AN: Hey, ya'll! I'm back!!! Did ya miss me? I have now got chapters 13, 14, and a large chunk of 15. Good grief…I thought I'd get a lot more done going to my great grandmother's. So I guess this story is gonna go on at its annoyingly slow pace still. I'm sorry about the whole, 'plodding along,' pace that I seem to be in. I try, I really do. I'll hush up and get this done!
Hermione looked herself over in the mirror with a grin.
Pansy bustled around her head with an artistic air. Bobby pins were held in her crimson lips as she curled, twisted, and pinned Hermione's chestnut locks up. Her light blue eyes sparkled with amusement under smoky lids, as she worked.
"Ah…done," Pansy sighed, pinning the last strand in place.
Hermione stood up to check out her whole reflection. Her bright amber eyes were brought out with a light silver shadow and dark liner. Her naturally dark lips looked dewy under a clear gloss. A beautiful Elizabethan gown graced her pale skin. A plunging neckline wasn't even able to mess up the happiness she felt. It's midnight sapphire crushed velvet flowed elegantly about her petite frame.
It had taken her a while to figure out the many layers of fabric of the gown. After the hoopskirt, chemise, and corset, Hermione was nearly lost. Then, Pansy had shown up and pulled the heavy gown over her head. Everything went in place after that. The white silver brocade, lined over sleeves nearly hid the dark satin under sleeves. The three panels of the underskirt had given her all the trouble. She now knew the satin panels went in the back and that the front panel matched the brocade of the over sleeves.
'Sheesh…'she thought, ' no wonder clothing has changed over the years!'
Pansy stepped in front of the mirror beside her with a contagious smile. Her red lips matched her dress perfectly. Her pale blonde hair was twisted up into two tight buns on either side of her head compared to the dark waterfall that was Hermione's hair.
"You both look splendid!" came the mirrors warm voice.
Hermione flashed a smile and gave Pansy a wink.
"Thanks for helping…well, fixing me up, Pans," Hermione said turning to face her.
"What're friends for?" the blonde replied with a smirk.
Catching a glimpse of Pansy's teeth, Hermione had an idea.
"Pansy, smile," she said pulling out her wand.
Eyeing the wand, Pansy forced a smile and raised a skeptical brow.
"Canus summito," Hermione pronounced with a flick of her wand. Immediately, Pansy's canines began to lengthen. Hermione averted her wand when she was satisfied with them.
"Much better," she commended, as she turned Pansy back around the face the mirror. She still didn't look too happy about having a wand tip pointed at her face.
The forced smile remained until she saw the spell's effect; it then grew genuine.
"Perfect," she murmured running her tongue across her pointy fangs, "I'll have to remember that one for Blaise."
They looked over one another, before leaving Hermione's room.
On her way down the stairs, Hermione fought with her layers but thanked the gods for flat slippers. She scanned the room for Draco. Not finding him, a frown played quickly across her face.
Pansy picked up her disappointment with no comment. She pulled Hermione out of the common room in a small hurry.
Draco was leaning back against the wall near the Great Hall's doors. He nearly blended in with the dark room's shadows. Every once in a while, you could catch a glimpse of his silver eyes behind an unusual dragon mask when an odd orb of light floated over his head.
The dark green coils of the dragon that formed his mask curved around his eyes. Its sharp tail tip rested on the bridge of his nose, and its reptilian head blinked cold yellow eyes at you from its spot on his forehead. He wore a black tuxedo with a dark green button down shirt. The pants hung loose around his legs, and his shirt and jacket fit his shoulders and chest snugly. His jacket was open and his shirt untucked. A black cloak hid him further into the shadows. Its dark hood was pulled up hiding his silver blond head; its silver lining brushed his pale face. The cloak was clasped at his throat by a metallic green dragon brooch.
He was attracting a lot of attention from the females already in the room. But to their dismay, they received not a glance back. He was only interested in one girl, and she had just walked in.
Draco knew it was she from her confident stride. In his eyes, she was the most gorgeous thing in Hogwarts. His opinion wasn't the only one.
Hermione glided closer, closely followed by Ginny Weasley, Harry, and Ron. A bright orb floated over the small party, illuminating the colors and shapes of their costumes. He couldn't help the arrogant smirk tugging his lips when he saw the colors of Hermione's dress.
"My favorite colors…how interesting…' he thought with some satisfaction.
It seemed that the other three were playing the part of muggles. Ginny wore a white tube tennis dress, and her brother and Harry matched, except for shirt colors. Harry's button down shirt was white, while Ron's was a dark blue. Both boys wore khaki cargo pants.
Hermione's head swiveled, taking in their hard work. A flashed smile meant she was happy with how her ideas played out.
Fewer eerie orbs of light, which drifted randomly around the room, replaced the usual floating candles. On each small table was miniature jack-o-lanterns who mouthed the bands lyrics and small cauldrons packed with Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.
Draco was just waiting for Crabbe and Goyle to dig into the cauldrons full of tricks. He'd already watched a young first year grow large steer horns and be rushed off to an adult by his friends. The poor things still hadn't learnt how to remove a spell.
Hermione sat down with her friends at a table surprisingly close by. None seemed to notice the boy nearly right beside them.
She was looking for him again. She found herself doing it more and more often, but as always, it seemed she never found him.
She sat back with a sigh, giving up her attempt to stare through all of the costumes.
"Mione, are you alright?" Harry asked looking concerned.
"Hmm?" Hermione mumbled, not looking at him but at a spot left of his ear in an unfocused daze.
'Where is he? He said he'd be here…'
"Hermione!" Harry's voice invaded once more.
"What?" she snapped disgruntled.
Both boys looked at her taken aback.
"Well…uh…Harry was just asking if everything was okay," Ron said, slowly scooting away from her slightly.
Her features softened a bit. "I'm sorry, boys. I was just thinking."
Harry whispered about the Prophecy so no one could hear, while Ron muttered something to the nature of, "'s no reason to bite someone's bloody head off." He thought about it literally and winced.
She turned to Harry, ignoring Ron. "Harry, I really don't want to discuss that right now."
Harry shrugged and the four sat in silence for a while, until Seamus and Dean plodded over with the latest quidditch news.
Ginny didn't last as long as Hermione thought she would; the redhead made her excuses and left the gradually growing chatter for her sixth year friends.
As the crowd of boys grew, Hermione began to feel uncomfortable. The combined body heat was suffocating her in her layered gown. She was getting so sick of their only topic and even the whole ball. She wanted…no, needed to get out.
"Guys," she hissed in Harry and Ron's general direction. Neither turned to look at her.
Ron and Seamus were now both standing over the table in each other's faces. Apparently, the comment Seamus made about the Chudley Cannons hadn't gone over too well with Ron. According to the redheads constantly darkening face, this argument would last a while.
Giving up, Hermione left the Great Hall nearly completely unnoticed; except for two pairs of eyes, one light blue the other deep silver.
She made the subconscious choice that the school grounds would be a great place to cool down. Before she knew it, Dumbledore's constructed maze loomed in front of her creepily. She had the option to go through the dimly lit and foggy maze or slip off to the lake.
The lake definitely won over the unintended obstacle course. No one in the right frame of mind would willingly want to stumble around in the dark, tripping over snogging couples hiding in the fog. Yes, the lake was the perfectly tranquil setting she needed.
Draco watched silently as the object of his attention slipped out of the room. Staying as far as way as possible without losing her out of sight, silent as a cat, he followed her
An uneasiness settled in his stomach as he realized that she wasn't going into the protected maze but out onto the unwatched grounds. Draco followed still finding that it wouldn't be wise to leave her alone. He watched her reach the lakeshore. He kept his distance still, as not to startle her.
Hermione stood motionless at the lake's edge. Her calm face was illuminated by the moon's pale blue light. A tree cast shadows behind her.
A cool breeze whipped across the lakes calm surface making the dark tendrils of Hermione's hair flutter loose. A shiver ran the length of her spine. She reached up and pulled the remaining pins from her dark tresses, letting them spill down her back in loose curls.
When he first started following her, he had just wanted to watch. Now, he wanted to touch her.
She stared out across the lake's dark, still surface, which reflected the large full moon in its deep waters. Clouds blanked out parts of the starry sky.
Draco crept up behind her to lay his warm cloak over her pale shoulders. He felt them tense under his light touch. A smirk spread across his face at the mere prospect of scaring the fearless Gryffindor. He knew he had the shadows to his advantage.
Hermione spun around slowly, brow furrowed in uncertainty. She couldn't see the details of his face.
"Would you like some company?" Draco asked with a smile.
"Well…Yes, actually," she returned with a tilt of her dark head. A small smile graced her lips but the uneasiness never left her amber eyes. "Why aren't you in the hall?"
"I thought I'd follow you out," he answered truthfully.
Hermione looked up at him warily but with questioning eyes. "What ever for?"
"I didn't think it wise for you to come out on your own," was his straightforward reply, "And, may I ask, why you came out?"
She shrugged her small shoulders, while answering, "I don't know, really. I just felt like I needed to come out here. There's too much going on in there at once, and I'm not much for parties, anyway."
"I know what you mean. I've never been one for all the action and everything, but I do like to dress up." He didn't comment on the 'special occasions', which he was made to attend
He was enjoying himself immensely. Draco knew Hermione still didn't know who he was by the careful tone in her voice.
"Who was your date?" she probed at a bruised spot innocently.
"Oh…I came alone," he said tightly.
She was silent for a moment before asking, "Why?"
Draco felt a pang of jealousy at the answer to her question; it was a feeling he rarely had. "The girl I wanted to take was already taken."
"And who, if I may ask, was your choice date?" she asked. He could see the pity in her soft amber eyes.
'Oh, you weren't expecting that one. Now, were you, good boy?' his mind taunted him. Draco thought fast, but again he found the truth was the easiest option.
Hermione started to look uncomfortable in his intense, thoughtful silence. Then he answered, "Err…well, it was you, Hermione."
"Oh…well…umm…" she muttered clearly flabbergasted, before looking up at him and asking, "Really?"
"Yes…" Draco began with strong feeling and no hint of embarrassment. He sank in her warm amber eyes.
With no restraint left, Draco leaned down and caught her lips with his. A small cloud drifted in front of the moon, hiding the pair from prying eyes in darkness.
Emotions he didn't know he had were poured into the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her; one hand ran through her chestnut hair.
Draco's tongue slid teasingly across Hermione's bottom lip, asking for permission, which she gave. Their tongues danced in a fierce battle to the beats of their hearts.
His mind was a whirlwind of incoherent thoughts. An inner war came with the knowledge that he would regret it later versus the feeling of it being amazingly right. All his thoughts came to a screeching halt as thoughts of how she would feel filled his mind. He broke off.
She stared at him breathlessly wit confusion and curiosity fused eyes.
Draco was for the first time at a loss. No understanding came with what had happened, just pure and complex confusion.
Before Hermione could say anything, Draco found her small hand in the dark and kissed her knuckles tenderly.
"Good evening, Hermione," he heard himself say. And with that, he turned and left.
Draco cursed himself silently all the way back to the castle. "You shouldn't have left her confused!" his conscience kept screaming uselessly.
He didn't return to the ball, though. He wasn't in the mood for people; his own thought and feelings needed straightened out.
Before heading upstairs, Draco waited in the shadows of the staircase for Hermione to come in.
His cloak was still wrapped around her shoulders, and she seemed not to notice. He knew she was deep in though because of her furrowed brows. She passed within feet from him at a fast pace.
After the doors closed behind her, Draco started for the common room to think.
Dumbledore watched as one of the brightest students he had ever had slipped unnoticed out of the room. Then with even more interest, he watched the shadow that hung by her table slip off and out the door behind her.
A knowing and amused smile crept across the old man's wrinkled face.
AN: The last little time separator was made special for my great boyfriend of 15 months. Dearest is my lovely term of affection when angry. LoL! I'm a freak! I actually hadn't originally written the last little bit, but I thought it up and it fit. B'bye, now!