I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. I glanced at the clock I had brought with me (Hogwarts doesn't have one) and the time read 9:00. The task started at…1:00.

I groaned, ready to puke. I was so nervous that I couldn't stand it. I decided to calm my nerves by spending time choosing an outfit.

I bent over my mahogany trunk at the end of the four-post bed, and opened it. I rummaged through, and then realized that they had given us something to wear. Well, halfway, at least.

On my bed was a black and red sweatshirt that was form fitting, black shorts with 'Griffindor' written across the butt in red letters. The back of my sweatshirt read 'Collins' in dark red, big print.

I grinned, loving it. At least some of Hogwarts had taste, I thought, reading the label of the person who approved it 'Dumbledore'. Pulling a plain black t-shirt out of my trunk, I went to take a shower.

Once I had gotten out, and fogged up the whole dormitory, I slipped into the clothes, admiring myself in the mirror.

Well….at least I'm gonna look good when I die today.

I walked to the Great Hall, where everyone was now eating breakfast. My friends were still ignoring me (Which made me pissed because I didn't do anything) so I sat at the very end of the table by myself, nibbling on a burnt piece of toast.

Suddenly Harry sat down next to me. "Hey."

"You're talking to me?" I asked sarcastically, glancing up at his wild black head of hair.

He smiled. "I understand what it's like. Most people love to ignore me around here. Even Ron now, even when I didn't do anything wrong. All because I'm the 'Boy Who Lived'. Like I wanted to be that. I'd rather be the 'Boy Who Could Never Find His Pants'."

I began hysterically laughing, dropping my burnt toast on the ground.

"So, what are you gonna do for the dragon?" I asked, grinning.

I noticed that he had on a long sleeved red and black shirt, the sleeves black, with Potter written across the back, the same as my sweatshirt. "Well…I don't know yet." He looked embarrassed, "I was just going to…wing it. I have an idea with my broomstick. You can use that, if you want. It's no big deal."

"Thanks, Harry. A lot. I was going to wing it too. I don't know as many spells as you do, since I just came here last year and-"

"Oh, it's okay. I'm not going for anything spectacular. I don't need it at the moment." He grimaced, "Have you seen Rita Skeeter? The reporter? She's always following me around, making up lies. You should watch out."

I snorted. "Yeah. She's the one in the green alligator boots, the green feather dress and has all that fake blond hair?"

"Yup. I hate her. Almost as much as Snape. And she said I was twelve! I mean, at least get my age right!" he threw his arms dramatically in the air.

I giggled. " If she doesn't get my name right I'm punching her in the nose."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~At the stadium~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The contestants were led into a big triangular beige tent. A big pole ran the length from the top to the bottom, and there were a few different colored couches here and there. Dumbledore walked in through the tent, followed by the famous Rita Skeeter and her photographer, who was taking pictures a million miles and hour, blinding us all.

"Hey, get out." Cedric demanded, pointing towards the exit, "This tent is for champions only."

I rolled my eyes as Marie drooled all over him. And she said that I like too many guys. I stayed by Harry the whole time, even though I didn't really know him too well. He just made me feel more comfortable, and he was the only person actually talking to me.

"Now, gather around in a circle, hurry, hurry." Dumbledore wheezed as Rita Skeeter stormed off, looking peeved. Now, reach your hand in here."

He held out a dark brown sac. Fleur was the first one to reach in, and she yelped as she pulled out a life sized replica of a dragon. Cedric, Marie and Harry went (Harry got the Hungarian Horntail, the fiercest dragon. Poor Harry). I slowly reached in, my hands had black gloves on, fingerless though.

I pulled back quickly as something burnt my finger. I pulled out a small greenish looking dragon, which was spitting fire in all directions.

"Now, who would like to go first? Cedric Diggory!" Dumbledore announced, and I heard screams, something that was like a cannon, and a band.

I looked at Cedric, who was pale and sweating. "Good luck." I mouthed to him.

He nodded, inhaled, and walked out. Soon it was my turn to go, after Cedric, Krum and Fleur had gone.

Do not puke. Do not puke.

I shook my hands, glanced over my shoulder at Harry, who gave me a weak, scared smile, and walked out of the tent. I was met with rocks, boulders and dirt everywhere. There was a large stand full of students directly in front of me. The Gryffindors were cheering, while the Slytherins were jeering, "Down with Gryffindor!"

I looked for Draco in the stands, and he was holding up a blood red sign that read "Down with scarhead". It was, obviously, meant for Harry Potter.

"Retrieve to golden egg!"

Golden egg? I haven't even seen the damn dragon ye-

Suddenly I was flown sideways, the wind knocked out of me. I flew through the air and landed very hard on a humongous boulder. I groaned, stood up and tried to steady myself. The crowd, by this point, was going insane.

You'd think they'd want me dead…

I looked at what had hit me, and I saw. Green scales glinted in the sunlight, and it was MASSIVE. It was by far more than twenty feet tall, and its beady black, snakelike eyes were trained on me.

Shit. Oh shit. Shit.

Under his black belly, I saw the golden egg that I had to retrieve. But above that was a massive, 5000 pound dragon; a mother. Mothers don't want anyone stealing their baby, and this mamma wasn't about to let it go.

Suddenly she roared, sending fire about 1000 degrees my way. I ducked under a rock, but managed to burn the bottom of my shorts.

My whole body was shaking with fear, but I knew I had to do something. All of the sudden I ran as fast as I could, and jumped on its back. The thing went insane, roaring, spraying fire everywhere, and thrashing its tail trying to kill me.

It succeeded in tossing me into the stands like I was just a rag doll. I fell on some random Ravenclaws, who were screaming like banshees.

"Shut up!" I screamed at them, standing up again, my leg searing with pain.

I took out my wand, yelling "Accio Firebolt!"

Soon my broom, same as Harry's, came flying full speed towards me. I jumped on it, soaring through the air, above the dragon's head. I dived suddenly down towards the ground, firing "Stupefy" at its belly, where I knew it was the weakest.

I circled the creature about seven times, palms sweating against the leather gloves, until I succeeded in stunning it a little. In an instant I swerved over to the egg, grabbed it in my hand, and fell off my broom, landing in the mud. The wind was knocked out of me, and I went into a coughing fit, but managed to hold the golden egg up proudly.

I can't believe I lived through that.

The dragon keepers ran over to the dragon, wrapping chains around its neck. She fought like hell, but they were tougher. Mad-eye Moody and Madame Pomfrey hurried across the arena towards me, grabbed each of my arms, and helped me up. I was limping badly as I clutched the egg with my right hand and made it over to the medicine tent.

I noticed that Cedric, Fleur and Krum were each lying on their own bed, bandages wrapped around different body parts.

"Did you get burned too?" Cedric grunted, holding his left arm.

I nodded, too tired and beat up to speak. I was just glad that it was finally over with. Madame Pomfrey dabbed some stuff that stung on my thigh where I had gotten burnt, then wrapped my left leg up in bandages. She made me lay on a small bed, which was covered in starch white sheets, and smelled like campfire smoke.

I was soon drifting in a peaceful sleep, the first task already over.

"AHHHH!!! Holy CRAP!"

I woke up suddenly to a shrill voice screaming in pain.

Marie.

She looked annoyed, holding her right arm.

I turned over on my side so I was staring at the flimsy wall of the tent, which was midnight blue.

I threw a pillow at her. It hit her face, and that made her even more pissed.

I stared at her arm, which held a burn the size of a soup can. I began laughing so hard that tears were spilling from my eyes, and I had to turn over again, holding my stomach.

"We ALL had injuries." Krum grunted, annoyance in his voice, "Stop complaining. You didn't even get hurt."

She didn't really say anything, though. I think Krum's just mad because he lost.

"Whatever Krum Cake." She sighed.

She sat down on the bed parallel to my head.

I wonder how Harry's doing…

A while later Harry came back in, half conscious. He had black tar and soot covering his face, matching his hair.

"Oh my joshicus neuicus bleuicus upicus are you okay?!" Marie and I yelled in unison.

I sat up to fast I hit my head on air.

"That dragon was a big pile of unicorn turds." Harry grumbled, half consciously rubbing his cheek.

I swallowed a laugh, glancing over at Madame Pomfrey, who was fretting and running around the room gathering various ingredients and stuff for Harry's wounds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Three days later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"As you all are aware the Yule Ball is coming up. This is traditionally…a dance. *here people started groaning and whispering* So, Gryffindor must practice for the dance."

"So…we're not going to practice with Ravenclaw?" A sad looking black girl asked.

Professor McGonagall shook her head, with a hint of a smirk on her face.

Ew!

I looked around the room, looking for anyone decent to practice with. Seamus was still mad, what for I don't know, and Harry had a broken arm, his left arm in a sling.

All the girls were sitting on one side of the big, old room (which no one ever uses) and boys on the other. I found myself sitting, for some reason, in between Marie and Sam.

Professor McGonagall glanced at Filch, who was hunching over an old record player. It's like he wanted to watch us dance with one another. EWEWEW.

He smiled, revealing his yellow, rank teeth, and placed the needle over the record. Some old fashioned music began playing, and Professor McGonagall began speaking again.

"Inside every guy is a lion, waiting to prance! And inside every girl is a swan, ready to break free!"

The boys snickered, and I could hear Ron clearly from across the room. "I think something's ready to break free, but it's definitely not a swan."

Harry, Fred, George, and Seamus began snickering, Seamus with his head in his hands.

"! Come and show them all how to dance."

The color drained from Ron's face, and he regretfully stood up. In the background, Harry, Fred, George and Seamus were dying laughing hysterically.

I stared, my eyes watering I was trying so hard not to laugh, as Ron stood in front of her.

"Now put your hands on my waist."

"What?!" he sounded disgusted.

"My WAIST Mr. Weasley."

By the time Ron and Professor McGonagall began dancing, tears were pouring down my face and I was shaking uncontrollably.

"I hope you're not jealous." Marie snorted next to me.

I began laughing even harder, placing my head in my hands. She began laughing also, until Professor McGonagall announced that we had to find a partner.

My stomach flipped, and I stood up regrettably. The guys were moaning, sliding farther into their chairs.

I stood there like an idiot as Marie and Fred began dancing, and others around me began pairing up.

"Oh, Joshua…" I mumbled, crossing my arms.

I spotted Seamus, and actually considered asking him, until I saw him dancing with Lavender Brown.

I just stood there, not really believing that he would dance with her. I always heard him complaining to Dean on Wednesdays that he disliked her, her hair and her personality.

I felt left out, standing there, until some random guy that I didn't know walked up to me, and asked me to danced. Somewhat relieved, but a bit disgusted at the sight of his face, began dancing with him.

It was really awkward because I didn't know who he was, and he kept asking me if I have a boyfriend. Avoiding answering that question, I asked him why he dyed his hair pink and black.

"Because" he had a lisp, "Girls dig it."

I snorted. "Um okay then."

"Are you laughing at my lisp?!" he growled, standing still, removing his hands from my waist.

"Uh, no. I ju-"

"Because that's not very nice." He gave me the evil eye.

"Look, kid, just because I laughed doesn't mean I'm laughing at your l-"

"Just-Just stop now. You're making it more painful than it has to be." He sniffed overdramatically like we were some sort of a couple that was now breaking up.

"We're not breaking up!" I yelled, throwing my hands in the air, "And I wasn't laughing at you!!!"

He sniffed and walked away, going for another girl that was at least the same height as him; five feet.

I rolled my eyes, not believing this kid.

I asked Professor McGonagall if I could go to the bathroom, just to get out of there. She gave me a puzzled expression, but let me go anyway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A few days later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since the practice dancing, Marie and I made up, and she convinced Seamus to talk to me again. I was overjoyed when he asked me to play chess with him, and I was grinning to whole time, even though I lost to him.

After losing, he said he had to go study for his Charms test, and I went upstairs to change. I got on skinny dark purple jeans and black and purple flats, with a black and gray long-sleeved shirt.

I hated wearing the uniforms every day.

I walked into the Great Hall, sat down, and began drawing. I drew random things, more like doodling, but it passed the time.

"Hey, Collins."

I turned around and saw Malfoy staring down at me, his white-blonde hair falling in his piercing gray eyes.

"Yeah?" I asked suspiciously.

He sat down next to me, his elbow on the edge of the table. "No need to be suspicious. I was just going to ask you a question."

He was wearing a baggy black sweatshirt and dark jeans.

I glared at him. "What? Want me to put more crap on your nose?"

He shrugged. "Well, if you don't want to go with me I guess I'll just—"

"Wait. What?"

I stared at him, trying to see if he was lying or not. He WOULD NOT ask me to go. I mean, yeah I don't have anyone to go with, since Lavender Brown was hogging Seamus.

"Well, it seems that Blaise Zabini", he glanced over at a black boy sitting two tables away, "had already asked Pansy to go, and, well, I have no one else to go with." He drawled, acting casual.

My eyes narrowed. "So, I'm a second option."

He stared at me blankly.

"Why are you staring at me?" I asked suspiciously.

"Well you didn't answer."

"Well, I'm a second option!"

"And?"

I didn't reply.

"Do you have anyone else to go with?"

"No…"

He smiled, making his point.

I sighed heavily. "Okay fine I'll go with you."

It took all my energy to keep myself from grinning from ear to ear.

I guess I had said that too loud, since the whole group of Slytherins looked over, eyes wide.

Draco smirked again, got up, and walked away. I grinned and turned back to my drawing. I looked up again as I heard Seamus's Irish voice drift over to the table as he walked by.

"Yeah and he just went up ta meh and was like hey, ya little irish kid, get outta mah way. I mean he was a prick." He walked past me, talking about some stupid seventh year Hufflepuff, and while he was walking he glanced at me, looking really pissed.

I guess he saw the whole Malfoy thing.

Great.

Marie was sitting way on the other side of the table next to Katie Bell, they were talking about Quittach. Marie signaled me to come over by her so I happily walked over and sat on the other side of her. I listened in on what she and Katie were talking about.

Marie smiled, "Chaser, I like the sound of it."

Katie grinned, "Yah, too bad Sam and Angelina got kicked off for cheating. I think you'll will make a great chaser though."

"I'm so excited! When do I try out?"

"You can try out….tonight at eight." Katie patted her on the back and stood up to leave.

"Ok. Thanks Katie, so much." Marie hugged Katie as she walked off.

She turned towards me, "Em! Guess what?!"

"What?" I laughed.

"I'm trying out for the new Chaser position!"

"Oh my God!" I squealed, "Wait, Sam and Angelina got kicked off?"

"Yeah." She smiled from ear to ear.

I jumped a bit in my chair. "Now you can play with me!"

She was about to respond when people came pouring in through the big oak doors, chatting and laughing. The four tables soon began to fill up with the appropriate house students.

"Mar, did you hear what happened to Collin Creevey?" I whispered, leaning across the table.

"Who's he?" asked Fred butting in.

"He's him." I pointed down the table at a third year Gryffindor with short blonde hair and a camera, "He's obsessed with Harry. He's like a little brother to Marie."

"So…what happened?" she asked, looking down at him, who was talking to his friends.

"Well, it seems he asked Fleur Delacour to the Yule Ball, and she hexed him!" I laughed, though I felt bad for him. Marie growled.

Her mouth dropped open. "REALLY?!"

I nodded, looking over at the prissy little Bobatans blondie, whose school was hogging up half of the Hufflepuff table.

"Yeah. He had to be sent the infirmary because he had warts even worse than Draco's."

She gave a disgusted face.

I smiled down at the table, trying not to laugh at the memory of Draco covered in ugly, pussy pimples. The Hall was soon filled with the smell of food, and I was getting claustrophobic. People were all over the place now.

She was glaring at Fleur, "Bitch."

Fred looked at her, "What are you gonna do?"

"Get that cow when she least expects it. You two wanna help?"

"Duh!" I laughed, "What are we gonna do?"

George looked over, "I smell revenge and I want part of it."

"Sure, sure," Marie was deep in thought.

Fred and George looked excited. Marie smiled wickedly, "All I need you guys to do is get a roll of saran wrap and meet me by Fleur's carriage after dinner."

"What are we gonna do?" I asked.

"You'll see."

I rolled my eyes, smirking. "Whatever."

"Where in the name of Merlin are we gonna get saran wrap?" George asked, looking at Fred, who was just as clueless.

"I…wait!" I got up just as Dumbledore announced for the feast to start.

I ran quickly down the table to Harry, Ron and Hermione, who had left Marie to sit with Ron.

"Harry!" I whispered, crouching down to the left of him.

He looked down, then began laughing. "What?"

"Do you know where to find saran wrap?" I giggled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, which was in a bun.

"Why the bloody hell do need saran wrap?!" Ron exclaimed, food falling out of his mouth.

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded, watching the chewed food in disgust.

"What?!"

She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, Harry, doesn't Dobby work in the kitchen?"

"Oh, yeah! That's a good idea. Okay…um….Dobby! Dobby! Dobby!" Harry called, sounding awkward.

I began laughing so hard I fell on my butt. Hermione was giggling and Ron turned the shade of 'a burst tomato'.

Just then a small, beige house elf with big, tennis ball sized green eyes stood next to me. I yelped, scrambled to get up, and crouched on the far side of Harry.

He looked relieved that he didn't look as stupid now that it worked. "Dobby, thanks."

"Not a problem, Mr. Potter!" he squeaked, looking flustered at all the students around him.

"Um, can you please get me some saran wrap?" he asked, giving him a small smile.

Dobby lit up at this. "Sure, Harry sir! Right away, sir!"

He snapped his fingers, disappeared, and seconds later reappeared with a roll of saran wrap. He handed it to Harry, who handed it to me.

"Thanks, Harry! And you too, Dobby!" I squealed, excited.

I ran back over to my spot in between Dean and Angelina Johnson.

"What are you doing with that saran wrap?" Draco asked mockingly from behind me.

Marie opened her mouth to say something, but I said something first. "Didn't you know? This is my Yule Ball dress." I smirked at his facial expression.

His eyes went from mocking to amazed, looking me up and down. "Whatever." He grumbled, turning around again.

I rolled my eyes and turned back around to face Fred, George and Marie. "How'd you get that?" George asked in awe.

"Uh, Harry. And Dobby." I set it aside and forked through various food items until I found what I wanted to eat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~After dinner~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stood in the cold, wishing I had brought a jacket. I had a black hat that covered up to my eyebrow, but no jacket. It was pitch black out, and I was standing with Fred and George outside of Fleurs carriage, trying to act all inconspicuous. I fiddled with the saran wrap in my left hand, waiting for Marie to arrive.

"Hey!"

I looked around, finally finding Marie jogging over to us, holding duck tape.

"Lumos!" I muttered when we finally all crouched together.

The tip of my wand lit up, casting odd shadows on our faces.

"Okay, here's what we're gonna do. Emily, I want you to take about twenty or so pieces of saran wrap that are about two and a half feet wide. And George and Fred, hold them so that they don't get wrinkled. I'll put them on the door and use the duck tape on the outside holding it to the door."

"Why are you going to put them-

She cut me off, "You'll see."

We worked for about ten minutes until the outside of the door was covered in saran wrap, it was barely visible. Someone moved in the carriage; we all lunged into the bushes. Fleur opened the door, looking puzzled. She went to take a step out but walked right into the saran wrap and screamed bloody Mary, spazzing out. She pushed on the saran wrap, but Marie put way too much duck tape on, she couldn't break free.

I was in hysterics, quietly shaking, holding my sides.

Marie quietly snickered along with the rest of us.

Fleur got extremely pissed, whipped out her wand,and burned it down. "WHO DID THIS?!" she screamed, her face contorted in rage.

Other girls appeared behind her. "Calm down." One of them yawned, rubbing her eyes.

They dragged Fleur back into the carriage, slamming the door. We all exchanged glances, tears spilling from our eyes we were laughing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~The next day~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marie and I had stayed out kind of late, because of our prank and her try-outs. She had made it on the team, and got her own Nimbus 20001 broom from her mom.

"Cool!" she grinned as she opened the broom, wrapped in beige paper, at breakfast.

An owl had nearly dropped it on my head, but instead it landed on the pancakes; which made a very disappointed Seamus.

I smiled, remembering my Firebolt, which was better than the Nimbus 2001, but not by much. The Nimbus 2001 was what Draco's dad had bought the whole Slytherin Quittich team during Harry's second year, as he had been so kind to tell me.

I yawned, grateful that Dumbledore cut off classes the whole week leading up to the Yule Ball. I didn't necessarily feel like seeing Snape at the moment.

"Hey, Emily."

I turned to my left, expecting Ron or someone, but I found Dean. "Hey, what's up?"

He smiled. "Seamus was really mad that you're going to the dance with Malfoy."

"You're WHAT?!" Marie yelled, lunged over the table at me.

"I'm…just going to the Yule Ball with Draco…" I looked shyly at Dean, who smiled and walked over to Seamus, who was farther down.

"What?! Why didn't I know about this!!" she exclaimed, coming to sit next to me.

I didn't say anything, just shoved a piece of toast covered with grape jelly in my mouth.

"Well?" she pressed, "Why'd you say yes? You know he's using you."

I swallowed. "Excuse me?!"

"Well, it's kind of obvious." She said simply.

Like she knew everything in the frickin world.

I picked up my books and stood up, careful not to tread on my cloak. "Why can't you just be happy for me instead of ruining it?!"

"Because he's a jerk!"

"That asked me."

"So, he's just using you! He doesn't actually like you or anything."

I glared at her. "I know he's a jerk, but he was the only one that asked me, and Seamus is already going with Lavender. And how do you know that he doesn't like me if he treats everyone the same! I'm aware that he may be using me, but I'm willing to take that chance. I'd rather go with him then be by myself."

She opened her mouth to say something, but I stormed off, into the common room. I sat down heavily on the couch.

What if she's right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Night of the Yule Ball~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marie and I (we made up, finally) started to get ready about two hours before it started.

"We're gonna be the best looking there." She grinned, holding up her baby blue dress.

We had matching dresses (that weren't corny, like some people have really stupid matching things but…). They were different colors, mine was a burgundy and hers was a baby blue. The dresses were strapless and were scrunched and tight looking in the chest area down the end of our stomachs, at the bottom part they were slightly poufy but not too much. The bottom part was silky like the top, but the top was covered in sequins; Mine were black and Marie's were clear. They bottom ended just above the knee.

We slipped into them. "I feel pretty! Oh so pretty! I feel pretty and witty and—

I stopped singing as Sam walked into the room. I felt self-conscious suddenly.

We began hysterically laughing, then prancing around the room singing 'Hips Don't Lie' by Shakira. Sam glared at us, and then picked out a blue kimono. Marie and I exchanged a glance, and then continued getting ready.

I felt like she was watching me straighten my hair, but I tried to ignore that. I turned around. "How do I look?" I asked Marie, who tilted her head.

"Fierce!" she grinned.

"J'adore your hair!" I smiled at her long curls, "Fred's gonna love you!"

She smiled. "So is Draco."

Sam whipped her head around from her place in front of her bed. "You're going with DRACO?!"

"Yeah." I placed a hand on my hip, "Is there a problem with that?"

I only said that because she looked like she was about to murder me right there.

"No. It's just that…he said he'd go with me."

"Ew…uh *cough* I mean really?"

"Yeah. Like if I didn't have anyone else to go with."

I didn't say anything, just turned up my iHome to blast 'Boten Anna' by Basshunter. I turned over to the big mirror, which was in between two beds, where the break of the circle was. I borrowed Marie's make-up, since my mom wants me to be Amish the rest of my life and never wear any, so she never buys me some.

I applied foundation, light burgundy eye shadow, and eyeliner. I smiled into the mirror, and Marie walked over, squealing. "Fabulous!!!"

"Thanks!" I smiled as she resumed her make-up applying.

She had the same as me, just baby blue eye shadow.

I began dancing now to 'In the Ayer', spinning in circles and prancing around. I looked over at Marie who was staring at herself in the mirror. I walked over to her.

"You ok?" I asked, looking at her reflection.

"You think I look ok?" She asked.

I stared at her, "No."

I laughed hysterically and hugged her, "You look fab!"

Sam snickered, and applied eyeliner so it went off of her eye and into a weird Egyptian looking swirly thing.

"What?" Marie put her hands on her hips, "Ok Pharaoh, you think I look ugly?"

Sam put down the eyeliner and stood up then eyed us both up and down. She walked out and Marie and I looked at each other. We both shuddered and screeched.

Ew.

"You should've shoved that Egyptian crap up her ass." I growled.

She began laughing hysterically.

"Ok," she breathed finally, "Are you ready?"

"Wait!" I ran over to the mirror, and fixed my hair so it was half up, half down. The half up part was in a complicated curly thing.

"Okay. Um are you gonna go without shoes?" I laughed as she looked down at her bare feet.

"Yeah, I was thinking about it." She giggled, walking over to her trunk and grabbing a pair of silver flats, matching the sequins.

I grabbed a pair of black flats with this little bow at the top.

I put on a string of black, thin bracelets. Marie had two bangles on her right wrist, one was silver and the other was light blue. She ruffled the ends of her long hair and smiled at me then eyed her black nails, "Nice."

I smiled back, running my painted black nails through my long hair. "I'm so nervous I could puke."

We now wasted about an hour and a half, and all the champions with their dates had to be down a half hour early.

Marie looked like she was going to pass out or puke. We walked down the staircases, which were empty, our flats making clacking noises on the granite.

"Wait we have to make an entrance." Marie smirked.

I laughed. "Okay well what are we gonna do?"

"Dobby!"

Dobby appeared, looking triumphant. "Yes Ms.?"

"How the hell—

I was astonished. How did she do that?!

"Please fetch me my iHome."

He reappeared a moment later. "Thanks!"

She put on 'Barbie Girl'. "Okay. Now let's go!"

"Wait what?" I asked, panicking.

She pushed open the giant doors, and we began prancing in, waving our hands in the air and spinning around. We stopped on the other side of the room, laughing hysterically, until we realized the champions, their dates and ours were already in there.

"Holy….Joshua…" I mumbled, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Marie was still dancing. "Mar!" I whispered.

She stopped, laughing hysterically, grabbing into the end of a table. "What?"

I pointed towards the ten people standing there, staring at us with their mouths open like 'Holy shit'.

She laughed. "I know!"

Frowning, I turned my back towards Draco, who was staring at me like a warthog's backside. I turned my attention to the room.

We looked at each other, we both gasped at the sight. There were icicles hanging everywhere, and there entire room was a silver blue. Snow was falling, but it wasn't cold, and it faded away before it hit the ground. There was a giant Christmas tree where Dumbledore's chair used to be, and the room was literally five times bigger.

There were round tables made of non-melting ice, a long table full of refreshments (also made of ice) and big stage to the left.

"It's amazing." I breathed, in awe.

"Ms. Collins, Ms. Elizabeth." Professor McGonagall called, missing our whole entrance.

We spun around, watching her walk over to us her dark green robe swishing.

"Now, as you are aware that the champions dance first, and—

"WHAT?!" we exclaimed.

Obviously she hadn't bothered to tell us.

"Oh, well, now you know." She walked back outside, her tight light brown bun high and mighty on her head.

"C'mon, 'Ermione. We need tah get ready." Krum grunted, taking her outside the Hall.

Sighing, I walked over to Draco, who smirked, looking me up and down. "Not too bad. At least for a Gryffindor."

I smiled and walked outside with him. I drank in his attire, which was a black suit, with a dark green tie. His blonde hair was just messy enough, not so much that it looks like he just rolled out of bed. He smelled like cologne.

McGonagall ordered us to stand in a line, arm in arm with our partners. Draco looked down at me as we stood together.

I was going to puke all over the place.

Marie was right behind us with Fred and she was whisper screaming my name.

I turned, "What?!"

"What if Draco is too wimpy and he can't pick you up?" She grinned.

Draco ignored her and Fred snorted, "Remember, he is bigger than me."

I turned back around and tried to drone out their snickering. I looked up at Draco, "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Ok….well….are you nervous?" I felt awkward.

"No."

We stood arm in arm for at least five minutes silently until I felt like I HAD to say something, "Are you sure?"

He looked down at me, "Collins…"

"Well….we should at least talk. You are my date." I stared at him.

He looked away, "You wanna talk? Fine."

We stood in silence. I spoke matter-of-factly, "You know, this isn't really a good ice breaker with us. You should at least try to talk."

He glared at me, "What do you want me to say?"

"Well….how was your day?" I grinned.

Marie giggled in the background. Draco turned and faced forward, "We're going in now."

It was time.

We all glided into the room, which was now filled with everyone.

They had formed a kind of half circle, and Draco and I stood, staring at each other, waiting. He looked a little nervous; he kept shuffling his feet. But his eyes were calm, and when Professor McGonagall clapped, he immediately attached his right hand to my waist. I nervously placed my black nail-painted hand on his shoulder, and we held each others hands, my right and his left, and the champions began to dance.

Draco wasn't actually half bad….we all glided around the snow white dance floor to some sappy music which I though sounded like crap. But having Draco swing me around and catch me was pretty nice. I smiled when I realized he was trying to hide a grin.

My stomach was fluttering, and for a few moments our eyes completely locked, and we just danced and twirled, lost in each others eyes. Suddenly, as if he realized that he had been staring into my eyes, broke the gaze and watched our feet. I saw a slight blush creeping up his face.

He was SO cute. Still worried about him dropping me, my hands wanted to sweat, but that wouldn't have been very good so I took deep breaths to calm down.

Finally, the song ended and a new song began. Now everyone was already dancing, Durmstrang and Bobatans mixed with Hogwarts students.

'In the Ayer' by Flo Rida blasted from the speakers and everyone began dancing like crazy. The whole dance floor was packed and I felt like a sardine. Marie and Fred came over by me and we all danced.

I scream-sang, throwing my hands in the air in time with the music.

I noticed that Draco was actually dancing, and it wasn't too bad. It was mostly like every other boy that dances, but just watching him made me snort, and he stopped dancing suddenly, looking over at me with a puzzled expression.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing!" I yelled over the music.

I felt the bass trembling through my body, and I squealed when 'High School Never Ends' by Bowling for Soup came on. Marie and I looked at each other, grinning from ear to ear.

She shoved me over to Draco, who was dancing next to Blaise, Marcus and some other Slytherins. I fell forward, laughing hysterically. He looked down at me like I was insane.

"C'mon!" I screamed over the music.

Dancing made me braver and care-free, so I grabbed him by his pale hands and began dancing. He just stood there for a minute, staring at me blankly, then started dancing madly too.

AHHHHHHH OH MY JOSHUA I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ACTUALLY DANCING WITH DRAAAACOoooooooooooOOOOO!!!!!

Surprisingly, a huge smile spread across his face as we were two inches from each other, jumping up and down now to 'Ass Like That' by Eminem, one of my favorite songs. I kept rubbing up against his chest we were so close, and I felt a bit self-conscious that my boobs were pressed up against his chest.

If he even noticed, he didn't show it. This was a side of Draco that I've never seen before, and I liked it. He hadn't made fun of me at all since we began dancing.

Everyone was moving at once, and I was constantly bumping into people, getting my pissed. It was hot and musty in there, but I didn't mind much.

When the song ended, I was completely out of breath, exhaling so loud that I could actually hear myself over all the screaming.

"Ooookay!!!!! This is for all the couples out there!!!" the DJ announced (Dumbledore actually got a DJ!).

I looked across the room at Marie, and she mouthed 'Dance with him' but he was already walking away. Sighing heavily, I walked off to the side of the room, sitting at an empty table and staring at all the kids getting ready to slow dance on the floor.

I watched Draco walk over to the side, also, and Blaise Zabini ran from his spot with Pansy over to him. They talked for a few seconds before Blaise pointed in my direction, and my stomach flipped.

Draco gave a weird look, his blonde hair covering most of his expression from his eyes or eyebrow rising. Finally, before the music started, he walked over to me.

"You wanna dance?" he mumbled, looking at the floor.

I stared up at him, my heart beating a million miles an hour. "Sure…"

We walked smack in the center, and we stood awkwardly for a few seconds until at once we moved forward so his hands were on my waist and my hands were around his neck.

Oh sweet mother Mary.

'My Immortal' by Evanescence started playing, and, my stomach fluttering, we began slow dancing.

I couldn't hide my insane grin as I watched him watch his feet. He looked like he was blushing, and I had to swallow a giggle. This was DEFFINATLEY the best day of my life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~At the end of the dance~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dance was over, and only a few more songs were playing. Draco and I decided to sit down (He actually sat with me) and we were kind of just relaxing, leaning our elbows on the edge of the table.

"Collins."

I gave him a side glance, and his pale, smooth pointy features of his profile met my eyes.

"Please, I call you Draco. Can you call me Emily? It's, well, annoying when you call me 'Collins'." I sighed, staring forward also.

I could feel my eyeliner smudging, and I hoped I didn't smell bad after dancing so much.

He grumbled, "You want to go outside Zabini is dancing with Parkinson, and it's hot in here", he smirked, "See? I call everyone by their last names."

I giggled, and stood up, adjusting my dress. Draco walked ahead of me, out the Great Hall and into a snowy courtyard. I suddenly felt cold, but of course it was snowing.

Wow.

Black carriages were stationed around the courtyard, and it seemed to be abandoned. But as I walked past one of them, I realized with a jolt that kids were making out in there.

He walked over to one, his breath showing up as silver fog in the cold night.

"Er, Draco?" I asked nervously as he climbed inside.

Halfway in, he turned his head. "What."

"Uh…" I stood there, hugging myself and my teeth chattering.

The inside was pitch black, with two long seats on either end. It looked kind of cramped, but there were two foggy windows with slivers of moonlight shining through.

"Well, are you getting in or no." he growled, and I noticed that he had finally sat down on the right side.

Hesitantly, I climbed in, and found out then that there were jackets, purses and stuff left on the other seat, so I had to sit next to Draco. Shivering, I sat down, running my hand through my hair.

"Why are we here?" I asked quietly, my heart beating so fast I thought he could hear it.

He turned towards me. "I was cold."

He always speaks so simply. And wasn't he hot like five seconds before?

"Okay." I exhaled, watching my breath turn into mist, "But it's really not much different in….here…" I trailed off as I noticed him staring at me.

Like I mean STARING. Like a four year old stares up at the counter in Burger King but can't see anything, but stares so intently at it just in the hope that he will. Bad reference, but you get my drift.

His gaze sent chills through me, and I found it hard to look away. It was as if everyone else on every other part of the planet didn't matter; it was just me and Draco. Suddenly, as if by command, he lent in slowly, his eyelids inching further down with each second.

My face was burning and I felt time slow down as I watched Draco, Draco Malfoy, about to kiss me. He tilted his head slightly to the right. Finally in time I pulled myself together enough to tilt my head to the right also, closing my eyes, meeting his lips.

His lips were smooth and warm, pushing up against mine. It was like a kiss out of a fairy tale; perfect.

The good thing was that he didn't try to push his tongue inside of my mouth, because I had heard that some guys try to do that and I wouldn't know what to do.

Anyway, so many thoughts were running through my mind, but I couldn't think. All I could think was Draco. Draco next to me, Draco on my lips, Draco's scent of cologne filling up the carriage, Draco's warmth, Draco Draco Draco.

Everything was Draco as we held the kiss, my stomach fluttering and my face burning. Suddenly he lent in, pressing harder, deepening the kiss. As if I couldn't get any more nervous.

I decided to take a chance and kiss him back, so I slowly moved my hand up to his shoulder. From there I pressed in harder; using his should to do so. We moved our lips slightly so the pressure didn't exactly hurt. After about twenty seconds later, we pulled apart about an inch, gasping for air.

Silence filled the carriage, but it wasn't exactly awkward. More like…amazed. I looked straight at him as he stared at the opposite side of the carriage, eyes wide.

Suddenly I was very aware of my surroundings, the cold, every noise and the music playing from Hogwarts. I was distinctly aware of my breathing, and Draco's which was escalating.

"I…have to go." He grunted, his voice barely coming out.

Without looking at me, still astonished, he climbed quickly out of the carriage.

I watched him walk swiftly back to the Great Hall. Sighing loudly, I began giggling and laughing, jumping slightly in my seat.

DRACO KISSED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!