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Chapter 6 – Dance LESSONS?

The next time Malfoy and Hermione were called into Dumbledore's office was 1 week before the ball.

"Mr Malfoy, Ms Granger, I believe all preparations for the ball are almost finished?"

Hermione thought about it, she had gone through great trouble trying to bring those loudspeakers into Hogwarts. She had sent her parents an owl a few days in advance to inform them about this. Then, with the help of Dumbledore, she made her way back to her muggle home and performed a shrinking spell on the machine. Big mistake, she almost crashed the house as she pulled the complicated wires out of the circuit. When she finally finished doing so, the next problem was as to how to set it up in Hogwarts since they didn't have any of that electricity stuff here. After a long and complicated explanation of how current electricity works to the teachers and Dumbledore, they managed to come up with this spell that backfired several times before actually working. Everything was basically ready, she had prepared a CD of classical music with an assortment of waltz and other dances. The students were informed, the kitchen was informed about the luxurious dinner that night, about what to prepare, security problems were settled, basically everything was all set and ready. Perhaps the only problem was…

"So everything is set?" Dumbledore repeated when he received no response.

They nodded.

"What about the dance? I believe both of you would become the limelight with all your amazing dance steps?"

Yeah right. Like, our embarrassingly stupid dance steps. If we try not to strangle each other while dancing, you should be glad. The last time I remembered dancing was during the Yule Ball and Krum led me through the whole thing. Like as if this ferret here would help me this time. This is disastrous, this whole thing is such a disaster, as if all the preparations were not enough to tire me out, now I've got to worry about a stupid dance that may not even last throughout the whole piece of music. What if the ferret doesn't even KNOW how to dance? Gosh that'll be even more horrible. Hermione looked at Malfoy and expected some response from him. Amazingly, the Malfoy that stood before her did not seem confident either.

Dance steps? DANCE STEPS? Like, left, right, left right, left left right right? huh? My gosh. When was the last time I remember dancing? Like, years ago? Dancing with a mudblood is definitely NOT what I want to do. Perhaps I can slip away and get a dance with some real beauties out there. Malfoy himself wondered.

Not getting any response from either one of them, Dumbledore spoke up, "My prediction is that neither of you know the proper way of dancing? Don't worry, I've got everything sorted out for you guys."

Malfoy looked up in confusion, "sorted out? Sorted out what? What's…..What's there to worry about in the first place?"

Dumbledore gave both of them a tiny smile that did not even seem to be there. "I've arranged dance classes for both of you so that you can put up a good show when the visitors are here. I would not want them leaving with the impression that the Head Boy and Girl of Hogwarts do not know how to dance properly. You would report at the Great Hall at 9pm sharp, after taking your dinner of course, and I will bring you to your dance teacher. Lessons will last for 1 hour, if lengthening of practice time is requested by teacher, students will HAVE to obey. Lessons will last till the day before Renaissance School's arrival. You are required to continue practice even after the lessons have ended. You are expected to present a good show on the dance night. The first lesson will start tomorrow. Please get ready and be punctual. "

Malfoy thought, dance lessons. Dance lessons. They're trying to deprive me of sleep. As if it dancing matters, why do they matter so much about giving impressions? He looked at Hermione who seemed to be in more shock then him. She stood there, hands by her side, mouth slightly ajar, not really knowing what to say. She looked almost cute. Just then, Hermione turned to face him, giving him the usual i-cant-be-bothered-about-you look. Malfoy immediately turned away and started out of Dumbledore's office.

Hermione saw the weird look on Malfoy's face as he rushed out of the office. He did not seem to be in as much shock as herself. Is he really treating all this as a competition? Gosh, then I'm done for. Like when have they ever heard Hermione go with Dance? Just imagine, Hermione, the DANCER. Ridiculous! This whole thing is so ridiculous! Argh……. If only I had a choice of who my partner was. I dun care who it is, as long as it's not that ferret. I dun even mind dancing with Dumbledore! Argh… and gosh, I've still got homework. Why is my everyday lifestyle almost the same? School, prefect stuff, homework, sleep. This ball is really gonna spike up my life. Really. Spiking up does not mean good. It does not. And the next thing to worry about, my gown. Where did I place the gown I wore during the Yule Ball? Grr… this is so frustrating!!!!!! If only I can strangle that ferret now, it'll cool me down a lot. Why is he acting so weird lately?

sorry guys, know it's a very very very very very very super duper short chapter, but bear with me, there's better to come. wink