Hey guys!

This is the chapter when things start to get interesting.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine.

Can I Keep You?

Chapter 2: Emeralds

I really do hate social events with the upper class. Honestly, what the other classes say about these people being snotty and inconsiderate is one hundred percent true. Sure, when they're around other people like them or in front of the news media they'll be polite and sincere by donating money to a shelter or giving "words of wisdom". Inside, though, they only concern themselves with their own well beings. Clawing their way to success, they'll step on anyone who gets in their way and will happily beat their competitors to the ground. They wear two faces everyday; one for their public act and the other for their own private plots. That is why I don't like those conniving beasts and as I walked through the front door of the Riddle Mansion with my parents, I could feel their eyes following me, seeing me as a bug that needed to be squashed.

Immediately when we entered the Ballroom, Mr. Riddle soared toward us and shook my father's hand. Tom Riddle was tall and slender like my father, but his head was hair less and his skin was white. As a child, I thought Mr. Riddle's pale appearance meant he was ill all the time, so I had always steered clear of him. "John", he bellowed with his black eyes locked on his father, "How are you my friend?"

My father shook his hand in return. "I'm just fine, Tom. Have the Malfoys arrived yet?" He asked.

"Not yet. Will you please excuse me, John? Joanna. Hermione." He nodded in our direction before making his way toward the stage at the end of his elegant ballroom. The room itself was massive with white marble tile and a large chandelier hung from the ceiling. Across the room, on stage was a jazz band wearing black pants and hats and white collared shirts. Mr. Riddle spoke with their conductor before speaking into the microphone. "Welcome, my friends", his sly voice carried through the room, "Now, please put your hands together for Johnny Lighting and The Storm!"

Suddenly, a wave of hip jazz music swirled around me as the band began to play. Their rich tones inspired many couples to move to the dance floor and engage in swing dance. The music itself was fast and catchy and I found myself getting caught up in it. I slightly moved my hips to the rhythm and smiled to myself. Closing my eyes, I imagined those far off places again, only this time with this music in the background. My thoughts were interrupted and my eyes shot open when I heard a soloist emerge through the exciting ensemble. I turned my head to see a young man, I'm guessing not much older than myself, playing the solo on a silver trumpet. His sweet tone soared from the stage and surrounded me. Though my ears were completely engulfed in his sound, my eyes couldn't stay away from his face. His round glasses slid further down his nose as he got more into the music. It could have been because I as still a teenage girl, but one word came to mind when I saw him. Perfect.

I continued to stare at the mystery man as he finished his solo and swept his jet black hair out of his eyes. That's the first time I saw his eyes. They were a beautiful green. Like two glorious emeralds, they shined and caused me to smile wider. The crowd applauded gratefully and the soloist smiled broadly and bowed before rejoining the ensemble. I felt slightly disappointed, wanting to only hear his angelic sound, when my father touched my shoulder. "Hermione, you remember the Malfoys?" He gestured toward the blonde couple beside him.

Luscious Malfoy was not as tall as my father or Mr. Riddle, but still carried himself with the utmost importance. He tossed his walking stick, though I didn't think he needed it much, to his left hand, while he shook mine with his right. "Hello Hermione. You become even more beautiful since the last time I saw you."

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy", I responded politely, wishing I could leave, "How are you, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Just splendid, Hermione." Narcissa Malfoy answered, looking a little bored. Her slender frame, I thought, looked a bit unhealthy.

Just then, another blonde appeared, this one was much younger then the other two. "Ah yes", Mr. Malfoy patted the young man on the back, "Draco you remember the Grangers?"

It had been a few years since I've seen Draco, but I remembered him clearly. As children, our parents would constantly make us dance together at parties and on more than one occasion we had fists fights, most of them I won. Sometimes when we would visit the Malfoy Manor, or vice versa, our parents would try and force us to play together, but that didn't work out very well. He was never really nice to me, calling me a "stupid girl" so I was mean right back. Now, his hair was a lot longer, but I knew he was the same hatful Draco. He looked up at me and his eyes widened, as if he had seen me for the first time. He flashed me a brilliant smile in my direction. Was he trying to flatter me? I didn't matter though. I ignored his attempts and tried to steal a glance at the soloist, my mystery man.

His confidence grew as a slow song began. Draco approached me and asked, "Would you like to dance, Hermione?"

Before I could deny his request, my father bellowed, "Of course she would!"

The blonde grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the dance floor. Immediately he placed his hands on me and held me close. Draco didn't even try to waltz with everyone else. He just stood there, holding me, rocking back and forth. "Um", I said, "Do you mind not holding me so close?"

Draco at once leaned away from me, his face blushed. "Sorry." He whispered.

The uncomfortable silence was unbarring. "So, do you have any plans for college?" I asked, trying to break the ice.

"I plan on attending the University of Chicago for a few years, then transferring to Harvard to study law." He brushed his blonde locks away from his grey eyes.

"Fascinating." I answered.

I had to muster all of my strength in order to hide my sighs of dread. "How long is this song?" I thought. I glanced at Draco and noticed that he wasn't looking at me, but at my body. I suddenly felt violated and wanted the song over even quicker. Looking towards the band, I caught sight of the soloist. He and the other trumpet players weren't playing t the moment and were whispering amongst themselves. I watched the black headed boy laugh with his friends and wished I was up there with him.

The song finally ended and Draco released me. "The band' going to take a short break", Mr. Riddle announced through the microphone, "But don't fret my friends, they'll be back momentarily."

As soon as the host voice disappeared, I asked, "I will you please excuse. I must use the restroom."

Draco nodded and I rushed from the ballroom into a small hallway. I had been to the Riddle Mansion for previous get-together so I knew my way around. I hurried so fast in my attempts to get away from Draco's sight that I didn't notice where I was going until I bumped into someone. Of course, I fell.

"Owe." I mumbled. Embarrassment crept up my body and showed on my face in the form of a blush.

"Are you alright, Miss?" A soft voice wondered.

I looked up to see the soloist, worry striking his angle-like face.

Trying not to seem completely helpless, I answered, "Yes. Yes, I'm fine."

"Here, let me help you." He offered me his hands.

"No, it is quite alright. I am fully capable of…"

Before I could finish my sentence, his velvet hands reached down and he gently lifted me from the ground in one swift motion. I was surprised by how quick his actions were.

"Oh! Well…thank you…very much." I managed to say.

He smiled and I felt my heart beat a little faster. "I'm Harry Potter" He introduced politely.

"I'm Hermione Granger." I responded after regaining my composure.

Acting a bit more casual, he asked, "So why were you in such a rush?"

Without thinking, I replied. "I was running from a boy I hate." I gasped when I realized I had just said that to a complete stranger.

"What's so bad about him?" He continued to question me as he settled himself on the ground.

"Not to be rude, but why am I telling you this? I just met you."

"You tell me." He grinned at me.

I thought for a moment. "I'm not sure if anyone would bother to listen. But, I wouldn't want to trouble you with my problems. You probably wouldn't care anyway."

"If I didn't care, would I have asked you why you were running?"

I couldn't argue with that logic. "No, I guess not." I sat beside him.

I pulled my knees up to my chin and sighed. "So what's so bad about him?" Harry asked.

"Long story short, we short of grew up together and never liked each other, then after seeing me for the first time in years, he actually notices me, but not the way I like it."

"He doesn't look you in the eye?"

"No."

"He's seeing you as a beautiful girl for the first time and is trying to make up for years of hatred in one night"

I tried to hide my blush when he called me beautiful. "I guess that's right."

Harry looked straight at me, his green eyes were fierce. "Don't let him get to you, Hermione. It's what he wants you to do."

I smiled at him, causing him to grin in return. "Thank you Harry", we comfortably sat in silence for a moment before I said, "By the way, your solo was very good."

"Thank you." Harry smiled broadened.

"So how long have you been playing?"

"Well…"

"Hermione?" A voice interrupted him.

I looked up from the floor to see Draco with a confused expression covering his features. "What are you doing on the floor? Who is this boy?"

Harry quietly snarled. I responded to Draco as I rose from the floor, Harry in pursuit. "This gentleman is Harry Potter. He is one of the trumpet players in the band. While rushing to the restroom, I accidentally bumped into him. As I apologized for the mishap, I was curious about his music and we began to discuss it."

"Ah, I see", he didn't sounded amused; "Anyway, your father is looking for you. Let's be off." He held out his arm for me.

Instead of taking it though, I approached the other boy, the one with eyes like the spring leaves. "It has been a pleasure speaking with you, Mr. Potter. I do hope we meet again."

I held out my palm, but instead of shaking it when he took it, he turned over my small hand and kissed the top of it. He looked deep into my eyes and whispered, "As do I, Miss Granger."

With one last heart warming smile, he turned away and walked towards the stage, leaving me feeling slightly empty.

Ta-Da!!

I wrote that in one day. You should be proud.

Anyway, please review. I love reading them.