Romancing the Stone: Chapter 4

The Founder's Ballroom

by Iridian

The morning of October 10th was a special day. Today was the day of the Autumn Ball.

Hermione stretched before reluctantly getting out of her bed and padding over to her and Draco's shared bathroom. Draco was already there, brushing his teeth, shirtless. Hermione had already witnessed this several times, as Draco didn't seem to feel a need to get dressed until he went down to eat. However, she couldn't deny the fact that a she always got up at the same time as him so she could be there and have her view of him unobstructed.

She was a girl after all.

Draco finished brushing his teeth, then sat on the edge of the tub, sending Hermione a grin as he surveyed her simple red and black plaid pajama pants and simple black tanktop that she slept in.

"Morning Hermione," he greeted cheerfully.

She rolled her eyes, then returned the smile. "Good morning Draco."

"Today's going to be a good day," remarked Draco casually.

Hermione cocked her head to one side. "Why would that be?"

"You get to spend the whole day with me, of course," said Draco, smirking.

Hermione laughed. Draco would always be somewhat arrogant and proud, sly and clever, mocking and sarcastic, biting and joking. Those were the traits that made him Slytherin. She smiled at the expression on his face, so reminiscent of the times past, but so different, his eyes revealing kindness, not malice.

"It's ok Hermione. You'll be able to stare more later. I'll always come back for you," said Draco charmingly, opening the door to his room and sweeping out like the arrogant Slytherin prince he was.

Hermione felt her heart stop at his words, a strange warmness stealing over her body. She mentally berated herself for her moment of weakness, and resolved to not succumb to the disease that was Draco Malfoy.

Hermione, dressed, went down to the Great Hall to find Draco, Harry, Ron locked in another argument about Quidditch, Draco valiantly upholding the superiority of the Slytherin team, and calmly pointing out how they had won half the matches against Gryffindors and had not lost to any of the other House teams.

Harry and Ron were pointing out that a Gryffindor was superior because they were on it, and the argument quickly dissolved.

"Ron and Harry ought to join a debate team. 'Because we're on it, duh,' is such a good defense," said Ginny dryly.

"It merely displays yet another one of the Gryffindor ineptitudes. Slytherin's have quicker minds, and we win arguments," said Draco, sniffing haughtily.

"Good morning everyone," said Hermione, sitting down next to Ginny, and incidentally across from Draco.

"Hermione my darling, good morning," said Draco with a flourish, bending to kiss her hand with flair, making several girls in the Great Hall sigh at the romantic gesture and the man making it, Ginny included.

Hermione merely rolled her eyes in an effort to conceal the rapid beating of her heart as Draco sat again, sending a charming smile at her.

Hermione, have you no willpower, woman? You have to win this bet. Priority number one.

Harry and Ron rolled their eyes simultaneously at their friend.

"Lay it on thicker there, Draco," said Harry.

Draco sniffed. "Just because my sense of chivalry is still intact doesn't mean you can berate me for your own lack."

Ron snorted loudly before reaching for more eggs and bacon.

"No classes today, what do you all plan on doing?" said Ginny.

"Draco and I have to decorate for the dance tonight," replied Hermione, looking at the lounging Slytherin whose blasé attitude had already earned him high status and prime boyfriend material in the Hogwarts girl underground. It was a system comparable to the Japanese yakuza. Do not mess around.

Her head then turned to the advancing mass of girls headed their way, as they had every morning since Draco attended Hogwarts.

"Good morning Draco," said the leader breathlessly, hopelessly mystified by the feline grin sent her way by the blond boy.

"W-we just wanted to give this to you," said the second, her eyes dazed as she handed a large dark green box with a sleek silver bow on top.

"My favorite colors too. Thank you," said Draco, musing. The girls giggled, awestruck, and quickly scurrying away, casting admiring glances his way.

Draco watched with amusement as two girls collided, still looking back at him.

He stood, offering his hand to the girl, chuckling at her expression. She quickly ran off, shrieking in delight when she reached the rest of her crazed and envious fanclub.

Draco calmly undid the ribbon on the box, which opened up to a small box of chocolates, each one decorated in a gaudy pink frosting that clashed horribly with the box. Grimacing, Draco whipped out his wand and began muttering spells, hid wand pointing at the chocolates.

After several different spells, Draco quickly muttered Evanesco and the chocolates disappeared, never to appear again.

Hermione watched with narrowed eyes as several of the girls in Draco's fanclub seemed shocked and defeated by Draco's actions.

"What the hell did you do that for?" said Hermione furiously, standing up. "You've just destroyed those girls! You could've at least been decent and eaten the damn things! Of all the conceited, arrogant things to do."

Draco looked up, his jaw clenched. "There was an inducement spell on all of those, several laced with love potions and compulsions. I don't wish to be bound against my will to girls that desperate." He nodded curtly to Ron, Harry, and Ginny, ignoring Hermione, and stood, sweeping out of the Great Hall, confident despite the eyes ogling him from every direction.

Hermione looked after him, her jaw dropping slightly as she slumped down in her chair.

"Hermione, I guess you haven't been paying attention all these mornings huh?" said Harry softly.

"Yeah, this happens every morning. One time, in his daily load of fanmail," Ron paused to roll his eyes, "He got so tired of all of it that he threw the whole pile in the fireplace. The entire thing put out this monstrous red smoke, and some kid walked into it and breathed it in and was knocked out. When he woke up, he thought he was in love with someone called Matilda Higgins, and he still thinks that, there was some kind of Love Potion in it, and he can't think about anything else. The girl was expelled and the guys was taken to St. Mungos. They're still trying to find a cure." Ron nodded sagely before turning back to his bacon.

Ginny nodded, patting her distraught friend on the back. "You underestimate how desperate his fanclub's are. They seem nice but they want him, all to themselves."

Hermione's eyes were glassy. "Oh God…I don't even know what I'm going to say to him!"

Harry and Ron looked at her sympathetically, but continued to eat their breakfasts. If Hermione wasn't so distraught, she would've laughed at the grotesque parody of sympathy on their faces when their cheeks were bulging with food. But she was, and didn't notice.

Draco swept back into the Head chambers, muttering the password at the portrait, and curtly returning their greeting. He immediately went into his room, muttering several locking charms on both doors leading to his room, then went to lie on his bed.

Feh…that woman is so oblivious to everything besides her books. Honestly. Accusing me? Psh. Like I care. I just want to win the bet. I always win. Period. That's all I'm upset about. Because this is a setback on the plan. Right.

While Draco was busy being the picturesque model of heroic brooding, Hermione was hurrying through the halls, wanting to catch Draco before she would be unable to get to him.

She rushed up to the portrait, the two occupants greeting her with slightly worried expressions.

"Did Draco come back here?" said Hermione, out of breath from her sprint down the halls.

"Yes, he did, just a few minutes ago," said Rowena, a slight frown marring her face.

"Is everything alright?" asked Salazar, worried about the two Heads, then decided to be utterly truthful. "Draco seemed very upset when he came up, and I believe he has put quite the series of locking charms on both doors."

Hermione's face fell.

"But I think we heard, and if you like, we'll tell you how to unlock them," finished Rowena.

"Ok," said Hermione, perking up slightly.

The two Founders gave Hermione the counter-charms, then swung open.

"Good luck," said Salazar, a smirk on his face.

Rowena stole a glance at him. "Salazar, I don't think Draco is going to be very happy with us."

"He'll thank me in the long run. Just helping the boy get the girl in the end, that's all," said Salazar, imagining Draco's reaction and praying that he took the chance offered.

Hermione began casting a series of charms, exhausted by the time she finished. She reached for the knob, and twisting it, opened the door.

Draco, lying on his bed, heard his door creak open, and shot up, his wand pointed firmly at the intruder.

"Hermione?" said Draco incredulously, "What are you doing?"

Hermione was speechless, her cheeks reddening slightly in her embarrassment.

"God woman, first you accuse me of being heartless to my 'fanclub' at breakfast, and now you're breaking and entering. Honestly woman, have you now shame?" ranted Draco, unaware of the flush evident on her cheeks.

Draco stopped, out of breath, when he noticed her. "Why are you blushing, honestly." He crossed his arms over his chest, pouting at her.

A slow smirk appeared on his face when he realized what it was that Hermione was blushing at. He got out of his bed, walking over to where Hermione stood. He put his hand under her chin, pushing her head up to meet his own gaze.

"And now I'm just a piece of male meat for your pleasure, eh? I get no respect these days," said Draco, his mercurial eyes looking intensely into hers, his mouth curved into a sexy smile.

Draco pulled away, then put his hand under his chin, contemplating. "Actually, that's not so bad, now that I think about it. I'll be your slave, Hermione…whatever you want. I'll even call you Master."

Hermione collected herself. "So I take it you're not mad at me anymore?"

Draco smirked in response.

"Well, slave, we have to go decorate the ballroom. Get dressed…or don't, either is fine, and let's go. I'll be in the living room." Hermione turned on her heel, the marched out of Draco's room, trying to slow her heartbeat and sound as nonchalant as possible.

Draco smirked, then began to pull on some clothes.

Outside, Salazar smirked, congratulating himself, and proud that Draco was indeed, one of his own.

Draco and Hermione walked into the ballroom, wands at the ready.

Charms flew as the two created an enchanted forest, like to the one in a Midsummer's Night Dream, complete with mischievous fairies and sprites.

Antique ivy climbed the walls, and several long wooden tables were laden with drinks and food. Fragile antique roses sat in glass vases around the room, and vanilla scented candles were placed in huge clusters around the perimeter and on tables.

Draco grinned. "That looks amazing."

Hermione grinned back. "Now I get to work on my costume."

"Did we ever decide who we were going as?"

Hermione smirked. "I got it all ready, it's hanging in your closet."

She walked away, presumably to the Heads rooms to change.

Draco smiled widely.

"That's my girl."

Chapter 4! Sorry I took so long to get it out! Hope you all enjoy!

Iri

Thanks to:

Down with sickness 666

Floradora

For reviewing!