Chapter 19: Valentines Day
Wazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzup, all my wonderful wonderful readers! Thank you once again you your continued reading of this fic! Be prepared for a chapter of great drama and angst-y confusion.
OK, reviews! And I am doing them this time!!!
Littoxkigga: yeah, sorry it took so long. Sorry this one is taking so long. I guess I haven't really been in the writing mood, ya know? So yeah, we'll see if I get more in the mood. And a girl at my school has glasses for that.
electra: lol, yeah, I know you haven't updated (glares at electra). Anyhow, this would be the next chapter.
SweetCheeksDracoLuver: Why thank you, thank you very much. I'm hoping you'll find this another fantabulous chapter.
ILUVRONWEASLEY: kawaii, eh? Nihongo wa benkyoushimasu ka? Anyhow, yay. Keep a-reading.
tomzgurl77: Yup yup yup, I'm updating! Hope you like it.
bombshell: hi! I was wondering where you'd got to! Thank you, and the T- shirt sounds hilarious!
Creeky bush: thank you
DISCLAIMER: I own a slightly annoying but very nice-looking pair of glasses now, allowing me to see the writing on this computer no matter how relaxed my eyes are, and my hair has red in it now . . . and my hair has red in it now . . . and lighter blonde . . . it's all good.
And also my damn video camera won't convert pictures to the computer. It's ok . . . I'm calm . . .
All righty, let's start this chapter!
The morning of Valentines Day was one of great promise. Lavender Brown, who was up very early this day, drew apart the curtains to find a most dazzling sunrise occurring. She woke up everyone else in the dormitory, and they all opened their windows and had a look. Hermione was moved. She closed her eyes for a second and imagined herself dancing in the sunrise. Dancing the tango . . . with Malfoy . . .
She slapped herself.
Hermione got to the Breakfast table early, as Malfoy had asked her to do. He was there already, standing on a chair, waving his wand like nobody's business.
'Accel Fortigo!' he was saying.
Hermione looked tiredly up to him, blinked, smiled dazedly and said 'Less swish, more flick.'
Malfoy looked down at her, narrowed his eyes slightly, then did as she said. The decorations began flocking around, doing themselves up, much more quickly. Malfoy could only stare.
'How do you . . .'
'Everybody! Be warned! The fun has arrived!' Susie had entered the room, carrying a large foghorn and wearing medieval-type dress. Edward came in after her and rushed over to Hermione and Malfoy.
'I tried to stop her, I swear!'
'Ask me later,' Hermione said to Malfoy. She took out her wand and uttered an incantation that immediately got Susie into her school uniform. Susie gaped at herself, then looked at Hermione sourly.
'No fair. How come you know how to do that?'
'I prepared myself,' said Hermione coolly, twirling her wand between her fingers.
Susie stormed off jokingly, still carrying her foghorn and blowing a large amount of air into it every now and then, causing a loud noise and everyone to jump out of their skin.
Malfoy smiled at Hermione from his chair. 'You really are something Granger.'
Hermione bowed, then began waving her wand around the room. Confetti flew, streamers danced, the up-side down blue hearts glowed. It looked truly magnificent, and like Valentines Day, but somehow not like Valentines Day at the same time.
'Such a pity it's a Friday, and we therefore have classes,' Malfoy commented airily at one point.
'Nah,' replied Hermione. 'This is good. It means that they face the utter humiliation of a Transfigured teaspoon blowing a fog horn similar to Susies and dancing a song of love, prearranged for them by their loved ones.'
'That reminds me . . .' said Malfoy. 'Let me know if this love of yours expresses his affections at all today, OK?'
'I'm sure he won't,' said Hermione airily, 'But all right.'
As breakfast went on, the students of the school gaped in wonder at the Valentines Day sight that met their eyes. Even some of the teachers couldn't help but be impressed, particularly Professor Flitwick, who probably recognised a lot of the Charms that Hermione had used. Hermione grinned to herself.
Harry and Ron arrived at the Gryffindor table and took seats next to Hermione. Ron looked around and claimed he was going to go into Cardiac arrest.
'That's your fault for eating all this fat for breakfast, isn't it?' Hermione said.
Ron, who was piling eggs and bacon on to his plate, turned to her and went 'huh?'
Hermione shook her head. 'Never mind.' Harry was giggling behind his pumpkin juice at Ron's stupidity.
'What else do you have planned for today anyway, Hermione?'
Hermione and Malfoy had worked out beforehand that the only people that were to know about the teaspoons transfigured in to little soldiers with embarrassing love messages and fog horns were the people who went up to them and asked to deliver them. They'd asked the Prefects to ask around about it during breakfast. Therefore, Hermione just smiled secretly at Ron and Harry and said 'You'll find out.'
When breakfast was over Hermione and Malfoy and the rest of the Prefects stayed behind to prepare the final touches for the day.
'How many did you guys get?' asked Malfoy.
'Tonnes,' said Susie. She withdrew a container from her bag, and emptied out its contents. At least 100 messages were drawn there. Malfoy and Hermione grinned.
'Excellent. Well we've got plenty of teaspoons,' said Hermione. She pointed her wand at a pile of teaspoons sitting on a nearby table and said to it 'Messluvibus!'
The pile of teaspoons all stood up on their handle hands, and before the Heads very eyes, all instantly turned into little soldiers, each with a little foghorn.
'Wow!' said Malfoy, gazing admiringly at Hermione. 'Nice work!'
'Thank you,' said Hermione. 'It took me a while to nut this out. Now,' she turned to the soldiers. 'We have jobs for you all. Are you all ready to accept them?'
The soldiers all answered with a blow of their fog horns.
Excellent,' replied Hermione. 'We want you all to deliver these messages to various people in their classes. You must do it during class, where everyone is going to hear you, and announce the messages with many blowings of the foghorn. Do you understand?'
More fog horns followed.
'Susie, Edward, you guys stay here and help the soldiers with this. The rest of you, come with Granger and I. We need you to help us prepare for the lunchtime meal.
So Susie and Edward began talking to the teaspoon soldiers, while everyone else walked down to the kitchens. Hermione tickled the pear on the bowl of fruit, and the door to the kitchens opened, and everyone entered.
'Dobby!' called Hermione once she got in there. 'Dobby! Where are you?'
Amongst the sea of house elves, little Dobby came out, wearing a great assortment of clothes and beaming explicitly.
'Hello Miss Granger! Hello Miss! Dobby is so glad to see you!'
'We're glad to see you too,' replied Hermione. 'Is it all right if Malfoy and the rest of the Prefects settle down here and work on these decorations we want to get ready? We might need your help.'
'Tis always fine Miss!' squeaked Dobby, indicating a table for them all to sit upon. 'We have been preparing the lunch, Miss Granger. Do you wish to see?'
'Sure', said Hermione. Dobby held her by the arm and dragged her over to the four long tables on which all food was placed before sent up to the identical tables above.
And what a sight they were.
The House elves had possibly gone a tad overboard with the red food colouring, because everything was brilliantly red or pink. Dark red beef with pink mashed potatoes, pink baked potatoes with pink tureens of butter, pink speghetti with red sauce, pink bread, and a very strange looking red drink that Hermione asked for a taste of. Dobby handed her an extra glass he had handy and she took a sip.
'Wow! That's nice! What's in it?'
'House elf secret miss,' said Dobby slightly slyly. 'Dobby is pleased to hear you like it, however.'
'Hey Hermione?' asked Portus from the table where Malfoy was mapping out something for them. 'What are we doing this evening?'
'Dance, drink some of this red sugar-y stuff, why?'
'What time is the dance starting?'
'About 7, I'd say. We'll have someone handing them the tickets and such.'
'When does it end?'
'About midnight, or when it feels like it.'
'All right.'
'Anyway,' Malfoy continued saying to them, 'Granger's handling the music . . .'
At lunchtime the students began filing in to the Great Hall, some of them extremely red in the face. Hermione, who had been to second period Arithmancy, saw the class interrupted by 3 teaspoon soldiers, all of whom announced the messages in such an embarrassing manner, Hermione almost died of laughter, as did everyone in the class, short of those people who had gotten the messages.
During lunch many people got slaps around the head. Harry and Ron approached the table in higher spirits then most.
'Very amusing stuff happened during Trainsfiguration. Professor McGonagall wasn't too happy.'
'Pity I couldn't be there,' said Hermione.
'Yes,' replied Ron. 'I'm wondering if, Hermione, you know why there is no food on the tables?'
Hermione grinned. 'I do know why that is. It will arrive in a minute or so. Malfoy has to give the word first.'
And as if he'd read her mind, Hermione, along with everyone else, saw the great assortment of food magically appear at the table, and everyone stared. They couldn't believe their eyes.
Hermione, seeming non-plussed, began helping herself to pink spaghetti.
'Um, Hermione,' said Ron, who hadn't touched any of the food, and was merely staring at it.
'Yes, Ron?' she asked, dishing herself some sauce.
'It doesn't all have a strange bubblegum flavour, does it?'
Hermione laughed, and shook her head. 'No. It's just food colouring. Go on, try it. The drink the house-elves made is brilliant.'
Everyone began eating. After a few mouthfuls, Harry shook his head.
'Honestly Hermione, I think you've gotten a bit too decked out.'
Hermione grinned. 'Yeah, but you're enjoying it.'
'Do you have anything ELSE planned?' Ron asked cautiously.
'Just one more thing. You'll like it, I promise.'
'OK,' said Ron, 'But it's gonna be hard to top pink food.'
'Could all students please arrive at the Great Hall at 7 o'clock, and kindly make sure you walk in through the FRONT entrance. Thank you.'
Malfoy pointed his wand to his throat, uttered 'Quietus' and his voice quietened. Hermione, standing next to him, smiled. Malfoy turned to her.
'I cannot believe you managed to figure out how to create such a complex charm. All for a stupid Valentines Day treat.'
'Yeah, well, they deserve it, don't they? The school year is no picnic.'
'Yeah, I guess. But what about you, and me, and the Prefects? Surely we deserve a break too?'
Hermione looked slightly exasperated, but said calmly 'That's why I perfected the charm.'
'So when's it going on the entrance?'
Hermione looked at her watch. It was 5:00. Lessons had been over for a few hours, and Hermione and Malfoy had gone down to the Great Hall for some last minute planning.
'Hmm, I think I'll put it on now. I want you to check it out one more time.'
Hermione stood before the door and waved her wand fancily over it, and then said, with a very strong, posh accent, 'Prefandressus Valentines Day'
A huge white shine spurted from Hermione's wand, and it wrapped itself around the wooden door, slowly sinking in to the wood. Hermione and Malfoy watched it, slightly in awe of the brightness. When it was done the entrance looked just like it had looked before. Hermione and Malfoy knew better however.
Malfoy turned and grinned at Hermione.
'Ladies first,' he said, gesturing inside.
Hermione grinned at him and stepped into the Great Hall. As soon as she did, tiny little white light erupted from the walls, and sprung down on her, enveloping her in white shimmers and light. In a transformation similar to Cinderella's, Hermione became enveloped in a dark blue gown with silver beading along it, blue high heels, and her hair was done up at the back, allowing some curls to fall out, and ornamented by blue flowers. Her make-up was perfect. She looked like a princess.
She turned, her dress following her, and grinned at Malfoy.
'Did it work?' she asked.
Malfoy just stared. It was incredible, Hermione's genius and brains. He also considered slightly how beautiful her body was now that it wasn't encased in black robe material, but he quickly stopped thinking about that, and stepped into the room. The white lights flew around him too, enveloping him and changing him into a tux with shiny, polished shoes. He checked his cuffs and smiled at himself.
'Looking very sharp Mr Malfoy,' said Hermione teasingly.
'Glad you like it,' he said. The two of them looked at each other for a second, then broke away slightly awkwardly when Malfoy said 'We'd better get the last parts prepared and get out of here before anyone sees us in these get-ups.'
'Right,' replied Hermione, feeling slightly embarrassed about nearly being caught staring at Malfoy, and also slightly sad that he'd broken eye contact with her.
A few hours later people began arriving at the entrance to the Great Hall. Hermione and Malfoy greeted them warmly, allowed them to pass through, then grinned delightedly at each other when they saw the transformations occur in front of their very eyes. It was magical. By 7:30 Hermione and Malfoy were able to enter themselvers, which they did, and Malfoy pointed his wand at his throat, uttered 'Sonorous' and spoke out throughout the Great Hall.
'Welcome, everyone, to the Valentines Day dance! I am thrilled to see everyone managed to find dresses on such . . . short notice.' Everyone laughed at that. 'The reason we have chosen to dress everyone in Muggle attire is because we Prefects and Heads have decided no-one knows best how to express love like Muggles do, and we might as well show this. . . plus they really do make some excellent-looking clothes.' Everyone laughed again.
'And so, without further ado, let's begin the celebrating!'
Hermione waved her wand, and music magically began playing. Couples went out onto the dance floor and began having a good time. Hermione and Malfoy stayed near the entrance for a few minutes.
'I think we're done it Granger.'
'Yes,' said Hermione, smiling. 'I do believe we have.'
They turned and smiled to each other. Malfoy held out his hand to Hermione. 'Fancy a dance?'
Hermione mockingly grimaced at the hand being extended to her. She sighed. 'All right.'
The two of them walked out on to the dance floor, linked arms, and began dancing to the medium paced dance. It was fun. Both of them were grinning and laughing, mainly as they stepped on to each others feet. The song ended, and a slow one came on.
Hermione blushed slightly. She'd read all the stupid pre-teen novels about what happens while slow dancing. She almost made a move to get out of it, but Malfoy said 'Just for a laugh, hey?'
Hermione nodded, slightly numb, She was having trouble thinking, for some reason.
About a minute in to the song Malfoy said something completely unexpected. 'You're hair is curly.'
Hermione's eyes widened. She was unsure if she'd heard him correctly. She compromised by saying 'Yes.'
'It's not frizzy like usual, I mean.' Hermione realised at this point that Malfoy was playing with it. She remembered how in 6th year Harry had played with her hair a lot. She wondered why hair was something boys found so interesting.
'No . . . I guess not. The spell is good.'
Malfoy shook his head slightly. 'You don't need a spell to be beautiful to me, Granger.'
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. What was Malfoy saying? She was either in some fantastic dream or Malfoy was under some love potion. So she, sounding like some blonde bimbo that cared about her physical appearance, said 'Really?'
Malfoy nodded. 'Yeah.'
Hermione was floating. She was so happy . . . she just wanted to stay here, slowly swaying on the sport with Malfoy, for ever . . .
'Insomniasta!'
Hermione dropped straight into Malfoys arms. Malfoy, caught completely unawares, tripped slightly in the shock of the extra weight on him, but managed to straighten up fairly quickly. He sank quickly to the floor and looked closely to Hermione. She was evidently asleep, and the gashes appearing between her knuckles showed the dreams weren't exactly pleasant.
Malfoy began shaking her, trying to get her to wake up quickly, eyes bulging at the quickly spreading cuts along her hand. He heard faint shouting, and stopped for a second to tune in. It was Potter. What was he saying?
'That was just cowardly!'
'I know,' said a horribly recognisable voice. 'But since when have I ever been fair?'
Malfoy was suddenly very angry, stood up and turned, facing the woman of whom the voice belonged to.
'Ahh, Draco. So nice to see you again.'
'Wish I could say the same about you, Bellatrix,' replied Malfoy, getting out his wand.
How was that guys? Please please PLEASE review!!!!!
Wazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzup, all my wonderful wonderful readers! Thank you once again you your continued reading of this fic! Be prepared for a chapter of great drama and angst-y confusion.
OK, reviews! And I am doing them this time!!!
Littoxkigga: yeah, sorry it took so long. Sorry this one is taking so long. I guess I haven't really been in the writing mood, ya know? So yeah, we'll see if I get more in the mood. And a girl at my school has glasses for that.
electra: lol, yeah, I know you haven't updated (glares at electra). Anyhow, this would be the next chapter.
SweetCheeksDracoLuver: Why thank you, thank you very much. I'm hoping you'll find this another fantabulous chapter.
ILUVRONWEASLEY: kawaii, eh? Nihongo wa benkyoushimasu ka? Anyhow, yay. Keep a-reading.
tomzgurl77: Yup yup yup, I'm updating! Hope you like it.
bombshell: hi! I was wondering where you'd got to! Thank you, and the T- shirt sounds hilarious!
Creeky bush: thank you
DISCLAIMER: I own a slightly annoying but very nice-looking pair of glasses now, allowing me to see the writing on this computer no matter how relaxed my eyes are, and my hair has red in it now . . . and my hair has red in it now . . . and lighter blonde . . . it's all good.
And also my damn video camera won't convert pictures to the computer. It's ok . . . I'm calm . . .
All righty, let's start this chapter!
The morning of Valentines Day was one of great promise. Lavender Brown, who was up very early this day, drew apart the curtains to find a most dazzling sunrise occurring. She woke up everyone else in the dormitory, and they all opened their windows and had a look. Hermione was moved. She closed her eyes for a second and imagined herself dancing in the sunrise. Dancing the tango . . . with Malfoy . . .
She slapped herself.
Hermione got to the Breakfast table early, as Malfoy had asked her to do. He was there already, standing on a chair, waving his wand like nobody's business.
'Accel Fortigo!' he was saying.
Hermione looked tiredly up to him, blinked, smiled dazedly and said 'Less swish, more flick.'
Malfoy looked down at her, narrowed his eyes slightly, then did as she said. The decorations began flocking around, doing themselves up, much more quickly. Malfoy could only stare.
'How do you . . .'
'Everybody! Be warned! The fun has arrived!' Susie had entered the room, carrying a large foghorn and wearing medieval-type dress. Edward came in after her and rushed over to Hermione and Malfoy.
'I tried to stop her, I swear!'
'Ask me later,' Hermione said to Malfoy. She took out her wand and uttered an incantation that immediately got Susie into her school uniform. Susie gaped at herself, then looked at Hermione sourly.
'No fair. How come you know how to do that?'
'I prepared myself,' said Hermione coolly, twirling her wand between her fingers.
Susie stormed off jokingly, still carrying her foghorn and blowing a large amount of air into it every now and then, causing a loud noise and everyone to jump out of their skin.
Malfoy smiled at Hermione from his chair. 'You really are something Granger.'
Hermione bowed, then began waving her wand around the room. Confetti flew, streamers danced, the up-side down blue hearts glowed. It looked truly magnificent, and like Valentines Day, but somehow not like Valentines Day at the same time.
'Such a pity it's a Friday, and we therefore have classes,' Malfoy commented airily at one point.
'Nah,' replied Hermione. 'This is good. It means that they face the utter humiliation of a Transfigured teaspoon blowing a fog horn similar to Susies and dancing a song of love, prearranged for them by their loved ones.'
'That reminds me . . .' said Malfoy. 'Let me know if this love of yours expresses his affections at all today, OK?'
'I'm sure he won't,' said Hermione airily, 'But all right.'
As breakfast went on, the students of the school gaped in wonder at the Valentines Day sight that met their eyes. Even some of the teachers couldn't help but be impressed, particularly Professor Flitwick, who probably recognised a lot of the Charms that Hermione had used. Hermione grinned to herself.
Harry and Ron arrived at the Gryffindor table and took seats next to Hermione. Ron looked around and claimed he was going to go into Cardiac arrest.
'That's your fault for eating all this fat for breakfast, isn't it?' Hermione said.
Ron, who was piling eggs and bacon on to his plate, turned to her and went 'huh?'
Hermione shook her head. 'Never mind.' Harry was giggling behind his pumpkin juice at Ron's stupidity.
'What else do you have planned for today anyway, Hermione?'
Hermione and Malfoy had worked out beforehand that the only people that were to know about the teaspoons transfigured in to little soldiers with embarrassing love messages and fog horns were the people who went up to them and asked to deliver them. They'd asked the Prefects to ask around about it during breakfast. Therefore, Hermione just smiled secretly at Ron and Harry and said 'You'll find out.'
When breakfast was over Hermione and Malfoy and the rest of the Prefects stayed behind to prepare the final touches for the day.
'How many did you guys get?' asked Malfoy.
'Tonnes,' said Susie. She withdrew a container from her bag, and emptied out its contents. At least 100 messages were drawn there. Malfoy and Hermione grinned.
'Excellent. Well we've got plenty of teaspoons,' said Hermione. She pointed her wand at a pile of teaspoons sitting on a nearby table and said to it 'Messluvibus!'
The pile of teaspoons all stood up on their handle hands, and before the Heads very eyes, all instantly turned into little soldiers, each with a little foghorn.
'Wow!' said Malfoy, gazing admiringly at Hermione. 'Nice work!'
'Thank you,' said Hermione. 'It took me a while to nut this out. Now,' she turned to the soldiers. 'We have jobs for you all. Are you all ready to accept them?'
The soldiers all answered with a blow of their fog horns.
Excellent,' replied Hermione. 'We want you all to deliver these messages to various people in their classes. You must do it during class, where everyone is going to hear you, and announce the messages with many blowings of the foghorn. Do you understand?'
More fog horns followed.
'Susie, Edward, you guys stay here and help the soldiers with this. The rest of you, come with Granger and I. We need you to help us prepare for the lunchtime meal.
So Susie and Edward began talking to the teaspoon soldiers, while everyone else walked down to the kitchens. Hermione tickled the pear on the bowl of fruit, and the door to the kitchens opened, and everyone entered.
'Dobby!' called Hermione once she got in there. 'Dobby! Where are you?'
Amongst the sea of house elves, little Dobby came out, wearing a great assortment of clothes and beaming explicitly.
'Hello Miss Granger! Hello Miss! Dobby is so glad to see you!'
'We're glad to see you too,' replied Hermione. 'Is it all right if Malfoy and the rest of the Prefects settle down here and work on these decorations we want to get ready? We might need your help.'
'Tis always fine Miss!' squeaked Dobby, indicating a table for them all to sit upon. 'We have been preparing the lunch, Miss Granger. Do you wish to see?'
'Sure', said Hermione. Dobby held her by the arm and dragged her over to the four long tables on which all food was placed before sent up to the identical tables above.
And what a sight they were.
The House elves had possibly gone a tad overboard with the red food colouring, because everything was brilliantly red or pink. Dark red beef with pink mashed potatoes, pink baked potatoes with pink tureens of butter, pink speghetti with red sauce, pink bread, and a very strange looking red drink that Hermione asked for a taste of. Dobby handed her an extra glass he had handy and she took a sip.
'Wow! That's nice! What's in it?'
'House elf secret miss,' said Dobby slightly slyly. 'Dobby is pleased to hear you like it, however.'
'Hey Hermione?' asked Portus from the table where Malfoy was mapping out something for them. 'What are we doing this evening?'
'Dance, drink some of this red sugar-y stuff, why?'
'What time is the dance starting?'
'About 7, I'd say. We'll have someone handing them the tickets and such.'
'When does it end?'
'About midnight, or when it feels like it.'
'All right.'
'Anyway,' Malfoy continued saying to them, 'Granger's handling the music . . .'
At lunchtime the students began filing in to the Great Hall, some of them extremely red in the face. Hermione, who had been to second period Arithmancy, saw the class interrupted by 3 teaspoon soldiers, all of whom announced the messages in such an embarrassing manner, Hermione almost died of laughter, as did everyone in the class, short of those people who had gotten the messages.
During lunch many people got slaps around the head. Harry and Ron approached the table in higher spirits then most.
'Very amusing stuff happened during Trainsfiguration. Professor McGonagall wasn't too happy.'
'Pity I couldn't be there,' said Hermione.
'Yes,' replied Ron. 'I'm wondering if, Hermione, you know why there is no food on the tables?'
Hermione grinned. 'I do know why that is. It will arrive in a minute or so. Malfoy has to give the word first.'
And as if he'd read her mind, Hermione, along with everyone else, saw the great assortment of food magically appear at the table, and everyone stared. They couldn't believe their eyes.
Hermione, seeming non-plussed, began helping herself to pink spaghetti.
'Um, Hermione,' said Ron, who hadn't touched any of the food, and was merely staring at it.
'Yes, Ron?' she asked, dishing herself some sauce.
'It doesn't all have a strange bubblegum flavour, does it?'
Hermione laughed, and shook her head. 'No. It's just food colouring. Go on, try it. The drink the house-elves made is brilliant.'
Everyone began eating. After a few mouthfuls, Harry shook his head.
'Honestly Hermione, I think you've gotten a bit too decked out.'
Hermione grinned. 'Yeah, but you're enjoying it.'
'Do you have anything ELSE planned?' Ron asked cautiously.
'Just one more thing. You'll like it, I promise.'
'OK,' said Ron, 'But it's gonna be hard to top pink food.'
'Could all students please arrive at the Great Hall at 7 o'clock, and kindly make sure you walk in through the FRONT entrance. Thank you.'
Malfoy pointed his wand to his throat, uttered 'Quietus' and his voice quietened. Hermione, standing next to him, smiled. Malfoy turned to her.
'I cannot believe you managed to figure out how to create such a complex charm. All for a stupid Valentines Day treat.'
'Yeah, well, they deserve it, don't they? The school year is no picnic.'
'Yeah, I guess. But what about you, and me, and the Prefects? Surely we deserve a break too?'
Hermione looked slightly exasperated, but said calmly 'That's why I perfected the charm.'
'So when's it going on the entrance?'
Hermione looked at her watch. It was 5:00. Lessons had been over for a few hours, and Hermione and Malfoy had gone down to the Great Hall for some last minute planning.
'Hmm, I think I'll put it on now. I want you to check it out one more time.'
Hermione stood before the door and waved her wand fancily over it, and then said, with a very strong, posh accent, 'Prefandressus Valentines Day'
A huge white shine spurted from Hermione's wand, and it wrapped itself around the wooden door, slowly sinking in to the wood. Hermione and Malfoy watched it, slightly in awe of the brightness. When it was done the entrance looked just like it had looked before. Hermione and Malfoy knew better however.
Malfoy turned and grinned at Hermione.
'Ladies first,' he said, gesturing inside.
Hermione grinned at him and stepped into the Great Hall. As soon as she did, tiny little white light erupted from the walls, and sprung down on her, enveloping her in white shimmers and light. In a transformation similar to Cinderella's, Hermione became enveloped in a dark blue gown with silver beading along it, blue high heels, and her hair was done up at the back, allowing some curls to fall out, and ornamented by blue flowers. Her make-up was perfect. She looked like a princess.
She turned, her dress following her, and grinned at Malfoy.
'Did it work?' she asked.
Malfoy just stared. It was incredible, Hermione's genius and brains. He also considered slightly how beautiful her body was now that it wasn't encased in black robe material, but he quickly stopped thinking about that, and stepped into the room. The white lights flew around him too, enveloping him and changing him into a tux with shiny, polished shoes. He checked his cuffs and smiled at himself.
'Looking very sharp Mr Malfoy,' said Hermione teasingly.
'Glad you like it,' he said. The two of them looked at each other for a second, then broke away slightly awkwardly when Malfoy said 'We'd better get the last parts prepared and get out of here before anyone sees us in these get-ups.'
'Right,' replied Hermione, feeling slightly embarrassed about nearly being caught staring at Malfoy, and also slightly sad that he'd broken eye contact with her.
A few hours later people began arriving at the entrance to the Great Hall. Hermione and Malfoy greeted them warmly, allowed them to pass through, then grinned delightedly at each other when they saw the transformations occur in front of their very eyes. It was magical. By 7:30 Hermione and Malfoy were able to enter themselvers, which they did, and Malfoy pointed his wand at his throat, uttered 'Sonorous' and spoke out throughout the Great Hall.
'Welcome, everyone, to the Valentines Day dance! I am thrilled to see everyone managed to find dresses on such . . . short notice.' Everyone laughed at that. 'The reason we have chosen to dress everyone in Muggle attire is because we Prefects and Heads have decided no-one knows best how to express love like Muggles do, and we might as well show this. . . plus they really do make some excellent-looking clothes.' Everyone laughed again.
'And so, without further ado, let's begin the celebrating!'
Hermione waved her wand, and music magically began playing. Couples went out onto the dance floor and began having a good time. Hermione and Malfoy stayed near the entrance for a few minutes.
'I think we're done it Granger.'
'Yes,' said Hermione, smiling. 'I do believe we have.'
They turned and smiled to each other. Malfoy held out his hand to Hermione. 'Fancy a dance?'
Hermione mockingly grimaced at the hand being extended to her. She sighed. 'All right.'
The two of them walked out on to the dance floor, linked arms, and began dancing to the medium paced dance. It was fun. Both of them were grinning and laughing, mainly as they stepped on to each others feet. The song ended, and a slow one came on.
Hermione blushed slightly. She'd read all the stupid pre-teen novels about what happens while slow dancing. She almost made a move to get out of it, but Malfoy said 'Just for a laugh, hey?'
Hermione nodded, slightly numb, She was having trouble thinking, for some reason.
About a minute in to the song Malfoy said something completely unexpected. 'You're hair is curly.'
Hermione's eyes widened. She was unsure if she'd heard him correctly. She compromised by saying 'Yes.'
'It's not frizzy like usual, I mean.' Hermione realised at this point that Malfoy was playing with it. She remembered how in 6th year Harry had played with her hair a lot. She wondered why hair was something boys found so interesting.
'No . . . I guess not. The spell is good.'
Malfoy shook his head slightly. 'You don't need a spell to be beautiful to me, Granger.'
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. What was Malfoy saying? She was either in some fantastic dream or Malfoy was under some love potion. So she, sounding like some blonde bimbo that cared about her physical appearance, said 'Really?'
Malfoy nodded. 'Yeah.'
Hermione was floating. She was so happy . . . she just wanted to stay here, slowly swaying on the sport with Malfoy, for ever . . .
'Insomniasta!'
Hermione dropped straight into Malfoys arms. Malfoy, caught completely unawares, tripped slightly in the shock of the extra weight on him, but managed to straighten up fairly quickly. He sank quickly to the floor and looked closely to Hermione. She was evidently asleep, and the gashes appearing between her knuckles showed the dreams weren't exactly pleasant.
Malfoy began shaking her, trying to get her to wake up quickly, eyes bulging at the quickly spreading cuts along her hand. He heard faint shouting, and stopped for a second to tune in. It was Potter. What was he saying?
'That was just cowardly!'
'I know,' said a horribly recognisable voice. 'But since when have I ever been fair?'
Malfoy was suddenly very angry, stood up and turned, facing the woman of whom the voice belonged to.
'Ahh, Draco. So nice to see you again.'
'Wish I could say the same about you, Bellatrix,' replied Malfoy, getting out his wand.
How was that guys? Please please PLEASE review!!!!!