CHAPTER TWO: Silk Lady with a Rose

Hermione was pretty much the only one who rarely went to dances, and frankly, I didn't know whether or not she knew how to dance at all.

I also had some concerns about what she would wear. She hadn't been to the Christmas Ball last year, but she went to the one when we were fifth years without a date and wearing the same periwinkle robes. I just hoped she would wear something different...preferably new, but all the same, something different. I didn't want to show up with someone dressed like a gutter rat. I did have expectations of wealth to keep up. However, as high as my expectations were, I got what I hoped for on the night when she stepped out of her bedroom and into our Head Boy and Girl common room. Bad luck to be stuck with a Mudblood, eh? It did have its advantages, though.

Hermione was wearing an Ungaro couture type of robe in shades of milky white and lilac, with a few large exotic fuchsia flowers imprinted on it. Most of the robe was made from dirty, cream-colored lace with large sleeves. It was a very pretty robe, and I admit I was impressed by how good it looked on her. Her hair, however, had a faint windswept look, but it suited her appearance and she looked too startling pretty to be true. Her hair was straight and sleek, in a shade of chestnut brown. A few natural copper highlights, with some not natural golden highlights, were weaved into her hair as it cascaded down her shoulders. On her head were a few gold and sliver stars studded into her hair.

"Why the Ungaro couture?" I asked her. "Isn't it a bit out there, even for you?"

She looked at me. "Its different."

I took my wand out of my robes pocket and waved it, in mid-air formed a large deep red rose. I put my wand back into my pocket and gave the rose to her. I always knew the best magic to charm the ladies...though I really wish I could have used it on a more fitting date tonight.

"Oh," was all she managed to say.

"Would you like me to put it into your hair?"

She nodded.

I slid the rose into her hair and stepped back to look at her. It matched the flowers on her robe well. Yes, I was always good at bringing out the beauty in those I was with.

"Why are you taking your wand?" she asked me after I'd finished.

"I thought it was the perfect chance to hit Longbottom with a Tarantallegra Hex; with the way he dances, I'm sure it couldn't hurt."

"Shut up, Draco. I like Neville, he happens to very nice."

"And, what does he do to make you think he's nice – lick your shoes for the 'almighty Hermione Granger'?"

"Why do you look like someone from the royal family?" she asked me afterwards, ignoring my question.

"What is this?" I asked her. "I'm here for a dance, not to play Twenty Questions."

"Why do you look like someone from the royal family?" she asked me again.

I sighed. She would never stop until she got an answer.

"The what?" I asked her.

"You look like a King."

"Thank you," I said in my most superior manner.

"You weren't supposed to take that as a compliment."

"Why not?"

"It makes you look like you're fifty years old," she said as she tried to stifle a giggle.

I had on a deep green velvet robe, with a black cloak with silver trim attached around my shoulders. I didn't understand what was so funny; I thought I looked quite charming.

"Yeah, well, between your hair and your 1900th century dress, you look like your 100 years old...I bet McGonagall will wear the same bloody thing as you, only...she has a better face to go with it!" I retorted.

Hermione carried on laughing, either missing my comment or pretending she hadn't heard it. This annoyed me.

"We better go otherwise we'll be late," I said to her, ignoring her fits of laughter.

"More people there to laugh at you when we walk through!" she burst out into another never-ending fits of laughter.

"Shut up, Hermione."

She stopped laughing and glared at me.

"Coming?" I said, quite irritated. I held my arm out to her.

She took it. I realized the large sleeves of her robe were made out of silk. Expensive taste.

We walked towards a special door attached to our common room, which would lead straight into a corridor where the Christmas Ball was being held as privileges of Head Boy and Girl.

We stopped when we reached it. Hermione gave me a look.

"What?" I said to her.

"You," she said as she poked me on the arm with her finger, "are supposed to be a gentleman. Or at least have some courtesy and open the door for a lady."

"I gave you the rose, didn't I?"

"Yes, but still..."

"I am not going to open the door for Lady Hermione," I said to her.

"Fine," she huffed and flung open the door, nearly whacking me in the face as she stormed through it by herself.

"You don't want to go in without a date again, do you?" I teased.

"Oh, shut up!" she said, flaring up.

"Make me."

She grabbed my arm and we walked towards two grand doors where the Christmas Ball was being held. Each door was occupied by two house-elves guarding it, so I presume I didn't have to open this door for the lady.

"Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger?" squeaked the house-elf on the right.

"Yes," came Hermione's reluctant voice.

I grunted a few times...luckily she didn't seem to make out exactly what I was grunting at.

"Welcome to the Christmas Ball!" the other house-elf said.

They opened the doors and a burst of golden light swept the corridor. I, Draco Malfoy stepped through with my date, Hermione Granger on my arm. Slowly, we walked down the marble steps together...and I had a feeling I was in for the longest night of my natural life.