Chapter 3 – Smiles and Laughs
Hermione likes to hide out in the library when she is upset. That's the first place I decided to check. I took a look around, I even checked her favourite corner in the library, but she was not here. I came out of the library, deciding to go to the Gryffindor common room.
"Didn't know you were so into reading? I thought it was only the Mudblood who was obsessed with the library." I heard a very familiar drawl as soon as I got out of the library.
I got angry as soon as he said the word, "I told you not to call her that."
"Old habits die hard, sweetheart." He said mockingly.
"I'm warning you, Draco. Don't make me hex you right now. You promised you won't use it when we are by ourselves."
He chuckled, "Fine, Natalie. Gosh, I can't even joke around you anymore. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I'm looking for Hermione. Hermione and Ron argued yet again. So…"
"I know what happened. Don't go into details." He cut me in between. She wasn't surprised that he knew what was going on. He kept an eye on her all the time.
"Then why the hell did you ask?"
"Do I detect irritation?" He's making me angry even more.
"Do you now? Harry was just starting to notice me and those two had to get into an argument. I really wanted to this night to be special but instead we are trying to console my friend. This is so not fair." I ranted out.
He looked a bit angry when I mentioned Harry. It's common knowledge that Draco doesn't like Harry. He hates it even more when I talk about him. "I still can't believe you have a crush on Scarhead. There are far better people than him."
I sighed. There's no use arguing with Draco about Harry. "Why are you stalking me?"
He smiled at me. "Well, you didn't think I would let you leave the ball without dancing with me, fiancée?"
I looked around nervously to see if anyone was around, I went closer to him and hissed at him, "Don't say that out loud!"
"There's no one here. People are either at the party or in their dorms."
"Still, you are not allowed to say that school."
"Nat, come on! Just one dance and then I'll let you go find that mu-muggle-born friend of yours." He held his hand out for me to take it.
"Just one." I put my hand in his.
He pulled me closer into a waltzing position. The music from the hall could be heard faintly. We started swaying to the tune. Draco is a way better dancer than Harry. That's the thing with old wizarding families – dancing, etiquettes, table manners and etc are drilled into children's minds from the time they can walk. The Malfoys are even more particular about these things. My family is relatively relaxed.
Towards the end of the dance, Draco twirled me around playfully only because he knew I liked it. And then he dipped me. He kissed the tip of my nose when he pulled me back up. I hugged him. I kissed him on his cheek. He smiled at me. I really like his smile, it makes him looks like the teenager he is. When he scowls or sneers, he looks so much like his father and lets just say, he's not my most favourite person in the world.
"I'd rather you'd kiss me somewhere else." He said cheekily. That statement killed the mood, I tried to move away from him but he held me firmly in his arms. "Nat, I was only kidding."
"I don't like jokes like these." I retorted.
"Did I tell you that you look absolutely beautiful tonight?" He asked genuinely.
"Not that I can remember." I told him haughtily.
"You look very beautiful. Very hot! I was tempted to punch Pothead in the face just so I could dance with you."
I snorted, "Thanks. You look great too." He looked awesome in the midnight blue robes.
"Thanks."
"Umm…I should go now. I'll see you around?" I asked him.
He nodded and kissed me on my forehead. "But don't run off into the sunset with him until then."
"You know that will happen as soon as we find a way to break this freaking marriage contract." I reminded him. Sadness crossed his eyes for a moment but he put his mask back on when he realised I was looking. "Hey, we'll still be friends. We've known each other since we were three. Ending the marriage contract will not affect our friendship."
"I'm going to hold you up on that." He smiled. "Now leave before I get sick of you."
"Hey, that's my line." I protested but I still kissed him on his cheek again and left.
I found Hermione in the common room. She was sitting on the floor in front of the fire and crying. I held out my hand for her. She looked at my hand and then at me. "I would sit down next to you and console you but I don't want to spoil my dress, so I'm going to move you to the couch." She snorted when I said that and held my hand.
I hugged her, "Ron was being an idiot, H. He doesn't realise what he is missing out on."
"I tried so hard. He doesn't even realise that I'm a girl. I got all dressed up so he could finally see me. I want him to notice me." She cried into my arms.
"I know. I don't get it, H. What do you see in him? He is always mean to you."
"I don't know what do I see in him either. He is cute. Very annoying. But I've always felt this affection for him that just keeps growing no matter what he does. Maybe one day, he'll feel the same for me."
"If you and Ron ever do get together then I will support the relationship. Don't mind me saying this though, I think you deserve much better than Ron. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're settling for Ron."
"I'm not settling for Ron." She said indignantly.
"All I'm saying is, Krum has shown an interest in you. Why not find out where that is going?"
"He is three years older than I am."
"Older men are so much more sexier and more mature." She smacked me on my arm. "I'm just saying get to know the guy. If nothing happens at least you'll make a new friend. There's nothing wrong with that."
While talking we went to our dorm and changed into our bedclothes. We sat on Hermione's bed and continued talking. That's when she spilled, "Victor kissed me."
"You vixen! And all this time, you've been crying over a git who hardly gives a damn. Tell me all about it."
"It was a short and sweet kiss. We were dancing and a romantic song was playing, so he pulled me closer and he leaned down and gently pressed his lips against me for a few seconds." Hermione gushed out.
"Awww…that's so sweet. Maybe he really likes you."
"Maybe." She said uncertainly. "He lives in a different country, Nat." She complained.
"Love doesn't see international boundaries, H" I joked.
She gave me a displeased look, "Enough about me. Tell me what was happening in between you and Harry?"
"You thought something was going on?" I asked excitedly.
"I saw the way Harry looked at you. There were definitely some sparks. I'm sorry, our argument ruined the night for you both." She confirmed my thoughts.
"Don't apologise. It's not like you both planned to argue beforehand. There'll be other balls and parties. We're still young. And thank God, I was not the only one who felt all those things. H, the way he held me…I felt…appreciated in a way. For the first time he actually noticed me. He made me feel special. Too bad, he didn't think my feet deserved similar treatment." I confessed.
She laughed, "You knew this was a risk you had to take when you agreed to go with him." We laughed some more. "I don't know how you do it, Nat. Even when I'm crying rivers you manage to make me laugh."
"What are friends for!" I grinned at her.
We continued talking about Harry, Ron, Victor and other guys until the other girls came back from the ball.
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Neepa :-)
