Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 10
Let the Fun Begin
Soon, the evening of the ball came, and students throughout the castle were spending hours preparing for this one special night. Some dressed as famous figures from past and present. Others were monsters or mythical creatures. Even an obsessed fan painted his hair black, drew a lightening bolt scar on his forehead, and got round glasses to impersonate Harry Potter.
Draco Malfoy dressed as none of these things, however ((AN-like he would ever try to be Harry)). He adorned himself in plain black robes, without the Slytherin seal. He didn't fix his hair, so it fell in silver layers over his neck and into his eyes. And for the grand finale, he placed upon his head a black top hat to guarantee him a mysterious look.
Feeling satisfied with his appearance, he left his room in the dungeons and entered, then left, the common room, but not without his leech. Pansy Parkinson wore a quite revealing red dress that drew almost every boy's eyes to her most generous figure and womanly attributes; almost every boy's.
"Aren't you going to ask who I am?" she asked her date with false sweetness.
"No, and I don't care either."
"I am your mistress, Count Dracula," she said seductively and looped her arm through his.
"I am not Dracula, girl, and you are definitely not my mistress."
"Aww, but you would make such a cute vampire."
"Shut up."
She pouted, but was silent. They reached the crowd of students at the entry to the Great Hall. At precisely eight o' clock, the doors opened. The House tables had been removed. In their place were smaller round tables seating about six. Decorations were everywhere. Live bats flew above their heads and skeletons greeted them as they entered. The couple sat and were soon joined by Crabbe, Goyle, and their dates. Draco was surprised they had found girls to go with them. The poor souls were probably threatened.
When everyone had been seated comfortably, Dumbledore made a quick speech, then let them enjoy the food which began appearing in the center of each small table. Draco quickly grabbed his share before the two brutes plunged into the mini feast.
After finishing his chicken, he became bored with his company and let his eyes wander. They soon rested upon Hermione Granger who looked...well...beautiful to be brutally honest. Her normally bushy hair had been straightened and fell down her back in calm, graceful waves. Two bunches of hair, one at each temple, had been braided and merged together in the rear, taming the mane. Her dress was plain. The silver-white material fit her modestly, leaving most to the imagination and was gathered on her left hip in a fashion that greatly resembled a Greek toga. To his disappointment, she seemed to be engaged in an interesting topic with the Weasley, her date.
Everyone quickly finished the lavish meals and were eager to begin dancing. The tables were cleared and music started, though its source was unknown. Steady couples were the first to approach the floor, and to Draco's dismay, Pansy dragged him to the floor and wrapped herself around him. Too tired to protest, he let her and placed his hands lightly on her swaying hips, though the music was fast and lively.
~*~*~*~*~
"Oh, come on Hermione, please dance with me," Ron begged again.
"But I don't want to. I came didn't I? That should be enough," she teased.
"Just dance with the boy!" Ginny interrupted as she walked onto the floor with Harry.
"Oh, fine. Come on, Ronald," she held out her hand to him, and he took it warmly. They walked together and he put one hand on her hip, and kept his other hand in hers. She placed her remaining arm upon the shoulder of Ron's Quidditch costume, and the couple began to waltz with the music.
Everything seemed to be perfect: perfect costume-which Hermione felt very proud of having come up with it at the last minute-, perfect date, perfect ball. But something was...amiss. The air didn't feel right to the girl as she danced in her friend's arms. The music and evening continued, regardless.
It wasn't until almost eleven that Hermione first noticed Draco in the clinging embrace of the pug-faced Pansy Parkinson who looked like an experienced prostitute. But Draco, however, simply took her breath away. He wore all black which accented his light skin and hair. Strands of his hair fell into his eyes in a way they made Hermione want to push them back. As if noticing her stare, he looked her way. Their eyes were locked for a moment before they both broke away with a blush.
Then it happened.
The clock struck eleven, and there was a disturbance that drew everyone's attention. Pansy was screaming to her companion who was bent over a few feet away, clutching his forearm, seething with pain. Seeing the attention he was getting, he fled the crowd. Pansy made to run after her date, but some guy saw his chance and drew her into a dance.
Hermione was astonishingly curious, interested, and worried. She feigned sickness to Ron and quickly walked out of the recovering Hall. Once in the corridor, she ran in desperate search for Draco, thought she didn't know exactly why. This seemed natural. After many futile searches, she looked in the last place she thought he would be: the classroom where they met. Sure enough, he was there.
His right sleeve was drawn up to the elbow, and she could plainly see the source of his pain: the Dark Mark. It was glowing the red of heated metal and didn't look too appealing. But what amazed her was that he...was a-a Death Eater! And after she was beginning to trust him.
She must have made a noise or something because he suddenly looked her way, his eyes wide as a deer's. Nobody moved.
"What the hell are you doing in here!" he suddenly yelled putting his arm behind his back.
"I have as much a right to be in here as you, Death Eater!" she screamed back.
"What?! You think I'm a- no, Hermione I-."
"Then why are you hiding your arm. Prove it to me!"
"It isn't what it seems!"
"Is that so, because that, to me, looked like a Dark Mark and only Death Eaters have those."
He held out his arm to her as she approached him, "I am not a Death Eater. I have no wish to become a servant of the darkness, and follow a man who wants to change the world for the worse. I don't want to kill regardless of what you think. And I refuse to be a slave."
She stared at him unbelievingly. Did he just say what she think he said?
"Then why do you have the Mark?" she finally stuttered out. Dare she believe his words?
"Because-because I am-."
"Yes?" she asked quietly.
He didn't speak.
"What, Draco?"
"His heir alright!"
"What!"
"Voldermort is dying. He wants me to take his place when he passes."
"I can't believe you."
"Well believe it or not, but I am going to be the next one you prissy good-doers fight!"
"I won't let you. We can tell someone. Dumbledore will-."
"No, Hermione," that was the first time he ever said her name aloud, "you don't understand. He's watching me constantly! I talk to him every night in the fire in the common room. He sends instructions everyday! Not to mention his skills in Legilimency! The only reason I am telling is because they are raiding a town in France. He's preoccupied. That is why it burns," he said holding out his marked arm, "He's calling them. Calling them to kill! To burn! To destroy! Hermione he-," but Draco couldn't finish. He started shaking uncontrollably. Rage overcame him. He put his head in his hands as tears came to his eyes. His hat fell to the floor.
Not knowing what to do Hermione reacted instinctively and wrapped her arms around his neck and attempted to sooth the horror-struck boy. She ran her hands through his silky hair and rubbed his back, as her mother had done to her when she was frightened. He put his head on her shoulder and hung on to her desperately, all past experiences aside. Breathing in her scent and welcoming her warmth, he slowly came back to reality.
"What are you supposed to be?" he inquired as to her costume and stood again to his full height.
"I'm Athena, goddess of wisdom. I though it suitable."
"It fits you."
Silence.
Neither could explain what happened next. But their lips were drawn together by an invisible force. Hermione felt Draco's lips on hers, and she felt nothing but bliss. The feeling was mutual. They stayed like that for a moment longer in a passionate embrace, but she wanted it to last forever, before reality struck.
Hermione pulled away, and looked into Draco's confused grey eyes before bolting into the dark corridor of Hogwarts.
Author's Note: I promised romance didn't I? Well how did you like it. Please read and review.
Chapter 10
Let the Fun Begin
Soon, the evening of the ball came, and students throughout the castle were spending hours preparing for this one special night. Some dressed as famous figures from past and present. Others were monsters or mythical creatures. Even an obsessed fan painted his hair black, drew a lightening bolt scar on his forehead, and got round glasses to impersonate Harry Potter.
Draco Malfoy dressed as none of these things, however ((AN-like he would ever try to be Harry)). He adorned himself in plain black robes, without the Slytherin seal. He didn't fix his hair, so it fell in silver layers over his neck and into his eyes. And for the grand finale, he placed upon his head a black top hat to guarantee him a mysterious look.
Feeling satisfied with his appearance, he left his room in the dungeons and entered, then left, the common room, but not without his leech. Pansy Parkinson wore a quite revealing red dress that drew almost every boy's eyes to her most generous figure and womanly attributes; almost every boy's.
"Aren't you going to ask who I am?" she asked her date with false sweetness.
"No, and I don't care either."
"I am your mistress, Count Dracula," she said seductively and looped her arm through his.
"I am not Dracula, girl, and you are definitely not my mistress."
"Aww, but you would make such a cute vampire."
"Shut up."
She pouted, but was silent. They reached the crowd of students at the entry to the Great Hall. At precisely eight o' clock, the doors opened. The House tables had been removed. In their place were smaller round tables seating about six. Decorations were everywhere. Live bats flew above their heads and skeletons greeted them as they entered. The couple sat and were soon joined by Crabbe, Goyle, and their dates. Draco was surprised they had found girls to go with them. The poor souls were probably threatened.
When everyone had been seated comfortably, Dumbledore made a quick speech, then let them enjoy the food which began appearing in the center of each small table. Draco quickly grabbed his share before the two brutes plunged into the mini feast.
After finishing his chicken, he became bored with his company and let his eyes wander. They soon rested upon Hermione Granger who looked...well...beautiful to be brutally honest. Her normally bushy hair had been straightened and fell down her back in calm, graceful waves. Two bunches of hair, one at each temple, had been braided and merged together in the rear, taming the mane. Her dress was plain. The silver-white material fit her modestly, leaving most to the imagination and was gathered on her left hip in a fashion that greatly resembled a Greek toga. To his disappointment, she seemed to be engaged in an interesting topic with the Weasley, her date.
Everyone quickly finished the lavish meals and were eager to begin dancing. The tables were cleared and music started, though its source was unknown. Steady couples were the first to approach the floor, and to Draco's dismay, Pansy dragged him to the floor and wrapped herself around him. Too tired to protest, he let her and placed his hands lightly on her swaying hips, though the music was fast and lively.
~*~*~*~*~
"Oh, come on Hermione, please dance with me," Ron begged again.
"But I don't want to. I came didn't I? That should be enough," she teased.
"Just dance with the boy!" Ginny interrupted as she walked onto the floor with Harry.
"Oh, fine. Come on, Ronald," she held out her hand to him, and he took it warmly. They walked together and he put one hand on her hip, and kept his other hand in hers. She placed her remaining arm upon the shoulder of Ron's Quidditch costume, and the couple began to waltz with the music.
Everything seemed to be perfect: perfect costume-which Hermione felt very proud of having come up with it at the last minute-, perfect date, perfect ball. But something was...amiss. The air didn't feel right to the girl as she danced in her friend's arms. The music and evening continued, regardless.
It wasn't until almost eleven that Hermione first noticed Draco in the clinging embrace of the pug-faced Pansy Parkinson who looked like an experienced prostitute. But Draco, however, simply took her breath away. He wore all black which accented his light skin and hair. Strands of his hair fell into his eyes in a way they made Hermione want to push them back. As if noticing her stare, he looked her way. Their eyes were locked for a moment before they both broke away with a blush.
Then it happened.
The clock struck eleven, and there was a disturbance that drew everyone's attention. Pansy was screaming to her companion who was bent over a few feet away, clutching his forearm, seething with pain. Seeing the attention he was getting, he fled the crowd. Pansy made to run after her date, but some guy saw his chance and drew her into a dance.
Hermione was astonishingly curious, interested, and worried. She feigned sickness to Ron and quickly walked out of the recovering Hall. Once in the corridor, she ran in desperate search for Draco, thought she didn't know exactly why. This seemed natural. After many futile searches, she looked in the last place she thought he would be: the classroom where they met. Sure enough, he was there.
His right sleeve was drawn up to the elbow, and she could plainly see the source of his pain: the Dark Mark. It was glowing the red of heated metal and didn't look too appealing. But what amazed her was that he...was a-a Death Eater! And after she was beginning to trust him.
She must have made a noise or something because he suddenly looked her way, his eyes wide as a deer's. Nobody moved.
"What the hell are you doing in here!" he suddenly yelled putting his arm behind his back.
"I have as much a right to be in here as you, Death Eater!" she screamed back.
"What?! You think I'm a- no, Hermione I-."
"Then why are you hiding your arm. Prove it to me!"
"It isn't what it seems!"
"Is that so, because that, to me, looked like a Dark Mark and only Death Eaters have those."
He held out his arm to her as she approached him, "I am not a Death Eater. I have no wish to become a servant of the darkness, and follow a man who wants to change the world for the worse. I don't want to kill regardless of what you think. And I refuse to be a slave."
She stared at him unbelievingly. Did he just say what she think he said?
"Then why do you have the Mark?" she finally stuttered out. Dare she believe his words?
"Because-because I am-."
"Yes?" she asked quietly.
He didn't speak.
"What, Draco?"
"His heir alright!"
"What!"
"Voldermort is dying. He wants me to take his place when he passes."
"I can't believe you."
"Well believe it or not, but I am going to be the next one you prissy good-doers fight!"
"I won't let you. We can tell someone. Dumbledore will-."
"No, Hermione," that was the first time he ever said her name aloud, "you don't understand. He's watching me constantly! I talk to him every night in the fire in the common room. He sends instructions everyday! Not to mention his skills in Legilimency! The only reason I am telling is because they are raiding a town in France. He's preoccupied. That is why it burns," he said holding out his marked arm, "He's calling them. Calling them to kill! To burn! To destroy! Hermione he-," but Draco couldn't finish. He started shaking uncontrollably. Rage overcame him. He put his head in his hands as tears came to his eyes. His hat fell to the floor.
Not knowing what to do Hermione reacted instinctively and wrapped her arms around his neck and attempted to sooth the horror-struck boy. She ran her hands through his silky hair and rubbed his back, as her mother had done to her when she was frightened. He put his head on her shoulder and hung on to her desperately, all past experiences aside. Breathing in her scent and welcoming her warmth, he slowly came back to reality.
"What are you supposed to be?" he inquired as to her costume and stood again to his full height.
"I'm Athena, goddess of wisdom. I though it suitable."
"It fits you."
Silence.
Neither could explain what happened next. But their lips were drawn together by an invisible force. Hermione felt Draco's lips on hers, and she felt nothing but bliss. The feeling was mutual. They stayed like that for a moment longer in a passionate embrace, but she wanted it to last forever, before reality struck.
Hermione pulled away, and looked into Draco's confused grey eyes before bolting into the dark corridor of Hogwarts.
Author's Note: I promised romance didn't I? Well how did you like it. Please read and review.