Draco stood in the entrance hallin his best dress robes. The black material offset his pale skin, while the silver etchings around the edges set off his eyes and hair. He swayed nervously, transferring his weight from one foot to another. This would be their first public appearance together as a couple. He was glad is was graduation or there would be hell to pay.
There still might. They had discussed it at length that day he had asked her. They both knew who his father was and where his alligances stood. They had also discussed Draco's standings with the dark lord.
"Are you Draco?" she asked. " I just…need to know." He sat in silence for a long moment.
"I used to think that that was the only way for me. I mean, my father has raised me to become a Death Eater…but I…" he paused again. "I wouldn't become one now for anything." She looked up at him. Shocked green eyes stared into his. He could see the hope in her eyes.
"You…no?"
"Never," he replied quietly. She smiled slightly up at him before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Thank you," she whispered before kissing him.
They had decided that if the news of this 'date' got back to his father, he would tell him that he just went out with her to see if he could find information that would be useful to the dark Lord. It might not be good enough, but they wanted to have this time together before they left school.
He sighed and returned his attention to the present. One by one he watched each girl walk down the stairwell and take the arm of one of the males. Maybe she wouldn't come. Maybe she decided she didn't want to be seen with him. His thoughts tumbled behind his cool face.
He watched with a raised eyebrow as Potter walked down and into the ballroom by himself. He jumped when he felt a small tap on his shoulder. He spun around and had to fight the undignified response of having his jaw hit the floor.
Before him was a goddess. Her long red hair flowed down her back in loose ringlets, and her dark green dress robe set off her emreld eyes. He smiled slightly. He had demanded that she buy a proper fitting outfit for the ball. He had even offered to pay, but she had just laughed and told him not to worry, she wouldn't embarrass him.
That hadn't been what he had meant and he had said so. She was gorgeous, but his herself behind giant robes and loose pants. The robe she wore now was perfect. It was conservative, yes, but it was beautiful.
His breathe caught in his throat. This was his. His goddess.
"Hello Draco," she said quietly, smiling.
"Hello Rose." He gently raised her hand to his lips before linking his arm though hers.
"Shall we enter?" he asked, taking a deep breathe.
"Of course," she replied quietly, turning to face the door. He glanced down at her face and smiled. To others, it was a perfect mask of indifference. But she was happy. Her face was lit up subtly. He smiled and led her into the ballroom.
Draco pulled her closer, savoring the smell of vanilla that clung to her. This was worth the murmurs that had surrounded them as they had walked in. Potter still hadn't noticed them, seeing as he was still in one piece. Suddenly Rose stiffened slightly.
"What…" he trailed off as her heard her giggle.
"I knew it! I knew it!" she whispered happily.
"What?"
"Look!" Draco turned them slightly to glimpse Potter and Hermione dancing.
"Potter finally got her huh? Of course." He shook his head slighty smiling. His stomack twisted harshly when he saw said Potter glance over at him. He watched in trepidation as he pulled away from his partner and after a few words walked over to them alone.
Draco pulled hesitantly away from Rose, keeping her hand clasped in his. Potter walked up to them and the three stood in silence for a long moment. Harry glanced quickly at Rose before taking a deep breathe and turning back to face Draco.
"Malfoy," he said quietly, putting his hand forward. Draco stared at it like it was a snake. He looked back up to the other boy's face and saw the threat. 'Hurt my sister and I will hunt you down.' He nodded slightly before grasping the others hand.
"Potter," he replied. Harry stared at him for a long moment before releasing his hand and turning to his sister.
"Have a good time Rose," he said with a small smile.
"Thank you Harry," she replied in her quiet tone. Draco stared after Harry as he walked away.
"I'm still alive? He didn't kill me while I wasn't paying attention did he?" he asked in confusion. Rose laughed before turning him and falling into step with the music.
"No Draco. He knew," she replied.
"What? You told him?" he asked in surprise. He had though they had decided nnot to tell anyone.
"No, I didn't. He saw in in the forbidden forest a while ago and confronted me about it. I wasn't going to lie to him." Draco nodded slightly. That made more sence.
"So love I…" Suddenly he was yanked roughly aside.
"Malfoy!" Beside him stood a royally ticked off Weasley. "When I pay someone 500 galleons to date some silly chit I expect results, other then Harry running off with Hermione! Rose was in the way. She took up too much of his time, and obviously you screwed up, because LOOK!" she waved in the general direction of the dancing couple.
"I mean, I know it must have been emotionally scarring to date that…thing, but the deal is OFF!" Draco glared at the small girl and was about to defend himself and the girl he had come to care so much about when she concluded.
'Oh! There it goes!" Draco spun in time to watch Rose disappear into the crowds. He dove in after her, searching through the groups of graduating teens. A flash of red drew his eyes to the door.
"Rose!" He flew after her. He slid around the corner, his blonde hair falling into his eyes. He brushed it away impaciently as he continued to run after the small girl in front of his. He saw he yank open one of the doors in the entrance hall.
He grabbed his arm as she attempted to slip out.
"Let go of me!" she choked, refusing to look at him.
"No! Rose it isn't what you think!" he exclaimed, holding tightly to her thin arm.
"So she didn't pay you to go out with me. So this, us isn't just some joke." She turned to look at him. His heart ached to see tears in her eyes.
"Yes…I mean No! I mean…" she yanked her arm out of his grasp and ran out of the doors into the rain that had begun to fall the afternoon before.
He watched in silence as Rose ran off into the misty grounds, disappearing to his sight.
"Rose."
I know i know! Ducks flying fruit. This is where he should have proffessed his undying love and she should have fallen intto his arms and they would have two children named billy and sue...but thats not what these charectors are like. Rose is to stubborn, and Draco is just Draco. This is not the end of course. There will be at least two or three more chapter, including me FINALLY introducing the fact of WHERE THE HECK ROSE HAD BEEN FOR THE PREVIOUS 15 YEARS! lol. Anywho.
Will Draco win her back? What is Rose hiding about her past? What does ( as my previous summery said) Snape have to do with it? Or did you all forget about that book on her bed? I certainly haven't! Tune in tommorow on "The Tangled Webs We Weave!"
Aevum
Oh and P.S. sorry lehcar sundance...i know you didn't want her to find out, but where would the fun be in that? Don't worry though. I don't like sad endings:)