Romancing the Stone: Chapter 5
Strange Attraction and Someone Who Needs to Get Laid
by Iridian
Draco waited impatiently in the Head's common room for Hermione. He was wearing a Shakespearian style outfit, resplendent in black breeches, leather boots, and a dark green shirt with silver embroidery. The outfit was completed with a long, black cape with dark green lining, a sword, and a simple silver chain around his neck.
"Hermione! How long does it take you to-."
His words died on his tongue when Hermione stepped out of her room.
She was wearing a long white dress, silver embroidery depicting several blooming branches on the ends. Her hair was in a half-twist, a long stemmed calla lily pulled into the twist, the rest of the straightened hair falling down her back. She wore a simple silver necklace with a small silver lotus flower on it, the delicate flower halfway to blossoming. A matching silver bracelet was on her hand.
Hermione stared at Draco.
Damn…he can be my Prince Charming, that's for sure…crap, what am I thinking? I just have…really good taste. That's it. It's the clothes.
Draco looked calmly at Hermione, surprise concealed by a lifetime of training.
How the hell have I not noticed that before?
"So, Draco, have you figured out who we are yet?" said Hermione.
"We are dressed in Shakespearian clothes that could be any one of his plays that has a man and a woman," said Draco.
Hermione raised an eyebrow before reciting a line. "Wear this for me, one out of suits with fortune/ That could give more, but that her hand lacks means."
She moved towards him, handing him the chain.
He took it, and fastened it around his neck with a grin.
"Rosalind and Orlando. Nice choice," he said approvingly.
He moved towards her, holding out his arm.
"Shall we, my lady," he said, sweeping a courtly bow, his eyes mirthful.
"Of course, my lord."
By the time the two got to the ball, it was already well underway. Soft, violin music was being played by a quartet of charmed violins, and the dance floor was dominated by women in swirling Renaissance skirts and men in tunics and breeches.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, his voice booming through the room.
"Welcome, Hogwarts sixth and seventh years to the first annual fall ball! I see many of you chose to dress up to play along with our Shakespeare theme. I'd like to express thanks to our Head Boy and Head Girl for putting this all together. Now for the next song, I'm sure many of you will find each other…strangely attractive." Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
The violin quartet began playing a soft waltz, the students still bewildered by Dumbledore's cryptic message.
All of a sudden, people found themselves walking in directions they didn't intend, and towards someone else.
Draco and Hermione both found themselves turning to each other.
Draco smiled slightly.
"Care to dance?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Do I have a choice?"
Hermione rested her head lightly on Draco's chest, lulled into a sense of comfort and stability. From the Head table, Dumbledore chuckled lightly, his laughter attracting the attention of the teachers seated closest to him.
"How long did your attraction spell hold them for, Albus?" said Professor McGonagall.
"About ten seconds, just long enough for them all to find each other and start dancing," replied Dumbledore.
McGonagall's eyebrows raised in confusion, mirroring the expression of the Potion master's, whose brows had already shot far up into the clutches of his oily black hair.
The headmaster only chuckled at their confused expressions and turned back to the party.
The floor was littered with dancing couples, twirling silks spinning around the room.
"You look wonderful," commented Draco, his gaze trained on Hermione.
"And so do you," replied Hermione. She tilted her head up, smirking. "Thanks to me."
A bright flash went off from somewhere within the crowd. Hermione turned her head momentarily to try and see, but shook off the feeling and relaxed.
Hermione felt a tinge of regret as the music began to come to a close.
This has been nice…more than nice. If I could be this nice to him normally, I would…but I've always been this mean to him. If I stop now everyone will think…
Hermione's thoughts came to an abrupt stop.
Draco contemplated how nice it felt to have her in his arms.
This is to win the bet, I shouldn't forget that. I wonder if she even remembers it. Maybe is she doesn't, we can forget about the whole thing and…No. I can't do that to her. One: she'll never believe me because of that bet. Two: I'm Draco Malfoy and she's Hermione Granger. Granted I'm on the light side now but…
The two were back in the real world, noticing the other couples breaking apart.
Draco spoke first, a cocky grin on his face. "Well, that was nice. I know you had a nice time because well…who could resist my charm?"
Hermione almost agreed out loud. "I almost want to say it sucked just to make it a blow to your ego."
"Too late, I'd already know you're lying."
"Maybe I was just covering so you wouldn't feel bad about yourself."
Draco visibly snorted. "Sure."
"I'm going over there," said Hermione, pointing to a table where Harry, Ron, and Ginny had all sat down. "Maybe you can come too, but make sure to nurse your injured ego before you come."
With that last Parthian shot, Hermione walked off, her white dress swirling up slightly behind her.
Draco watched her go, a slight sigh coming out.
"Sad to see her go?"
Draco turned to find himself face to face with Blaise Zambini.
He frowned slightly. "What's it to you?"
"Just a passing thought," said Blaise.
"I see you have the getup as well. Who'd you come with?" said Draco.
"You'll never believe me," replied Blaise.
"Try me."
"Catalina Moors," replied Blaise.
Draco's jaw dropped slightly at the name. "You're kidding! Last time I checked, mate, you hated Cat."
Blaise grinned. "Let's just say I discovered her charms over the summer and the first two months of school."
Draco smirked. "Let me guess…she stayed over your place over the summer."
"Ding ding, you got it right. Her parents thought it was best that she make more friends with people, and since the Zabinis are a newfound ally of the light…guess who her new friend was?"
Draco grinned, and Blaise continued on.
"Added a little Latin spice to my life and-."
Draco interrupted, amused. "She has you whipped, doesn't she?"
Blaise pouted. "Well, you didn't have to put it so bluntly."
Blaise grinned, running his hand through his longish black strands, the bangs falling into his eyes.
"Not that you're doing so bad yourself. Caught yourself a light witch of your own," continued Blaise, gesturing towards Hermione.
Draco's smile wavered for a split second. "She's just a bet."
Blaise raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"We made a bet in the beginning of the year. I said I could make her fall in love with me."
Blaise scoffed. "What are the terms?"
"If she does, then she has to date me. If she doesn't…well let's just say she'll own me for a week," said Draco.
Blaise frowned. "Not a good business, Draco. Bets like that turn out messy."
Draco mirrored Blaise's expression. "It's not like I like her that way, Blaise."
"What would you say if I went over there and asked her out?"
"Stay away from her, Zabini," he snarled.
Blaise smiled. "You see?"
Draco recovered, his mind still focused on Blaise and Hermione. "You already have a girlfriend, Blaise. And she is my friend."
Blaise raised an eyebrow, silently scoffing, but kept silent.
"If she's your friend, why would you agree to playing around with her like that?"
And with that Parthian shot, Blaise walked off, presumably in search of his new slavemast- cough er…girlfriend.
Draco silently wondered why everyone but him got the last word tonight, but shook off the vaguely depressing thought and left in search of better company than him, himself, and he.
Draco walked over to the table where Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione were, and plopped himself down with grace unimaginably attached to the word 'plopping'.
"Look what the cat dragged in. We were almost wondering where you had gone," said Hermione.
"My, my. As long as you'll be my cat, I don't mind," replied Draco.
Hermione scowled lightly, irritated that Draco could find a retort to her oh so blasé and well delivered barb.
"So, who did you guys end up dancing with?" said Draco.
"Ron danced with Lavender Brown, and I uh…danced with Ginny," said Harry, his cheeks slightly red as he stole a glance at Ginny at the 'uh' and both turned redder when Ginny caught his gaze. The two quickly snapped their heads away from each other.
"Don't get whiplash there," said Draco dryly.
For the life of me, I can't get why Potter and the Weasel (yes, I still call him Weasel on occasion, what can I say, old habits die hard.) had such hard times with women. Maybe it was the Malfoy charm and well…me.
With much satisfaction, Draco decided that it was indeed, his…Draco-ness that made it so easy for him. Not that the women were any obstacle, anyway.
"Did you have a nice time with Lavender?" said Draco, his lips turning up in a smirk reminiscent to his old days.
True to his nature, Ron blushed a fiery red from his throat to the tips of his ears.
"I uh…yeah, we had a good time, I guess," said Ron, stuttering slightly under Draco's cool and amused gaze.
He abruptly stood. "I'm going to go get some punch."
Four eyes followed him as he walked quickly to the punch table, Lavender incidentally already there.
"She owns him," stated Draco, stressing 'owns'.
"Anyone who tolerates Ron for long periods of time owns him," said Ginny. "Though I'm happy the boy finally got a girl." Ginny snorted. "He needs to get laid."
Draco chuckled. "You have a point there, red." The two chuckled amiably together, Harry and Hermione shaking their heads at the lewd comments being passed between the two.
"You know who else needs to get laid?" said Draco.
Ginny shook her head.
"McGonagall. As a matter of fact, Snape there needs to get laid too, maybe that's more than just a coincidence," said Draco.
Ginny smirked. "McGonagall's got the hots for the headmaster, she wouldn't go for nasty Snape. Guess she's attracted to men with power."
At that statement, the two collapsed into roaring laughter.
"I honestly did not need that image in my head," said Harry, his expression somewhat disgusted.
"Did you have it too?" replied Hermione, looking distinctly green.
"You know, McGonagall and Dumbledore-."
"In the Headmaster's office-."
"The desk."
Draco stopped laughing for a moment. "You think we're dirty?"
"I can just hear Dumbledore saying 'Who's your headmaster?'" Ginny laughed insanely at her own joke, her and Draco again in a fit of laughter.
The Headmaster looked toward the four students at the time, wondering why they were laughing. Draco and Ginny caught his eye for a moment, petrified for a second. Professor Dumbledore shook his head, and turned back to Professor Sinistra. Draco and Ginny looked at each other, then continued laughing insanely.
Harry and Hermione only shook their heads, their lips tugging at the sides into a slight smile.
"Students, the night has come to a close. If you would all go back to your dormitories, we have a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow, so get some sleep. I hope you all enjoyed the first annual ball, well, at least I know some of you did," said Dumbledore. He looked again at the four students, who were being rejoined by a red Ron.
The students and professors had already left, when Dumbledore reflected that Draco was actually laughing with Gryffindors.
Funny how less exposure to sadistic fathers can do that to someone.
The ball has come! Look out for more Draco x Hermione action the next chapter during the Hogsmeade trip! Review!
Iri
mmmseverus: Heh, I know. I kind of assumed that people would realize that it was a long time gap that I just didn't write that occurred between about August 30th to October 10th, but I do realize the timing is rather off. I might go back and edit it later, but I'm far too lazy. Thanks for the tip though!
Veata and Down with The Sickness 666: You guys know each other, that's awesome. I've yet to have a friend who is on fanfiction. Meh, oh well. Hope you two had a good time and like the chapter!
Iheartsiriusblack: So do I. LoL, love the penname.
Thanks to:
Hawaiian-Rachael
Lostelf76
Anna-Belle Malfoyx3
Dachosenrandomone (twice! Sorry for the wait :))
Jeanselina
Athenis
Pherusa
Willoe
Gatepirate61
For reviewing!
