A/N: Yes, yes another song. Music is my inspiration! This ones tied into the scene though so don't worry no lyrics to start out with.
ON WITH THE STORY!
Nymphetamine pt 10
Draco paced around his room at the manor, constantly checking the clock, waiting for arrival. He grumbled, still an hour he had to wait. He sat on his bed, taking out his bottle of stolen soul and sighed deeply. He was sick and tired of having to inject this potion. It was starting to get painful, his arms bruised in a deep shade of purple. Now was the time he wished he was gifted with healing magic. He stuck the needle into his bruised and battered arm, wincing in pain.
"You are nervous, I can sense it." Lyra said, appearing in front of him.
"Of course I'm nervous, Tonight is the night I try to officially win her. It might not be definite love, but hopefully it will advance our relationship." He swallowed hard, his hands shaking. Lyra sat next to him.
"It will. The song is a beautiful declaration of affections. Your friends made a good choice. This curse will be lifted and we will put a stop to Perkins's evil scheme." Draco smiled. He had other tricks up his sleeve.
"I'm going to ask her to live with me…when school is over. Her parents are still coming out of their fog from having her wiped out of their memories, who knows how long that would take? I want to ask her…to stay with me." He smiled, looking to the beautiful glowing flower.
"That is wonderful Draco!" Lyra swooned. "So romantic! Saving her from that pain." Draco shrugged.
"What can I say? She's melted the ice that was around my heart. I didn't think it were possible for me to fall for her, but little by little…she's made me go soft. The thought of her being hurt, or lonely…it hurts me. I just want her to be happy. I've never felt this way for anyone before." Lyra smiled, looking towards the clock.
"You better get ready, she will be here soon."
Hermione paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. She had five more minutes before she could leave. She wore a full face of make-up, red painted lips, hair tamed and tied back in a bow. She felt butterflies in her stomach. At the beginning of the year if someone told her she would be falling for Draco Malfoy, she probably would have punched them. But here she was, on Christmas, pacing back and forth waiting to go to his manor. She couldn't believe it even now, but she was definitely falling for him. She took one more look at the clock; it was time to go. She grabbed a handful of floo powder, throwing it into the fireplace.
"Malfoy Manor."
Draco sat at the table, hands folded in front of him. He kept staring at the fireplace, his stomach doing somersaults, his nerves getting the better of him.
"She will be here any minute." Lyra said, also looking at the fireplace. She looked Draco up and down, eying his jet black suit. "You look exquisite." She commented.
"Thanks Lyra. I'm hoping she agrees." Just then, something sounded in his fireplace and he sat up straighter and green flames exposed themselves. After a split second, she stepped out, coughing from the soot in the fireplace. Draco stood, walking over to her.
"Welcome to my home, Hermione." He said, bowing to her. She curtsied, smiling.
"It's beautiful." She commented, remembering the last time she had been here. A shiver ran down her spine.
"Thank you, love. I have a surprise for you." He held out a large package. She took it, a look of surprise on her face. "Open it!" He said, a giant smile on his face. She began pulling at the paper.
"Oh Draco you didn't have to…" She stopped mid-sentence. She pulled a beautiful golden ballroom dress out of the package. Her breath got stuck in her chest. "It…its beautiful!" She said breathlessly.
"I figured you would want something to wear tonight, you light up my life and this dress shines like you do." He kissed her hand. "If you go up the stairs there is a room to the left you can use to change. Pansy is up there getting ready herself, she can help you slip into it." He winked, ushering her towards the stairs.
"Thank you…so much Draco!" She said, throwing her arms around his neck, holding him close. He inhaled her scent, sending his stomach into knots.
"No need to thank me. I just can't wait to see you in it." She beamed at him, turning to climb the stairs to the ladies changing room.
"So, things going well with Draco?" Pansy asked. She wore a billowing, emerald green dress that flowed around her ankles. Hermione answered behind the curtain,
"Things are going well. He truly is a different person when you get to know him." She heard Pansy quietly laugh to herself.
"I heard about the blow up with Potter." She sneered. "I want you to know, Hermione, Draco may seem hard and uncaring on the outside, but inside…he truly does care about you." Hermione stepped out from behind the curtain.
"Can you…help me lace the back up?" She asked, her cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. Pansy walked over, a smile on her face as she began to lace up the golden dress.
"Do you truly feel for Draco?" Pansy asked, curiosity lacing her voice. Hermione sighed.
"Well…at first I was doing because I found out a secret. I thought he was awful…then I saw this softness, this caring nature I didn't know he had. It went from reluctantly meeting him in secret, trying to force myself to care about him. Then…I'm not sure when, but it all changed. I noticed I wasn't forcing myself anymore, that all of a sudden I was seeking out his company." She confessed to her once enemy. "I believe I do deeply care about him." Pansy squeaked as she finished lacing up the top. She surveyed Hermione up and down, clicking her tongue in approval.
"Wait up here, I'll send a signal when it's okay to come down." She said, turning to leave the room. She turned slightly, before exiting the room.
"You have nothing to fear. Draco seems hard, but you have changed him…you can trust him." She left the room, leaving Hermione to her thoughts.
The guests began to file in. His manor was full of the young wizarding elite, from all over the world. Draco greeted them all, soft symphonic music playing in the background from the band he hired for his event. Pansy walked up to Draco.
"Is now the time?" She asked, Blaise on her arm. Draco nodded, looking into the dining room to see all his guests seated. Pansy took our her wand, sending out a smoke signal.
"Go take your seats, I'll be with you momentarily." Pansy and Blaise nodded, exiting the foyer and entering the dining room. He stood her, his heart pounding. He heard a door softly close and he knew; this was it. The moment on truth. His breath caught in his throat as she began to descend the stairs in the golden dress he bought for her. She was breath taking, he could feel his heart sinking. She got to the bottom of the stairs and stood before him. He exhaled the breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"You look breath taking." He said, the blood rushing to his ears. She blushed.
"Thank you. This is a gorgeous dress." She said. Draco held out his arm for her to take.
"It is time for the banquet. I shall escort you." He led her into the dining room, where all heads turned to watch them. He pulled out a chair for her between himself and Pansy. She sat. They enjoyed a dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, freshly baked rolls, bread pudding and wine. Draco couldn't take his eyes off of Hermione; she truly did light up his life. She was in an engaging conversation with a wizard from Germany named Fredrik on the muggle world.
"Das is very interesting!" He happily said, completely engrossed in what she was saying. "So you're telling me they have moving photos there too?" Hermione nodded.
"Yes. It's called a television." Draco watched her with admiration, until he noticed the time. He stood, clanking his spoon on his glass.
"If I may have your attention please." He said. Everyone hushed, waiting for his announcement. "If all of you could make your way to the ballroom, the masquerade begins now." Everyone pulled out a mask and put it on, making their way into the ballroom. He watched Hermione put on her matching mask on, following the crowd into the ballroom, completely unaware of his surprise for her. He put on his mask. Once the room was empty, he walked out, entering the ballroom with shaking hands. He looked behind him, Lyra was watching, hidden in the shadows. Pansy looked to Draco, her face hidden by a black mask.
"Are you ready?" She asked. Draco nodded nervously. Blaise walked up to the band, whispering something to the vocalists in the band. He immediately cleared his throat, holding his wand to his throat.
"The host of the evening requested the first dance be dedicated to a misses Hermione Granger. If the two of you could enter the floor." Draco walked out putting his hand out to catch hers in his. He could see the nervousness written on her face. A soft guitar started playing, and he pulled her close, their movements in synch. The woman began to sing
All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
"You do look beautiful tonight. I don't think I've told you enough." They twirled to the music.
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here suddenly I see
Standing here it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
"You look very handsome as well." She said. He could almost feel her nerves getting the better of her. He pulled her closer; she nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck.
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you
"This is a beautiful song." She said. Draco smirked, reminding himself to thank Pansy and Blaise for being complete saps.
"I thought it was an appropriate choice, given the circumstances." He twirled her out, and then pulled her back in. A man began singing this time.
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight
Now she's here suddenly I know
If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go
"I've never danced like this before with anyone." She said. "Sorry if I am a bit clumsy." Draco laughed, inhaling her scent. Roses, he noted.
"You are doing a fine job. Everyone seems to like you quite a bit." He laughed at her nervousness.
"I just get so nervous. This is the most exquisite thing I've ever done in my life. You must remember, most of my holidays were spent at the burrow." He wrinkled his nose, stepping back and pulling her forward.
"Well you seem to be doing just fine. You are a wonderful dancer even with everyone watching us." She laughed into his shoulder.
"I'm having a wonderful time Draco. Even if my friends can't see it…you really are an amazing person." Both vocalists began singing in unison.
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything is different
Now that I see you
Draco leaned in, cupping her face in his hands. He pressed his lips to hers, the crowd around them cheering and clapping. Her lips were soft against his, and despite being in a room full of people, it was as if they were the only two people left in the universe. He pulled the back of her head , deepening the kiss. He pulled back, staring Hermione in the eyes.
All at once, everything looks different
Now that I see you