After my detention I decided it best to keep a low profile, and amazingly I managed to stay out of trouble.
It had been nearly four weeks and not one teacher had told me off in any way shape or form, even Snape couldn't pick fault with my behavior and believe me he did try. Even my friends stared to worry and believe there was something seriously wrong with me!
I was a changed woman; well not quite, just simply taking a wee break that was all.
Finally Halloween was upon us and so was the night of the dance, really I couldn't wait!!!
There was only one good thing about it and that was I had a date. No longer would I be the sad girl who went alone and sat in the corner, no, I was going with George.
He asked me weeks ago, well, not exactly asked, more like told anyone who was interested that he was taking me. I finally got to know about it some two days later from Sadie Lovett who accused me of stealing her date, I'd had to put up with her snide little comments and evil looks ever since!
Hermione had finally dropped enough hints in Ron's direction that he eventually plucked up enough courage and asked her to the dance, and just as I thought Harry would be escorting a rather excited Ginny, perfect.
There was also another bright side to going to the dance and that was a little bet that Fred, George and I had made. I was really looking forward to it, but whether I could pull it off or not was another matter altogether.
The girls had talked about nothing else for days now.
"Oh the dance this and the dance that. My dress this and my dress that." Even Hermione was starting to get on my nerves.
What I did find quite amusing though was the amount of girls that got themselves in detention from over excitement; it brought a huge smile to my face knowing that for a change it wasn't me.
After lessons everyone headed to the Great Hall for dinner. Never in my life had I seen my fellow female housemates eat so quickly, before all scuttling off in packs taking about hair, makeup and how fantastic their dresses were.
I rolled my eyes many times that day, not quite understanding the female mentality, why in the name of Merlin they needed over four hours to get ready was beyond me. I think maybe I'd hung around with boys for far too long.
By the time I'd finished my food the Great Hall was practically void of girls. I told Harry and Ron who were in deep conversation that I would see them later.
Ron looked puzzled "You're still here?"
"No Ron, I actually left about half hour ago, what you see before you is a simple figment of your imagination."
"Ha ha very funny. What I meant was, you should be up in your dorm with the rest of the girls taking hours to get ready."
"I know what you meant Ron" I chuckled "See you later."
I made my way out of the Great Hall and headed for the vast amount of steps that eventually lead up to the seventh floor and the common room.
I couldn't have been more than six steps up when my name was called; I stopped and peered over the banister; just as I had thought, there stood Malfoy with Zabini both smirking at me.
"Rumour has it De'lore that you are to carry out a few little bets tonight, is that correct?"
How the bloody hell did he find out?
"And that's your business how exactly?"
He sniggered "If what I've heard is correct you have to dance with Snape don't you?"
I said nothing.
"You also have to dance with Dumbledore and Flitwick."
"Well Malfoy, for someone who can't stand me you sure do seem to know a hell of a lot about me."
"What can I say, you're fascinating."
"Of course I am Malfoy of course I am. Now what is it you want because I am rather busy you know."
"Ok I'll make it quick. Dumbledore and Flitwick, you'll have no problem dancing with them but Snape on the other hand, face it De'lore you don't stand a chance."
"Then that's my problem. Is that it Malfoy? Can I go now or do you still insist on boring me to death with your pointless questioning?"
"What do you have to do if you don't manage to pull it off?"
"And why would I tell you?"
"We are merely curious that's all." Zabini joined in the conversation.
"Well Zabini that is for me to know and hopefully for no one ever to find out."
"You know if by some miracle" Malfoy continued "Snape actually dances with you, I'll do you a favour and save you a dance."
I laughed "Gee thanks Malfoy, that's really good of you but what makes you think I'll dance with you?"
"Well as it just so happens I have also heard that to win your bet you need to dance with a Slytherin as well. Correct again?"
"What if you are, it doesn't mean I'd choose you." I said smiling in Zabini's direction "Besides I thought you said you had standards Malfoy."
"Oh I do De'lore, but I'm willing to let them drop just for tonight."
"Go to hell Malfoy. Do you really think out of everyone going tonight I'm really gonna dance with you? I'd rather lose the bet thanks very much."
"Suit yourself. You do realize De'lore, one word from me and you'll be lucky to get Longbottom dancing with you." he smirked with glee "See you later."
I stood on the stairs watching as they walked toward the dungeons and out of sight. What was it with Malfoy just lately? All the way through school we barley had any contact with one another other than the usual fights and insult throwing. But ever since that night in detention he would hardly leave me alone.
He would make a point of always smirking at me whenever we saw one another. Always coming over to me when I was alone, staring at me in class and any other opportunity he got. It seemed no matter where I was just lately, Malfoy was never too far away.
But one thing I would say for him, he hadn't mentioned what we spoke about in detention and for that I was secretly grateful. He was however starting to freak me out a little and I knew he was definitely up to something, I just wasn't sure what that was yet.
I sighed, not really in the mood to try and work out the complex ways of Malfoy. Anyway I had more important things on my mind at present like how exactly I was going to get Snape to dance with me. I had set myself challenge alright, not an impossible one, but very nearly. Why I got myself into these things I would never know.
XXXXXX
It was 8:45 and I was finally ready.
If I had known for one second what Hermione and Ginny had in store for me, I would never have bothered going to the common room so early. My plans of lounging around for a few hours were totally misconstrued. No sooner had I sat down when Hermione and Ginny pounced on me like two deranged cats.
"Oh no you don't Anna." Ginny said taking a firm grip of my upper arm and practically dragged me up to the girls dorm kicking and screaming.
"What are you doing? Have you two finally lost the plot...help somebody, I'm being kidnapped by my so called best friends."
They pushed me down onto the bed.
"Stay." Ordered Hermione.
"Hay guys come on, you're starting to get scary now. What's this all about anyway?"
"What were you planning on doing with yourself tonight Anna?"
"Um well I thought that was pretty obvious, the dance remember, the one which I'm going to, with your brother in fact, George."
Ginny rolled her eyes "Hair and make up Anna, what are you doing with your hair and make up?"
My eyes moved from Ginny to Hermione several times, not sure of what to say. I must have had a stupid or rather vacent expression stuck on my face because Hermione chuckled quietly to herself while Ginny shook her head and sighed heavily.
"...Well?" She demanded.
"Well what?"
"Anna Elisabeth De'lore, you are impossible sometimes you know that? Hair and make up Anna, what are you doing with it?"
"Um, I-I don't know, the usual I guess, hair tied back and a little mascara."
"Anna your mother went out and brought you an absolutely beautiful dress, are you not even going to make a little bit of effort with yourself?" Said Hermione.
"Um, I-I um...well the thing is...no basically."
"Look Anna, there is no way Hermione and I are letting you leave this room without you looking as perfect as that dress, understood."
"But..."
"Understood?"
"But I re..."
"Understood?"
"S'pose."
"Good then that's final" Ginny folded her arms in triumph.
"Hermione will do your hair and I will do your make up. Now go shower."
Afraid to protest for fear of my safety I did as I was told.
I wasn't allowed to see myself in the mirror until I was all done, so when Hermione finally turned the mirror the correct way and I caught the first glimpse of myself I couldn't believe it was me reflecting back. I stood in total shock.
"So, what do you think?" Hermione asked excited.
I was motionless and for probably the first time ever, speechless "I-I, um...um...I"
"I don't believe it Hermione, for the first time ever Anna is at a loss for words."
I stepped a little closer to the mirror and tilted my head a fraction to the side as if it made my reflection different somehow. Shocked was the only word to describe what I was feeling at that precise moment in time. My normally tied back hair now cascaded down my back and shoulders with delicate loose curls, two fancy clips holding the sides perfectly in place.
It took Ginny what seemed like forever to do my makeup and I was half expecting my face to be plastered in the stuff but it wasn't, instead my skin looked flawless, my eyes shapely and bright, my cheeks healthy and glowing and my lips tinted slightly burgundy with a glossy shine. Combined with the crimson satin dress that my mother picked out for me I actually looked normal for a change, better than normal in fact, I looked like a lady.
I squinted hard at my reflection, not quite believing that Ginny and Hermione could perform miracles.
"Don't do that" Ginny cussed with a light tap on my upper arm.
"What? What? What did I do?"
"Squinting like that, you'll ruin your makeup. Now Anna, the best thing for you to do is to sit there," she pointed to her bed "don't move, don't mess, and don't, I repeat, don't touch anything. Hermione and I have finally got you looking perfect, do not spoil it by messing."
So that is where I stayed, perched on the edge of Ginny's bed. I did as I was told, I didn't move, I didn't mess and I didn't touch a thing, well except for a small tube that contained some sort of cream and really, the stain on my dress was barley noticeable once I'd rubbed at it vigorously.
So now we were all ready, Hermione and Ginny both looked absolutely fabulous, Ginny in black with her hair up graciously, Hermione in blue who had actually managed to tame her wild curls; her hair now perfectly straight.
"Ready?" Ginny asked a rather nervous little me.
"Humm."
"Good ok, right Anna, you'll wait at the top of the stairs out of sight, Hermione and I will go down before you and when we are ready we'll call you ok?"
"What, you mean on my own...going down by myself? C-can't I just go down with you two?"
"NO" they both said sharply.
"Ginny and I want to see the boys faces when they see you, they wont believe its you."
"And George is going to die when he see's you Anna, I just know it."
I frowned "Well I hope not he's my date. I mean who else will take me if he doesn't? I can just imagine Sadie Lovett's face if I turn up dateless, she'll either have a stupid smug look on her face or she'll blame me entirely for killing him, she so clearly fancies him I mean she's made that clear and it really wouldn't surprise me if sh..."
"Enough with the rambling Anna" Hermione cut me off and rolled her eyes "Right come on it's time to go show you off."
I stood nervously at the top of the stairs out of sight; my heart beat so fast I thought it might explode if I wasn't careful. I had heard the fuss that was made over Ginny and Hermione and now completely dreaded walking down those stairs. I twiddled my thumbs and tapped my foot repeatedly on the floor while feeling sick the whole time. I was so out of my comfort zone and boy did I know it.
"So where's Anna?" I heard George ask.
"Oh tough luck mate, looks like the girl saw sense and stood you up." Chuckled Ron.
"Shut up Ron" snapped Ginny "Anna will be down in a second. George why don't you call her?"
"Anna," he shouted "Oi Anna, get ya cute little butt down here now...owww what was that for?"
I couldn't help giggle, I was guessing Ginny or Hermione had just thumped him.
Calming myself I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out "Ok, here goes, you can do it Anna. It's simple, just one foot in front of the other...ok and we're off" before I had time to think about it I had stepped into view and was concentrating hard on each slow step I took.
I wasn't taking the slightest bit of notice to my friends reactions, I was far too interested in making sure I didn't fall arse over tit to even care about what they thought. I did hear a "Bloody hell" come from Ron though, and when I finally reached the last step I looked at George with a nervous smile, who looked back at me with a look that said he was more than happy.
"Shall we?" He asked holding out his arm then leaned over and whispered to me "I think I shall have the best looking date tonight, you look amazing Anna."
"Thanks." I whispered back, turning ten different shades of red.
"So George come on," called Ginny in an annoyed tone "aren't you going to mention how wonderful Anna looks tonight?"
He looked at me and winked before turning his attention to his sister and shrugged "Yeah, she'll do I suppose."
Now lets just say if looks could kill, George Weasley would no longer be alive and kicking. The glare Ginny gave him even sent shivers down my spine!
I was relieved when we finally left the common room and made our way to the Great Hall. I watched as Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione walked through the entrance, but when it was our turn I froze solid.
"What's wrong Anna?" asked George.
"I'm as nervous as hell that's what. All this just itsn't me George. I don't do dresses and makeup and fancy hair...what, what if they all laugh at me, what if they think I look ridiculous, I mean I-I feel ridiculous...oh George I can't go in there, really I can't."
His kind face beamed at me "Ok first off, you don't look ridiculous Anna, you look absolutely fantastic and no one is going to laugh at you I mean how could they. Drool over you perhaps but laugh, no. Secondly, you know how much you mean to me don't you? You're one of my best friends and I think you are gorgeous both inside and out, just because you can't see it Anna doesn't mean others don't. You don't need you're hair all done or makeup on, people notice you for who you are and tonight will only emphasise exactly how stunning and beautiful Anna De'lore really is. So you have no need to worry Anna trust me, besides you've got yours truly here to hex anyone who says other wise."
I felt my eyes well up at George's words, but I willed myself not to cry, Ginny would have a fit if my mascara ran. Instead I smiled fondly and stood on my tiptoes to give him a huge hug.
"Thanks." I whispered in his ear.
"Your welcome. Anyway, I needed to get you in there, you have a few dares to lose remember?"
I pulled away with a chuckle "Oh you wish George Weasley. I am going to pull them off you know. Even Snape and even if it kills me, you just watch if I don't."
"Then what are we waiting for, shall we?"
XXXXXX
Draco waited impatiently in the Slytherin common room for Pansy to appear. He had been kept waiting for fifteen minutes and waiting was something he didn't take too kindly to. She best look good that was all he could say!
Finally she appeared and despite his annoyance at her tardiness he had to admit she looked quite good, a little room for improvement here and there but all in all she looked most expectable.
She wore a long black dress that clung to her body perfectly, her hair half up and held in place with diamond studded clips with earrings and necklace to match. She looked good enough that he wouldn't feel embarrassed or shown up in anyway, he even overlooked the fact that he didn't really want to go with Pansy in the first place. Though once out of the common room he was quickly brought back to his senses.
They walked slowly through the dungeons and Draco was getting more and more annoyed. She had not shut up, on and on and on, yap, yap, yap, about how perfect her dress was and how she couldn't decide what to do with her hair, she'd tried it this way and that way, up then down, oh and not forgetting the makeup...bla, bla, bla, bla.
"Really Pansy you look fine." He snapped with a stiff smile "Lovely in fact, so please, lets not talk about all that girly stuff if you don't mind."
She giggled shyly "Of course Draco, sorry, so what would you like to talk about then?"
"I'll tell you what Pansy, why don't we just savour the peace and quiet for a bit, while we can."
"Oh yeah you're right Draco, the music will be drastically loud, best make the most of the quiet like you said."
Draco mentally rolled his eyes. Merlin this was going to be a long night. She may not be bad to look at but by goodness did she have the personality and charisma of a half dead hippogriff! Unlike De'l...um, unlike someone he knew...from Gryffindor...someone who seemed to be on his mind alot these days...ok, so it was De'lore, so what, it wasn't a crime. Well yes, yes it was really, in the Malfoy household anyway.
Draco had always hated Potter and co with a passion, De'lore was no exception, in fact she was the one who got under his skin the most, but ever since that first detention he found her somewhat interesting but as to why he had no clue. She was annoying, mouthy, insolent, rude, never shut up, always in trouble and did he mention annoying!
But she had a sense of humour that most girls he knew lacked, her personality was huge and had a constant need for fun and excitement. The stupid things she did made him laugh, even some of her witty little comments and insults amused him and this only seemed to intrigue him more.
He had not and would not breath a word of this to another living person but there was something about her he couldn't seem to shift out of his mind, and somehow every other girl by comparison just seemed so boring, Pansy Parkinson being a prime example.
Oh how De'lore was going to pay for worming her way into his head and making his life so complicated. If he had to constantly think of her then she'd simply have to do the same and think of him. Ha, lets see how she liked it after all fairs fair.
He smirked arrogantly to himself as they finally exited the dungeons and made there way towards the Great Hall entrance.
Pansy had resumed to her constant chatter about all things unimportant, while Draco had stopped listening and drowned her out ages ago, but even more so now because something else had grabbed his attention.
Standing by the Great Hall doors was one of the Weasley twins with his date, her arms wrapped firmly around him.
No it couldn't be Draco thought to himself. No, there was no way that it could be. But as the petite brunette stepped back Draco got a quick look at her face and to his total and utter amazement he couldn't believe it actually was, it was De'lore.
Draco stood there for a moment in shock, never had he seen her look like that before, and if he was being honest never did he think she could ever look that like. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he couldn't deny that tonight Anna De'lore looked stunning.
XXXXXX
Oooooh I wonder what will happen!!!??