Lay Your Head On My Shoulder

Finally, the long anticipated, Yule Ball had arrived! The school was buzzing with excited energy, that Saturday morning, as the students began to ready themselves. Hardly a female student could be found wandering the halls, as they were all in the bathrooms or their dorms, doing their hair and makeup.

"Should I wear my hair up or down?" asked Cosette, as she stood in front of the mirror, scrutinizing her hair.

"Down," remarked Artemis sullenly.

"I thought you weren't going to let Draco ruin your day?" huffed Cosette, as she went to her friend and hugged her comfortingly.

"Neither did I, but it's hard not to. You don't know him like I do. He goes out of his way to make me miserable." Artemis exclaimed, flopping onto her bed dramatically.

"I've been his classmate for six years, I can assure you, I know a great deal about that ferrets temperament." Cosette exhaled loudly, joining her friend on the bed. "Come on, at least you have your dance with Daegus to look forward to."

"Yes, I do, don't I. Come on let's finish getting ready." Artemis stood in front of the mirror, and said the spell that would fix her hair into an elegant updo. After her hair was done, she applied her makeup, opting for a natural looking eyeshadow with a pale pink lip gloss.

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"Are you ready?" yelled Artemis from the Ravenclaw common room, hoping to get Cosette's attention.

"I'm coming... I'm coming!"

"You look absolutely, smashing!" shouted Artemis, as she smiled at her lovely friend. "Justin is going to die when he sees you."

"Well I try." Cosette spun slowly, showing off the rest of her dress. "But let's be honest, no one is going to be able to top you tonight. Not even Draco will be able to find a flaw."

"I seriously doubt that, but thanks for saying so."

"Where is Draco meeting you?" Cosette asked, as she grabbed her shawl and purse.

"Shit! I don't know. We haven't spoken in a while, I didn't think to ask. Actually we've never even discussed the Ball. Our Father's just said that we had to go together." The two girls left the common room and headed for the stairs that led out of the Ravenclaw portrait hole. As they exited, the girls were greeted by a sea of young men, nervously awaiting their dates. As the two girls were about to go down the stairs that led to the Great Hall, someone lightly grabbed Artemis' arm and spun her around. As she turned, she came face to face with her fiancé.

"Wow," he whispered softly, so no one could hear.

"What?" she asked straining to hear what he had said.

"Nothing, You look... presentable." Draco said flatly.

"Thanks, can we go now?" Artemis inquired, slightly annoyed at this indifferent attitude.

"Yeah... oh wait." Draco pulled Artemis back to him. " I need to talk to you first. In private." Draco led Artemis away from all of the nearby crowds.

"I think it's about time you started wearing this." He removed a small black velvet box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was the engagement ring Artemis had returned to him the previous summer. He took the ring from within the box and slowly slid it onto her left ring finger.

"Do I have to?" Artemis asked, staring at the ring on her finger.

"If our parents found out that you had given it back, we'd be dead. So yeah, you do have to wear it." Draco spat nastily. "Besides... it goes really nicely with your gown." He then extended his arm to his date and they headed off for the Yule Ball.

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As the couples walked into the ballroom, a photographer snapped their photos as a keepsake. The Great Hall, had once again been transformed into a winter wonderland. Draco began to navigate the sea of tables, dragging Artemis behind him, until he found the table that his Slytherin friends were at. Before they sat, Artemis pulled Draco aside.

"Why do we have to sit with your friends?" She whispered softly, not wanting to offend any of his friends.

"Because... this is where I want to sit." Artemis opened her mouth to object, but Draco interjected, "we'll hang out with your friends later. Ok?" Artemis nodded lightly.

"Well if it isn't the future Mrs. Malfoy. I, for one, am pleased to finally get to meet you. I have spent the entire term gazing at you from afar, and might I add, you are even more beautiful up close," said Blaise Zabini seductively, as he winked at her.

"No, you may not," interjected Draco as he pulled her chair out for her, and then took his own seat.

"So, Draco, are you having a good time" shrieked Pansy sarcastically, as she attempted to distance herself from her date Vincent Crabbe.

"The nights only just started Pansy," he replied, wishing she would shut up.

"Well, if you were here with me, you would most certainly be having a very good time." Draco rolled his eyes, while Blaise began to rub his temples out of annoyance.

"Give it up Parkinson. He's not yours anymore," hissed Blaise. Pansy sat back in her chair and pouted silently. Draco smirked at Blaise in amusement. Just then Daegus DeMarco entered the Great Hall and headed toward Artemis. As he past her, he leaned down to her ear and whispered, "don't forget, you promised me a dance." He didn't give her a chance to respond, before leaving to join his friends. Artemis couldn't help but smile widely. She desperately hoped that no one noticed her and Daegus' exchange. Draco, however, did and was rather annoyed to note, that he was angered by the incident.

After they had all finished their meal, the music changed to something that was easier to dance to. Noting the change, Draco stood, holding out his hand to Artemis, who looked up in surprise. She hadn't expected him to actually be her date.

"I, for one, don't see any reason why we shouldn't enjoy our evening. Let's dance." Artemis took his hand and he led her to the dance floor, her lovely dress trailing behind her elegantly. The first few songs were fast paced and the two were able to dance about wildly, until they were thoroughly winded. Then the lights dimmed and the music slowed, both looked at each other unsure of what to do. Draco couldn't decide wether to take her waist and pull her close, or if he should lead her to the table. After several moments of contemplation, Draco pulled her body close to his, startling Artemis slightly. She gently placed the hand he wasn't holding, on his shoulder. After a few moments, of feeling the situation out, they settled into a comfortable rhythm, swaying slowly to the music. Artemis rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the feeling of their embrace. The position they were in, allowed Draco to look at Artemis without her knowing. He couldn't help but notice, just how beautiful she was. Even harder to ignore, was how nice she felt pressed up against him.

Draco leaned down and whispered softly, "you really do look amazing tonight. Much more than presentable."

"Thank you. You look good too," Artemis said smiling sweetly as she nestled her head into the crook of his neck. Perhaps, she thought, he's not so bad after all. When the song ended, the pair reluctantly pulled apart, both blushing slightly.

"Punch?" Draco asked, as they headed back to the table.

"Yes, please."

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After many glasses of punch, and hours of dancing, the Yule Ball was winding down and would soon be over. Artemis was surprised at how good a time she had been having with Draco. She was quite astounded to find, that when he wasn't being a complete prat, he was rather charming and enjoyable to be around. It was while she was reflecting on her evening, when Daegus returned to collect her for their dance. As he approached, Draco and Blaise immediately stopped their conversation and watched the pair closely.

"So... how about that dance?"

"Oh, I had almost forgotten. I would love to." Artemis stood and took the proffered hand. As they walked to the dance floor, the music slowed. Daegus pulled Artemis close and began to whisper in her ear. Whatever he said, made Artemis laugh and hide her face from his view. Draco didn't know what Daegus had said, but he did know that he didn't like Artemis being so close that guy. Part of him wanted to go cut in, but he ignored that nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach, and instead, the very annoyed Draco, walked over to Pansy, who was talking with her date. He shooed Crabbe away and then whispered something into Pansy's ear. She looked up at him, smiled widely and nodded her head. Draco then led her out of the Great Hall, leaving his fiancé, and date, behind.

Once the song ended, Daegus kissed Artemis on the check and led her back to the table.

"Thanks for the dance," he said as they arrived at her table, "It was the highlight of my night." He leaned down and softly kissed her on the cheek, before turning to leave. Artemis smiled at his retreating form, as he headed for the exit.

"Where's Draco?" She asked, finally noting her date's absence.

"I don't know. He was here, but I haven't seen him since you left to dance with lover boy over there." Blaise said nonchalantly.

"He's just a friend Blaise." He smiled at her knowingly. Artemis looked around the Great Hall for Draco. When she didn't find him, she headed to her dorm, assuming he had turned in for the night.

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Meanwhile, Draco and Pansy, were on their way down to an abandoned classroom, in the dungeons.

"Draco, do you really think this is a good idea?" Asked Pansy as she removed her outer robe, once inside the room.

"I think it's a brilliant idea." Draco shut the door of the classroom behind him. No sooner than the door was shut, Draco had Pansy pressed up against it and was peeling her gown off quickly.

"Too long... too bloody long." he muttered as she began to unbutton his shirt. Once their clothes had been discarded, Draco moved over to the nearest desk. He quickly muttered a contraceptus charm, before allowing things to progress any further. Everything was going as it should, until just before he was about to enter her. Suddenly Draco keeled over in pain.

"What's wrong!" Shrieked Pansy, unsure of what was happening. Draco didn't answer, he just howled loudly and fell to the ground, writhing in agony. Pansy began to panic and shouted for help, hoping someone would hear them. Draco continued to scream wildly as the excruciating pain refused to let up. Pansy quickly spelled their clothes back on before running to get help. The first person she came across, was Professor Snape, her Head of House.

"Professor, come quick, something's wrong with Draco!" Pansy yelled frantically as she tried to drag her professor to the classroom that Draco was in. As he entered the room, Severus Snape was greeted by a sweat soaked, writhing Draco, howling in agony. Severus tried every spell he knew to ease the boy's pain. However, he was unsuccessful, mainly due to the fact that he didn't know what was causing the pain. Shortly after Severus had arrived, the Headmaster rushed into the room, Minerva McGonagall trailing behind him.

"Headmaster, I'm not sure what's happened to him, so I can't counter whichever curse he's been hit with!" shouted Severus, straining to be heard over the boy's screams.

"Miss Parkinson, how did you find Draco down here?" asked the Headmaster suspiciously.

"Well we were... you know... messing around and he just lost it." Pansy said softly, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Enough said. You are excused Miss Parkinson. Do not mention a word of this. To anyone," demanded Albus sternly. She nodded before rushing out of the room.

"Albus, what do we do? I've never seen anything like this before." Minerva questioned, as she tried to calm the boy, to no avail.

"First, we let him suffer a bit." Severus and Minerva gasped at the old man's, seeming cruelty. "For his own stupidity." Albus glared, at the young man writhing on the ground, angrily, before raising his wand and shouting, "Petrificus Totalus." Draco immediately stopped moving and the room grew completely silent. Albus then transported the young man to the hospital wing, so that Madam Pomfrey could attend to him.

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Shortly after they entered the hospital ward, Fawkes, the Headmaster's familiar, flew gracefully into the room. He quickly wrote two letters, before giving them to the bird.

"Deliver these to Perseus Fowlington and Lucius Malfoy, immediately." With that, Fawkes left, and the Headmaster headed to his office, leaving Draco to recuperate in the hospital bed, he had been placed in.