Chapter 18 – Entering the Ball
Disclaimer: Okay, we'll try it this way for this chapter:
NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE
Understand?
The next day was bright and beautiful. The sun was shining and the sky was clear of clouds– a rare occurrence for this time of year. Hermione had spent the morning wandering the flower market with Seth, Zach and Aria. They had taken advantage of an outdoor café for a late lunch; then Hermione excused herself and headed back to the flat to get ready.
As she got ready, she debated whether or not to wear Draco's necklace.
It would be rude not to wear it. But on the other hand, Draco could decide there's more between us than I'm willing to give at the moment. She bit her lip. But Seth and Zach have probably already informed him that I picked his necklace out to wear.
By now, she had applied her make-up (a little maroon eyeliner, gold eye shadow and lip-gloss) and fixed her hair. It was in the "messy bed-head" look again, but would return to her long, flowing brown hair when she changed back into Hermione Granger.
Once she was dressed, she turned to look at herself in the mirror. It's still missing something… Reluctantly, she went to her bureau and retrieved the ruby necklace from where she had placed it the night before. She slipped it around her neck, and fastened the clasp. Once again, she looked in the mirror. It really does complete the outfit… What harm could there be in wearing it for one night? She nodded; then descended the stairs.
To her surprise, Draco was waiting for her at the bottom. In his hand was a single white rose. As she approached him, he looked up. His jaw dropped in shock. She smiled at him. Apparently, he likes the dress too.
" 'Mione – you're beautiful. " It looked like he didn't mean to say that aloud, because he blushed a deep red. "I mean, not that you're not beautiful normally, but that…"
"Is that for me?" She interrupted. Might as well save him from himself.
He nodded, then said, "Yes, it is." He handed to her. "I had a corny line ready – something like 'a lovely rose for an even lovelier girl.' But obviously, I've already embarrassed myself enough." He was still blushing a bit.
"Thank you, Draco." She put it in a vase; then turned to him again. "Shall we go?" His smile was all the answer she needed in return.
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Soon, much too soon, they had arrived at the Ball. For the first time since in the history of the Ball, Hermione Granger had an escort. It's almost too bad I'm not going to be announced by my real name. Imagine everyone's surprise if they saw me enter with Draco for the second year in a row. She had to hide a giggle just thinking about how everyone would reaction to that. Then she remembered that they'd probably hate her for disappearing for a year. That sobered her thoughts quickly. Admit it, Hermione. You're glad Draco wasn't nearly as pissed at you as you thought he would be. Can you imagine how Ron's going to react?
She snapped out of her thoughts as Draco approached Pierre. "Draco Malfoy and René Mighero, if you would be so kind, Pierre."
Pierre looked at Hermione in amazement. "Of course, Monsieur." He turned, and announced, "Mr. Draco Malfoy and Miss René Mighero."
The walk down the stairs didn't seem as slow this year. Maybe that's because I'm not as nervous this year about being seen with Draco. The little ironies of life. This year, she was more nervous seeing Ron than being seen with Draco. How much things can change in a year.
By now, they had reached the bottom of the stairs. They walked through the crowd until a familiar voice called out, "Draco! Bella! Over here!"
Hermione turned to see Seth and an unfamiliar woman standing along the edge of the room. Draco had seen them too, and was maneuvering them over in that direction.
As they drew closer, she got a chance to get a good look at the girl. She had long, golden brown hair – the color hair that Hermione had always dreamed of having. At least, she assumed it had to be long – for right now it was up in an elaborate hairstyle. But for it to work in that style, it would have to at least reach her mid-back. So it's definitely long. Her skin was lighter than Hermione had imagined which surprised her. But then again, you've never been good at imagining what people looked like, have you Hermione?
The girl's black dress robes complimented Seth's charcoal robes perfectly. In fact, there wasn't much about the couple that didn't compliment the other.
"Seth! You had me worried there for a minute. I was afraid you had decided to skip out on us anyways." Hermione teased. She winked at the girl, who smiled in return.
"Draco, Bella, may I introduce my fiancée, Sabrina Côté." The girl next to him slapped him lightly on the head. "Ow! Rina, what was that for?"
"Generally, it's nice to ask the girl before announcing it to other people, Seth."
"Oh." He looked slightly abashed. "Well, were you going to say no?"
"You'll never know until you ask, silly."
He looked at her for a long minute; then sighed. "Sabrina, darling, love of my life, center of my universe, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
She smiled wickedly at him. "Well…" She paused just long enough to get him worried, then added, "Whatever floats your boat, dear."
Seth smiled, as Draco chuckled. "What's so funny?" Hermione whispered. I thought it was cute myself.
"Can you just imagine the story they're going to tell their children? It's one of the most important questions a man could ask a woman, and she replies by saying, "Whatever floats your boat." It just struck me as funny."
She smiled up at him. "Well, when you put it that way…" It is kinda funny. She laughed. "Sabrina, I think I'm going to like you."
Seth remembered then that he hadn't finished introducing the others. "Rina, this is Draco Malfoy and Bella, the singer for the jazz ensemble." At Hermione's puzzled look, he added, "She knows, Bella. I figured I wouldn't add last names here."
Draco looked at him as if he was insane. "Are you crazy?"
Seth defended himself by saying, "She won't say anything, and it won't matter by the end of the night, will it?"
Before Draco could say anything more, Hermione was stepping forward. "It's nice to finally meet you, Sabrina." They can argue later. I understand why Seth told her. After all, I'd be pretty upset if my boyfriend – excuse me, fiancé – didn't tell me something like that. And he has a point, in a little while it won't matter. Everyone will know.
Sabrina smiled at Hermione again. "Please call me Rina. Especially if I get to call you Bella." She winked as she said this last bit. That, of course, drew Hermione's attention to her eyes. They were a stunning green. Lighter than Harry's, of course, but then again, I haven't ever met someone with eyes the color of Harry's. However, they remind me of him vaguely.
Suddenly, she laughed. "Rina, now I know I'm going to like you."
Rina's smile grew even bigger. "Well, I think the feeling's mutual, Bella, darling."
Suddenly, Hermione heard Pierre announce Ron's entrance. She turned to see him coming down the stairs with a raven-haired beauty in royal blue dress robes. The face looked familiar for some reason.
Of course, Hermione. That's Meg Doyle. She was two grades below you at Hogwarts, and you tutored her in Transfiguration. She could remember Meg's hazel eyes staring at her as she explained the more complicated points of transfiguring a desk into a mythological animal. Those eyes always reminded me of being in a forest. They would change color depending on Meg's moods. For example, when Meg was feeling confused, the chocolate color pushed the forest green practically out of the iris. However, when Meg finally understood a concept, the green dominated the eye. You loved to tutor her, because you could always tell when she understood something. And she loved to study – much more than anyone else you tutored in your years at Hogwarts. Come to think of it, she was (and probably still is) a lot like you.
She paused to reflect on the girl she had tutored those many years ago. She was always mature for her age. In fact, I think she could see through Draco's façade much sooner than anyone else. After all, how many times had she looked at me with those glimmering eyes when I was mad at Draco and say, "We are what we pretend to be," – then never explain that comment? That comment makes so much more sense now.
Hermione took the girl of thirteen that she remembered vividly, and compared her to the woman in front of her, walking gracefully down the stairs, looking as if she was born to be attached to Ron's arm. My, how she's grown up. For some reason, her heart felt a pang deep within herself when she looked at the striking couple descending towards the ballroom floor. They look so … happy together. Like they were meant to be. Did I figure everything out too late? Should I just leave now? It doesn't look to me like he misses me all that much now.
Draco grabbed her arm and spun her around a little, breaking her eye contact with the couple. Leaning close, he whispered, "Come on; let's get a dance in before we have to head to the balcony."
She nodded in reply. I can't back out now. Within minutes, they were among the dancers, swirling around the dance floor, making the most of the night.
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When they finally made it out to the balcony, they had just minutes to spare. They had spent a lovely hour dancing before retreating to the more private area from which Hermione was to apperate. Hermione put her hand to her chest as she tried to catch her breath. "That last dance almost did me in, Draco. Did you have to dance so fast?"
Draco laughed. "Come, now, Bella. It was a salsa. It's meant to be danced fast."
She tried to look sternly at him, but failed miserably. Her hand was still at her throat. I still haven't talked to him about the necklace. Maybe now is the time…
"Draco?"
"Yes, Bella?"
"I just wanted to thank you for the use of your necklace tonight. It really means a lot to me."
He blushed, and looked to the ground. "Actually, Bella, it isn't exactly on loan from me… If it had been up to me, I would have bought the most expensive necklace and given it to you. That's always impressed the girls in the past. As long as it was expensive, it was gorgeous. I had help picking this out, and really, it's from them, not me." He sighed. "I wish I could take credit for it, but I can't."
Before Hermione could say anything, the music started up again in that familiar tune. It seems like I'm always leaving him just when I want to ask him something… He smiled at her. "You better go."
Impulsively, she leaned over and kissed Draco on the cheek before muttering the words to return her appearance to normal. A light shimmered over her for a second, then disappeared. Once again, her hair was brown and long. Although I'd wager it's still not that honey-brown like Rina's is. She knew without looking in a mirror that her skin was paler also, and her eyes had returned to normal. After all, that was what the spell was designed to do – make her look like Hermione again. Taking one last look at Draco, she apparated into the center of the hall, where Ron and the rest of the wizarding world was waiting for her.
A/N: Okay guys. I've made it to the Ball. Aren't you pleased? Several cameos in this chapter. I promised this to them ages ago, and since they're still reviewing and bugging me to continue this fic, I figured I had better include them. smile Hope you all enjoyed the cameos. Laura-Grace – never fear, yours is coming up.
Give Me Stitches: Internet's working right now, so I'm a VERY happy Jenie. And, of course, your wonderful compliments to me make me feel good too. laugh
Malfoyslova15: See, I mentioned you! grin Does Draco love Hermione? Well… That's for you to decide right now. What do you think? raised eyebrow
Call me goddess: I'm trying to update as fast as I can. I'm flattered that you think I'm one of the best writers. blush I'll continue to update as often as I can, I promise.
Totally_2bular_girl: Don't ever call your own work crap. Part of writing is believing in yourself. And I agree, "We'll Always Have Paris" is a wonderful fic. I've read it many-a time. grin Another good one is "Café au lait" by Shave – it's short but oh so amusing! grin A longer one is "Never is a Promise" by LoPotter. Enjoy these two fics!
As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.
Much love.
~Jenie~