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Chapter Two: Time to Go
"Hermione, are you almost ready yet?" Ginny called out.
"Yeah, just about Gin," she called back.
"So what is her costume anyway?" Harry asked. And just as Ginny was about to answer Hermione came down her head room stairs and giggled as Ron's and Harry's mouths dropped in shock.
"So what do you think?" She asked as spun around the room.
"Bloody Hell!" The boys said in unison.
Hermione was wearing a beautiful blue and silver belly dancer's costume that rested low on her hips and completely showed of her well toned belly, which incidentally was how Hermione had gotten such a toned belly. She also had a beautiful silver and diamond dangling belly ring that a light tents of blue in the design.
"How did you get so well toned? And the hell did we not know how amazing your body looked?" Ron said breathlessly, almost sad that they weren't more than friends.
"My cousin's fiancé teaches belly dancing and she taught me while I spent a couple weeks with them over the break. But my slenderness comes from the years of running after you two. Did Malfoy leave already for Zabini's party yet or do you know?" Hermione asked secretly hoping that he was there just so she could wipe his continuous smirk off his face.
"Umm, I think he's been down there for a couple hours now. I think Blaise wanted him to help set up for the party." Ginny answered, trying to hide the excitement, for no one knew Hermione like she did.
"Ok Harry, got the cloak? I think we need to leave now so we won't get caught. I'm afraid what McGonagall might say if she catches me out this time of night I'm screwed."
"Ok," Harry started, "Let's get going, the sooner the better so we don't run into any teachers."
As they approached the dungeons Hermione became apprehensive. "Maybe this wasn't the best idea for me to be here"
"Are you kidding me?!? After all the work we've put into your hair and make-up? Oh no you are going to this party and you're going to have fun, even if I have to spike your drink to get you to relax." Ginny almost shouted trying to make a point.
"Relax Gin. I just had to get that out of my system." Hermione responded slowly backing away from the fiery redhead.
Once they were in front of the Slytherin dorms Harry knocked three times and the door was pushed open and Draco was standing there in an Arabian night costume. (Think Aladdin's prince outfit without the shirt) He was slightly taken aback when he saw how he being the head boy and the head girl seemed to match obviously without trying. Just as Hermione noticed his well tanned skin and nicely toned abs and how they seemed to almost match in both costumes and skin tones, Draco was noticing her well toned stomach the was obviously earned from dancing having seen plenty in hookah bars.
As everyone were saying their hello's Blaise trotted up just was Hermione was about to stutter her hello.
"Hey guys, so glad you all could make it," Blaise stated as he turned to Hermione just as stunned as Harry and Ron were when they first saw her. "Wow Hermione you look amazing," smirking as he saw the way Draco was looking at her out of the corner of his eye.
"I love the way you have things decorated, very festive." Hermione remarked as she looked around the Slytherin common room.
"Actually this was all Draco's doing; he thought it would be nice to have a party for Halloween without the teachers' involvement that allowed the students to wear the costumes they pleased." Blaise explained as he showed Hermione around the acting as if he never noticed Draco watching the beautiful head girl.
"Wow, he did an amazing job. And speaking of teacher involvement, I need to discuss head duties with said head boy." Hermione said pointedly and walked over to where Draco was standing at the bar that the house elves were running.
As Hermione walked over to Draco, Blaise and Pansy strolled over to where Harry and the others were standing watching the way Draco stared at Hermione.
"So am I the only one who noticed how intently Draco was staring at Hermione?" Ginny asked the group of people as she noticed how her brother tensed when Pansy moved to stand next him.
"No, I was watching while Blaise took Hermione around to show her the room." Pansy commented as she smiled at the younger Weasley when she winked at her. "We might have a slight problem that Draco is unaware of." She continued on a more serious note, "It seems that Draco's father is partitioning the courts to for an appeal on his sentence. Since the end of the war my father has been prosecuting more and worrying less. But he said in his last letter that the courts are considering his appeal. He's really worried about Draco because in his sleep his father has been muttering about and I quote 'My good for nothing son will pay for his transgressions.' The guards are worried that if he wins his appeal since things said in sleep are not admissible in court. So my father is worried for his well being if his father is released."
"But I don't understand. How will he be able to win the appeal?" Harry asked concerned for the person that was slowly becoming his friend.
"He's saying that he was under the Imperious, and the part that's making everything believable is he's faking the side affects very well. That I know he's figured out from having Narcissa under it for so many years."
"So it looks highly likely that Draco's dad is going to get off and Draco has absolutely no clue?" Ginny asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah pretty much," Pansy answered, "I just don't know how I'm going to break it too him. His dad's court date isn't until a week after we graduate. So he's safe until then. But I've just found out a couple days ago. I think I'm going to wait a few days so I can gain as many facts as possible to tell him calmly. Anyone mind helping me?" She continued apprehensively.
"I WILL!" Ron answered a little too eagerly. "Thanks," she replied with a soft smile.
"Granger."
"Malfoy"
"Would you like a drink? Dobby makes a killer screwdriver; there are actual oranges in here." Draco asked lifting the glass to show Hermione the oranges that had settled on the bottom.
"Sure why not. Umm I wanted to talk to you about something I meant to bring up at the last meeting. I've had some suggestions from the girls in my classes about having a Halloween ball. Possibly make it instead of a costume party where they pick different costumes like tonight but more of a masquerade ball; with Venetian masks that could be charmed to come off at midnight to reveal who everyone has been dancing with.
Might be a great way to promote house unity, this could get students to talk to other students from different houses and possibly find that they have things in common and could be friends. I was just an idea I was hoping you could think about. If you don't want to I understand." She suggested while trying not to look has his well toned chest and stomach.
"Hmm, a masquerade ball for Halloween. Not a bad idea, I'll agree to it on one condition." Draco answered with a smirk wanting to watch her reaction to his idea.
"And what would that be?" She responded with an air of defiance.
"Well since it appears that you are wearing a belly dancer's costume." He paused watching her wheels turn in her head, "give us a belly dance."
"Ands makes you think I can even belly dance?" She asked incredulously.
"I've been to plenty of hookah bars. I know what those well toned stomachs look like." He whispered softly in her ear making a chill run down her spine. "So, how about it?" He continued, "Have we got a deal?" He held out his hand to shake in agreement.
Hermione sat and stared for a moment after finishing her drink. "Ok, I will do it, but only if you take two vodka shots with me." She said smiling
He looked at her surprised that she might actually drink like that then turned to Dobby playing bar tender, "Four vodka shots please Dobby."
"Yes Mister Draco." Dobby answered giggling.
Draco and Hermione both picked a shot glass and raised then as Draco said, "One now, then one after the dance." "Ok" And with that downed the shots as Draco walked over to the dj and requested that Voodoo by Godsmack be played and informed the dj that Hermione will be dancing to the song.
So within thirty seconds the music changed to said song and all eyes were on Hermione as she conjured three small candle style lanterns and started dancing.
Throughout the entire song not a single person was able to take their eyes off her and the way she moved around the room with grace and ease considering there were three flames that she was dancing with. One in each hand the other balanced on her head.
By the end of the song the entire room cheered and applauds Hermione and her fabulous talent. So she returned to her seat beside Draco with a smug look on her face and Draco stars and hands her the second shot glass. They raised the glasses tossed the liquor back.
"You've got your ball if Dumbledore is ok with it." And that was all that was said as Draco got up and walked over to Blaise and starts talking.
Hermione just watches him walk off as Pansy and Ginny rush over. "OH. MY. GOD." The two say in unison.
"That was amazing." Pansy said awe struck. "Yeah I can't believe you didn't set your hair on fire or anything. You had every single male's attention." Ginny stated, "Yeah," Pansy continued. "Especially Draco's, kind of started think he had fallen with his eyes open because he would blink only a couple of times." Both girls started giggle and continued to compliment Hermione on her talent, as she tried to discreetly watch Draco wondering why he just got up and walked away without saying anything else.
"Dude there had better be a good reason you just walked away from her after that performance. Even if there is I might smack you upside the head anyways." Blaise joked with Draco.
"I was thinking about kissing her but she has yet to even except my friendship so I didn't want to cause any issues by kissing her." Draco explained.
"Oh I see. You're starting to get feelings for her are?" Blaise asked winking suggestively
"No this is purely sexual. That dance was a straight turn on."
"Sure it was." Said Blaise humoring Draco.
The rest of the night went off without a hitch. There several games that were played throughout the night. By 3am the Gryffindor group was one of the last few to leave, all very tired and rather drunk.
"Goodnight Blaise." Said Hermione as she turned to Draco "Are you staying down here tonight or are you coming back to the head rooms with me?"
"I'll go ahead up to the rooms. Night Blaise" As Draco waved and walked out of the Slytherin commons.
The Gryffindors and the head students parted ways as they made their way back to the respected commons in complete silence so no one drew attention to either group.
By the time the heads got to their portrait Hermione was dead on her feet that once they entered the common room she mumbled goodnight and went straight to bed as did Draco.
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So how was that? Reviews and ideas always welcome