Blaise had gotten Draco the book, and he'd heard the report from Luna. But he wasn't sure what, really, the book was saying. He'd spent most of the morning reading the book, and he wasn't sure if it was a threat, a promise, encouragement, or telling him to buzz off. And the bookmark was even more cryptic, it said simply, "I'll remember you - just as you are."

Draco wasn't sure what he was supposed to think about that, so he'd just buried the book safe in his bloodwarded trunk (it was older than he was), and slipped into his dove-grey dress robes. His mother had said they made him look elegant, but he really disliked them. He thought he'd look better in dark blue, but his mum was insistent. And he knew better than to cross her anyway.

Topside, Hermione was trying to outrun her dormmates (fair-weather friends) who wanted to corner her into straightening her hair. That was the last thing she wanted to do! And they wanted to put on makeup, and give her The Perfect Liquid Line, whatever that meant! Hermione was running around so much, she didn't even notice that Luna and Padma were inhabiting her dorm!

Finally, when the other girls had (with doting sighs) given up on their Dream of Giving Hermione a Makeover, and were busy putting on their much less elaborate faces, Hermione snuck back into her dorm to slip on her skirt and scrub her face.

"Just a bit of lipstick?" Parvati asked hopefully.

"No," Hermione said firmly, "I go as I am, no different from any other day."

Parvati smiled sadly, and said, "You do look bold in that."

Luna looked up and said, "Certainly not pretty. You look like a dragon-slayer."

Hermione grinned back, saying, "All I need are some stilettos..."

Lavender looked up hopefully, and Hermione said firmly, "No."

And Everyone laughed.

"Knock 'em dead," Harry said down in the common room, having at last accustomed himself to the idea that Hermione was going to be dancing with the bastards from Slytherin.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Erh... Don't ask?" Harry's green eyes blinked. "He'll be there for the food, I guarantee it." Harry scatched his head awkwardly, and said, "Just, please don't laugh."

[a/n: Leadup to the dance.

I like reviews, they'll encourage me to finish this!

This was always supposed to be a prequel, and never featured Hermione knowing about Malfoy, so I had real fun when someone reviewed it saying, "I can't believe you have Hermione falling for Malfoy!"

The Floating World is a japanese term, describing the ephemeral, evanescent quality of the Demimonde.

Like rose petals on the water, they are beautiful, but you enjoy them knowing how close they are to sinking.

Am I playing hooky from actually writing the dance? You bet!]