Once upon a while ago Hermione Granger descended down an ornate balcony leading to the Yule Ball. Every student gawked at her, but she had never known why. This must be what it was like.

This time, it was Hermione's turn to melt into crumb cakes. It was her turn to do the ridiculous gawking. She heard swift footsteps. At first sight Hermione was convinced that Jasper Hale was the reason wizarding robes were made. He swiftly made it down the stairs, never breaking eye contact as he finished tying his silver tie. Hermione tried her best to ignore the agile vision that instantly burned into her memory.

Jasper was completely breathtaking. He chose to wear a combination of a wizarding black cloak, navy colored vest, and perfectly tailored slacks. He tied his long auburn golden hair back. It revealed his chiseled jawline which contrasted soft hazel eyes and deep rose lips. He looked like an aristocratic wizard that stepped out of a 1800s painting.

In short, Jasper made Viktor Krum look like a toad.

"I apologize for making you wait. You look beautiful." Jasper reached the final steps as he smiled. No, she looked underdressed.. as anyone would around Jasper Hale. Hermione choked. She didn't know which way to look. Every direction, she was met with either a gorgeous grin, a broad shoulder, or some type of muscle that was much too defined for a person so well-covered. It didn't help that every one of his movements dripped with grace. Was he possibly still a Cold One? Jasper silently answered her with increasing warmth as he moved closer.

"I really am sorry." His earthy voice repeated. The warmth tickled her neck.

"It was very much worth the wai-" Hermione caught herself mid sentence "Off we go then."

"It's very much worth the-off-we go then?" Jasper chuckled down at her. Hermione closed her eyes. Was Jasper trying to kill her? She doubted she had any blood left to pool in her head. After a moment Hermione took a quick in-breath, tensed, and glared at the hallway. She was preparing to walk. Left foot. Right foot.

"If it makes you uncomfortable I don't have to escort you. I know how you feel about pleasantries and all." Jasper comforted her. She looked so distraught and he didn't know why. No clue. Hermione glanced Jasper's way. She saw a subtle sadness in his hazel eyes.

"No please don't think.. It's just- I," she steeled herself.

"Well you look very handsome. Really." Hermione loudly spit it out, staring at Jasper's chin rather than the rest of him. There was a solemn silence before Jasper allowed his eyebrow to slowly raise. Hermione salvaged her last bit of bravery and defiantly looked up at him. She would never back down on her word. He was dashing. End of story.

Jasper's eyes softened.

"Thank you ma'm. Now would you prefer my arm.. or should I carry you to the ball?" Jasper jokingly made his way to pick her up. Hermione grabbed Jasper's arm, hanging on for dear life.

"The arm it is, then. I'm honored you'll accept any piece of me." Jasper continued to jab, now confident that he hadn't made her upset. Jasper was used to receiving the attention of ladies. He'd spent the last hundred years either fighting it off or...taking advantage of his allure.

Hermione Granger said he was handsome, in his Jasper Whitlock form. That really meant something. It was real.

"Jasper I think we should be on our way." Hermione smiled at the frozen statue who was lost in his thoughts. "And for the record, I accept all of you. Every bit." She found the courage to tease back.

Well, she wasn't quite kidding.