Chapter 5

I could barely sleep, I just kept tossing and turning. I was too excited for today. It was Christmas Eve and tonight was the Yule Ball. I screamed inwardly but I had the biggest grin plastered on my face.

'Morning Eva. Could you sleep?' Lavender states mirroring the same grin

'No, you?'

'Nope.' Lavender squealed, ' I can't believe it! Tonight, is the Yule Ball!'

'Some of us are still trying to sleep!' Hermione grumbled at us from her bed

Lavender and I shared a knowing look and raced to the girl's bathroom where we could talk normally without waking the other girls.

'Do you think the music will be good? I hope so! It better not be a boring dance!' Lavender states once the door closed

'Well if it is we could always leave and make the common room a party.' I state with a sly grin…. I was seeing too much of Draco. 'You know the Weasley Twins would be down for a bit of mischief.'

'Very true.' Lavender states before smirking at me, 'You've been hanging out with the twins too much.'

'Hahah, you're probably right.' I reply

That morning after breakfast the girls, even including Hermione who usually didn't hang out with us, were held up in our dormitory getting ready. Hours later….

'You look great Hermione!' I remark glancing at her outfit

She wore a beautiful pink frilled dress that was everything you could imagine for the word feminine. She even did her hair so that it was in these beautiful soft ringlets of curls.

'You really think so?' Hermione asked fidgeting with the sides of her dress, 'I do hope Viktor likes it.'

'Of course, He's going to love you!' I begin before smirking at her, 'It'll make Ron even more upset that he didn't ask you.'

'Thank Eva.' Hermione states with a blush

Lavender wore a long silver ball gown that showed off her curly hair. Pavarti and Padama both wore traditional Indian formal wear with pink and orange layers that complimented their skin tone perfectly. Ginny Weasley was also attending and wore a traditional ball gown of pastel pink and green.

I wasn't sure for the longest time what I should wear. The weeks before break I was in a habit of spending every Thursday and Sunday held up in my corner in the library with a just as guilty member, Draco Malfoy. We were on secret friendly terms and if it wasn't for his problem of keeping up his bad boy appearances we would probably would get along just fine.

I was super excited to have Dean as my date though. We got along famously well and even shared some light flirting. For the dance, I picked this golden floor length gown that had a sweet heart neck line. The bodice was a corset that was covered in gold beads that I enchanted to shimmer every time I moved. A dark red choker and rose earing studs, with my side swept hair that curled at the ends.

'You look beautiful!' Lavender shrieked pulling me into a hug.

'Thanks, you look great as well!' I reply as my cheeks went slightly pink

'Come on, let's go down. The boys are already down there waiting.' Padama urged

Padama and Pavarti went down first, Lavender and I next. We wanted Hermione to shine out against everyone by walking down the staircases on her own. She really was beautiful no matter if people thought she was a book worm.

'Wow…. You look great Eva!' Dean stammered taking his time looking me over

I smirked and twirled a bit so he could get the whole picture. I couldn't lie I was a bit nervous and god he looked great! He had a simple dark grey tux with a golden flower and tie to match my outfit.

'Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself.' I remark smiling at him watching as his cheeks began match my own in response to each other's flattery.

'I'm glad I got to ask you first.' Dean whispers into my ear when he took my arm to lead us into the main hall, 'A lot of people were not happy.'

'I'm glad you ask me also.' I state with a smile

It was true that a few others had asked me to go with them but most of them I never even met before and were from different houses. I would much rather go with someone I not only liked but talked to regularly. The place looked like Wonderland, silver and white decorations sparkled the entire place up.

Dean and I mingled with other houses all complimenting each other's outfits and our excitement for the evening to start. The Tri-Wizard contestants were going to be starting the night with the first dance so we were all bunched together whispering while we waiting for them to come through the closed doors. Glancing around, admiring all the work that went into decorating I spotted a familiar face with blond hair.

Oh my! Looking him over, I was impressed. Draco sure knows how to dress the part. His hair was slicked back and a black pant suit that flattered his shape. We locked eyes for a second and he sent a smirk my way just as our attention shifted to the doors opening.

I smiled happily watching as they walked out with their dates and the music began once they hit the dance floor. It was a traditional dance, called the waltz and we all watched, thanking the gods we didn't have to formally dance in front of the whole school. Soon, the teachers went out into the dance floor to open it to anyone who wanted to dance to the song.

'Shall we?' I heard a whisper in my ear

Glancing up I shivered at how close Dean was to me, 'Sure.' I whispered back, quite affected by his presence

He must have heard me because before I knew it he had grabbed my hand and twirled me out into the dance floor with everyone. Grabbing my waist and my other hand we smiled nervously at each other; trying to remember everything we learned from class about the waltz.

Oh god, don't look down! Don't look at your feet! I kept whispering into my head while I continued to smile at him. We were doing rather well and I had yet to step on his toes. When the song slowly came to an end we were then announced to take our seats for dinner.

'That was great!' I state to Dean as he led me to our seats with the rest of the Gryffindor's

'Yeah! I can't wait for the rest of the dinner to be done and the music to play!' Dean states with a smile

By the end of dinner everyone realized that Harry and Ron…. But more Ron, was upset when he realized that Hermione's date was none other than Viktor Krum. I shared a knowing look to Lavender on my left and we chuckled over shared thoughts.

'What's funny?' Dean asks confused looking at the two of us.

'Nothing, just girl stuff.' Lavender remark sending both of us to begin laughing once more.

'Ladies and Gentleman. You're attention please.' Professor Flitwick began as he stood on the stage, 'For the first time, playing live here at Hogwarts. Please welcome, the band that needs no introduction-' He was soon over taken by the screams that echoed the hall

It was the Weird Sisters! I was dragged by Lavender, which meant our dates got dragged along with us. We made it to the dance floor just when the smoke cleared and they began to sing. It was this big gigantic circle where everyone forgot about class difference and we all danced together.

What felt like hours, I finally escaped the dancing get something to drink. Dean was still out there dancing and I chuckled to myself, I couldn't believe at how much fun this was. Between all the upbeat songs and the slow songs, he was right there. I couldn't believe my luck that he was into this. Harry and Ron never got up to dance once and were sitting at the table by themselves when I walked past.

'Done already.'

I smirked when I recognized the voice, turning I was graced with a rather disheveled Draco. His tie was half off and his hair was wild and all over the place.

'Nope, just needed to get air. You?' I ask following him off to the side away from people

'The same.' Draco states with a smirk, 'Care to join me outside or will your date hex me?'

'I can and I could say the same thing to you. Pansy won't be happy if she sees you with me.' I remark but following him none the less

'I really don't care what she thinks.' Draco remarked before opening the door

We stood out in the courtyard, where fire pits were magically placed all around to keep people somewhat warm in the winter air. Moving past couples making out we found a corner to lean on the wall by a fire.

'Isn't Pansy your date though?' I finally ask placing my hands near the fire to warm up

'She is, but nothing more than that.' Draco states

He was leaning up against the brick wall, watching me intently. I squirmed a bit underneath his gaze and the awkward silence that followed. I was racking my brain for something to talk about when his voice broke the silence.

'You looked great tonight Edwards. The dress is very flattering.'

'Thank you.' I state smiling up at him. 'You clean up well to Draco.'

'Of course, I clean up well, I am a Malfoy.' He remarks dryly

I roll my eyes at his comment. He was always doing that was I tried to be nice. I was secretly glad he finally did come to talk to me. I wasn't sure why but it didn't feel right going to the dance and not even acknowledging each other. I smiled when I heard a slow song came on and thought that I should probably head back in to find Dean.

'Well-'

'Can I have this one dance with you?' Draco interrupted, stopping all thoughts of me finding Dean

'Sure.' I whisper

He straightened up to his six-foot frame and gently placed his hands on my waist, pulling me close to him. Even with my heels on, I was still face to face with his chest. Wrapping my arms about his neck, I breathed in his cologne as he tightened the grip and we began a slow dance going in a circle next to the fire…. Away from prying eyes.

We didn't speak… too absorbed in the moment. Pressed flush against him, I could hear his heart beat and his steady breathing. It just felt…. Familiar somehow. Heat was spreading through me at the point where his hands held my waist and continued as he slowly brought his hand around to clasp my back. God! I was trying my best but I could feel my cheeks flush from the emotions that arose.

When the song slowly ended, I slid my hands down his arm, relishing the feel of his muscles underneath the fabric. Just before we pulled apart he gripped my waist stopping me. Glancing up at him confused I was dumbstruck the moment our eyes collided.

Before I even knew what was happening he leaned forwarded and our lips collided in my first kiss. A sweet but innocent kiss, we pulled apart and I still couldn't seem to speak.

'I've been wanting to do that ever since I saw you walk down that staircase in that bloody dress.' Draco remarked, finally coming back to reality and letting go of my waist, 'I hope you enjoy the rest of the dance Edwards.'

With one last glance at me and a wink he walked away leaving me permanently speechless.

What the hell? Was that a dream? I leaned against wall to cool down the heat the was coursing through my body.

'There you are!' a voice called out

'Huh?' I remark looking up to see a smiling Dean

'I've been looking for you since the slow song came on.' Dean remarks stopping in front of me, 'What are you doing out here anyway?'

'Oh, sorry. I was a bit hot and wanted to get some fresh air.' I state shaking away my thoughts and smiling up at him

'Do you want to go back in?' Dean states looking concerned

'Yes. Let go back in.' I state getting off the wall and brushing my dress off before looking back up at him. God, he was attractive! 'I believe I owe you a dance.'

He smirked and grabbed my hand, leading back into the main hall. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Draco sprawled out on a chair with an annoyed look on his face as Pansy was lecturing him about something. I squeezed Dean's hand and smiled when he looked down with a happy smile on his face.

When the night was over, barley anyone was there and smiled when I saw Neville still dancing with Ginny. Following Dean, we slowly made our way back to the Fat Lady's Portrait signaling the end of the dance for us. We talked casually with no hurry to get there but when we neared the portrait he stopped me before glancing about.

'What is it?' I asked confused

'I wanted another moment with you in private before we headed into the common room.' Dean began with a grin, 'I had a lot of fun tonight.'

'Good, so did I.'

'Good. I hoped that you would.' Dean remarks before glancing at me hesitantly, 'Well I wanted to say goodnight'

With that he quickly placed a small kiss on my lips before looking at me nervously, thinking I might get mad at him for daring such a thing.

Smiling, 'Good night to you as well.'

He smiled, more confident now that he knew I was perfectly okay with his kiss; and with that he led me back into the Common Room. Some of the older kids, including the Twins were still up and partying and when they saw us they hooted and cat called, making both of us flush in embarrassment before we quickly said good night again and headed our separate ways to the dorm.

Most of the girls were asleep and no one was ready to talk about their night. Slipping out of my dress and changing into boy shorts and a tee-shirt I hung the dress and magically undid my hair and makeup and burrowed into the covers.