Hermione was breathing a sign of relief, that froze in her larynx as she caught sight of Draco Malfoy approaching, his smug condiscension dripping off his body.

As the dance was about to begin, Draco Malfoy opened his mouth, "Well, well, well, just look what the cat dragged in," He bowed, as was customary, and then as Hermione curtsied, he said, "Little Miss Library Mouse - did you even bother to change, or just shake all the dust off?"

Hermione offered Malfoy her hand as her eyes flashed, "You know perfectly well that this isn't my school uniform."

Malfoy smiled airily and said, "Always so many unwarranted assumptions. You assume I've been looking anywhere but your eyes."

Hermione shot a piercing look at Malfoy, feeling him guiding her backwards - and then feeling the brush of someone almost, but not quite colliding with her.

As if he hadn't just implied... Malfoy continued, smirking haughtily, "I fully intend to dodge next time, and your eyes have obvious tells." ... because of course Malfoy wasn't, couldn't - Hermione was suddenly certain that he was entirely too self-centered to ever fall in love. In love with your own reflection much? Hermione thought spitefully.

Hermione smiled at him, saying, "You'll have to do better than that if you intend to leave me dashed on the dance floor."

"That was Greengrass, not me, you vicious termagant." Malfoy spat back, his mouth still curled into a dazzling smile which Hermione knew wasn't natural on his face.

"I'm surprised you're not calling me a mudblood, you inbred bastard." Hermione said.

"That's two points off for you," Draco Malfoy said coldly, his face still etched into that smile.

"Two points? What, are we keeping track?" Hermione asked.

"Of course. What point is a war you cannot win?" Malfoy smirked, and continued, "One point off for an utterly incoherent quip - how can i be both inbred and a bastard?"

Hermione snorted. Truly, she couldn't help herself. She hadn't known what to expect when dancing with Malfoy, but dissecting quips for plausibility wasn't one of them. "Your mum could have lain with your uncle."

"My father's an only child, try again." Malfoy said back.

"Sorry I haven't memorized your family tree." Hermione Granger said.

"The other point is Blaise's. He's informed me that anyone using that word to refer to you will be rightly punished. Only for the duration of the dance, you understand." Draco Malfoy said.

"And what's this punishment?"

"Ask him, and don't be such a sphinx that you're spiteful because I can't answer a question." Draco Malfoy said.

"Oh, never! I love the thought of finding out information for myself."

"Raven, your hair needs darkening." Malfoy said.

"I'd need blood for that," Hermione said, her smile sharp.

"Your harpy talons are quite capable of drawing blood, I assure you." Malfoy said without the slightest scrap of irony.

[a/n: Well, it's half the dance. Once I finish with the other half, do you want it again from Malfoy's perspective?

Ravens are known grim warnings of war and death, as they feast on carrion. They also love sparkly stuff and shitting in people's breakfast cereal. Ravens are born trolls.

So happy to be writing words that don't require poetry for each chapter! Once i finish the middlepart, updates will undoubtedly slow down a bit, as I cast around for plot. You know, after sixth year or so.

Reviews, as always, inspire me!]