A/N: Sorry to keep you guys hangin. It's been a really busy time for me. I hope this makes up for my absence!
Blaise approached Draco with a hearty grin, his teeth white and shiny.
"Buddy, the Halloween dance is tomorrow, and you are definitely going.
Draco looked up and frowned. "Are you insane?" he asked.
"Wow, such an astute observation," he laughed, "I would've thought you'd noticed that earlier on, mate.
This forced a bit of appreciation from Draco and his former snicker suddenly surfaced, making him grimace in remembrance of his old self.
"That sounded like the Draco I know. Now, do you want to have some fun or not? Let's get you a proper costume and a date, shall we?
"But, Hermione-
"Hermione is a fish.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure she is, Blaise.
"Come on, aren't you familiar with the phrase eh, Ôthere's lots of fish in the sea?' Or however it goes.
His comrade stared blankly at him.
"Er, I suppose not. Never mind the fish comment then. But please, just party and forget for one night! It'll make me happy. And I know how much you want to please me Draco, I see you sneaking into my room at night-
"Blaise.
"Yes?
"I'll go.
Blaise threw up his hands in joy and said, "I thought you'd never gain back your sanity! To the costume thing ish place!
And so Blaise marched merrily ahead while Draco trudged behind him, jingling his silver chain and shaking his head, a smile curling about his features.
************************
Ginny saw Hermione and approached her tentatively, her lips drawn back in a wary smile.
"So, I was thinking, the dance you know, it's tomorrow," she said.
"You're not suggesting I go, are you?" Hermione replied.
"Yeah, that's exactly what she's suggesting.
"Um, Dean, I thought I told you to wait over there?" Ginny said as a question, turning to give her boyfriend a rather stern look.
"Yes but you needed back-up. Do not deny, love.
Ginny shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Anyway Hermione, will you?
"I have to say your boyfriend here is pretty convincing, Ginny." Hermione's face was cold and thoughtful.
Ginny held her breath.
"I'll go!" She grinned then.
"YAY!!!!" Her best friend wrapped her in a huge hug and shook her back and forth.
"Not one bit of credit," Dean muttered to himself, smiling.
"Let's have some fun and look hott!" Ginny cried.
"Er," Dean said, exchanging a glance with Hermione.
"Dean, honey, this is girls' business, so I'll be seeing you later." She kissed him on the cheek and traversed off with Hermione at her side.
***************
"Blaise, I don't know about this. I wanted to blend in, and this is really shiny, " Draco said, standing in his plush room and observing himself in a mirror.
"Come on, you were totally into it yesterday in the shop. You look mysterious and sexy. Trust me!" Blaise encouraged.
"Okay. I just feel a bit silly.
"I understand, mate.
Draco's costume was dressed as Kusukabe Kaname from Juvenile Orion, a muggle manga that he was partial to. Blaise thought he'd look great as the part. Draco had somewhat tight, very shiny black leather pants on. Feathery wings the color of shadows jutted out from his back, moving around gently in the breeze. At will, he could fly. On his upper half was a well-fitting semi-torn white t-shirt and glossy black jacket. His hair had been dyed black and spiked.
"I guess I look all right.
"That's it, keep being confident. You're ready. Let's head out.
******************
Hermione was getting dressed, ironically, to be a traditional young lady of ancient Japanese nobility.
Ginny helped her slip on the white tabi socks, and then put on her eri-sugata (a white collar) around her neck. She then put on the flowing kimono, shining grey sakura flowers on silver leaves and vines snaking about the fabric, and made sure the right side of it was over her body. She tied her koshi-himo belt around the center of the kimono, underneath the excess fabric. It was simple and white, but it was silk and complimented her kimono. She then tied the butterfly obi belt over it and Ginny helped her make a bow in the back.
"Ta da!" Ginny exclaimed. "You're beautiful.
"Thank you," Hermione said, and blushed.
"And you're ready, aren't you? Wait, duh, make-up.
With a few tries of a make-up spell Ginny added blush, silvery eyeshadow and black eyeliner, and a hint of lipgloss.
"Wow," Ginny breathed, "I wish I looked half as good as you do.
"Oh Ginny, don't be modest, you look great too," Hermione stated.
"Awww, thanks.
Ginny was dressed as a simple devil, in a red mini skirt and black fishnet tights, with a red halter top and black leather jacket. Her lips were also bright red and she had adorned her head with real devil horns.
"So, are you ready to go?" Hermione asked.
"Hey, that's my question." Ginny smiled. "Yeah, let's get to it.
A/N: Yeah, so the next chapter is gonna be the dance. I think you guys already figured that out. And I'm debating how to do that, but I think you're gonna like my decision. ^_^
