?
But then I considered the lack of satisfaction that would come with that choice – not to mention the
heavy objects that would likely be thrown my way... laughing my ass off at this point...
Anyways, next chapter is the last dance, and then... hehehe... you'll see... Well, please review
and I'll get my story out of my head and typed up faster (it inspires me, you could say)...
Thanks for your time,
E. Caddy Compson (persephoneia)