Pseudo Cinderella and the Slytherin Prince

Chapter 4: Slytherin Cooties and Thank you, MTV!

Hermione's POV

I pause at the top of the staircase out of paralization of fear. What am I doing here? Did I really think I could fit in with these people? Oh, I'm just going to make a fool of myself. Great, everyone's already staring at me. I know what they're thinking: 'What's the mudblood doing here?' 'I knew this was a costume party, but who is she fooling?' Perfect, now they're rushing up here to scream at me and throw me out. Why me? Wait– is that Malfoy? Oh my gosh, he's recognized me! Move legs, walk! Run Goddamn you! Oh no, I'm swearing again! Oh great, he's made it up the stairs, and– hey, Malfoy's a vampire. How fitting. A hot vampire too. What am I thinking? Oh no, all this body glitter has seeped into my bloodstream! It's affecting my better judgment! That's right; I'll just blame it all on the makeup! I knew there was a reason I never wore it! I-

"I would be honored if you would allow me to be your escort down the staircase, fair lady," I think too much. Oh, how chivalrous. He even bowed the small amount that probably only Malfoys could manage. Well, he didn't recognize me. At least I hope not. Alright, I think I'll have a little fun and play along. If this is some sick joke, I'll kill whoever's responsible. Oh no, ignore that, that's my pure blood talking.

"Why, thank you, kind sir." I take the arm he offer to me, and please tell me I was imagining that little electric jolt. I try to focus my attention on the floor in front of me, but me eyes keep wanting to dart to that beautifully pale hair of his. No! No, that's the makeup; it's making me think like all those petty, self-centered girls. Like Lavender Brown. Now there's a 'prep' if I ever saw one. Why do I get the feeling Malfoy's checking me out? Huh. Mom was right, this dress is a bit too low-cut. I look over at Malfoy, and he immediately averts his gaze. That's right, mister, they're mine, not yours. Oh Merlin, everyone's still staring. And they're clearing a path? For me? Oh, if only they knew I was 'that mudblood Granger,' I'm sure most of them would just die.

"Would you like to dance, my lady?" Dance? DANCE? Oh, right. It's a ball. That implies dancing. Thank goodness I checked out those dancing books in fourth year, right before the Yule Ball. Now, what sort of music's playing? A waltz? Well, that's simple enough. I nod my head and give him a small smile. He's actually quite a good dancer. For an arrogant prat, that is. Now stay focused, Hermione. Let him lead, and one-two-three, one-two-three, there. I'm impressed with myself. The song ends, but Malfoy doesn't let go of me. Oh no, getting nervous. All of a sudden, the music changes. Hip-hop? Heh. Typical Zabini. But little do they know I know how to dance to that, too. Hey, maybe MTV has its purposes, after all. "May I ask your name?" What? Oh, shoot. My name…my name…what's in a name, anyway? Okay, before I start to go all Shakespeare, I should give Malfoy an answer. I've got it. I just won't tell him any name at all.

"You may ask, but you won't get an answer." Oh, that was witty.

"Well then, do you know my name?" Hmm, do I? I can have SO much fun with this!

"No, I don't think I do." Just LOOK at that shocked expression! I'm enjoying myself too much. I bet he thought everyone knew his name.

"Well, then maybe you've heard of me, I'm Draco Malfoy." This is just too priceless.

"Malfoy…Malfoy, hmm…no, sorry. I guess I've never heard of you. You see, I'm…new, to pureblood society." I might as well throw that little bit of information out there. Maybe he'll figure it out later. As in, after I leave. Oh no, what if he figures it out before? Okay, no more throwing around little pieces of information.

"Do you mean new to this pureblood society, in England?" Oh no, he's caught me. Well, when in doubt, use Harry's all-purpose answer:

"Sure," He looks at me funny for a second. Oh no! Do I have something on my face? A zit! Oh no, oh no, oh NO - Hermione, snap yourself out of it. Just calm down, and focus. Oh Merlin, I'm talking to myself. Well, at least it's not out loud. At least I don't think I-

"Well, my mysterious beauty, shall we dance to this…music, or shall we choose a different pastime?" Oh, how classic Malfoy is that? 'Different pastime.' Three guesses to what he was implying as an alternative activity. Oh, and to top it all off, a trademark Malfoy eyebrow-raise. If there're three things Draco Malfoy is known for, it's that smirk, that eyebrow thing, and being a perverted, menacing slime ball.

"Hmm…Well," I say, putting a dainty finger up to my chin oh so innocently. "I choose dancing." I swiftly grab his arm and pull him to the dance floor. Cable television, don't fail me now. I let go of his arm, and just let 'er rip. Wow. I am WAY too white to be dancing this well. But at least I chose the less poofier dress. All of a sudden, Zabini appears out of nowhere.

"Go chica, it's your birthday! We gone party like it's your birthday! Sip Bacardi like it's your birthday! OWWW!" Ha! 50 Cent? Oh, I get it, that's who he's dressed as. You'd think I'd notice the spinning medallion. Uh oh, there's a crowd gathering around me. I suddenly realize that I'm being checked out by pretty much the wholemale population in the room. That is, the ones who haven't been slapped by their dates. Oh Draco, you're drooling. Alright, I'd better stop before Zabini joins in. I'm sorry, but that would be just a little bit awkward. Even though he is kinda cute. Oh great, I'm having fond thoughts about Slytherins again.

"That was amazing! How'd you learn to move like that?" Well, Malfoy's certainly impressed.

"Well, you know…I've just sort of, picked it up from…someplace." Whew, almost let my Muggle-ness slip. Sort of a shady answer, but it seems to work.

"Well, if you move that great standing up, then why don't we go see what you can do when we're both horizontal?" GASP WHAT did you just say, MALFOY! Although I probably shouldn't be that shocked. 'Slytherin Sex God,' remember? Don't lose your cool, Hermione, just…play it like…a Slytherin. A Slytherin? Well, when in Rome…

"Well, what girl could refuse an offer like that?" Dramatic pause…let him think he's seducing me…and…NOW: "A girl like me, that's who." I take way too much pleasure in watching his face drop. Oh, suffer Malfoy, suffer. Whoa, I wonder if I'll be re-sorted? That might not be too bad. WHAT AM I THINKING! "Besides, I'm thirsty after all that dancing." A smirk slowly spreads itself across his face. Uh oh, we're heading for the bar. Hey, there's alcohol here? He just has a one-track mind, doesn't he? If only he knew who I really was. 'Was' being the operative word, I guess. Oh, hello, Mister I'm-a-rich-white-British-pureblood-wizard-but-try-to-be-a-black-American-muggle-rapper-because-I-think-I'm-so-bad-ass. And how are you this evening?

"Excuse me, mademoiselle, but would you care for a drink?" Aparently in the same mindset as your "homie" there.

"How thoughtful of you, um…"

"Zabini. Blaise Zabini." I know who you are, Zabini, actually I was trying to decide what I want to drink. Oh, right, I'm supposed to be playing dumb. "A pleasure to meet you, miss…" which means I can't give you my name.

"Oh, I think 'miss' is just fine for now." Ooh, a wangsta who's also a gentleman. What? A Slytherin just kissed my hand! EEEEEEEEEEW!

"Like I said, a pleasure to meet you, miss." He leans in to whisper in my ear. Oh, no. Little red light going off in the back of my mind. "And 'pleasure' is what I do best. Meet me in the third floor in an hour?" I just blink once and shoot him a confused look that could also be taken as a sly reply. Hopefully it wasn't an affirmation of the same thing Malfoy was trying get out of me. For the record, I think I like Malfoy's attempt better. At least it was way wittier than 'pleasure is what I do best.' But he doesn't stop there: "Care to dance with me? I'll make sure not to step on your feet, like my boy Draco, here," Your 'boy?' And Malfoy's actually a pretty good dancer. Didn't step on my feet at all. Who would have thought?

"Oh, I'm sorry, but I think I'll just sit down and sip my drink for a bit." I really don't know about this guy. I mean, at least Draco has some taste in being a perverted slime ball. Zabini, even though he is kind of cute, is just a slime ball. And a wangsta. I think that's my new favorite word now. "But I'll take you up on your offer later!" Might as well be sweet and innocent while the moment lasts. Pureblood or not, as soon as we get back to Hogwarts, they're both getting their asses kicked. Oh my, I guess it's true, what they say about the people you surround yourself with having an influence on you. I really hope I don't have to be re-sorted into Slytherin!

"Make sure you don't forget. One hour." Zabini kisses my hand again and walks off to the side of the room, where I'm sure he's still got his eyes on me. When I said 'I'll take you up on your offer later,' I was actually referring to the dancing offer. NOT the-the…OTHER offer.

"Don't mind Zabini. Bloody idiot thinks he's black. So, what'll it be, my mysterious beauty?" YOUR mysterious beauty? Since when do I belong to anyone? Honestly! Oh, but I think I'll have…

"Err, just a water for now." Might as well play it safe. I wonder what mum and dad would say about there being alcohol here? Hell, they probably knew. This new lifestyle's going to take a while getting used to. Starting with this party, which is definitely going to be longer than I even thought it would at first. "On second thought, make that a White Russian."