0 Hours : 25 Minutes : Forty Five Seconds
( Draco Malfoy )
Draco had dawdled in his Dormitory while he dressed, shaking and doused in cold sweat. It was almost to the point where he just went back to bed and forgot the whole thing. But at the thought of the henious nightmares that awaited him if he tried to go to sleep, he had forced himself to go down to the Great Hall. And at the back of his mind, he was knew there was a chance, however slim, that she would say yes. And if he never showed up, never found out the answer, the suspense would simply kill him.
Draco is standing nervously near a pilliar, avoiding people as easily as he always does, even though he looks exceptionally handsome tonight. His hair is combed and neatly parted. He is wearing a dark suit with an emrald tie. And in desperation, he had stolen a bouquet of roses from the nearest Herboloy greenhouse. He holds them close to him and inhales their scent, wondering if girls really did like flowers. He wouldn't know. He had never had a girlfriend.
But if he was lucky, she would be coming down the stairs at any moment. Draco kicks himself for not bringing a watch. He would never ask someone the time, but judging by the large crowd, she is supposed to be here already. His blood runs cold, and a wave of fear rolls over him. Draco feels faint, as if he is about to pass out. How many people had heard his Patronus? He had never considered that. What if they were all in the Gryffindor Common Room at this very moment, laughing and making fun of him? Just as he is about to turn and run, a silver otter, straight from his dreams, appears in front of him. His heart stops as he listens, every particle flooded with joy. She had his message, and was answering back!
Hermione's melodious voice comes to him as if she was standing right in front of him. She says, " Draco, I would simply love to attend the ball with you. I'm so glad you asked me, I feel the same way about you. Well, I'll guess I'll tell you more about it when I see you. Love, Hermione."
For a moment, her word don't register with him, so happy is Draco. Then it all came flooding back to him, her loving voice and what she had said. He presses a shaking hand to his mouth to supress of whoop of delight. She had said yes! His knees feel weak with immeasurable hapiness. Never, not in a thousand years, did he think this would happen. He is so happy that he thinks he will cry. Instead, he waits impatiently for her arrival, tapping his foot on the floor, unable to control the big smile on the face that had once been so unhappy.