Chapter Ten

Hermione

I knew he was watching me. I was almost… happy he was. I had spent more time than I thought I would getting every curl to sit just right and my eyeliner just the way I wanted it. The dress was damned hard to get into, and if it hadn't been for the spell Ms. Greenforth gave me, I could never have gotten the corset laced on my own. I was happy that my effort was being noticed. We were walking in silence, getting glances from the students as we passed. I realized that we probably looked like a couple, a rather striking couple with the way our outfits complemented each other, and that's what people were probably assuming. When we reached the main stairwell, he held his arm out to me, and I looked at him like he was crazy.

"I may hate you, Granger, but you are still a woman. I was raised with manners, like giving my arm to a lady while walking down the steps or entering the main event of the night. Please, don't make me look like an idiot for offering."

"Very well, Malfoy." I looped my arm with his and he led me down the steps. Every single eye was on us. "Mr. Malfoy, if I may, I think we're quite a scandal at the current moment."

He smiled, truly smiled, and said, "Why, Miss Granger, I think you would be right. This is rather amusing."

I laughed a little, drawing even more shocked stares, before finally reaching the Entrance Hall where a lot of the students were gathered. "We should go in and make sure everything is going off without a hitch," I said with a sigh, "You know, for as much as I love the people openly gaping at us, and everything."

He smiled again and led me into the Great Hall. With the lights dimmed and all the decorations in place, I was almost speechless by how well everything turned out. The walls were draped with black and silver fabric that took on a faint blue hue from the orb lights that were floating around the room. We had white flowers spilling from glass globes on tables, and candles in each of the corners to give a bit more light. It was breathtaking.

"We did very well, Granger."

"Yes, we did, Malfoy."

Dumbledore came over to greet us, wearing one of those plain white plastic-y masks. "Ah, good, good. I'm so happy you made it on time. The professors are gathering the students now, and then you'll share the first dance, and we'll be able to really start the party."

"We have to dance?" I asked.

"Did I forget to mention that? I'm terribly sorry. It's just a two-step waltz. You'll both do fine. Come with me to the front so we can start this."

I looked at Malfoy, and he just shook his head. After welcoming the students to the ball, Dumbledore introduced us as Head Boy and Head Girl.

"I want you all to see what house unity has brought us, this beautiful ball and the brightest Head Boy and Head Girl that we have had in a very long time. Let them share the first dance, and hope that we can all conduct ourselves with the grace and dignity that they do."

I blushed from his words, but was quickly distracted by Malfoy bowing his head in respect to me and holding out his hand. He was a good actor; I almost believed he was sincere. The music began and I took his hand so he could lead me out to the dance floor. Before I knew it, his hand was on my hip, my hand was on his shoulder, and he was leading us in a much more complicated dance than the simple two-step. He held my gaze the entire time, and only the small smile that touched his lips warned me before he spun me out from him then pulled me back to him. I was giddy from the rush and dizziness until I noticed the peculiar look on his face. It was somewhere between sorrow and disgust, but either way, it was something I didn't want to look at. The smile fell from my face rather quickly, and we went straight back to strictly dancing until the song ended. We bowed to each other and the crowd clapped until Dumbledore announced that the party could really begin. Malfoy was moving quickly away from me, and I had to stop myself from reaching out toward him.

What was wrong with me? It was Malfoy! I didn't care about him.

Right?

Ron came over and spun me around before I could follow that particular train of thought anywhere I would regret going. "I'm so sorry you had to dance with that git."

"He wasn't bad. We barely argue anymore," I responded without thinking about who I was talking to.

"So you're defending him now? Are you getting cozy with Malfoy now?"

"Gods, Ron, no. We're just civil with each other, which is how it should be."

"You looked like you were having a good time out there," he accused.

"Mate, stop bothering her. We're here to have fun, right?" Harry tried to interject, but I was already too angry.

"Yes, I was having a bloody good time, okay? He's a fantastic dancer, and he treated me, of all things, the way a gentleman should! Go to hell, Ron."

I stomped off in the opposite direction, toward the drinks, grateful that someone had already spiked the punch by the time I got there.