this chapter is dedicated to JAML! Happy Birthday! =D
this chapter is kinda pointless, but it leads onto the next chapter!
The next two weeks whizzed by, and the graduation ball hit them like a bludger. It was scheduled for a Friday two weeks before school ended to accommodate finals, and by Thursday, all the 7th years were absolutely giddy with excitement.
"Alright, seeing that no one can concentrate any further on the lesson, class dismissed!" Professor Mcgongall announced with a curt wave of one hand, while the other hand was pressed up against her temple in frustration.
"ALRIGHT!! Anyone for a game of Quidditch before dinner?" Harry yelled across the room, surveying the number of hands. "Let's go!" He ran off with Ron, leaving Hermione alone to gather up her books.
As she bid Professor McGonagall a good day, Hermione couldn't help but think back to the night before when Draco Malfoy had asked her to the graduation ball. It was so unlike him, with his snobby muggle hating attitude, but yesterday, he had seemed almost..human.
In some ways, Hermione almost found him as a fine example of a male. It scared the living daylights out of her, but she couldn't help but feel drawn towards his muscular build and entrancing gray eyes. The smirks that graced his lips every so often were a huge plus to his already hunky features.
For the past few weeks, he had even gone out of his way to be kind to her, but all she had done was cast it aside like a dirty old rag. Hermione sighed, she owed him an apology, the one thing she thought that she would never ever admit.
"Bloody, Mione!" Squealed an overly excited Ginny. "You look absolutely stunning." She giggled. "Harry will be eating out of your hands tonight!" Ginny spun Hermione around to face her vanity mirror.
Reflecting back at them was a gorgeous brunette with huge innocent eyes and a sophisticated updo. Her cheeks were tinted with a slight blush and a subtle pink gloss had been applied to her full pouty lips.
"I-I don't know what to say. Wow, Ginny! You are extraordinary!" Hermione's eyes sparkled with tears, grateful for the magic her friend had performed.
"Well alright then!" Ginny packed up her make up with a swift flick of her wand. "You've got a date waiting."
Hermione threw her head back in a genuine laugh. "Neville is going to be the luckiest bloke on the dance floor." She glanced at her equally stunning friend, who blushed.
"Aww thanks Mione!" Ginny pulled her into a tight hug, and after releasing her she broke into a huge smile. "Now let's go grab our men!"
The two of them waltzed out of Hermione's room and down to the common room where two nervous boys were sitting.
Harry looked up first, his eyes widening as he watched Hermione descend the stairs.
"Bloody hell, Hermione." His eyes bugged at her slim figure clad in the flowing dress.
Hermione blushed, twirling around for Harry as Ginny headed over to Neville. "You like it?"
Harry brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. "You look beautiful." He said, smiling.
"Yea? You don't look half bad yourself, Mr. Potter." She smiled coyly, straightening out the collar of his button down shirt with her hands.
"So where's Heidi?" Harry questioned, glancing around to no avail.
"Oh, Madame Pomfrey agreed to babysit her again. So I'm free the whole night." Hermione said, smoothing out a ripple in her dress, staring into Harry's smokey green eyes. She loved them, did she not? But did she love them in the way she was supposed to? She feared she didn't.
"Harry, Hermione? It's almost 7. The feast is going to start without us!" Ginny called to them, her slender arm around Neville's broad back.
Hermione snapped herself out of the trance and laughing, she slid her arm through the crook in Harry's arm and together, they walked out of the common room and towards the Great Hall, where they took their seats at the Gryffindor table along side their friends and dates.
"Wow, the house elves have really gone all out on this one!" Hermione exclaimed, gazing at the mounds and mounds of ham, mashed potatoes, and desserts laid out in front of them.
"I can't wait!" Cried Ron before Dumbledore's booming voice echoed through the entire hall.
"I would like to congratulate the graduating 7th years for their tremendous work they have done in the last seven years!" He paused as the hall broke out in whistles and cheering. Eyes twinkling, he continued. "You are welcome to begin with dinner!" With a slight nod, he sat back down, joining the Professors at their table.
As they finished up their extravagant dinners, Dumbledore stood up once again, ready to make an announcement.
"Now, as you all finish up your desserts, I would like the Great Hall to be cleared momentarily to allow the setting up of the dance floor." With a wave of his wand, the doors leading out of the Great Hall swung open, and slowly, couples began to trickle out until finally the whole hall was empty.
With the help of a few Professors, the Great Hall was a suitable dance floor in no time. A stage was set up for the DJ and the usual tables had been pushed to a far side of the room, allowing ample space for movement.
Hermione gasped as she reentered the Great Hall, wondering how that could have possibly been the same place they had eaten dinner a few moments before. Now, the usually bright hall was dim, with colorful floating filters hanging over a few candles, emmiting colorful spurts of light from the walls. Soft music was already playing, and Hermione could see the hired darwf busily adjusting the amps.
"Wow, this is amazing!" Harry exclaimed as if reading Hermione's mind.
"You could say that again." Hermione muttered, without removing her astonished gaze from the decorations.
"Ms. Granger. Mr. Malfoy! A moment please." Dumbledore beckoned from the elevated stage.
"I better go, have fun!" Hermione slowly released her grip from Harry's hand, click-clacking over to the stage in her strappy sandals. Too self concious to notice the male figure that was now walking directly behind her.
Draco cautiously tapped Hermione's shoulder as not to cause her any fright.
Hermione turned, tripping over her feet and almost falling on the ground if it hadn't been for Draco's strong arms, wrapping themselves reflexively around her waist. She peered up at him, her cheeks flushed and her hair slightly more frazzled, which only made her look more beautiful.
"Thanks, Malfoy." Hermione picked herself out of his arms, glancing briefly over his attire, unable to deny the fact that he looked good, in fact, one could almost say he looked drop-dead gorgeous. Draco's hair was loosely flipped into his eyes, a little more toussled than usual. His chiseled features stood out beneath his outfit: a black buttoned down shirt, black dress pants, and black motercycle boots, which contrasted with his silvery blond hair.
Draco smirked, watching her eyes sweep over his entire body. He couldn't help but notice how good Hermione looked as well. "You look quite stunning for a..Muggleborn, Ms. Granger." He said suavely.
Hermione was taken aback, not really sure how to react around him anymore. "Well-I-uh thanks, you look quite-good..yourself." She stuttered as they walked up to meet Dumbledore.
"Well, ready for the dance?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in excitement as he observed the confused looks that his two Heads shot at each other. Scanning over the crowded hall, he could see that students were already starting to get restless. "LET THE BALL BEGIN!" Dumbledore's voice was amplified immediately.
"Please, a round of applause for the Head boy and Head girl, as they start the first dance!"
Hermione took a sharp intake of breath, attracting a sidelong glance from Draco, who extended an arm to her. "You ready?"