Dance of A Lifetime
The sky was bright and cheery but nothing could have made Hermione feel better that day. Poor Hermione had had a cold at first but then fell seriously ill. The poor girl was just getting better in her bed at home but she had missed most of her summer holiday because of her illness. That day was no different from the last except for the fact that she had actually been able to keep all of her food down without throwing up all over everything. No one had visited her or paid her any attention except for her mum and dad and she was a bit lonely. Hermione decided to write to Harry and Ron about her getting better, even though neither of them had responded to her letter proclaiming that she was ill in the first place. She knew that they had received their respective letters because she had hired a postal owl to deliver it. Hermione did receive, however, a package from none other than Draco Malfoy a few days later… It had been sitting there all summer and she still hadn't opened it for fear of it being cursed.
She decided that day to open it. She hadn't thought that Draco of all people would remember her birthday and was surprised to find a perfectly normal (well, normal to wizards) birthday card and a wrapped gift inside. She hastened to read it and found (in Draco's hand writing) a sweet and kind happy birthday and get well note and attached to it was the most beautiful pair of earrings that she had ever seen. There was also a reference to the gift inside the package, which she then turned to open. Inside the wrapped parcel was a- dare I say it - party invitation accompanied by a gorgeous silken blue gown, the like of which Hermione had never seen before. There was a date pinned to the gown along with a small note stating that if she couldn't make it to the previous one, she could just go online and E-mail Draco and they (as in his parents) would simply change it to whenever she chose fit to arrive. Hermione was utterly speechless and curious about whether or not Draco truly meant his offer or if he was just trying to dupe the poor girl.
It just so happened that Draco WASN'T trying to dupe her and was just trying to be nice to his future Fiancé. He had grown quite fond of her in those private study halls she had been giving him in the library all year and was going to make her like him back if it was the last thing he ever did. He even fantasized about him and her together for a long time and was hoping his fantasies would be come reality as time passed. The wealthy teen had known for a while that Hermione was ill for he had ordered a house elf to watch her at all times and to take pictures of her when she…. Never mind any of that, it will be told in due time.
Now back to Hermione. She considered not going top this dance of Draco's just to be rude but thought against it immediately. If she did that, Draco would, she was sure of it, curse her into oblivion or worse. She had, in truth, had many dreams of Draco while in her fevered sleep and had thought nothing of it. Now though, she decided, she would allow that rude git a chance to make everything up to her. In his own way, he was kind of charming, she decided. She'd always had a little bit of a crush on him even though he was rude and extremely snobby… But that was to be expected seeing as he was a pure blooded wizard and she a muggle born witch. She always thought if he was just a tad bit less arrogant he would make a fine suitor indeed, but had never been able to admit it to herself or anyone else for that matter. Hermione always hated when she was right about something she didn't want to be true, especially if was her feelings for a one Draco Malfoy. She never wanted to be right again for a while after she figured out how much she liked him. But all of this gorgeous stuff made up for all of the arrogance and snobby-ness that she hated.
Back with Draco, we see that the dance/party is to take place the next day at Malfoy Manor. Everything is ready except for the fact that Hermione had not responded to the invitation he had sent to her 2 months ago. He had expected this. A few minutes later Draco was going over the plans for the next day when he was undertaken by the urge to write to Hermione and tell her that the dance was in her honor and not just some ploy to get her to come to his house.
Hermione had no difficulty fitting into her dress and was just about to get on her way to Malfoy Manor when an owl pecked at her window. She turned to retrieve her mail and noticed it was Draco's Eagle owl and not Hedwig or Pig. Having this unexpected visitor in her home, she was gracious enough to give it food and water before allowing it to leave. She opened the letter from Draco and read,
Dearest Hermione,
It seems as if you have accepted my offer of a dance at Malfoy Manor and I would be pleased to inform you of the event. It seems that my parents (as in my mother and her new husband) agreed with me when I implored them to whom I should be married. I suggested you as a suitor and they both agreed. This dance is in your honor and seeing as you are wearing the gown I picked out for you to wear, it seems you agree as well to marry me. It will become a more formal occasion when I ask for your hand directly at the end of the ball, to which I also invited Harry and Ronald who have also agreed to come on the condition that I go no where near them. It comes down to this: if you even so much as shake your head as a 'no' when I ask for your hand, I shall marry you any ways because I love you.
With sincerest love,
Draco
As she finished reading this, Hermione was overjoyed and completely appalled by this letter that she received. Also, she was happy to be reunited with Harry and Ron, her two best friends. As Hermione left, she looked over her shoulder at the card from Draco that she had set on her shelf… 'Wow', she thought as she imagined living in such a marvelous place as Malfoy Manor and loving such a man in the process.
Draco imagined living with and loving Hermione just as she was thinking the same thing about him. Draco had every thought, word and movement planned for later at the dance as Hermione made her way over. Draco always had a problem thinking straight around Hermione and wanted everything clear before she arrived. The problem was that Harry and Ron arrived just before Hermione did and were greeted by Draco instead of the servant who normally has the job.
Hermione approached the Manor as if her feet were made of glass and as she walked she noticed Harry and Ron's backs at the door and it looked as if Ron was yelling. Then she heard it.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER YOU GIT? I SWEAR, IF YOU HURT HER AT ALL YOU ARE SERIOUSLY GOING TO PAY!" screamed Ron as Hermione walked up and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around to yell at whoever was bugging him and found that it was Hermione. "Oh, err… Hey there 'Mione, how've u been?"
"Absolutely spiffing Ron now would you please step out of my way? I have a dance to attend." She answered as she pushed past him and kissed Draco on the cheek.
Ron turned to Harry after Hermione kissed Draco and said, "What in the hell was that about?" as they walked into the Manor with their girlfriends who had gone inside before them.
"I dunno Ron. I think Hermione is a little miffed about you yelling at Malfoy…. I wonder why?"
"I know! Normally she'd be yelling louder, but this time she kisses the slimy git!" answered Ron as his beautiful girlfriend walked away to find the snack table.
Hermione stopped just inside the door to wait for Draco and when he stepped inside, he locked the door magically for some reason. Hermione guessed that everyone had arrived. As the first song began, Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and led her out to the dance floor. The first song was not, in fact, by any kind of magical band, but from the band Santana! They just so happened to be Hermione's favorite band at the current time. The song was Migra Migra, one of Hermione's very favorites: (yes, it's a mostly Spanish song)
Migra migra pinche migra
Dejame en pas
(Repeat)
Malicia veo en tus ojos des-
Precio en tu corazon
(Repeat)
Es hora de reconocer que
Todos somas una voz
Abrasa el concepto venimos
De la misma voz
Me necesitas tu a me mas y
Mas que yo a tu
People people let's start
Together let's do it right
People people let's love one
Another I know we know how
Me necesitas tu a mi mas y
Mas que yo a ti
(Repeat)
Migra migra pinche migra
Dejame en pas
People people let's love one
Another I know we know how
End song
After that song ended, Hermione became tired and asked Draco if they could sit out the next few songs. He agreed and led Hermione to a table. He decided to strike up a conversation.
"So Hermione, how do you like your dance so far? I was hoping to get an ice sculpture of you for the punch bowl, but it didn't turn out right so I abandoned the idea." stated Draco matter-of-factly.
"Oh I absolutely adore everything Draco! Especially you." she taunted flirtatiously.
He took the bait. "Hermione dear, would you please go upstairs and retrieve a parcel I left upstairs? It's about eight inches long and it's rectangular. It's wrapped in blue paper the same as your dress."
"Of course I will Draco, what room is it in?"
"Well, my room of course my dear, where else would it be?" Draco replied.
"Oh yes, I will be right back then." Hermione muttered cheerfully as she ascended the staircase. Now, she thought to herself, where be Draco's room?
Meanwhile, Draco sat and grinned as he thought of what Hermione was getting. Then he realized his mistake… Hermione didn't know where his room was! Now Draco was in trouble. He sprang out of his seat and followed her upstairs only to find out that she found his room without a wrong turn. "How did you find my room Hermione? You've never been in here before have you?" Draco asked incredulously.
"It smells like your cologne." She answered with a grin. "It wasn't that hard actually, everything in it is black!" She laughed as she handed him the box.
"Now my sweet, we must go downstairs for the un veiling of or engagement!" he grinned as he said it, for he was proud of himself and his new fiancé for their accomplishment. Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her down the stairs quickly and called everyone to attention by saying, "Everyone? Hermione and I have an announcement to make! Or actually, I have a question to ask Hermione." He turned towards her, "Hermione, will you marry me?"
Hermione looked him in the eye and saw nothing except sincerity and so she answered, "Yes, Draco. I will."
This shocked everyone except Draco… it even surprised Hermione that she would say it out loud and not faint in the process. Draco took Hermione's hand and on it he placed a ring of 24-karat white gold with three small but valuable diamonds mounted in it. He then stood up and kissed her passionately and she kissed him back just as much so. This surprised everyone there, including Draco, who not expected her to fall for him so fast, let alone make out with him in public! This, he thought, foreshadows how fast I will get her somewhere special…like into my bed! The two pulled apart before the kiss became more than that and Harry and Ron sat, mouths agape at Hermione who walked up and closed their mouths with the end of her wand for fear of touching their saliva.
"WHAT?" yelled both of them as Hermione stood with Draco's arm around her waist.