Hermione Granger appeared to have a lovely time dancing with the upperclassmen. She laughed, and blushed, and even giggled once or twice.
Draco Malfoy wasn't having such an easy time of the dance. He was like a guard dog with a fence between himself and what he was to protect. Bristling and scratching at the ground, ready to strike - and ready to climb the fence if necessary.
Because of this, Blaise wasn't having a fun time of the dance. He was keeping an eye on Granger, of course, but mostly his job was to soothe Malfoy, and, if possible, to make it seem like Malfoy was a wastrel rather than a lovelorn lad. So Blaise kept the butterbeer coming, and Draco, catching his eye, began to sway on his feet.
Pansy had thought to invite herself over, and procure a dance partner - Indeed, Malfoy had some amusing things to spit about the Golden Trio - Potty and Weasel were horrible dancers, and even trying to protect Hermione, they had trouble getting their dates onto the floor. (Luna Lovegood was making an even bigger spectacle of herself, dancing with her spear as often as she danced with a living person - at least she hadn't come with a twelve-legged steed*). But when Pansy hinted that a dance might be a treat, both Blase and Malfoy glared at her. She shoved off, of course, saying lightly to Daphne, "I have no idea what's wrong with them!" Daphne smiled that tight smile that said she knew exactly what was going on. Though, Pansy thought smugly, of course she didn't, or she'd tell me! She just wanted it to seem that way.
Ron and Harry tried to keep dancing, under the rather mistaken idea that they could protect Hermione Granger from Slytherin dance moves (which, naturally, were as deceptive as the Slytherins themselves). However, they weren't good dancers, and soon ran out of people to dance with.
/##AfterTheDance##/
Harry and Ron walked with Hermione back towards Gryffindor tower. Harry, smiling widely**, asked, "Were you actually laughing with Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione snorted, "More like laughing at him!"
Ron asked, clueless as always, "What could you possibly have to talk with that git about?"
"We mostly just traded insults the whole time-" Hermione said with an easy smile.
Harry frowned at that, but it was Ron who asked, "And that was fun?"
Hermione responded, "Passably so. I gave as good as I got, you know."
"That's our Hermione!" Harry said, draping his arms around both Ron and Hermione. Laughing, they all walked back to their tower.
*The number of legs of the men carrying a coffin to lay to rest.
**Harry wants answers. he's not actually pleased, but has the idea that by acting happy, he might actually figure out what in hell is going on.
[a/n: I really spent ten chapters on the Dance? Wowsa. Reviews welcome, up next is the screaming happy trainwreck that is Pansy's engagement to Draco.j]