Just Too Tempting
By Avadne
Chapter 12: I'm Ok
(A/N: I recommend you actually read the lyrics to the songs, not just skip over them like I usually do. They have meaning. With Draco's, if you don't, you'll be lost with the questions)
It was finally the night of the dance. Lily had filled her in on everything she needed to know at their Hogsmeade trip. And now it was the 10th of December, and things were getting started. As Hermione made her way down the stairs, just after Lily, she laughed out loud at the Marauders' outfits.
All had the same overly-bright yellow shirts, buttoned down. Pete wore a white top underneath that, but Remus, James and Sirius decided to be cheeky and let part of their chest and stomach be revealed. All four of the boys had the same pairs of equally bright red trousers, extremely long and baggy. To finish it off, they had Men In Black style sunnies, just for decoration… and the hair. Each boy's hair looked like it had a good gallon or two of Sleekeazy's. Their hair was specially styled into long, cone-like spikes that stuck out at unusual angles. Pete's looked most normal, because his hair was so short. Remus looked odd without his usual tousled mop, and Sirius had it the worst; his hair was so long that the spikes went on forever. But James looked completely comfortable; his hair was already naturally messy and spiked, yet there he was, grinning his head off and every few seconds reaching up to touch it.
Hermione and Lily had both fervently agreed on no costumes. They had instead gone for simple muggle outfits, dressier than normal, but still casual. Lily chose a pair of baggy grey pants, fitted at the waist, a pale pink, sleeveless top and a pair of matching shoes. Lily's hair also seemed a bit more of a dark magenta than it's usual rich red.
Hermione, on the other hand, had opted for a short dress made of plum coloured material. It flared out at the end, a few inches above her knee and the top had a laced split. She had also cast a Straightening Charm on her hair and it fell smoothly down her back.
"Come on, we still have to get our memories down in the hall!" Remus yelled. James grinned at Hermione, his eyes running down her appreciatively.
"You guys look... um, great," Lily said uncertainly. The Marauders all grinned wickedly at each other.
"Not bad yourself, Lil... and you too, Mi," Remus replied, grinning.
The group made their way down to the Hall, but stopped just before the entrance. Hermione was a bit confused, but waited it out.
"Hey," a voice said from behind them. Draco stood calmly, with a girl next to him; small frame covered in a short black skirt and a green peasant top. Hermione recognized her as Meghan McKinnon's twin sister and future Order member, Marlene.
"Ok, we're all here," Pete smiled and nodded to Sirius.
"Pose!" Sirius yelled out.
The Marauders were already in position. James grabbed Hermione around the waist and pulled her into a dancing position, while Lily jumped in between Sirius and Remus. Draco and Marlene, together, positioned themselves next to James and Hermione.Sirius waved his wand and threw up the magical camera in his hand. It zoomed around to a favourable position before Sirius muttered something again.
Click, flash. Click, flash. Click, flash.
"Photos for all!" James yelled as he muttered a spell for extra-fast development. Numerous photos appeared and he threw them out, at least one for each member of their large group.
"Cheers," Pete grinned at he took a look at his photo.Hermione turned her attention to the picture in her hand.Obviously as a wizarding photo, it moved. One second, they were all in their original pose.Pete on the far left, then Sirius and Remus, with Lily in between, James holding Hermione and at the right, Draco with Marlene.
But then, it moved. And Hermione saw Remus pull Lily's hair playfully and Lily mock-glowerThen Sirius dived in front of them while Pete laughed cheerfully. Marlene shoved Draco and he held his hands up in surrender. And finally, James tightening his hold on herself and bending down to whisper something in Hermione's ear.
Instantly, a smile lit up every single face. Hermione felt tears well up in her eyes, but refused to cry. She shrunk the photos and tucked the, away into a hidden pocket of her dress bed before turning back to the Marauders and Lily.
"Where are all your dates?" Hermione asked curiously. "Are you guys meeting them there?" Hermione had realized that Remus, Sirius and Pete all seemed supremely unconcerned about this.
"Well, you're meant to go alone. But screw that," Marlene spoke in her soft and alluring voice. Everyone stopped to listen.
"See, it's tradition to go alone, especially the hosts, but we've decided to omit that rule this year," Remus explained mischievously, giving a rather pointed look to James and Hermione.
"Basically, we're all going alone," Pete muttered, turning red. James laughed and clapped him on the back, smiling jovially. Draco and Marlene, the two Slytherins exchanged smirks but chuckled nonetheless.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" James asked energetically. Without further ado, he offered his hand to Hermione, who took it. And together, they stepped into the Great Hall for the party of this year.
When the Marauders, plus Hermione, Lily, Marlene and Draco got down to the Great Hall, the Marauders high-fived each other and the others looked on in approval. It looked amazing; the decorations included thousands of muggle balloons, confetti and streamers in every colour possible. There were also live fairies lighting up the hall, butterflies fluttering around peacefully and lots of random, magical flowers all around the place. It all looked crazy yet inviting and completely Maruader-ish.
Hermione just stood alone for a second, taking it all in. Draco and Marlene disappeared almost immediately, while James, Sirius, Pete and Remus got swept away in a matter of seconds, being the hosts. Lily was graciously asked for a dance by a 7th year Ravenclaw, so Hermione was quickly left alone. Or so she thought.
"You owe me one," whispered a silky voice from behind her right ear. Hermione jumped. Apparently, Draco hadn't gone far. He had managed to, yet again, sneak up on her without Hermione having a clue. It was a bit unnerving really, how easily he could do that.
"One what?" Hermione asked, apart from alarm, feeling some confusion.
"One what?" Draco mimicked her. "A dance of course; can't spend the night with one from you, can I?"
Without waiting for Hermione to even agree, Draco grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her into a dance. The song was slow and delicate, a ballad that Hermione was sure to like.
Once upon a time there was a girl
Who in her early years she had to learn
How to grow up living in a war that she called home
Never knew just where to turn for shelter from the storm
It hurt me to see the pain across my mother's face
Every time my father's fist would put her in her place
Hearing all the yelling I would cry up in my room
Hoping it would be over soon
"Can I ask you somethin-" Hermione began, looking at Draco. The words of this song had brought up something Hermione wondered about for a while.
"No,"
"I can't?" Hermione looked bewildered. Draco shook his head and avoided her eyes.
"No. That's the answer to your question," he told her, looking up at the ceiling, frowning thoughtfully.
Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
And every morning that I wake
I look back at yesterday
And I'm Ok
I often wonder why I carry all this guilt
When it's you that helped me put up all these walls I've built
Shadows stir at night through a crack in the door
The echo of a broken child screaming, please no more
Daddy don't you understand the damage you have done
For you it's just a memory, but for me it still lives on
"How did you know what I was going to ask?" Hermione challenged him. Draco gave her a look that said it all.
"I could guess," he answered dryly.
"Sorry,"
"What for?" Hermione didn't reply for a moment. What was she sorry for? Really, she had a clue, but no concrete answer. So she just shook her head and continued dancing.
Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so, so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wakeI look back at yesterday
It's not so easy to forget
All the marks you left along her neck
When I was thrown against cold stairs
And everyday afraid to come home
In fear of what I might see next
"For butting into your own personal business," she finally said, looking up at Draco, determinedly staring him straight in the eyes.
"It doesn't matter. I wasn't ever physically abused and Father never mistreated Mother,"
"What abou-"
"The only abuse I ever endured from my parents was always emotional and not at all very much. It's different; something you can't understand unless you've been through it,"
"Oh," Hermione was feeling exceedingly stupider by the second. Here Draco was, pouring out his heart... sort of. And all Hermione could come up with was an 'oh'. Hermione wondered what it would have been like, Draco's life.
"Even I sincerely don't wish it on you," Draco added absentmindedly.
"Does anyone understand?" Hermione asked cautiously, wanting to know if anyone had similar sufferings to Draco. She was getting pretty freaked out at how Draco was so easily reading her mind, answered unasked questions and said a hundred words with one look at the moment.
"Sirius does... we talked. Don't think about it Hermione," he told her quietly yet firmly. There wasn't a trace of guilt or sadness in his voice; it was just it's usual slow, quiet coldness.
Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love you gave
And every morning that I wake
I look back at yesterday
And I'm Ok
I'm Ok
(Song: I'm Ok by Christina Aguilera from the album Stripped)
"Why shouldn't I?" Hermione asked Draco. Why shouldn't she think about it? It was useless to tell her not to, because she had already started.
Draco smirked. "Because I'm ok," he whispered to Hermione before letting her go and walking off. Hermione stared after him in amazement, watching the boy.... no, the man, saunter away in his usual trademark way. She saw how un-put off he was, still completely fine, even after such a conversation. And then Hermione realized it took a lot more than that to penetrate his shield, the wall built around him for protection.
End chapter 12
Don't own the songs, obviously Sorry if they're incorrect; blame it on the internet and its un-reliability.
I'm completely aware Draco is not a girl, even if the lyrics of I'm Ok imply a girl. The song fits, get over the detail
These next few chapters may not be my usual length, but I've grouped them together specially.
Yeah, the usual Ball type thing. But it's a casual party, not some huge event with the whole school. I tried to escape that plot cliché or down-dress it a bit. Speaking of which, I know people usually spend about 10 paragraphs on outfits and such, so I tried to keep that to a minimum too. As for the guys' out fits… did you catch the Gryffindor colours? Hehehe
Blade-Claven: Hm… Lily's POV for Interludes. Didn't really think about it. Probably would have been good. Anyway thanks very much!
Gwynn-Potter: well I hope this keeps you happy for a while. Enjoy!
Avadne