Chapter Two

The Ball

Hermione thought about the ball, as they walked to the Great Hall. Because every one was wearing a mask, she wouldn't recognize anyone. She hoped no one would recognize her. "Harry, do you think anyone will recognize me?" Asked hermione. "Heck no. With your hair so straight and frizz free, they'll think you a exchange student," answered Harry. " What are you guys suppose to be anyway?" Hermione inquired. "Yeah, Harry what are we?" Ron asked with a completely confused look on his face. Harry rolled his eyes at Ron and said, " We are the guys from the Matrix. Couldn't you tell? We had to do a hair dye spell on Ron so no one would be able to recognize him." "Yeah, and Harry put cover up on his scar," added Ron with a lot of excitement in his voice. "O.K. I want you guys to remind me to leave before it's over. I have to finish some homework." " O.K. don't worry about it," Harry assured her. When the finally reached the Great Hall, Hermione got butterflies. She was so nervous. Professor Flitwick was letting students in one at a time, so no one could recognize them because of whom they came in with. When it was finally Hermione's turn to walk through the door, she took deep breaths and walked through the entrance as the Professor opened it. Hermione could see that there were at least three hundred students in the Great Hall already.

When she had a second to settle down, she looked around the Great Hall. It was beautiful. There were crystal snowflakes and there were small Christmas tree's in one of the corners that was for decoration, but also seemed to serve the purpose as a make out spot, for those who came with dates. Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder and looked around to find her best friends. She was happy to see them, even though they looked ridiculous. " Hey guys. Doesn't it look great?" Hermione asked referring to the Great Hall. Ron answered before Harry could, " Yeah it looks better then it ever has! Oh look! Food!!" and with that Ron ran off to the refreshment table. Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes. "You wouldn't mind if I went to find Ginny would you?" Harry asked blushing a little. "No not at all! I'll just mingle with the people I think are my friends. I can't tell with all the masks, but I'll try!" Hermione said with a grin. "Thanks a lot Hermione!"

As Harry went to find Ginny, Hermione scanned the Great Hall. She saw a few people she recognized, but not many. She saw a good size group of people dancing in the middle of the hall, she saw Pansy Parkasin, and her cronies dressed as the ugliest fairies she had ever seen. They were wearing purple tights with light pink fish nets, and they were all wearing purple leotards, light pink wings, mask, purple ballet shoes, and were wearing way to much eyeliner, glitter, and mascara. She laughed at them for strutting around the Great Hall like they owned it. "Can I ask what you are laughing at?" Hermione turned around to see a student dressed as Prince Charming standing behind her. "Oh I was just laughing at someone I know." Replied a pink-faced Hermione.

Something about him seemed familiar. Who is this? I swear I know him from somewhere. "Want to dance?" Asked the stranger. " Umm…sure," replied Hermione. "So… would you like to introduce yourself? I recognize you but I can't figure out who you are," Hermione asked. "If I told you, that would indulge the purpose of a masked ball, wouldn't it." Oh my goodness!! Who is he? He kind of looks like Malfoy. Uhg! That would be so gross if he was. But he's so much nicer than malfoy though, so it can't be him. If only he would take off his mask. He dances really well!

Who is she? She's so beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen her before. But I'm Draco Malfoy! I should know who she is. I know every one worth knowing! I wish she would take off her mask. I should remember those eyes. They're so beautiful. Hermione started turning pink when she noticed him staring into her eyes. She decided to make the best of not knowing who he was, and start a conversation to break the silence. "So…what's your favorite class?" Oh great. Leave it to me to talk about school. "Potions." "What?" "My favorite class is potions. What's yours?" "Transfiguration." "What's your costume?" Asked the stranger. "Oh, I suppose its Cinderella. Instead of a Christmas masked ball, it seems like it's for Halloween," commented Hermione. "Yeah. I agree." " This is the last dance folks so if you haven't danced yet, thing is your last chance." Hermione was startled by the loud voice of the DJ. Had they really been dancing that long? Hermione remembered that she wanted to finish her Arithmancy homework. She wanted to finish it before the ball, but she was so excited, she couldn't concentrate. "Uh…I gotta go." "What? The ball's almost over cant you wait till the last song ends?" Uh, I cant I have to finish something!" With that she broke free of the strangers arms. The arms with which she had danced with all night.

Draco watched as his mystery "Cinderella" ran off toward the exit. "Draco," Draco turned around to see the one person he didn't want to see at the moment. "Draco? Is that you? I can't tell who every one is because they're all wearing masks. Are you Draco?" Draco didn't feel like entertaining Pansy at the moment. "For you baby, I could be." Draco said in a weird voice, hoping she would go away. "EEWW!!! GROSS, YOU SICK PERVERT!!" Screamed Pansy. Draco couldn't help laughing as Pansy ran off. "Will every one please head back to your dormitories." Boomed Professor Dumbledors voice.