I dont own harry Potter, the characters, and all that. Nor do i own Micheal Jackson (shudders)
(AN) I know, and I agree with you guys. Get em together already!! I knew exactly when and how I wanted them to get together, I just didnt know it would take this long to get here. Enjoy!
Hermione stood outside of the Great Hall, more nervous then she had ever been in her life. The ball was to start in a few minutes, and, although she knew that everything was set, she was worried about the reactions of the other students.
Hermione smoothed down her skirt, for the billionth time, to try to occupy her hands. She looked down at herself. Knee-high, black platforms, red and black fishnet stockings, a long mesh over jacket, with a red and black ripped skirt underneath. Her black corset covered her stomach nicely, and allowed the back to open to release her black wings. This was Hermione's pride and joy. They were charmed to become part of her flesh, or rather, mostly. She was the Fallen Angel, and the wings were designed to look as if they were half pulled off. The fake blood was especially convincing.
Hermione pulled her eyes from her costume, and checked her watch again. The doors would open in 5 minutes. Hermione sighed, soundless of course. The entrance way was charmed so that no one could talk. Hermione also knew that, while you could talk at the ball, there was a charm that made everyone sound the same, making the ball more interesting. No one would know each other. It was designed that way so that people would have to mingle, despite previously held prejudices.
Hermione looked around for her friends, even though she knew that she wouldn't know any of them. Everyone was as excited as she was. People were milling about, some tried to talk, without much luck, while others were trying to use body language as an aid to figure out who everyone else was.
Draco walked up to the entrance hall, and looked around. He knew that he wouldn't recognize anyone, not even by their voices, but he looked anyways. He was nervous about this, and Malfoy's were never nervous. He knew that everything would go on without a hitch, and that all the students would be happy, but he knew that, eventually, he would have to unmask himself.
Draco looked down at his costume. He was wearing black platform boots, which were mostly covered by his leather pants. He had on a tight black shirt, and a long, black and white PVC jacket, that was shredded at the back, to allow his wings to come out. He loved his wings, which he thought were ingenious. They were black, about 6ft. across, and actually moved, as if he were flying. He was rather proud of his costume, as he was the Fallen Dark prince.
Draco looked up from himself and looked right into the black eyes of the most beautiful girl. She was wearing a black mask, which left her mouth open. The mask was black, with shiny red blood coming from the corners of the eyes. Her hair was black, with silver streaks, and was up on her head with curly tendrils falling about her face and neck. She was wearing a black corset, with a mesh overlay. Her skirt was ripped and torn, but fit her costume, for Draco assumed that, by the broken wings, she was the Fallen Angel. His fallen angel. She was breathtaking.
Hermione caught someone looking at her, and immediately turned her face to find the source. She found it in the eyes of the most stunning person she had seen yet. His hair was black, and slicked back. His mask was like those worn by the medieval people in their time. It was pure white, with black and red filigree framing his red eyes. He was wearing a black, shiny jacket that opened to reveal a tight black shirt, which showed off the person's muscled body. His wings were enormous, bigger then hers, but fully intact. He was not a fallen angel. A fallen prince perhaps? Either way, he was captivating, and Hermione found herself drawn to him.
Hermione was just going over to him when the doors to the Great Hall opened.
"Welcome to this year's Halloween Masquerade. Please, come in any enjoy yourselves" Dumbledore's voice echoed. "Please note that, once in the Great Hall, you are able to talk. However, your voices will all sound the same. If anyone is caught revealing who they are beneath the masks before the appointed time, will be transported to their dormitories without notice. Thank you."
The students moved towards the Great Hall, and there was an audible gasp at the decorations. The great Hall had turned into a very large cemetery. There were gravestones, which were arranged by year, and house, with each of the student's names and birth dates on them, as well as dirt on the ground, as if they were freshly dug graves. There were bats flying around in the air, and there was a constant mist around the dance floor. As the students entered, the music started up, beckoning the students to dance, and have a good time.
Draco lost sight of his angel when the doors opened. He entered the Hall, and looked around, pleased with how the decorations had turned out. Draco looked around for his angel, searching through the crowds of students, now able to talk, chatting with the others. He saw all kinds of costumes, from Godric Gryffindor, to zombies and elves. But not his angel.
Hermione had walked into the Hall, and knew what to expect, since she was the one who supervised the decorations. She was still impressed with the sight. Hermione looked around the Hall, and was satisfied. She headed towards the mausoleum, which was being used as the drink and snack table. She got herself a drink of punch, which had been prepared to look like blood, and turned towards the dance floor, and looked for her prince. She scanned the hall and, while noticing that not one person had the same costume, none of them had the telltale wings of her prince.
Hermione was upset, but knew that she would find him at some point throughout the night. She had plenty of time. She headed towards the dance floor, just as a Muggle song came on. It was the Halloween classic, Thriller, by Michael Jackson.
Draco was annoyed at the sheer amount of people in the great Hall. He wanted to find his angel! He was glad that all these people were having fun, but they got in the way of his search. He eventually decided that he would find her in time. They had all night. He decided to head to the dance floor, just as Thriller came on.
Draco had just walked into the throng of people on the dance floor when he saw her. His angel. He stepped past the dancing fairies, and clowns, and was beside her. She hadn't noticed him yet, so caught up in dancing. She was graceful, and boy could she dance!!!
"Milady" Draco said, tapping his angel's shoulder. She turned to look, and smiled. Draco bowed low. "Care to dance with me?"
"O-of course" Hermione stammered, thankful that she didn't have to wait all night to find her prince.
The song ended, and a slower one came on. Draco put his arms around Hermione, while she put hers around his neck. She lowered her head to his shoulder.
The two heads spent almost the entire night dancing. They talked whenever they went to get a drink, or to sit down. They knew that they were happy in the others arms, and hoped that things would be as good between them after the ball. Neither knew the true identity of the other, but didn't think about it, since they were together then, and that's all that mattered. They lived in the moment.
"This is the last song before the Unveiling. Enjoy your last dance as strangers" Dumbledore's voice echoed through the hall.
"Milady, my angel, would you please do me the honor of sharing this last unmasked dance with me?" Draco said.
"Of course, my prince. When you find out who I really am, will you still dance with me?" Hermione asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Always. I want to dance with you forever." Draco said, pulling her closer. "Actually, scratch that. I want to be with you forever."
The two shared their last dance, each thinking about the meaning of the word forever. The dance floor was littered with couples, and a few single students, as well as one or two groups of three.
The song ended. Draco looked deep into his angel's eyes, and could see acceptance, and genuine caring within their depths. He leaned down and placed a feather light kiss upon her forehead.
"'Till I find you again, my angel." He whispered in her ear.
Hermione felt a shock of electricity jolt through her as he kissed her. She looked into his eyes, and then placed her hands behind his head, pulling him closer. She caressed his lips with hers, pulled back and smiled.
"Until then, my prince."
The two separated, as McGonagall's voice came through the speakers.
"In a moments time, students will be magically transported to their gravestone. Please, refrain from moving, since there will be a few announcements afterwards. Thank you."
Suddenly, there was a loud "CLICK" sound, and Hermione found herself standing in front of her gravestone. She felt her face, and noticed that her mask was now on the ground, letting her true identity be known. She looked around, and saw all the seventh year Gryffindor looking around, some pleased, some shocked at who they saw in their costume. Hermione smiled, and looked around for her prince.
Draco found himself surrounded by his year's Slytherin classmates. He noticed immediately that his mask had been removed, and waited to be picked up on the ground in front of his feet. He searched around, looking for his angel.
Their eyes met at the same time. Both gasped. Both surprised, but happy how that had turned out. Neither knew the other fancied them, but this was the turning point.
Draco and Hermione smiled at each other, and knew exactly what forever meant.
