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Pansy descended the staircase in all her majesty. She wore a red satin dress that hugged her body. It gently dropped to a bell curve at the bottom and made a swishing noise as she walked. The neck line plunged down and there were eyes and hooks that fastened at the chest. She wore her hair in a simple bun with a few strays at the side. The ebony of it contrasted quite well with the scarlet she donned. Her face shone as if cast from pure marble. Blaise cocked an eyebrow as she finally alighted at the bottom of the steps. That was considered a high compliment from Blaise, who thought no woman looked nearly as half good as his mother.
"Well," he said. "Let's get this all over with shall we?"
Pansy merely nodded. He didn't look bad either. His dress robes were a clean black, trimmed with the occasional red lining. She already knew that she wasn't going to have fun. Word in the castle about Draco's hot and heavy romance with Violet was rampant. They were caught kissing here, there, everywhere. She stood at his side where Pansy had stood. She sat on his lap in the common room and laughed at all of his stupid remarks.
Pansy was even unfortunate to have run in to them making out as she turned a corner trying to get to class. That had been the worst. She had walked away as if she never saw them but she felt herself burn with anger and jealousy. Damn his happiness! But it was important that she made a good show tonight. She wouldn't let him win.
They entered the great ball room which had become nearly full. She saw blonde flash from her peripheral and turned to look. It was Draco, but Violet was nowhere in sight. His hair was slicked back and he wore the classic black and white. He looked good but Pansy would be damned before she ever admitted that to anybody. Pansy glanced away from him quick as if she had just seen something disgusting. He approached Blaise instead.
"Zabini, a bunch of us are going to have a little party in the common room after this lame ball is over. There'll be drinks more potent than this punch crap"
Despite what had went on between Pansy and Draco, Blaise was still one of Draco's acquaintances. Blaise smirked and nodded.
"Sounds more interesting than this. I'll stop by"
Just then, Violet came out of the blue. Pansy sighed inwardly with relief. The girl looked like a hot mess. She wore a lavender dress that was all taffeta and ribbons. She looked like a present that was only halfway unwrapped, with odds and ends sticking out which way.
"Draco, we have to dance to this song," she said to him. But her attention was soon distracted by Pansy and she gasped out loud. "Pansy, you look astonishing!" she gushed.
Pansy looked at her the way she would at some beggar who had asked if she could spare any change: with contempt.
"I know," she told Violet acridly. "Blaise, let's dance"
And they did. Almost all night. And when Blaise claimed to be tired, she grabbed the nearest guy willing to dance with her. There was no shortage. She put her best effort into smiling, laughing, and pretending to have a damn good time. Towards the end of the ball, Daphne grabbed her and took her aside.
"Pans, Draco has been looking your way the whole night"
"Really?" Pansy sounded somewhat amused.
"Um, Yeah. Half the guys in this room are checking you out as well. You seem to be quite popular. Then again, since you're no longer with Draco, they must not be scared to look at you anymore"
"What are you talking about?"
"Hm? Oh. Didn't you know? When you were together, Draco threatened a lot of guys to not even look your way or else"
Pansy smiled genuinely. She never knew that. It almost made her forget how much she hated him at the moment. Almost.
"Anyways, are you going to hit up that party in the common room later? Nott wants us to go"
"Pass. I've accomplished what I needed to tonight. Now I just want to go to bed and rest my feet"
"Alright then. I'm going to find my date and actually see if he's willing to dance the last song. See ya"
Pansy watched Daphne go in search of Nott amongst the crowd. So. Draco had been looking at her huh. Good. She hoped with all her might that he was jealous. At least, slightly. She spotted her own date laughing with a group that included Draco. Ugh. She wanted to tell Blaise that she was ready to leave now. But she didn't want to be near Draco at all. Then a thought struck her and she strutted towards them.
"Blaise. I'm tired"
Blaise turned. "Sure. We can leave now then"
"Actually, I'll take myself back. I'm a big girl. And I know you still want to stick around until the big after party" She leaned in and gave him a soft, quick kiss on his lips. "But thank you for taking me. I had fun"
She didn't even look back. She knew Draco saw. She walked out of there with pride.