A/N: Sorry that this chapter took longer than normal to get up. It turns out that there is a problem with the MacBook chargers but than Apple sent me a new one for free (which I was pretty happy about) and now I'm back to my stories. One of my reviewers pointed out that they were supposed to have a sleepover and I kind of forgot about that, sorry. Pretend that didn't happen.
The six teens ended up having a loads of fun and by the time it was time to go, everyone said goodbye sadly, with Hermione giving hugs to all of her friends and Blaise (once again) kissing Ginny's hand.
After Harry and the two Weasleys left, Draco, Hermione and Blaise all said quick goodnights and went off to bed.
Chapter Eight : Dancing to Insanity
Hermione was laying in bed on Friday morning, thinking about the ball that was supposed to be held later that night. She was very worried. She would not really know anyone there (except for Ginny and a few other Hogwarts students) and she didn't have anything to wear either.
Thinking that it would be best to go downstairs and eat breakfast, Hermione got dressed and made her way to the kitchen.
The only other person who was awake was Draco so Hermione sat down across from him and asked a house elf to make her some pancakes.
Draco smiled up at Hermione. "Nervous?" he asked.
Hermione shot Draco a look and said, "Of course not, I get reintroduced to the wizarding world all the time. I have no problem dancing and making small talk with people I've never met before," She rolled her eyes. "Honestly Draco."
Draco couldn't help chuckling as Hermione said this and was rewarded with a very annoyed look from her.
Before either of them could say anything, Hermione's parents walked in the kitchen.
Hermione's mother turned to her. "Luciana, after breakfast we're going to go floo to Mademoiselle Jenniferey's dress robe store and get you a gown for the ball tonight. Than we'll get accessories and shoes, and make it back well before the start of the ball," Analiese said.
The house elf set down the plate of pancakes in front of Hermione and Hermione thanked him and told her mother that that would be great.
Blaise and Zachary came down soon after their parents and ate quickly.
Hermione said a quick goodbye to her brothers, father and Draco and followed her mother to the fireplace. Mimicking Analiese's movements, Hermione took a pinch of floo powder and stepped into the emerald flames, saying clearly, "Mademoiselle Jenniferey's."
Hermione landed in a very cozy looking shop and was instantly greeted by a plump women.
"Bonjour!"
Hermione refrained from yelling, 'bloody hell' and instead said, "Hello, my name is Luciana Amadora Zabini, is my mother around?"
The plump women smiled and said with a thick French accent, "Of course Ms. Zabini, she is right over here."
Hermione followed the women to where her mother was standing looking at a beautiful lavender dress. The women smiled and said to Hermione's mother, "Your daughter is very pleasant and polite, Mrs. Zabini. Mademoiselle Jenniferey's is expecting you in the back room so she can get her measurements. Please follow me."
Analiese Zabini gave Hermione a very pleased look. Hermione blushed and said, "you didn't tell me we were in Paris."
Hermione's mother gave her a small smile and said, "I want you to look your best," and with that, they entered a room.
Hermione was greeted in the same manor by a women she suspected to be Mademoiselle Jenniferey's. Mademoiselle Jenniferey gave her a smile and said, "Eet iz so nice to meet 'ou, Ms. Zabini."
Hermione smiled politely and replied, "It is a pleasure to meet you too."
Smiling at Hermione, Mademoiselle Jenniferey motioned for her to stand up on a block where she proceeded to take Hermione's measurements.
In the time that they spent there, Hermione had picked out the fabric and style of the dress but left the rest of it up to Mademoiselle Jenniferey knowing that she would make much better choices.
It was arraged that Hermione and her mother would pick up the dress after they had finished shopping and would floo back to the Manor from there.
The rest of the day passed easily, with Hermione getting everything that was necessary for the ball, and arrived back at the manor well before the ball, like her mother had predicted.
Hermione grabbed a quick bite to eat and went up to her room to start getting ready. She had asked her mother yesterday if Ginny could come early to help her get ready, to which her mother gave her permission, although she was not too pleased.
Ginny arrived quickly and the two girls stated getting dressed. Hermione did Ginny's make up and hair and Ginny did the same for Hermione.
Before they knew it, they had finished getting dressed and Hermione's mom knocked on the door saying that it was time to go.
Hermione was so nervous that it felt like the butterflies were not only in her stomach, but were attacking it.
Stepping out into the hall Hermione's mother grinned at her daughter and said, "My dear, you look amazing."
Ginny wished Hermione good luck and went her separate way into the ballroom while Hermione and her mother made their way to the hall leading into the ballroom, with only two massive doors separating them.
Hermione arrived to see her father, Blaise, Draco and Pansy all waiting for them.
A the sight of Hermione, Draco's jaw dropped and was staring openly.
Hermione was wearing a floor length, strapless, midnight blue gown. The top was like a corset and flared out at her hips, accenting her curves very nicely. She had long silver earrings on and a matching necklace, both settled with diamonds and sapphires. Her hair was left down in beautiful ringlets and all in all, Hermione was drop dead gorgeous.
Hermione blushed under everyone's stare but was saved by her mother who said, "Luciana dear, your father and I will be announced first and we will walk out into the hall. Than Blaise and Pansy, who is Blaise's escort of sorts, will follow." Pansy looked very upset at the idea of being with anyone but Draco but knew better than to question what she was being told. "Lastly, you will be announced and escorted by Draco."
Hermione looked at Draco who winked in return.
Without wasting anytime, Hermione's father motioned for them to be announced and throughout the hall a voice echoed, "Mr. Jonathon Marcus Zabini and his wife, Analiese Lesley Zabini."
The entire room fell silent as they walked down a huge staircase to join the guests.
The voice once again announced, "Blaise Timothy Zabini and Pansy Parkinson."
Blaise gave Hermione a wink and offered Pansy his arm, which she took very grudgingly.
The guests started talking again, thinking that all of the Zabini family had been introduced but were cut off by a voice once again sounding through the room, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Draco Malfoy and the long lost twin of Blaise, Luciana Amadora Zabini."
Hermione took Draco's arm and he gave her a reassuring smile as they entered the hall. Everyone in the room stared at Hermione, and the entire male population (at least the entire straight male population) looked Hermione up and down, very pleased.
Hermione kept her brave face on and refrained from blushing, giving the hall a shy smile. The only sign of how nervous and uncomfortable she really was, was the death grip that she had on Draco's arm.
The staircase seemed to go on and on for Hermione, and she found herself repeating 'I will not fall flat on my ass and make a fool out of myself' over and over again in her head.
After what felt like an eternity, Hermione was at the bottom of the stairs and music started playing.
Draco turned to Hermione and said, "Care to dance 'Mora?"
Hermione grinned and said, "Hell yeah I care to dance!"
Hermione was not surprised to find that Draco was a great dancer but Draco was surprised to learn that Hermione herself was fantastic on the dance floor.
They only had time for one dance before a man asked to cut in. He was probably somewhere around nineteen and was very handsome.
Draco reluctantly handed Hermione off to him and he gave her a small smile and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you Luciana. I am Raoul Garin."
"Well, it's very nice to meet you Raoul."
The two danced for the remainder of the song, all of which consisted of Raoul flirting shamelessly with Hermione, who was pretty much blushing non-stop. Hermione was once again asked to dance by the time the song was over by a man who looked to be in his twenties.
The next five or so songs went exactly the same way, and much to Hermione's disappointment, each time a different man asked to cut in.
Hermione was currently dancing with a man who she had never met before and who was extremely dull. She sent a pleading look to Draco who had been watching her with amusement, completely ignoring Pansy who was flirting with him.
Draco could not help laugh at Hermione's look and decided that he should save her from having to strangle the next person that wanted to dance with her.
Draco stood up, completely ignoring Pansy, and walked over to Hermione and asked if he could cut. Hermione very politely thanked the man for the dance and turned to Draco.
"You know, I could kiss you right now," she told him smiling.
Draco laughed and said "Well Mora, seeing as the song is almost over and some very old man will probably come to ask for a dance with the most beautiful girl here, why don't we get a drink?"
Hermione smiled greatly at Draco and followed him off the dance floor. They headed over to a table that held a variety of drinks on it and each took one.
They decided to head to where a bunch of people their age were sitting. The group of teenagers looked very happy that they were there. The girls all eying Draco while the guys checked Hermione out.
They sat down and were soon laughing and joking with the rest of the group, which consisted of two girls and three guys, one of them being Raoul, Hermione's former dance partner. About ten minutes later, Raoul stood up and tuned to Hermione.
"Luciana, would you care to dance?"
Hermione smiled and muttered quietly so only Draco could hear, "You better come and save me soon." Draco had to hide his laugh by coughing, although it came out more like a snort.
Hermione smiled at Raoul and followed him onto the dance floor. The next few songs followed exactly as before and Hermione was currently dancing with the minister of magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, who was not only in his fifties but a terrible dancer.
The song ended soon much to Hermione's relief and she heard a voice from behind her say, "Good evening Minister, do you mind if I cut in?"
Hermione turned around to see Lucius Malfoy standing there, he offered her his hand, which Hermione took very reluctantly.
Hermione found herself wishing the song would end immediately, but sadly, it didn't.
"You look lovely Luciana," Lucius told her.
Hermione was very unsure of what to say so she replied, "Um…thank you."
"My son must be thrilled to be staying in the same house with someone as gorgeous as you my dear," Lucius said.
Hermione was as uncomfortable as she could possibly be and sent a look to Draco who had no idea what do, but was furious with his father.
Knowing that running away was out of the question, Hermione just said, "Uh…I think Draco is having a good time staying with us, um… he is good friends with Blaise and myself."
If Lucius saw Hermione's obvious discomfort he didn't show it. Instead he said, "I envy Draco, I wish it was I who was staying in Zabini Manor with you, although it would be nice if it was only us."
Hermione was at a total loss of words and sent Draco another look, coming to the conclusion that Voldemort and all of his followers were insanely creepy.
Hermione wanted nothing more than to run away as far as she could but was afraid to disappoint her parents.
She sent a third look in Draco's direction as she continued to dance with Lucius Malfoy.
Draco watched as his father talked with Hermione, wondering what the hell he was doing. He saw the many looks that Hermione had sent him and he knew that she was extremely freaked out by his father. Don't worry Mora, Draco thought, as soon as the song is over I'll come get you.
Lucius Malfoy continued to compliment Hermione an insanely large amount and Hermione was ready, to punch him in the face.
Mercifully, the song ended soon and Hermione quietly excused herself from Lucius saying that she needed to get a drink.
She met up with Draco who had been making his way towards her. Draco had a concerned look on his face as he said, "Are you alright Mora?"
Hermione gave him a small smile and said, "Draco, no offense to you, but your father creeped the hell out of me."
Draco shuddered and said, "Trust me, no offense taken, I completely agree. Why don't we go hang out with Ginny, you haven't seen her all night?"
Hermione smiled warmly at Draco and said that she would like that, although she was still creeped out by Lucius.
The rest of the night went by nicely, Hermione had to dance with almost every guy at the party, but just when she felt she was about to explode, (or kick the guy she was dancing with in the balls) Draco would save her.
When Hermione was not dancing, she was hanging out with Draco and other kids their age. If Draco wasn't there, Hermione probably would have killed someone.
At the end of the party, Draco walked Hermione back to her room before heading to his own, which was a few doors down.
"Did you have fun tonight Mora?" Draco asked.
Hermione smiled and said, "When I was dancing with the old creepy men? No." Hermione blushed as she added, "I did have fun with you though."
Draco grinned as she said this and slowly leaned forward, and kissed her.
Hermione was completely shocked by this but kissed back. Hermione put her hands around his neck, as Draco grabbed her waist in his hands, pulling her closer and they deepened the kiss.
Needing air they both pulled back and grinned.
"Goodnight Mora," Draco said quietly and gave her a kiss on her forehead before turning to walk down the hall to his room.
A/N: wow…that was a freakishly long chapter. I hope you guys liked it though. Ha! I made Blaise's middle name Timothy … tee he… you guys probably don't find that funny but I find it hilarious. Sorry the chapter was so long, I think I got a little carried away since it's over 2500 words long. Oh well. Until next time!